Primark is making headcount cuts, but could also expand

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 06. 27. 11:00

Another major company has announced layoffs: British-Irish-owned Primark will cut 150 office workers in three countries. The decision affects the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States, with most of the layoffs taking place at its Dublin headquarters. The move is being driven by a desire to optimise operating costs, the company said.

The jobs – mainly administrative and back-office tasks – will be taken over by an external service provider, and the affected employees will be replaced through outsourcing. According to a statement from Primark, this is intended to ensure more efficient and competitive operations in the rapidly changing international retail market.

Declining UK sales, increasing pressure

The reason is likely to be the weaker performance of the UK market: Primark’s sales have recently fallen in the UK, one of the company’s most important markets. The company’s management is responding with cost-cutting measures, but they stress that the layoffs do not mean a reduction in their strategy.

No holds barred

Primark remains committed to expansion, with plans to open new stores in Europe and North America, and is also experimenting with new store formats. The aim is to better serve local customer needs and strengthen its digital presence – particularly in the US market, where it is still a small player but sees great potential.

Primark currently has nearly 440 stores worldwide and has been increasingly focused on supply chain efficiency and sustainability in recent years. The reduction in office positions is therefore part of a wider transformation in which low prices, fast product turnover and cost efficiency continue to play a key role.