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Bassett(BSET) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-04-02 14:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales decreased by 2.2% to $80.3 million, with a $700,000 decrease from retail stores and a $1.1 million decrease from external wholesale customers, primarily due to winter weather impacts [14][3] - Gross margin decreased by 80 basis points to 56.2%, driven by lower margins in both retail and wholesale businesses [14][15] - Operating income was $1.2 million, or 1.4% of sales, compared to $2.5 million, or 3% of sales in the prior period [15] - Diluted earnings per share were $0.13, down from $0.21 [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail net sales were $52.5 million, a decrease of 1.4%, primarily due to winter weather impacts [17] - Written sales decreased by 0.2%, while gross margin for retail was 51.5%, down 170 basis points due to delayed price increases related to tariffs [17][4] - Wholesale net sales were $53 million, essentially flat year-over-year, with a 0.6% increase in shipments to the retail core network [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a significant decline in retail written sales during a two-week period in January due to severe weather, impacting both retail and wholesale operations [3][48] - The overall traffic was down in the first quarter, but conversions increased by 130%, resulting in a 28% increase in orders [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on five key initiatives to grow the business, including generating comparable store growth, opening new retail locations, increasing e-commerce sales, enhancing Bassett Design Centers, and building the interior design channel [6][12] - The company plans to open corporate stores in Cincinnati and Orlando and relocate a store on Long Island, with meticulous research on sales potential before committing to new locations [9] - Investments are being made to enhance the e-commerce platform and integrate an omni-channel experience, targeting younger, higher-income demographics [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing challenges in the macro environment, including weak residential housing activity and higher employee costs, which are headwinds for top-line growth [5] - The company is optimistic about improved retail margins in the upcoming quarters due to the implementation of price increases [22] - Management expressed that while there has not been a significant decline in business trends since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, there has also not been an uptick [31] Other Important Information - The company plans to spend between $8 million and $12 million on capital expenditures for 2026, significantly higher than the previous year's $4.5 million [19] - The company remains committed to delivering shareholder returns through dividends and opportunistic share buybacks, with a quarterly dividend of $0.20 approved [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of delayed price increases on retail margins - Management acknowledged the impact of delayed price increases and indicated that margins should improve in the second quarter [22][23] Question: Potential additional pricing actions due to fuel price spikes - Management confirmed that surcharges related to freight and petroleum derivative products will need to be passed along to customers [25] Question: Trends observed since the start of the conflict in Ukraine - Management reported no significant changes in business trends, maintaining a steady performance [31] Question: Accessibility to materials and potential price increases - Management indicated no noticeable issues with material accessibility and container prices have not spiked [37] Question: Outlook for retail margins and new store openings - Management expects some losses on the retail side until new stores start producing sales, but anticipates better margins moving forward [39][40] Question: Potential for tariff refunds and impact on the tariff landscape - Management stated that there is uncertainty regarding tariff refunds and the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions [41] Question: Weather impact on sales - Management expressed hope that lost sales due to weather would be deferred rather than permanently lost, but noted significant impacts on retail written sales [44][45] Question: E-commerce sales representation and future reporting - Management indicated that while e-commerce sales are growing, they have not broken out these figures separately in the past [49]
