Is Primark Ethical?

Primark’s low prices do not prove poor durability, and its published wash tests provide useful evidence. The more difficult issue is pay: its own pilot found larger living-wage gaps for women in most participating factories. Collective-bargaining commitments are positive, but the evidence does not establish adequate wages throughout the supply chain.

Who owns Primark, and is that changing?

Primark remains within Associated British Foods while a proposed demerger is prepared. ABF’s current demerger hub says the intention is to complete before the end of 2027, subject to approvals and tax clearances. An announced separation is not a completed sale. Current demerger explanation

The ownership chain reaches Wittington Investments, ABF’s majority shareholder. Wittington’s 2025 accounts identify the Garfield Weston Foundation as its ultimate controlling party, holding 79.2% of Wittington. This is more precise than saying Primark is simply owned by a family or by a charity directly. Ultimate-control record

A charitable controlling shareholder does not certify factory conditions. Ownership tells you where influence and economic benefits sit; it does not replace evidence about the people making the clothes.

What does Primark know about workers’ wage gaps?

Primark’s 2024/25 people report describes a nine-factory pilot collecting wage data by gender. Eight factories showed women with a larger gap to the living-wage benchmark than men; the factories had not previously recognised the disparities. This is a specific disclosure of a problem, not proof that every factory has the same gap. Wage pilot findings

The company describes discussing causes with management and testing changes, including moving women into an ironing department at one Bangladesh factory. Those are responses to the findings. They should not be turned into a claim that the pay gaps were eliminated.

Its broader 2030 commitment is to pursue living wages, alongside financial literacy and social protection. Budgeting lessons cannot compensate for insufficient pay. The useful next evidence would be whether workers’ regular earnings increased, who benefited and whether the improvement survived changes in orders or living costs.

Does Primark’s buying process protect wages?

Primark reports that 98% of its Spring/Summer 2025 orders placed with Cambodian factories showed labour costs separately. It links this to training and an agreement supporting collective bargaining. Separating the cost makes it visible during negotiations; it is not a direct measurement of what an individual worker received. Cambodian purchasing results

The ACT programme independently lists Primark among agreement signatories. This verifies participation in the initiative, rather than verifying every outcome the company describes. Programme signatories

The distinction is practical. Buyers can demand a low price while protecting the labour component, but they still need realistic schedules, dependable orders and effective remedies when wages go missing. The size of a retail discount alone cannot tell a shopper whether those conditions hold.

Do cheap Primark clothes fall apart faster?

Primark’s 2024/25 results report that 77% of tested denim and jersey products, and 69% of socks, achieved its highest durability level, assessed after 45 washes. Those are results for the tested categories, not a guarantee covering the entire store or every item a customer takes home. Reported test results

Its framework page explicitly says not all clothes meet the 45-wash goal. Machine-washable clothing has been tested against the framework since January 2024; hand-wash and dry-clean-only items are not included in that testing. That scope matters when evaluating a delicate party outfit against an everyday T-shirt. Testing scope

A wash test answers part of the durability question. It does not promise resistance to every snag or abrasion, and it cannot predict how often a garment will actually be worn. Still, publishing category results gives buyers something more useful than assuming inexpensive always means disposable.

Can you repair it, and is it worth buying?

Primark offers Love it for Longer workshops and online tutorials covering basic sewing and repairs. These teach customers skills; they are not a promise that the shop will accept every damaged item for free repair. Repair programme

Check whether a likely failure is fixable before buying: a replaceable button is different from fragile fabric pulling apart. Compare the whole cost of an item that fits and suits your routine, including alterations or special cleaning. Buying several unwanted pieces because they are inexpensive does not improve value.

Our assessment gives Primark credit for publishing uncomfortable wage findings and measurable durability results. Neither removes the need for better pay. If your budget leads you here, buy what you need and can use repeatedly; responsibility for securing fair supplier terms remains with Primark and its owners.

Sources and research notes

Sources checked on 2026-09-13. Findings retain their original dates. This guide uses public documents and reporting, not hands-on product testing or factory inspections. How we research guides.

1. Demerger hub — Associated British Foods · undated. Proposed separation and conditional timetable.

2. 2025 annual accounts — Wittington Investments · 2025. Foundation ultimate control and ABF majority holding.

3. People: 2024/25 progress — Primark · 2025. Wage pilot, response and Cambodian labour-cost practice.

4. ACT for Cambodia — ACT · undated. Primark signatory.

5. 2024/25 sustainability results — Primark · 2025. Category-specific wash-test results.

6. Durability framework and repair — Primark · undated. Testing exclusions and repair education.

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