€40 million investment in five stores & four new cities: Primark ramps up expansion plans in Portugal (2024)

• Investment includes four new stores over next few years and extension of its Colombo store in Lisbon, making it the largest in the country.

• New stores will create over 500 new retail jobs.

Primark, the international fashion retailer, is continuing to expand in Portugal, announcing today it is to invest over €40 million in its Portuguese expansion. It plans to open four new stores in four new cities, alongside extending its highly popular Colombo store in Lisbon. Creating over 500 new jobs, Primark will now grow to 14 stores across the country, increasing its selling space by over 30%. Today’s announcement comes as Primark celebrates 15 years in Portugal as demand from Portuguese shoppers for its quality, affordable fashion continues to grow from families and style lovers alike.

Since its first store in the UBBO Shopping Centre in Amadora in May 2009, today Primark has 10 stores across the country from Braga to Loulé. The €40 million investment will see Primark open its doors in four new cities: Allegro Shopping Centre (Montijo), Centro Comercial Espaço (Guimaraes), Palácio Do Gelo Shopping (Viseu) and Covilha City Center Retail Park (Covilhã).

It also includes an extension of its Colombo store in Lisbon which opens later this week on Friday 21st June: with a refreshed new look throughout, customers can expect even more affordable style, trends, everyday essentials across fashion, beauty and home in the new expanded space.

Nelson Ribeiro, Head of Sales Primark Portugal, commented: “Primark is continuing to spread in Portugal. Since opening our first store 15 years ago, we have built and grown such a strong business here with a huge base of loyal Primark customers. It makes us so proud how they have welcomed and returned to us again and again as we have grown over the years. Primark is a retailer built entirely around our stores, so we know that a big part of our success is our committed retail colleagues who have supported us every step of the way and have been our best ambassadors in helping Portugal fall in love with Primark. We are excited to keep growing, investing in more stores, creating even more jobs, and introducing even more Portuguese shoppers to our incredible style and value.”

Creating a fantastic in store experience, and great retail destination for shoppers is a big focus of every Primark store. Each of the four new stores will be designed with this in mind, offering a wide choice of fashion, beauty, and homeware products at great prices. The new stores will also be the first in Portugal to feature self-service checkouts alongside typical cashier checkouts as well, giving customers more choice and convenience when visiting. Before visiting Primark stores, customers can check out its website which features thousands of products from across its best-selling ranges, as well as its popular stock checker feature that allows customers to check availability and size in their nearest store.

Every new Primark store creates new jobs in its local community and cities, employing local people. This expansion will create over 500 new retail roles, increasing the total Primark Portugal employee base to over 2,200. These roles offer opportunities to build lifelong careers in retail, with extensive in-house training programs and learning and development opportunities across all levels. A mix of full and part-time roles for retail assistants and managerial positions will be available. Interested candidates can apply through the Primark careers website, with recruitment for the Montijo store currently underway and additional opportunities expected at other stores in the coming months.

Making a positive difference to its stores and colleagues’ local communities is a big part of who Primark is. Primark has already to date donated over €1 million to support local Portuguese charities and communities, including cancer charity Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro and children’s charity Ajuda de Berco.

Primark’s investment in Portugal is part of the retailer’s ambitious growth plans to expand across new and existing markets with the aim of reaching 530 stores by 2026. Last month, Primark entered its 17th market, opening its first store in Budapest, Hungary.