Bassett(BSET) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-04-02 14:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales decreased by 2.2% to $83 million, a decline of $1.8 million compared to the previous year [14] - Gross margin decreased by 80 basis points to 56.2%, primarily due to lower margins in both retail and wholesale businesses [14] - Operating income was $1.2 million, or 1.4% of sales, down from $2.5 million, or 3% of sales in the prior period [15] - Diluted earnings per share were $0.13, compared to $0.21 in the previous year [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail net sales were $52.5 million, a decrease of $800,000 or 1.4%, primarily due to winter weather impacts [17] - Wholesale net sales were $53 million, essentially flat compared to last year, with a 0.6% increase in shipments to the retail core network [16] - Written sales were flat for the first quarter, but there was a double-digit increase in written orders for the back half of February [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced significant disruptions in retail and wholesale sales due to severe weather, with over 50% of retail locations closed during critical weekends [4] - The macro environment remains challenging with weak residential housing activity and higher employee costs impacting sales [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on five key initiatives to drive growth: generating comparable store growth, opening additional retail locations, increasing e-commerce sales, enhancing Bassett Design Centers, and building the interior design channel [13] - The company plans to open corporate stores in Cincinnati and Orlando and relocate a store on Long Island [9] - Investments are being made to improve e-commerce capabilities and integrate an omni-channel experience [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the pace of business slowed abruptly in mid-January, impacting sales and margins [3] - There is cautious optimism regarding improved retail margins due to recent price adjustments [22] - The company is addressing higher SG&A expenses and is implementing initiatives projected to save between $1.5 million and $2 million annually [5] Other Important Information - The company maintains a solid liquidity position with $51 million in cash and short-term investments [18] - Total capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to be between $8 million and $12 million, significantly higher than the previous year's $4.5 million [19] - The company continues to pay dividends and repurchase shares opportunistically, with a $0.20 dividend approved for payment on May 29 [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of delayed price increases on retail margins - Management acknowledged the impact of delayed price increases and indicated that margins should improve in the second quarter [22][23] Question: Potential additional pricing actions due to fuel price spikes - Management confirmed that surcharges related to fuel prices are already being implemented and will need to be passed along to customers [24][25] Question: Trends observed since the start of the conflict in Ukraine - Management reported no significant changes in trends, with sales remaining stable but not showing an uptick [32] Question: Accessibility to materials and potential price increases - Management indicated no noticeable issues with accessibility to materials and did not foresee immediate price increases due to geopolitical tensions [38] Question: Outlook for retail margins and new store openings - Management expects some losses in retail margins until new stores begin generating sales, but anticipates better margins moving forward [40][41] Question: Potential for tariff refunds and impact of Supreme Court decision - Management stated that there is uncertainty regarding tariff refunds and the impact of recent legal decisions [42] Question: Weather impact on sales - Management expressed hope that lost sales due to weather would be deferred rather than permanently lost, but acknowledged the significant impact on sales [45][46] Question: E-commerce sales representation and future reporting - Management noted that while e-commerce sales are growing, they have not broken out these figures separately in the past [50]
Macy's(M) - 2026 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-03-18 13:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, Macy's, Inc. reported net sales of $7.6 billion, exceeding guidance of $7.35-$7.5 billion, but down from $7.8 billion last year [22] - Comparable sales rose 1.8%, significantly above guidance of down 2.5% to flat, with go-forward business comparable sales growth of 2% [23] - Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.67, exceeding the guidance range of $1.35-$1.55, despite a tariff impact of approximately $0.13 [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's nameplate achieved 0.6% go-forward comparable sales growth, a 190 basis points improvement year-over-year [10] - Bloomingdale's saw a remarkable 9.9% comparable sales growth, marking its best holiday result on record [23] - Bluemercury achieved 1.6% annual comparable sales growth, driven by strong performance in dermatological skincare and fragrances [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's digital channel represents approximately one-third of annual sales, benefiting from a modernized online presence [11] - The company reported a strong performance in holiday destination categories, including fragrances, jewelry, and handbags, which outperformed expectations [9] - The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade drew over 34 million viewers, generating significant social media impressions, which were leveraged into retail offerings [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The "A Bold New Chapter" strategy focuses on sustainable profitable growth, with a strong emphasis on customer engagement and operational efficiency [7][39] - The company plans to expand the Reimagine program to 200 locations, which will account for approximately 60% of the go-forward Macy's store base [17] - Macy's is committed to enhancing its omnichannel experience and investing in local market strengths to drive customer engagement [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macroeconomic uncertainties while building on recent momentum [20] - The company is taking a prudent approach to guidance, reflecting both optimism about its strategy and caution regarding external factors [20] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to pricing and promotions to appeal to a diverse consumer base [56] Other Important Information - Macy's achieved a free cash flow yield of over 15%, with operating cash flow of $1.4 billion for the year [26] - The company returned $448 million to shareholders, including $197 million in cash dividends, marking a 27% increase in annual payout since 2021 [28] - The company is focused on leveraging AI across various operational areas to enhance customer experience and drive efficiencies [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does Macy's plan to remain resilient amidst consumer volatility? - Management expressed confidence in the company's growth across all nameplates and highlighted a healthy balance sheet and inventory levels as key strengths [42][43] Question: What are the expectations for AUR versus units in the upcoming year? - Management noted that AUR has been growing, reflecting improved assortments and customer engagement, while overall basket size is increasing despite a slight decline in units [44] Question: What actions are being taken to appeal to price-sensitive consumers? - Management emphasized a balanced promotional strategy that caters to both value-seeking and brand-conscious consumers, leveraging a diverse product portfolio [56] Question: What drove upside performance in Q4 and thoughts on private brands? - Management highlighted strong growth in women's contemporary apparel and fine jewelry, while private brands remain a focus for improvement and expansion [73] Question: What are the plans for store closures and openings? - Management indicated that approximately 65 store closures will be extended through 2028, with a focus on optimizing the store fleet to support the omnichannel business [67]
Academy(ASO) - 2026 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-03-17 15:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fourth quarter net sales reached $1.7 billion, a 2.5% increase year-over-year, while comparable sales decreased by 1.6% [29] - For the full year, total sales were $6.05 billion, up 2%, resulting in market share gains [6] - Gross margin improved by 140 basis points to 33.6% in Q4, driven by efficiency gains in the supply chain [29][30] - Adjusted net income for Q4 was $132.9 million, or $1.97 per diluted share [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The dot-com business saw a significant growth of 13.6%, attributed to improvements in core search and the integration of AI capabilities [9] - New store openings totaled 24, with these stores exceeding year-one performance expectations [10] - The average unit retail (AUR) increased by 10% in Q4, contributing to gross margin improvement [6][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a decline in transactions by 6.4% in Q4, while ticket size increased by 5.1% [29] - The customer base is diversifying, with a 10% growth in consumers earning over $100,000 annually [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open 20-25 new stores in 2026, focusing on infill within existing markets [27] - A major initiative includes the relaunch of the My Academy Rewards loyalty program, which now has over 13 million members [12][20] - The company is enhancing its digital transformation with AI-driven personalization and expanding its online assortment [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates continued macroeconomic pressures affecting discretionary consumer spending in 2026, particularly inflation on imported goods [14][35] - External events such as tax refunds, the World Cup, and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. are expected to provide sales boosts [15][17] - The company is optimistic about achieving sales growth of 2%-5% in 2026, supported by internal initiatives and external tailwinds [28][34] Other Important Information - The board approved a 15% increase in dividends, resulting in $0.15 per share payable on April 10, 2026 [34] - The company generated $435 million in cash from operations in the full year, with $263 million in adjusted free cash flow [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of store closures on Q4 performance - Management estimated that store closures in January represented about a 100 basis point headwind to Q4 comp sales, but business rebounded once stores reopened [42][43] Question: SG&A growth expectations - SG&A expenses increased due to new store growth and technology investments, with expectations for modest leverage in 2026 [45][47] Question: Factors affecting sales outlook - Management acknowledged that the financial health of the American consumer is a primary headwind, alongside the performance of the ammo category [76][78] Question: Gas prices impact on consumer spending - High gas prices are generally negative for discretionary spending, but can have mixed effects depending on regional employment in oil sectors [81][82] Question: Contribution of macro factors to sales guidance - The guidance range reflects a balance between internal initiatives and macroeconomic factors, with potential contributions from events like the World Cup and tax refunds [87][88]
