Fashion’s final curtain: The farewell of Millers and Noni B

In a turn of events that has stunned many Australians, the once-thriving fashion retailers Millers and Noni B are set to disappear from our shopping landscape. The closure of these stores marks the end of an era for Mosaic Brands, a household name that has dressed generations of Australians.

The announcement came with a heavy heart as KPMG, the appointed receivers, declared that despite exhaustive efforts, no new buyer could be secured for the final two brands under the Mosaic Brands umbrella. This decision has far-reaching consequences, with 252 stores closing their doors and 933 employees facing the grim reality of unemployment.

Millers and Noni B will close their doors by mid-April 2025—but 933 jobs will be lost as the era ends. Credit: Noni B / Facebook

The fashion industry has been a challenging battlefield for retailers, and Mosaic Brands’ struggle is a testament to the changing tides of consumer behaviour and the relentless pressures of the digital age. The closure of Millers and Noni B is not just a loss of jobs but a significant cultural shift, as these brands have been part of the Australian retail fabric for decades, offering affordable and accessible fashion to a loyal customer base.

This news is more than just a statistic for the nearly 3000 workers who will lose their jobs; it’s a personal and professional upheaval. The impact extends beyond the employees to the communities that these stores served, with more than 700 retail locations shutting down across the country. The ripple effect of such a massive closure will be felt in shopping centres and high streets, where the presence of Millers and Noni B has been a familiar comfort.

David Hardy from KPMG expressed the collective disappointment, stating, ‘Despite the best efforts of all parties, we have been unable to achieve a sale of any of the brands within the Mosaic portfolio.’ The planned wind-down of the stores is expected to be completed by mid-April, with the exact timing of individual store closures varying based on stock levels and the rate at which merchandise is sold.

In a bid to clear out inventory, KPMG has announced sales events and promotions across all stores, urging customers to take advantage of these offers while they last. The e-commerce sites for these brands will also continue to operate until all stock is sold.

This closure follows a series of unfortunate events for Mosaic Brands, which saw the earlier shutdown of Rivers and Katies, and the announcement last October that five other brands—Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W.Lane, and BeMe—would also be closing. The company’s financial woes were significant, with a reported debt of $249 million to 171 creditors and additional amounts owed to 300 workers.

How has the closure of Millers and Noni B affected you? What will you miss most about these iconic Australian brands? Join the conversation below and let us know your thoughts.

Also read: The end of Rivers: What it means for Aussie retail and jobs

Abegail Abrugar
Abegail Abrugar
Abby is a dedicated writer with a passion for coaching, personal development, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. With a strong background in leadership, she provides practical insights designed to inspire growth and positive change in others.

5 COMMENTS

  1. As a loyal customer with Millers, Noni B and Rivers, I don’t know how I will manage in the near future. As a senior, living alone on a pension, I found, as stated in the article, these brands offered affordable, accessible and comfortable fashion, with sizing true to size, so it was easy to shop online. Sales were always a great bonus. No doubt there are thousands of customers who are as shocked as I am. I’m so sorry too, for so many workers losing their jobs.
    Thank you to all who have been such an icon for decades. We will all have to move on somehow.

    • Olive my go to for a few years has been the following clothing, especially if you wait until the sales.
      The clothes are more expensive, but they are well made of good quality material.
      I used to be a Miller’s customer but moved away when they went away from cotton products.

      INFASHION Online Store | INFASHION Australia

      infashion.innovations.com.au
      https://infashion.innovations.com.au

  2. I am also a loyal customer, for many years, of several of these brands for affordable everyday clothing, and will miss them greatly. I think they should have stuck with their core market – affordable clothing for women – and not diversified into other miscellaneous areas which are already well catered for in the market place – such as sheets and towels, bedside tables, electrical goods, outdoor furniture and umbrellas, etc. – bad decision by management. Soooo saddened. This will leave a big hole in the affordable fashion marketplace.

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