Latest news with #Smith&Caughey's
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
World Press Photo Exhibition Announces New Auckland Venue
Press Release – Elephant Publicity Rotary Club of Auckland presents World Press Photo Exhibition Saturday 26 July – Sunday 24 August, Auckland Opening next month, the prestigious international World Press Photo Exhibition returns to showcase the world's most compelling photojournalism from around the globe. Following the closure of Smith & Caughey's at the end of July, the exhibition has a new home for 2025 thanks to the generosity of the owners of 131 Queen Street and the team at Krukziener Properties. The exhibition will run as scheduled from 26 July – 24 August, with tickets available online via Eventfinda or at the door. The World Press Photo Exhibition offers a striking window into the past year's defining and often overlooked moments and news events, capturing stories of conflict, climate, culture and community. The World Press Photo Exhibition features a wide selection of images from the World Press Photo Contest 2025, taken by 42 international photo journalists and documentary photographers. Included in the diverse selection of images and stories on display at this year's exhibition is Amanda Maciel Perobelli's series Brazil's Worst-Ever Floods that captures record-breaking floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which caused widespread environmental devastation, the displacement of over 600,000 residents, and the death of 183 people. Federico Ríos' project Paths of Desperate Hope documents a variety of individuals as they journey through one of the most important migration routes in the world, the Darién Gap, a 100-kilometer long stretch of dense and roadless jungle connecting Colombia and Panama. This treacherous land route is a critical passage for those seeking to migrate from South America to the United States, with more than a million people having braved the route since 2021. Also on display will be Ebrahim Alipoor's long term project Bullets Have No Borders, capturing kolbars (border couriers) who carry goods such as household appliances, mobile phones, and clothes, on their backs through treacherous terrain from Iraq and Turkey into Iranian Kurdistan. They work in incredibly tough conditions, for very little money, and at risk to their lives – both from the elements and from authorities. The Rotary Club of Auckland is proud to bring the World Press Photo Exhibition to Auckland, with all proceeds from the event going towards Rotary youth charities and disability charity PHAB. World Press Photo Exhibition Auckland Dates: Saturday 26 July – Sunday 24 August Times: Sunday – Tuesday: 10.30am – 6pm. Wednesday – Saturday: 10.30am – 6.30PM Location: 131 Queen Street Tickets via Eventfinda
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
World Press Photo Exhibition Announces New Auckland Venue
Rotary Club of Auckland presents World Press Photo Exhibition Saturday 26 July - Sunday 24 August, Auckland Opening next month, the prestigious international World Press Photo Exhibition returns to showcase the world's most compelling photojournalism from around the globe. Following the closure of Smith & Caughey's at the end of July, the exhibition has a new home for 2025 thanks to the generosity of the owners of 131 Queen Street and the team at Krukziener Properties. The exhibition will run as scheduled from 26 July – 24 August, with tickets available online via Eventfinda or at the door. The World Press Photo Exhibition offers a striking window into the past year's defining and often overlooked moments and news events, capturing stories of conflict, climate, culture and community. The World Press Photo Exhibition features a wide selection of images from the World Press Photo Contest 2025, taken by 42 international photo journalists and documentary photographers. Included in the diverse selection of images and stories on display at this year's exhibition is Amanda Maciel Perobelli's series Brazil's Worst-Ever Floods that captures record-breaking floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which caused widespread environmental devastation, the displacement of over 600,000 residents, and the death of 183 people. Federico Ríos' project Paths of Desperate Hope documents a variety of individuals as they journey through one of the most important migration routes in the world, the Darién Gap, a 100-kilometer long stretch of dense and roadless jungle connecting Colombia and Panama. This treacherous land route is a critical passage for those seeking to migrate from South America to the United States, with more than a million people having braved the route since 2021. Also on display will be Ebrahim Alipoor's long term project Bullets Have No Borders, capturing kolbars (border couriers) who carry goods such as household appliances, mobile phones, and clothes, on their backs through treacherous terrain from Iraq and Turkey into Iranian Kurdistan. They work in incredibly tough conditions, for very little money, and at risk to their lives – both from the elements and from authorities. The Rotary Club of Auckland is proud to bring the World Press Photo Exhibition to Auckland, with all proceeds from the event going towards Rotary youth charities and disability charity PHAB. World Press Photo Exhibition Auckland Dates: Saturday 26 July - Sunday 24 August Times: Sunday - Tuesday: 10.30am – 6pm. Wednesday – Saturday: 10.30am – 6.30PM Location: 131 Queen Street Tickets via Eventfinda
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Smith & Caughey's closure: What's really to blame?
