River Island is a leading chain of retail stores headquartered in the United Kingdom. It stocks men's and women's clothes. There are 197 River Island retail stores located across the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Poland, Turkey, the Middle East and the United States of America. It is a market leader in the casual fashion segment. The 58-year-old River Island chain was started by Mr. Bernard Lewis in 1948. His store was located in London. The flagship brand of the store when it began was called Lewis Separates. Over the years, the store has grown from strength to strength and in leaps and bounds. The store has been renamed twice before finally settling down on its current name, River Island. Lewis Separates was called Chelsea Girl, which was then renamed Concept Man, before they became the River Island chain. The family-run enterprise is in a strong retail position today, thanks to the untiring efforts of its 80-year-old entrepreneur and chairman Bernard Lewis, or Mr. Bernard as he is affectionately known by the River Island employees. Lewis still works throughout the week and also on weekends.
