Smith and Caughey Closing Down Sale: What You Need to Know
Aucklanders watched their city change in many ways, but few landmarks felt as permanent as Smith & Caughey’s on Queen Street. After 145 years of serving shoppers, the department store has closed its doors — and the building itself is now on the market.
Years of operation: 145 (1880–2025) ·
Queen St closure: 31 July 2025 ·
Newmarket closure: 29 September 2025 ·
Flagship location: Queen Street, Auckland
Quick snapshot
- Queen Street store closed 31 July 2025 (Smith & Caughey’s company announcement)
- Newmarket store closes 29 September 2025 (RNZ (public broadcaster))
- 145 years of continuous operation (RNZ (public broadcaster))
- Deep discounts on remaining stock from early 2025 (Newstalk ZB (news radio))
- Online store closed 27 May 2025 (Heart of the City / LinkedIn)
- Most items sold by June 2025 (Newstalk ZB (news radio))
- Queen Street building listed for sale via JLL (RNZ (public broadcaster))
- Historic landmark with partial heritage protection (RNZ (public broadcaster))
- Awaiting redevelopment or new tenant (RNZ (public broadcaster))
- Founded 1880 by William Smith and Robert Caughey (RNZ (public broadcaster))
- Flagship on Queen Street since early days (RNZ (public broadcaster))
- Family-owned for generations (RNZ (public broadcaster))
Five key facts, one pattern: the store’s long history is now bookended by a final sale and a real estate listing.
| Founded | 1880 |
|---|---|
| Closed (Queen St) | 31 July 2025 |
| Closed (Newmarket) | 29 September 2025 |
| Founders | William Smith and Robert Caughey |
| Building status | Listed for sale as of June 2025 |
Why are Smith and Caughey closing down?
The company’s announcement in May 2024 that it could close all retail operations in early 2025 came after a consultation process with nearly 250 staff (Newstalk ZB (news radio)). The store cited declining sales, foot traffic, and economic woes. The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to online shopping accelerated the decline.
Is the closure due to financial difficulties?
Yes. In July 2024, the company said it was considering a smaller future rather than full closure (RNZ (public broadcaster)). That plan would have closed the Newmarket store early in 2025 and made the Queen Street store smaller. By August 2024, the company decided to keep the Queen Street store operating in a reduced format, concentrating trading on the ground floor and online (Heart of the City / LinkedIn).
How did declining foot traffic and sales affect the decision?
The reduced-format plan was ultimately abandoned. On 21 May 2025, the company announced that the Queen Street store and online store would close, resulting in 98 redundancies (Smith & Caughey’s company announcement). The Newmarket store will close on 29 September 2025.
The company tried to shrink its footprint to survive, but even the reduced Queen Street store couldn’t make the numbers work. The final decision to close entirely shows how deep the retail shift has cut.
The implication: declining foot traffic made the reduced-format plan unviable, sealing the store’s fate.
Is Smith & Caughey still open?
No. The Queen Street store closed permanently on 31 July 2025. The Newmarket store will follow on 29 September 2025. The closing-down sale ran until stock sold out, with most items gone by June 2025.
When does the Queen Street store close?
The Queen Street store closed on 31 July 2025, as announced on 21 May 2025 (Smith & Caughey’s company announcement).
When does the Newmarket store close?
The Newmarket store will close on 29 September 2025 (RNZ (public broadcaster)).
Shoppers who still have gift cards or returns should act quickly — the Newmarket store is the last remaining physical location, and it closes in September.
The pattern: the closure timetable leaves no room for further delays, marking a definitive end to retail operations.
What will happen to Smith and Caughey’s building?
The landmark Queen Street building has been listed for sale via JLL, with International Expressions of Interest sought (RNZ (public broadcaster)). The building is partially heritage-protected, and Auckland Council said it did not want to speculate on future use (RNZ (public broadcaster)).
Is the building listed for sale?
Yes. JLL is marketing the property. The sale process is ongoing, with no announced buyer as of August 2025.
What is the future use of the property?
Unknown. Potential redevelopment or new retail use is expected, but no plans have been confirmed.
What this means: the building’s fate will test Queen Street’s ability to reinvent itself without its oldest anchor tenant.
Is there a Smith and Caughey closing down sale?
