Q2 2026 Fossil Group Inc Earnings Call

August 12, 2026

Speaker #1: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Fossil Group's second quarter 2026 earnings call. At this time, all parties are in listen-only mode.

Operator: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Fossil Group second quarter 2026 earnings call. At this time, all parties are in listen-only mode. This conference call is being recorded and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the company. Now, I'll turn the call over to Christine Greany of The Blueshirt Group to begin.

Operator: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Fossil Group Q2 2026 Earnings Call. At this time, all parties are in listen-only mode. This conference call is being recorded and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the company. Now, I'll turn the call over to Christine Greany of The Blueshirt Group to begin.

Speaker #1: This conference call is being recorded and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the company. Now, I'll turn the call over to Christine Greeny of the Blue Shirt Group to begin.

Speaker #2: Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us. With me on the call today are Franco Fogliato, Chief Executive Officer, and Randy Greben, Chief Financial Officer.

Christine Greany: Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us. With me on the call today is Franco Fogliato, Chief Executive Officer, and Randy Greben, Chief Financial Officer. Before we begin, I would like to remind you that information made available during this conference call contains forward-looking information, and actual results could differ materially from those that will be discussed during this call. Fossil Group's policy on forward-looking statements and additional information concerning a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements is readily available in the company's Form 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K reports filed with the SEC. In addition, Fossil assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. During today's call, we will refer to constant currency results as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures.

Speaker #2: Before we begin, I would like to remind you that information made available during this conference call contains forward-looking information and actual results could differ materially from those that will be discussed during this call.

Speaker #2: Fossil Group's policy on forward-looking statements and additional information concerning a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements is readily available in the company's Form 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K reports filed with the SEC.

Christine Greany: Fossil Group's policy on forward-looking statements and additional information concerning a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements is readily available in the company's Form 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K reports filed with the SEC. In addition, Fossil assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. During today's call, we will refer to constant currency results as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures.

Speaker #2: In addition, Fossil assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Speaker #2: During today's call, we will refer to constant currency results as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures. Please note that you can find a reconciliation of actual results to constant currency results and other information regarding non-GAAP financial measures discussed on this call in Fossil's earnings release, which was filed today on Form 8-K and is available in the Investors section on fossilgroup.com.

Christine Greany: Please note that you can find a reconciliation of actual results to constant currency results and other information regarding non-GAAP financial measures discussed on this call in Fossil's earnings release, which was filed today on Form 8-K and is available in the investors section on fossilgroup.com. With that, I'll now turn the call over to Franco to begin.

Speaker #2: With that, I'll now turn the call over to Franco to begin.

Speaker #3: Good afternoon, thank you, Christine, and welcome, everyone. We're pleased to deliver another quarter of strong financial performance, which reflects the compounding benefits of our turnaround plan and discipline execution.

Franco Fogliato: Good afternoon. Thank you, Christine, and welcome everyone. We're pleased to deliver another quarter of strong financial performance, which reflects the compounding benefits of our turnaround plan and disciplined execution. Our Q2 net sales totaled $211 million, led by strength in key brands, channels, and geographies, which is setting the stage for our return to top-line growth in the Q4 of this year. Gross margin of 62.4% were above our expectation, largely attributable to our full price selling model, and adjusted operating income doubled versus a year ago, coming in at $8.6 million. These standout results and continuing momentum enable us to confidently raise our full-year outlook, underscoring the strength of our turnaround pillars and our commitment to driving durable growth and value creation. During the quarter, we saw notable strength in two of our biggest and most scalable markets, the US and India.

Speaker #3: Our Q2 net sales totaled $211 million, led by strength in key brands, channels, and geographies, which is setting the stage for our return to top-line growth in the fourth quarter of this year.

Speaker #3: Gross margin of 62.4%, we're above our expectations, largely attributable to our full-price selling model and adjusted operating income doubled versus a year ago coming in at 8.6 million.

Speaker #3: These standout results and continuing momentum enable us to confidently raise our full-year outlook underscoring the strength of our turnaround pillars and our commitment to driving durable growth and value creation.

Franco Fogliato: These standout results and continuing momentum enable us to confidently raise our full-year outlook, underscoring the strength of our turnaround pillars and our commitment to driving durable growth and value creation. During the quarter, we saw notable strength in two of our biggest and most scalable markets, the US and India. From a regional perspective, the Americas region stabilized and was highlighted by mid-single digit growth in the US. In the Asia region, increase of 4%, with strong double-digit growth in India.

Speaker #3: During the quarter, we saw notable strength in two of our biggest and most scalable markets, the US and India. From a regional perspective, the Americas region stabilized and was highlighted by mid-single-digit growth in the US, and the Asia region increased 4% with strong double-digit growth in India.

Franco Fogliato: From a regional perspective, the Americas region stabilized and was highlighted by mid-single digit growth in the US. In the Asia region, increase of 4%, with strong double-digit growth in India. Solid performance in these two regions is particularly gratifying given the headwind we are seeing in the EMEA, which is being increasingly impacted by the geopolitical climate in the Middle East. Another standout this quarter was our Fossil brand traditional watch business, which delivered impressive growth of 12% globally in the wholesale channel. We are pleased that our solid top-line results, healthy gross margins, and effective cost management translated to strong bottom-line delivery in the quarter. We view this as a testament to the hard work and commitment of our teams around the world and would like to express our gratitude for their ongoing dedication to helping us consistently deliver on our plans.

Speaker #3: Solid performance in these two regions is particularly gratifying given the headway we're seeing in the EMEA, which is being increasingly impacted by the geopolitical climate in the Middle East.

Franco Fogliato: Solid performance in these two regions is particularly gratifying given the headwind we are seeing in the EMEA, which is being increasingly impacted by the geopolitical climate in the Middle East. Another standout this quarter was our Fossil brand traditional watch business, which delivered impressive growth of 12% globally in the wholesale channel. We are pleased that our solid top-line results, healthy gross margins, and effective cost management translated to strong bottom-line delivery in the quarter.

Speaker #3: Another standout this quarter was our Fossil brand traditional watch business, which delivered impressive growth of 12% globally in the wholesale channel. We're pleased that our solid top-line results, healthy gross margins, and effective cost management translated to strong bottom-line delivery in the quarter.

Speaker #3: We view this as a testament to the hard work and commitment of our teams around the world, and would like to express our gratitude for their ongoing dedication to helping us consistently deliver on our plans.

Franco Fogliato: We view this as a testament to the hard work and commitment of our teams around the world and would like to express our gratitude for their ongoing dedication to helping us consistently deliver on our plans. Now, I will turn to some updates on the initiatives under our three strategic turnaround pillars. First, returning to profitable growth. We are strengthening the Fossil brand platform through action to fuel innovation, deepen consumer engagement, grow the traditional watch business, and reinvigorate our jewelry and leather categories. Our product engine is key to growing our business.

Speaker #3: Now, I will turn to some updates on the initiatives under our three strategic turnaround pillars. First, returning to profitable growth. We're strengthening the Fossil brand platform through actions to fuel innovation, deepen consumer engagement, grow the traditional watch business, and reinvigorate our jewelry and leather categories.

Franco Fogliato: Now, I will turn to some updates on the initiatives under our three strategic turnaround pillars. First, returning to profitable growth. We are strengthening the Fossil brand platform through action to fuel innovation, deepen consumer engagement, grow the traditional watch business, and reinvigorate our jewelry and leather categories. Our product engine is key to growing our business. As a market share leader, we are benefiting from structural tailwinds that are driving traditional watch growth across markets and demographics, and we are uniquely positioned to capture this opportunity by continuing to deliver a steady pipeline of innovation. We are building a portfolio that allows Fossil to win at every level, from attainable, everyday style to elevated watchmaking.

Speaker #3: Our product engine is key to growing our business. As a market share leader, we're benefiting from structural tailwinds that are driving traditional watch growth across markets and demographics, and we're uniquely positioned to capture this opportunity by continuing to deliver a steady pipeline of innovation.

