Primark now expects to start home delivery in Great Britain by the end of 2027, around two years ahead of its original plan. Associated British Foods chief executive George Weston set out the new timeline in an interview with the Guardian.
By the middle of next year, Primark will take control of the Sheffield fulfilment centre. It is also working with suppliers so stock arrives in a form that can be sent out as single orders.
Primark confirmed in September that home delivery was coming. It didn’t give a date at the time.
The retailer paid £90 million for the Shepcote Lane site, a deal that covers the automation kit and the lease. Debenhams Group had used the 615,000 sq ft unit to run its own online fashion business before selling it to Primark.
Debenhams Group has been cutting back on holding stock itself. Partner brands on its marketplace made up 38.9% of the group’s sales in the six months to August, and Debenhams Group is aiming for more than 50%.
For years, Primark argued that shipping individual orders didn’t add up on clothes sold so cheaply. Click & Collect has been its only online service.
Online is where UK clothing sales are growing fastest. BDO’s tracker showed fashion sales up 9.0% online in October, against 2.1% in stores. Primark is the biggest clothing retailer in that market without a delivery service.
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Weston told the Guardian that Primark’s own research points to home delivery bringing in customers who seldom go into its shops, rather than moving existing store sales online.
The new date came with ABF’s annual results for the 52 weeks to 12th September. Primark sales were up 2% at £9.8bn. Adjusted operating profit fell 12% to £1.0bn after Primark put more money into lower prices, marketing and its digital operations.
UK like-for-like sales at Primark grew 0.5%. Europe fell 4.7%. Primark has set no date for home delivery in mainland Europe and has ruled out Northern Ireland for now.
ABF is due to complete the demerger of Primark in December 2027, the same window Primark has now set for home delivery.
