Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2022 Results
Blue Apron (NYSE: APRN) reported a net revenue of $118 million for Q1 2022, marking a 10% increase from Q4 2021, and a 16% growth compared to Q1 2020. Notably, customer engagement metrics remained strong, with a 9.2% quarter-over-quarter increase in customers. Marketing expenses rose 40% year-over-year to $28 million. While the company achieved carbon neutrality, it reported a net loss of $38.4 million, up from $15.7 million in Q1 2021. Following the quarter, Blue Apron secured $70.5 million in capital through debt and equity financing, extending debt maturity to 2027.
- Net revenue increased 10% sequentially to $118 million.
- Achieved a 9.2% quarter-over-quarter increase in customers.
- Marketing expenses rose to $28 million, driving growth.
- Secured $70.5 million in capital infusion, extending debt maturity to 2027.
- Net loss increased to $38.4 million from $15.7 million year-over-year.
- Average Order Value decreased slightly from $63.78 to $62.99.
- COGS as a percentage of net revenue rose to 67.5%, up from 62.9%.
Post-Quarter Financings Strengthen Balance Sheet
First Quarter 2022 Highlights
-
Net revenue increased
16% from the pre-pandemic first quarter of 2020 (1Q20)(1) to , and$118 million 10% from the fourth quarter of 2021 (4Q21), as the company gains traction on its growth strategy - Key customer engagement metrics performed at elevated levels for the eighth quarter in a row
-
As planned, marketing expenses rose
40% year-over-year to as the company continues to drive growth in FY2022$28 million -
The company achieved carbon neutrality as of
March 31, 2022 , through the purchase and retirement of carbon offsets -
Following the end of 1Q22, the company announced a
capital infusion through debt and equity financings; extending debt maturity through 2027$70.5 million -
The company will host its inaugural investor day on
May 10, 2022 , at its fulfillment center inLinden, New Jersey
Findley added, “We continue to expand our product and menu selection, recently launching a new breakfast offering while adding new four-serving menu options and Add-ons to meet evolving customer preferences. We also successfully met our commitment to become carbon neutral by
(1) The company believes that using 1Q20 as a benchmark is an appropriate way to evaluate the company’s 1Q22 performance. The company believes that its financial results patterns and customer behaviors in 1Q20, the results of which, despite a sharp increase in demand in the last few weeks of 1Q20, were not materially impacted by the effects of the pandemic. As such, the quarter reflects a higher correlation to more normalized periods, versus the pandemic-impacted periods. of 2Q20 through 1Q21. For a discussion of the company’s performance compared with 2021, see “First Quarter Financial Results” below.
Key Customer Metrics
Key customer metrics in the chart below reflect the company’s product initiatives and targeted marketing investments, as well as, to some degree, the benefit of changes in consumer behavior related to the pandemic, the seasonality of the company’s business, and other operating trends.
|
Three Months Ended, |
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Orders (in thousands) |
1,869 |
1,678 |
2,104 |
1,763 |
||||
Customers (in thousands) |
367 |
336 |
391 |
376 |
||||
Average Order Value |
|
|
|
|
||||
Orders per Customer |
5.1 |
5.0 |
5.4 |
4.7 |
||||
Average Revenue per Customer |
|
|
|
|
For a description of how
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
-
Net revenue decreased approximately
9% year-over-year to . The decrease was primarily due to a decline in Customers and Orders and was partially offset by an increase in Average Order Value, which reflects continued advancements in product innovation and variety, as well as the pricing increase introduced in the second half of 2021. Net revenue increased$117.8 million 10% sequentially, mainly due to a rise in Customers, as well as typical seasonal trends in the business. -
Cost of goods sold, excluding depreciation and amortization (COGS), as a percentage of net revenue, rose 460 basis points year-over-year from
62.9% to67.5% . The increase was primarily driven by an increase in shipping and fulfillment costs driven by carrier rate increases and fuel surcharges, a rise in labor costs after the company proactively increased the minimum wage for its hourly employees, and higher food costs due to enhanced product offerings and inflationary pressure. COGS as a percentage of net revenue increased by 280 basis points sequentially, mainly due to a rise in costs related to enhanced product offerings to provide product variety and additional choice for customers. -
Marketing expenses were
, or$27.9 million 23.7% as a percentage of net revenue, a40% increase from , or$19.9 million 15.4% as a percentage of net revenue, in 1Q21, as the company continues to invest to drive growth. -
Product, technology, general and administrative (PTG&A) expenses increased approximately
18% year over year to from$43.3 million in 1Q21. The increase was primarily due to the purchase and retirement of carbon offsets in order to fulfill the company’s commitment of being carbon neutral, and an increase in personnel costs and professional fees to support the company’s growth strategy. As a percentage of net revenue, PTG&A increased 850 basis points year-over-year from$36.6 million 28.2% to36.7% . -
