Primark Celebrates 50 Years on the British High Street
Primark marks its 50th anniversary since opening its first store on Babington Lane, Derby, on September 26, 1974. UK Retail Director Kari Rodgers reflected on the milestone: “While British high streets and styles have changed, our mission of helping people look and feel good for less remains strong. We are grateful for the loyalty of our amazing colleagues and customers.”
To celebrate, Primark is hosting events in Derby and showcasing the brand’s history in store windows across the UK. Starting with just one store, Primark now operates 185 locations in Britain, employing over 30,000 staff and serving millions weekly.
Founder Arthur Ryan launched the first Penneys store in Dublin in 1969 before expanding to the UK market. The initial offerings included women’s tweed coats for £9.50 and children’s slacks for 99p, quickly gaining popularity. Primark expanded into Scotland, Wales and London throughout the 70s and 80s, eventually growing into a household name in the 2000s with its affordable fashion.
Primark has maintained its commitment to physical retail, with stores becoming popular destinations featuring beauty studios, cafes and vintage clothing concessions. The Birmingham location holds the title for the world’s largest retail fashion store at 160,000 sq. ft.
Today, over 50% of Primark’s offerings are everyday essentials, and the company is expanding its Click & Collect service nationwide to enhance customer choice. Primark continues to invest in growth, with a £100 million commitment to new stores, extensions and refurbishments, having opened new locations in Bury St Edmunds and Teesside this year.
Now with over 450 stores in 17 countries, Primark employs more than 80,000 colleagues worldwide, celebrating a legacy of making fashion accessible for all.
