Budget fashion retailer Primark has announced the appointment of Espirit’s Paula Dumont Lopez as its new head of womenswear.
Dumont Lopez, formerly Zara’s head of womenswear is poised to start her new role heading up the Associated British Foods (ABF) owned brand in early January.
The announcement comes after a turbulent year for Dumont Lopez. In June the troubled high street retailer New Look announced that it was to acquire her from her position as Espirit’s head of womenswear to replace outgoing veteran Roger Wightman as chief creative officer.
In September New Look’s chief executive Anders Kristiansen, who had hired her, abruptly left his role and the retailer made a u-turn on her appointment.
It is thought that her new role is a sign Primark could be attempting to break into different price ranges, expanding on the budget offering which has been vital to its rapid expansion.
In November Primark revealed a near 20 per cent rise in revenues to £7.05 billion for the year ending September 16, pushing ahead of many of its fashion rivals struggling with higher import costs and lower consumer spending power.
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