Primark clicks into children’s wear

PRIMARK is launching a click and collect service for around 2,000 children’s items in its biggest move into online shopping.

the discount clothing giant has until now shunned the internet as it would be forced to put up prices to break even given increased delivery costs.

But it will launch a click and collect trial this winter at 25 stores in the North West.

the trial will feature products from newborn baby wear to clothing for 15-year-olds.

It will include clothing and larger items such as nursery products, and will give year-round access to summer and winter ranges. But the company said it was not likely to ‘ever’ move into home deliveries.

George Weston, chief executive of Primark owner associated British Foods, said: ‘We have a very strong kids’ range which we can’t always showcase entirely in our stores, so click and collect means we can sell all these items from stores where they might not be on display.

‘But I don’t think we will ever do home delivery. We can see an opportunity with click and collect that works well alongside the store model in a way that isn’t the same with delivery.’

Primark hopes the service would bring more people into its stores who will shop around while picking up orders.

Finance boss john Bason said the trial will double the number of children’s items available at an average store, and quadruple it for its smaller stores. He said: ‘With our commitment toward being the lowest cost retailer on the High street, we believe this offer will give a much bigger choice to the customer.’

the announcement came as ABF, which also owns sugar, agriculture and ingredients businesses, said it raked in £4bn of sales for the three months to may 28 – up 32pc on the same period a year earlier.

sales at Primark were up 81pc at £1.7bn but are still 9pc lower than pre-Covid levels three years ago.

the retailer was hit hard by lockdowns because of Primark’s refusal to sell online. sales in the quarter at its food business, which owns twinings and Ovaltine, grew 10pc, driven by price increases to offset inflation.