The Australian retailers that closed their doors for good in 2018

It’s been a horror year for big brands, with a stack of popular chains succumbing to our tough retail climate — and shutting down for good.

It started early with the collapse of womenswear label Maggie T in early January — and the bloodbath affecting Aussie retailers has been relentless ever since.

While 2017 saw the demise of huge labels such as Topshop and Topman Australia, Marcs, David Lawrence, Herringbone, Rhodes & Beckett, Pumpkin Patch and Payless Shoes, it seems 2018 has been no kinder to retail companies.

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Here’s a roundup of some of the most iconic brands lost in 2018.

MAGGIE T:

The plus-size womenswear brand was the first high-profile Australian retailer to enter administration in 2018 after announcing it would close in early January.

The label, which was founded in 1981 and fronted by Aussie TV personality Maggie Tabberer, collapsed into voluntary administration — but in March, Specialty Fashion Group revealed its acquisition of the company.

Maggie T was fronted by actor Maggie Tabberer. Picture: Supplied

DIANA FERRARI:

Not long after, Australian footwear, clothing and accessories label Diana Ferrari revealed “at least four” of its 17 retail stores would be rebranded with the rest to close, with six clearance outlets to remain open.

MOUNTAIN DESIGNS:

In the same month, outdoor adventure gear company Mountain Designs made the “difficult decision” to close one in three stores in 2018.

Shops at Joondalup, Wagga Wagga, Toowong and Dubbo closed on January 7 followed by branches at Cannington, Bendigo, Toowoomba and Wollongong on January 10, with others at Pacific Fair, Ashmore, Bunbury, Moorabbin and Warringah also shutting.

GAP:

Next came Gap, which quietly bowed out of the Australian market in early February.

The US fashion giant was brought to Australia by luxury goods retailer Oroton — which narrowly avoided its own collapse late last year.

AVON:

Soon after, cosmetics brand Avon announced it would leave Australia and New Zealand “by the end of 2018”, leaving the company’s 220 staff and more than 21,400 representatives facing an uncertain future.

ESPRIT:

In early May, fashion retailer Esprit revealed it would close all 67 of its loss-making Australia and New Zealand stores as the Hong Kong-listed company shifted its focus to more profitable regions.

Esprit also left Australia this year. Picture: Philippe Lopez/AFP

METALICUS:

Soon after, General Pants Group-owned Metalicus became the latest victim of our dire retail industry, emailing customers to announce it was entering voluntary administration.

DOUGHNUT TIME:

Earlier this year, fans of Doughnut Time were left devastated after the popular chain went into liquidation and closed stores around the country.

But in July, the brand rose from the ashes after being taken over by new owner Pete Andros who relaunched the chain and opened a raft of new stores.

ZUMBO PATISSERIE:

In early August, news broke dessert king Adriano Zumbo’s company had gone into voluntary administration.

However, administrators confirmed the eight Zumbo Patisserie shops across Sydney and Melbourne would continue to operate as normal.

TOYS R US:

The toy company finally closed down for good on August 5 after going into voluntary administration in May.

In July, administrators revealed all Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores across the country would fold, with around 700 jobs lost.

The announcement followed the failure of Toys R Us in the US in March.

Toys R Us closed down on August 5. Picture: Richard Gosling

SHOES OF PREY:

Aussie footwear start-up Shoes of Prey, which was founded in 2009 by Jodie and Michael Fox and Mike Knapp, revealed it had ceased trading in a shock announcement posted to its website and on social media in August.

The company, which was initially a tearaway success, allowed shoppers to customise their own shoes via the company website, which were then delivered within a few weeks.

MAX BRENNER:

The popular chocolate chain announced it had gone into voluntary administration in early October.

It was then revealed Max Brenner had been rescued from liquidation by investment office Tozer & Co — but that deal ultimately fell through, plunging the brand into further uncertainty.

ROGER DAVID:

Last month, the famous menswear label confirmed its 57 fashion and accessories stores would close within weeks after no buyers emerged in a four-week process to sell them as a going concern.

The business, which was placed in voluntary administration on October 18, employs 300 full-time people and almost 200 casuals and part-timers.

A Roger David store in Pacific Fair, Broadbeach during its final days. Picture: John Gass

LAURA ASHLEY:

Finally, in early December, news broke that clothing and home furnishing group Laura Ashley had been placed in administration for a second time.

The retailer, which first entered administration in 2016, has 18 stores and 100 employees in Australia.

KordaMentha Restructuring said administrators’ priorities were to review the business, look for buyers for both merchandise and brand licence, and to clear as much stock in the lead-up to Christmas.

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