Records second consecutive quarter of overall growth with FYQ2 consolidated net revenues up 1.1% to $71.6 million
Direct Segment sales accelerated versus Q1 up 8.0%
Reiterates FY 2027 Sales and Operating Margin Guidance
FORT WAYNE, Ind., Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA) (the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending January 30, 2027 (“Fiscal 2027”).
Second Quarter Comments
“I’m pleased to report that our second quarter results reflect continued momentum in our transformation,” said Ian Bickley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vera Bradley. “This marked our second consecutive quarter of overall revenue growth, with total revenue up 1.1% versus the prior year. The underlying health of our business continued to strengthen across our direct channels, margin structure, and balance sheet.”
Bickley continued, “Our direct segment delivered revenue growth of 8%, our fifth consecutive quarter of sequential improvement, with comparable sales up 9.2% for the quarter, our second consecutive quarter of positive comparable results. Momentum built as the back-to-school season took hold during the second quarter and we entered the third quarter with strength across both our full-price and outlet channels.”
“We continued to manage our balance sheet and liquidity with discipline. Inventory ended the quarter down 28% compared to last year, in the quarter we generated $23 million of operating cash flow and we closed the quarter with $34 million of cash, double our prior-year position, and no debt.”
“Based on our year-to-date performance, we continue to expect year-over-year non-GAAP operating loss improvement of at least 50%. Significant work remains, and we’re encouraged by the progress we’re seeing across all five pillars of our transformation, and we remain committed to returning the business to long-term sustainable growth, profitability, and cash flow generation,” concluded Bickley.
Summary of Financial Performance for the Second Quarter
Consolidated net revenues from continuing operations totaled $71.6 million, compared to $70.9 million in the prior year second quarter ended August 2, 2025.
Vera Bradley, Inc.’s net income from continuing operations totaled $4.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations totaled $3.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.
In the prior year second quarter, net loss from continuing operations totaled ($4.7) million, or ($0.17) per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, net loss from continuing operations totaled ($0.5) million, or ($0.02) per diluted share.
Second Quarter Details
Direct segment revenues totaled $65.4 million, an 8.0% increase from $60.5 million in the prior year second quarter. Comparable sales increased 9.2%, with all channels positive, driven by improved ecommerce conversion and improved average transaction value across direct channels.
Indirect segment revenues totaled $6.3 million, a 39.4% decrease from $10.3 million in the prior year second quarter. The decrease was driven by strategic shifts and timing related to our marketplace strategy, in addition to a reduction in liquidation sales, while continued improvements in specialty and department stores partially offset this decline.
Consolidated gross profit totaled $42.8 million, or 59.8% of net revenues, compared to $35.5 million, or 50.1% of net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, prior year consolidated gross profit totaled $35.4 million, or 49.9% of net revenues. The increase in year-over-year margin rate is primarily due to the impact of $7.7 million for tariff refunds received during the quarter relating to prior period customs entries; excluding tariff refunds gross margin rate improved more than 0.4% versus last year.
Consolidated selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expense totaled $38.7 million, or 54.1% of net revenues, compared to $40.4 million, or 57.1% of net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, consolidated SG&A expense totaled $38.7 million, or 54.0% of net revenues, compared to $36.3 million, or 51.2% of net revenues, in the prior year. The increase in non-GAAP SG&A expense is due to higher variable compensation expense this year combined with prior year benefit from stock forfeitures.
Operating income from continuing operations totaled $4.2 million, or 5.8% of net revenues, compared to an operating loss of ($4.6) million, or (6.5%) of net revenues, in the prior year second quarter – a 1230 basis point improvement. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income (loss) from continuing operations totaled $4.3 million, or 5.9% of net revenues, compared to ($0.6) million, or (0.8%) of net revenues, in the prior year second quarter – a 670 basis point improvement.
By segment:
- Direct operating income was $16.7 million, or 25.5% of Direct net revenues, compared to $9.3 million, or 15.4% of Direct net revenues, in the prior year.
- Indirect operating income was $3.0 million, or 47.5% of Indirect net revenues, compared to $2.2 million, or 21.2% of Indirect net revenues, in the prior year.
- On a non-GAAP basis, the above segment results do not significantly change.
