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RL FY2027 Q1 RAISED

Ralph Lauren Corporation earnings call

Aug 06, 2026 · 09:00 ET JustinPatrice Louvet
Buzzberg read

China sales up over 40% in Q1, expected mid-teens growth for fiscal 27

Ralph Lauren reported a strong Q1 with 13% revenue growth, beating expectations on the back of robust global demand, particularly in Asia (up 25%) and North America (up 13%). The company raised its full-year guidance for revenue, gross margin, and operating margin, driven by successful brand elevation, strong AUR growth, and disciplined inventory management, despite ongoing macro uncertainties in Europe and tariff pressures. Total company Q1 revenue grew 13%, exceeding management's mid-to-high single digit outlook, led by Asia (up 25%) and North America (up 13%).

Buzzberg read China sales up over 40% in Q1, expected mid-teens growth for fiscal 27 Ralph Lauren reported a strong Q1 with 13% revenue growth, beating expectations on the back of robust global demand, particularly in Asia (up 25%) and North America (up 13%). The company raised its full-year guidance for revenue, gross margin, and operating margin, driven by successful brand elevation, strong AUR growth, and disciplined inventory management, despite ongoing macro uncertainties in Europe and tariff pressures. Total company Q1 revenue grew 13%, exceeding management's mid-to-high single digit outlook, led by Asia (up 25%) and North America (up 13%). Read full analysisCollapse analysis

Ralph Lauren reported a strong Q1 with 13% revenue growth, beating expectations on the back of robust global demand, particularly in Asia (up 25%) and North America (up 13%). The company raised its full-year guidance for revenue, gross margin, and operating margin, driven by successful brand elevation, strong AUR growth, and disciplined inventory management, despite ongoing macro uncertainties in Europe and tariff pressures. Total company Q1 revenue grew 13%, exceeding management's mid-to-high single digit outlook, led by Asia (up 25%) and North America (up 13%).

  • Full-year revenue guidance raised to 5-6% constant currency growth, with operating margin expansion range increased to 60-80 bps.
  • AUR growth of 15% in Q1 reflects strong full-price selling and brand elevation, supported by a 130 bps gross margin expansion to 73.6%.
  • China's revenue grew over 40% in Q1, but management guides to a more conservative 'mid-teens' growth for the full year, implying a significant deceleration in H2.
Revenue $1.9598B -1% QoQ
EPS $4.59 reported
Gross margin 73.69% reported
Op margin 17.47% reported

What changed this quarter

01
Demand

China sales up over 40% in Q1, expected mid-teens growth for fiscal 27

Management reported strong demand signaled by double-digit comp growth (global comps +12%), with Asia leading (sales +25%, China +40%), North America +13%, and Europe +5%. They raised full-year revenue guidance from 4-5% to 5-6% driven by brand momentum, while noting a prudent…

02
Guidance

Full-year revenue guidance raised to 5-6% growth

Guidance · revenue to 5.5%

03
Pricing

AUR growth expected to drive margin expansion despite tariffs

Full-year revenue guidance raised to 5-6% constant currency growth, with operating margin expansion range increased to 60-80 bps.

04
Marketing

Marketing investment increased to 8.2% of sales, expected ~8% for fiscal 27

AUR growth of 15% in Q1 reflects strong full-price selling and brand elevation, supported by a 130 bps gross margin expansion to 73.6%.

AI, capex & demand read

AI

Platform & monetization

Management discussed using AI and analytics to enhance creativity, productivity, and customer engagement, improving digital commerce user experience and expanding brand discoverability across LLMs. They are also participating in select AI tests to understand evolving consumer behavior on newer platforms.

Demand

Bookings & conversion

Management reported strong demand signaled by double-digit comp growth (global comps +12%), with Asia leading (sales +25%, China +40%), North America +13%, and Europe +5%. They raised full-year revenue guidance from 4-5% to 5-6% driven by brand momentum, while noting a prudent view on Europe due to macroeconomic uncertainty.

Capex

Investment and capacity

Management did not specifically discuss capital expenditure or infrastructure investment.

Tone · Confident and Upbeat

Management expressed confidence in brand momentum, raising full-year guidance and highlighting strong performance across regions, while acknowledging macro headwinds in Europe with a prudent outlook.

Supply-chain alpha

A1

The company is counting on a sharp step-up in US tariff rates in the back half of the fiscal year (from ~10% to high teens), a key assumption for its margin outlook.

“we are maintaining our assumption of approximately 10% tariff rates through the first half of this year, followed by a return to reciprocal rates in the high teens during the second half, in anticipation of additional tariffs.”
Justin
A2

Ralph Lauren is accelerating the closure of lower-tier full-price stores and off-price sales in North America, which will act as a drag on revenue growth in the second half of the year.

“we plan to accelerate our strategic reduction of off-price sales and exit of lower-tier full-price stores in the back half of the year. As a result, we continue to expect stronger North America wholesale performance in the first half, foll…”
Justin
A3

China sales are expected to normalize to mid-teens growth for fiscal '27 after a 40% surge in Q1, implying a significant deceleration in the back half of the year.

“As we look ahead for this fiscal year, We expect China to be around mid-teens. Remember, in the back half, we're going to be anniversarying some pretty high levels of performance.”
Patrice Louvet

Forward guidance

RaisedGuidance · revenue to 5.5%
Forward guidance
MetricPeriodRangeMidpointStatus
Gross marginFY202750%–70%60%RAISED
Op marginFY202760%–80%70%RAISED
Op marginFY2027 Q280%–100%90%GUIDED
RevenueFY20275%–6%5.5%RAISED
RevenueFY2027 Q25%–6%5.5%GUIDED

Guidance credibility

2 / 2met or beat
Guidance credibility
IssuedMetricTargetGuideActualOutcome
FY2026 Q3Op marginFY2026 Q4-1.2%–-0.8%7.92%Met / beat
FY2026 Q2Op marginFY2026 Q30.006%–0.008%20.91%Met / beat