Luxury retailers closing down

Lack of overseas tourists spells end of DFS, Louis Vuitton stores in CBD

l CAIRNS CITY

| Nick Dalton

ICONIC luxury retailers T Galleria by DFS and Louis Vuitton in the Cairns CBD are closing.

Hard hit by border closures during COVID-19 and a slow rebounding international tourism market, the businesses shut for good on June 30 after more than 20 years and tens of millions of dollars spent on upgrades.

Building co-owner Frank Gasparin said “we are saddened by the departure of DFS Galleria and Louis Vuitton from Cairns after 23 years of operation”.

“We have been in negotiations with them for many months in an attempt to convince them to stay, but to no avail,” he said in a company statement.

“It is clear their business direction is more focussed down south and not with the local market of Cairns.

“On June 30, 2023 they have advised that they will be leaving.

“We want the people of Cairns to know that we did everything in our power to assist DFS Galleria and Louis Vuitton to stay, and while their iconic presence will be sorely missed, we are excited about plans afoot to bring some equally big brands to our great city to ensure the site is a high-end shopping destination for many more years to come.”

Mr Gasparin said talks were advanced.

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