The key shopping month of December turned out great for Zumiez with comp store sales rising 7.9% for the month.
That increase comes on top of a 3.4% jump in December of last year.
In December 2017, transactions were up, while dollars per transaction declined.
The company has performed so well so far in the fourth quarter, it is raising its guidance. Zumiez now expects Q4 same-store sales to grow 7% compared to the 3% to 5% predicted.
Earnings per share should range from 88 cents to 90 cents vs. the previous guidance of 78 cents to 84 cents.
One of the most noteworthy details in the December results is that the footwear category comped positive. That category has struggled for years, with an occasional positive month.
It will be interesting to see if this is the start of a turnaround in footwear or if December was an anomaly.
Men’s was the top performing category in December followed by women’s.
Accessories and hardgoods declined.
Year to date, Zumiez comps are up 5.8%.
Zumiez ended the period with 701 stores.
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