National men's retailer Ed Harry confirmed that it will close their Baylis Street store on March 17, leaving their five staff potentially out of a job. 

KPMG were appointed voluntary administrators of the retailer in mid-January and Brendan Richards said there had been no viable offers for the ongoing operations of the company. 

However, this was not the case for competing men's retailer Gazman, located next door to Ed Harry, who said while they were "sad" to hear of the nearing closure, they're trading is going "very well". 

The Laboratory opened its doors in May and casual worker Lee Andreou said Wagga has welcomed them with "open arms". 

"It's been actually quite good, they've welcomed us very well," Ms Andreou said. 

"We've done well and been fine and we haven't advertised or anything but it's going really well. 

"Our stock is beautiful and the outside is different and a bit more on trend so that might separate us from other stores." 

It was a similar story at Bargain Buys, in which store manager Michelle Phillips said business has been "constant". 

"Especially with the Mardi Gras and then we've got Saint Patrick's Day and we've picked up gradually over the past could of years," Ms Phillips said. 

"I just think we have a specialty for everybody, like the costumers, we've got discount stock as well as the up-market stock, so we fit that niche. 

"There's only Big W and Spotlight that do balloons, but when people come in for the balloons, they usually get their party stuff and little gifts, so I think we hit that market." 

Ms Phillips said Wagga's extreme heat can see a decline in foot traffic, especially in the afternoon as most people tend to have their shopping done by midday. 

"I don't really have competition with people at the Reject Shop, we both send our customers to each store and it's a good comradery; I don't think we're really competing, but more helping each other out," she said. 

Ms Phillips said business closures around their store have not had an adverse effect. 

"Surprisingly no, again it just comes down to that niche," she said.

"We have a good name within the community and good customer feedback, which is really good." 

The Daily Advertiser contacted the Ed Harry store, however staff did not wish to comment. 

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