I’m a Primark superfan – I go four times a week, spend up to £300 a month and queue at 4am to bag best bargains

WE all like to bag a bargain, but Primark superfan Chantelle Mcsharry is an absolute pro when it comes to getting her hands on the store’s must-have items.

The 28-year-old has exclusively shopped for clothes at Primark since she was a teen, and now goes four times a week, once even getting up at 4am to queue for the store’s post-pandemic reopening.

Chantelle is a self-confessed Primark superfan, and buys all her clothes and makeup from the high-street storeChantelle Mcsharry

She also runs her own Primark-haul Facebook fan page, and knows the best days to go for a sneak peek at new products – so it’s fair to say what she doesn’t know about the high-street shop isn’t worth knowing.

Here she shares her tips, and explains why she loves the bargain brand so much…

Bagging a bargain

Contracts Manager Chantelle, from Falkirk, has been visiting Primark up to four times a week since she was a teen, and now has a weekly routine she tends to follow.

She says: “I usually go for a good hour and half with my best friend, just to walk round.

“The the second time I go, that’s when I stop and start picking [things up], topping it off with one more circle around the shop – just incase I’ve missed something.”

According to Chantelle, there are also particular days that tend to be more fruitful, too.

Chantelle reveals: “The best days I feel are always a Thursday night as the stock gets put out, ready for going into the weekend.

“Some Primarks also get a delivery on a Wednesday so you know the next day new stuff will be going out and I have fomo (fear of missing out).”

GettyThe 28-year-old knows the best days to visit, and has travelled around the country visiting different Primark stores[/caption]

‘I got up at 4am to queue’

While Chantelle’s routine visits usually tend to suffice in order to bag the best bargains, sometimes she has had to resort to drastic measures to ensure she doesn’t miss out.

She queued to get her hands on the seamless gym sets last year, which were super popular, and was among the first there when the store reopened after lockdown.

She says: “Primark was due to open again last year after being shut due to lockdown, and me and my best friend got up at 4am to queue for it opening at 7am to get our hands on must-haves. 

“I love that Primark has started to become more like an all-in-one store.

“They already have a cafe, holiday shop, clothes, homeware, a makeup section and hair and face products, which are just amazing and fraction of the price from other retailers.

“They do just the job and if not better in my opinion, and people will probably agree with me.”

While Chantelle tends to go to her local Primark, she’s also ventured around the country too – and if you’re in Scotland you’re in luck.

She says: “In Scotland alone I have been to 11 – Glasgow Braehead, Glasgow Argyle, Aberdeen, Stirling, Livingston, Forge Market Parkhead, Irvine, Motherwell, Greenock, Hamilton and Edinburgh.

“Glasgow Argyle and Braehead were the best!” 

Chantelle runs her own Primark haul fan page on Facebook, which has over 1,000 fansChantelle Mcsharry

Superfan stardom

Chantelle has over 44k Instagram followers, and has also set up her own Facebook group dedicated to Primark.

She says: “I set up my Primark group a couple of months ago, and it was [initially] just for friends and family.

“Then more and more people started joining weekly, and now it’s just hit 1,000 members.

“I post videos of how to use certain beauty products, Primark hauls and also pictures of me wearing the items and tips on how to style certain clothes.”

‘I always pick something up every time’

While all the items are budget friendly, Chantelle still spends hundreds every month keeping up to date with the current trends.

She admits: “I have spent nearly £300 this month recently, and I am not far off always being in the hundreds. I always seem to pick something up every time, I can’t help myself!”

It’s all worth it, with Chantelle saying: “Anytime I am out, whether that be a night out or just in general, I do get people asking where I got my outfit.

“Some can’t believe it, but I honestly love Primark and feel you do get your money’s worth.

“Primark has come along way and I think it’s amazing how they don’t sell their clothes online and people need to actually go and shop.

“Personally I like to see visually what it looks and feels like and it’s any excuse to go out and head to Primark!”

Chantelle’s Primark outfits always receive complimentsChantelle Mcsharry