Calamvale Big W to close effectively immediately, further store closures foreshadowed

An underperforming Brisbane Big W store that employs 70 locals has revealed it will be forced to close as the retail giant shows strain of the COVID-19 outbreak.

RETAIL has taken another COVID-19 hit in Brisbane today, with the shock closure of a Big W outlet in Brisbane’s outer south.

A Big W spokesman said while it was a “difficult decision” to close their Calamvale outlet, the store had “underperformed for some time”.

A spokeswoman for Calamvale Central’s owner YFG Shopping Centres said the company was only informed of Big W’s decision yesterday, April 28, and were “considering our position”.

Young girl finds pornographic image on iPad at Brisbane Big W store

Woolworths announces closure of 30 Big W stores after slow profit improvement

The Big W spokesman guaranteed all 70 employees at the closed store would be offered redeployment within the company.

There are three other Big W stores within 7km of Calamvale, at Browns Plains, Underwood and Upper Mount Gravatt.

“We are committed to doing the right thing by our team and will guarantee the redeployment of all current Calamvale team members to one of many neighbouring stores – whether they’re full time, part time or casual,” he said.

Today’s closure comes as part of an “ongoing network review” Big W owners Woolworths Group and further store closures were foreshadowed.

It was announced in April last year that Big W planned to close up to 30 stores and two distribution centres as part of this review. Three stores were closed in Sydney in January.

“We do not anticipate that any future store closures would be subject to such tight time frames,” he said.

“We regret the short notice it gives to our team and community.”

He said the closure’s short notice was caused by the store’s lease agreement with the owners of Calamvale Central shopping centre on Compton Rd.

“We’re obliged to cease trading immediately after giving notice to terminate,” the spokesman said.

Calls to Big W Calamvale went unanswered, with no option to leave a message.