Country Road Group Returns to FY26 Profit as H2 Sales Slip 0.5% on Full-Price Push
Updated
Updated · ragtrader.com.au · Jul 30
Country Road Group Returns to FY26 Profit as H2 Sales Slip 0.5% on Full-Price Push
1 articles · Updated · ragtrader.com.au · Jul 30
Summary
FY26 brought Country Road Group back to full-year profitability, reversing a FY25 loss of R1.43 billion, even as second-half sales edged down 0.5%.
Woolworths Holdings said the retailer lifted gross margin by selling more at full price and discounting less, while an operating-model reset also cut costs.
The recovery fell short of earlier hopes because the Middle East war hit consumer sentiment, footfall and spending, while higher freight, fuel and interest rates raised pressure on shoppers and costs.
Full-year sales still rose 1%, or 1.6% on a comparable-store basis, with Country Road slightly ahead of last year and Witchery and Politix posting stronger gains after brand repositioning.
Parent WHL said its wider group turnover grew 4.3% for the year, though second-half growth slowed to 3.3% in a challenging final quarter.