Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly revenue was $9.7 billion, up 4.9% year over year, and adjusted diluted EPS was $9.5, up 17% [5][6] - Same store revenues for the quarter increased 7.7%, driven by growth in every business line [7] - Total gross profit increased 3.2%, with total vehicle GPU at $4,109, down $216 year over year [8][6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New retail revenue grew 5.5% with units up 2.5%, while used retail revenue increased 11.8% driven by a 6.3% increase in unit growth [9][10] - Aftersales revenue increased 3.9%, with gross profit rising 9.1% and margins expanding to 58.4%, up 280 basis points year over year [13] - F and I revenue was up 5.7%, with F and I per retail unit reaching $18.47, up $20 year over year [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic brand performance improved, while luxury brands performed the weakest year over year [9] - The UK market faced challenges with increased labor costs and regulatory pressures, but the company is improving productivity [14][37] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capturing market share and increasing customer loyalty, with a strategic emphasis on used vehicles and aftersales [6][11] - The acquisition strategy remains disciplined, targeting $2 billion in acquisition revenue for 2025, with a focus on high ROI opportunities [18][19] - The company aims to leverage its omnichannel platform to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency [14][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of cost control and productivity gains in navigating a mixed customer backdrop [6][22] - The company expects to finish strong in 2025 and continue building value through its ecosystem [6][21] - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth potential, emphasizing the flexibility of their cash engine and acquisition strategy [18][28] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 5.1% of its outstanding shares this quarter, prioritizing share buybacks due to stock trading at a discount [16][27] - Driveway Finance Corporation reported $19 million in financing operations income for the quarter, with a net interest margin of 4.6% [25][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: EV sales and inventory management - Management noted that electrified vehicles made up 43% of total new car mix, with significant sales driven by manufacturer incentives [30][31] Question: UK market conditions and labor costs - Management discussed the impact of increased labor costs and regulatory changes, emphasizing self-help initiatives to improve productivity [36][37] Question: Used car market dynamics - Management highlighted opportunities in the used car market, particularly in the value auto segment, with a focus on sourcing directly from consumers [44][46] Question: M&A strategy and targets - Management reiterated the $2 billion acquisition target for the year, emphasizing a disciplined approach to acquisitions [81][82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net sales decline of 5.1% in Q2 and 4.6% year-to-date, with comparable sales down 4.2% in Q2 and 4% year-to-date [31][32] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.56 for the quarter, with adjusted net income of $64 million [37][30] - Gross margin increased by 28 basis points to 39.9% in Q2, driven by category mix benefits and strong inventory management [35][31] - SG&A expenses decreased by 4.1% to $1.2 billion in Q2, benefiting from lower spending [35][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The women's category showed improvement, particularly in proprietary brands, with a flat comp performance in July [11][12] - The accessories business outperformed the company average, driven by jewelry and the Sephora partnership, with jewelry sales up 12% [13][16] - Men's and kids' categories were the weakest performers, with declines in spring assortments, although proprietary brands like Tech Gear showed strength [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital sales outpaced store sales, driven by strong conversion rates and improved coupon offerings [32][33] - The Kohl's card customer segment underperformed, with sales down in the low teens, while new and non-Kohl's card customers showed positive growth [33][34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic priorities: offering a curated assortment, reestablishing value and quality, and delivering a frictionless shopping experience [9][19] - There is an emphasis on proprietary brands to enhance customer trust and loyalty, with plans to introduce new proprietary brands [20][21] - The company is adjusting its promotional strategies to include more brands in coupon eligibility, which has shown immediate positive impacts on digital sales [22][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging macroeconomic environment and consumer pressure, particularly among lower to middle-income customers [8][40] - The outlook for the remainder of the year includes a projected net sales decline of 5% to 6%, with a focus on maintaining gross margin expansion [40][41] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to build on momentum from the first half of the year, despite ongoing uncertainties [30][40] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $174 million in cash and cash equivalents, and inventory levels declined by 5% [38][39] - Capital expenditures for the year are expected to be around $400 million, primarily for Sephora and Impulse line rollouts [39] Q&A Session Summary Question: What initiatives are having the greatest impact on the top line? - Management highlighted the focus on proprietary brands and their alignment with consumer value preferences as key drivers for improvement [45][46] Question: How do you see the cadence of comps for Q3 and Q4? - Management expects a similar cadence to the first half, with some potential upsides in both quarters [51][52] Question: Can you provide updates on adding brands back to coupon eligibility? - Management confirmed the addition of about 50 brands, with immediate positive impacts seen in digital sales [58][59] Question: What are the key drivers of comp metrics? - The primary driver of improvement was traffic, with efforts focused on regaining trips from core customers [68][70] Question: How is the company addressing tariff impacts? - Management is actively negotiating with suppliers and adjusting buying strategies to mitigate tariff impacts while maintaining competitive pricing [71][73]