ST. LOUIS, February 18, 2026 -- Caleres (NYSE: CAL), a market-leading portfolio of consumer-driven footwear brands, has once again received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRCF) 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies, practices and benefits related to LGBTQ+ employees. Caleres is among 534 businesses that have been honored with HRCF’s Equality 100 Award as Leaders in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.
“A respectful and inclusive workplace is not only a critical component of our culture at Caleres, but it’s also key to our success,” said Jay Schmidt, president and CEO of Caleres. “When people of all backgrounds and experiences thrive, creativity and empowerment flourish. I’m proud that Caleres has been recognized once again by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for our commitment to all our Associates.”
The CEI rates employers providing these protections to more than 22 million U.S. workers across hundreds of public and private mid- to large-sized businesses. It rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:
- Comprehensive non-discrimination protections
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ employees and their families
- Inclusive internal culture for all employees
- External outreach and engagement
The full report is available at www.hrc.org/cei.
About Caleres
Caleres is a market-leading portfolio of global footwear brands that includes Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Stuart Weitzman, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer, Vionic and more. Our products are available virtually everywhere - in the nearly 1,000 retail stores we operate, in hundreds of major department and specialty stores, on our branded e-commerce sites, and on many additional third-party retail platforms. Combined, these brands make Caleres a company with both a legacy and a mission. Our legacy is nearly 150 years of craftsmanship and our passion for fit, while our mission is to continue to inspire people to feel great… feet first. Visit caleres.com to learn more about us.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation fight to make equality, equity and liberation a reality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. As the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, the HRD works to drive impact by inspiring, engaging and mobilizing millions of pro-equality voters and supporters to elect pro-equality leaders and to demand equity-based policies and legislation; change hearts and minds through programming that increases understanding, visibility and support for the diverse LGBTQ+ community; and advance LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices in schools, workplaces, hospitals, communities and beyond.
Media:
Kelly Malone
kmalone@caleres.com
Investors:
Liz Dunn
ldunn@caleres.com