Caleres Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

First quarter adjusted EPS exceeds guidance. 

• Reported first quarter net sales of $667 million, up 8.5%.
  • Brand Portfolio sales increased 20.6%, with organic sales up 5.8%.
  • Broad-based growth across Brand Portfolio channels, both domestically and internationally.
  • Lead Brands continued to outperform, and Stuart Weitzman exceeded our expectations.
  • Famous Footwear sales declined 2.5%, with comparable sales down 2.3%.
• Grew market share in Total Footwear, with gains in Women's Fashion Footwear and Shoe Chains.
• GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.42. Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.38.
• Expects second quarter 2026 consolidated net sales up mid-to-high-single digits, with GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.32 to $0.38.
• Expects full-year 2026 consolidated net sales up low-to-mid-single digits and GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.44 to $1.69, with adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.40 to $1.65 versus prior guidance of $1.35 to $1.65.

Caleres (NYSE:CAL), a market-leading portfolio of consumer-driven footwear brands, today reported financial results for the first quarter 2026.

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Sam Edelman Peyton Kitten Heel Sandal

"We were pleased to report first quarter sales at the top end and earnings ahead of our guidance, reflecting the strength of our strategic growth vectors and broad-based momentum across our Brand Portfolio," said Jay Schmidt, president and chief executive officer. "Within Brand Portfolio, we delivered growth across channels and geographies, with Lead Brands continuing to outperform, meaningful gross margin expansion, and further cross-category market share gains. At Famous Footwear, while results were more challenging amid a softer consumer and macroeconomic backdrop, we grew our e-Commerce business, made progress with our elevate-and-edit strategy, delivered even stronger outperformance from our FLAIR stores, and gained slight market share in Shoe Chains both overall and in Kids."

"The first quarter was an encouraging first step toward a build-back year for Caleres. We continue to expect modest sales growth and meaningful earnings growth in 2026. Our Brand Portfolio momentum has strengthened, with profitability supported by favorable mix, successful tariff mitigation actions, and disciplined execution. For the balance of the year, we are focused on maximizing the strong sales and earnings trends in our Brand Portfolio, improving Stuart Weitzman earnings, and elevating product and enhancing shopping experiences at Famous Footwear. Longer term, we believe that disciplined execution of our strategic plans will improve financial performance and create long-term value for our shareholders."

First Quarter 2026 Results

(13 weeks ended May 2, 2026, compared to 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025)

• Net sales were $666.6 million, up 8.5% versus first quarter 2025, and $622.7 million when excluding Stuart Weitzman, up 1.4% versus first quarter 2025.
  • Brand Portfolio net sales increased 20.6% to last year, and 5.8% when excluding Stuart Weitzman.
  • Famous Footwear net sales decreased 2.5% to last year, with comparable sales down 2.3%.
  • Direct-to-consumer sales represented approximately 67% of total net sales.
• Gross profit was $315.5 million with gross margin of 47.3%, up 200 basis points to last year. Excluding Stuart Weitzman, adjusted gross profit was $291.2 million, with adjusted gross margin of 46.8%, up 140 basis points to last year.
  • Brand Portfolio gross margin was 49.0%, up 520 basis points to last year.
  • Famous Footwear gross margin was 43.8%, down 150 basis points to last year.
• Selling and administrative expenses were $293.7 million, or 44.1% of net sales, deleveraged 70 basis points to last year, primarily reflecting $25.6 million in expenses related to Stuart Weitzman. Excluding Stuart Weitzman, selling and administrative expenses were $268.1 million, or 43.1% of net sales, down 30 basis points to last year.
• GAAP net earnings were $14.3 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to $6.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, last year. Adjusted net earnings were $12.7 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net earnings of $7.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, last year.
• Inventory was $609.1 million at quarter-end, up $35 million to last year. Excluding Stuart Weitzman, inventory was down $22.7 million.
• Borrowings under the asset-based revolving credit facility were $347.5 million at quarter-end, and liquidity was $229.2 million.

