Hardware giant Bunnings drops Christmas bombshell on employees- closing two stores before new year

Employees at two Bunnings stores were told just days before Christmas their workplaces will shut down for good before the end of the year. 

The hardware giant revealed to staff at its stores in Waikanae and Te Aroha, both in New Zealand, they would be considered for redundancy packages.

Both stores will close down on Friday.  

The workers’ union described the decision as ‘cruel’ and criticised the timing of the announcement, according to the New Zealand Herald. 

Bunnings New Zealand human resources director Jacqui Coombes said its ‘smaller-format’ stores struggled to offer the low prices and wide range that customers expected.

‘Smaller-format stores are often in sites that are older and aren’t able to offer the environment we will accept for both our team and customers,’ she said. 

‘This is a sad and difficult decision and our first priority is to take care of our team members who will all have the choice to remain a part of the Bunnings team.’

The company will keep its staff on the payroll and will try and find alternative positions for staff in other stores.    

First Union spokesman Kirstin Miller said she was frustrated by the ‘inadequate notice’ and lack of information about redundancies. 

‘Bunnings has failed to provide specific details as to why the stores need to close, and why so suddenly,’ she said.

Hardware giant Bunnings Warehouse told staff at its stores in Waikanae and Te Aroha they would be closing their workplaces before the end of the year (stock image)

The union had written to the company trying to suspend the consultation until the new year, but the request was denied and staff told the news on Monday.

A worker who had been employed at the Waikanae store for two years told the New Zealand Herald they were ‘appalled’.   

‘At this time of year especially the thought of being out of work is very stressful. The way they have gone about this is disrespectful,’ she said.