The Buckle, Inc. Press Release Narrative for 9/04/2014
Our September 4, 2014, press release reported that comparable store sales, for stores open at least one full year, for the four-week period ended August 30, 2014, were up 0.8 percent in comparison to the prior year four-week period ended August 31, 2013. Total net sales for the four-week fiscal month were up 2.5 percent to $103.6 million compared to net sales of $101.1 million in the prior year four-week fiscal month, which ended on August 31,
2013.
On the men's side of the business, total sales for the four-week fiscal period ending August
30, 2014, were up approximately 10.5 percent in comparison to the prior year four-week fiscal period ending August 31, 2013. The men's business represented approximately 42.5 percent of total sales for the month versus approximately 39.5 percent in the prior year fiscal August. Strong categories on the men's side included denim and casual bottoms, knit shirts, shorts, outerwear, accessories, and footwear. For the fiscal month, overall price points on the men's side of the business were down just slightly.
On the women's side of the business, total sales for the four-week fiscal period ending August 30, 2014, were down approximately 1.5 percent in comparison to the prior year four-week fiscal period ending August 31, 2013. The women's business represented approximately 57.5 percent of total sales for the month versus approximately 60.5 percent in the prior year fiscal August. Strong categories on the women's side included casual bottoms, woven and knit tops, sweaters, active apparel, and footwear. For the fiscal month, overall price points on the women's side of the business were up approximately 3.0 percent.
Within the men's and women's categories combined, accessory sales for the fiscal month were up approximately 1.5 percent in comparison to the prior year fiscal August, while footwear sales were up approximately 7.5 percent. These two categories accounted for approximately 8.0 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively, of the current fiscal August's Net Sales. This compares with approximately 8.5 percent and 5.0 percent for each of these categories for the same period in the prior year. Average accessory price points were up approximately 6.5 percent and average footwear price points were up approximately 16.0 percent for the fiscal month.
UPT's were up approximately 2.0 percent and the average transaction value was up approximately 6.0 percent for the four-week fiscal month ended August 30, 2014, compared to the prior year four-week fiscal month ended August 31, 2013.
With the opening of one new store earlier this week, Buckle currently operates 457 retail stores in 44 states compared to 451 stores in 43 states as of September 4, 2013.
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. 
