Academy Sports + Outdoors Posts Strong Q1 2026 Results, Driven by Growth in Shooting Sports and Outdoor Categories
Academy Sports + Outdoors, a leading sports retailer, has reported strong financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2026. According to the company's recent conference call transcript, total sales came in at $1.44 billion, up 6.7% from the same period last year, with comparable store sales increasing by 2.9%.
The company attributed its positive results to a combination of low single-digit positive traffic and high single-digit Average Unit Retail (AUR) increase, offset by a slight decline in units per transaction due to higher AURs. Notably, the company's dotcom business comped up 17%, with all four divisions experiencing sales increases for the quarter.
Academy Sports + Outdoors also reported strong performance in its outdoor and shooting sports categories, with sales up 12% and 6%, respectively. The company cited strength in fishing and shooting sports as key drivers of this growth, with its ammo business turning positive after a headwind period last year.
The company's firearms business has been a bright spot for the company, with market share gains recorded for eight consecutive quarters using National Instant Check System (NICS) check data as a proxy. To build on this momentum, Academy Sports + Outdoors launched the suppressors category into a limited number of stores during Q1 2026, with plans to roll it out to over 100 stores by year-end.
Other notable categories that performed well for the company included sports and recreation, which grew at a rate of 6%, driven by solid gains in baseball and team sports. Front-end business also saw double-digit growth, thanks to increased investment in collectible trading cards. Apparel sales were up 5%, with particular strength in outdoor and work businesses.
Commenting on the company's performance, Steve Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer of Academy Sports + Outdoors, stated that the results demonstrated progress against their long-term growth initiatives. Carl Ford, Chief Financial Officer, added that the strong results were driven by a combination of factors, including positive traffic and AUR increases.
The company's strategic initiatives are focused on driving growth in key categories such as shooting sports, outdoor, and apparel. With plans to expand its assortment and enhance customer experience through digital investments, Academy Sports + Outdoors is well-positioned for continued success in the competitive retail landscape.
