• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, March 10, 2021

Between stimulus checks, expanding vaccination efforts and the hope that spring sports will be closer to normal this year, Dick's Sporting Goods just handed in record results for the fourth quarter.

The Pittsburgh-based retailer is also putting its Giving Truck back on the road again. Launched as a way to reach underserved communities hit hard by the pandemic back in December with a gift drive, this time it's focusing on baseball and softball, distributing gear in eight cities.

The retailer's net sales reached $3.13 billion, an increase of 19.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. And with its 57% rise in online sales, those ecommerce transactions now comprise 32% of purchases, up from 25% in the prior year's comparable period.

The fourth quarter's net income rose to $219.6 million, compared with $69.8 million in the year-ago period.

The company credits its strong results to investments in omnichannel capabilities and growing demand in the golf, outdoor activities, home fitness, and active lifestyle categories.

Dick’s also released forecasts for the year ahead, which struck some observers as conservative. Others took it in stride. "The company is executing well, which we think sets it up more favorably for the long-run," writes Michael Lasser, an analyst who follows the company for UBS and currently gives the company a neutral rating. And he is impressed by its omnichannel efforts. "The value of its store footprint was on display, with 70% of online orders fulfilled through stores."

Others believe that the retailer will continue to gain as consumers look for more ways to focus on health and wellness. "With a lot of gyms and fitness centers around the country still closed, and with many people nervous about venturing into such destinations as they gradually reopen, Dick's continues to benefit from the exercise-at-home trend," writes Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData.

For the full year, Dick's donated $30 million to its foundation to support Sports Matter and other charitable programs within communities it serves, as many youth sports organizations try to get back to normal.

The Giving Truck is set to deliver much-needed equipment to kids in Charlotte, Atlanta, Tampa, Mobile, Houston, El Paso, Phoenix and Los Angeles, aimed at outfitting 10,000 kids with equipment. The truck has built-in video technology, enabling pro athletes like Walker Buehler, Cat Osterman, Andrew McCutchen, , Haylie McCleney, Kyle Tucker  and Joey Gallo the chance to encourage young athletes throughout the tour.