Australia is an open economy and over the past twenty years, its retailers have increasingly imported consumer goods. In Issue 4 of The Retail Mosaic, we explore the extent of imports by retail category, the significance of China in supplying goods and exposure various companies have to direct imports from China. China provides the most efficient source of production and for many companies represents more than 70% of their offshore sourcing. The risk is that any increase in costs, supply disruptions or trade tensions could impact sales and margins. The companies sourcing most of their goods from China are Wesfarmers, City Chic, Woolworths, Premier Investments and Super Retail Group.

The National Accounts for the June 2022 quarter paints a strong picture of the  Australian consumer. Despite fears about higher interest rates, the prevailing climate is one where incomes are growing faster and savings are being drawn down gradually. We expect the strength of income and savings to outweigh the headwinds for at least another six months. It is fair to caution that once the slowdown arrives around mid-2023, it could be a protracted downturn.

Australian retail sales rose 15.8% year on year in July 2022. The three-year compound annual growth rate for July was 8.3%, broadly similar to June 2022 at 7.8%. The year on year growth will be very noisy over July-October given lockdowns from last year. We focus on growth vs 2019 and on that score, recreational goods, apparel, footwear and jewellery had the strongest growth in July 2022. In our view, retail sales will remain firm with the first signs of weakness possible in November 2022. Retail sales are likely to be softer in 2023 given lower household income growth.

Australian supermarket industry sales only rose 3% in July 2022. The slowdown is not a reflection of customers retaliating to higher prices, its merely the normalisation from lockdowns last year. In this report, we analyse the likely normalisation path in sales. Coles is likely to grow faster than Woolworths in the September quarter. However, the real winner is Metcash which is holding onto the vast majority of its customer gains. Since 2018, the fundamental shift from the majors to reduce promotions and open fewer stores has provided a better operating environment for Metcash.

Harvey Norman reported a 7% drop in FY22 EBITDA. However, 2H22 EBITDA rose 4% given better sales trends across most divisions. The stronger sales trends are likely to help 1H23e earnings as well. However, the sales environment is likely to be more difficult across calendar 2023 and we forecast earnings to fall. We are also more cautious given Harvey Norman may continue to hold elevated inventory levels.

Costa reported 1H22 EBITDA of $141 million in line with guidance given in July. While there was earnings growth, profit margins did fall and we expect lower margins in 2H22e. Pricing in mushrooms and berries has been strong, but the lower quality citrus harvest for 2022 will lower prices realised this year. We forecast EBITDA of $241 million for FY22e. The company has said that the outcome for citrus is unknown and we see an EBITDA range anywhere between $220 and $245 million as plausible.

Wesfarmers reported FY22 EBIT down 4%. However, as COVID-19 impacts eased, 2H22 EBIT rose by 10%. The strongest growth came from WesCEF and Kmart. Bunnings had a much stronger top line result in 2H, but its margins fell at an accelerating rate. We expect Bunnings margin pressure to persist over the next two years. Kmart’s margins should rebound in FY23e and WesCEF should have another strong year given higher prices. We expect the share price to come under pressure as Bunnings sales slow in calendar 2023.

Woolworths reported FY22 EBIT down 1%. However, 2H22 was encouraging with EBIT up 8%. Australian Food had higher gross margins and improved cost management. Food inflation remains a tailwind for sales and earnings. We expect a tough 1Q23 in sales for Australian Food but then a recovery, and profit margins should rise substantially this year given lower COVID-19 costs and gross margin gains. There are partial offsets from weaker EBIT in NZ which is largely COVID-19 related and much higher overheads.

City Chic reported FY22 EBITDA of $47 million (pre AASB-16), up 11%. The result was characterised by very strong revenue growth, but margin dilution from lower margin acquisitions and higher fulfillment costs.  We expect sales growth to slow in FY23e to 6% as online demand normalises globally. We see further downside in gross margins given higher fulfillment costs seen in 2H22. We forecast FY23e sales of $392 million and EBITDA of $50 million. We have lifted our EBITDA forecast slightly from $49 million previously.

Domino’s reported FY22 EBIT of $263 million, down 10%. The result showed a slowdown in network sales growth and reduction in profit margins given continued cost growth. The company has said trading improved early in FY23e and it will look to raise prices in Europe to deal with higher costs. We expect sales to remain subdued in 1H23e and are cautious about European margins given consumers may have less disposable income. The upgrade to FY24e reflects the acquisition of additional Asian territories and low-cost debt funding.