Holy cow! I had no idea this was happening, but it's a real shame. There were supply-chain issues during the pandemic and most Akubra retailers were low on stock. But this is a whole new problem for those of us who love Akubra hats. This story explains in detail (I'll paste the text below the link) --
https://www.exploretravel.com.au/story/ ... ry-stores/
Akubra hat trick leaves western Queensland towns empty-handed
By Sally Gall - September 20 2024
"Always getting kicked in the guts" is how country retailers have reacted to the news that Akubra Hats has closed their accounts, meaning they can no longer order what's regarded by many as an Australian icon.
After 147 years of ownership by the Keir family, the hat-making business was acquired by Andrew and Nicola Forrest's private investment group Tattarang, in November 2023.
Six months later, in May this year, stockists began receiving notification that because of Akubra's need to streamline its wholesale network, to set it up for long-term success, their account with Akubra was not commercially viable to maintain and would therefore be closed.
Writing to outlets such as the Samios Trading Post at Mitchell, Akubra Hats CEO Natalie Culina said their key driver was a focus on ensuring a consistent and quality retail experience for customers. "This focus would be undermined if we continued to spread stock across too many wholesale accounts," her letter said. "This is particularly so given that demand from our existing wholesalers has long exceeded our supply capacity."
As a result, accounts were closed on August 20. The shops affected can continue to sell whatever Akubra products they still have in stock, until the end of February 2025, but that's of little consolation to Samios co-owner Vicki Jones. "We've been flying Akubra's flag in our shop for 15 years, telling their story to our customers," she said. "Tourists want to buy an Akubra when they're in the bush, and they want to support small businesses."
Adding to the disappointment of seeing an iconic brand disappear from so many places, Ms Jones said it was what brought many into the shop in the first place.
"A farmer might only come to town to buy a hat but he ends up buying ammo and some socks as well," she said. Ironically, Ms Jones said her shop was opened by a man who was frustrated because he couldn't buy an Akubra in town. "Customers aren't very happy," she said. "We try and steer them to other Australian brands but the ones that are true to Akubra ask if they can get one online. "Yes, of course you can, but that means your money's going out of town."
'Remain committed'
An Akubra spokesperson said the brand had been a symbol of the Australian bush for 148 years and they remained committed to regional customers. More than 200 stores nationally are still selling Akubra hats and the spokesperson said more than three-quarters of their east coast retailers were in regional or remote locations.
"From Mount Isa, Cloncurry and Winton to Longreach, Charleville and Goondiwindi, Akubra continues to be stocked in 99 stores across Queensland," they said, explaining there was more demand for the hats than its Australian workshop in Kempsey could supply.
"While we are committed to growing our Australian-made workshop's capability, we are regretfully unable to provide every current retailer with enough stock to ensure a consistent experience for our customers, with a variety of styles and sizes available in stores. Akubra plans to hire dozens more craftspeople in the coming year and continues to invest in the necessary processes, operations and equipment to increase production capacity while preserving the handmade nature of our hats. We will continue to assess our retail network against our supply as time goes on. Queensland is our biggest market, and we are very grateful to our loyal customers and are working to ensure they have the best range available."
At the time of Tattarang's purchase of the business, Nicola Forrest said she was committed to protecting and enhancing the company's legacy. "An Akubra has always been part of my life, and as a new custodian, I am excited to help new generations discover this treasured Australian icon," she said.
'Not true outback brand'
In Blackall, where the same notice of closure has been received, retailer Ian Kinsey said it was always the smaller towns that got kicked in the guts. "We always sold whatever stock we had," he said. "At the end of the day, this isn't the be all to end all, but it takes away from our businesses if people go elsewhere to shop."
Mr Kinsey's Bowerbird shop has largely weathered the online shopping trend and seen customers swing back to shopping instore, and he said he would likely order in a hat range that more people could afford. "Akubra is a good, big sale but we were only getting so few to sell, it wasn't bread and butter stuff," he said. "I don't regard Akubra and RM Williams as true outback brands anymore."
Ms Jones was frustrated that part of the reason given for closing their account was that they didn't have enough sales, saying that for a number of years they'd been limited to ordering a restricted number of hats a month.
One email received in October 2022 tells the Joneses Akubra had "great news, your monthly allocation has been increased to 3 hats".
"It's pretty hard to be a big customer under those conditions," Ms Jones said, adding that she wasn't sure what potential sales might be now. "I wasn't monitoring sales, I didn't think this would happen," she said.
As news of the change filtered out on social media, people such as Susie Moore-Mcpherson expressed their dissatisfaction. "I am gobsmacked that this hat company is doing this," she said. "These guys work so hard to supply everything in their store and online business. Rural is where these hats are needed. It's like having a car to drive to work in - very sad for them."
Seems you can still order that up with no problems? Though after the recent restock they're now running out of sizes again. 
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