Sales across Country Road Group in the 19 weeks ending on November 9 were up 3.3 per cent on the prior year.
This follows challenging performance for the group over the last financial year to June 29, 2025, when Country Road Group sales fell by 5.4 per cent, and 6.8 per cent on a comparable store basis.
Sales have since swung to green, but the ultimate parent company Woolworths Holdings Limited in South Africa indicated that Mimco traded below last year. Country Road Group also managed Trenery, Politix, Witchery and its namesake brand.
“Although trading conditions in Australia and New Zealand appear to be gradually improving, the retail sector remains challenging and highly promotionally driven,” WHL shared in a trading update.
“With the exception of Mimco, all brands are trading ahead of last year, benefiting from the repositioning of the underperforming brands, and the successful restructuring of CRG's operating model.
“Net trading space and online sales contribution has remained broadly unchanged compared to the prior comparable period.”
Country Road Group's sales lift added to an overall growth for WHL, which manages Woolworths department stores across South Africa.
Group turnover and concession sales for the last 19 weeks grew by 6.2 per cent, and 6.8 per cent on a constant currency basis.
“The group performance for the 19-week period reflected continued resilience, with positive sales growth in all segments of our business, notwithstanding the constrained macro-economic environment across both South Africa and Australia,” WHL reported.