Jump to content

Primark

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 85.148.84.12 (talk) at 16:59, 5 January 2023 (→History: fix markup error). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Penneys" redirects here. For the American retailer, see JCPenney. For the Philippine community mall chain, see Primark Town Center.

Primark Stores Limited
Penneys (in Ireland)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded13 June 1969; 55 years ago (1969-06-13) in Dublin, Ireland
FounderArthur Ryan
HeadquartersArthur Ryan House, 22–24 Parnell Street,
Dublin
,
Ireland
Number of locations
415 (2022)
Area served
  • Ireland
  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • The Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Germany
  • Belgium
  • Austria
  • France
  • Italy
  • United States
  • Slovenia
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
Key people
Paul Marchant (CEO and COO)
Products
RevenueDecrease £5,593 million[1] (2021)
Number of employees
Decrease 71,000 (2021)
ParentAssociated British Foods
Websiteprimark.com
Footnotes / references
[2][3][4][5]

Primark Stores Limited (/ˈpraɪmɑːrk/; trading as Penneys in the Republic of Ireland)[6] is an Irish multinational fast fashion retailer with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.[7] It has stores across Europe and in the United States. The Penneys brand is not used outside of Ireland because it is owned elsewhere by American retailer J. C. Penney.

History

The company's first store, named Penneys and still in operation, was established by Arthur Ryan in June 1969 on behalf of the Weston family (who had founded Associated British Foods in 1935) at 47 Mary Street in Dublin.[3][8] Success in the Republic of Ireland led to expansion into Northern Ireland, with Penneys opening a large store in Belfast city centre in 1971.

The company subsequently expanded outside of Ireland with a Primark store in Derbye O'Neill}}</ref> The company could not use the name "Penneys" in Europe outside Ireland, as it was registered by J. C. Penney.[9] The name "Primark" was then invented to use outside Ireland.[3]

Primark opened its current headquarters in 2015 in a redeveloped Dublin building, Arthur Ryan House, formerly Chapel House.[5][10][11][2]

In 2019, Primark opened its new flagship store in the former Pavilions Shopping Centre site in Birmingham, England. It is the world’s biggest Primark store at 160,000 sq ft (15,000 m2), and across its five floors includes a beauty salon, Disney-themed café and a barbershop. This was supplemented with the world's largest Greggs bakery (trading as ‘Tasty by Greggs’) in February 2022.[12][13]

In 2021, Primark unveiled a sustainability strategy that sets targets to reduce textile waste, halving CO2 emissions and improving the life of Primark workers.[14]

In November 2022, Primark announced it was going online with a new click-and-collect service. This announcement came after the company lost more than £1 billion in sales during the pandemic, when its stores had to be closed, while the competitors with online stores had smaller or no financial losses.[15] The click-and-collect service was launched as a trial in 25 stores in north-west England, Yorkshire and north Wales for children's products only. However, on the day of launch of the new service, the company's website crashed, causing the issues for people trying to access it.[16]

Products

Primark offers a diverse range of products, including: baby and children's clothing, womenswear, menswear, homeware, accessories, footwear, beauty products and confectionery. The chain sells clothes at prices below those typically charged.

From 2014, Primark began selling makeup products.[17] Primark started selling vegan snacks from January 2018.[18] Laura O' Sullivan, co-founder of Primark, expressed her support of the new snacks.[18]

Along with retailers such as Zara and H&M, Primark contributes to the contemporary fast fashion trend. According to an article about Primark in The Economist, "For many shoppers, Primark has an irresistible offer: trendy clothes at astonishingly low prices. The result is a new and even faster kind of fast fashion, which encourages consumers to buy heaps of items, discard them after a few wears and then come back for another batch of new outfits."[19]

In 2020, Primark launched their Wellness collection which includes 80 eco-conscious products.[20] All of the products are made of organic, sustainable or recycled materials. This is part of the retailer's commitment to be more responsible for its footprint.[21]

Stores

Primark stores by country in 2022
Country Number
of stores
England 154
Spain 52
Germany 32
Republic of Ireland 36
France 20
Netherlands 20
Scotland 20
Italy 14
US 13
Belgium 8
Portugal 10
Northern Ireland 9
Wales 8
Austria 5
Slovenia 1
Poland 2
Czech Republic 1
Romania 1
Slovakia 0
Total 407