Best Buy(BBY) - 2026 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-03-03 14:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Q4 revenue of $13.8 billion, with an adjusted operating income rate of 5% and adjusted earnings per share of $2.61, both slightly up from the previous year [7][29] - Comparable sales were down 0.8% year-over-year, which was within the guidance range [7][29] - The domestic segment revenue decreased by 1.1% to $12.6 billion, driven by a comparable sales decline of 0.8% [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Computing delivered positive comparable sales for the eighth consecutive quarter, driven by laptops, desktops, and accessories [8] - Mobile phones experienced growth for the fourth consecutive quarter, aided by expanded partnerships and operational improvements [8] - Newer categories like AI glasses, 3D printers, and health rings showed strong growth, while home theater and appliances saw declines [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's market share remained flat, indicating slightly softer consumer demand during the holiday quarter [7] - Online revenue decreased by 2.3% on a comparable basis, representing 39% of domestic revenue [30] - International revenue increased by 0.5% to $1.2 billion, primarily due to favorable foreign exchange rates [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its position as a leading omni-channel destination for technology while scaling new profit streams [15][28] - Key priorities include driving omni-channel experiences, scaling Best Buy Ads and Marketplace, and identifying cost reductions [15][27] - The company plans to open six new stores for the first time in over a decade to meet demand in growing markets [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects a mixed macro environment for fiscal 2027, guiding comparable sales growth between -1% to +1% [12] - There is an anticipation of continued consumer spending on high-price point products driven by technology innovation [12] - The company is focused on navigating challenges related to memory component cost inflation and supply uncertainty [13][14] Other Important Information - The company returned $1.1 billion to investors through dividends and share repurchases, increasing the quarterly dividend to $0.96 per share [11][32] - The company is enhancing its digital experience and exploring partnerships with AI platforms to improve customer engagement [18][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of higher memory pricing on product margins - Management indicated that while there could be pressure on margins in some computing categories due to memory costs, overall product margin rates are expected to remain flat year-over-year [39][40][41] Question: Performance in big screen TV sales - TV sales were below expectations in Q4, but management is optimistic about future demand driven by new RGB technology [43][44] Question: Margin flexibility in guidance - Management believes they have embedded sufficient margin flexibility to remain competitive, despite the promotional nature of the industry [52][54] Question: Same-store sales cadence for the year - Management expects Q1 to show a 1% comp, with potential for stronger performance in Q1 and Q4 compared to Q2 and Q3 [75][76] Question: Tariff mitigation efforts - Management noted a recent Supreme Court ruling led to a lower effective tariff rate, with no major impacts modeled for the year [69][70][71]
The Children's Place Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results
Globenewswire· 2025-12-16 21:30
Core Insights - The Children's Place, Inc. reported a significant decline in net sales and profitability for the third fiscal quarter of 2025, reflecting challenges in e-commerce and wholesale revenue [5][12] - The company is undergoing a strategic transformation, including an increase in physical store presence and a merchandising reset to improve product assortment [2][4] - The company has successfully refinanced its debt, enhancing liquidity and borrowing capacity to support growth strategies [3] Financial Performance - Net sales decreased by $50.7 million, or 13.0%, to $339.5 million compared to $390.2 million in the same quarter last year [5] - Gross profit fell by $26.0 million to $112.3 million, with gross margin decreasing by 240 basis points to 33.1% [6][7] - The company reported a net loss of $4.3 million, or $(0.19) per diluted