The D.I.C. (originally the Drapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand Ltd) was a New Zealand department store chain, founded in Dunedin by Bendix Hallenstein in 1884. It was bought out by one of its chief rivals, Arthur Barnett, in the 1980s. The site of the company's former headquarters and flagship store is now occupied by the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, although the façade of the Princes Street entrance still remains in largely original condition.

History

Hallenstein opened the first Drapery and General Importing Company store in 1884 in Dunedin Central. A second store opened in Christchurch in 1885. In 1977 D.I.C with the Canterbury Farmers Co-operative they took over the Beaths Department Store brand with D.I.C taking over the Cashel Street store and the Farmers Co-op took over the New Brighton store and the Ashburton store (which was closed as part of the takeover). In 1978 Beaths and D.I.C merged and the Christchurch store was rebranded to D.I.C-Beaths. In 1979 D.I.C left their original building in Christchurch and moved into the Beaths building. The chain had three stores in 1891, six stores by 1929, nine stores by 1976, and 16 stores by its takeover in 1988.

Stores

Prior to its takeover by Arthur Barnett, the D.I.C had stores in the following locations. Unless stated, they were rebranded as Arthur Barnett, with D.I.C. eventually closing in 1991: