The clothing chain has stores across the UK but how you pronounce its name provokes disagreement
Primark has settled the highly debated question once and for all. And now you don’t need to question it any longer.
That’s right, it’s the burning issue you cannot now ignore – how do you pronounce Primark? OK, you may not have even noticed there was a debate – but there really is.
Despite being founded in June of 1969 – just over 54 years ago – a lot of people are still unsure how to pronounce the shop name. While some pronounce it ‘Pree-Mark’, others say ‘Pr-I-Mark’.
And the weird thing is that how you pronounce it can vary depending on where you are from in the UK. The clothing store is known for its bargains – and this year its viral autumn jumpers are getting lots of love on TikTok.
But it’s name is just as much of a talking point. In a post to the Family Lowdown Tips & Ideas Facebook group, one of its members asked: “How do you pronounce Primark? (The clothes store).
“I thought everyone said it the same until yesterday when I heard someone call it Pr-E-Mark, I say Pr-I-Mark. Which is right?”
Many said it was ‘Pr-Eye-Mark’, but not everyone agreed. One shopper from South Wales said it was also known as ‘Preemark’ to them, while another wrote: “Pree-mark because we enjoy messing perfectly pronounceable words up in Northern Ireland”.
Dan also asked on Twitter: “Does anybody pronounce Primark ‘preemark’?” In response, one tweeter said: “Like literally every single person I know pronounces it ‘Preemark’ cause saying ‘Prymark’ makes it sounds like you think it’s upmarket.”
One person said: “Preemark in Middlesbrough”. A worker disagreed, though, saying: “I work there. It’s Prymark. Always has been. Always will be.”
So what’s the correct way to say it? Confirming the right way due to the popularity of the debate, Primark have had to create a dedicated page addressing the question stating: “We like to use Pr-Eye-Mark.”
Well that’s it then. It seems we have to accept it and move on even if we pronounce it differently.
Primark employs more than 80,000 staff across 17 countries in Europe and the US. It was Founded in Ireland in 1969 under the Penneys brand.
The firm says it aims to “provide affordable choices for everyone, from great quality everyday essentials to stand-out style across women’s, men’s and kids, as well as beauty, homeware and accessories.” It has 450 stores globally and continues to expand.
It is vowing to make more sustainable fashion affordable for everyone to protect the planet. It says it’s done this through its Primark Cares strategy, which aims to give clothing “a longer life, protecting life on the planet and supporting the livelihoods of the people who make Primark clothes.”
