Primark is moving up its timeline for home deliveries, planning to launch the service in the United Kingdom by December next year, according to George Weston, chief executive of parent company Associated British Foods. The retailer acquired a robot-assisted warehouse in Sheffield from Debenhams, enabling it to accelerate its original timeline by approximately two years.
The company intends to begin operations at the Sheffield facility by mid-year, during which time it will prepare suppliers to furnish inventory suited for individual consumer shipments in addition to existing bulk store orders. Primark currently operates a click and collect service across the UK, gradually expanded since 2022, though this offering remains unavailable in mainland European locations. Following the UK rollout, the retailer plans to expand home deliveries to mainland Europe, though no specific timeline has been announced.
Weston noted that the financial model for home delivery has shifted favorably, as delivery and return fees now standard across the retail industry can offset most logistics expenses. Research indicates the service will attract customers who are either geographically distant from stores or prefer online shopping, rather than merely cannibalizing in-store sales. The chain operates 511 locations across 21 countries.
The expansion comes as Primark contends with intensifying retail competition from low-cost online platforms, supermarket clothing offerings, and traditional department stores with omnichannel capabilities. Weston downplayed market share losses to emerging online competitors, emphasizing that retailers combining physical and digital channels pose the greater competitive threat.
Financial results for the period ending 12 September showed overall sales growth of 4% to £9.8bn, driven primarily by new store openings. However, established UK stores grew only 0.5%, while mainland European and US locations declined 4.7% and 2.6% respectively, as consumers reduced discretionary spending. Despite implementing price reductions, expanded product ranges, and increased marketing efforts, operating profits fell 10% to £1bn. ABF plans to separate Primark as an independent company in December 2027.
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