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

 

Negotiations³ 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 retail¹ operations, which include Primark, rose 26% to £298m.

 

"After extensive research, it has been decided⁴ 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.

 

Group profits were largely driven by its retail and grocery arms, chairman Charles Sinclair said.

 

In the UK grocery group, growth by Ovaltine and Twinings was partly offset⁵ by lower sugar prices and sales volumes at Silver Spoon.

 

Associated British Foods shares were up 8% in early trading on Wednesday.

 

Primark is a major contributor to compensation for the victims and families of the Rana Plaza⁶ factory collapse⁷ in Bangladesh last year.

 

Out of a total of $12m compensation, $7m was accounted for in last year's results, and $5m has been charged in the year to date.

 

Primark paid $2m in short-term compensation and has committed to long-term payments of $9m. A further $1m will be paid to the Rana Plaza Donors⁸ Trust Fund.

 

"We support the International Labour Organization in urging other retailers⁹ sourcing from Rana Plaza to donate to the Trust Fund so that it can pay out in full to the remaining victims," Mr Sinclair said.

 

At least 23 brands were produced at the garment factory.

 

More than 1,130 people died when the factory building near Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, collapsed¹⁰ in April 2013.

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