The Smiths City store in The Colombo, which opened in 2020, has been developed into an exciting new venture - and relaunched as a Smiths Trade Outlet.
“With two stores within 750m of each other, it allowed us the perfect opportunity to expand our offering,” general manager trade and commercial Karn Gerrard says.
“For that reason, we've decided to utilise the space at The Colombo to offer a different experience and open up a new market opportunity.
“Our Smiths City trade and commercial team has been functioning as a business-to-business operation for over 10 years, and the rebranded store will support that.”
While the store is primarily designed to service trade customers, builders, plumbers, property managers, landlords and small business owners, it is also open to anyone from the public to come in and make the most of the quality goods that are priced to go.
“Prices are displayed on the merchandise for the public, but we will also offer additional discounts to trade customers,” Karn says.
“It’s an old-school set-up where customers and salespeople can discuss prices.”
Recognised brands are still being sold, with the stock mostly targeted at end-of-line, and stock clearances.
Bryan Lamb, who has returned to Smiths City after a few years away, has been appointed as store manager.
“Bryan has 20-plus years’ experience with the company, and is well-known in the industry, and he is pumped up and ready to go,” Karn says.
The Smiths City Colombo Street store, the company’s original site, is currently being renovated while still open for business.
The new store format allows Smiths, a proud New Zealand-owned-and-operated retailer, to complement its offering and support a new customer base.
