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 July 29, 1998, included in Avnet, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 1998, and to all references to our firm included in this Registration Statement. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Phoenix, Arizona August 4, 1999 10