Harveys of Halifax: The department store that mixes tradition with modernity for shoppers across Yorkshire

For more than 100 years Harveys has been welcoming customers through the doors of its shops, and has had a presence in Rawson Street since the 1950s.

It’s gone through world wars, recessions, lockdowns and endless changes to shopping habits and fashions, adapting with the challenges and times to ensure this beacon in the town centre not only survives but thrives.

Today the independent, family-owned, is run by Tracy Harvey – the fourth generation to take the helm, following the retirement of her parents Roger and Sue.

Under her keen eye it has continued to uphold its traditional values whilst moving with the times to ensure it remains modern and relevant for today’s discerning shopper – offering a fun and friendly shopping experience which is second to none.

Harveys has been a byword for offering customers quality products, excellent choice and impeccable service from knowledgable staff – just as the family set out to do when it opened its first outlet a century ago.

Now it offers all that and more including fashion ranges exclusive to West Yorkshire, online shopping, expanded and ever-changing ranges and brands in fashions, beauty and cosmetics, lingerie, shoes, luggage and bags, hosiery, household goods, gifts and accessories, giving every generation something to interest them.

We caught up with Tracey to ask her why she thinks Harveys has this enduring appeal, and what the future holds:

She added: “But there is no getting away from the fact that it is a very harsh retail environment out there and getting increasingly tough, year on year. We can all be guilty of putting convenience first – and we all have very busy lives – but thankfully, we’re setting a resurgence of customers making deliberately conscious choices about where they spend their money. Spending in a local independent business ensures your money stays in the area and helps to support local jobs.

“Being a proud fourth generation Harvey, it is my role to navigate these challenges and I’m constantly looking at ways to improve and introduce the store to a wider audience. Over the last year, we’ve developed our brand base further and introduced world-class brands such as Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and Dermologica to name a few, and we’re delighted to be launching Barbour International from the autumn.”

Harveys unique offering

Every £1 spent at Harveys – whether that’s at the iconic department store on the corner of Rawson Street and Commercial Street or the household goods outlet in the Piece Hall – stays in the town, supporting the 100+ staff and their families who work here. As a flagship iconic store it also brings subsidiary benefits to many other businesses by drawing customers into town.

For the socially conscious shopper it’s just one reason to shop locally – but it’s one of many benefits to shopping at Harveys.

Customer service is paramount. You’ll find knowledgeable staff able to help you and give you 1-2-1 attention if required. There’s a no-pressure personalised shopping service – a bookable experience ideal for finding just the thing for any occasion, where you’ll be invited to try on a range of carefully selected outfits to find out what works for you. There’s the wide range of styles, sizes and price points, the comfortable changing rooms so that you can always try things for size, look and feel – unlike some buying options around – and the number of different brands to choose from.

Expert bra fitters can measure you up and help you choose the perfect lingerie for your shape, size and style and with clothing suitable for young teens – such as Nobody’s Child which is exclusively stocked in West Yorkshire at Harveys of Halifax – to great grandmas and grandpas, there are styles and designers to suit all ages.

Bring the social back to shopping!

You can make shopping the pleasurable social occasion it should be, when you visit Harveys. There is on street parking all around and all floors are accessible by lift.

With so much choice three generations of men and women, could all find something to love – and with skin care, make up and perfume, bags and accessories, hosiery and footwear all under one roof, you can often find complimentary items at same time to complete your look.

Browsing, trying on and enjoying spending time on yourself should be part of the shopping experience – and Harveys excels at helping all its customers do this. Why not mix a shopping day with a makeover or skincare session in the beauty department? Combine fashion shopping with gift shopping or picking up essentials or luxuries for your home, or look out for special events where you might get to shop with a glass of fizz in hand! And with an onsite restaurant you can take a break anytime for a cuppa and cake or something more anytime you like.

Tracy added: “I think Halifax has got everything and our independent businesses are just the best! We genuinely can’t wait to welcome you to Harveys, we really care about our customers and their experience. Shopping can be very impersonal these days and ‘clicking a button’ has its place but I personally would not like to live a world where that is our only option. Bricks and mortar shops, particularly independent shops, are the beating heart of our high street and, unless we use them, we’re in danger of losing them. As a society, we can’t let that happen.”

Find out more

To find out more about Harveys, browse stock or order online visit the website here.