Hamilton store defies Kitchen Things group collapse

Wednesday, 20 August 2025

Kitchen Things Hamilton is standing firm and continuing to trade — despite the collapse of the national Kitchen Things group into receivership.

General manager Matthew Weatherell and his brother, group sales manager Nathan Weatherell, say their family-owned business is unaffected by the Jones family company’s financial troubles and remains open for business as usual.

“I’m fielding calls all day. So frustrated,” Matthew said.

“Our store, Kitchen Things Hamilton, is owned by my family, the Weatherells. We are not aligned with the Jones family. We’re not part of the receivership — it is completely separate from us. It’s just business as usual.”

Kitchen Things Hamilton is run by Weatherell Appliances Limited, owned by Dennis and Gayle Weatherell. The store operates under a brand licence agreement with the Jones Family Business, which this week placed seven entities — including Kitchen Things NZ, Kitchen Things Holdings, Kitchen Things IP, Applico and Jones Family Investments — into receivership.

That collapse forced the temporary closure of the group’s 11 outlets nationwide. But Hamilton remains open, trading strongly, and preparing for whatever comes next.

“We just pay to have their name up above the door,” Nathan said.

“If the receivers sell the brand, then really it’ll just be business as usual for us. We’ve already been looking at changing the brand, so we have plans in place. We’re prepared.”

The Weatherell family has deep roots in the Waikato’s appliance retail scene. They bought Martin’s Home Electrics in Te Awamutu in 2001, opened in Hamilton a year later, and in 2004 shifted to Te Rapa, creating what was then the largest electrical store in New Zealand.

In 2008, they joined the Kitchen Things brand — but ownership never changed.

“It was always our business. It’s just the name on the front that changed,” Matthew said.

Today, the Hamilton store is the largest Kitchen Things outlet in the country by turnover. Matthew puts its success down to local ownership.

“I think it’s because we run it ourselves. We’re highly invested. That’s the difference — a local family working, incredible relationships with our customers, and a bigger market share in Waikato than other stores have had in their regions.”

Like others in the sector, the Hamilton team has felt the squeeze of recent economic pressures, with builders’ activity slowing and higher interest rates dampening demand.

But signs of recovery are emerging.

“Business has definitely been pretty tough over the last couple of years, but since March we’ve started to see a bit of a turn,” Matthew said.

“Builders are starting to come back ever so slowly, and everybody’s saying 2026 is when things really head in the right direction. We can already see that starting.”

He believes falling interest rates are helping and that Hamilton’s broad base of retail and commercial customers — including a growing number of renovators — has cushioned the store.

One advantage the Weatherells say sets them apart is their second business, Total Kitchens, which designs and builds kitchens in its own factory nearby.

“We’re a one-stop shop — buy your appliances, have us design your kitchen, manufacture it, and deliver it all with the same team. The other guys don’t have that,” Nathan said.

That offering, combined with a surge in home cooking since Covid, has driven demand for advanced appliances such as steam ovens.

“It’s a healthier, faster way to cook, and when you go to a restaurant, that’s what they’re using. Customers want that technology at home, and that’s what we thrive on,” Matthew said.

While frustrated that the receivership has “tarnished” their name, the Weatherells say their focus remains squarely on Hamilton.

“It’s really sad about the Kitchen Things group, but we’re confident for our family business and looking forward to the future. We’re separate to what’s happening out there, and for us and our customers, it’s business as usual.”