Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT) FY 2026 Conference January 12, 2026 10:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsJim Watkins - CFOJohn Hazen - CEOConference Call ParticipantsPeter Keith - Managing Director and Senior Research AnalystJohn HazenJob, some new screening tools for order management, better search functionality, better merchandising, additional payment methods on the site. So those all contributed to the e-commerce business for the quarter. And as we think about those exclusive brands, it really is about driving the awa ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a merchandise margin expansion of 110 basis points, exceeding the guidance of 30 basis points year-over-year [3][4] - Over the past seven years, the company has seen a total of 700 basis points of merchandise margin expansion [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The exclusive brand penetration met expectations, contributing to growth but not the margin beat [3] - Lower markdowns compared to previous years allowed for better full-price selling, positively impacting margins [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has expanded its Total Addressable Market (TAM) from $40 billion to $58 billion, incorporating the Country Lifestyle segment and denim [22][23] - The average new store volume is approximately $3.2 million, with plans to open stores in both legacy and new markets [24][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on building a proper sourcing team for exclusive brands and reinvigorating the work boot business [7][10] - Marketing initiatives are being tailored to reach a broader Country Lifestyle customer base, including partnerships with mainstream events like NASCAR and the NFL [20][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism regarding the economic landscape, noting that tax refunds and household income trends could positively impact sales [43][44] - The company aims for a mid-teens EBIT margin over time, currently tracking around 13% for the fiscal year [38] Other Important Information - The company is leveraging social media, particularly TikTok, to market stores and products, focusing on authenticity through everyday creators rather than professional influencers [35][36] - The company plans to raise prices on exclusive brands post-holiday to preserve margin rates, with low single-digit increases expected [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the drivers behind the merchandise margin expansion? - Management highlighted better buying economies of scale, lower markdowns, and improved inventory management as key drivers [4][3] Question: How is the company approaching pricing in relation to tariffs? - The company has held exclusive brand pricing through the holiday season and plans to implement low single-digit price increases post-holiday [16][12] Question: What is the strategy for reaching the Country Lifestyle customer? - The company is expanding marketing efforts to include mainstream partnerships and events, targeting customers who embody a rural lifestyle without being traditional ranchers [19][20] Question: What are the expectations for store growth? - The company has raised its store growth target to 1,200 locations, with a focus on both legacy and new markets [24][25] Question: How is the company performing in urban markets? - The company has seen success in urban areas, indicating strong performance in densely populated regions [32][34]

Key Takeaways LULU drives 7% y/y growthin 3Q25, led by 33% international gains and China up 46% in constant currency.Guess's focus on margins, inventory discipline and international reach aids profits despite macro pressures.LULU trades at 15.97X forward P/E vs. GES at 9.7X, highlighting valuation differences amid global expansion.In the global apparel landscape, lululemon athletica inc. (LULU) and Guess? Inc. (GES) occupy sharply different yet increasingly competitive positions. LULU commands a premium sha ...

This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback Dive Brief:Calvin Klein has returned to New York City with a 3,000-square-foot flagship store in SoHo that opened on Tuesday. The store follows other flagship openings from the brand in Paris and Tokyo, according to a press release.Located at 530 Broadway, the store at launch will feature a limited-edition capsule of tees, fleece sweatshirts, hats and totes adorned with custom Calvin Klein SoHo logos. The store’s core men’s and women’s a ...

Core Insights - Retail sales in September totaled $733.3 billion, increasing 0.2% month-over-month and 4.3% year-over-year, although falling short of the expected 0.4% rise [3][9] - The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates twice since September, with expectations for another cut in December, which is favorable for the retail sector [5] - The holiday season is anticipated to boost retail sales, with significant online spending observed during Black Friday [6][7] Retail Sector Performance - Retail sales growth has been steady despite inflationary pressures, with a total increase of 4.5% year-over-year from July to September [3] - The rise in retail sales in September followed a 0.6% increase in August, but was impacted by a struggling labor market and high unemployment rates [4] - Online sales on Black Friday reached a record $11.8 billion, up 9.1% year-over-year, indicating strong consumer spending trends [6][7] Investment Opportunities - Recommended retail stocks with strong online presence include Amazon.com, Boot Barn Holdings, Tapestry, and Ross Stores, all carrying a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [2] - Amazon.com has an expected earnings growth rate of 29.7% for the current year, with a 4.8% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [10] - Boot Barn Holdings has an expected earnings growth rate of 20.5%, with a 6.9% increase in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [12] - Tapestry's expected earnings growth rate is 10.4%, with a 3.3% improvement in earnings estimates [14] - Ross Stores has a modest expected earnings growth rate of 0.63%, with a 2.7% increase in earnings estimates [16]

