Nick Scali’s AGM trading update revealed improving written sales order trends but highlighted the disconnect to recorded sales with 1H25e revenue for ANZ guided down 3%. Sea freight rate exposure has dented gross margins in the near term pushing 1H25e ANZ EBIT margins down to FY19 levels. The UK is set to reach profitability in 2H26e and saw gross margin improvement as new product is introduced to stores.

Like most countries, Australian retail price inflation is elevated, but looks to be peaking. In Issue 6 of Price Watch, we uncover the key lead indicators of retail price inflation. We find that price changes are well correlated globally in electronics and food. Sea freight rates are a good predictor of retail prices alongside some input price indices. The spot observations on all of these indicators suggest Australian retail price inflation is likely to fall meaningfully over the next 12 months and contribute to a slowdown in retail sales growth. We may even see deflation in categories like electronics and apparel.