Dick Smith powers up its offerings with megastores

Electronics retailer Dick Smith has flipped on the switch for a new chain of consumer electronics megastores specialising in entertainment products.

The Dick Smith Electronics PowerHouse chain, imported from Australia, sells high-end entertainment equipment such as televisions, media centres, car audio systems and small home appliances.

A 2000-square-metre PowerHouse opened in Manukau at the weekend, two years after a trial store opened in Hamilton.

The company plans to follow that with up to seven stores this year.

Dick Smith New Zealand general manager Stu Meadows said these would not replace the original Dick Smith chain, which was still expanding.

The product range differs from the traditional stores, which specialise in supplying technology and electronics equipment such as plugs and hobby products to trade and home users.

PowerHouse would allow the company to enter new markets in the consumer electronics industry.

Meadows said that with the growth of new technology and its convergence with entertainment, the company had to keep broadening its offering and staying at the forefront required a new retail environment.

PowerHouse would also offer a digital photo printing service and sell movies and music.

There are 18 PowerHouse stores in Australia. Dick Smith Electronics has 52 New Zealand stores, after opening 10 in the past year, and 13 authorised distributors.