The Reject Shop is an Australian discount variety store chain selling a range of goods such as food, snacks, gift cards and party, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, storage, kitchenware, homewares and seasonal items in 375 store locations across Australia.
Founded in 1979, The Reject Shop employs over 5,000 staff.[1] The group replaced a number of Chickenfeed stores in Tasmania, and took up the space that was left when Retail Adventures closed down.
History
The first store was opened in South Yarra, Melbourne by founders Ron Hall and John Shuster in 1981.[2] This shop sold seconds and discontinued lines, hence The Reject Shop name.[3]
In 1994, the chain became majority owned by Macquarie Bank. It was floated on the Australian Securities Exchange in June 2004.[4][5] The float was successful, with the company tripling in size two years after going public.[6]
Former Chief Executive Barry Saunders, recruited to the company in 2000 by Macquarie Bank, retired in 2007.[7] He was replaced in May 2007 by Gerry Masters, a former Coles Group executive, after 33 years with his former employer.[8]
On 11 September 2009, it was announced that Gerry Masters had resigned his position as managing director and would be replaced by Chris Bryce, the chief financial officer, effective 14 September 2009.
Despite the strong growth experienced by the company in the years following 2004, a profit warning in December 2010 resulted in a sharp drop in the share price. The company was also affected by the Queensland Floods of 2010, with the company's Ipswich Distribution Centre being flooded. The warehouse became operational once again on 28 August 2011. A similar profit warning in June 2014 resulted in another share drop of 50%, making them one of the top worst performing shares in 2014.[9][10]
In 2013, the company commenced an aggressive growth plan, following the closure of a number of Retail Adventures stores. The company passed the 300 store milestone in October 2013.
On 8 July 2014, The Reject Shop announced the appointment of Ross Sudano (formerly of Little World Beverages) as chief executive officer. His appointment followed the departure of Chris Bryce in June 2014, after leading a significant growth phase of the business.[11]
In January 2020, the company announced Andre Reich as chief executive officer.[12] In September 2020, The Reject Shop announced a partnership with British supermarket chain Tesco.[13] In October they launched a lowest price guarantee[14] In November 2020, The Reject Shop launched a partnership with DoorDash.[15]
In March 2025, the board accepted a $259 million takeover offer from Dollarama, a Canadian discount retailer. The deal is subject to shareholder approval.[16] The investor presentation says it will deliver a “dollarama shopping experience” with a new store layout, design and merchandising experience.[17][18]
It was confirmed in August 2025 that The Reject Shop stores in Australia would be rebadged as Dollarama.[19]
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