Customers of premium kitchen and laundry appliance store Kitchen Things are stressed and disappointed after being left in the lurch about their orders since the business went into receivership.
Many customers have booked orders worth thousands of dollars and are wondering whether their amount would be refunded or not. No further update from the store has been given. Here are the details of what actually happened
Receivership Declared: As of August 20, 2025, Kitchen Things and several associated companies have entered receivership after years of mounting losses tied to weak consumer demand and intense pricing pressure. This was confirmed in a press release by Grant Thornton and reported across multiple outlets.
Stores Closed Temporarily: All 12 Kitchen Things stores nationwide have been closed temporarily. Receivers are currently assessing inventory and exploring potential next steps.
Receivers Appointed: The directors of Kitchen Things—Mark Jones and Rachel Louie—requested the appointment of receivers. Grant Thornton New Zealand’s Russell Moore, Stephen Keen (Stephen Speers Keen), and Adele Hicks have been appointed to manage the receivership process.
Goal: Selling Assets or Business as a Going Concern: The receivers are actively seeking buyers—for either the business as a whole or its individual assets—with the hope of preserving operations if possible. Key staff have been retained during this period.
Hamilton Franchise Exempt: The Hamilton Kitchen Things outlet operates under a separate franchise agreement and is not affected by this receivership.
What This Means for Kitchen Things Stakeholders
- Employees: While some key staff have been retained to support operational wrap-up and transition, future roles depend on the outcome of the receivership process.
- Customers: If you have existing orders or store-related concerns, contacting Grant Thornton may be wise—not all liabilities may be resolved yet. A customer reported being $4,000 out of pocket and unsure about order fulfilment. Source: NZ Herald.
- Suppliers & Partners: Receivership typically places secured creditors (like banks) at the front of the line for repayments. Unsecured creditors—such as suppliers or customers with unpaid orders—may face difficulty recovering owed funds.