Vince (VNCE) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript

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DATE

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. ET

CALL PARTICIPANTS

• Chief Executive Officer — Brendan Hoffman
• Chief Financial Officer — Yuji Okumura
• Chief Administrative Officer — Akiko Okuma

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TAKEAWAYS

• Total Net Sales -- $64 million, up 10.5%, with growth attributed to both direct-to-consumer and wholesale segments.
• Direct-to-Consumer Sales Growth -- Increased 15.6%, supported by remodeled stores, digital enhancements, expanded marketing, and new drop ship capabilities.
• Wholesale Segment Growth -- Rose 5.9%, led by at-the-register sales gains with major U.S. accounts and improved partner relationships.
• Gross Profit -- $32.4 million, representing 50.6% of net sales, compared to 50.3% in the prior year.
• Gross Margin Expansion -- Up approximately 130 basis points from higher pricing, 100 basis points from reduced discounting, offset by higher tariffs.
• Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) Expense -- $35 million, or 54.7% of sales, driven by increased benefit costs and higher marketing and advertising spend.
• Operating Loss -- $2.6 million loss versus a $4.4 million loss in the same period last year, showing a $1.8 million improvement.
• Net Interest Expense -- Declined to $0.6 million from $0.9 million, primarily due to reduced debt levels under the revolving credit facility.
• Long-Term Debt -- $29.1 million outstanding at period end.
• Net Loss -- $2.1 million, or $0.16 per share, improved from $4.8 million or $0.37 per share prior year.
• Adjusted EBITDA -- Negative $1.1 million, improving from negative $3 million the prior year.
• Inventory -- $70.8 million, up from $62.3 million due primarily to a $4.5 million higher carrying value related to tariffs.
• Direct-to-Consumer Customer Growth -- Double-digit increases in both new and reactivated customers, driven by full price acquisition and increased engagement touchpoints.
• Category Performance - Women's -- Woven tops and pants were top performers, with dresses gaining momentum late in the quarter.
• Category Performance - Men's -- Growth across all channels listed, highlighted by novelty textured knits, polos, and increased living category penetration.
• E-commerce Expansion -- Drop ship model now includes handbags, belts, and accessories in addition to shoes, expanding assortment without inventory risk.
• Store Remodels -- Ongoing upgrades to key locations (Abbot Kinney, Scottsdale) planned without closure, expected to be completed off-hours.
• Wholesale Contribution - Saks Global -- Planned conservatively and currently a smaller account (~7% of business last year), but recent upside as orders increase during Saks's bankruptcy emergence.
• Q2 Guidance -- Net sales expected to grow 10%-12% with adjusted operating income margin of 6.5%-7% and adjusted EBITDA margin of 8%-8.5%.
• Full-Year Guidance (FY 2026) -- Net sales growth forecasted at 7%-8%; adjusted operating income margin targeted at 4%-4.5%, adjusted EBITDA margin at 5.5%-6%.
• Tariff Refunds -- Guidance excludes potential tariff refunds due to uncertain timing and amount.
• Balance Sheet Liquidity -- Sufficient revolver availability, with management stating they are "in a position to play some offense here and make some investments in business."

SUMMARY

Management detailed a multi-pronged growth strategy centered on both channel and product expansion, signaling continued brand momentum into the second quarter and full year. Strategic investments in e-commerce and direct-to-consumer touchpoints were cited as key factors driving the double-digit sales increase and improved operating leverage. Expansion into new drop ship categories and store upgrades is positioned as integral to sustaining engagement and average transaction values, notably as additional accessories and menswear options come online. Adjusted earnings metrics and margin targets now reflect upward revisions, with management emphasizing prudent guidance amid macroeconomic uncertainty and a proactive approach to inventory and cost management.

• The CEO explained the direct-to-consumer segment posted double-digit growth in both new and reactivated customers, supporting the brand's strategy of full price acquisition and extended engagement.
• Management stated that "sales trends running above low double-digit quarter to date." With half the second quarter still to go, this indicates persistent momentum.
• Store renovation processes have been redesigned to avoid closures, allowing key stores to remain operational while receiving upgrades.
• Guidance now incorporates higher input costs and lower reciprocal tariff rates, with management explicitly noting the exclusion of uncertain tariff refunds from forecasts.
• The CEO identified upcoming product collaborations and potential expansion through partnerships as they consider avenues "to use our platform to extend beyond Vince if the opportunity presents itself."

INDUSTRY GLOSSARY

• Drop Ship: A retail fulfillment method where products are shipped directly from suppliers to customers, enabling assortment expansion without holding inventory.
• At-the-Register Sales: Revenue recognized when a product is sold at retail partners' points of sale, typically tracked to gauge sell-through performance.

