Pumpkin Patch (retailer) explained

Pumpkin Patch
Foundation:1990; years ago
Founder:Sally Synott
Location City:Auckland
Location Country:New Zealand
Area Served:Australia & New Zealand
Products:Children's and babies' clothing
Owner:Alceon Group

Pumpkin Patch is a New Zealand childrenswear retailer. Established in 1990, it focuses on the design, marketing, retail and wholesale of children's clothing to customers in Australia and New Zealand.[1]

History

Before receivership

The company was founded in New Zealand in 1990 as a mail order catalogue by Sally Synott. At its peak, the company was valued at over $NZ830 million and employed over 2,000 people. It operated over 180 stores across Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Asia, Ireland, the Middle East, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.[2]

In 2010, the company 48 stores around New Zealand, including 18 in Auckland.

In 2014, the firm began to experience declining revenues and margin compression due to competition.

By 2015, the company had helped raise $NZD600,000 for the children's medical charity Cure Kids.[3]

In 2015, a Roy Morgan survey of Australian consumers identified Pumpkin Patch as having the best customer service in the children's clothing category.[4] In the same year, it also received an award for customer service from Essential Baby Magazine for customer service.[5]

Following receivership

In October 2016 the company was placed into receivership. The receivers closed seven New Zealand stores and 52 Australia stores.[6]

In February 2017, all remaining retail stores closed following a three month fire sale.[7]

in March 2017, the company was placed into liquidation.[8]

In December 2017, Pumpkin Patch was acquired by Catch Group, and relaunched as an online store in both Australia and New Zealand.[9]

In 2018 the company was bought by Alceon Group. Pumpkin Patch products became available through EziBuy, online and in physical stores, and there were plans for a full re-launch in 2019.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pumpkin Patch . pumpkinpatch.co.nz . Pumpkin Patch . https://web.archive.org/web/20100301115217/http://www.pumpkinpatch.co.nz/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 . 1 March 2010.
  2. News: McCauley. Dana. How Pumpkin Patch went from boom to bust in less than a decade. November 13, 2018. news.com.au. December 1, 2016.
  3. Web site: Our charity. Pumpkin Patch. October 1, 2015.
  4. News: Feek. Belinda. Pumpkin Patch rates top on Australian shopper survey. October 1, 2015. NZ Herald. April 30, 2015.
  5. Web site: Essential Baby Awards 2015. essentialbaby.com.au. Essential Baby. 3 November 2015.
  6. News: Edmunds . Susan . More Pumpkin Patch stores to close . . . 4 November 2016.
  7. News: Keating . Eloise . Pumpkin Patch to close within weeks . Smart Company . Private Media . 23 January 2017.
  8. Web site: 2017-03-09. Pumpkin Patch put into liquidation after failure to find buyer. 2021-05-23. Stuff. en.
  9. News: March 23, 2017. Catch Group to relaunch Pumpkin Patch after buying IP. Australian Financial Review. December 7, 2017.
  10. News: Investment firm to relaunch Pumpkin Patch in New Zealand IP. November 13, 2018. The National Business Review. October 25, 2018.