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John “JB” Barbuto, who founded JB Hi-Fi in 1974, died on 2 December 2023, aged 86. His story is one of a specialist electronics and music shop that grew into a major retailer after he sold the business.
Who was JB in JB Hi-Fi?
“JB” was John Barbuto, the founder of JB Hi-Fi. The surname is Barbuto, not “Baruto.” He established the business in 1974, opening its first store in East Keilor, Victoria. The company’s history describes the original offer as specialist hi-fi and recorded music at low prices.
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PerthNow reported that Barbuto moved from Sicily to Australia at 15 to join his father, Domenico. According to details shared by his cousin Tony Barbuto at the funeral, John’s first job in Australia was at a fruit shop; he later worked at ANZ Bank. PerthNow’s report was published on 22 December 2023.
How did JB Hi-Fi begin?
The first JB Hi-Fi store opened in East Keilor in 1974, selling records and cassettes as well as hi-fi. The company’s original proposition combined a specialist range with low prices. That founding idea is part of the company’s history, but the later growth of the retailer happened after Barbuto sold it.
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What happened to the business after Barbuto sold it?
Barbuto sold JB Hi-Fi in 1983, nine years after founding it. The company’s investor history says senior management, backed by private equity, bought the business in July 2000 with the aim of expanding it nationally. JB Hi-Fi floated on the Australian Stock Exchange in October 2003.
The company’s current group overview lists JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and e&s as its three retail brands, with more than 340 stores across Australia and New Zealand. That is a current corporate description, accessed in 2026; it should not be read as a footprint Barbuto created or oversaw.
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When did John Barbuto die?
Barbuto died on 2 December 2023, aged 86. PerthNow reported his death later that month, on 22 December 2023, and attributed funeral remarks to his cousin Tony Barbuto. Tony recalled John’s business philosophy as delivering a specialised range of electronics and music at Australia’s lowest prices, adding that he believed it still stood at JB Hi-Fi. PerthNow also quoted the family tribute: “JB will be sadly missed by us all, but his legacy will live on forever in every Australian household.”
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