Dive Brief:

• Ireland’s Penneys — known outside the country as Primark because of J.C. Penney’s trademark rights — will open in the U.S. in downtown Boston’s historic former Filene’s location next year.

• More stores will open after that launch in locations from Washington DC to Maine. The first store’s site in Boston is seen as a natural fit because of the city’s large Irish population, which will be familiar with the retailer.

• The retailer started out in Dublin as Penneys in 1969 but has expanded greatly as Primark throughout Europe in the last 10 years.

Dive Insight:

Owner Associated British Foods, like Tesco, is hoping that the United States holds fertile ground for the expansion of its clothing stores. The apparel side of retail is quite competitive, and we’ll see how Tesco’s F&F and AB Foods’ Primark will do in the crowded field.