Feedback on footwear category sales indicates soft trading conditions continue, making it one of the weakest retail categories. Analysis of Accent Group’s promotional discounting shows consistently deeper discounts since its AGM. We lower our sales expectations but lift our gross margin forecasts because the discounting has not deteriorated.

Accent Group’s AGM trading update reported like-for-like sales turning negative for the first 20 weeks, a slowing on the +0.8% for the first seven weeks of FY26e. EBIT guidance was provided which was below Visible Alpha consensus for both 1H26e and FY26e. The elevated promotional environment and resulting gross margin impact as well as slower than expected like-for-like sales growth were identified as contributing factors to the earnings impact.

Accent Group reported FY25 EBIT of $110 million, in line with guidance and flat on the pcp. The trading update indicated LFL sales turned slightly positive on the 2H25 drop of 1.5%. The first Sports Direct store is due to open in November 2025. Guidance provided is for EBIT growth of high single digits, close to $120 million. We forecast $115 million EBIT for FY26e, growth of 4.5% with a view that competition will crimp gross margins.

Accent Group’s trading update showed deteriorating sales trends, with comparable sales turning negative since March 2025. As a result, 2H25e EBIT will be down 23%. We expect sales growth to be below cost growth again in FY26e resulting in EBIT of $102 million, down 7%. The concern is Skechers is mature and Platypus may decline. With issues in portions of the core business, execution risk is elevated. Positive comp sales are essential in a high cost growth environment and will need to recover to offset the growth in wages and rents.