As exclusively tipped by ChannelNews Dick Smith receivers Ferrier Hodgson has moved to liquidate the mass retail group as interested parties walked away from the deal.
The closure will affect 2460 staff in Australia, and 430 in New Zealand.
According to sources the information provided by Ferrier Hodgson was riddled with uncertainties resulting in three powerful Asian bidders walking away from a deal.
According to a statement released by receivers James Stewart, Jim Sarantinos and Ryan Eagle of Ferrier Hodgson.
In Australia, 301 stores will close, and 62 stores will close in New Zealand.
Move stores were included in the closure announcement, and stores located in airports were excluded.
The fashion-focussed Move concept chain launched in 2013, and grew to a total of 12 stores nationally.
Mr Stewart said attempts to sell the Dick Smith group had been unsuccessful.
“While we received a significant number of expressions of interest from local and overseas parties, unfortunately the sale process has not resulted in an acceptable offers for the group as a whole or for Australia or New Zealand as standalone businesses,” he said.
Mr Stewart expressed his sympathies for employees, and said the outcome was disappointing for them.
“We would particularly like to thank the Dick Smith employees for their support and patience during the receivership process,” he said.
Employees at head offices and stores have been briefed on the closures today, the statement advised.
They will also be provided with “appropriate outplacement support”, it read.
All Australian workers are expected to be paid in full.
“All Australian employee entitlements will rank as priority unsecured claims ahead of the secured creditors and are expected to be paid in full,” the statement read.
“Entitlements of New Zealand employees who are made redundant are preferential claims ranking ahead of the secured creditors, and are expected to be paid in full up to a maximum statutory limit of NZD$22,160 under New Zealand law.”