The RealReal (NasdaqGS:REAL) FY 2025 Conference December 03, 2025 10:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsAjay Gopal - CFOConference Call ParticipantsNone - AnalystNoneWe're hosting Ajay Gopal from The RealReal, so thank you so much for joining us. First time here at the conference.Ajay GopalYeah, thank you.So for starters, I want to hit on just kind of an overview on luxury resale, which is your core business. Just for investors less familiar with the resale subsector, could you speak to it at a high level as to w ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 20% growth in GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) in Q3, following a 14% growth in Q2, indicating strong performance in the luxury resale market [10][20][70] - EBITDA margin expanded by 380 basis points in Q3, reaching approximately 5%, with expectations to close the year at 5.5% [70][71] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on unlocking supply from consumers' closets, with a target of accessing approximately $200 billion in potential supply [34] - The retail presence is contributing significantly, with stores bringing in about 25% of new consignors [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The luxury resale market is estimated to be growing at high single digits, potentially reaching 10%, while the primary luxury market is expected to grow in low single digits [20][26] - The company is the market leader in luxury resale, closing in on $2 billion in GMV, compared to the $85 billion annual spending in the U.S. luxury resale category [4][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is implementing a growth playbook that includes a sales team, marketing efforts, and retail presence to unlock supply [11][34] - The strategy includes leveraging AI for efficiency in the intake and authentication processes, with the Athena initiative processing 27% of items in Q3 [48][51] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that inflation in the primary market increases consideration for the resale platform, as consumers seek value [15] - The company is optimistic about its growth trajectory, with plans to achieve 15%-20% EBITDA margins over the next four to six years [71][72] Other Important Information - The company has seen a significant increase in brand trust, with an eight-point rise year-on-year [32] - The company is actively working to expand its presence in the men's luxury segment, which currently under-indexes compared to women's fashion [65][66] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company addressing the supply issue in the luxury resale market? - The company is focused on unlocking supply through a combination of sales teams, marketing, and retail presence, targeting the estimated $200 billion in consumer closets [34] Question: What is the company's approach to pricing in the current inflationary environment? - The company stated that the market sets the price, and they help sellers find the optimal balance between price and speed of sale [15][16] Question: How does the company plan to improve margins in the future? - The company aims to achieve 15%-20% EBITDA margins by focusing on operational efficiencies and leveraging AI technologies like Athena [71][72] Question: What is the company's strategy for international expansion? - While international expansion is a growth area, the company is currently prioritizing growth in the U.S. market due to existing potential [42] Question: How is the company leveraging AI in its operations? - The Athena initiative is streamlining the intake process, allowing for faster processing and authentication of items, which is expected to improve efficiency significantly [48][51]

Ravi Rody Sahi LC is president and CEO of the real re real joining us now exclusively on power lunch. Uh Rody it's great to have you on the program. I mean what a day.What is behind the t besides of course your leadership. What is behind the turn for the Real Real and its investors this year. >> Yes, thanks for the question.Um we're pretty excited about the momentum. Um, the Real Real is the leader in luxury resale and there's definitely been a market shift um into resale. So, it's great to see more awarene ...

Core Insights - The Real Real is experiencing significant momentum in the luxury resale market, with a projected Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of $2 billion for the first time in its history, indicating a market shift towards resale [2][3] - A notable statistic reveals that 58% of consumers now prefer the secondary market over the primary market, highlighting a change in consumer shopping behavior [3] Company Strategy - The company operates 19 physical locations, which facilitate consignment by reducing friction for consigners and enhancing customer engagement [4][5] - Plans for expansion include opening 1 to 3 new stores annually, while maintaining a digital-first approach [7] Market Dynamics - The total addressable market (TAM) in the U.S. is estimated at $200 billion, representing significant potential for growth in the luxury resale sector [9] - The intersection of luxury and value is driving consumer willingness to spend, particularly on high-value items such as fine jewelry, watches, and handbags [10] Technological Advancements - The Real Real has leveraged technology and AI to streamline the processing of items, improving efficiency and reducing costs per unit [12][13] - The introduction of the AI tool "Athena" has enabled faster item processing, enhancing operational capabilities [13]

