Homegrown women's brand faces collapse after decades of service. Will your favourite footwear vanish soon?
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The homegrown brands many Aussie seniors love have seen massive changes over the years.
While some have expanded beyond The Land Down Under, others saw a massive dip in their customer base.
Recent news in Australia's fashion scene left many loyal customers and employees with a sense of loss and uncertainty.
For over a century, Wittner has been a household name in Australia.
From starting as a mail-order shoe business in 1912, Wittner has walked alongside many Australian women through every phase of their lives.
However, just like several Aussie retailers, Wittner has succumbed to the pressures of modern retail and entered administration.
Wittner became part of a growing list of legacy retailers who have struggled to adapt to the changing retail landscape.
Despite surviving for over a century, the rising costs of rent and wages became too much for Wittner.
Deloitte's Sal Algeri and David Orr have stepped in as administrators to take care of Wittner's resuscitation.
'We understand the appointment of administrators will be particularly concerning to Wittner's employees, as well as the very loyal customer base it has built over decades,' Algeri prefaced.
'Please be assured that trade will continue on a business-as-usual basis as we conduct an urgent review of the group's finances.'
Wittner's current owner, United Kingdom-based investor Hilco Capital, previously took on the company's debt in 2020.
Hilco Capital later converted this debt into a majority equity stake.
Hilco, which recently added Cue Clothing to its portfolio of distressed Australian fashion labels, has been the sole funder of Wittner ever since they stepped in.
A Hilco Capital spokesman expressed the firm's commitment to working with the administrators to ensure the best outcome for staff and creditors.
However, this news offered little solace to the hundreds of Wittner employees.
Wittner has more than 20 standalone stores and 25 department store concessions in David Jones and Myer.
The backroom teams supporting Wittner's online business and presence on The Iconic also face uncertainty.
Wittner's collapse was part of a broader trend in the Australian retail industry.
Last October, Mosaic Brands announced that they are entering administration.
A few weeks ago, Jeanswest entered administration and put their products, including new stocks, on sale.
Despite the grim outlook, Wittner's management pointed to their growth in online sales.
They also boasted an expanded presence in Myer stores in the country.
As Aussies wait to see what the future holds for Wittner, many shoppers now wonder if their favourite shoes will become a thing of the past.
For now, customers can still purchase their beloved footwear as the business continues to operate.
What do you think of Wittner's situation? Will you be rushing out to grab a pair before they potentially vanish, or will you be looking for a new favourite footwear? Share your Wittner memories with us in the comments section below.
While some have expanded beyond The Land Down Under, others saw a massive dip in their customer base.
Recent news in Australia's fashion scene left many loyal customers and employees with a sense of loss and uncertainty.
For over a century, Wittner has been a household name in Australia.
From starting as a mail-order shoe business in 1912, Wittner has walked alongside many Australian women through every phase of their lives.
However, just like several Aussie retailers, Wittner has succumbed to the pressures of modern retail and entered administration.
Wittner became part of a growing list of legacy retailers who have struggled to adapt to the changing retail landscape.
Wittner announced a 50 per cent sale off their products online. Image Credit: Instagram/Wittner Shoes
Despite surviving for over a century, the rising costs of rent and wages became too much for Wittner.
Deloitte's Sal Algeri and David Orr have stepped in as administrators to take care of Wittner's resuscitation.
'We understand the appointment of administrators will be particularly concerning to Wittner's employees, as well as the very loyal customer base it has built over decades,' Algeri prefaced.
'Please be assured that trade will continue on a business-as-usual basis as we conduct an urgent review of the group's finances.'
Wittner's current owner, United Kingdom-based investor Hilco Capital, previously took on the company's debt in 2020.
Hilco Capital later converted this debt into a majority equity stake.
Hilco, which recently added Cue Clothing to its portfolio of distressed Australian fashion labels, has been the sole funder of Wittner ever since they stepped in.
A Hilco Capital spokesman expressed the firm's commitment to working with the administrators to ensure the best outcome for staff and creditors.
However, this news offered little solace to the hundreds of Wittner employees.
Wittner has more than 20 standalone stores and 25 department store concessions in David Jones and Myer.
The backroom teams supporting Wittner's online business and presence on The Iconic also face uncertainty.
Wittner's collapse was part of a broader trend in the Australian retail industry.
Last October, Mosaic Brands announced that they are entering administration.
A few weeks ago, Jeanswest entered administration and put their products, including new stocks, on sale.
Despite the grim outlook, Wittner's management pointed to their growth in online sales.
They also boasted an expanded presence in Myer stores in the country.
As Aussies wait to see what the future holds for Wittner, many shoppers now wonder if their favourite shoes will become a thing of the past.
For now, customers can still purchase their beloved footwear as the business continues to operate.
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