Other income (expense), net, was
, which was driven by a non-cash fair value adjustment related to the$1.6 million May 2021 amendment to the company’s financing agreement. Following the amendment, the company was obligated to issue warrants to its lender on a quarterly basis, which began onJuly 1, 2021 . With the prepayment of the company’s prior senior secured term loan under the financing agreement onMay 5, 2022 , the company is no longer obligated to issue warrants to that lender. -
Net loss was
, and diluted loss per share was$38.4 million , based on 32.3 million weighted-average common shares outstanding. This compares with a net loss of$1.19 , and diluted loss per share of$15.7 million , in the first quarter of 2021 based on 17.9 million weighted-average common shares outstanding.$0.88 -
The total shares outstanding as of
March 31, 2022 , were 32,660,579 and the total shares outstanding following the financings onApril 29, 2022 , were 34,368,935. -
Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of
, compared with an adjusted EBITDA loss of$30.7 million in 1Q21.$6.1 million
Liquidity and Capital Resources
-
Cash and cash equivalents were
as of$56.0 million March 31, 2022 , before accounting for the refinancing and equity raises after the end of the quarter, as described below. -
Cash used in operating activities totaled
in 1Q22, compared with cash used of$28.8 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The higher operating cash outflow was primarily related to accelerated marketing investments, along with higher shipping, labor and food costs.$12.0 million -
Capital expenditures totaled
in 1Q22, representing a reduction of$1.3 million from 1Q21.$0.4 million -
Free cash flow was
in 1Q22, compared with$(30.1) million in the first quarter of the prior year. The change was driven by increased operating cash outflow and was partially offset by slightly reduced capital expenditures.$(13.7) million -
In
February 2022 , the company completed a private placement of shares of Class A common stock and certain warrants at per unit, with$14 RJB Partners LLC , an affiliate ofJoseph N. Sanberg , an existing stockholder, resulting in of proceeds, net of issuance costs.$4.8 million -
In
April 2022 , the company completed a private placement of Class A common stock at per share with each of$12 Long Live Bruce, LLC , an affiliate ofJoseph N. Sanberg , andLinda Findley , President and Chief Executive Officer, resulting in of gross proceeds.$20.5 million RJB Partners LLC also committed to purchase an additional of our Class A common stock at$20.0 million per share in the second quarter of 2022, subject to the closing of the company’s debt refinancing and other customary conditions.$12 -
In
May 2022 , the company issued of senior secured notes, for$30.0 million of proceeds, net of original issuance discount. The proceeds, together with cash on hand, were used to pay off, in full, the company’s outstanding senior secured term loan.$28.2 million
ESG Initiatives
-
The company met its goal of being carbon neutral by
March 31, 2022 , through the purchase of carbon offsets based on its estimated carbon footprint. -
The company continues to make advancements toward its previously announced racial and gender Board diversity goals with the appointments of
Beverly K. Carmichael andAmit Shah inMarch 2022 .
Outlook
The outlook for certain financial metrics below and elsewhere in this press release, reflect assumptions regarding the company’s business, including the anticipated consistent benefit to the company’s business from the execution and acceleration of the company’s strategic growth initiatives, and including the impact of the planned use of proceeds from the equity capital raises the company completed
The company expects:
- Top line net revenue growth to be in the mid-teens percentage range compared with full-year 2021.
- To return to positive year-over-year net revenue growth starting in the second quarter of 2022 and for the rest of 2022.
- Grow customers sequentially in the second quarter
- See positive operating cash in the second quarter
- Achieve full-year Adjusted EBITDA profitability in 2023
Conference Call and Webcast
Alternatively, participants may access the live webcast on Blue Apron’s Investor Relations website at investors.blueapron.com. A recording of the webcast will be available on Blue Apron’s Investor Relations website at investors.blueapron.com following the conference call. Additionally, a replay of the conference call can be accessed until
Investor Day
Members of Blue Apron’s management team plan to discuss the company’s mid-to-long-term strategic plans and outlook, operations, marketing, technology, sustainability and financials, among other topics. A question-and-answer session will follow management’s prepared remarks.
To register for the video webcast of the event, please visit blueapron.connectid.cloud, or the “Events and Presentations'' section of the company’s Investor Relations website: investors.blueapron.com. Supporting materials will be available on the day of the event.
