Core Viewpoint - Genesco Inc. will report its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 on March 6, 2026, before market opening, and will hold a conference call at 7:30 a.m. Central time on the same day [1]. Company Overview - Genesco Inc. is a footwear-focused company with a diverse portfolio of retail and lifestyle brands, operating over 1,240 retail stores and branded e-commerce websites [1]. - The company's brands include Journeys, Little Burgundy, and Schuh, targeting teens, kids, and young adults with fashion footwear inspired by youth culture in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. [1]. - Johnston & Murphy caters to affluent men and women with premium footwear, apparel, and accessories in the U.S. and Canada [1]. - Genesco Brands Group sells branded lifestyle footwear to leading retailers under licensed brands such as Wrangler, Dockers, and Starter [1]. - Founded in 1924, Genesco is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee [1]. Financial Communication - A summary of the fourth quarter fiscal 2026 results will be available on Genesco's website on March 6, 2026 [1]. - An audio archive of the conference call will be accessible for up to one year [1]. - A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available on the company's investor relations page [1].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of a proven ranking system that focuses on earnings estimates and revisions to identify winning stocks, while also considering various investment strategies such as value, growth, and momentum [1] Value Investing - Value investing is highlighted as a popular and successful strategy across different market environments, utilizing various valuation metrics to identify undervalued stocks [2] Zacks Rank and Style Scores - The Zacks Rank and the innovative Style Scores system are tools for investors to find stocks with specific traits, particularly in the "Value" category, where stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value are considered high-quality [3] Genesco (GCO) - Genesco (GCO) has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and an A for Value, with a Forward P/E ratio of 16.91, compared to the industry average of 18.26. Over the past year, GCO's Forward P/E has fluctuated between 8.43 and 42.65, with a median of 15.89 [4] - GCO's P/CF ratio is 11.89, which is attractive compared to the industry's average P/CF of 17.48. Its P/CF has ranged from 5.49 to 17.26 over the past year, with a median of 7.39 [5] J.Jill (JILL) - J.Jill (JILL) is identified as another strong stock in the Retail - Apparel and Shoes sector, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value grade of A. JILL has a P/B ratio of 2.26, significantly lower than the industry's price-to-book ratio of 7.06. Its P/B has varied from 1.85 to 4.27 over the past year, with a median of 2.77 [6] Conclusion on Value Stocks - Both Genesco and J.Jill are presented as impressive value stocks, likely undervalued at the moment, supported by strong earnings outlooks [7]

Core Viewpoint - Genesco's CFO Cassandra "Sandra" Harris is resigning effective March 6, 2026, to pursue other opportunities while ensuring a smooth transition [1][2]. Group 1: Transition Details - Harris will assist in an orderly transition and participate in the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2026 earnings conference call in early March [1]. - She will continue to support Genesco as a consultant and principal accounting officer until the filing of the fiscal year 2026 10-K form on March 25 [2]. - Mimi Vaughn, the CEO, will take on the role of interim CFO during this transition, having previously served as CFO from 2015 to 2019 [3]. Group 2: Leadership and Experience - Vaughn expressed confidence in the management and financial leadership team as they continue to execute Genesco's long-term growth strategy [4]. - Harris joined Genesco from Artisan Design Group, where she was CFO, and has prior experience as CFO and COO of Tupperware Brands [4]. - Her extensive background includes significant roles at VF Corporation, where she was responsible for global business and financial strategies, and earlier positions at Wilsonart International and Old Castle Glass [5][6].

