Ballina’s retail expansion has shifted up another gear, with the massive new Harvey Norman now trading and Harris Scarfe drawing big crowds after opening on Saturday.

And the Homemakers Centre’s next arrival is almost ready for delivery — Baby Bunting, with finishing touches being made to its large new premises alongside Harvey Norman.

There is more to come, with the former Harvey Norman building to be renovated to accommodate outdoor and adventure retailer Anaconda and Fantastic Furniture.

It means five major retail openings are transforming the Homemakers Centre in airport industrial estate, with Harris Scarfe and Harvey Norman now trading, Baby Bunting next and Anaconda and Fantastic Furniture to follow.

Loving the new store – Harvey Norman’s Nicole Barker and Leah Mostyn

The new Harvey Norman opened for trading on Monday, giving shoppers their first look inside the bigger and brighter store.

While the layout has a familiar feel, with electrical and computers to the left and furniture, bedding and furnishings to the right-hand side of the store, the scale and appearance have changed considerably.

The new displays, colour scheme, lighting and larger windows create a much different look and feel, while the extra floor space has allowed the individual Harvey Norman businesses to substantially increase their ranges.

Bedding franchisee Leah Mostyn said the expansion reflected how much Ballina and the surrounding region had grown since the former store opened in 2011.

“The store overall is roughly about 50 per cent bigger for all departments,” she said.

“So there’s a fair bit more stock for everyone. We’re able to carry more ranges, so there’s more opportunity for people to shop and more things to see.”

Ms Mostyn said the difference was particularly noticeable in bedding, where customers now had almost twice as many options across some ranges, along with more bed frames and a much larger Manchester section.

“Ballina is very fast growing, and so it was  definitely needed for the area,” she said.

“And it’s nice that we’re able to bring other stores to the complex as well.”

Ms Mostyn is one of four independent franchisees operating from the new Harvey Norman, alongside Ben Breen in furniture, Pat Platten in computers and Mark Douglas in electrical.

A formal grand opening is planned for around September 18-19, with opening sales already underway across the store.

Harris Scarfe pulls a crowd

Next door, Harris Scarfe was busy on Monday after finally opening its doors on Saturday, following a delay to its planned opening.

There were some long waits at the checkouts as shoppers stocked up and many first-time customers were signed up to the retailer’s loyalty program.

For shoppers already familiar with neighbouring Spotlight, there is something familiar about the Harris Scarfe layout – perhaps unsurprisingly given the retailers are part of the same group.

There is crossover in areas including bedding and Manchester, but Harris Scarfe also carries a substantial kitchenware and appliance range, fashion and homewares, including in-store brands such as Shaynna Blaze, with some products pitched at higher price points.

And there’s more coming

Ballina’s new Harris Scarfe

Ms Mostyn said having so many home and lifestyle retailers together gave shoppers more choice rather than simply creating more competition.

“There’s a few options here for people to choose from,” she said.

“People like to pick and choose where they go, and you can get different things from different places.”

With Harvey Norman and Harris Scarfe now open, Baby Bunting preparing to follow and Anaconda and Fantastic Furniture still to come, the Ballina Homemakers Centre is rapidly becoming one of the region’s biggest retail destinations.

Attention will now turn to Baby Bunting, with the specialist retailer selling prams, car seats, cots, nursery furniture and other baby essentials.

Its arrival is another sign Ballina is shedding its old “God’s waiting room” image, as population and housing growth bring more young families to town.

After that, another major redevelopment will begin in the former Harvey Norman premises.

Anaconda is expected to bring its extensive range of camping, fishing, boating and outdoor equipment to Ballina, while Fantastic Furniture will add another major furniture, bedding and homewares retailer.

The new Harvey Norman – 50 per cent bigger than before, but still feels slightly familiar