River Island to move into new Portsmouth concept store this weekend

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Nov 18, 2021

It’s soon going to be party time in Portsmouth for River Island. The high street fashion giant is relocating along Commercial Road opening a new 7,602 sq ft flagship store, doubling in size. And the business will celebrate with a Christmas party at the new venue on 4 December.

The two-floor city centre concept, which opens Saturday, is heralded as a first for the retailer with the ‘River Island Boutique’ designed to enhance the customer’s in-store shopping experience.

It will feature womenswear across the ground floor, while menswear and kidswear will occupy the first floor.

The new opening adds to River Island’s 300-strong UK estate and solidifies its message of ‘Standing By The High Street’, a campaign set up in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic "to show solidarity with other high street brands negatively hit by the effects of the pandemic”.

The upcoming Christmas party will include entertainment by festive DJ sets, with face painting for children. Those who spend over £40 will also be treated to coffee and donuts and offered a bespoke wrapping service with exclusive branded paper.

River Island property director Frances Baker said: “Our first ‘Boutique’ store [is] positioned in prime pitch with a loyal and vibrant consumer base. It’s the ideal location to introduce the first concept store.

Reflecting retail’s growing confidence, River Island becomes the third retailer to move sites in and around Portsmouth’s Commercial Road in the past two years. JD Sports moved to a bigger spot a few doors down, while Sports Direct relocated into the Cascades Shopping Centre.