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River Island to Shut 32 UK Stores in January 2026 as Part of Restructuring

The fashion chain is pursuing a restructuring to stabilise the business after reporting a £32.3m pre-tax loss.

Overview

  • The closures cover sites across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Edinburgh Princes Street, Leeds Birstall Park, Oxford and Brighton.
  • The retailer runs more than 200 stores and employs over 5,000 people, leaving many store roles at risk in affected locations.
  • Outlets published the full list of 32 stores scheduled to close in January, with specific redundancy numbers and timing not detailed.
  • The move comes during a year of notable high-street retrenchment, with other major chains also reducing their physical footprints.
  • According to the Mirror, the restructuring plan also includes rent reductions at 71 shops under proposals approved by the High Court earlier in 2025.