Harvey is off to a flying start

HARVEY Norman says it is enjoying strong trading so far this financial year, with sales across its Australian franchisee network up almost 5 per cent.

The furniture and electricals retailer says total sales across its Harvey Norman, Domayne and Joyce Mayne franchisees were up 4.8 per cent in the four months to October compared with the same period last year.

Like-for-like sales – a tally that strips out the impact of stores that have opened or closed – were up 4 per cent.

Harvey Norman released the sales update yesterday ahead of its annual meeting today. Total sales from the group’s Australian franchisees and its wholly owned stores in New Zealand, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland and Northern Ireland hit $2.45 billion.