River Island and Primark are among the major retailers that have revealed plans to close stores in January 2026.
According to the Centre for Retail Research, 54 retailers went bankrupt last year, leading to the closure of 3,080 stores and impacting 30,153 employees.
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated a slight decrease of 0.1% in retail sales volumes for November.
River Island is set to shut down at least 27 stores this month as part of its restructuring efforts. The fashion retailer had previously announced the closure of 33 stores, including locations in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees in late 2025. Additional closures in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria are pending confirmation.
Poundland is also undergoing changes, with plans to close 12 stores in January following High Court approval. The discount store had already closed 57 stores by the end of September after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers for a nominal fee.
In a rare move, Primark closed its Dartford store on January 3 due to significant building maintenance issues. Philippa Nibbs, Primark’s director of sales for UK South and South East, explained the decision was influenced by the substantial repair work required. The company is ensuring that over half of affected employees will transition to nearby stores.
In the banking sector, Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, all part of Lloyds Banking Group, will collectively close 34 branches this month. This includes 17 Lloyds branches, eight Halifax sites, and nine Bank of Scotland branches. The closures are attributed to the increasing trend of online banking usage, as stated by Lloyds.
The latest closures across various sectors reflect the evolving landscape of retail and banking industries.