Harris Farm to open more shops in Sydney including Cronulla, Dural, Marrickville

A fresh produce chain is eyeing plans to open stores in more parts of Sydney in a move to take on the big supermarket retailers. Find out where.

Harris Farm is planning new stores at locations including Marrickville and Cronulla.

Supermarket chain Harris Farm is eyeing plans to open stores in more parts of Sydney in a move the company says is partly aimed at taking on the big supermarket retailers.

Dural, Marrickville, Cronulla and Surry Hills are among new locations earmarked for new outlets of the fresh food retailer.

The company, founded by the Sydney based Harris family in the 1970s, has 25 stores across NSW – with a bulk on the north shore and in the eastern suburbs.

Harris Farm head of performance marketing Alexander Chong said while the company was committed to launching in parts of Sydney, a key challenge was securing large enough retail space to accommodate a supermarket.

The issue of available retail land has recently come under increased focus as part of a government review into the supermarket sector with a report last month finding Woolworths and Coles had engaged in property purchasing practices that could be considered “land banking”.

A concept image of the new Marrickville development which will include a Harris Farm outlet.

“It’s very important for shoppers to have a choice and what customers are saying to us is they want choice rather than relying on just Coles and Woolies,” Mr Chong said.

“As a competitor, it all comes down to what size is available and in Sydney it’s very hard to find spaces that are available and large enough.”

Mr Chong said Marrickville and Dural supermarkets were expected to open this financial year along with an outlet at Surry Hills.

A concept image of the Cronulla fruit emporium which will sit below apartments.

The Cronulla outlet will form part of a proposed nine-storey development opposite the northern end of Cronulla Plaza.

The Marrickville outlet is set to operate on the ground level of the new Wicks Place apartment and commercial development at 186 Victoria Rd.

Mr Chong said the rollout of new stores was expected to support jobs as well as primary producers in NSW.

Gus Harris, of the Harris Farm family.

“We are not a multinational or Aldi – we work with local suppliers and push specials out when produce is in season,” he said.

“We were the first supermarket to introduce imperfect picks and we work with farmers to buy their whole crops, rather than cherry picking.

“That way, the farmers don't lose or are at a disadvantage.”

Harris Farm also operates in Queensland and also opened a store in Canberra this year.

Originally published as Harris Farm to open more shops in Sydney including Cronulla, Dural, Marrickville