Primark Manchester is testing out clothing and accessories repairs in store thanks to a partnership with specialist provider, The Seam.
The move marks Primark’s first UK repair and alterations service, and it is part of the retailer’s growing efforts to encourage customers to love their clothes for longer.
Primark Manchester’s new in-store offering also comes soon after the company recruited two prominent retail sustainability figures to its team at the end of summer, with Jade Snart joining from Asda as head of product compliance and Sue Fairley arriving from New Look as head of ethical trade.
The repair service in Manchester means consumers can bring in any item – not just Primark items – and pay between £3-£10 for alterations. Primark covers any outstanding cost beyond that fee.
Talking about the partnership on LinkedIn, The Seam founder Layla Sargent said: “We started The Seam in 2020, launching repair services with some of the world’s largest luxury retailers.
“We’ve now repaired over 30,000 items, 70% of them luxury items.”
She added: “From the beginning, I have wanted our services to be more affordable and accessible. But I’ve also been clear: The Seam must be sustainable in every sense – including the business model.
“Too often, retailers have asked us to run at a loss just so they could say “we offer repairs on-site.” (no, thank you.)”
In May, Primark rolled out its ‘Love It for Longer’ repair workshops in the US. Its Staten Island and Tysons, Virginia stores have been offering customers the chance to sign up for repair workshops, where they can learn mending and upcycling techniques.
Primark first launched the workshops in 2022 and has since run circa 400 free sessions in stores across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Spain and France. Like the new repair service in Primark Manchester, the workshops are one part of Primark Cares sustainability strategy and long-term commitment to make and sell garments less unsustainably.
[image credit: Green Retail World]
