Panorama exposes Primark: Will it make a difference?

Recently, Primark the fast fashion outlet of the decade has come across serious scrutiny thanks to shows such as the BBC’s Panorama and Channel 4′s ‘The Devil wears Primark’.

Although The Devil wears Primark was the first to explore the really, really, cheap prices that Primark has to offer, the show came up short. However, the Panorama team managed to expose three locations being used by the retailer in which children were being mistreated and workers were being forced to work in terrible conditions. Following the investigation Primark has since cut ties with all three suppliers.

Currently, activists and journalists are on a serious mission to name and shame all of the sweat shops and Primark is not the only fashion retailer to have been outed; Gap, Nike, Otto ,Heine and Esprit have also employed children in the past. However despite Primark’s activities it seems that shoppers will still be going in thick and fast to get their bargains, so I have to ask:

1. Is this what the public really wants?

2. With the economy in trouble and the fashion industry as creative as ever, is there a balance between being fair and looking fabulous?

We’ll see. In the meantime, Pennies, I mean Primark is a force to be reckoned with!