Primark, which has almost 200 stores across the UK, is introducing a change to it’s shopping experience and it will mean you having to dig a bit deeper at the checkouts
Primark customers have taken to social media to express their displeasure after a staff member revealed that a significant alteration is on the horizon for all the retailer’s stores from Monday (May 12).
Founded in Ireland in 1969, High Street store Primark has built a reputation for affordable fashionwear, now boasting almost 200 shops throughout the UK. But come next week, shoppers will have to dig that little bit deeper into their pockets. In a TikTok clip, employee Beth Clare explained: “Just a little heads up for everyone, from 12th May, we will be charging for our paper bags.” And pointing to a store sign, she elaborated: “So if you need four, that will be four times 15p and so on and so forth.”
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Beth Clare suggests opting for a sustainable fabric bag from Primark as a cost-effective substitute. “The big, massive ones are £1.20, we also have £1 ones that are still big, and little, tiny ones – they’re 80p, but they fit quite a lot in,” she remarked.
Among the available eco-friendly bags at present are designs featuring Hello Kitty and Disney’s Lilo and Stitch characters, alongside a variety of Primark-branded options, including trendy leopard-print patterns.
The announcement was met with mixed feelings among shoppers, with one TikTok user quipping: “15p for a bag that disintegrates as soon as you walk out the door? No thanks I’ll pass.”
Another person slammed: “Well we need better bags than papers bags then as in the rain they do not last.” A third shared a similar concern: “So does that mean that when we walk out of the shop and the handles break will Primark either swap the bag or refund the bag price?”
Whilst a fourth TikTok user concurred: “They should be exchangeable if they break and have broken for new policy! When they are pushing twice the number of bags they will change their mind.”
In defence of Primark’s plan, however, one customer pointed out: “Not sure why you’re all chatting about this. People have been taking their own plastic bags to shops for more than a decade now.”
And similarly, a second noted “Too right. Everyone should have reusable bags, we all have them and they have been around for years so no excuse.”
A statement issued by Primark earlier this week confirmed: “Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day. While our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we’re always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste. That’s why from May 12th 2025, we’ll be introducing a 15p charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large.”
Primark added: “Why the change? Research shows that introducing bag charges reduces the number of new bags customers use. It’s a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use. We’re committed to being part of the solution when it comes to clothing and non-clothing waste, and this change is just one of the small steps we’re taking. We hope it inspires more customers to make the switch to reusable bags.”
Primark has been approached for a response.