Discount store Harris Scarfe enters voluntary administration

ANOTHER Mildura retail outlet faces an unclear future after discount department store chain Harris Scarfe entered receivership on Wednesday.

The Harris Scarfe Home store located in the Mildura Homemaker Centre, at Fifteenth Street, is one of company’s 66 outlets across Australia.

Receiver Vaughan Strawbridge, of Deloitte, said trading would continue as normal through the Christmas period and employees would continue to be paid.

In a statement circulated to media, Mr Strawbridge said a buyer would be sought for the business.

“Harris Scarfe is a longstanding retail institution,” he said.

“We will be making every effort to secure a future for the business and intend to commence an immediate sale of business process.”

Harris Scarfe, founded in Adelaide in 1849, was said to employ more than 1800 staff and have annual sales of about $380 million.

The appointment of administrators at Harris Scarfe came three weeks after discount retailer Dimmeys confirmed its stores, including Mildura’s Eighth Street outlet, would be closed.