Primark refuses to go online despite £1bn lockdown loss14 Jan 2021 14:11
Good publicity for ASOS showing there is demand and growth for online sales during lockdown. This was on the BBC website this afternoon:
Primark says it has no plans to sell its clothes online despite warning that lockdown store closures could cost it more than £1bn in lost sales.
At the moment, 305 of Primark's 389 global stores are closed - including all 190 of its UK stores.
But the retailer has no online operation to fall back on as it says the cost of setting one up would force it to raise its prices.
The brand's sales fell 30% to £2bn in the 16 weeks to 2 January.
It contrasts with online only fashion retailers such as Asos and Boohoo, whose sales rose by around 40% in the last four months of 2020.
On Thursday, consumers called on Primark to embrace e-commerce with one tweeting: "Online sales are thru the roof during the pandemic. You're missing out on a LOT of money."