Laird Superfood Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Laird Superfood reported a 45% increase in net sales to $10.9 million for Q3 2021, driven by a strong 108% growth in direct-to-consumer sales. Gross profit rose 82% to $3.2 million with a gross margin of 29.4%. However, the net loss attributable to common stockholders increased to $5.4 million or $0.59 per diluted share. Operating expenses escalated to $8.5 million due to marketing costs and non-cash expenses. Despite challenges, the balance sheet remains strong with nearly $40 million in cash and minimal debt.

Positive

• Net sales grew by 45% YoY to $10.9 million.
• Direct-to-consumer sales surged by 108% YoY.
• Gross profit increased by 82% to $3.2 million.
• Gross margin improved to 29.4% from 23.4% a year ago.
• Balance sheet shows $39.7 million in cash and negligible debt.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $5.4 million compared to $4.0 million in the prior year.
• Operating expenses rose significantly to $8.5 million from $5.1 million YoY.
• Loss from operations was $5.3 million, an increase from $3.4 million YoY.

Net Sales Increase 45% Year Over Year to $10.9 Million

Direct-To-Consumer Sales Up 108% Year Over Year

SISTERS, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Laird Superfood, Inc. (NYSE American: LSF) (“Laird Superfood,” “we” and “our”), today reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Third Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Net Sales increased 45% year over year to $10.9 million.
• Online sales contributed 58% of net sales, increasing 70% year over year with direct-to-consumer up 108%.
• Wholesale sales contributed 41% of net sales, increasing 21% year over year, with continued traction in coffee creamers.
• Gross profit was $3.2 million and gross margin was 29.4% compared to gross profit of $1.8 million and gross margin of 23.4% in the prior year period.
• Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $5.4 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $4.0 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

“In the third quarter, we delivered solid growth across our portfolio,” said Paul Hodge Jr., Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Laird Superfood. “The power of our digitally native brand continued to be reflected in our direct-to-consumer sales, which rose 108%, fueled by our expanding product offerings and the ongoing strength of customer metrics around conversion and retention, including leading performance from the newest cohorts. Our new products in hydration and beverage supplements continue to grow at a strong pace, and we remain highly encouraged by results from the recently acquired Picky portfolio,” continued Hodge. “Operationally, we are hyper focused on efficiency and have made solid progress on several initiatives to move towards profitability as we continue rapidly scaling our powerful omnichannel platform. We remain steadfast in our vision of delivering better for you, plant-based alternatives for every moment of consumers’ daily ritual.”

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021

		Three months ended September 30,
		2021							2020
		$				% of Total			$				% of Total
Coffee creamers		$	6,489,895			60	%		$	5,261,175			70	%
Hydration and beverage enhancing supplements			1,330,906			12	%			1,037,517			14	%
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate products			1,724,919			16	%			2,153,702			29	%
Harvest snacks and other food items			1,866,709			17	%			—			0	%
Other			452,002			4	%			159,906			2	%
Gross sales			11,864,431			109	%			8,612,300			115	%
Shipping income			195,085			2	%			25,737			0	%
Returns and discounts			(1,193,602	)		(11	%)			(1,147,395	)		(15	%)
Sales, net		$	10,865,914			100	%		$	7,490,642			100	%
		Three months ended September 30,
		2021							2020
		$				% of Total			$				% of Total
Online		$	6,331,003			58	%		$	3,713,773			50	%
Wholesale			4,415,867			41	%			3,650,854			49	%
Food service			119,044			1	%			126,015			1	%
Sales, net		$	10,865,914			100	%		$	7,490,642			100	%

Net sales increased 45% to $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $7.5 million in the third quarter of 2020, primarily driven by strong gains in direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) sales. Growth was broad based, including solid increases in Coffee creamers and Hydration and beverage enhancing supplements from both legacy offerings as well as recent product launches, plus the addition of Harvest Snacks.

Gross profit was $3.2 million, an 82% increase compared to the prior year period of $1.8 million. Gross margin was 29.4% of net sales in the third quarter of 2021, compared to 23.4% of net sales in the prior year period. The year over year increase in gross margin reflected several factors, including optimization of inventory cost and DTC parcel cost, as well as improvement in liquid creamer disposals, partially offset by elevated wholesale fulfilment related expenses.

