River Island has officially announced the specific dates for the closure of 27 of its stores this month. The fashion retailer, facing financial challenges, had previously declared plans to shut down 33 stores following the approval of a significant restructuring initiative by the High Court.
Among the initial list of 33 stores marked for closure were branches in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees, which ceased operations in late 2025. River Island has now disclosed the closure dates for an additional 27 stores, with all closures scheduled for late January. While stores in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria, are also set to close, the closure dates for these locations remain pending confirmation.
As part of its restructuring efforts, River Island is reducing rents at 71 other shops. The clothing chain, which had 223 stores in the UK and Ireland at the time of its court-approved rescue plan in August, is adapting to challenges in the retail landscape.
The company reported a pre-tax loss of £32.3 million last year, with turnover declining by 15% to £578.1 million. River Island attributed these financial struggles to a decrease in foot traffic and sales, influenced by intense competition in the retail sector and the shift towards online shopping.
Ben Lewis, River Island’s CEO, acknowledged the shift in consumer behavior, noting that the business had accumulated a surplus of stores that no longer aligned with customer preferences. He emphasized the need for a strategic transformation to ensure the long-term success of the company, highlighting recent improvements in product offerings and the in-store experience.
Despite the regrettable impact on employment due to store closures, River Island aims to minimize job losses as it navigates a restructuring plan to secure its future as a profitable retail entity.
