Primark is a well-known fashion brand. Primark has been in business for 53 years, having been started in 1969.
Primark is a well-known retailer with over 400 locations throughout the world.
However, is Primark Fast Fashion? Does Primark use sweatshops or child labour? Moreover, is Primark ethical?
We’ve attempted to answer all of your questions concerning Primark’s ethics, morality, and policies on this page. We’ve also attempted to explain what’s wrong with Primark. Continue reading to learn more!
About Primark
Primark is an Irish fashion brand. Arthur Ryan created it in 1969. Primark has been around for more than 50 years.
Primark was originally called “Penneys.” However, because another company had already claimed the name when it was released in Europe, they were unable to register it. They gave it the name Primark in 1973.
The headquarters of Primark is in Dublin, Ireland. As of now, Primark has more than 400 stores around the world. Primark is mostly famous for its cheap and trendy products.
Primark sells clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women and kids. They also have beauty and home decor products.
Is Primark Fast Fashion?
Yes, Primark is a Fast Fashion brand.
Primark is one of the most popular Fast Fashion brands. Primark is known for its incredibly low prices on its trendy clothing.
In recent years, the phrase “fast fashion” has become more common. This model is widely used by brands to increase profitability. But what does Fast Fashion mean?
Fast Fashion refers to the quick transition of clothing trends from catwalks and social media to different clothing stores.
Fast, inexpensive, and trendy clothing are the three elements that all fast fashion brands share.
These clothing items are made of low-quality materials due to their low cost. These clothing are not designed for long-term use because they are trendy and trends fade quickly.
The fast fashion industry sells items of clothing that are only worn a few times. People purchase more clothing as a result. So, the Fast Fashion companies benefit financially.
Fast fashion has harmed society and the environment in numerous ways.
Most garment workers don’t even get the minimum wage. They are required to work for 12 to 16 hours per day, seven days a week, and are underpaid for their labour.
Most Fast Fashion products are made in sweatshops where workers are forced to work in inhumane conditions.
The Fast Fashion industry has also caused harm to the environment.
In addition to being the second-largest consumer of water, the fashion industry is responsible for 8–10% of the world’s carbon emissions, according to UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program).
In addition, the Fast Fashion brands discard the unsold items of clothing. These garments are thrown into landfills and cause land pollution. This also results in the waste of the materials that were used to make these products
Now coming back to Primark, as we discussed above, there are three elements that Fast Fashion brands have in common. These are cheap, fast, and trendy clothing.
Primark also has all of these elements. Primark sells inexpensive and trendy clothes. Primark releases a large number of new clothes every week.
Does Primark Use Child Labour?
Primark has mentioned on their website that;
“We strictly prohibit the use of child labour in the manufacturing of our products.”
However, Primark has been accused of using child labour. After the accusations, Primark stopped working with the suppliers who were using child labour to make Primark’s products.
Is Primark Ethical?
Primark stands in the grey line.
If we talk about workers’ ethics, Primark has taken some steps to make sure that their suppliers don’t use forced labour.
Primark has issued a list of its suppliers. Primark has also mentioned that they regularly check their suppliers to make sure they are using child labour or forced labour.
Now the question that arises is, how does Primark have cheaper clothing than others?
Primark has mentioned they save their money in different ways. They don’t advertise their products on TV as it costs a lot. They also cut the cost by keeping their packaging simple.
When Rana Plaza of Bangladesh collapsed in 2013, the clothing of Primark was also manufactured there. Primark paid compensation and aid to the victims.
In 2011, it was found that Primark was using child labour in India. Primark stopped working with these suppliers after the news became public.
In 2013 and 2014, some customers found SOS notes in Primark’s clothing which showed signs of forced labour.
Primark has plans to become fully sustainable by 2030. Primark aims to make all of its clothes from sustainable materials and aims to reduce its carbon emission.
What’s Wrong With Primark?
Primark is a Fast Fashion brand that claims to be ethical but it has been accused of being unethical a lot of times.
In many cases, Primark has been ethical. However, Primark has been accused of using child labour and forced labour as we described above.
Conclusion
Primark is an Irish Fast Fashion brand that has been around for more than 50 years.
Primark is mainly known for its inexpensive and trendy clothes. Primark is one of the most popular Fast Fashion brands.
Primark claims to be sustainable and ethical. However, Primark has been accused of using child labour and forced labour in the past.