Operating expenses were $8.5 million compared to $5.1 million in the year ago period and reflect General and Administrative expense increases of $2.0 million, with $0.8 million attributable to increased non-cash expenses, such as stock-based compensation and amortization of intangibles, as well as increased insurance expense, professional fees and personnel costs. Sales and Marketing expense further contributed with increases of $1.2 million, primarily due to advertising and marketing fees.

Loss from operations was $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to a loss of $3.4 million in the prior year period.

Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $5.4 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2021, compared to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $4.0 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

Valerie Ells, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “Our continued focus on optimization helped drive favorable trends in margins and expense levels during the third quarter, along with robust sales growth. We are very pleased with the direction and progress towards our long-term targets. Our balance sheet remains strong with nearly $40 million of cash and investments and effectively zero debt, and we remain focused on maximizing the leverage across our business to continue driving forward toward profitability, while maintaining strong growth rates.”

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

		Nine months ended September 30,
		2021							2020
		$				% of Total			$				% of Total
Coffee creamers		$	16,590,542			60	%		$	13,285,967			72	%
Hydration and beverage enhancing supplements			3,907,111			14	%			2,877,694			16	%
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate products			5,286,882			19	%			4,116,891			22	%
Harvest snacks and other food items			3,353,178			12	%			—			0	%
Other			987,076			4	%			378,318			2	%
Gross sales			30,124,789			110	%			20,658,870			112	%
Shipping income			261,495			1	%			221,082			1	%
Returns and discounts			(2,942,890	)		(11	%)			(2,381,455	)		(13	%)
Sales, net		$	27,443,394			100	%		$	18,498,497			100	%
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2021							2020
		$				% of Total			$				% of Total
Online		$	16,492,513			60	%		$	10,049,039			54	%
Wholesale			10,529,593			38	%			8,117,655			44	%
Food service			421,288			2	%			331,803			2	%
Sales, net		$	27,443,394			100	%		$	18,498,497			100	%

Net sales increased 48% to $27.4 million in the first nine months of 2021 compared to $18.5 million in the first nine months of 2020. Year-to-date growth in net sales was due to growth in both online and wholesale channels, and broad based with all categories showing strong double-digit increases.

Gross profit was $7.2 million, an increase of 41% compared to the prior year period of $5.1 million. Gross margin was 26.3% of net sales in the first nine months of 2021, compared to 27.6% of net sales in the prior year period. The year over year decrease in gross margin was primarily due to the full period impact from the launch of a free shipping initiative for direct online purchases made on lairdsuperfood.com combined with increased co-packing and distribution expenses associated with our liquid creamer product line, partially offset by optimization of DTC shipping costs.

Operating expenses were $24.2 million compared to $13.5 million in the first nine months of 2020 and reflect General and Administrative expense increases of $6.4 million, with $2.4 million attributable to increased non-cash expenses, such as stock-based compensation and amortization of intangibles, as well as increased personnel costs, insurance expense, professional fees, and reserves against prepaid assets. Sales and Marketing expense further contributed with increases of $3.7 million, primarily due to advertising and marketing fees.

Loss from operations was $16.9 million in the first nine months of 2021, compared to a loss of $8.4 million in the prior year period.

Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $17.0 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2021, compared to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $10.0 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

The Company had $39.7 million of cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities as of September 30, 2021 and total outstanding debt was $51,000. Net cash used in operating activities was $14.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $7.1 million in the comparative prior year period.

Capital expenditures totaled $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $0.9 million in the prior year period.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 5:00 p.m. ET today to discuss results. The live conference call can be accessed by dialing (833) 772-0381 from the U.S. or (236) 384-2050 internationally. The conference I.D. code is 3562448. Alternatively, participants may access the live webcast on the Laird Superfood Investor Relations website at https://investors.lairdsuperfood.com under “Events.”

