J.Jill Q2 net sales increase to 154.8 million dollars

Womenswear retailer J.Jill recorded net sales of 154.8 million dollars, up 0.5 percent for the second quarter ended August 1, 2026 compared to 154 million dollars in the same quarter of fiscal 2025.

Total company comparable sales, which include stores and direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales, increased by 0.5 percent. D2C net sales represented 47.1 percent of total revenue, rising 1.9 percent year-over-year (YoY).

Net income for the quarter reached 16.8 million dollars, or 1.11 dollars per diluted share, up from 10.5 million dollars, or 0.69 dollars per diluted share, in the prior year period. Results benefited from the receipt of 13.3 million dollars in net tariff refunds.

“Our second quarter results reflect progress across each of our three strategic priorities – evolving the product assortment, enhancing the customer journey, and advancing the way we work,” said Mary Ellen Coyne, president and chief executive officer of J.Jill. “We delivered sales that exceeded our expectations, with underlying profitability at the high end of our outlook before the benefit of tariff refunds.”

Gross margin expands on tariff refund benefit

Gross profit reached 119 million dollars compared to 105.4 million dollars in the second quarter of fiscal 2025. Gross margin expanded to 76.8 percent from 68.4 percent last year. Excluding the 13.3 million dollars from net tariff refunds, gross margin stood at 68.3 percent.

Operating income grew to 24.3 million dollars, delivering an operating margin of 15.7 percent. Adjusted income from operations, which includes the net tariff refunds, stood at 27.1 million dollars compared to 19.6 million dollars in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA reached 32.8 million dollars, though excluding tariff refunds and strategic investments, adjusted EBITDA was 20.1 million dollars.

For the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2026, net sales dropped 2.7 percent to 299.3 million dollars, with total comparable sales down 4.2 percent. Net income for the 26-week period stood at 21.5 million dollars compared to 22.2 million dollars in fiscal 2025.

J.Jill did not open or close any retail locations during the second quarter, ending the period with 255 stores compared to 247 stores at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2025. Over the first 26 weeks, the retailer opened one store and closed two.

Full-year outlook raised

For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, J.Jill expects net sales to grow 3 percent to 5 percent YoY, with comparable sales up 1 percent to 3 percent. Gross margin is expected to remain flat, while adjusted EBITDA is projected between 20 million dollars and 22 million dollars.

For the full fiscal year 2026, the company raised its guidance, expecting net sales to be flat to up 2 percent. Comparable sales are projected between a 1 percent decline and a 1 percent increase, with gross margin expanding 100 to 150 basis points. Full-year adjusted EBITDA is expected to reach 75 million dollars to 80 million dollars, supported by capital expenditures of 20 million dollars to 25 million dollars and one to three net new store openings.

During the quarter, J.Jill repurchased 99,902 shares of common stock for 1.5 million dollars. The board also declared a cash dividend of 0.09 dollars per share, payable on October 7, 2026.