Just Group

Just Group

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Fashion retail
Founded	1970
Founder	Kimberley family (Craig, Connie, Roger, and Chrissie)
Headquarters	Australia
Area served	Australia, New Zealand
Products	Apparel brands including Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Jacqui E, Portmans, and Dotti
Owner	Myer

The Just Group, also referred to as Apparel Brands, comprises five distinct fashion retail labels: Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Jacqui E, Portmans, and Dotti. Ownership of the group lies with Myer.

1970–1990: Establishment and Expansion

The Kimberley family—Craig, Connie, Roger, and Chrissie—founded Just Jeans. Craig Kimberley, employed at textile producer Aywon at the time, drew inspiration from specialty denim stores during a 1970 business trip to the United States. After their proposals were declined by both Aywon and Coles Myer, the family pooled $4,500 to launch their inaugural store on Chapel Street, Prahran in December 1970. The innovative concept of displaying jeans stacked on shelves rapidly attracted customer interest.

By April 1971, Just Jeans had grown to include two more outlets: one in Centre Road, Bentleigh, and another in Moonee Ponds. The company ventured into suburban shopping centres in 1976 through the acquisition of the defunct Melbourne menswear retailer Walsh's. Interstate growth was achieved via purchases such as New South Wales' 12-store Jeans Junction chain (1979), Queensland’s Denim in Jeans, South Australia’s Zip Up, and Western Australia's Central Park women's fashion chain by 1988.

In 1982, Just Jeans bought the MSD sporting goods chain for $500,000 but divested it two years later for a nominal $1 due to underperformance.

Roger Kimberley managed his own Cheap Jeans chain until Just Jeans acquired it in 1985 and rebranded it as Jeans Extra. Subsequently, Craig and Connie Kimberley acquired Roger’s shares in Just Jeans. The Jeans Extra brand was reintroduced as Extra Clothing before being sold to Sportscraft around late 1987 for approximately $30 million. Prior to this transaction, the Kimberleys sold a 30% stake in Just Jeans to Mallcap Corporation for $8 million to address a $5.5 million tax liability and bolster financial stability. Mallcap later transferred its holding to Byron Holdings in April 1988.

1990–2000: Growth into New Zealand and Strategic Acquisitions

Just Jeans inaugurated its first New Zealand store in June 1990. By January 1991, the company operated 238 outlets across Australia and New Zealand. The group went public in April 1993, with the Kimberleys reducing their ownership from 70% to 58%.

In December 1993, Just Jeans acquired Jay Jays for $4.5 million. The following September, it purchased Jacqueline Eve—a womenswear chain with 50 stores—for $4.6 million. Jacqueline Eve was repositioned toward professional women aged 30–45 and rebranded as Jacqui E in February 1996. A planned acquisition of Melbourne-based surfwear retailer Jetty Surf Shop fell through later that year after key suppliers declined to support stores owned by Just Jeans. In 2000, the group added Peter Alexander Sleepwear to its portfolio while retaining Peter Alexander as creative director.

2001–2024: Ownership Changes and Brand Portfolio Expansion

In 2001, a management buyout led by British investment firm Catalyst Investment Managers privatized Just Jeans for $108 million. The following year in May, the group acquired Portmans, a women's fashion chain.

Just Group was listed on the ASX in May 2004. That August saw the acquisition of Dotti for $5 million. The group's diversification continued in July 2007 with the purchase of stationery retailer Smiggle for no less than $29 million.

Premier Investments secured majority control of Just Group shares through an off-market takeover beginning March 2008; consequently, Just Group was removed from the ASX listing in September of that year.

Starting from 2011 onwards, the group faced scrutiny over its use of sandblasting techniques—a hazardous practice associated with worker silicosis—for denim finishing. The Baptist World Aid’s Fashion Report of 2015 rated Just Group among the poorest performers regarding protection of overseas laborers. Between 2012 and 2015, the company undertook a digital transformation initiative aimed at modernizing its retail operations.

In October 2016, Just Group lost litigation against former CFO Nicole Peck following her departure to a competing firm. In August 2017, Colette Garnsey resigned as brand director due to health concerns.

Richard Murray was appointed CEO of Premier Retail on 6 September 2021 and subsequently joined the Premier Board as an executive director on 3 December 2021.

2024–present: Divestment of Apparel Brands to Myer

In March 2024, Premier Investments announced intentions to separate Smiggle into a standalone entity by January 2025, with the possibility of a subsequent Peter Alexander spin-off later that year. Nevertheless, by September 2024, Premier deferred the Smiggle separation to prioritize the sale of its Apparel Brands portfolio—comprising Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Jacqui E, Portmans, and Dotti—to Myer. Earlier that same month, Premier terminated Smiggle CEO John Cheston due to allegations of serious misconduct.

By October 2024, Premier and Myer finalized an agreement wherein Myer would purchase the Apparel Brands division. As part of the arrangement, Myer issued new shares valued at $863.78 million to Premier, while Premier reinvested $82 million back into the business. The deal received shareholder approval and was completed in January 2025, resulting in the integration of Apparel Brands into Myer’s operations. Peter Alexander and Smiggle continued under the ownership of Premier Investments.

Brands

• Just Jeans
• Jay Jays – Purchased in 1993
• Jacqui E – Originally launched as Jacqueline Eve, acquired in 1994
• Portmans – Purchased in 2002
• Dotti – Established by Ray Levis and Linda Bowen in 1981, acquired in 2004