Net Sales Increased 9.5% Compared to the
Second Quarter of 2023, with U.S. Net Sales Up 19.3%
Active Customer Growth of 11.7% on a
Trailing Twelve-Month Basis Compared to the Second Quarter of
2023
On Track to Open Five Princess Polly Stores
in 2024
a.k.a. Brands Holding Corp. (NYSE: AKA), a
brand accelerator of next generation fashion brands, today
announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30,
2024.
Results for the Second Quarter
- Net sales increased 9.5% to $148.9 million, compared to
$136.0 million in the second quarter of 2023; up 10.1% on a
constant currency basis1.
- In the U.S., net sales increased 19.3% compared to the
second quarter of 2023.
- Net loss was $(2.3) million, or $(0.22) per share, in
the second quarter of 2024, compared to net loss of $(5.0) million,
or $(0.47) per share, in the second quarter of 2023.
- Adjusted EBITDA2 was $8.0 million in the second quarter
of 2024, compared to $5.6 million in the second quarter of
2023.
“Our second quarter results exceeded our expectations,
showcasing the strength of our brands and the power of our business
model. We delivered net sales growth of over 9%, driven by the
momentum in our U.S. region, where net sales grew more than 19%
year-over-year. Importantly, our strong top-line growth translated
into adjusted EBITDA of $8.0 million, an increase of 44% compared
to the same quarter last year. We continued to execute against our
strategic priorities with an emphasis on our customers, and I'm
very pleased that our active customer base increased by nearly 12%
on a trailing twelve-month basis. Our strong second quarter results
are a clear indication that demand for our brands is strong and
that we have tremendous growth opportunities ahead of us,” said
Ciaran Long, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer.
“I am pleased to report that in addition to three planned new
Princess Polly store openings previously announced, we have signed
two new leases for additional locations in Irvine and Santa Clara,
California, which will bring the Princess Polly physical presence
to six locations. Petal & Pup’s expanded omni-channel presence,
now on Nordstrom.com, Target.com and Macys.com, far exceeded our
expectations, setting the stage for continued growth and brand
expansion. Leveraging Petal & Pup’s omni-channel success, our
streetwear brand mnml launched a test on Nordstrom.com, and our
Culture Kings U.S. business delivered another quarter of strong
double-digit net sales growth on top of strong results last
year.
“Executing at a high level while delivering innovative
strategies to meet our customers where and when they want to shop
our portfolio of brands strengthens my confidence in the many
profitable future growth opportunities we see for a.k.a. Brands,
particularly the tremendous whitespace we see in the U.S. to expand
our brand portfolio reach and total addressable market,” concluded
Long.
Brand Highlights
- Princess Polly is on track to open stores in the Scottsdale
Fashion Square and Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego in the third
quarter of 2024 and stores in Boston, Santa Clara and Irvine in the
fourth quarter of 2024.
- Culture Kings U.S. registered another quarter of strong
double-digit net sales growth and launched new licenses and
graphics including Pokemon, WWE, NHL and Halo, with more exclusive
collaborations to come in the latter half of the year.
- Petal & Pup’s expanded omni-channel presence has far
exceeded expectations, setting the stage for continued growth and
brand expansion.
- mnml continues to expand its omni-channel distribution with
successful tests on Nordstrom.com and other retailers.
Second Quarter Financial
Details
- Net sales increased 9.5% to $148.9 million, compared to
$136.0 million in the second quarter of 2023. The increase was
driven by a 16% increase in the number of orders, due to growth in
the U.S., partially offset by a decline in the average order value
compared to the prior quarter, driven by adverse macroeconomic
conditions in Australia and New Zealand and actions taken to
improve our inventory position at Culture Kings. On a constant
currency basis1, net sales increased 10%.
- Gross margin was 57.7%, compared to 56.9% in the second
quarter of 2023. The improvement was primarily driven by lower
inbound air freight costs and duties, partially offset by the
impact of growing wholesale initiatives, as well as growing
marketplace initiatives, which have a higher return rate.
