GIORDANO INT'L (00709) announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, achieving revenue of approximately HK$1.036 billion, representing a 3.9% increase compared to the same period last year. During the quarter, the group's retail revenue and same-store sales grew by 7.4% and 8.2% respectively, demonstrating resilient business performance despite escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Most key markets recorded growth, with Greater China delivering a strong performance, rising 7.8% year-on-year. This was primarily driven by improved conditions in the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets, alongside a significant 46.7% surge in online sales from Mainland China. In Southeast Asia, the business achieved steady mid-single-digit growth, with Singapore and Thailand performing particularly well and acting as the main drivers for regional expansion. Revenue from the Gulf Cooperation Council markets declined by 5.2%, influenced by a sudden escalation of regional tensions in late February which led to more cautious consumer sentiment; nevertheless, this modest decrease indicates a fundamentally solid business. Excluding the impact from the Gulf Cooperation Council markets, retail revenue growth would have reached 10.8%. Benefiting from a more attractive product mix and more precise in-season execution, online operations showed robust performance in most markets, including Mainland China, surging 40.5% year-on-year. Leveraging this momentum, the company will continue to focus on digital transformation and introduce further initiatives to expand its global e-commerce footprint while optimizing the end-to-end customer experience. Short-term priorities include upgrading websites and application interfaces to enhance customer support tools and create a smoother, more interactive shopping environment. The company is preparing to launch additional solutions to broaden its worldwide e-commerce presence, implementing the digital core pillar of its 'Boundless' strategy. Wholesale revenue decreased by 19.1%, mainly due to inventory adjustments at the South Korean joint venture, in which the group holds a 48.5% interest, leading to reduced shipments. The decline also reflects an ongoing reorganization of the Mainland China business to optimize its footprint, including adjustments to franchise stores. Despite the drag from the wholesale segment, the group's total revenue still achieved a 3.9% increase. Excluding the negative impact from the Gulf Cooperation Council markets, the group's revenue growth would have been 6.1%.