The closing of iconic Wellington department store Kirkcaldie and Stains can largely be blamed on the internet and social media.

The store had served Wellington shoppers for over 153 years but shut up shop last night to make way for a David Jones store.

Chairman of Kirkcaldie and Stains Falcon Clouston said nowadays it's not just about the bricks and mortar of the department store, but rather how strong its presence is online, which is what the store lacked the most.

He said Kirkcaldie and Stains had only one store, and it was not able to build a robust website, or develop tools such as apps for smart phones.

"It all costs a lot of money, whereas a big global department store like David Jones, you know they've got 82 branches or something throughout Australasia, it's a different ball game altogether."

Mr Clouston said all staff have been made redundant and although some have been offered jobs at David Jones, a lot haven't, and some have chosen to retire.

He said they've remained remarkably stoic throughout the process, and were smiling even on the store's last day.

"No they're all pretty happy really, I guess the thing that they were most sad about was the camaraderie that they've enjoyed there and you know they're all going to different places and they'll miss the team."