Retailer Jeanswest goes under, leaving hundreds of jobs at risk

Clothing retailer Jeanswest has collapsed, with more than 90 stores set to close over the coming months and hundreds of jobs at risk, according to ABC News.

Administrators from Pitcher Partners confirm the decision comes amid persistently tough trading conditions in the Australian retail sector.

“The owners have done everything they can to keep Jeanswest going,” said administrator Lindsay Bainbridge in a statement, citing a steep decline in consumer spending due to rising living costs.

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Founded in Perth in 1972, Jeanswest was once a high street staple that later sought to pivot toward online retail.

Despite these efforts, the brand’s long-term struggles forced administrators to conclude that maintaining its extensive network of brick-and-mortar stores was unsustainable. All stock at the remaining outlets will go on sale immediately, while plans to reposition the brand online are underway.

This collapse mirrors broader challenges in the sector. The demise of the parent company behind retailers such as Rivers, Katies, and Rockmans underscores a shift in consumer habits and mounting economic pressures.

“Market conditions mean sustaining bricks-and-mortar stores is not viable and unlikely to improve,” Bainbridge added.

Jeanswest, which employs more than 600 people, now faces a significant restructuring process that leaves many team members in uncertainty about their future. Administrators are working closely with staff to clarify next steps and determine entitlement matters, although further details on compensation or government assistance have yet to be released.

Industry experts note that the retail sector is increasingly compelled to abandon traditional high street formats in favour of digital channels, a trend accelerated by changing consumer behaviour.

The Jeanswest collapse serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing transformation within the industry.

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