SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allbirds, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIRD), a global lifestyle brand that innovates with naturally derived materials to make better footwear and apparel products in a better way, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 ended December 31, 2022.

Quarter and Full Year Highlights

• Full year 2022 net revenue increased 7% to $297.8 million compared to 2021 and increased 36% compared to 2020.¹
• Fourth quarter 2022 net revenue, which included $1.5 million of revenue primarily associated with the previously announced discontinuation of certain first generation apparel, decreased 13% to $84.2 million compared to fourth quarter 2021 and increased 6% compared to fourth quarter 2020.¹
• Full year 2022 United States (U.S.) physical retail channel sales grew 60% compared to 2021; opened 19 stores in the United States during the year, ending the period with 42 locations in the United States.
• Full year 2022 net loss of $101.4 million, or $.68 per basic and diluted share.
• Fourth quarter 2022 net loss of $24.9 million, or $0.17 per basic and diluted share.
• Full year 2022 adjusted EBITDA loss of $60.4 million.¹
• Fourth quarter 2022 adjusted EBITDA loss of $12.5 million, including a $3.5 million loss primarily associated with the previously announced discontinuation of certain first-generation apparel¹
• Reduced the carbon footprint of top 10 products by 22% in 2022 compared to 2021.²

“2022 marked the end of our first full year as a public company and while we made important progress, the year came to a challenging close, with results below our expectations due to both execution and macro challenges. We need to improve performance, and are announcing a new transformation plan to reinvigorate the business with an emphasis on profitable growth,” said Joey Zwillinger, Co-Founder and Co-CEO. “Our focus is on four key areas to help Allbirds reconnect with our core consumers and meet new customers in a more capital efficient and profitable way.”

“We founded Allbirds with a vision to create better products in a better way – and we are aligning our operational and financial execution with the strength of that vision. Our brand fundamentals remain strong, with best-in-class NPS and customers who look to us for our quality, comfort, design and sustainability. I am extremely proud of every member of the Allbirds Flock knowing they have the discipline and focus to execute on our new priorities and prove that together, we can create value for consumers and shareholders alike.”

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¹ Allbirds is no longer excluding the revenue and cost of revenue associated with the inventory optimization related to the previously announced discontinuation of our first generation apparel business, the Simplification Initiatives, from our Non-GAAP measures. The Company’s full year and fourth quarter guidance targets of net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA loss excluded these items. The impact of this change compared to our guidance targets for the full year and fourth quarter was an increase to net revenue of $2.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively, and an increase to Adjusted EBITDA loss of $17.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively, driven by a $17.1 and $3.5 million decrease to gross profit, respectively.
² This reduction is calculated using internal estimates by weighting the carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions of the top 10 products by the annual unit sales expected at the beginning of 2022.

Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Fourth quarter 2022 net revenue decreased 13.4% to $84.2 million¹ compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and increased 6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of orders, and an estimated $3.2 million negative impact from foreign exchange (FX).

Gross profit totaled $36.3 million¹ compared to $48.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, and gross margin declined to 43.1% compared to 50.2% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The decrease in gross margin is primarily due to the previously announced discontinuation of certain first generation apparel, an increase in promotions, and the impact of unfavorable FX rates.

Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A) was $41.6 million, or 49.5% of net revenue, compared to $36.7 million, or 37.7% of net revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2021. The increase is primarily attributable to expenses for the opening of six new stores during the period and operational expenses for 23 additional stores opened since the fourth quarter of 2021, and increased headcount, which was partially offset by expense savings from our simplification initiatives. Marketing expense totaled $16.8 million, or 19.9% of net revenue, compared to $18.5 million, or 19.1% of net revenue, due to a reduction in marketing spend compared to the same period in 2021 in a highly promotional holiday environment.

