Capri Cuts Revenue Outlook as Iran War Hits Michael Kors Sales

The logo of Michael Kors is seen on an outlet store in Metzingen, Germany, June 16, 2017. (Reuters)
The logo of Michael Kors is seen on an outlet store in Metzingen, Germany, June 16, 2017. (Reuters)
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Capri Cuts Revenue Outlook as Iran War Hits Michael Kors Sales

The logo of Michael Kors is seen on an outlet store in Metzingen, Germany, June 16, 2017. (Reuters)
The logo of Michael Kors is seen on an outlet store in Metzingen, Germany, June 16, 2017. (Reuters)

Capri Holdings cut its annual revenue forecast on Wednesday, citing second-quarter inventory delays at its key Michael Kors brand and softer demand for its pricey handbags and accessories due to conflict in the Middle East.

Shares of the New York-based accessible luxury group fell about 2% in early trading.

Capri said recent congestion at ports in Asia, though temporary, would hurt second-quarter sales at Michael Kors, its largest brand by revenue, by $50 million. It estimated another $50 million hit for the fiscal year from weaker demand in Europe and emerging markets because ‌of the US-Iran ‌war.

The company now expects fiscal 2027 revenue of about $3.4 billion, down ‌from ⁠its previous forecast ⁠of about $3.53 billion.

US luxury companies have been grappling with uneven demand as inflation-weary consumers pull back on discretionary purchases, while economic uncertainty weighs on spending in key international markets.

War in the Middle East has hit tourism in Europe, weighing on Capri's sales in the region, the company said.

Michael Kors has also faced criticism for its design innovation in recent years, in contrast to handbag rival Coach, owned by Tapestry, which has established itself as a leading brand for Gen Z.

In a bid to ⁠drive a reset at Michael Kors, Capri has pulled back on promotions ‌and focused on revamping its stores to drive direct-to-consumer ‌sales at full price, while also investing in product innovation.

"We are disappointed with our second-quarter outlook," CEO John Idol ‌said on a post-earnings call. But he added that the company expects Michael Kors ‌revenue to return to growth in the second half of fiscal year 2027, thanks to new products, marketing investments, fewer promotions and store renovations.

The brand offers a wide range of products, from small accessories such as card cases and bag charms with prices starting at $79.50, to handbags costing around $600, according to the brand's website.

Revenue ‌at Michael Kors fell to $590 million in the quarter ended June 27, from $635 million a year earlier, marking the brand's 15th consecutive quarter ⁠of sales declines.

Last year, ⁠Capri sold Versace to Prada for about 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion), after failing to capitalize on the inclusion of the Italian brand in its portfolio and as the US-based fashion group zeroes in on growing its Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo labels.

"Capri needs to get both Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo back to consistent sales growth and better profitability," said Morningstar analyst David Swartz. "This is probably 2-3 years away."

Despite slashing its full-year revenue outlook, Capri reaffirmed its adjusted annual earnings per share forecast of about $2.15, saying it would reduce operating expenses to offset the weaker sales.

Capri said it expects Jimmy Choo to continue growing and return to profitability, with revenue for the brand rising 10.5% to $179 million for the quarter.

The company's first-quarter revenue fell 3.5% to $769 million. Analysts on average estimated $752.7 million, according to data compiled by LSEG.

It reported quarterly adjusted earnings per share of 67 cents, compared with an estimate of 40 cents per share.



Birkenstock Raises Annual Revenue Forecast on Strong Demand

Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading.  (Getty Images)
Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading. (Getty Images)
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Birkenstock Raises Annual Revenue Forecast on Strong Demand

Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading.  (Getty Images)
Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading. (Getty Images)

Birkenstock raised its full-year sales growth forecast on Wednesday, banking on resilient full-price demand for its premium sandals from affluent shoppers.

Shares of the German sandal maker were up ‌7% in ‌premarket trading.

A pullback in ‌US ⁠discretionary spending has ⁠weighed on much of the apparel and footwear sector, but brands such as Birkenstock catering to wealthier consumers have largely held up, benefiting from ⁠strong pricing power and ‌brand loyalty.

While ‌the Middle East conflict continues ‌to create uncertainty in the Gulf ‌region, the impact on the quarter was more contained than initially anticipated, the company said.

It now ‌expects fiscal year 2026 revenue growth of 15% ⁠on ⁠a constant currency basis, compared with its earlier forecast of a 13% to 15% rise.

The company posted third-quarter revenue of 719.5 million euros ($829.08 million), compared with analysts' estimate of 713.4 million euros, according to data compiled by LSEG.


