Bunnings Warehouse has confirmed the closure of seven stores by the end of June, impacting 145 staff.
The closures, first proposed on May 12, apply to the Ashburton Warehouse, four smaller format stores in Cambridge, Rangiora, Te Awamutu and Putaruru, and two trade centres in Hastings and Hornby.
The decision to close the seven stores was largely due to the lack of business throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period, but location, lease arrangements and individual store performances all were mitigating factors.
In a statement to Newshub, Bunnings New Zealand director Jacqui Coombes said the current post-COVID conditions have led to the "incredibly difficult" decision, which will help to ensure the long-term viability and performance of the business and its 4500 team members.
"Our absolute focus and priority now is the welfare of the 145 team members who are affected, and we will work closely with them through this process," Coombes said.
The affected staff will be redeployed to other locations where possible or will receive redundancy packages reflective of their time spent with the company. Career support, advice and counselling services will also be made available.
Coombes noted that affected team members will be employed at their respective stores for a further four weeks to assist with the closure.
The announcement of the proposed closure of the Ashburton Bunnings impacted the local community, who reportedly petitioned for the stores' survival. With the nearest store 90 kilometres away in Christchurch, redeployment opportunities are slim.
Customers will be able to continue to shop at Bunnings' 46 other locations across New Zealand.
