River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have announced store closures for January 2026. The previous year witnessed 54 retailers going bankrupt, 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 showed a slight decrease of 0.1% in retail sales volumes.
River Island is set to shut down at least 27 stores this month as part of a significant restructuring effort that previously included the closure of 33 stores. Locations like Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees have already been closed in late 2025. Additionally, Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria are on the list of 33 stores facing closure, with dates yet to be confirmed.
Poundland is planning to close 12 stores in January following a High Court-approved restructuring. The discount retailer had already 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 significant building repair needs, marking its first closure in over a decade. 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. Despite the closure, over half of the affected employees will be relocated to nearby stores with support provided for those leaving the company.
Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, all part of Lloyds Banking Group, are closing a total of 34 branches this month, comprising 17 Lloyds branches, eight Halifax sites, and nine Bank of Scotland branches. The closures are attributed to the increasing trend of online banking usage, according to previous statements by Lloyds.