It’s four countries in one day as Penneys owner Primark expands

Irish-born fashion retailer Primark has revealed expansions in Scotland, France, Spain and the US.

From Arthur Ryan establishing the first Penneys on Mary Street in Dublin in 1969 to a new store opening in Queens, New York, at the tail-end of 2024, you could say Primark has travelled a long way.

The business today (9 December) revealed that it is opening four new stores across four countries as its international expansion continues.

The four stores in Glasgow, Scotland, Tours, France, Madrid, Spain (a relocation) and Queens, New York, US represent a combined investment of €45 million.

The openings have also resulted in 580 new jobs being created and 130,000 sq. ft. of retail space being added to Primark’s store footprint.

Global ambition

The new Primark store at The Queens Center in New York

Primark now has 457 stores in 17 countries across the world, with its affordable fashion, beauty, homeware and everyday essentials proving to be as popular in New York and Madrid, as it is on Mary Street in Dublin.

“This is an exciting day on our growth journey and a first for Primark,” said Paul Marchant, CEO of Primark.

“Opening four stores across two continents on one day highlights the scale of our global ambition, helping more people to look and feel good for less.

“With 580 new jobs created, we know these stores not only give a boost to the local communities, but they also bring what we call the “Primark halo effect” to the shopping destinations – which is the positive impact of the footfall to our stores on surrounding businesses. A huge thanks to all of our colleagues and partners who have worked so hard to get these stores open for the busy festive season.”

The details of the new stores are as follows:

• The Queens Center in New York, US marks the fashion retailer’s 10^th store in the Big Apple and 2^nd in the borough of Queens. This opening alone represents a €17 million investment and brings the number of Primark stores to 28 across 11 states as part of its ongoing US expansion.
• Glasgow Fort is Primark’s 21^st store in Scotland and 195^th across the UK, with today’s opening forming part of the fashion retailer’s £100 million UK investment programme this year. It follows the opening of two new Primark stores earlier in the year in Bury St. Edmunds and Teesside Park, alongside a number of significant store expansions. The 200 new colleagues at the store are part of the 700 new jobs created by Primark across the UK in 2024.
• The Primark at L’Heure Tranquille Shopping Centre is the fashion retailer’s first store in Tours in France. With 100 new jobs created as part of the €10 million store opening, the expansion highlights the key role that retail plays in creating employment opportunities. 80% of the staff employed at the store are either in their first job or were unemployed before joining Primark.
• Spain is one of Primark’s biggest markets, with over 10,000 people employed in 64 stores across the country. The relocated store in Leganés, Madrid is double the size of its previous location in Parquesur Shopping Centre.

Main image at top: Glasgow Fort, Primark’s 21^st store in Scotland and 195^th across the UK

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