Apple, Peter Alexander, Smiggle to shut indefinitely as David Jones reveals shopping changes
Tech giant Apple will join a host of retailers that will shutter their doors after Victoria was placed in a second lockdown on Thursday. But an overwhelming majority of stores are still open at mega mall Chadstone.
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Apple stores will join a host of retailers to shut their doors after Victoria entered a second lockdown to combat the latest wave of coronavirus.
The tech giant will officially shut in Melbourne on Saturday, but is currently only accepting customers who need to pick up devices that were sent for repair prior to the shutdown.
There were six staff and no customers at the Chadstone Apple store this morning when the Herald Sun visited the centre.
Unlike the CBD, which is a ghost town today, there was a smattering of shoppers at Australia’s biggest shopping centre, with approximately 80 percent of stores still open.
Fast fashion retailer Zara and beauty store Sephora were the only large international retailers shut, along with local brands including Peter Alexander, Just Jeans, Smiggle, Portman’s, Sportsgirl, Sussan, Gorman, RM Williams, Wittner, Bonds and T2.
But Myer and David Jones were operating, as were popular brands Cotton On, Country Road, Forever New, Mimco, Witchery, Uniqlo, Mecca, Rebel Sport, JB Hi-Fi and Kmart.
Milena Strikov, shopping with her son for birthday gifts, said she was only there because she couldn’t get what she needed locally.
“We tried to avoid going to Chadstone, we wanted to go to the high street, but they didn’t have what we wanted. We’re getting in and getting what we need and then getting out,” she said.
Several stores had signs on their windows explaining to customers why they were shut and how to make returns or shop online.
It comes as Peter Alexander, Portmans, Just Jeans and Smiggle will close all metropolitan Melbourne stores for the foreseeable future from Wednesday night.
All affected staff were stood down on Wednesday night and the business will again not pay rent for the impacted stores.
Owner Premier Investments released a statement this afternoon stating: “Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic we have made clear that the health and safety of all team members and customers is paramount.”
“Following a recent spike in cases throughout Victoria, yesterday Premier Daniel Andrews announced the reintroduction of stage three lockdown measures in metropolitan Melbourne.
“As loved as our brands are by our customers, they are clearly not an essential service.
Therefore to ensure we adhere with the State Government’s direction and protect the health and safety of our staff and customers, we have made the decision to close all of our Melbourne metropolitan stores in line with the Government’s direction at 11.59pm tonight for the foreseeable future,” the business said.
It comes as David Jones announces it would reduce hours in some stores and pause all on-counter and beauty services, lingerie fittings, alterations and dine-in services in all Victorian stores.
A spokesman said “mostly late night trade has been reduced and we will continue to review this over the coming days”.
“We appreciate the seriousness of the current situation in Victoria and will be closely monitoring this each day, as well as strictly complying with all government health and safety advice.”
“Over the past few months we have invested significant time and expertise in readying our stores to manage the COVID-19 situation, and with the measures we have implemented – including increased cleaning and sanitisation, protective hygiene screens, rigorous social distancing and the enforcement of store capacities.”
Shoe retailer Merchant 1948 has also announced today it will close its Melbourne Central, Chadstone, Southland, Doncaster and Highpoint stores from tomorrow until August 20.
“Our love goes out to all of our teams … the health and safety of our people and are customers are always our highest priority,” an online statement said.
Myer is continuing to trade as normal at this stage.
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