River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have revealed plans for store closures in January 2026.
The Centre for Retail Research reported that last year, 54 retailers went bankrupt, leading to the closure of 3,080 stores and affecting 30,153 employees.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated a 0.1% decline in retail sales volumes in November.
River Island is set to shut down at least 27 stores this month as part of a restructuring effort, with locations like Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees already closed in late 2025. Additional closures in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria are pending confirmation.
Poundland is planning to close 12 shops this month following a High Court-approved restructure. The retailer had closed 57 stores by the end of September after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1.
Primark closed its Dartford store on January 3 due to extensive building repairs, 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 necessary due to the building’s condition and the proximity to other Primark stores.
Lloyds Banking Group, including Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, will close a total of 34 branches this month, attributing the closures to the increasing trend of online banking.
The closures from Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland are in response to the growing preference for online banking services.
The closures from Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland are in response to the growing preference for online banking services.
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