Reolink partners with JB Hi-Fi for latest OMVI Series launch. Global smart home security brand, Reolink has launched the latest addition to its award-winning OMVI Series, which is now available across 160 JB Hi-Fi stores nationwide. The partnership with JB Hi-Fi adds to Reolink's growing Australian retail presence, alongside The Good Guys, Costco, and Bunnings Warehouse. Unveiled at IFA 2026, the OMVI 2i Ultra is an all-in-one home security solution that delivers dual-view coverage, solar charging, and SyncTrack smart tracking in a wire-free, bullet-PTZ design. Now, users can cover driveways, yards, entrances, and side spaces with fewer devices and simpler installation. "The OMVI 2i Ultra is the ideal product to feature as part of our first launch with JB Hi-Fi," Reolink vice president - Australasia, Nick Nigro said. "Whether you are a homeowner or business owner, the OMVI 2i Ultra covers a wide area while still capturing the detail up close, and because of the smart detection that runs on the camera itself, it can tell a person from a car or the family dog, meaning fewer false alarms. Now Australians can see it in stores nationwide and get expert advice before they buy." With the OMVI 2i Ultra's dual view coverage, users can view the full scene with an 8MP (4K) wide-view camera, while a 5MP (3K) pan-tilt camera simultaneously monitors another direction and tracks detected objects using SyncTrack Tracking. When the wide-view camera detects an object, the lower pan-tilt camera (355-degree pan and 55-degree tilt) maintains continuous, all-around tracking, even after the target moves beyond the wide-view camera's coverage. The auto-framing feature lets the PT cam automatically zoom in and adjust the view when it detects a target. A detachable 10,000mAh battery delivers up to six months of use on a single charge - double the battery life of comparable bullet-PT cameras. A built-in 6W solar panel featuring Reolink SolarEase technology increases charging efficiency by 26% and keeps the camera running on just 30 minutes of daily sunlight. The OMVI 2i Ultra provides on-device smart detection that identifies people, vehicles, and animals, paired with a motion-activated spotlight, dual PIR sensors, infrared and color night vision, and siren and light deterrence. Supporting up to 12 simultaneous streams, it lets users access a real-time view and two-way audio. The OMVI 2i Ultra also offers local storage, including up to 512GB microSD cards and the Reolink Home Hub series, plus Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. All features are available without a subscription or monthly fees. The product is now available exclusively in-store at JB Hi-Fi, or online at Reolink and Amazon for RRP $429.

BREAKING NEWS: JB Hi-Fi quits NARTA after 25 years, questions raised over buying group's future. David Richards | 21 Oct 2026 The JB Hi-Fi Group has pulled the plug on its 25 year relationship with NARTA, a move that strips the buying group of its biggest member and raises serious questions about its future. In a shock joint announcement today, JB Hi-Fi Group CEO Nick Wells and NARTA CEO Michael Jackson confirmed the two organisations are parting company. The entire JB Hi-Fi Group, comprising JB Hi-Fi Australia, JB Hi-Fi New Zealand, The Good Guys and e&s, will end its NARTA membership on 31 December 2026. JB Hi-Fi and NARTA will each contact relevant suppliers over the coming weeks with details of the transition. What JB Hi-Fi said. "We'd like to thank the team and Board of NARTA for their significant contribution to the JB Hi-Fi Group over the past 25 years," Wells said. "Our relationship with NARTA has been a valued part of the Group's expansion and, as our business has continued to grow and evolve, we believe the end of 2026 is the appropriate time to conclude our membership. We thank NARTA for its support and look forward to maintaining the strong industry relationships developed over many years." What NARTA said. Jackson said JB Hi-Fi had been "a valued member and strong supporter of NARTA for more than 25 years, and we are proud of the role NARTA has played throughout that period." "Our organisations have worked alongside one another through a period of extraordinary growth and transformation, including JB Hi-Fi's expansion, acquisitions and evolution as a publicly listed retailer. Over that time, both organisations have evolved considerably, reflecting the changing scale, complexity and dynamics of the retail industry." He insisted the buying group has a future without its largest member. "NARTA remains strongly positioned for the future, supported by a diverse membership base and an expanding range of services and solutions. We will continue to represent the collective interests of our