The Warehouse Group is set to close its Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery and Noel Leeming stores in the Christchurch suburb of Belfast.

The decision followed separate consultation meetings where staff were informed that the stores would close due to “inadequate profitability”.

Ian Carter, The Warehouse Group’s chief store operations officer, said the stores will close at the end of their upcoming lease in September.

“Over the past few years, we have seen customer shopping habits change, with more customers choosing to shop in our stores nearby,” Carter told ChrisLynchMedia.

He said the company will support its team members with redeployment options across its Christchurch store network.

Paul Watson, First Union’s southern regional secretary, said the staff were “disappointed” by the “lack of details” justifying the closure.

“Staff are devastated by the proposal to close and believe it’s a short-sighted move that doesn’t take into account forecast population growth in the area, and is dismissive of a very loyal customer base in the community.

“Our members believe the local community will be very opposed to the store closures and would support them staying open.”

He flagged that The Warehouse Group made a net profit of $17.4 million in the six months to January this year hence the proposal to close the stores needs to be scrutinised.