Universal Store
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (fashion) |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Greg Josephson, Michael Josephson |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Clothing and fashion retail (Universal Store, Thrills, Perfect Stranger) |
Universal Store Holdings Limited is a prominent Australian retailer specializing in fashion, managing outlets under the Universal Store, Thrills, and Perfect Stranger labels. Established in 1999 by siblings Greg and Michael Josephson, the firm was bought by private equity backers in 2018 and subsequently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2020. As of late 2024, it ran 84 Universal Store locations, alongside 16 Perfect Stranger and 9 Thrills shops throughout Australia.
History
The inception of Universal Store dates back to 1999 when Greg and Michael Josephson launched their inaugural store in Carindale, Brisbane. In 2018, a group of private equity investors acquired the company for around $100 million. The business made its debut on the ASX on 17 November 2020. In September 2022, Universal Store broadened its brand portfolio by purchasing Cheap Thrills Cycles, the owner of the Thrills label, for $50 million.
Universal Store
Aimed at consumers aged between 15 and 34 years, Universal Store offers clothing from well-known brands such as Herschel, Wrangler, Converse, Abrand, and Kiss Chacey. It also features proprietary labels including Perfect Stranger, Luck & Trouble, Common Need, and Token. By December 2024, there were 84 Universal Store outlets operating nationwide.
Perfect Stranger
Perfect Stranger is a womenswear line founded in 2014 that launched its first physical retail location in 2020. By the end of 2024, the brand maintained a network of 16 stores.
Thrills
Thrills was created in 2011 by Brooke McGregor, Tabitha McGregor, and Ryan Collins, focusing on vintage-inspired fashion that prioritizes sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing processes. Originally starting as a vintage motorcycle import business, the brand pivoted to apparel following the success of its initial T-shirt range. Its first retail shop opened in Byron Bay in 2014. The brand expanded internationally with a Tokyo store opening in 2020 and entered the United States market through selected stockists in 2021. After being acquired by Universal Store in September 2022, Thrills operated nine stores as of December 2024.