Dymocks has issued the following statement:
Dymocks committed to New Zealand
Dymocks remains fully committed to delivering to New Zealanders its unique offering in the most appropriate locations.
Chief Executive Don Grover says the closure of the Lambton Quay store is obviously unfortunate and Dymocks is seeking another Wellington CBD location.
“We have supported Lambton Quay franchisees, Bruce and Janis Caddy in an evolving competitive market and obviously this is a difficult time for them,” says Grover.
The Caddys will not be involved in a new Dymocks Wellington store.
“Dymocks will be seeking a site that meets our criteria as the only New Zealand bookseller chain that is purely dedicated to stocking quality books, which is quite different to other outlets which tend to be hybrid stores also offering other products.”
In line with this business strategy, Dymocks has scrutinised the position of its 246 Queen Street, Auckland, store and will seek to relocate in another sector of Queen Street.
“We are currently looking at alternative sites,” says Grover.
In other developments, Dymocks has just opened a new store in Ponsonby Road, Auckland (13 May) and is supporting the search for prospective franchisees regarding its Smales Farm store which is currently closed. Dymocks is also continuing to seek suitable sites in the South Island.
Dymocks now has eight stores in New Zealand, of which five have opened in the past 18 months, and the company remains committed to an ongoing growth strategy.
Footnote:
The Bookman will have more to say about this sad development later today and invites others to make comments on the blog.
Here is the report from The Dominion.
And the story in NBR.
3 comments:
This is a real shame as Dymocks always had a bit of variation on the other stores. I really do like Borders in Wellington but if the Whitcoulls chain have bought it, I am afraid it will become too Whitcoulls like. I hope the other Dymocks mentioned in the article does get established, just to ensure that Whitcoulls and Borders don't get too complacent.
We seem to be hearing alot in the press from the CEO of Dymocks about these closures yet very little from the stores themselves - one wonders what it would sound like if they were to voice an opinion... mind you from what I have read about Franchise agreements the ability to speak openly as a Franchisee is severly hampered by contractual clauses... A rather one way street regarding the flow of information regarding these circumstances me thinks...
Bruce and Janis were among the most helpful and knowledgable booksellers I have ever had dealings with. I am sorry to read of the loss of Dymocks Lambton Quay, and hope it will not be long before the Caddys are bookselling again elsewhere. (Hopefully somewhere with better disabled access than Dymocks.)
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