Sales at the Primark chain of clothes stores - which trades as Penneys in Ireland - are running 20% ahead of a year earlier, according to a trading update from its parent company Associated British Foods.
ABF said Primark sales in the 40 weeks to June 20 were 20% ahead of the same period last year despite difficult trading conditions in the UK.
It said this was due to underlying sales growth, as well as an expansion of retail space at the chain, which now has 190 stores.
Primark now has 13 stores in Spain, and has also recently opened its first stores in Germany and Portugal.
Overall at ABF, revenue for the first three quarters was 19% ahead of a year earlier, but the group expects earnings for the full year to be little changed from a year earlier, as a higher interest charge offsets better operating profits.