Balance Sheet
Cash and cash equivalents as of August 1, 2026, totaled $34.2 million compared to $15.2 million at the end of last year’s second quarter and up $15.7 million versus the January 31, 2026 fiscal year end. The Company had no borrowings on its asset-based lending (“ABL”) facility during the quarter.
As of August 1, 2026 inventory was $69.3 million, a 28.4% reduction, compared to $96.7 million at the end of last year’s second quarter. The decrease is driven by improved assortment planning, buy management, and sales performance, as well as the $5.3 million Project Restoration inventory reserve.
Year to date net capital spending has totaled $1.0 million compared to $2.6 million in the prior year and was driven by store relocations that occurred in the prior year period.
Fiscal Year 2027 Guidance
Excluding net revenues, all guidance-related numbers are non-GAAP. The prior year income statement numbers used in the forward-looking discussion below are also non-GAAP. Non-GAAP adjustments are discussed in the Non-GAAP Numbers section, below.
- The Company continues to focus on stabilizing the business and plans for sales to be in the range of $255 million to $270 million.
- The guided sales range reflects the impact of rebuilding of the wholesale business under new leadership, while also placing less emphasis on liquidation channels.
- Due to continued operational focus, the Company anticipates improvements in gross profit and SG&A rates, enabling operating loss improvement by 50% or better versus the prior year loss of ($21.7) million.
Disclosure Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
Non-GAAP Numbers
The current-year non-GAAP second quarter and six-month income statement amounts referenced below exclude the previously outlined charges for severance, consulting and professional fees associated with strategic initiatives and shareholder matters, professional fees associated with the sale of Pura Vida, transformation initiatives, and the income tax effect related to these items.
The prior-year non-GAAP second quarter and six-month income statement amounts referenced below exclude the previously outlined charges for severance, consulting and professional fees associated with strategic initiatives and shareholder matters, property, plant and equipment impairment charges, professional fees associated with the sale of Pura Vida, PO cancellation fees, transformation initiatives, inventory write-offs associated with the sale of Pura Vida, and the income tax effect related to these items.
The Company’s management does not, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Further, the non-GAAP measures utilized by the Company may be unique to the Company, as they may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.
The Company believes that the non-GAAP measures presented in this earnings release, including cash usage; gross profit; selling, general, and administrative expenses; operating loss from continuing operations; net loss from continuing operations; and diluted net loss from continuing operations per share, along with the associated percentages of net revenues, are helpful to investors because they allow for a more direct comparison of the Company’s year-over-year performance and are consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in the Company’s supplemental schedules included in this earnings release.
Consistent with SEC regulations, the Company has not provided a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in reliance on the “unreasonable efforts” exception set forth in the applicable regulations, because there is substantial uncertainty associated with predicting any future adjustments the Company may make to its GAAP financial measures in calculating non-GAAP financial measures.
Call Information
A conference call to discuss the second quarter financial results is scheduled for today, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website, Investor Relations | Vera Bradley Designs Inc. Alternatively, interested parties may dial into the call at (877) 407-0779. A replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and remain available through September 29, 2026. To access the recording, listeners should dial (844) 512-2921 and enter the access code 13761527.
About Vera Bradley, Inc.
Vera Bradley, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a leading designer of women’s handbags, luggage and other travel items, fashion and home accessories, and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand is known for its innovative designs, iconic patterns, and brilliant colors that inspire and connect women unlike any other brand in the global marketplace.
The Company has two reportable segments: Direct and Indirect. The Direct business consists of sales of products through Vera Bradley Full-Line and Outlet stores in the United States; Vera Bradley’s websites, www.verabradley.com, www.verabradleyoutlet.com, and international.verabradley.com; direct to consumer marketplaces; and typically (but not in fiscal 2027), the Vera Bradley annual outlet sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Indirect business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products to approximately 1,200 specialty retail locations throughout the United States, as well as select department stores, national accounts, and third-party inventory liquidators; and royalties recognized through licensing agreements related to the Vera Bradley brand.
Website Information
We routinely post important information for investors on our website www.verabradley.com in the "Investor Relations" section. We intend to use this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.
Investors and other interested parties may also access the Company’s most recent Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report outlining its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives at https://verabradley.com/pages/corporate-responsibility.
