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Business Bloopers

Unlock insights into the world of business blunders with our comprehensive examination of equity missteps, retirement fund pitfalls, cryptocurrency crashes, and bond market failures. Join a community of savvy Australian investors who learn from the mistakes of others, from the trading desk to the boardroom.

The $140 Million Collapse of Colette by Colette Hayman 
CASE CLOSED
The $140 Million Collapse of Colette by Colette Hayman 
A $140 million retail success that grew too quickly, relied on shopping malls, and collapsed twice in five years.
Verdict: Unsustainable Growth
case file - damage report
100+
Stores Closed
600
Jobs Lost
80%
Final liquidation clearance discounts
How It Unravelled
2010
Brand launched and expanded rapidly.
2018–2019
Reached A$140M sales and 140 stores.
February 2020
Entered first voluntary administration.
Late 2020
Over 100 stores permanently closed.
April 2024
Entered administration for a second time.
Read full case
Australia • Luxury Retail
What Went Wrong at Oroton? The $14.2 Million Collapse of an Australian Luxury Brand

Oroton was once one of Australia’s leading luxury fashion brands, but a series of costly business decisions changed its future. From an expensive partnership with Gap to a…

A$14.2M LOST
By Shivangi
Australian Travel • COVID-19 Crisis
How Flight Centre Lost AU$849 Million: The Crisis That Brought a Travel Giant to Its Knees

Flight centre, Australian travel company, has been helping people around the world to book their holidays and business travel for almost 40 years. Then COVID-19 happened and within…

AU$849.1M LOST
By Shivangi
Retail • E-commerce • Australia
The $12 Million Robot Disaster: How Over-Investment Ruined Australia’s Top Bookstore Booktopia

Booktopia was once Australia’s largest online bookstore and one of the country’s most promising e-commerce businesses. At its peak, the company was valued at $315.8 million and benefited…

$60M IN DEBT
By Shivangi

More business bloopers News

01
The 2013 Squeeze: How Webjet Lost 52% of Its Net Profit Overnight
BUSINESS BLOOPERS

The 2013 Squeeze: How Webjet Lost 52% of Its Net Profit Overnight

Before Webjet became a multi-billion dollar giant, it hit absolute rock bottom. By 2013, the pioneer of Australian online travel found itself caught in a lethal single-revenue trap. When global titans like Expedia and Booking.com invaded the domestic market with massive advertising war chests, Webjet’s margins vanished overnight. Combined with a multimillion-dollar acquisition blunder, the company suffered a catastrophic 52% collapse in net profit and a 30% stock market crash. This case study details the dark corporate crisis that nearly ended a homegrown digital trailblazer.

By Shivangi
02
The Big Retail Failure of Australia: Study on Myer’s $486 Million Collapse
BUSINESS BLOOPERS

The Big Retail Failure of Australia: Study on Myer’s $486 Million Collapse

Myer was once one of Australia’s most trusted retail brands, operating massive department stores across the country. But behind the familiar name, the business was slowly falling behind changing customer behaviour and the rapid growth of online shopping. Oversized stores, weak digital expansion, endless discounting and poor inventory management eventually pushed the company into a staggering $486 million loss in 2018. This business failure case study explores how Myer missed major retail shifts, lost investor confidence and became one of Australia’s clearest examples of what happens when legacy retailers fail to adapt fast enough.

By Shivangi
03
How Australia’s Favourite Chocolate Shop Went Bankrupt: The Darrell Lea Collapse
BUSINESS BLOOPERS

How Australia’s Favourite Chocolate Shop Went Bankrupt: The Darrell Lea Collapse

Darrell Lea was once a beloved Australian confectionery brand with decades of history, but by 2012 it faced a dramatic collapse. Losing $200,000 a week and carrying over $56 million in debt, the company was forced to shut down all its stores. This case study explores what went wrong behind the scenes, from rising costs and retail challenges to strategic missteps. It also highlights how even well-known brands can struggle without adapting, offering key lessons on sustainability, financial management, and surviving in a competitive retail environment.

By Shivangi