JB Hi-Fi will end its Narta membership on 31 December 2026 after 25 years, chief executive Nick Wells said in his first public comments on the decision.
Wells said JB Hi-Fi and Narta had jointly concluded that the time was right to end the relationship. He linked the decision to the retailer’s current size and said it would allow Narta to focus on supporting its members.
Suppliers had asked why the move was being made now and what it would mean for buying functions and data services previously managed by Narta. Wells said the change would be handled through the transition.
He said JB Hi-Fi would operate as normal until the membership ends, after which it would bring some of the services previously provided by Narta in-house. The retailer will work closely with Narta in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth handover, he added.
Wells also said the decision was not about obtaining more money. He described it as a way for both parties to focus on the future and said it was not material enough to require an ASX announcement, even though he recognised it was an important news event for suppliers.
Narta has been an important part of JB Hi-Fi’s growth, Wells said, and the retailer remains thankful to the Narta team. The membership is due to conclude at the end of 2026.