David Jones will welcome a new chief financial officer and will introduce nearly 50 fresh fashion brands this year.
As labels such as Jag Accessories, Fiorelli, Jill Sander Trent Nathan and Trent Resort depart, a whole host of fresh lines in womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories will be introduced.
David Jones CEO Paul Zahra said the new changes ensure that the business is 'disciplined' in its allocation to floor space.
“The ongoing review of the performance of our brand portfolio is essential to ensure that our offering, through the introduction of new brands, remains fresh, relevant and reflects what our customers want,” Zahra said. “This is particularly important in the challenging retail environment we are currently facing, where continuing to stock non-performing brands adversely impacts not only sales per square metre, but also inventory levels.”
Floor space will also be increased for some of the strongest performing fashion labels.
Mary Katrantzou, who won the Emerging Talent Ready-to-Wear award at the British Fashion Awards 2011, will have her self-titled line stocked at David Jones.
Other new lines include Gucci men's accessories, iconic British brand Barbour, London-based shoe brand Charlotte Olympia, Hunt No More and Swedish fashion brand V Ave Shoe Repair.
As well as the new brands David Jones will also welcome new CFO, external recruit Brad Soller.
Soller's appointment will commence next month and follows news that current finance director, Stephen Goddard, will retire this October. Goddard, who has been on the board for 15 years, had planned to retire in 2010, but stayed onto assist in the transition of the new CEO, Zahra.
David Jones chairman, Robert Salvage, said Goddard had been 'instrumental' in the company's financial turnaround.
Chartered accountant Soller has been the CFO at Lend Lease Corporation and was also the CFO at BAA McArthur Glenn, owner of large shopping outlets in the UK and Europe.