Arthur Barnett staff are being promised work under the department store's new owner.

The iconic store in central Dunedin has been sold by a local family firm to H&J Smith.

It's been in Dunedin for more than a hundred years and is one of the last remaining department stores of its era.

Arthur Barnett himself opened the store in 1903.

The business currently has about 80 staff, all being guaranteed their jobs at present.

It will remain in George Street, under a new 10 year lease.