David Jones's receiver will close 19 stores, mass job losses to follow

David Jones's receiver has confirmed it will close 19 of the iconic retailer's 38 stores.

ABC News reports it's also seen correspondence sent to staff and suppliers confirming the store closures.

The closures include Sydney's Parramatta, three in Victoria and sites on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

David Jones staff were sent a message this afternoon from chief executive Erica Berchtold about the “difficult news”.

“I know how much our stores and the people in them mean to all of us, and this is difficult news for our whole business,” Berchtold said.

"We all know that the business could not continue operating as it was.

“Put simply, our store portfolio is no longer the right shape for the business.”

David Jones further told suppliers: "We expect the affected stores to continue trading through the peak seasonal period, with closure dates anticipated to occur later in the year."

Stock at closing stores will be discounted or sent to other locations.

David Jones was placed in voluntary administration last week. McGrathNicol was appointed as the voluntary administrator.

The downfall of the 188-year-old department store has been a shock to the public, but inevitable in the face of increasing pressure from online competitors.