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Charities say it exploits the third world and its own staff have taken to the internet to besmirch its customers but clothes juggernaut Primark rolls on through the recession.
The company launched an investigation a few days ago after employees wrote expletive-ridden disparaging remarks on social networking website Facebook.
One described the Primark experience thus: “The place is a market for pikeys.”
If the company is embarrassed, it wasn't saying so today. The third-quarter sales figures of parent group Associated British Foods show it is growing while much of the rest of the High Street remains in the mire.
Primark sales are up 21% in the 16 weeks to 20 June, another strong result that is likely to see its market share rise.
Its 190 stores are increasingly rivalling Marks & Spencer as the leading seller of clothes in the UK and Ireland.
The company has faced allegations that it sources goods from suppliers that employ child labour.
In 2008, following a Panorama expose, it stopped doing business with at least one Indian supplier.
Simon McRae, senior campaigns officer at the anti-poverty charity War on Want, said: “Our research shows a stark contrast between Primark's success and the poor wages and conditions faced by its Bangladeshi garment workers.
“Primark cannot be trusted to ensure decent treatment for these workers. It is high time Gordon Brown introduced regulation to stop this abuse.” Yesterday it emerged that Primark's director of international trading has quit after less than a year. The high street chain announced the departure of Guy Young, who was also responsible for buying stock for the company's overseas stores, to staff last week.
The Facebook issue rumbles on. One employee complained about customers” leaving clothes in a mess, saying that she wanted to “drop-kick them to the homeware department”. Another wrote about “hefty” shoppers who needed to “lose some weight”.
ABF today preferred to focus on “good progress made in working capital management”.
Its sugar arm saw revenues up 19%. The food business in general is benefiting from the weakness of sterling. Overall, group sales are up 14%.
The shares lost 51⁄2p to 759p.
Reader views (5)
We dont have one in New Zealand. I was in one in London last year - and I am pleased to say it was cheap nasty junk.
- D D, Auckland, NZ, 10/07/2009 05:53
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There's more to life than Primark cheap and tacky.
Why does everyone where the same clothes.
I can buy better quality in the usa.
- Martin, sheffield, 09/07/2009 15:50
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I was in London a couple weeks ago and couldn't believe the queues for the Primark dressing rooms - they literally ran the entire length of the store. Lucky I was only buying knick-knacks ......
- Marianne, SW France/London, 09/07/2009 12:58
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Talk about exploitation.....look at UK workers on minimum wage (and below!) and some of the tough jobs that they have to do for little money. Mr. Brown should be more concerned about sorting that out than Primark providing work for workers who otherwise wouldn't have a chance.
- Mrs S, Surrey, 09/07/2009 12:31
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In this recession, Primark is a great place to shop without paying the overly high prices of most other high street shops. I love the place and I think the staff who made those comments on Facebook should a) be glad they have a job in these times and b) take a look in the mirror ...
- Ds, Surrey, 09/07/2009 11:01
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