David Jones tipped to close Woden store after 54 years

Devine Goddess owner Leane Khalidi told the outlet that a store of that size going would open a large gap in the middle of the centre. She said the effects would spread to other shops, since shoppers make a trip just for David Jones and spend elsewhere too.

Ms Khalidi also asked what might take over the space. She noted it covers two storeys, and nobody knows if a new tenant would use both levels or if it would be divided.

On staffing, she said talk about the site’s fate had been going around for months and many employees did not know if their jobs were safe. In her words: “It really is quite sad seeing something that has been here so long disappear.”

The numbers

According to the outlet, as many as 20 of the retailer’s 38 stores across Australia and New Zealand may shut, putting its Westfield Woden operation in question. The main target is reportedly 17 stores inside Westfield centres, with Woden listed among five priority targets.

The outlet says the company lost $95.5m before tax in 2025 and $74.1m in 2024. It also failed to meet the 30 October 2026 filing deadline.

Westfield owner Scentre Group would not discuss the Woden store specifically, but did confirm David Jones had paid rent on all 17 of its Westfield sites through 30 September 2026, the outlet reports.

What’s next

Region Canberra reports that late on the morning of 4 November, word spread that David Jones would bring in McGrathNicol as voluntary administrators, possibly as soon as 5 November.

Other media have speculated that the Woden site could close as early as Christmas, according to Region Canberra. A visit by the outlet to the Woden store found staff unable to speak, and the manager was not there.

Scentre Group refused to comment specifically on the Woden store, and David Jones declined to comment on speculation about closures.

Woden’s town centre has also been in the news for the Woden interchange glass delay after vandalism.