Primark to open its first US stores

Clothing retailer Primark is to open its first US stores, beginning with a 70,000 sq-ft shop in Boston in Massachusetts.

Primark plans to open the store towards the end of 2015.

Negotiations are under way to open further shops in the north-east of the US by the middle of 2016.

Primark owner Associated British Foods said half-year operating profits at its retail operations, which include Primark, rose 26% to £298m.

"After extensive research, it has been decided to take the [Primark] concept to consumers in the USA," Associated British Foods said.

The group, which also owns Penneys-branded stores in Ireland, said that operating profits for the half-year rose by £7m to £463m.