Premier Investments will close its Melbourne metropolitan stores for the foreseeable future from 11.59pm tonight.
The closures will impact stores in 36 shopping centres and seven strip mall locations but no regional stores will be impacted.
The business is encouraging customers to shop its brands online and will keep its distribution centre and support office open, adhering to the COVID-safe operating procedures.
All affected store team members will be stood down from 11.59pm tonight and will be eligible for JobKeeper. Similar to the first shutdown, all team members will be able to access their annual leave or long service leave entitlements.
The business will also again not pay rent in relation to any stores affected by the lockdown for its duration.
In a statement, Premier said while its customers love its brands, it is not an essential business.
"Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic we have made clear that the health and safety of all team members and customers is paramount.
"Following a recent spike in cases throughout Victoria, yesterday Premier Daniel Andrews announced the reintroduction of stage three lockdown measures in metropolitan Melbourne.
"These measures prevent the population from leaving their homes, other than for shopping for food and essential items, to attend work or education where this cannot occur remotely, for medical care or compassionate reasons, or for exercise and recreation.
"The Premier has made clear that the livelihoods of all Victorians relies on everyone doing the right thing.
"As loved as our brands are by our customers, they are clearly not an essential service.
"Therefore to ensure we adhere with the State Government’s direction and protect the health and safety of our staff and customers, we have made the decision to close all of our Melbourne metropolitan stores in line with the Government’s direction at 11.59pm tonight for the foreseeable future," the business said.