Primark’s website temporarily crashed on Monday after the discount fashion chain launched its click-and-collect service.
The retailer, which has been steadfast in its refusal to sell its wares online, is carrying out a trial in 25 stores across the north-west of England, Yorkshire and north Wales for children’s products only.
Some shoppers had trouble accessing the website during the day, being met with an error message, but it appeared to be back up and running after a few hours.
“It’s been great to see so much interest in the launch of our new Click + Collect trial,” the company said in a statement. “We’re aware that some people have had issues accessing the website and we’re working hard to address this to ensure that everyone can access and browse the site easily”.
The chain, which is owned by Associated British Foods and has 190 stores in the UK, has previously defended its decision not to sell its £14 dresses and £18 shirts online as the cost of packing, shipping and delivery would erode its profit margins.
The retailer has no plans to launch an at-home delivery service despite offering click-and-collect services to shoppers.
The move comes as Primark seeks to boost sales in its core UK market before Christmas, after its parent company Associated British Foods took a £206mn impairment charge against its operations in Germany after a long period of weak sales.
Shoppers can place an order worth at least £15 online and collect it from an outlet store with no delivery fee. Primark said it planned to minimise plastic waste during the trial, using a brown paper packaging and plastic tape wherever possible.
Primark was hit hard by the rolling Covid lockdowns around the world. It estimated that keeping its stores closed in 2020 and 2021 cost it £1.1bn in lost sales, as its shoppers had no way to buy its products online. In September its parent company issued a profit warning, citing a strong dollar and high energy costs.
The discount retailer had in 2013 launched a partnership with online fashion platform Asos, but pulled out after a trial period due to the high logistics costs. ABF’s chief executive George Western has previously told the FT that the company has no intention of launching a home delivery service.