Lockdowns take toll on sales at Australia’s leading tackle supplier

Stringent lockdown restrictions across regions in Australia have adversely affected the performance of the country’s leading supplier of fishing tackle during the first 16 weeks of its new trading year.

Super Retail Group, owner of the Boating, Camping, Fishing (BCF) retail chain, saw its group like-for-like sales fall across all four brands during the period. Revenue at BCF was down 12% compared to a 38% increase in the comparable period last year.

Despite this, the group saw a 96% increase in online sales and they now represent 30% of sales. Click & Collect grew by 163%, outpacing home delivery which made up 59% of online sales.

Anthony Heraghty, Group Managing Director and CEO, told investors: “The group’s omni-channel business model has proven to be resilient during the first half and we are delighted with the strong online sales growth that we have delivered. In the year to date we have maintained steady trading momentum in non-COVID impacted regions and we are confident that we will see a rebound in sales as lockdowns end and stores reopen. The group has a strong inventory position and is well-placed to take advantage of the expected uplift in consumer demand in all our categories – including outdoors – over the summer holiday period.”