Big W sales weighed on the overall group's result, falling 4.1...

Big W sales weighed on the overall group's result, falling 4.1 per cent during the half with pre-tax earnings off 60 per cent.

Shareholders will get 47 cents a share .insignificant dividend

It also booked a $209 million reduction in the value of a stake in ASX-listed alcohol and hotels spin-off Endeavour,

"The retirement of a well-respected CEO, during a period of heightened press and government scrutiny, and very weak sales in January (is) expected to see share price weakness following the result," E&P Capital retail analyst Phillip Kimber said in a briefing note.

Former ACCC chair Allan Fels described the company's write-offs as potentially "camouflage" and "a bit of cover-up" for rising profit margins."Basically, their food and grocery profits are well up at a time when most Australians are suffering from a cost-of-living crisis,"

Mr Banducci is still expected to front a Senate inquiry into food prices next month until he does the SP will be under pressure