Is Ralph Lauren's AI Strategy Enhancing Customer Experience?

Ralph Lauren Corporation RL continues to invest strategically in advanced analytics, technology and artificial intelligence to better serve consumers and improve efficiency across its operations. As part of this effort, the company is advancing capabilities designed to enhance creativity, productivity and customer engagement. These investments reflect Ralph Lauren's broader focus on using technology and analytics to strengthen its capabilities while supporting consumers and business operations.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company continued to advance its digital and AI capabilities by improving user experiences across its digital commerce sites and expanding brand discoverability across key large language models. Ralph Lauren also participated in select AI tests to better understand evolving consumer behavior on these newer platforms. These initiatives reflect the company's efforts to improve brand discoverability on emerging digital platforms and gain a better understanding of how consumers engage with its brands through these platforms.

The company also expanded its direct-to-consumer customer base, adding 1.5 million new customers during the period, led by its digital commerce sites and stores . It continued to make progress across key brand equity measures, including higher Net Promoter Scores and improved luxury perception scores. The company also continued recruiting key consumer groups, including women, luxury consumers and younger customers. Together, these developments indicate continued progress in customer recruitment and key measures of consumer and brand perception.

Overall, Ralph Lauren's AI and digital initiatives appear focused on improving online user experiences, expanding brand discoverability and helping the company better understand evolving consumer behavior. These efforts could support stronger customer engagement and contribute to an improved customer experience over time.

The Zacks Rundown for RL

Ralph Lauren’s shares have lost 4.2% in the past three months against the industry’s 2% growth.

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From a valuation standpoint, RL trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.36 compared with the industry’s average of 14.71. Ralph Lauren currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RL’s current and next fiscal-year earnings implies a rise of 13.3% and 10.6%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.

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Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

Kontoor Brands, Inc. KTB, a lifestyle apparel company, designs, manufactures, procures, sells and licenses apparel, footwear and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler, Lee and Helly Hansen brands. At present, KTB carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KTB’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a decline of 14.3% and 6.1%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. KTB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.4%, on average.

Savers Value Village, Inc. SVV, a thrift operator, sells second-hand merchandise in retail stores in the United States, Canada and Australia. SVV currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SVV’s current financial-year sales and earnings is expected to rise 6.1% and 6.7%, respectively, from the corresponding year-ago reported figures. SVV delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 1.6%, on average.

Superior Group of Companies, Inc. SGC produces, manufactures and sells promotional products and branded uniforms, and healthcare apparel and accessories in the United States and internationally. At present, SGC carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SGC’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 3.1% and 39.1%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. SGC delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 90.2%, on average.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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