GlobalData vs NielsenIQ

Victoria's Secret embraces nostalgia and entertainment as Q2 sales rise

Victoria's Secret & Co. is leveraging nostalgia and entertainment to re-engage shoppers, according to comments from CEO Hillary Super after the company's Q2 earnings. The lingerie retailer expanded its fragrance portfolio with iterations like Tease Strawberry Bisou and archive drops such as Pink's square bottle scents, which sold out online in under a day. The company also positioned itself as an entertainment brand, premiering the YouTube docuseries 'Angels Among Us' this month. Victoria's Secret reported Q2 net sales of $1.6 billion, up 10% year over year, with 9% comp growth and net income topping $85 million. The company raised its full-year sales guidance to $7.1 billion to $7.18 billion and expects adjusted operating income of up to $590 million, citing strong performance in bras, Pink, beauty, and all channels.

• Victoria's Secret & Co. reported Q2 net sales of $1.6 billion, up 10% year over year.
• Comparable sales rose 9% in Q2, with brick-and-mortar comps growing 7%.
• Net income in Q2 nearly tripled to more than $85 million.

Dillard's Gains Market Share in Q2

Dillard’s reported modest Q2 retail sales growth as comparable sales rose 1% and total retail sales (excluding construction) reached $1.5 billion. The company’s gross margin expanded to 40.9% and net income increased 34% to $97.7 million, partly driven by $37.2 million in tariff refunds that accounted for most of the margin improvement. Category performance was mixed: gains in accessories, lingerie, home, shoes, beauty and men’s, while children’s, juniors and women’s apparel declined. GlobalData analysis and company commentary indicated the apparel weakness reflected lower consumer spending rather than defections to competitors; inventory at quarter end rose about 5% year over year. UBS analysts had expected flat comps, so Dillard’s 1% comp rise beat those expectations.

• Dillard’s Q2 retail sales (excluding construction) were $1.5 billion, with comps up 1% year over year.
• The company received $37.2 million in tariff refunds, which accounted for 260 of the 280 basis-point gross margin increase.
• Gross margin reached 40.9% in Q2.

Adidas apparel outshines footwear in World Cup quarter

Adidas reported a 13% year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenues to €6.7 billion, led by a 34% jump in apparel net sales while footwear remained flat and accessories rose 18%. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) net sales grew 24% versus 6% wholesale growth. The company increased marketing and point-of-sale spending by 30% to capitalize on the World Cup, which weighed on Q2 operating margin. Adidas announced a CFO transition: outgoing CFO Harm Ohlmeyer will be succeeded by former Adidas employee Birgit Kretschmer, who will join the executive board on Sept. 1. Regional strength came from Latin America, North America and Greater China.

• Adidas' Q2 revenues rose 13% year-over-year to €6.7 billion (about $7.8 billion).
• Apparel net sales increased 34% in the second quarter; footwear sales were flat; accessories rose 18%.
• Direct-to-consumer (DTC) net sales increased 24%, while wholesale grew 6%.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for NielsenIQ (2026-08-10)

NIQ Global Intelligence plc reported its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2026. For Q2 2026, consolidated revenue increased 8.0% year-over-year to $1,124.2 million, driven by solid demand across both Intelligence ($905.3 million) and Activation ($218.9 million) solutions and broad geographic growth across the Americas and EMEA. Operating income rose 65.7% to $65.3 million, supported by operating discipline and restructuring initiatives under the 2026 Program, while net loss narrowed to $(28.2) million compared to $(0.8) million in Q2 2025 primarily due to foreign exchange differences and income tax provisions. Interest expense decreased significantly from $95.2 million to $55.1 million following debt repayments funded by the July 2025 IPO proceeds and subsequent debt refinancings.

• Q2 2026 total revenue reached $1,124.2 million, an 8.0% YoY increase (5.8% organic constant currency growth), with six-month revenue reaching $2,196.9 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2026 grew 21.9% YoY to $261.9 million, expanding Adjusted EBITDA margin by 270 basis points to 23.3%.
• Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2026 improved to $76.5 million from $(162.2) million in the prior-year period.

NIQ Brings New AI and Automation Capabilities to Retail Space Planning and Merchandising

NIQ announced new AI and automation capabilities for retail space planning and merchandising, published on October 2, 2026.

NIQ Expands Google Relationship with Meridian Integration into NIQ Cadence

NIQ announces expansion of its Google relationship with the integration of Meridian into NIQ Cadence, as featured in a new press release dated 30 September 2026.