Latest Consumer Spending News

Kelsian Group has completed the $149.9 million sale of its Tourism Portfolio to Journey Beyond, reducing pro forma leverage to approximately 2.0x. The transport operator has reset FY27 Underlying EBITDA guidance to $295 million-$310 million as it shifts towards commuter and contracted services.

The Warehouse Group (NZX:WHS) returned to profit in FY26 and cut net debt by more than 80%, despite broadly flat comparable sales. The recovery came with a clear catch: The Warehouse brand remains loss-making and shareholders will receive no final dividend.

Hallenstein Glasson delivered a sharp lift in FY2026 profit as sales, margins and Australian trading strengthened. The NZX-listed retailer also raised its full-year dividend to 69 cents per share, while warning that early FY2027 sales growth is unlikely to persist at the same pace.

SkinKandy Limited (ASX:SK1) exceeded its IPO forecasts in FY26, with pro forma revenue rising 29% to A$90.2 million and pro forma NPAT climbing 41% to A$9.0 million. The newly listed retailer enters FY27 with 115 stores, 11 approved leases and plans for potential expansion into South Africa and the United States.

Globe International increased FY2026 EBIT and net profit despite almost no revenue growth, as a tighter brand portfolio improved margins across all three regions. The ASX-listed group also lifted its fully franked annual dividend to 23 cents per share and ended the year with A$26.7 million in cash.

MA Financial has agreed to buy a 50% interest in Melbourne’s The Glen Shopping Centre for $327.5 million while launching a fund targeting more than $500 million of large format retail assets. The transactions lift its retail property activity in the second half of 2026 to $500 million.

Cobram Estate Olives (ASX:CBO) posted an 11.3% revenue increase to A$268.9 million in FY2026 but swung to a A$4.2 million net loss as costs surged and integration expenses weighed. The company declared a steady fully franked dividend of 4.5 cents per share.

Harvey Norman Holdings reported a 10.9% rise in profit before tax excluding one-off adjustments, driven by international retail growth and a robust property portfolio. The company declared a fully franked 13 cent final dividend, maintaining a strong balance sheet with conservative gearing.

Comvita Limited has swung back to profitability in FY26, reporting $7.7 million net profit after a $40.5 million capital raise that brought Southeast Asian consumer giant F&N Ventures on board with a near 20% stake.

Retail Food Group (ASX:RFG) posted a 10.7% revenue drop to A$127.9 million in FY26 but returned to profit with a statutory net profit of A$1.1 million, driven by cost rationalisation and operational improvements.

The Warehouse Group expects a sharp rebound in FY26 operating profit, projecting NZD 20 million to 24 million, up from just NZD 1.3 million last year, driven by margin gains at Noel Leeming and Warehouse Stationery amid subdued consumer spending.

Marlin Global's portfolio delivered a 2.0% gross return in Q2 2026, driven by rebounds in ICON and semiconductor holdings, but lagged a strong US market rally led by AI and chip stocks.