With one store on Baylis Street, Wagga, and best known in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, Harris Scarfe retails bed linen, kitchenware, homewares, electrical appliances, and apparel across 66 stores.

The business employs more than 1800 staff, and has annual sales totalling $380 million.

The news comes after Deloitte Restructuring Services were appointed external administrators earlier today.

DRS partners Vaughan Strawbridge, Kathryn Evans and Tim Norman were appointed receivers and managers over Harris Scarfe and a number of associated entities.

Trading will continue as normal over the Christmas period and employees will continue to be paid by the receivers.

Mr Strawbridge said he was confident there was more than sufficient assets to meet all employees' entitlements.

"Harris Scarfe is a longstanding retail institution. We will be making every effort to secure a future for the business and intend to commence an immediate sale of business process," he said.

In a statement, DRS said the receivers "intend to achieve a sale of the business" and "preserve the employment of as many people as possible".

Wagga Business Chamber's relationship development manager Casey Wilson said the chamber was saddened to hear about the news.

"[It is] the loss of more jobs locally as another large chain closes its doors in the Riverina," Ms Wilson said.

"With many businesses doing it tough with the drought and difficult business conditions, we strongly encourage people to continue to shop local."

The receivers will honour gift cards and lay-by deposits in full.

Management at the Wagga store declined to comment after it was approached.

The Daily Advertiser asked Deloitte about the number of employees affected in Wagga; however, a spokesperson said they did not have the data available.