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Guess?, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand that designs, markets, distributes, and licenses contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women, and children. The company offers a blend of American lifestyle and European fashion sensibilities through its diverse range of products. Guess?, Inc. sells clothing, eyewear, watches, handbags, footwear, and other fashion accessories under various trademarks.
- Europe - Operates retail, e-commerce, and wholesale channels across Europe and the Middle East, contributing significantly to the company's revenue .
- Americas Retail - Manages retail and e-commerce operations in the Americas, focusing on direct-to-consumer sales .
- Americas Wholesale - Distributes products through wholesale channels to department stores and specialty retailers in the Americas .
- Asia - Includes retail, e-commerce, and wholesale operations in Asia and the Pacific, expanding the brand's reach in these regions .
- Licensing - Grants licenses to third parties to design, manufacture, and distribute products that complement its apparel lines, including operating licensed retail stores .
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paul Marciano ExecutiveBoard | Chief Creative Officer | None | Paul Marciano has been with Guess? since 1981 and has held various leadership roles, including CEO and Executive Chairman. He has been Chief Creative Officer since 2015. | |
Carlos Alberini Executive | Chief Executive Officer | None | Carlos Alberini has been the CEO of Guess?, Inc. since February 2019. He previously served as President and COO of Guess? from 2000 to 2010. He rejoined the company to lead strategic initiatives and global expansion. | View Report → |
Dennis R. Secor Executive | Interim Chief Financial Officer | Management consultant for small and medium-sized businesses in New Zealand | Dennis R. Secor has served as Interim CFO since August 26, 2024. He previously held CFO roles at Guess? and other companies, bringing extensive financial leadership experience. | |
Fabrice Benarouche Executive | SVP Finance, Investor Relations, and CAO | None | Fabrice Benarouche joined Guess? in 2006 and has held various financial roles. He became SVP Finance, Investor Relations, and Chief Accounting Officer in 2023. He is a nephew of Paul Marciano. | |
Alex Yemenidjian Board | Chairman of the Board | Chairman and CEO of Oshidori International Development LTD; Trustee of Baron Investment Funds Trust and Baron Select Funds; Non-executive Chairman of Oshidori International Holdings Ltd. | Alex Yemenidjian has been Chairman of the Board since August 2020. He brings extensive executive and financial expertise to the role. | |
Anthony Chidoni Board | Independent Director | Principal and Owner of Lorelle Capital | Anthony Chidoni has been an Independent Director since 2002. He chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees. | |
Christopher N. Lewis Board | Independent Director | Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri; Co-Chair of Governance and Nominating Committee at Manhattanville University | Christopher N. Lewis joined the Board in January 2025. He brings legal and governance expertise from his prior roles, including as Chief Legal Officer at Edward Jones. | |
Deborah Weinswig Board | Independent Director | CEO of Coresight Research; Board member of Xcel Brands, Inc.; Trustee of Primaris REIT; Board member of Kiabi | Deborah Weinswig has been an Independent Director since 2018. She is a CPA and brings expertise in retail and technology through her leadership at Coresight Research. | |
Elsa Michael | Independent Director Nominee | President and Co-Founder of Smile Project | Elsa Michael is a nominee for the Board. She previously worked at Guess? in merchandising roles for over 25 years and co-founded Smile Project, a charitable organization. |
- Given the continued underperformance of the Americas retail segment despite your global product standardization, what specific strategic adjustments are you implementing to address declining traffic and comps in the U.S. market?
- With significant investments made in marketing and customer engagement initiatives, how do you plan to measure the effectiveness of these investments in reversing the challenges faced in the Americas retail business, and when do you expect to see tangible results?
- Considering the stronger U.S. dollar has negatively impacted your international revenues and operating profits, what measures are you taking to mitigate currency risk and hedge against future foreign exchange volatility?
- While the acquisition of rag & bone has contributed to revenue growth, it is currently dilutive to operating margins; can you elaborate on your integration plan for rag & bone and provide a timeline for when you expect it to enhance overall profitability?
- Inventory levels have increased by 20%, partly due to accelerated deliveries amid the Red Sea crisis; how are you managing the risks associated with higher inventory in a volatile consumer environment, and what strategies are in place to optimize inventory levels moving forward?
Notable M&A activity and strategic investments in the past 3 years.
| Company | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
rag & bone | 2025 | Guess? Inc acquired rag & bone in partnership with WHP Global; the brand, which generated $250 million in revenue (90% from the U.S.), is targeted for global expansion and product portfolio diversification (e.g., expanding from apparel into accessories) as part of a growth-oriented, integration-learning strategy. |
Guess CIS | 2023 | Guess completed its acquisition of the remaining 30% interest in Guess CIS for €8.0 million, following a put option exercise by the Minority Holder; the deal, which involved OFAC compliance and required Russian government approval, converted Guess CIS into a wholly-owned subsidiary and solidified Guess’s market presence in Russia. |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for GES.
- Q4 revenues reached $932 million (up 5% in U.S. dollars) with an adjusted operating profit of $107 million; operating margin stood at 11.1% and adjusted margin at 11.4%, although margins trailed expectations .
- Q4 GAAP EPS was $1.16 and adjusted EPS reached $1.48, reflecting strong quarterly performance .
- For fiscal year 2025, revenues climbed to $3.0 billion (an 8% increase), with GAAP EPS at $0.77 and adjusted EPS at $1.96 .
- The company completed its first brand acquisition by acquiring rag & bone, which significantly contributed to revenue growth and aligns with a broader strategic realignment .
- New initiatives include the global launch of Guess Jeans targeting younger consumers, coupled with expansion in key markets through additional store openings and enhanced marketing efforts .
- Proposal Received: The Board of Directors received a non-binding proposal from WHP Global to acquire outstanding shares at $13.00 per share in cash, excluding shares held by certain existing shareholders.
- Evaluation Underway: A Special Committee has been formed to evaluate the proposal with support from external financial and legal advisors, while the Company continues normal operations.
- Transaction Structure: The proposed deal would be financed through a mix of equity and third-party debt financing, coupled with potential rollover or reinvestment by key shareholders.