Why do people shop at Primark?

My local branch is quite tidy but it's not huge, usually busy but not overly so

I very rarely shop there but I've got a black cardigan that I've been wearing almost every day for several years and it still looks new. Same with a jumper dress. I do have a knack of being able to spot materials that will outlive human civilisation though. Their basics are good but I'd never buy a dress or coat.

I used to as a student but the material they use is mostly polyester and I can't bare it now. I have also been trying to change my shopping habits and avoid all fast fashion shops and trying to buy things I know I will wear again and again.and will hopefully last longer.

Because it’s cheap and people are skint. Yes it is false economy a lot of the time but if people simply don’t have the money for more expensive clothes, even if they saved up, then they don’t have it so need to wear something cheap. It’s a rubbish cycle, literally

I have a number of their organic cotton T shirts which I've had for years. They're basics that are worn all the time, they're very soft, in lovely colours and haven't faded. Our local branch is generally tidy and not at all hectic (although I avoid Saturday afternoons)!

@NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel

It might be a false economy, but if you're on the bones of your arse and your kids need clothes, you're going to buy what you can afford at the time, even if you know it will need replaced again in a few months.

This ^ some people genuinely can’t afford to buy the slightly more expensive item that will last longer. I don’t really buy clothes in primark, but it is my go to for the kids underwear, socks, school water bottles, etc… cheaper than anywhere else I know.

Primark were one of the first high street shops to do seamless underwear. And affordable period pants. I also buy cotton sheets and duvet covers there (not the poly mix ones) and holiday stuff for DC’s.

I’ve also bought plain, nice quality cotton and linen dresses in primark, but then lined them myself (I sew). They would cost many more ££ for same quality elsewhere.

I find primark clothes comfortable and I love their Disney range. The price helps too. I've still got pyjamas that I bought years ago, they're still fine.

Hate their stores: chaotic, messy and endless queues at the tills.

A couple of years ago one of the monthly magazines did a comparison of plain white cotton T-shirts from various brands. They were washed and ironed numerous times and put through several tests.
Primark actually came out as longer lasting than many of the more expensive high street shops.

I buy leggings and vest tops from primark last years.

90% of DD's wardrobe is Primark.

Their leggings are great quality, same goes for their cotton t-shirts, goodies, sweatshirts and swimwear, pyjamas, cotton bedding and towels. Most of DD's stuff is still in good enough condition to hand down or donate once she's outgrown it.

It's great for the basic stuff, as well as some accessories, reading glasses, hair bobbles (obviously!) and I really like their skincare. I tend not to bother with their shoes or bags though.

Yes it's sometimes chaotic and crowded, and the queues are massive at times, but it's a convenient place to get the things you need rather than go around several different shops.

I like all their Disney stuff, because I'm an overgrown child

Because my daughter has a weekend job there and I get discount on socks and pjs 😊

I was delighted with my very high thread count super king fitted cotton sheet from Primark ( Penneys in Ireland which was the original Primark ).
It was a great price and the cotton great quality.
I'm not so delighted now as the elastic in the sheet broke after the 2nd use.

Surprised some of the shirts in primark were £22 - in M & S I bought a nice boxy shirt £25! and no threads hanging from it!

My clothes from there the same as from anywhere else, they don't fall apart any more than any others.

I've some Primark clothing that's 20 years old still going strong.

I went there in the early noughties to get a couple of things that my mother in law wanted, pyjamas and the like. It must have been 2002 or 2003 (she died in '04). Anyway at that time I was extremely impressed, so was she. I've not been there since, it sounds as though it has gone downhill.

Its an awful place but if you can't afford better then I guess that's why.

My kid have passed down primark joggers through all 4 of them. We then donate them so hundreds of wears over ten years for £4. My eldest bought sweaters for college he is wearing five years later still looking great. I don't but lots in primark but for certain things it's a great shop. The kids stuff lasts long enough to be passed down.

Ditto. I don't know why I would want to.

exactly this

the Vimes Boot Theory no longer applies because you don't get better quality by spending a bit more anymore - everywhere else (at least on the high street) uses the same cheap materials, they just mark it up more.

you can spend £50 on a t shirt and it will still bobble or lose its shape, so better to spend £5 and replace it

You can spend £20 on a pair of tights and still rip them on your first wear if you catch them on something, so better to spend £2. Who cares if they won't last you a decade, neither will the expensive pair (although tbf I have some stuff from primark that is still going strong after years).

People can't afford and don't want to spend a money on more expensive items when they aren't of significantly better quality.

Even if you do find something that is good enough quality to last, you are relying on never losing or gaining any weight, never changing your personal circumstances, (i.e. moving from working in an office to WFH, or to being a SAHM), not caring about what's in fashion or not, and the item never getting accidentally stained or ripped or left behind or stolen- all of which are highly unlikely over a period of 5, 10, years!

(when I say 'better' I mean from an individual economic POV, obviously not better for the environment).

I don’t anymore,it’s not cheap,I went in today just in the off chance,£15 for some kids pjs!just all looks like it’s aimed at the very young generation.

I'm a very careful shopper and there are things I buy only from primark, I check seams and material thickness and I'm happy to change buttons to lift a garment.

I buy mens t shirts as pyjama tops, the fluffy socks, flip flops to wear in the garden, some makeup items and hair accessories.

I think it's great for people on a lower budget and for kids clothes. Some of the homeware is fine, throws and such.

I've had stuff last years from there tbh.