Genesco Inc. Reports Fiscal 2026 First Quarter Results

--Top and bottom-line results exceed expectations--

--Comparable sales increased 5%, led by Journeys with an 8% increase--

--Sales growth and meaningful expense leverage drives bottom line improvement compared to Q1 last year--

--Company reiterates full year EPS outlook including impact of current tariffs--

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported first quarter results for the three months ended May 3, 2025.

First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Summary

• Net sales of $474 million increased 4% compared to Q1FY25
• Comparable sales increased 5%, with stores up 5% and e-commerce up 7%
• E-commerce sales represented 23% of retail sales
• Selling and administrative expenses leveraged 170 basis points compared to last year
• GAAP EPS was ($2.02) and Non-GAAP EPS was ($2.05)¹ versus GAAP EPS of ($2.22) and Non-GAAP EPS of ($2.10) last year

Mimi E. Vaughn, Genesco’s Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Following the significant momentum in last year’s back half, we are pleased with our start to fiscal 2026 with both sales and profitability coming in above our expectations. Our first quarter performance was highlighted by our third consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales increases, with results once again driven by Journeys, as our strategic plan to accelerate growth and increase market share continues to gain traction. At the same time, the work we’ve done realigning our cost structure including our ongoing store optimization initiatives, helped drive a nice year-over-year improvement in operating income.”

Vaughn continued, “While an already choppy consumer environment has become more pronounced recently from the increased uncertainty due to tariffs, our diversified sourcing and mitigation actions position us well to manage the current tariff impact. In addition, our strong strategic positioning and track record of evolving our businesses in the face of market disruptions are giving us confidence in successfully navigating the current environment.”

__________________________

1Excludes charges for severance and asset impairments, net of tax effect in the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 (“Excluded Items”). A reconciliation of loss and loss per share from continuing operations in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) with the adjusted loss and loss per share numbers is set forth on Schedule B to this press release. The Company believes that disclosure of loss and loss per share from continuing operations adjusted for the items not reflected in the previously announced expectations will be meaningful to investors, especially in light of the impact of such items on the results.

Sandra Harris, Genesco’s Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, added, “Our first quarter performance exceeded our expectations, and our adjusted EPS would have been $0.05 better had we not opportunistically bought back shares during the quarter. Today we are reiterating our full-year adjusted EPS guidance of $1.30 to $1.70, incorporating the impact of current tariffs. Although there is ongoing external market uncertainty, we know our businesses are strong, and we are making investments in product, stores, and marketing across all brands to drive growth.”

First Quarter Review

Net sales for the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 increased 4% to $474 million compared to $458 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025. The net sales increase reflects a 5% increase in comparable sales, including a 7% increase in e-commerce comparable sales and a 5% increase in same store sales, and increased wholesale sales, partially offset by the impact of net store closings.

Comparable Sales
Comparable Same Store and E-commerce Sales:	1QFY26	1QFY25
Journeys Group	8%	(5)%
Schuh Group	1%	(7)%
Johnston & Murphy Group	(2)%	(3)%
Total Genesco Comparable Sales	5%	(5)%
Same Store Sales	5%	(7)%
Comparable E-commerce Sales	7%	3%

The overall sales increase of 4% for the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 was driven by an increase of 5% at Journeys, an increase of 4% at Schuh and a 7% increase at Genesco Brands, partially offset by a decrease of 3% at Johnston & Murphy. On a constant currency basis, Schuh sales were up 1% for the first quarter this year.

Gross margin for the first quarter this year was 46.7% compared to 47.3% last year. Adjusted gross margin for the first quarter this year of 46.7% decreased 90 basis points as a percentage of sales compared to 47.6% last year. The decrease as a percentage of sales compared to Fiscal 2025 is due primarily to changes in brand mix at Journeys and Schuh, promotional activity at Schuh and lower margins at Genesco Brands related to liquidation of product for sunsetting licenses.

Selling and administrative expenses for the first quarter this year of 52.5% decreased 170 basis points as a percentage of sales compared with last year primarily reflecting decreased occupancy and performance-based compensation expenses as well as other cost savings initiatives.

Genesco’s GAAP operating loss for the first quarter was $28.1 million, or 5.9% of sales this year, compared with a loss of $32.1 million, or 7.0% of sales in the first quarter last year. Adjusted for the Excluded Items in the first quarters of both Fiscal 2026 and 2025, the operating loss for the first quarter was $27.9 million this year compared to a loss of $30.0 million last year. Adjusted operating margin was a loss of 5.9% of sales in the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to a loss of 6.5% in the first quarter last year.

