Dillard’s, Inc. reported a sharp uptick in earnings in the second quarter ended August 1, thanks to a boost from tariff refunds. Sales in the quarter climbed 1 percent, led by strong gains in ladies’ accessories and lingerie offset modest declines in juniors, children’s apparel and ladies’ apparel.

Dillard’s Chief Executive Officer William T. Dillard, II commented on the quarter, “Our 1 percent sales increase points to a somewhat resilient consumer. Retail gross margin of 40.9 percent, boosted by tariff rebates, helped grow cash flow and the bottom line. We ended the quarter with over $1.2 billion in cash and short-term investments after paying off $96 million in debt.”

Highlights of the Second Quarter (compared to the prior year second quarter):

  • Total retail sales increased 1 percent
  • Comparable store sales increased 1 percent
  • Net income of $97.7 million compared to $72.8 million
  • Earnings per share of $6.25 compared to $4.66
  • Retail gross margin of 40.9 percent of sales compared to 38.1 percent of sales
  • Operating expenses were $443.6 million (29.4 percent of sales) compared to $434.2 million (28.7 percent of sales)
  • Ending inventory increased 5 percent

Second Quarter Results

Dillard’s reported net income for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2026 of $97.7 million, or $6.25 per share, compared to $72.8 million, or $4.66 per share, for the 13 weeks ended August 2, 2025. Net income for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2026, includes $37.2 million ($28.4 million after tax, or $1.82 per share) in refunds of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs.

Included in net income for the 13 weeks ended August 2, 2025 is a pretax gain of $4.8 million ($3.7 million after tax or $0.24 per share) primarily related to the sale of three properties.

Sales – Second Quarter

Net sales for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2026 and August 2, 2025 were $1.508 billion and $1.514 billion, respectively. Net sales includes the operations of the company’s construction business, CDI Contractors, LLC (“CDI”).

Total retail sales (which excludes CDI) for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2026 and August 2, 2025 were $1.455 billion and $1.447 billion, respectively. Total retail sales increased 1 percent for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2026 compared to the 13 weeks ended August 2, 2025. Sales in comparable stores for the same period increased 1 percent.

During the second quarter, sales increased significantly in ladies’ accessories and lingerie and moderately in home and furniture. Slight sales increases were noted in shoes, men’s apparel and accessories and cosmetics. Sales decreased moderately in juniors’ and children’s apparel and ladies’ apparel.

Gross Margin – Second Quarter

Consolidated gross margin for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2026 was 39.7 percent of sales compared to 36.6 percent of sales for the 13 weeks ended August 2, 2025.

Retail gross margin for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2026 was 40.9 percent of sales compared to 38.1 percent of sales for the 13 weeks ended August 2, 2025. Retail gross margin was positively impacted (260 basis points of sales) by the aforementioned $37.2 million IEEPA tariff refunds. The company does not expect any additional significant IEEPA tariff refunds.

Compared to the prior year second quarter and adjusted for the aforementioned IEEPA tariff refunds, retail gross margin increased moderately in ladies’ apparel and increased slightly in cosmetics and home and furniture. Retail gross margin was flat in juniors’ and children’s apparel and decreased slightly in men’s apparel and accessories and shoes. Retail gross margin decreased moderately in ladies’ accessories and lingerie.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses – Second Quarter

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses (“operating expenses”) for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2026 were $443.6 million (29.4 percent of sales) and $434.2 million (28.7 percent of sales) for the 13 weeks ended August 2, 2025. The increase is primarily due to higher payroll and payroll-related expenses.

Highlights of the 26 Weeks (compared to the prior year 26 weeks):

  • Total retail sales increased 2 percent
  • Comparable store sales increased 2 percent
  • Net income of $348.2 million compared to $236.7 million
  • Earnings per share of $22.30 compared to $15.08
  • Retail gross margin of 43.4 percent of sales compared to 41.8 percent of sales
  • Operating expenses were $887.6 million (28.9 percent of sales) compared to $855.9 million (28.1 percent of sales)

26-Week Results

Dillard’s reported net income for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026 of $348.2 million, or $22.30 per share, compared to $236.7 million, or $15.08 per share, for the 26 weeks ended August 2, 2025. Included in net income for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026 are these items:

  • $37.2 million ($28.4 million after tax, or $1.82 per share) in refunds of IEEPA tariffs
  • a pre-tax gain on litigation settlement, net of legal fees, of $104.1 million ($79.6 million after tax or $5.10 per share) related to the company’s favorable settlement of a long-standing lawsuit involving payment card interchange fees

Included in net income for the 26 weeks ended August 2, 2025 is a pretax gain of $4.9 million ($3.8 million after tax or $0.24 per share) primarily related to the sale of three properties.

Sales – 26 Weeks

Net sales for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026 and August 2, 2025 were $3.076 billion and $3.043 billion, respectively.

Total retail sales for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026 and August 2, 2025 were $2.973 billion and $2.915 billion, respectively. Total retail sales increased 2 percent for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026 compared to the 26 weeks ended August 2, 2025. Sales in comparable stores for the same period increased 2 percent.

Gross Margin – 26 Weeks

Consolidated gross margin for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026 was 42.1 percent of sales compared to 40.3 percent of sales for the 26 weeks ended August 2, 2025.

Retail gross margin for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026 was 43.4 percent of sales compared to 41.8 percent of sales for the 26 weeks ended August 2, 2025. Retail gross margin was positively impacted (120 basis points of sales) by the aforementioned $37.2 million IEEPA tariff refunds.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses – 26 Weeks

Operating expenses for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026 were $887.6 million (28.9 percent of sales) and $855.9 million (28.1 percent of sales) for the 26 weeks ended August 2, 2025. The increase is largely due to higher payroll and payroll-related expenses.

Store Information

The company operates 272 Dillard’s stores, including 28 clearance centers.

Image courtesy Dillard’s