AB Foods has celebrated “another magnificent year” at its clothing arm Primark, which increased both its stores and sales.

In the year, total sales rose 16% to £4.95 billion at the clothing chain, pushing pre-tax profit for the wider group to £1.02 billion despite taking a hit from lower sugar prices in the EU.

In the period, the company added a further 21 shops to its store estate, including its first foray into France which the group said showed “exceptional” performance.