Genesco Inc.

09/11/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2025 09:21

Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending August 2, 2025 (Form 10-Q)

Management's Discussion andAnalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This section discusses management's view of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. This section should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025, including the Risk Factors section, and information contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to those financial statements. The results of operations for any interim period may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for any future interim period or the entire fiscal year.

Summary of Results of Operations

Our net sales increased 4.0% to $546.0 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to $525.2 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. The net sales increase compared to last year's second quarter reflects a 4% increase in comparable sales, including a 5% increase in same store sales reflecting investment in and a strategic focus on the store channel and a 1% increase in e-commerce comparable sales, and a favorable foreign exchange impact, partially offset by the impact of net store closings resulting from our store optimization efforts. The Journeys Group business had a strong second quarter of Fiscal 2026 with comparable sales up 9%, fueled by strength in the product assortment. Schuh Group comparable sales were down 4% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 reflecting the challenging retail environment in the U.K. Johnston & Murphy Group comparable sales were up 1% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 as customers embraced the new product assortment, but were offset by decreased wholesale sales. By segment, Journeys Group sales increased 6%, Schuh Group sales increased 2% and Genesco Brands Group sales increased 5%, while Johnston & Murphy Group sales decreased 3% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. Schuh Group's sales decreased 4% on a local currency basis for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026.

Gross margin increased 1.8% to $249.9 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 from $245.6 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025, but decreased as a percentage of net sales from 46.8% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 to 45.8% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 reflecting decreased gross margin as a percentage of net sales in Schuh Group and Genesco Brands Group, partially offset by increased gross margin as a percentage of net sales in Journeys Group and Johnston & Murphy Group. The overall decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net sales is due primarily to increased promotional activity at Schuh Group and lower margins at Genesco Brands Group related to the exit of certain licenses and the impact from tariffs, partially offset by increased margins at Johnston & Murphy reflecting price increases and lower retail markdowns as well as improved costs from sourcing optimization.

Selling and administrative expenses in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 increased 3.6% to $264.3 million from $255.1 million compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025, but decreased 20 basis points as a percentage of net sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 from 48.6% to 48.4%. The decrease as a percentage of net sales reflects decreased occupancy and other expenses, partially offset by increased marketing expense and an unfavorable comparison to a credit for certain non-income taxes last year. By segment, selling and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of net sales in Journeys Group and Genesco Brands Group, partially offset by increased selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in Schuh Group and Johnston & Murphy Group.

Operating margin was (2.6)% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to (2.0)% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 reflecting decreased operating margin in all business units except Journeys Group. The overall decrease in operating margin for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 primarily reflects decreased gross margin as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by decreased expenses as a percentage of net sales.

The loss from continuing operations before income taxes ("pretax loss") for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 was $16.0 million compared to a pretax loss of $11.7 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. The pretax loss for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 included asset impairment and other charges of $0.1 million for severance. The pretax loss for the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 included a $0.2 million charge for a distribution model transition in the Genesco Brands Group and asset impairment and other charges of $0.8 million for severance and asset impairments.

We had an effective income tax rate of (15.0)% and 15.2% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025, respectively. The lower effective tax rate in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 reflects a reduction in the tax benefit recorded in Fiscal 2026 due to the enactment of income tax law changes under the OBBBA and their interaction with our valuation allowance in the U.S. jurisdiction.

The net loss in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 was $18.5 million, or $1.79 diluted loss per share, compared to a net loss of $10.0 million, or $0.91 diluted loss per share, in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025. We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies", of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on

Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025. There have been no significant changes in our definition of significant accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since the end of Fiscal 2025.

Key Performance Indicators

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures. The key performance indicators we use to evaluate the financial condition and operating performance of our business are comparable sales, net sales, gross margin, operating income and operating margin. These key performance indicators should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the U.S. GAAP financial measures presented herein. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled performance indicators used by other companies.

Comparable Sales

We consider comparable sales to be an important indicator of our current performance, and investors may find it useful as such. Comparable sales results are important to achieve leveraging of our costs, including occupancy, selling salaries, depreciation and other costs. Comparable sales also have a direct impact on our total net revenue, working capital and cash. We define "comparable sales" as sales from stores open longer than one year, beginning with the first day a store has comparable sales (which we refer to as "same store sales"), and sales from websites operated longer than one year and direct mail catalog sales (which we refer to in this report as "comparable e-commerce sales"). Temporarily closed stores are excluded from the comparable sales calculation if closed for more than seven days. Expanded stores are excluded from the comparable sales calculation until the first day an expanded store has comparable prior year sales. Current year foreign exchange rates are applied to both current year and prior year comparable sales to achieve a consistent basis for comparison.

