Harvey Norman toast Christmas figures

Mass merchant retailer Harvey Norman has posted strong half year results, with a 16.7 percent rise in sales.

Harvey Norman, which has commercial divisions and sales outlets in Australia, New Zealand, Slovenia and Ireland, chalked up sales of $2.71 billion for the six months ended 31 December 2006. The sales are a 16.7 percent increase from the same period of 2005.

During November and December rival Retravision acquired fourteen small format stores, six of which were then re-branded Harvey Norman and eight were re-branded Joyce Mayne.

Rutland Smith, general manager of computers and communications at Harvey Norman said the firm was pleased with the results.

“Flat panel displays and notebooks have done well for us. Moving forward we are excited about the launches of Microsoft Vista and the PlayStation 3,” added Smith.

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