Franco Fogliato: As a market share leader, we are benefiting from structural tailwinds that are driving traditional watch growth across markets and demographics, and we are uniquely positioned to capture this opportunity by continuing to deliver a steady pipeline of innovation. We are building a portfolio that allows Fossil to win at every level, from attainable, everyday style to elevated watchmaking.

Speaker #3: We're building a portfolio that allows Fossil to win at every level, from attainable everyday style to elevated watchmaking. We're thrilled to have recently been nominated for American Watch Brand of the Year, Volume Watch Brand of the Year, and Best Marketing Campaign for Big Tech Y2K for the upcoming Watch Pro Awards in September, a premier watch industry event.

Franco Fogliato: We are thrilled to have recently been nominated for American Watch Brand of the Year, Volume Watch Brand of the Year, and Best Marketing Campaign for Big Tic Y2K for the upcoming WatchPro Awards in September, a premier watch industry event. This is a tremendous honor that speaks to the enduring strength of the Fossil brand and the talented teams driving our product engine and storytelling. Fossil has over 40 years of design heritage that we are drawing from to inspire innovation for the future. By bringing back iconic products from our archives, we are transforming nostalgia into a competitive advantage, and we are just getting started in 2026. In the H1 of the year, we launched Big Tic, introduced a World Flags Collection to coincide with the FIFA World Cup games, and continued to bring high-profile collaboration with Star Wars and Marvel to market.

Speaker #3: This is a tremendous honor that speaks to the enduring strength of the fossil brand and the talented teams driving our product engine and storytelling.

Speaker #3: Fossil has over 40 years of design heritage that we are drawing from to inspire innovation for the future. By bringing back iconic products from our archives, we're transforming nostalgia into a competitive advantage.

Franco Fogliato: By bringing back iconic products from our archives, we are transforming nostalgia into a competitive advantage, and we are just getting started in 2026. In the H1 of the year, we launched Big Tic, introduced a World Flags Collection to coincide with the FIFA World Cup games, and continued to bring high-profile collaboration with Star Wars and Marvel to market.

Speaker #3: And we're just getting started in 2026. In the first half of the year, we launched Big Tech, introduced a world-class collection to coincide with the World Cup games, and continued to bring high-profile collaborations with Star Wars and Marvel to market.

Speaker #3: At the same time, Fossil icons like the Everett Machine, Neutra, and Townsman collections for men, and the Arlo, Raquel, and Scarlett collections for women, continue to drive scale and market share.

Franco Fogliato: At the same time, Fossil icons like the Everett, Machine, Neutra, and Townsman collection for men and the Harlow, Raquel, and Scarlette collection for women continue to drive scale and market share. We are continually innovating on our icons forward, which has enabled us to create bestsellers like watch rings and minis, two categories that Fossil had defined within the industry. This fall, we are launching an exciting evolution of our Machine platform, the X1, which is bolder, sporting, and marks another step forward in our premiumization strategy. We are focused on elevating our brand equity through innovation, material, craftsmanship, and now Swiss watchmaking. Among our biggest product stories in the H2 of the year is the launch of Signature, a premium platform that introduced a new level of technical sophistication and Swiss-made craftsmanship.

Speaker #3: And we're continually innovating on our icons forward, which was enable us to create bestsellers like watch rings and minis, two categories that Fossil had defined within the industry.

Speaker #3: This fall, we're launching an exciting evolution of our machine platform, the X1, which is bolder, sportier, and marks another step forward in our premiumization strategy.

Speaker #3: We're focused on elevating our brand equity through innovation, material, craftsmanship, and now Swiss watchmaking. Among our biggest product stories in the second half of the year is the launch of Signature, a premium platform that introduces a new level of technical sophistication and Swiss-made craftsmanship.

Franco Fogliato: We are focused on elevating our brand equity through innovation, material, craftsmanship, and now Swiss watchmaking. Among our biggest product stories in the H2 of the year is the launch of Signature, a premium platform that introduced a new level of technical sophistication and Swiss-made craftsmanship. We're incredibly proud of this offering and believe it will present an important new chapter for the Fossil brand.

Speaker #3: We're incredibly proud of this offering and believe it represents an important new chapter for the Fossil brand. The Signature Collection will premiere at New York Watch Week in October, supported by a dedicated campaign designed to celebrate craftsmanship and drive engagement with watch industry press and influencers.

Franco Fogliato: We're incredibly proud of this offering and believe it will present an important new chapter for the Fossil brand. The Signature collection will premiere at New York Watch Week in October, supported by a dedicated campaign designed to celebrate craftsmanship and drive engagement with watch industry press and influencers. This will be quickly followed by a launch event in India, where consumers are increasingly seeking premium products. We will be amplifying the India launch by partnering with Pudumua Singh, our global Signature ambassador. Pudumua is the Maharaja of Jaipur and one of India's leading polo players. He represents a unique blend of heritage, modern style, and global influence that we believe will help to drive excitement and engagement. Storytelling is also critical to our brand-led, consumer-focused operating model, and in Q2, we accelerated our investment in demand creation.

Franco Fogliato: The Signature collection will premiere at New York Watch Week in October, supported by a dedicated campaign designed to celebrate craftsmanship and drive engagement with watch industry press and influencers. This will be quickly followed by a launch event in India, where consumers are increasingly seeking premium products. We will be amplifying the India launch by partnering with Pudumua Singh, our global Signature ambassador. Pudumua is the Maharaja of Jaipur and one of India's leading polo players.

Speaker #3: This will be quickly followed by a launch event in India, where consumers are increasingly seeking premium products. We will be amplifying the India launch by partnering with Pudmuna Singh, our global signature ambassador.

Speaker #3: Pudmuna is the Maharaja of Jaipur and one of India's leading polo players. He represents a unique blend of heritage, modern style, and global influence that we believe will help drive excitement and engagement.

Franco Fogliato: He represents a unique blend of heritage, modern style, and global influence that we believe will help to drive excitement and engagement. Storytelling is also critical to our brand-led, consumer-focused operating model, and in Q2, we accelerated our investment in demand creation. In H1 2026, the combination of robust product innovation and targeted marketing investment helped us drive brand heat and new customer acquisition. Our global marketing teams have been focusing on putting Fossil at the center of culture with a digital-first approach, social engagement, and immersive events.

Speaker #3: Storytelling is also critical to our brand-led consumer-focused operating model, and in Q2, we accelerated our investment in demand creation. In the first half of 2026, the combination of robust product innovation and targeted market investment helped us drive branded and new customer acquisition.

Franco Fogliato: In H1 2026, the combination of robust product innovation and targeted marketing investment helped us drive brand heat and new customer acquisition. Our global marketing teams have been focusing on putting Fossil at the center of culture with a digital-first approach, social engagement, and immersive events. During Q2, we had a Fossil fan event featuring K-pop star Elle at our flagship store in the capital of Malaysia. The event drew an overwhelming response from hundreds of fans, far exceeding the capacity of our store. Those who capture live media attention drove exceptionally high engagement rates on social media and generated 600,000 impressions in one day. We're continuing to invest behind marketing and events to drive cultural relevance and have more storytelling on deck for H2, including our Signature launch and other key moments leading up to the holiday season.

Speaker #3: Our global marketing teams have been focusing on putting Fossil at the center of culture, with a digital-first approach, social engagement, and immersive events. During Q2, we had a Fossil fan event featuring K-pop star Eul at our flagship store in the capital of Malaysia.

Franco Fogliato: During Q2, we had a Fossil fan event featuring K-pop star Elle at our flagship store in the capital of Malaysia. The event drew an overwhelming response from hundreds of fans, far exceeding the capacity of our store. Those who capture live media attention drove exceptionally high engagement rates on social media and generated 600,000 impressions in one day. We're continuing to invest behind marketing and events to drive cultural relevance and have more storytelling on deck for H2, including our Signature launch and other key moments leading up to the holiday season.

