EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: GO) ("Grocery Outlet" or the "Company"), a high-growth, extreme value retailer of quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products, today announced that it raised enough funds to provide two million meals* to people facing hunger through its holiday campaign with Feeding America®, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. The initiative, which ran from mid-November through December 31, was part of Grocery Ou ...

Core Insights - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. announced the retirement of Steve Wilson, EVP and Chief Purchasing Officer, effective March 20, 2026, after 31 years of service [1] - Matt Delly, who joined the company last year as Chief Merchandising Officer, will take over as Chief Merchandising and Purchasing Officer, integrating the purchasing and merchandising functions to enhance efficiency and performance [1][3] Leadership Transition - Steve Wilson has been pivotal in shaping Grocery Outlet's product and purchasing strategy, building a strong buying team and critical supplier relationships [2] - Wilson will assist in the transition process to ensure a smooth integration of the purchasing and merchandising functions [2] Strategic Objectives - The integration under Matt Delly's leadership aims to advance Grocery Outlet's efforts to become a more effective selling organization [3] - Delly is recognized for his leadership and operational discipline, which are expected to improve current efficiency and expand future growth opportunities [3] Company Overview - Grocery Outlet is a high-growth, extreme value retailer with over 560 stores across multiple states, focusing on quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products [4]

Core Insights - Rock Creek Group, LP sold 70,500 shares of Choice Hotels International, reducing its stake to 741,079 shares valued at $79.23 million as of September 30, 2025, a decline of $23.74 million from the previous quarter [2][3] - The sale decreased Choice Hotels' position in Rock Creek's portfolio from 12% to just over 8%, indicating a significant decline in the stock's value, which has dropped nearly one-third in a rising market [6][10] - As of November 11, 2025, Choice Hotels' stock was priced at $97.47, down 32.17% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 46.31 percentage points [7][10] Company Overview - Choice Hotels International is a leading global hotel franchisor with a diverse portfolio of brands, including Comfort Inn, Quality, and Cambria Hotels, serving approximately 7,000 properties in 35 countries [5][8] - The company generates revenue primarily through hotel franchising and marketing cloud-based property management software [8] - Key financial metrics include a revenue of $1.60 billion, net income of $382.07 million, and a dividend yield of 1.18% [3] Market Performance - The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was around 12 at the time of the filing, suggesting potential undervaluation [7] - The recent decline in stock price has brought it to its lowest point since 2020, raising questions about the timing of Rock Creek's previous large purchase [10][11] - Investors are awaiting the upcoming fourth quarter report for insights into Rock Creek's future management of its Choice Hotels position [11]

Core Viewpoint - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is participating in the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference, indicating its engagement with investors and the market [1]. Company Overview - Grocery Outlet is a high-growth, extreme value retailer based in Emeryville, California, specializing in quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products [3]. - The company operates over 560 stores across various states including California, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Idaho, Nevada, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky, and Virginia [3]. Event Details - Jason Potter, the CEO of Grocery Outlet, will participate in a fireside chat on December 3 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time [1]. - A live audio webcast of the event will be available online, with a replay accessible for 180 days post-event [2].

Core Insights - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. reported mixed results for Q3 2025, with net sales missing estimates but showing a year-over-year increase, while earnings exceeded estimates but declined from the previous year [1][3][9] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were 21 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 19 cents but down from 28 cents in the same quarter last year [3][9] - Net sales reached $1,168.2 million, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,182 million, but reflecting a 5.4% year-over-year growth [3][9] - Comparable-store sales increased by 1.2%, supported by a 1.8% rise in transactions, but fell short of the anticipated 2% growth [4][9] Margin and Cost Analysis - Gross profit grew by 3% year over year to $355.1 million, with a gross margin contraction of 70 basis points to 30.4% [5][9] - SG&A expenses rose by 8.7% to $331 million, representing 28.3% of net sales, primarily due to new store costs and higher incentive compensation [6][9] - Adjusted EBITDA was $66.7 million, down 7.7% year over year, with the margin decreasing by 80 basis points to 5.7% [6][9] Store Expansion and Initiatives - The company added 13 new stores and closed two, bringing the total to 563 stores across 16 states, with plans to open 37 net new stores in 2025 [7][9] - A store refresh program was launched in select pilot stores, with plans to expand to 20 stores by year-end 2025 and at least 150 stores by the end of 2026 [8][9] Financial Health - At the end of the quarter, Grocery Outlet had cash and cash equivalents of $52.1 million, long-term debt of $481.5 million, and stockholders' equity of $1,198.6 million [9][10] - The company maintained a net leverage ratio of 1.8x adjusted EBITDA and had $175 million remaining borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility [10][9] 2025 Outlook - The company revised its fiscal 2025 guidance, expecting net sales between $4.70 billion and $4.72 billion, and comparable-store sales growth of 0.6-0.9% [11][9] - Adjusted EBITDA is projected in the range of $258 million to $262 million, with adjusted earnings expected between 78 cents and 80 cents per share [12][9] - For Q4 2025, comparable-store sales growth is anticipated to be flat to 1%, with adjusted earnings projected between 21 cents and 23 cents per share [13][9] Market Performance - Grocery Outlet's shares fell 10% in after-hours trading following the earnings report, and the stock has declined 30.4% over the past three months compared to a 7.4% decline in the industry [2][14]

