A raft of store openings and a strong performance on the Continent drove up total sales at ABF’s Primark over Christmas (The Telegraph). A surge in festive sales could push Primark to a record £1bn profit this year as it puts its struggling high street rivals in the shade (The Times £). Primark’s same-store sales rose for the first time since 2017 in its most recent trading period, as it warned of a small decline in the UK that was offset by growth in the US and a “notable improvement” in Germany (The Financial Times £)

However, sales at Primark’s UK stores went backwards at Christmas in a further sign of the toll taken on fashion retailers by grim market conditions over the traditionally lucrative trading period (The Guardian).

Shares in the fashion chain’s parent firm rise sharply as it reports improved trends across much of its divisions. (Sky News)

Family-controlled Associated British Foods is a rare thing: a conglomerate that works, and one of very few high street retailers still thriving, writes Ben Marlow in The Telegraph (£). “Imagine the field day that a savage outfit like Paul Singer’s Elliott could have if it got its claws into a company that had decided to put together a high street retailer with sugar manufacturing arm Silver Spoon and a collection of grocery brands… Yet, the stabilising presence of [the Weston family] allows ABF to take a longer-term view.” (The Telegraph)

Nestlé has pledged to spend up to $2bn to increase the use of recycled plastics in its food packaging, making the biggest public financial commitment among consumer goods giants to tackling the problem of plastic pollution. (The Financial Times £)

Almost a quarter of all new UK food products launched last year were labelled vegan, while nearly two-thirds of Britons chose to eat meat substitutes, figures show. (The Guardian)

Some of the world’s biggest brands are failing in their commitments to banish deforestation from their supply chains through their use of palm oil, despite making public claims to environmental sustainability, according to two reports. Many of the companies highlighted as performing poorly or missing targets are household names, including Kellogg’s, Mondelez and General Mills, while in the UK, major brands such as Greggs, Warburtons, Reckitt Benckiser and Associated British Foods are also ranked low in the table. (The Guardian)

The ONS revealed that, for the first time in a decade, the number of pubs and bars in Britain rose last year (Sky News). The ONS said that the first increase seen since the financial crisis also saw a boost for smaller pubs (The BBC).

The boss of Magners cider owner C&C Group has stepped down with immediate effect after revealing plans to leave the business. (The Telegraph)

UK livestock farmers fret as veganism challenge grows, writes The FT. ‘Veganuary’ exposes rift between young urbanites and older farmers over animal products. (The Financial Times £)

Discretionary spending by US consumers held steady in December, showing few signs of a broad jump during the crucial holiday period. (The Financial Times £)

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