Retail nostalgia fades as Smith & Caughey's exits the changing face of Queen Street. Photo / Michael Craig THREE KEY FACTS Like all OG Aucklanders, I'm upset that Smith and Caughey's in Queen St is to close up shop. An expedition to the old girl was part of my history. Late night Friday, we'd troop in to Q Street and pay a visit to the glittering store and
1News
21-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Smith & Caughey's to close its doors after 145 years
Auckland department store Smith & Caughey's has made the 'heartbreaking decision' to close its doors by the end of July after 145 years. The move to close the flagship Queen St store and its online offering follows the latest consultation process with staff about its ongoing viability. Its closure will result in 98 redundancies. On May 29 last year, the store initiated a staff consultation proposal regarding the potential closure of all retail operations in early 2025. This included prominent department stores in Queen St, Newmarket, and online. It cited a range of external factors that created the "perfect storm" for the retailer, including increased competition with the march from the main street to new shopping malls; continued economic uncertainty; low consumer confidence and spending power; and city office workers continuing to work from home following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Queen St store was downsized to a single floor in February, while its Newmarket store was closed last year in a bid to save the business. 'We are acutely aware that this has been a difficult and uncertain time for our staff and today's announcement is a deeply emotional one for all the team, our suppliers and our loyal customers,' acting chief executive Matt Harray said today in a statement. 'Our intention has always been to address the business challenges so that Smith & Caughey's can continue. 'Every attempt has been made to achieve this and every feasible option investigated, no stone left unturned. However, it's sadly clear it is no longer viable for us to keep the doors open.' Harray said changes made last year to improve the company's financial position did not come to fruition. 'This is a heartbreaking decision, and our attention right now is on our staff.' A final 'End of an Era' sale will commence at the Queen St retail store on Wednesday, May 28. The online store will close on May 30, 2025.
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Smith & Caughey's closing for good - almost 100 staff lose jobs as rescue bid fails
Smith & Caughey's acting chief executive Matt Harray said it was a 'heartbreaking decision'. 'We are acutely aware that this has been a difficult and uncertain time for our staff and today's announcement is a deeply emotional one for all the team, our suppliers and our loyal customers,' said Harray. 'Our intention has always been to address the business challenges so that Smith & Caughey's can continue. 'Every attempt has been made to achieve this and every feasible option investigated, no stone left unturned. 'However, it's sadly clear it is no longer viable for us to keep the doors open. 'While we all hoped that the changes we made to the business in the latter part of 2024, including reducing and curating the Queen St offering and closing the Newmarket store, would allow for an improvement in the financial position of the company, unfortunately this has not been the case. 'This is a heartbreaking decision, and our attention right now is on our staff.' Harray told the Herald that while the new-look, ground-level Queen St store had started well in February, sales dropped in the following weeks. 'Unfortunately, the foot traffic on Queen St is significantly lower than it was this time last year. We find that when we've got a promotion, we can definitely get people in, but outside of promotional times, that's when we're struggling and obviously we can't be on discount all the time.' Harray said there were several factors behind the fall in foot traffic -a major reason was the economy. 'I also think the sheer amount of roadworks surrounding our store currently is really putting people off,' he said. 'I think the perceived level of safety in the city centre is also putting people off. I don't think people realise that the city centre is actually a better place to be than it was 12 months ago.' He said he had regular meetings with authorities including Auckland Transport. Their response? 'Very little.' Smith & Caughey's first announced a proposal to potentially close in May 2024, citing factors that created a 'perfect storm'. As well as competing with new shopping malls and the lagging economy, many city workers are continuing to work from home post-Covid. Shoppers have also faced increased parking costs, ongoing road works and the slow progress of the planned City Rail Link (CRL), according to the company. Harray believed that with investment, Queen St could become an important high-end main street retail precinct again. 'But it's going to take a long time... we're five or 10 years away. 'You go over to Europe, and even Australia, and you just see how vibrant these main streets are, and then you see ours here ... it's just not the same.' Harray, 41, started at Smith & Caughey when he was 15 and his mother was a lingerie buyer for the company. Other than two years when he was in London, it's the only place he has worked. 'Smith & Caughey's is a New Zealand retail institution, not just Auckland. 'It's incredibly upsetting to know that a department store like us will no longer be around. A department store has a very important place to play in the retail scene as we've seen around the world, but it is very difficult times. 'I'm really sad personally that this is the end of the legacy of Smith and Caughey's.' Harray said the Smith & Caughey's board would now determine the future of the historic Queen St building, and whether it would be sold or developed. 'The board are going to investigate what happens next after we've closed.' The board was also investigating options for the Newmarket building. Harray said he was 'gutted' for his staff. 'They're so loyal to us, and so many of them have told us that they want to be here to the end to help support us through this transition.' Smith & Caughey's will launch a final 'end of an era' sale next Wednesday. The online store will close on Friday next week, followed by Queen St by the end of July at the latest.
