River Island news and archive

River Island to close 33 stores, putting hundreds of jobs at risk amid restructuring

British high street stalwart River Island has announced plans to close 33 of its 230 UK stores, a move that puts hundreds of jobs in jeopardy as it seeks to restructure its operations in response to shifting consumer habits and rising costs. As reported by the BBC, the company is also negotiating rent reductions across a further 71 locations....

Member

Business

River Island reportedly drawing up rescue plan

British retailer River Island is believed to be drawing up a formal restructuring plan that could potentially put a number of stores at risk. According to Sky News, the company is working with advisors from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on a plan that could emerge within weeks. It is not yet clear how many stores and jobs may be impacted under...

People

River Island Group merchandising director leaves company after 26 years

Paul Sprackling, group merchandising director of the British fashion chain River Island, departed the company after 26 years. He announced his departure via a post on LinkedIn. A group merchandising director is typically responsible for an action plan that physical and digital stores use to present their products, with the aim of attracting...

Fashion|In Pictures

River Island launches resort wear in collaboration with Del Maar

British fashion retailer River Island has launched a resort wear collaboration with Latin-Australian brand Del Maar as part of its ‘Behind The Design’ series celebrating independent creatives. The limited-edition River Island x Del Maar collection draws inspiration from the coastal lifestyle embraced on Australian shores and features bold...

People

Suzy Slavid returns to River Island as trading managing director

River Island has named Suzy Slavid its new trading managing director. It marks a return to the British retailer for Slavid, who had initially served as merchandise manager of River Island’s kidswear and ladieswear for over 13 years. Slavid left the company in 2012, however, to become director of merchandising and marketing at Boden, where she...

People

Former River Island CEO returns as executive chair exits

Ben Lewis, the former chief executive officer to River Island, is returning to the British retailer upon the announcement that its executive chair, Richard Bradbury, is exiting the firm. Bradbury, who cited personal reasons for his departure, had previously served as CEO for River Island until 2010 before stepping away and then later rejoining...

Member

Business

River Island reportedly appoints financial advisors

British fashion chain River Island has reportedly hired financial advisers from global consultancy AlixPartners as the retailer looks to improve profits and cut costs, Sky News reports. River Island has been struggling with declining financial results and rising costs over an extended period. In October 2024, the company posted a pre-tax loss of...

Fashion|In Pictures

River Island unveils festive collection with Nephthys Foster

British fashion retailer River Island has launched a playful Christmas knitwear collection with London-based artist Nephthys Foster. The capsule River Island x Nephthys collection is inspired by Foster’s signature style of vibrant, bold and colourful artworks and features festive swearers in playful designs to “spark joy”. Capturing the...

Member

Business

River Island reports loss of 32.2 million pounds in 2023

Clothing brand River Island reported a full year pre-tax loss of 32.2 million pounds, while the total turnover for the year under review decreased 15.1 percent to 701.5 million pounds. The company said in a filing that the negative performance resulted in a reduction in gross profit to 46.7 million pounds and loss after tax was 24.4 million...

Member

Business

River Island and Boohoo battle suppliers over quality concerns

UK fast fashion giants River Island and Boohoo are reportedly tackling quality concerns with suppliers leading to either the withholding of payments or threats to send back orders. River Island is the latest to have raised issues over quality with its suppliers, according to The Times, with the fashion retailer understood to have requested...

Member

Business

River Island receives Science Based Target initiative approval

British fashion retailer River Island has announced that its science-based targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global body that supports businesses to reduce emissions in line with the latest climate science. In a statement, River Island said it is committed to long-term and near-term emissions...

Member

Business

River Island turnover increases, profit falls

In its accounts filed with the Companies House UK, River Island Holdings Ltd reported an overall turnover increase of 6 percent to 715.3 million pounds for the year to December 31, 2022. River Island’s revenues in the UK rose to 639.9 million pounds and rest of the world revenues increased to 75.4 million pounds. The company, which designs and...