Primark issues warning to customers as autumn/winter stock is delayed
Oh dear 💔
High street retailer Primark has issued a warning to shoppers over supply chain delays affecting its autumn winter stock levels.
The cut-price fashion retailer's UK like-for-like sales were down by 24% compared 2019's figures from mid-June, though they have partly recovered since self-isolation rules were eased.
Primark's owner Associated British Foods (ABF) also shared how supply chain difficulties were affecting stats.
It said Primark was "experiencing some delays to the handover of some autumn/winter inventory caused by port and container freight disruptions".
Primark's woes over the summer followed an earlier bounce after the end of lockdown when it said "customers came back to our stores with enthusiasm and sales reflected some pent-up demand with very high basket sizes".
The group also pointed to high street footfall being "impacted by the caution displayed by many consumers at that time", with sales down by 24% in the first four weeks of the first quarter.
After self-isolation rules were eased in early August there was an improvement but sales were still down in the last four weeks.
The company also said demand for "comfort" fashions such as leggings and cycle shorts that proved popular during the pandemic continued during the period and that sales of its new season ranges had started well.
Primark are one of the only high street shops that don't have an online store, but earlier this year they confirmed that the brand will be making changes to their current website in 2022, making it a lot better for users.
A statement from ABF read: "The improved functionality of the website will allow us to showcase a much larger proportion of the Primark range and provide to customers range availability by store."
The latest change still doesn't allow shoppers to physically buy products online, meaning you'll still have to visit your local store to purchase your favourite Primark products.
The new site will however show which stores are stocking each of the items, a tool which will be very handy for Primark fans.
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