Super Retail Group’s sporting subsidiary Rebel has reported a 4.4 per cent lift in total sales for the first 44 weeks of FY25.
This is exactly similar to the first half of this financial year, when Rebel’s sales were also up 4.4 per cent compared to the first half of FY24.
According to Super Retail Group, this continued growth for Rebel comes despite a $5 million net sales headwind associated with the impact of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
“Footwear continues to perform well, alongside positive contributions from Health & Wellbeing (equipment) categories,” Super Retail reported. “Apparel performed well in Q3, though milder conditions as we approach winter have resulted in a slower seasonal transition during April.”
The steady sales add to continued total sales growth across Super Retail, up 4.2 per cent in the first 44 weeks of FY25, with sales slightly stronger within weeks 27 to 44.
Total group sales were mostly driven by BCF, the brand’s boating, camping and fishing retailer, with sales there up 8.3 per cent in the first 44 weeks of Fy25, and up 10.7 per cent in weeks 27 to 44.
The group’s outdoor gear brand Macpac continues to be negatively impacted by its larger exposure to New Zealand, Super Retail reported, with sales for the brand up 1.5 per cent in the first 44 weeks.
“The business has been focused on managing inventory and ranging as it prepares for its peak winter trade season in the fourth quarter.”
Macpac’s like-for-like sales in weeks 27 to 44 was down by 0.1 per cent, similar to Super Retail’s Supercheap Auto subsidiary which also reported a 0.1 per cent fall in like-for-like sales in the same timeframe.
Macpac’s like-for-like sales slip comes alongside a 1.3 per cent lift in sales for weeks 27 to 44.
“Despite a strong Easter trading period, retail conditions have otherwise remained subdued, particularly in New Zealand,” Super Retail reported. “Group gross margins in H2 FY25 to date are tracking below the prior comparable period, broadly consistent with the year-on-year decline in H1 FY25.”
In the first half of FY25, Super Retail Group’s gross margin decreased by 70 basis points to 45.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, Super Retail provided a group and unallocated cost outlook, which includes initiating its plan to replace the group’s end-of-life payroll system and build an associated Human Resources Information Management system (HRIM). The project will be implemented over the next 12 months.
“As previously advised, the Group expects to incur duplicated operating expenses and project costs associated with the transition from existing distribution centre facilities to the group’s new Victorian distribution centre (DC),” Super Retail added.
“Total group and unallocated costs in FY25 (including the previously guided $10 million for the Victorian distribution centre duplication costs) is expected to be $42 million, compared to $36 million in FY24.
“Together, the duplicated operating expenses associated with the Victorian DC, and the new payroll and HRIM system will total $29 million in FY26.”