One of Auckland's most iconic department stores, Smith & Caughey’s, is set to close its doors for good.
In a post shared to social media, the company said: “We are immensely saddened to share that our store will be closing by the end of July,” adding that while every effort had been made to keep the business going, “it’s sadly clear it is no longer viable for us to keep the doors open.”
Late last year, the company announced a proposal to close its Queen Street, Newmarket, and online operations in early 2025.
Chairman Tony Caughey explained: “Over the last five years, we have experienced a 40 percent decline in revenue from our physical stores due to factors largely outside our control.”
The company had hoped that the changes made to the business, including a scaled-back offering at Queen Street and the closure of the Newmarket store, would help.
“Unfortunately, this has not been the case,” they said.
They explained that increased competition from newer shopping malls, fewer office workers in the city post-lockdowns, and ongoing roadworks within the CBD had all had an impact.
Many took to social media to share their disappointment.
“No one hosts special visits from Santa quite like Smith & Caughey’s,” one person wrote.
“I’ll miss the fabulous service and the amazing range of beautiful wares, and don’t even mention the windows, Christmas was magical,” another added.
Smith & Caughey’s has been a staple of Auckland retail since 1880, known for its classic window displays, luxury brands, and long-standing presence on Queen Street.
