River Island has officially announced the imminent closure of 27 of its stores this month. The fashion retailer, facing financial challenges, had previously disclosed plans to shut down 33 stores following approval from the High Court for a major restructuring.
Among the initial list of 33 stores, River Island has already closed branches in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees towards the end of 2025. The retailer has now revealed that 27 more stores will close later in January, including branches in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria, with specific closure dates pending confirmation.
As part of its restructuring efforts, River Island is also reducing rents at an additional 71 stores. Prior to the court’s consideration of its rescue plan in August this year, the clothing chain operated 223 stores across the UK and Ireland.
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, Matthew Weaver KC, highlighted the ongoing financial challenges faced by the company, attributing them to reduced footfall and sales amid intense competition and the shift towards online shopping.
River Island’s CEO, Ben Lewis, acknowledged the shift in consumer behavior towards online shopping and the escalating costs of operating physical stores. He emphasized the importance of the company’s restructuring strategy to ensure long-term profitability, noting positive outcomes from recent fashion and in-store experience enhancements. Lewis expressed regret over potential job losses resulting from store closures, pledging efforts to minimize the impact on employees.