Market Trends & Consumer Behavior - Consumers are looking for value and great deals, but still have money and want joy [3] - The US consumer has been solid worldwide, despite anxieties and cross-currents [4] - There's a barbell and bifurcation in the market, with pressure at the low and middle and strength at the high end [10] - Quiet luxury is a continuing trend, with less focus on logos and more emphasis on quality and materials [8] Retail & Payment Strategies - Increased rates of mobile use, with a mix of buy online pickup in store, curbside pickup, and delivery [5] - New ways of payment are very different for younger customers [6] - Digital advertising for Walmart is in the $5 billion range [14] Company Performance & Strategies - Levi's focuses on direct to consumer strategy by opening their own stores globally [1] - Walmart is favored for its value story, delivery, curbside pickup, marketplace model, and digital advertising [14] - Walmart's leading grocery business accounts for 60% of its revenue [15] M&A and IPO - Selective M&A is possible, especially in beauty, skincare, longevity, and niche fragrances [13] - The market is getting better with the consumer on a more stable footing, making M&A totally possible [13] Luxury Market - Jewelry is outperforming the rest of the luxury world, especially gold jewelry [9][10] - Handbag prices have gotten extreme, making jewelry prices compelling [11] - Creative leadership matters in luxury brands, driving desire and new design [7]

Core Viewpoint - Guess?, Inc. is set to release its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 on November 25, 2025, and will not host a conference call due to a pending take-private transaction [1]. Company Overview - Guess?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes, and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, denim, handbags, watches, eyewear, footwear, and other related consumer products [2]. - As of August 2, 2025, the company operated 1,062 retail stores directly and had 527 additional stores operated by partners and distributors across approximately 100 countries [2]. Recent Financial Performance - The company reported strong financial results for its second quarter ended August 2, 2025, with revenues exceeding expectations, driven by better-than-expected comparable store sales in Europe and the Americas [5]. - In the first quarter ended May 3, 2025, revenue grew by 9% in U.S. dollars and 12% in constant currency, reflecting successful integration of rag & bone and momentum in wholesale businesses [7]. ESG Commitment - Guess?, Inc. released its FY2024–2025 ESG Report titled "It's in Our DNA," highlighting its commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices through the ACTION GUESS ESG strategy [6].

Market Overview - US stock futures are slightly changed as the S&P 500 aims to finish a modest week of gains, transitioning from a debasement trade to a broad rally across various asset classes [1][5] - The dollar has seen its best week of the year, while gold and cryptocurrencies have reached new highs [1][33] Economic Data - The Bureau of Labor Statistics is preparing to release the September CPI report, with staff being called back despite the government shutdown [2][3] - This CPI data is crucial for calculating Social Security adjustments and will influence the Federal Reserve's rate decisions [3][17] Company Earnings - Levi Strauss reported third-quarter revenue of $1.5 billion, meeting estimates, and raised its full-year outlook, but warned of tariff impacts and provided conservative guidance for Q4, expecting only 1% organic net sales growth compared to 7% in Q3 [4][24][25] - The cautious outlook led to a nearly 11% drop in Levi's stock in pre-market trading [24] AI Sector Insights - Concerns about a potential bubble in the AI sector have been discussed, with Goldman Sachs and UBS suggesting that the current market leaders have strong balance sheets, differentiating them from the dotcom bubble era [7][8] - The NASDAQ has rallied approximately 50% since April, raising concerns about stretched valuations [8][9] Treasury Market and Dollar Dynamics - Despite the narrative of a debasement trade, the dollar has been consolidating and is currently at a two-month high, with a year-to-date decline of about 10% [11][13] - The behavior of the Treasury market does not align with expectations of a debasement trade, indicating strong demand for US assets [34][36] Rare Earth and Tech Stocks - Qualcomm is under scrutiny from China for potential anti-monopoly violations, which may heighten tensions between the US and China [28] - Applied Digital reported better-than-expected first-quarter revenue and is in advanced talks for a new data center, reflecting growth in the tech sector [29][30] - Rare earth stocks are gaining due to China's tightening grip on global supplies, with speculation about increased US government involvement in the sector [31]

Core Insights - Emma Grede is a prominent British entrepreneur known for her role in Skims, a shapewear company valued at $4 billion, and her investments in other brands associated with the Kardashian family [1][5] - Grede's journey began with a pivotal phone call to Kris Jenner in 2015, which led to the creation of a denim brand aimed at inclusivity for women overlooked by mainstream fashion [2][4] - The launch of Good American denim in 2016 achieved remarkable success, generating $1 million on its first day, marking it as the largest denim launch in apparel history [5] Company Overview - Skims is a shapewear company co-founded by Emma Grede and Kim Kardashian, valued at $4 billion [1] - Good American, the denim brand co-founded by Grede and Khloe Kardashian, focuses on inclusivity and achieved $1 million in sales on its first day [5] Industry Impact - Grede's approach emphasizes boldness and audacity in entrepreneurship, encouraging founders to take risks and act on their ideas rather than just discussing them [6] - The success of Good American has set a precedent in the apparel industry for inclusive branding and marketing strategies [5]

Market Perspective - Bitcoin is presented as an alternative to traditional currency, offering "freedom" compared to American Eagle's denim [1] - The core message is that fiat currency loses value annually due to inflation [1]