About
Blue Apron’s vision is Better Living Through Better Food™. Launched in 2012,
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements concerning
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, that are not prepared in accordance with, nor an alternative to, financial measures prepared in accordance with
The company defines adjusted EBITDA as net earnings (loss) before interest income (expense), net, other operating expense, gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, other income (expense) net, benefit (provision) for income taxes and depreciation and amortization, adjusted to eliminate share-based compensation expense. The company presents adjusted EBITDA because it is a key measure used by the company’s management and board of directors to understand and evaluate the company’s operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. In particular, the company believes that the exclusion of certain items in calculating adjusted EBITDA can produce a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of the company’s business. Further,
There are a number of limitations related to the use of adjusted EBITDA rather than net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable GAAP equivalent. Some of these limitations are:
- adjusted EBITDA excludes share-based compensation expense, as share-based compensation expense has recently been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense for the company’s business and an important part of its compensation strategy;
- adjusted EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization expense and, although these are non-cash expenses, the assets being depreciated may have to be replaced in the future;
- adjusted EBITDA excludes other operating expense, as other operating expense represents non-cash impairment charges on long-lived assets, a non-cash gain, net of termination fee, on lease termination, and restructuring costs;
- adjusted EBITDA excludes loss on extinguishment of debt as this represents a non-cash charge;
- adjusted EBITDA does not reflect other (income) expense net, as this represents changes in the fair value of the liability-classified warrant obligation as of each reporting period;
- adjusted EBITDA does not reflect interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest, which reduces cash available to us;
- adjusted EBITDA does not reflect income tax payments that reduce cash available to us; and
- other companies, including companies in the company’s industry, may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.
The company defines free cash flow as net cash from (used in) operating activities less purchases of property and equipment. The company presents free cash flow because it is used by the company’s management and board of directors as an indicator of the amount of cash the company generates or uses and to evaluate the company’s ability to satisfy current and future obligations and to fund future business opportunities. Accordingly,
There are a number of limitations related to the use of free cash flow rather than net cash from (used in) operating activities, which is the most directly comparable GAAP equivalent. Some of these limitations are:
- free cash flow is not a measure of cash available for discretionary expenditures since the company has certain non-discretionary obligations such as debt repayments or capital lease obligations that are not deducted from the measure; and
- other companies, including companies in the company’s industry, may calculate free cash flow differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.
Because of these limitations, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow should be considered together with other financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP is set forth below under the heading “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Use of Key Customer Metrics
This press release includes various key customer metrics that the company uses to evaluate our business and operations, measure its performance, identify trends affecting its business, project its future performance, and make strategic decisions. You should read these metrics in conjunction with the company’s financial statements. The company defines and determines its key customer metrics as follows:
Orders
The company defines Orders as the number of paid orders by Customers across the company’s meal, wine and market products sold on its e-commerce platforms in any reporting period, inclusive of orders that may have eventually been refunded or credited to customers.
Customers
The company determines its number of Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have paid for at least one Order from
Average Order Value
The company defines Average Order Value as the company’s net revenue from its meal, wine and market products sold on its e-commerce platforms in a given reporting period divided by the number of Orders in that period.
Orders per Customer
The company defines Orders per Customer as the number of Orders in a given reporting period divided by the number of Customers in that period.
Average Revenue per Customer
The company defines Average Revenue per Customer as the company’s net revenue from its meal, wine and market products sold on the company’s e-commerce platforms in a given reporting period divided by the number of Customers in that period.
