Please note: Images in this article were taken before current COVID-19 safety measures were in place.
A purpose-built corporate office housing the new headquarters for retailers David Jones and Country Road Group has opened in Burnley.
South-African retailer Woolworths Holdings (WHL) – no connection to the supermarket chain – has unveiled their new Australasian hub. The Victorian Government worked closely with WHL to secure the investment and jobs.
The move has brought 820 jobs to Melbourne and ensured a further 680 will remain. Country Road were already headquartered in Melbourne and relocating the David Jones office from Sydney has ensured those jobs remain in the state.
The new retail office consists of two connected buildings with a combined floor space of 16,000 square metres, or in comparison to the true Victorian yardstick of size, almost as big as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (which is 20,000 square metres).
In addition to David Jones and Country Road, the building will house the corporate head offices of other brands in WHL’s retail portfolio: Mimco, Trenery, Witchery and Politix.
WHL’s expanded presence in Melbourne will help reaffirm Victoria’s position as the Australian leader in fashion and retail.
Melbourne has a global reputation for fashion, being home to Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Festival and the Melbourne Cup Carnival. While in retail, our city has attracted major global retailers such as Decathlon, Costco, H&M, Uniqlo and Williams Sonoma.
There's also no denying the crucial role Victoria’s retail sector plays in the economy; it is worth $80 billion, employs about 340,000 people and grew by 4.5 per cent last year – faster than any other state.
To see these impressive new headquarters for yourself, watch the video from the launch, including comments from WHL’s CEO, Ian Moir.
