Why Primark Is Thriving While Retailers Like Forever 21 Are Closing | WSJ The Economics Of

Primark is increasing its revenue by encouraging customers to shop in retail stores as the e-commerce industry booms. Fast fashion companies like Forever 21 have relied on online shopping to help grow, but Primark is taking a different route for expansion.

WSJ explains how Primark has gained a foothold in the U.S. fashion industry by pushing customers to shop in-store.

Chapters:
0:00 Primark stores
0:57 No online shopping
2:55 Click and collect
4:26 Pricing strategy
5:09 U.S. expansion

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#Primark #Fashion #WSJ

[mel]

For me the biggest problem with online clothes shopping is the lack of a standardized and consistent clothes sizing system: a "medium" might not be the same among brands (or even between different styles of the same brand) and you won't really know until you actually try it on.

[pbc]

I am the owner of a garment factory in one of the major countries they manufacture in and they are notorious for squeezing vendors on pricing. They’re not particularly bothered about the conditions of the facilities their products are manufactured in. The workers in the countries they manufacture in are paid just enough to survive. There are many dirty secrets behind their ridiculously low pricing. Very unethical company.

[yascaoimhin]

Originally founded in Ireland as Penneys in 1969. When Penneys attempted to expand into the UK and the rest of Europe, JC Penney blocked the name as they had the trademark for Europe but not Ireland. Ironic now that JCPenney is bankrupt and Primark has started taking over in the US. The stores in Ireland continue to be known as Penneys

[drc]

Primark is only partly to blame; i own Primark/Penneys clothes, including jumpers and tops that ive looked after and that have lasted over 14 years. Nowadays people buy mindlessly and dont properly care for their possessions. Ethical fashion doesnt only mean buying specific fabrics ahd paying a lot of money for one item; its about changing your mindset to value and care for what you already have, before binge-buying clothes every three weeks.

[beatriceb]

It's kinda funny to see that an European brand selling affordable clothing is being lauded cause "Hey! they're cheap affordable clothing! Great!" while on the other hand Shein, a brand from China.... is being blasted everywhere for unethical production, etc etc. Even in this videos they tell off-handedly the items are sourced from "Asia", yeah right, to make those affordable clothes this company would use those same unethical factory from Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, etc. But no controversies on them because they "outsource" their production.
About the condition and living situations of those factories, who cares right? They bringing jobs to other countries!! While all these fast fashion brands might as well use the same factory, the treatment cause where the company originated from is quite funny.

[felixthecat]

When I first moved to Boston as a broke grad student Primark saved my life. Cheap coats, gloves, sweaters, pants, boots, etc...

[IRISHATLANTIC]

It's funny how they keep referencing the UK.
Primark started in Ireland. The UK was the first overseas expansion, not the place of origin.

[jon]

The problem with clothes in an online presence is the inability to try the clothes on before purchasing. People are being more intentional with how they make their purchases. I order online only if the store is a click and mortar so if the fitting turns out unfavorable I can simply return it in person. I take a lot more time when trying on clothes to make sure I will wear and use it before purchasing regardless of the price. I was at Guess the other day and all the fitting rooms were closed an customers could not use them for the day. The sales rep said to just put it over my clothes to try it on which I thought was ridiculous so I just put all the items back and walked out the store! what kind of store doesnt ensure their fitting rooms are not available. I live in a tourist destination where most of their customer base can't return things once they leave!

[god]

I never thought the iconic Forever 21 of my generation would be closing. They were the first, longest and the best at Fast Fashion trends for decades. Never heard of Primark until now.

[sew_gal]

Shopping needs to go back to being therapeutic experience instead of chaotic. I'm gonna go to UPS to make an amazon return or I'm gonna go to MAcys...either way i prefer going to macys because i get to browse. Back in the 90s I loved going to the malls with my mom during christmas and be in awe of the decorations ...that became a key part of my nostalgia for the past. We need to make malls great again!

[linsees]

They opened a Primark here just 5 minutes away from where I live. So dangerous. 🤣 I used to shop in Primark whenever I was in Europe, so I guess when they first opened here, it was such a novelty! I stop in for just about anything. New work clothes? Vacation coming up? Need a suitcase? A blanket? Household items? Wrapping paper? Great store and reasonably priced on literally everything. Forever 21 quality doesn't even come close.

[la]

Primary appeals to people who want lots of cheap clothing quickly. I remember visiting a Primark in London and I did not care for their fast fashion clothing. Yes price is cheap but quality is very cheap too. I like shopping online better because you have access to more variety and brands very quickly.

[alisonfraser]

They should open in Canada. As shown in the video, Canadians overwhelmingly prefer in-person shopping. Also, we are a country made up of smaller towns and cities with economically viable downtown shopping districts. It would be nice to see fair trade practices in play. If slavery is illegal in your own country, don’t profit from it abroad.

[clintcountryman]

Cool. Bring back toy stores, book stores, music stores, arcades, and bulk candy stores.

[breal]

I was recently in Spain. When walking one morning, I noticed a line of people waiting for a store to open so I waited. I had found Zara. I was astonished at the higher quality but lower prices compared to the US. I spent tons of money after checking on-line and realizing that the same items I was buying in Europe were twice as much in the States (same thing at the Pikolinos store). Plus it's always more fun to shop in Europe!

[srini]

As a Primark customer who lived in Europe for decades, I was pretty shocked what an ordinary clothing costed in the US. I'm not surprised big retailers are going bust. OTOH, Primark has a decent quality and price. I did not realize they were in the US. I'm now going to check where they are exactly near my residence.

[cheesemaster]

Many retail stores failed to reinvest in their business and consistently forced higher prices and lower quality on their customers....I will not shed a tear when these businesses disappear

[Kenneth-sltn]

I don't understand why the media keeps calling successful Irish brands or people anything other than Irish. Ryanair "European airline, Primark "European fashionline", Kerrygold "European butter", even people like Cillian Murray they will say are from an "area of North Europe". Is it that hard to give credit to Ireland? British media even goes as far to try and call Irish celebrities "British".

[dcoughla]

Primark has a real connection with its customers & its buyers are very fashion forward especially with designer dupes. It has introduced a premium range of clothing & sometimes has Harris Tweed jackets & cashmere sweaters. Not everything is a rag. It’s up to the customer to decide on price vs quality but for those on a budget you can dress yourself quite well. If you spill coffee on one of their $3 white t shirts you’re not going to cry & you can use it as a cleaning cloth afterwards. However, for job interview clothes or coats look elsewhere. The only negative is going into the stores which are always overcrowded & have long lines.

The best thing about Primark was during lockdown when it retained all its staff on full pay & did not take furlough money from the UK government. They have begun to offer click and collect in stores but it’s in its early stages.

[tiadaid]

Primark offers good quality at a reasonable price. And their reputation is so well known, even people in countries which doesn't have Primark knows of them! Here in Malaysia, it's well known that if you're in London, you have to stop by Primark - and that was I did when I visited London!