247:(What we do - We do well), and ended the bargain basement sales. In 1937, Douglas George hired Reta Findlay, one of Australia's few women advertising executives, to run promotions, bringing a new sophistication and sense of exclusiveness to the store's advertising, window displays, and eventually their buying policies. A thorough internal renovation in 1938 involved all new counters and displays and an elegant curved double stair from the ground level entry to the main floor half a level above the street. The design, by David Eggleston, created a spacious uncluttered store interior, creating a more upmarket environment. The store weathered the difficulties of WWII, and immediately after became a leading fashion retailer, for instance offering
227:
curtailed through labour laws. The new store was no longer a universal provider, instead specialising in women's wear and accessories. In the 1910s and 20s, there was much competition, with large and small department stores in the city and suburbs competing for custom; Georges maintained a position through basement sales, and firmly aiming at middle income and better off women. In 1930 Alfred George died, and
William's son Douglas George became a director, while William himself stayed on through into his 70s.
231:
305:
famous scenes, such as the 1871 Siege of Paris. After a complete renovation, it opened the
Hostess Store, for all the homewear departments. Soon after the basement of the main store was refurbished as a menswear department. The store also had an art gallery, first between 1945-48, then a larger space opened in 1963, along with the Georges Invitation Art Prize, won in the first year by
26:
199:), which had been built in 1877 as Briscoe's warehouse), and rebranded again as George & George’s Federal Emporium, selling a wider range of goods, from men's and women's clothing, underwear and hats, to children's toys, manchester, furniture, drugs, sweets, wines and spirits, and even coal and wood.
355:
stores in the UK. The atrium was reinstated but in modern materials, and the
Edwardian walk-through windows were removed in favour of a reconstruction of the original Victorian shop windows. The new 'Georges' opened in 1998, but closed the following year. Since then various hospitality ventures have
202:
In 1888, when financier
Benjamin Fink bought the building, planning to replace it with an arcade, they bought the business of the Equitable Co-operative Store, located a block away, up a hill, and away from the retail heart of the city. It was a grand classical revival style building at what is now
194:
East, in 'the block', the most fashionable section of retailing in the city. In 1880, when still only in their late 20s, the opportunity came to take over the business, rebranded as George & George. Finding success in a booming economy, in 1883 they moved a few doors down to a large four-storey
242:
of the early 1930s. A renovation in 1933 reinstated the floors across the atrium. In 1934 the name changed to the simpler
Georges, and in 1935 William George, still a part of the store aged 80, died. In 1936, Arthur John George, the son of a third George brother, who had grown up in Wellington New
219:
The 1880s boom was followed by an economic crash in the 1890s, when
William left for New Zealand, becoming a partner in the Economic Store in Wellington, while Alfred stayed and managed to keep the store afloat. One notable innovation in the 1896 was the sale of bicycles, especially to women, with
265:
Georges developed a reputation for superior quality equal to that enjoyed by
Harrods or Fortnum & Mason of London, and Bergdorf Goodman of New York. The stores' staff handbook instructed employees to avoid high pressure sales techniques. Author and customer Annette Cooper states that Georges:
304:
In 1960 the store prepared to expand across Little
Collins Street to the rear by buying the premises of Specialty Press, which had printed much of their promotional material. It had originally been built in 1891 as a Cyclorama, incorporating a large circular hall that displayed 360° paintings of
226:
Following financial restructuring and the return of
William George, the store underwent a major renovation in 1908, inserting a full-height atrium in the centre, and building extensive ‘walk-through’ show windows on Collins Street, to provide for window shoppers in a period when store hours were
430:
named Powne and Cray, and later worked for the George brothers when the store was still the
Federal Emporium. In 1886, Powne gave notice that he would be leaving to start a drapery business in Clarendon Street, Melbourne. As a mark of esteem for Powne, the George brothers gave Powne a purse of
316:
in a deal valued at $ A1.48 million. The directors of Georges believed that Ball & Welch stores would give Georges a foothold in the suburbs. The flagship Flinders Street store was sold in May, 1976, and ultimately only two outlets were retained as Georges branches; one in
189:
Brothers William Henry George (1855-1935) and Alfred Harley George (1857-1930) were born in England, educated in London, and began their working life in retailing in the 1870s. They emigrated to Melbourne in 1877, and soon found work at Robinson’s drapers at 37
296:
in November 1960 through the purchase of all the ordinary paid up capital in Georges Holding Limited. Cox Brothers began to incur loses in 1962/63 and went into receivership in 1966. Georges was listed (again) as a new company on the Melbourne
207:
and Charles D'Ebro. For over a year they ran the business in the two sites, until in September 1889 a disastrous fire destroyed their 280 Collins premises (which was then replaced by the first stage of the
1009:
356:
occupied the basement, retail has occupied the front ground floor section, and various businesses on the upper floors. From 2018 a major tenant was the co-working provider, Hub Australia.
