Iconic Australian brand Rivers to close across the country   :(

The New Daily
Jan 23, 2025


Rivers will close all its stores across Australia.


Australian clothing brand Rivers will be shut down completely across the country, with scores of stores closing and 650 jobs to go.

Receiver KPMG confirmed on Thursday (AEDT) that it had been unsuccessful finding a buyer for the embattled business.


“This means the receivers have made the difficult decision to wind down this iconic Australian brand,” said KPMG partner David Hardy.

“The closure of the Rivers brand will impact 136 Rivers stores and approximately 650 employees.   :(

“The timing of individual store closures will vary and be largely dependent on stock levels and sell-through.”

The brand’s owner, fashion retailer Mosaic Brands, went into voluntary administration in October.

Mosaic also owns brands such as Millers, Katies, Noni B and Autograph.


The receivers are still trying to find buyers for Millers and Noni B.

Mosaic had about 763 stores and thousands of employees across Australia and New Zealand when it went into voluntary administration.

It had been trying to focus more on big-box Rivers megastores in regional Australia.


In August, Mosaic shuttered the Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W.Lane and BeMe brands to allow the company to focus on its Millers, Noni B, Rivers and Katies brands, as well a standalone online marketplace.

According to Mosaic’s financial report from August 2023, it had 150 Rockmans stores, 49 Autograph stores and 32 W.Lane stores. BeMe and Crossroads are online-only outlets.

In February, Mosaic said it made a $5.4 million net profit, up 38 per cent from the previous quarter.

But it also ended 2022-23 with a net liability position of $66 million, including $39 million in debt and $45 million in lease liabilities, which its annual report noted “may cast significant doubt on the group’s ability to continue as a going concern”.

At the time, Mosaic’s board of directors expressed optimism the company would be able to pay its debts as and when they fell due.

whiteknight wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2025 at 3:43pm:

Iconic Australian brand Rivers to close across the country   :( The New Daily Jan 23, 2025 Rivers will close all its stores across Australia. Australian clothing brand Rivers will be shut down completely across the country, with scores of stores closing and 650 jobs to go. Receiver KPMG confirmed on Thursday (AEDT) that it had been unsuccessful finding a buyer for the embattled business. “This means the receivers have made the difficult decision to wind down this iconic Australian brand,” said KPMG partner David Hardy. “The closure of the Rivers brand will impact 136 Rivers stores and approximately 650 employees.   :( “The timing of individual store closures will vary and be largely dependent on stock levels and sell-through.” The brand’s owner, fashion retailer Mosaic Brands, went into voluntary administration in October. Mosaic also owns brands such as Millers, Katies, Noni B and Autograph. The receivers are still trying to find buyers for Millers and Noni B. Mosaic had about 763 stores and thousands of employees across Australia and New Zealand when it went into voluntary administration. It had been trying to focus more on big-box Rivers megastores in regional Australia. In August, Mosaic shuttered the Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W.Lane and BeMe brands to allow the company to focus on its Millers, Noni B, Rivers and Katies brands, as well a standalone online marketplace. According to Mosaic’s financial report from August 2023, it had 150 Rockmans stores, 49 Autograph stores and 32 W.Lane stores. BeMe and Crossroads are online-only outlets. In February, Mosaic said it made a $5.4 million net profit, up 38 per cent from the previous quarter. But it also ended 2022-23 with a net liability position of $66 million, including $39 million in debt and $45 million in lease liabilities, which its annual report noted “may cast significant doubt on the group’s ability to continue as a going concern”. At the time, Mosaic’s board of directors expressed optimism the company would be able to pay its debts as and when they fell due.

I believe this was news up to six months ago?

I sadly (because I do try) cannot find Albo is too blame.
I think it’s just the nature of business combination with a recession and online sales.

I will suggest that the incoming LNP government of Queensland should look at propping the store outlets in Queensland.

Otherwise they can explain why they only prop up Star Casino enterprises?

Why do governments always protect corrupt casinos at the expense of everyone else?

Paying high Rent for their stores probably gutters them substantially.

There's a Katies, Noni B and Millers near Coles in Belmont Forum.

All next door to each other.

All owned by Mosaic Brands, of course.

Katies and Noni B are closed and it looks like Millers is about to join them with "Entire Store On Sale" and "Everything Must Go" signs plasted all over their front windows.

Seriously - how many womens fashion stores do they need?

Yes, all gone, unfortunately.