Full Conference Call Transcript

Operator

Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to Vince's first quarter 2026 earnings conference call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press Star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press Star one again. I will now hand the conference over to Akiko Okuma, Chief Administrative Officer. Please go ahead.

Akiko Okuma

Thank you, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to Vince Holding Corp's first-quarter fiscal 2026 results conference call. Hosting the call today is Brendan Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer, and Yuji Okumura, Chief Financial Officer. Before we begin, let me remind you that certain statements made on this call may constitute forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those that the company expects. Those risks and uncertainties are described in today's press release and in the company's SEC filings, which are available on the company's website. In addition, in today's discussion, the company is presenting its financial results in conformity with GAAP and on an adjusted basis.

The adjusted results that the company presents today are non-GAAP measures. Discussions of these non-GAAP measures and information on reconciliations of them to their most comparable GAAP measures are included in today's press release and related schedules, which are available in the Investors section of the company's website at investors.vince.com. Now I'll turn the call over to your host.

Brendan Hoffman

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today to discuss Vince Holding Corp's first quarter fiscal 2026 results. The momentum we built throughout fiscal 2025 has accelerated into the new year, and we are executing our strategic priorities with precision and confidence. I'm pleased to report that Vince delivered a first-quarter performance with net sales up 10.5% compared to the prior year, reflecting strength across both of our channels. Direct-to-consumer sales grew 15.6%, and wholesale increased 5.9%. Our direct-to-consumer segment continues to be a standout performer. From store remodels to enhanced e-commerce capabilities, from expanded marketing support to the launch of drop ship capabilities, we are creating more touchpoints and more compelling reasons for customers to engage with Vince.

Q1 delivered outstanding performance and full price customer acquisition, driving double-digit growth in both new and reactivated customers, proof that our brand is resonating and our strategy is working.

Our wholesale business is equally robust with at-the-register sales up low double digits with U.S. major accounts and relationships with key partners strengthening and benefiting from the broader resurgence in contemporary. Customers see real value in our product, appreciating the quality of the design and the effortless style that defines Vince. In women's, our strongest category was woven tops, including solid blouses, prints, and new cotton woven programs. We also saw strength in pants through the expansion of our core pant fabrications and additional color options and novelty prints. Dresses gained momentum at the end of Q1, driven by knit dresses and elevated event dressing in printed silks.

In men's, we continue to see significant growth across all channels, driven by novelty textured knits and polos. We're also seeing increases across all living categories and sets.

Head-to-toe dressing has elevated our average transaction values, with expanded offerings driving higher bottom sales penetration. Our men's business remains a significant growth opportunity. We're on a clear path towards 30% penetration over time. We are leaning into high-potential areas, particularly in our direct-to-consumer channel. In e-commerce, our drop ship business is expanding our reach without inventory risk. While still a small portion of the business, we recently launched handbags, belts, and accessories in Q2, in addition to shoes, adding another dimension to our offering. In our store business, we are continuing targeted remodels and strategically looking to reposition in existing markets in lifestyle centers where traffic and productivity trends are strongest.

This summer, we will amplify store traffic through activations in key markets. Looking ahead, I'm more confident than I've ever been in this business, and we are pleased to be raising our full-year outlook.

Over the last 12 months, we have fundamentally raised the bar for Vince, establishing a new baseline for growth. We're executing with discipline, our brand is resonating, and our customers are responding. This performance has extended into the second quarter, with sales trends running above low double-digit quarter to date. As Yuji will discuss, we're balancing the strong performance with prudent planning. With half the quarter remaining and macroeconomic volatility persisting, we're maintaining a disciplined approach to our Q2 and fiscal year outlook. In summary, we're operating from a position of tremendous strength, on pace to deliver strong growth for the year.

We remain excited for the opportunities we continue to see to maximize Vince Holding Corp as a platform, and I want to thank the team for their continued hard work. I look forward to updating you on our continued progress. I'll turn it over to Yuji to walk through the financials in more detail.

Yuji Okumura

Thank you, Brendan, and good morning, everyone. I'll walk you through our first quarter results and provide some additional color on our outlook for the second quarter and full year fiscal 2026. Total company net sales for the first quarter increased 10.5% to $64 million, compared to $57.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. For respective channel performance, our direct-to-consumer segment grew 15.6%, driven by strong performances across both our e-commerce business and stores.

