River Island has officially announced the specific closure dates for 27 of its stores scheduled to shut down this month.
The fashion retailer, facing challenges, had previously declared the closure of 33 stores following the approval of its restructuring plans by the High Court. Among the initial list of 33 stores were locations in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees, which closed in late 2025.
River Island has now disclosed the closure dates for an additional 27 stores, all set to cease operations in late January. The retailer will also be closing stores in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria, with closure dates for these branches pending confirmation.
As part of its restructuring efforts, River Island is also reducing rents at another 71 shops. Prior to the court’s approval of its rescue plan in August, the clothing chain operated 223 stores across the UK and Ireland.
The company recorded 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 company’s ongoing financial challenges, attributing them to reduced footfall and sales amid a competitive retail landscape and the shift towards online shopping.
Ben Lewis, the CEO of River Island, emphasized the necessity of adapting to the changing retail environment, acknowledging the impact of rising operational costs. He expressed confidence in the business’s strategy to ensure long-term sustainability, emphasizing improvements in both fashion offerings and the in-store shopping experience.
Despite the closure of stores and potential job losses, River Island aims to minimize the impact on its workforce as it focuses on securing a profitable future through its restructuring plan.