River Island has officially announced the scheduled closing dates for 27 of its stores within this month. The struggling fashion retailer had previously declared its intention to shut down 33 stores as part of a significant restructuring plan that was approved by the High Court.
Among the original list of 33 stores earmarked for closure were branches in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees, which ceased operations in the final months of 2025. River Island has now disclosed the closure dates for an additional 27 stores, all of which are set to shut down in late January. The retailer will also be closing stores in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria, although the specific closure dates for these locations are pending confirmation.
As part of its restructuring efforts, River Island is also reducing rents at 71 other stores. Prior to the court approval 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. Matthew Weaver KC, representing River Island, highlighted the challenges faced by the company in reversing its financial struggles, attributing them to reduced footfall and sales pressure from a competitive retail landscape and the shift towards online shopping.
Ben Lewis, the chief executive of River Island, acknowledged the shift in consumer behavior towards online shopping and the rising costs of operating traditional stores. He emphasized the company’s commitment to transforming its business model to align with customer needs and ensure long-term profitability. River Island aims to minimize job losses resulting from store closures while advancing its strategy to secure a sustainable future in the retail industry.
