Ruqayyah Snyder
Myer is an Australian mid-range to upscale department store chain founded in 1900 by Sidney Myer and his brother Elcon. The first store was a small drapery shop in Bendigo, and the company has since grown to become one of Australia's major property owners and developers, with stores in all Australian states and one of Australia's two self-governing territories. Myer has been a trusted brand for Australians for over 120 years and is known for its quality, service, and value. The company has expanded through the acquisition of other department stores and the development of its own stores, and it offers a wide range of products, including clothing, footwear, accessories, cosmetics, homewares, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1900 |
| Founders | Sidney Myer and his brother Elcon Myer |
| Location | Bendigo, Australia |
| Type of store | Department store |
| Current status | Active |
| Number of stores | 56 |
| Products offered | Clothing, footwear, accessories, cosmetics, homewares, electrical goods, furniture, toys, books, stationery, food, travel goods |
| Business model | Customer-centric, focusing on quality, service, and value |
| Ownership | Publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange |
| Competitors | David Jones, Grace Brothers, Coles |
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What You'll Learn
Sidney Myer founded Myer in 1900
Sidney Myer founded the Myer retail group in 1900. Myer is an Australian mid-range to upscale department store chain. It was founded when Sidney Myer and his brother Elcon opened their first store in Bendigo. The store was originally a small drapery shop. However, as their clientele grew, the brothers took over a larger store in Bendigo to continue expanding their business.
Sidney Myer had migrated to Melbourne, Australia, in 1899 from Russia (then part of the Russian Empire). He joined his elder brother, Elcon, who was working in a clothing business in Flinders Lane. Sidney and Elcon then set out as hawkers before opening their first store.
The success of the Bendigo store led to the opening of other stores in Melbourne and Adelaide. In 1911, Sidney Myer purchased the business of Bourke Street draper Wright & Neil, and in the same year, he opened the Myer Emporium. The Emporium was an eight-storey building modelled on San Francisco's 'Emporium'. Myer's radical sales methods, including openly displayed merchandise, brought further success. Myer factories produced a large range of Myer-branded goods, and the company sold products ranging from haute couture to hardware, furniture, and fine china.
Sidney Myer was known for his philanthropy and business acumen. He made numerous public gifts, and his total benefactions exceeded £100,000. He also had an ethical approach to employment and preferred to lower wages instead of reducing the number of employees during times of financial strain.
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Myer is an Australian mid-range to upscale department store
The success of the Bendigo store led to the opening of additional stores in Melbourne and Adelaide. In 1911, Sidney Myer acquired the business of Bourke Street draper Wright & Neil, and in 1914, he opened the eight-storey Myer Emporium, inspired by San Francisco's 'Emporium'. The Emporium offered a diverse range of merchandise, from haute couture to hardware, and became a Melbourne landmark, known for its 'front'. Myer's factories also produced a large selection of Myer-branded goods, and the company established a mail-order service.
Sidney Myer was known for his innovative sales methods, philanthropy, and ethical approach to employment. During times of financial strain, he chose to lower wages rather than reduce his workforce, prioritising job security for his employees. Following Sidney Myer's death in 1934, his nephew, Norman Myer, led the company's further expansion, pioneering the move to suburban shopping in the 1950s.
Myer continued to grow by developing its own stores and acquiring other department stores across Australia. Notable acquisitions include Western Australia's Boans in 1984, Queensland's Barry & Roberts, and Grace Bros in 1983. In 1985, the Myer Emporium merged with GJ Coles & Coy, forming Coles Myer, Australia's largest retailer at the time. Myer maintained its distinct identity within the new corporate structure. In 2006, Myer was sold to a consortium led by US private equity group Newbridge Capital, and the company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2009.
Today, Myer remains a trusted and familiar brand for Australians, with over 56 stores nationwide. The company has been listed as one of the top ten most trusted brands in the country by Roy Morgan.
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Myer's success led to expansion and acquisition of other department stores
Sidney Myer and his brother Elcon opened their first Myer store in Bendigo in 1900. The success of this store led to the opening of other stores in Melbourne and Adelaide. Myer's success continued, and in 1911, the Myer Emporium was opened in Bourke Street, Melbourne. This eight-storey building was modelled on San Francisco's 'Emporium' and became the flagship store. Sidney Myer's radical sales methods, including openly displayed merchandise, brought further success. Myer factories produced a large range of Myer-branded goods, and a mail-order service was established.
