NASDAQ: PETS Sidoti Small-Cap Virtual Conference March 2023 Safe Harbor & Non-GAAP Measures This Presentation contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning expectations, beliefs plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements th ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q1 net sales increased by over 8% to $3,120,000,000, exceeding the high end of guidance [9][20] - Gross margin for Q1 was 29.6%, with a year-over-year expansion of approximately 60 basis points when adjusted for one-time benefits from the previous year [10][21] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $192,700,000, representing a 6.2% adjusted EBITDA margin, with a year-over-year increase of approximately 50 basis points [11][24] - Free cash flow generated in Q1 was nearly $50,000,000 [12][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Autoship customer sales reached $2,560,000,000, representing approximately 82% of Q1 net sales and a growth of nearly 15% year-over-year [9][10] - Hardgoods category saw a 12.3% year-over-year growth [9] - Active customers increased to 20,800,000, reflecting a 3.8% year-over-year growth [10][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall pet industry is estimated to grow at 3% to 4% this year, with the company expecting to grow at roughly two times that rate [38] - The company is capturing approximately $0.50 of every dollar moving online in the pet market, indicating a gain in market share [78] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its Chewy Vet Care (CVC) initiative, with plans to open 8 to 10 new clinics in fiscal year 2025 [12][13] - The transition of the Chewy Plus membership program out of beta is expected to drive stronger customer loyalty [14] - The company aims for a long-term adjusted EBITDA margin target of 10% [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver on its strategic roadmap and long-term financial model [15][29] - The company anticipates that approximately 80% of adjusted EBITDA will convert into free cash flow for the full year [25][28] - Management noted that the competitive landscape remains favorable, with continued strength in customer acquisition and retention [32][52] Other Important Information - The CFO announced plans to leave the company for a CEO role in the semiconductor industry, with a smooth transition expected [17][30] - The company ended the quarter with approximately $616,000,000 in cash and cash equivalents and remains debt-free [27][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Customer growth expectations for the full year - Management indicated that low single-digit growth remains a reasonable framework for customer count growth, with current momentum exceeding expectations [32][34] Question: Industry growth outlook - Management estimates a 3% to 4% growth for the industry, with Chewy's guidance reflecting a share-gaining plan [38] Question: Advertising investments and opportunities - Management expressed optimism about the sponsored ads business, highlighting successful platform migration and increased demand for off-site advertising [42][45] Question: Sustainability of active customer growth - Management noted improvements in customer retention and acquisition strategies, contributing to sustainable active customer growth [50][52] Question: Autoship customer sales growth - Management detailed the path new customers take to become Autoship customers, emphasizing the importance of assortment and personalized experiences [66][68] Question: Gross margin changes - Management clarified that gross margin expanded year-over-year, driven by sponsored ads and product mix improvements [84][86] Question: Chewy Vet Care expansion opportunities - Management highlighted the potential of the CVC initiative, with strong performance metrics and plans for gradual expansion [94][96]

Core Insights - Chewy Inc. is set to release its first-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings results on June 11, with investors contemplating whether to buy or hold the stock [1] Group 1: Company Performance and Expectations - Chewy has established a strong presence in the online pet retail market, focusing on innovation and customer loyalty, which positions the company for long-term growth [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is $3.08 billion, reflecting a 6.9% increase from the previous year, while the earnings estimate remains at 34 cents per share, indicating a 9.7% year-over-year rise [3][8] - Chewy has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.3%, with the last quarter surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 33.3% [4] Group 2: Key Growth Drivers - The growth in Chewy's revenue is supported by its Autoship program, which encourages repeat purchases and stabilizes revenue streams [10] - Active customer growth is a positive indicator, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate suggesting an increase to 20.5 million active customers, driven by improved digital experiences and the Chewy+ Membership Program [11] - Chewy's expansion into higher-margin areas, such as its in-house ad platform and veterinary services, is enhancing customer acquisition and engagement [12] Group 3: Market Position and Valuation - Chewy's stock has increased by 22.1% over the past month, outperforming the industry average of 1.2% [13] - The company trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.57, which is lower than the industry average of 2.00, indicating a favorable investment opportunity [16] - Chewy's valuation is higher than competitors like Central Garden & Pet Company, Petco Health and Wellness Company, and BARK, which have lower P/S ratios [17] Group 4: Investment Considerations - Chewy's investments in automation, advertising, and veterinary services reflect a commitment to long-term growth, although the lack of a clear earnings beat signal may lead to cautious investment decisions [19]

