All the Australian stores which have folded since of COVID-19
The past five years have generated a tough market for brick and mortar retail stores and we've lost a few along the way.
Several iconic brands have moved to axe their stores and move to online sales after COVID-19 threw a spanner in the works, while some haven't survived at all.
Among those in the graveyard of defunct physical stores are the likes of Sanity, Godfreys, Rivers, Noni B and Alice McCall.
Read on to see the list.
Sanity
Sanity was once a thriving DVD and CD store for music and movie fans alike, but in early 2023, the retailer moved to close its remaining 50 stores and to focus on an online-only business model.
The iconic brand has pledged it will continue to offer the same services through its online store.
Sanity was founded by business heavyweight Brett Blundy with just a single store in 1980 called Jetts, in Pakenham, Victoria.
Crossroads
Crossroads stores were closed around Australia when its parent company Mosaic Brands moved to wind up some of its long-running retailers.
Sunburn
Once-collapsed swimwear brand Seafolly shuttered its poor-performing Sunburn stores in 2020 as part of its restructure.
Pavement
Teen clothing brand Pavement entered voluntary administration in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted sales.
Hundreds of physical stores closed but the brand a new life when it returned as an option sold in Big W.
Godfreys
Leading Aussie vacuum retailer Godfreys Group collapsed less than two months after it entered voluntary administration in 2024.
It shuttered all 50 stores when it went bust in May last year.
Godfreys was founded in 1931 and went on to become one of the world's largest vacuum retailers and a leading floor care and cleaning product supplier in Australia and New Zealand.
Alice McCall
Australian fashion brand Alice McCall entered liquidation in 2023 and all its brick and mortar stores across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane closed.
It struggled with sales following the COVID-19 pandemic too.
Michel's Patisserie
The parent company of Australian bakery and cafe chain Michel's Patisserie will retire the iconic brand in 2025 following several tough years of trade.
Retail Food Group (RFG), which also owns Donut King, Gloria Jean's, Brumby's Bakery and Crust Gourmet Pizza, operates 19 Michel's franchises in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Rockmans
Rockmans stores were also a victim of Mosaic Brand's decision to wind up 200 stores across its portfolio.
G-Star
G-Star Australia closed its 57 stores in August 2020 after it failed to find a buyer.
G-Star Australia entered administration in May that year, citing tough retail conditions that were exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions.
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