With 191 stores across the UK alone, you’ve likely been shopping at Primark before. If you’re ready to work on the other side of the register, you’ll need a convincing cover letter that highlights your relevant retail skills and interest in the company.
Luckily, we’re here to help. With dozens of cover letter examples for every industry, Resume.io is an expert resource no matter where you are in your career. In this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding Primark cover letter example, we’ll cover the following topics to help you write the best cover letter possible:
- How to choose the best cover letter format and what paragraphs the cover letter should include
- How to maximize the effect of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- What approach to take when writing your cover letter
- What mistakes to avoid when writing your Primark cover letter.
Primark was founded in Dublin in 1969, but today the UK is the company’s largest market with the company’s largest store located in Birmingham.
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Best format for a Primark cover letter
While it’s true that your cover letter is more freeform than your CV, that doesn’t mean that it lacks structure entirely. In fact, many candidates fear cover letter writing to the point that they submit their applications without one. This is a big mistake as the cover letter gives you a chance to expand on your most relevant experiences.
To succeed at creating your Primark cover letter, take the time to jot down a few notes or make an outline before starting to write. The format of a Primark cover letter should contain the following elements:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
This comprehensive cover letter guide provides more information about the specific formatting details of your cover letter including fonts, spacing, and overall style choices.
This Primark cover letter example is a good foundation to develop your own professional application:
Dear Nathan Harris,
I am writing to express my interest in the vacant position at the Primark shop located on High Street, Birmingham, as advertised on the Primark Careers web page. My previous retail experience, keen interest in fashion, and admiration for Primark’s value-driven approach to retailing make me eager to contribute positively to your team.
Having graduated with a degree in Fashion Marketing from Birmingham City University, I have cultivated a deep understanding of fashion trends and retail management. My educational background and practical experience from my part-time position at another retail establishment in Birmingham have honed my skills in customer service, visual merchandising, and inventory management. I am keen on bringing this knowledge and experience to the Primark team to ensure a vibrant and friendly store environment.
What particularly draws me to Primark is the brand’s commitment to responsible fashion and offering quality products at an affordable price point. I am impressed by the initiatives undertaken by Primark to promote ethical sourcing and reduce the environmental impact of retail operations. I am eager to advocate for this sustainable and ethical approach while assisting customers in making informed choices.
I have always prioritised providing excellent customer service, and I understand that in a vibrant store such as Primark, it is essential to maintain a customer-centric approach. Whether I am assisting customers with queries, handling transactions efficiently, or maintaining the store floor to a high standard, I am committed to ensuring every customer has a positive experience during their visit.
I am confident that my background in fashion marketing and my customer service experience would allow me to integrate into your team seamlessly and uphold Primark’s reputation as a retailer that offers friendly and efficient service alongside high-quality, affordable products. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of working with a team that shares my passion for the fast-paced retail environment and commitment to excellent customer service.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of further discussing how I can contribute to the success of the Primark Birmingham store, where I am eager to support the team in maintaining a welcoming and efficient shopping environment for all customers.
Yours sincerely,
Emily Johnson
Cover letter header
The header of your cover letter is the section that sits at the top (or occasionally the side) of the page and contains your name and contact information like phone number and email address. The purpose of the header is to make it easy for the hiring manager to contact you in case they’d like to set up an interview, and also to add a touch of attractive formatting.
For a retail cover letter like Primark, there’s no need to include social media handles or other links. A simple, streamlined header is the best option. You can find a model for your own header within our adaptable Primark cover letter example.
Cover letter greeting
The greeting refers to the short line at the beginning of your cover letter that addresses the person who will be reading it. The greeting sets the tone for the rest of your cover letter and should be both professional and friendly. Avoid “Hey”, Hi”, or “Hello” as they are too informal. “To Whom It May Concern” is also a poor choice as it is now considered impersonal and outdated.
While it’s always best to address your cover letter to the name of the specific hiring manager, this might not be possible in a large organization like Primark. Instead, you can opt for a more general greeting like “Dear Primark Hiring Team” or “Dear Primark (Store Name) Hiring Manager”.
Cover letter introduction
The introduction of the cover letter serves to catch the hiring manager’s attention and encourage them to continue reading the rest of your application. When applying to large companies like Primark, it’s also important to note the job title, store name, and even the job description reference number so that the hiring manager isn’t left wondering which position you are after.
