Primark finally offers online sales

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - 13:14 by Paul Tissington

Budget fashion retailer, Primark, has been a bit of a high street phenomenon in the UK over the past decade, with its low prices attracting millions of customers and helping it to weather the recession, while rivals struggled to cope.

However, it has been announced this week that Primark will be trialling a scheme to offer some of its products via safe shopping online. A partnership with e-commerce fashion site, Asos, is making this possible and it marks a real change in the policy of Primark.

The Guardian reports the retailer was debunking the idea that it would move online as recently as two months ago. Of course, now the Asos deal will mean that customers can get their cut price kicks without having to leave the house.

The trial will not be particularly wide ranging and is set to include a reported 20 products in total from Primark's womenswear range. Prices will start at 6 for a basic t-shirt and rise to 22 for a coat.

It is important to note that Primark is still not going to be launching its own independent platform for safe shopping online, at least in the short term.

Instead, the Asos deal will allow it to test the waters and see if there is a demand for e-commerce amongst those who regularly visit its bricks and mortar outlets.

Asos is a good fit for Primark because it has worked with other big high street names in the past and has managed to make a success of launching products on its e-commerce site.

With 161 stores in the UK and plans to create even more outlets across Europe, Primark is not slowing down its expansion in the high street. If its business can be bolstered by the web, then taking this opportunity would seem sensible.