Manchester clothing brand accuses Primark of copying its design – insisting it’s ‘a step too far’

A Manchester brand has hit out at Primark after spotting similarities between its logo and a kids’ hoody from the store.

Taking to Instagram earlier this month, clothing company Hikerdelic shared a clip titled ‘Primark can’t get their own ideas again’, which showed a garment from the UK retailer featuring a similar illustration to the one used by the smaller firm. 

‘We’ve been sitting on this for a while,’ read the caption, before adding: ‘At the end of the day it’s a business that makes hundreds of millions a year in clear profit. They don’t need to step on toes.’

‘A legal fight would be a distraction and far too costly for a small business like ours so instead we’ve decided to share this on here,’ it continued. 

A Manchester brand (pictured left) has hit out at Primark after spotting similarities between its logo and a kids’ hoody from the store. Pictured right, Primark’s hoody with Hikerdelic’s design on some paper underneath

The Hikerdelic illustration, by Manchester-based Daren Newman, features a grass-covered hill underneath a pink and orange sunshine. It also features the words Hikerdelic inside the hill, in a curved font, similar to the one used by Primark. 

Meanwhile, the Primark kids’ hoody boasts a circular design, with the words ‘Explore Nature’ placed under trees, mountains and a colourful sunset.

Hikerdelic, which was founded by Proper Magazine’s Mark Smith and Neil Summers back in 2012, said in its Instagram post: ‘We’ve been sitting on this for a while.

‘From time to time we find stuff out there similar to ours, but usually it’s just a case of people being influenced by similar things. It’s hard to be 100% original.

Reaction: Social media users were quick to comment, with one writing: ‘At least try and change it a bit Primark.’

‘This though, from a corporate behemoth we’re all familiar with is a step too far, in our opinion. We’d be tempted to turn the other cheek and get on with doing our thing normally. 

‘Sometimes though, when someone kicks sand in your face you’ve got to let them know it’s not really on. At the end of the day it’s a business that makes hundreds of millions a year in clear profit. They don’t need to step on toes.

‘A legal fight would be a distraction and far too costly for a small business like ours so instead we’ve decided to share this on here. This was the first logo we worked with @daren_newman on, and although we’ve got plenty more in our armoury, it’s the one that we began with. 

‘It’s not just us who are affected but talented independent illustrators too. Would be terrible if it got widely shared wouldn’t it?’

Social media users were quick to comment, with one writing: ‘At least try and change it a bit Primark.’

Another said: ‘Floored with how low this is. So lazy! How did this get signed off. Is it not worth the fight? Gotta choose your battles but man. David And Goliath.’

A third outraged individual added: ‘No way that’s actually crazy!? This makes me very angry.’

A Primark spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We were concerned to learn of an issue regarding the design of a kids’ hoodie we sold last year. We are investigating this and are in touch with the brand.’