Group 1 - UK-based footwear retailer Schuh has appointed Laura King as its new chief marketing officer, who will oversee various departments including marketing, creative, and public relations [1][2] - Laura King previously served as global marketing director at Accessorize and has extensive experience in brand marketing, including a tenure at Urban Outfitters and Wieden & Kennedy [2][3] - The appointment of King is part of Genesco's strategy to unify its brands under the Journeys Global Retail Group, aiming to enhance market positioning and drive growth [3][4] Group 2 - Genesco reported a 9 percent increase in comparable sales for the fourth quarter-to-date period ended December 27, with same store sales rising by 10 percent [5] - The Schuh Group experienced a 6 percent increase in comparable sales compared to the same year-ago quarter, while the Journeys Group saw a 12 percent gain [6]

Core Insights - Genesco is transforming its information technology operating model to support long-term growth strategy [1] - The transformation is based on a comprehensive review of IT operations and aims to enhance customer service and organizational flexibility [2] IT Transformation - The company is partnering with a leading global technology provider and adopting new tools to improve speed, scalability, and AI-enabled innovation [2] - The full transformation is expected to be implemented in phases over the next 12 to 18 months, with some positions in the IT organization potentially impacted [3] Sales Performance - Comparable sales increased by 9 percent for the fourth quarter-to-date period ended December 27, including both stores and direct sales [3] - Same store sales rose by 10 percent, while e-commerce comparable sales increased by 9 percent during the same period [4] - The Journeys Group saw a 12 percent increase in comparable sales, while the Schuh Group and Johnston & Murphy Group rose by 6 percent and 1 percent, respectively [4] Holiday Performance - The company reported strong holiday performance driven by compelling assortments and exceptional execution, leading to double-digit comparable sales increases in December [5]

Core Insights - Genesco has announced a strategic transformation of its information technology operations aimed at enhancing efficiency and supporting future growth [1] Group 1: Strategic Transformation - The company is focusing on modernizing its IT infrastructure to improve operational efficiency and agility [1] - This transformation is expected to streamline processes and reduce costs, ultimately benefiting the company's bottom line [1] - Genesco plans to invest in advanced technologies to support its strategic objectives and enhance customer experience [1]

Core Insights - Genesco Inc. (GCO) shares increased by 8.1% following strong holiday season performance, with a 9% rise in comparable sales for the fourth-quarter-to-date period ending December 27, 2025 [1][8] Sales Performance - Same-store sales rose by 10%, while comparable e-commerce sales increased by 9%, indicating the effectiveness of the company's omnichannel strategy [2] - The Journeys Group led growth with a 12% year-over-year increase in comparable sales, while the Schuh Group reported a 6% increase and Johnston & Murphy saw a marginal rise of 1% [2][8] Holiday Season Impact - The holiday season significantly boosted Genesco's sales, driven by strong consumer demand and effective operational execution, with the Journeys Group achieving double-digit growth [3] - The Schuh Group's results exceeded expectations, although growth was primarily due to heavy markdowns to remain competitive in the U.K. footwear market [4] Earnings Forecast - Following the strong holiday results, Genesco raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings forecast to at least $1.30 per share, up from a previous estimate of $0.95, marking a substantial increase from the $0.94 earned in fiscal 2025 [5][8] Operational Strategy - To address volatile consumer behavior and demand fluctuations, management is focusing on operational discipline and stringent cost controls as the year concludes [6]

Core Insights - Genesco (GCO) reported a 9% increase in comparable sales for the quarter-to-date period ending December 27, 2025, with same store sales rising by 10% and e-commerce sales also increasing by 9% [1] - The company's Journeys brand experienced a double-digit comparable sales increase, benefiting from strong holiday performance and effective execution during peak demand periods [1] - Schuh's sales exceeded expectations but were driven by increased discounting in a highly promotional U.K. footwear market, indicating a need for cleaner inventories [1] - Genesco anticipates full-year adjusted earnings to be at least $1.30 per share, reflecting a significant improvement from previous forecasts, despite margin pressures at Schuh [1] - The company emphasizes disciplined execution and cost controls in response to volatile consumer demand concentrated around key shopping moments [1] Sales Performance - Comparable sales increased by 9% for the quarter-to-date period [1] - Same store sales rose by 10% [1] - E-commerce sales also saw a 9% increase [1] Brand Performance - Journeys achieved a double-digit comparable sales increase, indicating strong holiday performance [1] - Schuh's top-line results were above expectations, but sales growth was attributed to increased discounting [1] Financial Outlook - Full-year adjusted earnings are expected to be at least $1.30 per share, marking a meaningful improvement [1] - The company plans to provide a comprehensive business update and outlook for the next year during the fourth quarter and full-year results report [1]

