David Jones is seeking a buyer after rent talks collapsed. What happens to its stores?
The Australian department store chain has entered administration, with its shops still trading as receivers review operations and administrators seek a sale or new funding.
Australia's 188-year-old retailer David Jones enters administration, faces sale
David Jones goes into administration, with store closures expected and thousands of jobs at risk
David Jones voluntary administration: Iconic department store closures expected before Christmas
Scentre Group Operating Update
David Jones falls into administration as receivers move in
Stores remain open as buyers are sought
David Jones entered voluntary administration on November 5 after talks with a major landlord broke down, putting the future of the 188-year-old Australian department store chain in doubt. Its 38 stores and online shop continue to trade while receivers review the business; administrators will seek offers to buy it or inject new capital.reuters +1
The retailer’s directors appointed McGrathNicol as voluntary administrators, while its secured lender appointed FTI Consulting as receivers to manage operations. The company employs about 6,000 people across Australia and New Zealand. Store closures and job losses are possible, but the number and locations have not been confirmed.reuters +1
A rent dispute with wider consequences
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that David Jones and its private-equity owner, Anchorage Capital Partners, failed to agree on a restructuring with Scentre Group, the owner of Westfield shopping centres. Scentre rejected a proposal from the retailer; David Jones’ board rejected the landlord’s counteroffer.smh
Scentre said on November 4 that David Jones had paid rent up to September 30. The chain occupies space at 17 Westfield destinations. Scentre’s share of bank guarantees across those stores was about A$30 million, equivalent to eight months’ gross rent, and could be applied to unpaid rent.scentregroup
Another landlord, Vicinity Centres, reported A$2.2 million in outstanding rent at the end of October across four stores and said it held no bank guarantees for those sites. Vicinity said the financial impact of the receivership remained uncertain.businessnewsaustralia
Losses before the collapse
David Jones, founded in Sydney in 1838, has faced online and fast-fashion competition as well as rising costs. The retailer reported a roughly A$95 million loss in its 2025 financial year, when sales fell 8.7% to A$2 billion, according to retail publication Ragtrader.reuters +1
Receiver Christopher Hill cited an outdated store footprint, supply-chain challenges and a difficult trading environment. The administrators’ immediate task is to find a buyer or new funding while the receivers assess operations.reuters
What shoppers should know
Gift-card holders are unsecured creditors if the retailer cannot meet its obligations. Consumer advocate Erin Turner told ABC News to use existing cards promptly and avoid buying new ones during the uncertainty. The Guardian reported that stores appeared to be accepting cards for now, but future conditions are not assured.abc +1
For an undelivered order paid by credit card, ABC’s consumer guide suggests contacting the bank about a possible chargeback. Customers should check the retailer’s current arrangements before acting.abc