H&J Smith confirms closure of several stores

Sunday, 7 June 2020

Retailer H&J Smith has confirmed it will close several stores.

H&J Smith has confirmed it will close several of its stores, affecting about 60 staff members.

On Sunday, H&J Smith managing director Jason Smith confirmed the Te Anau and Balclutha H&J Smith stores would close, while the Gore store would be downsized.

Outdoor World at Remarkables Park in Queenstown would also be closed.

Last month, Smith announced a proposal to close six H&J Smith stores in Dunedin, Mosgiel, Balclutha and Te Anau, as well as Outdoor World and The Armoury Fashion Boutique in Dunedin.

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A decision on the future of the H&J Smith stores in Dunedin and Mosgiel are yet to be confirmed.

Smith said it was an extremely difficult time for the company, its employees, suppliers and customers.

“We’ve carefully considered the options available and the feedback received, and remain of the firm belief that our original proposal to reduce our store network is our best and only viable option,” he said.

“It’s not a decision made lightly. We sincerely regret the impact these decisions will have on our employees and the communities we operate in.'

Seven staff members in Te Anau and 10 in Balclutha will be affected when the stores close on July 31, Smith said.

The main Gore store will close at the end of August, affecting 27 employees.

However, the decision to retain a fashion store in the town enabled the retention of four employees, Smith said.

Take Note Gore, which also included NZ Post and Kiwibank as part of the H&J Smith store, will also close, however Smith said he was aware these businesses were actively pursuing options to relocate within Gore, and he hoped the seven employees affected by the closure could transfer with NZ Post and Kiwibank.

Outdoor World in Remarkables Park will also close at the end August, affecting 10 employees, he said.

“We will be making every effort to redeploy staff, where that works for individuals.

'If there is an opportunity to redeploy staff in ongoing operations, this will be considered for displaced staff for whom this is a practical option.'

All staff would receive their full wages, holidays and redundancy compensation, and those with no redundancy entitlements would receive a good faith payment.

The other businesses operated by the H&J Smith Group - Mitre 10 Mega in Invercargill and Queenstown, and Laser Electrical in Invercargill - are not affected by the restructure.