The Cairns Post

Harvey Norman Electrical salesman Jathan Staudinger and Matthew Reidy are ready for customer service and deliveries. Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY

Harvey picks up

Daniel Burdon

03Jun08

A YEAR after multi-national retailer Harvey Norman entered Alice Springs, the sales are strong, but it is having challenges recruiting new staff.

Electrical franchisee Greg Neck said: ``After we became Harvey Norman we had a bit of a slow start, but it definitely picked up.''

And although other Australian stores in the group are suffering due to rising living costs and interest rates, the Alice Springs store is still selling many of its products.

Mr Neck said: ``I think there have been plenty of sales on bigger ticket items like flat screen televisions, but others like leather couches and such aren't doing quite as well.

``I guess everyone wants a big screen and is willing to pay for it.''

His second in command, Dean Rackley, said at the store's first birthday sale two weeks ago, the store sold about 65 big screen televisions, and home entertainment was among the most popular areas.

Mr Neck said although the store has no real trouble making sales, it is struggling to find suitable staff at the floor level and in the warehouse.

He said: ``We've got a really good team, and many people have stayed on from the Murray Neck Homeworld days.

``But we've had trouble finding staff for a few positions like one in the warehouse.''

The change to the huge conglomerate, which Mr Neck helped see through, has helped with systems as well as his buying power as an electrical retailer.

He said: ``There's huge supplier support, and the buying power is amazing. We had a little trouble in the start with getting used to the Harvey systems, but most of us are finding them great to use now.''