Dick Smith (retailer)
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An original Dick Smith Electronics store in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
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Formerly called
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Dick Smith Electronics |
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| Traded as |
ASX: DSH ASX: KGN |
| Industry | Retail |
| Fate | In liquidation, as of 25 July 2016 • Online assets acquired by Kogan.com |
| Founded | 1968 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Dick Smith |
| Defunct | 3 May 2016 (store operations only) |
| Headquarters | Chullora, Australia |
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Areas served
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Australia and New Zealand |
| Products | Consumer electronics |
| Brands |
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Number of employees
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3,300 (2015) |
| Website |
www www |
 Dick Smith Electronics past ads
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Dick Smith Holdings Limited (formerly Dick Smith, Dick Smith Electronics or DSE) was, until 2016, an Australia-wide chain of retail stores that sold consumer electronics goods, hobbyist electronic components, and electronic project kits. The chain expanded successfully into New Zealand and unsuccessfully into several other countries. The company was founded in Sydney in 1968 by Dick Smith and owned by him and his wife until they sold to Woolworths Limited in 1982.
In 2012, it was acquired by Anchorage Capital Partners, who floated it on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) the next year. By December 2015, the share price had fallen 80% and in January 2016, a halt in trading was requested. On 5 January 2016, Dick Smith Holdings Limited (and associated entities) was placed into administration by its creditors. On 25 February 2016, a statement released by the receivers detailed the closure of all Dick Smith stores due to failed attempts to sell the company. Approximately 2,460 staff in Australia and 430 in New Zealand were made redundant as a result of store closures. The last Dick Smith stores closed on 3 May 2016.
In May 2016, online retailer Kogan.com purchased the Dick Smith brand, trademarks, intellectual property, and its online business in Australia and New Zealand, for an undisclosed sum. On 4 May 2016, Kogan.com relaunched the Dick Smith brand-name as an online-only technology retailer in Australia and New Zealand.
On 25 July 2016 Dick Smith's creditors placed the remainder of the company in liquidation.
The business started in 1968 in a small rented premises in a car park in the Sydney suburb of Neutral Bay with a total capital of only AU$610. Initially, the business focused on installing and servicing car radios. In 1969, the business's success required it to move to bigger premises, first Atkinson Street, St Leonards, later Carlotta Street, Artarmon with flagship store nearby, on the Pacific Highway, Gore Hill.
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