// Primark set to move 220 UK-based roles to Dublin
// Roles affected are the retailer’s in product-focused teams
// Roles will be redeployed to the Dublin headquarters from September
// Primark said this was part of ongoing business review & made no reference to Brexit
Primark has announced plans to move 220 UK-based roles from across various product-focused teams to its Irish headquarters.
The value retailer confirmed with the Retail Gazette that the changes will affect buying, merchandising, design, quality and sourcing operations staff in its Reading office.
It added that the redeployment to the Dublin head office would begin in September this year.
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At the moment, Primark’s buying, merchandising, design, quality and sourcing operations are split between the UK and Ireland, and the changes will see an amalgamation of the roles within its Dublin head office.
Primark said the affected 220 staff members will be offered the opportunity to work in Dublin.
Meanwhile, its Reading office will remain open with around 270 staff.
The retailer made no reference to nor mention whether Brexit had anything to do with the decision to redeploy some staff to Dublin.
Instead, it said the changes were part of an ongoing review of its operations to improve efficiencies and product focus, remove supply chain complexities, and support international growth.
“Currently, our product operations are separated across two locations, Dublin and Reading,” Primark chief executive Paul Marchant said.
“From September 2019, we will be amalgamating all our buying, merchandising, design, quality and sourcing operations to be based at our headquarters in Dublin.
“This change will ensure our business strategy and our expansion into new international markets is fully supported.”
Primark people and culture director Lorraine Culligan said: “It is important that the scale of our business and the needs of our customers are reflected in our internal structures as Primark continues to grow.
“All of our people who are in any affected roles will have the opportunity to work in Dublin.
“Our colleagues will be fully supported during this period of change.
“Primark’s office in Reading continues to play a vital role in our business and many of our teams across a number of core functions will continue to be based there.”
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