Myer has pledged to reach within and invest in underperforming private brands as it meets a “challenging macroeconomic environment” in which profits have dropped more than a quarter.
The 124-year-old retailer’s 2023/24 results released on Sep. 20 show total profit after tax fell 26 percent to $52.6 million (US$35.8 million) from $71.1 million (US$48.4 million) the previous year.
More than half the total loss was blamed on the “underperformance” of Myer-owned sass & bide, Marcs and David Lawrence, brands it had planned to sell but now hopes to turn around.
While comparable sales growth on 2022/23 was up 0.4 percent, total sales were down 2.9 percent as a result of shuttering department stores in Victoria and Queensland.
Operating gross profit fell 2.5 percent, the cost of doing business increased 1.3 percent to $834 million (US$567.8 million) and net capital expenditure was $69.4 million (US$47.3 million).
Executive chair Olivia Wirth said the results reflected the challenging Australian environment.
“Despite the tougher trading conditions, work undertaken by the Myer team in recent years has helped stabilise the business and established a foundation for future growth,” the former Qantas Loyalty CEO said.
Wirth said Myer was focused on turning around results to improve performance and shareholder returns.
“We have commenced a comprehensive strategic review to increase Myer’s profitability and drive sustainable earnings growth,” she said.
“Our objective is to identify opportunities to deliver a step-change in Myer’s market position and generate strategic and financial benefits.”
Myer-exclusive labels sass & bide, Marcs and David Lawrence were to be sold but that has been shelved as Myer begins a prioritisation of in-house brands as part of its refreshed strategy.
In June, Myer revealed intentions to acquire clothing brands Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Jacqui E, and Dotti from Premier Investments’ Apparel Brands.
If the deal goes through, it would take full ownership of the labels in exchange for new shares in Myer provided to Premier shareholders.
The purchases would be a considerable boost to Myer’s earnings if accepted by Premier, as Apparel Brands is forecast to rake in $130 million (US$88.5 million) in profit in the next financial year.
“We are progressing our discussions with Premier Investments and are undertaking due diligence to assess the benefits for Myer shareholders of a potential combination with Apparel Brands,” Wirth said.
She said there were opportunities to cash in on the “potential cost and revenue synergies” across sourcing, supply, property, and brand management.
On Sep. 20 afternoon, shares in Myer had fallen four percent to 85 cents, but in the year to date, share value had increased 40 percent from 60 cents a share in January.
