Michael Hill to Shut Emma & Roe

RAPAPORT Michael Hill will close all 30 Emma & Roe stores as it redeploys funds and resources to its core business, it said last week. The Australia-based retailer had initially planned to shut only 24 of its 30 Emma & Roe stores in Australia and New Zealand by June 30 due to lackluster sales. “Following a strategic review, we have decided that a singular focus on the Michael Hill brand will best position us to deliver a stronger customer proposition and financial results,” said Michael Hill international CEO Phil Taylor “Management resources and capital that would have been required to reposition the Emma & Roe brand will instead be directed to our core business, Michael Hill.” The Michael Hill brand is a much more significant part of the overall group, comprising 95% of total revenue, it said. Tishara Mina, Emma & Roe’s general manager, has assumed responsibility for Michael Hill’s core-brand operations in six . More