Primark set to launch new website in Northern Ireland

Primark is set to launch a new website for Northern Ireland shoppers by the end of March 2022.
Abbey Centre, NewtownabbeyAbbey Centre, Newtownabbey
Abbey Centre, Newtownabbey

Fans of the high street fashion chain have been calling for an online store for years, and now the dream is set to become reality.

However, the exact date the site will be live has yet to be confirmed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The new webpage will allow shoppers to check what clothes are available in the nine Northern Ireland stores right now, rather than just a preview like on the current website.

Abbey Centre, NewtownabbeyAbbey Centre, Newtownabbey
Abbey Centre, Newtownabbey

At the moment, shoppers often have to check social media to get a sneak preview of new ranges, but the new site will be kept more up to date.

The fashion chain also confirmed that shoppers will be able to check stock levels in their local store, so they can check what is available before visiting.

In a statement, Primark said: “The new website will showcase many more of our products and will provide customers with product availability by store.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Primark famously does not sell its clothes or homeware products online, much to the disappointment of customers.

Sadly this is not set to change with the new website, meaning Northern Ireland shoppers still won’t be able to order items online for home delivery.

The retailer has remained adamant that it will not start selling its clothing online, despite pleas from shoppers during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Sales boost

The closure of non-essential retail during the pandemic forced Primark to temporarily close its stores for months at a time, causing sales to drop from £650 million per a month to £0 due to no online revenue.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The retailer, which is owned by Associated British Foods, said its UK sales were 10% lower in the 16 weeks to 8 January when compared with pre-pandemic levels two years ago, with shopper footfall hit by the rapid rise in Omicron cases.

However, AB Foods said shopper numbers and trading had since improved as Omicron fears ease and added that like-for-like sales were higher when compared with a year earlier, when stores were shut due to lockdown measures.

The group said supply chain problems had begun to ease since last autumn, although it is still seeing some delays at ports and with shipments, and is offsetting higher costs by slashing store operating costs and overheads.

Primark has confirmed it will axe 400 shop floor jobs Uk-wide this year as part of an overhaul of its retail management team, with the move aiming to “provide clearer accountability, greater flexibility and more management support on the shop floor”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John Bason, finance director at the group, said Primark “will not raise prices” despite the surge in costs and will therefore find savings elsewhere in the business.

Sales are expected to be “significantly” higher year-on-year between now and April, with all its stores open.

* The discount retail giant is also set to open its 10th store at Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon,

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you