Bath & Body Works Forecasts Tepid Annual Results on Tariffs, Spending Concerns

Bath & Body Works forecast annual sales and profit below expectations on Thursday, bracing for the impact of US tariffs on Chinese imports as well as weak consumer spending on its fragrances and scented candles.

Shares of the Ohio-based company fell 4 percent in premarket trading.

High interest rates, economic uncertainty and years of elevated inflation have prompted Americans to tighten their purse strings. Retail sales in the US dropped the most in nearly two years in January.

Customers are also switching to cheaper, private-label alternatives.

Bath & Body Works forecast fiscal 2025 net sales growth of to 1 percent to 3 percent, largely below analysts' estimates for a 2.8 percent rise, according to data compiled by LSEG.

It expects full-year 2025 earnings per share of $3.25 to $3.60, compared with expectations of $3.62.

The forecasts reflect the impact of recently enacted US tariffs on goods imported from China but excludes potential impacts from other possible tariff changes, the company said.

Still, the company’s holiday-quarter results beat estimates thanks to marketing and promotion efforts targeted at attracting younger consumers.

On an adjusted basis, Bath & Body Works posted a profit of $2.09 per share for the quarter ended February 3, compared with estimates of $2.05 per share.

Its third-quarter sales fell 4.3 percent to $2.79 billion from a year ago, narrowly beating estimates of $2.78 billion.

Separately, the company announced a share repurchase programme of up to $500 million.

By Neil J Kanatt; Editing by Devika Syamnath

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