Primark has introduced its first compact store in Portugal, marking a strategic shift towards smaller retail formats.
- The Montijo outlet spans just 27,000 sq ft, a significant reduction compared to standard Primark stores.
- Despite its size, the store offers a full range of clothing and a new beauty concept, albeit in a curated manner.
- Sustainability is a key focus, with eco-friendly materials used throughout the store’s design.
- Primark plans to expand this format, with a similar store anticipated to open in Bolton soon.
Primark has taken a bold step by launching its first small format store in Montijo, Portugal, signalling a significant shift in its retail strategy. This new store format spans just 27,000 square feet, a considerable reduction from the typical Primark store size, indicating a strategic move to target areas where demand for large stores may not exist.
While the Montijo store is compact, it manages to retain the essence of Primark, offering a wide range of fashion for women, men, and children. The store also introduces a new beauty concept, drawing inspiration from the likes of US beauty retailer Glossier. Although the space is curated to fit its size, it gives shoppers a taste of Primark’s typical offerings.
A notable feature of the Montijo store is its sustainability-focused design. Primark has incorporated materials such as ‘Ecoboard’ and ‘Smart Plastic’—both made from recycled materials—into the store’s construction and fixtures. Aluminium, known for its recyclability, has been used extensively, while the flooring is a more eco-friendly screed option. The emphasis on sustainability extends to the provision of bins for recycling Primark clothing, made from recycled garments themselves.
The innovation behind this store format is credited to Primark’s in-house design team, which managed to create a contemporary retail experience. Despite the added costs of new sustainable materials, the store was only marginally more expensive to build than a standard Primark. This efficiency suggests a straightforward path for rolling out the format in other locations, including the upcoming opening in Bolton.
The compact store model aligns with a broader retail trend towards smaller, more localised shopping experiences. By catering to shoppers unwilling to travel long distances for shopping, Primark is poised to extend its reach in smaller towns and cities. The Montijo store represents not just an adaptation to consumer preferences but also a potential new chapter in Primark’s global expansion.
Primark’s venture into smaller store formats could reshape its presence in local markets, marking a promising avenue for growth.
