Wolverine reports 11% revenue growth in Q1

U.S. footwear group Wolverine Worldwide announced on Thursday revenue climbed 11% to $457.6 million, for the first quarter ended April 4, driven by strong performances from its Merrell and Saucony brands.

The Rockford, Michigan-based footwear and apparel firm said international sales climbed 20% to $249.6 million, reflecting continued expansion outside the U.S., while direct-to-consumer sales increased 3% to $99.3 million.

By brand, Merrell revenue increased 12.7% to $169.7 million, while Saucony posted a 20.1% gain to $155.9 million. The company’s Wolverine brand declined 2.5% to $36.4 million, while Sweaty Betty edged up 1.5% to $38.6 million.

“The team delivered a solid start to 2026, with first quarter revenue, gross margin, and earnings per share all exceeding our expectations,” said Chris Hufnagel, president and chief executive officer of Wolverine Worldwide.

 “I believe we’re better brand builders today – led by Merrell and Saucony – with encouraging progress now evident across our broader portfolio. We’re executing our strategies with pace, navigating a dynamic operating environment by leaning into what we do best – building awesome products, telling amazing stories, and driving the business forward each day.”

Looking ahead, Wolverine maintained its full-year 2026 outlook, projecting revenue between $1.96 billion and $1.985 billion, representing growth of roughly 4.6% to 5.9%. The company expects adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.43 to $1.58, up from prior guidance, alongside an operating margin improvement to approximately 9.2%.

This month, the footwear group made three new leadership appointments within its work group portfolio, which includes Wolverine, 1000 Mile by Wolverine, CatFootwear, Merrell Work, Bates, HyTest, and Harley-Davidson Footwear.