Primark

[winkywanky]

 

Its a good shop in which to chat up people who menstruate. 

[Beamer]

Never had you down as a Primark kinda guy, KN. But why the devil not? It's pragmatism and practicality.

I think most major stores have had exposées about where some of their stuff's made and the conditions, certainly not just the cheapo stores like Primark. That'll be partly down to the stores for not trying hard enough to be aware of what goes on (the buyers?) but also down to the countries/factory owners in question and how they apply their labour laws (if they really have any). So long as a store doesn't try too hard to bust their balls over the price (and is aware of local conditions and wages generally), ultimately they're keeping those people employed.

The bigger issue IMO is the way that some of our UK consumers buy cheap clothes almost as if they're disposable. I buy at Primark and I'll wear stuff until it's not fit to wear any more, and if stuff gets outgrown by growing kids, that's just normal. But a lot of people are buying every week and chucking it away after one or two wears. Pathetic.

The biggest issue is their major supply chain.  It's from Bangladesh and they have spent a bit of margin trying to reassure consumers that the supply chain is fully committed to handle manufacturing in a "developing" country.

[winkywanky]

I know there were issues, glad to hear that.

[scutty brown]

Primark is to clothes shopping what the weekly street markets used to be.

[smiths]

Primark is to clothes shopping what the weekly street markets used to be.

One huge difference in my experiences, I could go back with goods to Primark if necessary, a market trader always told me to go fuck myself you cunt.

Primark is excellent value for money in my opinion generally, I don't feel the need to be what others view as fashionable, I wear what suits me not some cunt I don't know. So for basic stuff Primark is very good.

[King Nuts]

Never had you down as a Primark kinda guy, KN. But why the devil not? It's pragmatism and practicality.

I think most major stores have had exposées about where some of their stuff's made and the conditions, certainly not just the cheapo stores like Primark. That'll be partly down to the stores for not trying hard enough to be aware of what goes on (the buyers?) but also down to the countries/factory owners in question and how they apply their labour laws (if they really have any). So long as a store doesn't try too hard to bust their balls over the price (and is aware of local conditions and wages generally), ultimately they're keeping those people employed.

The bigger issue IMO is the way that some of our UK consumers buy cheap clothes almost as if they're disposable. I buy at Primark and I'll wear stuff until it's not fit to wear any more, and if stuff gets outgrown by growing kids, that's just normal. But a lot of people are buying every week and chucking it away after one or two wears. Pathetic.

You're right, in that I wouldn't be seen dead in anything from Primark. But when you're a kid, you don't care.

If Primark can sell a pair of kids' jeans for 8 quid, it means they're buying them in from a factory somewhere for about 3 quid. Now, I am not going to say whether this is a rip off or not, but given the present issue about slavery, income equality and all the rest of it, I wonder what some of the more enlightened and professionally-offended members of society make of it.
 

[King Nuts]

So for basic stuff Primark is very good.

Some. But for example, the shirts are poor. They'll get the cut right, but compromise on the fabric.

Better to get a 20 quid shirt from somewhere like TM Lewin (sale on at the momment btw) that will last you some considerable time, than a 7 quid shirt from Primark that's good for a year, if that.

[MilleMiglia]

You're right, in that I wouldn't be seen dead in anything from Primark. But when you're a kid, you don't care.

If Primark can sell a pair of kids' jeans for 8 quid, it means they're buying them in from a factory somewhere for about 3 quid. Now, I am not going to say whether this is a rip off or not, but given the present issue about slavery, income equality and all the rest of it, I wonder what some of the more enlightened and professionally-offended members of society make of it.

Prices in Next are, at most, similar to what they were @25 years ago, so you really do have to wonder. From the quality point of view, I've got a pair of deck shoes, made in Portugal, that I bought from Next in the mid 90's for £50-60. They're incredibly robust, and will probably outlast me. I doubt very much if the same is true for their current range.   

[King Nuts]

Prices in Next are, at most, similar to what they were @25 years ago, so you really do have to wonder. From the quality point of view, I've got a pair of deck shoes, made in Portugal, that I bought from Next in the mid 90's for £50-60. They're incredibly robust, and will probably outlast me. I doubt very much if the same is true for their current range.