Operating Margin

Operating margin is a ratio calculated by dividing operating income (loss) by net sales. We believe operating margin provides investors with useful information related to the profitability of our business after considering all of the selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating charges incurred. We use this measure in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our overall performance.

Results of Operations - Second Quarter of Fiscal 2026 Compared to Second Quarter of Fiscal 2025

Journeys Group

Three Months Ended

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

%
Change

(dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

318,189

$

298,846

6.5

%

Cost of sales

162,761

153,617

Gross margin

155,428

145,229

7.0

%

% of sales

48.8

%

48.6

%

Selling and administrative expenses

160,427

156,380

2.6

%

% of sales

50.4

%

52.3

%

Operating loss

$

(4,999

)

$

(11,151

)

55.2

%

Operating margin

(1.6

)%

(3.7

)%

Net sales from Journeys Group increased 6.5% to $318.2 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, compared to $298.8 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. The net sales increase compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 reflects a 9% increase in comparable sales, with a strong increase in the store channel, partially offset by a 5% decrease in the average number of stores in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. The Journeys Group consumer is more interested in a broader range of brands evidenced by what they are buying and by the more diversified styles they are wearing. The increased comparable sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 was fueled by strength in Journeys Group's product assortment with brands across both athletic and casual posting strong gains. Journeys Group drove noteworthy gains in conversion and higher transaction size in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026.

We closed nine Journeys Group stores and opened four stores in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. Journeys Group operated 984 stores at the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, including 200 Journeys Kidz stores in the United States, 33 Journeys stores in Canada and 30 Little Burgundy stores in Canada, compared to 1,039 stores at the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2025, including 220 Journeys Kidz stores in the United States, 39 Journeys stores in Canada and 31 Little Burgundy stores in Canada.

The 210 basis point improvement in operating margin for Journeys Group for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 was primarily due to a 190 basis point decrease in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales. This reflects leverage of expenses as a result of increased revenue in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, especially occupancy expense and selling salaries, partially offset by increased performance-based compensation expense. In addition, gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased 20 basis points, reflecting lower markdowns and decreased shipping and warehouse expense, partially offset by lower initial margins as a result of changes in brand mix. The decrease in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales demonstrates the impact of our cost savings initiatives and closing underperforming stores.

Schuh Group

Three Months Ended

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

%
Change

(dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

126,595

$

124,561

1.6

%

Cost of sales

77,412

72,131

Gross margin

49,183

52,430

(6.2

)%

% of sales

38.9

%

42.1

%

Selling and administrative expenses

49,194

45,091

9.1

%

% of sales

38.9

%

36.2

%

Operating income (loss)

$

(11

)

$

7,339

NM

Operating margin

(0.0

)%

5.9

%

Net sales from Schuh Group increased 1.6% to $126.6 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to $124.6 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. Net sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 include a favorable impact of $6.8 million due to changes in foreign exchange rates and increased e-commerce comparable sales, partially offset by decreased same store sales. Schuh Group total comparable sales decreased 4% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. Schuh continued to contend with a challenging U.K. retail environment in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. Schuh Group's e-commerce business remains a key channel for consumer engagement, accounting for over 40% of its sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. Schuh Group's sales decreased 4% on a local currency basis for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. Schuh Group operated 120 stores at the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, compared to 123 stores at the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2025.

The 590 basis point decrease in operating margin for Schuh Group for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 was due to a 320 basis point decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net sales, reflecting increased promotional activity, including increased loyalty redemptions and promotions to match the competitive environment, and changes in brand mix. The decreased operating margin was also due to a 270 basis point increase in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales, reflecting deleverage of expenses in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 on lower store sales, especially marketing expense, selling salaries and occupancy expense, partially offset by decreased compensation expense.

