By Craig Zammit

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Harvey Norman has announced the pending opening of a new 4,000 square metre store to be located at Mount Barker in South Australia, with store franchisee, Peter Collins, hoping his fifth Harvey Norman franchise will be the most successful yet.

“I’ve been with Harvey Norman for 10 years, this is my fifth franchise with them and I’ve got no doubts about it – the store will do well,” he told Current.com.au.

The new store, due to open on 16 July 2007, will feature electrical, computers, furniture and bedding departments, with Collins claiming the region, which is one of the fastest growing in the country, is ready for a new alternative to its existing retailers.

“The people in that region have been waiting for a second shopping option like this for a substantial number of years. They’ve been waiting for another credible option like Harvey Norman to come into the region.

“It will save a lot of them having to travel a vast distance into the city to do their comparative shopping,” he said.

Collins believes that the store has a solid foundation on which to succeed, with a broad customer base likely to make for successful operations.

“The store will have a great customer base, with other townships within the vicinity of 50 or 60 kilometres likely to use Mount Barker as a hub for their shopping.

“Its exciting times and an exciting region with a good economy as well, so I believe the prospects are very encouraging,” he said.

According to Collins, the new store will employee between 50 to 60 staff and has already received a positive response from the locals.

“There’s a high expectation from people,” said Collins.

“The comments we’ve received shows that people in the area are very excited about Harvey Norman coming to the region.”

The new store will be located in the Adelaide Hills Homemaker Centre at 6 Dutton Road, Mount Barker, SA.