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Primark’s specialist breast cancer lingerie collection: a product of Pinkwashing or heroism?

by · October 19, 2022

By Marie Flügge

Earlier this month, mega fashion retailer Primark released a new collection of lingerie, nightwear and loungewear designed for women affected by post-breast cancer surgery. This was, of course, meant to match Breast Cancer Awareness month, which takes place in October each year. 

The fashion retailer has promoted the new collection on its social media. Source: Instagram.

The 28-piece permanent range has been co-designed and developed with the Breast Cancer Now charity and victims of breast cancer. The range will be available at all selected Primark stores worldwide, including Scotland. 

Items come in a range of colours – mostly pink – and include post-surgery bras and leisurewear, including tops and hoodies. Prices range from £4 to £15.  

The retailer announced alongside the launch it would donate a part of its profits to charities across the UK and Europe. “We will donate £750,000 from our Breast Cancer Awareness range to selected cancer charities in ROI.”  

Whilst this appears a generous donation, it might be important to keep in mind the company’s gigantic annual revenue, which amounted to 7.79 billion in 2019 only. The donation represents only a fraction of Primark’s yearly profit. 

Ann-Marie Cregan, trading director at Primark, said: “We want to support and empower women, whatever life brings. Cancer affects so many of us and we are proud to be using our scale to drive awareness, raise vital funds and support services for people affected by cancer.” 

FEM-Z fully supports Breast Cancer Awareness, not only in October but rather all year long. However, we also care about human rights, and the Irish company has faced several scandals that put back into question the integrity of the brand. 

For instance, one of Primark’s UK suppliers was found to be employing illegal workers and paying staff under the minimum wage in 2008, as well as child labour in India the same year. More recently, The Guardian revealed that the company’s supplier in Myanmar was locking in workers in the factory to avoid them to take part in protests.  

Source: Primark

This year’s Baptist Aid Ethical Fashion Report reported that only 10 per cent of big fashion brands assessed worldwide are producing their clothes ethically. Garment workers were found to be working up to 13 hours a day, and for an average salary of $85 a month. The report also found that 40 per cent of those companies still do not provide transparent information in regard to their suppliers for raw materials.
Primark has not been named among those brands, but given its past scandals, it would not be so surprising if it was part of the companies assessed in the report.
The Primark Breast Cancer collection is an initiative that will undoubtedly help many breast cancer victims. Like anyone else, women affected by the disease should be able to shop for lingerie in which they feel comfortable and beautiful.
However, it is important to keep in mind that behind the charitable action lies a profit-led company that seeks to expand its capital and restore its tarnished image.
That does not mean that no one should shop at Primark, or that anyone who shops at Primark is evil. Rather, shoppers should buy consciously and stay aware of the human rights and environmental costs that are involved in such cheap fashion articles.

Primark clothes are made in countries including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and China. Source: Euronews

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