2342 GMT - Australian furniture retailers Nick Scali and Temple & Webster are disproportionately exposed to rises in freight costs related to the Iran conflict, Macquarie analysts warn. Citing the large size and low retail price density of furniture, the investment bank's analysts see risk in the companies' coming freight-cost renewals in the event that disruption related to the conflict is prolonged. Pressure on consumer spending from rising local interest rates and broader inflation, including from fuel, means it will be hard for retailers to pass on costs to their customers, the analysts add in a note to clients.(stuart.condie@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 10, 2026 19:42 ET (23:42 GMT)
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