Harvey Norman launches new outdoor category to boost foot traffic

Harvey Norman retail foot traffic outdoor living products Australian retail consumer spending

Harvey Norman is implementing a strategic shift to combat a 10 to 20 per cent decline in foot traffic across its 195 Australian franchise locations. Executive chairman Gerry Harvey noted that the drop in shoppers is a trend affecting many discretionary retailers.

To lure customers back, the company is refurbishing stores and launching a consolidated outdoor living department. This new category will group barbecues, outdoor furniture, entertainment technology, and outdoor robots—such as pool and lawn mowers—into a single shopping area. A major promotion for these outdoor goods is set to begin on September 1.

Despite the decline in customer counts, the company reported a net profit before tax of $528.46 million for the 12 months ending June 30, a 2 per cent increase from the previous year. While like-for-like sales grew by 4.7 per cent in the first half of the 2025/26 period, they saw a slight decrease of 0.1 per cent in the second half, influenced by interest rate hikes and rising energy costs.

Entities

Gerry Harvey · Harvey Norman

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Like-for-like sales rose 4.7 per cent in the first half of 2025/26 but dropped 0.1 per cent in the second half. www.perthnow.com.au · theqldr.com.au
[○ 1 SOURCE] The company is launching a consolidated outdoor department including barbecues, furniture, outdoor entertainment, and outdoor robots. cybershack.com.au
[● 3 SOURCES] Foot traffic at Harvey Norman's 195 Australian franchise locations has decreased by 10 to 20 per cent. cybershack.com.au · www.perthnow.com.au · theqldr.com.au
[● 2 SOURCES] For the 12 months to June 30, the company reported a net profit before tax of $528.46 million. www.perthnow.com.au · theqldr.com.au
[○ 1 SOURCE] The company's overseas operations contributed $135.7 million to its bottom line. www.perthnow.com.au
[● 2 SOURCES] A major promotion on outdoor goods is scheduled to begin on September 1. www.perthnow.com.au · theqldr.com.au

Sources

Harvey Norman to launch its biggest ever new category this weekend [cybershack.com.au]

15 days ago

Retailer banks on outdoor living to lure people inside [www.perthnow.com.au]

15 days ago

Retailer banks on outdoor living to lure people inside [theqldr.com.au]

15 days ago