Chair and CEO Linda Rendle on Q2 FY26 performance and outlook
By Linda Rendle, Chair and Chief Executive Officer
We just reported our second quarter earnings results. One thing remains clear: consumers continue to face real pressure, and they are making more intentional, value‑driven choices. Against that backdrop, and as we worked through the final phase of our U.S. ERP implementation, our second‑quarter results came in generally in line with expectations, with sales slightly better than anticipated and our plans for the year firmly on track.
While the macro environment remains volatile, we are focused on what we can control: showing up for consumers with superior value and thoughtful innovation across our portfolio of trusted brands. As we move into the second half of the year, our focus is on driving category growth and building momentum throughout our portfolio with enhanced plans and execution.
Our transformation is enabling us to do exactly that. With a new operating model underpinned by our digital transformation, we’re scaling capabilities, accelerating decision‑making, and enhancing how we serve customers and consumers across channels. We have fully rebuilt gross margin through our holistic margin management program, while advancing our revenue growth management capabilities to enable more insights‑driven execution. Together, these actions allow us to deliver bigger, stickier innovation platforms and better shopping experiences. This is giving us confidence in the long‑term opportunities ahead.
We are entering the back half of the year with strong, consumer‑led innovation across our portfolio. The launch of Clorox PURE offers a first‑of‑its‑kind platform designed with allergists and powered by new AllerFresh™ technology. Across our brands, we’re refining value propositions to reflect evolving shopping habits — from optimizing sizing and pricing for Hidden Valley Ranch and introducing a new avocado oil offering, to building on Glad’s ForceFlex platform with LeakGuard innovation, expanding Scentiva with new scented bleach offerings, and expanding lip care platform offerings in Burt’s Bees. We’re also beginning the early phase of our Fresh Step relaunch, focused on re‑engaging consumers and strengthening competitiveness over time.
We also recently marked an important milestone for our company: the completion of the final phase of our U.S. ERP transformation. With implementation now behind us, we are fully focused on leveraging this platform to strengthen our digital backbone by unlocking real-time visibility, stronger demand planning, and faster execution — all in service of delivering superior value at a time when our consumers need it most.
We also took a meaningful strategic step forward with our agreement to acquire GOJO Industries, the makers of Purell®. GOJO strengthens our leadership in health and hygiene, adds a stable and accretive growth engine, and aligns with our purpose‑driven, science‑based approach to innovation. We’re excited about the growth opportunities ahead, and we are confident in our ability to integrate in a way that preserves the capabilities and relationships that make GOJO successful.
Looking ahead, we remain confident in our strategy and the strengthened foundation we’ve built. While the external environment will remain uncertain, we are prepared to navigate with discipline, execute with focus, and deliver for the consumers who rely on our trusted brands every day.
I’m deeply grateful to our teammates around the world for their dedication and resilience as we continue to transform our company and show up for consumers when it matters most.
