Primark has closed all 189 of its UK stores 'until further notice' due to falling demand caused by social-distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The fashion chain had already shut stores in other countries and said the move was necessary to protect the health of employees and customers.
Primark's boss, Paul Marchant, described the situation as 'unprecedented, and frankly unimaginable times'. The company will pay staff affected by the closures full pay for their contracted hours for 14 days. Primark does not have an online sales operation, relying entirely on its physical stores.
Other high street retailers, including John Lewis, Timpson, HMV, Arcadia Group, New Look, Kurt Geiger, River Island, and Debenhams, have also announced temporary closures. John Lewis will close all 50 of its shops from Monday for the first time in its 155-year history, though its online site and Waitrose stores will remain open.
The UK government has not ordered retailers to close, but many have chosen to do so voluntarily. The Financial Conduct Authority has asked listed companies to delay publishing preliminary financial statements by at least two weeks. The government has announced it will pay 80% of wages for employees kept on by their employers, up to £2,500 per month.