Johnston & Murphy Group

Three Months Ended

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

%
Change

(dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

68,789

$

71,037

(3.2

)%

Cost of sales

31,631

33,769

Gross margin

37,158

37,268

(0.3

)%

% of sales

54.0

%

52.5

%

Selling and administrative expenses

38,940

37,671

3.4

%

% of sales

56.6

%

53.0

%

Operating loss

$

(1,782

)

$

(403

)

(342.2

)%

Operating margin

(2.6

)%

(0.6

)%

Johnston & Murphy Group net sales decreased 3.2% to $68.8 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 from $71.0 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2025, primarily due to decreased wholesale sales, a decrease in same store sales and a 3% decrease in the average number of stores in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, partially offset by increased e-commerce comparable sales. Total comparable sales for Johnston & Murphy increased 1% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. With positive total comparable sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, we saw growth in Johnston & Murphy Group's store conversion and transaction size as customers embraced the new product assortment. Retail operations

accounted for 82.3% of Johnston & Murphy Group's sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, up from 80.5% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. The store count for Johnston & Murphy Group's retail operations at the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 was 149 full-price retail and factory stores compared to 152 full-price retail and factory stores, including five stores in Canada, at the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. Johnston & Murphy Group closed its five Canadian stores at the end of Fiscal 2025.

The 200 basis point decrease in operating margin for Johnston & Murphy Group for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 reflects a 360 basis point increase in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 primarily due to the deleverage of expenses, especially depreciation, credit card and occupancy expenses as a result of decreased revenue in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, as well as an unfavorable comparison to a reversal of performance-based compensation expense in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. The decrease in operating margin was partially offset by a 150 basis point increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 reflecting improved costs from sourcing optimization, lower retail markdowns and price increases, as well as a higher mix of direct-to-consumer sales volume, partially offset by increased shipping and warehouse expense.

Genesco Brands Group

Three Months Ended

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

%
Change

(dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

32,392

$

30,744

5.4

%

Cost of sales

24,212

20,032

Gross margin

8,180

10,712

(23.6

)%

% of sales

25.3

%

34.8

%

Selling and administrative expenses

7,527

8,040

(6.4

)%

% of sales

23.2

%

26.2

%

Operating income

$

653

$

2,672

(75.6

)%

Operating margin

2.0

%

8.7

%

Genesco Brands Group's net sales increased 5.4% to $32.4 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 from $30.7 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 primarily due to increased sales of Levi's and private label footwear, partially offset by decreased footwear sales for Dockers and other licenses.

The 670 basis point decrease in operating margin for Genesco Brands Group for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 was primarily due to decreased gross margin as a percentage of net sales due to higher closeout sales related to the exit of certain licenses and the impact of tariffs. The decrease in operating margin was partially offset by decreased selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 reflecting leverage of expenses as a result of increased revenue in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 and decreased performance-based compensation expense, partially offset by increased royalty expense, due to a reversal of royalty expense last year resulting from an amendment to the Levi's license agreement.

Corporate, Interest Expenses and Other Charges

Corporate and other expense for the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 was $8.3 million compared to $8.7 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. Corporate expense in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025 included asset impairment and other charges of $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for severance and asset impairments. The corporate expense increase, excluding asset impairment and other charges, reflects increased compensation and other miscellaneous expenses, partially offset by decreased professional fees in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025.

Net interest expense increased 8.5% to $1.5 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to $1.3 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 primarily reflecting increased revolver borrowings in the U.K. in the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2025.

Results of Operations - First Six Months of Fiscal 2026 Compared to First Six Months of Fiscal 2025

Our net sales increased 3.8% to $1.02 billion in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to $982.8 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2025. The net sales increase compared to last year's first six months reflects a 5% increase in comparable sales, including a 5% increase in same store sales reflecting investment in and a strategic focus on the store channel and a 4% increase in e-commerce comparable sales, a favorable foreign exchange impact and an increase in wholesale sales, partially offset by the impact of net store closings resulting from our store optimization efforts. The Journeys Group business was strong in the first half of Fiscal 2026 with comparable sales up 9%, fueled by strength in product assortment. Schuh Group comparable sales were down 2% for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 reflecting the challenging retail environment in the U.K. Johnston & Murphy Group comparable sales were flat in the first six months of Fiscal 2026. By segment, Journeys Group sales increased 6%, Schuh Group sales increased 3% and Genesco Brands Group sales increased 6%, while Johnston & Murphy Group sales decreased 3% in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025. Schuh Group's sales decreased 2% on a local currency basis for the first six months of Fiscal 2026.

