River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have revealed plans to close some of their stores in January 2026.
In the previous year, 54 retailers faced insolvency, leading to the closure of 3,080 stores and the loss of 30,153 jobs, as reported by the Centre for Retail Research.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data for November indicated a slight decrease of 0.1% in retail sales volumes.
River Island is set to shut down at least 27 stores this month, following an earlier announcement to close 33 stores as part of a significant restructuring effort. Some of the stores that have already closed include those in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees. However, closure dates for the Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria branches are yet to be confirmed.
Poundland is also undergoing a restructuring process and will close 12 shops this month, approved by the High Court. The discount retailer had closed 57 stores by the end of September after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1.
Primark recently closed its Dartford store due to the building needing substantial repairs. This closure marked the first in over a decade for the fashion chain. Philippa Nibbs, Primark’s director of sales for UK South and South East, explained that the decision was influenced by the extensive repair work required and the proximity to other Primark stores. Over half of the affected employees will transition to roles in nearby stores, with support provided to those leaving the company.
Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, will be closing 34 bank branches this month, comprising 17 Lloyds branches, eight Halifax locations, and nine Bank of Scotland branches. The closures are attributed to the increasing trend of online banking usage, as per Lloyds statements.
The ongoing closures highlight the evolving landscape of retail and banking sectors, reflecting changing consumer behaviors and economic challenges.