As of 2021, Primark operates 398 stores in 14 countries.[22]

The company's first store, still in operation, was opened in June 1969 on 47 Mary Street, Dublin under the Penneys brand, which continues to be the company's trading name in the Republic of Ireland.[3][8] Penneys opened its first store in Northern Ireland in 1971, with a large store in Belfast city centre. The company opened its first store outside of the island of Ireland in Derby, England, in 1973, under the new Primark brand.[23] The company expanded rapidly in the UK in the mid-2000s. In 2005, it bought the Littlewoods retail stores for £409 million, retaining 40 of the 119 stores and selling the rest.[24]

In May 2006, the first Primark store in mainland Europe opened in Madrid, Spain. In December 2008, Primark opened in the Netherlands, followed by Portugal, Germany and Belgium in 2009. Primark opened its first store in Austria on 27 September 2012, in Innsbruck. It expanded to France in 2013, in Marseille.[25] The first Italian store opened in 2014.[26]

In 2015, Primark opened its first United States store in Downtown Crossing, Boston, in the location that was once the flagship store of Filene's,[27] later New York City, Philadelphia, and Danbury.[28]

After 10 years of constructing a chain of around 40 stores in Spain, Primark opened another store in Madrid in October 2015, the second biggest in the chain.[29] In July 2018, it was announced that Primark would open a store in Poland.[30] The largest Primark store opened in Birmingham on 11 April 2019, occupying the former Pavilions Shopping Centre of 161,000 sq ft (15,000 m2). On 13 June 2019 Primark expanded to Slovenia with a store in Ljubljana. It has signed a lease for its first stores in Warsaw, Poland, Prague, the Czech Republic, and Bratislava, Slovakia.

In July 2019, Primark announced its U.S. market expansion to Chicago with a three-level 36,000 sq ft (3,300 m2) flagship location on State Street.[31] The location opened in March 2021 and was its first store in Illinois.[32]

On 23 March 2020, the company announced that they would be closing their 189 UK stores until further notice, as a result of government lockdown during the COVID-19 outbreak.[33] The chain's 153 stores in England re-opened on 15 June 2020.[34] As a result of the lockdown, the company reported a sales loss of £430 million.[35]

On 10 August 2020, Primark opened the first store in Poland in Galeria Młociny, Warsaw, marking the 13th international market for the company.[36] In 2021, Primark opened their second store in Poznań.[37]

In December 2020, Primark said it would lose an additional £220 million in sales as more stores are forced to close under new restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 in the UK.[38] In January 2021, this figure was raised to over £1 billion.[39]

In June 2021, Primark opened the first store in the Czech Republic in Prague, making it the fourteenth market that Primark has entered. Occupying the area of 50,590 sq ft (4,700 m2) in the Flow Building on the Wenceslas Square, this store also serves as a flagship store for the region of Central and Eastern Europe. This is also the only store in the region located on a high street instead of a shopping centre.[40]

On 14 September 2022 Primark has opened its second store in Brno, Czechia. This marks the brands 406th store worldwide.[41][42]

On 15 December 2022 Primark is set to open the first store in Romania in ParkLake Shopping Centre, Bucharest making it the fifteenth market.[43][44]

The new store in Bratislava, Slovakia was due to open in 2022,[45] however it has been delayed until 2 April 2023.[46] This will be Primark's sixteenth market.[47]

Primark is to open 8 new stores in Italy by the end of 2022.[48]

In 2023, Primark is scheduled to open four more stores in the cities Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw and Lodz in Poland.[49][50]

Primark announced that it would invest 100 million euros in Spain and create 1,000 jobs with the opening of at least eight new stores, including one in Toledo, and the enlargement of an existing store within the next two years.[51]

Working practices

In 2006, Primark joined the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), a collaborative organisation bringing together businesses, trades unions and NGOs to work on labour rights issues in their supply chains.[52] ETI members commit to working towards the implementation of a code of conduct based on the International Labour Organization's core conventions.

