Smiths City sold; more than 100 jobs lost

Mon, 18 May 2020

Retail chain Smiths City Group is selling the bulk of its businesses in a $60 million deal that will see a quarter of the firm's workforce lose their jobs. Polar Capital will acquire all of Smiths City Finance and the majority of the Smiths City stores. At least seven of the group's 29 stores will be closed. The final number of stores sold depends on the agreement of lease terms and transfers. Polar Capital aims to offer employment to approximately 75 percent of Smiths City’s 465 existing staff, leaving more than a hundred employees to lo...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets

UPDATE: NZX directors mauled in fee vote

Of shares voted on the re-election of NZX chair John McMahon, 27.62% were opposed.

Oliver Lewis and Pattrick Smellie 5:40pm

Politics

NZ-Thai partnership ‘significant’ in scope

An Asia expert says deal between nations is significant because of its breadth.

Dileepa Fonseka 4:20pm

NZ-Thai partnership ‘significant’ in scope

Environment

Rainy 2022 drove down NZ's greenhouse gas emissions

Gross emissions fall for the third year in a row but are still above 1990 levels.

Greg Hurrell 4:00pm

Rainy 2022 drove down NZ's greenhouse gas emissions

Sponsored

Auckland's new "Midtown" taking shape

5-star hybrid workspaces, combined with the City Rail Link, are creating a revitalised inner-city zone designed to motivate workers back to the office.

Alberts

Sponsored

Building confidence and capability is the key to boosting productivity

In the pack houses of Hawke’s Bay apple growers, smart cameras scan the apples looking for blemishes and grading the fruit to ensure only the best is selected for domestic and international markets.

ASB

More Retail

Retail

Menulog exits NZ

Online food delivery platform Menulog will discontinue its New Zealand operations in May.Parent company Just Eat Takeaway confirmed the decision today, saying: “New Zealand represents a small part of the Just Eat Takeaway.com business and its size is insufficient to maintain a he...

Staff reporters 16 Apr 2024