Forsyth Barr broker Suzanne Kinnaird said yesterday group sales were tracking broadly in line with her full-year expectations, with a modest upside risk.
The upside was outweighed by downside risks to margin assumptions.
"We are not expecting to make any material changes to our earnings forecast.
"We see nothing to change our view of underperform. Transformation takes time and is typically never smooth sailing," she said.
The Warehouse Group reported retail sales for the third quarter ending April 29 of $701.2 million, up $17.7 million, or 2.6%, compared with the previous corresponding period.
Group chief executive Nick Grayston said the result was encouraging after the 0.9% sales fall experienced in the first six months of trading.
"The sales growth achieved in our third quarter shows a positive turnaround from the first half-year, which was impacted by major changes to our pricing strategy and operations."
Noel Leeming had again delivered a strong quarter of sales growth.
Third-quarter sales were in line with expectations. Consequently, full-year profit guidance remained unchanged, subject to any material changes in anticipated trading conditions, he said.
Red Sheds reported sales for the third quarter fell slightly to $388.2 million. Same-store sales fell 2.4% in the quarter. Units sold increased 7.5% compared with the corresponding quarter last year, continuing a trend of increased transaction volumes.
The Warehouse apparel category continued to trade well and there was an increase in gross margins compared with the corresponding quarter last year. Grocery sales experienced a lift but was offset by sales falls in music/DVD and communications categories.
Warehouse Stationery sales fell 1.4% to $71.1 million. Same-store sales fell 2.1% in the quarter. Noel Leeming’s performance remained strong across most categories. The key growth came from communications, television and audio, Mr Grayston said.
Third-quarter sales rose 11.2% to $212.2 million, up $21.3millon. Same-store sales increased 6.8% in the quarter.
Torpedo7 bricks-and-mortar stores continued to perform well. Same-store growth reached nearly 21% in the quarter. The cycle category remained a key growth area.
Group online sales rose 6.6%, or $3 million, to $48.6 million in the third quarter.
During the period, the group centralised its marketing functions and consolidated its agency relationships.
"We expect these changes to contribute to stronger online growth in the future."