Our wholesale segment increased 5.9% year-over-year. Gross profit in the first quarter was $32.4 million or 50.6% of net sales. This compares to $29.2 million or 50.3% of net sales in the first quarter of last year. The increase in gross margin rate was primarily driven by approximately 130 basis points due to favorable impact from higher pricing and 100 basis points due to favorable impact from lower discounting, largely offset by unfavorable impact of higher tariffs.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses in the quarter were $35 million or 54.7% of net sales as compared to $33.6 million or 58% of net sales for the first quarter of last year. The increase in SG&A dollars was primarily driven by higher benefit costs as well as higher marketing and advertising costs. Loss from operations for the first quarter was $2.6 million compared to loss from operations of $4.4 million in the same period last year. This represents a $1.8 million improvement year-over-year, reflecting both top-line growth and operating leverage.

Net interest expense for the quarter decreased to $0.6 million compared to $0.9 million in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to lower levels of debt under the revolving credit facility. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, our long-term debt balance was $29.1 million. The income tax benefit was $0.4 million compared to zero income tax benefit in the same period last year. The benefit is due to the impact of applying company's estimated annual effective tax rate to the year-to-date ordinary pre-tax loss.

Net loss for the first quarter was $2.1 million or loss per share of $0.16 compared to net loss of $4.8 million or loss per share of $0.37 for the first quarter of last year. Adjusted EBITDA was negative $1.1 million for the first quarter compared to negative $3 million in the prior year, representing an improvement on $1.9 million. Turning to the balance sheet, net inventory was $70.8 million at the end of first quarter as compared to $62.3 million at the end of first quarter last year. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven approximately $4.5 million higher inventory carrying value due to tariffs. Turning to our outlook.

As Brendan discussed, we are thrilled to see the momentum carry into the start of the second quarter our outlook considers the strong growth we are driving as well as dynamic macro environment.

For the second quarter, we expect net sales for the period to increase approximately 10%-12% compared to the prior year period. We expect adjusted operating income as a percentage of net sales to be approximately 6.5%, 7%, and adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales to be approximately 8%, 8.5%. Given the momentum we have seen in the business and continue to expect to see, we are raising our full year outlook. For fiscal 2026, we now expect net sales to increase approximately 7%-8% compared to fiscal 2025. We expect adjusted operating income as a percentage of net sales to be approximately 4%-4.5%, and our adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales to be approximately 5.5%-6%.

Our outlook now contemplates the net impact of higher input costs and lower reciprocal tariff rates based on what we know today.

While we received a portion of tariff refunds, given the uncertainty on timing and ultimate amount of any reimbursement, we are not factoring tariff refunds into our guidance. In summary, we're pleased with our year-to-date performance and the trajectory of the business. We're managing the external environment effectively, and with our strong balance sheet with ample liquidity, we are continuing to invest in initiatives that drive long-term growth, and we're well positioned to execute against our plans. With that, I'll turn it back to the operator to open the line for questions.

Operator

Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press Star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press Star one again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question, and if you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question, please press Star one to raise your hand. Your first question comes from the line of Michael Kupinski from Noble Capital Markets. Your line is open.

Michael Kupinski

Thank you. First of all, congratulations on your quarter. I was just wondering, to what extent do you believe the current acceleration in revenue is being driven by favorable category trends versus company specific execution? How sustainable do you think that advantage is over the coming years?

Brendan Hoffman

Yeah. Thanks, Michael. Well, as I said in my remarks, I definitely think the contemporary segment is having a moment now with some tailwinds. I feel even more confident that Vince is at the top of the list. We speak to our wholesale partners, and we see where we rank. We see the increases we're getting, so I think a lot of it is our execution, the great product that continues to flow through. I mentioned that the consistency of the team that's now been together largely for seven years is a big factor, and they just keep evolving and elevating the product. The team behind it finds ways to expand it commercially.

I think it's a combination of both things, and as I said, we haven't seen any slowdown right now.

Michael Kupinski

Got you. With your debt at $29 million, $31 million excess revolver availability, how are you thinking about balance sheet priorities and as profitability improves here?

Brendan Hoffman

Well, we have a revolver that we're very comfortable right now with the availability and it's in better shape than it probably has been in a long time or maybe ever. We still have a little bit of a long-term debt that Sun Capital holds with PIK interest that we're in discussion to figure out how to handle, but it's less than $10 million at this point, so greatly reduced from where it was 16, 18 months ago. We feel given the strength of the business and the balance sheet, we're in a position to play some offense here and make some investments in business.

As I mentioned, also look for ways to use our platform to extend beyond Vince if the opportunity presents itself.

Michael Kupinski

Got you. That's all I have for now. Thank you.

Brendan Hoffman

Thanks, Michael.

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Eric Beder from SCC Research. Please go ahead.

