Two important industry customers posted very different sales results for the month of January – and for the fourth quarter.
Zumiez’s same store sales jumped 9.4% for the month, which makes the company one of the best performing retailers at the mall.
Men’s, junior’s and accessories recorded positive results, while hardgoods and junior’s were weak.
For all of the fourth quarter, same store sales rose 5.1%.
Because sales turned out a bit better than expected, the company said Q4 earnings per share should hit the top range of its guidance or come in slightly better. Zumiez previously said Q4 earnings per share should range between 60 cents and 66 cents.
Same-store sales were slightly negative for fiscal 2016, with the company posting a 0.2% decline.
Zumiez ended the fiscal year with 685 stores.
The Buckle
On the flip side, The Buckle has become one of the worst performing retailers at the mall.
The company said same-store sales in January dropped 17.6%.
Every major category reported declines. Men’s fell 11%, women’s dropped 21.5%, accessories declined 17.5% and footwear slumped 21.5%.
For all of Q4, same-store sales fell 16.1%. For fiscal 2016, same-store sales dropped 13.5%.
Previously, Buckle executives have said the decline in denim prices is negatively impacting business. In years past, The Buckle soared during the heyday of high-priced denim.
The Buckle operates 465 stores.
