Fashion retailer River Island, a staple of the UK high street for over 75 years, is reportedly close to closing some of its stores as it develops a ‘radical rescue plan’ with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) amid challenging market conditions. The company’s latest accounts revealed a £33.2 million loss before tax and a 19% drop in turnover, attributing these issues to rising operating costs, changing consumer preferences, and increased competition, particularly in the digital space. The potential loss of River Island stores highlights ongoing struggles faced by the UK high street, which has seen numerous businesses close in recent years.