Speaker #3: The event drew an overwhelming response from hundreds capacity of our store. Those who captured live media attention drove exceptionally high engagement rates on social media, and generated a $600,000 impression in one day.

Speaker #3: We're continuing to invest behind the marketing and events to drive cultural relevance and have more storytelling on deck for the second half, including our signature launch and other key moments leading up to the holiday season.

Speaker #3: Looking further out, there is much more to come next year in terms of product innovation and creative marketing. We just held our Spring/Summer 2027 Global Sales Meeting at our headquarters in Dallas last month.

Franco Fogliato: Looking further out, there is much more to come next year in terms of product innovation and creative marketing. We just held our spring-summer 2027 global sales meeting at our headquarters in Dallas last month. The energy, collaboration, and enthusiasm from our teams from around the globe was tremendous and reflective of the exciting opportunities in front of us. Turning to our omnichannel initiative, which are focused on modernizing our brand expression at wholesale, improving our e-commerce business, and optimizing our Fossil store portfolio. On the wholesale front, we're driving growth with our long-term partners and extending our footprint in specialty retail doors. This is primarily being driven by three major factors, great product support by a robust innovation pipeline, engaging storytelling, and our commitment to full price selling. During Q2, we saw traditional watch growth in both the Americas and Asia region with strength across brands in key markets.

Speaker #3: The energy, collaboration, and enthusiasm from our teams around the globe was tremendous and reflective of the exciting opportunities in front of us. Turning to our omnichannel initiative, which is focused on modernizing our brand expression at wholesale, improving our e-commerce business, and optimizing our Fossil store portfolio.

Speaker #3: On the wholesale front, we're driving growth with our long-term partners and extending our footprint in specialty retail doors. This is primarily being driven by three major factors: great products supported by a robust innovation pipeline, engaging storytelling, and our commitment to full-price selling.

Franco Fogliato: On the wholesale front, we're driving growth with our long-term partners and extending our footprint in specialty retail doors. This is primarily being driven by three major factors, great product support by a robust innovation pipeline, engaging storytelling, and our commitment to full price selling. During Q2, we saw traditional watch growth in both the Americas and Asia region with strength across brands in key markets. This includes the important US market, where wholesale channel performance was highlighted by traditional watch growth of 16%, led by even stronger performance from the Fossil brand.

Speaker #3: During Q2, we saw traditional watch growth in both the Americas and Asia regions, with strength across brands in key markets. This includes the important U.S. market, where wholesale channel performance was highlighted by traditional watch growth of 16%, led by even stronger performance from the Fossil brand.

Franco Fogliato: This includes the important US market, where wholesale channel performance was highlighted by traditional watch growth of 16%, led by even stronger performance from the Fossil brand. Looking now at DTC in the e-commerce channel, we're continuing to drive higher product margin and AUR as we prioritize full price integrity and implement initiatives to provide a more engaging customer journey. In the retail channel, we're pleased to note that our store of the future strategy is continuing to gain traction, driving improved performance in our full-price stores during the quarter. Most notably, we're seeing accelerating trends across product margin and AUR. Building on the momentum we have seen across channels, we recently strengthened our leadership in the Americas region by bringing in seasoned industry veterans to lead our wholesale and retail businesses.

Speaker #3: Looking now at DTC, in the e-commerce channel, we're continuing to drive higher product margin and AUR as we prioritize full-price integrity and implement initiatives to provide a more engaging customer journey.

Franco Fogliato: Looking now at DTC in the e-commerce channel, we're continuing to drive higher product margin and AUR as we prioritize full price integrity and implement initiatives to provide a more engaging customer journey. In the retail channel, we're pleased to note that our store of the future strategy is continuing to gain traction, driving improved performance in our full-price stores during the quarter. Most notably, we're seeing accelerating trends across product margin and AUR.

Speaker #3: In the retail channel, we're pleased to note that our Store of the Future strategy is continuing to gain traction, driving improved performance in our full-price stores during the quarter.

Speaker #3: Most notably, we're seeing accelerating trends across product margin and AUR. Building on the momentum we have seen across channels with recently strengthening our leadership in the Americas region by bringing in seasoned industry veterans, to lead our wholesale and retail businesses.

Franco Fogliato: Building on the momentum we have seen across channels, we recently strengthened our leadership in the Americas region by bringing in seasoned industry veterans to lead our wholesale and retail businesses. We believe this leadership addition will accelerate our efforts to strengthen operational excellence, drive productivity, and increase market share. Moving now to our core licensed brands. In the Michael Kors brand, watches and jewelry delivered another quarter of improved performance in our most important channels and geographies.

Speaker #3: We believe this leadership's addition will accelerate our efforts to strengthen operational excellence, drive productivity, and increase market share. Moving now to our core licensed brands.

Franco Fogliato: We believe this leadership addition will accelerate our efforts to strengthen operational excellence, drive productivity, and increase market share. Moving now to our core licensed brands. In the Michael Kors brand, watches and jewelry delivered another quarter of improved performance in our most important channels and geographies. The brand is undergoing a successful turnaround, and we are following their lead on style and fashion authority. We are evolving our strong hero watch collection like Lexington that resonates globally with consumers, while also building new platforms, beginning with the Chelsea collection this fall. We are also focused on renovating jewelry through elevated design and a refined pricing strategy and bringing new energy to the men's across collection and price point.

Speaker #3: In the Michael Kors brand, watches and jewelry delivered another quarter of improved performance in our most important channels and geographies. The brand is undergoing a successful turnaround, and we're following their lead on style and fashion authority.

Franco Fogliato: The brand is undergoing a successful turnaround, and we are following their lead on style and fashion authority. We are evolving our strong hero watch collection like Lexington that resonates globally with consumers, while also building new platforms, beginning with the Chelsea collection this fall. We are also focused on renovating jewelry through elevated design and a refined pricing strategy and bringing new energy to the men's across collection and price point.

Speaker #3: We're evolving our strong Eero watch collection, like Lexington, that resonates globally with consumers, while also building new platforms, beginning with the Chelsea collection this fall.

Speaker #3: We're also focused on radiating jewelry through elevated design and a redefined pricing strategy, and bringing new energy to demand across collections and price points. In Emporio Armani, the brand continues to generate strong sell-through, driven by innovation and a focus on premium offerings, while the Armani Exchange brand is benefiting from product newness and curated events featuring celebrity collaborations.

Franco Fogliato: In Emporio Armani, the brand continues to generate strong sell-through, driven by innovation and a focus on premium offerings, while the Armani Exchange brand is benefiting from product newness and curated events featuring celebrity collaboration. This fall, Emporio Armani will introduce next evolution of the Archetipo, a classic dress watch positioned in the USD 200, USD 300 price segment in one of the brand's most iconic timepieces, which will serve as the foundation of the collection for the years to come. Looking now at India, one of our most important strategic markets, where we are seeing ongoing strength in all brands and channels. During Q2, we delivered double-digit growth in the Fossil, Armani, Diesel, and Kors brands, with strong performance in both the wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. This was driven by product newness, disciplined full price selling, and great storytelling as our experienced team continued to deliver strong execution.

Speaker #3: This fall, Emporio Armani will introduce next evolution of the archetypal, a classic dress watch positioned in the 200, 300 price segment, and one of the brand's most iconic timepieces, which will serve as the foundation of the collection for the years to come.

Speaker #3: Looking now at India, one of our most important strategic markets, where we are seeing ongoing strength in all brands and channels. During Q2, we delivered double-digit growth in the Fossil, Armani, Diesel, and Kors brands, with strong performance in both the wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels.

Franco Fogliato: Looking now at India, one of our most important strategic markets, where we are seeing ongoing strength in all brands and channels. During Q2, we delivered double-digit growth in the Fossil, Armani, Diesel, and Kors brands, with strong performance in both the wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. This was driven by product newness, disciplined full price selling, and great storytelling as our experienced team continued to deliver strong execution. We are actioning a number of initiatives to continue the momentum.

