River Island news and archive

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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River Island appoints co-managing directors, chief people officer

River Island has announced three new hires to its board, including the appointment of Jane Eskriett and Richard Grainger as co-managing directors. The British fashion retailer announced the news in a short message on LinkedIn. “We are very excited at the future prospects for our brand and our journey ahead,” the company said. Eskriett joins from...

Fashion

River Island launches public casting call for denim campaign

High street retailer River Island is looking to cast members of the public for its upcoming denim campaign this autumn. River Island said it is looking to put “community” at the centre of its denim campaign, adding members of the public to its line-up of denim aficionados, digital creators, models and River Island staff wearing key products from...