Gross margin increased 2.0% to $471.1 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 from $461.9 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2025, but decreased as a percentage of net sales from 47.0% in the first six months of Fiscal 2025 to 46.2% in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 reflecting decreased gross margin as a percentage of net sales in all business units except Johnston & Murphy Group. The overall decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net sales is due primarily to increased promotional activity at Schuh Group and lower margins at Genesco Brands Group related to the exit of certain licenses and the impact from tariffs.

Selling and administrative expenses in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 increased 2.1% to $513.3 million from $503.0 million compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025, but decreased 90 basis points as a percentage of net sales in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 from 51.2% to 50.3%. The decrease as a percentage of net sales reflects decreased occupancy and other cost savings initiatives, partially offset by increased marketing expense. By segment, selling and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of net sales in Journeys Group and Genesco Brands Group, partially offset by increased selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in Schuh Group and Johnston & Murphy Group.

Operating margin was (4.2)% in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to (4.3)% in the first six months of Fiscal 2025 reflecting improved operating margin in Journeys Group while all other business units had decreased operating margin. The overall improvement in operating margin for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 primarily reflects decreased expenses as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by decreased gross margin as a percentage of net sales.

The pretax loss for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 was $45.7 million compared to a pretax loss of $44.8 million for the first six months of Fiscal 2025. The pretax loss for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 included asset impairment and other charges of $0.4 million for severance and asset impairments. The pretax loss for the first six months of Fiscal 2025 included a $1.8 million charge for a distribution model transition in the Genesco Brands Group and asset impairment and other charges of $1.4 million for severance and asset impairments.

We had an effective income tax rate of 13.2% and 23.7% in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025, respectively. The lower effective tax rate in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 reflects a smaller tax benefit recorded in Fiscal 2026 due to the enactment of income tax law changes under the OBBBA and their interaction with our valuation allowance in the U.S. jurisdiction.

The net loss in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 was $39.7 million, or $3.82 diluted loss per share, compared to a net loss of $34.3 million, or $3.14 diluted loss per share, in the first six months of Fiscal 2025.

Journeys Group

Six Months Ended

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

%
Change

(dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

590,823

$

558,291

5.8

%

Cost of sales

302,276

285,418

Gross margin

288,547

272,873

5.7

%

% of sales

48.8

%

48.9

%

Selling and administrative expenses

308,829

302,846

2.0

%

% of sales

52.3

%

54.2

%

Operating loss

$

(20,282

)

$

(29,973

)

32.3

%

Operating margin

(3.4

)%

(5.4

)%

Net sales from Journeys Group increased 5.8% to $590.8 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2026, compared to $558.3 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2025. The net sales increase compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 reflects a 9% increase in comparable sales, with increases in both stores and e-commerce channels, partially offset by a 5% decrease in the average number of stores in the first six months of Fiscal 2026. The increased comparable sales in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 was fueled by strength in Journeys Group's product assortment with brands across athletic and casual posting strong gains. Journeys Group drove strong gains in conversion and transaction size for the first six months this year.

The 200 basis point improvement in operating margin for Journeys Group for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 was due to decreased selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales reflecting leverage of expense as a result of increased revenue in the first six months of Fiscal 2026, especially occupancy expense and selling salaries. The improvement in operating margin was partially offset by a slight decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net sales reflecting decreased initial margins as a result of changes in brand mix, which was offset by lower markdowns and decreased shipping and warehouse expense. The decrease in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales demonstrates the impact of our cost savings initiatives and closing underperforming stores.

Schuh Group

Six Months Ended

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

%
Change

(dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

222,510

$

216,910

2.6

%

Cost of sales

135,150

126,300

Gross margin

87,360

90,610

(3.6

)%

% of sales

39.3

%

41.8

%

Selling and administrative expenses

93,502

89,167

4.9

%

% of sales

42.0

%

41.1

%

Operating income (loss)

$

(6,142

)

$

1,443

NM

Operating margin

(2.8

)%

0.7

%

Net sales from Schuh Group increased 2.6% to $222.5 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to $216.9 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2025. Net sales for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 includes a favorable impact of $9.1 million due to changes in foreign exchange rates and an increase in e-commerce comparable sales, partially offset by decreased same store sales. Schuh Group continued to contend with a challenging U.K. retail environment in the first six months of Fiscal 2026. Schuh Group's e-commerce business remains a key channel for consumer engagement, accounting for over 40% of its sales in the first six months of Fiscal 2026. Schuh Group total comparable sales decreased 2% for the first six months of Fiscal 2026. Schuh Group's sales decreased 2% on a local currency basis for the first six months of Fiscal 2026.

