LightInTheBox Holding Co Ltd (LITB) saw its stock price rise by 4.79% following an earnings call that highlighted improved profitability despite a significant revenue decline. The company's strategic shift towards niche markets and cost reduction measures were key points of discussion, reflecting an optimistic investor sentiment despite broader challenges in the global e-commerce sector.
Key Takeaways
- Net income increased to $300,000, up from $100,000 the previous year.
- Gross margin improved to 61%, despite a 63% drop in revenue.
- Operating expenses reduced by 63%, contributing to profitability.
- New brand adao.com launched, focusing on direct-to-consumer apparel.
Company Performance
LightInTheBox reported a challenging year with total revenues decreasing by 63% to $57 million. However, the company managed to improve its net income to $300,000, up from $100,000 the previous year, and increased its gross margin to 61% from 60%. This performance comes amid intense competition in the global e-commerce industry, where the company is shifting its focus from market share to profitability.
Financial Highlights
- Revenue: $57 million, down 63% year-over-year
- Gross profit: $35 million, compared to $92 million in the previous year
- Net income: $300,000, up from $100,000
- Adjusted EBITDA: $800,000
- Gross margin: Improved to 61% from 60%
Market Reaction
The stock price of LightInTheBox rose by 4.79% following the earnings call, reflecting investor optimism about the company's profitability improvements and strategic focus on new market segments. The stock, however, remains closer to its 52-week low, indicating ongoing challenges in the broader market environment.
Company Outlook
Looking forward, LightInTheBox is focusing on profitability and efficiency. The company plans to continue developing new brand initiatives and expanding its e-commerce service offerings, with a commitment to high-quality development. The strategic investment in AI and the launch of adao.com are expected to drive future growth.
Executive Commentary
CEO Jian He emphasized the company's transformation, stating, "We are transforming Light in the Box from an e-commerce retailer into a brand of 4th apparel designer." He also highlighted the competitive pricing strategy of the new brand, Adao, aiming to offer high-quality clothing at prices 50% lower than similar brands. CFO Yuanjun Ye noted the company's strategic investment in R&D and artificial intelligence.
Q&A
There were no questions asked during the earnings call, leaving some aspects of the company's future strategy and market positioning open to interpretation.
Risks and Challenges
- The significant year-over-year revenue decline poses a risk to long-term growth.
- Intense competition in the global e-commerce market may pressure margins.
- The company's ability to successfully penetrate niche markets remains uncertain.
- Economic conditions and consumer spending patterns could impact future performance.
- Continued reliance on strategic cost reductions may limit growth opportunities.
Full transcript - LightInTheBox Holding Co Ltd ARD (LITB) Q3 2024:
Conference Operator: Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for standing by for Light in the Box's Third Quarter 20 24 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all the participants are in a listen only mode. After management's prepared remarks, there will be a question and answer session. Today's conference call is being recorded.
I will now turn the call over to your host, Ms. Jenny Cai. Please go ahead, Jenny.
Jenny Cai, Investor Relations, Light in the Box: Thank you, operator. Hello, everyone, and welcome to Light in the Box Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. The company's earnings results were released via newswire services earlier today and are available on the company's IR website at iradore.com. On the call from LightInTheBox today are Mr. Jian He, CEO Mr.
Yuanjun Ye, CFO and Ms. Wenyu Liu, Chief Growth Officer. Mr. He will provide an overview of the company's strategies and recent developments followed by Ms. Ye, who will go over its financial results.
Following our prepared remarks, we'll open the call to questions. Before we proceed, please note that today's discussion may contain forward looking statements made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the U. S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the company's current expectations.
To understand the factors that could cause results to materially differ from those in forward looking statements, please refer to the company's Form 20 F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company does not assume any obligation to update any forward looking statements except as required under applicable law. Please also note that Lightinthebox earnings press release and this conference call include discussions of unaudited GAAP financial measures as well as unaudited non GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the company's earnings press release, which contains a reconciliation of the unaudited non GAAP measures to the unaudited GAAP measures. Now I'd like to turn the call over to LightInTheBox CEO, Mr.
He. Please go ahead.
Jian He, CEO, Light in the Box: Good morning and good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining Net Intangible Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. In the face of intense competition across the e commerce industry, in 2024, we made the strategic decision not to chase market share as earning cost. Rather than participating in a race to the bottom, we shift our focus to protecting our margins and enhancing profitability earlier this year. This approach has enabled us to achieve profitability despite the significant revenue fluctuations as we navigate an incredibly competitive landscape.
