Vipshop Reports Unaudited First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

GUANGZHOU, China, May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vipshop Holdings Limited (NYSE: VIPS), a leading online discount retailer for brands in China ("Vipshop" or the "Company"), today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018.

First Quarter 2018 Highlights

• Total net revenue for the first quarter of 2018 increased by 24.6% year over year to RMB19.9 billion (US$3.2 billion) from RMB16.0 billion in the prior year period.
• The number of active customers^[1] for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2018 was 56.6 million, as compared with 55.5 million in the prior year period.
• Total orders^[2] for the first quarter of 2018 increased by 25% year over year to 90.2 million from 72.1 million in the prior year period.
• Gross profit for the first quarter of 2018 increased by 8.5% year over year to RMB4.0 billion (US$639.2 million) from RMB3.7 billion in the prior year period.
• Net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders for the first quarter of 2018 was RMB529.7 million (US$84.5 million), as compared with RMB551.9 million in the prior year period.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders^[3] for the first quarter of 2018 was RMB727.7 million (US$116.0 million), as compared with RMB799.4 million in the prior year period.

Mr. Eric Shen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vipshop, stated, "In the first quarter of 2018, we delivered solid operational results as demonstrated by the continued improvement in customer stickiness and loyalty. We made further progress with our strategic collaboration with Tencent and JD.com, opening up the entry on JD's app homepage in mid-March and the WeChat wallet entry in early April. Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with Tencent and JD.com in order to improve the traffic flow and conversion rates, which will contribute meaningfully to our long-term customer and revenue growth."  

Mr. Donghao Yang, Chief Financial Officer of Vipshop, further commented, "We finished the first quarter of 2018 with a solid 25% year-over-year increase in topline, which was at the high-end of our guidance range. Our average revenue per customer increased by 25% year over year, driven by improved customer shopping frequency. Leveraging the support from Tencent and JD.com, we will continue to grow our topline and expand our market share."

Recent Business Highlights

• Vipshop launched its JD flagship store on March 3, 2018 and opened up its entry on the homepage of JD's app to all customers on March 14, 2018. Vipshop's JD flagship store attracted approximately half a million followers within the first two months of launching. The majority of customers from the JD channel are new customers, and male apparel is the strongest category. The Company opened access of its WeChat wallet entry to all traffic on April 8, 2018 and conducted a round of promotions with red dots prompting users to click into Vipshop's WeChat mini-program in mid-April, 2018. Comparing to the Company's app users, customers from its mini-program are younger and more male-concentrated.
• In the first quarter of 2018, Vipshop's average revenue per customer increased by approximately 25% year over year, driven by the robust 25% year-over-year increase in average number of orders per customer. During this quarter, 86% of customers were repeat customers, up from 77% in the prior year period, and approximately 96% of orders were placed by repeat customers, up from 92% in the prior year period.
• Vipshop's Board of Directors appointed Mr. Martin Lau, President and Executive Director of Tencent Holdings Limited (SEHK: 0700), as a Director of the Company's Board, effective December 29, 2017. In addition, Mr. Bin Wu resigned from the Company's Board of Directors, effective January 30, 2018.
• On May 8, 2018, L'Oréal Paris launched its official WeChat mini-program, which was developed and operated by Vipshop. Vipshop is actively exploring more opportunities within the WeChat ecosystem with its brand partners, empowering brands to grow their business leveraging the robust traffic within WeChat.
• In the first quarter of 2018, Vipshop added an overseas warehouse in Frankfurt, Germany, bringing the Company's total international warehousing capacity to approximately 59,000 square meters. Vipshop currently has overseas warehouses in nine locations, including Hong Kong, New York, Paris, Milan, London, Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney, and Frankfurt. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has approximately 2.8 million square meters of total warehousing space, of which around 1.8 million square meters is owned by Vipshop.
• During the first quarter of 2018, Vipshop delivered approximately 99% of its orders through its in-house last mile delivery network, up from 93% in the prior year period. More than 81% of customer returns were handled directly by Vipshop's in-house last mile delivery network, up from 67% in the prior year period.
• As of March 31, 2018, close to 1.5 million customers enrolled in Vipshop's Super VIP Paid Membership Program, representing a 54% increase sequentially.
• Vipshop's cross-border business was particularly strong during this year's 4.19 promotional event, with sales increasing by 43% year over year.
• Vipshop recently added a number of popular domestic and international brands to its platform, including Furla, Stella McCartney, and Dodo.

