Primark to Open Store at Mall of America as U.S. Expansion Continues

Primark said Wednesday it plans to open a store at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, marking the Dublin-based fast-fashion chain's entry into the country's largest shopping venue.

The company did not provide an exact opening date but said the store is expected to open by the holiday season. Primark has pursued a measured U.S. rollout since opening its first American location in Boston in 2015 and now operates 33 stores nationwide. The retailer also plans additional new locations in Florida, Georgia and midtown Manhattan, with no firm opening dates announced.

Primark has cultivated a following in Europe and the U.K. for low-priced items such as $4 T-shirts and $10 denim and for limited-edition collaborations with entertainment brands. In the U.S. the chain has pursued partnerships with high-profile organizations, including the NFL, NBA and streaming services, and has used celebrity tie-ins to raise its profile. Kevin Tulip, president of Primark's American arm, said U.S. shoppers have “welcomed Primark with arms wide open, and continue to be wowed by the value, quality and style we offer.”

Retail analysts say Primark's slow expansion strategy has allowed the company to select locations that align with its low-cost, high-traffic model. "It has allowed Primark to learn as it has expanded and to ensure it takes only the best possible retail space that works well for the business," said Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData.

The Mall of America, located in Bloomington about 10 miles south of downtown Minneapolis, is the largest shopping center in the United States by total retail floor area and draws tourists and regional shoppers, offering Primark a high-visibility site as it seeks to broaden its U.S. footprint.

The announcement comes amid a tougher climate for apparel retailers. Several mass-market chains have faced financial distress in recent years: Forever 21 filed for a second bankruptcy earlier this year and closed its U.S. stores, Claire's also entered bankruptcy proceedings and said it would shutter hundreds of locations, Kohl's reported a decline in comparable sales, and J.C. Penney entered a sale process involving private equity. Industry executives point to higher sourcing costs linked to tariffs introduced during the previous U.S. administration and to sustained inflationary pressure on consumers as headwinds for apparel demand.

Primark's leadership has changed recently: Eoin Tonge was named the company's chief executive in March 2025. Company executives have said the retailer's inventory strategy, price points and store formats make it well positioned to attract budget-conscious shoppers.

Primark's U.S. strategy differs from many fast-fashion competitors by emphasizing large-format, high-traffic stores that combine basic apparel with tie-in merchandise and occasional homeware pop-ups. The chain's expansion has been gradual compared with some international entrants, a factor Saunders said has enabled Primark to refine its approach in different U.S. markets.

Primark did not provide projections for sales at the Mall of America location or details on employment levels for the new store. The company did not respond to requests for additional comment beyond its announcement.

As retail executives weigh rent costs, supply-chain pressures and shifting consumer spending, Primark's move into the Mall of America underscores the continuing appeal of value-priced merchants in a market where many midpriced chains have contracted. The retailer's next openings in Florida, Georgia and Manhattan will serve as further tests of demand for its low-price model across varied U.S. consumer markets.