Shock as popular Aussie retail chain Glue announces all stores will close by the end of the year

Popular Australian retail chain Glue will be wound down and sold by footwear and fashion giant Accent Group, in shock news for devastated fans. 

The company announced all 16 stores would be closed by the end of the 2026 financial year in a trading update on Thursday. 

Glue is known for stocking popular brands such as Abrand, Nike, Nude Lucy, Thrills, Ksubi, New Balance, Adidas, Deus and Birkenstock. 

The decision to shut down operations comes after continued financial underperformance and mounting losses for the brand. 

An impairment test found Glue had recorded a Earnings before Tax and Interest (EBIT) loss of $8.4million in the first half of the 2026 financial year. 

The report also found multiple stores required impairment write-downs.   

Glue is currently having a 30 per cent sale on sale items on its website, with customers offered 40 per cent off t-shirts and shorts. 

Accent Group owns and operates a series of major retail chains including The Athlete’s Foot, Hype DC, Platypus Shoes, Sketchers and Vans. 

It also distributes popular footwear brands such as Dr Martens, Vans, Timberland, Hoka, Superga, Saucony, Lacoste and Dickies in Australia and New Zealand. 

It’s understood the conglomerate decided to close remaining Glue Stores after five years of ownership to narrow focus on global brands. 

The brand was acquired from JD Sports Fashion in 2021 and founded by Australian retail entrepreneur Hilton Seskin in 1998. 

Accent Group plans to open five new Lacoste stores over the next year after it became the exclusive local distributor of the brand in 2024.