Overstock.com(OSTK) - 2023 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 2023 was $422 million, a decrease of 20% year-over-year, although this represented an improvement compared to Q1 2023 [12][14] - Adjusted EBITDA was positive at $8 million, marking the 13th consecutive quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA [7][16] - Gross margin was 22.4%, a decrease of 58 basis points year-over-year, attributed to higher discounting [12][14] - The company reported a loss per share of $1.63, primarily due to non-cash non-operating expenses related to equity securities [12][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Home-only revenue declined by 19% year-over-year, reflecting a broader trend of reduced consumer engagement in discretionary home goods [12][14] - Active customer base decreased to 4.6 million, down 29% year-over-year, driven by a shift in consumer spending preferences [17] - Average order value (AOV) declined by 5% year-over-year to $234, although it improved compared to Q1 2023 [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a competitive environment with larger players holding key sales events, impacting overall performance [8] - The decline in orders delivered was 33% year-over-year, primarily due to weak consumer sentiment and spending priorities [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The acquisition of the Bed Bath & Beyond brand is seen as a transformative opportunity to reposition the company and attract new customers [5][10] - The company plans to increase its promotional and marketing budget significantly to engage and retain Bed Bath & Beyond customers [7][32] - The strategy includes leveraging the existing customer base and enhancing the product assortment, with 600,000 new products added since the acquisition [23][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing the strong brand association with home products and the potential for market share growth [22][38] - The company anticipates a challenging macroeconomic environment but expects revenue trends to improve post-launch of the Bed Bath & Beyond brand in the U.S. [41] - Management acknowledged that adjusted EBITDA margins may turn negative in the short term due to increased marketing and discounting efforts [41] Other Important Information - The company ended Q2 2023 with a cash balance of $343 million, which includes the cash outflow for the Bed Bath & Beyond acquisition [13][20] - The transition to the Bed Bath & Beyond brand is expected to be seamless, with a focus on maintaining a consistent customer experience [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on couponing strategy for Bed Bath & Beyond customers - Management indicated that they will target Bed Bath & Beyond legacy customers with significant initial coupons, followed by competitive pricing strategies [43][44] Question: Drivers behind the improvement in July revenue trends - Management attributed the improvement to successful promotions, particularly around Independence Day, and noted that consumer spending remains focused on experiences [51][53] Question: Thoughts on the home e-commerce category returning to growth - Management expressed uncertainty about the timing of recovery in the home furnishings industry but believes the Bed Bath & Beyond acquisition will help outperform competitors [60][62] Question: Potential sales falloff in August and September - Management noted that August is typically slower but expects Labor Day to be a significant sales event, with plans to market aggressively [63][64] Question: Impact of trade-down behavior on average order value - Management acknowledged a trade-down trend affecting AOV but noted that their value proposition is attracting value-seeking customers [66][67] Question: Response to Overstock core categories in Canada - Management reported growth across various categories in Canada, with effective marketing primarily through search engine channels [70][72]