Aventus Group boss Darren Holland called large-format retail centres "the affordable bedrock of Australian retail" after the homemaker centre landlord defied the challenging retail environment affecting traditional malls owners with upgraded earnings guidance and a strong operating performance.

Boosted by lower debt costs which offset a slight easing in like-for-like income growth, Mr Holland said Aventus was on track to hit the top end of its full-year earnings guidance of 3 to 4 per cent funds from operations per security growth, or 19 to 19.2¢.