Impairment expense totaled $3.3 million, related to impairment of certain long-lived store assets in China that were impacted by COVID-related closures. No impairment expense was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Net loss was $24.9 million compared to $10.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, and net loss margin was 29.5% compared to 10.7% in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $12.5 million¹, compared to earnings of $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, and adjusted EBITDA margin¹ declined to (14.9)% compared to 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Full Year Operating Results

Net revenue increased 7.3% to $297.8 million¹ compared to $277.5 million in 2021 and increased 35.8% compared to 2020. The increase is attributable to an increase in the number of orders and an increase in third party sales. This was partially offset by unfavorable FX rates that had an estimated $8.0 million negative impact on net revenue. In the U.S., where net revenue increased 9.5% from to 2021 to $229.8 million, retail store sales was the primary driver. International net revenue was roughly flat compared to 2021 at $68.0 million, as the business was negatively impacted by external headwinds, including continuing COVID-19 restrictions in China, a decrease in discretionary consumer spending as a result of increasing inflation, the impact of the crisis in Ukraine in Europe, and unfavorable FX rates.

Gross profit totaled $129.6 million¹ compared to $146.7 million for the same period in 2021, while gross margin declined to 43.5% versus 52.9% in 2021. The decrease in gross margin is primarily due to the previously announced discontinuation of certain first generation apparel, the impact of promotions, higher logistics costs, a lower mix of international sales, and unfavorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by a higher mix of margin accretive retail store sales.

SG&A was $166.7 million, or 56.0% of net revenue, compared to $122.2 million, or 44.0% of net revenue, in 2021, with the increase primarily driven by expenses from the opening of 23 new stores during the year, increased headcount, and recurring public company operating costs. Marketing expense totaled $59.1 million versus $57.3 million compared to 2021 and improved as a percentage of net revenue to 19.9% from 20.7% a year ago, due to a reduction in marketing spend in the fourth quarter compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.

Impairment expense totaled $3.3 million, related to impairment of certain long-lived store assets in China that were impacted by COVID-related closures. No impairment expense was recorded in 2021. Restructuring expense totaled $0.8 million, and consisted primarily of severance and related costs for terminated employees. No restructuring expense was recorded in 2021.

Net loss was $101.4 million compared to $45.4 million in 2021, and net loss margin was 34.0% compared to 16.4% in 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA loss was $60.4 million¹ compared to a loss of $11.7 million in 2021, and adjusted EBITDA margin declined to (20.3)% compared to (4.2)% for 2021.

Strategic Transformation to Drive Sustained and Profitable Growth

Allbirds is announcing a strategic transformation plan to reignite growth in the coming years, as well as improve capital efficiency, and drive profitability. The plan focuses on four key areas:

• Reignite product and brand
  • Executing a highly-focused brand strategy that reconnects with core consumers.
• Optimize U.S. stores and slow pace of openings.
  • Driving traffic and conversion to our U.S. fleet and selectively expanding our third party wholesale channel.
• Evaluate transition of international go-to-market strategy
  • Evaluating potential distributor partners in certain international markets to grow internationally in a cost- and capital-efficient manner
• Improve cost savings and capital efficiency
  • Building upon and further accelerating 2022 cost and cash optimization initiatives to accelerate cost of revenue savings and SG&A savings, and improve cash optimization.

August 2022 Simplification Initiatives - In the fourth quarter of 2022, Allbirds substantially completed its previously announced simplification initiatives, which were designed to generate cost of revenue savings, streamline workflows, and lower operating costs.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Allbirds ended the quarter with $167.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and $40 million available under its revolving credit agreement. In the first quarter of 2023, we executed a letter of intent to extend and upsize our undrawn revolver, which when amended, would extend the maturity through 2026 and provide us with access to up to $50 million of committed liquidity and the option to request an upsize to $100 million. Inventories totaled $116.8 million, an increase of 9.3% compared to $106.9 million at the end of 2021. The increase from the end of 2021 is attributable to higher on hand inventory and the impact of higher inbound freight costs.

2023 Q1 Financial Guidance Targets

Allbirds is providing the following financial guidance targets for the first quarter of 2023:

• Net revenue of $45 million to $50 million, a decrease of 20% to 28% versus the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
• Adjusted EBITDA³ loss of $29 million to $26 million.