Speaker #3: This was driven by product newness, disciplined full-price selling, and great storytelling, as our experienced team continued to deliver strong execution. We're actually in a number of initiatives to continue the momentum in the Fossil brand, where maintaining a robust pipeline of newness to drive consumer engagement and branded at microcourse, we're leveraging the brand image and amplifying our bridge to luxury position as we cater to local consumers with the strong desire for upscale products.

Franco Fogliato: We are actioning a number of initiatives to continue the momentum. In the Fossil brand, we are maintaining a robust pipeline of newness to drive consumer engagement and brand heat. At Michael Kors, we are leveraging the brand image and amplifying our bridge to luxury positioning as we cater to locker consumer with a strong desire for upscale products. In the Armani brand, we are delivering newness and premiumization at Emporio Armani. We will continue to focus on product innovation, premiumization, and customer engagement initiatives at Armani Exchange. To support the pace of growth we are seeing in this market, our operational and supply chain teams have been working fast and furious in delivering strong execution. Our India factory has been delivering increased throughput and recently achieved ISO certification, indicating outstanding commitment to quality procedures and protocols.

Franco Fogliato: In the Fossil brand, we are maintaining a robust pipeline of newness to drive consumer engagement and brand heat. At Michael Kors, we are leveraging the brand image and amplifying our bridge to luxury positioning as we cater to locker consumer with a strong desire for upscale products. In the Armani brand, we are delivering newness and premiumization at Emporio Armani. We will continue to focus on product innovation, premiumization, and customer engagement initiatives at Armani Exchange.

Speaker #3: In the Armani brand, we're delivering newness and premiumization at Emporio Armani, while continuing to focus on product innovation, premiumization, and customer engagement initiatives at Armani Exchange.

Speaker #3: To support the pace of growth we're seeing in this market, our operational and supply chain teams have been working fast and furious and delivering strong execution.

Franco Fogliato: To support the pace of growth we are seeing in this market, our operational and supply chain teams have been working fast and furious in delivering strong execution. Our India factory has been delivering increased throughput and recently achieved ISO certification, indicating outstanding commitment to quality procedures and protocols. We believe there is still tremendous runway ahead to unlock additional growth in India as we double down on product marketing and channel expansion opportunities.

Speaker #3: Our India factory has been delivering increased throughput and recently achieved ISO certification, an outstanding commitment to quality procedures and protocols. We believe there is still tremendous runway ahead to unlock additional growth in India, as we double down on product marketing and channel expansion opportunities.

Franco Fogliato: We believe there is still tremendous runway ahead to unlock additional growth in India as we double down on product marketing and channel expansion opportunities. Moving to our second turnaround pillar, optimizing our operating model. Major areas of focus include sharpening go-to-market execution, enhancing our digital and technology infrastructure, delivering best-in-class supply chain performance, and prioritizing high-impact projects and key performance indicators. During the quarter, we made several important tactical advancements that we are mentioning. First, the deployment of AI is supercharging automation and productivity improvements across our back office. Next, we completed a transition of our South Africa subsidiary to a distributor model, which is expected to lower our operating costs and drive greater flow-through of gross profit to the bottom line. We also transitioned our Malaysia-Singapore markets to a new hybrid operating model, capturing synergies in the region while yielding G&A reduction.

Speaker #3: Moving to our second turnaround pillar: optimizing our operating model. Major areas of focus include sharpening go-to-market execution, enhancing our digital and technology infrastructure, delivering best-in-class supply chain performance, and prioritizing high-impact projects and key performance indicators.

Franco Fogliato: Moving to our second turnaround pillar, optimizing our operating model. Major areas of focus include sharpening go-to-market execution, enhancing our digital and technology infrastructure, delivering best-in-class supply chain performance, and prioritizing high-impact projects and key performance indicators. During the quarter, we made several important tactical advancements that we are mentioning. First, the deployment of AI is supercharging automation and productivity improvements across our back office.

Speaker #3: During the quarter, we made several important tactical advancements that were mentioned. First, the deployment of AI in supercharging automation and productivity improvements across our back office.

Speaker #3: Next, we completed the transition of our South Africa subsidiary to a distributor model, which is expected to lower our operating costs and drive greater flow-through of gross profit to the bottom line.

Franco Fogliato: Next, we completed a transition of our South Africa subsidiary to a distributor model, which is expected to lower our operating costs and drive greater flow-through of gross profit to the bottom line. We also transitioned our Malaysia-Singapore markets to a new hybrid operating model, capturing synergies in the region while yielding G&A reduction. Another key initiative is the recent execution of lease extension on more than 25 of our best performing stores in the Americas region. Lastly, during Q2, we also executed a lease for a new North American fulfillment and distribution center.

Speaker #3: We also transitioned our Malaysia-Singapore markets to a new hybrid operating model, capturing synergies in the region while yielding GNI reduction. Another key initiative is the recent execution of lease extensions on more than 25 of our best-performing stores in the Americas region.

Franco Fogliato: Another key initiative is the recent execution of lease extension on more than 25 of our best performing stores in the Americas region. Lastly, during Q2, we also executed a lease for a new North American fulfillment and distribution center. The new facility, located in Sunnyvale, Texas, will come online later this year, replacing our existing rental law. The upgraded space is not only fit for purpose based on our current business needs but also accommodates our future growth plans at a lower cost, further underscoring our commitment to optimizing our cost structure as we return to profitable growth. These are just a few examples that demonstrate the rigor with which our teams are executing across the business on a wide range of operational initiatives to capture efficiencies, unlock value, and strengthen performance. Now, turning to our third pillar, building shareholder value.

Speaker #3: Lastly, during Q2, we also executed a lease for a new North American fulfillment and distribution center. The new facility, located in Sunnyvale, Texas, will come online later this year.

Franco Fogliato: The new facility, located in Sunnyvale, Texas, will come online later this year, replacing our existing rental law. The upgraded space is not only fit for purpose based on our current business needs but also accommodates our future growth plans at a lower cost, further underscoring our commitment to optimizing our cost structure as we return to profitable growth. These are just a few examples that demonstrate the rigor with which our teams are executing across the business on a wide range of operational initiatives to capture efficiencies, unlock value, and strengthen performance.

Speaker #3: We are replacing our existing rental drop. The upgraded space is not only fit for purpose based on our current business needs, but also accommodates our future growth plans at a lower cost, further underscoring our commitment to optimizing our cost structure as we return to profitable growth.

Speaker #3: These are just a few examples that demonstrate the rigor with which our teams are executing across the business on a wide range of operational initiatives to capture efficiencies, unlock value, and strengthen performance.

Speaker #3: Now, turning to our third pillar, building shareholder value. We're pleased to be delivering a second year of traction under our turnaround plan. We're driving improved top-line trends, have established a healthy gross margin profile, demonstrated disciplined cost management, and returned the business to profitability.

Franco Fogliato: Now, turning to our third pillar, building shareholder value. We are pleased to be delivering a second year of attraction under our turnaround plan. We are driving improved top-line trends, have established a healthy gross margin profile, demonstrated disciplined cost management, and returned the business to profitability. As we look at the balance of the year, based on our strong H1 and positive business trends, we are pleased to be raising our full-year outlook on the top and bottom line.

Franco Fogliato: We are pleased to be delivering a second year of attraction under our turnaround plan. We are driving improved top-line trends, have established a healthy gross margin profile, demonstrated disciplined cost management, and returned the business to profitability. As we look at the balance of the year, based on our strong H1 and positive business trends, we are pleased to be raising our full-year outlook on the top and bottom line. Most importantly, we continue to expect to return the business to sustainable top-line growth beginning in Q4, and now expect to generate positive free cash flow on a full-year basis in 2026. We believe our strategy, talented teams, and disciplined execution position us to deliver long-term profitable growth and remain committed to driving value creation for all of our stakeholders. Now, I will turn the call to Randy to discuss the financials.

Speaker #3: As we look at the balance of the year, based on our strong first start and positive business trends, we're pleased to be raising our full-year outlook on the top and bottom line, most importantly, we continue to expect to return the business to sustainable top-line growth beginning Q4.

