Smiths expecting losses over $7m

Smiths City Group will write down several unprofitable stores by $4.8 million as the rebranded Auckland stores struggle to gain traction with an unfamiliar clientele, pushing the retailer into the red. The Christchurch-based company expects to report a net loss of between $7m and $8m in the year ending April 30, compared to a profit of $2.4m a year earlier, it said in a statement. Revenue is seen falling to between $209m and $213m from $227.4m a year earlier. “Although we saw some improvements in February and March, this soft demand has led to heavy discounting, often to unsustainable levels, and the expansion of interest-free credit terms to periods rarely seen in the industry,” chief executive Roy Campbell said. “These trends were most pronounced in Christchurch, where we operate our largest outlets and generate a significant proportion of our total sales.” Retailers operating ‘bricks-andmortar’ stores have struggled to compete with online rivals operating with lower overhead costs. Smiths City broke even in the first half as tough trading conditions and the cost of rebranding three Funiture City stores in Auckland and Whangarei weighed on earnings, noting the squeeze on margins at the time. While the bulk of the company’s revenue is through its retail network, the majority of its margin is in its finance arm. The shares closed at 48c, down 6c.. — BusinessDesk