Topzle Topzle

Primark

Updated: Wikipedia source

Primark

Primark Limited (; trading as Penneys in Ireland) is an Irish multinational fashion retailer with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with 476 stores in Europe and in the United States and franchised stores in Kuwait and Dubai (opening 2026). The company was founded as Penneys; however, that brand is not used outside of Ireland because of a trademark conflict with American retailer JCPenney. It is owned by Associated British Foods. Primark offers products including: baby, children's, women's and men's clothing, accessories and footwear; beauty products; housewares and confectionery. The company is known for its fast fashion and lower prices than competitors. It is a member of the UN Fashion Charter and the Ethical Trading Initiative. Primark has targets to reduce textile waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improve the life of workers. As of 2025, 74% of its garments use recycled fibers. The company has been criticized for sourcing products from suppliers with poor working conditions in investigations by War on Want, BBC News, as well as from notes found by alleged workers in clothing; however, some of these notes and footage have been determined to be hoaxes.

Infobox

Trade name
Penneys (in Ireland)
Company type
Subsidiary
Industry
Retail
Founded
13 June 1969; 56 years ago (1969-06-13) in Dublin, Ireland
Founder
Arthur Ryan, Micaela Mitchell
Headquarters
Arthur Ryan House, 22–24 Parnell Street, Dublin, Ireland
Number of locations
476 (2025)
Area served
mw- IrelandUnited KingdomSpainThe NetherlandsPortugalGermanyBelgiumAustriaFranceItalyUnited StatesSloveniaPolandCzech RepublicRomaniaHungarySlovakiaKuwait
Key people
Eoin Tonge (interim CEO)
Products
mw- .inline, .inline dl, .inline ol, .inline ul, dl dl, dl ol, dl ul, ol dl, ol ol dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd ol li Clothing cosmetics housewares
Revenue
£9,448 million (2024)
Number of employees
82,000 (2024)
Parent
Associated British Foods
Website
primark.com

