Smiths City to close Richmond store, transfer jobs to Nelson

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

The Smiths City store in Richmond, Tasman, is set to close, with staff relocating to the Nelson store.

Colin Neal, the investor whose company Polar Capital owns the furniture and electronics retail chain, confirmed by email that the Richmond store would close once its lease ended.

It is understood this will be in March.

Neal’s brief reply said: “All staff to remain and transfer to Nelson.”

He did not confirm how many staff members were affected or how the Nelson store planned to absorb the extra workers.

Neal confirmed the closure after Stuff made several attempts to contact Smiths City for comment.

The 0800 phone number on the website was no longer manned, and emails to the company’s headquarters and communications staff went unanswered or bounced back.

Polar Capital bought the retail chain in May 2020. News reports at the time stated that the company had been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company has since rebranded, opening several new stores around the country.