Zumiez December comps fall slightly, stock rallies

Zumiez same store sales fell 1% in December, an improvement from the 4.2% decline in November, the start of the fourth quarter.

The company’s stock price rose more than 6% to $20.80 in morning trading Thursday.

Zumiez said same store sales were negative each week until the fifth week of the period, which saw a big jump in comps.

The comps by week were:

1. -5.3%

2. -8.7%

3. -11.8%

4. -6.9%

5. +32.7%

Men’s and junior’s were the only positive categories during the month.

Underperforming categories included accessories, hardgoods, footwear and boys.

For November and December, Zumiez said same store sales fell 1.9%. There is still the month of January left in the fourth quarter.

Zumiez said last month that it expects total Q4 same store sales to decline 3% to 4%.

Year to date, Zumiez same stores sales are up 5.2%.

Zumiez ended the period with 502 total stores.