Iconic Denim Retail Store Jeanswest Is In BIG Trouble

In yet another blow to the Australian retail landscape, popular denim retailer, Jeanswest has gone into voluntary administration.

The clothing chain has cited online competition and reduced consumer spending as the primary reasons for their collapse.

Jeanswest currently has 146 shops nationwide with a team of 988 staff members. The retailer opened its first store in Perth in 1972 and is owned and operated by Hong Kong company Glorious Sun Enterprises Ltd.

Cost Cutting

KPMG were appointed as voluntary administrators for the brand and is expected to conduct an “urgent analysis” of the business to determine key cost-saving initiatives.

KPMG partner Peter Gothard said they will investigate all options to prevent stores from closing en-masse.

“Jeanswest will continue to operate while the Administrators conduct an urgent analysis of the business,” said Mr Gothard.

All Options Are On The Table

“The Administrators will be looking at all options for the restructure or sale of this established Australian retail business and are seeking urgent expressions of interest from parties interested in acquiring or investing in the business.”

Why Did The Business Collapse?

There are a number of factors that have led to the weakened position of Jeanswest.

“Like many other retailers, the business has been challenged by current tough market conditions and pressure from online competition,” said James Stewart, head of retail restructuring at KPMG.

“The Administration provides an opportunity for Jeanswest to restructure so as to better respond to the challenging Australian retail market.”

The retailer will continue to operate as normal while a potential buyer for the business is found.

The initial meeting to discuss the future of the company will be held on 28 February.

More Retailers In Trouble

As reported in 9News, there have been a number of Australian retailers that have been in strife over the last year. These include:

Curious Planet ; Napoleon Perdis ; Criniti’s Restaurant ; Bardot ; McWilliams Wines ; EB Games ; Red Rooster ; Ed Harry ; Harris Scarfe ; Karen Millen ; Zanui ; Muscle Coach ; Dimmeys

Are you a Jeanswest shopper? Tell us how you feel about this news in the comments below.

35 Comments

- - mom160270 said
  - 30 Sep 2024
    11:02 pm
I had no idea this business was in trouble.

- - meedee said
  - 28 Jul 2023
    12:16 pm
Not a place that I ever shopped

- - BellaB said
  - 31 Oct 2020
    7:20 pm
It’s been such a hard time for so many businesses.

- - mom268263 said
  - 31 Oct 2020
    11:35 am
Very challenging times and now the recovery will be a fraught process.

- - LeeLee said
  - 05 Mar 2020
    11:22 pm
I hope they can be saved. This is one of my favourite shops. So disappointing

- - mom343701 said
  - 05 Feb 2020
    8:25 am
this has been one of our family’s favourite stores so it will be really sad to see them go…hope they can get some assistance

- - mom101628 said
  - 27 Jan 2020
    10:44 pm
They were the first jeans company I could find that fitted me in my youth.
However their jeans are just unaffordable for me now and the big supermarket boys brought in jeans at from $7 upwards and the stretched to fit in many cases.
Must admit I rarely wear jeans any more and I hat those that have been slashed to ‘make a statement’.
In my day, you would have been advertising the fact you were poor and couldn’t afford another pair of jeans.

- - DaffyD said
  - 22 Jan 2020
    12:49 pm
I shopped there when I was single and had the money but these days the budget doesn’t stretch that far

- - mrsnaomiwalton@gmail.com said
  - 19 Jan 2020
    10:50 am
Noo! I always like their styles and they do great maternity jeans.

- - ashna9 said
  - 18 Jan 2020
    7:32 pm
So many businesses in trouble this year already and it’s only January 🙁

- - tessie said
  - 17 Jan 2020
    11:06 am
I’ve never shopped at Jeanswest mainly because they never had my size.

- - Ellen said
  - 17 Jan 2020
    5:28 am
To be honest I’ve never shopped at Jeanswest.

- - mom160289 said
  - 16 Jan 2020
    3:34 pm
Shopped there once years ago. Lots of competition especially inline retailers these days

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 16 Jan 2020
    1:25 pm
I have bought the odd thing from there, unfortunately they are usually a little expensive for my liking but I always loved to shop the factory outlets- such a shock! I also didn’t realise EB Games were in trouble too!
- Ellen replied
  
  17 Jan 2020 , 5:24 am
  My son LOVES EB games, he would be disappointed to hear they are struggling and may close down in the future !
- - mom112217 said
  - 16 Jan 2020
    12:42 pm
I have shopped there when l was young!

- - Fluffys57 said
  - 16 Jan 2020
    11:50 am
So many shops are closing down and this is another casualty I think I have only bought something once from Jeanswest they are a little too expensive

- - mom90758 said
  - 16 Jan 2020
    11:33 am
I just shopped a couple of times there. Terrible. Economy is not doing very well.

- - mom290396 said
  - 16 Jan 2020
    11:16 am
Their prices have been the reason I don’t shop there! So I’m not completely surprised. It will be strange walking through the shops and not seeing their store anymore, but now that I say that, I’m pretty sure they disappeared from my local shops a few years back.

- - rovermum said
  - 16 Jan 2020
    9:27 am
Just shattered. I was devastated when their store closed in my local Shopping Centre so support them whenever I’m in a Centre that has one, and order online (although I find this trickier – I prefer to feel and see and try). It seems all my shops are closing and I don’t know what to do. I definitely support the economy with my shopping (and my hubby will agree), so feel I’m doing all I can.

- - mom93821 said
  - 16 Jan 2020
    5:16 am
Not a go to store for me.
- mom93821 replied
  
  17 Jan 2020 , 8:10 am
  Oops! should read not a must go to shop!
  I will briefly browse but not a staple shop.