Franco Fogliato: Most importantly, we continue to expect to return the business to sustainable top-line growth beginning in Q4, and now expect to generate positive free cash flow on a full-year basis in 2026. We believe our strategy, talented teams, and disciplined execution position us to deliver long-term profitable growth and remain committed to driving value creation for all of our stakeholders. Now, I will turn the call to Randy to discuss the financials.

Speaker #3: And now, we expect to generate positive free cash flow on a full-year basis in 2026. We believe our strategy, talented teams, and disciplined execution position us to deliver long-term profitable growth, and we remain committed to driving value creation for all of our stakeholders.

Speaker #3: Now, I will turn the call to Randy to discuss the financials.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Franco.

Randy Greben: Thank you, Franco. Q2 was another strong proof point that our turnaround plan is delivering on all fronts. Sharp execution across our initiatives enabled us to exceed expectations on the top line, expand gross margins, capture operating efficiencies, and deliver 2X in adjusted operating income versus last year. Net sales in Q2 totaled $211 million. That represents a decline of 4% versus last year and includes approximately 220 basis points of impact related to our store closure program. This was better than our expectations and marks another quarter of improving sales trends with the rate of decline continuing to narrow. Gross margin performance in the second quarter was strong, expanding 490 basis points to 62.4%. The year-over-year improvement is first and foremost attributable to our commitment to full price selling, which drove strong product margins and is a continued testament to the strength of our supply chain initiatives.

Speaker #3: Q2 was another strong proof point that our turnaround plan is delivering on all fronts. Sharp execution across our initiatives enabled us to exceed expectations on the top line, expand gross margins, capture operating efficiencies, and deliver 2X in adjusted operating income versus last year.

Speaker #3: Net sales in Q2 totaled $211 million. That represented a decline of 4% versus last year and includes approximately 220 basis points of impact related to our store closure program.

Speaker #3: This was better than our expectations and marks another quarter of improving sales trends, with the rate of decline continuing to narrow. Gross margin performance in the second quarter was strong, expanding 490 basis points to 62.4%.

Randy Greben: This was better than our expectations and marks another quarter of improving sales trends with the rate of decline continuing to narrow. Gross margin performance in the second quarter was strong, expanding 490 basis points to 62.4%. The year-over-year improvement is first and foremost attributable to our commitment to full price selling, which drove strong product margins and is a continued testament to the strength of our supply chain initiatives. Lower tariffs compared to last year also served as a tailwind.

Speaker #3: The year-over-year improvement is, first and foremost, attributable to our commitment to full-price selling, which drove strong product margins and is a continued testament to the strength of our supply chain initiatives.

Speaker #3: Lower tariffs compared to last year also served as a tailwind. We are pleased with our healthy gross margin profile, and based on Q2's particularly strong performance, we now anticipate that full-year gross margins will be in the upper 50s.

Randy Greben: Lower tariffs compared to last year also served as a tailwind. We are pleased with our healthy growth margin profile and based on Q2's particularly strong performance, we now anticipate that full-year growth margins will be in the upper 50s. It is worth noting that this assumes we do not capture any additional tariff refunds in 2026. Turning now to operating expenses. SG&A came in at $123 million, essentially flat, excluding an $11 million gain recorded in Q2 of last year, resulting from the sale of our European distribution center. In aggregate, SG&A in Q2 2026 reflects fewer stores in operation, as well as lower compensation and administrative expenses, which more than offset a planned increase in marketing spend to support our storytelling engine. Disciplined cost management remains a core tenet of our turnaround strategy.

Randy Greben: We are pleased with our healthy growth margin profile and based on Q2's particularly strong performance, we now anticipate that full-year growth margins will be in the upper 50s. It is worth noting that this assumes we do not capture any additional tariff refunds in 2026. Turning now to operating expenses. SG&A came in at $123 million, essentially flat, excluding an $11 million gain recorded in Q2 of last year, resulting from the sale of our European distribution center.

Speaker #3: It's worth noting that this assumes we do not capture any additional tariff refunds in 2026. Turning now to operating expenses, SG&A came in at $123 million, essentially flat, excluding an $11 million gain recorded in Q2 of last year resulting from the sale of our European distribution center.

Speaker #3: In aggregate, SG&A in Q2 2026 reflects fewer stores in operation, as well as lower compensation and administrative expenses. Which more than offset a planned increase in marketing spend to support our storytelling engine.

Randy Greben: In aggregate, SG&A in Q2 2026 reflects fewer stores in operation, as well as lower compensation and administrative expenses, which more than offset a planned increase in marketing spend to support our storytelling engine. Disciplined cost management remains a core tenet of our turnaround strategy. That said, we have continued to balance demand-generating marketing with some of our savings reinvested back into the business, as seen this quarter as we work to support key product launches in Q3 and the seasonally important Q4.

Speaker #3: Disciplined cost management remains a core tenet of our turnaround strategy. That said, we have continued to balance demand-generating marketing with some of our savings reinvested back into the business, as seen this quarter, as we've worked to support key product launches in Q3 and the seasonally important Q4.

Randy Greben: That said, we have continued to balance demand-generating marketing with some of our savings reinvested back into the business, as seen this quarter as we work to support key product launches in Q3 and the seasonally important Q4. in Q2, we ended the quarter with 17 fewer stores, including six closures and 11 stores that we transitioned to a distributor in South Africa, which we talked about last quarter. We have another two closures planned for this year and expect to end the year with approximately 178 locations globally. Stepping back, we believe the hard work of optimizing the store portfolio is largely behind us. Going forward, we will continue to deploy our successful store of the future strategy and evaluate longer-term opportunities to drive growth and productivity of the fleet.

Speaker #3: In Q2, we ended the quarter with 17 fewer stores including 6 closures, and 11 stores that we transitioned to a distributor in South Africa, which we talked about last quarter.

Randy Greben: in Q2, we ended the quarter with 17 fewer stores, including six closures and 11 stores that we transitioned to a distributor in South Africa, which we talked about last quarter. We have another two closures planned for this year and expect to end the year with approximately 178 locations globally. Stepping back, we believe the hard work of optimizing the store portfolio is largely behind us. Going forward, we will continue to deploy our successful store of the future strategy and evaluate longer-term opportunities to drive growth and productivity of the fleet.

Speaker #3: We have another two closures planned for this year and expect to end the year with approximately 178 locations globally. Stepping back, we believe the hard work of optimizing the store portfolio is largely behind us.

Speaker #3: Going forward, we will continue to deploy our successful Store of the Future strategy and evaluate longer-term opportunities to drive growth and productivity of the fleet.

Speaker #3: Physical retail remains a core pillar of our omnichannel business, and we are pleased to have extended our lease agreements on more than 25 of our best retail locations in the Americas, as Franco referenced earlier.

Randy Greben: Physical retail remains a core pillar of our omni-channel business, and we are pleased to have extended our lease agreements on more than 25 of our best retail locations in the Americas, as Franco referenced earlier. Zooming out, we remain focused on optimizing our operating model by capturing efficiencies and rationalizing investments across key areas of the business, including go-to-market, IT, and back-office functions. Looking at the bottom line, driving flow-through remains a priority. Gross margin expansion and disciplined SG&A management converted our top-line performance into bottom-line delivery. Q2 adjusted operating income doubled compared to last year, coming in at $9 million. I believe it's worthwhile to pause here and reflect on our bottom-line performance for the first six months of 2026. Year-to-date adjusted operating income of $18.1 million is 35% greater than last year's $13.4 million, even on reduced sales.

Speaker #3: Zooming out, we remain focused on optimizing our operating model by capturing efficiencies and rationalizing investments across key areas of the business, including go-to-market, IT, and back-office functions.

Speaker #3: Looking at the bottom line, driving flow-through remains a priority. Gross margin expansion and disciplined SG&A management converted our top-line performance into bottom-line delivery.

