Primark has announced it will invest more than €50m (£43.3m) into its Italian business and open five new stores as part of its international expansion push.

Italy Milan Via Torino Primark (Inside)

Primark’s new Italian retail stores will feature LED lighting and self-service checkouts for the first time

The five new stores will open in Turin, Livorno, Cosenza, Salerno and Genoa, creating 600 new roles and bringing Primark’s store estate total in Italy to 20.

Primark said the investment is part of wider “ambitious growth plans” to expand in both existing and new markets as the fashion giant aims to reach its target of 530 stores by 2026.

The retailer opened its first store in Italy eight years ago and has since become a “firm favourite with customers across Italy.”

Self-service debut

The new Primark stores will be designed to “reflect the needs of local customers and communities.” They will include Italian styling and architecture, and will be the first of its Italian outlets to house self-service checkouts.

The fashion retailer added that all new stores will have LED lighting as part of its ambition to halve its carbon footprint across the business by 2030.

Primark Italy director Luca Ciuffreda said: “Over the past eight years, Primark has seen significant growth across Italy. Already we have 15 stores across 10 provinces, with no intention of slowing down.

“Today we are proud to announce an ambitious investment in our store portfolio and long-term growth of Primark Italy. This exciting expansion plan will create employment and positively impact the local communities where we are opening.

“Where we have stores already, we know our Italian customers love our offering of the best value fashion, beauty and homeware coupled with an amazing in-store experience. We look forward to bringing Primark to more customers in more cities across Italy in the coming years.”