share, compared to a net income of $20.1 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, in the prior year [12] Operational Updates - Comparable retail sales decreased by 5.4% for the quarter, with e-commerce sales impacted by lower traffic and conversion rates [5][12] - The company opened five new stores during the third quarter and plans to open an additional 15 to 20 stores in the first half of fiscal year 2026 [2][20] - Inventory levels were reduced to $390.3 million, down from $491.6 million a year earlier, due to improved inventory management [22] Cost Management and Strategic Initiatives - The company anticipates incremental tariff-related expenses of approximately $15 million to $20 million for fiscal year 2025, a reduction from previous estimates [4] - The gross benefits from the company's transformation initiative are now estimated to be between $40 million and $50 million over the next three years [4] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $101.3 million, primarily due to higher marketing expenses and costs associated with new store strategies [8][15] Financing and Liquidity - The refinancing of a $350 million asset-based lending credit facility and a $100 million FILO term loan has improved liquidity by $35 million to $40 million on a pro forma basis [3] - As of November 1, 2025, the company had total liquidity of $93.4 million, including $7.3 million in cash and cash equivalents [21]
Macy's Digital Acceleration Strengthens Omni-Channel Growth Momentum
ZACKS· 2025-10-14 18:21
Core Insights - Macy's Inc. has strengthened its digital presence in Q2 of fiscal 2025, with online growth being a key element of its Bold New Chapter strategy, achieving 2.2% comparable sales growth, the strongest in the past 12 quarters [1][8] - The integration of digital convenience with in-store experiences has been central to Macy's progress, with improvements in website and mobile usability leading to the highest second-quarter Net Promoter Score on record [2] - Macy's Marketplace and the off-price "Backstage" online offering have significantly contributed to quarterly results, attracting younger, value-conscious shoppers and enhancing cross-channel traffic [3] Digital Strategy and Customer Engagement - Investments in digital platforms have transformed macys.com into a more product- and story-focused site, emphasizing trend-driven curation and discovery [2] - The broader digital ecosystem, supported by strategic brand partnerships, resonates with consumers seeking convenience and quality [3] - Luxury banners like Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury have also supported digital expansion, with Bloomingdale's achieving its fourth consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth [4] Future Outlook - Macy's plans to leverage omni-channel strategies and data-driven personalization to sustain profitable growth, aiming to connect physical retail with an efficient online marketplace [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Macy's fiscal 2025 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 25.8%, while fiscal 2026 indicates a slight uptick of 0.1% [10] Valuation and Performance - Macy's shares have gained 44.6% in the past three months, outperforming the industry's growth of 38.3% [6] - The company is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 0.22X, below the industry average of 0.43X, with a Value Score of A [7]
Dick's Sporting Goods(DKS) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Presentation
2025-08-28 14:00
Financial Performance - Comparable sales increased by 5.2%[12] - Net sales reached $13.44 billion, a 3.5% increase year-over-year[12] - Non-GAAP gross margin improved to 35.90%, up 89 basis points[12] - Non-GAAP EBT totaled $1.52 billion, an 8.3% increase[12] - Non-GAAP EPS reached $14.05, an 8.8% increase[12] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to expand House of Sport locations to between 75 and 100 by the end of FY27[25] - House of Sport locations generate approximately $35 million in Y1 Omni sales with a ~25% cash on cash return[32] - DICK'S Field House locations generate approximately $14 million in Y1 Omni sales with a ~40% cash on cash return[32] - Omni-channel athletes spend 2x+ more than single-channel athletes[40] - The company expects pre-opening expenses to be in the range of $65 million to $75 million for 2025[95] Guidance - The company is raising its full year 2025 outlook, expecting comp sales to increase between 75% to 95%[93]
Tapestry(TPR) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Presentation
2025-08-14 12:00
