Australian national accounts show that the consumer still has a preference for retail spending, even as government stimulus unwinds.  Household incomes rose 4% and spending was up 7% in the March 2022 quarter. Savings are still high at 11% of income, compared with a pre COVID level of 7%. We also thought it was interesting that the recovery in non-retail spending in the quarter was not at the expense of retail spending. Compared with the US and UK, we expect a longer-dated slowdown in retail spending that timestamps the risk for 2023, not 2022.

Endeavour’s strategy day investor presentations showed growth options in hotel redevelopments, store and hotel renewals, eCommerce and own label products. Pulling it together, we see the company as a 7%-9% EPS growth business. The investor day also provided a reminder that more capex will be needed to fund growth. Capex is likely to average over $400 million per annum over the next three years. We think the growth options are logical, but caution that FY23e will be low growth as the company laps elevated liquor sales.

We would not ordinarily preview a strategy day, but Wesfarmers event on 2 June 2022 will be more interesting than usual given the importance in understanding its digital strategy and its Health segment ambitions. We have outlined the key questions on our mind. While Wesfarmers has very strong existing retail businesses, the future direction and capex required make us cautious about the earnings outlook.

Woolworths has announced its intention to acquire 80% of MyDeal for $243 million and a substantial takeover premium of 63% compared with its prevailing share price. MyDeal is loss-making and we expect losses to continue over the next 12 months. The rationale for the deal is to build marketplace capabilities. While understandable, this only heightens our concern that Woolworths, Wesfarmers and Amazon will all battle it out over the next three years for the upper-hand online. We are not sure who will win, but we are confident that it will be costly for all involved.

Bunnings accounts for 63% of earnings at Wesfarmers. While a strong business with a leading market position, Bunnings faces challenges in continuing to take market share in our view. The two major areas of share gains are in online and trade. However, in order to succeed in trade and online, Bunnings may need to spend significant capex overhauling its supply chain. At this stage, we do not expect any major shift in supply chain strategy and as a result have modest sales growth and flat margins over the next three years for Bunnings.

Australian retail sales growth of 8.2% for March 2022 year on year may be as good as it gets. The three-year cumulative growth is as strong as the dizzy heights seen back in November 2021, which proves once again, when COVID-19 cases drop, consumers clearly want to spend. The reality is that higher inflation and interest rates will take the edge off retail spending. However, the moderation in growth is likely to be gradual over the next 18 months as retail sales also benefits from some inflation.

Inghams provided a further trading update about its second-half of FY22e. The results will be “seriously” impacted by Omicron, floods and input cost pressures. We forecast FY22e EBITDA of $135 million (pre AASB-16). 2H22e EBITDA is down 68%. While FY22e is tough, there should be a rebound in FY23e as earnings normalise. However, our EBITDA does not recover to pre COVID-19 levels because higher transport and feed costs could weigh on earnings for longer.

Woolworths 3Q22 sales results show the company is holding onto market share gains in supermarkets and managing COVID-19 costs more tightly. The pace of inflation is picking up across the board, but the drag on volume is small. We expect supermarket sales trends to be consistent in 4Q22e and Big W should return to growth as it laps an easier baseline with less COVID disruptions.

Super Retail Group’s trading update shows largely consistent sales trends over the past 10 weeks, with LFL sales up 3.4%. Supercheap Auto remains the standout segment. Gross margins are steady and the company is more optimistic about store openings. Super Retail’s PE ratio has derated on concerns about its inventory position. We think those concerns are misplaced given the challenges in securing inventory that will continue throughout 2022.

Coles had stronger 3Q22 sales growth largely driven by higher food inflation. While market views vary, it is clear that inflation is adding to revenue growth with more to come over the remainder of 2022. Even with better sales growth, Coles is losing share, driven by fewer store openings. The company may be rational in shutting stores, but the rest of the market is not following. Coles Liquor comparable sales growth was a highlight, comfortably outstripping Endeavour. However, the business has a long way to go to lift sales productivity to a level anywhere near Endeavour.