Super Retail Group, the Australian company that owns the Rebel Sport, Boating Camping Fishing (BCF) and Macpac retail chains, generated sales in the fiscal year ended June 26 of 3,453 million Australian dollars (€2,119m-$2,487m), a 22 percent increase on the year-earlier figure and 23 percent higher on a comparable store basis, as it pointed to unprecedented consumer demand in its lifestyle and leisure categories. Online sales rose by 43 percent to A$415.6 million (€255.1m-$299.3m) and represented 12 percent of total sales.
In the 52 weeks ended June 26, the company – which also owns the Supercheap Auto (SCA) business – posted an attributable net profit of A$301.0 million (€184.8m-$216.8m), up by 173 percent on the year. Operating profit (Ebit) increased by 80 percent to A$476.8 million (€292.7m-$343.5m).
Sales growth for the year was led by BCF, which saw its top line increase by 49.1 percent to A$797.7 million (€489.7m-$574.7m). Online sales rose at a 90 percent clip to A$86 million (€52.8m-$62.0m) to represent 11 percent of total sales. The boating, camping and fishing categories all grew strongly and reflected high levels of domestic tourism and leisure activities. Caravan, 4WD, camp shelter & bedding, barbeque, trailer, water sports, footwear and apparel were among the fastest-growing sub-categories.
For the year, Rebel’s sales increased by 15.3 percent to A$1,197 million (€735.0m-$862.5m), while online sales grew by 36 percent to A$193 million (€118.5m-$139.1m), accounting for 16 percent of sales. Comparable sales growth was seen in all categories, led by performance sports. Football, basketball, licensed apparel and kids’ apparel were the fastest-growing sub-categories. Fitness equipment and accessories also performed well, benefiting from a boost to home fitness from Covid-19 lockdowns.
Macpac saw sales increase by 16.3 percent to A$153.4 million (€94.2m-$110.5m). Online sales grew by 38 percent to A$30 million (€18.4m-$21.6m), representing 21 percent of sales. The fastest-growing categories were tents, sleeping bags and camping accessories.
Although global supply chain conditions continue to be challenging, the company said consumer demand in the auto, sports, leisure and outdoor categories remains buoyant at the start of the new fiscal year. Yet the trading outlook remains uncertain, given the risk of intermittent lockdowns and travel restrictions tied to Covid-19, and new lockdowns in Australia in July and August are already impairing its performance. In the first seven weeks of the new fiscal year, the group’s comparable sales were down by 14 percent on the year earlier, despite a 62 percent jump in online sales. That reflected comparable sales declines of 21 percent at BCF, 16 percent at Rebel and 2 percent at Macpac, although the three retail banners remain up by 34 percent, 8 percent and 13 percent, respectively, on the same period of fiscal year 2020.
