Primark Vs Matalan: Is Matalan Better than Primark?

Matalan and Primark are both discount fashion chains. They sell similar products at similar prices, so it can be hard to tell which one is better.

But there are some differences between the two stores that make it clear which one wins out. However, before that, let’s take a brief look at each of the brands separately.

About Primark

Primark Vs Matalan

 

Primark is an Irish-owned discount fashion store, with its headquarters located in Dublin, Ireland. It was established by Arthur Ryan in 1969 and has since grown into one of the largest clothing retailers in Europe.

They now have over 690 stores worldwide and employ more than 28,000 people.

Primark is a fast-growing Irish company owned by ABF Investments, which also owns Penneys (Primark’s sister store in Ireland). It was one of the most successful companies in the world in 2017, with sales of over $18 billion (£14 billion).

Also, Primark is referred to as a leading international clothing retailer that is present in 14 countries of the world. They sell everything from great quality essentials to stand-out style, to multigenerational families and trend settlers, and it is built around affordability.

Primark deal in shoes ranging from winter boots, heeled shoes, sandals, and athletic shoes for men and women.

About Matalan

Primark Vs Matalan

Matalan is a UK-based discount clothing retailer, founded in 1984. The company sells a range of clothing, footwear, and homeware products and operates over 250 stores across the UK.

Matalan is a British high street clothing and homewares retailer. It was founded in 1984 and now has over 300 stores across the UK.

The company’s name is an abbreviation of ‘Matalon’, the name of its founder’s grandmother.

Matalan sells mainly clothing for men, women, and children, as well as shoes, furniture, and homewares. The company also has a range of food items under the ‘Matalan Food’ brand.

The first Matalan store opened in Runcorn, Cheshire in 1984. More followed quickly afterward, with 35 stores opening by 1989 and 100 by 1990. In 1992,

Matalan opened its first store outside of England, in Glasgow’s Braehead shopping center. This was followed by further openings on Tyneside (1997) and in Cambridge (1998).

In 2001 Matalan became part of the FTSE 100 Index when it was bought out by Philip Green’s Arcadia Group for £900 million.[2] In 2006 Matalan acquired New Look’s outlet division[3] which included 80 stores.[4] Further expansion took place in 2007 with the acquisition of Debenhams’ store portfolio including 13 stores.[5]

Matalan has been around since 1986 and is part of the Steinhoff International group, which also owns Orsay, O’Neill, and Conforama.

Is Matalan Better than Primark?

Primark Vs Matalan

To ascertain whether Matalan is better than Primark, let’s compare their differences and peculiarities.

  • Affordability

Matalan and Primark are both discount clothing stores. They offer similar products at similar prices, but there are some differences between the two.

Matalan offers a wide range of affordable items that are perfect for those on a budget. Their prices start at just £1 and go up to £2,000 depending on the size of the item and how much it costs to manufacture, while

Primark offers more affordable prices than Matalan but they are still quite pricey compared to other retailers such as H&M or Zara. The average price for an item at Primark is about £15-£25 whereas most other stores charge around £5-£8.

  • Quality

The quality of Matalan shoes is better than the quality of Primark shoes. The reason is that Matalan offers a much larger range of products than Primark, so they have to invest more in R&D and production facilities.

This allows them to offer better quality products at a more competitive price. It also means that they don’t have to rely on cheap labor from China or other countries where workers are paid very little and conditions are generally poor.

According to Statista, Primark is reportedly working with 450 factories in China as of October 2021. The mass production of products in China affects their quality and makes them appear less authentic.

Also, china is known as the mother of counterfeit products. So it is almost difficult not for the originals to get mixed up with counterfeit.

The Matalan shoes that I bought were much better quality than the Primark ones. They’re made out of real leather which makes them more durable than plastic or synthetic materials.

They also come in half sizes so they’re easier to fit correctly because they won’t be too loose or too tight (although if you have big feet then you might still find that these don’t fit).

I’ve bought two pairs of Primark shoes in the past and both of them broke after a short period. The first pair was made from plastic and didn’t last long at all.

The second pair was made out of leather but it still broke after a few months. I also had problems with them fitting me properly because they didn’t have half sizes – they only had whole sizes so they were either too big or too small.

I have purchased shoes from both shops and I have to say that the quality of the shoes is significantly better in Matalan. The Primark shoes are flimsy and fall apart after a few wears, whereas the Matalan shoes last for ages and don’t break!

I think this may be because Matalan is a much bigger company with more resources and perhaps better quality control. However Primark has quality control, but it isn’t as effective as Matalan.

  • Durability

Matalan’s shoes can be a bit more expensive than Primark’s but they are really good quality. I’ve got some Matalan shoes, they last me a long time and they don’t look cheap at all.

I’ve bought lots of shoes from both places, and I much prefer Matalan. The quality is better, the styles are better and they last longer.

Matalan shoes can also be worn in the rain! So if you’re looking for something more casual for summer, you’ll find some nice sandals at Matalan that will suit you well!

Primark shoes are affordable but don’t last that long. You can’t wear them in the rain, except the winter or rain boots. I got a pair of trainers from Primark and they just lasted for some months and went bad.

  • Exclusiveness

The main difference between Matalan and Primark is that Matalan sells all its brand products while Primark sells other companies’ brands as well as its own

(called “Primark Plc”).

  • Variety and Style

Matalan is a British clothing company that sells a wide range of items, including shoes. Matalan shoes are generally cheaper than Primark shoes, but they are still high quality and durable.

