I still need to focus on developing my Industry Skills, “CV & Apply for Jobs" and “Interviews & Follow Up”. To develop my Industry Skills I will try to read and make notes articles from Drapers / BoF / Retail Week at least 4 times a week. To develop my CV I shall use the FRA Careers “CV 360” Feature and work on my CV until it reaches a high score, should my score be low initially I will work on key areas highlighted by the report. Using the tools provided to us by FRA Careers as well as self-conducted research I will work on increasing my knowledge and skills on successfully going through the interview process and the steps taken prior to the interview. 

Coronavirus lockdowns have cost Primark £800m, with the clothing retailer expecting profits to tumble by two-thirds this financial year.

Revenues at the retailer fell by 75% between 1 March and 20 June, to £582m, Primark’s owner, the FTSE 100 conglomerate Associated British Foods (ABF), reported on Thursday.

The figures underline the difficulties faced by the retail sector, with companies ranging from Harrods to the Topshop owner, Arcadia, among the high street operators announcing more than 6,000 job cuts on Wednesday.

- Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/02/primark-loses-800m-amid-covid-19-lockdowns

Participants were also keen to highlight that the recent pandemic has changed their shopping habits with more people shopping online and using second hand clothing apps such as Depop and Vinted. This shows the importance of an online store to retail brands as well as the shift in buying culture to a more sustainable buying habit.

When asked about their views on Primark's current website the majority of participants were confused about the main function of the site due to the fact the webiste is not transactional. It was highlighted that delivery costs may end up being more expensive than some of Primark's clothes so the idea of a purchasing online and then collecting in store would benefit Primark's customers.

Finally participants also agreed that the introduction of a "luxury" range within Primark may help the brand keep their place on the high street along with a more believable and factual sustainablity plan.