
Retail Food Group narrows guidance
Retail Food Group (ASX:RFG) has issued a market update detailing a dual narrative of internal restructuring and persistent macroeconomic headwinds.
The Queensland-based retail food franchise manager revealed that its core brand network sales for the first 20 weeks of the second half of 2026 fell by 4.8% compared to the previous corresponding period. Same-store sales dipped by 0.8%.
Management attributed the decline to tightening retail trading conditions, citing the compounding impact of multiple interest rate rises, stubborn inflationary pressures, and historically low consumer confidence that has suppressed customer traffic.
The company’s cost rationalisation initiatives are currently running ahead of schedule, driven by the near-completion of its South East Queensland office consolidation and a reduction in management layers.
Anticipated FY26 savings have been upgraded to a range of $2.3 million to $2.5 million, up from the previously forecast $1.2 million to $1.8 million.
However, the top-line pressures have prompted RFG to narrow its FY26 underlying EBITDA guidance to a tighter band of $20 million to $21 million, down from the earlier projection of up to $24 million.
Executive Chairman Peter George stated that the corporate "right-sizing" has established a more efficient cost base to better support franchise partners.