Vera Bradley Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this release are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including: possible adverse changes in general economic conditions and their impact on consumer confidence and spending; possible inability to predict and respond in a timely manner to changes in consumer demand; possible loss of key management or design associates or inability to attract and retain the talent required for our business; possible inability to maintain and enhance our brands; possible inability to successfully implement the Company’s long-term strategic plan; possible inability to successfully open new stores, close targeted stores, and/or operate current stores as planned; incremental tariffs or adverse changes in the cost of raw materials and labor used to manufacture our products; possible adverse effects resulting from a significant disruption in our distribution facilities; or business disruption caused by pandemics or other macro factors. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included from time to time in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s public reports filed with the SEC, including the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement. Financial schedules are attached to this release.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
August 1,
2026January 31,
2026August 2,
2025Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $34,249 $18,513 $15,184 Accounts receivable, net 12,819 17,301 16,983 Inventories 69,252 75,951 96,685 Short-term contingent consideration 1,835 1,605 1,694 Income taxes receivable 223 317 444 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 7,468 6,034 9,463 Total current assets 125,846 119,721 140,453 Operating right-of-use assets 64,915 63,233 66,876 Property, plant, and equipment, net 44,255 46,358 49,357 Long-term contingent consideration — 230 858 Other assets 4,257 4,463 8,632 Total assets $239,273 $234,005 $266,176 Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $14,905 $16,235 $21,127 Accrued employment costs 8,698 5,394 7,242 Short-term operating lease liabilities 15,573 18,620 17,814 Other accrued liabilities 12,353 10,185 11,541 Income taxes payable 22 16 — Total current liabilities 51,551 50,450 57,724 Long-term debt — — 10,000 Long-term operating lease liabilities 55,395 51,914 57,919 Other long-term liabilities 2 2 47 Total liabilities 106,948 102,366 125,690 Shareholders’ equity: Additional paid-in-capital 117,180 116,152 115,286 Retained earnings 172,114 172,439 182,147 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (149) (132) (127)Treasury stock (156,820) (156,820) (156,820)Total shareholders’ equity 132,325 131,639 140,486 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $239,273 $234,005 $266,176
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) Thirteen Weeks Ended
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
August 1,August 2,August 1,August 2, 2026 2025 2026 2025 Net revenues$71,649 $70,858 $127,351 $122,510 Cost of sales 28,835 35,361 55,706 64,246 Gross profit 42,814 35,497 71,645 58,264 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 38,747 40,442 72,875 81,246 Other income, net 113 353 762 533 Operating income (loss) from continuing operations 4,180 (4,592) (468) (22,449)Interest income (expense), net 227 (134) 162 (130)Income (loss) from continuing operations before 4,407 (4,726) (306) (22,579)Income tax (benefit) expense (93) (17) 19 390 Net income (loss) from continuing operations$4,500 $(4,709)$(325)$(22,969)Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of — 37 — (15,163)Net income (loss)$4,500 $(4,672)$(325)$(38,132) Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 28,546 27,935 28,337 27,854 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 30,004 27,935 28,337 27,854
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 1,August 2, 2026 2025 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss$(325)$(38,132)Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment 3,522 4,100 Amortization of operating right-of-use assets 9,914 10,220 Impairment charges — 1,048 Provision for doubtful accounts 161 97 Stock-based compensation 2,658 (29)Loss on sale of business — 15,163 Other non-cash loss, net 92 17 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 4,321 (3,994)Inventories 6,699 (4,913)Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,228) (1,212)Accounts payable (1,718) 2,830 Income taxes 100 140 Operating lease liabilities, net (11,162) (11,772)Accrued and other liabilities 4,687 3,139 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 17,721 (23,298)Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property, plant, and equipment (1,038) (2,613)Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash disposed — 1,037 Net cash used in investing activities (1,038) (1,576)Cash flows from financing activities Tax withholdings for equity compensation (930) (200)Borrowings under asset-based revolving credit agreement — 15,000 Repayment of borrowings under asset-based revolving credit agreement — (5,000)Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (930) 9,800 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (17) (108)Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$15,736 $(15,182)Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 18,513 30,366 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$34,249 $15,184
