JB Hi Fi To Acquire All 'Off Ya Tree' Employees As Store Closures Continue

SANDY FRASER | Youth | CONTACT

Almost two years after entering liquidation, the once beloved alternative retail chain ‘Off Ya Tree’ is continuing to close down stores across Australia. 

As locations in iconic spots like Newtown, Surfers Paradise, and Byron Bay fell, the shopfront in Betoota’s French Quarter put up a long fight until last month, when it was announced the store would be permanently closing. 

Faced with losing their jobs, a number of young employees quickly scrambled to make alternate arrangements. However, CEO Mary-Jane Lord has today eased a large deal of worries in an official statement.

On behalf of the company, she confirmed all staff from closed ‘Off Ya Tree’ locations would be acqui-hired by the corresponding JB Hi Fi store of each location. 

“We are honoured to work with JB Hi Fi on this initiative, and are indebted to their generosity,” she wrote. 

“We believe the two brands are strongly aligned in terms of physical presentation, which has always been a paramount prerequisite during the hiring process.”

Devon Lettuss, a former Off Ya Tree employee who will start her new JB Hi Fi role next Monday, has called the merger ‘a lifesaver’. 

“I will miss the staff discount on piercings and bongs, sorry, I mean water pourers. But I’ve also really been wanting a Nintendo Switch for a while so it’s just perfect really. And also I heard you get commission, and the more alternative you are, the higher the percentage. So truly this might just be my calling, but I am still looking into a tattoo apprenticeship.” 

Though the partnership will fill dozens of roles, JB Hi Fi clarified Australians with two or more facial piercings are still strongly encouraged to apply. 

“We can never have enough of you guys. We will literally make a role for you. Just come hand in your CV.”