Companies

Primark plans significant workforce cuts

Jul 4, 2025 United Kingdom

The international retailer plans to reduce staff in key support functions, impacting about 7% of Dublin HQ jobs, as it restructures to maintain competitive pricing and invest in overseas markets

Primark has announced plans to cut around 150 roles across Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) as part of a broader restructuring strategy aimed at supporting its international growth.

Approximately 100 redundancies are expected at its Dublin headquarters, affecting around 7% of its workforce there. The cuts will primarily target the human resources, finance and procurement departments, as the company proposes to outsource various support functions to a third-party provider.

The decision to outsource is designed to enable Primark to focus on delivering strong product offerings and competitive prices. Still, the retailer acknowledged that the move would have a significant impact on the affected employees. A collective consultation process has begun in line with legal requirements, and Irish government officials have been formally notified of the redundancy plans.

Retail Sector

The job cuts come amid broader challenges in the retail sector, as rising costs and shifting consumer behaviour continue to pressure traditional retailers. Primark recently downgraded its sales forecast for 2025, now expecting low single-digit growth.

Sales in the UK fell by 4% in the 24 weeks to March 2025 compared to the same period last year, driven by cautious consumer sentiment despite an initially strong April supported by Easter trading. This mirrors trends seen elsewhere, including River Island’s recent announcement to close over 30 stores in Britain and Ireland.

International Presence

Despite the setbacks in domestic markets, Primark remains focused on international expansion. The company recently unveiled growth plans for Italy and confirmed its upcoming entry into the Middle East market.

Primark’s leadership emphasised that the restructuring aims to prepare the company for future success and maintain its competitive edge in an evolving global retail landscape.

Image Credits: corporate.primark.com

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