Huge Donation Of Goods From H&J Smiths Invercargill

Close to $150,000 worth of women’s clothing, school uniforms, bike parts and other sports equipment was donated to various community groups from H&J Smiths when the department store closed late last year. Related: H&J Smith Ltd Donates Iconic Christmas Decorations to Southland Hospital

Chief executive John Green said they still had a substantial amount of stock left over that wasn’t worth selling in a clearance, after the initial successful sell through. Related: Watch: H&J Smith Final Walk Through & Closing

“We made a decision to donate it all to a range of charities, such as Women’s Refuge,” he said.

Sports equipment was given to various schools and bike parts even made their way into Central Otago to the Upcycled Charitable Trust that helps people of all ages into their own set of wheels.

Foodstuffs left over from the pantry in the restaurant was also donated to Koha Kai.

John said better value was created by charities being able to use it, “and that way it can change people’s lives.”

The owners of H&J Smiths agreed to look at things a bit differently, and the whole programme with distributing the last of the retail goods was about finding the right things to do with it, rather than more cash in the till, he said.

John was finishing the last of the work for H&J Smith, but has now retired to Wanaka where he’s finding more time for cycling.

After 123 years trading, Invercargill, Gore and Queenstown department stores closed in November 2023.