PRIMARK’S extended opening hours are to stay for as long as customers want them, bosses said today.
The retailer’s shops in England and Wales reopened on Monday last week as lockdown restrictions eased.
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To keep up with high demand, most have been open for an extra two hours a day.
George Weston, chief executive of Primark owner ABF, told The Sun: “We will keep them for the time being – as long as they are wanted.”
Bosses say longer opening hours helps to reduce long queues and allows for socially distanced shopping.
However, changing rooms will remain closed for now to keep both shoppers and staff as safe as possible.
What time does Primark open?
PRIMARK has reopened 160 of its 189 shops across the UK now lockdown restrictions have eased.
The stores that are open are in England and Wales, with stores in Scotland welcoming back customers from April 26.
Normally, stores are open from 8am until 8pm but the fashion retailer has extended its hours since reopening.
Stores are now open for an extra two hours a day.
Typically, branches are opening an hour earlier and closing an hour later but it’s best to check with your local store before heading out.
You can find their opening hours and contact details using the store locator tool.
No timetable has been set for them to reopen, Mr Weston said.
Primark has seen record sales in the week since reopening, with bosses declaring that “fashion is back”.
Over half of the stores broke their own sales records, owner ABF said.
Shops that saw the biggest sales were in city centres, compared to previous lockdown reopenings which saw branches in retail parks perform best.
It comes after the coronavirus lockdowns blew a £3billion hole in the retailer’s revenues.
Mr Weston said the first week of reopening had been “fantastic”, with footfall at major destinations higher than after the first lockdown.
“It’s a return to the high street as well as to fashion ranges,” he said, adding: “Its a relief.”
But when asked whether the past year had encouraged the retailer to finally offer online shopping, John Bason, finance chief at ABF, said it had not.
He said: “What you’ve got to do is keep your mind on what’s the business model going forward…
“We are very distinctive, we’re the best value around and you can’t get our value online.”
ABF said it would pay an interim dividend and hand back £121million in furlough cash.
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The Sun was given a sneak preview of what shoppers can expect to find in stores ahead of them reopening last week.
We were also given a first look at its first-ever maternity range.
And while the discounter isn’t holding an official sale, shoppers have spotted reduced price across clothing and homeware.
Ex-Primark worker reveals cheapest things she has ever sold – and how she would suggest people would go to M&S next door
