Stunning closing down sale may help keep Roger David open

ADMINISTRATORS f or Roger David say there is hope a buyer will emerge for the collapsed menswear chain after an “amazing” response to what was meant to be its closing down sale.

KordaMentha administrator Craig Shepard said he was “stunned” by the response to the sale, which aimed to raise money to pay out employee entitlements and creditors.

“But it has turned into something much bigger than that,” he said yesterday.

“It has brought out an amazing wave of support and loyalty for a household Aussie brand.”

Mr Shepard said sales at the 76-year-old fashion business had more than doubled since the start of the sale last week.

Roger David employs about 300 people across 57 stores, including Westfield and Waurn Ponds in Geelong. At its peak, Roger David had more than 100 stores.

It was placed in voluntary administration last week.

Mr Shepard said the response to the fall of the wellknown brand had rekindled interest among buyers.

“There is now a possibility that there may be a buyer,” he said. “Expressions of interest have been coming from interested parties who were shying away a few weeks ago.

“They have seen the outpouring of support for the brand on social media and in the stores. They are having a second look.”

Mr Shepard said he would assess all options for the retail chain and update creditors at their first meeting next week.

Roger David, which was founded in Melbourne in 1942 by a Polish immigrant tailor, had failed to attract a buyer before collapsing into administration.