Our August 3, 2023 press release reported that comparable store sales, for stores open at least one full year, for the four-week period ended July 29, 2023, decreased 1.3 percent in comparison to the prior year four-week period ended July 30, 2022. Total net sales for the four-week fiscal month decreased 2.6 percent to $95.1 million compared to net sales of $97.7 million in the prior year four-week fiscal month ended July 30, 2022.
On the men’s side of the business, total sales for the four-week fiscal period ended July 29, 2023 increased slightly in comparison to the prior year four-week period ended July 30, 2022. The men’s business represented approximately 55.5 percent of total sales for the month versus approximately 54.5 percent in the prior year fiscal July. For the fiscal month, overall price points on the men’s side of the business were up approximately 3.5 percent.
On the women’s side of the business, total sales for the four-week fiscal period ended July 29, 2023 decreased 3.0 percent in comparison to the prior year four-week period ended July 30, 2022. The women’s business represented approximately 44.5 percent of total sales for the month versus approximately 45.5 percent in the prior year fiscal July. For the fiscal month, overall price points on the women’s side of the business were up approximately 2.0 percent.
Within the men’s and women’s categories combined, accessory sales for the fiscal month were up approximately 2.5 percent in comparison to the prior year fiscal July, while footwear sales were down about 17.5 percent. These two categories accounted for approximately 11.0 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively, of the current fiscal July net sales. This compares with approximately 10.5 percent and 7.0 percent, respectively, for each in the prior year fiscal July. Average accessory price points for the month were up approximately 4.5 percent, and average footwear price points were up about 11.0 percent for the fiscal month.
For the month, UPT’s were down about 2.0 percent while the average transaction value increased approximately 0.5 percent compared to the prior year fiscal July.
Buckle currently operates 440 retail stores in 42 states compared to 442 stores in 42 states as of August 3, 2022.
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.