- Selling expenses were $41.2 million, compared to $35.9
million in the second quarter of 2023. Selling expenses were 27.7%
of net sales, compared to 26.4% of net sales in the second quarter
of 2023. The increases were driven by the impact from growing
marketplace initiatives and additional stores.
- Marketing expenses were $18.3 million, compared to $18.4
million in the second quarter of 2023. Marketing expenses were
12.3% of net sales, compared to 13.5% of net sales in the second
quarter of 2023.
- General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses were
$25.9 million, compared to $24.2 million in the second quarter of
2023. G&A expenses were 17.4% of net sales, compared to 17.8%
of net sales in the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in G&A
expenses as a percent of net sales during the quarter was primarily
driven by higher net sales compared to the second quarter of
2023.
- Adjusted EBITDA2 was $8.0 million, or 5.4% of net sales,
compared to $5.6 million, or 4.1% of net sales, in the second
quarter of 2023.
Balance Sheet and Cash
Flow
- Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the second
quarter totaled $25.5 million.
- Inventory at the end of the second quarter totaled
$106.7 million, compared to $91.0 million at the end of fiscal year
2023, or compared to $106.7 million at the end of the second
quarter of 2023.
- Debt at the end of the second quarter totaled $106.9
million, compared to $93.4 million at the end of fiscal year 2023,
or compared to $120.0 million at the end of the second quarter of
2023.
- Cash flow used in operations for the six months ended
June 30, 2024 was $4.2 million, compared to cash flow from
operations of $7.3 million for the six months ended June 30,
2023.
Outlook
For the third quarter of 2024, the Company expects:
- Net sales between $141 million and $145 million
- Adjusted EBITDA3 between $6.0 million and $7.0 million
- Weighted average diluted share count of 10.6 million
For the full year fiscal 2024, the Company now
expects:
- Net sales between $560 million and $565 million
- Adjusted EBITDA3 between $20 million and $22 million
- Weighted average diluted share count of 10.6 million
The above outlook is based on several assumptions, including but
not limited to, foreign exchange rates remaining at the current
levels, the opening of four to five Princess Polly stores and
continued macroeconomic pressures, specifically in Australia and
New Zealand. See “Forward-Looking Statements” for additional
information.
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss the Company’s second quarter
results is scheduled for August 7, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ET. Those who
wish to participate in the call may do so by dialing (877) 858-5495
or (201) 689-8853 for international callers. The conference call
will also be webcast live at https://ir.aka-brands.com in the
Events and Presentations section. A recording will be available
shortly after the conclusion of the call. To access the replay,
please dial (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 for international
callers, conference ID 13747420. An archive of the webcast will be
available on a.k.a. Brands’ investor relations website.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Operating
Metrics
In addition to results determined in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(GAAP), management utilizes certain non-GAAP financial measures
such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin for purposes of
evaluating ongoing operations and for internal planning and
forecasting purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP financial
measures, when reviewed collectively with our GAAP financial
information, provide useful supplemental information to investors
in assessing our operating performance. The non-GAAP financial
measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute
for the GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures
used by the Company may be different from similarly-titled non-GAAP
financial measures used by other companies. See additional
information at the end of this release regarding non-GAAP financial
measures.
About a.k.a. Brands
a.k.a. Brands is a portfolio of next-generation fashion brands
for the next generation of consumers. Each brand in the a.k.a.
portfolio targets a distinct Gen Z and millennial audience, creates
authentic and inspiring social content and offers quality exclusive
merchandise. a.k.a. Brands leverages its next-generation retail
platform to help each brand accelerate its growth, scale in new
markets and enhance its profitability. Current brands in the a.k.a.
