Primark continues ambitious growth in Portugal with plan to invest over €45 million and open four new stores

• This expansion is part of the retailer’s broader investment plans across Iberia totaling €85 million.

• Over 300 new jobs will be created as across Portugal to serve the new stores.

Primark is continuing to grow its presence in Portugal, announcing an investment of over €45 million to expand its store network in the market. Over the next year, the international fashion retailer will open four new stores and extend its popular Forum Coimbra location. The expansion will create over 300 new jobs across Portugal and grow Primark’s store footprint in the market to 18 stores by the summer of 2027.

This investment marks the next phase of growth in a market where Primark has been building its presence for the past 17 years. Since opening its first store in the UBBO Shopping Centre in Amadora in May 2009, Primark has steadily expanded and developed a strong customer base and today has 13 stores across Portugal. This investment will allow Primark to expand its reach in the growing Portuguese market, bringing its great value offering to more communities in the country. This latest investment programme builds on the retailer’s €40 million investment announced in June 2024, which included four new stores in Montijo, Guimarães, Viseu, Covilhã, well as an extension to Colombo.

The four new stores are located across Portugal and include openings in: GaiaShoping Centre (Gaia), Forum Castelo Branco (Castelo Branco), Alegro Setúbal Shopping Centre (Setúbal), and downtown Porto, the retailer’s first high street store in Portugal. The new Primark Porto will be located in the iconic Palladium building on Rua de Santa Catarina, the city’s main shopping street. Originally opened in 1914 as the Grandes Armazéns Nascimento, the Palladium is renowned for its distinctive facade and animated clock, featuring figures from Porto’s history, and today is a widely celebrated city landmark. Located in the heart of Porto, the new five-storey shopping destination will be developed with careful consideration of building’s long history and significance to the city.

Alongside the openings, the investment will include an extension to Primark’s store in the Forum Coimbra shopping centre. As one of the busiest Primark stores in the country, it has become a customer favourite in the area, and this expansion will create even more space for customers to enjoy the best of fashion, beauty, homeware, and everyday essentials, all at affordable prices.

Every new store brings employment opportunities to the local community, and this investment will create over 300 new roles. These roles offer opportunities to build lifelong careers in retail, with extensive in-house training programs and learning and development opportunities across all levels. A mix of full and part-time roles for retail assistants and managerial positions will be available. Interested candidates can apply through the Primark careers website, with jobs set to be advertised soon.

Nelson Ribeiro, Head of Sales Primark Portugal and Spain, commented: “Portugal is an important market for Primark, and this investment reflects our confidence here. Over the last 17 years, we have built a strong presence and developed a loyal customer base, who enjoy our mix of timeless essentials and on-trend fashion. As we continue to grow in the market our focus is on expanding our footprint and reaching new customers through new stores. The opening of our first high street store in Porto is a key milestone, allowing us to bring the Primark experience to the heart of the city in an iconic building. And it’s not just about new stores, this expansion will create jobs and career opportunities in the local community, something we take great pride in. We’re so excited to keep growing and to introduce even more customers throughout Portugal to Primark’s incredible value offering.”

The expansion in Portugal forms part of a broader investment of over €85 million across Iberia. In Spain, where the retailer will celebrate its 20th anniversary in May, Primark plans to invest €40 million to refurbish eleven existing stores, as well as one new store opening on Talavera.