New Academy 2025: Courses, Prices & Success Stories—Everything You Need to Know

Academy Sports + Outdoors (NASDAQ: ASO) posted its fiscal 2025 first-quarter results on 10 June 2025, revealing a mixed picture for the fast-growing sporting-goods chain. Net sales slipped 0.9 % year-over-year to $1.35 billion, while comparable sales fell 3.7 % as consumers remained cautious in a choppy macro environment. Despite the headline decline, management highlighted several bright spots that could spark renewed interest in ASO stock. eCommerce momentum and affluent shoppers Digital channels delivered a 10.2 % sales jump, marking the third straight quarter of double-digit online growth. CEO Steve Lawrence noted that higher-income customers are “driving stronger traffic,” a trend the retailer hopes to amplify through premium brand launches such as the Jordan Brand—its largest brand rollout to date. Aggressive store expansion keeps footprint growing During the quarter, Academy opened five new stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Missouri and North Carolina, boosting its store count to 303 across 21 states. The company still plans to open 20–25 locations in fiscal 2025, underscoring confidence in underserved regional markets and reinforcing the keyword theme “new Academy Sports store near me.” Profitability holds up in a tough quarter Gross margin expanded to 34 % from 33.4 % a year ago, helped by tight inventory controls and private-label mix. Diluted GAAP EPS landed at $0.68, down from $1.01 last year but ahead of several analyst expectations driven by strong cost discipline. Management returned $108 million to shareholders via buybacks and dividends, and the Board declared a $0.13 quarterly dividend payable 17 July 2025. Updated FY 2025 outlook: wider, but still optimistic To reflect tariff uncertainty and shifting consumer spending, Academy widened its full-year comp-sales range to –4 % to +1 % while maintaining the high end of its net-sales and EPS guidance. Executives said tariff-mitigation actions—diversifying sourcing away from China and pulling forward inventory—keep the retailer flexible if trade friction intensifies. Key takeaways for investors and shoppers • ASO stock remains a value-oriented play in the sporting-goods sector, with share repurchases reducing share count more than 9 % year-over-year. • Academy’s omnichannel strategy—curbside pickup, same-day delivery partnerships and a revamped mobile app—continues to convert store traffic into profitable eCommerce sales. • New stores in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest create fresh local buzz and SEO opportunities around “Academy Sports grand opening deals.” • Private brands such as BCG, Magellan Outdoors and Freely now account for roughly 23 % of merchandise sales, cushioning margins against markdown pressure. Bottom line While near-term comparable sales are negative, Academy Sports + Outdoors is leveraging eCommerce gains, premium brand launches and an aggressive expansion pipeline to capture market share in the $150-billion U.S. sporting-goods arena. If management executes on its tariff strategy and store rollouts, ASO could rebound in the second half of 2025, making this earnings dip a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors searching the web for “Academy Sports stock forecast” or “ASO earnings analysis.”