Three David Jones stores in Perth will shut after the Christmas trading period as the retailer’s receivers push through an urgent restructure, putting thousands of jobs at risk. The flagship Hay Street Mall store, along with outlets at Westfield Booragoon (Garden City) and Westfield Carousel, are set to close, while the Claremont and Karrinyup stores will continue trading.
The closures are part of a national restructure covering 19 stores, with thousands of staff from David Jones’s current roster of about 6000 expected to lose their jobs.
FTI Consulting’s receivers said they had made the “difficult decision” to proceed with an “urgent restructure” in line with a plan put forward by Anchorage before David Jones collapsed.
The Hay Street Mall store is owned by Singapore-based Starhill Global REIT. In a statement to investors last Thursday, the trust said it had been undertaking contingency planning “for some time” and was pursuing options to reposition the property. “This includes pursuing replacement tenancy opportunities as well as repositioning or repurposing the property to multi-tenancies which has gained positive traction,” the statement said. The trust said it was conducting redevelopment feasibility studies aimed at “preserving and enhancing long-term value and returns for unitholders”.
An industry insider who could not speak publicly said the early timing of the closures was a surprise. “I think to come just before Christmas was definitely a surprise,” the insider said. “They didn’t think it was going to be November … they thought maybe March next year.” The insider described plans for the Hay Street space as “exciting” and said the large tenancy would most likely be broken into multiple stores.
City of Perth mayor Bruce Reynolds said what filled the space was “ultimately a commercial decision”, but added that the owner was “in there for the long haul”. He pointed to sponsorships and grants to activate the CBD and said a rejuvenated Hay Street Mall would appear “sooner rather than later”.
The receivers said they had begun an immediate consultation process with staff at the 19 stores earmarked for closure. The stores will continue trading through the Christmas period, with closures expected by the end of the year. FTI acknowledged the restructure would have a “material impact” on employees but said the receivers believed the steps were “unavoidable if David Jones is to continue as a viable business”.
Gift cards can still be used, but new cards are no longer sold. Holders have been directed to an online form to register their claims.
The Booragoon (Garden City) and Carousel centres are co-owned by joint ventures involving Scentre Group, which has been contacted for comment.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The closure of three Perth stores removes major retail anchors from the CBD and two suburban centres, affecting foot traffic and nearby businesses.
- Thousands of David Jones employees face redundancy, adding to job losses in the already struggling retail sector.
- The fate of the Hay Street Mall site will shape the future of that part of Perth’s CBD, with potential redevelopment into multiple tenancies.
Background
David Jones collapsed into administration in early November 2026, with FTI Consulting appointed as receivers. Before the collapse, private equity firm Anchorage owned the chain. The receivers are now executing a restructure that includes closing 19 stores nationally after the Christmas period. The company employed about 6000 staff at the time of the administration.
Key Perspectives
Industry insider: Said the early closure announcement was a surprise, expected in March rather than November, but that owners had been preparing for years and have “exciting plans” for the Hay Street space, likely to be subdivided.
City of Perth mayor Bruce Reynolds: Called the future use of the site a commercial decision and said the owner is committed for the long term; expects the mall to be rejuvenated soon.
FTI Consulting (receivers): Described the restructure as unavoidable for David Jones to have a viable future; acknowledged the “material impact” on staff and said it is treating all employees with fairness and respect.
Starhill Global REIT: Said it had been contingency planning for some time and is exploring replacement tenancies and multi-tenancy repositioning to preserve long-term value for unitholders.
What to Watch
- Whether the 19 store closures are completed by the end of the year as anticipated, and how many staff are formally made redundant.
- The outcome of the consultation process, including any potential union or legal challenges.
- The redevelopment plans for the Hay Street Mall site, which could reshape that part of Perth’s CBD. Any announcement from Starhill Global REIT about new tenants or redevelopment proposals will be closely watched.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedPerth David Jones stores will close as an urgent restructure begins.WA Today - Latest News: “it would close 19 stores nationally after the peak Christmas trading period, including stores at Perth’s Hay Street Mall, and in Westfield’s Booragoon (Garden City) and Carousel shopping centres.”
- SupportedHay Street Mall, Booragoon and Carousel are among 19 stores closing nationally.WA Today - Latest News: “it would close 19 stores nationally after the peak Christmas trading period, including stores at Perth’s Hay Street Mall, and in Westfield’s Booragoon (Garden City) and Carousel shopping centres.”
- SupportedThe Claremont and Karrinyup stores will remain open.WA Today - Latest News: “However, the Claremont and Karrinyup stores will remain.”
- SupportedThe three Perth stores are set to close after the Christmas trading period.WA Today - Latest News: “it would close 19 stores nationally after the peak Christmas trading period, including stores at Perth’s Hay Street Mall, and in Westfield’s Booragoon (Garden City) and Carousel shopping centres.”
- SupportedThousands of David Jones staff are expected to lose their jobs.WA Today - Latest News: “The closures are expected to prompt job losses for thousands of staff from David Jones’ current roster of around 6000 employees.”
- SupportedDavid Jones currently has about 6000 employees.WA Today - Latest News: “David Jones’ current roster of around 6000 employees.”
- SupportedFTI Consulting’s receivers said they made the “difficult decision” to proceed with an “urgent restructure”.WA Today - Latest News: “In a statement, the receivers from FTI Consulting said it had made a “difficult decision” to proceed with an “urgent restructure””
- SupportedThe receivers said the restructure followed a plan put forward by Anchorage before David Jones collapsed.WA Today - Latest News: “in line with the plan put forward by Anchorage before David Jones collapsed.”
- SupportedStarhill Global REIT said it had been undertaking contingency planning “for some time”.WA Today - Latest News: “Last Thursday, Starhill Global REITT issued a statement to investors regarding the David Jones collapse, saying the company had been undertaking contingency planning “for some time”.”
- SupportedThe insider said coming just before Christmas was a surprise and they thought the closures might happen in March next year.WA Today - Latest News: ““But, I think to come just before Christmas was definitely a surprise. They didn’t think it was going to be November ... they thought maybe March next year.””
- SupportedThe receivers said they had started immediate consultation with staff at the 19 stores identified for closure.WA Today - Latest News: ““The receivers have commenced an immediate consultation process for all staff associated with 19 stores that have been identified for closure,” FTI said in a statement.”
- SupportedGift cards can still be used, but new ones are no longer available for purchase.WA Today - Latest News: “Gift cards can continue to be used, although new ones are no longer available for purchase.”