Next week, the globe’s top sportswear brand will appear in court, pursuing a claim for almost $250,000 it asserts it is owed by a defunct Australian surf retailer.
SurfStitch, which brands itself as Australia’s leading online surf and fashion destination, entered administration earlier this month following a winding-up order filed by Nike Australia on May 20.
Documents from the Victorian Supreme Court, accessed by 9news.com.au, reveal that the major sportswear company alleges SurfStitch owes it $237,760.38 and is urging the business’s liquidation.
The matter is listed to be heard in court next Wednesday.
Established in 2007, SurfStitch was one of Australia’s early successful online stores, having been valued at $500 million in 2014 shortly after it was listed on the local stock exchange.
However, it fell into administration just three years later before being bought by retail group Alquemie, then known as Alceon Retail Bidco.
Alquemie, which operates the likes of General Pants Co. and Lego stores in Australasia, in turn sold the business to a mystery buyer in May.
SurfStitch’s online store has been down for the last five weeks, with visitors to its website shown a maintenance message.
“Sorry, our site is currently undergoing maintenance,” it reads.
“We expect to be back soon. Thanks for your patience.”
It had previously sold surf and skate wear from a range of brands, including Adidas, Billabong, Levi’s, The North Face and Nike.
9news.com.au has contacted SurfStitch’s administrators for comment.
