River Island has announced a major comeback after closing 33 stores, with its products now available on Marks & Spencer's online marketplace. The fashion chain confirmed the partnership through a LinkedIn post, allowing shoppers to browse its entire catalogue on the 'Brands at M&S' platform, which also features Hobbs, Jigsaw, and Phase Eight.
Strategic partnership
Sarah Eldridge, River Island's director of strategic partnerships, said: "I'm thrilled to share that today we've launched River Island on M&S.com. This launch is a strong addition to our growing portfolio of strategic partnerships, helping us reach new customers and meet them where they're already shopping. It's an important step forward in our 2026 plan, bringing our River Island product to an even wider audience."
Restructuring and store closures
Last year, River Island received court approval for a major restructuring, leading to the closure of 33 stores. A High Court judge approved the plan amid fears the company could collapse into administration without the overhaul. The restructuring also secured reduced rents on 71 other stores. Lawyers for River Island told the court the company "simply has not been able to reverse" a trend of financial difficulty.
Locations impacted by closures
The closures affected stores in: Aylesbury, Bangor Bloomfield (Northern Ireland), Barnstaple, Beckton (Greater London), Brighton, Burton-Upon-Trent, Cumbernauld (Scotland), Didcot, Edinburgh Princes Street (Scotland), Falkirk (Scotland), Gloucester, Great Yarmouth, Grimsby, Hanley, Hartlepool, Hereford, Kilmarnock (Scotland), Kirkcaldy (Scotland), Leeds Birstall Park, Lisburn (Northern Ireland), Northwich, Norwich, Oxford, Perth (Scotland), Poole, Rochdale, St Helens, Stockton On Tees, Surrey Quays (Greater London), Sutton Coldfield, Taunton, Workington, and Wrexham (Wales).
