Tractor Supply’s biggest sales quarter ever
While many retailers are cautiously navigating 2025’s economic bumps, Tractor Supply is charging ahead like a tractor plowing through a fresh field.
The rural lifestyle retailer just announced record-breaking Q2 sales, hitting $4.4 billion, up 4.5% year-over-year. Comparable store sales (or “comps”) also saw a 1.5% boost, a significant rebound from the 0.5% dip the company experienced just a year ago.
CEO Hal Lawton didn’t hold back his excitement:
“This was our largest sales quarter ever.”
With net income rising to $430 million and gross margin climbing to 36.9%, Tractor Supply is showing that it’s not just surviving—it’s thriving.
And it has no plans to slow down.
100+ new stores in 2026 — Watch out, home depot and lowe’s
While The Home Depot and Lowe’s have long dominated the home improvement and DIY space, Tractor Supply is moving in on their turf with a bold expansion strategy: 100 new stores set to open in 2026.
That’s right—one hundred.
The growth will be accelerated thanks to the acquisition of 18 Big Lots locations, which are being transformed into future Tractor Supply stores. The company is also remodeling current locations, expanding its garden centers, and bolstering its delivery operations, proving it’s not just a rural player—it’s a national force with staying power.
Executives say these new stores will support Tractor Supply’s “Life Out Here 2030” strategy, aimed at redefining rural retail by investing in everything from pet care to apparel.
Chickens and coops: Tractor supply’s secret weapon
One of the more cluck-worthy surprises this quarter? The success of Tractor Supply’s annual “chick days.”
Each spring, stores across the country transform into mini hatcheries, offering live baby chicks, coops, and all the essentials for aspiring backyard farmers. And in 2025, more customers than ever participated.
CEO Hal Lawton described it as the company’s “most successful” chick sales event to date, noting strong sales from both new and returning customers.
That chicken boom helped boost revenue not just from live birds, but also related items like:
- Chicken feed and treats
- Nesting supplies
- Fencing and coops
- Heating lamps and accessories
It’s not just a seasonal gimmick — it’s a fast-growing market that’s becoming central to Tractor Supply’s brand. As Lawton put it:
“More customers than ever are turning to backyard poultry.”
What’s fueling the boom? Think pets, gardens, and big-ticket buys
Tractor Supply isn’t just about tools and tractor parts anymore. The company is tapping into categories that go beyond the barnyard, including:
- Consumables: Pet food, cleaning supplies, and livestock essentials
- Apparel: Especially for outdoor work and seasonal changes
- Home Décor and Gifts: Because rural doesn’t mean boring
- Outdoor Furniture and Big Items: Patio sets, grills, and equipment
These areas saw major growth in Q2, driven by both necessity and lifestyle shifts. More Americans are embracing rural and semi-rural living, and Tractor Supply is positioning itself as the go-to destination for life outside the city limits.
That strong showing more than made up for softer performance in certain discretionary categories, which many retailers have struggled with due to inflation.
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The competition is real—But so is the strategy
Home Depot and Lowe’s might rule the suburban hardware world, but Tractor Supply is playing a different game—and playing it well.
Unlike its competitors, Tractor Supply focuses less on lumber and paint and more on daily needs and lifestyle-driven products. It’s not just about home improvement. It’s about life improvement for people who live beyond the sidewalks.
Telsey Advisory Group, a leading retail analysis firm, praised the company’s plan, saying it’s built on a smart mix of:
- Store remodels and expansion
- Loyalty programs that deepen customer retention
- Private label product growth
- Retail media investments
- Enhanced delivery systems
And let’s not forget one key stat: only 12% of Tractor Supply’s goods are imported. That means the company is better insulated against tariffs and international supply chain disruptions than many of its competitors.
What’s in store (literally) for 2026?
With over 24 new stores already opened in Q2 of 2025—and two new PetSense by Tractor Supply locations to boot—the company is gearing up for a major footprint expansion.
By 2026, customers can expect:
- 100+ new Tractor Supply locations
- Additional Petsense stores for pet-focused products and services
- Expanded garden centers for plants, seeds, tools, and décor
- Improved final-mile delivery options to serve rural areas faster
- Enhanced digital platforms for seamless online and in-store shopping
The goal is to reach even more customers who are passionate about DIY living, sustainability, gardening, pet care, and backyard farming.
“Life out here” — more than just a tagline
If you’ve ever seen a Tractor Supply ad, you know the brand’s mantra: “Life Out Here.”
It’s more than just a slogan. It’s a lifestyle the company is fully invested in — and one that’s resonating with millions of Americans who crave a more grounded, hands-on life.
Whether it’s someone buying feed for their chickens, fixing up a garden, or decking out their porch, Tractor Supply is becoming the first stop for an increasingly wide range of customers, from rural residents to urban hobby farmers.
