GyG reported network sales up 18% and EBITDA 30% higher for 1H26. While comparable sales momentum has slowed, EBITDA margin improvement was strong, helped by modest overhead cost growth. GyG’s comparable sales growth is more likely to settle near 4%-5% going forward. Operating leverage in 1H26e is likely to soften in 2H26e as overhead cost growth follows store growth more closely.  We expect US losses of $11-$16 million to persist for at least the next three years, which may frustrate some investors.

GyG reported FY25 network sales growth of 23% and EBITDA at $65.1 million, up 46%. The company reported a step-down in comparable sales growth to 3.7% in the first seven weeks of 1Q26 vs 8.6% in 4Q25. The debate will be whether this lower growth persists and tempers expectations for margin expansion. While operating leverage may soften, the store rollout is skewed toward higher earning drive-thru sites and favourable moves in input costs will offset lower sales expectations in FY26e. The rebasing of comparable sales growth may be scrutinised, but even 4%-5% comp growth is still market leading.

City Chic’s trading update for 1H25e shows an improvement in sales compared with six months ago, but ongoing challenges in the US and operating losses. We expect better profit margins in 2H25e given cost savings and more full-priced sales. However, we are more cautious on the sales outlook. Fundamentally, City Chic has stabilised its business, but the prospect for decent profit margins is still some way off. 

The link provides a presentation associated with a webinar we held. The webinar addressed our updated outlook for retail sales and the drivers of a recovery in retail spending. In the presentation, we answer the question of whether consumers will spend or save their income growth, quantifying the impact of rate cuts and tax cuts, which retail categories we expect to outperform in FY25e, and a comparison of Australia with offshore markets.

City Chic reported an FY24 pre-AASB 16 EBITDA loss of $19 million, an $8 million smaller loss than in FY23. This was a beat to the guidance of -$22 million provided at the time of the capital raising in June 2024. City Chic’s trading update showed positive comparable sales up 9.9% and further, provided revenue guidance of $142 to $160 million for FY25e.

The link provides a presentation associated with a webinar we held. The webinar addressed the updated outlook for retail sales and key drivers that could trigger an improvement in spending. In the presentation, we provide an update on the outlook for retail sales, covering feedback on recent trading and expectations for FY25e. We will address which categories have the best potential for volume recovery and how they are navigating price disinflation. We will also address the risk from interest rates on retail. The presentation also includes insights about retailer profitability, inventory levels, and expectations for retail trading at the FY24e results in August.

We initiate coverage on Breville group, a global kitchen appliance developer that has achieved very strong sales growth in recent years, particularly in the coffee category. After a soft FY24e, we expect solid sales growth to resume in FY25e and beyond with household penetration, new markets and new products all supporting sales growth of 6%-9%. While gross margins should also expand, the company will need to invest in advertising and product development to sustain momentum.

Super Retail Group provided a trading update highlighting that sales held up relatively well in 1H24 and gross margins were up slightly. Like many retailers, gross margins are proving to be a cushion to the weakness in sales and elevated cost growth. We lift our EPS forecasts by 7% in FY24e and 3% in FY25e. While a positive update, we expect sales trends to be soft from here and cost growth will outstrip sales growth for two consecutive years.

We expect Bapcor is likely to experience further weakness in sales as the company cycles through elevated demand during COVID-19. The easing of price inflation and the recovery in new car sales are headwinds. We expect declining LFL sales for both its Trade and Retail divisions at Bapcor. Moreover, Bapcor has higher operating leverage given its fixed cost base. The cost saving program is weighted to 2H24e and will help to mitigate the earnings impact.

City Chic’s trading update showed that sales trends remain weak, but the company is rapidly clearing excess inventory. The sales declines are likely to ease by the end of calendar 2023. Gross margins could recover by 20 percentage points in 2H24e. City Chic’s past mistake of excess inventory is being corrected.