130-Year-Old Australian Retailer Betts to Close 20 Stores
Synopsis
The family-owned footwear chain is undertaking a major restructuring after entering voluntary administration, reducing its store network as the retail sector adapts to changing consumer behavior.
Australia's footwear chain Betts has announced the closure of 20 of its remaining 35 outlets following its voluntary administration, following more retailers cutting back in response to declining consumer spending and changing shopping habits.
The transfer will see the family-owned business continue to run 15 stores across Australia and its online business.
The records filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) show that administrators from Pitcher Partners took over the role of members of the Betts group on 24 June.
The restructuring is impacting stores in six states and territories, with flagship stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth continuing to operate.
Retail Footprint Reduced After More Than a Century
These are planned to be closed in WA, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and in the Northern Territory. For four to eight weeks the affected stores will remain open for business as clearance sales are held, which will take around 120,000 pairs of shoes and accessories.
It was founded in 1892 when Yoel Breckler set up a boot repair shop in Fremantle, Western Australia. His widow Fanny Breckler continued the business after his demise, and this eventually became known as Betts.
The company is based in Osborne Park, Perth, and has expanded to become a national brand offering footwear and shoes for women, men and children, handbags, shoe care products, socks, gift cards and accessories. Betts had up to 220 stores by the time it peaked around 1999, slowly decreasing its physical presence throughout Australia.
Retail Pressures Continue Across the Sector
The retailer's volume of shoppers at many centres had reduced, and the retail trading environment is continuing to be tough for the business, said Administrator Lindsay Bainbridge. The restructuring would enable the enterprise's business to concentrate on those sites that have more success, while maintaining a presence in the online space, he said.
The news follows cautious retail spending by consumers and rising operating costs in the retail industry in Australia. Despite the overall growth in retail sales, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that sales in discretionary categories, including clothing and footwear sales, continued to look weak at A$1.5 billion for April 2026.
Data from the industry also suggests further consolidation in footwear retailing. IBISWorld's Footwear Retailing in Australia Report 2026 indicates that there are currently just over 1,090 footwear retail businesses in operation across Australia, with the number of retailers decreasing as consumers increasingly purchase their footwear online.
The problems plaguing Australian retail shops are echoed in other countries. In recent years, retailers in the U.S., the U.K., and New Zealand have further shrank store footprints as the businesses make the tough decision of balancing physical operations with the growing online demand and shifting consumer buying habits.
Source: Smart Company
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Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
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