E-Store Australia went into voluntary administration after close of business yesterday, appointing Ian Purchas and partner Ron Dean-Willcocks of Star Dean-Willcocks as joint administrators.

-Based on the information we currently have it is our intention to continue to trade with a view to disclose to creditors a deed of company arrangement," Purchas told ZDNet Australia.

Details of the deed of company arrangement will be included in Star Dean-Willcocks' report to creditors, which is expected to be released October 22. The first meeting of creditors will be held at the administrator's offices on October 10 and the deed of company arrangement will be voted on at the second creditors meeting, scheduled for October 30.

Purchas, who met with E-Store MD Steven Spilly for the first time mid afternoon yesterday, said: -We are aware that [E-Store] directors have had discussions with a number of interested parties and clearly it will be my intention to contact those parties very shortly."

E-Store's Spilly told ZDNet Australia yesterday, that he saw a deal with its rival in the online space Wishlist.com.au as very positive. -There are a lot of synergies between the two companies and at the same time, there are a lot of positive differences - we have different focuses and different customer bases which would prove attractive to both parties."

Whilst Wishlist had denied to ZDNet earlier in the day that it was in discussions with E-Store, later press reports quoted Wishlist as saying it was -always looking for opportunities".

Purchas said it was too early to say how many creditors were hounding the etailer,"I haven't been administrator for 24 hours yet," he said.

One creditor of the troubled etailer sent ZDNet Australia an e-mail he claimed he received from E-Store today, which announced the administration was underway.

The email said the administrator would be -in contact" with creditors with regards to -our outstanding amount with you and with regards to our relationship moving forward".

-I would have liked to advise you as to this earlier but we were working on alternatives which at this time have not eventuated. From the information I have, there does seem to be a good chance of resolving this with minimal loss to all involved," the email, which the creditor claims was sent from E-Store financial controller, Darren Silber, said.

E-Store was unavailable for comment.

Disclaimer: ZDNet Australia has a content relationship with E-Store.

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