I think you're right about that. This is where chains like M and S have really screwed up. Their basics, like shoes, socks and pants were always reliably good and mid-priced. But all retailers have chased the cheaper end of demand, so if you're in the market for a six-pack of socks for a fiver, then fill yer boots. The most expensive socks in M and S now work out at around 1.20 a pair. 12p a toe. No wonder they're rubbish.

But if you want socks that might last more than a few months, there's nothing until you get to the high end of the market.

Shoes is a good point though. Sixty quid was always my benchmark, and if you only want to spend up to that price, the choice is wide.

But if you want shoes that are any good, I've found that 90-100 quid is now the starting point.

[winkywanky]

You're right, in that I wouldn't be seen dead in anything from Primark. But when you're a kid, you don't care.

If Primark can sell a pair of kids' jeans for 8 quid, it means they're buying them in from a factory somewhere for about 3 quid. Now, I am not going to say whether this is a rip off or not, but given the present issue about slavery, income equality and all the rest of it, I wonder what some of the more enlightened and professionally-offended members of society make of it.

I wear selected garments from Primark (cotton T-shirts (£2.50) and cotton leggings (£5) for lounging indoors/garden). A T-shirt's pretty well a T-shirt, same goes for leggings really. 12-15 of the former a year, a couple of prs of the latter. That's around 90% of myclothing requirements for the year sorted. Some nice jeans (elsewhere) and a couple of nice pairs of leather Converse, quality woollen knitwear from elsewhere, sorted.

You do realise of course that depending on their cerebral development, at a particular age your kids will suddenly realise you're buying Primark clothes for them and not yourself. You need to be careful of this 

[King Nuts]

I wear selected garments from Primark (cotton T-shirts (£2.50) and cotton leggings (£5) for lounging indoors/garden). A T-shirt's pretty well a T-shirt, same goes for leggings really. 12-15 of the former a year, a couple of prs of the latter. That's around 90% of myclothing requirements for the year sorted. Some nice jeans (elsewhere) and a couple of nice pairs of leather Converse, quality woollen knitwear from elsewhere, sorted.

You do realise of course that depending on their cerebral development, at a particular age your kids will suddenly realise you're buying Primark clothes for them and not yourself. You need to be careful of this 

You wear leggings? I don't fucking believe it. You'll be telling me next that you vote LibDem.

Good point re kids and Primark. But my youngest used to be perfectly happy with George (Asda's brand.) They regarded the move to Primark as an upgrade.

[winkywanky]

You wear leggings? I don't fucking believe it. You'll be telling me next that you vote LibDem.

Good point re kids and Primark. But my youngest used to be perfectly happy with George (Asda's brand.) They regarded the move to Primark as an upgrade.

Around the house and garden? Why not? Perhaps the Amazon delivery driver will knock and think I'm a chav when I answer the door...who gives a shit? I don't.

[Blackpool Rock]

Regarding all the CSR / ethical trading etc a lot of big name companies have been pulled up for it so now take serious measures to try and make sure their suppliers stick to good practices.
The problem is that a lot of these factories just pull the wool over the auditors eyes and if they know a visit is happening things get hidden or bad work practices stop for a few days then back to normal.

I know someone who works for a company who set their stall out as being fair trade / ethical etc etc and some of the stories they have told me -

People working on production lines stamping out metal components but with no guards, every worker had at least 1 digit missing from their hands

No sign of child labour working in the factory until you open up a cupboard and find childrens toys and bedding

Being taken to a different factory to the one which is actually making your products etc


A lot of the developing world is basically where we were 150-200 years ago however we also need to bear in mind that in these countries if you don't work then you don't eat unless your family can look after you.

[King Nuts]

Around the house and garden? Why not? Perhaps the Amazon delivery driver will knock and think I'm a chav when I answer the door...who gives a shit? I don't.

Oh alright. But can we just clear up the LibDem thing?

[winkywanky]

Oh alright. But can we just clear up the LibDem thing?

None of your fucking business 

And you know as well as I, liberal doesn't mean Liberal  .

