AutoZone Fires on All Cylinders in Q4 2026
AutoZone's fourth quarter earnings call has brought some exciting news for the company, with total sales growth of +5.6% and an increase in earnings per share of 15.1%. Despite a slower rate of growth compared to the previous quarter, the company feels that it gained momentum as the quarter moved along and is optimistic about its sales trajectory for the new fiscal year.
CEO Jamere Jackson and CFO Brian Campbell led the call, highlighting the company's commitment to delivering on its pledge to always put customers first. The operating theme for FY 2026 was "Driving the Future Together," and AutoZone delivered on that theme with a number of key achievements.
One of the major highlights of the quarter was the opening of 175 new stores, bringing the total store count to 374 for the year - the most ever in a fiscal year. This milestone was accompanied by some significant announcements, including the celebration of AutoZone's 1,000th store in Mexico and the grand opening of its relocated Monterrey distribution center.
The company also saw growth in its same-store sales, with total company same-store sales growing +1.5% on a constant currency basis. Domestic DIY same-store sales declined 0.6%, while domestic commercial sales grew +8.6% versus last year's Q4. International same-store sales were up 1.3% on a constant currency basis, and the unadjusted international comp was +10.7% as exchange rates positively impacted comps by over 900 basis points.
AutoZone's CFO Brian Campbell noted that the company's customer service levels and execution have improved this past year, with a focus on systems to deliver even better customer service. The company also highlighted its commitment to investing in new store build-out, both domestically and internationally.
The call concluded with an outlook for FY 2027 sales, with AutoZone feeling optimistic about its sales trajectory for the new fiscal year. With these results and a strong growth plan in place, it's clear that AutoZone is firing on all cylinders and ready to take on the challenges of the future.
