Primark to shift more than 200 product jobs to Dublin

Value fashion chain Primark has informed more than 220 staff at its Reading HQ that they must relocate to Dublin or face redundancy.

The roles cover disciplines such as buying, merchandising, sourcing and quality control and will be relocated to Dublin by September. Should staff not wish to move they face redundancy "as a last resort".

Primark currently has two product centres in Reading and London is seeking to amalgamate them into one, which it says will aid its international expansion. The Reading office will remain open with 270 roles unaffected by the decision.

“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,” said Primark CEO Paul Marchant in a statement.

“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,” he added.

Group director of people & 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 parent Associated British Foods recently announced that Primark's sales were projected to be 4% higher in the first half of this year.