Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

Primark - how on earth do they do it?

134 replies

unavailable · 10/01/2009 16:37

Yesterday, I bought in Primark for the first time.

I have been in a few of their shops, but felt to overwelmed by all the stuff and chaos to do any more then leave again swiftly.

Anyway, I saw this really nice wool dress (lined)for £12!! I was very pleased with it, but am now a bit guilty that it may have been made by 5 year olds in some slave labour sweat shop in the far east - otherwise how on earth could their stuff be so cheap?

Are Primark any worse than other companies? Can I shop there guilt free or should my first purchase be my last?

OP posts:

SheikYerbouti · 10/01/2009 16:40

I must admit, I get to the till and trry not to think of poor kids slaving for me to wear a skirt that only cost me 8 notes.

I think Primark do have a no child labour policy. H0owever, I cannae beleive everyfink I read.

I bet MOST high street stores use sweatshops.

janeite · 10/01/2009 16:41

No: you can't shop there guilt free - sorry.

SheikYerbouti · 10/01/2009 16:41

Which doesn't make it right.

janeite · 10/01/2009 16:41

But then again, other stores are as bad. It's just that Primark is SO cheap, it has to be doing things horribly wrong, surely?

Original poster

unavailable · 10/01/2009 16:42

Janeite - please elaborate.

OP posts:

DeborahBorr · 10/01/2009 16:42

No, you can't shop there guilt free. Am sure lots of shops equally bad but I just can't bring myself to shop there. Plus, it's vile inside, like a jumble sale. And everything looks such crap quality.

twoluvlykids · 10/01/2009 16:43

There was a tv programme, showing Primark do not employ children - however, they do "outsource" for part of the production process, and children are used for that. Primark claimed at the time not to know this...

OHBollox · 10/01/2009 16:44

But if paying that 5 year old to make your dress means that 5 year old eats then I don't think that's a bad thing, yes we should all be paying to ensure that child goes to school but hands up if you're doing that ?

Original poster

unavailable · 10/01/2009 16:49

Deborah - The lay out etc used to put me off too, but maybe the "pile it high" presentation is what keeps costs down. If thats the case, I'm fine with it, but would not want to shop there again if they were worse than other high st shops in terms of the way they treat the workforce.

OP posts:

janeite · 10/01/2009 16:50

Sorry OhB but that is just a way to ease the conscience of people in the West and let us sleep a little more easily at night.

DeborahBorr · 10/01/2009 16:51

I think it's often false economy shopping though. Stuff that looks crap after a few washes, cheap fabrics, cheap dyes.

SheikYerbouti · 10/01/2009 16:52

The one in Bristol smells of poo and all the clothes end up on the floor, that doth put me off a little

SheikYerbouti · 10/01/2009 16:53

Although I bough some vest tops from there 2 years ago that have been won to death and have kept their shape/colour quite well

[conflicted]

OHBollox · 10/01/2009 16:53

I sleep just fine anyway, I worry about the things in my control not those out of it.
I wouldn't buy at Primark because I can't be arsed to push through the crowds but M&S and John Lewis are as guilty no doubt.
As I said, do you sponsor a child, to have an education, to have clean water and food ?

mamadiva · 10/01/2009 16:54

Agree with OH BOllox, whilst I dont actively agree that child labour is right in any sense. If it is a case of life and death, starvation for a family then it's a case of needs must.

Dont get me wrong I think the likes of sweatshops and forced labour is wrong but the other night I watched a program which had a few kids 'playing' a game with their mother in India to see who could sew the most sequins onto a top it went onto say that the family encourage their kids to do it as they have no money and would literrally starve to death if it wasnt for the small amopunt they recieved.

So in some cases I think its a neccassary evil...

OHBollox · 10/01/2009 16:55

We're judging other countries by our own standards and we shouldn't because it's wrong, they probably think we're a bunch of twats letting our kids get fat and watching toxic TV instead of working which would probably be better for them.

janeite · 10/01/2009 16:56

I sponsor a child in El Salvador actually - AND have a standing order with Save The Children. BUT I also shop at Gap and think they have issues re: eco-credentials too. However, their stuff is usually the size it says on the label and doesn't fall apart after a few washes. Also it is a far more pleasant shopping experience.

mamadiva · 10/01/2009 16:57

I dont shop at Primark since there stuff is just crap quality but I know Tesco has been found to use child labour in places, I still buy from them at the end of the day if 50p a day is keeping a family going what can you do.

janeite · 10/01/2009 16:57

www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/3360626/How-clear-is-the-high-street's-conscience.html

mamadiva · 10/01/2009 16:59

I dont take part in those 'sponsor' this child/ give us £2 a month as I know for a fact that very little actually goes to the charity and I'm sorry but I dont want to pay £14 a month admin costs and £6 to a child (if even that amount)

herbietea · 10/01/2009 16:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

sweetkitty · 10/01/2009 17:00

I went into Primark the other day looking for stuff for the DDs and hated almost everything in there, the clothes for 3-4 year olds were too old and the quality of the tops looked dodgy. I have had some PJs out of there one wash and they are twice the size.

I buy cheap nursery clothes from Asda and other nicer stuff from Next/John Lewis/Gap etc I justify spending the bit extra as an investment as I can pass down the better quality stuff as I have 3 DDs cannot do that with the cheaper clothes they just don't last as well.

Original poster

unavailable · 10/01/2009 17:03

Very interesting article Janeite. It's a surprise to see New Look coming out so well, and more expensive brands like Laura Ashely being given decidedly lukewarm rating.
I have my answer about Primark though.

If I promise not to go there again, can I still wear my dress?!

OP posts:

janeite · 10/01/2009 17:06

Well I seem to be in a minority here anyway. I think you can wear your dress!

I found the article after just a quick Google: a pity it's the Torygraph!

widgypog · 10/01/2009 17:10

I have a different take on this. I think all high street shops use similar maunfacturing process' but I think Primark only mark up every item by a small amount and therefore we buy more of it and again spend more every time we visit. Think of it like this if you shop like I do you may buy one thing in marks or oasis at a time but 9 times out of ten I but 3-4 things in Primark and therefore spend more. And i bet there customer over thresold/sales ratio is much much higher than for example oasis and THAT is how thet make their money rather than making clothes for next to nothing. I believe all shops do this it is just that Primark dont mark it uup so much..This is never as obviuos as it is at the moment with Next and Marks taking up to 70 per cent off.

Of course this is just my theory I have no connection with Primark or any others shops

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6