Levi Strauss Delivers Strong Q1 Results, Raises Full-Year Outlook

Company highlights broad-based momentum across regions, channels, and product categories

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:08pm by Ben Kaplan

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of premium denim jeans, a leather belt, and a pair of leather boots arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conceptually representing Levi Strauss' focus on quality, craftsmanship, and its evolution as a denim lifestyle brand.Levi Strauss' premium denim offerings and lifestyle products reflect the brand's continued focus on quality, innovation, and its evolution as a leading global denim lifestyle company.San Francisco Today

Levi Strauss & Co. reported a 'strong start' to fiscal 2026, delivering first-quarter results that exceeded expectations on both revenue and profitability. The company cited broad-based momentum across regions, channels, and product categories, alongside continued progress in its shift toward becoming a more direct-to-consumer (DTC)-first denim lifestyle company.

Why it matters

Levi Strauss' performance reflects the company's ability to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment and execute on its strategic priorities, including premiumization, digital transformation, and brand-building. The results and raised guidance suggest the iconic denim brand is resonating with consumers and gaining market share.

The details

Key highlights from the quarter include 9% organic revenue growth, with double-digit increases in Europe and Asia, and 7% growth in the Americas. DTC revenue grew 10% with comparable sales up 7%, marking the company's 16th consecutive quarter of positive comps. Wholesale revenue also grew 8%, exceeding expectations. The company cited strength across newer lifestyle categories and continued growth in core denim, with women's revenue up 13% and men's up 7%. Levi Strauss also emphasized brand activations, collaborations, and product innovations, including updates to the 501 franchise and growth in premium Blue Tab offerings.

  • Levi Strauss closed the Dockers transaction during the first quarter.
  • The company launched its new global 'Behind Every Original' campaign during the Super Bowl, generating over 1.4 billion media impressions in February alone.

The players

Levi Strauss & Co.

A global apparel company best known for its denim jeans and casual wear, founded in 1853 in San Francisco.

Michelle Gass

President and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.

Harmit Singh

Chief Financial and Growth Officer of Levi Strauss & Co., who will be retiring after a planned transition.

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What they’re saying

“We delivered high single-digit organic net revenue growth, with growth across all regions and channels. This reflects the broad-based momentum we are seeing in the business as we continue to execute on our strategies to become a more DTC-first, denim lifestyle company.”

— Michelle Gass, President and CEO

“We are raising our full-year outlook, reflecting the strong start to the year and our confidence in the business. At the same time, we remain prudent given the macro environment and the early stage of the year.”

— Harmit Singh, Chief Financial and Growth Officer

What’s next

The company has initiated a comprehensive search for a new CFO to replace the retiring Harmit Singh, who will remain in his role until a successor is appointed and then serve as an advisor during a planned transition.

The takeaway

Levi Strauss' strong first-quarter performance and raised guidance demonstrate the company's ability to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment and execute on its strategic priorities, including digital transformation, brand-building, and premiumization. The results suggest the iconic denim brand continues to resonate with consumers and gain market share.