Primark launches UK home‑delivery service after buying Sheffield depot for £90m
Primark plans to introduce home delivery in the United Kingdom for the first time, marking a shift from its long‑held view that shipping low‑priced goods directly to consumers was not profitable. Associated British Foods acquired an automated fulfillment center in Sheffield for £90 million ($121.7 million) to support both click‑and‑collect and the upcoming home‑delivery option.
The warehouse will initially handle click‑and‑collect orders for UK shoppers, with home‑delivery capabilities to follow once the system is operational. The site was previously used by Debenhams to fulfill orders for the Pretty Little Thing brand, giving Primark a ready‑made fulfillment operation instead of building from scratch. Industry data show that median delivery costs rose 12 % year‑over‑year in 2026, while 70 % of consumers told Radial they would forego holiday discounts to receive packages on time.
“We have always known that there is an incremental customer segment that Primark could reach by offering home delivery,” George Weston, CEO of Associated British Foods said.
Primark had experimented with click‑and‑collect in the UK starting in 2022 but had repeatedly said the economics of home delivery did not add up for its low‑cost model. The move comes as the retailer faces softer comparable‑store sales, forecast to fall 2.6 % in fiscal 2026, and intensifying competition from online‑first players such as Shein.
What we know
Primark plans to introduce home delivery in the United Kingdom for the first time.
Associated British Foods acquired an automated fulfillment facility in Sheffield for 90 million pounds ($121.7 million).
Primark expects comparable store sales to decline 2.6 percent for fiscal 2026.
Median cost per delivery rose 12 percent year over year in 2026 according to a FarEye survey.
Seventy percent of consumers surveyed by Radial said they would give up discounts during the holiday season to receive packages on time.