By Ian Neubauer
BATEMAN’S BAY: A former Retravision store in Bateman’s Bay on NSW’s South Coast will reopen July 2 under the Harvey Norman banner.
“This is a Retravision store being taken over by Harvey Norman,” said franchisee Ralph Buchanan.
A former Telstra technician, Buchanan spent the last 15 years managing the same store as an unidentified Retravision member.
Buchanan said the rebranded store will focus on meeting local demand for information technology and communication appliances with wider product ranges and new categories.
“Our aim is to improve the store’s IT and communications business dramatically,” he said.
“Basically there are is no large and professional retailer of IT and communication products in the area and we want to fill that gap.”
Buchanan said he expects the Harvey Norman brand name will accelerate turnover and has forecasted rapid growth for the store. He credited the forecast to what he described as the group’s superior buying power, advertising weight and consumer perception.
Harvey Norman Bateman’s Bay will employ seven staff members who are currently undergoing in-store training provided by the head office as part of the franchise contract. Buchanan said the store would be taking on additional staff in the near future.