CarParts.com Reports Highest Fiscal Year Sales in Company History

Record Fiscal Year Sales of $676 million

TORRANCE, Calif., March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CarParts.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTS), one of the leading eCommerce providers of automotive parts and accessories, and a one-stop shop for vehicle repair and maintenance needs, is reporting results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 30,?2023.

Fiscal Year 2023?Summary vs. Fiscal Year 2022

    --  Net sales increased to a record $675.7 million, up 2% and up 16% on a
        two-year stack.
    --  Gross profit of $229.4 million vs. $230.9 million, with gross margin of
        33.9%.
    --  Net loss was ($8.2) million, or ($0.15) per share, compared to a net
        loss of ($1.0) million, or ($0.02) per share.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $19.7 million vs. $26.1 million.
    --  Cash of $51.0 million and no revolver debt.
    --  Repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares for $4.3 million during the
        year.

Fourth Quarter 2023?Summary vs.?Year-Ago Quarter

    --  Net sales increased to $156.4 million, up 1% year-over-year and up 13%
        on a two-year stack.
    --  Gross profit remained flat at $51.6 million, with gross margin of 33.0%.
    --  Net loss was ($6.1) million, or ($0.11) per share, compared to a net
        loss of ($6.2) million, or ($0.11) per share.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $1.0 million vs. $2.1 million.

Management Commentary

"We continued to see strong unit growth of approximately 8% in the fourth quarter. We believe we are taking share from other online players and as consumer confidence rebounds, we are well positioned to support the $389 billion automotive aftermarket and deliver long-term growth." said David Meniane, CEO. "In fiscal year 2023, our team surpassed several company records and reached significant achievements. However, we experienced a slow start to 2024 and we continue to experience a difficult macro environment.

In light of these challenges, we have made the tough decision to significantly reduce our cost structure including the elimination of 150 global roles. These decisions are not made lightly but we want to stay agile, protect shareholder value, and realign to the reality of the environment.

We continue to believe the strategic priorities and areas of the business we are focused on will lead to long-term shareholder value. We have proven in the past that we can grow and execute change management through difficult environments and now is no different. In addition, we are supported by the strength of our balance sheet with ample cash and inventory as well as an undrawn facility with no long-term debt."

Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results

Net sales in fiscal year 2023?were $675.7?million, up 2% from $661.6 million in fiscal year 2022.?

Gross profit decreased slightly to $229.4 million in fiscal?year 2023 compared to $230.9 million in fiscal?year 2022. Gross margin decreased 100 basis points to 33.9% in fiscal?year 2023 compared to 34.9% in fiscal?year 2022. The decrease in gross margin was primarily driven by higher outbound transportation costs and a shift in product mix.

Total operating expenses in fiscal year 2023 were $239.3?million compared to $230.2 million in fiscal year 2022. The increase was primarily driven by investments in our business, combined with higher advertising expense, partially offset by a decrease in fulfillment expense primarily due to an improvement in distribution center fulfillment costs.

Net loss in fiscal year 2023?was?($8.2) million compared to?a net loss of ($1.0) million in fiscal year 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA in fiscal year 2023 was $19.7 million compared to $26.1 million in the fiscal year 2022.

On December 30, 2023, the Company had a cash balance of $51.0 million and no revolver debt, compared to no revolver debt and?a $18.8?million cash balance?at?prior fiscal year-end December 31, 2022.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023?were $156.4?million, up 1% from the year-ago quarter.?

Gross profit in the fourth quarter remained flat at $51.6?million, with gross margin decreasing 40 basis points to?33.0%. The decrease in gross margin was primarily driven by higher outbound transportation costs and a shift in product mix.

Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter were $58.4?million compared to $57.1 million in the year-ago.

Net loss in the fourth quarter?was?($6.1) million compared to?a net loss of ($6.2) million in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter was $1.0 million compared to $2.1 million in the year-ago quarter.

2024 Outlook

For the full year, the Company expects comparable net sales in a range from negative two percent to positive two percent. With gross margin in the range of 30% to 32%.

Conference Call

CarParts.com CEO David Meniane, CFO Ryan Lockwood and COO Michael Huffaker will host a conference call today to discuss the results, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time)
Webcast: www.carparts.com/investor/news-events

To listen to the live call, please click the link above to access the webcast. A replay of the audio webcast will be archived on the Company's website at www.carparts.com/investor.

