Smith and Caughey

2024 - 5 - 29

Farewell to Smith & Caughey's: Auckland's Iconic Department Store to Close After 144 Years

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Breaking news: Auckland's beloved Smith & Caughey's set to close in 2025 after 144 years in business. Shock and sadness as the iconic store prepares to shut its doors.

Aucklanders were hit with the heartbreaking news of the impending closure of Smith & Caughey's, an iconic department store that has been a cornerstone of Auckland's retail scene since 1880. The chairman, Tony Caughey, announced the company's plan to shut its shop and online stores after a consultation process with nearly 250 staff members. This decision marks the end of an era for the historic establishment, which has weathered wars and economic crises, only to succumb to the challenges of 2024. Many in the community are mourning the loss of this beloved retail institution, expressing shock and disbelief at the closure.

Smith & Caughey's, founded by Marianne Smith, William Smith, and Andrew Caughey, has stood the test of time for 144 years but now faces an uncertain future as it prepares to bid farewell to its customers and loyal staff in early 2025. The closure proposal comes as a devastating blow to Aucklanders, who have come to rely on the store for quality products and exceptional service. The 'perfect storm' of circumstances in 2024 has led to this unfortunate decision, ending a long-standing chapter in the city's retail history.

Despite its noble legacy, Smith & Caughey's closing highlights the challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar stores in the modern retail landscape. The closure signals a shift in consumer behavior and the increasing preference for online shopping, a trend that has impacted even the most established businesses. As Auckland prepares to say goodbye to this storied department store, memories of shopping excursions and special moments shared within its walls will forever hold a place in the hearts of many.

In the wake of the closure announcement, tributes pour in for Smith & Caughey's, commemorating its rich heritage and significant contribution to Auckland's retail culture. The story of Smith & Caughey's serves as a reminder of the changing tides of commerce and the enduring legacy of businesses that have shaped communities for generations.

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Smith & Caughey's announces plan to close (RNZ)

Photo: RNZ / Louise Ternouth. Iconic Auckland department store Smith & Caughey's has announced it is in talks to shuts its shop and online stores, ...

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Smith & Caughey's closing: Stores including historic Queen St ... (New Zealand Herald)

Auckland's flagship department store set to close in early 2025 * Nearly 250 staff were briefed today on the closure proposal after 144 years in business *.

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Image courtesy of "Newshub"

Iconic Smith & Caughey's store set to close in 2025 (Newshub)

In a statement, chairman Tony Caughey said the company had begun a consultation process with its staff about the potential closure of its retail operations in ...

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Image courtesy of "1 News"

Auckland's famed Smith and Caughey's set to close after 144 years (1 News)

The department store has been a famous part of Auckland's retail scene, having been founded in 1880.

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Iconic Auckland retail store Smith & Caughey's set to close (Stuff.co.nz)

Smith & Caughey, one of New Zealand's oldest department stores is set to close after 144 years. The company announced today they have started consulting ...

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Image courtesy of "Otago Daily Times"

Smith & Caughey's signals closure (Otago Daily Times)

Iconic Auckland department store Smith & Caughey's says it is in talks to shuts its shop and online stores, likely early next year.

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Image courtesy of "BusinessDesk"

Smith & Caughey's tells staff of planned closure (BusinessDesk)

Smith & Caughey's will close for good in early 2025, under a proposal presented to its almost 250 staff today.The proposed closure of the 144-year-old...

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Image courtesy of "Te Waha Nui"

End of an era: iconic dept store Smith & Caughey to close (Te Waha Nui)

Aucklanders outside of Smith and Caughey are mourning the death of the iconic department store. Many expressed shock and disbelief at the closure of a shop ...

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Smith & Caughey's set to close: The rise and fall of the 'Grande ... (New Zealand Herald)

It has survived two world wars and two severe depressions only to encounter a 'perfect storm' in 2024. Auckland's landmark department store Smith ...

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Image courtesy of "More FM"

'Unsustainable': NZ's Smith & Caughey's department store set to ... (More FM)

The New Zealand company was founded in 1880 by Marianne Smith, who was later joined by her husband William Smith and brother Andrew Caughey.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Smith & Caughey's closing: family company formed 124 years ago ... (New Zealand Herald)

Property has been a hallmark of longevity for 144-year-old Auckland retail business Smith & Caughey's which today announced it would be closing next year .

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Image courtesy of "1 News"

Auckland's famed Smith and Caughey's set to close after 144 years (1 News)

The department store has been a famous part of Auckland's retail scene, having been founded in 1880.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Smith & Caughey's set to close: Department store falls victim to ... (New Zealand Herald)

Prestige Auckland department store Smith & Caughey's has fallen victim to a cyberattack, on the same day it announced it proposed to close in early 2025 ,.

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Image courtesy of "Newstalk ZB"

Smith & Caughey's falls victim to cyberattack on day of proposal to ... (Newstalk ZB)

Prestige Auckland department store Smith & Caughey's has fallen victim to a cyberattack, on the same day it announced it proposed to close in early 2025.

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Smith and Caughey's hit by cyber attack as closure looms (RNZ)

The Auckland retailer says it has been the victim of a cyber attack, a day after it announced a proposal to close its doors for good.

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Image courtesy of "Newshub"

Smith & Caughey's targeted in cyber attack on same day as shock ... (Newshub)

Smith & Caughey's remains open for business on its online website, however its retail stores in Auckland's Queen St and Newmarket are closed to customers. More ...

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Smith and Caughey's hit by cyber attack on day it announced ... (Stuff.co.nz)

The Newmarket and flagship Queen Street stores are closed on Thursday after the attack targeted the upmarket retailer's operational systems. In a statement ...

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Smith & Caughey's closing: Iconic department store's fate ... (New Zealand Herald)

Smith & Caughey's, Auckland's most prestigious department store, is set to close for good after a struggle through a perfect storm of tough economic...

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

From The Archives: The History Behind Smith & Caughey's ... (New Zealand Herald)

More sad news for the local retail industry this week, with news that department store Smith & Caughey's plans to close. In this story from the New Zealand.

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Image courtesy of "1 News"

Smith and Caughey's closure: 'Retail worldwide has changed' (1 News)

Tony Caughey also told Breakfast the situation "has been pretty unfriendly" in Auckland's CBD.

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