Woolworths Ltd expects slower profit growth this fiscal year after posting a 25.7 per cent jump in annual profit.
Woolworths on Tuesday reported a net profit of $1.63 billion for the 53 weeks ended June 29, on the back of a 10.7 per cent lift in revenue to $47.29 billion.
The company said it expects net profit in fiscal 2009 will grow in the range of 11 per cent to 14 per cent, on a comparative 52 week basis, or by nine per cent to 12 per cent on a 52 versus 53 week basis.
"Whilst we are pleased with the momentum in the business we are mindful that discretionary spending continues to be influenced by macro-economic factors such as inflation, fluctuating petrol prices, interest rates, and lower consumer confidence levels," it said.
Woolworths said it expected overall group sales to grow in the upper single digits and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to continue to grow faster than sales in fiscal 2009.