About CarParts.com, Inc.

CarParts.com, Inc. is a technology-driven eCommerce company improving the way drivers shop for the parts they need. Operating over 25 years, CarParts.com has established itself as a premier destination for drivers seeking repair and maintenance solutions. Our commitment lies in placing the customer at the forefront of our operations, evident in our easy-to-use, mobile-friendly website and app. Offering a seamless shopping experience, we aim to eliminate the uncertainty and stress often associated with vehicle repair and maintenance. Backed by a robust company-operated fulfillment network, we ensure swift delivery of top-quality parts from leading brands to customers across the nation.

At CarParts.com, our global team is united by a shared vision: Empowering Drivers Along Their Journey.

CarParts.com is headquartered in Torrance, California.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Regulation G, and other provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, define and prescribe the conditions for use of certain non-GAAP financial information. We provide "Adjusted EBITDA" in this earnings release and on today's scheduled conference call, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA consist of net loss before (a) interest (income) expense, net; (b) income tax (benefit) provision; (c) depreciation and amortization expense; (d) amortization of intangible assets; and (e) share-based compensation expense. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss is provided below.

The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide important supplemental information to management and investors. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of the Company's operations that, when viewed with the GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company's business and results of operations.

Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as measures of the Company's operating performance because it assists in comparing the Company's operating performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of stock compensation expense as well as other items that we do not believe are representative of our ongoing operating performance. Internally, these non-GAAP measures are also used by management for planning purposes, including the preparation of internal budgets; for allocating resources to enhance financial performance; and for evaluating the effectiveness of operational strategies. The Company also believes that analysts and investors use these non-GAAP measures as supplemental measures to evaluate the ongoing operations of companies in our industry.

These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Management strongly encourages investors to review the Company's consolidated financial statements in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. In addition, the Company expects to continue to incur expenses similar to the non-GAAP adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from the Company's non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an inference that these costs are all unusual, infrequent or non-recurring.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements which are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business and its industry, as well as certain assumptions made by the Company. These statements are forward looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Words such as "anticipates," "could," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "believes," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "would," "will likely continue" and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future operating results and financial condition, our potential growth, our ability to innovate, our ability to gain market share, and our ability to expand and improve our product offerings. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

Important factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, competitive pressures, our dependence on search engines to attract customers, demand for the Company's products, the online market and channel mix for aftermarket auto parts, the economy in general, increases in commodity and component pricing that would increase the Company's product costs, the operating restrictions in its credit agreement, the weather and any other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the Risk Factors contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available at www.carparts.com/investor and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements in this release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations:
Ryan Lockwood, CFA
IR@carparts.com



     Summarized information for the periods presented is as follows (in millions):




                                                                Thirteen Weeks Ended                      Thirteen Weeks Ended              Fifty-Two Weeks     Fifty-Two Weeks
                                                                                                                             Ended               Ended


                                                                December 30, 2023                      December 31, 2022              December 30, 2023     December 31, 2022



     Net sales                                     $
            156.40                  $
            154.52             $
            675.73    $
            661.60



     Gross profit                                   $
            51.60                   $
            51.65             $
            229.41    $
            230.89


                                                        33.0
          %                     33.4
          %                33.9
          %       34.9
          %



     Operating expense                              $
            58.35                   $
            57.10             $
            239.29    $
            230.24


                                                        37.3
          %                     36.9
          %                35.4
          %       34.8
          %



     Net loss                                      $
            (6.09)                 $
            (6.22)            $
            (8.22)   $
            (0.95)


                                                       (3.9)
          %                    (4.0)
          %               (1.2)
          %      (0.1)
          %



     Adjusted EBITDA                                 $
            0.97                    $
            2.12              $
            19.69     $
            26.11


                                                         0.6
          %                      1.4
          %                 2.9
          %        3.9
          %



     The table below reconciles net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (in thousands):




                                                                                            Thirteen Weeks Ended                   Thirteen Weeks Ended                 Fifty-Two Weeks     Fifty-Two Weeks
                                                                                                                                                        Ended                  Ended


