Retailer Penneys is to increase prices on some of its autumn/winter stock.

Its parent company, Associated British Foods, says this is down to "inflationary pressures".

In interim results on Tuesday it says Ireland and UK sales saw a strong recovery, "with increased holiday travel and socialising".

While the picture across continental Europe saw footfall remain "weak".

The group saw pre-tax profits rise by 131% to stg£635m (€753.8m) for 24 weeks to the beginning of March.

George Weston, chief executive of Associated British Foods, says higher costs will have to be offset.

"Primark delivered a significant increase in sales and profit, with stores now open and trading largely free of restrictions.

"Looking further ahead, inflationary pressures are such that we are unable to offset them all with cost savings, and so Primark will implement selective price increases across some of the autumn/winter stock.

"However, we are committed to ensuring our price leadership and everyday affordability, especially in this environment of greater economic uncertainty".

He adds: "Notwithstanding the inflationary pressures we are experiencing, our outlook for the year is for significant progress in adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings per share for the group."

Penneys, trading as Primark outside Ireland, opened its first store in Dublin in 1969.

It now operates in more 380 stores in 13 countries across Europe and America.