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Myer is exiting Wollongong when its lease runs out on October 2 and David Jones will turn the space into a world class department store. Myer chief executive and managing director Richard Umbers announced the company’s decision to close its Wollongong and Orange stores on Friday saying it was to improve productivity across the entire business and return it to profitable growth. Corporate Affairs and Media acting general manager Mel Ward said Myer would retain a presence in the region with Stockland Shellharbour remaining open. “We continue to be committed to the Shellharbour store which only opened in 2013,” she said. Ms Ward said Myer would be talking to its Wollongong staff about redeployment opportunities within Myer and other career opportunities. David Jones revealed its new look Wollongong Central store will open in late 2017. A spokesperson said it was too early to say whether there would be an increase in staff when the new store opens. At 8600sqm it will be a similar size and operate on three floors offering fashion, beauty, accessories, home and an expanded food offering. David Jones Wollongong Central will feature a similar international award winning design to the new Eastland, Melbourne and Pacific Fair store on the Gold Coast. Chief executive John Dixon said David Jones saw Wollongong as undergoing an exciting transformation “and the new store will see us elevate our offering to deliver a premium retail experience at a prime location in the heart of the city’s fashion and entertainment precinct. The Illawarra is an important market for David Jones and one we are proud to invest in”. Mr Dixon said the major refurbishment of Wollongong Central would be a modern design that would add to the department store’s long history in the city. “We are excited to offer our customers a first-rate retail experience on par with the best department stores globally,” he said. David Jones will continue to operate from its present location until late 2017. Construction on the new-look store will start as soon as Myer moves out. GPT Group senior development manager Steven Turner does not know what will happen with the present David Jones site as the building is owned by another party. But he said the site had plenty of potential. Wollongong Central regional general manager Antony Keenan said the refurbishment of the Myer’s site into a new-look David Jones store and the announcement of an international fashion brand expected within a week showed confidence remained.

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