JB Hi-Fi chief executive Nick Wells has commented publicly for the first time on the retailer’s decision to leave the Narta group on 31 December 2026, after 25 years of membership.
Wells addressed supplier questions about why the decision was made now and what it would mean for the buying function and data services previously managed by Narta. He said JB Hi-Fi and Narta jointly felt it was the right time to conclude the membership. The decision was based on the size of JB Hi-Fi’s organisation now, he said, and it also allows Narta to focus on supporting its members going forward.
Wells described Narta as an important part of JB Hi-Fi’s growth and thanked the Narta team. He said the retailer will continue to work closely with Narta over the coming weeks to make the transition smooth.
Until the membership concludes on 31 December, Wells said it is “business as usual” for JB Hi-Fi. After that, the retailer will bring in-house some of the services previously provided by Narta.
Wells also said the Narta decision was important news for suppliers but did not believe it warranted an announcement on the ASX. He said the move is not about more money, but about enabling both parties to focus on the future, and was therefore not material from an ASX perspective.