Changing market and pandemic put an end to retail operations.

 

Office supplies retailer OfficeMax, owned by Winc Australia’s parent Platinum Equity, has announced plans to close all of its stores in New Zealand.

 

In an email sent to customers last week, the company said it would close its 14 stores throughout the country and conduct its business online.

 

The stores would close towards the end of October with 55 jobs at stake.

 

"OfficeMax has made the difficult decision to close our retail network as we adapt to a changing market," the company said.

 

"A retail review reflected the need for us as a business to make some really difficult decisions now, in order to better position ourselves for the future. The trend to increasing online purchasing, as well as changing office and work practices, compounded by COVID-19, means we need to evolve to remain relevant to today's market."

 

OfficeMax said it was "investing heavily" in its distribution facilities in Auckland and Christchurch to service the move to online-only.

 

The company employs 635 staff nationwide throughout its retail and distribution networks and received NZ$4.4 million in government wage subsidies during the pandemic.

 

"After 150 years, we remain committed to delivering excellent service to New Zealanders. We are investing heavily in our distribution facilities in Auckland and Christchurch, which will enhance our delivery service to you. We have a large team of over 600 people based throughout New Zealand to service our local communities, and our national and regional based sales teams will continue to work closely with you to provide the best workplace solutions to meet your needs," the company said.

 

"This has been a very difficult decision as the stores have been part of our business and local communities for many years, and our priority at this time is to support our team – particularly those team members directly impacted," OfficeMax managing director Kevin Obern said in a statement.

 

OfficeMax has stores in Auckland's Mt Eden and Manukau, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hastings, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Tauranga, Wellington Central and Petone and Whangarei.