Financial Performance Highlights - Tapestry delivered record revenue of over $7.01 billion, a 5% increase compared to the prior year[46,54] - The company achieved record EPS of $5.10, representing a 19% growth[46,54] - Adjusted free cash flow exceeded expectations, generating over $1.3 billion in the year[46] - Operating margin increased to 20.0%, driven by 210 basis points of gross margin expansion[46,54] Brand Performance - Coach's net sales reached $5.60 billion, with a 10% increase year-over-year[54] - Kate Spade's net sales were $1.20 billion, a 10% decrease year-over-year[54] - Stuart Weitzman's net sales were $215 million, an 11% decrease year-over-year[54] Geographical Trends - North America saw a 5% revenue increase, led by double-digit growth at Coach[50] - Europe experienced a 28% revenue increase, driven by DTC strength and new customer acquisition[50] - Greater China's revenue increased by 5%, with strength in Digital[50] Fiscal Year 2026 Outlook - The company expects revenue to approach $7.2 billion, with mid-single-digit growth[62] - Diluted adjusted EPS is projected to be $5.30 to $5.45, up 4% to 7%[62] - Free cash flow is expected to approach $1.3 billion[62] Shareholder Value - Tapestry returned $2.3 billion to shareholders in FY25 alone[68] - The company executed a $2 billion Accelerated Share Repurchase program[70] - The annual dividend rate increased by 14% to $1.60 per share in Fiscal 2026[70]
VTEX(VTEX) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-07 21:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, GMV reached $4.8 billion, growing 9% year over year in U.S. Dollars and 14% on an FX neutral basis [26] - Subscription revenue was $57.2 million, a 6% increase in U.S. Dollars and an 11% increase on an FX neutral basis compared to Q2 2024 [26][27] - Non-GAAP income from operations increased by 35% to $8.5 million, resulting in a 14% non-GAAP operating margin, a three percentage points year-over-year margin expansion [30][31] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $7.1 million, up from $3 million in the same quarter last year, resulting in a free cash flow margin of 12% [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue growth was impacted by a mix shift in Brazil towards larger customers with lower implied take rates, affecting revenue growth despite maintaining similar margins [27][28] - Gross profit reached $45.3 million, up 15.2% in FX neutral terms, with a gross margin increase of 3.5 percentage points year over year [8][29] - Non-GAAP subscription gross margin reached 80%, up 180 basis points year over year, driven by gains in customer support efficiency through AI automation [28][29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. and Europe markets are growing twice as fast as the overall company, indicating strong demand in these regions [5] - Argentina experienced a reversal in GMV growth, falling back to double-digit negative territory in Q2 after initial recovery signs in Q1 [40][59] - Brazil's GMV growth remained stable in the low twenties, but there was a mix shift towards larger enterprise customers, impacting revenue conversion [63] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on B2B commerce and retail media as strategic priorities, introducing new features and partnerships to enhance its platform [9][12][13] - The expansion of partnerships, such as with Whirlpool for the KitchenAid website in the U.S., highlights the company's global competitiveness [5][11] - The company aims to capture significant upside in the years ahead through disciplined growth strategies and investments in under-penetrated areas [9][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging market environment, particularly in Argentina and Brazil, but expressed confidence in the company's competitive positioning and global expansion strategy [34][36] - The company is targeting FX neutral year-over-year subscription revenue growth of 6% to 9% for 2025, despite a reduction in revenue guidance due to market conditions [34] - Management emphasized the resilience of the business model and the ability to deliver profitable growth even in complex conditions [43][44] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 800,000 shares at an average price of $4.82 per share as part of its capital allocation strategy [32][33] - The company is set to launch the latest edition of Vitex Vision, showcasing its product roadmap and innovation priorities [11][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on the decline in guidance for GMV and new subscriptions sold - Management explained that the decline was primarily due to the GMV performance of existing customers in Argentina and a mix shift in Brazil towards larger customers with lower take rates [39][40] Question: Details on increased margin expectations - Management highlighted that margin improvements are driven by gains in AI support automation and a reduction in sales and marketing expenses, which are flat year over year [43][44] Question: Changes in implementation timelines for larger clients - Management confirmed that there were no significant changes in implementation cycles, and the guidance already accounted for the longer cycles associated with larger enterprise deals [50][51] Question: Competitive landscape in Argentina and Brazil - Management noted that the competitive landscape in Argentina remains stable, and they are embedding expectations for consumption deceleration in Brazil into their guidance [60][63] Question: Impact of market volatility on B2B and retail media strategies - Management stated that the current market conditions reinforce the value proposition of B2B and retail media initiatives, with no major structural changes affecting their strategy [70][71]