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JI

J.Jill, Inc. (JILL)·Q1 2026 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 FY2026 results: net sales $153.6M, gross margin 71.8%, GAAP diluted EPS $0.76; adjusted EPS $0.88; adjusted EBITDA $27.3M .
  • EPS was roughly in line with S&P Global consensus ($0.86 vs. $0.88 actual), while revenue missed ($156.77M est. vs. $153.62M actual); 6 estimates for each metric. Revenue −4.9% YoY on softer comps and OMS cutover impacts .
  • Management withdrew full-year FY2025 guidance on the call amid macro and operational headwinds, a negative stock-reaction catalyst alongside the revenue miss .
  • New CEO Mary Ellen Coyne emphasized strengthening omni-channel, product evolution, and inventory alignment; company repurchased 186,800 shares for ~$3.5M in Q1 and maintained $21M remaining authorization; store count ended at 249 .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Gross margin remained very strong at 71.8% despite topline pressure, reflecting disciplined pricing and inventory management .
  • Adjusted EPS delivered $0.88, in line/slightly above consensus EPS of ~$0.86, supported by SG&A discipline and lower interest expense YoY .
  • Management reiterated commitment to shareholder returns (dividend continuity and buybacks: 186,800 shares at $18.84 avg., $21M remaining authorization) and highlighted omni-channel strengths. Quote: “The fundamentals of this business are solid with a lean operating model, strengthening omni-channel capabilities…” — Mary Ellen Coyne .

What Went Wrong

  • Revenue missed Street by ~2.0% and declined 4.9% YoY; comps were weak and OMS cutover plus adverse weather impacted traffic and sales cadence .
  • Full-year FY2025 guidance was withdrawn, reducing near-term visibility and contributing to a negative stock reaction .
  • Operating income margin compressed vs prior year given lower sales and higher SG&A, with Q1 operating income $19.1M vs $28.4M in Q1 FY2024 .

Financial Results

Revenue, EPS, Margins vs prior periods and estimates

MetricQ3 FY2025Q4 FY2025Q1 FY2026Notes
Revenue ($USD Millions)$151.3 $142.8 $153.6 Estimates for Q1: $156.77*; miss ~2.0%
GAAP Diluted EPS ($)$0.80*$0.15 $0.76 Q1 EPS est.: $0.86*; in line/slight beat
Adjusted EPS ($)N/AN/A$0.88
Gross Margin (%)71.4% 66.3% 71.8%
Operating Income ($USD Millions)$19.2 $5.1 $19.1
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$26.8 N/A$27.3

S&P Global estimates: Q1 FY2026 EPS $0.865*, Revenue $156.77M*, # of estimates: 6 (EPS), 6 (Revenue)* .
S&P Global actuals used in select cells marked with *; Values retrieved from S&P Global.

YoY and QoQ context for Q1 FY2026

  • Revenue YoY vs Q1 FY2024: $153.6M vs $161.5M (−4.9%) .
  • Gross margin steady YoY (71.8% vs 72.9% prior-year), up sharply QoQ (66.3% in Q4 FY2024) .

KPIs

  • Store count: 249 at quarter-end (closed 3 stores in Q1), vs 244 in prior-year period .
  • Inventory: $60.6M at quarter-end; repurchased 186,800 shares for ~$3.5M; remaining $21M under $25M authorization .

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Net SalesQ1 FY2026Decline 1%–4% vs Q1 FY2024 Actual $153.6M Actual delivered; near mid-point of range
Comparable SalesQ1 FY2026Decline 2%–5% vs prior year Not disclosed quantitatively in press release; comps down mid-single digits per call context Met within guided decline band
Adjusted EBITDAQ1 FY2026$25M–$27M $27.3M actual Raised vs top end (beat high end)
FY2025 (Full Year)FY2025Prior directional view (cautious) Guidance withdrawn on Q1 call Withdrawn

