Genesco (GCO) 28th Annual ICR Conference 2025 summary

Business overview and strategy

• Focused on footwear retail and branded businesses, with a direct-to-consumer platform uniting operations.

• Journeys targets teen and youth customers, Schuh operates in the UK, and Johnston & Murphy is the cornerstone branded business.

• Reinvention efforts have led to six consecutive quarters of positive comps, especially at Journeys.

Consumer environment and industry trends

• Consumers are stretched and highly selective, prioritizing newness and freshness in products.

• Demand is concentrated around key shopping moments, with high peaks and valleys.

• Price increases and tariffs have been accepted, but consumers are more discriminating, making assortment depth critical.

• Further price increases are anticipated in spring, with ongoing uncertainty around tariffs.

Recent performance and category drivers

• Holiday sales momentum built after Black Friday, with comps up 9% overall and 10% in stores.

• Journeys led with a 12% comp, driven by full-price selling and a strong mix of athletic and casual brands.

• Schuh in the UK posted a 6% comp, aided by promotional activity and inventory management.

• Johnston & Murphy saw positive comps, with apparel and new footwear collections performing well.