Azzet reports on three ASX-listed retail stocks with price moving updates today.
Lovisa Holdings falls after posting trading update ~
Shares in Lovisa (ASX: LOV) were trading 10.4% lower by 2:40 pm AEDT (3:40 am GMT) after the affordable fashion jewellery chain updated the market on slower store sales growth, which missed consensus estimates by a wide margin.
While total sales for the first 20 weeks were up 26% on the previous period, ahead of consensus expectations of 22% for 1H FY26, on a like for like basis, the 3.5% growth was below consensus expectations of 5.3%.
The market clearly wasn’t happy about what appears to be a deceleration from Lovisa's August trading update, when like for like growth hit 5.6%.
Much of the growth in total sales came from the group’s focus on expanding its global store footprint across all markets in which it operates.
The 44 net new stores opened for the financial year to date - including 62 new stores opened and 18 closures (including 6 relocations) - takes the store network to 1,075 stores across more than 50 markets.
Overall, the group is currently trading from 148 more stores than this time last year.
To the uninitiated, Lovisa specialises in providing on-trend fashion jewellery and accessories at affordable prices and aims to offer customers a constantly evolving range, reflecting the latest styles and looks.
Meanwhile, in a recent note to investors, analysts at Citi were relatively bullish about Lovisa’s 12-month share price projection and based on the likelihood of its retracing its recent peak of $41.80, late August has changed its stance from neutral to buy.
The broker also expects like-for-like sales to become easier to cycle over the first half of FY26.
“While Australian competition remains a key risk we are focused on, we think this issue is likely masked by the aforementioned tailwinds,” Citi analysts reported.
The broker also pointed to a softening in American apparel and accessories retailers, with weekly foot traffic growth averaging a 1.5% decline in the first eight weeks of FY26, moderating to a 3.8% fall in the following eight weeks compared to the previous period.
At FY25, the group’s net profit rose 4.8% to $86.3 million while revenue soared 14.2% to $798.1 million.
Comparable store sales grew 1.7% and gross margin climbed to 82%.
During the year, Lovisa opened 162 new stores, with 86 of them in Europe. This includes 25 Lovisa stores and seven Jewells stores in the UK, 13 in Germany, 11 in France, eight in the Netherlands, and seven in Ireland.
While the group opened 18 new stores in Canada and 23 in the U.S., it also closed 21 stores and relocated 10 over the 12-month period.
The board announced an unfranked final dividend of 27.0 cents, taking full year dividends to 77.0 cents representing 100% of current year earnings.
Lovisa Holdings has a market cap of $3.4 billion; the share price is up 16% in one year and down 17% in the last month.
While the stock’s 200-day moving average is trending higher, there is significant evidence that the bullish trend is near an end.
Recent price action has shown a lack of strength as the 5-day moving average has fallen below the 50-day moving average and the 20-day moving average is trending lower.
Consensus is Hold.
Autosports Group falls in plans to unlock Vic expansion
Shares in Autosports Group (ASX: ASG) were trading around 2.1% lower after the ASX-listed specialist prestige and luxury automotive retailer revealed a deal to acquire 10 Barry Bourke Motors dealerships in Victoria for around $34 million, securing a major footprint expansion and deepening relationships with key luxury and premium brands.
The acquisition, which generated $212.4 million in FY25 revenue, will be held via wholly owned subsidiary Autosports Castle Hill and covers Audi, Volvo, Jaguar Land Rover, Geely, GMSV, LDV, Peugeot, Renault and Suzuki outlets in Berwick, along with Jaguar Land Rover in Doncaster.
The purchase price includes $29 million in goodwill and around $5 million in net tangible assets, with $14 million to be settled in Autosports shares at $4.50 each.
The remaining cash component will be funded through existing debt facilities.
ASG said the deal is strategically aimed at strengthening its partnerships with Audi, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and Geely, while adding flagship locations in key Victorian markets.
Reflecting a significant expansion of their presence in Victoria, the group expects the acquisition to be immediately earnings accretive, with margins targeted to align with ASG’s group average within 12 months.
Commenting on today’s update, CEO of Autosports Nick Pagent told the market that the acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings accretive, with business margins anticipated to improve to Autosports Group’s average margins within the first 12 months.
Today’s announced deal to acquire 10 Barry Bourke Motors dealerships in Victoria followed the company's FY25 result back in August, which showed revenue up 8.2% to $2.865 billion while profit was down 46% to $32.9 million after the reversal of property impairment.
The group ended FY25 with an improved cash balance of $43.7 million, strong operating cash flows and a strategically re-shaped balance sheet to support future growth initiatives following the establishment of a new $350 million syndicated debt facility in June.
The group reconfirmed its target of acquisition-led revenue growth exceeding $250 million per annum.
Autosports Group has a market cap of $873 million; the share price is 112% in one year and down 5% in the last week.
The stock appears to be in a strong bullish trend, confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus is Strong Buy.
Accent Group tanks on lacklustre update
Shares in Accent Group (ASX: AX1) were trading over 12.1% lower this afternoon after the footwear-focused retailer, best known for HypeDC and Platypus brands, provided a disappointing trading update.
After soft trading and heavy discounting dragged on sales and margins in the first months of FY26, the group has downgraded its earnings expectations.
Accent now expects first-half earnings of $55 million to $60 million, including losses from closing the MySale business, while FY26 earnings are expected to be between $85 million - $95 million, assuming second-half earnings of $30 million to $35 million.
For the first 20 weeks, total group-owned sales were up 3.7%, and while like for like (LFL) retail sales were down 0.4%, October displayed modest improvement, with LFL sales up 0.4%.
Reflecting an elevated promotional environment, management told the market today that year-to-date gross margin was 160 basis points lower than a year earlier.
Adding to some disappointing numbers, management also told the market to expect retail conditions to remain difficult, resulting in ongoing discounting across the sector.
Due to running and performance footwear at The Athlete’s Foot and distributed brands including HOKA, Saucony and Merrell, the sports category continued to outperform.
While costs and inventory remain on track, weaker top-line and margin pressures have taken their toll on earnings.
Following $3.48 million in earnings losses to the end of October, the group plans to discontinue the MySale operations acquired earlier this year, with the business to be wound down by the third quarter.
Accent also confirmed the extension of its Skechers distribution deal to 2035 and its HOKA agreement to 2030, and will axe the Dickies distribution agreement following a change in brand ownership.
Meanwhile, after opening the first Sports Direct store at Fountain Gate, Victoria, 15 November 2025, alongside the launch of the Sports Direct online store, the group plans to open a further 3 stores for the remainder of FY26, as well as target at least 50 stores over the next 6 years.
The group delivered total company-owned sales of $1.46 billion in FY25, up 0.8% on the previous year, while net profit after tax of $57.7 million was down 3.1% on the previous year.
Over the last 10 years, the group has delivered a total shareholder return of 9.7% per annum compounding.
Over the past financial year, the Company opened 54 new stores and remains focused on growth and return on investment for shareholders, with banners such as Nude Lucy, Stylerunner, Hoka and UGG performing well, alongside continued growth in The Athlete’s Foot, Hype DC and others.
Accent Group has a market cap of $629 million; the share price is down 53% in one year and down 14% in the last week.
The stock’s shares appear to be in a long-term bearish trend, confirmed by multiple indicators.
Consensus is Moderate Buy.
This article does not constitute financial or product advice. You should consider independent advice before making financial decisions.
