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JB Hi-Fi (ASX: JBH) is an Australian CD, DVD, video game and consumer electronics chain store.

It was established in 1975 in the Melbourne suburb of Keilor East by John Barbuto. Barbuto sold the business in 1983. It had a total of ten stores by 2000 when it was bought by private equity. It was subsequently floated on the Australian Stock Exchange in October 2003. ^[1]

At first, it mainly specialised in Hi-Fi equipment. As the mainstream popularity of vinyl records declined, in 1991 JB Hi-Fi cleared out their entire stock of records and began offering exclusively CDs. They were one of the first Australian music retailers to do so. This allowed JB Hi-Fi to open many new stores in Melbourne and later expand to other states. The chain now has stores all around Australia and New Zealand.

Recently, while many music stores claim to have been losing money, JB Hi-Fi has increased profits by 50% in the years 2004-5 & 2005-6, this being attributed to a greater reliance on electronics and DVD sales.^{[citation needed]} JB also specialises in imported CDs, mainly from the United Kingdom and the United States, although CDs from other countries, such as Japan are available on request. The success of JB Hi-Fi's business model can be seen in the extremely rapid growth of the company after it was floated, with the chain opening dozens of new stores around the country.^{[citation needed]}

JB Hi-Fi, has diversified its business from predominantly selling music CDs, and are now a major retailer for Audio/Visual, digital photography, portable audio, in-car entertainment, computer/video games, DVD movies and information technology.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported in June 2007, that JB Hi-Fi is now Australia's biggest CD retailer and is second in terms of sales of computer games, televisions and car stereos. ^[2]

In the 2006/7 financial period, it was reported that there are now 77 store locations in Australia and 12 in New Zealand.^[3] New Zealand currently has 4 stores open: Queen Street, Albany, Manukau and New Lynn. More stores are due to open later in the year.

In July 2004, JB Hi-Fi bought 70% of the Clive Anthony chain in Queensland.^[1].

On 13 December 2006, JB Hi-Fi acquired the Hill and Stewart chain of electronics stores selling and operating in New Zealand for $NZ17.5 million ($A15.3 million).

In June 2007, JB Hi-Fi expanded its foothold in the Australian market by opening a Sydney branch of Clive Anthonys,at the Hills Homemaker centre which departed from the market that they had already established a strong presence, in that they specialise in whiteware.^{[citation needed]}

1. ^ ^{a b} About Us. JB Hi-Fi (2002). Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
2. ^ JB Hi-Fi pumps up volume - The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 June 2007
3. ^ JB Hi-Fi profit rises 56pc; shares climb - Australian Financial Review (via afr.com), 14 Aug 2007

• JB Hi-Fi website