Tables

Key trends for Primark (financial years ending 17 September)[78] · Corporate affairs
2014
2014
Year
2014
Revenue(£m)
6,950
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
662
Number ofemployees(1000s)
54
Numberof shops
278
Number ofservedcountries
9
Selling space(millionsq ft)
10.2
2015
2015
Year
2015
Revenue(£m)
5,347
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
673
Number ofemployees(1000s)
61
Numberof shops
293
Number ofservedcountries
10
Selling space(millionsq ft)
11.1
2016
2016
Year
2016
Revenue(£m)
5,949
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
689
Number ofemployees(1000s)
68
Numberof shops
315
Number ofservedcountries
11
Selling space(millionsq ft)
12.3
2017
2017
Year
2017
Revenue(£m)
7,053
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
735
Number ofemployees(1000s)
73
Numberof shops
345
Number ofservedcountries
11
Selling space(millionsq ft)
13.8
2018
2018
Year
2018
Revenue(£m)
7,477
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
843
Number ofemployees(1000s)
75
Numberof shops
360
Number ofservedcountries
11
Selling space(millionsq ft)
14.8
2019
2019
Year
2019
Revenue(£m)
7,792
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
913
Number ofemployees(1000s)
78
Numberof shops
373
Number ofservedcountries
12
Selling space(millionsq ft)
15.6
2020
2020
Year
2020
Revenue(£m)
5,895
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
362
Number ofemployees(1000s)
70
Numberof shops
384
Number ofservedcountries
13
Selling space(millionsq ft)
16.2
2021
2021
Year
2021
Revenue(£m)
5,593
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
321
Number ofemployees(1000s)
71
Numberof shops
398
Number ofservedcountries
14
Selling space(millionsq ft)
16.8
2022
2022
Year
2022
Revenue(£m)
7,697
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
756
Number ofemployees(1000s)
72
Numberof shops
408
Number ofservedcountries
14
Selling space(millionsq ft)
17.3
2023
2023
Year
2023
Revenue(£m)
9,008
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
735
Number ofemployees(1000s)
76
Numberof shops
432
Number ofservedcountries
16
Selling space(millionsq ft)
18.1
2024
2024
Year
2024
Revenue(£m)
9,448
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
1,108
Number ofemployees(1000s)
82
Numberof shops
451
Number ofservedcountries
17
Selling space(millionsq ft)
18.7
Year
Revenue(£m)
Adjustedoperatingprofit(£m)
Number ofemployees(1000s)
Numberof shops
Number ofservedcountries
Selling space(millionsq ft)
2014
6,950
662
54
278
9
10.2
2015
5,347
673
61
293
10
11.1
2016
5,949
689
68
315
11
12.3
2017
7,053
735
73
345
11
13.8
2018
7,477
843
75
360
11
14.8
2019
7,792
913
78
373
12
15.6
2020
5,895
362
70
384
13
16.2
2021
5,593
321
71
398
14
16.8
2022
7,697
756
72
408
14
17.3
2023
9,008
735
76
432
16
18.1
2024
9,448
1,108
82
451
17
18.7
Primark shops by country · Corporate affairs
England
England
Country
England
Numberof shops
157
Spain
Spain
Country
Spain
Numberof shops
63
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Country
Republic of Ireland
Numberof shops
38
Germany
Germany
Country
Germany
Numberof shops
32
US
US
Country
US
Numberof shops
28
France
France
Country
France
Numberof shops
27
Scotland
Scotland
Country
Scotland
Numberof shops
21
Netherlands
Netherlands
Country
Netherlands
Numberof shops
21
Italy
Italy
Country
Italy
Numberof shops
16
Portugal
Portugal
Country
Portugal
Numberof shops
10
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Numberof shops
9
Belgium
Belgium
Country
Belgium
Numberof shops
8
Wales
Wales
Country
Wales
Numberof shops
8
Poland
Poland
Country
Poland
Numberof shops
7
Austria
Austria
Country
Austria
Numberof shops
5
Romania
Romania
Country
Romania
Numberof shops
3
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Country
Czech Republic
Numberof shops
3
Slovenia
Slovenia
Country
Slovenia
Numberof shops
1
Hungary
Hungary
Country
Hungary
Numberof shops
1
Slovakia
Slovakia
Country
Slovakia
Numberof shops
1
Kuwait
Kuwait
Country
Kuwait
Numberof shops
1
Total
Total
Country
Total
Numberof shops
460
Country
Numberof shops
England
157
Spain
63
Republic of Ireland
38
Germany
32
US
28
France
27
Scotland
21
Netherlands
21
Italy
16
Portugal
10
Northern Ireland
9
Belgium
8
Wales
8
Poland
7
Austria
5
Romania
3
Czech Republic
3
Slovenia
1
Hungary
1
Slovakia
1
Kuwait
1
Total
460

