Description

Academy Sports’ 17% E-Commerce Surge: AI Search, Same-Day Delivery And Loyalty!

Academy Sports and Outdoors reported first quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $1.44 billion, representing a 6.7% year-over-year increase, with comparable store sales rising 2.9%. The sales performance was driven by modest growth in store traffic and a higher average unit retail (AUR), although units per transaction decreased slightly. The company experienced broad-based gains across all four divisions, with the Outdoor category showing a 12% increase, notably supported by the turnaround in ammunition sales following geopolitical events and continued strength in firearms market share. The Sports & Recreation business rose by 6%, benefiting from baseball and collectible trading card segments, while Apparel and Footwear sales grew by 5% and 3%, respectively, with notable contributions from both branded and private label offerings. The e-commerce segment demonstrated robust growth exceeding 17%, boosted by initiatives such as expanded same-day delivery through third-party partners and enhancements to search functionality incorporating AI technology.