Primark staff cut the ribbon at the company’s new Manhattan flagship. Photo via Allison Worldwide.
Massive crowds lined out in Herald Square Friday morning as Irish retailer Primark opened its flagship store on 34th Street.
Hundreds lined up ahead of the 10 a.m. opening, with lines snaking the length of 34th Street and onto Broadway before turning again onto 33rd Street.
The new store marks Primark’s first Manhattan location, marking the 40th store that the retailer has opened has opened in the United States since opening its first American store in Boston in 2015.
The Manhattan flagship, located directly across 34th Street from Macy’s, measures 54,000 square feet of retail space and stretches across four floors.
Primark is renowned for its affordable prices and diverse options, ranging from everyday essentials to stand-out styles and beauty, homeware and accessories, with men’s t-shirts starting from $5 and women’s domen starting from $12. In recent years, the retailer has added a number brand collaborations, teaming up with the likes of Disney, Hello Kitty, the NBA, the NFL and several big-name bands for Primark-exclusive clothing.
Kevin Tulip, president of Primark US, said the opening of a Manhattan flagship marked a “defining moment” for the retailer, describing New York as the “epicenter of American fashion.”
“New York is a city where trends are born and where style is worn with unstoppable confidence,” Tulip said in a statement. “But great style should not come with an impossible price tag and that’s where Primark comes in. From quality styles to value prices, we’re inviting every NYC shopper to our Manhattan doorstep as we open our doors in the epicenter of American fashion.”
Friday’s grand opening also featured a block party at Herald Square, Primark-inspired bagels from Liberty Bagels and promotional giveaways.
In the afternoon, the retailer paid tributes to its Irish roots with a performance from Fusion Fighters, who blended Irish dancing and hip-hop moves.
