Primark Spain turns 20

Before it was Primark, it was Penneys! We began as a single Penneys store in Ireland in 1969, before expanding internationally under the Primark name.

It all started in Madrid – Primark opened our first store in Spain at Plenilunio shopping centre in May 2006.

As of today, Primark operates over 2.6 million sq. ft of retail space across Spanish high streets, shopping centres and retail parks. That’s equivalent of more than 34 football pitches (Plenty of room to browse!)

Our biggest flagship store in Spain is in the capital Madrid on Gran Vía which sits at 12,500 sq ft across 5 floors.

The smallest Primark in Spain is in Lorca - and was the first store in Spain tooffer self-service checkouts.

Spain is Primark’s second biggest market globally, with 67 stores across the country. A 68th store will soon open in Talavera de la Reina!

From store teams to depots and the Madrid head office, Primark employs more than 10,200 colleagues across Spain.

More than 590+ colleagues have worked for Primark in Spain for 15 years or more, while the average length of service is 9 years.

Primark’s oldest colleague in Spain is 67 years old and has worked at the Barcelona L’Illa store for more than 10 years. Meanwhile, our youngest colleague is 18 years old and works at the Gran Vía store in Madrid.

Across all stores in Spain we employ colleagues from 52 nationalities.

One of Primark's Madrid stores is housed in the former Cine Salamanca, a beautiful 1930s cinema. Many of the building’s original architectural details have been carefully restored, giving the space a theatrical feel that's unlike any other Primark in the world.

Primark has collaborated with Paula varría since 2022 and launched over nine collections together.

In 2017, following the release of Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, customers rushed to buy Primark’s Chip mug. It sold out in stores across Spain, and around the world, within an hour.

Our Gran Vía flagship store in Madrid is our busiest store and handles over 5 million transactions every year. 

Primark runs free Repair Workshops in stores, teaching customers basic sewing skills to help them repair or customise their clothes. Since 2025, more than 50 workshops have been held across Spain.

Around 50% of what we sell is everyday essentials for adults and kids – that includes staples such as t-shirts, pyjamas, socks, underwear, leisurewear, leggings and denim.

Madrid is the city with the second highest number of Primark stores in the world, after London, with 6 stores.

2012 was our biggest year for store openings in Spain, with 12 new Primark stores opening across the country.

Among Spain’s autonomous communities, Andalucía has the highest number of Primark stores, with 14, followed by the Community of Madrid with 12.

Primark recently announced an investment of more than €40 million in Spain, including a new store in Talavera de la Reina and refurbishments across 11 existing stores. Twenty years on, and there’s plenty more to come.