Core Insights - The RealReal reported strong third-quarter results, with gross merchandise value (GMV) increasing by 20% to $520 million and revenue rising by 17% to $174 million, leading to an upward revision of full-year GMV guidance to over $2.1 billion [2][3] Sales Performance - The company’s internal report highlighted fine jewelry as the fastest-growing category, with first-time watch buyers increasing by 46% and searches for wedding dresses rising by 247% year-over-year [4] - Handbag searches for fair-condition items grew by 32%, indicating a shift towards practicality and value retention among consumers [4] Consumer Behavior - Economic conditions are influencing consumer behavior, with nearly 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and 25% struggling to pay bills recently [5] - Almost half of U.S. shoppers now purchase secondhand items as frequently as new ones, suggesting that resale has become a regular purchasing behavior rather than a niche choice [5] Operational Efficiency - The company’s growth strategy emphasizes supply quality and operational discipline, with a revised compensation plan that increased average supply value per luxury manager by 12% [7] - The AI-enabled intake system, Athena, managed 27% of all items during the quarter and is projected to handle 40% by year-end, automating authentication and listing processes [8] Financial Metrics - Gross profit rose by 16% to $129 million, supported by higher-value sales and automation gains, while consignment margins improved to 89% and direct-sales margins rose to 21% [11] - Operating expenses decreased by 6% as a share of revenue, reflecting continued cost discipline, with the company ending the quarter with $123 million in cash and reducing debt by $86 million since early 2024 [11] Future Outlook - For the fourth quarter, The RealReal expects GMV between $585 million and $595 million, representing an approximate 17% increase, and revenue between $188 million and $191 million, up roughly 16% [12] - Management anticipates that efficiency improvements and sustained consumer demand for secondhand luxury will support steady growth into 2026 [12] Customer Engagement - Users who both buy and consign, referred to as "Flywheelers," are two to three times more valuable than single-side participants, driving higher transaction frequency and long-term loyalty [9] - The RealReal's high-value pop-up events generated over $2.6 million in supply within a few days, indicating strong engagement with luxury consignors [10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a record quarterly GMV of $520 million, representing a 20% increase year-over-year [5][14] - Revenue for Q3 was $174 million, up 17% compared to the previous year, with consignment revenue increasing by 15% [14][15] - Adjusted EBITDA was $9.3 million, or 5.4% of total revenue, reflecting a 380 basis point increase year-over-year [5][16] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $14 million, a $12 million improvement year-over-year [16][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Direct revenue increased by 47% year-over-year, accounting for 13% of total revenue in Q3 [14][15] - Average order value rose to $584, a 12% increase from the previous year [15] - The take rate decreased by 70 basis points year-over-year to 37.9% due to a higher mix of direct revenue [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a significant shift in consumer behavior, with 58% of shoppers preferring the secondary market and 47% considering resale value before purchasing new items [4][5] - The active buyer base reached over 1 million, marking a new all-time high with a 7% year-over-year increase [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic pillars: growth playbook, operational efficiency, and customer service [6][10] - Plans to expand retail locations by adding one to three stores per year, with a total addressable market of over $200 billion in the U.S. [7][9] - The introduction of AI-driven tools like Smart Sales and Athena aims to enhance supply acquisition and operational efficiency [6][10][57] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a full-year GMV of over $2 billion, driven by strong market demand and operational improvements [4][19] - The company raised its full-year guidance, expecting GMV in the range of $2.10 billion to $2.11 billion, reflecting a 15% increase at the midpoint [18][19] - Management highlighted the importance of building trust with customers and enhancing the resale experience as key to future growth [10][62] Other Important Information - The company has reduced total indebtedness by over $86 million since the beginning of 2024, reinforcing its commitment to deleveraging [17] - The proprietary AI-enabled product intake process, Athena, is expected to touch 30%-40% of all items by year-end, improving efficiency and reducing costs [10][57] Q&A Session Summary Question: Confidence in Q4 GMV growth guidance - Management noted strong momentum from sales, marketing, and retail efforts, with early signs of success in referral and affiliate programs [23][24] Question: Guardrails for next year's growth rates - Management indicated a medium-term growth rate expectation of high single digits to low double digits, with potential for higher growth in the short term [26] Question: Update on DropShip initiatives - Management stated that this year was focused on testing and learning, with plans for meaningful contributions from DropShip in the medium term [30] Question: Revenue growth drivers - Management emphasized that revenue growth is primarily driven by increased supply coming through the door rather than processing speed [32] Question: Competitive dynamics in the resale market - Management highlighted the company's market leadership and strategic advantages in expertise, data, and customer trust [38][39] Question: Q4 EBITDA expectations - Management expects continued operating efficiencies and leverage in operations and tech, driven by AI initiatives [41] Question: Marketing investment and efficiency - Management confirmed increased marketing investment to drive growth, with a focus on balancing growth and profitability [81]