But that's not the only story. We are transforming Night Into Box from an e commerce retailer into a brand of 4th apparel designer with the launch of our new brand adao.com. Adao isn't just another online store. It's a broad design driven venture that reflects our commitment to quality and the style. With Eduo, we will be crafting proprietary apparel collections and selling them directly to consumers online, allowing us to control quality, brand image and ultimately profitability.
What makes Edo truly exciting is our approach to product development and the customer engagement. With design studios and sample shops in both the United States and China, including a boutique and a design studio in Campbell, California. We are able to gather real time feedback from customers and refine our collections to meet their preference. We recently hired a talented new designer based in the United States and we are thrilled with the fresh perspectives and the creativity they bring to our team. Our aim at Airdo is to offer high quality clothing at prices 50% lower than similar brands, without sacrificing our margins.
This direct to consumer model is already delivering higher margins, offering an encouraging path to sustainable growth. Unlike traditional retailers, at all, we are locked via the cost associated with maintaining a physical retail network, which allow us to invest more in the brand's designs and the product quality. In addition to women's clothing, the company is expanding into niche markets with women's golf apparel and a new line of men's clothing to further broaden our customer base. These expansions represent our commitment to building a brand ecosystem around the door that resonates with quality conscious, style serving consumers. Beyond fashion, Lighting's Box is also leveraging its team's extensive experience and expertise to offer a comprehensive shield of services to e commerce companies.
This includes advertising, supply chain management, payment processing, order fulfillment, shipping and delivery solutions. These capabilities have been developed through years of refining our processes and represent another pillar of growth of our business. In summary, LatinxBox is undergoing a transformative journey. Our legacy e commerce side will remain active, but the heart of our future growth lies in a door and our hot springs, as well as our e commerce services. This shift not only aligns us more closely with our customers, but also perhaps to wait for stronger, sustainable profitability.
With that, I will now hand the call over to Yuanjun to go through our financial results.
Yuanjun Ye, CFO, Light in the Box: Thank you, Mr. He. Good morning and good evening, everyone. Before we delve into our financials, please note that unless otherwise stated, all figures are presented in U. S.
Dollars. In the Q3 of 2024, our total revenues decreased by 63% year over year to 57,000,000 dollars primarily due to intense competition in the global e commerce industry. Despite this decline, our gross profit was $35,000,000 compared with $92,000,000 in the same quarter last year. Notably, our gross margin improved to 61% this quarter from 60% in the same period last year. This enhancement is largely attributable to the positive impact of our new product lines, particularly those for adaure.com, which offer higher margins and have been well received by our customers.
We achieved a 63% reduction in total operating expenses year over year bringing them down to $34,000,000 from $92,000,000 in the same period last year. This decrease was mainly due to the decline in revenue complemented by our effective operational efficiency enhancements. Breaking down the operating expenses, fulfillment expenses decreased by 50% year over year to RMB4 1,000,000 reflecting our streamlined logistics and supply chain processes. Selling and marketing expenses declined by 67 percent year over year to $25,000,000 Importantly, the return on investment for our selling marketing expenses increases our new product lines demonstrate higher advertising efficiency and customer engagement. General and administrative expenses decreased by 42% year over year to $6,000,000 Within G and A expenses, research and development expenses were $3,000,000 compared with $5,000,000 in the same quarter last year.
We continue to invest strategically in R and D and artificial intelligence as we view these areas as central to our product differentiation and operational efficiency efforts. As a result of these measures, we maintained profitability in the 3rd quarter recording a net income of $300,000 compared to $100,000 in the same quarter last year. Our adjusted EBITDA was $800,000 consistent with the Q1 of 2023. Looking ahead, we will continue to prioritize efficiency and profitability improvement with a strong focus of the growth and development of our new initiatives, including our new brand operations and comprehensive service offering for e commerce companies. We remain dedicated to pursuing high quality development and delivering value to our shareholders.
This concludes our remarks. We are now open to your questions.
Conference Operator: Thank As there are no questions, now I'd like to turn the call back over to the company for closing remarks.
Jenny Cai, Investor Relations, Light in the Box: Thank you once again for joining us today. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Lightinthebox Investor Relations through the contact information provided on our website or PN20 Financial Communications. Have a great day.
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