Academy Sports + Outdoors Reports $120 Million Net Sales Increase for Fiscal Year Ending January 31, 2026

Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc. reported a net sales increase of $120 million, or 2%, for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026, totaling $6.05 billion. This growth was primarily driven by a 3.6% increase in the sports and recreation merchandise division, alongside modest gains in apparel and footwear. However, comparable sales decreased by 1.5%, attributed to a 4.2% drop in transactions, partially offset by a 2.9% rise in average ticket size. E-commerce sales represented 11.7% of total merchandise sales, reflecting a 13.6% increase from the previous year.

The company's gross margin improved by $94.2 million, reaching $2.11 billion, which corresponds to 34.8% of net sales, up from 33.9% in the prior year. This increase was largely due to effective management of merchandise margins and strategic pricing adjustments in response to rising tariff costs. Conversely, selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 8.2% to $1.59 billion, driven by investments in new stores and technology, which accounted for $109 million of the increase.

Academy opened 24 new stores during the fiscal year, contributing $142.8 million in net sales. The company has successfully expanded its footprint to 322 stores across 21 states, with plans to open an additional 20 to 25 stores in the upcoming fiscal year. The average sales for the 39 stores opened in the last twelve months were approximately $13 million, indicating a solid performance in new markets.

As of January 31, 2026, Academy's long-term debt stood at approximately $485.8 million, with no outstanding borrowings under its asset-based revolving credit facility. The company reported cash and cash equivalents of $330.3 million, alongside an available borrowing capacity of $992.4 million under its ABL Facility. The management expressed confidence that these resources would be sufficient to meet future obligations, including capital expenditures, dividends, and stock repurchases.

Looking ahead, Academy Sports + Outdoors aims to continue leveraging its omnichannel strategy, enhancing e-commerce capabilities, and expanding its store network. The company remains vigilant regarding macroeconomic factors, including inflation and tariffs, which could impact consumer spending and operational costs. The management's focus on maintaining a value-based assortment and customer loyalty is expected to support its growth trajectory in the competitive sporting goods retail market.