Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has recommended that Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) shareholders vote in favor of all nine of the company's director nominees ahead of its 2026 Annual Meeting, scheduled for July 21, 2026.

In a report dated July 6, 2026, ISS stated that "the dissidents have not made a compelling case for change," adding that "support for all management nominees on the management (WHITE) card is warranted." ISS also recommended that shareholders withhold votes from dissident nominees Ballard and Poskon, who were put forward by investor Bradley Radoff.

The ISS report noted that Genesco "posted peer-beating total shareholder return (TSR) and a steady but still below-peak improvement in operating performance" and described the company as having "a generally shareholder-friendly corporate governance regime." ISS also observed that in one-, three-, and five-year periods ending on the unaffected date, as well as since the announcement of the current CEO's appointment on Nov. 4, 2019, Genesco's TSR exceeded its peer median, a finding that held when those periods were extended through June 30, 2026.

Genesco filed its definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2026, in connection with the annual meeting. The proxy contest was initiated by Bradley Radoff, who put forward two alternative director candidates.

The Nashville, Tennessee-based footwear retailer operates more than 1,200 retail stores under brands including Journeys, Schuh, and Johnston & Murphy.