Relief as Smiths City outlets get the all clear

Photo / Christchurch Star

Listed shopping chain Smiths City Group says it has suffered minimal earthquake damage.

All of the group's Christchurch stores of Smiths City, Powerstore and Furniture Concepts, plus a distribution centre were closed on Saturday in anticipation of inspections.

None of the buildings had incurred serious damage, the company said.

All retail and warehouse branches in Christchurch were open for business and all support services, including deliveries and installation, and a call centre were fully operational. Alectra, the servicing arm of Smiths City which repaired electrical and gas appliances, was open and fully operational.

Company secretary Gerry Willis said the company, which has eight stores and its head office in the city, was surprised there was not more damage.

"There is some damaged stock but gee, it's not very much," Willis said.

There were mixed feelings about being open.

"We're thinking of a lot of people who have got damage to their own personal homes and those things," he said. "In some ways being open allows our own staff to take their mind of these continual aftershocks - they've been quite debilitating and extremely frightening for a lot of people."

In terms of customer numbers it was quiet.

"The whole city is quiet," Willis said. "Our heart consists of a mixture of tourism, cafes, bars, those sorts of activities ... and I think we've got to get those operating to get the city back into life."

Smiths City has traded from its Colombo St site near Christchurch city centre since 1918, when the company was founded by Henry Cooper Smith.

According to its annual report the group's activities are concentrated in retail, finance and property, with operating revenues of more than $226 million and more than 700 staff.

Shares closed unchanged yesterday at 33c.

NZX-listed Briscoe Group said seven of its eight stores in the city had reopened.

In a statement to the market, chief operating officer Pete Burilin said all stores experienced damage to varying degrees, "but with a huge effort by our employees along with many friends and family members, as well as a number of business partners and former employees, seven stores were reopened for business on Monday or Tuesday".

The eighth store - the Riccarton Mall Rebel Sport - suffered flood damage and was expected to reopen before the end of the week.

"The remedial costs that we are incurring and losses as a result of the earthquake are covered by our insurance," Burilin said.

Briscoe Group shares closed up 3c yesterday at $1.25.