Tilly’s, Inc. Beats Outlook, Reports Third Consecutive Quarter of Double-Digit Percentage Comp Sales Increases

Tilly’s, Inc. (NYSE: TLYS, the “Company”) today announced financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 ended August 1, 2026.

“We maintained our positive operating momentum throughout the second quarter and the important back-to-school season. We have now produced four consecutive quarters of year-over-year comparable net sales growth and, inclusive of fiscal August to start the third quarter, thirteen consecutive months of year-over-year comparable net sales growth. We also delivered our fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year profit improvement in the second quarter,” commented Nate Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are now profitable on a trailing four quarters basis and on a year-to-date basis for fiscal 2026. Based on our year-to-date performance and assuming our positive momentum continues, we believe we are well positioned to produce our first profitable fiscal year since 2022.”

Operating Results Overview

Fiscal 2026 Second Quarter Compared to Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter

The following comparisons refer to the Company’s operating results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 ended August 1, 2026 versus the second quarter of fiscal 2025 ended August 2, 2025.

• Total net sales were $163.5 million, an increase of 8.1%. Total comparable net sales, including both physical stores and e-commerce (“e-com”), increased by 12.1%.
  • Net sales from physical stores were $129.0 million, an increase of 5.1%. The Company ended the second quarter with 220 total stores, a decrease of 12 stores or 5.2%, compared to 232 total stores at the end of the second quarter last year. Comparable net sales from physical stores increased by 10.3% relative to the comparable 13-week period ended August 2, 2025. Net sales from physical stores represented 78.9% of total net sales this year compared to 81.1% of total net sales last year.

  • Net sales from e-com were $34.5 million, an increase of 20.9%. E-com net sales represented 21.1% of total net sales this year compared to 18.9% of total net sales last year.

• Gross profit, including buying, distribution, and occupancy costs, was $58.1 million, or 35.5% of net sales, an improvement of $9.0 million or 300 basis points as a percentage of net sales compared to $49.1 million, or 32.5% of net sales, last year. Product margins improved by 140 basis points as a percentage of net sales, marking the Company’s seventh consecutive quarter with year-over-year product margin improvement. Buying, distribution, and occupancy costs improved by 160 basis points as a percentage of net sales due to carrying these costs against higher net sales this year. Lower occupancy costs primarily associated with our reduced store count were largely offset by higher e-com shipping expenses associated with e-com net sales growth.

• Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $49.9 million, or 30.5% of net sales, compared to $46.4 million, or 30.7% of net sales, last year. The $3.5 million increase in SG&A was primarily attributable to incentive bonus accruals of $1.5 million associated with achieving improved operating performance, marketing expenses of $0.8 million, and store payroll and related benefits of $0.6 million. SG&A expenses improved by 20 basis points as a percentage of net sales due to carrying these expenses against higher net sales this year.

• Operating income improved to $8.2 million, or 5.0% of net sales, compared to $2.7 million, or 1.8% of net sales, last year, due to the combined impact of the factors noted above.

• Income tax expense was $0.1 million, or 1.0% of pre-tax income, compared to an income tax benefit of $41 thousand, or (1.3)% of pre-tax income, last year. Both periods include the continuing impact of a full, non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

• Net income was $8.4 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, an improvement of $5.2 million or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to $3.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, last year. Weighted average diluted shares were 31.2 million this year compared to 30.3 million diluted shares last year.

Fiscal 2026 First Half Compared to Fiscal 2025 First Half

The following comparisons refer to the Company’s operating results for the first half of fiscal 2026 ended August 1, 2026 versus the first half of fiscal 2025 ended August 2, 2025.

• Total net sales were $288.2 million, an increase of 11.3%. Total comparable net sales, including both physical stores and e-commerce (“e-com”), increased by 16.5%.
  • Net sales from physical stores were $225.3 million, an increase of 8.0%. Comparable net sales from physical stores increased by 14.5% relative to the comparable 26-week period ended August 2, 2025. Net sales from physical stores represented 78.2% of total net sales this year compared to 80.6% of total net sales last year.

  • Net sales from e-com were $62.9 million, an increase of 25.2%. E-com net sales represented 21.8% of total net sales this year compared to 19.4% of total net sales last year.

• Gross profit, including buying, distribution, and occupancy costs, was $94.2 million, or 32.7% of net sales, an improvement of $23.8 million or 550 basis points as a percentage of net sales compared to $70.4 million, or 27.2% of net sales, last year. Product margins improved by 240 basis points primarily due to improved full-price selling associated with operating with inventories that were more current in terms of aging compared to last year as well as improved average unit retail prices on aged, clearance items. Buying, distribution, and occupancy costs improved by 310 basis points due to carrying these costs against higher net sales this year. Lower occupancy costs largely associated with our reduced store count were partially offset by higher e-com shipping expenses associated with e-com net sales growth.

