This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AUSTRALIA’S oldest and the world’s second eldest department store, David Jones, has celebrated its 180 years birthday.
The high end retailer marked the milestone with a series of in store events and a public exhibit of 45 artworks by Sir Charles Lloyd Jones, grandson of Welsh founder David Jones and the company’s longest running chairman, on display in the windows of its Market Street store.
“It’s an incredible milestone for David Jones to celebrate 180 years. When you look back at our history, David Jones has been part of Australia’s fabric since almost the beginning and a driving force for style throughout the decades,” David Jones boss David Thomas said.
“We are lucky to work with the best in the business in food, fashion and beyond and, as we look to the future, we look forward to continuing to delight customers as we embark on our next chapter.” Thomas said.
David Jones is Australia’s oldest department store, established in 1838 – only 50 years after the founding of European Australia in 1788.
It is the second oldest department store in the world, pipped by Canada’s Holt Renfrew by only six months, followed by Harrods (1849); Macy’s (1858); Bloomingdales (1860); John Lewis (1864); La Bon Marche (1890); Neiman Marcus (1907); Selfridges (1909) Galleries Layefette (late 19th century).
The original David Jones’ store was located at the corner of George and Barrack streets, Sydney (opposite the GPO and Martin place). The one storey store was rebuilt into a five-storey store by Edward Lloyd Jones (son of David) and reopened in 1887 in time for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. At the time, it was the most modern store in Australia.
Today it has 45 stores, including its first international store in Wellington, New Zealand, and two boutique format stores at Barangaroo, Sydney, and James Street, Brisbane.
In August 2014, David Jones was purchased by South African based company, Woolworths Holdings Limited (WHL).
The 180th birthday celebrations was a welcomed distraction for David Jones after its South African parent company WHL ousted the Australian boss John Dixon earlier this week, after just two and a half years at the helm.
Australian Property Journal