Eric Beder

Good morning.

Brendan Hoffman

Hey, Eric. Good morning.

Eric Beder

Could we get an update on Saks, where that stands, and how that fit into the guidance for this quarter and the year?

Brendan Hoffman

Well, we're certainly in a much better place with Saks Global, which is Saks, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf's for us than we were a year ago. We continue to manage it very closely with their senior management team. We came into the year planning it very conservatively and planning it down from last year. I think we mentioned last year it was about 7% of our business. Certainly much smaller than our other wholesale accounts at this point. We've been pleasantly surprised with the strength of the business there. We're seeing orders increase and they've been good partners in terms of going through this bankruptcy process.

I read what you read that they're coming close to emerging, a healthy Saks Global, even though it's slightly reduced in terms of footprint from what it was a year and a half ago, is terrific for Vince and good for the industry. That presents some upside for us as we look in the back half of the year and into 2027.

Eric Beder

When you look at your renovations to stores, A, how many should we be thinking about this year, maybe next? B, what's the financial impact from those kind of, I don't know, payback, or what kind of metrics do you see when you upgrade a store?

Brendan Hoffman

Yeah. Last year we did quite a few renovations at the beginning of the year, in many cases it's to kind of retrofit the aged stores that we don't really need cash wraps and big registers in the stores. It opens up the stores. I know you've seen Greenwich and seen it firsthand and gotten great payback where we did the renovations last year in Greenwich and Stanford, California, and Mercer Street, just to name a few.

This year over the summer, we have plans to upgrade Abbot Kinney out in California and Scottsdale. We're not going to close the stores. The stores are just doing too much business at this point to want to shut them down for a period like we did last year. Working with our team and the centers, we've found ways to be able to do it off hours where we can not lose the momentum we're building.

I think I'm curious to see how that goes and how we're able to execute as we think about renovations in 2027 and beyond, if we're able to do it with less disruption of the business, given the momentum, that will further incentivize us to make those investments.

Eric Beder

Oh, interesting. Okay. When you look at the drop ship, I see you expanded it out. Help us out here. How does the drop ship help change the ability for stores and for your ability to drive higher returns?

Brendan Hoffman

Well, I think it certainly is a tool for the stores, but it's more directly impacting e-commerce. I think that anything we can do to expand the offering to the consumer beyond just what's traditionally been an apparel and shoe-based company provides the consumer more choice and more reason to spend time on the site or in the store. I know it increases our units per transaction as they have further opportunities. So we continue to be thrilled with shoes, which was what we launched six months ago. Now we've added these other categories just recently. We're tracking to where we hope to be, if not a little bit more in terms of the annual projection.

It's a meaningful number in terms of just continuing to grow the business.

We have our store manager conference next month, and that's one of the topics is how do we better utilize drop ship that's online in our stores. The stores are keen to do that. So, we continue to get great support from Authentic Brands Group, our partners there as they look to further expand categories. I think it's pleasantly surprised us how accretive that's been, both, as we said, in things like drop ship, but also in brand awareness. They're looking to do or have signed up licenses in categories like home and kids and swim.

We're very active in terms of partnering with them to make sure it fits into the Vince aesthetics and design, and creative team's very involved. It's been a really energizing and beneficial relationship for both sides.

Eric Beder

Great. One last one on suiting. We saw that this summer you guys switched over some linen suiting that went really well. How should we be thinking about that in terms of expanding men's suiting in more stores this year after testing it last year? Thanks.

Brendan Hoffman

Well, again, that's through Peerless, one of the ABG licenses. I happen to have done business with them for 30 years at this point, so I know them quite well, and they're the leaders in the field. I've been really impressed with how they've elevated their product from what I've dealt with them in the past. The customer's definitely reacting to it, as you mentioned from last summer. That's part of what we're thinking about, is how do we better incorporate that into the stores?

The stores were not originally set up for all these additional categories, and as you know, floor space is precious, but that's where balancing the ability to drop ship with having some merchandise on-site is kind of the next phase of figuring out the way to optimize this. We're experimenting with things like alterations. Things that we didn't really have to think about before are nice opportunities that we're kind of in the process of experimenting and solving.

Eric Beder

Great. Congratulations, and good luck for the rest of the year.

Brendan Hoffman

Thanks, Eric.

Operator

At this time, there are no further questions. I will now turn the call back to Brendan Hoffman, CEO, for closing remarks.

Brendan Hoffman

Great. Well, thank you everyone for your continued interest in Vince. We look forward to updating you again in September for our Q2 earnings call. Thanks again.

Operator

This concludes today's call. Thank you all for attending. You may now disconnect.

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