Grocery Outlet

Grocery Outlet (GO) Q1 2026 Earnings

Reported May 13, 2026 at 4:03 PM ET · SEC Source

Q1 26 EPS

$0.05

BEAT +120.26%

Est. $0.02

Q1 26 Revenue

$1.17B

BEAT +1.38%

Est. $1.15B

vs S&P Since Q1 26

+23.8%

BEATING MARKET

GO +24.8% vs S&P +0.9%

Market Reaction

Did GO Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. Delivered a first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings beat that masked a deeply turbulent period beneath the headline numbers, as the extreme-value grocer posted adjusted EPS of $0.05, clearing the $0.02 consensus estimate by 12… Read more Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. Delivered a first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings beat that masked a deeply turbulent period beneath the headline numbers, as the extreme-value grocer posted adjusted EPS of $0.05, clearing the $0.02 consensus estimate by 120.26%, while revenue of $1.17 billion edged past expectations by 1.38% and grew 3.6% year over year. The cleaner adjusted figures, however, stood in stark contrast to a GAAP net loss of $180.32 million, or $(1.83) per diluted share, driven primarily by a $158.00 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge triggered by a decline in market capitalization, compounded by $18.20 million in restructuring costs tied to the closure of 36 underperforming stores under a newly adopted Optimization Plan. Comparable store sales slipped 1.0%, and adjusted EBITDA compressed to $43.10 million from $51.90 million a year ago. The company, which also faces pending securities class action litigation from investors, reaffirmed full-year guidance calling for net sales of $4.60 billion to $4.72 billion and diluted adjusted EPS of $0.45 to $0.55.

Key Takeaways

  • Net sales increased 3.6% driven by new store sales, partially offset by 1.0% decline in comparable store sales
  • Comparable store sales decline driven by 3.1% decrease in average transaction size, partially offset by 2.1% increase in number of transactions
  • Gross margin declined 80 basis points to 29.6%, including 50 basis point impact from inventory markdowns and write-offs from Optimization Plan store closures
  • SG&A increased 40 basis points as percentage of net sales due to higher professional fees, commissions and growth-related costs
  • $158 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge resulting from decline in market capitalization
  • $18.2 million in restructuring charges related to Optimization Plan

GO Forward Guidance & Outlook

The company reaffirmed its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance: 30-33 net new store openings (excluding Optimization Plan closures), net sales of $4.60-$4.72 billion, comparable store sales change of -2.0% to 0.0%, gross margin of 29.7%-30.0%, adjusted EBITDA of $220-$235 million, diluted adjusted EPS of $0.45-$0.55, and capital expenditures (net of tenant improvement allowances) of $170 million. Restructuring charges related to the Optimization Plan are estimated at $20-$27 million in total across fiscal 2026 and 2027.

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GO YoY Financials

Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025, source: SEC Filings

“We delivered first quarter results consistent with our guidance, as our work to strengthen the business drove sequential improvements in comp-store sales throughout the quarter.”

— Jason Potter, Q1 2026 Earnings Press Release