About Laird Superfood

Laird Superfood, Inc. creates award-winning, plant-based superfood products that are both delicious and functional. The Company's products are designed to enhance your daily ritual and keep consumers fueled naturally throughout the day. The Company was co-founded in 2015 by the world's most prolific big-wave surfer, Laird Hamilton. Laird Superfood's offerings are environmentally conscientious, responsibly tested, and made with real ingredients. Shop all products online at lairdsuperfood.com and join the Laird Superfood community on social media for the latest news and daily doses of inspiration.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and the earnings call referencing this press release contain “forward-looking” statements, as that term is defined under the federal securities laws, including but not limited to statements regarding Laird Superfood’s future financial performance, including our outlook for fiscal year 2021. These forward-looking statements are based on Laird Superfood’s current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause Laird Superfood’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The risks and uncertainties referred to above include, but are not limited to:(1) our limited operating history and ability to become profitable; (2) our reliance on third parties for raw materials and production of some of our products; (3) our ability to manage our growth and scale our manufacturing and processing capabilities effectively, including our human resource requirements; (4) our future capital needs; (5) our ability to retain and grow our customer base; (6) our reliance on independent distributors for a substantial portion of our sales; (7) our ability to evaluate and measure our business, prospects and performance metrics; (8) our ability to compete and succeed in a highly competitive and evolving industry; (9) the health of the premium organic and natural food industry as a whole; (10) risks related to our intellectual property rights and developing a strong brand; (11) our reliance on key personnel, including Laird Hamilton and Gabrielle Reece; (12) regulatory risks; (13) risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including those related to any variant strains of the virus that may emerge; (14) risks related to our international operations; (15) the risk of substantial dilution from future issuances of our equity securities; and (16) the other risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

LAIRD SUPERFOOD, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,								For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2021				2020				2021				2020
Sales, net		$	10,865,914			$	7,490,642			$	27,443,394			$	18,498,497
Cost of goods sold			(7,667,075	)			(5,734,144	)			(20,225,269	)			(13,384,880	)
Gross profit			3,198,839				1,756,498				7,218,125				5,113,617
General and administrative
Salaries, wages and benefits			1,252,664				1,031,425				3,478,362				2,652,500
Stock-based compensation			911,467				290,148				2,766,071				589,600
Professional fees			551,368				274,244				1,504,438				647,422
Insurance expense			537,174				89,136				1,560,395				146,197
Office expense			235,109				142,269				628,388				364,518
Occupancy			68,251				57,378				187,729				167,151
Merchant service fees			171,050				103,306				429,307				248,355
Netsuite subscription expense			64,886				33,173				194,024				90,491
Impairment on property, plant, and equipment			8,317				—				8,317				239,734
Other expense			453,838				197,740				1,303,398				504,864
Total general and administrative expenses			4,254,124				2,218,819				12,060,429				5,650,832
Research and product development
Salaries, wages and benefits			118,105				54,454				304,653				202,287
Stock-based compensation			7,864				2,310				16,816				6,694
Product development expense			107,418				43,589				520,210				141,506
Other expense			9,217				2,526				16,464				13,503
Total research and product development expenses			242,604				102,879				858,143				363,990
Sales and marketing
Salaries, wages and benefits			589,941				613,961				1,854,020				2,057,517
Stock-based compensation			65,441				520,022				162,536				630,456
Advertising			1,954,377				1,140,369				5,313,881				3,146,592
General marketing			1,131,023				312,402				3,079,181				883,286
Amazon selling fee			196,053				179,425				609,171				575,313
Travel expense			11,828				4,908				32,188				78,872
Other expense			66,090				45,543				182,788				148,911
Total sales and marketing expenses			4,014,753				2,816,630				11,233,765				7,520,947
Total expenses			8,511,481				5,138,328				24,152,337				13,535,769
Operating loss			(5,312,642	)			(3,381,830	)			(16,934,212	)			(8,422,152	)
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income			10,721				20,496				36,246				51,521
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities			—				6,250				—				13,927
Total other income (expense)			10,721				26,746				36,246				65,448
Loss before income taxes			(5,301,921	)			(3,355,084	)			(16,897,966	)			(8,356,704	)
Income tax expense			(49,777	)			—				(86,495	)			—
Net loss		$	(5,351,698	)		$	(3,355,084	)		$	(16,984,461	)		$	(8,356,704	)
Less deemed dividend of beneficial conversion feature			—				—				—				(825,366	)
Less deemed dividend on warrant discount			—				(645,939	)			—				(825,366	)
Net loss attributable to Laird Superfood, Inc. common stockholders		$	(5,351,698	)		$	(4,001,023	)		$	(16,984,461	)		$	(10,007,436	)
Net loss per share attributable to Laird Superfood, Inc common    stockholders:
Basic		$	(0.59	)		$	(0.86	)		$	(1.90	)		$	(2.26	)
Diluted		$	(0.59	)		$	(0.86	)		$	(1.90	)		$	(2.26	)
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding used in computing net loss    per share of common stock, basic and diluted			9,001,912				4,672,041				8,954,875				4,427,114

