All Black Dan Carter is set to close the second and third of his four Gas clothing stores, citing tough economic times.Earlier this year, the trendy Gas Italian clothing store in Newmarket closed, and now Carter's business partner Rhys Brooking says the C
All Black Dan Carter is set to close the second and third of his four Gas clothing stores, citing tough economic times.
Earlier this year, the trendy Gas Italian clothing store in Newmarket closed, and now Carter’s business partner Rhys Brooking says the Christchurch and Mt Maunganui stores will also close in the coming weeks, leaving only the Wellington store open.
An Auckland retailing advocate says the closures reflect the state of the economy rather Carter’s business acumen.
“With these stores closing some people are quick to suggest that All Black business ventures have a long history of coming up short,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.
“However the only thing these closures show is just how tough the past couple of years have been. If the biggest name in New Zealand sport can’t make it work, then it’s obviously very difficult out there.”
Mr Brewer says it is likely a new Gas store will open in Auckland when the economy gathers some speed again, possibly ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year.
“When Gas opened in Wellington a couple of years ago, we lobbied for Dan to bring his business north. Unfortunately Gas opened in Auckland just as the world went into economic recession and the lull has been long.”
Mr Brewer says Statistics New Zealand figures for April show the economic recovery has been slow and the country’s retailers are not out of the woods yet.
Meanwhile, the old Gas premises in Newmarket have since reopened, with the new shop labelled B Original – a female fashion store showcasing some big Brazilian designers.
Mr Brewer says Messrs Carter and Brooking have an interest in the business along with Brazilian expat Debora Paz who set up her first B Original shop in Mount Maunganui.
