Academy Sports + Outdoors sales dropped 1.4% year over year in its fiscal first quarter ended May 4.
Comparable sales declined 5.7% in the same period. Meanwhile, ecommerce sales had back-to-back quarters of positive growth, according to CEO Steve Lawrence. Academy Sports also announced an exclusive partnership with DoorDash that offers its consumers same-day delivery from its stores.
The retailer has 285 stores in 19 states. It opened two new stores during its fiscal Q1. Looking ahead, Academy Sports plans to open another 12 to 14 stores in the second half of the year.
Lawrence said in a statement that the retailer’s Q1 results reflect its consumers remaining “under pressure in the current economic environment.”
In an earnings call with investors, Lawrence explained that part of Academy Sports’ core strategy is to grow its ecommerce sales to reach 15% penetration over the next five years. To achieve that target, he said the retailer’s goals are “to streamline and elevate the omnichannel shopping experience, offer expanded assortments online, and improve our fulfillment speed.”
Academy Sports + Outdoors ranks No. 144 in the Top 1000. The database is Digital Commerce 360’s ranking of North America’s top online retailers by their annual web sales.
Academy Sports + Outdoors ecommerce sales in Q1
In its fiscal Q1, Academy Sports sales totaled $1.36 billion. That’s down from $1.38 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Academy Sports ecommerce sales grew 8% year over year. Additionally, Academy Sports ecommerce sales comprised 9% of total sales in Q1 2024. That compares to 8.2% in the year-ago period. Buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) and ship-from-store sales represented more than 80% of Academy Sports ecommerce sales.
Lawrence said that “highlights the true omnichannel approach that we’ve taken to growing this business.”
He added that there are three primary sales drivers regarding the retailer’s customers:
- Newness
- Value
- Driving traffic during key periods
Academy Sports also seeks to push its My Academy rewards program by expanding buying power for customers. That includes a welcome offer of 10% off a customer’s next purchase of up to $200. It also includes free shipping on purchases of more than $25. That compares with a $50 minimum for free shipping for non-rewards members. In addition to expanding buying power, Lawrence said those in the program will have faster checkout both online and on its app, as well as “insider access to personalized offers, deals and products, and a birthday reward.”
Academy Sports partnership with DoorDash
As of June 10, consumers can shop from Academy Sports via the DoorDash app. Consumers can order items for same-day delivery from all Academy Sports locations. Those locations are also available on DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program that offers members a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fee on eligible orders.
Chad Fox, executive vice president and chief customer officer, said in a statement that Academy Sports is excited to give its customers “another convenient way to get the products they need quickly.”
“Academy Sports + Outdoors is continually looking for ways to help our customers get to the fun faster, and we believe this partnership with DoorDash will provide them with a new option to get the gear they need,” Fox said in the statement.
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