Brands portfolio include Princess Polly, Culture Kings, mnml and
Petal & Pup.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this release are “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
When used in this press release, the words “estimates,”
“projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,”
“intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,”
“propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or
the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to
identify forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known
and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important
factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that
could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from
those discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results
or outcomes include the effects of economic downturns and unstable
market conditions; our ability in the future to continue to comply
with the New York Stock Exchange’s (NYSE) listing standards and
maintain the listing of our common stock on the NYSE; risks related
to doing business in China; our ability to anticipate
rapidly-changing consumer preferences in the apparel, footwear and
accessories industries; our ability to execute our strategic
initiatives, including transitioning Culture Kings to a
data-driven, short lead time merchandising cycle; our ability to
acquire new customers, retain existing customers or maintain
average order value levels; the effectiveness of our marketing and
our level of customer traffic; merchandise return rates; our
ability to manage our inventory effectively; our success in
identifying brands to acquire, integrate and manage on our
platform; our ability to expand into new markets; the global nature
of our business, including international economic, geopolitical
instability (including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and
Israel-Palestine wars), legal, compliance and supply chain risks;
interruptions in or increased costs of shipping and distribution,
which could affect our ability to deliver our products to the
market; our use of social media platforms and influencer
sponsorship initiatives, which could adversely affect our
reputation or subject us to fines or other penalties; fluctuating
operating results; the inherent challenges in measuring certain of
our key operating metrics, and the risk that real or perceived
inaccuracies in such metrics may harm our reputation and negatively
affect our business; the potential for tax liabilities that may
increase the costs to our consumers; our ability to attract and
retain highly qualified personnel, including key members of our
leadership team; fluctuations in wage rates and the price,
availability and quality of raw materials and finished goods, which
could increase costs; foreign currency fluctuations; and other
risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk
Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” and “Forward-Looking
Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2023, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and
any other periodic reports that the Company may file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). a.k.a. Brands does
not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
a.k.a. BRANDS HOLDING
CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except share
and per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended June
30,
Six Months Ended June
30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net sales
$
148,931
$
136,028
$
265,771
$
256,513
Cost of sales
62,962
58,672
114,128
110,657
Gross profit
85,969
77,356
151,643
145,856
Operating expenses:
Selling
41,191
35,932
75,406
70,338
Marketing
18,275
18,354
33,154
33,131
General and administrative
25,867
24,191
48,540
50,059
Total operating expenses
85,333
78,477
157,100
153,528
Income (loss) from operations
636
(1,121
)
(5,457
)
(7,672
)
Other expense, net:
Interest expense
(2,676
)
(2,841
)
(4,954
)
(5,692
)
Other income (expense)
245
(750
)
(298
)
(1,784
)
Total other expense, net
(2,431
)
(3,591
)
(5,252
)
(7,476
)
Loss before income taxes
(1,795
)
(4,712
)
(10,709
)
(15,148
)
(Provision for) benefit from income
tax
(466
)
(328
)
(485
)
555
Net loss
$
(2,261
)
$
(5,040
)
$
(11,194
)
$
(14,593
)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted*
$
(0.22
)
$
(0.47
)
$
(1.07
)
$
(1.36
)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted*
10,501,057
10,761,511
10,509,810
10,757,470
* Adjusted for the one-for-12 reverse
stock split, effective as of September 29, 2023.
