River Island plans to close 33 stores, putting hundreds of jobs at risk

Family-owned company blames migration of shoppers' to online and higher costs as it tries to stem heavy losses

River Island plans to close 33 of its 230 stores and a further 71 are at risk under a restructuring programme that could put more than 1,000 jobs on the line.

The family-owned company, which employs about 5,500 people, blamed a migration of shoppers from the high street to online" and higher costs for the need to make the drastic changes to stem heavy losses.