Tupperware to close in Australia amid bankruptcy

Major brand Tupperware will shut down in Australia after declaring bankruptcy. Tupperware, known for its colourful, airtight plastic containers primarily used for food storage, filed for bankruptcy in September. Australian staff have now been told that new owners Party Products will shut down the Australian operations. Tupperware worker Maria told 2GB’s Ben Fordham that they’d been told operations would only continue in eight countries out of 70. “We’ve been told the new owners that have purchased Tupperware global are not proceeding with Tupperware in Australia,” she said. “They’re only keeping eight countries open out of 70 and unfortunately Australia is not one of them. “We don’t know a final date for Australia yet. We’ve been told we’ll be paid all our commission and what we’re owed, but that’s all we know thus far.” Fordham said more than 10,000 sales consultants and hundreds of warehouse staff could be out of a job ahead of Christmas. First founded in the 1940s by chemist Earl S. Tupper in Massachusetts, the brand became famous throughout the 1950s and 60s when sales representatives held Tupperware parties to drive the sale of new merchandise. Despite a short-lived jump during the Covid-19 pandemic, the company earlier revealed it was seeking court approval to facilitate a sale process for the business. “Tupperware will seek Court approval to continue operating during the proceedings and remains focused on providing its customers with its award-winning, innovative products through Tupperware sales consultants, retail partners and online,” Tupperware president and chief executive officer Laurie Ann Goldman said.