Second Quarter Fiscal 2027
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Thirteen Weeks Ended August 1, 2026
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks EndedNet income from continuing operations$4,500 Severance(1) 46 Transformation initiatives(1) 30 Income tax adjustments(2) (1,259)Net income from continuing operations - Non-GAAP 3,317 Diluted net loss per share from continuing operations - Non-GAAP
$0.11
(1) Recorded in selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses
(2) Adjusted net income from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS are calculated using a statutory tax rate of 26%
Direct
IndirectUnallocated
Corporate
Expenses
TotalOperating income (loss) from continuing operations$16,682 2,978$(15,480)$4,180Severance — — 46 46Transformation initiatives 3 — 27 30Operating income (loss) from continuing operations - Non-GAAP$16,685$2,978$(15,407)$4,256
Second Quarter Fiscal 2026
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2025
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks EndedNet loss from continuing operations$(4,709)Severance(1) 3,017 Consulting and professional fees(1) 842 Transformation initiatives(1) 276 PO cancellation fees(2) (126)Income tax adjustments(3) 169 Net loss from continuing operations - Non-GAAP (531)Diluted net loss per share from continuing operations - Non-GAAP
$(0.02)
(1) Recorded in SG&A expenses
(2) Represents true up of PO cancellation fees and recorded in cost of goods sold
(3) Adjusted net loss from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS are calculated using a statutory tax rate of 26%
Thirteen Weeks Ended
Direct
IndirectUnallocated
Corporate
Expenses
TotalOperating income (loss) from continuing operations$9,335 2,190 $(16,117)$(4,592)Severance — — 3,017 3,017 Consulting and professional fees 25 — 817 842 Transformation initiatives 15 4 257 276 PO cancellation fees (108) (18) — (126)Operating income (loss) from continuing operations - Non-GAAP$9,267 $2,176 $(12,026)$(583)
Second Quarter Fiscal 2027
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 1, 2026
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Twenty-Six Weeks EndedNet loss from continuing operations$(325)Severance(1) 1,163 Consulting and professional fees(1) 27 Professional fees associated with sale of Pura Vida(1) 94 Transformation initiatives(1) 189 Income tax adjustments(2) (284)Net income from continuing operations - Non-GAAP 864 Diluted net income per share from continuing operations - Non-GAAP
$0.03
(1) Recorded in SG&A expenses
(2) Adjusted net income from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS are calculated using a statutory tax rate of 26%
Vera Bradley
Direct
Vera Bradley
IndirectUnallocated
Corporate
Expenses
TotalOperating income (loss) from continuing operations$19,789 6,987$(27,244)$(468)Severance 334 117 712 1,163 Consulting and professional fees — — 27 27 Professional fees associated with sale of Pura Vida — — 94 94 Transformation initiatives 12 2 175 189 Operating income (loss) from continuing operations - Non-GAAP$20,135$7,106$(26,236)$1,005
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 2, 2025
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited) Twenty-Six Weeks EndedNet loss from continuing operations$(22,969)Severance(1) 3,307 Consulting and professional fees(2) 1,563 PPE impairment charges(1) 1,048 Professional fees associated with sale of Pura Vida(1) 976 PO cancellation fees(3) 860 Transformation initiatives(1) 276 Inventory write-off associated with sale of Pura Vida(3) 250 Income tax adjustments(4) 4,108 Net loss from continuing operations - Non-GAAP (10,581)Diluted net loss per share from continuing operations - Non-GAAP$(0.38)
(1) Recorded in SG&A expenses
(2) $555 recorded in cost of goods sold and $1,008 recorded in SG&A expenses
(3) Recorded in cost of goods sold
(4) Adjusted net loss from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS are calculated using a statutory tax rate of 26%
Vera Bradley
Direct
Vera Bradley
IndirectUnallocated
Corporate
Expenses
TotalOperating income (loss) from continuing operations$3,799 4,170$(30,418)$(22,449)Severance 15 — 3,292 3,307 Consulting and professional fees 608 78 877 1,563 PPE impairment charges 1,048 — — 1,048 Professional fees associated with sale of Pura Vida — — 976 976 PO cancellation fees 739 121 — 860 Transformation initiatives 15 4 257 276 Inventory write-off associated with sale of Pura Vida 214 36 — 250 Operating income (loss) from continuing operations - Non-GAAP$6,438$4,409$(25,016)$(14,169)
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