Primark (Shop)

Primark

When I saw how many reviews for Primark there was on here, I thought does Ciao really need another?
Well the answer is- Yes, I don't think there can be enough praise for the bargain store that is Primark!

On appearances from the outside, Primark fits into the high street perfectly- the blue illuminated sign is simple yet effective and is easy to spot on a long street of retail heaven! Some of the stores still have the green theme as only recently have all the signs been changed for the blue.

The windows are usually display free- but in certain shops some of the windows house simple displays, of usually two or three mannequins dressed in their latest merchandise.

Depending on whether the store is in a town or a city the size can vary, from really big to just big- on the whole though once inside- the stores are all quite big and seem like a mini department store. In the cities the stores are usually on two or three levels wheras in towns they work from one floor.
They cram alot of stock inside- so lots to look at without seeing empty floor space, all their stock seems to be out on the salesfloor, as I have often asked if they have a size that isn't there and I have been told that "everything is out"

Upon entering, its hard not to look around and think it slightly resembles a jumble sale! However its simply down to the amount of customers that are in Primark constantly. They have stands with folded t-shirts on them, and after a few customers have unfolded them to look at the size- then put them down again, you quickly begin to realise why the store looks messy.

Sale time in Primark is one not to be missed, gone are the days of 25%, 30% or 50% off- Primark hits straight off at 70% or even better like over this last weekend where most clothing was down to a pound!
Their methods are good, as the sooner they shift the old season stock- the faster we get to see the new season stuff!

Unfortuantly Primark doesn't have a website which you can purchase things from- which would be good, as it would be less stressful than shopping in store! They do have a website though, if you just want to browse whats on offer if you have never been to a Primark store before.

What do they stock?

Starting with the ladies section- and I have to firstly say, for value and fashion you can't go far wrong shopping here.
Primark always picks up on the very latest trends- but at a fraction of the price you'd usually pay elsewhere.

Their Denim collection is the most unbeatable for value- their jeans start at the bargain price of 6pounds- the only downside is they don't do different lengths- so for a tall person, like me, I am limited at the cropped jeans as the full length one's are just too short! I'm 5'10 so the Jeans are aimed at people 5'8 and under.
Tip for the Primark bosses- do a tall section!!

I used to find that Primarks clothes fittings were on the small size- a size 16 was more like a 14, size 18 was more like a 16 and so on. Lately though while they have been stocking up on the new winter selection, the 18 are actually 18's!! and their sizes seem much more generous, for some people the fact that they don't do any size's over an 18- will be a hinderance too, Also most of the clothes are Trendy and in my opinion once a lady reaches a certain age, they might find there isn't as much on offer for them.

In the womenswear its possible to find an outfit for every occasion, the casual wear will kit you out for the gym, the smart wear is perfect for work and interviews and its easy to find clothes for a night out.

The ladies shoes go upto a size 9- they don't do half size's. The shoes are quite a generous fit.
They do a great range of flat shoes for around 4-8pounds. So affordable you could buy every colour!
What I find particully good is their plain black flat shoes (similar to a ballet pump) which are great for work! I must go through several pairs a year- so the one's I buy at 4pounds are great and I don't worry about the pounds when I need another pair.

Their underwear section for women is quite disappointing, they seem to stop at a size 38E in bras, and don't go any bigger. The styles are really nice though, they do a range of coloured and patterned but do the basic plain one's too. They have underwired, non-underwired and sports bra's. The knickers are extremely good value- thongs are available in abundance at a pound each for the one's with characters or patterns on them.

Onto the sleepwear and the cheap prices are continued here- The nightwear, like the clothing, stops at a size 18- They do night-dresses, pjamma's and dressing gowns- this section, I find, is especially good for presents at christmas or birthdays- many years now have gone by where a grandparent has been given a dressing gown from me!

The bags are astounding! they all look as though they could have fallen off the back of a designer wagon! They do a range of big bags and small handbags- usually a matching purse can be spotted too, the bags are very well-made- and i've had some over 3 years old now and they are still as good as the day I got them!

They even stock vanity bags and cases, for make-up. While we are on the subject of make-up it is stocked in a small selection of stores- the make-up starts at a pound.
Also available are hats, sunglasses, belts and even reading glasses!

Onto the jewellery- and i'll never know how they manage to make it to sell this jewellery at such low prices, I bought 6 pairs of hoop ear-rings today for 1 pound! They have a vast selection of long, short neckalaces, bracelets, bangles- basically everything you'd ever need in every colour! They have branded alot of jewellery as 'Opia' since this brand was introduced, they have managed to maintain the cheap price, but the quality and look has definately improved.

Over at the Menswear, which is just as big as the womens section- the clothes go upto a xxl, the fittings are on the small size- but because they go to a xxl theres usually something for whatever size man shops there, just be prepared if you are usually a medium and you find the large would fit you better.

Theres a small selection of mens shoes- no way is it as big as the womens though- and the pjammas are similar to the womens, where they do dressing gowns too.
I've noticed some mens accesories such as toiletry bags and cufflinks, although I have only seen these very occasionally, I wonder if its a range they bring in near to christmas only?

The kids section is so good- bringing children up is expensive enough, so every little helps, and saving money on clothes certainally does!
From birth to 2 years the section is called 'early years' The clothes can start anything from a pound. In the range are cuddle and dry robes, sleepsuits, bodysuits and the usual clothes- tops, bottom etc etc. The only downside I find- is some of the baby clothes have the brand, 'early days' on the front somewhere- Now i'm no snob, but i'd rather not broadcast the name across clothes as Primark does have a stigma attached to it as just being cheap- alot of people don't realise the quality is as good as other high-street stores.

Going from aged 2, the clothing then goes upto size 11-12 years, the girls clothes are very modern and sometimes mirror the womenswear- good if you like your child in the latest fashions- not so good if you prefer the traditional look and are a firm believer that a child should just dress like a child, and not look older. There is some pieces though that are more suited to the age-range, just not as many as there is of the fashion lines.

There is a full range of hair accesories and jewellery for girls, and little bags for them too.

The boyswear is the opposite and seems slighty young looking- even when the size's get to 11-12 years, the clothes are the same as the 3-4 years for example.
Boys being boys mean dirt and worn away knee's, Primarks prices mean its not the end of the word to replace clothing.

The boys and girls hosiery is great- when socks seem to go walkies in the wash- its not the end of the world and they can be replaced for a marginal price. Especially as children grow so quickly this section is very handy to visit often- for under a fiver you can kit your kids out with underwear for a week!

Primark also has a house section, where they have bedding, picture frames, ornaments and other things along those lines- again this section is reasonably priced. Don't expect this section to be massive, its very small in most stores but there can be some very nice and sometimes unusual things.

The Service and Staff

I have often returned things to Primark and I have never come up against any obstacles, staff have always accept my reasons and a full refund is offered if I have had the reciept- otherwise an exchange is offered.

At the till-point the assistants are always pleasant- although they don't make any chit-chat- as theres always big queues with alot of customers to serve.
Be prepared to queue to get served- but don't be put off, as usually the service on the till's is well-managed and efficient.

All the staff usually look smart and well presented in black shoes and trousers and a white shirt, they have a name badge on too. Members of management are hard to spot as they seem to wear the same uniform, so blend in with the other staff.

Overall

As with everything theres always down points- but Primarks has more good than bad and for good quality at a low price, it would be silly not to get down to Primark!

If you are a family with children- the fact that every age is catered for, makes it even better. Everything can be bought under one roof and it won't break the bank.