Accent Group has reported a fall in sales amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Like-for-like store sales have dropped below last year, with a significant decline in the first two weeks of March.
The footwear giant recorded a 1.2% decline for the first 11 weeks of the second half of fiscal 2020.
Accent Group has withdrawn its guidance for profit growth during the period, as a result of the sudden deterioration.
The company has also stated it does not expect profit growth for the year.
Accent Group operates a number of footwear brands such as The Athlete's Foot, CAT, Platypus, Hype and Vans.
CEO Daniel Agostinelli said that the business will look to capitalise on its digital business during the outbreak.
"We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and reviewing advice from the relevant government and health authorities daily.
"Foremost in our minds is the health and safety of our teams.
"Management is focused on trading the business, including leveraging the customer access we have through our large email database, 18 websites and flexible multichannel inventory fulfilment model.
"In this environment, we are also ensuring prudent management of costs including rents with landlords to ensure the business is well set up to accelerate when environmental conditions normalise," he said.
Accent has also reported its inventory levels are well positioned and while there are some delays to deliveries, its suppliers have advised that they are not expecting any material impacts.