Fenton & Fenton: Liquidation, Rescue and Current Status
Few things feel more unnerving than walking into your favourite local homewares shop and finding the lights off and the website replaced with a liquidation notice. That’s exactly what happened to Fenton & Fenton, but unlike many fallen brands, a family-owned rival stepped in to rescue the business.
Founder: Lucy Fenton ·
Headquarters: Prahran, Melbourne ·
Status: Rescued by Berkowitz (2024) ·
Previous Status: Liquidation ·
Website: fentonandfenton.com.au
Quick snapshot
- Founded by Lucy Fenton (Fenton & Fenton official site)
- Headquartered in Prahran, Melbourne (Fenton & Fenton contact page)
- Specializes in furniture, decor, art (Fenton & Fenton website)
- Entered voluntary liquidation in August 2023 (Inside Retail Australia)
- Financial difficulties cited as cause (Inside Retail Australia) (Inside Retail Australia)
- Operations temporarily halted (Inside Retail Australia) (Inside Retail Australia)
- Berkowitz acquired the brand (Retail & Leisure International)
- Lucy Fenton remains on staff (Retail & Leisure International) (Retail & Leisure International)
- Terms not publicly disclosed (Retail & Leisure International) (Retail & Leisure International)
- Online store active (Fenton & Fenton website)
- Prahran showroom open (Fenton & Fenton contact page)
- New ownership ensures continuity (Retail & Leisure International)
Seven key facts about Fenton & Fenton, one pattern: a small family-run retailer that grew fast, hit the wall, and was saved by an industry insider.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Fenton & Fenton |
| Type | Furniture, Decor, Art & Homewares Retailer |
| Founder | Lucy Fenton |
| Headquarters | 471 High St, Prahran VIC 3181, Australia |
| Status | Active under Berkowitz ownership (Retail & Leisure International) |
| Acquirer | Berkowitz (Retail & Leisure International) |
| Key Personnel | Lucy Fenton (Creative Director) (Retail & Leisure International) |
What happened to Fenton and Fenton?
What led to the liquidation?
- Fenton & Fenton filed for voluntary liquidation in August 2023, with EY’s Adam Nikitins and Stewart McCallum appointed to oversee the process (Inside Retail Australia).
- The company cited macroeconomic conditions including rising cost of living, inflation, and a slowdown in consumer spending (Inside Retail Australia).
- Excess inventory and rising wage costs also strained the business (Inside Retail Australia).
The pattern: a boom during pandemic lockdowns gave way to a brutal hangover when restrictions lifted and spending habits shifted.
How was the company rescued?
- Berkowitz, a family-owned furniture business, acquired Fenton & Fenton from liquidation in 2024 (Retail & Leisure International).
- Founder Lucy Fenton stayed on as creative director (Retail & Leisure International).
- The acquisition allowed the brand to continue operations without a complete shutdown (Retail & Leisure International).
The implication: Berkowitz saw value in an established name and loyal customer base, rather than starting from scratch.
Are Fenton and Fenton still in business?
Is the online store active?
- Yes — the website fentonandfenton.com.au is live and accepting orders (verified via site).
- The e-commerce platform had been replaced with a liquidation statement during the collapse, but has since been restored (Inside Retail Australia).
Is the Prahran showroom open?
- The physical showroom at 471 High St, Prahran, remains open (Fenton & Fenton contact page).
- It continues to offer furniture, decor and art in the same location (Fenton & Fenton website).
Why this matters: for shoppers who loved the curated selection, the brand is still accessible — just under new ownership.
Who owns Fenton & Fenton?
Who is Lucy Fenton?
- Lucy Fenton is the founder of the business (Fenton & Fenton about page).
- She started the company in Prahran, building a reputation for eclectic homewares (Fenton & Fenton about page).
What is Berkowitz’s role?
- Berkowitz acquired the brand outright and now owns the company (Retail & Leisure International).
- Lucy Fenton continues in a creative leadership role (Retail & Leisure International).
The trade-off: founder control gave way to financial rescue, but the creative vision remains intact.
Why did Fenton go out of business?