                                                                                            December 30, 2023                   December 31, 2022                 December 30, 2023     December 31, 2022



     Net loss                                                               $
              (6,086)                 $
        (6,224)          $
              (8,223)   $
              (951)



     Depreciation & amortization                                                          4,094                          3,936                        16,690               13,607



     Amortization of intangible assets                                                        8                             27                            36                  108



     Interest (income) expense, net                                                       (313)                           355                         (636)               1,421



     Income tax (benefit) provision                                                       (251)                           514                           145                  632



     EBITDA                                                                 $
              (2,548)                 $
        (1,392)            $
              8,012   $
              14,817



     Stock compensation expense                                               $
              3,517                    $
        3,510            $
              11,675   $
              11,296



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                            $
              969                    $
        2,118            $
              19,687   $
              26,113


                                                            
              
                CARPARTS.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                  
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS
                                                                 
                (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)




                                                                                                                                      
              
             Fiscal Year Ended


                                                                                                                                            December 30,                     December 31,            January 1,


                                                                                                                                       2023                         2022                  2022



     Net sales                                                                                                                   $
      675,729            $
              661,604       $
            582,440



     Cost of sales (1)                                                                                                               446,323                        430,714                 385,157



     Gross profit                                                                                                                    229,406                        230,890                 197,283



     Operating expense                                                                                                               239,287                        230,239                 206,394



     (Loss) income from operations                                                                                                   (9,881)                           651                 (9,111)



     Other income (expense):



     Other income, net                                                                                                                 3,197                            467                     238



     Interest expense                                                                                                                (1,394)                       (1,437)                (1,115)



     Total other income (expense), net                                                                                                 1,803                          (970)                  (877)



     Loss before income taxes                                                                                                        (8,078)                         (319)                (9,988)



     Income tax provision                                                                                                                145                            632                     351



     Net loss                                                                                                                        (8,223)                         (951)               (10,339)



     Other comprehensive (loss) gain:



     Foreign currency translation adjustments                                                                                                                          127                      93



     Actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit plan                                                                                     (305)                           872                     307



     Unrealized (loss) gain on deferred compensation trust assets                                                                       (38)                         (147)                     89



     Total other comprehensive (loss) gain                                                                                             (343)                           852                     489



     Comprehensive loss                                                                                                          $
      (8,566)              $
              (99)      $
            (9,850)



     Net loss per share:



     Basic and diluted net loss per share                                                                                         $
      (0.15)            $
              (0.02)       $
            (0.20)



     Weighted-average common shares outstanding:



     Shares used in computation of basic net loss per share                                                                           56,570                         54,137                  51,381




     (1) Excludes depreciation and amortization expense which is included in
            operating expense.


                                                                                          
              
               CARPARTS.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                                                   
               CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                                                              
               (In Thousands, Except Par Value Data)




                                                                                                                                                                 December 30,                December 31,


                                                                                                                                                            2023                    2022



              
                ASSETS



              Current assets:



              Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                              $
        50,951             $
         18,767



              Accounts receivable, net                                                                                                                      7,365                     6,406



              Inventory, net                                                                                                                              128,901                   136,026



              Other current assets                                                                                                                          6,121                     6,672



              Total current assets                                                                                                                        193,338                   167,871



              Property and equipment, net                                                                                                                  26,389                    24,290



              Right-of-use - assets - operating leases, net                                                                                                19,542                    23,951



              Right-of-use - assets - finance leases, net                                                                                                  15,255                    19,750



              Other non-current assets                                                                                                                      3,331                     2,537



              Total assets                                                                                                                          $
        257,855            $
         238,399



              
                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



              Current liabilities:



              Accounts payable                                                                                                                       $
        77,851             $
         57,616



              Accrued expenses                                                                                                                             20,770                    16,466



              Right-of-use - obligation - operating, current                                                                                                4,749                     4,571



              Right-of-use - obligation - finance, current                                                                                                  4,308                     4,753



              Other current liabilities                                                                                                                     5,308                     4,622



              Total current liabilities                                                                                                                   112,986                    88,028



              Right-of-use - obligation - operating, non-current                                                                                           16,742                    21,412



              Right-of-use - obligation - finance, non-current                                                                                             12,327                    15,916



              Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                                 2,969                     2,971



              Total liabilities                                                                                                                           145,024                   128,327



