Primark owner Associated British Foods has said that a strong performance from the fashion chain will offset a much lower profit in the group’s sugar division.

Sales at Primark in the first half have been “very strong”, driven by 4% like-for-like sales growth, an increase in retail selling space and “superior sales densities” in the larger new stores.

Like-for-like sales in the first eight weeks of the financial year were held back by unseasonably warm weather and strong comparatives in the previous year, but the rest of the period saw excellent trading including the Christmas period. New store openings have added 8% more selling space since the last half year.