The successful clothing retailer Primark has just opened its first store in France.
The company says it has a “huge expansion opportunity” in Europe. It has already opened stores in Portugal, Spain and Germany.
Based on good experiences in these countries, the firm decided to take a chance on French buyers, choosing Marseille for its first shop location.
Crowds of shoppers flooded in, attracted by children’s pyjamas at €5, women’s jeans costing €8, and men’s hoodies priced at €12.
Irish-based Primark has been one of the retailing successes over the last few years in the UK and its European outlets. UK sales rose by 22%, hitting £4.3bn in its last six month period.
Primark is planning another four stores in France by Spring 2014, including three in the outskirts of Paris. The company wants to launch 20 stores across Europe during the next 12 months.
A company spokesperson said the discount retailer is “a follower of fashion and provides fashion at the best prices on the high street”.
Primark, which is owned by Associated British Foods, opened its doors in 1969 in Dublin. In 2006 it took its first step out of Ireland and the UK when it launched a shop in Madrid.
Comments
With France's economy in free fall (described as the sick man of Europe in yesterday's press) the French will only be able to afford €3 t-shirts. So much for French chic!