Jigsaw UK exits Australia as pressures on fashion firms mount

Dean Blake

2nd Jun 2020

UK fashion brand Jigsaw closed its Australian business on Friday 29 May due to the impact of COVID-19.

The business shuttered its stores across the country and closed its local website, noting that while it is exiting Australia for now it could return in the future.

“It’s time to say goodbye. After many wonderful years, Jigsaw London will be closing its doors,” a statement on the website reads.

“Due to exceptional circumstances the business has made the difficult decision to close its Australian division to simplify its business.

“The coronavirus outbreak has had a severe impact on retailers around the world. While the pandemic continues, we will simplify our business by focussing on our home market in the UK.”

Customers that recently purchased online or instore will be able to claim returns up until 1 July.

While many parts of the retail industry have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, the fashion industry has felt the strain of lockdowns and adjusted consumer spend hardest.

On Friday fashion firm PAS Group said it had entered voluntary administration in a move to restructure.

Administrator Stephen Longley told Inside Retail that while it’s too early to be definitive, “some of the fundamentals would suggest that under a different model, the business could be more sustainable, noting the challenges presented by COVID-19”.

Earlier last month G-Star Raw also appointed administrators, with the intention to restructure the brand to survive mounting pressures.

This story originally appeared on sister site Inside Retail Australia.