Boot Barn disclosed late on Friday that its preliminary third quarter results exceeded expectations.
Released ahead of its appearance at the ICR Conference on Monday, the Irvine, Calif-based footwear company reported that preliminary net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 were approximately $705.6 million, representing growth of 16 percent over the prior year.
Preliminary net income per diluted share in the quarter is approximately $2.79, compared to net income per diluted share of $2.43 in the prior-year period. Income from operations is approximately $114.8 million compared to $99.5 million in the prior-year period, Boot Barn added.
John Hazen, chief executive officer of Boot Barn, said in a statement that in Q3, the company’s men’s and ladies’ western boots businesses comped high-single-digits while its men’s and ladies’ apparel businesses “slightly outperformed” the chain average, led by mid-teens same store sales growth in denim. The Western chain also reported that work boots comped mid-single-digit positive during the quarter.
In addition to solid top-line sales growth, the CEO noted that Boot Barn’s merchandise margin in Q3 increased 110 basis points compared to the prior-year period due to buying economies of scale, supply chain efficiencies, and growth in exclusive brand penetration, which drove earnings per diluted share “meaningfully above” guidance.
“After another successful holiday quarter, I am pleased to see our fourth quarter off to a strong start as the sales momentum from the third quarter has accelerated into early January,” Hazen said. “I am confident our team has the business well-positioned to deliver a strong finish to our fiscal year.”
This news comes after raised its guidance for fiscal 2026 in October and now expects total sales for the year between $2.20 billion to $2.24 billion, representing growth between 15 percent to 17 percent over fiscal year 2025. Net income for the year is anticipated to be between $207.2 million to $219.6 million, or $6.75 to $7.15 per diluted share. The company also noted that it expects to open 70 new stores throughout the year.
In the third quarter, Boot Barn said it opened 25 new stores, or 55 stores year-to-date, bringing its total store count to 514.
Boot Barn is expected to report its official third-quarter results on Feb. 4, at which time it also intends to provide fourth quarter guidance.