River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have confirmed store closures in January 2026. The Centre for Retail Research reported that 54 retailers went bankrupt last year, leading to the closure of 3,080 stores and the loss of 30,153 jobs. Retail sales volumes declined by 0.1% in November, according to the Office for National Statistics.
River Island is set to shut down at least 27 stores this month as part of a restructuring plan that initially aimed to close 33 stores. Locations like Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees have already closed in late 2025. Meanwhile, Primark closed its Dartford store on January 3 due to significant building repair needs, marking its first closure in over a decade.
Poundland will close 12 shops this month following a High Court-approved restructuring. The discount retailer had already shut down 57 stores by September last year after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1. Lloyds Banking Group is also set to close 34 bank branches in January, including branches from Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, attributing the closures to the increasing popularity of online banking.
Primark’s director of sales for UK South and South East, Philippa Nibbs, explained that the closure decision for the Dartford store was due to extensive building repairs, with a focus on relocating affected employees to nearby stores and providing support to those leaving the company.