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Five Below's Strong Traffic & Transactions Drive Growth Momentum
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Key Takeaways
Five Below's Q2 net sales rose 22.9%, while comparable sales climbed 14.1% on robust shopper traffic.
Comparable transactions increased about 13.6%, far outpacing the 0.4% rise in average transaction value.
Five Below raised its fiscal 2026 outlook to $5.63-$5.71B in sales and $9.83-$10.31 in adjusted EPS.
Five Below, Inc.’s (FIVE - Free Report) customer-centric strategy connects merchandising, marketing and stores through a responsive operating flywheel. The retailer is shifting from item-focused selling to curated product stories, redirecting marketing spend toward social and digital channels, simplifying pricing and enhancing the store experience. Faster trend detection and execution translate relevant assortments and compelling value into traffic, transactions and repeat engagement.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, net sales advanced 22.9% year over year to $1.26 billion, while comparable sales climbed 14.1%. The gain was primarily transaction-driven, with robust traffic from new and returning shoppers. Comparable transactions rose approximately 13.6%, versus a 0.4% increase in average transaction value. Five Below delivered a 26.5% two-year comp stack, marking its fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit comparable growth.
Demand was broad across customer cohorts, geographies and categories, including room, toys, tech and snacks. Trend-led offerings spanning Asian snacks, slime, squishies, licensed merchandise and back-to-school collections supported engagement. Customers acquired in 2025 returned during the first half of 2026, indicating that social storytelling and timely product drops are encouraging repeat visits.
Store expansion extends the strategy’s reach. Five Below opened 52 net new locations during the quarter and ended with 2,022 stores across 46 states. New stores continued to deliver strong performance. The company subsequently entered Idaho, its 47th state and continues exploring Pacific Northwest opportunities. Its planned Puerto Rico launch in the second half of 2027 provides another avenue for disciplined expansion.
Encouraged by the momentum, Five Below raised its fiscal 2026 outlook. The company projects net sales of $5.63-$5.71 billion, comparable-sales growth of 10-12% and adjusted EPS of $9.83-$10.31. Continued product relevance, digital engagement and store expansion support its growth prospects, positioning it to sustain customer loyalty and pursue durable growth.
FIVE’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of Five Below have gained 74% in the past year against the industry’s 15.2% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Five Below is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 2.37, up from the industry average of 1.55. It has a Value Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 49.2%, whereas the same for fiscal 2027 indicates an uptick of 9.3%. Estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward by 76 cents and 90 cents, respectively, in the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Five Below currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Other Key Picks
FIGS, Inc. (FIGS - Free Report) is an apparel company focused on the healthcare industry. Its offerings include lab coats, jackets, footwear, bags, socks and other accessories used by healthcare professionals. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIGS’ current financial-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 89.5% and 18.2%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. FIGS delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 201.8%.
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) is the largest lifestyle retailer in the United States, specializing in western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories. The company also holds a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boot Barn’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 22.6% and 15.7%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. BOOT delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.4%.
Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL - Free Report) is involved in designing, marketing and distributing consumer fashion accessories. It also carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fossil Group’s current fiscal-year earnings suggests growth of 96.7% from the year-ago actuals. FOSL delivered a trailing four-quarter average negative earnings surprise of 236.2%.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Five Below's Strong Traffic & Transactions Drive Growth Momentum
Key Takeaways
Five Below, Inc.’s (FIVE - Free Report) customer-centric strategy connects merchandising, marketing and stores through a responsive operating flywheel. The retailer is shifting from item-focused selling to curated product stories, redirecting marketing spend toward social and digital channels, simplifying pricing and enhancing the store experience. Faster trend detection and execution translate relevant assortments and compelling value into traffic, transactions and repeat engagement.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, net sales advanced 22.9% year over year to $1.26 billion, while comparable sales climbed 14.1%. The gain was primarily transaction-driven, with robust traffic from new and returning shoppers. Comparable transactions rose approximately 13.6%, versus a 0.4% increase in average transaction value. Five Below delivered a 26.5% two-year comp stack, marking its fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit comparable growth.
Demand was broad across customer cohorts, geographies and categories, including room, toys, tech and snacks. Trend-led offerings spanning Asian snacks, slime, squishies, licensed merchandise and back-to-school collections supported engagement. Customers acquired in 2025 returned during the first half of 2026, indicating that social storytelling and timely product drops are encouraging repeat visits.
Store expansion extends the strategy’s reach. Five Below opened 52 net new locations during the quarter and ended with 2,022 stores across 46 states. New stores continued to deliver strong performance. The company subsequently entered Idaho, its 47th state and continues exploring Pacific Northwest opportunities. Its planned Puerto Rico launch in the second half of 2027 provides another avenue for disciplined expansion.
Encouraged by the momentum, Five Below raised its fiscal 2026 outlook. The company projects net sales of $5.63-$5.71 billion, comparable-sales growth of 10-12% and adjusted EPS of $9.83-$10.31. Continued product relevance, digital engagement and store expansion support its growth prospects, positioning it to sustain customer loyalty and pursue durable growth.
FIVE’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of Five Below have gained 74% in the past year against the industry’s 15.2% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Five Below is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 2.37, up from the industry average of 1.55. It has a Value Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 49.2%, whereas the same for fiscal 2027 indicates an uptick of 9.3%. Estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward by 76 cents and 90 cents, respectively, in the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Five Below currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Other Key Picks
FIGS, Inc. (FIGS - Free Report) is an apparel company focused on the healthcare industry. Its offerings include lab coats, jackets, footwear, bags, socks and other accessories used by healthcare professionals. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIGS’ current financial-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 89.5% and 18.2%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. FIGS delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 201.8%.
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) is the largest lifestyle retailer in the United States, specializing in western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories. The company also holds a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boot Barn’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 22.6% and 15.7%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. BOOT delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.4%.
Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL - Free Report) is involved in designing, marketing and distributing consumer fashion accessories. It also carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fossil Group’s current fiscal-year earnings suggests growth of 96.7% from the year-ago actuals. FOSL delivered a trailing four-quarter average negative earnings surprise of 236.2%.