AutoZone, Inc. filed its 2026 Annual Report and proxy statement, disclosing fiscal year 2026 financial results and operational highlights including record net sales of $20,339 million and 374 new store openings globally.

Key Highlights

  • Record net sales: AutoZone reported net sales of $20,339 million for fiscal 2026, up from $18,939 million in fiscal 2025, according to the filing.
  • Diluted EPS: Diluted earnings per share were $152.55 for fiscal 2026, compared to $144.87 in fiscal 2025, as disclosed in the filing.
  • Store count: The company operated 8,031 stores as of fiscal year-end 2026, consisting of 6,863 stores in 50 U.S. states, 1,001 stores in Mexico, and 167 stores in Brazil.
  • New store openings: AutoZone opened 374 new stores globally in fiscal 2026, along with two new distribution centers in Mexico and Brazil.
  • Domestic same-store sales growth: Domestic same-store sales grew 3.3% in fiscal 2026, while international same-store sales grew 2.2% on a constant currency basis.
  • Operating margin: Operating margin declined to 18.3% in fiscal 2026, from 19.1% in fiscal 2025, as reported in the filing.
  • Cash flow from operations: Cash flow from operations was $3,249 million in fiscal 2026, compared to $3,117 million in fiscal 2025.

AutoZone Fiscal 2026 Results: Store Expansion Amid Margin Pressure

According to the filing, AutoZone crossed the $20 billion net sales threshold for the first time in fiscal 2026, reporting net sales of $20,339 million. Operating profit was $3,723 million, up from $3,610 million the prior year, while operating margin narrowed to 18.3% from 19.1%. The company disclosed that operating expenses grew 8.9% against sales growth of 7.4%, contributing to the margin compression. After-tax return on invested capital declined to 35.8% from 41.3% in fiscal 2025.

The filing described fiscal 2026 as "a challenging year" for AutoZone and its industry. The company attributed pressure on customer spending to the impact of tariffs, higher interest rates, and fuel prices. The domestic DIY segment reported same-store sales growth of 1%, while the domestic Commercial business grew total sales "almost 11%," according to the filing. The company reported 6,443 domestic commercial programs and noted that transaction growth slowed as the year progressed, with some customers deferring maintenance purchases or choosing lower-priced items.

The company disclosed that it opened 374 stores globally during fiscal 2026, which it described as nearly double the pace at the time of its 2023 growth strategy announcement. Two new international distribution centers were opened in Mexico and Brazil. The filing stated that a goal of opening approximately 400 stores in fiscal 2027 has been established, with a longer-term annual target of approximately 440 stores globally. As of fiscal year-end 2026, AutoZone employed approximately 132,000 AutoZoners and operated 16 distribution centers, including 13 in the United States, two in Mexico, and one in Brazil.

What Was Disclosed

AutoZone's 2026 Annual Report disclosed fiscal 2026 net sales of $20,339 million, diluted EPS of $152.55, 8,031 total stores, 374 new store openings globally, and a domestic same-store sales growth rate of 3.3%, alongside discussion of macroeconomic pressures on customer spending and operating margins.