Primark, the international fashion retailer, has today opened its first store in Romania at ParkLake Shopping Centre, Bucharest. With an investment of over €10 million in the new store and hundreds of jobs created in the local economy, the opening marks an important milestone for Primark as the retailer enters its 15th international market.
The much-anticipated flagship store is part of Primark’s ambitious growth plans in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), where the brand already has stores in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovenia and will open in Slovakia in 2023. Primark has also announced a second store in Bucharest in the AFI Cotroceni Shopping Centre, which is expected to open next year.
The opening of Primark ParkLake Bucharest comes as the retailer continues its ambitious international expansion, recently announcing a series of investments in its UK and European store portfolio. Last month, Primark announced an investment of £140 million over the next two years in the UK, along with a further investment of €100 million in France and another €100 million into the Spanish business. Over 2,600 jobs will be created across the three markets in the next two years.
The new Primark ParkLake Bucharest store spans 40,200 sq feet (3,700 sq metres) across two floors, bringing Primark’s unique formula of the latest trends and everyday essentials at great value prices to customers in Romania for the very first time. Many of the clothing ranges in Primark ParkLake Bucharest are part of the retailer’s growing Primark Cares label, which is Primark’s pledge to make more sustainable products that everyone can afford. Primark’s recent Sustainability and Ethics Progress Report outlined the progress the retailer has made on the commitments set out in its sustainability strategy. Already, 45% of Primark’s clothes are made using recycled or more sustainably sourced materials, up from 25% a year ago. The retailer has committed to make 100% of its clothing from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials by 2030.
Paul Marchant, Chief Executive at Primark, said: “Today is a milestone moment for Primark as we enter our 15th international market with the opening of Primark ParkLake Bucharest, Romania. We have ambitious growth plans for our business in Central and Eastern Europe, with Romania becoming our fourth market in CEE where today we have eight stores with more stores planned to open over the next year. This new Bucharest store represents a €10 million investment, has created hundreds of local jobs and we believe that our unique Primark offering will bring something new and exciting to our customers in Romania”
