Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's Inc reported net sales of $4.7 billion, a decrease of 0.6% year-over-year, primarily due to the closure of 64 non-Go-Forward stores, which contributed approximately $160 million to sales in the previous year [23][24] - Comparable sales increased by 3.2%, marking the strongest growth in 13 quarters, with Go-Forward comparable sales up 3.4% [22][23] - Adjusted EPS was $0.09, significantly above the guidance range of a loss of $0.15-$0.20 and higher than last year's $0.04 [7][27] - Core adjusted EBITDA was $273 million, or 5.6% of total revenue, exceeding guidance of 3.3%-3.7% [27][35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's nameplate achieved 2% comparable sales growth, while Go-Forward Macy's saw a 2.3% increase, and Reimagined 125 stores rose by 2.7% [8][23] - Bloomingdale's reported a 9% increase in comparable sales, its best performance in 13 quarters, with net sales rising by 8.6% [15][24] - Bluemercury experienced a 1.1% increase in comparable sales, driven by dermatological skincare and expanded brand partnerships [19][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The retail landscape is evolving, with consumers becoming more discerning in their spending habits, seeking curated product assortments and seamless omnichannel experiences [8][20] - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade attracted over 34 million viewers, setting a new record and highlighting the company's strong brand presence [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on its "Bold New Chapter" strategy, which includes strengthening the Macy's nameplate, differentiating luxury offerings, and modernizing operations [5][8] - Macy's aims to enhance customer experience through improved product curation and operational efficiency, with a strong emphasis on omnichannel retailing [8][11] - The company is committed to closing underperforming stores while investing in growth areas to drive sustainable profitability [27][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of its middle to upper-income customer base and the effectiveness of its inventory and marketing strategies [20][66] - The company anticipates a strong holiday season, supported by a compelling mix of categories and brands, despite a cautious outlook on consumer behavior [30][31] - Management acknowledged the ongoing impact of tariffs but emphasized proactive mitigation efforts to minimize their effects on margins [49][50] Other Important Information - The company opened a new distribution center in China Grove, North Carolina, which incorporates automation and AI to enhance delivery efficiency [19][29] - Macy's returned $350 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, with approximately $1.2 billion remaining on its buyback authorization [28][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you speak to traction with reimagined store initiatives and November comp trends? - Management noted positive growth in reimagined stores, with consistent traffic and improved average unit retail (AUR) [40][41] Question: What are the key drivers for sustaining momentum into 2026? - Key drivers include product assortment, omnichannel balance, and shedding underperforming stores, with a focus on mitigating tariff impacts [44][46] Question: How confident is the company in the consumer outlook compared to 90 days ago? - Management expressed increased confidence in strategy execution and inventory quality, despite a cautious approach to guidance [66][67] Question: Can you elaborate on pricing increases and consumer response? - Pricing on new products has had little impact on consumer spending, with strong demand across various price points [82][84] Question: How is the credit business trending? - The credit business has seen a significant increase in applications and revenue, indicating strong customer engagement [85][86] Question: What is the status of the store closure program? - The company closed 64 stores last year and remains committed to optimizing its store fleet, with updates expected in the fourth quarter [91][92]