River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have announced store closures for January 2026. Last year, 54 retailers went bankrupt, leading to the closure of 3,080 stores and affecting 30,153 employees, as reported by the Centre for Retail Research. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a 0.1% decline in retail sales volumes in November.
River Island is scheduled to shut down at least 27 stores this month as part of a significant restructuring effort. Locations such as Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees were already closed in late 2025. Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria are also on the list, with closure dates pending confirmation.
Poundland is planning to close 12 shops in January following a High Court-approved restructuring process. The discount retailer previously closed 57 stores by the end of September after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1.
In a rare move, Primark closed its Dartford store on January 3 due to extensive building repair needs. Philippa Nibbs, Primark’s director of sales for UK South and South East, explained that the decision was influenced by the building’s repair requirements, making it unsustainable given the proximity to other Primark stores. Lloyds Banking Group, comprising Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, will also close 34 branches this month, citing the increasing trend of online banking as a reason for the closures.