Chemist Warehouse’s international segment delivered A$421.4 million in revenue for FY26, a 33% year-on-year increase, contributing A$55.8m to normalised earnings before interest and tax, up 91.3%. Gross profit for the segment rose 47.6% to A$128.9m, with gross margins expanding 303 basis points to 30.6%. This growth was driven by New Zealand, where sales grew 20.3% year-on-year, surpassing $1b in network store sales (Nzherald).
Financial Performance and International Growth
The company attributed New Zealand’s success to compelling momentum,
noting the region’s potential as a significant and scalable growth market.
During the year, Chemist Warehouse opened 14 new stores, including Palmerston North, which recorded the strongest opening sales week in the group’s global history (Nzherald). This expansion aligns with Sigma Healthcare’s broader strategy, as the group reported total revenue of A$10.8b, up 15.5% year-on-year, with normalised net profit of A$732.2m, a 22.3% increase (Nzherald).
Chemist Warehouse has more than 3000 employees in New Zealand, according to the company’s annual report (Nzherald). The business opened 14 new stores during the year, including Palmerston North, which delivered the strongest opening sales week ever recorded across the Chemist Warehouse Group globally (Nzherald). Within Sigma Healthcare’s annual report was detail on how it plans to reinforce its growth and momentum in the New Zealand market (Nzherald).
Expansion Plans and Strategic Investments
As of June 30, 2026, six new locations were under construction, with 20 additional leases signed to support the expansion. The company invested A$40m in May to build a 23,000sq m distribution centre in Auckland, nearly operational and set to begin operations next month (Nzherald).
The distribution centre is critical to supporting the expanded store network, particularly in New Zealand, where the company emphasized scalable growth.
A customer described challenges with the company’s automated script locker (ASL) system, stating: My issue is that I need to be able to order repeats easily, online, in advance of outings, without being tethered to one store. I’m on DSP with an energy-limiting chronic illness, and I have to scrupulously plan any kind of energy expenditure. (I don’t have a regular daily commute, and drive less than 3000 km/year). I’m equi-distant from 3 Chemist Warehouse stores, and my favourite is whichever is open when I’ll be driving close to it so I can combine trips to minimise exertion in driving. The current system is too inflexible for me as I cannot benefit from the convenience of ordering my scripts in advance through any app without tethering myself to a particular store – which might be a good choice for my next outing. I need to be able to choose a store to dispense my meds which is convenient for me to be able to combine with my upcoming travel needs – which vary. The problem is that my ASL gets tethered to one store – making it impossible for me to order from another. That’s terribly inconvenient for me (and possibly in breach of legislation which deals with anti-competitive business practices). But if I opt out of ASL and use tokens, I can’t order in advance, which defeats the purpose.
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Market Reaction and Stock Performance