              Commitments and contingencies



              Stockholders' equity:



              Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 57,564 and 54,693 shares issued                                                       60                        57
    and outstanding as of December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (of which 3,786 and 2,565 are
    treasury stock, respectively)



              Treasury stock                                                                                                                             (11,912)                  (7,625)



              Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                  312,874                   297,265



              Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                                                                          783                     1,126



              Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                       (188,974)                (180,751)



              Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                  112,831                   110,072



              Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                            $
        257,855            $
         238,399


                                                                                            
         
             CARPARTS.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                                                
        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                                                                                    
                (In Thousands)




                                                                                                                                                              
             
       Fiscal Year Ended


                                                                                                                                                           December 30,                      December 31,                       January 1,


                                                                                                                                                               2023                          2022                    2022



     
                Operating activities



     Net loss                                                                                                                                      $
            (8,223)              $
              (951)      $
             (10,339)



     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:



     Depreciation and amortization expense                                                                                                                    16,690                          13,607                     9,895



     Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                                            36                             108                       110



     Share-based compensation expense                                                                                                                         11,675                          11,296                    15,685



     Stock awards issued for non-employee director service                                                                                                        23                              22                        23



     Stock awards related to officers and directors stock purchase plan from payroll deferral                                                                                                    26



     (Gain) loss from disposition of assets                                                                                                                     (78)                           (41)                       52



     Amortization of deferred financing costs                                                                                                                     65                              53                        18



     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:



     Accounts receivable                                                                                                                                     (1,101)                        (1,424)                    1,303



     Inventory                                                                                                                                                 6,681                           2,825                  (49,535)



     Other current assets                                                                                                                                        549                           (141)                    1,340



     Other non-current assets                                                                                                                                  (248)                          (636)                      551



     Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                                                                                    23,696                         (9,629)                   22,436



     Other current liabilities                                                                                                                                   686                           (129)                      374



     Right-of-use obligation - operating leases - current                                                                                                        631                             402                     1,696



     Right-of-use obligation - operating leases - long-term                                                                                                    (714)                          (200)                    (836)



     Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                                             (367)                            180                       239



     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                                                                      50,001                          15,368                   (6,988)



     
                Investing activities



     Additions to property and equipment                                                                                                                    (11,879)                       (12,585)                 (11,578)



     Cash paid for intangible assets                                                                                                                           (108)



     Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                                                                                                 86                              68                        27



     Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                                  (11,901)                       (12,517)                 (11,551)



     
                Financing activities



     Borrowings from revolving loan payable                                                                                                                      244                          10,417                       131



     Payments made on revolving loan payable                                                                                                                   (244)                       (10,417)                    (131)



     Repurchase of treasury stock                                                                                                                            (4,311)                                                   (524)



     Payments on finance leases                                                                                                                              (4,738)                        (4,232)                  (2,164)



     Net proceeds from issuance of common stock for ESPP                                                                                                         483                             795



     Statutory tax withholding payment for share-based compensation                                                                                                                                                      (3)



     Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                                                                                   2,650                           1,284                     3,661



     Payment of registration costs of common stock                                                                                                                                                                      (68)



     Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                                                                                                     (5,916)                        (2,153)                      902



     Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                                                                                                                                   (75)                     (21)



     Net change in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                  32,184                             623                  (17,658)



     Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                                                                                           18,767                          18,144                    35,802



     Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                                                                       $
            50,951              $
              18,767         $
             18,144



     Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:



     Right-of-use operating asset acquired                                                                                                     
     $                       
       $                             $
             15,000



     Right-of-use finance asset acquired                                                                                                               $
            784               $
              9,206          $
             4,975



     Accrued asset purchases                                                                                                                         $
            1,499                 $
              624          $
             1,764



     Share-based compensation expense capitalized in property and equipment                                                                            $
            804               $
              1,180          $
             2,159



     Stock issued for services                                                                                                                 
     $                                   $
              81            $
             778



     Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:



     Cash paid during the period for income taxes                                                                                                      $
            210                 $
              649             $
             88



     Cash paid during the period for interest                                                                                                        $
            1,394               $
              1,437          $
             1,115



     Cash received during the period for interest                                                                                                    $
            2,030                  $
              16             $
             26

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SOURCE CarParts.com, Inc.