Keep your introduction short, 1-3 sentences should be plenty. A short anecdote about your work style, a mention of your connection to the company, or more details about your desire to work at Primark can all make for a great opening. See our adaptable Primark cover letter sample introduction below.
Dear Nathan Harris,
I am writing to express my interest in the vacant position at the Primark shop located on High Street, Birmingham, as advertised on the Primark Careers web page. My previous retail experience, keen interest in fashion, and admiration for Primark’s value-driven approach to retailing make me eager to contribute positively to your team.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs of cover letters take up the most space on the page and allow you to expand on the experiences or skills touched on in your CV. Instead of simply repeating what’s written on other parts of your application, use the cover letter to dive deeper into your motivations and interest in the position.
Make sure to choose only the most relevant examples from your previous experience. If the job at Primark would be your first retail position, check out our advice below on how to write a cover letter with no experience. Check out our adaptable Primark cover letter example here:
Having graduated with a degree in Fashion Marketing from Birmingham City University, I have cultivated a deep understanding of fashion trends and retail management. My educational background and practical experience from my part-time position at another retail establishment in Birmingham have honed my skills in customer service, visual merchandising, and inventory management. I am keen on bringing this knowledge and experience to the Primark team to ensure a vibrant and friendly store environment.
What particularly draws me to Primark is the brand’s commitment to responsible fashion and offering quality products at an affordable price point. I am impressed by the initiatives undertaken by Primark to promote ethical sourcing and reduce the environmental impact of retail operations. I am eager to advocate for this sustainable and ethical approach while assisting customers in making informed choices.
I have always prioritised providing excellent customer service, and I understand that in a vibrant store such as Primark, it is essential to maintain a customer-centric approach. Whether I am assisting customers with queries, handling transactions efficiently, or maintaining the store floor to a high standard, I am committed to ensuring every customer has a positive experience during their visit.
I am confident that my background in fashion marketing and my customer service experience would allow me to integrate into your team seamlessly and uphold Primark’s reputation as a retailer that offers friendly and efficient service alongside high-quality, affordable products. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of working with a team that shares my passion for the fast-paced retail environment and commitment to excellent customer service.
How to close a Primark cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
To close your Primark cover letter on a positive note, make sure to include a call to action. This sentence expresses your enthusiasm for the position and invites the hiring manager to contact you for an interview. You may also leave your email address and phone number here, space permitting. The key to a successful conclusion is to come across as capable and confident without sounding entitled to the role. See our adaptable Primark cover letter sample below.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of further discussing how I can contribute to the success of the Primark Birmingham store, where I am eager to support the team in maintaining a welcoming and efficient shopping environment for all customers.
Yours sincerely,
Emily Johnson
Primark cover letter with no experience
Retail jobs, including Primark, are a great way to gain your first bit of work experience and to earn extra money as a student or recent grad. Primark managers are used to training new employees and most of the skills you will need can be learned on the job. However, your cover letter is the place to show that you have the right qualities and personality to be a reliable team member. Here are some points to consider when writing your cover letter for Primark:
- Transferable skills: If the experience listed in your cover letter comes from other fields besides retail, make sure to look for ways to highlight the overlap between the skills you used in your previous jobs and the ones needed at Primark. Customer service, reliability, efficiency or cash register skills can all transfer between industries.
- Soft skills: If you’re a student looking for your first job, make sure to focus on personality traits, also called soft skills. Examples might be a strong work ethic, ability to work in a team or independently, and the ability to learn quickly.
- Employer’s needs: Before writing your cover letter, make sure to consider what the Primark hiring manager values most in a potential employee. Focus your cover letter on skills listed in the job description and choose only the most relevant examples from your past experience.
Avoid these basic mistakes in your Primark cover letter in order to stand out in a crowded applicant pool:
- Poor formatting: A clean and organized cover letter is the best way to present yourself as a serious candidate. A professionally designed cover letter template can make this quick to accomplish.
- Typos and grammar mistakes: Poor spelling can quickly make you come across as unprofessional. Make sure to use spell check and ask a friend to proofread before you submit.
- A cover letter that is too long: Aim to keep your cover letter to a maximum of 300 words for a Primark job. Each sentence should be carefully chosen to convey the most impact in the most concise way.
Key takeaways
- Your Primark cover letter is a key opportunity to stand out in a crowded application pool.
- Primark is a great place to get your first work experience so use your cover letter to focus on transferable skills, soft skills, and the employer’s needs.
- Check out our Primark cover letter sample for a model header that you can adapt for your own application.
