David Jones will close 18 of its Australian stores before the end of 2026, receivers have confirmed, as the 188-year-old department store attempts to survive a dramatic collapse into voluntary administration. Staff across the country were informed on Wednesday 11 November, with the retail union wasting no time in blasting management for failing to "get with the times".

The closures represent roughly half of David Jones's existing store network. Receivers FTI Consulting described the cuts as "highly regrettable" but "unavoidable" if the business is to have any future. The surviving 19 stores, along with the retailer's online portal, will continue trading as normal.

Which David Jones Stores Are Closing?

The store closures are spread across six states and territories, with New South Wales bearing the heaviest losses. The full list of confirmed closures includes:

  • New South Wales (7): Macquarie Centre, Macarthur Square, Parramatta, Wollongong Central, Hornsby, Green Hills (East Maitland), and Warringah Mall
  • Victoria (3): Malvern Central, Highpoint, and Glen Waverley
  • Western Australia (3): Hay Street Mall, Garden City, and Carousel
  • Queensland (2): Robina Town Centre and Sunshine Plaza
  • South Australia (2): two stores not individually named in the announcement
  • ACT (1): one store

David Jones's sole New Zealand store, located at Newmarket in Auckland, will also close as part of the restructure.

Notably, while most flagship city stores have been spared, the Hay Street Mall store in Perth's CBD did not survive the cull. FTI Consulting said the closures are consistent with management's pre-existing plan to reshape the business, noting: "Our store portfolio is no longer the right shape for the business, and this change is about creating a network that is financially sustainable for the future."

The receivers said there is no fixed final date for each closure, but all affected stores are expected to cease trading by the end of the year. Some stock at closing locations will be discounted, while key products will be redistributed to stores remaining open. You can read more about which David Jones stores are set to close by end of 2026 and what it means for shoppers in those areas.

Jobs at Risk as Union Calls Out Management Failures

David Jones employs approximately 6,000 staff nationally, but the receivers have not confirmed how many positions will ultimately be lost. Workers have been told that redeployment options within the company will be explored, and a seven-day consultation period began on Wednesday.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), which represents retail workers, described it as a "sad and stressful day" for everyone employed at David Jones. SDA vice president Bernie Smith said the union is already in contact with other retailers to try to find alternative placements for affected workers.

"As many as possible must be redeployed within the company," Smith said, adding that management "had many opportunities to update their business model to get with the times."

Smith said the collapse should serve as a "wake up call" to the broader retail sector. The voluntary administration process raises serious questions for staff, suppliers and customers alike.

FTI Consulting pledged to treat all employees "with fairness and respect throughout the process."

Shopping Centre Landlords Left Scrambling to Fill Giant Spaces

The sudden loss of such a large retail anchor tenant has sent property managers across the country into planning mode. The collapse into administration came after last-ditch negotiations between David Jones and Westfield operator Scentre Group broke down, triggering the administration process.

Scentre Group chief executive Elliott Rusanow said there was strong demand for space at the affected Westfield centres, noting: "We have a unique opportunity at 17 Westfield destinations to introduce and grow local and international brands and experiences that our customers want." The company declined to confirm whether spaces at Parramatta, Hornsby and Warringah Mall would be leased to single or multiple tenants.

GPT, which manages Macquarie Centre and Macarthur Square, said it was assessing opportunities for the spaces being vacated, adding that it has spent several years "proactively reinvesting in and evolving space across its centres."

Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said the Parramatta closure was particularly symbolic, recalling the store's former status as a genuine destination for shoppers in the region. He said he now struggles to imagine a single tenant capable of filling that space.

The challenge is not entirely new. When David Jones left Castle Towers in Castle Hill in January, the space was reconfigured into a multi-retailer lifestyle and sporting precinct featuring brands including JD Sports, Lululemon, Nike and Kookai. That model could well become the blueprint for other vacated sites.

What Happens Next for David Jones

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou described the store cull as a "huge blow" but argued that preventing a total collapse must remain the priority. He pointed to strong foot traffic at David Jones stores in recent weeks as evidence that customers still want the brand to survive, even in a reduced form, and urged shoppers to continue supporting the remaining stores in the lead-up to Christmas.

The receivers stressed that the restructure is designed to give the remaining network a sustainable future. With 19 stores and an online operation continuing to trade, the focus now shifts to whether a slimmed-down David Jones can stabilise, attract viable buyers or investors, and trade its way through the critical holiday period.