Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI)’s Opens 29 New Stores, Expands Into Nebraska, Nears 600th Milestone

Core Insights - Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. is recognized as one of the best bear market stocks to buy, operating 613 stores across 34 Eastern U.S. states with a focus on brand-name closeout merchandise [1] Financial Performance - In Q2 fiscal 2025, Ollie's reported net sales of $679.6 million, a 17.5% increase year-over-year, with comparable store sales rising by 5.0% [2] - Net income per diluted share increased by 26.9% to $0.99, exceeding estimates due to operational efficiency [2] - Gross margin improved by 200 basis points to 39.9%, and operating margin rose by 80 basis points to 11.3% [2] Expansion and Growth - The company opened 29 new stores during the quarter, including its expansion into Nebraska, bringing the total to 613 stores [2] - Ollie's Army membership grew by 10.6% to over 16.1 million members, indicating strong customer engagement [2] Future Outlook - Ollie's has raised its fiscal 2025 guidance, projecting net sales of $2.631–$2.644 billion and adjusted EPS of $3.76–$3.84 [3] - The company benefits from strong real estate and inventory opportunities, maintaining a robust balance sheet with $460 million in cash and minimal debt [3] Insider Activity - Notable insider activity includes the sale of over $14 million in shares by Chairman John Swygert, indicating a reduction in holdings rather than a complete exit [4] Competitive Position - With strong financials, aggressive expansion, and growing customer loyalty, Ollie's is well-positioned to sustain growth in the competitive discount retail sector [4]