Clarification followed media reports that it was closing Asia retail operations based on liquidation of a dormant entity
Published Mon, Mar 30, 2026 · 07:37 PM — Updated Tue, Mar 31, 2026 · 09:15 AM
[SINGAPORE] Cotton On is not exiting or closing any Asian operations, the Australian clothing store giant said in a statement on Tuesday (Mar 31) morning.
The statement followed media reports suggesting that Cotton On stores operating in Asia were being closed, based on a Government Gazette notice on Monday (Mar 30) mentioning the winding up Cotton On Asia, an inactive unit.
“There have been misleading media reports suggesting that Cotton On stores operating in Asia are being closed, this information is incorrect and we have no plans to exit the Asia region.”
“Cotton On Asia Pte Ltd, the liquidated entity, does not and has never operated any stores or employed team members. It was an inactive holding company that was no longer required. This has no impact on customer, team, stores, suppliers or operations within the Asia region,” Cotton On said.
Corporations – both small and big – often have registered entities, which are never activated and are eventually liquidated or struck off if it is decided that they no longer serve any purpose.
In the Gazette notice, it stated that at an extraordinary general meeting held via a video teleconference call on Mar 25, liquidators from PwC Singapore were appointed to wind up the business.
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Checks on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority website showed that Cotton On Asia, which is listed as a holding company, is under liquidation.
A second entity, Cotton On Singapore, is still operating as a retail business providing clothing for adults. Cotton On Asia is part of the Cotton On Group, an Australian fashion and lifestyle retailer founded in 1991 by Nigel Austin.
Cotton On opened its first store in Singapore at Wisma Atria in 2007, and its Asia headquarters here in 2014 with more than 90 staff. As of Mar 30, over 30 stores in Singapore were listed on the Cotton On website.
Its brands include Cotton On, Cotton On Body, Cotton On Kids, stationery brand Typo and shoe brand Rubi.
Other brands in the group include Factorie, Supre and Ceres Life.
According to the group’s website, it operates in 22 countries with more than 20,000 employees.
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