A major shake-up in the retail world has left shoppers wondering what comes next.

What began as a routine business move has now led to the closure of some long-standing stores, sending ripples through the industry.

The repercussions are far-reaching, but what does this sudden shift really mean for the future of shopping?

Mosaic Brands, the company behind popular Australian retailers such as Millers and Noni B, has announced the closure of its remaining stores.

The two chains, along with Rivers, will be completely shut down by April after receivers failed to secure a buyer for the group.

The closures will result in the loss of 252 stores and 933 jobs.

Mosaic Brands to close stores, jobs lost nationwide. Image source: Instagram/boovalfair/strathpinecentre

Receiver David Hardy from KPMG shared: 'Despite the best efforts of all parties, we have been unable to achieve a sale of any of the brands within the Mosaic portfolio.'

The closure announcement follows the recent shutdown of other Mosaic brands, including Katies, Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W Lane, and BeMe.

Hardy confirmed: 'As a result, all stores in the Mosaic Brands Group will be wound down over the coming months. We expect all stores will be closed by mid-April.'

The decision came shortly after the announcement of the end of the men’s clothing chain Rivers, also part of the Mosaic group.

Mosaic had entered voluntary administration in October, initially planning to wind down five of its chains: Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W Lane, and BeMe, with the focus shifting to its remaining brands.

However, all of these brands, including Rivers, Millers, and Noni B, will now be shuttered.

The receivers acknowledged the support received from the management team, employees, customers, and suppliers during the process, expressing gratitude for their cooperation.

Closing down sales will occur at individual stores depending on stock levels, with each location's closing scheduled at different times.

In a previous story, we detailed the closure of Rivers, another beloved brand under the Mosaic umbrella.

All 136 stores across Australia were set to shut down, leaving approximately 650 employees without jobs after receivers failed to secure a buyer.

For more on how this affects both employees and the wider retail industry, be sure to read the full article here.

Key Takeaways

• Mosaic Brands announced the closure of its remaining stores, including Millers, Noni B, and Rivers, after receivers failed to find a buyer for the group.
• The closures will result in the shutdown of 252 stores and the loss of 933 jobs, with all stores expected to close by mid-April.
• Receiver David Hardy confirmed that despite efforts, no sale was achieved for any of the brands in the Mosaic portfolio, including Katies, Rockmans, and others.
• Closing down sales will be held at individual stores, with each location closing depending on stock levels and scheduled at different times.

With so many closures happening, how do you think this will impact local shoppers and the retail industry as a whole? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Suzanne rose]

I have purchased so many clothes from all the Mosaic shops.
Rockmans and Noni B were my go to shop for work clothes . I have also purchased alot of formal dresses from Noni B
I think their downfall happened around 4 years ago when their was huge problems with on line deliveries . Either people didn't receive their orders or they came 3 months later and even then not complete. You would call ,then be on the line for an hour only to speak to someone in the Filopines and your problem wasn't solved.

At this time they must have been under new management or new owners.

I placed an order last week . I purchased 6 items for $64 including jumper, two shirts and 3 jeans. Let's see if it comes !!

I believe more of their customers shopped on line

 

[TATTOO]

I am guessing that there will be more and more online shopping

 

[Sasha2016]

I think it's terrible that all these stores are closing down. No consideration it done for all those shoppers who can't afford to buy clothes on line. Especially all those older shoppers who don't use a computer.
What about all those poor workers as well, more people out of work. This country is going down hill fast. It's disgusting

 

[Chook]

So much for National Financial Situatin?

 

[Niecy]

As a more mature woman I'm very disappointed this is happening. All of these stores are where I would do my usual clothes shopping. I have no idea where I will shop now. There are really no other stores left that cater for my age group. Where I live we don't even have Target it left a few years ago. Yes I can buy a basic T-shirt or underwear from Kmart or BigW, even Best & Less don't have much either. Every other store is aimed at the younger age groups. I've tried a couple of times buying clothes online but you just can't get the right fit. You need to be able to try them on for the right fit and style. I was so hoping another company would come along to help them out or take over. Just very sad.

