River Island is set to close its Aylesbury store in Friars Square Shopping Centre next month, as part of a wider programme of UK shop closures in early 2026, The Bucks Herald reports. The fashion retailer will shut 32 stores nationwide, affecting its approximately 250 locations across the country.
Founded in 1948 by Bernard Lewis, River Island began as a small market stall in Notting Hill selling fruit and vegetables. It quickly shifted into clothing, selling its first in-house design, a white lace-trimmed blouse, in 1950.
The business expanded under the name Lewis Separates and later became Chelsea Girl, a key driver of 1960s womenswear trends, particularly the mini dress. Menswear was added in the 1980s, and in 1988 the business rebranded as River Island, inspired by Leonard Lewis’s time on a Thames boat. Today, River Island remains a family-owned company with a strong online presence and stores in the UK and over 125 countries internationally.
The closures in Aylesbury follow earlier reports this summer that the business was reviewing its store estate, with national media suggesting up to 70 sites were under consideration. Finance commentators warned that hundreds of roles could be at risk.
The decision has been linked to changing consumer behaviour, with shoppers increasingly moving online. River Island chief executive Ben Lewis has previously stated that parts of the company’s store portfolio were “no longer aligned with customer needs,” citing rising costs and the shift towards digital retail. Earlier in 2025, the retailer confirmed job losses at its London head office as part of a wider redundancy programme.
Further restructuring may follow later this year. River Island is working with PricewaterhouseCoopers on a court-supervised restructuring plan, a process often used to reach agreements with creditors while avoiding insolvency. In its most recent accounts, the company reported a pre-tax loss of £33.2 million for 2023, following a 20 per cent fall in sales, compared with a profit in the previous year.
The Aylesbury closure forms part of a long evolution of River Island, from its post-war beginnings to its status as a key high street retailer and multi-channel fashion brand, well-known for trend-led womenswear, menswear, kidswear, and pet collections.
