Betts enters voluntary administration, to close 20 out of 35 stores as part of online pivot after 130 years
A family-owned retail chain will close most of its stores as it goes into voluntary administration after more than 130 years.
Australian shoe retailer Betts has announced it will close 20 of its 35 retail stores as part of a massive restructure, after the business entered voluntary administration last week.
The company behind the Australian school shoe has made the decision to run as an online store, transitioning away from physical retail.
The fifth generation family-owned business grew from a single storefront in Perth back in 1892 before growing its national footprint, peaking with 220 stores in its network.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.This included flagship stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The retailer has previously closed down outlets in recent years, as it says it is responding to declining foot traffic and the trend towards online retail.
Pitcher Partner administrator Lindsay Bainbridge said a challenging retail environment led to the store closures.
“Australians grew up with Betts shoes, they know and love the brand, and we believe it has a strong outlook as a more streamlined operation,” Mr Bainbridge said.
“But the retail conditions and falling foot traffic in a lot of centres just are not sustainable for the business.
“We will close some stores, focus on strengthening others, and continue the company’s plans to expand retail online.”
Betts will close three stores in South Australia, an outlet in Darwin and seven of its 11 stores across Western Australia.
The business says it will also close four physical outlets in both NSW and Victoria and one in Queensland.
As part of the closures, Betts will heavily discount 120,000 pairs of shoes and accessories from Friday.
This includes summer stock that will be landing in outlets later this week.
Impacted stores will trade for four to eight weeks with massive discounts before closing, unless otherwise stated.
“Customers can check stock online, but the best deals will be in the stores flagged for closure, where we will be running out stock at great prices,” Mr Bainbridge said.
Latest to fall
Betts has become the fourth major retailer in Australia to go under this month, as businesses face inflation and slowing consumer demand.
In early June, Barbeques Galore announced it would shut down 62 stores across Australia, impacting 500 jobs as a $5m rescue plan failed.
The brand went into voluntary administration in February this year.
Aussie craft and fabric retailer Lincraft will close all of its physical stores across Australia and New Zealand, affecting dozens of stores after more than 80 years in operation.
In mid-June, Glue stores also officially shut down after the fashion retailer was unable to find a buyer.
The retailer had been on the ropes since mid-2024 when half of its nationwide stores were shut. In February, owner Accent Group announced the remaining 16 outlets would be shut if no buyers stepped forward.
Two weeks ago, Glue’s website was stripped and the last few bricks and mortar shops were closed. The brand’s store at Melbourne’s Emporium will be the last to shutter, on Sunday.
A full list of Betts store closures is as follows:
Western Australia
Betts Hay Street (Hay Street Mall)
Betts Gateway (Cockburn Gateway)
Betts Mandurah (Mandurah Forum)
Betts Brand Direct WA (Watertown Brand Outlet West Perth)
Betts Brand Direct DFO Perth (Perth Airport)
Betts Whitfords (Whitford City) (closing imminently)
One of two Betts Joondalup stores (closing imminently)
South Australia
Betts Modbury (Westfield Tea Tree Plaza)
Betts West Lakes (Westfield West Lakes)
Betts Marion (Westfield Marion)
Northern Territory
Betts Casuarina (Casuarina Square)
New South Wales
Betts Macquarie (Macquarie Centre North Ryde)
Betts Liverpool (Westfield Liverpool)
Betts Rouse Hill (Rouse Hill Town Centre)
Betts Kotara (Westfield Kotara)
Victoria
Betts Greensborough (Greensborough Plaza – will close imminently)
Betts Ringwood (Eastland Shopping Centre)
Betts Doncaster (Westfield Doncaster)
Betts Fountain Gate (Westfield Fountain Gate)
Queensland
Betts Indooroopilly (Indooroopilly Shopping Centre)
More to come...
Originally published as Betts to shut more than half its stores in dramatic online pivot