• SG&A expenses were $94.1 million, or 32.6% of net sales, compared to $90.4 million, or 34.9% of net sales, last year. The $3.7 million increase in SG&A was primarily attributable to incentive bonus accruals of $1.9 million associated with achieving improved operating performance, marketing expenses of $1.4 million, and store payroll and related benefits of $1.1 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in non-cash store asset impairment charges of $1.1 million. SG&A expenses improved by 230 basis points as a percentage of net sales due to carrying these expenses against higher net sales this year.

• Operating income was $75 thousand, or 0.0% of net sales, an improvement of $20.1 million compared to an operating loss of $(20.0) million, or (7.7)% of net sales, last year, due to the combined impact of the factors noted above.

• Income tax expense was $0.2 million, or 34.3% of pre-tax income, compared to an income tax benefit of $0.2 million, or 0.9% of pre-tax loss, last year. The effective tax rate for the current period exceeded the combined federal and state statutory tax rate primarily due to state tax true-up adjustments, the impact of tax rate changes, and changes in the valuation allowance.

• Net income was $0.4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, an improvement of $19.4 million or $0.64 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(19.0) million, or $(0.63) per share, last year. Weighted average diluted shares were 30.8 million this year compared to 30.1 million shares last year.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of August 1, 2026, the Company had total available liquidity of $125.5 million, comprised of $62.2 million of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities and $63.3 million of available, undrawn borrowing capacity under its asset-backed credit facility. Total cash and cash equivalents were $50.7 million at August 2, 2025. Total inventories decreased by 1.3% compared to the end of the second quarter last year. Total year-to-date capital expenditures at the end of the second quarter were $2.8 million this year compared to $2.1 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2025.

Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter Outlook

Total comparable net sales for fiscal August ended August 29, 2026 increased by 14.6% relative to the comparable period of fiscal 2025, marking the Company’s 13th consecutive month of comparable net sales growth. Based on current and historical trends, the Company currently estimates the following for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 ending October 31, 2026:

• Net sales in the range of approximately $150 million to $155 million, translating to an estimated comparable net sales increase of 10% to 14%, respectively, relative to last year’s third quarter;

• Product margins to be slightly improved compared to last year’s third quarter;

• SG&A expenses to be approximately $47 million to $49 million;

• An estimated effective income tax rate in the low to mid-teens as a percentage of pre-tax income, with the continuing impact of a full, non-cash valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; and

• Net income of approximately $2.2 million to $3.7 million, respectively to net sales, and net income per diluted share of $0.07 to $0.12, respectively, based on approximately 32.0 million diluted shares. This compares to a net loss of $(1.4) million, or $(0.05) per share, during last year’s third quarter. These results would represent a 6th consecutive quarter of year-over-year profit improvement for the Company.

• The Company currently expects to have 220 stores open at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to 230 at the end of last year’s third quarter.

• The Company expects to end the third quarter with total liquidity of approximately $125 million or more, comprised of cash and investments of approximately $62 million to $65 million and available, undrawn borrowing capacity of approximately $63 million under its asset-back credit facility.

Conference Call Information

A conference call with analysts to discuss these financial results is scheduled for today, September 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT). Analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 423-9813 (domestic) or (201) 689-8573 (international). The conference call will also be available to interested parties through a live webcast at www.tillys.com. Please visit the website and select the “Investor Relations” link at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary software. A telephone replay of the call will be available until September 9, 2026, by dialing (844) 512-2921 (domestic) or (412) 317-6671 (international) and entering the conference identification number: 13762136.

About Tillys

Tillys is a destination specialty retailer of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for young men, young women, boys and girls with an extensive selection of iconic global, emerging, and proprietary brands rooted in an active, outdoor and social lifestyle. Tillys is headquartered in Irvine, California and currently operates 221 total stores across 32 states, as well as its website, www.tillys.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding our current operating expectations in light of historical results, the improvement in our comparable net sales trend and our ability to maintain or improve upon it, the impacts of inflation, tariffs, and potential recession on us and our customers, including on our future financial condition or operating results, expectations regarding changes in the macro-economic environment, customer traffic, our supply chain, our ability to properly manage our inventory levels, and any other statements about our future cash position, financial flexibility, expectations, plans, intentions, beliefs or prospects expressed by management are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, but they involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the impact of inflation on consumer behavior and our business and operations, supply chain difficulties, and our ability to respond thereto, our ability to respond to changing customer preferences and trends, attract customer traffic at our stores and online, execute our growth and long-term strategies, expand into new markets, grow our e-commerce business, effectively manage our inventory and costs, effectively compete with other retailers, attract talented employees, or enhance awareness of our brand and brand image, general consumer spending patterns and levels, including changes in historical spending patterns, the markets generally, our ability to satisfy our financial obligations, including under our credit facility and our leases, and other factors that are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including those detailed in the section titled “Risk Factors” and in our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.tillys.com under the heading “Investor Relations”. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We do not undertake any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This release should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Form 10-K.

