Let’s dig into the relative performance of Torrid (NYSE: CURV) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q3 apparel retailer earnings season.

Apparel sales are not driven so much by personal needs but by seasons, trends, and innovation, and over the last few decades, the category has shifted meaningfully online. Retailers that once only had brick-and-mortar stores are responding with omnichannel presences. The online shopping experience continues to improve and retail foot traffic in places like shopping malls continues to stall, so the evolution of clothing sellers marches on.

The 9 apparel retailer stocks we track reported a very strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 8.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q3: Torrid (NYSE: CURV)

Promoting a message of body positivity and inclusiveness, Torrid Holdings (NYSE: CURV) is a plus-size women’s apparel and accessories retailer.

Torrid reported revenues of $235.2 million, down 10.8% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Torrid achieved the highest full-year guidance raise but had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. Still, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 10% since reporting and currently trades at $1.10.

Read our full report on Torrid here, it’s free.

Best Q3: Zumiez (NASDAQ: ZUMZ)

With store associates called “Zumiez Stash Members”, Zumiez (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) is a specialty retailer of street and skate apparel, footwear, and accessories.

Zumiez reported revenues of $239.1 million, up 7.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 10% since reporting. It currently trades at $24.54.

Is now the time to buy Zumiez? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Abercrombie and Fitch (NYSE: ANF)

Founded as an outdoor and sporting brand, Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) evolved to become a specialty retailer that sells its own brand of fashionable clothing to young adults.

Abercrombie and Fitch reported revenues of $1.29 billion, up 6.8% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. It was a satisfactory quarter as it also posted full-year EPS guidance beating analysts’ expectations but EPS guidance for next quarter slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

Interestingly, the stock is up 41% since the results and currently trades at $92.50.

Read our full analysis of Abercrombie and Fitch’s results here.

American Eagle (NYSE: AEO)

With a heavy focus on denim, American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) is a specialty retailer offering an assortment of apparel and accessories to young adults.

American Eagle reported revenues of $1.36 billion, up 5.7% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 11.1% since reporting and currently trades at $23.14.

Read our full, actionable report on American Eagle here, it’s free.

Tilly's (NYSE: TLYS)

With an emphasis on skate and surf culture, Tilly’s (NYSE: TLYS) is a specialty retailer that sells clothing, footwear, and accessories geared towards fashion-forward teens and young adults.

Tilly's reported revenues of $139.6 million, down 2.7% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also recorded EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 20% since reporting and currently trades at $1.44.

Read our full, actionable report on Tilly's here, it’s free.

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