Penneys is shaking up some of its Irish stores by closing a popular concession as part of a wider space review.
The original Penneys Store in Mary Street, Dublin
Penneys shoppers in parts of Ireland are in for a surprise as the retailer is making a major change to a small number of its stores.
The discount fashion giant has confirmed it will be closing its WornWell concessions as part of a wider review of space in its outlets.
The shake up, which began last summer, has already seen the vintage line removed from Dundrum and Mary’s Street in Dublin, with all seven concessions across Ireland and the UK set to close by March.
The section, first launched in 2022 and introduced in Ireland in 2023, gave shoppers a chance to pick up second hand and vintage pieces.
While popular with many customers, a spokesperson said the decision to remove WornWell was taken with difficulty, to make better use of store space.
A Primark spokesperson told Dublin Live: “We know how important our stores are to our customers and we’re constantly reviewing them to ensure we provide the best shopping experience. As we’ve expanded our own product offering, we are adapting our spaces so that each store is best set up to cater to local customer preferences.
“As part of this, we have been reviewing our in-store concessions and considering how we maximise and best use the space we have in our stores. Over the next 12 months customers will see the closure of some concessions, including Wornwell. These decisions are being informed by the size and location of each store.
“We’re committed to working with our valued partners to manage this process with care and transparency, supporting them throughout.”
The spokesperson added that the retailer remains committed to sustainability and are focused on keeping products and materials in use for longer and reducing waste over time.
This comes just weeks after Primark confirmed plans to close several in store cafes over the coming year. Four cafe concessions – including one on the island of Ireland – are earmarked for closure, with decisions based on store size and location.
The Primark cafe in Belfast’s Royal Avenue will be among those closing their doors. The other three outlets affected are Glasgow’s Braehead shopping centre, Edinburgh’s Princes Street and Birmingham High Street.
Primark cafes have become popular in recent years for their themed pop up experiences, often inspired by well known films and TV shows such as The Simpsons, Stranger Things and Hello Kitty.
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