JB Hi-Fi's NZ 1H earnings slump on margin squeeze, attracting management's gaze

JB Hi-Fi's NZ 1H earnings slump on margin squeeze, attracting management's gaze
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Feb. 13 (BusinessDesk) - ASX-listed discount electronics good retailer JB Hi-Fi's management is keeping an eye on the New Zealand business after first-half earnings halved on this side of the Tasman as rising costs eroded the firm's margins.  New Zealand earnings before interest and tax fell to $1 million in the six months ended Dec. 31 from $2 million a year earlier, the Melbourne-based company said in a statement. Sales slipped 1.7 percent to $125.1 million, although the year-earlier period was boosted by "market-wide dem...