262:, purchasing designs from them, and staging regular fashion parades. By the early 1950s the store catered to the cream of Melbourne society, and the show windows drew admiring crowds.
251:
designs in 1946. That same year Reta Findlay was made an associate director, joining an unheard of four females in senior management, heading what was by then a largely female staff.
344:
then took over Georges in 1981, refurbishing the store and operating as it always had, but the prime position of the store slowly faded. The store was closed on 5th October 1995.
999:
212:). Despite being underinsured, they kept the business going at the new location, soon doing well enough that in 1891 the building was refurbished and extended through to
989:
994:
1004:
984:
440:
These sovereigns have been passed down through William Powne's children and beyond, with the success story of George and George being front and centre.
431:
sovereigns 'as a token of their respect and goodwill'. This kind act was perhaps so unusual, and the company so prominent, that it was reported in
720:
670:
181:, established in 1880 and closed in 1995, and was well known for its last 50 years as the city’s premier women's fashion department store.
925:
1014:
286:
255:
406:
Glass was published, written by former head of visual merchandising, Laurie Carew, with former model Diane Masters; in 2006,
306:
359:
In the 2020s George's remains a well-remembered part of Melbourne's history by the generations that enjoyed shopping there.
1019:
309:; the gallery was used for a wide range of exhibitions, from photography to ceramics, and embroidery to furniture.
279:
196:
191:
347:
In 1996, work began to comprehensively refurbish the building to a design by Stephen Bennett and UK retail guru
330:
220:
the top floor transformed into a 'cyclotorium', where they could learn to ride the newly improved devices.
379:
In 2003, the former head of visual merchandising Laurie Carew, with former model Diane Masters, published
631:
603:
268:
wanted to foster loyalty, and if they made you feel good about coming into the store you would come back
213:
886:
322:
341:
204:
178:
95:
243:
Zealand and become a shoe retailer, was appointed general manager. He re-introduced an old motto,
352:
492:"The store on the hill / [by] Keith Dunstan - Catalogue | National Library of Australia"
676:
666:
275:
254:
The store kept up with the latest overseas trends, and invited designers to come out, such as
900:"Behind glass / Laurie Carew, with Diane Masters - Catalogue | National Library of Australia"
239:
170:
777:"Cox Brothers (Australia) Limited - Corporate entry - Guide to Australian Business Records"
751:"Cox Brothers (Australia) Limited - Corporate entry - Guide to Australian Business Records"
422:
The Powne family holds a personal connection to this day. William Powne was a migrant from
394:
The store had such cachet that four books have been written about it. In 1979, journalist
326:
285:
When Reta Findlay died suddenly in 1954, her status was such that her funeral was held in
248:
313:
230:
348:
298:
573:
410:
was published, also by Laurie Carew and Diane Masters; and, in 2014, Annette Cooper’s
978:
626:
395:
368:
367:
The store had such cachet that there have been four books written about it. In 1979
271:
259:
209:
456:
402:
was published to coincide with the store’s centenary the following year; in 2003,
391:
a compendium of interviews with former staff and clients, was published in 2014.
334:
899:
491:
950:
856:
830:
804:
516:
318:
776:
750:
680:
542:
293:
694:
598:
174:
105:
25:
427:
423:
414:
was published, a compendium of interviews with former staff and clients.
955:
433:
203:
162-168 Collins Street, and was built in 1884, designed by architects
158:
44:
543:"The New Warehouses of Messrs. Briscoe and Co., Collins—Street East"
229:
389:
Remembering Georges: stories from Melbourne’s most elegant store,
663:
Remembering Georges: stories from Melbourne's most elegant store
412:
Remembering Georges: stories from Melbourne’s most elegant store
312:
In January 1970, Georges launched a successful takeover bid of
721:"Georges on Collins department store remembered for elegance"
270:." In the 1950s Georges became the exclusive retailer for
607:. No. 13,516. Melbourne. 17 October 1889. p. 8
154:
122:
112:
101:
90:
72:
50:
40:
32:
926:"Artist showed European style through his windows"
292:The firm was taken over by retail holding company
1010:Buildings and structures in Melbourne City Centre
195:building at 11-17 Collins Street East (now 280
627:"Opening of George and Georges New Buildings"
547:The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil
8:
383:, which they followed up with a second book
18:
1000:Australian companies disestablished in 1995
118:William George and Alfred George (founders)
426:, who initially had a drapery business in
24:
17:
805:"Georges offers $ 1½m for Ball and Welch"
289:, and Georges was closed for half a day.
