Primark advances UK home delivery to 2027 after Sheffield warehouse deal
Primark has brought forward UK home delivery plans by about two years, to December 2027, after buying a robot-assisted Sheffield warehouse from Boohoo.
The story in focus
The Guardian reports Primark will launch UK home delivery by December 2027, about two years earlier than planned, after acquiring a robot-assisted warehouse in Sheffield from Boohoo. Parent Associated British Foods reported Primark sales up 4% to £9.8bn for the year to 12 September, with profits down 10% to £1bn.
- Primark plans UK home deliveries by December 2027, roughly two years ahead of its earlier schedule, per The Guardian.
- The retailer is buying a robot-assisted warehouse in Sheffield from Debenhams owner Boohoo and expects to take it over by mid-2027.
- ABF chief executive George Weston said delivery economics had changed and research showed new customers could be won.
- Primark sales rose 4% to £9.8bn in the year to 12 September, while profits fell 10% to £1bn.
- ABF intends to spin off Primark in December 2027, separating it from its food business.
Warehouse deal accelerates delivery timetable
Primark will begin UK home deliveries by December 2027, about two years earlier than previously planned, after agreeing to acquire a robot-assisted warehouse in Sheffield from Debenhams owner Boohoo. The retailer expects to take over the site by the middle of 2027 and is preparing suppliers to ship individual customer orders alongside standard bulk store orders.
Primark already runs click and collect in the UK, a service it has expanded since 2022 and does not offer in mainland Europe. Home delivery is planned for the UK first, with mainland Europe to follow without a set timeframe. The chain operates 511 stores across 21 countries.
Sales growth, profit decline and spin-off
Associated British Foods, Primark's owner, reported Primark sales up 4% to £9.8bn in the year to 12 September, led by new store openings. Sales at established UK stores rose 0.5%, while established mainland Europe stores fell 4.7% and US stores fell 2.6% as shoppers cut clothing spending amid higher energy and fuel bills. Profits dropped 10% to £1bn.
George Weston, ABF's chief executive, said Primark had previously judged home delivery unprofitable but that delivery and returns charges could now cover most logistics costs. He said research indicated shoppers who are distant from stores or prefer online could be attracted as new customers rather than merely shifting in-store sales online. ABF plans to spin off Primark in December 2027.
When does Primark expect to start UK home deliveries, and by how much was that timetable brought forward?
Primark plans to launch UK home deliveries by December 2027, about two years earlier than its previous schedule, after acquiring a robot-assisted Sheffield warehouse from Boohoo.
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