Australian department store retailer David Jones has confirmed the closure of its only New Zealand location at Westfield Newmarket, as the business prepares to shut 19 stores across Australia and New Zealand following its entry into voluntary administration and receivership.
The announcement, made by receivers FTI Consulting on 11 November 2026, marks the end of the retailer's physical presence in New Zealand and forms part of a significant restructuring of the 188-year-old business.
The Newmarket store is among 19 locations identified for closure, representing half of David Jones' existing 38-store network. The affected stores will continue trading in the immediate term, with closures expected to take place by the end of 2026. Individual closing dates have not yet been confirmed.
Receivers Christopher Hill, David McGrath and Joanne Dunn of FTI Consulting confirmed that the business would undergo an urgent restructuring process, consistent with plans developed by management before the appointment of administrators.
A consultation process has commenced with employees at the affected locations, with the closures expected to result in significant job losses across the business.
David Jones chief executive Erica Berchtold also addressed employees following the announcement, acknowledging the difficult circumstances facing the retailer.
"We all know that the business could not continue operating as it was," Berchtold said in an internal message to employees, as reported by ABC News.
"Put simply, our store portfolio is no longer the right shape for the business."
The Newmarket department store opened in 2019 as a major anchor tenant within the redeveloped Westfield shopping centre. Its arrival represented a significant investment in New Zealand's premium retail market, bringing an established Australian department store offering to Auckland.
David Jones had previously operated a flagship store in Wellington, which closed in 2022, leaving Newmarket as its sole New Zealand location.
Financial results for the New Zealand operation had already indicated challenging trading conditions. For the financial year ending June 2025, revenue declined to approximately NZ$26 million, compared with NZ$29.3 million the previous year. The business also reported an annual loss of approximately NZ$4.4 million, largely attributed to an impairment associated with its property lease.
The closure announcement follows David Jones entering voluntary administration on 5 November, with McGrathNicol appointed as administrator and FTI Consulting taking control as receiver on behalf of secured lender Hilco Capital.
The retailer had been navigating financial pressures, including rising operating costs, changing consumer shopping habits and disputes with major landlords.
Across Australia, the restructuring will affect stores in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Among the locations identified for closure are Parramatta, Macquarie Centre, Hornsby, Highpoint, Robina Town Centre, Sunshine Plaza and the retailer's Hay Street Mall location in Perth.
The remaining 19 stores are expected to form the basis of a smaller retail network as administrators and receivers continue exploring options for the business, including a potential sale or recapitalisation.
For New Zealand's fashion industry, the departure represents another significant change to the department store landscape. David Jones has provided a retail platform for international and Australian fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, with its closure removing another large-format department store from the Auckland market.
The announcement follows several years of considerable change within New Zealand's department store sector, including the closures of H&J Smith, Smith & Caughey's and other longstanding retail businesses.
It also comes amid wider changes to the relationship between fashion brands and traditional department stores, as retailers reassess their physical networks and brands increasingly invest in standalone stores and direct-to-consumer channels.
The receivers have indicated that the restructuring is intended to give David Jones the best opportunity to continue operating as a sustainable business.
For now, the Newmarket store remains open while consultation with employees continues and arrangements for its closure are finalised.
The decision brings David Jones' seven-year presence in Auckland to an end, adding another major name to the changing landscape of New Zealand fashion retail.