Group 1: Birkenstock Holding plc - For the fiscal first quarter 2026, Birkenstock expects revenue of 402 million euros, reflecting an 11.1% year-over-year growth on a reported basis and a 17.8% increase in constant currency [1] - Full-year results showed profits rose 81.8% to 348.3 million euros, with revenue increasing by 16.2% to nearly 2.1 billion euros [2] - CEO Oliver Reichert noted that strong wholesale growth is straining the supply chain due to capacity constraints [2] - Jefferies analyst Randal Konik described the earnings preannouncement as "solid," with revenue in line with expectations and luxury margins remaining intact [2] - William Blair analyst Sharon Zackfia highlighted Birkenstock's strong brand health, with over 90% full-price sell-through [2] Group 2: Genesco Inc. - Genesco reported a 9% increase in comparable sales for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025, with same-store sales rising by 10% [2] - The Journeys Group saw a 12% increase in comparable sales, while the Schuh Group rose by 6% and Johnston & Murphy Group increased by 1% [2] - Genesco's president and CEO Mimi Vaughn expressed satisfaction with holiday performance, attributing strong conversion and full-price selling to effective execution during peak demand periods [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a significant comp increase of 9% for the quarter, building on a 10% comp from the previous year, indicating strong sales momentum [11][14] - Online sales rebounded with a 9% comp increase, while store comps were up 10%, showcasing a balanced recovery across channels [11][12] - Johnston & Murphy also achieved positive comps, contributing to overall positive performance across all business lines [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Journeys achieved a 12% comp increase on top of a 14% from last year, driven by strong full-price selling and a successful assortment strategy [12] - Schuh in the U.K. reported a 6% comp increase, although this was influenced by promotional activities in a challenging market environment [12] - Johnston & Murphy's performance was bolstered by newness in the assortment, particularly in apparel, which became a key driver of sales [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The consumer environment is characterized by volatility, with demand concentrating around key shopping moments, leading to a well-educated consumer base that is selective in purchasing [8][9] - Price increases have been accepted by consumers, who are now more discerning in their choices, impacting overall shopping behavior positively [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on serving the teen market through Journeys, emphasizing product leadership and a strong brand proposition [17][18] - A strategic growth plan has been implemented to enhance the customer experience, including a new store remodel (4.0) that has shown a 25% increase in performance [19][22] - The company is also working on a global retail strategy by uniting Journeys and Schuh to leverage insights across markets and enhance brand collaboration [26][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about sustainable growth opportunities within Journeys and other business lines, despite ongoing challenges in the U.K. market [43] - There is a focus on recapturing margins affected by tariffs and other pressures, with expectations of meaningful earnings growth in the coming year [36][37] Other Important Information - The company plans to invest approximately $55 million to $60 million in capital expenditures, focusing on expanding the 4.0 store concept [39] - The collaboration with Peyton Manning as a brand ambassador has already shown positive impacts on store and online traffic [31][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the consumer environment affecting business operations? - Management noted that consumers are stretched and selective, with a focus on newness and freshness driving shopping behavior [8] Question: What were the key drivers of performance at Journeys? - The key drivers included serving an underserved market, enhancing product assortment, and improving customer experience through store remodels [17][19] Question: What is the outlook for margins and profitability? - Management expects to recapture margins over time, despite ongoing tariff pressures, and anticipates positive comps to continue [36][37] Question: Can you elaborate on the capital allocation strategy? - The company plans to maintain its capital expenditure levels while investing in growth initiatives like the 4.0 store rollout [39]