The Company will provide additional commentary on 2023 business trends during its earnings call.

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³ A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to corresponding GAAP financial measures is not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort as we are currently unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty certain expense items that are excluded in calculating adjusted EBITDA, although it is important to note that these factors could be material to our results computed in accordance with GAAP. We have provided a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for our fourth quarter 2022 and 2021 results included in this press release. 

Conference Call Information

Allbirds will host a conference call to discuss the results, followed by Q&A, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today, March 9, 2023. A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be available on the investor relations section of the Allbirds website at https://ir.allbirds.com where supplemental material dated March 9, 2023 will also be posted prior to the conference call. Except as specifically noted herein, information on the Company’s website is not, and will not be deemed to be, a part of this Current Report on Form 8-K or incorporated into any other filings the Company may make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A replay of the webcast will also be archived on the Allbirds website for 12 months.

About Allbirds, Inc.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Allbirds (NASDAQ: BIRD) is a global lifestyle brand that innovates with naturally derived materials to make better footwear and apparel products in a better way, while treading lighter on the planet. The Allbirds story began with superfine New Zealand merino wool and has since evolved to include a eucalyptus tree fiber knit fabric and a sugarcane-based EVA foam (SweetFoam®). Allbirds serves customers across more than 35 countries in over 50 Allbirds stores and its e-commerce website, www.allbirds.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and related conference call contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. All statements other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our strategic transformation plan and related efforts, financial outlook and guidance targets, medium-term financial targets, market position, future results of operations, financial condition, strategic initiatives, business strategy and plans, reducing the carbon footprint of our products, and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: our strategic transformation plans, simplification initiatives or our long-term growth strategy; fluctuations in our operating results; economic uncertainty in our key markets; impairment of long-lived assets; the strength of our brand; our net losses since inception; the competitive marketplace; our reliance on technical and materials innovation; our use of sustainable materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and supply chain practices; our ability to attract new customers and increase sales to existing customers; the impact of climate change and government and investor focus on sustainability issues; our ability to anticipate product trends and consumer preferences; and our ability to forecast consumer demand. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment in which new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make.

Further information on these risks and other factors that could cause our financial results, performance, and achievements to differ materially from any results, performance, or achievements anticipated, expressed, or implied by these forward-looking statements is included in the filings we make with the SEC, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, and future reports we may file with the SEC from time to time. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and related conference call relate only to events as of the date stated or, if no date is stated, as of the date of this press release and related conference call. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in or expressed by, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments.

Glossary

Active Customer is defined as a unique customer that has made at least one purchase of any product in the trailing 12-month period.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and accompanying financial tables include references to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, and not in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results of operations under GAAP, are useful to investors as they are widely used measures of performance, and the adjustments we make to these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors further insight into our profitability and additional perspectives in comparing our performance to other companies and in comparing our performance over time on a consistent basis. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to net loss or net loss margin as calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net loss before stock-based compensation expense (including common stock warrant expense), depreciation and amortization expense, impairment expense, restructuring expense, other income or expense, interest income or expense, and income tax provision or benefit.

Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenue.

Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate these adjusted financial measures differently, which reduces their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, we consider, and investors should consider, these adjusted financial measures together with other operating and financial performance measures presented in accordance with GAAP.

Investor Relations:

Katina Metzidakis
ir@allbirds.com

Media Contact:

press@allbirds.com

Allbirds, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands, except share, per share amounts, and percentages)
(unaudited)

The following tables present a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to its most comparable GAAP measure, net loss, and presentation of net loss margin and adjusted EBITDA margin for the periods indicated:

Allbirds, Inc.
Recast Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2022, we are no longer excluding the revenue and cost of revenue associated with the inventory optimization related to the previously announced simplification initiatives, from our non-GAAP measures. In addition, we have updated our non-GAAP measure to exclude impairment and restructuring expenses, as we believe this supplemental view of our ongoing performance is useful and relevant to our investors. There are no changes to previously reported GAAP measures.