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Victoria's Secret & Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 September 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 2 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales increased 10% to $1.611 billion: Net sales reached $1.611 billion in Q2 2026, up 10% versus $1.459 billion in Q2 2025, near the high-end of guidance range of $1.590-$1.615 billion, driven by growth across Victoria's Secret, PINK and Beauty. Source
  • Comparable sales up 9%, fourth positive quarter: Total comparable sales increased 9% for Q2 2026 versus 4% in Q2 2025, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of positive comps and demonstrating sustained customer engagement across channels. Source
  • Market share gains from brand execution: Management attributed market share gains to improvements in product innovation, brand identity, storytelling and execution working together across all three brands and customer file growing. Source
  • International sales accelerated 20% to $273.4M: International sales increased 20% to $273.4 million from $227.8 million, including consolidated China joint venture sales, royalties and franchise partner sales, representing strategic growth area. Source
  • Regular-price selling drove margin expansion: Management attributed gross margin improvement to stronger regular-price selling, reduced promotional activity, and leveraging of buying and occupancy expenses despite tariff headwinds. Source
  • Received $140M in tariff refunds: Company received over $140 million in IEEPA tariff refund recoveries representing 95% of tariffs previously paid, including interest received and related recoveries, excluded from adjusted results. Source
  • Path to Potential strategy delivering results: CEO stated Path to Potential strategy is working with brands stronger, more relevant, customer file growing and execution improving across product, brand identity and storytelling. Source
  • Strategic marketing investment increase announced: Company committed to increase strategic marketing investment in second half to expand reach, deepen customer connection and build brand heat with emotionally connected campaigns. Source
  • Full-year net sales guidance increased: Company raised full-year 2026 net sales guidance to $7.100-$7.180 billion from prior guidance of $7.030-$7.130 billion based on strong first-half momentum. Source
  • Adjusted operating income guidance increased: Company raised full-year adjusted operating income guidance to $560-$590 million from $550-$580 million, reflecting confidence in execution and margin sustainability. Source

“We delivered another strong quarter with broad-based growth across the business. Our Path to Potential strategy is working, our brands are stronger and more relevant.”

Hillary Super, VS&Co Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Full year net sales SourceFiscal year 2026 ending January 30, 2027$7.100 billion to $7.180 billionRaised from $7.030 billion to $7.130 billion
Full year adjusted operating income SourceFiscal year 2026 ending January 30, 2027$560 million to $590 millionRaised from $550 million to $580 million
Third quarter net sales SourceThird quarter 2026$1.570 billion to $1.600 billionNew
Third quarter operating income SourceThird quarter 2026$10 million to $20 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year net sales guidance raised to $7.100-$7.180B from $7.030-$7.130B Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted operating income guidance raised to $560-$590M from $550-$580M Source
  • New: Company announces increase in strategic marketing investment for second half of year Source

Sales Growth and Comparable Sales

  • Net sales increased 10% to $1.611 billion: Net sales reached $1.611 billion in Q2 2026, up 10% versus $1.459 billion in Q2 2025, near the high-end of guidance range of $1.590-$1.615 billion, driven by growth across Victoria's Secret, PINK and Beauty. Source
  • Comparable sales up 9%, fourth positive quarter: Total comparable sales increased 9% for Q2 2026 versus 4% in Q2 2025, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of positive comps and demonstrating sustained customer engagement across channels. Source
  • Market share gains from brand execution: Management attributed market share gains to improvements in product innovation, brand identity, storytelling and execution working together across all three brands and customer file growing. Source

Channel and Geographic Performance

  • North America stores grew 8.9% to $897.9M: North America store sales increased $73.1 million or 8.9% to $897.9 million, demonstrating solid performance in company-operated channel. Source
  • Direct channel increased 8.1% to $439.4M: Direct (e-commerce) sales grew 8.1% to $439.4 million from $406.5 million, representing 27.3% of total sales and showing consistent online demand. Source
  • International sales accelerated 20% to $273.4M: International sales increased 20% to $273.4 million from $227.8 million, including consolidated China joint venture sales, royalties and franchise partner sales, representing strategic growth area. Source

“We are increasing our strategic marketing investment to expand our reach, deepen customer connection, and build on the brand heat we are creating.”

Hillary Super, VS&Co Chief Executive Officer

Gross Margin and Operational Execution

  • Regular-price selling drove margin expansion: Management attributed gross margin improvement to stronger regular-price selling, reduced promotional activity, and leveraging of buying and occupancy expenses despite tariff headwinds. Source

One-Time Tariff Refunds

  • Received $140M in tariff refunds: Company received over $140 million in IEEPA tariff refund recoveries representing 95% of tariffs previously paid, including interest received and related recoveries, excluded from adjusted results. Source
  • Tariff refunds excluded from adjusted earnings: To provide comparable results, $140.3 million of pre-tax tariff refund income excluded from adjusted operating income and $140.3 million excluded from adjusted net income to focus on ongoing operations. Source

Brand Strategy and Customer Engagement

  • Path to Potential strategy delivering results: CEO stated Path to Potential strategy is working with brands stronger, more relevant, customer file growing and execution improving across product, brand identity and storytelling. Source

Strategic Marketing and Brand Activations

  • Strategic marketing investment increase announced: Company committed to increase strategic marketing investment in second half to expand reach, deepen customer connection and build brand heat with emotionally connected campaigns. Source
  • Bigger Victoria's Secret Fashion Show planned: Company planning even bigger and better Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for back half as centerpiece of brand activation strategy to build momentum. Source

Store Portfolio and Real Estate

  • Total store count 1,430 at end of quarter: Company operated 1,430 total stores at August 1, 2026 compared to 1,420 at January 31, 2026, with net 10 unit increase during first half from 48 openings and 38 closings. Source
  • China joint venture stores declined to 61: China joint venture store count declined to 61 from 65 at quarter-start, with net closures of 10 units during half-year reflecting portfolio optimization. Source

Full-Year Guidance Raised

  • Full-year net sales guidance increased: Company raised full-year 2026 net sales guidance to $7.100-$7.180 billion from prior guidance of $7.030-$7.130 billion based on strong first-half momentum. Source
  • Adjusted operating income guidance increased: Company raised full-year adjusted operating income guidance to $560-$590 million from $550-$580 million, reflecting confidence in execution and margin sustainability. Source
  • Third quarter sales and income forecast: Company forecasts Q3 2026 net sales of $1.570-$1.600 billion versus $1.472 billion in Q3 2025, with operating income of $10-$20 million versus breakeven adjusted income in Q3 2025. Source

Coming up, per management

  • Larger Victoria's Secret Fashion Show planned: Company planning bigger and better Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for back half as flagship brand moment to drive customer engagement and market awareness. Source
  • Product innovation launches ahead: Company has strong pipeline of product innovation and launches planned for remainder of fiscal year to drive new customer acquisition and brand relevance. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Company navigating ongoing uncertainty regarding tariff policies and potential future tariff impacts despite receiving large refund in current quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: CEO confirmed Path to Potential strategy working with brands stronger, customer file growing and market share gaining. Source
  • On track: CFO reaffirmed focus on delivering profitable growth while making deliberate investments in product, customer experience and marketing. Source
  • In progress: CEO committed to increasing strategic marketing investment in back half to expand reach and build brand heat with emotionally connected campaigns. Source

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point carries a quote that is checked word for word against the filing; a point whose quote is not found is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.