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South African retailer Woolworths' bid to takeover David Jones needs to clear the Australian Federal court before being approved

David Jones shareholders have voted in favour of South African retailer Woolworths’ takeover of the Australian department store for A$2.2bn, reports Reuters.

More than 97 per cent of shareholders, accounting for 268m shares, voted in favour of the deal that will see shareholders receive a A$4 payout per share.

The acquisition needs to pass through the Australian Federal court before being approved and is expected to go through Thursday, with shares suspended from trade Friday.

David Jones is Australia’s second largest department store in terms of sales, but Reuters reports that online and overseas competitors have dampened profits in the past four years.