Core Viewpoint - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is set to release its financial results for Q3 of fiscal 2025 on November 4, 2025, after market close, followed by a conference call to discuss the results [1]. Company Overview - Grocery Outlet is a high-growth, extreme value retailer based in Emeryville, California, specializing in quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products [3]. - The company operates over 550 stores across multiple states including California, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Idaho, Nevada, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky, and Virginia [3]. Investor Relations - A live audio webcast of the upcoming conference call will be available online, with a replay accessible for approximately one year [2]. - Investor relations contacts include Ian Ferry and Ron Clark, providing direct communication channels for inquiries [4].

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong momentum and buy rankings are highlighted for investors: Tesco, Grocery Outlet, and ABB [1][2][3][4] Group 1: Tesco - Tesco is the UK's largest retailer and has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tesco's current year earnings increased by 4.6% over the last 60 days [1] - Tesco's shares gained 8% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [2] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [2] Group 2: Grocery Outlet - Grocery Outlet is a high-growth, extreme value retailer with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Grocery Outlet's current year earnings increased by 1.3% over the last 60 days [2] - Grocery Outlet's shares gained 9.4% over the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [3] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [3] Group 3: ABB - ABB is a leading technology company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3][4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ABB's current year earnings increased by 1.2% over the last 60 days [3] - ABB's shares gained 14.1% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [4] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of B [4]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with A being the highest score [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [3][4][5][6] Value Score - Focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - Concentrates on a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - Aims to capitalize on price trends by evaluating recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] VGM Score - Combines the three Style Scores to identify stocks with the best overall value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to facilitate portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.64% since 1988 [7] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [9] Stock Highlight: Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is a high-growth retailer specializing in discounted name-brand consumables, operating through independently owned stores [11] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A, indicating strong growth potential [12] - Analysts have revised earnings estimates upward, forecasting a year-over-year earnings growth of 1.3% for the current fiscal year [12][13]

Company Overview - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is a high-growth, extreme value retailer founded in 1946 and headquartered in Emeryville, CA, offering quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products through independently owned and operated stores [11] - The stores provide a unique shopping experience in a "small-box" format, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 square feet, featuring discounted, overstocked, and closeout products from both name brand and private label suppliers [11] Investment Ratings - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. holds a 2 (Buy) rating on the Zacks Rank, indicating a favorable investment outlook [12] - The company has a VGM Score of A, reflecting strong overall performance across value, growth, and momentum metrics [12] Financial Metrics - The Value Style Score for Grocery Outlet is B, supported by attractive valuation metrics such as a forward P/E ratio of 21.25, which is appealing to value investors [12] - In the last 60 days, seven analysts have revised their earnings estimates higher for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.04 to $0.78 per share [12] - The company has demonstrated an average earnings surprise of +28.2%, indicating strong performance relative to expectations [12] Conclusion - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is positioned as a compelling option for investors seeking growth and value [13]

Core Insights - Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI) reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with both revenue and earnings exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year improvement [1][9] - The company's value-driven model is resonating well with consumers, particularly in a challenging retail environment, leading to an increase in full-year guidance [1][14] Quarterly Performance - Adjusted earnings were reported at $0.99 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.91, and improving from $0.78 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - Net sales increased by 17.5% year over year to $679.6 million, driven by new store openings and a 5% rise in comparable store sales, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $663 million [3] Margin Analysis - Gross profit rose by 23.9% to $271.3 million, with gross margin expanding by 200 basis points to 39.9%, benefiting from lower supply-chain costs [4] - Operating income grew by 26.7% to $77 million, with operating margin improving by 80 basis points to 11.3% [5] Store Expansion and Customer Engagement - Ollie's Bargain opened 29 new stores during the quarter, bringing the total to 613 stores across 34 states, reflecting a 16.8% year-over-year growth [6] - The Ollie's Army loyalty program grew by 10.6% to 16.1 million members, indicating strong consumer engagement [6] Financial Snapshot - The company ended the quarter with $460.3 million in total cash and investments, marking a 30.3% year-over-year increase, and remains debt-light [7] - Capital expenditures were $26.4 million, with $11.5 million worth of stock repurchased, demonstrating commitment to shareholder returns [7] Full-Year Outlook - Management raised the full-year guidance, projecting net sales in the range of $2,631-$2,644 million, up from $2,579-$2,599 million [10] - Comparable store sales growth is now forecasted at 3-3.5%, an increase from the previous estimate of 1.4-2.2% [10] Future Expectations - For the third quarter, comparable store sales growth is projected at around 3%, above the long-term algorithm of 1-2% [13] - The company plans to open most of its remaining new stores in the third quarter, which is expected to provide additional sales support [13]