David Jones receivers identify 19 stores for closure
November 13 update: seven NSW closures and the question of replacement tenants
The 19 David Jones stores identified for closure comprise 18 in Australia and one in New Zealand, rather than 19 Australian stores. The closures were announced on November 11 and are not a fresh November 13 decision. Affected locations are expected to continue trading through the peak seasonal period, with closure anticipated by the end of 2026; individual final dates have not been confirmed in the reviewed receivers' announcement.
The seven NSW locations are Macquarie Centre, Macarthur Square, Parramatta, Hornsby, Warringah Mall, Green Hills in East Maitland and Wollongong Central. The other Australian locations are Malvern Central, Highpoint and Glen Waverley in Victoria; Hay Street Mall, Garden City and Carousel in Western Australia; Robina Town Centre and Sunshine Plaza in Queensland; West Lakes and Marion in South Australia; and Woden in the ACT. Newmarket in Auckland is the New Zealand closure.
The NSW closures also leave shopping-centre owners considering what will fill large department-store spaces. GPT says it is assessing opportunities at Macquarie Centre and Macarthur Square as part of a wider strategy to adapt large retail areas to changing demand. Scentre Group has described an opportunity to bring different brands and experiences into its centres. These statements are not confirmed replacement-tenant lists for each closing shop.
An earlier closure at Castle Towers in January illustrates one possible approach: manager QIC said it would divide the former David Jones space among lifestyle and sporting retailers instead of relying on one department-store tenant. That earlier redevelopment is not a confirmed plan for Parramatta or the other newly affected centres.
Staff consultation and the search for a buyer remain separate from landlords' plans for the premises. The receivers have described the smaller store network as an attempt to give the remaining business a viable future. The closure list does not by itself establish how many employees will ultimately be made redundant or the final outcome for every creditor.
Earlier reporting retained for context
David Jones receivers have identified 19 stores for closure as part of a restructure of the department-store chain. FTI Consulting said affected stores would continue trading until final closure dates were announced, with trading expected to end by the end of the year.
The list includes stores in Australia and New Zealand. The receivers said consultation had begun with affected staff and described the closures as necessary to give the remaining business a chance of continuing.
The chain employs about 6,000 people in Australia. The announcement does not mean every David Jones store has closed immediately. Existing gift cards and store credits remained valid at open stores at the time of the report, while paid orders and laybys were being fulfilled through the warehouse network.
Earlier report (Published2026-11-09|)
David Jones receivers have told employees that wages and applicable entitlements for continuing work will keep being paid while they examine the department-store chain's finances. The retailer is in voluntary administration and receivership, with a sale or recapitalisation among the options under review.
A letter from FTI Consulting's receivers, dated Friday and released on Tuesday, said they currently expected sufficient funds to be realised to meet staff entitlements in full. Earlier unpaid wages and other claims generally receive priority under federal law. That expectation is not a completed payout or an unconditional guarantee of the final recovery.
The chain has 37 Australian stores and about 6,000 retail workers represented by the SDA union, which is calling for jobs and entitlements to be protected. Receivers said a reduction in the retail footprint was likely, potentially through ended tenancies or less floor space, but the report does not confirm a final closure list.
Expressions of interest in buying the business are due by close of business on Friday. The first creditors' meeting is expected by November 17. Suppliers, concession operators and landlords are among the creditors facing uncertainty.
The case has drawn attention to high costs, intense competition and pressure on traditional retailers. Customers have continued visiting stores, but that support does not settle the chain's future ownership, debts or store network.