The Australian retail landscape is set to lose a historic name as Fletcher Jones, a brand that has clothed generations since the 1920s, prepares to close its doors permanently. The current owner, Matthew Gowty, confirmed this week that all remaining stores will cease trading by the end of January, drawing the curtain on a business that began a century ago.
A Century of Australian Style Comes to an End
The story of Fletcher Jones started in 1924 when founder David Fletcher Jones began selling textiles in Warrnambool, on Victoria's south-west coast. The brand expanded over the following decades, opening its first retail stores in the 1930s and 1940s, with garments crafted by its own team of in-house tailors. A significant milestone was reached in 1947 with the construction of a dedicated garment factory on a large Warrnambool site.
At the height of its success, Fletcher Jones was a manufacturing powerhouse, employing a 3,000-strong workforce across production centres in Warrnambool and Mount Gambier. Known for its men's casual and formal wear, the brand became a trusted staple in many Australian wardrobes.
Administration and a Long Struggle for Survival
The brand's fortunes shifted dramatically 15 years ago when it entered administration. This led to the closure of numerous stores and significant staff redundancies. Despite efforts to revive the business, Fletcher Jones has struggled to regain its footing in Australia's fiercely competitive retail market in the years since.
The announcement of the final closures marks the definitive end of a long battle for survival, signalling the disappearance of a once-dominant high-street presence.
A Broader Trend of Retail Reinvention
The demise of Fletcher Jones follows swiftly on the heels of another major announcement from a beloved Australian fashion label. The celebrity-favourite brand Sass & Bide revealed it is withdrawing from Myer stores and closing its standalone shops by the end of January as part of a 'reinvention'.
In a social media post, the brand, which counts Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian among its fans, stated its online store would also cease trading at the end of February. Promising a future return, Sass & Bide said it would use the time offline to 're-imagine' the brand, while keeping its 'free-spirited and distinctly Australian attitude'. This move came after the brand closed ten stores across Australia and New Zealand in late 2024.
The concurrent news from these two iconic but very different brands highlights the relentless pressures and transformative changes facing the retail sector, where even century-old institutions and globally recognised names must adapt or face closure.
