Paul Sprackling, Group Merchandising Director of the British fashion chain River Island, leaves the company after 26 years.
He announced his farewell to a post on LinkedIn. “It was a great journey,” writes Sprackling. “I started as an Allocator and got up to the Group Merchandising Director. River Island was more than just an employer for me – it felt like a second family. I am grateful for all opportunities and proud of what I achieved together with the team.”
In his post, Sprackling speaks about the people with whom he worked. “Above all, my colleague: I will never forget inside. From inspiring managers to committed teams in the areas of product, retail and logistics – you made this trip special.”
He also proudly looks back on his role as a manager: “There is nothing better than seeing how people develop in my team. I know that I leave a strong team that is ready for the future.”
Farewell in a crucial moment for River Island
Sprackling’s farewell comes at a difficult time for River Island. The chain struggles with disappointing results and rising costs. In January 2025, the company allegedly switched on the help of the management consultancy Alixpartners in order to improve profitability and reduce costs.
In the financial year until October 2024, River Island suffered a loss of 32.2 million British pounds (around 38.1 million euros). This is a significant decline compared to the winning of £ 7.5 million in the previous year. Sales also fell by 15.1 percent to £ 701.5 million (830.1 million euros). There are also planned tax increases in Great Britain, which could affect the 250 shops that the company operates there.
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