River Island has officially announced the closure dates for 27 of its stores scheduled to shut down within this month. The fashion retailer, facing challenges, had previously declared its intention to close 33 stores as part of a significant restructuring plan approved by the High Court.
Among the initial list of 33 stores, branches in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees ceased operations in the latter part of 2025. River Island has now disclosed the closing dates for the additional 27 stores, all set to conclude by late January. Meanwhile, closures of stores in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria are pending confirmation of specific dates.
As part of its restructuring efforts, River Island is also reducing rents at 71 other stores. The retail chain, which had 223 stores in the UK and Ireland at the time of its court-approved rescue plan in August, is adapting to market challenges.
The company reported a pre-tax loss of £32.3 million last year, with turnover declining by 15% to £578.1 million. River Island’s legal representative highlighted the financial struggles, attributing them to reduced footfall and sales pressure caused by intense competition and the shift from physical stores to online shopping trends.
CEO Ben Lewis acknowledged the evolving retail landscape, emphasizing the need for aligning store presence with changing consumer preferences while addressing the escalating cost of operations. River Island aims to secure its future profitability through strategic transformation efforts, including enhancing fashion offerings and the in-store shopping experience.
Despite the regrettable job losses resulting from store closures, River Island is committed to minimizing the impact on its workforce as it navigates the evolving retail environment.