Hocken Digital Collections

D.I.C. New Zealand Limited : Records

Details

Reference NumberARC-0910CreatorD.I.C. New Zealand LimitedDescriptionThe collection consists mainly of the records of the D.I.C. New Zealand Limited Central (Head) Office. Included are many share records and financial records. There are also some employee records, publications relating to the company and retailing, and a collection of photographs, including of various branches.
Only a small part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyIn 1884 Bendix Hallenstein founded the Drapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand Limited (known as the D.I.C.), initially as a co-operative store until 1906. As a co-operative, shareholders received a special annual dividend based on the business done with the firm throughout the year. After 1906 shareholders received a discount on purchases.
For much of the compan's history the majority of shareholders were women and the gender balance of shareholders was reported to the annual general meetings.
The D.I.C. sold goods manufactured in New Zealand as well as imported goods from Britain. Goods sold included clothing, hats, general Manchester and bedding, haberdashery, footwear, and household goods. Its services included a dressmaking department for many years.
The D.I.C. shared a Dunedin and London Head Office with Hallenstein Brothers and Company, and later Hallenstein Brothers Limited, as well as several directors. Throughout its history the D.I.C. maintained a close relationship with Hallensteins.
The Dunedin branch originally opened premises in High Street, but in the mid 1920s moved to the building that had been the premises of competitor Herbert Haynes Limited, in Princes Street and the Octagon. The site is now occupied by the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Branches were established in Christchurch, Wellington, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Lower Hutt, Invercargill, Napier, Dannevirke, and Rotorua.
In 1983, H.W. Smith Limited acquired a controlling interest in the company, and in 1984 George Court and Sons Limited was purchased.
Prior to its takeover by Arthur Barnett, the D.I.C had stores in Dunedin, Invercargill, Christchurch, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Hamilton, Napier, Lower Hutt, Rotorua, Pakuranga, Takapuna and Auckland.
The D.I.C. New Zealand Limited Central (Head) Office moved from Dunedin to Auckland in May 1985. D.I.C. Stores Limited was renamed Apparel Holdings Limited in 1986. The D.I.C. store in Dunedin closed in March 1991.

Photograph

D.I.C. Dunedin ticketing desk

D.I.C. staff, Dunedin

D.I.C. shoe department, Dunedin

D.I.C. building, Princes Street, Dunedin

Depicts Or Relates To

SubjectsStores, retailRetail tradeBusiness enterprises - Dunedin

Digital Collections

Hocken Digital Collections

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D.I.C. New Zealand Limited : Records

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