Primark’s founder Arthur Ryan has died at the age of 83, the company confirmed today.
Ryan opened his first shop, Penneys, in Dublin more than 50 years ago after he was given the task of creating a discount clothing store by his boss.
Just over 10 years later he opened up in Britain, calling the shop Primark to avoid a legal battle with US brand JC Penney.
Primark went on to become a household name, bringing ‘cheap chic’ to the UK High Street with a total of 370 stores across 12 different countries.
Ryan, often described as a workaholic, was chief executive until 2009, stepping into the chairman’s seat where he remained until his death. He oversaw a huge expansion of the business, which took annual sales to £2billion a year.
Arthur Ryan, founder of Primark and pictured with his wife Alma Carroll Ryan, has died at 83
Mr Ryan is pictured with a retail award in 2010. He opened his first shop in Dublin in 1969
Ryan also helped cement Primark’s name on the UK high street by buying 120 former Littlewoods branches in 2005.
This year the chain’s biggest outlet opened in Birmingham to the delight of shoppers, boasting a cafe, restaurant and beauty salon.
Colleagues have praised him for his commitment to his work, never seeking fame or celebrity.
Ryan was an intensely private man and was barely known among City types, refusing to giving press interviews and residing in one of Dublin’s most secure houses.
He had a huge fear of kidnap after two colleagues were snatched by the IRA during the Troubles in the 1980s, keeping his diary secret and ‘taking no chances’.
Arthur Ryan lost his son Barry, 51, (pictured) in a tragic accident in West Cork in June 2015
Ryan’s son Barry, 51, dived in to the sea to save his son Barry Junior, 21, (left) and his girlfriend Niamh (right), but all three were later found dead
The retail tycoon suffered further heartbreak when his son, grandson and grandson’s girlfriend drowned at Baltimore Harbour, West Cork in June 2015.
His son Barry, 51, dived in to the water to save his son Barry Junior, 21, and his girlfriend Niamh, but all three were later found dead.
Ryan was born in Dublin but moved to London as a young man to begin his retail career as a tie buyer at Swan & Edgar. He also worked for London fashion wholesaler Carr & McDonald.
When he returned to Dublin he worked at a Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt.
In 1969, he opened his first Penneys store in the Irish capital’s Mary Street, which still stands to this day, after he was hired by the Weston family to set up a discount clothing retail business.
In 1974, he brought Penneys to London, where it was renamed Primark to avoid legal problems with US chain JC Penney.
Mr Ryan and his wife Alma Carroll are pictured together as his Primark empire grew
Queues are pictured outside Penney’s discount store in Dublin, after the first one opened in the Irish capital in 1969
Penneys is pictured in the same location in Dublin today. The company trades under the name Primark outside Ireland after a legal threat from US firm JC Penney
Arthur Ryan (pictured with his wife Alma Carroll Ryan as he was given an honorary doctorate at Dublin Institute of Technology in 2011, left and with daughter Jessica, right) has died age 83
Mr Ryan was intensely private man, never giving interviews. He is pictured here in an Instagram picture posted by his wife Alma
In 2009, Ryan gave up his day-to-day control of the firm as chief executive and became chairman of the company instead.
His son Barry Ryan was a senior executive at Penneys and worked in Dublin before his death in 2015.
Ryan’s strong work ethic was praised by colleagues and employees after news of his death today.
George Weston, chief executive of Primark’s parent company, Associated British Foods, said: ‘Arthur Ryan will be remembered as one of the great giants of retailing.
‘When my grandfather, Garfield Weston, and uncle, Galen Weston, recruited Arthur to run Penneys in 1969 with only one store in Dublin, they knew they were hiring an exceptional trader.
‘But what three generations of Westons learned over the following decades was that Arthur was also a great leader and business builder, driven every day by a relentless desire to delight his customers.
Mr Ryan is pictured at the Dublin Institute for Technology in 2012
‘Arthur Ryan made fashion accessible to all and his legacy looms large. He built a phenomenal world-class retailer, the foundations of which will always belong to Ireland.’
Paul Marchant, chief executive of Primark, said: ‘He challenged us all to be the best we can be.
‘His drive and passion was always shown alongside great humility, integrity and support for our people. All of these characteristics remain guiding principles at Primark today.’
He added: ‘Throughout his entire career, Arthur remained deeply connected to the business and the customer, regularly visiting stores and walking the shop floor.
‘His legacy will continue in the business that he founded and built.
‘Those of us who worked closely with him will cherish his friendship and wisdom and he will be hugely missed by all of his Primark family.’
Pictured: Primark’s biggest store in Birmingham city centre