Q&A Does River Island Franchise in the UK

River Island locations are found up and down Britain, and almost every customer in the country knows the name. For business-minded fashion lovers with a desire to launch a retail franchise selling apparel, River Island could be the perfect option. But does River Island franchise in the UK? Read on, and find out everything you need to know about River Island franchise opportunities in 2022.

In 2019, UK retail sales totalled £439 billion [British Retail Consortium]. The retail industry is absolutely booming right now, having bounced back incredibly well from the challenges of COVID-19 – and as innovations continue to shape and improve the sector, the future is bright. There’s never been a better time to get involved, but the question is: Can you get involved in the UK retail space via launching a River Island franchise, or not?

Does River Island franchise in the UK?

If River Island clothes are just your cup of tea and you think you definitely have what it takes to successfully run a retail store (or perhaps even a multi-unit block of stores!), you’ll be disappointed to learn that, no, River Island does not franchise in the UK anymore. Franchise opportunities ARE, however, available in the Middle East, Europe and the Far East. So, if you’re interested in pursuing an international franchise investment and running your own River Island business abroad, you’re in luck. But if you’re not, you’ll need to explore other retail franchise investment opportunities.

River Island has a growing number of international franchise stores throughout the Middle East, Europe and the Far East with experienced fashion retail companies. Should you be interested in a franchise opportunity with River Island please contact us.
- River Island

The history of River Island 

River Island is a hugely well-established and high-profile fashion brand that has been around for over 60 years. Founded in 1948, River Island actually began its life as a fruit and veg company, but owner Bernard Lewis soon pivoted to selling wool for knitting. From here, an empire was born. You’ll find River Island stores in the UK, Europe and Asia. If your heart is set on River Island, you could look into franchise opportunities with the brand across Europe and Asia, but if you dream of staying closer to home, you won’t be able to do so as a River Island franchisee.

At River Island we are renowned for our stylish, affordable fashion. The unique touches we bring to our collections help us standout from the rest of the High Street. Our customers can always rely on us for great going-out looks and occasion wear, amazing denim and fabulous bags and shoes. We pride ourselves on being the perfect store to pick up everything you need for a brand new head-to-toe look.
- River Island

Start a franchise in the retail industry today

If everything you’ve learned so far about River Island and the UK’s retail industry has you keen to invest in either the brand (internationally) or the wider UK sector, read on. The three questions answered below will equip you with all the information you need to make a fully informed international franchise investment with River Island OR kickstart the research process and find the perfect UK retail franchise opportunity...

1. How do you go about opening your own River Island store as a franchisee?

You can find out more and register your interest in an international franchise partnership via River Island’s website, which contains a dedicated page for potential franchisees. Note, before you do, that River Island has a clear sense of what it’s searching for in an ideal franchisee. You must have retail experience at a high level, management experience and a strong understanding of current fashion trends. You must be business-minded, with real estate insights and an understanding of how to position the franchise for optimum performance.

2. How much do you need to invest?

The price of pursuing an international River Island franchise opportunity will differ from location to location and is available on request. To give you a broader sense of the shopping sector and the costs you might expect to be faced with, the average cost of starting a franchise in the UK was £42,000 as of 2018 [British Franchise Association]. The following are some cost examples for UK retail franchise investments:

• Signorini Tartufi – To become a Signorini Tartufi franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £30,000, with franchise fees of £15,000 and a total investment cost of £90,000.
• CAVAVIN – To become a CAVAVIN franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £40,000, with franchise fees of £16,500 and a total investment cost of £100,000. 
• Schmidt – To become a Schmidt franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £100,000, with a total investment cost of £420,000.

3. What do you get for your investment? 

In return for your investment with River Island, you’ll gain access to a comprehensive franchise package inclusive of training and support. You’ll be helped with everything from store design and training to business development, plus you’ll never be in it alone. The undeniable biggest pro of franchising is franchisor support, and when it comes from a company as experienced and successful as River Island, you can be certain it will be of a high standard, refined through years of experience and franchisee feedback.

River Island franchise opportunities are a great way to start running your own business abroad

Hopefully, this article has helped you to determine whether an international franchise opportunity with River Island is worth pursuing. If you love fashion but also love the thought of launching your business right here in the UK, stay on Point Franchise and continue your research. The retail industry is vast, and with opportunities ranging from selling pre-owned goods as a Cash Generator franchisee to providing customers with high-quality blinds, shutters and awnings as an Apollo Blinds franchisee, you’re sure to find your place.