Super Retail Group's (SRG) outdoor brand Macpac has benefitted from new store openings and positive like-for-like sales in Australia, the business has revealed in its first half results.
Speaking to Ragtrader in 2021, newly appointed Macpac CEO Cathy Seaholme said one of her key growth plans for the business was to expand its store footprint.
"Macpac has got an opportunity to really look at its store footprint, in both in Australia and New Zealand," Seaholme said at the time.
"In the last 12 months they've also put their range into BCF and Rebel – both of which are SRG brands – and I believe that's actually gone quite well.
"I think we need to open more standalone stores, but also explore this opportunity where our brand is in other environments," she explained.
This strategy paid off when it comes to Macpac's sales for the half, with the business reporting a 4% lift in total sales to $65.5 million, while like-for-like sales increased 7.2% in H1 FY22.
The business also cites strong growth in rainwear and insulation as drivers for the boost in like-for-like sales.
However, the investment into new stores – as well as COVID lockdowns – took a chunk out of the brand's profit before tax (PBT).
Macpac reported a PBT loss of $1.5 million in the half, thanks to more than 30% of store trading weeks lost due to COVID lockdowns, mostly aptly felt in New Zealand, Victoria and New South Wales.
However, the last weeks of the half began to accelerate for the outdoor brand.
Macpac recorded a strong rebound in sales in the second quarter, with like-for-like sales growth at 13.7% (adjusted for Boxing Day) in the final 10 weeks.
Additionally, online sales remained strong during the lockdowns, with Macpac reporting a 45% increase in digital sales to $18.7 million – accounting for 29% of total sales during the half.
Macpac was acquired by SRG in 2018 and appointed Cathy Seaholme as its new CEO in September 2021.