Operating margin decreased 350 basis points for Schuh Group for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 due to decreased gross margin as a percentage of net sales, reflecting increased promotional activity, including increased loyalty redemptions and promotions to match the competitive environment, and changes in brand mix, partially offset by decreased shipping and warehouse expenses. In addition, selling and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of net sales, reflecting deleverage of expenses, especially occupancy expense, selling salaries and marketing expense, partially offset by decreased compensation expense.

Johnston & Murphy Group

Six Months Ended

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

%
Change

(dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

145,628

$

150,244

(3.1

)%

Cost of sales

67,333

70,382

Gross margin

78,295

79,862

(2.0

)%

% of sales

53.8

%

53.2

%

Selling and administrative expenses

79,577

77,910

2.1

%

% of sales

54.6

%

51.9

%

Operating income (loss)

$

(1,282

)

$

1,952

NM

Operating margin

(0.9

)%

1.3

%

Johnston & Murphy Group net sales decreased 3.1% to $145.6 million for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 from $150.2 million for the first six months of Fiscal 2025, primarily due to decreased same store sales, decreased wholesale sales and a 3% decrease in the average number of stores in the first six months of Fiscal 2026. Total comparable sales for Johnston & Murphy Group were flat for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025. Retail operations accounted for 77.3% of Johnston & Murphy Group's sales in the first six months of Fiscal 2026, up from 77.1% in the first six months of Fiscal 2025.

The 220 basis point decrease in operating margin for Johnston & Murphy Group for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 reflects increased selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 primarily due to the deleverage of expenses, especially depreciation and compensation expenses as a result of decreased revenue in the first six months of Fiscal 2026, as well as higher marketing expense in order to expand brand awareness. The decrease in operating margin was partially offset by an increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 primarily due to improved initial margins, reflecting improved costs from sourcing optimization and price increases, partially offset by an increase in shipping and warehouse expense.

Genesco Brands Group

Six Months Ended

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

%
Change

(dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

60,977

$

57,340

6.3

%

Cost of sales

44,049

38,765

Gross margin

16,928

18,575

(8.9

)%

% of sales

27.8

%

32.4

%

Selling and administrative expenses

15,577

16,889

(7.8

)%

% of sales

25.5

%

29.5

%

Operating income

$

1,351

$

1,686

(19.9

)%

Operating margin

2.2

%

2.9

%

Genesco Brands Group's net sales increased 6.3% to $61.0 million for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 from $57.3 million for the first six months of Fiscal 2025 primarily due to increased sales of Levi's and private label footwear, partially offset by decreased footwear sales in Dockers and other licenses.

The 70 basis point decrease in operating margin for Genesco Brands Group for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 was primarily due to decreased gross margin as a percentage of net sales due to higher closeout sales related to the exit of certain licenses and the impact of tariffs as well as an unfavorable change in sales mix, partially offset by a $1.8 million inventory provision for a distribution model transition in the first six months of Fiscal 2025. The decrease in operating margin was partially offset by decreased selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 reflecting leverage of expenses as a result of increased revenue in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 and decreased performance-based compensation expense, partially offset by increased bad debt expense.

Corporate, Interest Expenses and Other Charges

Corporate and other expense for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 was $16.2 million compared to $17.5 million for the first six months of Fiscal 2025. Corporate expense in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025 included asset impairment and other charges of $0.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, for severance and asset impairments. The corporate expense decrease, excluding asset impairment and other charges, reflects decreased professional fees and performance-based compensation expense in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025, partially offset by increased compensation and insurance expenses.

Net interest expense increased 25.2% to $2.8 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to $2.2 million in the first six months of Fiscal 2025 primarily reflecting increased revolver borrowings in the U.K. and North America in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital

Our business is seasonal, with our investment in working capital normally reaching peaks in the summer and fall of each year in anticipation of the back-to-school and holiday selling seasons. Historically, cash flows from operations typically have been generated principally in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.

