Strong Sales Growth
First quarter sales growth outpaced the industry with an overall 5% comparable sales increase, led by strong Journeys results with an 8% increase in comps.
Positive Operating Income and EPS Improvement
Operating income and EPS improved year-over-year due to higher sales and better expense management. Operating expense leveraged 170 basis points.
Journeys Transformation Success
New leadership and strategic growth plans led to a significant improvement in Journeys' performance, with a focus on product assortment and premium athletic brands.
Effective Cost Management
SG&A expense was 52.5% of sales, 170 basis points better than the prior year, driven by reduced occupancy and bonus expenses, along with cost savings initiatives.
Store Optimization and Remodel Success
The new 4.0 store design delivered strong results with a sales lift of more than 25%, and 39 stores have been remodeled since the program started.