EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated August 4, 1999, included in Avnet, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 2, 1999, and all reference to our Firm included in this Registration Statement. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Phoenix, Arizona October 19, 1999