{
  "id": 18415480,
  "title": "Working at David Jones was 'heaven on a stick' in its heyday",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/working-at-david-jones-was-heaven-on-a-stick-in-its-heyday",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T01:28:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-06/former-david-jones-staff-recall-luxurious-heyday-of-store/107354304"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former David Jones employees have reminisced about the rigorous training, elaborate window displays, and personalized service that defined the retail giant's heyday. Stephen Hunter, a former visual merchandiser, laments the decline, stating that the current staff levels do not maintain the high standards of the past. Gwen Sutton, recalling her time at the Sydney store in the post-World War II era, describes her employer as \"heaven on a stick.\" Both Hunter and Sutton emphasize the importance of the strict training they underwent, noting that it was uncommon by today's standards. Today's David Jones store in Perth's city centre is a stark contrast to the opulent experience Hunter once enjoyed, with only a few windows displaying ads. Sutton's recent visit to the empty shoe department starkly contrasts with the personalized service and attention to detail she cherished during her time there. David Jones entered voluntary administration recently, continuing to trade while administrators review the company's operations. The union representing retail workers is focused on preserving as many jobs as possible during this challenging time.",
  "summary": "Former staff say years of cost cutting and reduced staffing has taken a toll on the experience of shopping at David Jones.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former David Jones employees praise rigorous training and personalized service.",
    "Current store in Perth lacks opulent experience of past heyday.",
    "David Jones enters voluntary administration amid job preservation efforts."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The decline in rigorous training and personalized service signals a fundamental erosion of the premium retail identity that once distinguished the department store from its modern, struggling iteration.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}