990:Australian companies established in 1880
656:
654:
652:
650:
457:eMelbourne Encyclopedia, Blog, 'Georges'
351:to create something like the successful
995:Retail companies disestablished in 1995
449:
1005:Defunct department stores of Australia
599:"Messrs. George and George's Premises"
799:
797:
744:
742:
486:
484:
375:one year before the store's centenary
7:
985:Retail companies established in 1880
568:
566:
564:
482:
480:
478:
476:
474:
472:
470:
468:
466:
464:
831:"SHARP RISE IN GEORGES SHARE PRICE"
159:http://www.georgesoncollins.com.au/
340:The Sydney-based department store
14:
238:The store managed to survive the
857:"Goodyear loses $ 4.5m in 1975"
775:Consultancy, Archive Research.
749:Consultancy, Archive Research.
635:. 22 September 1891. p. 10
301:as Georges Australia Limited.
959:. 14 September 1886. p. 6
549:. 1 September 1877. p. 93
523:. 11 September 1883. p. 6
325:, opening in 1977, and one in
1:
924:Harper, Annie (2 May 2014).
695:""GLADIATOR" CYCLING SCHOOL"
245:Quod facimus, Valde facimus,
216:, designed by D'Ebro alone.
56:; 144 years ago
578:Victorian Heritage Database
78:; 29 years ago
1036:
387:in 2006. Annette Cooper’s
1015:Collins Street, Melbourne
930:The Sydney Morning Herald
23:
19:Georges of Collins Street
234:Georges building in 2018
574:"Former George's Store"
437:on 14 September 1886.
373:The Store on the Hill,
337:, opening in 1979.
235:
883:The store on the hill
400:The Store on the Hill
233:
214:Little Collins Street
108:, Victoria, Australia
1020:History of Melbourne
904:catalogue.nla.gov.au
887:Macmillan Publishers
496:catalogue.nla.gov.au
701:. 28 September 1896
287:St Paul’s Cathedral
179:Victoria, Australia
20:
837:. 11 November 1971
727:. 10 November 2014
615:– via Trove.
557:– via Trove.
531:– via Trove.
517:"A New Enterprise"
236:
889:, Melbourne, 1979
811:. 23 January 1970
672:978-1-922129-46-8
661:Cooper, Annette.
418:A family anecdote
164:
163:
67:George and George
1027:
969:
968:
966:
964:
951:"Alleged Bigamy"
947:
941:
940:
938:
936:
921:
915:
914:
912:
910:
896:
890:
881:Dunstan, Keith,
879:
873:
872:
870:
868:
853:
847:
846:
844:
842:
827:
821:
820:
818:
816:
801:
792:
791:
789:
787:
772:
766:
765:
763:
761:
746:
737:
736:
734:
732:
717:
711:
710:
708:
706:
691:
685:
684:
658:
645:
644:
642:
640:
623:
617:
616:
614:
612:
595:
589:
588:
586:
584:
570:
559:
558:
556:
554:
539:
533:
532:
530:
528:
513:
507:
506:
504:
502:
488:
459:
454:
381:Behind the Glass
314:Ball & Welch
240:Great Depression
171:department store
138:soft furnishings
86:
84:
79:
64:
62:
57:
36:Department Store
28:
21:
1035:
1034:
1030:
1029:
1028:
1026:
1025:
1024:
975:
974:
973:
972:
962:
960:
949:
948:
944:
934:
932:
923:
922:
918:
908:
906:
898:
897:
893:
880:
876:
866:
864:
855:
854:
850:
840:
838:
829:
828:
824:
814:
812:
803:
802:
795:
785:
783:
781:www.gabr.net.au
774:
773:
769:
759:
757:
755:www.gabr.net.au
748:
747:
740:
730:
728:
719:
718:
714:
704:
702:
693:
692:
688:
673:
660:
659:
648:
638:
636:
625:
624:
620:
610:
608:
597:
596:
592:
582:
580:
572:
571:
562:
552:
550:
541:
540:
536:
526:
524:
515:
514:
510:
500:
498:
490:
489:
462:
455:
451:
446:
420:
365:
363:Published books
327:The Jam Factory
249:Norman Hartnell
223:
187:
150:
115:
82:
80:
77:
60:
58:
55:
12:
11:
5:
1033:
1031:
1023:
1022:
1017:
1012:
1007:
1002:
997:
992:
987:
977:
976:
971:
970:
942:
916:
891:
874:
861:Canberra Times
848:
835:Canberra Times
822:
809:Canberra Times
793:
767:
738:
712:
686:
671:
646:
618:
590:
560:
534:
508:
460:
448:
447:
445:
442:
419:
416:
364:
361:
349:Terence Conran
299:Stock Exchange
197:Collins Street
192:Collins Street
