River Island, a prominent British fashion retailer, has announced that it will close 32 stores across the UK in January 2026. This move comes as part of a restructuring plan aimed at reviving the brand after a significant loss in revenue. The company has faced ongoing challenges related to the rise of online shopping and increasing operational costs, factors that have put immense pressure on its traditional retail model.
River Island’s Financial Struggles and Store Closures
According to a report from Express, River Island’s decision to shut down 32 of its locations follows a £32.3 million pre-tax loss and a 19% decline in sales. The company acknowledged that its large portfolio of stores was no longer aligning with customer needs. As consumer shopping habits have increasingly shifted online, physical retail stores have struggled to maintain profitability. The closures are part of a broader trend affecting retailers in the UK, particularly those that are slower to adapt to e-commerce.
River Island has been a fixture of British high streets for decades, with over 200 stores in operation. However, despite its iconic status, the retailer has not been immune to the pressures of modern retailing. The company’s CEO, Ben Lewis, explained that the restructuring was necessary to preserve the brand’s future and improve operational efficiency. While the closures will lead to job losses, the company is making efforts to relocate affected employees where possible.
Impact on River Island Employees and Customers
As River Island operates a large number of stores, the impact of the closures will be felt by both staff and customers. With over 5,000 employees across the UK, the closures put many jobs at risk, especially in smaller towns where River Island stores are an integral part of the local retail landscape. Although the company is exploring options to relocate staff, not everyone will be able to continue with the company.
For consumers, these closures mean fewer physical stores to shop in, especially in areas where River Island had a strong presence. While the brand has a loyal customer base, the closures reflect a larger shift in consumer shopping habits, with more people choosing to shop online rather than visit physical stores. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years as e-commerce grows, prompting more retailers to reconsider their physical retail strategies.
The Affected Locations
The following River Island stores will close in January 2026:
- Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
- Bangor Bloomfield, Northern Ireland
- Barnstaple, Devon
- Beckton, Greater London
- Brighton, East Sussex
- Burton-Upon-Trent, Derbyshire
- Cumbernauld, Scotland
- Didcot, Oxfordshire
- Edinburgh Princes Street, Scotland
- Falkirk, Scotland
- Gloucester, Gloucestershire
- Great Yarmouth
- Grimsby, Lincolnshire
- Hanley, Staffordshire
- Hartlepool, County Durham
- Hereford, Herefordshire
- Kilmarnock, Scotland
- Kirkcaldy, Scotland
- Leeds Birstall Park, West Yorkshire
- Lisburn, Northern Ireland
- Northwich, Cheshire
- Norwich, Norfolk
- Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Perth, Scotland
- Poole, Dorset
- Rochdale, Greater Manchester
- St Helens, Merseyside
- Surrey Quays, Greater London
- Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire
- Taunton, Somerset
- Workington, Cumbria
- Wrexham, Wales
Broader Trends in UK Retail
The closures at River Island are not isolated events but part of a larger trend in UK retail. The shift to online shopping has been a significant factor in the decline of high street retailers, many of whom have been forced to close stores as a result. In 2024, a record 12,804 shops closed across the UK, and experts predict that this trend will continue into 2026. As businesses like River Island face increased competition from e-commerce giants, they must adapt to changing consumer preferences or risk further declines in sales.
