Primark has introduced free workshops in its US stores to teach essential repair and upcycling skills, such as fixing hems, attaching buttons, and adding pockets. These sessions are open to individuals of all experience levels and aim to promote sustainable fashion practices.
This initiative is part of Primark Cares, the brand’s sustainability programme that focuses on encouraging eco-conscious fashion without compromising affordability or accessibility.
The first US sessions have launched in Staten Island, New York, and Tysons, Virginia (near Washington, DC), with plans to expand into additional locations. Workshops are being conducted at the Staten Island Mall store, with more sessions scheduled at Tysons Corner Center on June 12.
Lynne Walker, director of Primark Cares, stated: “Bringing our free Love it for Longer repair workshops across the pond to the US has been a long-held ambition for us. We know people want to make their clothes last longer, but often just need a little help getting started. These workshops give them that – because sustainability shouldn’t be out of reach for anyone.”
The Sustainable Fashion Repair Workshops initially launched in 2022 and have already delivered nearly 400 free sessions across Europe, in countries such as the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Spain, and France.
Participants in the workshops receive free sewing kits, repair guidebooks, and reusable tote bags to help them continue their learning at home.
Primark US President Kevin Tulip remarked: “Over the last three years, we’ve hosted hundreds of repair workshops in our stores across Europe and the UK and are excited to roll out this offering in a handful of US markets – a major sustainability milestone for the brand and our conscious consumers.
“We know that educating customers on repair is a small step in our journey to becoming a more sustainable business, but through our scale, we can reach many people and hopefully spark some change in how people care for and wear their clothes.”
As part of Primark Cares, the company already produces 66% of its clothing using recycled or sustainably sourced materials, with a goal of reaching 100% by 2030. Primark has also launched a Durability Framework to extend the lifespan of clothes and tackle textile waste.
The introduction of Sustainable Fashion Repair Workshops in the US highlights Primark’s commitment to driving change in the fashion industry by empowering consumers to repair and upcycle their clothes, making sustainable fashion practices more accessible to all.
In terms of emissions, the company has made significant progress, achieving a 21% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 market-based emissions in 2024 compared to 2023, and a 52% decrease from its 2019 baseline.