Jeweller Pandora Raises 2026 Guidance as New Designs Draw in Shoppers

A view of the Pandora sign on one of the branches of the Danish jewellery maker Pandora in central Copenhagen, Denmark, August 13, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of the Pandora sign on one of the branches of the Danish jewellery maker Pandora in central Copenhagen, Denmark, August 13, 2025. (Reuters)
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Jeweller Pandora Raises 2026 Guidance as New Designs Draw in Shoppers

A view of the Pandora sign on one of the branches of the Danish jewellery maker Pandora in central Copenhagen, Denmark, August 13, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of the Pandora sign on one of the branches of the Danish jewellery maker Pandora in central Copenhagen, Denmark, August 13, 2025. (Reuters)

Jeweller Pandora raised its 2026 guidance for organic growth and profit margin on Wednesday, saying new designs and marketing were helping attract shoppers, and also reported second-quarter operating profit (EBIT) above analysts' expectations.

Pandora said EBIT for the April-June period came in at 1.46 billion Danish crowns ($225.35 million), against an average estimate of 1.10 billion expected by analysts in a company-compiled poll, reflecting partial refunds of previously paid ‌U.S. tariffs.

"We are ‌making progress in re-energizing Pandora's ‌growth engine," ⁠CEO Berta de ⁠Pablos-Barbier said in a statement.

"There is more work ahead, but we are moving in the right direction and raising our 2026 guidance for both growth and profitability," she added.

The company now expects organic growth at between 0% and 3% in ⁠2026, up from a previous range ‌of -1% to 2%, ‌and an operating profit margin between 22% and 23%, up ‌from 21% to 22%.

In the top job ‌since January, de Pablos-Barbier is leading a drive to release new designs, with its Pandora Wonders line - featuring pearl charms shaped like a frog, a pufferfish, or ‌a mushroom - launching in July in Paris during Haute Couture week.

Pandora's share price ⁠has ⁠been highly volatile over the past two years as the price of silver surged, prompting de Pablos-Barbier to announce in February a shift towards platinum-plated jewellery as a way of reducing its reliance on silver.

Pandora said on Wednesday it started pilot testing a limited range of platinum-plated jewellery in the Netherlands in July, and would do broader tests across markets in the fourth quarter, before scaling up the rollout next year.


Armani Stake Sale Could Be Delayed Beyond March 2027 Deadline

FILE PHOTO: People walk past a Giorgio Armani store in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, following Giorgio Armani's death at the age of 91, in Milan, Italy, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People walk past a Giorgio Armani store in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, following Giorgio Armani's death at the age of 91, in Milan, Italy, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes//File Photo
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Armani Stake Sale Could Be Delayed Beyond March 2027 Deadline

FILE PHOTO: People walk past a Giorgio Armani store in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, following Giorgio Armani's death at the age of 91, in Milan, Italy, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People walk past a Giorgio Armani store in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, following Giorgio Armani's death at the age of 91, in Milan, Italy, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes//File Photo

The planned sale of ‌a 15% stake in Italian fashion group Giorgio Armani may not be completed until after a March 2027 deadline set by the late designer's will, an Italian newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Citing company sources, the Corriere della Sera said market conditions for the luxury industry were still challenging and negotiating a deal could require time, said Reuters.

The indications on timing in the will are not binding, the sources said, adding the need to reach the best possible terms for a sale took precedence.

The company did not immediately ‌respond to ‌a request for comment.

Giorgio Armani, who died on ‌September ⁠4, 2025, instructed the ⁠eponymous foundation that controls the fashion house to sell an initial 15% stake within 18 months, giving priority to French luxury goods group LVMH, beauty giant L'Oreal and Franco-Italian eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica .

Corriere cited board documents from the Giorgio Armani Foundation as saying the process was still at an early stage and unlikely to ⁠be completed before 2027.

Evaluations over the stake ‌sale are under way but ‌remain preliminary because the transaction is complex, Rothschild & Co banker and foundation director ‌Irving Bellotti told an April board meeting, Corriere reported.

Bellotti said ‌that work on the deal would begin this year but was expected to be completed during 2027.

The group has also not ruled out a potential stock market listing, which would leave management in ‌the hands of the family and current executives under the foundation's strategic oversight, Corriere said, citing the ⁠sources.

Corriere also ⁠cited Chief Executive Giuseppe Marsocci as telling the foundation's board in April that net group sales in the first two months of 2026 fell 7.5% at current exchange rates and 3.9% at constant exchange rates from a year earlier.

The company adopted measures to cut operating costs by €25 million ($28.84 million), Marsocci added.

The drop, he explained, was driven by the wholesale channel where sales declined 10.7% year-on-year at constant exchange rates, while direct-to-consumer sales rose 3.5% net of currency effects, Corriere reported.

Giorgio Armani will approve first-half results on September 8, Corriere said, adding they should broadly confirm January-February trends.