Bardot plans to close almost 60 stores across Australia. The brand employs 800 people at its stores across the country. The move comes after poor performance of the company’s brick and mortar outlets, despite promising activity in other segments. The brand has recently expanded into the US and Europe. In the last five years, business has grown significantly offshore and capitalised on its Australian heritage by distributing through high-profile international department stores.

Bardot opened 25 years ago as a women’s fashion brand. It is a coquettish, sensual, and sophisticated brand. Each piece has a perfect balance of femininity and naughtiness. The line features jaw-dropping dresses and tops. Over the next two months, Bardot’s retail network will shrink to just 14. Despite double-digit growth in online sales, Bardot’s retail stores in Australia have had to compete in a highly cluttered and increasingly discount-driven market. Bardot joins a growing list of fashion brands that are facing troubled waters in Australia, including Karen Millen, Ed Harry and Roger David.

The year gone by was a tough one for Australian retailers. Australian consumers have kept their cash close over the last year, leading the retail sector to broadly suffer considerable declines in sales.