 

[Niecy]

Try 9 popular brands and thousands to be made redundant with those already put of work because their stores (Rockmans, W Lane, Katies, sone Noni B stores and sone Rivers still awaiting their payout (holiday pay, long service pay, redundancy etc) and the last quarter's superannuation yet to be paid.

No final Termination Certificate yet either. But that's okay. Those staff can't pay their mortgage/rent/school fees etc but do they care? No!

 

[Niecy]

I truly feel sad for all the staff of these stores. The company seems to have tried to hang on as long as they could. I wasn't aware that one company owned so many different stores until this happened. Is it a case of too many people buying online rather than physically going into the stores or one company taking on too many different brands?

 

[Niecy]

Yes but the choice is limited. Mostly dark colours or puffy stuff. Not suitable for older ladies. I have bought some dresses from Kmart and BigW but had to unpick the "darts" to allow for a better fit.

 

[Niecy]

Yes Penny4 - Its not about the sizes, its about the style & fit of the clothing. Just to buy a pair of shorts or 3/4 pants can be difficult. we aren't all built with skinny legs, some of us have curves. The styles cater for the younger, slimmer, shapeless people where most of us do have curves. I've sometimes found that there is a better choice if you are in the lager sizes (18-26) than someone looking for a size 14 or 16. Its about age appropriate clothing which Kmart, BigW and Best & Less, don't have. These stores had a good variety of clothing and sizes.

 

[Daibhin]

I stopped shopping personally or online at the Mosaic stores quite soon after they joined together. The clothes changed a lot, plus for sales it was total rubbish most of the time and the fit was a disaster, trying to get a refund for an online purchase for an item that did not match as advertised was a huge battle, which I ended up telling them exactly what I thought of the principals-none-and how they were now cheating customers on a daily basis. Any complaint became "our sister store's problem". Of course online orders took longer than any overseas orders, and was such a disappointment when it did arrive.

The amalgamation ruined these stores and their way of doing business. You can't expect customers to be loyal when the businesses are not loyal in return.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Online shopping strikes again.

I feel this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Most of these shops have/had online shopping as well but their service was crap compared to Temu whose service is excellent.
I waited over 3 months with a lot of hassle to get a refund from Rockmans.
In comparison when I was sent the wrong cushion covers from Temu I had the refund in my account within 10 minutes and told to keep them. I gave them to my daughter in law. Ordered a new set, got them promptly along eith a $5 discount.

 

[Penny4]

Yes Penny4 - Its not about the sizes, its about the style & fit of the clothing. Just to buy a pair of shorts or 3/4 pants can be difficult. we aren't all built with skinny legs, some of us have curves. The styles cater for the younger, slimmer, shapeless people where most of us do have curves. I've sometimes found that there is a better choice if you are in the lager sizes (18-26) than someone looking for a size 14 or 16. Its about age appropriate clothing which Kmart, BigW and Best & Less, don't have. These stores had a good variety of clothing and sizes.

Yes, very true. My dear mother was only 5ft 2 in, a totally different shape to me.

 

[Tugnets37]

our shopping centre in Morwell will be deeply affected as we have Katies, Millers, Rockmans, Noni B and of course Rivers. The shopping centre will be desolate and this will leave the doors wide open for all the stalls from markets to come and ply their wares, which of course non of the money stays locals. There will be so many out of work. I feel so sorry for all the staff as there will be no where for them to go.

 

[Heathclyff]

Reading this just shows that having companies that control a number of different brands / sub-business , under the one umbrella just doesn't seem to work. If the main business folds, then these others follow. As an aside, I was speaking with some people who tell me that if they were in control of the Government, that they would do away with welfare...."As we all have the opportunity to get on." (an attitude that I find extremely inane and disgusting). Then we read this article and realize that all these closures represent a loss of jobs, our connection to each other, lack of places for lonely people to maybe wander around as they window shop and so on. Maybe only small businesses should be allowed access to offering selling on-line. with the bigger businesses needing to have stores and employees within those stores.

Such a sad story to read and even sadder when I think of the people and the repercussions on them as they have to now navigate unemployment and, for some, the uncertainty of their financial futures (even if only in the short term).

