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.

The winter coat I bought for my son has lasted nearly 3 winters, and still decent looking. I rarely shop there for myself.

Supermarket clothes are lovely, yes, but they've shut their changing rooms. I don't want to have to buy 3 sizes of half a dozen things, take them home to try on, then return as its a 34 mile round trip. So I park in the park and ride and go to City Centre Primark instead, where I can still try stuff on.

Interesting you think the sizing is off? I think it’s spot on have a 2 yo and it’s the only shop 2-3 isnt massive on her, next stuff is ridiculous the 9-12 month baby grows would fit a 5 year old!

Because some family’s budgets mean they can only afford to shop in places such as Primark. Don’t you think most people would buy good quality long lasting clothing if they could afford it? The same goes for things like food. The cost of living crisis means a lot of poorer families are forced to buy cheap less nutritious food compared to better off families who can afford fresh organic produce.

Posts like this make me think some people live in a bubble and don’t realise just how life is for those who don’t have much money to get by on.

I love a bit of Primark. We call it Primani in our house.
Great for PJs, summer pumps, basic vests and joggers, accessories and basic makeup. My DDs laugh because my cosmetics are either Clarins or Primark!

I no longer live in easy reach of one, so haven't shopped there for a few years, but I've always found their clothes to be fine and good value.

I've bought clothes at just about every price point on the high street, and really, price isn't an indicator of quality.

I'm not happy with my weight at the moment, and I work in quite a dirty / sweaty role, so I don't bother shopping or buying nice clothes these days.

I mostly wear supermarket clothes, which are generally fine.

But I do have primary items that I've had for years and are still going strong.

Other than actual clothes (jeans, jumpers etc) I have vest tops that I've had for years that I wear under my work uniform.

These vest tops were, I think, £1.30 each and I've worn them on rotation, say twice per week, every week for 5 years.

Can't say fairer than that.

(As regards the ethics of the manufacturing process and labour laws etc, yes, this is something that concerns me, but Primark is no worse for it than many other shops, and a lot better than many. But yes, ideally I would have the budget to shop fully ethically and sustainably).

What are fake bodies, please?

Vinted. Cheaper than Primark by miles and you can actually buy decent quality clothing.

Was gifted some pyjamas from Primark years ago which washed and lasted really well, great quality cotton. I also bought some towels there several years ago after being recommanded and they’re still going strong.

My mum and sister who both were / are in fashion (for work) buy all their pants from Primark.

I wouldn't shop at Vinted, too much hassle and a bit of an unknown, at least in Primark you know what you are getting as it is in your hand.

Because they like to support sweatshops and child labour?

I get leggings, socks, pants.. just basic stuff.. sometimes other clothing
Because it's the cheapest. You can pay a bit more but the quality is the same and I'm quite poor so what's the point?
Other than to be ethical but I cannot afford anything ethical really.
I do use vinted to buy more expensive brands of clothing that will last. But you can't buy socks and pants on vinted and second hand tights and leggings will just not last.
Stuff from primark can occasionally be really good quality. I've got a few things from there I've had 5 years!

And they are good if something goes wrong whilst you are away from home, like your shoes breaks and you don't have the money or time to faff about getting decent new shoes. A few quid will get you a pair of plimsolls from primark.
This has happened to me a few times and I've thought thank God for primark lol!

If I had the money I'd shop elsewhere for ethical reasons. But I've 3 kids and work a part time minimum wage job.

@FlatWhite78 I've never found Vinted cheap and it always surprises me when people say this.

How can it be cheap when you have to pay for the postage?

So many times I've seen some pieces I like on Vinted, but if it's, for example, 4 different sellers, that's often postage of around £3.50 per item, plus the insurance or whatever is is, so in total around £20 on top of the cost of the items, for second hand clothes, plus you're just stuck with them if they don't fit or whatever.

I used to spend the money on more expensive bits from the high street, but standards have fallen all around now. A lot of the time it's just not worth paying more. You're not getting the quality you think you are - you're just paying for the brand name, and I don't care about that.

It used to be that if you spend £50 on a jumper in a 'good' high street store, it would last you a few years, even with frequent wear. Now, you're lucky to get six months to a year out of half of them. If the Primark version is made of the same cheap polyester and lasts about the same length of time, why not just spend the £15 in Primark? I don't have all day to comb through second hand sites thrifting for bargains that may or may not fit me.

The enshittification of the high street is to blame.

I really like their 100% cotton multipacks of underpants; a big variety of styles and better fit and cheaper price than most places and they don't fall apart as other comparable brands may do. I do find you have the check the labels now, though, as a lot of them are no longer 100% cotton. I also have a whole bunch of their basic cotton camisoles; those things really last!

I think a lot of their more basic stuff like jeans, jean jackets, hair stuff, tights, accessories, makeup, and fragrances are very much "on trend" but there are some items that are also really solid quality and affordable for teenagers or anyone on a tight budget.

I understand for childrens clothing but even then don't find it much cheaper usually for the quality pay off for women's it actually baffles me it is expensive per wear imo.

Things I love from Primark:

bras and knickers
socks (for adults and kids)
leggings
pyjamas
Basic zip hoodies
basic vest tops etc
summer floaty dresses
all kids clothes (I avoid character stuff as much as possible because it’s just not my taste)

I find the quality is the same as anywhere else on the high street, so unless I was going to pay substantially more per item to get from higher quality non high street brands (which I can’t afford to do anyway!) it doesn’t make a difference wether it’s from Primark or marks and Spencer’s etc

It's very cheap for kids clothing. Mini boden for example. I could never afford that new. But kids grow so fast the stuff on there is all basically brand new.
Frugi stuff.. even Next kids stuff.
And the bundles of baby clothing I got for a quid each time.
I honestly don't know what I'd do without vinted.

It's also cheap if you see some high priced item you want and then find it on vinted.
I got an absolutely beautiful Zara dress on there once that I paid 15 quid for plus postage... it was 150 quid new.

There is a lot of rubbish in primark, but in amongst it all there are some very good bits and pieces. I love their 100% cotton PJ's, vest tops and t-shirts.....Perfectly good quality, cheap and last for years. I have also bought lots of great jeans from Primark, again great quality, wash well and last. I also love some of their homeware and bedding. I wouldn't bother with underwear, shoes, coats or trousers as much of it is poor quality and synthetic fabric. But I love primark for a lot of my basics and would probably be lost without it!

I’ve never found primark stuff falls apart- some of my tees and PJs I’ve had for years
I did find the kids clothes shitty and the leggings aren’t my fave but overall I like it- especially the underwear and bralettes

I have some loose black strappy tops which were £2 each, I bought them when I was pregnant with my eldest eight years ago, and still wear them weekly

I've only experience Primark once (didn't buy anything) but watched a woman shoplift a dress (straight off the hanger and into her Tote bag) which I thought was really sad. She should have gone to Karen Millen or Max Mara.

Same. I see nice bits in my local Tesco sometimes but usually leave them behind as I can't gauge my size just by looking. I can't be bothered with the faff of bringing things all the way home and returning them another day. I'd shop online if that was how I wanted to do it.
I don't have a car and tend to just pop in for bits, rather than doing a big shop. It's not convenient to lug stuff back and forth all the time.

I don't know why they don't have a fitting room any more. They used to have a single one where you asked for the key and someone waited outside until you were done. Not the most relaxing experience, but better than nothing!

It’s cheap.

They now have a nice Disney collection in some store/online. Quality is so so but half price better quality so for a one time thing or a short period of time like for kiddies…why not?