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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Jess Flaherty

Primark explains why it has a completely different name in Ireland

Primark is well known across the UK but in the Republic of Ireland, it's known by a completely different name.

The high-street giant has proved popular among shoppers for offering on-trend fashion at affordable prices, with the store extending its budget-friendly line-up to include homeware ranges, children's clothing and more.

The store first opened in 1969 in Dublin and was originally named Penneys - the name it still goes by in Ireland.

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Primark was opened by Dublin-born retailer Arthur Ryan as a single store but it now boasts more than 370 stores across the world.

When Mr Ryan wanted to expand the store into mainland Britain back in 1973, the Penney name couldn't be used because American retailer, J. C. Penney, had the right to use the name in the region.

Primark was chosen as the store's new name and since then, all stores opened around the world have adopted it.

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But Penneys still remains a household name in Ireland.

Retail stores remain closed due to ongoing lockdown restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic but shoppers are still able to view items online.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week confirmed non-essential retailers such as clothing and homeware stores, betting shops, electronics stores and more could begin to reopen from April 12.

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