The Times 100 Case Study on Primark
Primark has produced two education case studies with the Times 100. Covering ethical sourcing, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and programmes to support workers and their communities, the case studies help to make young people aware of current issues around this important topic and provides real, relevant context to bring these issues to life.
Providing consumers with ethically sourced garments
The case study highlights how the work we undertake with our suppliers to ensure ethical sourcing is not only an element of our corporate responsibility policy, but is a key contributing factor to overall business performance.
The case study looks at business ethics, and how these work in practice. It also looks at how Primark can offer its customers a fair price by sourcing products efficiently; making clothes with simpler designs; using local fabrics and trims; focusing on the most popular sizes; buying in volume; and not spending heavily on advertising.
Engaging with Stakeholders
This case study looks at how Primark engages with some of its key external stakeholders. Stakeholders are individuals, groups and organisations that have an interest in the decisions and actions of a particular business such as customers and shareholders.
The case study also looks in more detail at some of Primark’s work with workers and the communities that make its products. This often involves working with local non-government organisations which have the local knowledge to support Primark’s initiatives and programmes.
What students are saying
“I think the case study shows the importance of businesses taking an ethical approach to their operations. There are lots of reasons why it is important from all the different stakeholders’ points of views. The workers and suppliers across the world get a good deal, the customers get what they want and the business benefits from a better reputation.”
“It shows that Primark treats the workers with respect, giving them fair working conditions. It also shows how big the organisation is, so for some countries the business is really important because of the amount of jobs it brings to them. “
The Times 100 Case Study on Primark
Primark has produced two case studies with the Times 100 to help students understand the issues and challenges related to ethical trading and corporate social responsibility.
Case study 1: “Providing consumers with ethically sourced garments”, highlights the work we undertake with our suppliers to ensure ethical sourcing as an element of corporate responsibility policy, and as a key contributing factor to overall business performance.
Case study 2: “Engaging with Stakeholders” looks at what a stakeholder is, from customers to civil society groups, and why how Primark listens to their views. It also focuses on some of the partnerships and work that Primark does to support the communities where its products are made.
Both case studies help to make young people aware of current issues around these important topic and provide real, relevant context to bring studies to life.