Lost faith in ASX growth shares? Here's why I still rate these 2 as buys right now

These are two ideas that I'm optimistic about for the long term.

| More on:
Smiling man sits in front of a graph on computer while using his mobile phone.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Many ASX growth shares have been sold off this year, making them good value in my opinion
  • Universal Store is a youth apparel-focused retailer which plans to grow its store count
  • Temple & Webster is an online retailer of furniture and homewares which is benefiting from adoption of online retailing

I believe that the lower prices we're seeing on the share market are presenting us with a good opportunity to invest in ASX growth shares.

Businesses that grow at a quick pace over the long term can benefit from a good rate of compounding over time.

Not every single business is going to achieve revenue growth every single year. But, if the long-term trend is upwards then it could be a promising one to consider. Amid all of the concerns about inflation and rising interest rates, investors have punished the valuations of companies, particularly ones that were predicted to grow strongly.

I'm looking at these two ASX growth shares as two of the opportunities on the market right now:

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

Universal Store describes itself as a specialty retailer of youth casual apparel that operates around 80 physical stores across Australia and two online stores. Those stores operate under the brands Universal Store and Perfect Stranger.

It aims to provide a frequently changing and "carefully curated" selection of on-trend apparel products to a target 16-to-35-year-old fashion-focused customer.

The business opened 11 new stores in FY22. Its "full potential" target is for at least 100 Universal Store sites across Australia and New Zealand. In the first half of FY23, five new stores are expected to open along with two store resizes.

In the first half of FY23, it's cycling against lockdowns and store closures in the prior year. During the first eight weeks of FY23, total sales were up 54.7% and group like-for-like (LFL) sales grew 5.4%.

The ASX growth share also recently announced it's going to buy Cheap THRILLS Cycles for an enterprise value of $50 million, representing 6.8x FY22's underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). This business offers "vintage and coastal inspired youth fashion apparel with broad appeal". If it were part of the Universal Store business in FY22, it would have added 18% to the earnings per share (EPS).

I think the business has plenty of growth avenues, with new stores, more brands, online sales and operating leverage. It's also paying a dividend, which can boost shareholder returns.

At the time of writing, the Universal Store share price is down 0.6% at $4.97.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

Temple & Webster is one of the largest retailers of furniture and homewares in Australia. It's already the largest pure-play retailer in this space. It sells a mixture of products from third parties, as well as private brand products. Items sold by third parties are shipped straight to customers from those suppliers.

I believe that more Aussies are going to buy more things online over time, which should be a natural tailwind for this e-commerce business.

But, I think Temple & Webster is running a good strategy to capture market share of the furniture and homeware sector. As it grows revenue, it's able to invest more into marketing, efficiencies, technology and so on. It's working hard on tools such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality so that customers can get recommendations and see products in their living room (or whichever room they are looking at).

I like that the ASX growth share is trying to grow into new areas such as home improvement (painting, tools and so on) as well as the commercial market. This increases its total addressable market.

In my opinion, the business has a good chance of being able to keep growing its number of customers and its revenue per customer, which will be useful for its long-term revenue growth. Returning customers can help reduce its required spending on marketing.

In early trading on Thursday, the Temple & Webster share price is up 5.89% to $5.03.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Temple & Webster Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Retail Shares

A woman wearing jewellery shrugs
Retail Shares

Lovisa share price slides as sales growth fails to impress

ASX 200 investors are bidding down Lovisa shares on Friday. But why?

Read more »

Man with diving gear on in a bathtub.
Retail Shares

Own Wesfarmers shares? Here's why Bunnings is in hot water this week

Wesfarmers is getting some unwanted attention from its Bunnings operations.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
Retail Shares

Up 90%, this ASX 200 retail stock's CEO just sold $500,000 worth

What could this mean?

Read more »

View of a mine site.
Retail Shares

Why buying Wesfarmers shares could provide unique lithium exposure

In the last 12 months, the stock has rallied more than 28%.

Read more »

Photo of two women shopping.
Retail Shares

Why one leading fund manager thinks this fallen ASX All Ords stock is a turnaround buy

This is a bargain stock, according to a leading fundie.

Read more »

a woman wearing fashionable clothes and jewellery checks her phone with a satisfied smile on her face in a luxurous home setting.
Retail Shares

Guess which ASX 200 stock just extended its $580 million buyback

Could this draw investor attention to the stock?

Read more »

A man holds his hand under his chin as he concentrates on his laptop screen and reads about the ANZ share price
Retail Shares

Own Wesfarmers shares? Here's why Bunnings' monster profits are raising eyebrows

Bunnings is the jewel in Wesfarmers’ crown. Some people are questioning whether it should sparkle as much as it does.

Read more »

Woman checking out new laptops.
Retail Shares

Harvey Norman shares see red on ASIC case update

This could put the saga to rest.

Read more »