Yes. The closing-down sale began in early 2025 with deep discounts on remaining stock. The online store closed on 27 May 2025, and the Queen Street store sale ran until 31 July 2025. Most items were sold by June 2025, leaving empty shelves (Newstalk ZB (news radio)). For more on retail sale events, see One Day Sale NZ: Biggest Events, GrabOne, and Shipping Guide.
What discounts are offered in the sale?
Deep discounts, though specific percentages were not disclosed. The sale was described as “closing-down” with reductions across all departments.
Can I buy items online during the sale?
No. The online store closed on 27 May 2025 (Smith & Caughey’s company announcement).
If you missed the sale, you’re out of luck. The remaining stock was sold off by June, and the online store is permanently closed.
The implication: the sale window was brief, and no further opportunities remain.
Who is the founder of Smith and Caughey?
Smith & Caughey’s was founded in 1880 by two Irish immigrants: William Smith and Robert Caughey (RNZ (public broadcaster)). It started as a drapers shop and expanded into a full department store, remaining family-owned for most of its history.
When was Smith & Caughey’s founded?
1880 — 145 years before its closure.
What is the history of the company?
From a small drapery on Queen Street, the store grew into a beloved Auckland institution. It survived wars, depressions, and the rise of malls, but could not withstand the pandemic-era shift to online shopping.
The pattern: the store’s longevity masked the fragility of traditional retail in the face of digital disruption.
Timeline: Smith & Caughey’s final years
- 1880: Smith & Caughey’s founded in Auckland (RNZ (public broadcaster)).
- 2020–2024: Declining foot traffic and sales due to pandemic and online competition (Newstalk ZB (news radio)).
- May 2024: Announcement of possible closure of all retail operations (Newstalk ZB (news radio)).
- July 2024: Company considers smaller future (RNZ (public broadcaster)).
- August 2024: Reduced-format plan for Queen Street store announced (Heart of the City / LinkedIn).
- 21 May 2025: Final closure announcement; online store closes 27 May; Queen Street closes 31 July (Smith & Caughey’s announcement).
- 31 July 2025: Queen Street store closes permanently.
- 29 September 2025: Newmarket store closes.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Smith & Caughey’s Queen Street store closed on 31 July 2025 (Smith & Caughey’s announcement).
- The building is listed for sale via JLL (RNZ (public broadcaster)).
- Closure due to financial difficulties and changed shopping habits (Newstalk ZB (news radio)).
- Founded in 1880 by William Smith and Robert Caughey (RNZ (public broadcaster)).
What’s unclear
- Exact sale price of the building.
- Future tenant or redevelopment plans.
- Number of employees affected beyond the 98 redundancies announced in May 2025.
- Specific discount percentages offered in the closing-down sale.
Voices from the closure
“We are immensely saddened to share that our Queen Street retail and online store will be closing.”
— Smith & Caughey’s company statement, 21 May 2025
“It’s the end of an era. I remember going there with my grandmother for the Santa parade every year.”
— Auckland shopper quoted in RNZ (public broadcaster)
For Auckland’s retail property market, the closure of Smith & Caughey’s is a clear signal: either adapt to the new shopping habits, or face the same fate. The building’s future will be a test of whether Queen Street can reinvent itself without its oldest anchor tenant. For more on Auckland shopping hours, see Sylvia Park Opening Hours: Late Night & Parking Guide.
youtube.com, nzherald.co.nz, thedailyblog.co.nz, en.wikipedia.org, invest.jll.com, morningside.nz, oneroof.co.nz
Frequently asked questions
How long did the closing-down sale last?
The sale ran from early 2025 until stock sold out. Most items were gone by June 2025, and the Queen Street store closed on 31 July 2025.
Can I still return items bought before the closure?
Returns are unlikely after the store’s closure. Contact the company’s customer service for any remaining options.
Will the Smith and Caughey online store reopen?
No. The online store closed on 27 May 2025 and will not reopen.
Is there an auction for remaining stock?
No auction has been announced. Most stock was sold during the closing-down sale.
What happens to gift cards?
Gift cards may be redeemable at the Newmarket store until 29 September 2025. After that, they are likely void.
Did the store close because of the pandemic?
The pandemic accelerated the decline, but the company cited long-term changes in shopping habits and financial difficulties (Newstalk ZB (news radio)).
Are there any other Smith and Caughey locations in New Zealand?
Only the Newmarket store remains open until 29 September 2025. No other locations exist.
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