David Jones faces closure of 12 to 20 stores amid rent battle

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 00:38 · Archive

Australia's 188-year-old David Jones department store chain is expected to close 12 to 20 stores across Australia and New Zealand unless it secures favourable rental terms from landlords.

David Jones, Australia's 188-year-old department store chain, is expected to announce widespread store closures unless it secures favourable rental terms from landlords. The company is understood to be cutting 12 to 20 stores across Australia and New Zealand and requires substantial rental assistance to survive, including paying zero rent over the Christmas period.

The company failed to meet its deadline to lodge financial reports with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on 30 October. David Jones posted a $95.5 million loss in 2025 following a $74.1 million loss in 2024. The stores expected to close, which sit in Westfield centres, include Perth, Parramatta and Hornsby in Sydney, Woden in Canberra and Southland in Melbourne.

Major retailers are departing the chain. Country Road Group, which operates fashion brands including Politix and Trenery, will close nearly 100 of its 283 concession pads inside David Jones stores in February. Luxury brands Christian Dior, Gucci and Chanel have already withdrawn from the department store.

How it is being reported

• Widespread store closures confront David Jones amid bitter rent battleAustralia’s 188-year-old retail icon that has survived two world wars and the Great Depression finds itself facing mass store closures amid mounting losses.Perth Now · 3 Nov, 00:29
• Widespread store closures confront David Jones amid bitter rent battleAustralia’s 188-year-old retail icon that has survived two world wars and the Great Depression finds itself facing mass store closures amid mounting losses.The West Australian · 3 Nov, 00:29

In this story: David Jones · Australian Securities and Investments Commission · Country Road Group · Westfield · Australia · New Zealand

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log