Fashion retailer Primark's new click and collect online service crashed shortly after its launch on Monday, with some shoppers in Britain unable to access its website.
The trial launched in 25 stores across the north west of England, Yorkshire and north Wales for children's products only.
"It’s been great to see so much interest in the launch of our new Click + Collect trial," a Primark spokesperson said.
Access Issues
"We’re aware that some people have had issues accessing the website this morning and we’re working hard to address this to ensure that everyone can access and browse the site easily."
Primark is one of the last major retail chains in Britain to introduce online orders, a move partly prompted by the sales it lost during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Primark, part of the Associated British Foods conglomerate, announced the move into click and collect in June but said the move should not be seen as a precursor to an online delivery offer.
Short of Cash
There is little point raising fashion retailer Primark's low prices when consumers are short of cash, the boss of its owner said on 8 November, adding that the group could expand its customer base if rivals take an alternative approach.
"With cash starved consumers there's not much point," George Weston, CEO of Associated British Foods, told Reuters.
He said if Primark raised prices further it would sell less and undermine its value credentials in the eyes of consumers.
"There's a chance we'll come through strongly with increased market share if others take different decisions on price," he said after AB Foods reported full year results.
Read More: No Point Raising Primark Prices If Consumers Are Cash-Strapped: AB Foods Boss
News by Reuters additional reporting and edited by Donna Ahern, Checkout. For more technology news click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
