Kitchen Things’ Napier and Nelson stores to close as liquidation looms

Kitchen Things in Morrow St, Newmarket, has gone into receivership. Photo / Jason Dorday

Beleaguered upmarket appliance retailer Kitchen Things will permanently close its Napier and Nelson stores this weekend after the business went into voluntary administration and receivership.

The first administrators’ report, released yesterday, shows Kitchen Things and its related entities owe 396 creditors more than $16.6 million.

Administrators have recommended that the company be liquidated, and stock is now available at below cost as the receivers shutter the chain’s stores in Napier and Nelson.

Kitchen Things receiver Stephen Keen from Grant Thornton New Zealand said there was hope for other stores across the country.

“It’s unfortunate there has been a lack of interest in the Napier and Nelson stores, but we remain optimistic the other stores in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch may be acquired by one of the interested parties we are working with.

“In the meantime, we are continuing to sell stock held at heavily discounted prices to achieve the best possible recovery.”

The group of companies, including Kitchen Things NZ, Applico, Jones Family Investments and Appliance Works, was placed into voluntary administration and receivership on August 20.

Keen said buyers need to be aware that all stock must be purchased on an as-is, where-is basis with no warranties or guarantees provided by the company.

Administrators George Bannerman and Rees Logan of BDO Auckland said creditors had two options at a watershed meeting scheduled for September 24: return control to directors or appoint liquidators.

The administrators said that, given the companies are insolvent and unable to pay their debts as they fall due, they did not recommend the return of the companies to directors.

One customer told the Herald he was nearly $4000 out of pocket, and another said they had paid $5000 as a 50% deposit for several appliances.

“This is extremely worrying,” a customer said.

“Having saved for these appliances for our new home, we are really worried about the loss, especially as we are about to retire and settle down, and now, not knowing if we are getting our money back or if we will even get appliances is very stressful.”

HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED? EMAIL US

Keen told the Herald that affected customers should contact the receivers’ team at kitchenthings@nz.gt.com.

Kitchen Things was established in 1986 and sells leading international brands including Smeg, Asko, Miele, Bosch, Samsung and LG.

It was founded by Mark Jones, originally under the name Kitchen ‘N’ Things.

Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.