Latest news with #SuperRetail
West Australian
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Rebel, Supercheap Auto owner Super Retail Group warns of profit margin squeeze, cost blowout
Super Retail Group has warned shareholders of a profit margin squeeze and soaring costs, blaming subdued trading conditions, heavy discounting and an expensive overhaul of an ageing payroll system. The ASX-listed SRG is behind big box outlets Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF and Macpac. In an aftermarket announcement on Wednesday, the company disclosed group gross margins for the second half to date were tracking below the prior comparable period. This was 'broadly consistent' with the year-on-year decline recorded in the first half of the 2025 financial year, it said. The trading update sent shares 0.2 per cent lower to $13.37 just before 10am on Thursday. While group like-for-like sales growth is up 3.1 per cent since January, Super Retail warned retail trading conditions remained subdued, particularly for its New Zealand stores. Supercheap Auto sales fell 0.1 per cent for the second half to date amid heavy discounting in the auto category. Supercheap Auto is facing greater competition in the category with Wesfarmers-owned Bunnings' bigger push into the automotive sector. 'The team has focused on moving away from lower yielding promotional activity whilst maintaining competitiveness and managing costs in what remains a lower growth environment near term,' Super Retail said on Wednesday. Sales at Rebel — set to face competition with the entry of British sporting goods giant Sports Direct in Australia — rose 3.5 per cent as it experienced an acceleration in growth. This was despite a $5 million hit from disruptions caused by cyclone Alfred on the east coast. BCF was the star performer for Super Retail with a 9.1 per cent lift in sales. The retailer is also replacing its ageing payroll system and building a new HR management platform, while transitioning to a new distribution in Victoria. These initiatives were expected to push the retailer's unallocated costs to $42m this year, compared with $36m in 2024. SRG has been embroiled in allegations of an illicit affair between boss Anthony Heraghty and the company's former chief human resources officer Jane Kelly.
Sydney Morning Herald
30-04-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rebel Sport boss threatens lawyer: ‘Whistleblowers never fare well'
Documents filed with the Federal Court have detailed explosive allegations of an affair between Super Retail boss Anthony Heraghty and its then HR chief Jane Kelly, which triggered a multimillion-dollar legal battle and corporate turmoil implicating the group's board. In the statement of claim filed this week by Amelia Berczelly – one of two former lawyers for the retailer who allege their careers were derailed by the fallout from the affair - it is alleged that Heraghty threatened her and her colleague, Rebecca Farrell, during a mediation session in April last year. 'Heraghty had threatened the applicant and Farrell at the mediation through their solicitors, including by stating words to the effect: 'whistleblowers never fare well',' the document stated. Farrell, the former chief legal officer, is the other applicant taking legal action against the $3 billion retailer, its former chair Sally Pitkin, and Heraghty. Both Berczelly and Farrell are pursuing a settlement against Super Retail in the Federal Court, claiming that the alleged affair, conducted while both Heraghty and Kelly worked for the company, led to workplace bullying and breaches of the Corporations Act. Farrell's updated statement of claim alleges that Heraghty and Kelly were seen late at night at the latter's five-star Brisbane hotel, The Calile, in June 2023 by Berczelly and another company employee. 'Heraghty and Kelly had acted in a manner that was very suspicious and suggestive that they were engaged in an intimate or personal relationship that had not been disclosed to the board,' the document said. The document also alleges that Heraghty's executive assistant (EA) told a whistleblower at the group that Heraghty's wife had accessed his mobile in March 2023 and discovered an affair had been ongoing with Kelly for around three years.
The Age
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Age
Rebel Sport boss threatens lawyer: ‘Whistleblowers never fare well'
Documents filed with the Federal Court have detailed explosive allegations of an affair between Super Retail boss Anthony Heraghty and its then HR chief Jane Kelly, which triggered a multimillion-dollar legal battle and corporate turmoil implicating the group's board. In the statement of claim filed this week by Amelia Berczelly – one of two former lawyers for the retailer who allege their careers were derailed by the fallout from the affair - it is alleged that Heraghty threatened her and her colleague, Rebecca Farrell, during a mediation session in April last year. 'Heraghty had threatened the applicant and Farrell at the mediation through their solicitors, including by stating words to the effect: 'whistleblowers never fare well',' the document stated. Farrell, the former chief legal officer, is the other applicant taking legal action against the $3 billion retailer, its former chair Sally Pitkin, and Heraghty. Both Berczelly and Farrell are pursuing a settlement against Super Retail in the Federal Court, claiming that the alleged affair, conducted while both Heraghty and Kelly worked for the company, led to workplace bullying and breaches of the Corporations Act. Farrell's updated statement of claim alleges that Heraghty and Kelly were seen late at night at the latter's five-star Brisbane hotel, The Calile, in June 2023 by Berczelly and another company employee. 'Heraghty and Kelly had acted in a manner that was very suspicious and suggestive that they were engaged in an intimate or personal relationship that had not been disclosed to the board,' the document said. The document also alleges that Heraghty's executive assistant (EA) told a whistleblower at the group that Heraghty's wife had accessed his mobile in March 2023 and discovered an affair had been ongoing with Kelly for around three years.