Six Months Ended

Cash flow changes:

August 2, 2025

August 3, 2024

Increase
(Decrease)

(in thousands)

Net cash used in operating activities

$

(14,693

)

$

(6,029

)

$

(8,664

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(33,580

)

(14,274

)

(19,306

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

54,886

30,922

23,964

Effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on cash

369

81

288

Net increase in cash

$

6,982

$

10,700

$

(3,718

)

Reasons for the major variances in cash provided by (used in) the table above are as follows:

Cash used in operating activities was $8.7 million higher in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025, reflecting primarily the following factors:

a $65.2 million increase in cash flow from changes in prepaids and other current assets, primarily reflecting the receipt of a $58.3 million income tax refund receivable; partially offset by
a $48.5 million decrease in cash flow from changes in accounts payable, primarily reflecting changes in timing of rent payments and changes in buying patterns in the first six months of Fiscal 2026; and
a $14.5 million decrease in cash flow from changes in other accrued liabilities, primarily reflecting a higher payment of Fiscal 2025 performance-based compensation accruals in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025.

Cash used in investing activities was $19.3 million higher for the first six months of Fiscal 2026 as compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 reflecting increased capital expenditures primarily related to investments in retail stores.

Cash provided by financing activities was $24.0 million higher in the first six months of Fiscal 2026 as compared to the first six months of Fiscal 2025 reflecting increased net borrowings, partially offset by increased share repurchases in Fiscal 2026 compared to the same period in Fiscal 2025.

Sources of Liquidity and Future Capital Needs

We have three principal sources of liquidity: cash flow from operations, cash on hand and our credit facilities discussed in Item 8, Note 8, "Long-Term Debt", to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2025.

As of August 2, 2025, we have borrowed $53.4 million U.S. revolver borrowings, $4.3 million (CAD $5.9 million) revolver borrowings related to GCO Canada ULC and $13.3 million (£10.0 million) related to Schuh revolver borrowings. We were in compliance with all the relevant terms and conditions of the Credit Facility and the Facility Agreement as of August 2, 2025.

We believe that cash on hand, cash provided by operations and borrowings under our Credit Facility and the Facility Agreement will be sufficient to support our liquidity needs in Fiscal 2026 and the foreseeable future.

On January 17, 2025, we executed Form 870 with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") exam team and began the process of completing the separate Joint Committee on Taxation ("JCT") review of our outstanding U.S. Federal tax refund claim for the Fiscal 2014 to Fiscal 2021 tax periods. As of February 1, 2025, we estimated the refund outstanding to be $59.3 million including interest. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2026, the JCT finalized their review with no changes to the claim and the IRS began the process of issuing the refund. The balance outstanding increased to $60.2 million as a result of additional accrued interest. We received $58.3 million of the refund during the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. The remaining $1.9 million outstanding represents additional interest not yet paid by the IRS that we expect to receive within the next 12 months. As such, the $1.9 million receivable is classified as prepaids and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 2, 2025.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations at August 2, 2025 increased 21% compared to February 1, 2025, primarily due to increased long-term debt and lease obligations.

Capital Expenditures

Total capital expenditures in Fiscal 2026 are expected to be approximately $55 to $65 million of which approximately 75% is for new stores and renovations and 25% is for other initiatives. We do not currently have any longer-term capital expenditures or other cash requirements other than as set forth above and in the contractual obligations table as disclosed in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025. We also do not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Common Stock Repurchases

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the second quarter of Fiscal 2026. We repurchased 604,531 shares of our common stock during the first six months of Fiscal 2026 at a cost of $12.6 million, or an average of $20.79 per share. We have $29.8 million remaining as of August 2, 2025 under our expanded share repurchase authorization announced in June 2023. We repurchased 381,711 shares of our common stock during the second quarter and first six months of Fiscal 2025 at a cost of $9.3 million, or an average of $24.49 per share. During the third quarter of Fiscal 2026, through September 11, 2025, we have not repurchased any shares of our common stock.

Environmental and Other Contingencies

We are subject to certain loss contingencies related to environmental proceedings and other legal matters, including those disclosed in Item 1, Note 7, "Legal Proceedings", to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Descriptions of recently issued accounting pronouncements, if any, and the accounting pronouncements adopted by us during the second quarter of Fiscal 2026 are included in Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Genesco Inc. published this content on September 11, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via SEC EDGAR on September 11, 2025 at 15:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]