CAN HARRIS SCARFE SURVIVE ?

Can the Harris Scarfe business survive ? As these pictures from their Chermside store demonstrate, their latest catalogue (just out) is showing discounts across the board:  30% - 60% off all homewares and manchester, 20% - 40% (effectively 30% on the core ranges) off all womenswear, menswear, sleepwear and footwear - which account for large proportions of sales, stock and floor space.  They are effectively in 'sale' mode in early May (usually June for the department store sector).

As is evident, the store, trading off expensive mall space, is cluttered, and has poor in-store signage and branding. Customer service is non-existent.  The chain's competitors - Target, especially - all leave it standing.  One wonders if this chain will survive.....

NOT SO SPECIAL ?

30% off everything in store ?  The Specialty Fashion Group's biggest chains are Katies and Miller's Fashion Club.  It is evident that Katies is experiencing pain (refer previous post:  http://shoppologist.blogspot.com/2009/05/katies-hurting.html).  It appears that now Millers is having similar trouble. Apparel retailers - especially those in malls - simply cannot sustain storewide markdowns of 30% for an extended period.  The prognosis does not look that good for this large retailer. (Chermside, Brisbane)