Jeanswest to shut 37 stores and cut nearly 300 workers

Clothing retailer Jeanswest will shut 37 stores and make 263 employees redundant as part of its restructure.

Jeanswest first announced its collapse last Wednesday, citing “tough market conditions”.

According to a statement released by voluntary administrators KPMG, 11 stores across NSW will shut, seven across Queensland, six across Western Australia, three across South Australia, nine across Victoria and one in Tasmania.

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Additionally, 263 workers will be made redundant, including 21 from Jeanswest’s Melbourne head office. KPMG will look to reallocate staff to other positions where possible.

The decision to restructure the business so early in the administration process was “not taken lightly”, said KPMG voluntary administrator James Stewart.

“We are very mindful of the serious impact store closures and staff redundancies have on people’s lives. However, we must also work to maximize the opportunity for this business to be sold or restructured – to give it the best chance to continue.”

Staff will be given assistance through Jeanswest’s Employee Assistance Program to employees affected by the store closures.

Here is the full list of stores to close:

• Blacktown Store NSW

• Burleigh Store QLD

• Carousel Store WA

• Castle Plaza Store SA

• Castle Towers Store NSW

• Castletown Store QLD

• Centrepoint Store WA

• Charlestown Store NSW

• Chermside Store QLD

• Doncaster Store VIC

• Earlville Store QLD

• East Gardens Store NSW

• Eastlands Store VIC

• Echuca Store VIC

• Forest Hill Store VIC

• Hobart City Store TAS

• Karingal Store VIC

• Karrinyup Store WA

• Kotara Store NSW

• Lismore Store QLD

• Macarthur Store NSW

• Mandurah Store WA

• Marion (New) SA

• Maroochydore Store QLD

• Mirabooka Store WA

• Miranda Store NSW

• Myer Centre Store QLD

• Rockingham Store WA

• Rosebud Store VIC

• Shell Harbour Store NSW

• Singleton Store NSW

• Southland Store VIC

• The District Docklands VIC

• Tweed City Store NSW

• Watergardens Store VIC

• West Lakes Store SA

• Wetherill Park Store NSW

A KPMG spokesperson told Yahoo Finance that there was no specified timings yet for the closure of each store.

“The restructure has commenced so store closures expected in the coming weeks,” the spokesperson said.

A creditor’s meeting will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday 28 January at 11am.

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