LightInTheBox (NYSE:LITB) reported a stronger start to 2026, with management pointing to continued profitability, renewed revenue growth and momentum in its branded apparel business during the company’s first-quarter earnings call.
Chief Executive Officer Jian He said the company achieved its eighth consecutive profitable quarter and posted what he described as a record first-quarter profit since 2022. Net income for the quarter was $1.2 million, compared with $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2025.
Revenue Returns to Double-Digit Growth
LightInTheBox reported first-quarter revenue of $52 million, up 11% from the prior-year period. He said the quarter marked the company’s second consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth, with revenue returning to double-digit growth.
Chief Financial Officer Suhai Ji said the first-quarter performance reflected a sustained turnaround in both profitability and revenue. He noted that the company had recorded year-over-year revenue declines in the first three quarters of last year before returning to growth.
“We have successfully engineered a sustained business turnaround, not only on profit, but also on revenues,” Ji said.
Branded Apparel Drives Momentum
Management highlighted branded apparel as a key growth area. He said the company’s branded apparel business grew more than 81% year over year in the first quarter and accounted for 24% of total revenue, up from 15% in the first quarter of 2025.
He said the performance reflected the company’s strategy to evolve the LightInTheBox online platform into a broader consumer lifestyle company. He cited highly customized products tied to festivals, holidays and special occasions, as well as a brand matrix strategy across women’s fashion, golf apparel and light party jerseys.
According to He, those initiatives are helping the company drive stronger customer engagement and loyalty.
Margins Remain Stable as Expenses Rise More Slowly Than Revenue
Ji said first-quarter gross profit was $34 million, up 10% year over year. Gross margin remained relatively stable at 65%.
Total operating expenses rose 7% year over year to $33 million. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses declined to 63% from 65% in the prior-year period.
- Fulfillment expenses increased 5% to $4 million, reflecting higher revenue.
- Selling and marketing expenses increased 13% to $25 million.
- General and administrative expenses decreased 15% to $4 million.
Ji said the expense profile helped support the company’s improved profitability during the quarter.
Management Points to Continued Growth in 2026
He said LightInTheBox had a “very good head start” to 2026 and emphasized that the company sustained profitability through disciplined cost control. He also referenced the company’s ongoing share repurchase program and said management believes LightInTheBox is positioned to pursue continued revenue and profit growth, as well as greater shareholder value, through the rest of the year.
Ji echoed that view, saying the company had a “remarkable turnaround year” in 2025 and is carrying that momentum into 2026. He said management remains confident that 2026 will be another successful year for the company.
The call concluded without any questions from analysts or investors during the question-and-answer session.
About LightInTheBox (NYSE:LITB)
LightInTheBox Co, Ltd. is a China-based global online retailer specializing in direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Headquartered in Beijing, the company operates two primary platforms—LightInTheBox and MiniInTheBox—that cater to customers around the world. Through these websites and mobile applications, it offers a broad range of merchandise, from fashion apparel and accessories to home and garden products, electronics, and wedding essentials.
Since its founding in 2007, LightInTheBox has focused on providing affordable, trend-driven items sourced from a network of suppliers in Asia.
