Supplier to take over Gore H&J Smith store

H&J Smith chief executive John Green said that his company is delighted with the arrangement which would ensure continuity for both the Gore community and the instore team.

Long-term supplier Longbeach Holdings Ltd of Christchurch will takeover H&J Smith’s Gore branch at the end of August.

The H&J Smith Group has previously announced its intention to close its department store operations in Invercargill, Gore, and Queenstown.

On Tuesday it was confirmed Longbeach Holdings will take over the Gore branch.

Longbeach Holdings is an accomplished manufacturer which designs and wholesale a wide range of apparel, It also operates a number of its own retail stores trading as APT Collections.

The new store will stock many of the ladies fashion labels the store is currently known for but will also introduce other labels that Longbeach produce.

All current employees will be retained and transfer to the new store.

H&J Smith chief executive John Green said that his company was delighted with the arrangement which would ensure continuity for both the community and the instore team.

“These are people we’ve traded with for a long time. We did a similar process in Mosgiel when we exited the Dunedin market.

“But most importantly for the continuity for the community, and it’s wonderful news for our four wonderful staff there,” Green said.

Green expected the store to trade as H&J Smith until Saturday August 26 which would be the last day that customers could use their H&J Smith Charge Card and Giftcards in the store.

These services would still be available in the Invercargill Department Store until 18 November and at Invercargill Mitre 10 Mega until 28 February 2024.