Another major name is scaling back its presence on Britain's beleaguered high streets. Fashion chain River Island has confirmed it will shut down 32 of its shops this month, a move it attributes to shifting consumer habits and unsustainable operating costs.
The Financial Strain Behind the Decision
The decision forms a crucial part of a wider restructuring plan designed to rescue the brand after a punishing period. River Island reported a substantial pre-tax loss of £32.3 million alongside a steep 19% drop in sales. Chief Executive Ben Lewis stated that while the brand remains "much loved," it now possesses a significant number of outlets that are "no longer aligned to our customers’ needs."
Lewis pinpointed the dual challenges of the relentless rise of online shopping and persistently high operating costs as the primary pressures forcing the company's hand. River Island currently operates around 200 stores nationwide and employs more than 5,000 people. The company has assured that jobs are not immediately at risk and it is attempting to relocate affected staff where possible.
Public Reaction: Disappointment But Not Surprise
For many British shoppers, the announcement came as a bleak confirmation of an ongoing trend rather than a shock. The high street has witnessed a relentless wave of closures over recent years, with brands like Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, and Poundland also shutting shops in 2025.
Discussions on forums like Reddit, which began when reports of the retailer being at 'risk of collapse' emerged six months ago, revealed a sense of inevitability. One user commented on the perceived value, noting, "It's been overpriced for years so this is hardly surprising." Another compared it unfavourably to competitors: "H&M are a far better shop. River Island can’t compete with online or high street retail." Despite the criticism, some expressed sadness at the news and concern for employees' futures.
A Wider Retail Landscape in Turmoil
The River Island closures arrive amidst fresh turmoil in the sector. This month alone, both Claire's and The Original Factory Shop have fallen into administration, threatening approximately 2,500 jobs. The list of River Island stores scheduled for closure in January 2026 is extensive and spans the entire UK:
- 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
This sweeping closure plan underscores the profound and ongoing transformation of the UK's retail landscape, where adapting to digital demand and managing physical footprints is a constant battle for survival.
