The Warehouse rejects claims essential clothing selling out

Thursday, 2 April 2020

The Warehouse says it still has plenty of clothing for sale on its website, despite some consumer concerns about a rush on items.

One customer posted on Facebook that she had been looking forward to getting some clothing for her young son.

A screen shot of essential items being sold online by The Warehouse.

'My 2 year old was getting his winter clothes on the Friday but they announced lockdown so it didn't happen.

'Well, blow me down… Like 3/4 of the clothing essential stock is SOLD OUT just since The Warehouse opened its online shopping. So son misses out again. Really gutted as it's getting cold here. I don't know what else to do.'

* Mitre 10, Briscoes join Smiths City and The Warehouse in selling essentials during lockdown**

Comments on another website also lamented the lack of places to buy children's clothing.

Retail NZ's Greg Harford says other retailers wanting to sell clothing want a level playing field.

The Warehouse was approved to sell and dispatch selected clothing via its call centre or website on Tuesday, after the Government widened its list of essential goods.

Other retailers such as Bed Bath and Beyond and The Baby Factory are also selling items like duvets and pyjamas online.

However, The Warehouse spokeswoman Tanya Henderson said claims its clothing were widely sold out online were incorrect.

'We can confirm that there is indeed plenty of essential clothing stock available.'

Greg Harford of Retail NZ said most New Zealanders would consider clothing essential goods.

'It's especially important that parents are able to buy new gear for their kids as they grow, and important that New Zealanders are able to buy new clothes and shoes if they need to.'

There were many other clothing retailers who would like to follow The Warehouse's lead, he said.

However, they were nervous about the ambiguity of the Government's definition of what was 'essential'.

'We would certainly be hopeful that as days and weeks go on, that Government will start to look at opening things up more, as long as safety and health issues can be managed through that process.

'There's lots of retailers, small businesses that have stock in the garage at home – they can dispatch that without even leaving the house.

'It's hard to see a logic as to why they can't continue to provide that stuff to customers, particularly when Australian businesses are stepping up their marketing into New Zealand.'

Catalogue clothing company Ezibuy said on Monday it was continuing to take orders from New Zealand and dispatch them via Australia, despite fears that non-essential mail will put couriers under too much pressure.

Stuff has asked the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment whether and what kind of clothing is considered essential.

However, advice to retailers on the MBIE website is that they have some latitude in their interpretation.

'We expect that essential goods cover those products that keep people warm, replace key household appliances, and maintain people's health,' the website said.

'They may include for example blankets, heaters, kitchenware and appliances, whiteware, computer equipment, and mobile phones.

'Businesses will need to form a judgment as to which of their products are genuinely essential.'