CHRISTCHURCH: The impact of New Zealand's weekend earthquake has been felt in the stores and warehouses of the country's fashion retailers.
Outdoorwear retailer Kathmandu revealed the September 4 quake affected its three Christchurch stores, including the newly opened Cashel Street store. The company's Riccarton outlet store and central city Christchurch store remained closed this morning (September 6).
The company was more fortunate in relation to its group head office and New Zealand distribution centre. While both buildings are located in Christchurch, neither suffered significant damage and have reopened.
Discount department store The Warehouse Group closed its eight Christchurch stores and its South Island distribution centre to enable structural engineers to inspect the sites. The company reported all Warehouse stores would reopen for trade today, while the distribution centre is expected to reopen mid-week.
The New Zealand Press Association reported Christchurch's mall areas would reopen today, with only six retailers from a total of 135 to remain closed.
The 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck 30 kilometres north of Christchurch in the early hours of September 4, 2010. Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city and effects of the earthquake included structural damage to buildings, severe disruptions to the city's power supply as well as the closure of the city's international airport.