Primark is to invest more than £100 million in its UK stores in 2024, as it marks 50 years on the Great British High Street. The retailer will use these funds into enhancing its store estate, which includes a substantial £75 million of new investment earmarked for this year alone.
The investment plan involves not only the transformation of existing stores but also the launch of eagerly awaited new stores in Bury St. Edmunds, Teesside Park, and Glasgow Fort. Additionally, Primark has confirmed upcoming stores in Epsom and Newbury, set to open their doors from 2025. These expansions are expected to significantly increase Primark's footprint, bringing the total number of UK stores to 195 and nearly 8 million sq. ft of selling space by the end of the year.
One of the highlights of this expansion is the near doubling in size of London’s Westfield Stratford store, which will become the second-largest Primark in the capital. The Metrocentre in Gateshead is also set to grow, offering almost 80,000 sq. ft of total shopping space. These larger stores not only enhance the shopping experience for customers but also create approximately 700 new job opportunities, ranging from retail assistants to store manager positions.
In addition to new stores and extensions, Primark is relocating several stores to improved sites in Bradford, High Wycombe, and Bolton. Moreover, as part of its ongoing refit program, 15 existing stores will undergo refurbishments this year, with more to follow. These upgrades include enhanced décor and store fixtures, as well as the continued rollout of LED lighting, aligning with Primark’s goal to halve its carbon footprint by 2030.
Primark's evolution over the years has seen it introduce a range of services to complement the traditional shopping experience. Customers can now enjoy beauty studios, food and drink cafes, and outlets such as Tasty by Greggs and Disney Cafes within the stores. The introduction of Wornwell, a collaboration offering pre-loved vintage clothing, and a Click + Collect service in select stores further diversifies the Primark shopping experience.
Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark, reflects on the company's journey, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to providing great fashion at affordable prices and their ongoing commitment to the UK high street.
“We’ve changed a lot in the fifty years since we opened the doors on our first store in Great Britain in Derby back in 1974, but at our heart, we are still the same. We’re as committed as ever to offering the very best value on the high street and making great fashion more affordable and accessible for everyone. This latest investment will mean bigger and better stores, hundreds of new jobs across the country and shows our ongoing commitment to the UK high street.” - Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark said in a statement.
As Primark continues to grow, both in the UK and internationally—with ambitions to reach 530 stores across its markets by the end of 2026—the retailer remains a key player in the retail sector, adapting to changing consumer needs while maintaining its core values.
List of Primark’s UK stores included in the refit programme this year are:
- Oxford Street East, 14-28 Oxford Street, Fitzrovia, London W1D 1AU
- Bury, The Rock Shopping Centre, South Street, Bury BL9 0ND
- Cwmbran Shopping Centre, General Rees Square, Cwmbran NP44 1AH
- Southport, 1 Chapel Street, Southport PR8 1AE
- Yeovil, 19 Middle Street, Yeovil BA20 1LF
- Barnstaple, 49 - 52 High Street, Barnstaple EX31 1BZ
- Hackney, 365 - 371 Mare Street, London E8 1HY
- Newry, Unit 55 Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry BT35 8HJ
- Birkenhead, 212 - 218 Grange Road, Birkenhead CH41 6EA
- Hounslow, 165 - 169 High Street, Hounslow TW3 1QL
- Chelmsford, 9 High Chelmer, Chelmsford CM1 1XL
- Stockport, Chestergate, Stockport SK1 1NT
- Telford, 208 Dean Street, The Telford Centre, Telford TF3 4AP
- Chester, 52-60 Foregate St, Chester CH1 1HA
- Cambridge, 62-74 Burleigh St, Cambridge CB1 1DJ
