Primark hits the mark

PRIMARK’S annual profits would be higher than previously expected, owners Associated British Foods (ABF) announced.

Despite the cost of living crisis, luggage, beachwear, swimwear, beach footwear and even shorts were selling well, ABF’s finance director John Bason said.

“People are buying for hot summer holidays,” he added.

ABF whose products ranging from Twinings tea to animal feed as well as fashion, previously warned that in ­ creased energy and commodities’ costs would affect profits.

Instead, it now expects group sales to rise 20 per cent for the six months ending in early March compared with last year, helped by the 19 per cent increase in Primark sales which the company announced at the end of February.

Annual profits are predicted to be approximately in line with last year’s, despite previous predictions that that Primark trading would be hit by reduced consumer spending.

VOUCHERS worth approximately €724 million that were issued during the pandemic by IAG and easyJet have yet to be reclaimed. Approximately €600 million of this amount corresponded to IAG, which owns five airlines including BA, Iberia and Aer Lingus, revealed Robert Boyle, an aviation consultant and former IAG employee.

When airlines had to cancel flights during the pandemic, they preferred to provide vouchers for future travel rather than issue cash refunds, Boyle said. easyJet’s latest results also suggested that vouchers amounting to £110 million (€123.9 million) had not been exchanged.

Don’t fall for it

FRAUDSTERS increasingly dupe their victims with impersonation scams, according to Barclays.

More than 25 per cent of Britons have either been targeted by a scammer who pretended to be someone apparently trustworthy, or they know somebody who has, the bank said.

On average the victim of an impersonation scam loses £4,330 (€4,878) in the UK, but although no figures are available for Spain, exactly the same ploys are being used here to ensnare the unsuspecting.

“Be wary of unexpected calls or messages,” Barclays said. “Never click on messages or links you’re unsure about and never be persuaded to transferring your money into a ‘safe’ account.”

AS a mere male of the species I can utterly assure you I am a firm supporter of gender equality.

Unfortunately, the problem with the female ‘libber’ brigade is that many of their aspirations are in the hands of women who are in the public eye.

These Ladies, by the very nature of their chosen paths and careers, have more access to public pedestals than the majority of the fair sex can ever, or often even want, to become involved with.

Consequently, although I may admire many, we generally only hear the oft misrepresented views of women who are, in the main, just as about as far removed from the average woman as it is possible to be.

This creates the misapprehension that the majority of women are not happy with their lot. I believe this is quite simply, not the case.

In my experience the silent majority of women who choose to be homemakers are perfectly happy and indeed extremely proud in their home spun roles, and indeed why