All of Mosaic's failed fashion chains to close down, thousands set to lose jobs


Quote:

Thousands of retail workers will soon be out of a job after the receivers of collapsed fashion group Mosaic failed to find a buyer for its two remaining chains, Millers and Noni B. KPMG had already announced that it had been unable to find a new owner for Mosaic's chains Katies and Rivers. It also announced early in the company's collapse that other brands Rockmans, Crossroads, Autograph, W Lane and BeMe would be wound down. Now it says it will also close all of Millers and Noni B's remaining 252 stores. This impacts an additional 933 employees on top of the 650 job losses already announced with the closure of Rivers this month.

Millers at Belmont Forum was still open yesterday but I suspect this week (or next week) will be the final week.

Can't compete with Temu

I remember that big British Bookstore chain closing down here. Forget the name. But they didn't honour all the Gift Cards purchased on their way out. Saw an elderly couple with a gift card (for the store) get rejected with some paltry excuse (SCAM). I got stuck into the Staff who called Security (Indians).  :D

aquascoot wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 6:00am:

Can't compete with Temu

Indeed.

---

I went to the shopping centre recently and saw Katie’s, Millers, autograph and Rivers all closing down with 60% off and then take a further 20% off.
That’s 4 shops in one small shopping centre.
That’s a huge amount of empty space.
Who in their right mind will rent these places while many are gone belly up?

I was shocked at such a huge closure of these shops I’ve known forever!
Sad to see.

It’s all online shopping now I guess.
Less wages, overheads in store etc.

There’s more closures in just my surrounding area of other business also.
Fonzie’s Diner (since COVID lockdown they’ve just been chasing their tails and can’t catch up with expenses)
Croydon Cinema closed recently.

And TBH…. hubby points out in these holding yards… scores of new vehicles to be sold.
How many more new cars do we need?
I’ve had my Subaru for 17 years. Hubby thinks I’m due for a new car and I say nope, not for shopping and parking in car parks where all the dings are from others opening their car doors or from shopping trolleys etc
Anyway, the car runs well and I have it serviced regularly. Get new tyers or new batteries when needed etc
Yes I know new cars have lotsa nice enviable features … but for now I’m comfortable with the old Soob.

An acquaintance had a Gem store where 80% of his sales were online orders. He eventually ditched paying rent for the shop. Waste of money.

Not everyone has internet or mobile phones.
Many elderly women like to go to say, Millers to buy an outfit, to look and feel it and if colour suits, and try it on.
While new age online shopping may gain many but will lose some also.

My nearest Rivers was closed yesterday. BCF and, oddly enough, a new movie theatre have recently opened nearby, so some retail is still doing OK.

I can't imagine buying clothes online. I like to try them on. Maybe people just don't want to spend a lot of money on them any more. Who needs fashion when you hide in your room all day playing on the computer?

freediver wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 8:24am:

My nearest Rivers was closed yesterday. BCF and, oddly enough, a new movie theatre have recently opened nearby, so some retail is still doing OK. I can't imagine buying clothes online. I like to try them on. Maybe people just don't want to spend a lot of money on them any more. Who needs fashion when you hide in your room all day playing on the computer?

I have been buying clothes online for years from the same online shop. Once you got your size it's a breeze.

Frank wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 8:37am:

freediver wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:24am: My nearest Rivers was closed yesterday. BCF and, oddly enough, a new movie theatre have recently opened nearby, so some retail is still doing OK. I can't imagine buying clothes online. I like to try them on. Maybe people just don't want to spend a lot of money on them any more. Who needs fashion when you hide in your room all day playing on the computer? I have been buying clothes online for years from the same online shop. Once you got your size it's a breeze.

I find that it's difficult to get clothes the right size even in the shops -
the sizes are all wrong - almost always far too small -
especially anything made in China.

Bobby. wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 8:45am:

Frank wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:37am: freediver wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:24am: My nearest Rivers was closed yesterday. BCF and, oddly enough, a new movie theatre have recently opened nearby, so some retail is still doing OK. I can't imagine buying clothes online. I like to try them on. Maybe people just don't want to spend a lot of money on them any more. Who needs fashion when you hide in your room all day playing on the computer? I have been buying clothes online for years from the same online shop. Once you got your size it's a breeze. I find that it's difficult to get clothes the right size even in the shops - the sizes are all wrong - almost always far too small - especially anything made in China.