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 28.5% in Fiscal 2026 compared to 26.7% in the first quarter last year. The adjusted tax rate, reflecting Excluded Items, was 26.7% in Fiscal 2026 compared to 26.0% in the first quarter last year.

GAAP loss from continuing operations was $21.2 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to a loss of $24.3 million in the first quarter last year. Adjusted for the Excluded Items, the first quarter loss from continuing operations was $21.5 million, or $2.05 per share, in Fiscal 2026, compared to a loss of $22.9 million, or $2.10 per share, in the first quarter last year.

Cash, Borrowings and Inventory

Cash as of May 3, 2025, was $21.7 million, compared with $19.2 million as of May 4, 2024. Total debt at the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 was $121.0 million compared with $59.4 million at the end of last year’s first quarter, primarily reflecting increased inventories which were up 15% on a year-over-year basis to meet increased demand at Journeys.

Capital Expenditures and Store Activity

For the first quarter this year, capital expenditures were $19 million, related primarily to retail stores and other initiatives. Depreciation and amortization was $13 million. During the quarter, the Company opened four stores and closed 26 stores. The Company ended the quarter with 1,256 stores compared with 1,321 stores at the end of the first quarter last year, or a decrease of 5%. Square footage was down 3% on a year-over-year basis.

Share Repurchases

The Company repurchased 604,531 shares for $12.6 million, or $20.79 per share, during the first quarter of Fiscal 2026. The Company currently has $29.8 million remaining on its expanded share repurchase authorization announced in June 2023.

Fiscal 2026 Outlook

For Fiscal 2026, the Company:

• Continues to expect adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the range of $1.30 to $1.70 ² , including the impact of tariffs currently in place
• Expects total sales to be up 1% to 2% compared to Fiscal 2025 versus prior expectation of flat to up 1% due to the impact of favorable foreign exchange, with comparable sales range narrowed to up 2% to 3% versus prior range of up 2% to 4%
• Guidance assumes no further share repurchases and a tax rate of 29%

__________________________

2A reconciliation of the adjusted financial measures cited in the guidance to their corresponding measures as reported pursuant to GAAP is included in Schedule B to this press release.

Conference Call, Management Commentary and Investor Presentation

The Company has posted detailed financial commentary and a supplemental financial presentation of first quarter results on its website, www.genesco.com, in the investor relations section. The Company's live conference call on June 4, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time), may be accessed through the Company's website, www.genesco.com. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding future sales, earnings, operating income, gross margins, expenses, capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization, tax rates, store openings and closures, cost reductions, and all other statements not addressing solely historical facts or present conditions. Forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as “intend,” “expect,” “feel,” “should,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “optimistic,” “confident” and similar terminology. Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements. A number of factors could cause differences. These include adjustments to projections reflected in forward-looking statements, including those resulting from weakness in store and shopping mall traffic, the imposition of tariffs on product imported by the Company or its vendors as well as the ability and costs to move production of products in response to tariffs; our ability to pass on price increases to our customers; restrictions on operations imposed by government entities and/or landlords, changes in public safety and health requirements, and limitations on the Company’s ability to adequately staff and operate stores. Differences from expectations could also result from store closures and effects on the business as a result of the level and timing of promotional activity necessary to maintain inventories at appropriate levels; the Company’s ability to obtain from suppliers products that are in-demand on a timely basis and effectively manage disruptions in product supply or distribution, including disruptions as a result of pandemics or geopolitical events, including shipping disruptions in the Red Sea; unfavorable trends in fuel costs, foreign exchange rates, foreign labor and material costs, and other factors affecting the cost of products; civil disturbances; our ability to renew our license agreements; impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, and other sources of market weakness in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland; the effectiveness of the Company's omnichannel initiatives; costs associated with changes in minimum wage and overtime requirements; wage pressure in the U.S. and the U.K.; weakness in the consumer economy and retail industry; competition and fashion trends in the Company's markets; risks related to the potential for terrorist events; risks related to public health and safety events; changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers; retained liabilities associated with divestitures of businesses including potential liabilities under leases as the prior tenant or as a guarantor; and changes in the timing of holidays or in the onset of seasonal weather affecting period-to-period sales comparisons. Additional factors that could cause differences from expectations include the ability to secure allocations to refine product assortments to address consumer demand; the ability to renew leases in existing stores and control or lower occupancy costs, to open or close stores in the number and on the planned schedule, and to conduct required remodeling or refurbishment on schedule and at expected expense levels; the Company’s ability to realize anticipated cost savings, including rent savings; the amount and timing of share repurchases; the Company’s ability to achieve expected digital gains and gain market share; deterioration in the performance of individual businesses or of the Company's market value relative to its book value, resulting in impairments of fixed assets, operating lease right of use assets or intangible assets or other adverse financial consequences and the timing and amount of such impairments or other consequences; unexpected changes to the market for the Company's shares or for the retail sector in general; costs and reputational harm as a result of disruptions in the Company’s business or information technology systems either by security breaches and incidents or by potential problems associated with the implementation of new or upgraded systems; the Company’s ability to realize any anticipated tax benefits in both the amount and timeframe anticipated; and the cost and outcome of litigation, investigations, environmental matters and other disputes involving the Company. Additional factors are cited in the "Risk Factors," "Legal Proceedings" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of, and elsewhere in, the Company’s SEC filings, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC website, www.sec.gov, or by contacting the investor relations department of Genesco via the Company’s website, www.genesco.com. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of the subject matter of this release are beyond Genesco's ability to control or predict. Genesco undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

About Genesco Inc.

Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) is a footwear focused company with distinctively positioned retail and lifestyle brands and proven omnichannel capabilities offering customers the footwear they desire in engaging shopping environments, including more than 1,250 retail stores and branded e-commerce websites. Its Journeys, Little Burgundy and Schuh brands serve teens, kids and young adults with on-trend fashion footwear that inspires youth culture in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Johnston & Murphy serves the successful, affluent man and woman with premium footwear, apparel and accessories in the U.S. and Canada, and Genesco Brands Group sells branded lifestyle footwear to leading retailers under licensed brands including Levi’s, Dockers, Starter and PONY. Founded in 1924, Genesco is based in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information on Genesco and its operating divisions, please visit www.genesco.com.

	GENESCO INC.
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	(in thousands, except per share data)
	(Unaudited)
		Quarter 1					Quarter 1
		May 3,			% of		May 4,			% of
			2025		Net Sales			2024		Net Sales
	Net sales	$	473,973		100.0	%	$	457,597		100.0	%
	Cost of sales		252,792		53.3	%		241,316		52.7	%
	Gross margin(1)		221,181		46.7	%		216,281		47.3	%
	Selling and administrative expenses		249,035		52.5	%		247,831		54.2	%
	Asset impairments and other, net(2)		291		0.1	%		578		0.1	%
	Operating loss		(28,145	)	-5.9	%		(32,128	)	-7.0	%
	Other components of net periodic benefit cost		180		0.0	%		109		0.0	%
	Interest expense, net		1,339		0.3	%		890		0.2	%
	Loss from continuing operations before
	income taxes		(29,664	)	-6.3	%		(33,127	)	-7.2	%
	Income tax benefit		(8,452	)	-1.8	%		(8,839	)	-1.9	%
	Loss from continuing operations		(21,212	)	-4.5	%		(24,288	)	-5.3	%
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(15	)	0.0	%		(59	)	0.0	%
	Net Loss	$	(21,227	)	-4.5	%	$	(24,347	)	-5.3	%
	Basic loss per share:
	Before discontinued operations	$	(2.02	)			$	(2.22	)
	Net loss	$	(2.02	)			$	(2.23	)
	Diluted loss per share:
	Before discontinued operations	$	(2.02	)			$	(2.22	)
	Net loss	$	(2.02	)			$	(2.23	)
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic		10,495					10,930
	Diluted		10,495					10,930
	(1) Includes a $1.6 million gross margin charge related to a distribution model transition in Genesco Brands Group in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025.
	(2) Includes a $0.3 million charge in the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 for severance.
	Includes a $0.6 million charge in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 which includes $0.3 million for severance and $0.3 million for asset impairments.

