River Island taps Akeneo Product Cloud solution as it embarks upon digital transformation project
Fashion retailer River Island has selected Akeneo Product Cloud as its core PIM solution.
In a LinkedIn post, Andrew Simpson, Enterprise Account Executive at Akeneo, said: “We’re excited to partner with River Island, one of the UK’s leading fashion retail brands, as it embarks on a digital transformation project to modernise how it manages product data.”
“River Island came to us with a complex technology landscape. Multiple product masters, legacy workflows and a spreadsheet-based enrichment. By selecting Akeneo Product Cloud as the core PIM solution, it established one of the foundations for its e-commerce platform. Akeneo will serve as the central backbone powering structured product data and enabling efficient enrichment workflows.”
He concluded: “We look forward to supporting River Island through this transformation and driving smoother data operations, faster go to market, and powerful retail execution with product experience at the core.”
Store closures
River Island has confirmed plans to shut 33 stores before the end of January as part of a wider restructuring plan designed to stabilise the business and avoid a slide into administration.
Earlier this year, Ben Lewis, CEO at River Island, said: “We have a clear transformation strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the business, and this decision gives us a strong platform to deliver this.”
He added: “Recent improvements in our fashion offer and shopping experience are starting to show results, and the restructuring plan will enable us to align our store estate to our customers’ needs. We are grateful to our suppliers, landlords and other stakeholders for their constructive engagement and shared confidence in River Island’s future.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Physical stores were a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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