According to a statement by The Thomas Group, the chain of Thomas Jewellers stores would cease trading in the upcoming months.
The decision was described as a move that would allow The Thomas Group to “refocus their attention to areas of strength and growth within their business”.
“This news marks the end of an era and the beginning of another, as The Thomas Group will be leveraging the current growth in the capital cities to consolidate and expand its commercial and residential portfolio,” the statement read.
It added that the regional store properties would be sold, while the store in the Royal Arcade building in Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall would be retained by the Thomas family, with a new tenant to be unveiled in 2018.
As previously reported by Jeweller, Thomas Jewellers announced the closure of its high-profile Melbourne store in September 2017.
A company statement at the time noted that the decision to cease operations at the retailer’s only metropolitan location, which had been trading for 30 years, was part of a business rebrand that would involve a focus on regional stores.
“With regional Australia the core of their brand DNA, the move to refocus on their country stores coincides with an upcoming rebrand rollout, including fresh store designs,” the statement read.
Winding down
Thomas Jewellers had two operational websites last month – its long-standing thomasjewellers.com.au website and a new website, mythomas.com.au.
At the time of publication, both of these sites displayed a “down for maintenance” message.
The retailer’s Facebook page is operational with its ‘about’ page advising customers of a “Closing Down Sale”.
“As a thank you for your loyalty over the years, we invite you to shop our Closing Down Sale. Head to your local Thomas Jewellers store for 30 - 60% off all stock, no exceptions. In store only. While stocks last,” it reads.
Thomas Jewelleres is also holding a “finest wedding in the country” competition with a first prize pool valued at $50,000, including $20,000 in jewellery.
The retailer’s Facebook page states that the competition will continue and that all prize commitments will be honoured.
Despite this, the closures are arguably confusing given a Thomas Jewellers blog post, dated 20 September 2017, announced the launch of its newly re-designed store in Warrnambool.
“But an exciting new chapter in the Thomas story is now unfolding with the launch of our brilliant new store in Warrnambool. This is the first in a roll-out of stores across the network, and a world class jewellery store in every detail,” the blog post read.
The Thomas Group also owns diamond retail business Diamond Exchange and Melbourne jewellery retailer Paul Bram. It was not known at the time of publication if these businesses were still trading; however, both websites were operational.
James Thomas founded Thomas Jewellers in 1896 in Ballarat, Victoria. In addition to Melbourne and Warrnambool, the chain had stores located in Wagga, Albury, Shepparton, Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.
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