In December 2008, the UK charity War on Want launched a new report, Fashion Victims II, that showed conditions had not improved in Bangladeshi factories supplying Primark, two years after the charity first visited them.[53]

On 9 January 2009, a supplier was forced by ETI to remove its branding from Primark stores and websites following a BBC/The Observer investigation into the employment practices. The investigation alleged the use of illegal immigrant labour and argued that the workers were paid less than the UK legal minimum wage.[54]

On 16 June 2011, the BBC Trust's Editorial Standards Committee (ESC) published its findings into a Panorama programme[55] "Primark: On the Rack", broadcast in June 2008. The programme was an undercover investigative documentary examining poor working conditions in Indian factories supplying Primark. Although Primark subsequently stopped doing business with the Indian supplier, the ESC concluded that footage in the programme was 'more likely than not' to have been fabricated.[56] The ESC directed the BBC to make an on-air apology and to ensure that the programme was not repeated or sold to other broadcasters. Primark created a specific website to deal with the issues around the programme.[57]

In 2011 and 2012, Primark achieved 'Leader' status in the Ethical Trading Initiative.[58]

Alleged SOS messages

In June 2013, two labels both stitched with alleged SOS messages were separately found in garments purchased from a store in Swansea, Wales. Primark argued the supply chain showed these label messages were a hoax.[59]

Also in June 2014, a customer from Ireland allegedly found an SOS note wrapped in a prison ID card in the pocket of trousers purchased from a Primark store several years earlier.[60] The letter was written in Chinese and said to report that prisoners were forced to work "like oxen" making fashion clothes for export for 15 hours per day and that the food they were given would not be fit for animals.[61]

A year and a half later an alleged SOS note from a Chinese torture victim was found in socks purchased from Primark.[62]

In December 2018, a bone was found by a customer in a sock purchased in the shop's Colchester branch.[63]

