River Island has officially announced the closure dates for 27 of its stores scheduled to shut down this month. This decision follows the retailer’s earlier plan to close a total of 33 stores as part of a significant restructuring effort approved by the High Court.
Among the initial list of 33 stores slated 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 the additional 27 stores, all set to cease operations in late January. The retailer will also be closing stores in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria, although the closure dates for these locations are yet to be confirmed.
As part of its restructuring strategy, River Island is also reducing rents at 71 other shops. At the time of the court hearing 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 a 15% decrease in turnover to £578.1 million. River Island’s legal representative, Matthew Weaver KC, highlighted the company’s ongoing financial challenges, attributing them to declining foot traffic and sales in the face of intense retail competition and the growing trend towards online shopping.
CEO Ben Lewis acknowledged the shift in consumer behavior from physical stores to online platforms, leading to an outdated store portfolio that no longer meets customer demands. He emphasized the need for a restructuring plan to ensure the long-term profitability and sustainability of River Island. While expressing regret over potential job losses resulting from store closures, the company aims to minimize the impact on its workforce.