After 25 years of helping Australian women find their 'famous fit,' Famous Footwear has become the latest casualty in what retail experts are calling one of the most challenging periods in Australian retail history.
The affordable women's footwear retailer announced it will permanently close all stores and cease online operations, joining a growing list of iconic Australian brands that have struggled to survive mounting economic pressures in 2025.
Famous Footwear's closure has been described by customers as a sign of a 'grim reality' facing Australian retail, with the brand's social media announcement drawing hundreds of heartfelt responses from loyal shoppers who have relied on the retailer for decades.
When the doors close for good
Famous Footwear will accept online orders until 31 December 2025, with physical store closures scheduled for early 2026. The retailer operates 17 stores across NSW, Queensland and Victoria, employing over 200 people who now face an uncertain future.
'You guys were so good such comfortable shoes and such a reasonable price this is sad'
The company has already launched closing-down sales, with customers warned to 'get in fast because they will not be restocking anything, once it's gone, it's gone'.
Discounts are reportedly reaching up to 70 per cent as the retailer clears remaining inventory.
The closure affects stores stocking popular brands including Pied a Terre, Naughty Monkey, London Rebel and Venice Beach Shoes, with many customers expressing particular sadness about losing access to affordable, comfortable footwear options.
Part of a broader retail crisis
Famous Footwear's demise doesn't exist in isolation. Economists warn that the closure highlights broader challenges within Australia's retail landscape, where inflation, reduced spending, and digital transformation are squeezing smaller players.
Recent major Australian retail closures
Wittner: 113-year-old footwear brand entered administration in April 2025 (later rescued by The Shoe Group)
Jeanswest: Closed over 90 stores, hundreds of job losses
Ally Fashion: Collapsed, affecting 185 stores and 1,000+ jobs
Mosaic Brands: Multiple chains including Katies, Rivers, and Noni B
Harrolds: Luxury retailer liquidated after nearly 40 years
The challenges stem from a consumer spending crunch, caused by stubborn inflation and 13 successive interest rate hikes.
'When you have increasing costs of living, what takes place is discretionary spending is eroded,' explains Professor Gary Mortimer from Queensland University of Technology.
'Families then start to focus more heavily on servicing debt, paying back mortgages, paying rent, putting food on the table, putting fuel on the car, rather than going out and buying a new coat, or a new pair of jeans, or a new pair of boots for winter,' Mortimer notes.
The human cost of retail closures
The impact extends beyond just job numbers. As one union representative pointed out: 'These boutique brands are heavily feminised and often employ older women who have been in those roles for a long time and often find it harder to find new work'.
For many customers, the closure represents a personal loss. 'You guys to me were the online brand at the time that I found size 5 heels, boots for my small feet,' one customer shared. 'For ages... I had to go to you to get size 5, so I wanted to say thank you for your size 5 shoes over the years, will miss you guys'.
Success stories offer hope
While Famous Footwear couldn't find a rescue deal, other Australian retailers have managed to find new life after administration.
Wittner, the 113-year-old footwear brand that collapsed into administration in April, was successfully rescued by The Shoe Group, allowing for 'the continuation of the majority of the Wittner business, including retail stores and concessions, as well as the retention of over 170 employees'.
This demonstrates that with the right buyer and business model, even struggling retailers can be revived in today's challenging environment.
What this means for shoppers
The closure of Famous Footwear underscores a broader trend impacting retail globally. As more consumers turn to online platforms, traditional stores must adapt or exit the market.
This transition highlights the importance of innovation and adaptation in today's retail landscape.
For customers, this means fewer physical shopping options and potentially higher prices as competition decreases in the affordable footwear market.
However, it also accelerates the shift toward online shopping, which can offer greater choice and competitive pricing.
