ALL of Primark’s stores north of the border have been given a Scots rebrand to mark 50 years of trading in Scotland.
The fast fashion brand has 21 Scottish stores, all of which have been rebranded “Preemark” in a “homage” to how many Scots pronounce the name.
The rebrand marks 50 years since Primark first opened its doors in Hamilton in 1975 – its first Scottish store and still its smallest in the UK. Its second Scottish store (in Motherwell) wasn’t opened until 20 years later, in 1995.
The brand said it now employs some 2637 staff across its 21 Scottish sites.
Primark was first opened in Dublin in 1969 as Penneys, as it is still known in Ireland. It opened its first site in the UK in Derby in 1974 and currently has 197 UK sites.
Kari Rodgers, UK retail director for Primark, said: “The high streets and fashions have changed a lot over five decades in Scotland, and Primark has been there every step of the way.
“As we’ve evolved to meet this change in demand, our commitment to offering people great quality clothing at affordable prices is stronger than ever. There is such pride in our stores in Scotland and our customers feel it too, so it’s fantastic to be celebrating such an important milestone together.”
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, the deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “Primark's 50th birthday in Scotland marks a vote of confidence in Scotland's high streets and retail destinations.
“We know vibrant and successful town and city centres depend on an interconnected eco-system comprising the full range of retail options from small independent retailers to national chains. Those larger businesses help drive footfall to those high streets as well as supporting the local community and providing vital employment.
“It's vital Scotland continues to attract investment from businesses like Primark to ensure our high streets remain economically sustainable."
Primark has faced controversy over the years after allegations that it used sweatshops, child, and forced labour to create its clothing.
In 2014, a Primark shopper claimed to have found a “cry for help” note hidden inside a pair of trousers, alleging that workers were trapped in slave labour conditions and forced to work 15-hours days in a Chinese prison.
In 2018, the firm published its supply chain to prove it had nothing to hide in its push to sell products that are free of slave labour.
Earlier this year, Primark boss Paul Marchant resigned after a woman made allegations about inappropriate behaviour.
