The Buckle‘s growth trajectory continued in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, with strong performance in women’s apparel, private label, and denim driving revenue gains and improved profitability. The Nebraska-based specialty retailer reported net sales of $305.7 million for the 13-week period ended Aug. 2, 2025 – an 8.3% increase from the prior year quarter.
The company’s financial performance reflected both strategic merchandise decisions and operational efficiency gains, according to executives on the company’s earnings call Friday. Net income reached $45 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, compared to $39.3 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2024. This represented a 14.6% increase in earnings per share year-over-year.
Comparable store sales increased 7.3% for the quarter, while online sales grew 17.7% to $43.6 million. This digital momentum has been a consistent theme for the retailer, which has invested heavily in ecommerce.
For the first half of fiscal 2025, net sales totaled $577.9 million, up 6.1% from $544.9 million in the prior year period. Comparable store sales for the 26-week period increased 5.2%, while online sales grew 10.5% to $90 million.
Women’s Business Accelerates Growth
The standout performer for The Buckle was its women’s business, which saw merchandise sales increase approximately 18.5% against the prior year. Women’s apparel now represents about 47.5% of total sales, up from 43.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
“Growth in the women’s business continues to be anchored in the performance of our denim category,” said Adam Ackerson, VP of finance. Women’s denim increased approximately 20.5% for the quarter, with average denim price points rising from $80.60 to $85.35.
The price point increase reflects strong performance from The Buckle’s private label Buckle Black Label brand, which “has outperformed the total denim business, along with strong growth of other higher price point national brands,” according to Ackerson.
The company’s merchandising team has focused on what they call “customer-centric buying,” which involves sharpening focus on key styles, brands, and trends. This strategy delivered double-digit growth in every women’s category except shorts, which still saw positive growth for the quarter.
Men’s Business Returns to Growth
After facing headwinds in recent quarters, The Buckle’s men’s business returned to growth with merchandise sales up about 1.5% against the prior year. Men’s apparel represented approximately 52.5% of total sales, compared to 56.5% in the prior year quarter.
Men’s denim led the category with approximately 4.5% growth for the quarter. Average denim price points remained relatively stable, increasing slightly from $89.20 to $89.30. Other strong-performing men’s categories included short sleeve woven shirts, polos, denim shorts, hats, and fragrances.
Tariffs Impact and Looking Ahead
CEO Dennis Nelson noted that the company is seeing “low- to mid-single digits on average” cost increases from tariffs, though some vendors haven’t raised prices while others have implemented “higher single-digit increases.”
The Buckle continues to expand its physical footprint selectively while focusing on store optimization. During the quarter, the company opened two new stores and completed four full store remodels, including one relocation to a new outdoor shopping center. For the remainder of fiscal 2025, management anticipates opening four additional new stores and completing 12 more full remodeling projects.
The retailer ended the quarter with 440 stores across 42 states, maintaining the same store count as a year ago. The company continues to focus on moving locations out of traditional malls into what Heacock described as “better locations off-mall.”
Private label merchandise continues to gain traction, representing 43.5% of sales in the second quarter compared to 43.0% in the prior year period. This marks the tenth consecutive quarter of private label growth as a percentage of the overall merchandise mix.
Kate Robertson can be reached at kate@shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com.
