Primarks US move could halt calls to break up ABF
The growth of Primark has led to increased pressure for the company to be spun off from ABF into a stand alone business, with analysts suggesting that investors get blindsided the grocery business leading to a mis-pricing of the Primark business. Morgan Stanley has reportedly said that Primark could have a market cap of &pound;30bn as a stand alone business, greater than the currenty market cap of the whole firm (&pound;24.4bn). This article in the Irish Independent states that the billionaire Weston family, which controls ABF may want to wait to see how the retailer fairs in the US before considering whether to spin it off.
Fashion chain aims to crack lucrative US market with low-key Boston entry, writes Nick Webb

Analysts believe the US market may be responsive to Primark’s low-cost fashion, such as this black dress from Penneys

Low-cost fashion retailer Primark's opening of its first US store in Boston may silence calls for it to be spun off from parent group Associated British Foods (ABF).