Solomon Lew

Solomon Lew
Born (1945-03-22) 22 March 1945 (age 79)
Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia
EducationMount Scopus Memorial College
Occupation(s)Businessman
Chairman of Premier Investments
Years active1963−present
SpouseRose Lew AM (separated)
Children
  • Peter Lew (son)
  • Jacqueline Lew (daughter)
  • Steven Lew (son)
Websitesolomonlew.com.au

Solomon Lew (born 22 March 1945) is an Australian businessman. His principal commercial activities involve importing apparel, toys and other goods into Australia from China and investments, mainly in retail companies.

As a teenager, Lew supplied dresses to the Myer Emporium in Melbourne using his company Voyager Solo.[1] In 2014 Lew built a ten per cent stake in David Jones after South African retailer Woolworths launched a takeover bid for the department store.[1] Lew was formerly a director then chairman of Coles Myer until voted out by shareholders. He was also involved in an attempt to resurrect Ansett with Lindsay Fox following its collapse in September 2001. In 2008 he returned to the board of his public company, Premier Investments, and became its chairman.

In 2016 he became the first Australian to be inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame, which recognises the lifetime achievements of retail "legends".[2]

In 2023, the Australian Financial Review assessed Lew's net worth as A$3.97 billion;[3] Forbes assessed his net worth as US$1.46 billion in 2019;[4] and Lew was ranked 33rd on The Australian's Richest 250 List.[5]

  1. ^ a b Low, Catie (23 September 2016). "Solomon Lew: the billionaire behind Smiggle, FCUK and Country Road". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Retail allows people to dream, Lew says". SBS World News. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference afr2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference forbes2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Australia's Richest 250". The Australian.