Randy Greben: Gross margin expansion and disciplined SG&A management converted our top-line performance into bottom-line delivery. Q2 adjusted operating income doubled compared to last year, coming in at $9 million. I believe it's worthwhile to pause here and reflect on our bottom-line performance for the first six months of 2026. Year-to-date adjusted operating income of $18.1 million is 35% greater than last year's $13.4 million, even on reduced sales.

Speaker #3: Q2 adjusted operating income doubled compared to last year, coming in at $9 million. I believe it's worthwhile to pause here and reflect on our bottom-line performance for the first 6 months of 2026.

Speaker #3: Year-to-date adjusted operating income of $18.1 million is 35% greater than last year's $13.4 million even on reduced sales. And as we have continued to advance our turnaround, the cost of restructuring is far less impactful this year than last.

Randy Greben: As we have continued to advance our turnaround, the cost of restructuring is far less impactful this year than last, which translates to a meaningful increase in GAAP operating income, up nearly $14 million versus a year ago, even before normalizing for the gain of the European distribution center sale in last year's Q2. Turning to the balance sheet, we ended the quarter in solid financial condition with $79 million of cash and cash equivalents and $18 million of availability under our ABL. Additionally, during the quarter, we collected $4.9 million of the $5.9 million tariff refund we recognized in Q1, and we had no utilization under our ATM program. Inventory at quarter end totaled $178 million.

Speaker #3: Which translates to a meaningful increase in gap operating income, up nearly $14 million versus a year ago, even before normalizing for the gain of the European distribution center sale in last year's Q2.

Speaker #3: Turning to the balance sheet, we ended the quarter in strong financial condition with $79 million of cash and cash equivalents, and $18 million of availability under our ABL. Additionally, during the quarter, we collected $4.9 million of the $5.9 million tariff refund we recognized in Q1, and we had no utilization under our ATM program.

Randy Greben: Additionally, during the quarter, we collected $4.9 million of the $5.9 million tariff refund we recognized in Q1, and we had no utilization under our ATM program. Inventory at quarter end totaled $178 million. That's approximately flat compared to Q2 of last year and in line with our seasonal expectations, leaving the business well-positioned to support an anticipated return to growth in the fourth quarter, consistent with our emphasis on a full price selling model. Importantly, higher year-over-year profitability and improved working capital management enabled us to narrow operating cash use versus a year ago.

Speaker #3: Inventory at quarter-end totaled $178 million. That's approximately flat compared to Q2 of last year and in line with our seasonal expectations, leaving the business well positioned to support an anticipated return to growth in the fourth quarter.

Randy Greben: That's approximately flat compared to Q2 of last year and in line with our seasonal expectations, leaving the business well-positioned to support an anticipated return to growth in the fourth quarter, consistent with our emphasis on a full price selling model. Importantly, higher year-over-year profitability and improved working capital management enabled us to narrow operating cash use versus a year ago. Moving now to guidance. Given our strong H1 performance and business momentum, we are raising our full-year outlook on the top and bottom line. Worldwide net sales are now expected to decline in the range of 3% to 5%, which compares to our prior expectation for a decline in the range of 4% to 6%. As a reminder, about 360 basis points of the decline can be traced to the net impact of store closures and the extra week in 2025.

Speaker #3: Consistent with our emphasis on a full-price selling model. Importantly, higher year-over-year profitability and improved working capital management enabled us to narrow operating cash use versus a year ago.

Speaker #3: Moving now to guidance: Given our strong first-half performance and business momentum, we are raising our full-year outlook on the top and bottom line. Worldwide net sales are now expected to decline in the range of 3% to 5%, which compares to our prior expectation for a decline in the range of 4% to 6%.

Randy Greben: Moving now to guidance. Given our strong H1 performance and business momentum, we are raising our full-year outlook on the top and bottom line. Worldwide net sales are now expected to decline in the range of 3% to 5%, which compares to our prior expectation for a decline in the range of 4% to 6%. As a reminder, about 360 basis points of the decline can be traced to the net impact of store closures and the extra week in 2025. Of note, our outlook assumes an expected return to top-line growth in Q4 as we continue to unlock the benefits of our turnaround plan.

Speaker #3: As a reminder, about 360 basis points of the decline can be traced to the net impact of store closures and the extra week in 2025.

Speaker #3: Of note, our outlook assumes an expected return to top-line growth in Q4, as we continue to unlock the benefits of our turnaround plan. On the bottom line, we now expect adjusted operating margin in the range of 4% to 6%.

Randy Greben: Of note, our outlook assumes an expected return to top-line growth in Q4 as we continue to unlock the benefits of our turnaround plan. On the bottom line, we now expect adjusted operating margin in the range of 4% to 6%, up from our prior range of 3% to 5%. As a result of this improved profitability outlook, we now expect to generate positive free cash flow on a full-year basis. We are incredibly pleased with the way the business is performing, which is a testament to the work our teams are doing to reignite sales growth and strengthen our operating model, putting us firmly on a path to generate durable, profitable growth. Now I'll ask the operator to open the call to Q&A.

Randy Greben: On the bottom line, we now expect adjusted operating margin in the range of 4% to 6%, up from our prior range of 3% to 5%. As a result of this improved profitability outlook, we now expect to generate positive free cash flow on a full-year basis. We are incredibly pleased with the way the business is performing, which is a testament to the work our teams are doing to reignite sales growth and strengthen our operating model, putting us firmly on a path to generate durable, profitable growth. Now I'll ask the operator to open the call to Q&A.

Speaker #3: Up from our prior range of 3% to 5%. As a result of this improved profitability outlook, we now expect to generate positive free cash flow on a full-year basis.

Speaker #3: We are incredibly pleased with the way the business is performing, which is a testament to the work our teams are doing to reignite sales growth and strengthen our operating model—putting us firmly on a path to generate durable, profitable growth.

Speaker #3: Now I'll ask the operator to open the call to Q&A.

Speaker #1: Thank you. To ask a question, please press star 11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star 11 again Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster.

Operator: Thank you. To ask a question, please press *11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press *11 again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Henry Der with Maxim Group LLC. Your line is now open.

Speaker #1: Our first question comes from the line of Henry Dare with Maxim Group LLC. Your line is now open.

Speaker #2: Hi, so Henry Dare. I'm in for Tom Forte. First of all, congratulations on the quarter. I have two questions. The first is, sales and traditional watches were up year over year, and the previous quarter, and they were strong in this quarter.

Henry Der: Hi. Henry Der. I'm in for Tom Forte. First of all, congratulations on the quarter. I have two questions. The first is, sales of traditional watches were up year-over-year in the previous quarter, and they were strong in this quarter. You've guided to a return to consolidated revenue growth in the fourth quarter. What would it take for traditional watches to consistently and sustainably grow revenue year-over-year in the future?

Henry Dare: Hi. Henry Der. I'm in for Tom Forte. First of all, congratulations on the quarter. I have two questions. The first is, sales of traditional watches were up year-over-year in the previous quarter, and they were strong in this quarter. You've guided to a return to consolidated revenue growth in the fourth quarter. What would it take for traditional watches to consistently and sustainably grow revenue year-over-year in the future?

Speaker #2: You've guided to a return to consolidated revenue growth in the fourth quarter. What would it take for traditional watches to consistently and sustainably grow revenue year over year in the future?

Speaker #4: Hi, Ari. Thank you very much for the question; I really appreciate it. Look, we are extremely excited about our performance with our traditional watches.

Franco Fogliato: Hi, Ari. Thank you very much for the question. Really appreciate. We are extremely excited about our performances with our traditional watches. You've probably seen in the quarter our wholesale traditional watch growth was 12% globally, which is beyond our expectation and is really driven by the innovation that we started to develop, and to enforce since I joined the company in September 2024. To answer your question, it's really all about innovation. Innovation design, the creativity, the storytelling, the technology. I always repeated to the teams, I'm very excited about what we have achieved so far, but I'm even more excited about what is coming next in particularly the second half of the year and even further down into 2027 as we are building the alliance for 2027. I think that our teams are gaining confidence. We have world-class teams.

