Thingz Gifts: West Aussies gutted as ‘affordable’ homewares brand reveals closure of most stores

West Aussies looking to upgrade their home will soon have fewer places to shop, with a major WA franchise announcing the closure of multiple stores.

Thingz Gifts has become a staple in WA shopping centres since it opened the doors to its first location in 1975.

The retail chain offers “on-trend and affordable” homewares and lifestyle products, with clothing and home décor among their bestselling items.

Half a century of success later, and the brand has made a devastating announcement about the future of their stores.

“After a rewarding 50+ years providing West Australians with our range of gifts, furniture and homewares, the Thingz Group has made the tough decision to begin the process of closing the majority of our stores,” the company wrote in a letter.

“This is a planned business process that will progress over the next 12 months.”

Things Gifts founder and director Rob Shirley told The West Australian the decision was prompted by the cost-of-living crisis impacting how customers shop.

“A lot of people are under pressure for discretionary income,” he said.

“While shoppers continue to buy items they use daily, it’s just become much harder over time to sell decorative giftware.”

The closures are understood to involve 12 of their 15 WA locations.

The West contacted all Perth stores regarding the announcement, with only their Clarkson location in Ocean Keys Shopping Centre confirming they will remain open.

Of the 10 other Perth locations contacted, five have already announced their final days of trading. The other five have confirmed closures will occur “later in the year”, with no closing date confirmed.

Mr Shirley said by 2027, only three locations will remain in Western Australia.

Sister brand Living Emporium will also be subject to closures, with their stores in Albany, Geraldton, Joondalup, Kalgoorlie, Mandurah, and High Wycombe under threat.

The Living Emporium in Geraldton has already confirmed their location is part of the closures, with the store closing its doors on March 15 after 15 years serving the Mid West.

Both franchises are managed by Star Retail Group, who also own WA retailer Red Dot.

Mr Shirley confirmed that Red Dot would not be be shutting any locations — instead, the chain had plans to open four more locations through 2026.

He said despite the closure of the sister brands, Red Dot would largely remain unchanged for shoppers.

“There might be a few items (from Thingz that will be stocked at Red Dot), but the intent is to not change Red Dot,” he said.

“The intent is to retain Red Dot as a purveyor of daily use products.”

In the letter announcing the store closures, customers were informed that gift cards will no longer be sold in any Thingz or Living Emporium locations.

Shoppers have been encouraged to use gift cards as soon as possible as “options to redeem will reduce as stores close”.

An image of the letter shared on social media spurred a walk down memory lane for many shoppers who have frequented the store for decades.

One Perth local reminisced on trips to the business’ Morley Galleria location decades ago, calling the visits a “core 90s memory”.

Some felt heartbroken at the loss of yet another WA-owned brand, saying in time “all we’ll have left is online stores”.

Others praised the corporate team for giving both staff and customers plenty of notice before the stores close their doors.

Mr Shirley told The West he was working to ensure as many Thingz staff members could stay employed at the company despite the store closures.

“The hardest part (of the closures) was speaking to store staff, but their spirit was incredible even though the news couldn’t have delighted them,” he said.

“We are trying to keep as many of them in our organisation as we possibly can.”

He also issued a massive thank you to loyal customers who have been shopping at the chain since the 1970s.

“All I can remember is great times, all thanks to those who have supported us,” he said.

“It’s been a good 50 years, I can only say thanks — it’s been a tremendous ride.”