Australia’s 57 Roger David stores heading for closure

Australia’s troubled retail industry is set to claim another scalp with an iconic menswear chain heading for collapse by “mid-December”.

Roger David’s 57 fashion and accessories stores will close within weeks after no buyers emerged in a four-week process to sell them as a going concern.

Administrator Craig Shepard of KordaMentha Restructuring said Thursday that, while there had been some interest among potential buyers, the retail clothing environment was too tough to attract firm bids.

“Roger David was a victim of rising fixed costs, fierce competition from online and global competitors and cautious consumer demand,” Mr Shepard said.

Roger David stores will close within weeks. Picture: rogerdavid.com.au

All remaining stock, including the summer range, is being moved into stores and will be priced to clear, with the 76-year-old chain closing down by early to mid-December.

The business was placed in voluntary administration on October 18.

Roger David employs 300 full-time people and almost 200 casuals and part-timers.

“The employees and customers have been remarkable in the past four weeks to help provide the company with cash flow to help pay entitlements and creditors,” Mr Shepherd said.

“Discounts of 60 per cent or more will continue until the last day.”

Roger David has 193 employees in 19 stores in Victoria, 98 in 15 stores in Queensland, 77 in 12 stores in NSW, 60 in seven stores in WA, 15 in two stores in SA, 15 in two stores in Tasmania and four in one Canberra store.

Shocked Aussies have taken to social media to express their sadness at the expected closures, with many pointing out employees will face a bleak Christmas as they lose their jobs just before the December holiday.

A model in a Roger David suit.

Roger David will close within weeks.

How incredibly sad. I feel terrible for all who have lost their jobs, and the timing is truly terrible. #RogerDavid https://t.co/F1iO2FKNhZ via @theage

— cinegirl 14📺🌈 (@cinegirl14) November 14, 2018

Whilst feeling for the employees who will loose their jobs, Roger David was a dinosaur of retail. Poor management that pushed stale merchandise in an overcrowded marketplace. The Equerry didn’t even look at them. https://t.co/s8mTIfuJ0a

— The Hound (@HoundIsSleeping) November 14, 2018

This is so sad, Roger David has such a wonderful reputation.

— Pat Hall (@PatsPat) November 14, 2018

The ABC Site just announced that all Roger David stores will close before Christmas. 600 people face a bleak new year. The pre Christmas jobs cull has started, & Morrison wanted to halve funding to Foodbank. Oh well, I guess it’s still the lucky country if you’re a politician.

— Eva Kopke (@kopke_eva) November 14, 2018

The Roger David website is now advertising all items are selling at 60 per cent off as the chain’s closing down sale gets underway.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

In mid-October, it was announced the iconic retailer had collapsed due to competition from international and online rivals.

The company, which employs more than 300 staff members across the country, is the third-largest specialty menswear chain in Australia.

“Despite the directors’ best efforts with the business, it simply could not compete with the influx of multinational retailers and the rapid, global evolution of online shopping,” Roger David directors said in a statement last month.

“Thank you also to Roger David’s loyal customers who have been on a journey with Roger David since we opened our doors.

“Like you, we are heartbroken but forever grateful to have served generations of your family since 1942.”

OTHER VICTIMS:

It has been a horror period for Aussie retailers recently, with Roger David just the latest in a string of high-profile collapses.

Its closure follows Marcs, Pumpkin Patch, Payless Shoes and Rhodes & Beckett which have also entered administration recently, although some brands have survived under new owners.