Speaker #4: You've probably seen in the quarter our rules of traditional watch growth was 12% globally, which is beyond our expectation. And it's really driven by the innovation that we started to develop and to enforce since I joined the company in September '24.

Speaker #4: To answer your question, it’s really all about innovation—innovation design, the creativity, the storytelling, the technology. I always repeated to the teams, I’m very excited about what we have achieved so far, but I’m even more excited about what is coming next, particularly in the second half of the year.

Franco Fogliato: I always repeated to the teams, I'm very excited about what we have achieved so far, but I'm even more excited about what is coming next in particularly the second half of the year and even further down into 2027 as we are building the alliance for 2027. I think that our teams are gaining confidence. We have world-class teams. The company is in a much better position than for many years. We are excited, and we are excited about doing what we like to do, which is really building great products.

Speaker #4: And even further down into '27 as we're building the alliance for 2027. I think that our teams are gaining confidence. We have a world-class teams.

Speaker #4: The company is in a much better position than many, many for many years We're excited, and we're excited about doing what we like to do, which is really building great products.

Randy Greben: The company is in a much better position than for many years. We are excited, and we are excited about

Franco Fogliato: doing what we like to do, which is really building great products. Really, the answer is we need to continue to build the best product in the world, continue to really create that emotional connection the brand has created over 40 years with our consumer, and continue to make our consumer dreaming about this brand. We are ahead of what we said, we are ahead of our original plan, and I cannot say how thankful we are to our teams that are showing once more that once we put them in the best condition to operate, they can create the best product in the world, and we are excited about what is coming next.

Speaker #4: So really, the answer is, we need to continue to build the best product in the world, continue to really create that emotional connection—the brand that's been created over 40 years with our consumer—and continue to make our consumer dream about this brand.

Franco Fogliato: Really, the answer is we need to continue to build the best product in the world, continue to really create that emotional connection the brand has created over 40 years with our consumer, and continue to make our consumer dreaming about this brand. We are ahead of what we said, we are ahead of our original plan, and I cannot say how thankful we are to our teams that are showing once more that once we put them in the best condition to operate, they can create the best product in the world, and we are excited about what is coming next.

Speaker #4: We're ahead of what we said we're ahead of our original plan, and I can't say I'll thankful we are to our teams that are showing once more that once we put them in the best condition to operate, they can create the best product in the world, and we're excited about what's coming next.

Speaker #2: 100%. Thank you. And my other question is, last year you had a big marketing effort with Nick Jonas in the back half of 2025.

Henry Der: 100%. Thank you. My other question is, last year you had a big marketing effort with Nick Jonas on the H2 of 2025. This year, it seems like your marketing efforts are a little more spread out across the year. I know you touched on this a little bit during your comments, but could you compare and contrast your marketing efforts for 2026 with 2025? Also discuss high level your future marketing spending plans as you continue to strengthen the company.

Henry Dare: 100%. Thank you. My other question is, last year you had a big marketing effort with Nick Jonas on the H2 of 2025. This year, it seems like your marketing efforts are a little more spread out across the year. I know you touched on this a little bit during your comments, but could you compare and contrast your marketing efforts for 2026 with 2025? Also discuss high level your future marketing spending plans as you continue to strengthen the company.

Speaker #2: This year, it seems like your marketing efforts are a little more spread out across the year. I know you've touched on this a little bit during your comments, but could you compare and contrast your marketing efforts for 2026 with 2025, and also discuss, at a high level, your future marketing spending plans as you continue to strengthen the company?

Speaker #4: Yeah, look, great question. Thanks for asking. I think you've seen in Q2 our commitment to return the company to growth. We're here to build sustainable, long-term growth.

Franco Fogliato: Yeah, look, a great question. Thanks for asking. I think you have seen in Q2 our commitment to return the company to grow. We are here to build a sustainable long-term growth. We have downsized the structure, simplified the company, ultimately with the goal to invest more in demand creation, and we have done that in Q2. I cannot say how thankful I am with our teams that have been delivering on the strategy. Q2 has been exceptional. The H1 has been exceptional, and the H2 will be even better. Our Big Tic Y2K campaign has been named as best watch campaign of the year, nominated as the best marketing campaign for the year. We are so honored of this. I am so happy about the work that has been done. The campaign was so innovative and caught so much attention from our consumer. What is coming next? Again, we will continue to improve.

Speaker #4: We have downsized the structure and simplified the company, ultimately with the goal to invest more in demand creation. And we have done that in Q2.

Speaker #4: So I can't say how thankful I am for our teams that have been delivering on the strategy. Q2 has been exceptional. The first half has been exceptional.

Speaker #4: And the second half will be even better. Our big Tick Y2K campaign has been named as the best watch campaign of the year and nominated as the best marketing campaign for the year.

Franco Fogliato: Our Big Tic Y2K campaign has been named as best watch campaign of the year, nominated as the best marketing campaign for the year. We are so honored of this. I am so happy about the work that has been done. The campaign was so innovative and caught so much attention from our consumer. What is coming next? Again, we will continue to improve. Nick, he's a great partner, we will continue to unleash the opportunities, the brand. We're creating more stories, focusing to each media channel, and this will drive additional consumer into the funnel.

Speaker #4: We're so honored by this. I'm so happy about the work that's been done. The campaign was so innovative and caught so much attention from our consumer.

Speaker #4: What's coming next—again, it will continue to improve. Nick is a great partner. We will continue to unleash the opportunities to brand. We're creating more stories, focusing on each media channel.

Franco Fogliato: Nick, he's a great partner, we will continue to unleash the opportunities, the brand. We're creating more stories, focusing to each media channel, and this will drive additional consumer into the funnel. I made clear when I joined the company, we were moving investment for performance into upper funnel to drive the stronger brand and drive the brand heat, and that's what we're delivering on.

Speaker #4: And this will drive additional consumers into the funnel. I made it clear when I joined the company we were moving investment for performance into upper funnel to drive a stronger brand and drive brand equity.

Franco Fogliato: I made clear when I joined the company, we were moving investment for performance into upper funnel to drive the stronger brand and drive the brand heat, and that's what we're delivering on.

Speaker #4: And that's what we're delivering on.

Speaker #2: Okay, that's very helpful. Thank you.

Henry Der: Okay. That's very helpful. Thank you.

Henry Dare: Okay. That's very helpful. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Thank you very much, Henry.

Franco Fogliato: Thank you very much, Randy.

Speaker #1: Our next question comes from the line of Owen Rickert with Northland Capital Markets. Your line is now open.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Owen Rickert with Northland Capital Markets. Your line is now open.

Owen Rickert: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my questions here, and congrats on a great quarter. First for me, the 490 bps of gross margin expansion was really impressive, but you called out some accelerated license brand minimum royalty recognition as a partial offset. How should we think about the cadence of that royalty headwind in the back half of the year? Is the 62% plus gross margin level sustainable, or is that more of a H1-weighted dynamic?

Speaker #5: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my questions here. And congrats on a great quarter. First, for me, the 490 bips of gross margin expansion was really impressive but you called out some accelerated license brand minimum royalty recognition as a partial offset.

Speaker #5: How should we think about the cadence of that royalty headwind in the back half of the year? And is the 62%-plus gross margin level sustainable, or is that more of a first-half-weighted dynamic?

Franco Fogliato: Hi, Owen. Thank you very much for the congratulations, for the question. Look, let me get started, and I'm asking Randy to chime in on this one. The gross margin is probably another statement on the way we're now running the company. We're disciplined, we're focusing into innovation, we're focusing into best presentation in the store, and the great news is consumer are responding, are buying. So I want to make sure this is the discipline we're now installing with the company. It's coming in even better than what we thought, honestly. But I'm so proud of the work the team's done globally. We have changed and transformed this company into a full price selling model.

Speaker #4: I owe, and thank you very much for the congratulations on the question. Look, let me get started, and I'm asking Randy to chime in on this one.

