By Craig Zammit
SYDNEY: As Retravision NSW meets today to vote on more changes to the company’s structure, the loss of Retravision Maroubra – the latest Retravision store to close its doors – has not gone un-noticed.
The owner of Maroubra Retravision – R & J Discounts Pty Ltd, which closed-up shop in October 9 – also owns the nearby south-east-Sydney Matraville Retravision store.
Though no official explanation has yet been provided for the Maroubra closure, Current.com.au this morning received confirmation that Matraville Retravision will remain “business as usual” and will not be affected by the Maroubra loss.
The Matraville Retravision store has already experienced publicity of its own, as previous Retravision Maroubra and Matraville proprietor, Jim Rawas, was tragically murdered on the premises following an attempted armed robbery on Christmas Eve 2002.
The Maroubra closure now comes off the back of two months of massive change within the Retravision Group.
In this short time, Thom’s Retravision, which previously operated from two separate premises – Thom’s Retravision and Spark & Co Retravision – merged operations; Little & Rabie Retravision opened at Penrith in Sydney’s West; and Terrace Retravision expanded and changed its ownership and launched ‘The Only Decision’ campaign for Christmas.
Unfortunately, the group also experienced a slew of negative changes, including the cancellation of the annual expo scheduled for September; the closure of Tibbett’s Retravision in Scone, New South Wales; Retravision Balgowlah ceased trading after 72 years of operation; two Western Australia stores closed; and the chain admitted cash flow problems throughout its NSW branches.