David Jones boss quits retailer for ‘person reasons’

The boss of David Jones, who has abruptly left the department store chain, was subject to a discrimination complaint last year. But the retailer says his departure has no link to the complaint.

David Jones boss Dave Thomas has left the retailer for personal reasons. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

The boss of David Jones, who has abruptly left the department store chain, was subject to a discrimination complaint last year.

David Jones this afternoon said it had received a complaint of discrimination against chief executive David Thomas in November last year.

The nation’s oldest department store had announced Mr Thomas was standing down as chief executive for “personal reasons” earlier today.

But it says his departure has no link to the discrimination complaint which was investigated, David Jones said.

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David Jones boss Dave Thomas has left the trailer for personal reasons. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

“David Jones confirms that it received a complaint of discrimination against its CEO, David Thomas, in November last year,” the retailer said in a statement.

“Immediately following the complaint, an external legal firm was appointed by David Jones to conduct an investigation into the matter. No evidence was found to support the claim.

“Mr Thomas resigned from the business for personal reasons.

“David Jones does not tolerate discrimination in any form and is focused on fostering an inclusive culture and workplace for its team that does not differentiate based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.”

The Herald Sun is not suggesting that Mr Thomas engaged in any wrongdoing, only that the complaint was made.

David Jones has churned through four chief executives in less than five years, including Paul Zahra, Ian Nairn and John Dixon.

Key rival Myer is onto its third chief since 2015 as the grand old dames of Australian retail struggle to confront new fast fashion interlopers, the growth of online shopping and a consumer shift towards specialty stores.

Mr Thomas failed to attend a celebrity studded two-day fashion event at Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art this week to launch David Jones’ new autumn and winter collection.

It also follows the retailer recording a sharp slump in sales growth in the weeks leading into Christmas — traditionally a retailer’s busiest trading period — and comes as it overhauls its flagship store in Sydney and rolls out a new gourmet food offer.

Earlier this year David Jones revealed it had recorded a sharp slump in sales growth in the weeks leading into Christmas.

David Jones is owned by South African retail group Woolworths Holdings which is led by Ian Moir.

Mr Moir will take a hands-on role in running the chain while a replacement for Mr Thomas is found, David Jones said.

Woolworths shelled out $2.1 billion for David Jones in 2014 but cut its book value by close to one-third last year.