PGG Wrightson (PGW) insurance and financial services general manager Grant Edwards confirmed the retail supply stores in Owaka and Lawrence would close because the buildings did not comply with earthquake safety regulations.
"It has been decided that both those stores are non-compliant and we need to close both those stores."
The last day for service for the stores will officially be Friday April 28. When asked if stores could shift to buildings that were compliant, Mr Edwards said PGW "was working through that".
"We’ve signalled that [the current buildings] are not compliant so we need to look at other options we may have within both those towns."
The next stage was to talk to clients in the region and seek an outcome.
In a written statement, PGW said it had undergone an earthquake strengthening programme of its buildings in New Zealand.
After a site assessment of the Owaka and Lawrence stores it was determined it was not "commercially viable" to upgrade both to the regulations.
Staff cuts were not expected as there was an opportunity for permanent team members to relocate to nearby stores.
"Should these employees be willing to do this, we would then expect that there will be no job losses as a result of these store closures."
PGW was in the process of a consultation process with staff employed at the two stores. PGW said Owaka and Lawrence-based customers would be serviced through the Balclutha and Milton stores.