Financial Performance - The RealReal achieved a record quarterly GMV of $520 million, a 20% year-over-year increase[20, 24] - Revenue reached $174 million, up 17% year-over-year, with Consignment Revenue increasing by 15% and Direct Revenue by 47%[29] - Adjusted EBITDA was $9.3 million, representing 5.4% of Total Revenue, a 380 basis points year-over-year increase[20, 31] - The company generated $14 million in Free Cash Flow[20] Operational Efficiency and Scalability - Athena, the company's AI-enabled product intake process, scaled to approximately 27% of all units and is on track for 30-40% by year-end[20] - Consignment Gross Margin increased by 70 basis points year-over-year to 89.3%[20] - Operating Expenses improved by 620 basis points year-over-year as a percentage of revenue due to operating efficiencies, AI and automation, and fixed cost leverage[20, 34] Customer Engagement - Active Buyers reached an all-time high of 1.024 million, a 7% increase on a trailing 12-month basis[20, 26] - Supply value per existing Luxury Manager increased by 12% year-over-year, driven by a new compensation plan and AI investments[20] - Over 80% of GMV comes from repeat customers[44] Outlook - The company raised its Full-Year 2025 Guidance[20] - The FY25 Adjusted EBITDA outlook reflects approximately 400 basis points margin expansion versus 2024 at the guidance midpoint[20] - Full year GMV is projected to be between $2.099 billion and $2.109 billion[36] - Full year Revenue is projected to be between $687 million and $690 million[36] - Full year Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $37.7 million and $38.7 million[36]

Core Insights - Fashionphile has acquired Luxe Collective, marking its entry into the U.K. and European markets [1][3] - The acquisition includes Luxe Collective's intellectual property, customer data, and social media accounts [1] - Fashionphile aims to leverage Luxe Collective's community and cultural relevance alongside its own scale and technology [4][7] Company Strategy - The acquisition represents a strategic leap for Fashionphile, which has a strong presence in the U.S. with flagship stores in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego [2] - Fashionphile plans to launch its U.K. operations under the Luxe Collective brand temporarily, with a flagship store and authentication center set to open in London in 2026 [3] - The company intends to combine Luxe Collective's community engagement with its authentication expertise to enhance its market position [4][6] Market Context - The U.K. has a rich history of luxury resale, but Fashionphile aims to differentiate itself by operating at a larger scale [5] - Luxe Collective faced operational challenges due to a significant burglary in mid-2024, which resulted in a loss of £500,000 in inventory [5] - The acquisition is seen as a way to revitalize Luxe Collective's brand and community after its operational setbacks [6][7]

Leadership Changes - PVH Corp. has appointed Patricia Gabriel as chief supply chain officer and global head of operations, succeeding David Savman, who will focus on his role as Calvin Klein's global brand president [1] - Toms has named Jessica Alsing as chief executive officer, marking the first time a woman leads the company [2] - Puma has appointed Thomas John as vice president of people and organization, effective October 16, succeeding Dietmar Knoess [3] - Vestiaire Collective has promoted Bernard Osta from chief financial officer to chief executive officer, replacing Maximilian Bittner [4] Strategic Focus - Patricia Gabriel will oversee global operations at PVH, bringing experience from her previous role at Capri Holdings [1] - Jessica Alsing previously served as chief digital officer, focusing on global e-commerce and digital engagement [2] - Bernard Osta plans to accelerate AI efforts, enhance brand and global presence, and improve authentication leadership at Vestiaire Collective [4]

Core Insights - The RealReal's 2025 Resale Report highlights a cultural shift in luxury resale, emphasizing its desirability and accessibility, with over 40 million members engaging in the marketplace [1][10] - The report indicates that nearly one-third of clothing purchased in the U.S. last year was secondhand, with 58% of consumers preferring the secondary market [3] Market Trends - Fine jewelry and timeless handbags maintained strong demand, while nostalgia for 2010s fashion and 1980s maximalism influenced consumer preferences [2] - Vintage searches increased by nearly 30% year-over-year, as consumers sought long-term value through resale [2] Consumer Behavior - 47% of consumers now consider resale value before purchasing new items, reflecting a shift in buying habits due to inflation and rising retail prices [7] - The report notes a rejection of uniformity in fashion, with consumers favoring unique pieces that express personal style [3] Brand Performance - Resale values for luxury items showed significant increases: Rolex Datejusts (+17%), Goyard Saint Louis totes (+18%), and Hermès Birkin 30 (+15%) [7] - Isabel Marant emerged as the 1 most-searched contemporary label, with a 54% increase year-over-year [7] Notable Events - Celebrity influence was evident, with Kendrick Lamar's Celine Super Bowl jeans driving a 963% increase in related searches within 24 hours [7] - The report highlights a surge in wedding-related searches across generations, with vintage engagement rings seeing a 198% increase [11]