There were many tears and a feeling of "shock" when H&J Smith first announced its plan to close as no-one was expecting it, a staff member says.
Following a four-week consultation process, H&J Smith Group announced on Monday it would shut down its operations, closing the Invercargill, Queenstown and Gore stores in November.
The company employs about 214 people — 190 in Invercargill, four in Gore and 20 in Queenstown.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times yesterday, one salesman who worked at the Invercargill store for about a year and asked to not be identified, said there was a feeling of disbelief among staff.
While they were saddened by the announcement this week, nothing compared with when they first heard the news at the beginning of the month.
"People were in shock [in the first meeting].
"There were a lot of tears and emotions around as many people had been working there for a great part of their lives.
"Some of them are there for 30, 40 years so it is really heartbreaking."
The company sent an email to staff a day before the meeting, asking everyone to attend it.
Staff speculated what it was about but as it was a 123-year-old business, they could never have imagined the outcome, he said.
"There were comments about downsizing or even closing one of the departments, but we never expected they would completely shut it down as there were no indications of financial struggles — at least for the people who I spoke with."
"It was really hard because I saw many people crying or feeling down during that week."
While it was hard times ahead, he only had good things to say about H&J Smith as he felt he was respected as an employee and the team was friendly and helpful.
He did not know what his future looked like, but he would start to look for a new job soon as he believed there would be a big flow of people seeking new opportunities in the retail industry.
"It is real sad that this chapter of my life — and even from the Invercargill history — is ending, but we need to look forward to the next challenge ahead.
"That is life."
H&J Smith chief executive John Green said on Monday the group had identified some areas of the business where there could be opportunity for staff to continue independently from the H&J Smith brand.
It included school uniforms and specialist lingerie fitting services which the company had focused on ensuring the continuity of for its customers, he said.
Discussions were under way with several interested parties.
Mr Green hoped to release details in the coming weeks.
"We know these services are vital to our customers and community.
"Finding a solution for both has been a priority for us, and I am pleased to confirm we will soon make an announcement regarding the future of these services."
