The Kitchen Things appliance chain has gone into receivership. Photo: Google Maps
- Kitchen Things group put into receivership
- Losses mounted as weak consumer demand, competition hit sales
- Eleven stores closed for now, may reopen if costs can be controlled
- Buyers sought for some or all of business
A national kitchen appliance chain has gone into receivership because of weak consumer demand and tough competition.
The directors of the Kitchen Things group asked its bankers to call in the receivers as the business made continuing losses despite cost cutting and restructuring.
Receiver Stephen Keen of Grant Thornton said efforts to keep the chain going have not countered the drop in sales and shrinking margins.
"Over the past two years, the group has faced sustained pressure from weaker consumer demand and increased competition on pricing, leading to ongoing trading losses."
"Despite efforts to restructure and reduce costs, including exploring possible sales avenues, these measures were not sufficient to offset declining sales and margins."
Stephen Keen of Grant Thornton Ltd. Photo: Supplied
Keen said 11 of the group's 12 stores have been closed for now, as stock levels are checked and they look at options.
The Hamilton store is not in receivership because it is run by an independent franchisee.
"Our priority is to identify buyers for the business and/or assets of the group, ideally on a going concern basis. Key staff have been retained as we look to manage costs and re-open stores."
"We are calling for urgent expressions of interest from parties interested in acquiring all or part of the group."
Kitchen Things was founded in 1986 and dealt in high end international appliance brands including Smeg, Miele, Asko, and Bosch.
It was owned by the Jones Family Business, founded by Mark Jones, and a total of seven companies have been put into receivership.
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