Academy Sports And Outdoors(NASDAQ) ASO

Academy helps people find gear for sports and outdoor hobbies. It sells gear for active families across the United States. Customers shop at large local stores or using an app.

What's in the Store?

• Outdoors: Camping, fishing, and hunting gear such as coolers and rods; accounted for 30% of net sales in Q1 2026.
• Sports and recreation: Equipment for team sports, fitness machinery, and patio furniture; represented 25% of net sales in Q1 2026.
• Apparel: Activewear, workwear, and licensed sports team merchandise; contributed 24% of net sales in Q1 2026.
• Footwear: Athletic shoes, work boots, and casual shoes for all ages; made up 21% of net sales in Q1 2026.

Growing the Retail Footprint

• Opened 21 new retail locations between May 2025 and May 2026.
• Issued $500 million in senior secured notes in May 2026 to pay off old debt.
• Completed a full redemption of previous notes and repaid a term loan in May 2026.
• Introduced the Jordan Brand product line during the first quarter of 2025.
• Expanded the total retail footprint by opening 65 stores since the start of 2021.

Local Gear and Store Brands

The company uses a localized merchandising strategy to stock regional products. It also creates private label brands like Magellan Outdoors to offer value to customers.

A Financial Snapshot

• Net sales reached $1.44 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 6.7% year-over-year.
• Net income hit $52.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, a 14.4% increase from the prior year.
• Adjusted free cash flow hit $121.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 14.2% year-over-year.
• Comparable sales grew 2.9% in the first quarter of 2026, supported by a 4.5% increase in ticket size.

Tracking the Company's Evolution

Academy has transitioned from a traditional retailer into an omnichannel business with stores in 21 states. Its focus on localized assortments and private label brands helps it maintain a distinct market position.