Australian fashion brand Jeanswest’s parent Harbour Guidance has decided to put the retailer into voluntary administration amid tough trading conditions, reduced discretionary spending and the increased cost of living.
Jeanswest maintains a network of 90 stores across Australia and has a workforce exceeding 600 individuals.
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The closure of physical outlets is being planned while the brand’s online presence and potential restructuring avenues remain under consideration.
Harbour, which rescued Jeanswest after it entered administration in 2020, has appointed Lindsay Bainbridge, Andrew Yeo and David Vasudevan of Pitcher Partners Melbourne as administrators.
Bainbridge remarked that despite a five-year effort to rejuvenate the 53-year-old fashion brand, it was necessary to withdraw from the physical retail market to pivot towards e-commerce strategies.
He stated: “The owners have done everything they can to keep Jeanswest going, but market conditions mean sustaining bricks-and-mortar stores is not viable and unlikely to improve.
“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 indicated that a sale of all in-store inventory would commence at once as the appointed administrators initiated the business restructuring process.
He added: “We will be opening the doors of all stores and selling online to clear all stock to secure a return to creditors.”
Jeanswest’s downfall comes after KPMG, the receivers of Mosaic, another retail conglomerate that operated Australian brands Rivers, Noni B and Katies, said that it would shutter all remaining Millers and Noni B stores as it failed to secure a buyer.
Mosaic, which has 2,500 workers across 651 stores in Australia and New Zealand, entered administration in 2024, as reported by ABC News.
