What is Myer?
Myer is one of Australia's largest department store chains. It was founded by Sidney Myer, a Russian-born immigrant who opened his first store in Bendigo, Victoria, in 1900.
Sidney Myer moved to Melbourne and opened the famous Bourke Street store in 1911. He became one of Australia's most successful retailers and was known for his generosity to the community.
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne's Kings Domain is named in his honor and was funded by the Sidney Myer Charity Trust. It opened in 1959.
Christmas windows
Myer's Bourke Street store is famous for its Christmas windows, an annual display of animated scenes based on stories and characters. Families have visited the windows since the 1950s.
Myer merged with Coles in 1985 to form Coles Myer. It was later sold to private equity in 2006 and became a separately listed company again in 2009.
Like other department stores, Myer has faced pressure from online shopping and changing consumer habits. It has closed some stores and reduced floor space. In 2024 it agreed to combine with Premier Investments' apparel brands, including Just Jeans and Portmans.
Did You Know?
Myer's flagship Melbourne store is on the Bourke Street Mall.