As we reflect back on the just completed Q2 apparel and footwear retail sector earnings season, we dig into the relative performance of Dick's (NYSE:DKS) and its peers.

Apparel and footwear was once a category thought to be relatively safe from major e-commerce penetration because of the need to try on, touch, and feel products, but the category is now meaningfully transacted online. Everyone still needs clothes and shoes to go outside unless they want some curious (or horrified) looks. But this ongoing digitization is forcing apparel and footwear retailers–that once only had brick-and-mortar stores–to respond with omnichannel offerings. The online shopping experience continues to improve and retail foot traffic in places like shopping malls continues to stagnate, so the evolution of clothing and shoes sellers marches on.

The 20 apparel and footwear retail stocks we track reported a mixed Q2; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 1.93%, while on average next quarter revenue guidance was 0.82% under consensus. Investors abandoned cash burning companies since high interest rates will make it harder to raise capital, but apparel and footwear retail stocks held their ground better than others, with share prices down 4.7% since the previous earnings results, on average.

Dick's (NYSE:DKS)

Started as a hunting supply store, Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS) is a retailer that sells merchandise for traditional sports as well as for fitness and outdoor activities.

Dick's reported revenues of $3.22 billion, up 3.57% year on year, missing analyst expectations by 0.46%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with revenue falling just short of expectations while its EPS and EBITDA missed analysts' estimates by a wide margin due to inventory shrinkage (due to clerical error, goods being damaged, lost, or stolen), which decreases profits.

The stock is down 27.4% since the results and currently trades at $106.75.

Read our full report on Dick's here, it's free.

Best Q2: 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 $935.3 million, up 16.2% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 10.8%. It was a strong quarter for the company, with revenue and EPS exceeding expectations, driven by impressive sales growth at Abercrombie brands and a huge operating margin increase. On top of that, the company raised its full-year revenue guidance from 3% growth all the way up to 10% while changing its operating margin estimate from 5.5% to 8.5%.

Abercrombie and Fitch achieved the strongest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 33.3% since the results and currently trades at $54.87.

Is now the time to buy Abercrombie and Fitch? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT)

With a strong store presence in Texas, California, Florida, and Oklahoma, Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT) is a western-inspired apparel and footwear retailer.

Boot Barn reported revenues of $383.7 million, up 4.88% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 5.79%. It was a strong quarter for the company, with revenue and EPS surpassing analysts' expectations. Revenue guidance for the next quarter also came in ahead of consensus estimates.

Boot Barn scored the highest full year guidance raise among the peers. The stock is down 10.7% since the results and currently trades at $80.35.

Read our full, actionable report on Boot Barn here, it's free.

Designer Brands (NYSE:DBI)

Founded in 1969 as a shoe importer and distributor, Designer Brands (NYSE:DBI) is an American discount retailer focused on footwear and accessories.

Designer Brands reported revenues of $792.2 million, down 7.81% year on year, in line with analyst expectations. It was a decent quarter for the company, with revenue and EPS coming in ahead of Wall Street's expectations. The company maintained its previous full year guidance, which is a welcome sign in a choppy retail environment that has seen a number of companies miss and cut guidance.

The stock is up 16.7% since the results and currently trades at $12.09.

Read our full, actionable report on Designer Brands here, it's free.

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The author has no position in any of the stocks mentioned