Note: Q2 FY2025 press release provided Q3 FY2025 outlook (Net sales flat to down low-single digits; comps down low- to mid-single digits; Adjusted EBITDA $18–$22M; ~$5M tariff impact net of offsets) for forward context .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q3 FY2024, Q4 FY2024)Current Period (Q1 FY2026)Trend
OMS implementationQ4: OMS rollout initiated, near-term disruption anticipated; planning prudently OMS cutover cited among revenue headwinds; stabilization in progress Near-term headwind moderating
Inventory disciplineQ3: normalized inventories; early shipping to avoid Red Sea delays Took Q3/fall forward buys down to match demand; exited Q1 with normalized inventories Tightening buys; alignment improving
Macrotail/trafficQ4: consumer/macro uncertainty embedded in outlook Softer traffic; comps down mid-single digits; weather impacts early in quarter Cautious demand backdrop persists
Product & assortmentQ3: promotions selectively used; margin protected CEO focus on evolving product assortment to expand customer file Strategic refresh under new leadership
Tariffs/supply chainQ3: shipping lane rerouting; Q2: ~$5M tariff impact guided Tariff cost pressure carried in forward outlook rather than Q1 specifics Ongoing cost headwind
Leadership transitionQ4: CEO retirement plan announced; succession planning New CEO Mary Ellen Coyne; tone confident, focused on omni-channel scaling Transition complete; strategic re-acceleration

Management Commentary

  • Mary Ellen Coyne (CEO): “The fundamentals of this business are here. We have a loyal customer base, a lean operating model and strengthening omni-channel capabilities.” .
  • Coyne on growth plan: “I am energized by the opportunities ahead… to build upon this brand’s strong history while driving future growth… through multichannel expansion… elevating product assortments.” .
  • Mark Webb (CFO/COO): “Despite near term headwinds, we are fortunate to have a strong brand and a very attractive customer… our teams have managed through challenges such as this before.” .
  • Inventory actions: “We did take our Q3… fall and forward buys down more in line with current demand trends… We exited Q1 with normalized inventories.” .

Q&A Highlights

  • Inventory positioning: Management trimmed fall/holiday forward buys to align with current demand and exited Q1 with normalized inventories, supporting margin preservation .
  • OMS cutover: Leaders acknowledged near-term disruption from OMS implementation; stabilization underway, with operational learnings informing H2 planning .
  • Guidance visibility: Full-year FY2025 guidance withdrawn, with CEO committing to deeper diagnostics and strategic update by September call .
  • Margin durability: Strong gross margin reiterated; levers include product mix, promotions discipline, inventory alignment .

Estimates Context

  • Consensus EPS $0.865 vs. actual adjusted EPS $0.88; consensus revenue $156.77M vs. actual $153.62M; both based on 6 contributing estimates; revenue miss ~2.0%, EPS in line/slight beat .
  • With guidance withdrawn, we expect near-term estimate revisions to reflect softer comps and operational normalization; tariff cost headwinds ($~5M impact in Q3 guidance) may weigh on forward margin assumptions .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Resilient margin structure: 71.8% gross margin demonstrates pricing/inventory discipline; margin durability should anchor the medium-term thesis even amid traffic variability .
  • Revenue volatility likely near term: OMS cutover and softer comps suggest subdued top-line until operational stabilization and product refresh flow through; near-term estimates likely drift lower on sales .
  • Leadership catalyst: New CEO’s focus on omni-channel scaling, product evolution, and customer journey improvements could be a medium-term unlock; watch September call for strategic detail and KPIs .
  • Capital returns intact: Dividend continuity and buybacks ($3.5M repurchased in Q1; $21M remaining authorization) support TSR while growth investments continue .
  • Tariff/supply chain watch: Q3 outlook includes ~$5M tariff impact net of vendor offsets; investors should monitor policy shifts and vendor negotiations for relief .
  • Trading implication: Near-term setup leans cautious given revenue miss and guidance withdrawal; consider buying on proof-points (Q3/Q4 comps stabilization, OMS normalization, product wins) and maintain risk controls around macro-sensitive apparel retail flows .
  • Trend analysis advantage: QoQ margin rebound (66.3% to 71.8%) and adjusted EBITDA top-end beat suggest levers are working; if traffic improves, operating leverage could reappear in H2 .

Additional relevant press releases around Q1 FY2026:

  • Quarterly dividend declaration ($0.08 per share) on June 3, 2025 .
  • New Chief Merchandising Officer announcement on June 24, 2025 supporting product evolution agenda .

S&P Global disclaimer: Where cells are marked with *, values were retrieved from S&P Global.