There’s only one brand clothing I buy online and in store. But online it’s free postage over $90 and free postage any amount spent if picking up parcel instore, and recently give a $10 in store voucher to spend instore when picking up parcel instore.
As for buying clothes online for any other brand… I don’t do it… sizes vary so much and not accurate that bother me. When trying instore some same size items are totally different… maybe error with sizing tags? And shoes are no different, I prefer to try shoes on instore if it feels comfy and not tight around toes.
As for anything else… the amount of online shopping I’ve done is insane!  ;D

Sophia wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 12:38pm:

Bobby. wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:45am: Frank wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:37am: freediver wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:24am: My nearest Rivers was closed yesterday. BCF and, oddly enough, a new movie theatre have recently opened nearby, so some retail is still doing OK. I can't imagine buying clothes online. I like to try them on. Maybe people just don't want to spend a lot of money on them any more. Who needs fashion when you hide in your room all day playing on the computer? I have been buying clothes online for years from the same online shop. Once you got your size it's a breeze. I find that it's difficult to get clothes the right size even in the shops - the sizes are all wrong - almost always far too small - especially anything made in China. There’s only one brand clothing I buy online and in store. But online it’s free postage over $90 and free postage any amount spent if picking up parcel instore, and recently give a $10 in store voucher to spend instore when picking up parcel instore. As for buying clothes online for any other brand… I don’t do it… sizes vary so much and not accurate that bother me. When trying instore some same size items are totally different… maybe error with sizing tags? And shoes are no different, I prefer to try shoes on instore if it feels comfy and not tight around toes. As for anything else… the amount of online shopping I’ve done is insane!  ;D

My wife buys shoes online from an Australian brand and they swap them if sizing is wrong. Forever getting parcels from them.

Sophia wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 12:38pm:

Bobby. wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:45am: Frank wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:37am: freediver wrote on Jan 30th, 2025 at 8:24am: My nearest Rivers was closed yesterday. BCF and, oddly enough, a new movie theatre have recently opened nearby, so some retail is still doing OK. I can't imagine buying clothes online. I like to try them on. Maybe people just don't want to spend a lot of money on them any more. Who needs fashion when you hide in your room all day playing on the computer? I have been buying clothes online for years from the same online shop. Once you got your size it's a breeze. I find that it's difficult to get clothes the right size even in the shops - the sizes are all wrong - almost always far too small - especially anything made in China. There’s only one brand clothing I buy online and in store. But online it’s free postage over $90 and free postage any amount spent if picking up parcel instore, and recently give a $10 in store voucher to spend instore when picking up parcel instore. As for buying clothes online for any other brand… I don’t do it… sizes vary so much and not accurate that bother me. When trying instore some same size items are totally different… maybe error with sizing tags? And shoes are no different, I prefer to try shoes on instore if it feels comfy and not tight around toes. As for anything else… the amount of online shopping I’ve done is insane!  ;D

I've heard that some eBay sellers are good if you can correctly measure yourself -
but not many people can.
Even in the shops, menswear and ladieswear is a lost art -
the sales people are more like checkout servers at supermarkets now.

Daves2017 wrote on Jan 24^th, 2025 at 3:34pm:

I think it’s just the nature of business combination with a recession and online sales. I will suggest that the incoming LNP government of Queensland should look at propping the store outlets in Queensland.

I have a few old Rivers shirts.
Australia can't compete with imports our manufacturing costs and minimum wages are too high.

GovernmentTaxpayers shouldn't be propping up failing store outlets or any failing business.

I like durable clothes stuff like this spend enough you get free shipping.
https://www.carhartt.com/en-eu/
https://global.llbean.com/
https://www.511tactical.com/au-en/

The modern world is changing businesses that don't keep up go broke.

Carl D wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 2:15am:

Yes, all gone, unfortunately. All of Mosaic's failed fashion chains to close down, thousands set to lose jobs Quote: Thousands of retail workers will soon be out of a job after the receivers of collapsed fashion group Mosaic failed to find a buyer for its two remaining chains, Millers and Noni B. KPMG had already announced that it had been unable to find a new owner for Mosaic's chains Katies and Rivers. It also announced early in the company's collapse that other brands Rockmans, Crossroads, Autograph, W Lane and BeMe would be wound down. Now it says it will also close all of Millers and Noni B's remaining 252 stores. This impacts an additional 933 employees on top of the 650 job losses already announced with the closure of Rivers this month. Millers at Belmont Forum was still open yesterday but I suspect this week (or next week) will be the final week.

Millers, Noni B & Katies closed here a while ago. Rivers have shifted twice and the current shop has always been an ordinary fitted out store - bare concrete floors.