Primark to set up first French shop

BUDGET clothing chain Primark has announced plans to open its first store in France next year - and six or seven by 2014.

The group, which has 240 shops in seven countries, is reported to be looking for low-cost retail space in the Paris suburbs (Aulnay, Roissy or Créteil) as well as Bayonne and Marseille.

Le Figaro reports that no leases have been signed yet, and it is more likely to go for out-of-town shopping centres instead of town centre high streets.

Primark began in Ireland in the 1960s and is present in many British town centres. The group reported a 15% rise in turnover in the first half of this year, at £1.6bn.

One retail expert told Le Figaro that the arrival of Primark in a shopping centre would have a positive effect on other traders.

It would be the latest retail chain to make the move across the Channel - New Look has a number of stores in northern France and Prêt à Manger has three outlets in Paris.

Photo: Lewis Clarke/Geograph.org.uk