dick_smith_has_lost_the_support_of_its_bankers_pho_568b63ef34.JPGNearly half of the shops left vacant when Dick Smith collapsed have found new tenants, but provincial high streets will have to put up with vacant shop fronts at least a little longer. Most of these were in major cities, while it was proving more difficult to find tenants in the provinces. "Ex Dick Smith's stores in locations like Levin, Gisborne, Richmond and Wanganui are still empty," Wolland said. "Although the former Dick Smith stores are typically in the best retail locations in these markets, the issue is around the lack of demand from national brands to enter these smaller cities and towns." Bigger brands' hesitancy to move into these locations meant they would probably be filled by local retailers, he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 02, 2016 03:45 UTC