retail members, leveraging our combined scale, data and capabilities to deliver meaningful value for our members and supplier partners across Australia and New Zealand." Too big for a buying group. The exit has been a long time coming. When JB Hi-Fi acquired The Good Guys in 2016, suppliers immediately questioned whether the combined retailer still needed NARTA, with analysts telling ChannelNews at the time that the merged business could deliver better buying power on its own. A decade on, the JB Hi-Fi Group is a different beast. It posted record FY26 sales of $11.06 billion, up 4.8%, with net profit of $489.9 million. JB Hi-Fi Australia turned over $7.42 billion, The Good Guys $2.94 billion and e&s $273.1 million. That scale gives JB Hi-Fi direct negotiating muscle with suppliers such as Samsung, LG, Sony and Electrolux that few, if any, NARTA members can match. The timing is also notable. JB Hi-Fi's trading has softened, with July 2026 comparable sales down 1.4% at JB Hi-Fi Australia, 1.7% at The Good Guys and 4.0% at e&s, as supplier price rises and stock availability weigh on technology categories. Pulling all buying in house gives Wells more control over margin at a time when growth is harder to find. End of an era for e&s. The departure also closes a 61 year chapter. e&s, which JB Hi-Fi bought 75% of in September 2024, was one of NARTA's founding members when the group was established in 1965. NARTA already under pressure. The loss of JB Hi-Fi comes at a difficult time for NARTA, which has repositioned itself from a pure buying group into a retail services and data analytics business. Its 2025 accounts showed revenue falling to $35.6 million from $38.1 million, while profit before tax collapsed from $1.2 million to just $75,685. Board member and Bing Lee general manager Peter Harris described trading conditions at the time as "a perfect storm". With JB Hi-Fi gone, NARTA's remaining big name members include Bing Lee, Myer and David Jones. None comes close to JB Hi-Fi's volume. Questions for suppliers. The key questions now facing the industry: * How much of NARTA's total buying volume walks out the door with JB Hi-Fi, and what does that do to the group's leverage with suppliers? * Will suppliers maintain current terms, rebates and support programs for NARTA's remaining members once JB Hi-Fi's volume is removed? * Will JB Hi-Fi build out its own centralised buying and data operation, potentially poaching NARTA staff as it has done in the past? * Could other large members follow JB Hi-Fi out the door, or will NARTA move to recruit new members to rebuild scale? ChannelNews has sought further comment from both NARTA and JB Hi-Fi.

JB Hi-Fi faces class action over claims it sold worthless warranties on countless electrical items. Millions of Australians could be eligible for compensation, and more retailers could soon be feeling the heat. By Jackie Quist Ask 7NEWS anything What is the current status of the JB Hi-Fi class action in the Supreme Court? Which other retailers might face similar warranty lawsuits? Why did Maurice Blackburn allege JB Hi-Fi's warranties were worthless? Eight million Australians could be in line for compensation from JB Hi-Fi over claims it sold worthless warranties to customers. The retail giant is fighting back against the allegations in a Supreme Court class action showdown. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: JB Hi-Fi faces class action over worthless warranties JB Hi-Fi is accused of upselling extended warranties on countless electrical items including TVs, fridges, laptops and phones. "Our case against JB Hi-Fi alleges that they created and sold warranties that provided the same rights that people already have for free," Maurice Blackburn class actions lawyer Vavaa Mawuli said. JB Hi-Fi is fighting the claim, saying it will vigorously defend allegations that it sold junk protection and that it engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct. Class action barrister Rachel Doyle alleges "JB Hi-Fi was unjustly enriched... taking money for a piece of paper worth nothing". "They called it extended care and extra care, suggesting that it had longer cover or additional benefits," Mawuli said. Customers have expressed frustration with the warranties. JB Hi-Fi isn't the only retailer spruiking these extended warranties and, depending on the outcome of this case, a similar action against Harvey Norman could follow. "Australians are actually quite well protected by our consumer law, but a lot of us don't realise it," Canstar's Eden Radford said. Anyone who bought an extended warranty between January 2011 and December 2023 is automatically included in the class action lawsuit and, if it is successful, could be eligible for compensation.