Major WA Retailer Announces Widespread Store Closures
West Australians will soon have significantly fewer options for affordable homewares shopping, with iconic franchise Thingz Gifts revealing plans to close the majority of its stores by 2026. The brand, which has been a fixture in WA shopping centres since opening its first location in 1975, made the difficult announcement this week, marking the end of an era for many local shoppers.
End of an Era for WA Shopping Staple
In a letter to customers, the Thingz Group explained their decision to begin closing most stores over the next twelve months. "After a rewarding 50+ years providing West Australians with our range of gifts, furniture and homewares, the Thingz Group has made the tough decision to begin the process of closing the majority of our stores," the company stated. This planned business process represents a significant shift for a retailer that has built its reputation on offering on-trend and affordable homewares, lifestyle products, clothing, and home décor items.
Cost-of-Living Crisis Drives Retail Restructuring
Founder and director Rob Shirley told PerthNow that changing consumer behaviour driven by the cost-of-living crisis prompted the difficult decision. "A lot of people are under pressure for discretionary income," Shirley explained. "While shoppers continue to buy items they use daily, it's just become much harder over time to sell decorative giftware." This shift in spending patterns has forced the company to reevaluate its business model after half a century of success.
Specific Store Impacts Across Western Australia
The closures will affect 12 out of 15 WA locations, with only three stores expected to remain operational by 2027. PerthNow's investigation revealed that the Clarkson location at Ocean Keys Shopping Centre has confirmed it will stay open. However, five Perth stores have already announced their final trading days, while another five have confirmed closures will occur "later in the year" without specific dates.
The impact extends beyond Thingz Gifts to its sister brand, Living Emporium, which will also face closures. Stores in Albany, Geraldton, Joondalup, Kalgoorlie, Mandurah, and High Wycombe are under threat, with the Geraldton location already confirming it will close on March 15 after fifteen years serving the Mid West region.
Corporate Restructuring and Customer Implications
Both franchises are managed by Star Retail Group, which also owns WA retailer Red Dot. Shirley confirmed that Red Dot would not be closing any locations and actually plans to open four more stores through 2026. He emphasized that despite the sister brand closures, Red Dot would largely remain unchanged for shoppers, maintaining its focus as a purveyor of daily use products.
Important changes for customers include the immediate cessation of gift card sales at all Thingz and Living Emporium locations. Shoppers have been encouraged to use existing gift cards promptly, as "options to redeem will reduce as stores close."
Community Reaction and Staff Support
The announcement has sparked emotional responses from long-time customers who have frequented the stores for decades. Social media posts revealed nostalgic memories, with one Perth local describing visits to the Morley Galleria location as a "core 90s memory." Others expressed sadness at losing another WA-owned brand, worrying that "all we'll have left is online stores."
Shirley addressed concerns about staff employment, stating he was working to keep as many Thingz employees within the organization as possible. "The hardest part was speaking to store staff, but their spirit was incredible even though the news couldn't have delighted them," he said. He also issued a heartfelt thank you to loyal customers who have supported the chain since the 1970s, reflecting on "a tremendous ride" spanning fifty years.
