Laird Superfood Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

33% Year-Over-Year Improvement in Net Cash used in Operating Activities

Laird Superfood, Inc. (NYSE American: LSF) (“Laird Superfood,” “we” and “our”), today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Second Quarter 2022 Highlights

• Net Sales of $8.7 million were down 6% versus the prior year period.
• Online contributed 60% of total Net Sales and revenue decreased 11% year-over-year, driven by reduced working marketing spend and elimination of free shipping on orders under forty dollars.
• Wholesale Net Sales contributed 39% of total Net Sales and revenue increased 4% year-over-year, driven by continued expansion in Grocery and growth in our Club business.
• Gross Profit was $1.6 million and Gross Margin was 18.2% compared to Gross Profit of $2.2 million and Gross Margin of 23.8% in the prior year period.
• Net Loss was $4.9 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to a Net Loss of $6.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in the prior year period.
• Adjusted Net Loss, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, was $6.3 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Net Loss of $6.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in the prior year period. For more details on non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the information in the Non-GAAP financial measures section of this press release.
• Net Cash Used in Operating Activities was $3.9 million, an improvement of 33% compared to $5.8 million of Net Cash Used in Operating Activities in the prior year period.

“We are encouraged by early progress on key initiatives to drive growth in Wholesale as well as optimizing our cost structure,” said Jason Vieth, President and Chief Executive Officer. “As expected, second quarter results were adversely impacted by structural headwinds in online channels as well as heightened inflationary pressures. Despite these challenges and lower net sales, we delivered a 33% improvement in operating cash flow for the quarter and our balance sheet remained strong with nearly $25 million of cash and no debt. Underlying consumer metrics also continue to trend favorably, reflecting the strength of the Laird Superfood brand and demand for our core products.

Our new leadership team is energized and doing a phenomenal job of reorienting the Company to the biggest commercial and operational opportunities, while executing well against our strategic priorities. We are taking key steps to grow and improve our business, including:

• Realigning new sales broker partners across all classes of the retail trade, while at the same time increasing prices where appropriate and implementing a $40 threshold for free shipping in the DTC channel.
• Rebuilding our marketing agency ecosystem and associated creative content across Social Media, Amazon, Public Relations, and Email.
• Streamlining our operations through targeted process improvement and organizational efficiencies to match our supply capability to our anticipated demand.

Overall, we are continuing to make solid progress against our strategic plan, and we remain confident in our direction and ability to drive significant improvements to sales growth and profitability in the future.”

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

Net Sales decreased 6% to $8.7 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $9.2 million in the second quarter of 2021, driven by elevated promotional discounts while volume was nearly flat. Wholesale channel increased 4%, driven by distribution gains in Grocery and Club, while Online sales declined 11%. The decline in Online sales was primarily due to challenging results in our direct-to-consumer channel impacted by a consumer spending pull back due to inflationary concerns, elevated discounts and reduced working marketing spend as we optimize investment mix across all digital channels. Despite these factors, Amazon.com channel sales grew, reflecting momentum driven by changes we are making.

Gross Profit was $1.6 million, a 28% decrease compared to the prior year period of $2.2 million. Gross Margin was 18.2% of Net Sales in the second quarter of 2022, compared to 23.8% of Net Sales in the prior year period. The margin compression was driven by a combination of elevated promotional discounts, inflation in raw materials, packaging, and shipping costs combined with fixed cost deleverage of internal manufacturing facilities partially offset by gains in labor efficiencies and organizational optimization.

Operating Expenses were $6.5 million compared to $8.5 million in the year ago period, a 23% decline primarily driven by lower General and Administrative expenses due to stock-based compensation forfeitures. Sales and Marketing expense declined $0.2 million due to lower Advertising expense and Marketing fees. Research and Development expenses declined $0.3 million reflecting expenses associated with new product launches in the year-earlier period.

Loss from operations was $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2022, compared to a loss of $6.3 million in the prior year period, a 22% improvement versus a year ago.

Net Loss was $4.9 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2022, compared to a net loss of $6.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

Adjusted Net Loss, which excludes the impact of certain one-time items, was $6.3 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $6.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, a year earlier.

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

Net Sales increased 9% to $18.0 million in the first six months of 2022 compared to $16.6 million in the first six months of 2021. The increase in year-to-date Net Sales was due to online growth, reflecting the acquisition of Picky Bars, as well higher wholesale revenue driven by distribution gains.

Gross Profit was $3.5 million, a decrease of 12% compared to the prior year period of $4.0 million. Gross Margin was 19.6% of Net Sales in the first six months of 2022, compared to 24.2% of Net Sales in the prior year period. The year over year compression in Gross Margin was primarily due to elevated promotional activity, inflationary pressures on raw materials, packaging, and freight, partially offset by labor efficiencies and organizational optimization.

