Alliance Smithfield and Pukeuri butcher shops to close

Monday, 19 August 2024

Alliance Group has confirmed the closure of its Timaru and Ōamaru butcher shops, with 12 employees affected across both sites.

Earlier this month, the company said it had begun consultation about the potential closures of its Smithfield, at Timaru, and Pukeuri, at Ōamaru, butcher shops.

On Monday, Alliance general manager New Zealand sales John Skurr said, “after careful consideration of all feedback and the options available, we have made the decision to close our face-to-face retail operations’’ at both shops.

He said the decision would enable the company to better concentrate on its primary business activities “which will ultimately strengthen our company for both our people and our farmers’’.

​“While we remain committed to our online shop, its operations will transition to an external provider, ensuring that we continue to deliver an effective online service for New Zealanders who enjoy our Pure South, Lumina, Silere, and Handpicked ranges.

​“I’d like to acknowledge and thank the butcher shop teams for their commitment, hard work and passion serving both local and online customers. ​

“Throughout this transition, our priority is to ensure that everyone involved is treated fairly and with respect.’’

He said Alliance was looking at identifying opportunities for re-deployment.