David Jones Stores Remain Open in Receivership
Receivers report record foot traffic and sales as the department store operator restructures under administration.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Retail
David Jones entered receivership and voluntary administration in the week before 8 November 2026, after rent negotiations with its landlords broke down. Its stores in Australia and New Zealand remain fully operational.
Why it matters
The receivership affects a long-established department store chain and its trade partners across Australia and New Zealand. Receivers say suppliers are continuing to fill replenishment orders, though some brand partners have withdrawn from certain stores.
Receivers FTI Consulting report record foot traffic and sales across David Jones stores and online since their appointment. The update does not disclose specific sales figures, store counts affected by brand withdrawals, or the outcome of rent negotiations.
The players
David Jones
David Jones is a long-established Australian department store retailer with stores across Australia and a single location in Newmarket, Auckland.
FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting is a global business advisory firm that was appointed as receiver to David Jones.
Erica Berchtold
Erica Berchtold is the chief executive of David Jones, leading the company's plan to reset the business during the receivership.
The details
Receivers FTI Consulting issued an update on the trading status of David Jones stores on 8 November 2026. Chief executive Erica Berchtold said the business would work with the administrators, receivers and its secured lender to pursue a well-developed plan to reset the business.
Timeline
Week before 8 November 2026: David Jones enters receivership and voluntary administration.
Since the receivers' appointment: Record foot traffic and sales are reported across stores and online.
8 November 2026: Receivers FTI Consulting issue a trading update.
Coming weeks: Promotional activities are reviewed ahead of Black Friday.
Industry Landscape
The receivership of David Jones follows a breakdown in rent negotiations with landlords, a pressure point for physical department store operators in Australia. Receivers are keeping stores trading while the business is reset, which is the standard route for keeping a retailer's operations intact during administration.
Shoppers can continue to visit David Jones stores in Australia and New Zealand, and receivers report that suppliers are filling replenishment orders. Some brand partners have withdrawn from certain stores, so product ranges in those locations may differ from usual.
The takeaway
Customers can keep shopping at David Jones while its restructuring proceeds, but it is worth checking whether a favourite brand is still stocked at a particular store. Promotional offers may change in the coming weeks as the business reviews its approach ahead of Black Friday.
What happens next
Promotional activities across David Jones stores and online are being reviewed in the coming weeks, particularly ahead of Black Friday.
Further reading
For more on how major chains are managing store networks, see the Retail section.
