By Yasmene Warren
One thing about Orlandoans is that we like to shop till we drop — that’s why we have a variety of shopping centers to choose from, with our most popular being the Florida Mall. With the “City Beautiful” being a major U.S. travel destination, retailers from all over are always looking to call Orlando their new home, one of them being Primark. Newly opened at the Florida Mall, this European fashion retailer has been a smashing hit among locals and visitors alike — but does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out!
All About Primark
Primark is an Irish fashion retailer best known for its low prices. The height of its popularity lies in Europe with the majority of its stores residing in the United Kingdom and 20-40 stores among other European countries.
This retailer was originally known as “Penneys” when it opened in 1969, and still brands itself as such in the Republic of Ireland. Due to a dispute with well-known American retailer JCPenney, however, it rebranded as “Primark” for all of its shops outside of the Republic of Ireland.
Primark first came to the United States in 2015, opening its first store in Boston, Massachusetts. It later expanded to New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Danbury, Connecticut.
Orlando is lucky enough to be home to Primark’s second location in Florida, with its first being in Sunrise at the Sawgrass Mills Mall. This retailer carries a wide range of products for men, women, children, and babies, as well as a diverse selection of housewares and beauty products.
The Shopping Experience
Primark officially opened its doors at the Florida Mall at the end of August, and had lines wrapped around not just the building, but also the parking lot! An extra tent was even put up in the parking lot to keep the overflow of customers out of the heat. The first week at this store was certainly nothing short of exciting, and things have since calmed and returned to a normal, but new, shopping experience!
There are two stories of fashion to explore, with the entirety of the second floor being dedicated to Disney merchandise.
You’ll find a seemingly endless variety of products for Disney fans of “The Lion King,” “Lilo & Stitch,” Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and so much more! This is definitely a more affordable option when it comes to Disney merchandise versus the high price tags in the parks.
Of the sections on the first floor, each one has a lot to offer. From cute and trendy baby fashion to character fashion like Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon for younger children, there’s much to choose from — and the prices are even better!
There are even designated sections for shoes, accessories, and luggage! For housewares, you’ll find plenty of colorful, quirky potted fake house plants, candles, incense, jewelry/trinket dishes, and more.
The best part about shopping at Primark is that it offers both employee- and self-checkout! The company also cares about its carbon footprint as it doesn’t offer plastic shopping bags. You can either bring your own or purchase a recycled bag for $1.50.
If you like affordable fashion that keeps up with the trends, Primark is sure to have everything you’re looking for and more. It’s a rare occasion that you walk out of a store spending less than $100 and have a lot to show for it, but at Primark, that’s the name of their game!
Is Primark Worth the Hype?
Shopping at Primark feels like a cross between Target and JCPenney, coupling affordability with trendy fast fashion. There’s an array of styles to choose from, and it offers a little something for everyone.
As far as variety is concerned, there’s plenty of it at Primark. However, much of their selection is pretty basic, maintaining the bounds of neutral black, whites, grays, and browns, with a few character-inspired pieces here and there.
This brand succeeds at staying on top of trends but doesn’t do much to set them — which, if high fashion isn’t your forte, shouldn’t pose a problem for those just in search of a new place to shop.
For the price, Primark is well worth the hype. Orlando could benefit from having more places to purchase trendy, discounted clothing, especially at shopping malls known for carrying high-end brands.
Overall
It’s always exciting when a new store comes to Orlando, especially when it’s the kind that is few and far between throughout the U.S. Primark has only been open for a few weeks, and it has already made an impression on the Orlando community. It’s truly a one-stop shop for locals, tourists, and Disney fans in Orlando looking to get their shop on!
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