The Australian parent of the Rebel Sport, Boating Camping and Fishing (BCF) and Macpac chains reported a first-half profit of A$144.2 million (€107.0m) against A$110.8 million for the six months ended Dec. 31. Super Retail Group, which also owns the Supercheap Auto chain, recorded a 32 percent increase in first-half operating profit to A$240.9 million (€178.7m). Total group sales in H1, including all retail formats, rose 14.8 percent to A$1,958.2 million (€1,452.8m) from A$1,705.1 million year-over-year as comparable store sales increased 11 percent. Some 12 percent of all revenues or A$236 million (€175.1m) were generated online.
Macpac had the highest H1 growth among all segments, rising 55 percent to A$101.4 million (€75.2m) from A$65.5 million as its pre-tax profit hit A$15.9 million (€11.8m) against a pre-tax loss of A$1.5 million in the year-ago period. Comparable store sales increased by 69 percent in Australia and 32 percent in New Zealand as weather conditions helped to drive sales growth in insulation products and wet weather apparel. Online sales represented 18 percent of H1 sales.
At Rebel Sport, the business achieved record H1 sales of A$681.9 million (€505.9m) versus A$605.6 million, a year-over-year increase of 13 percent and 23 percent growth in year-over-year pre-tax profit to A$84.1 million (€62.4m) from A$68.3 million. Performance sports in basketball and football were the strongest-performing categories, with the Qatar World Cup driving licensed football sales. During the period, the 155-door chain launched a redesigned website and opened its 13th customer experience (rCX) store.
Meanwhile, at BCF, H1 revenues rose by 17.0 percent to A$447.6 million (€332.1m) from $A418.5 million, but the segment’s Ebit declined by 13 percent to A$31.0 million (€23.0m) from A$35.6 million. Comparable store sales fell by 2 percent year-over-year despite solid results from camping and fishing, the two strongest categories. Sales of private and strategic brands grew to more than 49 percent of sales within the 150-door outdoor specialty chain. Club members represented 88 percent of H1 sales as Dometic, Shimano, Weber, Engel, and Yeti were cited as the strongest-performing brands. BCF opened its first superstore during H1.
