Why analysts think Smiths City will struggle to find a buyer

Smiths City opening in Whangārei in 2017. (Image: Michael Cunningham)

Wed, 03 Sep 2025

When Briscoes Group managing director Rod Duke was asked if he was interested in purchasing Smiths City, his response was succinct: “No mate”.Retail analysts and experts are pessimistic about the brand's survival prospects, including Chris Wilkinson, managing director of First Retail.“To be frank, it's sad, but the reality is that the brand just doesn't have any relevance in the market anymore,” Wilkinson said, adding he doubted fellow retailers would even be interested in the company's store leases.&ldqu...

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