References

  1. The Independent
    https://m.independent.ie/business/world/fashion-swing-is-felt-by-penneys-owners/26461599.html
  2. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2025/11/10/penneys-moment-could-a-long-awaited-spin-off-finally-pay-off/
  3. Associated British Foods
    https://www.abf.co.uk/investors/results-reports-presentations/annual-reports
  4. Primark
    http://www.primark.com/en/about-us/about-primark
  5. "A household Irish name built from humble beginnings: The Penneys story". TheJournal.ie. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 14 Apri
    http://www.thejournal.ie/penneys-business-1957209-Mar2015/
  6. "Snapshot: Primark Stores Limited". Bloomberg. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
    https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=5487098
  7. Solo Check
    https://www.solocheck.ie/Irish-Company/Primark-Limited-47371
  8. Companies Registration Office
    https://core.cro.ie/e-commerce/company/search/82622
  9. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/15/primark-reveals-pronounce-name/
  10. "Penneys owner eyes significant growth in full-year profit"
    https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/0423/1445103-associated-british-foods-results/
  11. SoloCheck.ie
    http://www.solocheck.ie/Irish-Company/Primark-Holdings-19672
  12. The Economist
    https://www.economist.com/news/business/21663221-rapidly-rising-super-cheap-irish-clothes-retailer-prepares-conquer-america-rivals-should
  13. TheIndustry.fashion
    https://www.theindustry.fashion/primark-joins-the-un-fashion-charter/
  14. United Nations Climate Change
    https://unfccc.int/climate-action/sectoral-engagement-for-climate-action/fashion-charter/participants
  15. "Report on Primark inquiry"
    https://www.ethicaltrade.org/resources/blog/report-primark-inquiry
  16. Fashion United
    https://fashionunited.in/news/business/primark-presents-results-in-latest-sustainability-report/2022120537443
  17. Retail Gazette
    https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/11/primark-sustainability-ethics/
  18. War on Want
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090302054854/http://waronwant.org/campaigns/supermarkets/fashion-victims/inform/16360-fashion-victims-ii
  19. "BBC Trust"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110619034924/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/june/panorama.shtml
  20. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/bbc-crisis-over-fake-sweatshop-scene-in-primark-documentary-2298764.html
  21. "Primark welcomes the BBC Panorama verdict"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110618132300/http://www.primarkresponse.com/panorama/
  22. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/primark-claims-cry-for-help-labels-are-a-hoax-carried-out-in-the-uk-following-investigation-9569990.html
  23. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28018137
  24. "'Cry for help' from prisoner in Chinese forced labour jail alleged to have been found inside Primark trousers"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160709093857/https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/%E2%80%98cry-help%E2%80%99-prisoner-chinese-forced-labour-jail-alleged-have-been-found-inside-primark
  25. HuffPost
    https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/21/primark-socks-hidden-letter_n_8853680.html
  26. Irish Independent
    http://www.independent.ie/business/world/fashion-swing-is-felt-by-penneys-owners-26461599.html
  27. The Irish Times
  28. Irish Examiner
    http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/why-penneys-is-no-longer-our-little-secret-255533.html
  29. Commission of the European Communities
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31978D0193:EN:HTML
  30. The Irish Times
  31. The Irish Times
  32. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/08/03/hilary-weston-who-helped-build-penneys-and-brown-thomas-has-died-aged-83/
  33. Penneys
    https://www.primark.com/en-ie
  34. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2005/aug/08/highstreetretailers.marksspencer?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
  35. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10520533/Primark-targets-chic-French-shoppers-as-it-opens-in-Marseille.html
  36. Velvet Style Italia
    http://velvetstyle.it/2014/08/31/primark-shopping-in-italia-le-novita/
  37. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/jan/11/primark-ethical-business-living
  38. Irish Examiner
    https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-20096453.html
  39. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/arthur-ryan-obituary-legendary-retailer-and-penneys-founder-1.3954919
  40. ranaplaza-arrangement.org
    https://ranaplaza-arrangement.org/
  41. Irish Examiner
    https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-30625274.html
  42. corporate.primark.com
    https://corporate.primark.com/en-us/a/news/corporate-news/statement-from-primark-on-the-10-year-anniversary-of-the-rana-plaza-tragedy
  43. Cosmopolitan
    http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/news/a25621/primark-makeup-range/
  44. "Primark officially opens redeveloped Dublin HQ". RTÉ News. 17 September 2015.
    https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2015/0916/728278-primark-redeveloped-hq/
  45. Irish Independent
    http://www.independent.ie/business/expansion-plans-on-course-for-penneys-international-hq-in-dublin-29795200.html
  46. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10781762/Primark-to-open-in-the-United-States.html
  47. Irish Independent
    https://www.independent.ie/business/penneys-opens-its-second-biggest-store-in-the-world-in-spain-34114143.html
  48. Time Out
    https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/take-a-look-at-new-yorks-first-primark-031717
  49. Plant Based News
    https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/budget-chain-primark-starts-selling-vegan-snack-range
  50. Birmingham Mail
    https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/100-days-worlds-biggest-primark-16585161
  51. Birmingham Mail
