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Main style retailer to open new UK excessive avenue shops after closing 33 retailers

The retailer determined to shut 33 excessive avenue shops final 12 months.

A excessive avenue retailer plans to open new retailers within the UK (Picture: Getty)

River Island is eyeing up new shops after climbing out of debt and escaping administration final 12 months. The key style retailer delivered a pre-tax revenue of £11.6million for 2025, up 109% 12 months on 12 months from a lack of £124.3m in 2024.

It comes after River Island narrowly prevented administration by proposing a restructuring final August, which noticed 33 excessive avenue retailers shut and rents slashed at 71 places over three years, at various reductions of between 25% and 75%.

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The model additionally introduced in new administration, targeted on on-line gross sales and “simplified” operations.

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River Island has made income this 12 months after large losses in 2025 (Picture: Getty)

Newest outcomes present the components has been working. Its gross revenue elevated to £94.3million in 2025, up 94.3% from £37million the 12 months prior. CEO Ben Lewis informed The Mail on Sunday he was “more than happy and optimistic” concerning the outcomes.

Now the style retailer is firmly again within the black, he confirmed it’s exploring choices for chosen shops within the UK and Eire this 12 months, and specializing in digital gross sales.

“The turnaround we have now delivered is the results of an enormous quantity of laborious work throughout the enterprise. We improved product profitability, simplified the organisation, lowered prices and strengthened our working mannequin.

“Whereas there’s nonetheless extra to do, these outcomes show that our transformation plan is working and that River Island is transferring ahead from a a lot stronger place.”

Ben Lewis was introduced again on board as CEO as a part of the restructuring, having beforehand led the enterprise for practically a decade earlier than leaving in 2019.

River Island has additionally joined M&S’ on-line market alongside different manufacturers equivalent to Kurt Geiger and Section Eight. Mr Lewis additionally wished to remind clients who might have misplaced contact with the model that “we’re doing nice designs now”.

The retailer has additionally launched some collaborations, together with an unique assortment with New York-based sportswear model PONY.

Nevertheless, the CEO identified that rising prices throughout the business are placing stress on the excessive avenue. “

You both should handle these prices, or you need to get the financial system to develop,” he mentioned.

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