	GENESCO INC.
	Sales/Earnings Summary by Segment
	(in thousands)
	(Unaudited)
		Quarter 1						Quarter 1
		May 3,			% of			May 4,			% of
			2025		Net Sales				2024		Net Sales
	Sales:
	Journeys Group	$	272,634		57.5	%		$	259,445		56.7	%
	Schuh Group		95,915		20.2	%			92,349		20.2	%
	Johnston & Murphy Group		76,839		16.2	%			79,207		17.3	%
	Genesco Brands Group		28,585		6.0	%			26,596		5.8	%
	Net Sales	$	473,973		100.0	%		$	457,597		100.0	%
	Operating income (loss):
	Journeys Group	$	(15,283	)	-5.6	%		$	(18,822	)	-7.3	%
	Schuh Group		(6,131	)	-6.4	%			(5,896	)	-6.4	%
	Johnston & Murphy Group		500		0.7	%			2,355		3.0	%
	Genesco Brands Group(1)		698		2.4	%			(986	)	-3.7	%
	Corporate and Other(2)		(7,929	)	-1.7	%			(8,779	)	-1.9	%
	Operating loss		(28,145	)	-5.9	%			(32,128	)	-7.0	%
	Other components of net periodic benefit cost		180		0.0	%			109		0.0	%
	Interest expense, net		1,339		0.3	%			890		0.2	%
	Loss from continuing operations before
	income taxes		(29,664	)	-6.3	%			(33,127	)	-7.2	%
	Income tax benefit		(8,452	)	-1.8	%			(8,839	)	-1.9	%
	Loss from continuing operations		(21,212	)	-4.5	%			(24,288	)	-5.3	%
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(15	)	0.0	%			(59	)	0.0	%
	Net Loss	$	(21,227	)	-4.5	%		$	(24,347	)	-5.3	%
	(1) Includes a $1.6 million gross margin charge related to a distribution model transition in Genesco Brands Group in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025.
	(2) Includes a $0.3 million charge in the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 for severance.
	Includes a $0.6 million charge in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 which includes $0.3 million for severance and $0.3 million for asset impairments.

	GENESCO INC.
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
	(in thousands)
	(Unaudited)
		May 3, 2025			May 4, 2024
	Assets
	Cash	$	21,748		$	19,247
	Accounts receivable		52,815			50,119
	Inventories		450,829			392,671
	Other current assets(1)		107,922			46,003
	Total current assets		633,314			508,040
	Property and equipment		236,909			233,601
	Operating lease right of use assets		472,091			420,133
	Goodwill and other intangibles		36,857			36,331
	Non-current prepaid income taxes		-			57,441
	Other non-current assets		25,420			51,871
	Total Assets	$	1,404,591		$	1,307,417
	Liabilities and Equity
	Accounts payable	$	122,166		$	108,847
	Current portion long-term debt		7,299			-
	Current portion operating lease liabilities		126,954			125,450
	Other current liabilities		74,504			73,888
	Total current liabilities		330,923			308,185
	Long-term debt		113,733			59,444
	Long-term operating lease liabilities		389,384			345,670
	Other long-term liabilities		48,319			45,665
	Equity		522,232			548,453
	Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,404,591		$	1,307,417
	(1) Includes prepaid income taxes of $74.8 million at May 3, 2025 and $17.3 million at May 4, 2024.

	GENESCO INC.
	Store Count Activity
		Balance				Balance					Balance
		02/03/24	Open	Close		02/01/25		Open	Close		05/03/25
	Journeys Group	1,063	7	64		1,006		2	19		989
	Schuh Group	122	4	2		124		0	3		121
	Johnston & Murphy Group	156	1	9		148		2	4		146
	Total Retail Stores	1,341	12	75		1,278		4	26		1,256

	GENESCO INC.
	Comparable Sales
		Quarter 1
		May 3,		May 4,
		2025		2024
	Journeys Group	8%		-5%
	Schuh Group	1%		-7%
	Johnston & Murphy Group	-2%		-3%
	Total Comparable Sales	5%		-5%
	Same Store Sales	5%		-7%
	Comparable E-commerce Sales	7%		3%