If you’re looking for some cheap and comfortable shoes then Matalan is the place to go. They have everything from sandals to boots and they’re all very good quality at low prices.

You can find Matalan stores in most towns across the UK, which makes it easy to shop there even if you don’t live close by.

The other thing about Matalan shoes is that there are lots of different styles available so there’s something for everyone!

Primark shoes come in varieties but they are limited compared to that of Matalan.

  • Comfortability

Matalan shoes are better than Primark shoes. I’ve tried both of them and I can tell you that Matalan is more comfortable, looks nicer, and is much more durable.

£12 for my pair of Matalan shoes and they are comfortable, fit me perfectly and look great.

The Primark ones were £6 but they are not as comfy and don’t fit as well (I know this because I’ve tried them on).

I would say that if you want a pair of shoes that are going to last then stay away from Primark but if you’re looking for something cheap just to wear in the summer then go for it!

Similarity Between Matalan and Primark

Apart from both brands being low-cost fashion retailers, they operate a good return policy.

Matalan does not offer free returns on purchases made online or in-store unless faulty or damaged goods are received by customers. If you wish to return your purchase for any reason other than this then you will be charged £5 per item returned.

It is not known if Matalan offers customer service over the phone or online chat, but it does have a FAQ section on its website where you can find answers to common questions about the brand’s policies.

Another advantage of buying Matalan shoes is that they come with a guarantee. If you buy a pair of Matalan shoes and they don’t fit or aren’t comfortable, they will replace them with another pair of shoes free of charge.

This means that if you buy one pair of Matalan and they turn out not to be what you expected, you can return them for an exchange or refund without any problems.

This goes for Primark too. You can easily refund any item you purchase from Primark within 28 days of purchase. However, the item must be in saleable condition with the original receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Primark in London is Better?

Primark Vs Matalan

The Primark on Tottenham Court Road is the best in London due to the fact that tocks almost all the Primark products. Also, there are fewer tourists here struggling and dragging for products, compared to the Primark store on Oxford street.

Who are Matalan’s Competitors?

Matalan is a low-budget fashion store that serves as a homeware retailer. Its major competitors that sell similar products are Primark, River Island, Burlingo Store, Express, J Crew, and Next Store.

Is Matalan an Ethical Company

In terms of ethics, Matalan’s overall rating is, “not good enough.” Although it does not use animal fur, exotic animal skin, fur, or angora, some animal products were traced to being sued at the first stage of production.

How Many Stores Does Matalan Have in the UK

Matalan has 230 stores in the UK. As of April 2019, Matalan has 230 stores in the UK and 30 additional international franchise stores scattered in the Middle East and Europe. They are all supported by their growing robust online channel.

Who Owns Primark Now?

The Associated British Food owns Primark now, and Primark is the most successful business division of the company.

Why is Primark Popular?

Primark is popular because it established its brand as a low-budget retailing store where everyone can beautiful fashion products. Also, Primark offers sales and discounts to people.

Can I Use my Primark Voucher Online?

Yes, you can. Buying with a voucher makes your shopping experience quick and easy. You can find the latest offers on our website and save money!

How Do I Redeem a Voucher?

Just follow these simple steps

  1. Choose your items from the selection of products we have in-store or online.
  2. Add them to your basket and click on “Checkout” to enter your address details, payment method, and delivery preferences (if applicable). If you’re using a promo code, simply enter it in the box provided after entering your address details and click “Apply”
  3. Confirm your order by clicking “Next” and review your order summary as well

as shipping costs before confirming payment by clicking “Pay Now”

What’s the Difference Between Primark and other Retailers?

Primark offers a wide range of products from leading brands and its own brand at affordable prices in-store, online, or via our mobile app. Primark stores have a fun, vibrant atmosphere and we pride ourselves on being a shopping destination for everyone.

Can I Shop Online on Primark?

Yes, you can shop online at primark.com/us.

What Time Does Primark Open?

Primark stores open at 9 am Monday to Saturday. Some stores may open at 8 am on a Sunday. You can find your local store’s opening hours here.

Can I Reserve a Specific Item Online?

No, Primark does not currently offer this service. If you wish to reserve an item online please visit our online shop www.primark.ie/shoponline where you can purchase items in advance of your visit to our stores.

Conclusion

With all the above points that capture affordability, quality, durability, variety, and comfortability, you can say that the Matalan brand is better than Primark.

This is not to say that Primark is not a good brand. It is a wonderful brand, but less competitive than Matalan.

So what do you think about both brands?

23 thoughts on “Primark Vs Matalan: Is Matalan Better than Primark?”

  1. This was a really comprehensive and detailed comparison and review. Thanks for that. My vote goes to Primark. I also like that you can shop online with them.

    Reply
  2. This is the first time I heard about Matalan, and often saw many articles and even Primark ads. It seems Primark is very active in engaging with their customers online especially recently with the Gen Z market, not to mention that they seem a favorite of media as well.

    Reply
  3. I can very well see myself shopping at primark. We don’t have one here, but if, by chance, my husband gets sent to London for work and we get to join him, I will make sure to visit this shop.

    Reply
  4. Interesting analysis and comparison between Matalan and Primark. Although it’s my first time hearing of the brands – I’m intrigued to research more. Thank you for the information.

    Reply
  5. This has certainly been a longtime debate! Matalan have better quality clothes sometimes it looks like a jumble sale in primark in my opinion! 🙂

    Reply
  6. I have been shopping in Primark for a long time and love it. However, I have recently visited Matalan, and I love its quality. Although Primark, have been improving on their quality, Malatan has better quality, in my opinion.

    Reply

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