Harvey Norman reported 15% EBITDA growth in 1H26. Sales growth was solid in both the key markets of Australia and New Zealand and profit margins expanded with better cost control. Harvey Norman’s sales trends are likely to slow in Australia and NZ over the next 12 months, but we expect it to be a mild slowdown. The improved inventory position for franchisees bodes well for margin expansion in 2H26e.

We have published our periodical chart pack of retailer performance vs market. See attached PDF.  This market share report provides two insights – 1) which retailers are winning and to what extent. 2) Insights about market structure.  If you would like any of the data in Excel at any point, just contact us.

We transfer coverage of Temple & Webster from Scott Hudson to Garth Francis. In this report, we cover the company’s potential market share penetration, our forecasts for customer acquisition cost and possible category expansion.  Temple & Webster trades at an elevated multiple, reflective of the substantial growth opportunity. Any slowing in sales growth which may come from a competitive threat from industry incumbents or established retailers entering the category, could negatively impact the share price.

Sigma Warehouse reported its 1Q26 sales at its AGM. Chemist Warehouse like-for-like sales were up 14.7% for the quarter, an acceleration on FY25 trends. The company highlighted elevated sales of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic as a big contributor. We estimate the contribution is anywhere from 3%-5% of the LFL growth. We expect LFL sales to settle back at 11% in 2Q26e and 9.0% in 2H26e.

Sigma reported FY25 network sales growth for Chemist Warehouse of 14% and EBIT at $903 million, up 47%. The company reported a continuation of double-digit like-for-like sales growth with a lift in profit margins for the underlying Chemist Warehouse business. We forecast EBIT growth of 22% in FY26e ahead of revenue growth of 15%. Margins will be helped by penetration of Wagner private label, operating leverage from strong comp sales and the increasing synergies over the next four years.

Harvey Norman reported FY25 PBT growth of 9% with much stronger growth of 19% in 2H25. Sales trends are strong at the start of FY26e, which bodes well for the year ahead. However, the company was lapping a weak result from a year ago. We forecast FY26e comp sales growth of 4.5% for Australia and 6.0% for New Zealand. With better sales, what profit margin upside can we expect? Given Harvey Norman’s margins are near long-term average and cost growth may rise in FY26e, we expect the operating leverage to be a little lower than usual. PBT margins may rise 70bp. We forecast group network sales growth of 6% and PBT growth of 18% in FY26e.

The Australian consumer sector is likely to report a wide divergence in fortunes this reporting season. Even though sales trends are improving, operating cost growth is elevated and gross margin gains are fading. The companies with the best earnings growth for FY25e are likely to be Breville, GyG, Harvey Norman, Lovisa, Sigma and Treasury Wines. For most of these, consensus expectations are already high and commentary on current trading and costs will influence share prices. At the other end, retailers with double-digit declines in earnings are Endeavour, Myer, Nick Scali and Woolworths.

We have published our periodical chart pack of retailer performance vs market. See attached PDF.  This market share report provides two insights – 1) which retailers are winning and to what extent. 2) Insights about market structure.  If you would like any of the data in Excel at any point, just contact us.

Last week, Dollarama, a Canadian retailer, surprised the market by making a takeover offer, at a 112% premium, for The Reject Shop. While the acquisition price looks ‘full’, it is a cheap entry to access good floor space in shopping centres. The lack of new space, increasing competition for quality sites, a lower Australian dollar and a relatively strong Australian consumer could all contribute to further foreign acquisitions of Australian retail. A changing landscape could impact the margins enjoyed by incumbents across most retail segments.

The Sigma-Chemist Warehouse merger formally completed on 12 February 2025. This report provides our pro-forma updated forecasts and model for the combined entity. We also explore three bull and bear arguments on the stock given its lofty valuation still makes it difficult for us to have anything but a Sell rating.