Clothing retailer Jeanswest faces a major shake-up, with significant changes announced this week. According to ABC News, more than 90 stores are now set to shut down across Australia, marking a new chapter for the long-standing brand. The decision follows a lengthy period of uncertainty and difficult trading conditions.
While administrators work through the next steps, questions remain about the future of the company, the impact on its workforce, and whether the brand can survive in another form. The closures mark a significant moment in the evolving landscape of Australian retail.
Retailer Unable to Recover From Long-Term Decline
Jeanswest, founded in Perth in 1972, had been operating under administration since January 2020, before being acquired by Harbour Guidance, a Hong Kong-based firm.
The company had hoped to turn the business around, but administrators from Pitcher Partners confirmed on Wednesday that this outcome was no longer possible.
Administrator Lindsay Bainbridge said in a statement :
The owners have done everything they can to keep Jeanswest going.
He explained that after five years of effort, economic headwinds had made recovery impossible:
Market conditions mean sustaining bricks-and-mortar stores is not viable and unlikely to improve.
Market Pressures and Rising Living Costs Drive the Collapse
Australian consumers are spending less due to rising living costs, significantly affecting in-store retail. The shift in consumer behavior, combined with increasing operational costs, left the company unable to maintain its physical footprint.
They deeply regret the impact of store closures on their team members and their customers, and we will be working now with teams across the country – Bainbridge added.
Administrators pointed out that although online operations may continue, the physical retail model is no longer sustainable in the current economic environment.
Store Closures to Affect More Than 600 Workers
More than 600 employees are expected to be impacted by the closures, which span over 90 stores nationwide. While a possible digital continuation of the brand could save some jobs, most of the affected workers are employed in physical stores. Stores in New Zealand are not expected to close at this stage.
This is a hard day for hundreds of Jeanswest team members and we will be working directly with the team members to provide clarity and information about the next steps – Bainbridge said,
Addressing concerns from staff nationwide.
Clearance Sales and Employee Entitlements Under Review
A mid-season sale is already underway, and full stock clearances are expected as locations prepare to close. Administrators are currently reviewing all employee entitlements, including pay, leave balances and superannuation, to determine any outstanding obligations. Updates will be provided to staff as assessments are completed.
The collapse of Jeanswest comes amid a broader pattern of retail insolvencies in Australia. Mosaic Brands, the owner of Rivers, Noni B, and Katies, collapsed last year. That shutdown affected 2,750 employees, with 651 stores closed and $250 million owed to creditors.
Mosaic workers alone were owed $21 million in employee entitlements and $870,000 in unpaid superannuation. The federal government provided assistance to those workers through an established compensation scheme.
ABC News has contacted government officials to clarify whether similar measures will apply in the case of Jeanswest.
