River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have revealed plans to close stores in January 2026. The Centre for Retail Research reported that 54 retailers went bankrupt in the previous year, leading to the closure of 3,080 stores and impacting 30,153 employees. Retail sales volumes experienced a slight decline of 0.1% in November, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
River Island is set to shut down around 27 stores this month as part of its restructuring efforts. Notable closures in 2025 included branches in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees. Additional closures are expected in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria, with specific dates yet to be confirmed.
Poundland is also in the process of closing 12 stores in January following a High Court-approved restructure. The discount retailer had closed 57 stores by September last year after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers for a nominal fee.
Primark recently closed its Dartford store on January 3 due to significant building repair needs. Philippa Nibbs, Primark’s director of sales for the UK South and South East, explained that the decision was based on the impracticality of extensive repairs, particularly with two nearby Primark locations. She mentioned that over half of the affected employees will transition to roles in nearby stores, with support provided for those leaving the company.
In the banking sector, Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, all part of Lloyds Banking Group, are closing a total of 34 branches this month. This includes 17 Lloyds branches, eight Halifax sites, and nine Bank of Scotland branches, with the closures attributed to the increasing trend of online banking.
The ongoing closures reflect the changing landscape of retail and banking, with companies adapting to evolving consumer preferences and market dynamics.