Page 9 - HW March 2021

hard news
disruption will require close watching, H2 core volumes in NZ and Australia should stay at similar levels to H1.
Residential demand should also remain “robust”, says Fletcher’s, although trading over January and early February trading has been slightly slower to get going than normal.
With Wesfarmers’ half-year announcement due the following day, it was going to be interesting to see how Bunnings fared over the same period.
www.fletcherbuilding.com
TOP AND BOTTOM LINE GAINS FOR BANZ
The day after Fletcher Building’s release, Wesfarmers revealed its own numbers for the first half (H1) of its FY2021, with overall group revenue +16.6% and EBIT +25.2% for the six months ending 31 December.
In terms of Bunnings ANZ (note
that Bunnings’ New Zealand-specific figures are not broken out on their own at this time), it’s been another strong six months:
• Revenue:AU$9billion(+24.4%onH1
FY2020)
• EBIT:AU$1.3billion(+33.9%) • Samestoresales:+27.7%
Wesfarmers’ Rob Scott says of these numbers: “The strength of the sales and earnings results reflects Bunnings’ solid execution of the strategic agenda and the ability of the operating model to successfully adapt to changing customer behaviour and operating environments.”
With sales at the Group’s retail businesses remaining strong through January and February (despite being affected by trading restrictions in Victoria, Western Australia, and New Zealand), the company is forecasting high ongoing demand for home improvement products and services.
However, it is also signalling that it expects sales and earnings growth to soften somewhat.
Although Australasian consumers’ inability to travel is “likely to continue to support higher demand”, Wesfarmers also expects retail growth to “moderate from March as the businesses begin to cycle the initial impacts of COVID-19 in the prior year, particularly in Bunnings and Officeworks.”
www.wesfarmers.com.au
On yer bike with Bahco
CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED a Bahco product between 1 October and 16 December 2020 could enter the “Ride with Bahco” promotion and have the chance to win an Indian FTR1200 motorcycle valued at over $20,000.
The lucky winner was Howard Edwards, who purchased his Bahco products at Mitre 10 MEGA Whangarei and is now a proud owner of an Indian FTR1200 S, having been upgraded to the next model up!
With the competition spanning various retail channels including all Mitre 10s and MEGAs, PlaceMakers, Carters,
TradeZone and selected independents and ITM stores, there were some 2,700 entries, which was a pleasing result.
What’s ahead for the Bahco brand in New Zealand for the coming year?
A comprehensive campaign aiming to increase brand awareness among professionals and serious DIYers, some exciting new products, motorsport sponsorships, more in-store campaigns to help drive sell-through and more from the Bahco “Follow the Fish” social campaign.
www.snaeurope.com www.bahco.co.nz
Thomsons ITM nabs Chiefs’ shorts
Thomsons ITM has secured a major sponsorship agreement with the Gallagher Chiefs until December 2023 and will feature on the Chiefs’ playing shorts for all 2021 Sky Super Rugby fixtures.
Gallagher Chiefs CEO, Michael Collins, is excited to have Thomsons ITM onboard: “It’s great to have a company that not only operates within our region but who also takes pride in being from Chiefs Country join our whānau.”
Thomsons ITM CEO, Richard Rozbicki, says the decision to join forces was more than just supporting the team
on the field: “The Chiefs’ considerable involvement in the community mirrors the values we hold here at Thomsons ITM; our community is super important to us, as locals, we believe in supporting locals.”
www.thomsonsitm.co.nz
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MARCH 2021 | NZHJ 7