Primark’s web site crashes after it launches click-and-collect service

Primark’s web site quickly crashed on Monday after the low cost style chain launched its click-and-collect service.

The retailer, which has been steadfast in its refusal to promote its wares on-line, is finishing up a trial in 25 shops throughout the north-west of England, Yorkshire and north Wales for kids’s merchandise solely.

Some consumers had bother accessing the web site in the course of the day, being met with an error message, nevertheless it seemed to be again up and working after a number of hours.

“It’s been nice to see a lot curiosity within the launch of our new Click on + Acquire trial,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement. “We’re conscious that some folks have had points accessing the web site and we’re working arduous to deal with this to make sure that everybody can entry and browse the positioning simply”.

The chain, which is owned by Related British Meals and has 190 shops within the UK, has beforehand defended its determination to not promote its £14 attire and £18 shirts on-line as the price of packing, transport and supply would erode its revenue margins.

The retailer has no plans to launch an at-home supply service regardless of providing click-and-collect providers to consumers.

The transfer comes as Primark seeks to spice up gross sales in its core UK market earlier than Christmas, after its dad or mum firm Related British Meals took a £206mn impairment cost towards its operations in Germany after a protracted interval of weak gross sales.

Buyers can place an order value not less than £15 on-line and acquire it from an outlet retailer with no supply charge. Primark mentioned it deliberate to minimise plastic waste in the course of the trial, utilizing a brown paper packaging and plastic tape wherever doable.

Primark was hit arduous by the rolling Covid lockdowns all over the world. It estimated that maintaining its shops closed in 2020 and 2021 price it £1.1bn in misplaced gross sales, as its consumers had no manner to purchase its merchandise on-line. In September its dad or mum firm issued a revenue warning, citing a robust greenback and excessive vitality prices.

The low cost retailer had in 2013 launched a partnership with on-line style platform Asos, however pulled out after a trial interval as a result of excessive logistics prices. ABF’s chief govt George Western has beforehand informed the FT that the corporate has no intention of launching a house supply service.