River Island will close its Swansea store next month, with an official closure date confirmed for Saturday, September 12. The shop on Oxford Street has been a longstanding presence in the city centre.
Signs have appeared in the windows confirming the closure, with a message thanking customers for their support. It reads: "Thanks for shopping with us - we've had a blast!"
Latest setback for Swansea city centre
The closure is the latest setback for Swansea city centre and comes just months after Marks & Spencer shut its doors following more than a century of trading in the city. The loss of M&S left many locals disappointed, with one shopper previously telling WalesOnline: "I don't know why or where these big shops go... British Home Stores, Next. It's terrible. There will be nothing here before long – other than the market."
The city has also seen the loss of other major brands like The Body Shop and Zara, however, both units have since been filled by the likes of premium home and body cosmetics brand, Rituals and Scandinavian lifestyle brand Søstrene Grene.
Restructuring of River Island stores
The Swansea closure comes as River Island continues with a major restructuring of its store estate. Earlier this year, the fashion retailer announced plans to close 27 branches as part of efforts to secure the future of the business. In Wales, its Wrexham shop closed on January 18, while its Llandudno Retail Park branch also subsequently ceased trading.
At the time, River Island chief executive Ben Lewis said the retailer had been affected by the long-term shift in shopping habits, with more customers choosing to shop online rather than on the high street. He stated: "River Island is a much-loved retailer with a decades-long history on the British high street. However, the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs. The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden. We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability. Recent improvements in our fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing very positive results, but it is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island's future as a profitable retail business."
WalesOnline has contacted River Island for comment.
