Jim Sullivan argues that "Arthur Barnett's reputation for innovation in retail was becoming well-established - he had a flair and brought colour and a touch of the side show to what was a staid occupation.

The 1924 Arthur Barnett building designed by Edmund Anscombe was a landmark on the northern part of George Street, Dunedin.

This was demolished progressively in 1995-7 and replaced by the Meridian Mall incorporating a reduced-size Arthur Barnett store across two levels.

Stores were in Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch, Lower Hutt, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Hastings, Napier, Gisborne, Rotorua, Hamilton, Pakuranga, Henderson, Karangahape Road (Auckland), Takapuna, and Whangārei.

assets were disposed of and the company was able to concentrate on its stores in Dunedin, Alexandra, Balclutha and Christchurch.

debacle cost Arthur Barnett around $NZ 20 million and as a result the company had to borrow heavily to help finance the Meridian Mall project in 1995.

The Meridian Mall opened on 5 September 1997 with the final development costs close to $NZ 50 million.

As the primary anchor tenant, Arthur Barnett had the greatest floor space, spread across two levels, although this being only about half that of the old store.

[5] The main and lower floors are linked by escalators, with a more upmarket appearance than previous Arthur Barnett stores.

[8][non-primary source needed][9] Mid November 2012 saw the opening of a temporary cosmetics clearance shop in the upper level of the Meridian.

The new logo uses a lower case sans serif font, with a capitalised subtitle 'the department store'.

[11][non-primary source needed] Janine Tindall-Morice commented "This event signals Arthur Barnett's desire to engage with our female customers in a fresh and dynamic new way.

In early-mid-2009, Smashbox was relocated to new rival Life Pharmacy, in the new Wall Street Mall nearby.

Other former beauty counters include Christian Dior, and, until the brand's withdrawal from the New Zealand market in mid-2009, Origins.

Also in 2007,[21] space was made within the Casual Living department for the nest [sic] homeware concept store[24] as a separate 'store-within-a-store'.

Named Can't Stop, this neon sign features a small man (representing the firm's founder) trying to control a large horse, possibly a Clydesdale.