Adjusted operating profit at value clothing giant Primark rose 17 per cent to £233 million, with sales up 21 per cent to £1.9 billion, in the year to September 13.

Primark's profits were up from£200 million for the same period last year.

However operating margins were down from 12.5 per cent to 12.1 per cent.

George Weston, chief executive of Primark parent company Associated British Foods, said: “These good results demonstrate the resilience of the group. Consumer spending in many parts of the world has been under pressure for some months. While faced with a general economic downturn, we remain committed to the group’s expansion and development, most notably in Sugar and Primark.”

Primark's retail space increased by 13 per cent, as 12 new stores opened over the year.

Primark also opened its new distribution centre in Northamptonshire which has increased its UK capacity by around 50 per cent.

Primark now employs over 25,500 people with 181 stores across the UK Ireland and Spain.

Next year it plans to open at least four more stores in Spain and test the markets in Germany and the Netherlands.

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