Harrison
Harrison’s is a multi-line traditional department store which deals mainly with men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. It is one of the largest privately owned retail stores in Australia. It was founded in Sydney as Harrison Brothers Corporation on September 15, 1898, by Aubrey and William Harrison. Recently, the store has expanded to include household furnishings and other items for the home. The long term goal of the company is to become the leading chain of department stores in NSW, selling moderate to better priced merchandise to middle class, fashion conscious customers. The company is highly decentralised and maintains a very small corporate office.
With the continued revolution of businesses and markets, stores have experienced significant impacts. Traditional department stores like Harrison’s are beginning to experience the effects of a number of changes in the retail industry. Not long ago, major department stores succeeded by being all things to all customers. Shoppers can go to one department store and have all there needs catered there. You can shop for clothes, do groceries, eat, watch movies, pay bills, and do virtually almost everything else in one department store.
However, today’s customers are looking for both value and specialization. Thus we can see the appearance of many specialty stores. Superstores and giant discounters are also popping up. At the same time, the retail industry faces the challenge of keeping a well trained, highly motivated sales staff and management team that can handle well such a change and everything it brings with it.
, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), described the company’s strategic challenges for the next five years: “We can no longer continue to do the same old things that gave us a reputation for fair value. We must reposition ourselves – floor to floor – offering exciting brand names, excellent sales help, and frequent sales. We need sales staff who know the merchandise and understand
With the continued revolution of businesses and markets, stores have experienced significant impacts. Traditional department stores like Harrison’s are beginning to experience the effects of a number of changes in the retail industry. Not long ago, major department stores succeeded by being all things to all customers. Shoppers can go to one department store and have all there needs catered there. You can shop for clothes, do groceries, eat, watch movies, pay bills, and do virtually almost everything else in one department store.
However, today’s customers are looking for both value and specialization. Thus we can see the appearance of many specialty stores. Superstores and giant discounters are also popping up. At the same time, the retail industry faces the challenge of keeping a well trained, highly motivated sales staff and management team that can handle well such a change and everything it brings with it.
, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), described the company’s strategic challenges for the next five years: “We can no longer continue to do the same old things that gave us a reputation for fair value. We must reposition ourselves – floor to floor – offering exciting brand names, excellent sales help, and frequent sales. We need sales staff who know the merchandise and understand