Retailer River Island said its 24 stores in Republic fared better than expected at end of summer lockdown        

River Island's directors said the first lockdown from last March had shut all its stores for 12 weeks, with the shutdown having a significant effect on the company. 

The 24 stores operated by River Island in the Republic performed better than its managers expected after they reopened following the first Covid lockdown last summer, the retailer said.  

That is according to new accounts for River Island Clothing Company Ireland Ltd, which also show the company posted a pre-tax loss of €8.3m in 2019, after earning a profit of €4.9m in the previous year.