A retail consultancy boss says businesses will need to decide for themselves if it's right to repay the Covid wage subsidy.

The Warehouse Group's announced it's repaying the $68 million it received, after sales performances have been well above expectation.

First quarter sales for the group increased by 6.3 per cent and now stand up 6.6 per cent year-to-date compared to the same period last year.

First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson says it's the right move.

He told Tim Dower boards of other businesses getting back into the black should take notice.

"The reality is there's a moral obligation, especially with how the country's had to band together, along with businesses deciding what is right."

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