What caused the liquidation?
- A combination of post-pandemic macroeconomic pressures: inflation, rising wage costs, and higher cost of doing business (Inside Retail Australia).
- Consumer spending slowed as Australians tightened budgets (Inside Retail Australia).
- Excess inventory built up when demand normalized, leaving the company with too much stock (Inside Retail Australia).
Were there warning signs?
- The company had survived pandemic lockdowns relatively well, but the rapid normalization of spending patterns caught it off guard (Inside Retail Australia).
- Industry observers noted that many furniture retailers faced similar challenges, suggesting the collapse was part of a wider market correction (Inside Retail Australia).
The pattern: a classic case of post-pandemic whiplash — boom demand followed by a severe contraction.
Who are Fenton and Fenton?
What does the company sell?
- Fenton & Fenton offers furniture, home decor, art, and accessories (Fenton & Fenton website).
- It is known for a mix of contemporary and vintage-inspired pieces (Fenton & Fenton website).
How did the business start?
- Lucy Fenton launched the brand in Prahran with a small showroom (Fenton & Fenton about page).
- It grew into a destination for interior designers and homeowners alike (Fenton & Fenton about page).
The implication: Fenton & Fenton was never just a store — it was a curatorial experience that built a loyal following.
Timeline signal
- – Fenton & Fenton enters voluntary liquidation (Inside Retail Australia)
- – Berkowitz acquires Fenton & Fenton (Retail & Leisure International)
- – Lucy Fenton remains with the company; operations resume online (Retail & Leisure International)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Fenton & Fenton went into voluntary liquidation (Inside Retail Australia)
- Berkowitz acquired the company (Retail & Leisure International)
- Lucy Fenton continues as part of the business (Retail & Leisure International)
- The company operates online and the Prahran showroom is open (Fenton & Fenton website)
What’s unclear
- Exact financial terms of the acquisition
- Specific reasons for the liquidation beyond general retail challenges
- Future expansion plans or potential store closures
What they said
“We’re delighted to welcome Fenton & Fenton into the Berkowitz family. The brand has a strong identity and a loyal customer base that we want to preserve and grow.”
— Berkowitz spokesperson, via Retail & Leisure International
“The company was hit by a perfect storm of macroeconomic conditions — rising costs, slow spending, and too much inventory.”
— Industry analyst quoted in Inside Retail Australia
The story of Fenton & Fenton is a cautionary tale for mid-market retailers in Australia: the post-pandemic boom was temporary, and those that didn’t adjust quickly enough faced the consequences. For shoppers who loved the brand, the Berkowitz rescue means the showroom at 471 High St stays open—but the product mix and pricing may shift as the new owners put their stamp on the business. For Lucy Fenton and her team, the path forward is clear: adapt to a leaner retail environment, or risk repeating the same mistakes.
What this means: Berkowitz’s acquisition ensured the Fenton & Fenton brand survives, but under new ownership the product mix and pricing may shift. For Lucy Fenton, adapting to a leaner retail environment is key.
Related reading: **Australian luxury retail brands** · **Myer department store**
Frequently asked questions
What is Fenton & Fenton’s return policy?
Return information is available on the Fenton & Fenton website. Typically, items can be returned within a specified period with proof of purchase.
Does Fenton & Fenton deliver Australia-wide?
Yes, the company offers delivery across Australia. Shipping details are outlined on their shipping page.
What brands does Fenton & Fenton stock?
The store carries a curated selection of furniture, decor, and art from both Australian and international designers. Browse the product range on fentonandfenton.com.au.
How can I contact Fenton & Fenton customer service?
Contact details are available on the contact page of their website.
Is the Fenton & Fenton showroom still open in Prahran?
Yes, the showroom at 471 High St, Prahran, is open under normal business hours (contact page).
What happened to Fenton & Fenton’s warehouse sales?
Warehouse sales were a regular event before liquidation. Check the website or social media for any future sales events under new ownership.
Are there any plans to reopen additional stores?
No official announcements have been made about additional store openings. The focus is currently on the Prahran showroom and online operations.
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