a.k.a. BRANDS HOLDING
CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
June 30, 2024
December 31,
2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
25,466
$
21,859
Accounts receivable, net
5,778
4,796
Inventory
106,687
91,024
Prepaid income taxes
1,274
—
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets
15,862
18,016
Total current assets
155,067
135,695
Property and equipment, net
25,754
27,154
Operating lease right-of-use assets
52,033
37,465
Intangible assets, net
58,521
64,322
Goodwill
93,604
94,898
Deferred tax assets
1,555
1,569
Other assets
2,270
618
Total assets
$
388,804
$
361,721
Liabilities and stockholders’
equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
32,773
$
28,279
Accrued liabilities
29,671
25,223
Sales returns reserve
7,930
9,610
Deferred revenue
15,911
11,782
Income taxes payable
—
257
Operating lease liabilities, current
7,258
7,510
Current portion of long-term debt
6,300
3,300
Total current liabilities
99,843
85,961
Long-term debt
100,607
90,094
Operating lease liabilities
50,195
35,344
Other long-term liabilities
1,588
1,704
Total liabilities
252,233
213,103
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock
—
—
Common stock
128
128
Additional paid-in capital
468,726
466,172
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(53,676
)
(50,269
)
Accumulated deficit
(278,607
)
(267,413
)
Total stockholders’ equity
136,571
148,618
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
$
388,804
$
361,721
a.k.a. BRANDS HOLDING
CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Six Months Ended June
30,
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net loss
$
(11,194
)
$
(14,593
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation expense
3,041
4,230
Amortization expense
5,527
5,931
Amortization of debt issuance costs
303
315
Lease incentives
—
1,186
Loss on disposal of businesses
673
1,533
Non-cash operating lease expense
4,085
3,760
Equity-based compensation
3,851
3,760
Deferred income taxes, net
—
3
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(914
)
896
Inventory
(18,954
)
15,511
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets
2,757
(3,793
)
Accounts payable
4,874
350
Income taxes payable
(1,533
)
(1,179
)
Accrued liabilities
4,593
(9,117
)
Returns reserve
(1,568
)
2,214
Deferred revenue
4,253
98
Lease liabilities
(3,992
)
(3,815
)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating
activities
(4,198
)
7,290
Cash flows from investing
activities:
Purchases of intangible assets
(5
)
(62
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(2,726
)
(3,618
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(2,731
)
(3,680
)
Cash flows from financing
activities:
Proceeds from line of credit, net of
issuance costs
24,500
—
Repayment of line of credit
(10,000
)
(21,100
)
Repayment of debt
(1,200
)
(2,800
)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement
of equity awards
(202
)
(66
)
Proceeds from issuances under equity-based
compensation plans
93
90
Repurchase of shares
(1,189
)
(299
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities
12,002
(24,175
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash,
cash equivalents and restricted cash
(1,310
)
69
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash
equivalents and restricted cash
3,763
(20,496
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
at beginning of period
24,029
48,373
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
at end of period
$
27,792
$
27,877
Reconciliation of cash, cash
equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
25,466
$
25,876
Restricted cash, included in prepaid
expenses and other current assets
582
2,001
Restricted cash, included in other
assets
1,744
—
Total cash, cash equivalents and
restricted cash
$
27,792
$
27,877
a.k.a. BRANDS HOLDING
CORP.
KEY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING
METRICS AND NON-GAAP MEASURES
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended June
30,
Six Months Ended June
30,
(dollars in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Gross margin
58
%
57
%
57
%
57
%
Net loss
$
(2,261
)
$
(5,040
)
$
(11,194
)
$
(14,593
)
Net loss margin
(2
)%
(4
)%
(4
)%
(6
)%
Adjusted EBITDA2
$
8,012
$
5,568
$
8,885
$
7,754
Adjusted EBITDA margin2
5
%
4
%
3
%
3
%
Key Operational Metrics and Regional Sales
Three Months Ended June
30,
Six Months Ended June
30,
(metrics in millions, except AOV; sales
in thousands)
2024
2023
% Change
2024
2023
% Change
Key Operational
Metrics
Active customers4
4.01
3.59
11.7
%
4.01
3.59
11.7
%
Average order value
$
78
$
82
(4.9
)%
$
77
$
81
(4.9
)%
Number of orders
1.92
1.65
16.4
%
3.44
3.15
9.2
%
Sales by
Region
U.S.
