Genesco Inc

Wrangler is extending its brand into footwear through licensing partner Genesco, with a Fall 2026 collection of western-style shoes for men, women, and children. The Wrangler footwear line launches September 15 on the company's website, with availability at select U.S. retailers rolling out later in the season. Rick Higgins, president of Genesco Brands Group, said the collection combines Wrangler's iconic heritage and deep consumer connection with Genesco's footwear expertise. Wrangler, a primary brand of Kontoor Brands, is benefiting from a Western wear fashion renaissance driven by shows like Yellowstone, country music festivals, and brand ambassadors including Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson. Wrangler's affordability, ranging from $25 to $50, along with improved fit and an expanded women's line, helped fuel second quarter sales and an upbeat outlook for the remainder of the year, with CEO Scott Baxter saying Western sits at the heart of Wrangler's DNA.

Genesco reported second-quarter revenue down 3% to $530 million on September 3 while nearly halving its adjusted operating loss and raising full-year earnings guidance to the top end of its range. Adjusted gross margin expanded 140 basis points to 47.2%, the adjusted operating loss narrowed to $8 million from $14 million a year earlier, and the company collected $22.5 million in tariff refunds while cutting total debt to $15.8 million from $71 million. Journeys posted its eighth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales, up 2%, with the Journeys 4.0 store format generating a sales lift of 25% or more and expected to reach roughly 180 locations, about a fifth of the fleet, by year-end, while Johnston & Murphy comparable sales rose 4% in a third straight positive quarter. The drag came almost entirely from the UK chain Schuh, where comparable sales fell 9% as management deliberately pulled back on discounting, prompting full-year total sales guidance of down about 2% versus the prior forecast of down 1% to flat. Third-quarter sales are projected to fall 4% to 4.5%, hurt by a $14 million hit from exiting older licensed brands ahead of the Wrangler footwear launch, and the company ended the quarter with 1,186 stores, down 5%, and inventory up 8% to $539.7 million.

Genesco, the Nashville-based footwear retailer, raised its full-year profit outlook for fiscal 2027 even as second-quarter net sales fell 3% to $530 million, hurt by store closures, reduced licensed sales, fewer online discounts at Schuh, and negative currency effects. Comparable sales rose 1%, with Johnston & Murphy up 5% and Journeys up 2%, while adjusted gross margin improved to 47.2% from 45.8% a year earlier. The company narrowed its adjusted operating loss to $8.3 million from $14.3 million, and on a GAAP basis swung to operating income of $3.6 million from a loss of $14.4 million. For the full year, Genesco now expects comparable sales to be flat, down from prior guidance of 1% to 2% growth, and total sales to decline about 2%, but it sees operating income at the upper end of its earlier $34 million to $40 million range. CEO Mimi Vaughn attributed the sales decline to strategic actions and expressed confidence in the company's Footwear First strategy.

Genesco Inc. has secured the backing of all three independent proxy advisory firms in its board fight against activists Bradley L. Radoff and Jumana Capital Investments ahead of the July 21 annual shareholders' meeting. Institutional Shareholder Services, Glass Lewis & Co., and Egan-Jones Proxy Services have each recommended that shareholders vote for Genesco's nine director nominees on the White proxy card. The firms concluded that the dissidents have not made a compelling case for change, with Glass Lewis noting Genesco has charted a reasonably favorable course under CEO Mimi Vaughn and the board, and Egan-Jones citing recovering cash flow, improving profitability, and early success of the Journeys repositioning. Genesco stated that the support reinforces the board's qualifications and active oversight of the company's strategy. The Nashville-based shoe firm reported a first quarter net loss of $14.81 million on net sales of $487.03 million, and recently named Jonathan Collins as its new chief financial officer.

Genesco announced that all three leading independent proxy advisory firms—ISS, Glass Lewis, and Egan-Jones—have recommended shareholders vote for the company’s nine director nominees at the upcoming shareholder meeting, strengthening management’s position against activist investor Radoff-Jumana Group. The recommendations endorse Genesco’s footwear-focused strategy centered on digital acceleration, omnichannel capabilities, product innovation, cost restructuring, and targeted acquisitions. Shareholders will also vote on executive compensation, the equity incentive plan, and auditor ratification. The shareholder vote is scheduled for June 26. Genesco shares rose 2.1% in Monday premarket trading after gaining 1.6% on Friday.

Crocs reported first-quarter revenues of $921.5 million, a 1.7% decline year on year, yet exceeded analyst expectations by 2.1%. The company also beat earnings per share estimates, though its EPS guidance for the next quarter slightly missed forecasts. Among seven tracked consumer discretionary footwear stocks, the group collectively beat revenue consensus by 1.7%, with Genesco posting the biggest beat at 2.9% revenue growth and Deckers raising its full-year guidance the most. Crocs delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group, but its stock has risen 25.5% since reporting.

Genesco Inc. has appointed Jonathan Collins as its new senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer, effective August 3. Collins, who previously served as CFO at America's Car-Mart and held multiple leadership roles at Walmart, will report to chairman, president and CEO Mimi Vaughn, who had been interim CFO since March 2026 following the departure of former finance chief Cassandra Harris. Vaughn highlighted Collins' public company leadership and multi-channel global retail expertise, noting his experience will support the company's Footwear First strategy. Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe views the management change positively, citing Genesco's strong momentum and a $40 million to $50 million cost-savings program that supports long-term margin expansion, though he expects the Schuh business to remain a near-term drag.

Consumer discretionary footwear stocks posted a strong first quarter, with aggregate revenues beating analyst consensus estimates by 1.7%. Deckers reported revenues of $1.12 billion, up 9.6% year on year and exceeding expectations by 2.9%, while also delivering the highest full-year guidance raise among the seven companies tracked. Genesco recorded revenues of $487 million, up 2.8% and beating estimates by 2.9%, marking the biggest analyst estimate beat in the peer group. Caleres saw revenues of $666.6 million, up 8.5% and surpassing estimates by 1.3%, but its next-quarter EPS guidance missed expectations, sending shares down 11.1%. Crocs posted revenues of $921.5 million, down 1.7% yet beating estimates by 2.1%, though its next-quarter EPS guidance slightly missed, and its stock rose 24.8%. Nike reported revenues of $11.28 billion, flat year on year and in line with estimates, but its stock fell 14.4% as it had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among peers. On average, share prices of the group have held steady, up 4.7% since the latest earnings results.