Country Road Group
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel retail |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | Stephen Bennett |
| Headquarters | Burnley, Victoria , Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand, South Africa |
Key people | Steven Cook (incoming CEO from July 2025) |
| Products | Apparel, accessories, homewares |
| Parent | Woolworths South Africa |
The Country Road Group is a mid-tier apparel retailer with operations spanning Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It functions as a subsidiary of Woolworths South Africa and encompasses brands such as Country Road, Mimco, Trenery, Politix, and Witchery.
History
Established in 1974 by Stephen Bennett, Country Road began as a specialized women's shirting label and quickly evolved into Australia's pioneering lifestyle brand. In 1981, the company was acquired by Myer, and by 1987 it was publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Expansion into homewares and entry into the United States market occurred by 1988. Prior to this, by 1980, Country Road was offering women's clothing through department stores along with ten dedicated retail locations. The introduction of menswear came in 1984, followed by accessories in 1986. Throughout the 1990s, the company broadened its product offerings and store count, reaching over 100 outlets at its height.
In 1998, Woolworths South Africa took a controlling interest in the business; however, privatization efforts were impeded due to Solomon Lew’s 11.67% stake held via Australian Retail Investments.
The brand underwent a relaunch in July 2004 emphasizing greater sales volume at reduced price points. Its headquarters are located in Burnley, Victoria, with the flagship store situated at Chadstone Shopping Centre. In 2003, Country Road entered into an exclusive partnership with Myer, which concluded in 2007 when it transitioned to operate as a concession within both Myer and David Jones stores. The group previously maintained retail locations in US cities including Boston and New York but withdrew due to underperformance.
In June 2009, the launch of Trenery targeted consumers aged over 40.
Country Road expanded its portfolio in 2012 by acquiring Witchery Group, which included Witchery and Mimco brands. By July 2014, Woolworths had secured full ownership after purchasing Solomon Lew’s shares for $200 million, resulting in the company's removal from the ASX.
Further growth occurred with the acquisition of menswear retailer Politix in October 2016.
Starting June 2021, Country Road Group began distributing its brands through the online platform The Iconic.
In early 2024, several senior leaders departed amid allegations concerning sexual harassment and workplace bullying. Employee dissatisfaction regarding management’s response to these issues led to increased public attention by May 2024. CEO Raju Vuppalapati resigned in June 2025; his replacement, Steven Cook—previously CEO of Debenhams—is scheduled to assume the role in July 2025.
Brands
The Country Road Group’s portfolio includes several prominent labels:
- Country Road
- Mimco
- Trenery
- Politix
- Witchery
These brands collectively serve diverse segments within the fashion retail industry.