Profits declined by 21% in the Holiday quarter to $133,631,000 from $168,167,000 on 7% lower revenues of $1,676,920,000 down from $1,794,828,000, including a -3.0% comp and about $73.3 million of missing sales from last year’s extra week. After a soft start to the quarter, sales set records over Thanksgiving weekend and remained strong through Christmas and into Jan., but then softened when harsh winter weather hit at the end of the quarter.

Outdoor was the best performing category, comping up 2% on strength in hunting, fishing, and camping and gifts from Yeti ... Log in to view full article.