|
||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets |
||||||
(In thousands) |
||||||
(Unaudited) |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
55,991 |
|
$ |
82,160 |
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
112 |
|
|
234 |
Related party receivables |
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
— |
Inventories, net |
|
|
25,034 |
|
|
24,989 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
13,264 |
|
|
12,249 |
Total current assets |
|
|
103,401 |
|
|
119,632 |
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
104,195 |
|
|
108,355 |
Other noncurrent assets |
|
|
4,328 |
|
|
3,719 |
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
211,924 |
|
$ |
231,706 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
39,675 |
|
$ |
27,962 |
Related party payables |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
— |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
24,738 |
|
|
31,951 |
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
|
571 |
|
|
3,500 |
Deferred revenue |
|
|
14,437 |
|
|
7,958 |
Warrant obligation |
|
|
3,848 |
|
|
8,001 |
Total current liabilities |
|
|
86,269 |
|
|
79,372 |
Long-term debt |
|
|
28,200 |
|
|
25,886 |
Facility financing obligation |
|
|
35,859 |
|
|
35,886 |
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
8,854 |
|
|
10,509 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
|
|
159,182 |
|
|
151,653 |
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
52,742 |
|
|
80,053 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
$ |
211,924 |
|
$ |
231,706 |
|
||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations |
||||||
(In thousands, except share and per-share data) |
||||||
(Unaudited) |
||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
||||
|
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
||
Net revenue |
|
$ |
117,751 |
|
$ |
129,706 |
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold, excluding depreciation and amortization |
|
|
79,490 |
|
|
81,592 |
Marketing |
|
|
27,914 |
|
|
19,940 |
Product, technology, general, and administrative |
|
|
43,257 |
|
|
36,551 |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
5,404 |
|
|
5,620 |
Total operating expenses |
|
|
156,065 |
|
|
143,703 |
Income (loss) from operations |
|
|
(38,314) |
|
|
(13,997) |
Interest income (expense), net |
|
|
(1,770) |
|
|
(1,708) |
Other income (expense), net |
|
|
1,646 |
|
|
— |
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
(38,438) |
|
|
(15,705) |
Benefit (provision) for income taxes |
|
|
(11) |
|
|
(16) |
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(38,449) |
|
$ |
(15,721) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share – basic |
|
$ |
(1.19) |
|
$ |
(0.88) |
Net income (loss) per share – diluted |
|
$ |
(1.19) |
|
$ |
(0.88) |
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic |
|
|
32,288,424 |
|
|
17,939,682 |
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted |
|
|
32,288,424 |
|
|
17,939,682 |
|
|||||
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows |
|||||
(In thousands) |
|||||
(Unaudited) |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
||||
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
$ |
(38,449) |
|
$ |
(15,721) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from (used in) operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment |
|
5,404 |
|
|
5,620 |
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment |
|
135 |
|
|
— |
Changes in fair value of warrant obligation |
|
(1,646) |
|
|
— |
Changes in reserves and allowances |
|
20 |
|
|
131 |
Share-based compensation |
|
2,173 |
|
|
2,319 |
Non-cash interest expense |
260 |
|
215 |
||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
|
3,305 |
|
|
(4,515) |
Net cash from (used in) operating activities |
|
(28,798) |
|
|
(11,951) |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
(1,321) |
|
|
(1,746) |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment |
55 |
|
54 |
||
Net cash from (used in) investing activities |
|
(1,266) |
|
|
(1,692) |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
||||
Proceeds from |
|
4,809 |
|
|
— |
Repayments of debt |
|
(875) |
|
|
(875) |
Payments of debt issuance costs |
|
— |
|
|
(69) |
Principal payments on capital lease obligations |
|
(38) |
|
|
(53) |
Net cash from (used in) financing activities |
|
3,896 |
|
|
(997) |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH |
|
(26,168) |
|
|
(14,640) |
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — Beginning of period |
|
83,597 |
|
|
45,842 |
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — End of period |
$ |
57,429 |
|
$ |
31,202 |
|
|||||||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures |
|||||||||
(In thousands) |
|||||||||
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||
|
Three Months Ended |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(38,449) |
|
$ |
(26,437) |
|
$ |
(15,721) |
Share-based compensation |
|
|
2,173 |
|
|
2,068 |
|
|
2,319 |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
5,404 |
|
|
5,464 |
|
|
5,620 |
Interest (income) expense, net |
|
|
1,770 |
|
|
1,828 |
|
|
1,708 |
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
(1,646) |
|
|
(863) |
|
|
— |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
|
|
11 |
|
|
(4) |
|
|
16 |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
(30,737) |
|
$ |
(17,944) |
|
$ |
(6,058) |
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
||||
|
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
||
Reconciliation of net cash from (used in) operating activities to free cash flow |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash from (used in) operating activities |
|
$ |
(28,798) |
|
$ |
(11,951) |
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
|
(1,321) |
|
|
(1,746) |
Free cash flow |
|
$ |
(30,119) |
|
$ |
(13,697) |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220508005081/en/
Media Contact
muriel.lussier@blueapron.com
Investor Contact
investor.relations@blueapron.com
Source:
FAQ
What were Blue Apron's financial results for Q1 2022?
How did customer metrics perform in Q1 2022 for APRN?
What is Blue Apron's net loss for Q1 2022?
What significant financing did Blue Apron secure after Q1 2022?
How did marketing expenses impact Blue Apron's growth in Q1 2022?