Hundreds of jobs could go as ABC shuts down stores

Up to 300 jobs will be lost as the ABC closes down its 50 retail stores around Australia.

The national broadcaster will instead move to online retailing of ABC-related products and a focus on outlets in other retailers.

The ABC said in a statement it would begin ending leases with landlords.

Staff will be consulted over the changes in coming months.

ABC Retail head Regina Hoekstra said the welfare of staff would be a "primary focus" as the stores closed down.

"The ABC is confident that this new strategy will ensure continued audience engagement. Consumers will still be able to purchase much loved content both online and in stores," head of ABC Retail, Regina Hoekstra, said in the statement.

ABC Commercial director Robert Patterson said the decision had not been made "lightly".

"However, this strategy will create a more cost effective, nimble and flexible approach to servicing customers," he said.

"This direction is also in keeping with the shift of ABC audiences to accessing content across an array of digital platforms, while maintaining an appropriate level of physical retail distribution."