Fate of Perth’s David Jones stores revealed amid retailer’s ‘urgent restructure’

Résumé détaillé

Industry insiders have revealed “exciting plans” for the flagship David Jones building on Perth’s Hay Street Mall as the retailer moves to close 19 stores nationally.

Industry insiders have revealed there are plans afoot for the flagship David Jones building on Perth’s Hay Street Mall to be divided into smaller stores.

It comes after the retailer told staff and suppliers on Wednesday it would close 19 stores nationally after the peak Christmas trading period, including stores at Perth’s Hay Street Mall, and in Westfield’s Booragoon (Garden City) and Carousel shopping centres.

However, the Claremont and Karrinyup stores will remain. The closures are expected to prompt job losses for thousands of staff from David Jones’ current roster of around 6000 employees.

David Jones on Hay St is owned by Singapore company Starhill Global REIT, which also owns the adjoining mall, while Carousel and Garden City are both co-owned by joint ventures through Scentre Group.

An industry insider who could not speak publicly told this masthead the retailer’s decision to close this early was a shock, but they knew it was coming at some point.

“David Jones has been very transparent, and I know every owner has been working on a plan for the last two to three years,” the insider said.

“But, I think to come just before Christmas was definitely a surprise. They didn’t think it was going to be November ... they thought maybe March next year.

“But the owners will have lots of plans, they will just work out which one to execute.”

Regarding the Hay Street Mall location, the insider said they knew of “exciting plans” for the space, but the owner would likely be considering the most viable option.

Début de l'article, extrait de Brisbane Times. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.