The UK government should be doing more to help revitalise British high streets and restore a lost sense of community for our shoppers, says Primark CEO Paul Marchant, as he outlined Primark’s ongoing commitment to bricks and mortar retail.
Speaking at the World Retail Congress in Barcelona, the Primark boss claimed the UK government should play a more active role in making the UK high streets vibrant, lively and safe environments for people to enjoy shopping again. Citing safety issues, but also the importance of creating a community feel, Paul spoke of the importance of re-establishing some of the “core principles” that made the UK high street essential to communities across the country.
He stated: “I think relationships with the government are better now than they were pre-COVID. But the more that we can do to work together with national and local government, local authorities, to make shopping a better, safer, more fun experience for everybody, the better…We’ve seen antisocial behaviour increasing significantly and people who feel unsafe to go out on some high streets.”
Marchant also stated that the retail industry does not receive sufficient recognition for its contribution to the economy and communities. He commented: “Retail is not only a massive employer around the world, but also provides careers, generates revenue and is a place for people to interact.”
Primark continues to be a physical retailer, but has now embarked on a trial click and collect service across selected stores and products. Marchant said “while we don’t have a transactional website beyond a small trial, we are very socially connected, with a strong community who want to communicate with us.”.
Primark currently has around 420 stores and is opening a further Spanish store, in Toledo on Friday, bring its Spanish estate to 57 stores. The company is also growing in France, Italy, Portugal, and has 17 outlets in the US after opening in Buffalo last week.
“I am very proud of our bricks and mortar,” stressed Marchant.
