Just a month before Christmas, nearly 2000 employees were at risk of losing their jobs after Payless Shoes`s trustees at Pumpkin Patch announced that they would be closed the same day.
Payless is Australia`s largest independent shoe retailer with 870 employees and 75 million yuan in annual sales.
Ferrier Hodgson said it was too early to determine the reasons for Payless`s financial difficulties and that the company would continue to operate until the custodian considered future options.
Jim Sarantinos, the company`s administrator, said Payless Shoes is one of Australia`s most prominent independent retailers, and the board of directors has appointed Ferrier Hodgson as custodian.
"We have issued an invitation to buy the company," he said.
"the custodian will continue to be responsible for the payment of wages to employees, and all employee benefits are expected to be covered by the sale of the company`s assets."
Payless was founded in 1980, but ran into operational difficulties in 2013 and was sold to Payless ShoeSource. in the United States after a period of trusteeship
Meanwhile, the children`s clothing brand Pumpkin Patch did not show up, custodian Korda Mentha has announced that it will begin to close the store.
Brendon Gilbon, the custodian, said all stores would open until the end of December, but a restructuring of Pumpkin Patch`s headquarters would begin immediately, leaving 63 people out of work this week.
"our focus is on selling the company, but unfortunately we have not received any offers, even though the brand is very attractive."
"now we have to move on to the next stage, which is to sell inventory and close the company."
Pumpkin Patch has 117 stores and 1000 employees in Australia and 43 stores and 600 employees in New Zealand.
