Investors awaiting supermarket updates

February earnings updates from two of Australia’s biggest supermarket operators will be parsed by investors for any direction on future costs and signs of margin pressures.

Woolworths and Coles, which together command nearly two-thirds of total sales in the Australian supermarket sector, have thrived amid high inflation through much of 2023.

They were successful in passing on costs to customers, who met the price rises with residual spending power from the Covid lockdowns when the economy was estimated to have saved A$300bn ($196.68bn).

The resultant boom in margins is expected to wane as easing inflation starts to crimp their ability to hold on to prices, analysts said, pointing to a faster-than-average cooling in food inflation even as other costs of running a business such as rents, fuel and power remain at elevated levels.

Consumer price inflation in Australia eased to 0.6% at the end of December over the prior quarter, while food inflation eased for a fourth consecutive quarter.

Woolworths reports interim earnings on February 21 and Coles on February 27.

Woolworths, which accounts for 40% of total supermarket sales in Australia, saw a jump in sales in the quarter ended September 2023, thanks to easing prices for meat, fruit and vegetables, but warned cost-of-living pressures were making its trading outlook uncertain.

While analysts expect Woolworths to post a rise in interim profit, they are watchful of cost management measures and their effect on margins, which have shown signs of hitting a ceiling.

“The key near-term risk, in our view, is margin,” Jarden analysts said in a note. They cited a softening in 2024 sales so far and higher costs of doing business for potential margin risks.

Jefferies analysts said they expect solid results, but added margins may have peaked with food inflation moderating.

Woolies has also flagged a near $1bn impairment charge at its New Zealand business, citing macroeconomic challenges.

Its smaller rival, Coles, is set to report lower earnings as the No2 grocer is already grappling with margin contraction due to underlying cost inflation.