Primark to redeploy UK product teams to Dublin

Buying, merchandising, design, quality and sourcing operations will all be brought together in the Irish capital.

Staff in the departments currently based in Reading will all be offered the chance to relocate, but for those who may not wish to redundancy will be a “last resort”.

The value fashion giant’s Reading office will remain open and around 270 staff will still be based there from teams such as central merchandising, brand, supply chain and store development.

Primark said it has invested in the Reading office and it continues to play a vital role – some staff have recently moved there from Dublin.

Primark chief executive Paul Marchant said: “As the Primark brand continues to expand into new markets and new product categories, it is essential we deliver an exciting and consistent product proposition to all our customers.

“Currently, our product operations are separated across two locations, Dublin and Reading. From September 2019, we will be amalgamating all our buying, merchandising, design, quality and sourcing operations to be based at our headquarters in Dublin. This change will ensure our business strategy and our expansion into new international markets is fully supported.”

Primark group director, people and culture, Lorraine Culligan, added: “It is important that the scale of our business and the needs of our customers are reflected in our internal structures as Primark continues to grow.

“All of our people who are in any affected roles will have the opportunity to work in Dublin. Our colleagues will be fully supported during this period of change.

“Primark’s office in Reading continues to play a vital role in our business and many of our teams across a number of core functions will continue to be based there.”