The Buckle, Inc. Press Release Narrative for 1/08/2015
Our January 8, 2015, press release reported that comparable store sales, for stores open at least one full year, for the five-week period ended January 3, 2015, were up 2.5 percent in comparison to the prior year five-week period ended January 4, 2014. Total net sales for the five-week fiscal month were up 5.4 percent to $190.6 million compared to net sales of
$180.9 million in the prior year five-week fiscal month, which ended on January 4, 2014.
On the men's side of the business, total sales for the five-week fiscal period ending January 3, 2015, were up approximately 10.5 percent in comparison to the prior year five- week fiscal period ending January 4, 2014. The men's business represented approximately
49.0 percent of total sales for the month versus approximately 47.0 percent in the prior year fiscal December. Strong categories on the men's side included denim and casual bottoms, woven and knit shirts, sweaters, outerwear, accessories, and footwear. For the fiscal month, overall price points on the men's side of the business were down approximately 1.0 percent.
On the women's side of the business, total sales for the five-week fiscal period ending January 3, 2015, were up approximately 1.5 percent in comparison to the prior year five- week fiscal period ending January 4, 2014. The women's business represented approximately 51.0 percent of total sales for the month versus approximately 53.0 percent in the prior year fiscal December. Strong categories on the women's side included woven and knit tops, sweaters, active apparel, outerwear, and footwear. For the fiscal month, overall price points on the women's side of the business were up approximately 4.5 percent.
Within the men's and women's categories combined, accessory sales for the fiscal month were up approximately 4.5 percent in comparison to the prior year fiscal December, while footwear sales were up approximately 13.0 percent. These two categories accounted for approximately 10.0 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively, of the current fiscal December's Net Sales. This compares with approximately 10.0 percent and 4.5 percent for each of these categories for the same period in the prior year. Average accessory price points were up approximately 3.0 percent and average footwear price points were up approximately
11.0 percent for the fiscal month.
UPT's were up approximately 3.0 percent and the average transaction value was up approximately 6.0 percent for the five-week fiscal month ended January 3, 2015, compared to the prior year five-week fiscal month ended January 4, 2014.
Buckle currently operates 463 retail stores in 44 states compared to 450 stores in 43 states as of January 8, 2014.
It is our Company policy not to provide any guidance on current sales or to project results for the next quarter. Additionally, any forward looking statements made during this commentary involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors which may be beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, the Company's future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Buckle, Inc. is a retailer of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories. The Company operates approximately 440 retail stores in 42 states. The Company markets a wide selection of casual apparel including denim, other casual bottoms, tops, sportswear, outerwear, accessories, and footwear. It also provides customer services, such as free hemming, free gift-packaging, easy layaways, the Buckle private label credit card, and a guest loyalty program. The Company offers denims from brands such as Miss Me, Rock Revival, KanCan, Hidden, Flying Monkey, Levi's, Preme, Smoke Rise, Ariat, Good American, and Wrangler. Other key brands include Hurley, Billabong, Affliction, American Fighter, Sullen, Howitzer, Oakley, Fox, RVCA, 7 Diamonds, Nixon, Free People, Z Supply, Salt Life, White Crow, Brew City, Reef, Stance, Versace Cologne, American Highway, Eight X, Pendelton, Hooey, Goorin Bros., Old Row, Timberland, Teva, Kimes Ranch, SOREL, Hey Dude, Steve Madden, Dolce Vita, and SAXX.
THE BUCKLE, INC. 
