David Jones collapses into administration after 188 years

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 10:21 · Archive

Australia's David Jones, the world's oldest continuously operating department store, has entered voluntary administration, threatening thousands of jobs.

Australia's historic David Jones department store has entered voluntary administration, putting the future of the 188-year-old retailer in doubt. The chain employs approximately 6,000 staff across a network of 38 stores and serves around five million customers annually, according to its owners.

The retailer's collapse follows years of steep financial losses. David Jones recorded a pre-tax loss of $95.5 million for the year to June 2026, with sales falling by 8.7 per cent. The company struggled with rising costs, sluggish retail sales, supply chain challenges and a significant and outdated retail footprint, according to receivers.

The immediate trigger was a breakdown in negotiations with primary landlord Scentre Group, which owns Westfield. Scentre said David Jones had failed to pay rent for October and was therefore in breach of its tenancy agreement. David Jones was founded in Sydney in 1838 and is recognised as the world's oldest continuously operating department store still trading under its original name, predating London's Harrods by more than a decade.

Staff were informed on Thursday that the David Jones board appointed voluntary administrators from McGrathNicol. The retailer's main financier then installed FTI Consulting as receivers, who will take day-to-day control of operations. Under this dual appointment, the company will continue trading in-store and online while receivers review operations. CEO Erica Berthold said David Jones has a plan to reset the business for the future.

The upheaval is expected to trigger immediate store closures. Analysis by financial services firm MST Marquee identified dozens of stores considered highly likely to close, including Westfield Parramatta and Warringah Mall in New South Wales; Carindale, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Robina Town Centre and Sunshine Plaza in Queensland; Westfield Marion in South Australia; Westfield Doncaster and Southland in Victoria; and Carousel, Booragoon and Karrinyup Shopping Centre in Western Australia. Retail analyst Barry Urquhart told the Daily Mail that underperforming suburban stores are most vulnerable, while CBD flagship stores in Sydney and Melbourne are better placed to survive due to stronger tourist traffic and natural footfall.

Administrators have launched a transaction process seeking offers for recapitalisation or sale as a going concern. FTI Consulting said the administration will give David Jones breathing space and a chance to restructure. The collapse reflects broader struggles facing department stores globally, including Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's. For many Australians, David Jones and its trademark black-and-white houndstooth design represented luxury shopping, but its demise signals what one academic called the death knell for the department store format.

How it is being reported

• Australia's oldest retailer enters administration after 188 yearsDavid Jones is one of Australia's most recognisable brands and predates London's Harrods by more than a decadeIndependent World · 5 Nov, 10:05
• Which David Jones stores are set to close... and will there be a fire sale? Major questions answered as department store giant collapses into administrationQuestions are mounting over which David Jones stores will close, whether gift cards are safe and if a massive fire sale is on the horizon.Daily Mail · 5 Nov, 08:22
• David Jones plunges into administration after 188 years as list of stores could close 'imminently'The department store employs around 6,000 staff across 43 stores in two countries, attracting around 50 million visitors annually, according to its bossesThe Mirror · 5 Nov, 07:01
• Australia's oldest department store David Jones collapses after 188 yearsThe brand's 38 physical stores and online sites will continue to operate while receivers review its operations.BBC Business · 5 Nov, 00:09
• David Jones goes into administration, with thousands of jobs at riskFuture of department store in jeopardy after administrators appointed on Thursday morning Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australia’s premier upmarket department store David Jones has collapsed into voluntary administration, putting thousands of jobs at risk and leaving the future of the 188-year-old retailer hanging in the balance. The upheaval follows years of steep losses and underperforming stores that left the heritage retailer falling behind on rent, culminating in a breakdown of negotiations with its primary landlord, Westfield owner Scentre Group.…Guardian World · 4 Nov, 22:40
• Australian retail giant David Jones collapses into administrationIconic Australian department store David Jones has plunged into administration.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 22:25

In this story: David Jones · Scentre Group · Westfield · McGrathNicol · FTI Consulting · Sydney · Australia · New Zealand

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