Noel Leeming
{{Short description|New Zealand electronics retailer}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Noel Leeming
| logo = Noel_leeming_logo-20120608-120221.png
| image = Noel Leeming And Burger King, Newmarket.jpg
| image_caption = A Noel Leeming branch on 80 Broadway, Newmarket in 2010. Closed down in late 2019Goggle Maps archive
| former_name = Noel Leeming Television
| type = Subsidiary
| founded = {{Start date and age|1973}} in Christchurch
| founder = Noel Victor Leeming
| num_locations = 68 stores (2022){{Cite web|title=The Warehouse Group :: 2022 Annual Report|url=https://www.twgannualreport.co.nz/downloads/TWG-Annual-Report-FY22.pdf|access-date=2023-07-02}}
| parent = The Warehouse Group
| website = {{URL|noelleeming.co.nz}}
}}Noel Leeming is a retail electronics chain that specialises in selling a wide range of products, including computers, household appliances, TVs, and audio equipment. With 66 stores, including 20 in Auckland,{{cite web |title=Noel Leeming |url=https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/ |website=noelleeming.co.nz |publisher=The Warehouse Group |access-date=17 February 2024 |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217100252/https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/ |url-status=live }} Noel Leeming offers a larger selection of higher-value electronic goods compared to other chains under The Warehouse Group.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2015 |title=Red shed shoppers boost profit |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/72179432/online-sales-red-shed-shoppers-key-to-warehouses-57-million-profit |access-date=14 August 2016 |website=Stuff.co.nz |archive-date=11 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111000202/http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/72179432/online-sales-red-shed-shoppers-key-to-warehouses-57-million-profit |url-status=live }}
In addition to its retail operations, Noel Leeming operates Tech Solutions, a service that provides support, installation, and learning assistance for technology users. This service caters to both in-store and in-home customers, offering comprehensive electronics and whiteware support.{{Cite web |title=Services |url=https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/services |access-date=2020-05-20 |website=Noel Leeming}}
History
The brand was originally established as "Noel Leeming Television" in 1973, named after its founder.{{Cite web |date=10 October 2003 |title=About Us |url=http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HelpDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&topic=CustServ&page=AboutUs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031010162518/http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HelpDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&topic=CustServ&page=AboutUs |archive-date=10 October 2003 |access-date=2020-05-20}} The first Noel Leeming branch opened in Barrington Park Mall in Christchurch.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/about-us |access-date=2020-05-20 |website=Noel Leeming |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923033031/https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/about-us |url-status=live }} Over time, the brand expanded throughout the South Island and opened its first North Island branch in Auckland in 1986. In mid-1992, the brand's founder, Noel Leeming, retired as managing director. The North Island expansion continued rapidly throughout 1993.
In September 1996, Noel Leeming merged with Bond & Bond under the trading group "Pacific Retail Group." At that time, the group operated approximately 90 branches nationwide, consisting of both brands.
In 2004, Gresham Private Equity acquired Pacific Retail Group and renamed it "Noel Leeming Group."{{Cite web |title=Convergence closes Big Byte stores |url=https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/480428/convergence_closes_big_byte_stores/ |access-date=2020-05-20 |website=Reseller News |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217100251/https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/480428/convergence_closes_big_byte_stores/ |url-status=live }}
The Warehouse Group purchased Noel Leeming Group from Gresham Private Equity for NZ$65 million, and the acquisition became effective on 10 December 2012.{{Cite news |date=10 December 2012 |title=Warehouse buys Noel Leeming chain for $65m |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10853046 |access-date=14 August 2016 |work=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |issn=1170-0777 |archive-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103150512/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10853046 |url-status=live }} In December 2013, Noel Leeming Group further expanded its services by acquiring Maclean Technology, a team specialising in delivering professional IT services to New Zealand companies.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.noelleeminggroup.co.nz/aboutus.html |access-date=28 April 2018 |website=Noel Leeming Group |archive-date=27 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827094230/https://www.noelleeminggroup.co.nz/aboutus.html |url-status=live }}
In 2019, Noel Leeming enabled notorious padeophile Ronald Thompson to sexually abuse and harass a 17-year-old staff member working at their Blenheim store. Police recommended that Thompson be trespassed from the store, but Noel Leeming declined, saying Thompson, " deserves the right to be able to have a second chance". To date Noel Leeming hasn't admitted fault or compensated their victim.{{Cite news |date=15 August 2024 |title=Worker claims Noel Leeming did nothing about mans inappropriate advances |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350371712/worker-claims-noel-leeming-did-nothing-about-mans-inappropriate-advances |access-date=15 August 2024 |work=Stuff.co.nz |language=en-NZ |archive-date=15 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815172830/https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350371712/worker-claims-noel-leeming-did-nothing-about-mans-inappropriate-advances |url-status=live }}