Arthur Ryan, the chairman and founder of Primark, the low-cost fashion chain that began as a single store in Dublin and grew into an international retailing giant, died on July 8 at his home in Ballsbridge, Ireland. He was 83.

The company announced his death on its website.

Mr. Ryan was working as a buyer for Dunnes Stores , an Irish retail chain, when he was recruited in 1969 to establish Penneys, a clothing store in Dublin.

By keeping overhead costs low and prices affordable, Penneys expanded to Derby, England, in 1973. The name was changed to Primark because J.C. Penney owned the copyright to the name outside of Ireland. Primark stores in Ireland are still known as Penneys.

Primark now employs more than 75,000 people in 372 stores across 11 countries, including Spain, Italy and the United States. It does not have an online store, but its profits have grown even as rival stores have struggled.