186:
183:
162:
161:
156:
152:
151:
149:
148:
145:
142:
139:
136:
133:
130:
126:
124:
120:
119:
116:
113:
110:
109:
103:
99:
98:
92:
88:
87:
74:
70:
69:
52:
48:
47:
42:
38:
37:
34:
30:
29:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1032:
1021:
1018:
1016:
1013:
1011:
1008:
1006:
1003:
1001:
998:
996:
993:
991:
988:
986:
983:
982:
980:
958:
957:
952:
946:
943:
931:
927:
920:
917:
905:
901:
895:
892:
888:
884:
878:
875:
863:. 1 June 1976
862:
858:
852:
849:
836:
832:
826:
823:
810:
806:
800:
798:
794:
782:
778:
771:
768:
756:
752:
745:
743:
739:
726:
722:
716:
713:
700:
696:
690:
687:
682:
678:
674:
668:
664:
657:
655:
653:
651:
647:
634:
633:
628:
622:
619:
606:
605:
600:
594:
591:
579:
575:
569:
567:
565:
561:
548:
544:
538:
535:
522:
518:
512:
509:
497:
493:
487:
485:
483:
481:
479:
477:
475:
473:
471:
469:
467:
465:
461:
458:
453:
450:
443:
441:
438:
436:
435:
429:
425:
417:
415:
413:
409:
405:
401:
397:
396:Keith Dunstan
392:
390:
386:
382:
378:
374:
370:
369:Keith Dunstan
362:
360:
357:
354:
350:
345:
343:
338:
336:
332:
331:Chapel Street
328:
324:
320:
315:
310:
308:
302:
300:
295:
290:
288:
283:
281:
277:
273:
269:
263:
261:
258:and milliner
257:
256:Peter Russell
252:
250:
246:
241:
232:
228:
224:
221:
217:
215:
211:
206:
205:John Grainger
200:
198:
193:
184:
182:
180:
176:
172:
168:
160:
157:
153:
146:
143:
140:
137:
135:leather goods
134:
131:
128:
127:
125:
121:
117:
111:
107:
104:
100:
97:
93:
89:
75:
71:
68:
53:
49:
46:
43:
39:
35:
31:
27:
22:
16:
961:. Retrieved
954:
945:
933:. Retrieved
929:
919:
907:. Retrieved
903:
894:
882:
877:
865:. Retrieved
860:
851:
839:. Retrieved
834:
825:
813:. Retrieved
808:
784:. Retrieved
780:
770:
758:. Retrieved
754:
729:. Retrieved
724:
715:
703:. Retrieved
698:
689:
662:
637:. Retrieved
630:
621:
609:. Retrieved
602:
593:
581:. Retrieved
577:
551:. Retrieved
546:
537:
525:. Retrieved
520:
511:
499:. Retrieved
495:
452:
439:
432:
421:
411:
407:
403:
399:
393:
388:
384:
380:
376:
372:
366:
358:
346:
339:
311:
303:
294:Cox Brothers
291:
284:
278:crystal and
272:Georg Jensen
267:
264:
260:Aage Thaarup
253:
244:
237:
225:
222:
218:
210:Block Arcade
201:
188:
166:
165:
102:Headquarters
66:
33:Company type
15:
705:22 December
342:David Jones
335:South Yarra
274:homewares,
96:David Jones
979:Categories
935:18 October
909:18 October
867:3 November
841:3 November
815:3 November
786:3 November
760:3 November
731:3 November
583:8 February
501:18 October
444:References
408:Still Here
385:Still Here
371:published
323:Camberwell
319:Burke Road
307:John Olsen
132:manchester
114:Key people
94:Closed by
681:880138550
632:The Argus
604:The Argus
282:fabrics.
276:Waterford
175:Melbourne
141:furniture
106:Melbourne
963:10 April
725:ABC News
611:15 March
428:Ballarat
424:Cornwall
144:hardware
129:clothing
123:Products
41:Industry
956:The Age
639:21 June
553:23 June
527:23 June
521:The Age
434:The Age
353:Habitat
280:Liberty
185:History
167:Georges
155:Website
81: (
73:Defunct
59: (
51:Founded
679:
669:
404:Behind
169:was a
45:Retail
699:Argus
965:2021
937:2023
911:2023
869:2022
843:2022
817:2022
788:2022
762:2022
733:2022
707:2023
677:OCLC
667:ISBN
641:2018
613:2019
585:2023
555:2020
529:2020
503:2023
147:food
91:Fate
83:1995
76:1995
61:1880
54:1880
398:’s
329:on
173:in
65:as
981::
953:.
928:.
902:.
885:,
859:.
833:.
807:.
796:^
779:.
753:.
741:^
723:.
697:.
675:.
665:.
649:^
629:.
601:.
576:.
563:^
545:.
519:.
494:.
463:^
333:,
321:,
177:,
967:.
939:.
913:.
871:.
845:.
819:.
790:.
764:.
735:.
709:.
683:.
643:.
587:.
505:.
377:.
266:"
85:)
63:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
