There is more bad news pending for retail workers in the New England and North West following fashion retailer Mosaic Brands announced on Tuesday that up to 500 stores are set to close.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While Mosaic Brands executives have not yet announced which of their 1400 or so stores across Australia will be affected, the company operates Millers, Rockmans, Noni B, Rivers, Katies, Autograph W.Lane, Crossroads and Beme.
Armidale has three stores: Katies in Armidale Plaza and Noni B and Rockmans in Armidale Central.
When the Armidale Express contacted Mosaic Brands regarding the Armidale stores, there was no one available to comment.
Armidale Plaza centre manager Tracy Warren said as far as she knew the Armidale Katies store would not be closed.
I checked with head office, and they have not received any news regarding the departure of Katies here
- Tracy Warren - Armidale Plaza
"I checked with head office, and they have not received any news regarding the departure of Katies here," she said.
A spokesperson for Vicinity Centres, the retail property group who own and operate sixty retail malls across Australia including Armidale Central, said they were unaware of any local Mosaic Brands closures as the company had announced no detail.
The news followed the announcement of the departure of Big W from Armidale which has left the local business community reeling.
Vicinity Centres is not worried about the exit of Big W though as it says those store closures were planned and did not come without any notice to them, so negotiations for a replacement store to fill the gap are already taking place.
We are well advanced in discussions with other retailers to fill the space
- Armidale Central spokesperson
"The three store closures which were recently announced by Big W are part of a comprehensive, negotiated portfolio agreement between Vicinity Centres and Woolworths, one of our most significant retail partners, which has many mutually beneficial outcomes for both our businesses," a spokesperson for Vicinity Centres said.
"Armidale Central is the leading centre in its local market and enjoys a highly engaged community.
"We are well advanced in discussions with other retailers to fill the space to better meet the needs of the growing local community and ensure Armidale Central is a vibrant place to shop, work and do business."
Read More: