History Of Kennedys

Kennedys Diamond Rings opened for business in April 1955, in premises on the 1st Floor above Fails Café, (remembered fondly by the older generation) near the bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch.

Initially Kennedys had a stock range of only 35 diamond rings to offer customers who mostly preferred to have their engagement rings designed and made to order. One such order was for a Cluster Diamond ring which had to be the size of a sixpence which is similar to our present 5 cent coin. Clients in this era embraced the innovation of missing out the ”middle man” and saving money, as they do today. Sales grew rapidly from about five rings a month to more than 5 weekly within the first few months. The founder, Kennedy Blair, initially employed one apprentice and the following year a second was added to help cope with thriving trade.

The business moved to 244 High St in 1956 with manufacturing and retail salon occupying two complete floors. Office staff and more craftsmen were soon added until the business eventually employed up to 10 staff. To publicise the move to High Street, Claude Neon were commissioned to produce a vertical revolving neon sign which was the height of the two floors and became a well known city landmark.

For many years a silver tea set was given away with every engagement ring and many customers tell us that they still have them today.

In 1986 Kennedys opened a branch in the Linwood Mall (now Eastgate) and about this time also opened a new store at 250 High Street making three retail outlets.

In 1987 Kennedys bought four Nicolas Jewellers retail outlets in Riccarton Mall, Shades Arcade, Gloucester Street and High Street. The Riccarton and Linwood shops were later sold to Michael Hill Jewellers. During this period customers would queue up at the door on Friday late shopping nights waiting patiently to be served. Our first “Sale” attracted such a huge crowd Kennedy Blair had to call on the urgent assistance of security company Armourguard to maintain order. For security reasons only seven customers were allowed into the showroom at a time.

About 1995 it was decided to concentrate on the sale of Diamond and Wedding rings and Watches with just the one retail outlet in the City Mall location.

By 2000 Kennedys had made and sold over 100,000 Diamond rings. All rings were guaranteed against faulty workmanship, some for 5 years and the more expensive ones for a lifetime or 25 years.