Primark may break free from Kingsmill, Twinings and the sugar business this week when Associated British Foods announces plans on a mooted demerger.
The potential split comes at a tricky time for the group controlled by the billionaire Weston family, with its fashion and food arms facing tough competition and rising costs.
ABF, which owns bakeries, a sugar production business and provides ingredients to the restaurant trade alongside selling brands including Patak’s spice flavourings, Blue Dragon sauces and Jordans cereals, said in November last year that it was considering a demerger of Primark, its fashion arm. It said a strategic review carried out with the help of the advisory company Rothschild & Co had “a view to maximising long-term value”.
That was followed by a subdued statement on Christmas trading in January when the company admitted that annual sales were likely to be…
