The second quarter "certainly presented some considerable challenges," CEO Greg Hicks said during a conference call with analysts on Thursday after the company released its second-quarter earnings report.

"It was, after all, our first full quarter operating in the eye of the pandemic."

He recalled saying during the previous quarterly call that the impact of the coronavirus on earnings would be more significant this quarter, "and this is, in fact, the case."

The company saw a net loss attributable to shareholders of $20 million, or 33 cents per share. That's compared with a $177.4-million profit, or $2.87 per share, in the same quarter the previous year.

Revenue for the quarter ended June 27 totalled $3.16 billion, down from roughly $3.69 billion in the second quarter of last year.

Analysts had expected net income of $29 million or 47 cents per share on $2.95 billion in revenues, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.

Performance was hurt by a $300-million decrease in revenue primarily at its SportChek, Mark's and Helly Hansen banners as it temporarily closed stores to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, the company said. The company closed all 398 SportChek stores, 380 Mark's locations and 163 shops under other retail banners, including Party City as of March 19. They started reopening in May through June.

Meanwhile, it closed 203 of its 504 Canadian Tire locations on April 5. The closed stores, all located in Ontario, reopened on May 9.

Retail sales, excluding petroleum, for the quarter rose 9.3 per cent. At Canadian Tire, retail sales grew the most at 20.3 per cent, which was offset by a 24.9 per cent decrease at SportChek, 36.4 per cent drop at Mark's and 46.4 per cent decrease by gasoline.

Several factors accounted for this, said Hicks, including the temporary closures in Ontario and an uncertain outlook for reopening at the time.

"Our Ontario dealers reduced their orders substantially," he said, noting shipments in the province dropped 26 per cent during the five-week closure.

The lower orders were coupled with unprecedented and unpredictable demand for some products, such as bicycles, pools and outdoor furniture, said Hicks, adding customer demand far exceeded historical demand and available inventory.

Canadian Tire also incurred additional costs related to the pandemic of about $41 million in operating expenses, including adding safety protocols in stores.

Although headwinds affected the company's quarterly earnings, Hicks said, "there is still a lot to like about this quarter."

He pointed to soaring e-commerce growth at the retailer. E-commerce sales grew 400 per cent in the second quarter, the company said.

Hicks also said the company is also well-positioned as customers increasingly look for a one-stop shopping experience.

• Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd