Academy Sports navigates a challenging consumer environment by leveraging tariff refunds to lower prices and focusing on high-performance footwear brands to drive growth.
Academy Sports has identified Nike as a key brand driving their performance running business. As part of a strategic pivot to revive their footwear division, Academy is increasing allocations and improving in-store merchandising for Nike's performance running programs.
Yes, Nike is explicitly mentioned as a brand driving the business, and Academy is prioritizing its performance running styles to return the division to growth.
Academy Sports and Outdoors reported a 3% increase in Q2 2026 sales to $1.6 billion, though comparable sales dipped 0.4% amid inflationary pressures. Management is countering a slowdown in lower-income consumer spending by reinvesting tariff refunds into aggressive pricing and expanding high-growth footwear brands like Nike and Adidas.
The company is reinvesting tariff refunds to lower prices on key private-label items and utilizing targeted promotions through its myAcademy loyalty program.