River Island’s Aberdeen branch will remain open as the high street fashion retailer shuts 33 stores across the UK under a High Court-approved rescue plan.
While five Scottish outlets – including prominent locations in Edinburgh, Cumbernauld, Falkirk, Kirkcaldy, and Perth – will close in January 2026, the Granite City store has escaped the cull.
The chain, a longstanding fixture of Britain’s retail landscape, has struggled with the rapid shift to online shopping, rising operating costs, and multi-million pound losses in recent years.
According to filings, River Island reported a £33.2 million loss in 2023, with sales falling by 19%.
In an attempt to avoid insolvency, the company’s restructuring plan will also see the retailer seek rent reductions at a further 71 locations and shed around 110 jobs at its head office, a move projected to save approximately £8.1 million.
Chief executive Ben Lewis stated: “This plan will enable us to align our store estate to our customers’ needs.”
The crisis in the sector has been compounded by rising staff costs following increases in national insurance contributions and the living wage, making trading conditions ever more challenging for high street brands.
Despite the closures, River Island says it will consult with staff in the impacted locations and aims to limit redundancies where possible.
River Island, which currently runs around 230 stores and employs about 5,500 people, intends to focus on improved efficiency and adapting to ongoing changes in consumer behaviour following this major restructuring.
