# Primark global expansion and strategic shifts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/primark-global-expansion-and-strategic-shifts
> Updated: 2026-09-08T14:20:44.000Z. Sources: 58. Developments: 2.

Primark is undergoing significant physical and strategic expansion. The retailer recently reached a milestone by opening its 500th global store in Pompei, Italy, as part of an aggressive European growth strategy that includes investments in Romania and Portugal.

Following this physical expansion, the company announced a major strategic shift by planning to launch home delivery services across Great Britain, including England, Scotland, and Wales. This move marks a departure from its traditional “store-led” model and its historical resistance to direct-to-consumer e-commerce. To facilitate this transition, parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) has acquired a highly automated fulfillment center in Sheffield from the Debenhams Group for approximately £90 million.

While Primark continues to grow its Italian presence with a new €8 million investment in a store at the Parma Promenade shopping center, the company faces some headwinds. Like-for-like sales are expected to decline by approximately 2.6% to 3% for the financial year, though management aims to offset this through new digital capabilities and the expansion of its click-and-collect service. 

Meanwhile, ABF is progressing with plans to demerge Primark from its food and sugar operations, a process expected to be completed by December 2027. This demerger comes as the sugar business faces projected operating losses between £25 million and £60 million due to high energy costs and low European prices.

## Claims

- Primark will launch a home delivery service across Great Britain, covering England, Scotland, and Wales. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- ABF purchased a highly automated warehouse in Sheffield from the Debenhams Group for £90 million to support the new delivery service. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Primark's like-for-like sales are expected to fall by approximately 2.6% to 3% over the financial year. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The demerger of Primark from ABF's food operations is expected to be completed by December 2027. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The sugar business is expected to post an operating loss between £25 million and £60 million for the full year. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- WAO - We Are Open and Biscottini & Friends are organizing the 'WAO, che Mercato!' event. (single source)
- The 'WAO, che Mercato!' event will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in the Isola district of Milan. (single source)
- The 'WAO, che Mercato!' event will be held at WAO Kitchen, via Ugo Bassi 8, from 11:00 to 20:00. (single source)
- POP MART will open its second Milanese store at Via Dante 6 on September 27, 2026, at 10:00. (single source)
- The new POP MART store opening aims to bring the brand closer to its Italian customers and community. (single source)
- The 'Le Pulci Pettinate' market is organized by Salumeria del Design. (single source)
- The 'Le Pulci Pettinate' event will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in the NoLo district on via Stazio. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Primark to launch home delivery service in Great Britain

Primark will launch home delivery in Great Britain to bolster its digital presence, supported by a £90 million automated warehouse acquisition in Sheffield by parent company ABF.

38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/milan-hosts-upcoming-vintage-markets-and-pop-mart-store-opening

### 2026-09-01: Primark opens 500th global store in Pompei, Italy

Primark celebrates its 500th global store opening in Pompei, Italy, while continuing rapid expansion in Romania and Portugal as part of a strategic focus on physical retail growth.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/primark-opens-500th-global-store-in-pompei-italy

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Cite as: Primark global expansion and strategic shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/primark-global-expansion-and-strategic-shifts