Primark preps new website launch and considers Click and Collect option

Primark could add Click and Collect services to its revamped website, although new stores in markets such as Italy and the United States are the fast fashion retailer’s main growth driver.

It will launch a new website in the United Kingdom by the end of March, and across its 13 other markets by the autumn.

This will provide customers with near real-time information on product availability by store and enable Primark to tap the data of its customers.

"We’re making the digital move forward in a very big way in both the UK and the rest of Europe. That will generate sales and profits for us," John Bason, Finance Director at Primark's owner, Associated British Foods, told Reuters.

"Does this give us a capability to move further forward? Well let’s have a look at that. If there was an e-commerce opportunity for us, it will probably be more in the area of Click and Collect.”

Home delivery remains off the agenda as the numbers don't stack up for Primark’s low price points.

"You can’t get our value by delivery to home, it’s as simple as that," Bason said.

Stateside success

In November, AB Foods said Primark would expand to 530 stores over the next five years (it currently trades from 402 stores), with a particular focus on the major markets of the United States, France, Italy and Iberia.

And there is still a long way to go in terms of adding physical space.

Bason said the aforementioned plan would take it from 13 US stores to about 60, all to the east of the Mississippi River.

“Without me being sort of categoric, you can see how you’d move into other geographies," said Bason.

“There is huge potential in the United States, there really is."

Omnichannel retailStaff WriterPrimark, Click and Collect, Online retail, Omnichannel retail, Online delivery, Stores, Associated British FoodsComment