Operating Expenses were $22.4 million compared to $15.6 million in the first six months of 2022 and reflect General and Administrative expense increases of $6.7 million, primarily due to $8.0 million non-cash charge for goodwill and intangible asset impairment. Excluding the charge for the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, General and Administrative expenses decreased by $1.4 million reflecting lower stock-based compensation and gain on sale of land. Sales and Marketing expense increased $0.5 million, primarily due to advertising and marketing fees. Research and Product Development expense decreased by $0.4 million primarily due to costs incurred to bring new products to market a year ago.

Loss from operations was $18.9 million in the first six months of 2022, compared to a loss of $11.6 million in the prior year period.

Net Loss was $19.0 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2022, compared to net loss of $11.6 million, or $1.30 per diluted share.

Adjusted Net Loss, which excludes the impact of certain one-time items, was $13.0 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2022 compared to $11.6 million, or $1.30 per diluted share in the prior year period.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

The Company had $24.5 million of cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2022, and no outstanding debt. Net cash used in operating activities was $7.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $11.0 million in 2021.

Capital Expenditures totaled $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $0.5 million a year earlier.

2022 Outlook

We are operating in an unusually uncertain economic environment with the highest inflation rates in decades, particularly in food and fuel, which has created more pressure on margin mix and operating costs than we had anticipated in the beginning of the year. We expect these trends to continue in the second half of the year and are accordingly updating our guidance for the full year 2022. We estimate that Net Sales for full year 2022 will be in a range of $36 million to $38 million and Gross Margin for full year 2022 is estimated at approximately 20%, which is inclusive of thirteen points of Outbound Distribution expense included in our Cost of Goods Sold. The Company’s guidance assumes that there are no significant disruptions to the supply chain, or its customers or consumers, including any disruptions from adverse macroeconomic factors or additional adverse changes related to the duration, magnitude and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 (844) 200-6205 from the U.S. or (929) 526-1599 internationally. The conference I.D. code is 510937. 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 conference 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 and growth. 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) the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic, or of other global outbreaks of pandemics or contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks, including on our supply chain, the demand for our products, and on overall economic conditions and consumer confidence and spending levels; (2) volatility regarding our revenue, expenses, including shipping expenses, and other operating results; (3) our ability to acquire new direct and wholesale customers and successfully retain existing customers; (4) our ability to attract and retain our suppliers, distributors and co-manufacturers, and effectively manage their costs and performance; (5) effects of real or perceived quality or health issues with our products or other issues that adversely affect our brand and reputation; (6) our ability to innovate on a timely and cost-effective basis, predict changes in consumer preferences and develop successful new products, or updates to existing products, and develop innovative marketing strategies; (7) adverse developments regarding prices and availability of raw materials and other inputs, a substantial amount of which come from a limited number of suppliers outside the United States, including in areas which may be adversely affected by climate change; (8) effects of changes in the tastes and preferences of our consumers and consumer preferences for natural and organic food products; (9) the financial condition of, and our relationships with, our suppliers, co-manufacturers, distributors, retailers and foodservice customers, as well as the health of the foodservice industry generally; (10) the ability of ourselves, our suppliers and co-manufacturers to comply with food safety, environmental or other laws or regulations; (11) our plans for future investments in our business, our anticipated capital expenditures and our estimates regarding our capital requirements; (12) the costs and success of our marketing efforts, and our ability to promote our brand; (13) our reliance on our executive team and other key personnel and our ability to identify, recruit and retain skilled and general working personnel; (14) our ability to effectively manage our growth; (15) our ability to compete effectively with existing competitors and new market entrants; (16) the impact of adverse economic conditions; and (17) the growth rates of the markets in which we compete.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, we report adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share, which are financial measures not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management uses adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share to evaluate financial performance because adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share allow for period-over-period comparisons of the Company’s ongoing operations before the impact of certain items described below. Management believes this information may also be useful to investors to compare the Company’s results period-over-period. We define adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share to exclude (1) non-cash charges for goodwill and intangible asset impairment, (2) forfeitures of unvested stock-based compensation, (3) non-recurring executive severance costs, (4) loss on sale of available-for-sale securities, (5) proceeds from an insurance settlement, and (6) gain on sale of land held-for-sale. Please be aware that adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share have limitations and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net loss or diluted net loss per share. In addition, we may calculate and/or present adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share differently than measures with the same or similar names that other companies report, and as a result, the non-GAAP measures we report may not be comparable to those reported by others.

These non-GAAP measures are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the table that follows.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220810005679/en/