River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have announced store closures for January 2026.
In the past year, 54 retailers went bankrupt, resulting in the closure of 3,080 stores and the loss of 30,153 jobs, according to the Centre for Retail Research.
This news comes as the latest retail data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a slight 0.1% decrease in retail sales volumes in November.
River Island is set to shut down at least 27 stores this month as part of a restructuring plan. The struggling fashion brand had previously stated its intention to close 33 stores, with locations like Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees already closed in late 2025.
Meanwhile, Poundland is planning to close 12 stores in January as part of an approved restructuring strategy. The discount retailer had closed 57 stores by the end of September following its acquisition by investment firm Gordon Brothers for a nominal fee.
Primark recently closed its Dartford store on January 3 due to significant building repair needs, marking its first closure in over a decade. Philippa Nibbs, Primark’s director of sales for UK South and South East, explained that the decision was influenced by the extensive repairs required and the proximity of other Primark stores.
Additionally, Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, all part of Lloyds Banking Group, will be closing a total of 34 bank branches this month, including 17 Lloyds branches, eight Halifax sites, and nine Bank of Scotland branches. The closures are attributed to the increasing trend of online banking usage, according to Lloyds.
This month’s high street closures reflect the ongoing challenges faced by retailers in the current economic climate.
