John Gandel, A.C., is an Australian businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder of Gandel Group and a major figure in retail real estate. Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1935, to Polish Jewish immigrants, his parents ran a corsetry store (later the Sussan women's clothing chain), providing him with early exposure to the retail industry.

Gandel was educated at Melbourne High School. His career began by taking control of his parents' Sussan women's clothing chain in the 1950s and expanding it aggressively. His philosophy centers on strategic real estate acquisition, vertical integration, and large-scale philanthropy.

• Chadstone Shopping Centre (Owner): The core private asset, Australia's largest shopping mall (developed by the Gandel Group).
• Gandel Group (Founder): His private company specializing in retail property development and investment (owning stakes in major Australian shopping malls).
• Sussan Group (Former Owner): The women's clothing chain he inherited and expanded (sold in 1985).
• Gandel Philanthropy (Founder): One of Australia's largest independent family philanthropic funds (donated over $150 million since 1978).

John Gandel's strategic genius was his pivot from retail operations to retail real estate. In 1985, he sold the Sussan chain to his brother-in-law, Marc Besen, to focus entirely on property development. His landmark acquisition was the Chadstone Shopping Centre in 1983, which he developed into Australia's biggest shopping mall, securing a massive, long-term, cash-flowing asset.

His structural contribution is tied to the successful development and modernization of large-scale Australian retail real estate. His Gandel Philanthropy (founded in 1978) is one of Australia's largest independent family philanthropic funds, supporting Jewish education, healthcare, and the arts. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (A.C.) for his contributions. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of major retail property holdings.

John Gandel's social impact is structural, stemming from Chadstone's role as a major economic and retail hub, providing thousands of stable jobs. His Gandel Philanthropy (donating over $150 million) is a massive structural contributor to Australian and Jewish community causes, focusing on education, health, and the arts.

His structural contribution is tied to the successful development and long-term ownership of large format retail real estate.

John Gandel maintains the professional, composed style of a real estate executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and immense corporate authority, typical of a founder of a massive retail property empire.

Residing in Melbourne, Australia, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to property development, retail investment, and large-scale philanthropy.