Primark's website crashed on November 14, shortly after the retailer finally launched its click-and-collect service, reports BBC News. The budget chain is starting a trial in 25 stores in north-west England, Yorkshire and north Wales for children's products only.

Primark Stores Limited, an Irish multinational fast fashion retailer with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with 2021 revenue of £5.6 billion ($6.6 billion), lost more than £1bn in sales during the pandemic when its stores had to close. It has now succumbed to the online shopping revolution, but it is not planning delivery service.

Primark said it was aware some people had issues accessing its site. "We're working hard to address this to ensure that everyone can access and browse the site easily," the company said in a statement. The website appeared to be back up and running after about four hours.

Paul Marchant, the retailer's chief executive, said the launch of Primark's click-and-collect service was a "milestone for us and a really important moment".

"We're massive fans of bricks and mortar. We believe in stores, and we believe in the High Street. We think click-and-collect is the right proposition," he told the BBC.