Primark moving over 200 UK roles to Dublin

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 7, 2019

Primark is moving hundreds of UK-based roles to its headquarters in Dublin in September this year in a move that will affect 220 jobs across the company’s buying, merchandising, design, quality and sourcing teams.

It follows a review to make the business more efficient and support its growth as an international retailer, FashionNetwork.com understands.

Currently, Primark’s product operations are split between its Dublin and Reading offices. After September, the Reading site will continue to operate with around 270 staff, according to media reports.

“As the Primark brand continues to expand into new markets and new product categories, it is  essential we deliver an exciting and consistent product proposition to all our customers,” said Paul Marchant, CEO of Primark, in a statement on Thursday.

“Currently, our product operations are separated across two locations, Dublin and Reading. From September 2019, we will be amalgamating all our Buying, Merchandising, Design, Quality and Sourcing operations to be based at our headquarters in Dublin. This change will ensure our business strategy and our expansion into new international markets is fully supported.”

Lorraine Culligan, group director of people & culture at Primark added: “It is important that the scale of our business and the needs of our customers are reflected in our internal structures as Primark continues to grow. All of our people who are in any affected roles will have the opportunity to work in Dublin. Our colleagues will be fully supported during this period of change. Primark’s office in Reading continues to play a vital role in our business and many of our teams across a number of core functions will continue to be based there.”

The retailer’s decision comes amid severe Brexit uncertainty ahead of 29 March, when the UK is expected to quit the European Union. Despite the UK being by far its largest market, Primark is still an Irish company, with its international headquarters located in Dublin.