Primark is set to offer home delivery to customers for the first time, marking a major shift for the retailer after years of resisting online deliveries.

The announcement was made by Primark’s parent company, Associated British Foods, in its latest trading update on Thursday, 10 September.

For years, Primark has operated a predominantly store-based business model, with customers required to visit one of its shops to purchase products. While the retailer has gradually expanded its digital offering, it has stopped short of introducing a traditional online shopping and home delivery service.

That is now set to change, with the company confirming plans to introduce home delivery in Great Britain.

The service will eventually allow customers to order Primark products online and have their purchases delivered to their homes, removing the need to visit a physical store simply to collect an order. However, customers will have to wait for further details before they can start using the service.

Primark has not yet announced an exact launch date or confirmed how much customers will have to pay for delivery. The retailer is also yet to reveal exactly which products will initially be available for home delivery.

The announcement represents a significant change in direction for Primark, which has previously been reluctant to introduce home delivery because of the costs involved in sending relatively low-priced products directly to customers.

George Weston, chief executive of Associated British Foods, said there is now

"an opportunity for incremental and profitable growth through this channel".

The move comes after Primark has spent recent years developing its digital offering, particularly through its Click & Collect service. Click & Collect allows customers across Great Britain to browse a selection of Primark products online, place an order and then collect it from a chosen store.

The service was rolled out across all Primark stores in Great Britain in 2025, giving shoppers access to thousands of products online while still requiring them to visit a store to pick up their purchases.

Primark also launched its first UK mobile app earlier this year, giving customers another way to browse products, check stock and use Click & Collect.

The introduction of home delivery will therefore take Primark's digital strategy one step further, allowing customers to complete the shopping process without having to make a trip to a store.

The retailer has also taken steps to strengthen its fulfilment operation ahead of the planned service.

Associated British Foods has acquired a highly automated fulfilment facility in Sheffield for £90 million from the Debenhams Group. The facility is expected to support Primark's move into home delivery and provide the infrastructure needed to process and distribute online orders.

The change comes at a time when retailers are facing increasing pressure to offer customers convenient ways to shop, particularly as online shopping continues to play a major role in the fashion industry.

Primark has historically stood apart from many of its competitors by keeping its focus firmly on physical stores. Its low prices have also made the economics of home delivery more complicated, particularly when compared with retailers that sell products at higher price points.

The company has previously argued that home delivery did not make financial sense for its business model.

However, Primark now believes changes in the online retail market, combined with the growth of its digital services and Click & Collect operation, mean there is an opportunity to make home delivery work.

The announcement has already sparked a strong reaction from shoppers online, with some customers welcoming the change after years of having to visit stores for their Primark purchases. One person reacted to the news by writing:

"Better late than never!!!"

Another shopper appeared particularly pleased at the prospect of no longer having to make a trip to a store for larger purchases, writing:

"Finally! I am tired of going all the way there for a suitcase! Just deliver it please!"

The comments reflect one of the potential advantages of the new service, particularly for customers who live some distance from their nearest Primark or who want to purchase larger or bulkier items.

Primark sells everything from clothing and accessories to homeware, luggage and seasonal products, meaning home delivery could make it easier for customers to purchase items that are less convenient to carry home from a store.

However, not everyone was convinced that the change was necessary. One customer commented:

"No thanks, I’m happy walking in if I need to go to Primark.."

The mixed response highlights the fact that Primark's physical stores remain an important part of the brand, with many shoppers continuing to enjoy browsing its products in person.

Primark's existing Click & Collect service also means customers can already shop online before visiting a store, allowing them to check availability and reserve selected products without having to search through the shop themselves.

The introduction of home delivery could therefore appeal most strongly to shoppers who want the convenience of online shopping without the need to travel to their nearest branch.

It could also help Primark reach customers who do not live particularly close to one of its stores, although the exact availability and delivery costs will not be known until further details are announced.

The move comes as Primark prepares for another major change to its business structure. Associated British Foods has announced plans to separate Primark from its food businesses, with the demerger expected to be completed by December 2027.

Primark currently operates hundreds of stores internationally and employs more than 80,000 people globally, making it one of the UK's best-known high street fashion retailers. Despite its expansion, the company has continued to place significant importance on physical retail, with its stores remaining central to the shopping experience. The decision to introduce home delivery therefore represents a notable departure from the model that has helped define Primark for decades.

It remains unclear exactly how the new service will work when it launches, including whether there will be a minimum order value, how much delivery will cost, how quickly orders will arrive and whether customers will be able to return online purchases by post.

These details are expected to become clearer as Primark moves closer to launching the service.

For now, shoppers will have to continue using Primark's stores and existing Click & Collect service, as home delivery is not yet available.

The announcement nevertheless marks a significant moment for the retailer, particularly for customers who have spent years asking why Primark products could not simply be delivered to their doors.

With the company now preparing to enter the home delivery market, shoppers could soon have another way to buy their Primark favourites without having to make the journey to the high street.