Why do people shop at Primark?

[sweetpumpkins]

I know people will say it's because it's cheap. But the odd bits I've had from Primark in the past have fallen apart, looked crap or lost their shape after very few wears. So to me it's false economy, as I end up having to replace it soon anyway.

And it's not even that cheap anymore. I visited a shop recently to have a browse and many of the products are not much cheaper than other high street shops that are better quality. Supermarket clothing is often cheaper and lasts longer.

I've never understood the big fuss.

I get all my basics from there: vests, long sleeve t shirts, underwear, socks. I’ve had some for years- the men’s stuff seems to be better quality than the women’s. I get tracksuit bottoms from the men’s department.
I have a couple of pairs of fluffy pyjamas that are unbelievably warm. I could be in the house with no heating at times this winter as they were so warm.
I loathe going in the actual shop as it is cramped and always rammed with people and screaming kids.

I went into the city centre the other day as had to buy some corporate office clothes for a new job. My daughter came and wanted to buy something from primark.

I ended up buying some dark beige tailored trousers and a fitted jumper. Both were AMAZING quality but not sure if I had found a nugget in there.

I know from the quality, they will last years and years.

Loads of people have commented on my trousers. Firstly, I say they are from Hobbs, then laugh and say primark!

Primary is now deffo one of my go to shops.

Frankly that poster sounded optimistic to me. Both times I've tried buying bras from there I didn't even get 6 weeks out of them. Never again. Perhaps I have unusually wayward tits.

But weirdly, I have leggings from there that I got off Ebay second hand, that are still great quality after about 3 years. There's no consistency.

The supply chain is not quite the same. It’s often the same factory, but no middlemen adding their costs, hence the low prices. I was surprised that Primark are seen as more ethical buy the manufacturers as they don’t continually screw down prices because they don’t need to, unlike other high street chains.

A student at school was proudly showing off his new Next suit which he’d saved up for, over £100. I have the feminine version (different buttons and a skirt as the 3rd piece) which was £12 on Vinted. Trousers, skirt and jacket would have been £120, I think. Also got Next trousers, waistcoat and jacket, immaculate, £10 on there. It’s quite heavy, quality material. Haven’t shopped in Next itself for years so no idea what the quality like currently.

They're always well lit and easy to navigate too. No stupid low lighting.
I've got old primark pyjamas and trackpants. Very good for sports bras too.

Three years ago I was visiting my sister in Manchester... I went out for the day into the city and the heavens opened... My jeans were SO wet that I had to go into Primark and buy a pair of jeans to change into..! They are so comfortable!

I find the stuff from Shein is similar or superior quality and much cheaper, without having to navigate crowds and huge queues etc.
Shein is shite

Yes Shein is shit - at least Primark is a British company.

Primark isnt British it's Irish. But agree about Shein!

Well you correctly said because they are cheap. And despite the fact that they are often of crap quality and don't last,what are people to do when they need clothes and they are short of money,as many of us are nowadays? They just don't have the funds to buy a dress costing say,£100,instead of £20 in Primark, despite the fact that it is much better quality and will last much longer.

@JohnTheRevelator its the experience of many on this thread and myself also, that in recent years spending more for clothing doesn't always equate to better quality.

Tend to buy things like the plain T-shirts for holidays, good enough to knock around in , cheap enough to not worry about them lasting

Mainly price and it being about the only place my teen/tween DDs will buy clothes locally now without going online, everywhere else has closed down!
Got my 10 year old 3 t-shirts there recently, £3 each, relaxed fit and they're cotton - they'll last her all summer at least.
I don't really buy actual clothes for myself there but I do like their plain cotton vests and their nightwear

What makes you think it’s British?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primark

Was just coming on to say Primark/Penneys is Irish, not that that has ever stopped the brits claiming something/someone Irish as British when it suits their own agenda.

Agree it's got pricier.
I buy some stuff for my teen sons from there. Socks/pants, shorts, winter hats and gloves
Don't usually buy anything for me as perimenopausal and prefer to buy natural fabrics

The basics like leggings, t-shirts/sweatshirts, joggers (without Disney & slogans on) are great, I love their pyjamas & buy trainer socks because they are cheap & actually last ages (can’t stand socks in general but theirs are really good)

I bought a jumper dress on offer a few wks ago & it’s washed lovely. Their jeans on the other hand are tiny, I’m a size 12/14 & even an 18 are too small!

Things that are good I've bought; pjs, dressing gowns, men's shorts, men's shirts. Things that fall apart; bras, knickers, socks, men's sweatshirts, sheets.

It’s not my main place to shop but I have a fair few things from there and can truthfully say none of my items have fallen apart or lost their shape.

I shop there less now than I used to, but when I was a single mum with two growing boys, I bought a lot of kids clothes in there. I still really rate their homewares as well. I like to change up my decor with the season, and I’ve found some lovely things in primark that don’t break the bank.

They now do a better quality range, made in turkey, nice cotton items so worth the extra, dont buy the super cheap stuff as falls apart and looses shape...ds and dh have many jeans from there, have bought lots of pairs for future use as good fit and quality and price...you just have to be selective and avoid the tat polyester stuff, i have a few cotton jumpers that still look nice after 10 years.

Because they occasionally have some good items. DH is fussy and I bought Grandad style, 100% cotton shirts, which are excellent quality, I have an unusual jacket which has lasted years and is always commented on, plus other bits and pieces, including this year viscose woven sleeveless tops, really very good quality and wash brilliantly. I shop far and wide and brand really is no longer an indicator of quality and I am positive production for a great many companies comes off the same factory floors.

this sums it up

OMG! Recently DH asked why I was wearing a synthetic top I had recently bought from Asda and it was full of bobbles after only one wash! I was also very angry because we don't have money to waste and despise fast fashion because all the crap we don't use end up in coasts and oceans of poor countries, but I also hate going for shopping too often.

So he dragged me to M&S, you know.. quality. But I don't want to buy merino wool or cashmere which I will have to look after! Everything was either too short or too thick or rolled necks! They didn't have thin, pure cotton sweaters apart from the men's section which DH bought for himself and they turned out to be good quality. I bought again synthetic but you know, it's M&S so better! I washed it and it was similar crap.