Melbourne has confirmed its position as the nation’s unrivalled centre for shopping, fashion and fine food, with South Africa’s Woolworths Holdings Ltd (WHL) announcing it will establish its Australasian Head Office here.
The move to Australia’s fastest growing capital city will bring 820 new jobs to Victoria and secure 680 existing jobs.
Premier Daniel Andrews today welcomed the decision by WHL, the owner of iconic Australian fashion retailers David and Country Road , to set up its combined head offices in Melbourne.
WHL will establish a new campus-style head office in Melbourne, consolidating the functions of its David Jones head office in Sydney and the Country Road Group’s Richmond head office – which also includes the head office functions of its Country Road, Mimco, Trenery and Witchery businesses.
The Labor Government worked closely with WHL to secure this major jobs boost which will also see the company make a $240 million investment in Victoria.
The move will provide a springboard for the expansion of the company’s apparel, food and general merchandise offering, as well as its supply chain and logistics capabilities across Australia and New Zealand.
WHL joins a steady stream of companies, including Go Pro, Uniqlo, Square, Zendesk and New Cold, that have all set up Asia Pacific headquarters here in Melbourne.
As the home to internationally renowned events Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, the Virgin Australia Fashion Festival and the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Melbourne is a well-established global hotspot for cutting edge fashion.
Quotes attributable to the Premier Daniel Andrews
"This is testament to Victoria’s position as the nation’s fashion capital and one of the best places in the world to do business.”
“We are fighting for every single job and bringing in major investments like this one, which will secure 1500 jobs for Victoria and help keep our economy strong.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan
“Victoria has the best of everything for companies looking to set up corporate headquarters, with our skilled workforce, 24-hour airport and first class infrastructure.”
"WHL joins the growing list of leading home grown and international companies that have chosen to establish major headquarters in Melbourne, the centre for retail, fashion and food culture."
Quotes attributable to the CEO of Woolworths Holdings Ltd Ian Moir
"WHL is a leading Southern Hemisphere retailer and the creation of an Australasian head office in the unique environment of Melbourne will allow us to achieve our vision for growth and investment in the years ahead.”
"We plan to open stores, create jobs and build new parts of our business and Melbourne was the logical choice for a centre of retail excellence that will enable substantial financial, operational and cultural benefits for our group.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020