[smiths]

Some. But for example, the shirts are poor. They'll get the cut right, but compromise on the fabric.

Better to get a 20 quid shirt from somewhere like TM Lewin (sale on at the momment btw) that will last you some considerable time, than a 7 quid shirt from Primark that's good for a year, if that.

I never spend £20 on a shirt, 3 for £10 does me. But I mainly wear t-shirts and got a lot from Sports Direct on a sale at 3 for £6, 100% cotton job done.

[RogerBoner]

I get 60% discount at Paul Smith in Nottingham 

[Beamer]

I get 60% discount at Paul Smith in Nottingham 

There's are normally good stuff

[RogerBoner]

There's are normally good stuff

There was a time when I and others got 100% discount. It's great quality but the suits were boxy. It's a long story. Primark is good for reading glasses and for chatting up Orientals as the white girls are fat fat fat.

[winkywanky]

I get 60% discount at Paul Smith in Nottingham 

How, why, pray tell?

[winkywanky]

There was a time when I and others got 100% discount. It's great quality but the suits were boxy. It's a long story. Primark is good for reading glasses and for chatting up Orientals as the white girls are fat fat fat.

You really cannot just say that with no further clarification!

Are you Bradley Wiggins? 

Are you a male model? 

Are you a well-known local mover and shaker? 

PS the reading glasses are shit, they're cheap at £2/pr but they fall apart. For another 50p you can get good-looking ones that don't have the arms falling off, from Amazon. Today's top tip 

[Blackpool Rock]

There was a time when I and others got 100% discount. It's great quality but the suits were boxy. It's a long story. Primark is good for reading glasses and for chatting up Orientals as the white girls are fat fat fat.

What were you a shoplifter   

[Strawberry]

I dislike large shop might be a small town thing.

Went in Primark Manchester approximately 10 years ago, I was away for the weekend hadn't packed thongs I wear under fitness training clothing. I had also left my jacket in the car of the friend who had given me a lift to the station.

All I wanted was a black jacket and some thongs, suddenly vastness opened up. I did find some thongs, can't remember if I bought some sort of jacket or cardigan. The white thongs turned grey on their first wash, were more or less useless by the third wash.

Not yet been back, but of course living no-where near one really helps.

[RogerBoner]

Are you a well-known local mover and shaker? 

I got two free watches and Paul gave me a flirty kiss on the lips in front of the staff.
You can't flirt on Amazon 
I bought a £7 linen jacket from Primark. It was fine but I thought that it would be a slippery slope to sartorial decline.

[winkywanky]

I got two free watches and Paul gave me a flirty kiss on the lips in front of the staff.
You can't flirt on Amazon 
I bought a £7 linen jacket from Primark. It was fine but I thought that it would be a slippery slope to sartorial decline.

Ooh you little slut  .

Did the kiss lead to the watches being given then? 

[RogerBoner]

Ooh you little slut  .

Did the kiss lead to the watches being given then? 

Just friendly staff.
Paul Smith was a style arbiter who would sell random stuff that caught his eye. Once they were low on stock for shirts so the manager and I went around town and bought some from French Connection which ended up on his shelves with a 100% markup with no attempt to hide the label. It had brand approval. No more personal stuff 

[winkywanky]

Just friendly staff.
Paul Smith was a style arbiter who would sell random stuff that caught his eye. Once they were low on stock for shirts so the manager and I went around town and bought some from French Connection which ended up on his shelves with a 100% markup with no attempt to hide the label. It had brand approval. No more personal stuff 

That's bizarre!

Same item in Paul Smith, so buy it there instead of French Connection for half the price, and you get to go home with it in a Paul Smith bag 

[scutty brown]

Prices in Next are, at most, similar to what they were @25 years ago, so you really do have to wonder. From the quality point of view, I've got a pair of deck shoes, made in Portugal, that I bought from Next in the mid 90's for £50-60. They're incredibly robust, and will probably outlast me. I doubt very much if the same is true for their current range.

When you got those shoes some of the old Hepworths mentality was probably still in place at Next, Conran hadn't killed it completely and they still sold decent products. Now the quality legacy has gone, they just sell crap