A straight-talking retailer

NOTWITHSTANDING Singapore retailers' perennial gripes about high rents, manpower shortages and the onslaught of online shopping, Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page-Harvey remains unfazed - even with the retail scene as challenging as it is, the group's Millenia Walk flagship store is currently one of its top stores worldwide by sales.

Said the 59-year-old during a recent visit to Singapore: "We're fortunate that our stores are going well in Singapore. We have heard that other retailers here aren't doing so well. But, really, that shows that if you give customers the experience they want, then the money is there; they're going to shop with you."

According to the retailer's 2015 annual report, the Australian Securities Exchange-listed group posted a 26.6 per cent rise in net profit after tax and non-controlling interests to A$268.1 million (S$275.8 million). All operating segments contributed to the strong results. The group operates in eight countries and has 280 company-owned and franchised stores, with 13 of them here.