Failed Kitchen Things reopens for clearance sales

Friday, 5 September 2025

Kitchen Things is reopening its doors to clear stock after shutting its doors nationally last month, apart from the Hamilton business.

Nearly all Kitchen Things stores have reopened today for a clearance sale, after the whiteware retailer and its subsidiaries were placed into receivership last month.

Receivers completed a stocktake and opened the doors from 10am Friday at all locations, except Hamilton and Dunedin. The Hamilton store is not in receivership and is privately owned.

It came after customers were notified last month that all stores had closed while the business urgently looked for a buyer after falling into receivership.

Grant Thornton receiver Stephen Keen said on Friday that customers could purchase all products strictly on an “as is, where is” basis, with no warranties, guarantees, refunds, returns or exchanges available.

“The sale includes stock not already allocated to pre-existing customers affected by the receivership,” Keen said. “While people have the opportunity to get some bargains, they need to be acutely aware typical warranties and guarantees won’t apply to their purchases.”

Stores would only accept Eftpos and bank transfers, not cash. They would remain open while receivers seek a buyer “on a going concern basis” or until as much stock as possible is cleared.

Kitchen Things, which distributed and retailed premium brands such as Smeg, Asko, Miele, Bosch, Samsung and LG, was placed in receivership last month along with its service and repairs arm Jones Services and distribution arm Applico.

Receivers said the business had faced “sustained pressure from weaker consumer demand and increased competition on pricing,” leading to trading losses over the past two years.

ASB Bank, which holds a general security over the group, appointed receivers Keen, Russell Moore, Stephen Keen and Adele Hicks of Grant Thornton.

The group of seven entities in receivership includes Kitchen Things NZ, Kitchen Things Holdings, Kitchen Things IP, Jones Family Investments, Applico Limited, Baumatic Appliances Limited and Appliance Works (2015).

Directors at the time were founder Mark Jones and Rachel Louie, with shares jointly held by Jones, Louie, Melissa Burnett and Wendy Jones.