River Island Sets January Closure Dates for 27 Stores as Restructuring Advances

Overview

• River Island has published a closure schedule for 27 branches this month, with waves on January 18, January 24, and January 31.
• The January 18 group includes Aylesbury, Burton upon Trent, Leeds Birstall Park, Lisburn, Perth, Surrey Quays, Sutton Coldfield, Taunton, and Wrexham.
• The January 31 wave includes Barnstaple, Beckton, Didcot, Falkirk, Gloucester, Grimsby, Hereford, Kirkcaldy, Oxford, Poole, and Rochdale.
• Norwich and Workington still await confirmed dates, while Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees shut in late 2025.
• The overhaul has put more than 1,000 roles at risk; the retailer reported a £32.3m pre-tax loss and a 15% turnover fall and is negotiating reduced rents at roughly 71 sites.