Myer has today announced that its Warringah store on Sydney’s northern beaches will temporarily close, as the department store seeks to accelerate its refurbishment program.

“The Warringah store will be the first major store refurbishment of our new Myer strategy and is part of our greater than $600 million investment across the business to deliver a sharper and more focused offer to our customers,” said Myer CEO, Richard Umbers.

Following consultation with the Warringah Mall owners and design team, the store will be temporarily closed from February 2016 to accelerate the refurbishment program in time for Christmas 2016.

The ‘New Myer’ strategy unveiled earlier this year, sets productivity uplift targets of greater than 20 per cent sales-per-square metre improvement by 2020, with the redeveloped Warringah store re-designed to meet those targets.

The new store will showcase Australian lifestyle brands Marcs, Seed and Country Road in conjunction with Australian designers Asilio, Tallulah, Cue and sass & bide.

Myer said as part of its ongoing brand overhaul, the refurbishment is designed to host international fashion brands Topshop Topman, French Connection, Scotch & Soda, Jack & Jones, Nike, Apple and MAC Cosmetics. “We’re also looking at exciting options to bring unique and wanted services instore including talking to local community operators about cafes and pop up shops,” said Umbers.

Umbers said that alternative employment arrangements will be discussed for employees during the temporary Warringah closure.“Our team members are our priority and we have talked through these changes with them.”

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