AAP Finance

Tech sales up but caution remains over retail market

Feb 16, 2026

JB Hi-Fi shop — JB Hi-Fi has recorded more than $6 billion in sales over six months. -AAP Image

Mobile phone, computer, video game and small appliance sales have pushed up the profit for electronics giant JB Hi-Fi, which recorded more than $6 billion in sales over six months.

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But the company says it remains concerned about future earnings due to a high level of uncertainty in the retail market.

The company released its half-yearly results to the Australian stock exchange on Monday, revealing sales rose 7.3 per cent during the period to deliver the company a net profit of $305.8 million.

The firm will issue shareholders a dividend of $2.10, up by more than 23 per cent after it raised its payout ratio.

JB Hi-Fi's Australian operations represented the biggest share of the company's revenue, rising 6.3 per cent between July and December to reach $4.12 billion.

Continued high demand for consumer electronics, such as smartphones and fitness gadgets, drove the increase, and online sales rose by 11.2 per cent to make up 18.4 per cent of all sales.

Appliance sales, led by cooking, refrigeration, laundry and floor care devices, boosted revenue for The Good Guys by 4.1 per cent, the company revealed, to reach $1.58 billion.

Sales at JB Hi-Fi's New Zealand operations also rose by 32.6 per cent to reach $NZD268.6 million, although sales growth at recently acquired home appliance company e&s fell by 4.6 per cent.

The results built on momentum created during the previous financial year, JB Hi-Fi chief executive Nick Wells said, but the company remained concerned about retail spending trends in a tight economy.

"Whilst we are pleased to see sales growth continue in January in JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys, cycling strong sales in the prior year, we remain cautious given the uncertainty in the retail market and the continued competitive activity," he said.

"We are grateful to our over 16,000 team members whose continued focus on our customers and ability to adapt and respond has helped to deliver another strong half-year result."

The company also revealed it opened four new JB Hi-Fi stores in Australia and closed one during the 2026 financial year, and opened three new stores and relocated one in New Zealand.

Australian retail spending rose by 4.8 per cent in December 2026 compared to the previous year, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, but were down by 0.4 per cent compared to November.