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- Despite pandemic hindrances to its brick-and-mortar stores, strong online sales growth and lower costs fuelled a net profit in Myer’s (MYR) half-yearly report
- Overall, Myer’s net profits grew 8.4 per cent to clock in at $42.9 million, accelerated by a 71 per cent upswing in group online sales which clocked in at $287.6 million
- Strong performance in this sector partially offset the reduced foot traffic and store closures stemming from the pandemic
- Beauty and homewares sales rocketed 129 per cent and 116 per cent respectively year on year, while apparel margins and sales growth slowed
- Investors were offered no hint of a dividend in the report
- Myer is off 9.85 per cent following the announcement, trading at 29.8 cents per share
Despite pandemic hindrances to its brick and mortar stores, strong online sales growth and lower costs fuelled a net profit in Myer’s (MYR) half-yearly report.
Impeded by reduced foot traffic at its CBD outlets and intermittent lockdown induced store closures, Myer’s total sales fell 13.1 per cent over to $1.4 million for the period ended January 23.
Group online sales proved to be a crucial performer however, with the ASX-lister affirming the accelerated focus on its online offerings managed to partially offset the impact of store closures.
Online sales totalled $287.6 million for the period, representing a 71 per cent upswing over 1H21. In its commentary of the statistic, Myer affirmed the increase positions it one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing online retailers.
Myer’s Cost of Doing Business (CODB) was granted relief of some 20.9 per cent down to $86 million, attributable in part to JobKeeper wage subsidies and rent waivers.
Overall, Myer returned an 8.4 per cent increase in net profit after tax, totalling $42.9 million, with operating gross profits down 14.3 per cent to $539.8 million.
The company owed the fall in gross profits to changing sales mix from reduced levels of new apparel merchandise in early 1H21 and the need to rapidly clear stock from the metropolitan Melbourne stores after the lockdown.
Pleasingly, overall inventory finished the period down 22 per cent to $265.8 million, with record low levels of clearance inventory following improved stock turn.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) declined by 1.7 per cent to $214.6 million.
The company revealed lower margins in apparel sales and slower growth in these areas, while beauty and homewares sales rocketed 129 per cent and 116 per cent year on year, respectively.
Myer’s Chief Executive Officer John King said the online growth had been a highlight of the period, but offered shareholders no hint of a dividend in today’s report.
Myer is off 9.85 per cent following the announcement, trading at 29.8 cents per share at 1:07 pm AEDT.
