WA,Inc. announced an outlook for a significant decline in operating profit for the first half of 2027. At the same time, the company is reportedly considering strengthening its women's footwear brands and expanding and revising the conditions for its shareholder benefits.
WA,Inc.'s first-half operating profit fell sharply, with lower store sales and higher advertising expenses cited as factors behind the decline. As a result, its standalone monthly trends show growth online, while store performance remains sluggish.
The company has kept its full-year earnings forecast unchanged and indicated that it plans to maintain its business portfolio, including the “ORiental TRaffic” brand, which operates an integrated women's footwear manufacturing and retail business. This has been accompanied by signs of a stronger brand strategy.
The company is also reportedly reviewing changes to its shareholder benefit programme, including revisions to the holding-period requirements and shareholding tiers. The changes are expected to include the addition of products from October 2026 and changes to the shareholding tiers from the end of July 2027.