    https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/first-look-inside-worlds-biggest-23065278
  52. RTÉ News
    https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/0525/1385574-primark-opens-first-shop-in-slovakia/
  53. The Mail on Sunday
    https://www.you.co.uk/primark-wellness-collection/
  54. The Industry.Fashion
    https://www.theindustry.fashion/primark-to-launch-wellness-collection-with-boxpark-pop-up/
  55. Financial Times
    https://www.ft.com/content/82717d2a-416e-4e95-a8e1-34f1fce258d3
  56. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinrozario/2021/03/16/after-chicago-state-street-opening-primark-says-it-is-just-getting-going/
  57. Chicago Tribune
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-primark-opening-first-chicago-store-20190705-g5f7aoseurcj3hx6ovxwdem3da-story.html
  58. Cushman & Wakefield
    https://www.retailguide.cz/nine-new-brands-have-entered-the-czech-market-in-h1-2021/
  59. Romania-Insider.com
    https://www.romania-insider.com/primark-first-store-romania-december-2022
  60. RTÉ News
    https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2022/1215/1341986-primark-opens-first-store-in-romania/
  61. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63598525
  62. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63598525
  63. Retail Bulletin | Daily UK Retail News
    https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/primark-continues-us-expansion-with-the-opening-of-new-florida-distribution-centre-08-02-2024/
  64. www.retailgazette.co.uk
    https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2024/02/primark-invest-stores/
  65. "Primark unveils 'refreshed' brand identity and new summer campaign – Retail Gazette"
    https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2024/05/primark-brand-identity/
  66. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/06/20/primark-plans-40-million-expansion-in-portugal/
  67. corporate.primark.com
    https://corporate.primark.com/en-gb/a/news/corporate-news/primark-ramps-up-expansion-plans-in-portugal
  68. corporate.primark.com
    https://corporate.primark.com/pt-pt/a/noticias/noticias-sobre-a-empresa/loja-primark-do-colombo-abre-ao-publico-totalmente-renovada-e-ainda-maior
  69. Women's Wear Daily
    https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/primark-to-launch-first-manhattan-store-interview-with-primarks-u-s-president-1236669920/
  70. Limerick Leader
    https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/national-news/1746999/penneys-open-first-irish-store-dedicated-to-homewares-amid-huge-excitement.html
  71. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/03/31/primark-chief-paul-marchant-resigns-after-investigation-into-inappropriate-behaviour/
  72. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/03/31/eoin-tonge-irishman-given-nod-to-head-up-penneys-was-cutting-his-teeth-in-business-at-just-21/
  73. Fashion United
    https://fashionunited.uk/news/retail/primark-opens-second-store-in-virginia-at-potomac-mills/2025041081037
  74. primark.com.kw
    https://primark.com.kw/
  75. "Primark to enter Middle East market with four stores by 2026 - Retail Gazette"
    https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/05/primark-middle-east/
  76. Fashion Network
    https://se.fashionnetwork.com/news/Primark-to-open-first-miami-store,1786643.html
  77. Tampa Bay Business Journal
    https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2025/12/16/primark-brandon-exchange.html
  78. ABF
    https://www.abf.co.uk/investors/results-reports-presentations/annual-reports
  79. LBC
    https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/primark-first-homeware-shop-england/
  80. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/2024/07/21/primarks-irish-man-in-spain-we-sell-roughly-the-same-number-of-coats-in-madrid-as-we-do-in-dublin/
  81. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/06/25/penneys-parent-primark-to-cut-around-100-jobs-from-dublin-hq-outsource-to-india
  82. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/11/08/primark-mulls-retreat-germany-suffering-200m-hit/
  83. Think Business
    https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/penneys-international-expansion-spain-us-scotland-france/
  84. Fashion Network
    https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Primark-set-to-open-five-new-stores-in-france-between-2024-and-2025,1618740.html#ami---alexandre-mattuissi
  85. Think Business
    https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/penneys-international-expansion-spain-us-scotland-france/
  86. Drapers
    https://www.drapersonline.com/news/first-look-primarks-new-rotterdam-store
  87. Insider Media
    https://www.insidermedia.com/news/ireland/primark-opens-new-northern-ireland-store
  88. The Brussels Times
    https://www.brusselstimes.com/58799/primark-store-on-rue-neuve-more-than-doubles-in-size-following-renovation
  89. Noahs Ark Children's Hospital Charity
    https://noahsarkcharity.org/2024/07/21/primark-1-million-raised/
  90. RTÉ News
    https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0113/1490511-primark-invests-25m-in-poland-expansion/
  91. Penneys
    https://corporate.primark.com/en-ie/a/about-us/who-we-are
  92. Romania Insider
    https://www.romania-insider.com/primark-store-timisoara-aug-2024
  93. Ex Pats CZ
    https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/czechia-to-get-third-primark-by-end-of-2024
  94. Newstalk
    https://www.newstalk.com/news/penneys-opens-first-store-slovenia-870380
  95. RTÉ News
    https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/0528/1451710-primark-opens-first-shop-in-hungary/
  96. RTÉ News
    https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/0525/1385574-primark-opens-first-shop-in-slovakia/
  97. RTÉ
    https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2024/0108/1425343-trend-forecaster-on-bringing-an-evolution-of-styles-to-penneys/
  98. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2024/01/09/inside-penneys-a-starry-eyed-love-letter-to-one-of-irealnds-great-success-stories/
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.