Schedule B
Genesco Inc.
Adjustments to Reported Loss from Continuing Operations
Three Months Ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024
The Company believes that disclosure of earnings (loss) and earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations and operating income (loss) adjusted for the items not reflected in the previously announced expectations will be meaningful to investors, especially in light of the impact of such items on the results.
		Quarter 1								Quarter 1
		May 3, 2025								May 4, 2024
				Net of			Per Share					Net of			Per Share
In Thousands (except per share amounts)		Pretax		Tax			Amounts			Pretax		Tax			Amounts
Loss from continuing operations, as reported				$	(21,212	)	($2.02	)				$	(24,288	)	($2.22	)
Gross margin adjustment:
Charges related to distribution model transition		$	-		-		0.00			$	1,581		1,151		0.10
Asset impairments and other adjustments:
Asset impairment charges		$	34		24		0.00			$	244		178		0.02
Severance			257		185		0.02				334		243		0.02
Total asset impairments and other adjustments		$	291		209		0.02			$	578		421		0.04
Income tax expense adjustments:
Tax impact share based awards					139		0.01						130		0.01
Other tax items					(666	)	(0.06	)					(345	)	(0.03	)
Total income tax expense adjustments					(527	)	(0.05	)					(215	)	(0.02	)
Adjusted loss from continuing operations (1) and (2)				$	(21,530	)	($2.05	)				$	(22,931	)	($2.10	)
(1) The adjusted tax rate for the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 and 2025 is 26.7% and 26.0%, respectively.
(2) EPS reflects 10.5 million and 10.9 million share count for the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 and 2025, respectively, which excludes common stock equivalents in both periods due to the loss from continuing operations.

Genesco Inc.
Adjustments to Reported Operating Income (Loss) and Gross Margin
Three Months Ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024
		Quarter 1 - May 3, 2025
		Operating			Asset Impair		Adj Operating
In Thousands		Income (Loss)			& Other Adj		Income (Loss)
Journeys Group		$	(15,283	)	$	-	$	(15,283	)
Schuh Group			(6,131	)		-		(6,131	)
Johnston & Murphy Group			500			-		500
Genesco Brands Group			698			-		698
Corporate and Other			(7,929	)		291		(7,638	)
Total Operating Loss		$	(28,145	)	$	291	$	(27,854	)
% of sales			-5.9	%				-5.9	%
Depreciation and amortization								13,393
Adjusted loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")(1)							$	(14,461	)
% of sales								-3.1	%
		Quarter 1 - May 4, 2024
		Operating			Asset Impair		Adj Operating
In Thousands		Income (Loss)			& Other Adj		Income (Loss)
Journeys Group		$	(18,822	)	$	-	$	(18,822	)
Schuh Group			(5,896	)		-		(5,896	)
Johnston & Murphy Group			2,355			-		2,355
Genesco Brands Group			(986	)		1,581		595
Corporate and Other			(8,779	)		578		(8,201	)
Total Operating Loss		$	(32,128	)	$	2,159	$	(29,969	)
% of sales			-7.0	%				-6.5	%
Depreciation and amortization								13,237
Adjusted loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")(1)							$	(16,732	)
% of sales								-3.7	%
(1) Excludes "Other components of net periodic benefit cost" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

		Quarter 1
In Thousands		May 3, 2025			May 4, 2024
Gross margin, as reported		$	221,181		$	216,281
% of sales			46.7	%		47.3	%
Charges related to distribution model transition			-			1,581
Total adjustments			-			1,581
Adjusted gross margin		$	221,181		$	217,862
% of sales			46.7	%		47.6	%

Schedule B
Genesco Inc.
Adjustments to Forecasted Earnings from Continuing Operations
Fiscal Year Ending January 31, 2026
In millions (except per share amounts)	High Guidance				Low Guidance
	Fiscal 2026				Fiscal 2026
	Net of Tax		Per Share		Net of Tax		Per Share
Forecasted earnings from continuing operations	$	17.0	$	1.61	$	12.5	$	1.17
Asset impairments and other adjustments:
Asset impairments and other matters		1.0		0.09		1.3		0.13
Total asset impairments and other adjustments (1)		1.0		0.09		1.3		0.13
Adjusted forecasted earnings from continuing operations (2)	$	18.0	$	1.70	$	13.8	$	1.30
(1) All adjustments are net of tax where applicable. The forecasted tax rate for Fiscal 2026 is approximately 29%.
(2) EPS reflects 10.6 million share count for Fiscal 2026 which includes common stock equivalents.
This reconciliation reflects estimates and current expectations of future results. Actual results may vary materially from these expectations and estimates, for reasons including those included in the discussion of forward-looking statements elsewhere in this release. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such expectations and estimates.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603347779/en/

Genesco Financial Contact

Sandra Harris, SVP Finance, Chief Financial Officer

(615) 367-7578 / SHarris2@genesco.com



Genesco Media Contact

Claire S. McCall, Director, Corporate Relations

(615) 367-8283 / cmccall@genesco.com

Source: Genesco Inc.