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SYDNEY - Harvey Norman Holdings has reconfirmed its half-year guidance after interim sales revenue rose by just over 12 per cent, boosted by a strong holiday shopping season.
Australia's biggest electronics retailer yesterday reported a 12.4 per cent lift in first half sales to A$3 billion ($3.46 billion) for the six months to December 31, compared with the prior corresponding period.
Like-for-like sales rose by 6.9 per cent compared with 7.1 per cent for the six months to December 31, 2006.
Although yesterday's first half sales result is lower than to the 16.7 per cent jump for Harvey Norman's first half in 2006, the electronics and whitegoods retailer said it was still a strong result.
Harvey Norman chairman Gerry Harvey said: "To be up 16.7 per cent is very good, to be up 12 per cent is still very good.
"It's the like-for-like store [sales that matter], as long as they are up above inflation you are alright, and when they are not then you got a problem," he said.
Sales for Harvey Norman's franchise stores, commercial divisions and other outlets in Australia, New Zealand, Slovenia and Ireland totalled A$1.65 billion for the December quarter, a rise of 13.1 per cent over the prior corresponding period.
- AAP
