River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have confirmed store closures for January 2026. Last year, 54 retailers went out of business, leading to the closure of 3,080 stores and the loss of 30,153 jobs, as reported by the Centre for Retail Research. This trend coincides with a 0.1% decrease in retail sales volumes for November, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
River Island is set to shut down at least 27 stores this month as part of a restructuring plan that previously included the closure of 33 stores. Locations like Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees were already closed in late 2025, while branches in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria are awaiting closure dates confirmation.
Poundland is also in the process of closing 12 shops this month following a High Court-approved restructure. The discount retailer had shut down 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 the urgent need for building repairs. 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. She mentioned that over half of the affected employees will transition to nearby stores, with the company providing support to those leaving.
Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, all part of Lloyds Banking Group, will collectively close 34 branches this month, citing the increasing preference for online banking as the reason for these closures. The impacted branches include 17 Lloyds locations, eight Halifax sites, and nine Bank of Scotland branches.