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Solomon Lew (left) launched an internal investigation into Smiggle CEO John Cheston (right) that has now gone global.

Sacked Smiggle CEO investigation goes global

Billionaire businessman Solomon Lew’s internal investigation into John Cheston has hit international waters. Meanwhile, the youth stationery brand is undergoing a reset.

  • Jessica Yun

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Smiggle is one of the divisions of Premier Investments, which could be demerged as the group undergoes a six-month strategic review.

Smiggle investigation into sacked CEO uncovers alleged gambling, intoxication, bribery: Lew

With sales nosediving without a permanent chief executive at the helm, chairman Solomon Lew will be very picky about his next hire.

  • Jessica Yun
Olivia Wirth, executive chairwoman of Myer, with Solomon Lew who offloaded his apparel brands business and will take a board seat at the department store chain.

Jay Jays, Dotti, Portmans still ‘well-loved, cherished’ brands, Myer CEO insists

Myer investors have overwhelmingly voted in favour of the mega-deal that chief executive Olivia Wirth says sets up the department store for the long term.

  • Jessica Yun
Myer sales shrank in the second half of 2024.

‘Consumers are still hurting’: Myer shares tumble as sales shrink

The department store says cautious shoppers are looking for savings as they battle cost-of-living pressures.

  • Daniel Lo Surdo
Myer profits are challenged by the macroeconomic environment.

Why Myer and Premier’s sluggish sales are a sign of pain to come

If you think about the two groups as the canaries in the coal mine of Australian retail, those two birds appear to be struggling to chirp.

  • Elizabeth Knight
Solomon Lew has placed spin-off of Smiggle and Peter Alexander on ice.

Top of Solomon Lew’s hit list – the government and executive defectors

The retail billionaire joins a long list of big-end-of-town businessmen who have taken issue with how Labor is performing.

  • Elizabeth Knight
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Billionaire businessman Solomon Lew.

Solly Lew delays Smiggle, Peter Alexander spin-off amid Myer talks

The billionaire rag-trader has his hands full amid a potential acquisition by Myer of five of its brands and a stoush with Smiggle’s ex-boss.

  • Jessica Yun
Solomon Lew (left) with John Cheston, in happier days.

Is this what revenge looks like in retail billionaire land?

The Solomon Lew camp has taken a big swing sacking John Cheston, who was poached a few months ago by billionaire retailer Brett Blundy.

  • Elizabeth Knight
Solomon Lew is moving ahead with the spin out of children’s stationary brand Smiggle and PJs brand Peter Alexander.

Spin off and conquer: Solly Lew’s global plan for Smiggle and Peter Alexander

The retail billionaire’s end game appears to go beyond just growing these Australian businesses internationally. Rather, it is a plan to establish each as global brands.

  • Elizabeth Knight
Premier Investments intends to spin off Smiggle in January next year.

Smiggle, Peter Alexander slated to become standalone companies in 2025

The popular stationery and sleepwear brands are set to be spun out of Premier Investment’s stable of brands next year.

  • Jessica Yun