References

  1. ^ "Annual Report: Creating Value Together" (PDF). Associated British Foods plc. 2021. p. 54.
  2. ^ a b "About Us". Primark. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d A household Irish name built from humble beginnings: The Penneys story TheJournal.ie, 1 March 2015; Retrieved 14 April 2016
  4. ^ "Annual Report and Accounts 2021" (PDF). Associated British Foods. 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Snapshot: Primark Stores Limited", Bloomberg; Retrieved 11 February 2016
  6. ^ Helena Horton (15 August 2017). "Primark reveals how to pronounce its name". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Primark Holdings". SoloCheck.ie.
  8. ^ a b "Fashion swing is felt by Penneys' owners". Independent.ie. Independent News and Media. Reuters. 11 July 2008.
  9. ^ "78/193/EEC: Commission Decision of 23 December 1977 relating to a proceeding under Article 85 of the EEC Treaty (IV/29.246 - Penneys)". Commission of the European Communities. 23 December 1977. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Primark officially opens redeveloped Dublin HQ", RTÉ News, 17 September 2015
  11. ^ McCabe, Sarah (29 November 2013). "Expansion plans on course for Penneys international HQ in Dublin". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  12. ^ Young, Graham (19 July 2019). "100 days of the world's biggest Primark - and Mickey Mouse pancakes". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  13. ^ Young, Graham; Updated (11 February 2022). "First look inside the world's biggest Greggs in Primark - with a doughnut swing". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  14. ^ Preuss, Simone (6 December 2022). "Primark presents results in latest sustainability report". Fashion United.
  15. ^ "Primark finally goes online with click-and-collect". BBC News. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Primark website crashes as click-and-collect launched". BBC News. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Primark's new makeup range". Cosmopolitan. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  18. ^ a b Maria Chiorando (29 January 2018). "Budget Chain Primark Starts Selling Vegan Snack Range". Plant Based News. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Faster, cheaper fashion". The Economist. 5 September 2015.
  20. ^ "Primark's new Wellness collection has landed and prices start from just £2". 5 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Primark to launch Wellness collection with Boxpark pop-up". 14 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Annual Report and Accounts 2020" (PDF). Associated British Foods. 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  23. ^ Louise O'Neill (19 January 2014). "Why Penneys is no longer our little secret". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  24. ^ Finch, Julia (8 August 2005). "M&S to cash in as Littlewoods disappears". The Guardian.
  25. ^ Graham Ruddick (16 December 2013). "Primark targets chic French shoppers as it opens in Marseille". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  26. ^ Redazione (31 August 2014). "Primark, la catena di shopping low cost arriva in Italia". Velvet Style Italia.
  27. ^ Graham Ruddick (23 April 2014). "Primark to open in the United States". The Telegraph.
  28. ^ Primark (10 May 2021). "Primark stores United States". Primark. Primark.
  29. ^ O' Leary, Elizabeth (15 October 2015). "Penney's opens its second biggest store in the world in Spain". Independent.ie. Independent News and Media. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  30. ^ "To będzie prawdziwy hit. Primark wreszcie otworzy sklepy w Polsce". Business Insider (in Polish). 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  31. ^ Zumbach, Lauren. "Fast-fashion brand Primark to open Chicago store on State Street". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  32. ^ Rozario, Kevin (16 March 2021). "After Chicago State Street Opening, Primark Says It Is 'Just Getting Going'". Forbes.
  33. ^ "Primark UK stores closing 'until further notice'". BBC News. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  34. ^ "Primania returns: why is the UK so obsessed with shopping at Primark?". The Telegraph. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  35. ^ Patricia Nilsson (4 December 2020). "Lockdowns wipe £430m off Primark sales". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  36. ^ Byrne, Andrea (21 August 2020). "Primark opens its first store in Poland". FashionUnited. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  37. ^ "Second Primark store in Poland?". retailmarketexperts.com. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  38. ^ "Primark says tier 4 extension will knock further £220m off sales". The Guardian. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  39. ^ "Primark refuses to go online despite £1bn lockdown loss". BBC News. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  40. ^ "Nine new brands have entered the Czech market in H1 2021". Cushman & Wakefield. 19 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  41. ^ "V Brně otevřel nový Primark! Další pobočka bude následovat v Bratislavě". www.givery.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  42. ^ Bachárová, Gabriela (15 September 2022). "Primark otevřel v Brně svou druhou českou prodejnu". Zboží a Prodej – zprávy z retailu (in Czech). Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  43. ^ "Primark to open first store in Romania before Christmas". Romania Insider. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  44. ^ "Primark continues international expansion as it confirms its first store in Romania | Primark Cares (USA)". corporate.primark.com. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  45. ^ "Primark continues expansion with new Slovakia store". 5 December 2019. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  46. ^ Mizzy, Sugar. "A well-known chain with a CHEAP range is heading to Slovakia". europe-cities.com. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  47. ^ "Primark continues international expansion as it confirms its first store in Romania | Primark Cares (Ireland)". corporate.primark.com. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  48. ^ Martina (31 March 2021). "Primark: 8 nuovi store in Italia entro il 2022". Cool in Milan (in Italian). Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  49. ^ "Penneys sets sights on Eastern Europe expansion with plans to open new stores in Poland and Romania". independent. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  50. ^ LoveKraków. "Jeszcze w tym roku w Bonarce zostanie otwarty Primark". LoveKraków. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  51. ^ WW, FashionNetwork com. "Primark to invest 100 million euros and create 1,000 jobs in Spain in the next two years". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  52. ^ "Primark joins Ethical Trading Initiative ETI". Ethical Trading Initiative. 26 May 2006. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007.
  53. ^ "Fashion Victims II". War on Want. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  54. ^ McDougall, Dan (11 January 2009). "Primark in storm over conditions at UK supplier". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  55. ^ "BBC Trust". Archived from the original on 19 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  56. ^ Burrell, Ian; Hickman, Martin (16 June 2011). "BBC crisis over 'fake' sweatshop scene in Primark documentary". The Independent.
  57. ^ "Primark welcomes the BBC Panorama verdict". Primark Response. Archived from the original on 18 June 2011.
  58. ^ "Responsibility - Responsibility in action - Primark Ethical Trade Team". Associated British Foods. Archived from the original on 2 May 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  59. ^ "Primark claims 'cry for help labels' are a hoax carried out in the UK following investigation". The Independent. ESI Media. 28 June 2014.
  60. ^ "Primark investigates claim of 'cry for help' note in trousers". BBC News. 25 June 2014.
  61. ^ "'Cry for help' from prisoner in Chinese forced labour jail alleged to have been found inside Primark trousers". Amnesty International UK. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016.
  62. ^ Cherrington, Rosy (21 December 2015). "Man Finds Letter Claiming To Be From Chinese Torture Victim In Primark Socks". HuffPost. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  63. ^ "Primark customer finds 'human bone' in sock". BBC News Online. 25 January 2019.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Primark.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Primark&oldid=1131762311"