The collapse followed failed negotiations with Scentre Group, the operator of Westfield shopping centres and David Jones’ largest landlord, over store closures and rent. According to the AFR, David Jones had sought three months of rent relief and a smaller store footprint. It had hoped to come out of the restructure with about 12 key stores.
Scentre told the AFR that David Jones had not paid rent since 30 September 2026. Scentre chief executive Elliott Rusanow said the landlord had made a “generous offer” that would have helped the retailer through the Christmas trading period, but it was rejected.
Anchorage bought David Jones from South Africa’s Woolworths Holdings in 2023 for less than $100…