H&J Smith (H&J) have announced that some key parts of its department store business have now been sold.

The iconic Southland store shocked many when it announced on 17th May this year, that due to changing retail habits and challenging supply issues, it proposed to close after 123 years.

That decison was confirmed on 26th June with all its stores, in Invercargill, Gore and Queenstown, ceasing to trade from 18th November. The decision impacted around 220 staff.

The company however announced on Wednesday (26 Jul) that it's Gore store had been sold to Longbeach Holdings Ltd, who will rebrand as Apt Collections, at the end of August.

The Christchurch manufacturer designs, wholesales and retails a wide range of fashion apparel, including its own Swanndri and Line 7 lines.

They currently have retail stores in Horwick, Paraparumu, Rotorua and Mosgiel.

Meanwhile H&J's school uniform business will be taken over by Auckland apparel company, Uniform Group.

They plan to open a new specialist school uniform store, The U Shop, at 162 Dee Street (site of the former Stewart Pharmacy) in early September.

And H&J's Armoury Fashion Boutique has been bought by Fashion Buyer Tania Roderique who will begin trading on 14 August.