Lyla Lindsey
Country Road is an Australian fashion brand that was founded in 1974 by Stephen Bennett and his team, who opened the first store in Melbourne. The brand offers clothing and homeware lines for women, men, and children, and is known for its relaxed aesthetic, high-quality designs, and sophisticated style inspired by the Australian landscape. Country Road products are available at various department stores in Australia, including Myer and David Jones, and the brand has also had a presence in the United States. With a focus on craftsmanship and contemporary design, Country Road has become a renowned name in Australian fashion and lifestyle retail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of company | Fashion brand |
| Products | Clothing, accessories, and homeware |
| Target audience | Women, men, and kids |
| Style | Relaxed aesthetic, classic cuts, and tasteful colour palettes inspired by the Australian landscape |
| Examples of products | Soft merino cardigans, cosy cable-knit jumpers, denim essentials, breezy sundresses, t-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, socks, jumpers, timeless sweats with the Heritage logo, blouses |
| Head office location | Burnley, Victoria, Australia |
| Flagship store location | Chadstone Shopping Centre, Australia |
| Previous chief supply chain officer | Rachid Maliki |
| Current CEO | Steven Cook |
| Previous CEO | Raju Vuppalapati |
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What You'll Learn
Country Road is an Australian fashion brand
The brand has a flagship store at the Chadstone Shopping Centre in Victoria and is also available at Myer department stores across Australia. Country Road previously had an exclusive agreement with Myer, which ended in 2007 when the brand became a concession store in both Myer and David Jones.
Country Road has had a presence in the United States as well, with stores in cities like Boston, Chicago, and New York City. However, these stores closed down by 2000. The brand has also attracted international interest, with Woolworths South Africa acquiring a controlling interest in the company in 1998. Despite this, Country Road remains an iconic Australian brand, known for its timeless and versatile style that has garnered a dedicated following.
The brand's logo, the Heritage logo, has become a recognisable symbol, especially on their popular sweatshirts. Country Road's design philosophy centres around creating pieces that are both comfortable and stylish, appealing to those seeking a relaxed yet polished look. With a combination of classic and contemporary elements, their collections cater to a diverse range of consumers. Country Road has established itself as a beloved and celebrated destination for fashion and lifestyle products, solidifying its place in the Australian fashion landscape.
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It offers clothing, accessories, and homeware
Country Road is an Australian fashion brand that was founded in 1974 by Stephen Bennett and his team, who opened the first store in Melbourne. The brand has since expanded its offerings to include clothing, accessories, and homeware for women, men, and children.
The clothing line features a range of classic cuts and tasteful colour palettes inspired by the Australian landscape. The collection includes soft merino cardigans, cosy cable-knit jumpers, denim essentials, and breezy sundresses, as well as children's clothing such as t-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, socks, and jumpers. The brand is known for its relaxed aesthetic and high-quality designs, with timeless sweats adorned with the famous Heritage logo remaining ever-popular.
In addition to clothing, Country Road offers a range of accessories to complement any outfit. From scarves and bags to shoes and jewellery, the brand provides a variety of options to complete one's look.
Country Road's homeware line brings the same attention to detail and quality as its clothing and accessories. The collection includes a range of stylish and functional pieces for the home, such as bedding, cushions, throws, and home décor. The designs often feature neutral colours and natural materials, creating a timeless and elegant aesthetic that complements any space.
Country Road has become a beloved and celebrated destination for Australians seeking style and quality. With its head office in Burnley, Victoria, and its flagship store at the Chadstone Shopping Centre, the brand has established itself as a prominent player in the Australian fashion and homeware industry.
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The brand was founded in 1974 in Melbourne
Country Road is an Australian brand, founded in 1974 in Melbourne. It is part of the Country Road Group, which is one of Australia's largest specialty fashion retailers, with a market-leading position in the mid-to-upper tier of the market. The group comprises five iconic brands: Country Road, Mimco, Trenery, Witchery, and Politix.
In 1998, Woolworths South Africa acquired a controlling interest in Country Road Group. However, due to stakeholder disputes, Woolworths was unable to take the company private. It wasn't until 2014 that Woolworths took full ownership of Country Road by purchasing the remaining shares for $200 million.
Over the years, the Country Road Group has expanded its brand portfolio. In 2012, it purchased Witchery Group, which included the brands Witchery and Mimco. In October 2016, the group added to its portfolio again by acquiring the menswear chain Politix.
The Country Road brand has had an international presence as well, with stores in Boston, Chicago, New York City, and other cities in the United States as recently as 2000. However, these stores have since closed.
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Country Road products are available at Myer
Country Road Group is an admired Australian lifestyle brand that showcases its products through its store network and online platforms. In 2003, Country Road entered into an exclusive agreement with Myer department stores to sell its products. This agreement ended in January 2007, and Country Road products became available in concession stores in David Jones and Myer.
In 2018, Country Road Group exited Myer stores across the country and remained in an exclusive partnership with David Jones. However, in 2023, the Country Road Group announced a major agreement with Myer that would see its return to Myer stores. This agreement followed David Jones' $100 million sale in December 2022.
The rollout of Country Road Group brands into Myer department stores began with the introduction of Politix, Witchery, and Mimco in selected stores and online from February 2023. Country Road products then became available in Myer stores from July 2023. The full rollout of Country Road Group brands into Myer stores is expected to be completed by 2024.
Country Road offers a range of clothing, accessories, and homeware products. At Myer, you can find Country Road clothing for women, men, and children, including timeless sweats adorned with the famous Heritage logo, blouses, denim jeans, skirts, t-shirts, shorts, dresses, socks, jumpers, and more. You can also discover sophisticated Country Road bags, including tote bags and backpacks, perfect for weekend getaways.
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The company has faced recent scandals involving sexual harassment and bullying
Country Road is an Australian fashion retailer and part of the Country Road Group, which is owned by Woolworths Holdings Limited, a South African company unaffiliated with Australia's Woolworths Group. In recent years, the company has faced scandals involving sexual harassment and bullying, leading to the departure of several senior executives and a public media scandal.
In 2024, Country Road Group chief supply chain officer Rachid Maliki and general manager Mehmed Mustafic left the company following allegations of sexual harassment and bullying. Staff members complained that their complaints were not adequately addressed by the company, with some feeling angry and unsafe at work. This led to an independent investigation being launched by the company in May 2024, with Woolworths Holdings chief executive Roy Bagattini authorizing the review.
The scandal was further exacerbated by allegations that CEO Raju Vuppalapati had protected Maliki, leading to Vuppalapati's resignation in June 2025. The company's handling of the situation caused dissatisfaction among employees, who felt their feedback was not heard and that the process to address the complaints was too long. This dissatisfaction ultimately led to the media picking up on the story, bringing the scandal to the public eye.
The investigation revealed a broader culture of bullying and sexual harassment within the company, with employees reporting incidents of unwanted touching of female staff, racism, and a general feeling of dissatisfaction with the company's handling of their complaints. The revelations led to fears of widespread job cuts as the company looked to restructure and address the issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Country Road is a renowned Australian fashion brand that was founded in Melbourne in 1974.
Country Road offers clothing, accessories, and homeware lines for women, men, and children. The brand is known for its relaxed aesthetic and high-quality designs, often inspired by the Australian landscape.
Country Road products are available at Myer department stores across Australia, as well as online with free standard delivery on orders over $99.
The current CEO of the Country Road Group is Raju Vuppalapati. However, following a scandal involving the protection of a senior employee accused of sexual harassment and bullying, Vuppalapati is due to resign in June 2025. His successor, Steven Cook, former CEO of Debenhams, will take over in July 2025.
