Six River Island stores in Scotland among dozens of closures
Six River Island stores across Scotland are set to close after the company announced it would be restructuring amid an increase in running costs.
It comes after the retailer unveiled a radical restructuring plan in a bid to reverse recent heavy losses due to a slump in trading last week.
Bosses blamed the closures on the 'migration of shoppers from the high street to online' and higher costs to run stores.
The company previously confirmed 33 stores would be closing, and announced on Wednesday that six Scottish stores were among them.
Stores in Edinburgh Princes Street, Falkirk, Cumbernauld, Kirkcaldy, Kilmarnock and Perth will all close.
A further 71 stores are also at risk, depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals.
The retailer, which employs around 5,500 people, was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before being renamed in the 1980s.
Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, said the sharp rise in the cost of doing business has added to the financial burden the company faces.
'We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability,' he said.
He added that recent improvements in the company's fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing 'very positive' results.
He continued: 'It is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island's future as a profitable retail business.
'We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.'
Full list of River Island store closures Beckton
Bangor Bloomfield
Wrexham
Edinburgh Princes Street
Hereford
Surrey Quays
Didcot
Sutton Coldfield
Aylesbury
Burton-Upon-Trent
Northwich
Taunton
Workington
Falkirk
Cumbernauld
Kirkcaldy
Gloucester
Hartlepool
Brighton
Lisburn
Norwich
Oxford
Poole
Kilmarnock
Hanley
Barnstaple
Grimsby
Leeds Birstall Park
Rochdale
Great Yarmouth
St Helens
Stockton On Tees
Perth
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