Cotton On Group, Country Road Group and Myer have joined retailers in closing their national store networks.
In a recent editorial, Ragtrader editor Assia Benmedjdoub urged the government to rule a lockdown of non-essential stores.
The move would better protect consumers and the industry, with retailers attempting to mitigate costs amid falling traffic.
Country Road Group will close stores on March 28, while Cotton On Group will close its national stores temporarily from March 29.
Department store Myer will close all its stores on the same day for at least four weeks and stand down 10,000 staff.
“As team members will not be working, they will not be paid during this period of imposed closure,” Myer said in a statement.
“Full-time and part-time members will have greater flexibility to access their annual leave and long service entitlements, in addition to government assistance measures.
“Our thoughts are with our team members, and their families, as we know this will be a difficult period, and, in addition to offering free counselling and support, we will look at further ways to support their health and wellbeing during this time.”
Executives will continue to work without pay.