Primark's new long-awaited online shopping service proved so popular with shoppers when it launched this morning that the retail giant's website crashed.
The high street favourite has finally made click and collect available for customers, meaning that Primark fans can now browse online for items and arrange to pick them up in their nearest store. The trial is currently running at 25 UK stores across North Wales and the North West of England, including shops in Manchester, Liverpool and Carlisle.
Only children's clothing, toys and nursery ranges are available on the service so far, totalling around 2,000 products - 800 of which are availably exclusively via click and collect. It's hoped that the service will be rolled out nationwide following the trial - and it has already proven hugely popular with shoppers, The Mirror reports.
The massive demand for the online service meant that some customers were left unable to get onto the website, which displayed an error screen saying: "Site Unavailable. Oops, sorry we didn’t let you access Primark.com today."
A Primark spokesperson said: "It’s been great to see so much interest in the launch of our new click and collect trial. We’re aware that some people have had issues accessing the website this morning and we’re working hard to address this to ensure that everyone can access and browse the site easily."
Despite the initial teething problems, Primark shoppers with local stores taking part in the trial were delighted that the retailer had finally launched an online service ahead of the busy Christmas shopping period. "Primark doing click and collect is incredible news," one customer said on Twitter.
Another replied: "Oh yes, because I cannot do these long queues anymore."
"Primark doing click and collect is music to my ears," a third shopper added. Despite the instant popularity of the new service, the retailer has no plans to offer a home delivery option which many shoppers have called for.
Full list of Primark stores offering click and collect:
- Birkenhead, Grange Road, CH41 6EA
- Blackburn, The Mall Blackburn, BB1 7JG
- Blackpool, Bank Hey Street, FY1 4RY
- Bolton, Crompton Place Shopping, BL1 1EA
- Broughton, Broughton Shopping Park, CH4 0DE
- Burnley, Charter Walk Shopping Centre, BB11 1BB
- Bury, The Rock Shopping Centre, BL9 0ND
- Carlisle, English Street, CA3 8NX
- Chester, Foregate Street, CH1 1HA
- Huddersfield, New Street, HD1 2TR
- Lancaster, Marketgate Shopping Centre, LA1 1JF
- Liverpool, Church Street, L1 3AY
- Llandudno, Parc Llandudno Retail Park, LL30 1PX
- Manchester, Market Street, M1 1WA
- Manchester, The Trafford Centre, M17 8AS
- Oldham, Market Place, OL1 3AB
- Preston, Fishergate Shopping Centre, PR1 8HJ
- Sheffield, Meadowhall, S9 1ER
- Sheffield, The Moor, S1 4PA
- Southport, Chapel Street, PR8 1AE
- Stockport, Chestergate, SK1 1NT
- Wallasey, Cherry Tree Shopping Centre, CH44 5TL
- Warrington, Golden Square, WA1 1QB
- Wigan, Standishgate, WN1 1UP
- Wrexham, Regent Street, LL11 1RY
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