JB Hi-Fi's sales growth slows
JB Hi-Fi's sales growth has slowed but it still expects total sales to jump 21 per cent this financial year.
BRISBANE - [AAP] JB Hi-Fi's (ASX: JBH) sales growth has slowed but it still expects total sales to jump 21 per cent this financial year.
Comparable sales rose by 3.2 per cent between June 30 and October 22, much weaker growth than the 10 per cent lift recorded in the same time a year ago.
The consumer electronics retailer said the weaker performance was due to changes in the timing of product releases, and the exceptional sales growth achieved in the same period a year ago.
Comparable sales for whitegoods business The Good Guys, which JB Hi-Fi bought in November 2016, rose 2.4 per cent.
Chief executive Richard Murray told JB Hi-Fi's annual general meeting that the company still expects its sales to total around $6.8 billion in 2017/18, including $2.15 billion in sales from The Good Guys.
That would be an increase in total sales from $5.6 billion in 2016/17.
Analysts from investment bank Citi said they suspect the iPhone 8, the major recent product release, failed to drive sales growth as shoppers held off for the iPhone X, which is set to be released on November 3.
The analysts also said that JB Hi-Fi's share price was yet to price in the risk to sales and earnings from the market disruption Amazon is set to make with its planned rollout in mid-November.
"In the near term, we see the potential for elevated price competition, rather than Amazon capturing a large share of the electronics market," they said.
Mr Murray said he expects the market to remain competitive as retailers drive for market share in the lead up to Christmas, and said he was confident the company's two brands will maintain their market leading position.
JB Hi-Fi shares were up 1 cent at $23.54 at 1355 AEDT.

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