
Harris Scarfe’s Dickson store was still open this week. Photos: Michelle Kroll, Region Media.
Harris Scarfe’s Dickson store will close its doors as part of a nationwide shutdown of 21 outlets in preparation for a sale of the pared-back retail business.
The ACT’s other stores in Belconnen, Fyshwick and Tuggeranong will continue trading.
Deloitte says the 21 stores will close over the next four weeks, affecting 88 full-time, 128 part-time and 224 casual employees, including 14 at Dickson.
The stores were selected for closure based on past and likely future profitability.
Deloitte says 1380 positions will remain at the 44 stores that will continue to trade.
On the South Coast, the Nowra store will close but the Merimbula, Moruya, Ulladulla and Shellharbour stores will remain open.
News of the closures comes a month after the business went into voluntary administration and Deloitte was appointed receivers, just before Christmas.

Fourteen staff who work at the Dickson store will be affected.
Receiver and Deloitte restructuring services partner Vaughn Strawbridge said the decision to close the stores was a difficult one.
“We have continued to trade the business since our appointment, and this has been well supported by local employees and customers, so this has been a difficult decision,” Mr Strawbridge said.
“All efforts are being made to redeploy affected staff around the rest of the store network, and all staff that leave the business will receive all wages and entitlements in full on the closure of individual stores.”
Two stores will close in Western Australia, six in Queensland, eight in NSW, three in Victoria, one in South Australia and the ACT.
“Going forward, we certainly remain focused on running the broader store network, and selling the business as the best outcome for remaining employees and suppliers,” Mr Strawbridge said.
Private equity firm Allegro Funds only purchased the business in November as part of former owner Greenlit brands’ divestment of its general merchandise division, including the Best & Less, Debenhams and Postie chains.
The union representing staff said its top priority was to ensure that all entitlements were honoured and paid out to all employees who will be out of a job next month.
“With retail figures at their worst levels of the past 30 years the Federal Government is asleep at the wheel,” SDA secretary Gerard Dwyer said. “It needs to stop pursuing policies that hurt our retail sector and start focusing on ones that help it or else more companies and their workers will suffer.”
Dimity Sheather wonder if they have sales now 😳
Adam Duncan stoppppppo
I can remember shopping there years ago when it was Allen’s
Rose Moore need anything?
Alley Moore you know I love Harris scarfe!
We are hoping our Ulladulla store won't close 😩Nothing else in the area for housewares, good quality linen & kitchenware but men's women's clothing has really down classed
Tom Howieson this weekend let's go
Ahh. The Divorce Shop... goodbye... I hope staff get fairly paid out.
Great that Moruya is staying open. It is so popular with locals and visitors alike
Karen Eager Ulladulla and Moruya staying open 😊.
Very sad for the locals and employees💙 I wonder what will move in? Aldi??
Spoke to a staff member of a different branch today, and he said the public knew before the staff did. He happened to answer the phone and had a lady enquire about the sales due to the stores closing. Just imagine what that feels like. Your job on the line and you are the last to know.
Alex Fulford - unfortunately this happens a lot as the company has to inform the shareholders first.
Luke Miller D’oh! Forgot about that,shame it’s not at the same time but that might not be possible