 

Tilly’s, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except par value) (unaudited)
	August 1, 2026				January 31, 2026				August 2, 2025
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	52,334			$	46,313			$	50,680
Marketable securities		9,863				—				—
Receivables		12,585				6,093				10,410
Merchandise inventories		80,161				61,692				81,229
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		6,975				11,095				8,251
Total current assets		161,918				125,193				150,570
Operating lease assets		151,385				150,364				157,342
Property and equipment, net		32,087				33,504				35,844
Other assets		1,757				1,699				1,775
TOTAL ASSETS	$	347,147			$	310,760			$	345,531
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	42,349			$	21,717			$	41,703
Accrued expenses		22,574				12,102				19,327
Deferred revenue		13,159				13,290				13,004
Accrued compensation and benefits		12,605				7,903				10,121
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		45,099				41,308				44,832
Current portion of operating lease liabilities, related party		3,914				3,745				3,581
Other liabilities		50				50				119
Total current liabilities		139,750				100,115				132,687
Long-term liabilities:
Noncurrent portion of operating lease liabilities		110,300				113,305				116,205
Noncurrent portion of operating lease liabilities, related party		10,100				12,099				14,015
Other liabilities		75				99				124
Total long-term liabilities		120,475				125,503				130,344
Total liabilities		260,225				225,618				263,031
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock (Class A)		23				23				23
Common stock (Class B)		7				7				7
Preferred stock		—				—				—
Additional paid-in capital		178,049				176,755				175,648
Accumulated deficit		(91,215	)			(91,643	)			(93,178	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		58				—				—
Total stockholders’ equity		86,922				85,142				82,500
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	347,147			$	310,760			$	345,531

Tilly’s, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended							Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
	August 1, 2026			August 2, 2025				August 1, 2026			August 2, 2025
Net sales	$	163,508		$	151,256			$	288,226		$	258,867
Cost of goods sold (includes buying, distribution, and occupancy costs)		104,481			101,222				192,195			186,616
Rent expense, related party		932			932				1,864			1,864
Total cost of goods sold (includes buying, distribution, and occupancy costs)		105,413			102,154				194,059			188,480
Gross profit		58,095			49,102				94,167			70,387
Selling, general and administrative expenses		49,789			46,291				93,826			90,132
Rent expense, related party		133			133				266			266
Total selling, general and administrative expenses		49,922			46,424				94,092			90,398
Operating income (loss)		8,173			2,678				75			(20,011	)
Other income, net		294			446				576			844
Income (loss) before income taxes		8,467			3,124				651			(19,167	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		86			(41	)			223			(180	)
Net income (loss)	$	8,381		$	3,165			$	428		$	(18,987	)
Basic net income (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock	$	0.28		$	0.11			$	0.01		$	(0.63	)
Diluted net income (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock	$	0.27		$	0.10			$	0.01		$	(0.63	)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding		30,253			30,091				30,186			30,075
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding		31,159			30,266				30,824			30,075

Tilly’s, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (unaudited)
	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
	August 1, 2026				August 2, 2025
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	428			$	(18,987	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		4,429				5,606
Stock-based compensation expense		1,177				819
Impairment of assets		6				1,134
Loss on disposal of assets		4				18
Gain on maturities of marketable securities		(50	)			(363	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		(5,277	)			(6,054	)
Merchandise inventories		(18,469	)			(12,051	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		4,650				2,599
Accounts payable		20,596				30,570
Accrued expenses		9,319				6,927
Accrued compensation and benefits		4,702				703
Operating lease liabilities		(2,868	)			(3,869	)
Deferred revenue		(131	)			(1,112	)
Other liabilities		(24	)			(90	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		18,492				5,850
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities		(14,755	)			—
Purchases of property and equipment		(2,833	)			(2,051	)
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities		5,000				25,816
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		—				9
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(12,588	)			23,774
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		117				—
Net cash provided by financing activities		117				—
Change in cash and cash equivalents		6,021				29,624
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		46,313				21,056
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	52,334			$	50,680

Tilly’s, Inc. Store Count and Square Footage
	Store Count at Beginning of Quarter		New Stores Opened During Quarter		Stores Permanently Closed During Quarter		Store Count at End of Quarter		Total Gross Square Footage End of Quarter (in thousands)
2025 Q1	240		1		3		238		1,707
2025 Q2	238		1		7		232		1,657
2025 Q3	232		2		4		230		1,642
2025 Q4	230		—		7		223		1,593
2026 Q1	223		1		4		220		1,568
2026 Q2	220		1		1		220		1,569

 

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