Buckle's Comparable-Sales Growth Cools After a Faster Quarter
Net sales rose 4.6% to $319.8 million in the 13 weeks ended Aug. 1, 2026, and comparable-store sales rose 2.1%.
The Buckle, Inc. (BKE) posted net sales of $319.8 million for the 13-week fiscal quarter ended Aug. 1, 2026, a 4.6% increase from a year earlier. That pace slowed from the 6.1% sales rise in the quarter ended May 2, 2026, after 5.3% growth in the fiscal-year-ago second quarter.
Comparable store net sales rose 2.1% in the August quarter, down from a 5.1% comparable increase in the May quarter. Online sales increased 2.3% to $44.6 million.
Net income was $44.4 million, or $0.88 a share on a basic basis and $0.87 a share diluted, compared with $45.0 million, or $0.90 a share basic and $0.89 a share diluted, in the second quarter of fiscal 2025. Income from operations declined to $55.8 million from $56.3 million a year earlier.
The specialty apparel retailer's selling expenses rose to $81.2 million from $73.9 million a year earlier. In the May quarter, the company recorded a $19.1 million interchange-fee settlement as a reduction to selling expenses. That item was not repeated in the August period.
Gross profit was $153.0 million. Cost of sales, including buying, distribution and occupancy costs, was $166.8 million. General and administrative expenses were $16.0 million. Other income, net, was $3.0 million. Income tax expense was $14.4 million.
For the 26-week fiscal period ended Aug. 1, 2026, net sales increased 5.3% to $608.6 million. Comparable store net sales for the 26-week period rose 3.5%. Online sales for the 26-week period increased 2.5% to $92.2 million. Net income for the 26-week period was $91.3 million, or $1.80 a share basic and $1.79 a share diluted, compared with $80.2 million, or $1.60 a share basic and $1.59 a share diluted, a year earlier.
As of Aug. 1, 2026, Buckle operated 446 stores in 42 states, compared with 440 stores in 42 states at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2025. The company is a specialty retailer offering a curated mix of apparel, accessories and footwear and is known as a denim destination, including its exclusive BKE brand.
Cash and cash equivalents were $264.8 million at Aug. 1, 2026. Inventory was $161.4 million. Short-term investments were $22.4 million. Receivables were $9.9 million. Total assets were $1.095 billion. Stockholders’ equity was $489.0 million.
Management scheduled a live audio webcast for 10:00 a.m. EDT on Aug. 21, 2026, to discuss the quarter.