South African upmarket fashion retailer TFG reported an 8.4% rise third-quarter sales on Friday, driven by increased spending by shoppers over the key Black Friday and Christmas trading period.

The conglomerate lowered its sales-growth expectations for Primark —its clothing retailer that accounts for the lion’s share of earnings—amid a challenging retail environment.

Primark, the international fashion retailer, has cut its sales forecast for this year after a weak performance in its core UK market. Associated British Foods, the parent of Primark, said in a trading update on Thursday it was now targeting “low” single-digit sales growth for the fashion chain in 2025.

Associated British Foods downgraded the annual sales guidance for its Primark budget clothing business on Thursday after disappointing results in the Christmas quarter in its main UK and Ireland market.

Primark has cut its sales forecasts after the high street chain’s UK shops were knocked by “cautious” shoppers and unfavourable weather. Parent firm Associated British Foods (ABF) revealed a slump in sales in the UK in recent months amid continued pressure on household budgets.