Company Expects 9% to 11% Sales Growth for Fiscal 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 02 2026
0mins
The company's outlook for fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025 is as follows: Expecting comparable store sales growth in the range of 8% to 10%, implying balance-of-year comps in the high single-digits. Total sales growth is expected to be 9% to 11% for the year. Gross margin is expected to expand approximately 50 to 70 basis points, lower than previous outlook due to expected continued headwinds from fuel surcharges. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $35M-$40M. Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion is expected to be approximately 200 basis points
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Analyst Views on CTRN
Wall Street analysts forecast CTRN stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 47.970
Low
52.00
Averages
52.00
High
52.00
Current: 47.970
Low
52.00
Averages
52.00
High
52.00
About CTRN
Citi Trends, Inc. is a retailer of apparel, accessories and home trends primarily for African American families in the United States. The Company operates 590 stores located in 33 states. It offers a range of merchandise, including a range of apparel for juniors, missy and plus size, including trend right sportswear, outerwear, sleepwear, lingerie and scrubs; a selection of apparel for men and big men, including trend right sportswear and outerwear; an assortment of basics, fashion and trends for boys up to size 20 and girls up to size 16 and also, sizes for newborns, infants and toddlers, and kids uniforms, accessories and sleepwear, and fashionable handbags, luggage, hats, belts, sunglasses, jewelry and watches for men and women, underwear and socks for the entire family, as well as beauty and fragrance offerings for women and men. It also offers home goods for the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and decorative accessories and casual and dress footwear in sizes for men, women and kids.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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See More
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- Doubling EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA surged from $6.4 million in Q1 2025 to $13.9 million, demonstrating a significant improvement in operational efficiency and profitability, which enhances investor confidence.
- Ongoing Store Growth: The company opened two new stores and closed one in Q1, ending with a total of 591 stores, reflecting the successful implementation of its expansion strategy and enhanced market coverage.
- Margin Improvement: Gross margin expanded by 40 basis points to 40%, despite challenges from rising fuel surcharges, showcasing effective cost control and pricing strategies in the face of external pressures.
See More
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- Strategic Investment and Expansion: Citi Trends plans to open approximately 25 new stores in 2026, increasing to about 40 in 2027, indicating a proactive strategic approach to expanding market coverage and enhancing brand presence.
See More
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- Market Potential: The global sports and collegiate merchandise market is estimated at approximately $36 billion in 2024 and projected to approach $49 billion by 2030, indicating robust growth potential that Digital Brands Group is keen to capture.
- Partnership Conversion: Digital Brands Group has expanded its partnership with Global Combat Collective (GCC) and received initial purchase orders tied to a program with a potential aggregate contract value of up to $125 million, marking a successful transition from agreement to execution and strengthening the company's revenue base.
- Collegiate Branding Strategy: The company plans to expand its collegiate licensing initiative, starting with a partnership with the University of Alabama's NIL program, aiming to reach approximately 16 universities by spring 2026, leveraging influencer marketing to enhance brand visibility and market penetration.
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See More
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- Partnership Conversion: Digital Brands Group has expanded its partnership with Global Combat Collective (GCC) and received initial purchase orders tied to its U.S. program, with a potential aggregate contract value of up to $125 million, marking a crucial transition from agreement to execution.
- Optimistic Revenue Outlook: The company projects full-year 2026 revenue between $55 million and $65 million, with expectations of reaching $100 million to $115 million in 2027, primarily driven by the expanding collegiate licensing initiative and GCC apparel arrangement.
- Influencer Marketing Strategy: Digital Brands Group is leveraging an 18-month partnership with social media creator Katie Feeney, who has over 14 million followers, to drive sales of university-branded apparel, further enhancing its competitive position in the market.
See More
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- Comparable Store Sales Growth: Comparable store sales rose by 13.9% year-over-year, driven by increased traffic and basket size, indicating significant progress in the company's competitive positioning in the retail market.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The company expects comparable store sales growth between 8% and 10% for fiscal 2026, with total sales growth projected at 9% to 11%, reflecting strong confidence in future performance.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Citi Trends plans to open approximately 25 new stores, remodel about 50 stores, and close 4 stores in fiscal 2026, with capital expenditures expected to range from $35 million to $40 million, highlighting the company's ongoing investment in expanding and optimizing its retail network.
See More
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- Strong Revenue Increase: The company's revenue rose 14.4% year-over-year to $230.86 million, up from $201.73 million last year, reflecting sustained market demand and the success of its sales strategies.
- Market Recovery Indications: With economic recovery and increased consumer spending, Citi Trends' performance mirrors the overall rebound in the retail sector, bolstering investor confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- Strategic Adjustments Paying Off: By optimizing its product mix and enhancing customer experience, the company has successfully attracted more consumers, which is expected to further drive revenue growth and market share expansion in the future.
See More
