Dillard's

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the footnotes thereto included elsewhere in this report, as well as the financial and other information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

The Company reported a good start to fiscal 2026, marked by a 3% comparable store sales growth for the first quarter supported by a strong, increased retail gross margin of 45.8% of sales.

For the three months ended May 2, 2026, the Company reported net income of $250.6 million ($16.04 per share) compared to net income of $163.8 million ($10.39 per share) for the three months ended May 3, 2025. Included in net income for the 13 weeks ended May 2, 2026 is 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 credit card interchange fees.

Compared to the prior year first quarter, both total retail sales (which exclude construction sales) and comparable store sales increased 3%. Retail gross margin increased to 45.8% of sales from 45.5% reported in the prior year first quarter. Ending inventory increased 3% at May 2, 2026 compared to May 3, 2025.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended May 2, 2026 were $444.0 million (28.3% of sales) compared to $421.7 million (27.6% of sales) for the prior year first quarter. The increase of $22.3 million was largely due to higher payroll and payroll-related expenses.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $364.0 million for the three months ended May 2, 2026 compared to $232.6 million for the prior year first quarter.

As of May 2, 2026, the Company had working capital of $1.760 billion (including cash and cash equivalents of $1.158 billion and short-term investments of $259.7 million) and $521.7 million of total debt outstanding, including one scheduled debt maturity of $96.0 million due July 2026, $225.7 million of long-term debt and $200.0 million of subordinated debentures.

The Company operated 272 Dillard’s stores, including 28 clearance centers, and an internet store as of May 2, 2026.

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Key Performance Indicators

We use a number of key indicators of financial condition and operating performance to evaluate our business, including the following:

General

Net sales. Net sales includes merchandise sales of comparable and non-comparable stores and revenue recognized on contracts of CDI Contractors, LLC (“CDI”), the Company’s general contracting construction company. Comparable store sales includes sales for those stores which were in operation for a full period in both the most recently completed quarter and the corresponding quarter for the prior fiscal year, including our internet store. Comparable store sales excludes changes in the allowance for sales returns. Non-comparable store sales includes: sales in the current fiscal year from stores opened during the previous fiscal year before they are considered comparable stores; sales from new stores opened during the current fiscal year; sales in the previous fiscal year for stores closed during the current or previous fiscal year that are no longer considered comparable stores; sales in clearance centers; and changes in the allowance for sales returns.

Sales occur as a result of interaction with customers across multiple points of contact, creating an interdependence between in-store and online sales. Online orders are fulfilled from both fulfillment centers and retail stores. Additionally, online customers have the ability to buy online and pick up in-store. Retail in-store customers have the ability to purchase items that may be ordered and fulfilled from either a fulfillment center or another retail store location. Online customers may return orders via mail, or customers may return orders placed online to retail store locations. Customers who earn reward points under the private label credit card program may earn and redeem rewards through in-store or online purchases.

Service charges and other income. Service charges and other income includes income generated through the Company’s long-term private label credit card marketing and servicing alliance with Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank Alliance”). Other income includes rental income, shipping and handling fees and gift card breakage.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise sold (net of purchase discounts, non-specific margin maintenance allowances and merchandise margin maintenance allowances), bankcard fees, freight to the distribution centers, employee and promotional discounts, shipping to customers and direct payroll for salon personnel. Cost of sales also includes CDI contract costs, which comprise all direct material and labor costs, subcontract costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, employee benefits and insurance program costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses include buying, occupancy, selling, distribution, warehousing, store and corporate expenses (including payroll and employee benefits), insurance, employment taxes, advertising, management information systems, legal and other corporate level expenses. Buying expenses consist of payroll, employee benefits and travel for design, buying and merchandising personnel.

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Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses include depreciation and amortization on property and equipment.

Rentals. Rentals includes expenses for store leases, including contingent rent, data processing and other equipment rentals and office space leases.

Interest and debt (income) expense, net. Interest and debt (income) expense includes interest, net of interest income from demand deposits and short-term investments and capitalized interest, relating to the Company’s unsecured notes, subordinated debentures and commitment fees and borrowings, if any, under the Company’s credit agreement. Interest and debt expense also includes the amortization of financing costs and interest on finance lease obligations, if any.

Other expense. Other expense includes the interest cost and net actuarial loss components of net periodic benefit costs related to the Company’s unfunded, nonqualified defined benefit plan and charges related to the write off of certain deferred financing fees in connection with the amendment and extension of the Company's secured revolving credit facility, if any.

Gain on litigation settlement. Gain on litigation settlement includes the proceeds received, net of legal expenses, from the settlement of credit card interchange fee litigation.

Gain on disposal of assets. Gain on disposal of assets includes the net gain or loss on the sale or disposal of property and equipment, as well as gains from insurance proceeds in excess of the cost basis of insured assets, if any.

Seasonality

Our business, like many other retailers, is subject to seasonal influences, with a significant portion of sales and income typically realized during the last quarter of our fiscal year due to the holiday season. Because of the seasonality of our business, results from any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth the results of operations as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated (percentages may not foot due to rounding):

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Net Sales

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The percent change by segment and product category in the Company’s sales for the three months ended May 2, 2026 compared to the three months ended May 3, 2025 as well as the sales percentage by segment and product category to total net sales for the three months ended May 2, 2026 are as follows: 

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Net sales from the retail operations segment increased $50.2 million, or approximately 3%, and sales in comparable stores increased approximately 3% during the three months ended May 2, 2026 compared to the three months ended May 3, 2025. Sales in home and furniture, ladies’ accessories and lingerie and shoes increased significantly. Sales in men’s apparel and accessories, juniors’ and children’s apparel and ladies’ apparel increased moderately, while sales in cosmetics increased slightly.

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The number of sales transactions decreased 3% for the three months ended May 2, 2026 compared to the three months ended May 3, 2025, while the average dollars per sales transaction increased 7%.

We recorded a return asset of $13.4 million and $13.9 million and an allowance for sales returns of $26.6 million and $27.4 million as of May 2, 2026 and May 3, 2025, respectively.

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During the three months ended May 2, 2026, net sales from the construction segment decreased $10.7 million, or approximately 18%, compared to the three months ended May 3, 2025 due to a decrease in construction activity. The remaining performance obligations related to executed construction contracts totaled $176.9 million as of May 2, 2026, increasing approximately 26% from January 31, 2026 and increasing approximately 2% from May 3, 2025. We expect these remaining performance obligations to be satisfied over the next nine to eighteen months.

Service Charges and Other Income

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Service charges and other income includes the income from the Citibank Alliance. Income from the alliance increased $3.4 million for the three months ended May 2, 2026 compared to the three months ended May 3, 2025, primarily from decreases in credit losses.

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Gross Margin

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