More than 50 jobs secured as Caroline Eve takes over Ballentynes stores
One of the country’s largest fashion retailers has expanded after taking over nearly a dozen Ballentynes Fashion Central stores.
Caroline Eve Fashion is set to open 10 new locations after Ballentynes shuttered its doors last week following more than 50 years in business.
The former Ballentynes stores will gradually be rebranded over the next three months.
Blenheim and Richmond were among the first to reopen last week, with shops in Whanganui, Feilding, Palmerston North, Paraparaumu, Hāwera, Levin, Lower Hutt and Masterton to follow once stock has been integrated and systems updated.
Caroline Eve founder and managing director Deborah Mundy said she was “proud” to take over the stores.
“I am proud to be handed the baton from Mr Ballentyne to carry on in these locations.”
The expansion is the brand’s largest in more than 10 years, increasing the total number of stores nationwide to 44 and extending its presence into the lower North Island, Wellington and Nelson.
Ballentynes Fashion Central is closing after more than 50 years. Photo / Google Maps
More than 50 jobs will be preserved by the move, with Caroline Eve’s workforce growing to 200 employees nationwide.
“We are delighted to secure job continuity for over 50 retail staff, whom we warmly welcome into the Caroline Eve family,” Mundy said.
The takeover builds on a relationship between the two retailers that goes back four decades, with Caroline Eve and Ballentynes having operated as part of the same buying group.
Both brands were able to maximise their buying power and offer competitive pricing through the arrangement.
Mundy said Caroline Eve would retain that advantage as it expands, while the larger network would also spread business costs and improve efficiency.
“This acquisition represents a significant milestone for our business,” she said.
“Retail is a challenging industry, but expanding our store network gives us the scale and operational efficiencies needed to continue serving our loyal customers across New Zealand.”
The retailer will be supported by a distribution centre near Hamilton Airport, with all 44 stores serviced by the purpose-built Waikato facility.
Former Ballentynes customers will be able to continue using gift cards and buying existing stock online for the next six months.
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