What Famous Footwear customers need to know
- Online orders accepted until December 31, 2025
- Physical stores closing early 2026
- Closing-down sales now underway with significant discounts
- No restocking—once items are sold, they're gone
- Consider alternative Australian footwear retailers for future needs
The broader economic picture
Retail management across the industry cite economic pressures and reduced in-store foot traffic as the main reasons behind closures.
The challenges include 'cost pressures from rising wages and occupancy costs, and more recently challenging trading conditions and supply-chain disruptions'.
A relatively weak Australian dollar also hurts local businesses sourcing products from overseas, eroding margins even when sales figures remain strong.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Famous Footwear was part of parent company Asco International, based in Queensland's Molendinar. Despite operating for 25 years and serving hundreds of thousands of customers, the company has not disclosed the specific reasons behind its closure decision.
The retail landscape is clearly in transition, with traditional brick-and-mortar stores facing unprecedented challenges. While some brands like Wittner have found new owners and continue trading, others like Famous Footwear simply cannot find a viable path forward in the current economic climate.
What This Means For You
For Australian shoppers, particularly those who have relied on affordable retailers like Famous Footwear for decades, these closures represent more than just business news—they're the end of familiar shopping experiences and trusted brands that have been part of their lives for years.
What are your thoughts on the wave of Australian retail closures? Have you been a loyal Famous Footwear customer, or do you have memories of other beloved retailers that have closed their doors? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Original Article
https://www.9news.com.au/national/s...hut-down/3d70da50-2bbc-4f99-8f6a-82f4e4acd265
Popular Aussie retailer to close down
Cited text: A popular shoe retailer has announced its closure after 25 years in business, in what Aussies say is a sign of a “grim reality”.
Excerpt: Famous Footwear's closure has been described by customers as a sign of a 'grim reality'
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/popular-aussie-retailer-close-down-015208166.html
Famous Footwear Australia Announces Closure After 25 Years | Meyka
Cited text: Online orders will be accepted until December 31, 2025, and physical store closures are scheduled for early 2026.
Excerpt: Famous Footwear will accept online orders until December 31, 2025, with physical store closures scheduled for early 2026
https://meyka.com/blog/famous-footwear-australia-announces-closure-after-25-years-0610/
Popular Australian Shoe Retailer Shutting Down for Good After 25-Years—Zinc 96.1 FM
Cited text: Within the coming months all Famous Footwear stores will close, with the online store also coming to a close with its last day of sale on the 31st of ...
Excerpt: Famous Footwear will accept online orders until December 31, 2025, with physical store closures scheduled for early 2026
https://www.zinc96.com.au/trending/...tailer-shutting-down-for-good-after-25-years/
Popular Australian Shoe Retailer Shutting Down for Good After 25-Years—Zinc 96.1 FM
Cited text: Famous Footwear will be hosting a closing day sale that will begin today. Get in fast because they will not be restocking anything, once it’s gone, it...
Excerpt: The company has already launched closing-down sales, with customers warned to 'get in fast because they will not be restocking anything, once it's gone, it's gone'
https://www.zinc96.com.au/trending/...tailer-shutting-down-for-good-after-25-years/
Famous Footwear to Close Down: Iconic Aussie Shoe Retailer Shutting All Stores
Cited text: As Famous Footwear prepares to shut down operations, loyal customers are taking advantage of storewide closing-down sales, with discounts reportedly r...
Excerpt: Discounts are reportedly reaching up to 70 per cent
https://startupnews.fyi/2025/10/06/...-shoe-retailer-shuts-its-doors-after-decades/
Famous Footwear to Close Down: Iconic Aussie Shoe Retailer Shutting All Stores
Cited text: Economists warn that the closure of Famous Footwear highlights broader challenges within Australia’s retail landscape, where inflation, reduced spendi...
Excerpt: Economists warn that the closure highlights broader challenges within Australia's retail landscape, where inflation, reduced spending, and digital transformation are squeezing smaller players
https://startupnews.fyi/2025/10/06/...-shoe-retailer-shuts-its-doors-after-decades/
Legacy footwear brand Wittner calls in the administrators for business reboot
Cited text: But the business is not immune from a consumer spending crunch, caused by stubborn inflation and 13 successive interest rate hikes. “When you have inc...
