Primark to take cheap clothes to chic France The UK chain famed for its cut-price clothing has signed a deal to begin its French expansion in the Grand Littoral mall in the city of Marseilles, in December. A second store will then follow in the provincial town of Dijon. Primark is also eyeing the outskirts or banlieues of Paris. Most had expected Primark to begin in the French capital. Primark's push - in a country famed for its high-end fashion brands such as Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton - is its biggest test since it started opening stores on the Continent in Spain six years ago. John Bason, finance chief of Primark's parent Associated British Foods, said: "France is well known for its high-end labels but there's a mainstream as well. We know the French like Primark from the credit card receipts in our Oxford Street store and from the business we do at our German store in Saarbrucken, which is close to the border. We will bring the fashions the French want, at the lowest prices and in a great store environment.