In the Service of Others

There was a sense of disbelief when the beloved 123-year old department store H&J Smith announced it was closing for good in 2023. In the Service of Others tells how a sister and brother created a mighty, family-owned retail empire based on value and good service, with staff and customers that felt like family. But it also tells the story of how social, political and economic changes brought about consequences both intended and unintended, and started to undermine the proud values on which the company was formed and the way it did business. In the Service of Others is a story of yesterday and today but perhaps its strongest message is about what can be lost when there’s no tomorrow.