Excerpt: The challenges stem from a consumer spending crunch, caused by stubborn inflation and 13 successive interest rate hikes.
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/legacy-footwear-brand-wittner-collapse-administration/
Legacy footwear brand Wittner calls in the administrators for business reboot
Cited text: “Families then start to focus more heavily on servicing debt, paying back mortgages, paying rent, putting food on the table, putting fuel on the car, ...
Excerpt: 'Families then start to focus more heavily on servicing debt, paying back mortgages, paying rent, putting food on the table, putting fuel on the car, rather than going out and buying a new coat, or a new pair of jeans, or a new pair of…
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/legacy-footwear-brand-wittner-collapse-administration/
Wittner Shoes Collapses Into Administration, With Australian Footwear Chain Hoping For New Buyer—Australian Business Journal
Cited text: “It is an ongoing concern for us particularly because these boutique brands are heavily feminised,” the unions Josh Callinan told ABC News. “And often...
Excerpt: The impact extends beyond just job numbers.
https://theabj.com.au/2025/04/16/wittner-shoes/
Popular Aussie retailer to close down
Cited text: You guys to me were the online brand at the time that I found size 5 heels, boots for my small feet,” a person commented. “For ages … I had to go to y...
Excerpt: For many customers, the closure represents a personal loss. 'You guys to me were the online brand at the time that I found size 5 heels, boots for my small feet,' one customer shared.
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/popular-aussie-retailer-close-down-015208166.html
Wittner Shoes enters new future as Shoe Group takeover settled—Inside Retail Australia
Cited text: Wittner has been rescued from administration after the administrators completed the sale of the company to The Shoe Group.
Excerpt: Wittner, the 113-year-old footwear brand that collapsed into administration in April, was successfully rescued by The Shoe Group, allowing for 'the continuation of the majority of the Wittner business, including retail stores and…
https://insideretail.com.au/busines...-future-as-shoe-group-takeover-settled-202507
Wittner Shoes enters new future as Shoe Group takeover settled—Inside Retail Australia
Cited text: “The success of the sale, which occurred in the context of a challenging retail environment, will allow for the continuation of the majority of the Wi...
Excerpt: Wittner, the 113-year-old footwear brand that collapsed into administration in April, was successfully rescued by The Shoe Group, allowing for 'the continuation of the majority of the Wittner business, including retail stores and…
https://insideretail.com.au/busines...-future-as-shoe-group-takeover-settled-202507
Famous Footwear Australia Announces Closure After 25 Years | Meyka
Cited text: The closure of Famous Footwear Australia underscores a broader trend impacting retail globally. As more consumers turn to online platforms, traditiona...
Excerpt: The closure of Famous Footwear underscores a broader trend impacting retail globally.
https://meyka.com/blog/famous-footwear-australia-announces-closure-after-25-years-0610/
Famous Footwear to Close Down: Iconic Aussie Shoe Retailer Shutting All Stores
Cited text: In a statement released to the media, the retailer’s management cited economic pressures and reduced in-store foot traffic as the main reasons behind ...
Excerpt: Retail management across the industry cite economic pressures and reduced in-store foot traffic as the main reasons behind closures
https://startupnews.fyi/2025/10/06/...-shoe-retailer-shuts-its-doors-after-decades/
Footwear brand Wittner collapses into administration—Ragtrader
Cited text: “However, the growth in sales has been eroded by cost pressures from rising wages and occupancy costs, and more recently challenging trading condition...
Excerpt: The challenges include 'cost pressures from rising wages and occupancy costs, and more recently challenging trading conditions and supply-chain disruptions'
https://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/footwear-brand-wittner-collapses-into-administration
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