About Bennetts

Bennetts' exists to serve students and the campus communities of which they are a part. Our mission is to be the foremost provider of academic bookstore services in New Zealand. Our staff are committed to the following set of Core Values. These values provide the guiding principles for Bennetts in its dealing with all its key stakeholders.

Value #1 - People

Value #2 - Integrity
We will operate with the highest level of integrity in all that we do.We will say what we mean. We will walk the talk and do what we say

Value #3 - Courage
We will act with confidence that we are doing the best for our business and our customers. We will lead decisively, with confidence in our direction. We will face change, progress and adversity with confidence in our direction.

Value #4 - Community
We encourage the advancement of literacy, family values, and quality relationships in the community.

Value #5 - Fun
We will strive to have fun in all we do because it makes the workplace more enjoyable and attracts more customers, staff and suppliers to Bennetts.

Bennetts: A History
Bennetts has been active in New Zealand bookselling for over 100 years. The original store was opened on the Square in Palmerston North in 1889 by John Watt.
In 1891 George Bennett purchased the business and moved the store to Broadway in 1918. The company G.H. Bennett & Co Limited was formed in 1923 by George Bennett and on his death in 1940 the business was taken over by his sons Harold and Gordon.
The Campus business was launched with the opening of the existing Massey University Tiritea Campus store in 1985.
The family sold a controlling interest in the business to Brierley Investment Limited in 1988. The business was then onsold to Rank Group in 1992 and was restructured into a totally focussed tertiary campus business.
In 1996 Bennetts was sold to Blue Star Group and is now the Tertiary Division within Blue Star Consumer Retailing Limited.

In 2004, the Whitcoulls Group was purchased by PEP.