LAIRD SUPERFOOD, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
		For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss		$	(16,984,461	)		$	(8,356,704	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation			454,400				344,162
Amortization			243,578				7,599
Loss on disposal of equipment			5,600				—
Stock-based compensation			3,142,517				1,320,433
Reserve for prepaid assets			179,000				—
Restricted stock awards			—				62,431
Impairment on property, plant, and equipment			8,317				239,734
Gain on sale of investment securities available-for-sale			—				13,927
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(72,150	)			(397,669	)
Inventory			(3,314,086	)			(1,441,766	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,137,741				(1,582,315	)
Deferred rent			267,787				270,731
Deposits			2,601				33,009
Accounts payable			184,722				1,613,754
Payroll liabilities			81,694				207,675
Accrued expenses			333,246				567,103
Deferred taxes			86,495				—
Net cash from operating activities			(14,242,999	)			(7,097,896	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment			(1,039,350	)			(874,764	)
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment, and software			700				—
Deposits on equipment to be acquired			(462,507	)			—
Purchase of software			(141,546	)			—
Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired (note 2)			(10,449,587	)			—
Sale of investment securities available-for-sale			—				516,459
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available-for-sale			—				4,475,000
Net cash from investing activities			(12,092,290	)			4,116,695
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of common stock			—				66,104,477
Issuance of preferred stock			—				10,000,006
Common stock issuance costs			(82,043	)			(1,131,291	)
Preferred stock issuance costs			—				(147,721	)
Withholding tax payments for share based compensation			(219,157	)			—
Restricted stock units issued			31				—
Repurchased common stock			—				(20,532	)
Stock options exercised			485,916				119,838
Net cash from financing activities			184,747				74,924,777
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(26,150,542	)			71,943,576
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period			57,208,080				1,004,109
Cash and cash equivalents end of period		$	31,057,538			$	72,947,685
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash information
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities		$	(22,049	)		$	924
Purchases of equipment included in deposits at the beginning of the period		$	—			$	14,699

LAIRD SUPERFOOD, INC.
BALANCE SHEET
		As of
		September 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	31,057,538			$	57,208,080
Accounts receivable, net			956,870				839,659
Investment securities available-for-sale			8,688,251				8,706,844
Inventory			10,335,990				6,295,898
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net			1,767,744				2,847,319
Deposits			563,580				97,674
Total current assets			53,369,973				75,995,474
Noncurrent assets
Property and equipment, net			4,139,199				3,513,488
Intangible assets, net			4,965,060				137,092
Goodwill			6,486,000				—
Deferred rent			2,428,859				2,696,646
Total noncurrent assets			18,019,118				6,347,226
Total assets		$	71,389,091			$	82,342,700
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	1,548,009			$	1,315,964
Payroll liabilities			813,798				722,915
Accrued expenses			1,185,900				704,543
Total current liabilities			3,547,707				2,743,422
Long-term liabilities
Deferred tax liability, net			86,495				—
Note payable			51,000				51,000
Total long-term liabilities			137,495				51,000
Total liabilities			3,685,202				2,794,422
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2021 and    December 31, 2020; 9,402,959 and 9,037,499 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021,    respectively; 9,247,758 and 8,892,886 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020,    respectively		$	9,037			$	8,893
Additional paid-in capital			116,614,323				111,452,346
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(7,842	)			14,207
Accumulated deficit			(48,911,629	)			(31,927,168	)
Total stockholders’ equity			67,703,889				79,548,278
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	71,389,091			$	82,342,700

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211110006126/en/

ICR

Reed Anderson

646-277-1260

Reed.Anderson@icrinc.com

Source: Laird Superfood, Inc.

FAQ

What were Laird Superfood's Q3 2021 net sales results?

Laird Superfood reported net sales of $10.9 million for Q3 2021, a 45% increase year-over-year.

How much did direct-to-consumer sales increase for Laird Superfood?

Direct-to-consumer sales increased by 108% year-over-year in Q3 2021.

What was Laird Superfood's net loss for Q3 2021?

The net loss attributable to common stockholders for Q3 2021 was $5.4 million, or $0.59 per diluted share.

What was the gross profit margin for Laird Superfood in Q3 2021?

The gross profit margin for Q3 2021 was 29.4%, up from 23.4% in the same period last year.

What are Laird Superfood's financial highlights for the first nine months of 2021?

For the first nine months of 2021, net sales increased by 48% to $27.4 million, with a net loss of $17.0 million.