[3] In December 2022, David Jones was sold to private equity firm Anchorage Capital Partners for approximately $100m.

For the next two decades, the company went through turbulent times, eventually leading to discussions of a merger with Myer, and then, in 2014, a takeover by South African retail group Woolworths Holdings Limited.

In 2016, Woolworths sold the iconic 1938 Market Street store and announced the relocation of DJ's head office to Richmond, Victoria.

[4] Within New South Wales, David Jones established its first store in Newcastle by acquiring Scott's on Hunter Street in 1957 (closed 2011), and[11] in Wollongong, the retailer Walter Lance and Co. in 1960.

David Jones' expanded into Victoria in the 1960s and in 1982 acquired the three stores of Buckley & Nunn located in Bourke Street, Northland, and Chadstone (closed the latter in 1983).

In Queensland, David Jones purchased Finney Isles (Brisbane) in 1955, McKimmons (Townsville) in 1960 (relocated from Flinders Street and then closed in 1994), T.C.

A significant feature of the Elizabeth Street shop, contributing greatly to its aura of quality and exclusivity, was the David Jones Art Gallery founded in 1944.

Directors included Will Ashton (1944–47), Marion Hall Best (1947–49), John Amory (1949–50), M P Ferrandiere (1950–53), George Duncan (1953–63), Robert Haines (1963–76), Brian Moore (1976–84), and Peta Phillips (1984–92).

The "new" David Jones Limited was subsequently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with a new ASX code of DJS.

[10] The separation and public float of the department store assets in 1995 resulted in structural and cultural changes, which had periods of stagnancy and high staff turnover.

[18] McInnes' successor, Paul Zahra, led the company through significant restructuring, including the expansion of the online retail presence until October 2013, when he announced his intention to resign.

[19] Zahra retained his position, however, on account of strong shareholder support against Board Chairman Peter Mason, who eventually resigned along with two other directors who had been accused of insider trading.

[20][21] In October 2013, Myer approached David Jones with a conditional, nonbinding, indicative proposal for a potential merger of the two companies.

[22] Myer believed the combined group would have generated pro forma sales and earnings before interest and taxes in 2013 around $5.0 billion and $364 million, respectively.

In addition, Myer expected that a merger could have achieved more than $85 million of ongoing annual cost synergies within three years, primarily driven by structural efficiencies.

Myer also indicated that its reappointed chief executive Bernie Brookes would be capable of managing the combined entity should the merger occur.

[29] In July 2015, the Wellington, New Zealand, department store Kirkcaldie & Stains agreed to be purchased by Woolworths South Africa.

Woolworths South Africa sold the 1938 Market Street store in 2016, with the plan that DJ's would lease and occupy the site until late 2019.

[6] In March 2023, David Jones was purchased from Woolworths Holdings Limited by Australian private equity firm Anchorage Capital Partners for a fraction of the value of the 2014 transaction.

[30] The new private equity owner has previously invested in Australian retail brands such as Burger King, Dick Smith, and Golden Circle.

[32] It aims to provide a revenue source by advertising brands such a Jaguar Land Rover, Destination Canada, and Regent Cruises to its customer base.

[42] On 25 July 2016, David Jones' introduced a new logo, with a revised font style and removed references to the houndstooth online.

[47] Five stores have food halls, which are viewed as a key part of the David Jones brand, emphasising quality and style, yet have come under recent criticism.

[48] The failed Foodchain experiment—effectively a smaller chain of standalone food halls—was sold to the parent company of Freedom Furniture in 2003 after it proved unprofitable.

[49] It was announced in July 2016, Neil Perry, a foodservice and restaurant operator, will consult to David Jones' on the new Food Halls, including assortment, presentation, and service.

[54] In March 2016, the new owners of David Jones', Woolworths South Africa, announced the sale of the nine-floor Market Street Sydney store, housing the Home, Food, and Menswear departments, which is to be incorporated into a renovated Elizabeth Street store, which will have its shopping floors increased from eight to 12.

In February 2017, David Jones announced a three-store deal at Westfield Shopping centres in Western Australia.

In July 2020, David Jones announced the sale of the iconic Melbourne Menswear, Home and Food building at 299 Bourke Street.

In late 2022, David Jones announced the closure of its Westfield Mt Gravatt store in 2023 after 52 years of trading.