Of course, the other thing that is disappearing are the coffee shops as we give way to big businesses. And the thing which doesn't help either is those Coffee Shops who close around 3 pm. When I used to go shopping with my mum, we would often stop for a coffee on the way back home and around 5 pm. Only recently did I discovered a coffee shop nearby which is open to 5,30 and will still serve sandwiches (which they make fresh) up until that time - I love it. People who do physical shopping would most likely enjoy a rest after shopping, as they prepare for their journey back home. Coffee Shops also allow us to have a meeting place to connect.

The Lesson for us all - SHOP IN STORE ALWAYS and only on-line if you really have to.

 

[Chicky]

"Well" that just leaves us bigger girls on line shopping which postage costs a lot or Big W or Target and Kmart. They don't have a lot for us to choose from for us larger ladies.
Those workers have no where to go, hopefully they find work, won't be long ,we will have to buy everything on line.

 

[six]

I will miss them all. I worked years for these companys when my children were growing up, I did Thursday nights, Saturday's and Sundays with penalty rates for years. My husband looking after our 3 children. It was great to help with morgage etc. Now in mid 70s how fortunate we were to have such company's. I wanted to address this and thank whoever for how lucky we were. Many mature woman will find it difficult to find work. The shopping Malls will not have enough interesting stores eventually to even go there. How many nail shops, barbers, optometrists, phone shops eg do we need. Quite sad. Yes, I will miss you all.

 

[mylittletibbies]

"Well" that just leaves us bigger girls on line shopping which postage costs a lot or Big W or Target and Kmart. They don't have a lot for us to choose from for us larger ladies.
Those workers have no where to go, hopefully they find work, won't be long ,we will have to buy everything on line.

Plenty of plus sizes on Temu and no
postage. There is a minimum spend, mines $40, but you can get two or three items for that which is better than paying postage.
They have a much, much bigger range than any store and new things all the time. You're never spoilt for choice
Always read the size measurements and the product description and you can't go wrong.

 

[Penny4]

Reading this just shows that having companies that control a number of different brands / sub-business , under the one umbrella just doesn't seem to work. If the main business folds, then these others follow. As an aside, I was speaking with some people who tell me that if they were in control of the Government, that they would do away with welfare...."As we all have the opportunity to get on." (an attitude that I find extremely inane and disgusting). Then we read this article and realize that all these closures represent a loss of jobs, our connection to each other, lack of places for lonely people to maybe wander around as they window shop and so on. Maybe only small businesses should be allowed access to offering selling on-line. with the bigger businesses needing to have stores and employees within those stores.

Such a sad story to read and even sadder when I think of the people and the repercussions on them as they have to now navigate unemployment and, for some, the uncertainty of their financial futures (even if only in the short term).

Of course, the other thing that is disappearing are the coffee shops as we give way to big businesses. And the thing which doesn't help either is those Coffee Shops who close around 3 pm. When I used to go shopping with my mum, we would often stop for a coffee on the way back home and around 5 pm. Only recently did I discovered a coffee shop nearby which is open to 5,30 and will still serve sandwiches (which they make fresh) up until that time - I love it. People who do physical shopping would most likely enjoy a rest after shopping, as they prepare for their journey back home. Coffee Shops also allow us to have a meeting place to connect.

The Lesson for us all - SHOP IN STORE ALWAYS and only on-line if you really have to.

Nice thinking ... however, I'm sure Harvey Norman would disagree with you.

 

[Penny4]

Plenty of plus sizes on Temu and no
postage. There is a minimum spend, mines $40, but you can get two or three items for that which is better than paying postage.
They have a much, much bigger range than any store and new things all the time. You're never spoilt for choice
Always read the size measurements and the product description and you can't go wrong.

Have you bought pants for yourself? Just wondering if the quality is similar to Kmart.

 

[Mika in the van]

Online shopping strikes again.

I feel this is only the tip of the iceberg.

They destroyed the stores by only stocking poor quality at all of the stores. And remember lots of rural people have no choice but to shop on line.