Primark is the latest high street store to announce its closure amid coronavirus chaos.
Following yesterday’s news that John Lewis would be temporarily closing their doors, as well as IKEA earlier in the week, Primark have just announced that they will be closing all 189 UK stores, as early as this evening.
Primark stores will shut their doors for the foreseeable future, starting from close of business on Sunday, March 22. The fashion retailer has already closed its European and US stores, and all future orders from suppliers have been cancelled.
Paul Marchant, Primark’s Chief Executive, told the Financial Times: “This situation has been so fast moving. We could not have foreseen that over the course of a week, our stores in every country in which we operate, with the exception of the UK, have had to close. We have therefore been left with no option but to take this action. This is unprecedented action for unprecedented and frankly unimaginable times.”
Unlike other high street retailers, Primark doesn’t have the benefit of an online store to keep profits flowing. However, its owner Associated British Foods has been able to continue as normal.
More to follow.