Harvey Norman is phasing out NZ brand Norman Ross and closing all stores

A closing down sale was advertised at the storefront of its Norman Ross Palmerston North store in New Zealand, as reported by Fairfax media.

However, a company spokesperson denied the store was closing: it “is being rebranded as a Harvey Norman store” and the company is phasing out the Norman Ross brand and its three stores.

“The Harvey Norman brand is our primary brand and we are looking at strengthening this by rebranding the Norman Ross stores to Harvey Norman stores,” the spokesperson said.

Harvey Norman operates Norman Ross stores also in Auckland and Christchurch, and these too are being shut and rebranded as their Aussie parent Harvey Norman, CN can confirm.

An employee at the Auckland store told CN: “there was no more growth in the Norman Ross” stores and the company wanted to progress as Harvey Norman.

Harvey Norman said New Zealand sales fell 1.3% in Q1 2013 July- September.

The Norman Ross store at Palmerston North will close on February 28 as will Christchurch.

All staff are to be retained and deployed into the rebranded Harvey Norman store.

The first Norman Ross store opened in Wellington in December 2007. The retailer is due to release its earnings figures soon.

Harvey Norman Shares fell -0.42% to $2.36 on the ASX today.