David Jones shares have finished trading on the Australian stock market as South African retailer, Woolworths, prepares to take control of the department store business.

The shares finished trading on Friday at $3.99 a share, a fraction below the $4 per share investors will receive from Woolworths.

Shareholders on Monday accepted a $2.2 billion takeover offer for the company, paving the way for Woolworths to take control of Australia’s oldest department store from August 1.

Trading in the shares has now been suspended, pending the payment from Woolworths to shareholders, and David Jones will be delisted from the ASX once the takeover is complete.