By Keri Algar
SYDNEY, NSW: Staff at the new Harvey Norman in Ipswich were run off their feet yesterday in a boxing day-like shopping frenzy after the store was opened by the Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale.
The new store has been earmarked by the local community as the urgent shot in the arm needed to stimulate the commercial centre, which locals say is stagnant.
"There's a lot of residential development going around in the area so it’s becomes necessary for the town and city centre to provide more services for people to access,” said Miriam Ter Borg, who works near Ipswich.
“It will keep people coming to Ipswich, because at the moment there are a lot of new supercenters going on around the outer suburbs, so in that respect it will keep the community alive, the Ipswich business centre alive and vibrant.”
Peter Savas, the store’s electrical appliance franchisee told Current.com.au that the opening day had gone “phenomenally well” and that there had been a lot of “ooohs and aaahs” from customers as they wandered about the 3066-square metre super centre.
Savas said they had not advertised sales prior to the opening but had offered some exceptional specials on the day including a 1-terabyte hard drive for $78 and toasters and kettles for $5.
As for other consumer electronics stores in the area that might feel the pinch, Savas said that they were probably a bit nervous and would step up their game, since Harvey Norman was always a “step up”.