Second Quarter & Full Year Outlook

For second quarter 2026, we expect consolidated net sales to increase mid-to-high-single digits versus last year. Brand Portfolio sales are anticipated to increase in the mid-twenties percent range, with low-double-digit organic growth. Famous Footwear sales and comparable sales are expected to be down mid-single digits. Gross margin is expected to improve 345 to 375 basis points, reflecting tariff mitigation efforts and lower current tariff rates. We anticipate a second quarter tax rate of 26% to 27%. We expect GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.32 to $0.38.

For full-year 2026, we anticipate total sales to increase low-to-mid-single digits. Brand Portfolio sales are expected to be up low-double digits, and mid-single digits organically. Famous Footwear sales and comparable sales are expected to be down low-to-mid-single digits. Consolidated gross margin is expected to improve 220 to 260 basis points. We anticipate interest expense of approximately $18 million, a full-year tax rate of 27% to 28%, and capital expenditures of $50 to $55 million. We expect GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.44 to $1.69, and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.40 to $1.65.

Investor Conference Call

Caleres will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET today, Thursday, June 4, 2026. The webcast and associated slides will be available at investor.caleres.com/events-and-presentations. A live conference call will be available at (877) 704-4453 for North America participants or (201) 389-0920 for international participants; no passcode necessary. A replay will also be available at investor.caleres.com/events-and-presentations for a limited period. Investors can access the replay through June 18, 2026, by dialing (844) 512-2921 in North America or (412) 317-6671 internationally and using the pin 13760681.

About Caleres

Caleres is a market-leading portfolio of global footwear brands that includes Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Stuart Weitzman, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer and Vionic. Our products are available virtually everywhere — in the ~1,000 retail stores we operate, in hundreds of major department and specialty stores, on our branded e-Commerce sites, and on many additional third-party retail websites. Combined, these brands make Caleres a company with both a legacy and a mission. Our legacy is nearly 150 years of craftsmanship and our passion for fit, while our mission is to continue to inspire people to feel great… feet first. Visit caleres.com to learn more about us.

Definitions

All references in this press release, outside of the condensed consolidated financial statements that follow, unless otherwise noted, related to net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. and diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders, are presented as net earnings and earnings per diluted share, respectively.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, the company's financial results are provided both in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, the company provides estimated and future gross profit, operating earnings (loss), net earnings and earnings per diluted share, adjusted to exclude certain gains, charges and recoveries and the financial results of the acquired Stuart Weitzman business, which are non-GAAP financial measures. These results are included as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes these non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in the company's business and provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the company's core operating results. These measures should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and expectations regarding the company's future performance and the performance of its brands. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks include (i) changes in United States and international trade policies, including tariffs and trade restrictions; (ii) changing consumer demands, which may be influenced by general economic conditions and other factors; (iii) inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions; (iv) rapidly changing consumer preferences and purchasing patterns and fashion trends; (v) supplier concentration, customer concentration and increased consolidation in the retail industry; (vi) intense competition within the footwear industry; (vii) foreign currency fluctuations; (viii) political and economic conditions or other threats to the continued and uninterrupted flow of inventory from China and other countries, where the company relies heavily on third-party manufacturing facilities for a significant amount of its inventory; (ix) transitional challenges with acquisitions and divestitures; (x) cybersecurity threats or other major disruption to the company's information technology; (xi) the ability to accurately forecast sales and manage inventory levels; (xii) a disruption in the company's distribution centers; (xiii) the ability to recruit and retain senior management and other key associates; (xiv) the ability to secure/exit leases on favorable terms; (xv) changes to tax laws, policies and treaties; (xvi) our commitments and shareholder expectations related to responsible business initiatives; (xvii) compliance with applicable laws and standards with respect to labor, trade and product safety issues; and (xviii) the ability to attract, retain, and maintain good relationships with licensors and protect our intellectual property rights.

The company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission contain detailed information relating to such factors, including, without limitation, the information under the caption Risk Factors in Item 1A of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2026, which information is incorporated by reference herein and updated by the company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The company does not undertake any obligation or plan to update these forward-looking statements, even though its situation may change.

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Investor Contact

Liz Dunn

ldunn@caleres.com