$
95,375
$
79,967
19.3
%
$
172,513
$
152,593
13.1
%
Australia/New Zealand
45,650
48,037
(5.0
)%
79,165
89,483
(11.5
)%
Rest of world
7,906
8,024
(1.5
)%
14,093
14,437
(2.4
)%
Total
$
148,931
$
136,028
9.5
%
$
265,771
$
256,513
3.6
%
Year-over-year growth on a constant
currency basis1
10.1
%
4.7
%
Active Customers
We view the number of active customers as a key indicator of our
growth, our value proposition and consumer awareness of our brand,
and their desire to purchase our products. In any particular
period, we determine our number of active customers by counting the
total number of unique customer accounts who have made at least one
purchase in the preceding 12-month period, measured from the last
date of such period.
Average Order Value
We define average order value (“AOV”) as net sales in a given
period divided by the total orders placed in that period. AOV may
fluctuate as we expand into new categories or geographies or as our
assortment changes.
a.k.a. BRANDS HOLDING CORP.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (in
thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP
financial measures that management uses to assess our operating
performance. Because Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin
facilitate internal comparisons of our historical operating
performance on a more consistent basis, we use these measures for
business planning purposes.
We also believe this information will be useful for investors to
facilitate comparisons of our operating performance and better
identify trends in our business. We expect Adjusted EBITDA margin
to increase over the long-term as we continue to scale our business
and achieve greater leverage in our operating expenses.
We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted to
exclude: interest and other expense; provision for income (benefit
from) taxes; depreciation and amortization expense; equity-based
compensation expense; costs to establish or relocate distribution
centers; transaction costs; costs related to severance from
headcount reductions; goodwill and intangible asset impairment;
sales tax penalties; insured losses, net of any recoveries; and
one-time or non-recurring items. We calculate Adjusted EBITDA
margin as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. Adjusted
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are considered non-GAAP financial
measures under the SEC’s rules because they exclude certain amounts
included in net income (loss) and net income (loss) margin, the
most directly comparable financial measures calculated in
accordance with GAAP.
A reconciliation of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 is as
follows:
Three Months Ended June
30,
Six Months Ended June
30,
(dollars in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net loss
$
(2,261
)
$
(5,040
)
$
(11,194
)
$
(14,593
)
Add (deduct):
Total other expense, net
2,431
3,591
5,252
7,476
Provision for (benefit from) income
tax
466
328
485
(555
)
Depreciation and amortization expense
4,270
4,720
8,568
10,161
Equity-based compensation expense
1,895
1,824
3,851
3,760
Non-routine items5
1,211
145
1,923
1,505
Adjusted EBITDA
$
8,012
$
5,568
$
8,885
$
7,754
Net loss margin
(2
)%
(4
)%
(4
)%
(6
)%
Adjusted EBITDA margin
5
%
4
%
3
%
3
%
1 In order to provide a framework for assessing the performance
of our underlying business, excluding the effects of foreign
currency rate fluctuations, we compare the percent change in the
results from one period to another period using a constant currency
methodology wherein current and comparative prior period results
for our operations reporting in currencies other than U.S. dollars
are converted into U.S. dollars at constant exchange rates (i.e.,
the rates in effect on December 31, 2023, which was the last day of
our prior fiscal year) rather than the actual exchange rates in
effect during the respective periods. 2 See additional information
at the end of this release regarding non-GAAP financial measures. 3
The Company has not provided a quantitative reconciliation of its
Adjusted EBITDA outlook to a GAAP net income outlook because it is
unable, without making unreasonable efforts, to project certain
reconciling items. These items include, but are not limited to,
future equity-based compensation expense, income taxes, interest
expense and transaction costs. These items are inherently variable
and uncertain and depend on various factors, some of which are
outside of the Company’s control or ability to predict. See
additional information at the end of this release regarding
non-GAAP financial measures. 4 Trailing twelve months. 5
Non-routine items include severance from headcount reductions;
sales tax penalties; insured losses, net of recoveries; and
non-routine legal matters.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240807148636/en/
Investor Contact investors@aka-brands.com Media
Contact media@aka-brands.com
aka Brands (NYSE:AKA)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Nov 2024 bis Dez 2024
aka Brands (NYSE:AKA)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Dez 2023 bis Dez 2024