Chewy (CHWY) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - Chewy is the largest pure play online pet retailer in the U.S. with over 20 million active customers and estimated net sales of over $1.2 billion in fiscal 2025 [1][2] - More than 80% of revenue is generated from subscription-based auto-ship customers, and about 85% comes from nondiscretionary categories [2][12] Key Financial Metrics - Expected adjusted EBITDA margins of approximately 5.5% and free cash flow of about $525 million for the year [3][2] - Chewy's profitability continues to improve, with a focus on building out its pet ecosystem [5][6] Leadership Changes - CFO David Reeder announced his departure to return to the semiconductor industry after just over a year at Chewy [5][6] Industry Insights - The U.S. pet industry is valued at approximately $150 billion, with about 30% of that market occurring online [10][11] - Chewy is positioned to benefit as more spending shifts online, particularly in pharmacy and health and wellness categories [11][12] Customer Growth and Retention - Active customer growth is expected to be low single digits in fiscal 2025, driven by Chewy's efforts rather than overall market growth [19][30] - Chewy has improved gross adds, reactivations, and reduced churn through targeted marketing and personalized offerings [20][22] Market Resilience - The pet industry is described as recession resilient, with consumables being a predictable revenue source [12][13] - Chewy's business model, with 85% of revenue from consumables, provides stability during economic downturns [13][12] Product Categories and Growth Strategies - Hard goods sales are more sensitive to macroeconomic conditions but have shown signs of recovery [32][33] - The health and wellness category, which accounts for about 30% of sales, has higher gross margins and is expected to grow significantly [40][41] Veterinary Services Expansion - Chewy has opened eight veterinary clinics and plans to add another eight to ten, which are attracting both existing and new customers [44][46] - More than half of new customers visiting the clinics subsequently place orders on Chewy's platform [46] Profitability and Cost Management - Chewy expects to expand adjusted EBITDA margins by 60 to 90 basis points, with a focus on gross margin improvement and operational efficiency [55][56] - Automation in fulfillment centers is expected to increase productivity by about 30% per square foot [64][65] Capital Allocation - Chewy returned approximately $950 million to shareholders last year and continues to generate significant free cash flow [70][68] - The company maintains a flexible capital allocation strategy, including opportunistic share repurchases [70][68] Conclusion - Chewy is well-positioned in the growing online pet retail market, with a strong focus on customer retention, product diversification, and operational efficiency. The company is leveraging its unique position in the pet ecosystem to drive future growth and profitability.

Economic Overview - U.S. consumer confidence has declined for the fifth consecutive month in April, with the Consumer Confidence Index dropping to 86, a decrease of 7.9 points from the previous month, falling short of market expectations [1][2] - This is the weakest level recorded in almost five years, indicating growing unease among consumers due to economic pressures such as trade tensions, rising tariffs, and fears over job security [2] Consumer Spending Impact - The Federal Reserve and financial markets are closely monitoring the decline in consumer sentiment, as consumer spending accounts for approximately 70% of U.S. GDP, suggesting that changes in spending patterns could significantly impact future economic growth [3] Company Adaptation Strategies - Companies like Sprouts Farmers Market, The Gap, Chewy, and Stitch Fix are better positioned to navigate the current economic challenges due to their solid business models and focus on value and essentials [4] Sprouts Farmers Market - Sprouts Farmers Market is focusing on product innovation, targeted marketing, and competitive pricing to expand its customer base and meet evolving consumer preferences, particularly in the health food segment [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a growth of 12.3% in sales and 28.8% in earnings per share (EPS) for the current financial year compared to the previous year [9] The Gap - The Gap is leveraging its broad brand portfolio and enhancing operational efficiency while driving digital transformation and investing in product innovation to maintain competitiveness [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a growth of 1.5% in sales and 7.7% in EPS for the current financial year compared to the previous year [11] Chewy - Chewy is enhancing its position in the online pet retail market through innovation and customer loyalty initiatives, such as the Autoship program, which secures predictable revenues [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a growth of 4.5% in sales and 18.3% in EPS for the current financial year compared to the previous year [13] Stitch Fix - Stitch Fix is improving its inventory management and expanding private brand offerings to enhance profitability while focusing on personalized client experiences [14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a growth of 64.7% in the bottom line for the current financial year compared to the previous year [15]