Shoes and booze are proving to be the mid-winter winners with shoppers - providing another glimmer of hope tough times may be fading.

The story of how an established name reached the brink of extinction is not one of simple tough trading, or even of foolish management.

Alcohol is too cheap and too prevalent in NZ, the Law Commission says.

The face of Auckland's Queen St is changing after Dick Smith Electronics this week opened the first of its new- format stores.

One in 10 stores on Auckland's most famous street would be liquor outlets if new store opens.