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.

Paying high Rent for their stores probably gutters them substantially.

Yes, all gone, unfortunately.

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

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

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). 

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.

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.

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

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

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


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!