Speaker #4: The gross margin is probably another statement on the way we're now running the company. We're disciplined. We're

Speaker #1: Into innovation . We're focusing into best presentation in the store and the great news is consumers are responding , are buying . So I want to make sure this is the discipline we're now installing with the company is coming in even better than what we thought .

Speaker #1: Honestly But I'm so proud of the work the teams did globally We have changed and transformed this company into a full price selling model .

Franco Fogliato: But I'm so proud of the work the team's done globally. We have changed and transformed this company into a full price selling model.

Speaker #2: That's absolutely right. And just to answer the specific components of your question: with respect to the timing of our royalty shortfalls, the impact on the quarter was approximately a point and a half.

Randy Greben: It's absolutely right. Just to answer the specific components of your question with respect to the timing of our royalty shortfalls, the impact on the quarter was approximately 1.5 points, so not super meaningful. The real story continues to be, as Franco pointed out, the power of our full price selling model. It's also worth noting, it's margin accretion for the Fossil Group, which also translates directly to our operating partners, our wholesale partners. It's truly a rising tide lifting all boats. It's a wonderful result for the business, and we're excited about it.

Speaker #2: So not super meaningful . The the real story continues to be , as Franco pointed out , the powerful , the power of our full price selling model .

Speaker #2: It's also worth noting its margin accretion for the fossil group . It's also translates directly to our operating partners , our wholesale partners .

Speaker #2: It truly is a rising—rising tide lifts all boats. It's a wonderful result for the business, and we're excited about it.

Speaker #3: Got it . Super helpful . There . And then secondly , for me , more of a general guidance question . What are the specific drivers that get you to that year over year growth in for Q or is it mostly new product launches , wholesale door expansion , easier comps , or is it something else And then just how much visibility do you have into that today

Owen Rickert: Got it. Super helpful there. Secondly, for me, more of a general guidance question. What are the specific drivers that get you to that year-over-year growth in Q4? Is it mostly new product launches, wholesale door expansion, easier comps, or is it something else? Just how much visibility do you have into that today?

Speaker #1: Look , it's a great question . I think it's a combination of all of these . We're learning more about the business . We're building .

Franco Fogliato: Look, it's a great question. I think it's a combination of all of these. We're learning more about the business we're building. We're working close with our partners to build visibility. We're presenting better our products in the stores. All of this gives us better confidence on anticipating our future. We obviously take always, I would say, a cautious look. As to the future, we're not immune from what will happen in the market. I don't know what will happen with gas prices. There is another war. But we are very confident about the innovation, the product pipeline coming out, the marketing, the storytelling.

Speaker #1: We're working closely with our partners to build visibility . We're presenting our products in the stores . All of this gives us better confidence on anticipating our future We obviously take all a , I would say , a cautious look at the future .

Speaker #1: We're not immune from what will happen in the market . I don't know what's going to happen with gas prices . There is another war , but we are very confident about the innovation .

Speaker #1: The product pipeline coming out , the market in the storytelling . I think I mentioned in my opening remarks , we had , you know , our global teams coming in to Dallas to look even at next year range early and talk about the remaining five months later .

Franco Fogliato: I think I mentioned in my opening remarks, we had our global teams coming into Dallas to look even at next year range early and talk about the remaining 5 months of the year, and they were super excited, and they never seen such a great momentum for many years. Our partners, which I get to them on the phone regularly every week, they're excited. They see the Fossil Group coming back. They see the Fossil Group they used to know, that great partner that was driving profit and sales, and they just love us, and we love them. We will continue to build into this moment too, and all of that will be based on innovation in product and marketing and discipline of running the company.

Speaker #1: And they were they were super excited and they never seen such a great momentum for many years Our partners , which are get to them on the phone regularly every week .

Speaker #1: They're excited . They see the Fossil Group, Inc. coming back . They see the Fossil Group, Inc. . They used to know that great partner that was driving profit and sales , and they just love us and we love them .

Speaker #1: And we will continue to build into this momentum and all of that will be based on innovation in product and marketing and discipline of running the company

Franco Fogliato: We will continue to build into this moment too, and all of that will be based on innovation in product and marketing and discipline of running the company.

Speaker #3: Got it , got it . And then lastly , for me , it was great to see the Americas of Asia up year over year in terms of net sales .

Owen Rickert: Got it. Lastly for me, it was great to see the Americas up, Asia up year over year in terms of net sales. Can you maybe just walk us through the primary drivers of some of that weakness in the European region, and what specific actions are you guys taking to stabilize that business?

Speaker #3: Can you maybe just walk us through the primary drivers of some of that weakness in the European region? And what specific actions are you guys taking to stabilize that business?

Speaker #1: Yeah , it's a great question . Look , you can imagine Europe is pretty close to me I was there actually maybe a couple of weeks ago .

Franco Fogliato: Yeah, it's a great question. Look, you can imagine, Europe is pretty close to me. I was there actually maybe a couple of weeks ago. Look, we're not immune from any other brand. We benchmark with everybody else. There is a few things. Obviously, the war did have an impact, in particularly in the Middle East. Travel retail has been impacted. I have a lot of data that's showing how people are traveling less or they're traveling in the country. We also made significant changes to the business model through moving some direct territories into subsidiaries, which ultimately improved and simplified the company and took some risk out of the company, and that drives a better profit, but has some pain in the short term. Now, we have a great management team there. We have a global team supporting Europe.

Speaker #1: Look , we're not immune from any other brands . We we benchmark with everybody else There is a few things . Obviously , the the war did have an impact in particularly in the Middle East .

Speaker #1: Travel retail has been impacted. I have a lot of data that shows people are traveling less, or they're traveling within the country.

Speaker #1: We also made significant changes to the business model through moving some direct territories into subsidiaries, which ultimately improved and simplified the company and took some risk out of the company.

Franco Fogliato: We also made significant changes to the business model through moving some direct territories into subsidiaries, which ultimately improved and simplified the company and took some risk out of the company, and that drives a better profit, but has some pain in the short term. Now, we have a great management team there. We have a global team supporting Europe. I keep remembering everyone, Europe was actually, relatively speaking, the best performing market last year for our company. We think we're doing the right things there. We're not immune.

Speaker #1: And that drives a better profit . But as some pain in the short term , now we have a great management team there .

Speaker #1: We have a global team supporting Europe . I keep remembering everyone . Europe was actually , relatively speaking , the best performing market last year for for our company .

Franco Fogliato: I keep remembering everyone, Europe was actually, relatively speaking, the best performing market last year for our company. We think we're doing the right things there. We're not immune. We believe on the long run that the market is coming back, and it's an important market, obviously, for the watch industry. We're doing all what is necessary to have long-term view without chasing short-term sales.

Speaker #1: So we think we think we we were doing the right things there . We're not immune . We we are we believe on the long run that the market is coming back and is an important market , obviously , for the watch industry .

Franco Fogliato: We believe on the long run that the market is coming back, and it's an important market, obviously, for the watch industry. We're doing all what is necessary to have long-term view without chasing short-term sales.

Speaker #1: And we're doing all what is necessary to have long term view without chasing short term sales

Speaker #3: Got it , got it . Super helpful guys . Thanks again and congratulations again on the quarter .

Owen Rickert: Got it. Super helpful, guys. Thanks again, and congratulations again on the quarter.

Randy Greben: Thanks, Owen.

Speaker #4: Thanks , thanks , Olin

Franco Fogliato: Thanks, Owen.

Speaker #5: Thank you . And I'm currently showing no further questions at this time . I'd now like to hand the call back over to management for any closing remarks

Operator: Thank you, and I'm currently showing no further questions at this time. I'd now like to hand the call back over to management for any closing remarks.

Speaker #1: Thank you, everyone, for joining our call today. We're looking forward to talking to you next quarter.

Franco Fogliato: Thank you everyone for joining our call today. We are looking forward to talking to you next quarter.

Operator: This concludes today's conference. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

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Q2 2026 Fossil Group Inc Earnings Call

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Fossil Group

FOSL

Earnings

Q2 2026 Fossil Group Inc Earnings Call

Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 at 9:00 PM

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