Cleaning supplies retailer Wet & Forget has announced the ‘‘difficult decision’’ to shut its Dunedin store amid a nationwide restructuring of its retail operations.
Dunedin and Invercargill will be losing their Wet & Forget stores as the brand shifts away from standalone shops and moves towards partnerships with other retailers. The company said it plans to grow from 19 company-owned stores to over 200 partner locations by late 2025.
‘‘While this will be welcomed by customers across the country, it has meant the company has made the difficult decision to close six of its stores around New Zealand.’’
The locations affected included Dunedin, Invercargill, Kapiti, Pukekohe, Timaru, and Westgate.
However, the company noted that the stores were situated close to locally owned and operated Mitre 10 and Mitre 10 MEGA retailers, which now carry its products.
The Dunedin store is scheduled to close at the end of February next year, affecting two staff members. The Invercargill store will shut down on January 9, affecting three employees.
Wet & Forget’s chief executive, Andre Gargiulo, confirmed the company is providing support to those impacted.
‘‘The new retail strategy reflects Wet & Forget’s ongoing commitment to the New Zealand market and making its products more accessible to our customers while also positioning the business for future growth.”
‘‘As a company with a rich local legacy, this expansion allows even more New Zealanders to find our products locally while ensuring the business remains strong, innovative, and ready for the next stage of growth — both here and internationally.’’