Primark launches multi-brand exchange stores across the UK | kbnmart

Primark is Launch of the store swap initiative to enable customers to exchange used and vintage clothes in-store, “in celebration of London Fashion Week”.

It’s a first for the retailer and is happening in partnership with circular clothing company Verte, which will open a limited number of pop-up stores in the coming weeks in selected Primark stores across the UK, including London, Manchester and Birmingham.

The first event will kick off on September 13 at Primark in Westfield Stratford, London, as part of the city-wide London Fashion Week 2024 celebrations. It will run for three days.

There will then be a two-day exchange at Primark’s Manchester Market Street store from September 16.

Primark’s Birmingham High Street store will open its own two-day exchange shop from October 16.

So how will it work? Traders can bring up to five items of adult clothing, bags, hats or scarves from any brand in good condition, to be appraised and exchanged for digital tokens on the Verte app.

These tokens can be used to purchase a used piece of clothing from the Verte collection. A “special gold token is given to luxury clothing items in near-new condition, which can be exchanged exclusively for other gold pieces.”

Any non-swapable clothing will be kept for use at the next swap event, donated to local charities in the area or placed in Primark’s textile donation boxes, available in all stores across the UK.

The company also said that “exchangers are encouraged to register for the event in advance to avoid disappointment.”

“Welcoming Verte into our stores will help us better connect with a community of like-minded fashionistas who genuinely care about where their clothes go next,” said Lynn Walker, Primark Cares Director. “We hope our pop-up stores will encourage more people to take part in the growing circular fashion economy.”

The retailer has been making second-hand clothing accessible to its customers in-store since 2022. It has partnered with Vintage Wholesale Company to offer vintage clothing via Wornwell, which is currently in 10 stores across the UK.

The Love It Longer Repair Workshop program runs year-round and teaches shoppers basic repair and sewing techniques.