From the first Penneys store in Ireland to the latest flagship store in Edinburgh, the Primark story has been one of continuing success founded on a unique combination of fast fashion and lean operations.

The beginning

In June 1969, the first Penneys store opened in Mary Street, Dublin. Within a year, four more stores were added – all in the Greater Dublin area.

In 1971, the first large store outside Dublin was opened in Cork and by the end of that year there were 11 more stores in Ireland and one in Northern Ireland.

Move into Great Britain

By 1973, the number of stores had reached 18 in Ireland and Primark began trading in Great Britain with four out-of-town stores. The following year saw the opening of the first UK High Street stores in Derby and Bristol. In the next ten years, 18 stores were added in the UK and nine in Ireland, bringing the number of stores in the UK and Ireland to 22 each. Also in 1984, the first multiple acquisition took place with the purchase in Ireland of five Woolworth stores.

Further expansion

From 1984 to 1994 a further 13 stores were added in the UK and 12 in Ireland, bringing the total to 66 stores – 32 in the UK and 34 in Ireland. A major flagship store was purchased in 1992 – a 50,000 sq. ft. unit in O’Connell Street, Dublin, as BHS exited Ireland.

Acquisitions

Primark had a milestone year in 1995 with the development of the UK business following the acquisition of the BHS One-Up discount chain. As a result, 16 stores were added to the UK business, most in the Greater London area, and all of a significant size. The next major development occurred in 1999 with the acquisition of 11 stores from the Co-Op, including Reading. The Reading property, after much refurbishment, also facilitated the much-needed relocation of the UK buying offices.

In 2000, C & A retreated from the UK. Primark acquired 11 of their stores which brought store numbers to 108, consisting of 75 in UK and 33 in Ireland. In October 2001, a 75, 000 sq. ft. store was opened in Manchester and conversion of 25,000 sq. ft. of former stockroom space has now increased the sales area of this store to 100,000 sq. ft.

More flagship stores and acquisitions

In 2001, a 40,000 sq ft store opened in Blanchardstown, Dublin. At the end of 2001, the number of stores had grown to 109 (75 in UK and 34 in Ireland). In 2002, two major stores were opened in Glasgow and Birmingham.

In the period of 2004-2005, 14 new stores were opened, adding over 400,000 sq. ft. of retail space. In 2005, six stores were acquired from ‘Allders’, three of which opened in 2006. In July 2005, the acquisition of Littlewoods stores by ABF plc which comprised an estate of 120 premises was completed, of which 41 stores were transferred to Primark.

The major programme for the re-fit and opening of 40 of these stores has been completed.

Expansion into Spain

In May 2006, Primark opened its first store in Spain – in Plenilunio (Madrid), followed by a second store in Murcia in September 2006.

On Thursday 5th April 2007, a 70,000 sq. ft. store was opened on London’s Oxford Street. Primark Liverpool opened on Wednesday 12th September 2007. In November 2007, two further stores were opened in Spain – in Jerez and in Xanadu (Madrid).

Expansion into the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany and Belgium

Primark opened its first store in the Netherlands (Rotterdam) in December 2008.

In May 2009, Primark opened its first store in Portugal (Lisbon) and its first store in Germany (Bremen).

In November 2009, a second Primark store opened in Germany (Frankfurt).

In December 2009, Primark opened its first store in Belgium (Liège) and a second Primark store opened in Portugal (Porto).

In September 2010, the first Primark store opened in Gran Canaria (Las Arenas, Las Palmas). Primark opened its second store in the Netherlands (Hoofddorp) and also in Gran Canaria (El Mirador) in November 2010.  In December 2010, the third Primark store opened in Germany (Gelsenkirchen).