Primark cuts costs & emissions with virtual store mapping

A 3D mapping company from the UK has completed a project to create virtual scans of over 350 Primark stores throughout the UK and Europe to support a major LED lighting upgrade programme.

The project, undertaken by Apollo3D in collaboration with the retailer, is intended to deliver operational and financial efficiencies by reducing the frequency of on-site store visits and enabling more rapid project deployment across multiple markets.

Digital twins

As part of Primark's efforts to convert its store lighting to more energy-efficient LED systems, Apollo3D was tasked with producing "digital twins" - detailed interactive 3D tours - of each store in the company's UK and European estate. These scans allow contractors and project teams to view and assess store layouts and infrastructure remotely, eliminating much of the need for in-person site surveys and follow-up visits.

The initiative began with a pilot scan at the Leeds City Centre Primark in late 2021. After demonstrating the potential for such interactive digital information to assist with coordination between internal teams and external suppliers, the project was quickly expanded to eight further stores across the UK. A wider UK rollout followed, eventually extending the process to the full UK portfolio of 197 stores before being expanded further to cover stores in other European countries. By the conclusion of the project, over 350 stores had been scanned and mapped using Apollo3D's technology.

Efficiency gains

According to project participants, the use of comprehensive virtual mapping brought significant benefits in terms of efficiency. Survey time per store was reportedly reduced by more than 80%, which contributed to a shorter overall project timeline and allowed redeployment of staff and resources to other tasks. The scans enabled swift decision-making, improved communication between teams, and provided stakeholders with remote access to site data regardless of their location.

This project really demonstrates the power of virtual mapping in large-scale infrastructure delivery. We've worked closely with Primark to refine the process, speed up site capture and deliver exactly the information needed. The result is a smarter, greener and more cost-effective way to manage upgrades across hundreds of sites.

Mark Shepherd, Managing Director and founder of Apollo3D, detailed how the project enabled new approaches to large-scale retail infrastructure upgrades and highlighted the advantages for cost and environmental impact.

Operational impact

The digital twin scans have continued to be useful beyond the LED lighting initiative. Primark has since made use of the data sets to manage the installation of Click & Collect desks, self-service checkouts, and for layout changes in beauty and home departments. The store mapping now serves as a tool for ongoing operational planning, future refurbishments and long-term facilities management.

Partnering with Apollo3D has transformed the way we approach major infrastructure programmes. Having instant access to virtual models of the stores gave us the insight we needed to plan with confidence and move at pace. It significantly reduced the need for travel and physical surveys, creating a more environmentally sound approach to our work while helping us cut costs and improve coordination.

Scott Succoia, Senior Project Manager at Primark, commented on the operational shift enabled by the partnership, citing improvements in planning, coordination and reduction in travel needs for project teams.

The collaboration is viewed by both parties as a model for retail and other sectors looking to manage large physical footprints while driving down operational costs and environmental impacts through the use of digital technologies.

Our exciting work with Primark highlights how immersive digital technology is redefining the retail landscape, turning logistical challenges into scalable, data-driven solutions. As businesses across all sectors look to modernise their infrastructure while cutting costs and emissions, this partnership is a blueprint for how innovation can deliver meaningful, measurable impact at scale.

With headquarters in Otley, West Yorkshire, Apollo3D has worked with a variety of clients in sectors such as retail, healthcare, hospitality and facilities management.