Following Sidney Myer's death in 1934, his nephew, Norman Myer, led the company through further expansion, pioneering the move to suburban shopping in the 1950s. This trend was continued by Ken Myer, Sidney's eldest son, who opened several Myer shopping malls. The business expanded into other Australian states from the 1950s, and Myer became one of Australia's major property owners and developers.
Myer expanded by developing its own stores and acquiring other department stores. In 1953, they acquired Paterson Powell Pty Ltd in Ballarat, followed by Bilson's in Colac and Shilliday's in Mildura. In 1955, they acquired McWhirters in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, and in 1959, they acquired Allan & Stark. Myer also acquired several stores in New South Wales, including Western Stores, McLean's Central Stores, Morley's, Farmers & Co, Mortimer's, and P.G.Smith & Regans.
In 1968, Myer acquired Lindsay's stores in Geelong and renamed the business Target, positioning it as a discount department store chain. In 1983, Myer acquired Grace Brothers, and in 1984, they acquired Boans, the dominant Western Australian department store chain. In 1985, the Myer Emporium merged with GJ Coles & Coy to form Coles Myer, Australia's largest retailer at the time.
Today, Myer remains Australia's favourite department store, with stores in all Australian states and one of its self-governing territories. The Myer Group, launched in 2025, brings together a network of 783 department and specialty stores across Australia and New Zealand.
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Myer was sold in 2006 to a consortium controlled by Newbridge Capital
Myer, the Australian mid-range to upscale department store, was founded by Sidney Myer and his brother Elcon Myer in 1900. Sidney, who migrated from Belarus to Melbourne in 1899, started the department store with his brother, Elcon. More than 120 years later, Myer has remained Australia's favourite department store, listed in the top ten most trusted brands in the country by Roy Morgan.
In 2006, Myer was sold to a consortium controlled by the US private equity group Newbridge Capital. The sale, which covered 60 Myer stores across Australia, was valued at $1.4 billion. The deal included the iconic Myer Melbourne store. The sale of the department store chain was announced by Coles Myer, which stated that the price reflected the success of a turnaround strategy led by managing director Dawn Robertson.
Following the sale, Newbridge Capital stated that it would focus on growing the business and keeping all stores open, including those in regional areas. Ben Gray, the head of Newbridge in Australia, expressed delight and honour at having the Myer family on board as partners. The return to private ownership was described as an exciting new chapter for the business. The Myer family joined the company with a stake of up to 10%, indicating their continued association with the business.
After this brief period of private ownership, Myer was floated on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2009.
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Myer has remained Australia's favourite department store
Myer has remained a trusted brand for Australians for more than 120 years, with 56 stores across the country. The company's founding vision of quality, service and value has guided its growth and expansion over the years. Myer's success can be attributed to its customer-centric approach, with the store offering a broad range of products to meet the diverse needs of its customers. The store retails a wide range of products, including women's, men's, and children's clothing, as well as footwear, accessories, cosmetics, homewares, electrical goods, furniture, toys, and food.
The company's history is characterised by significant milestones, including the opening of the Myer Emporium in 1911, which became a landmark store in Bourke Street, Melbourne. This was followed by the acquisition of other department stores, such as Adelaide's Marshall's and Bell's, and the expansion into other Australian states in the 1950s. Myer's flagship store, the Myer Emporium, promised 'value and friendly service' and offered a range of services, including a hairdressing salon, restaurants, and a health centre. The store also became famous for its annual Myer Christmas windows.
Myer's success and longevity can also be attributed to the leadership and business acumen of its founders and subsequent leaders. Following Sidney Myer's death in 1934, his nephew, Norman Myer, led the company through further expansion, pioneering the move to suburban shopping in the 1950s. This trend was continued by Ken Myer, Sidney's eldest son, who opened several Myer shopping malls. The Myer family is known for its strong history of philanthropy, with Sidney Myer making numerous public gifts and establishing the Sidney Myer Fund to benefit the community. The family's commitment to social responsibility and ethical business practices has contributed to the positive reputation and longevity of the Myer brand in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Myer was founded in late 1900 by Sidney Myer and his brother Elcon.
Myer was founded by Sidney Myer and his brother Elcon. Sidney Myer was known for his philanthropy and business acumen.
Sidney Myer migrated to Melbourne, Australia, from Russia (then part of the Russian Empire) in 1899. He joined his brother Elcon, working in a clothing business in Flinders Lane before setting out as a hawker.