First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

REVENUE

Total net revenue for the first quarter of 2018 increased by 24.6% year over year to RMB19.9 billion (US$3.2 billion) from RMB16.0 billion in the prior year period, primarily driven by the improvement in average revenue per customer.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2018 increased by 8.5% to RMB4.0 billion (US$639.2 million) from RMB3.7 billion in the prior year period. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2018 was 20.2% as compared with 23.2% in the prior year period. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company reclassified costs related to third-party logistics from fulfillment expenses into cost of revenues, which had a 0.9% impact on the gross margin for the quarter. The Company continues to balance investment in promotional activities with its broader marketing efforts to drive growth.

OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were RMB3.5 billion (US$551.4 million), as compared with RMB3.1 billion in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2018 decreased to 17.4% from 19.6% in the prior year period.

• Fulfillment expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were RMB1.7 billion (US$276.4 million), as compared with RMB1.4 billion in the prior year period, primarily reflecting an increase in sales volume and number of orders fulfilled. As a percentage of total net revenue, fulfillment expenses for the first quarter of 2018 decreased to 8.7% from 9.0% in the prior year period.
• Marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were RMB645.3 million (US$102.9 million), as compared with RMB729.5 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2018 decreased to 3.2% from 4.6% in the prior year period.
• Technology and content expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were RMB466.4 million (US$74.3 million), as compared with RMB419.5 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, technology and content expenses for the first quarter of 2018 decreased to 2.3% from 2.6% in the prior year period.
• General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were RMB613.6 million (US$97.8 million), as compared with RMB542.2 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2018 decreased to 3.1% from 3.4% in the prior year period.

Income from operations for the first quarter of 2018 was RMB662.7 million (US$105.6 million), as compared with RMB736.6 million in the prior year period. Operating margin for the first quarter of 2018 was 3.3% as compared with 4.6% in the prior year period.

Non-GAAP income from operations^[4], which excludes share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, was RMB878.1 million (US$140.0 million) as compared with RMB1.0 billion in the prior year period. Non-GAAP operating income margin^[5] for the first quarter of 2018 was 4.4% as compared with 6.3% in the prior year period.

NET INCOME

Net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders for the first quarter of 2018 was RMB529.7 million (US$84.5 million), as compared with RMB551.9 million in the prior year period. Net margin attributable to Vipshop's shareholders for the first quarter of 2018 was 2.7% as compared with 3.5% in the prior year period, primarily attributable to the Company's investment in promotional activities to drive growth. Net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders per diluted ADS^[6] was RMB0.77 (US$0.12) as compared with RMB0.92 in the prior year period.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, impairment loss of investments, and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions and equity method investments, was RMB727.7 million (US$116.0 million) as compared with RMB799.4 million in the prior year period. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Vipshop's shareholders^[7] for the first quarter of 2018 was 3.7% as compared with 5.0% in the prior year period. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders per diluted ADS^[8] was RMB1.05 (US$0.17) as compared with RMB1.31 in the prior year period.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company's weighted average number of ADSs used in computing diluted income per ADS was 702,451,555.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB7.4 billion (US$1.2 billion) and short term investments of RMB1.8 billion (US$288.1 million).

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, net cash from operating activities was RMB171.2 million (US$27.3 million), and free cash flow^[9], a non-GAAP measurement of liquidity, was as follows:

For the trailing twelve months ended

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Quarter Ended March 31, 2018

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") amending revenue recognition guidance and requiring more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018 for all revenue contracts with our customers using the modified retrospective approach and increased retained earnings by approximately RMB176.4 million (US$28.1 million). In addition, the impact of applying this ASU for the three months ended March 31, 2018 primarily resulted in an increase in product sales and a change in deferred revenue driven by the Weipin Coins that are now accounted as a single performance obligation and identified as variable consideration.

The Company offers customers with an unconditional right of return for a period of 7 days upon receipt of products on sales from its platforms. Under the previous revenue standard, revenue was deferred until the 7 days return period expired. However, under the new revenue standard, revenue is recognized at the point of time when the control of goods has been passed to the customers upon the receipt of goods by the customers. The Company makes accrual on the expected sales returns in relation to the 7 day unconditional return policy.

Business Outlook

For the second quarter of 2018, the Company expects its total net revenue to be between RMB20.5 billion and RMB21.3 billion, representing a year-over-year growth rate of approximately 17% to 22%. These forecasts reflect the Company's current and preliminary view on the market and operational conditions, which is subject to change.

Exchange Rate

The Company's business is primarily conducted in China and the significant majority of revenues generated are denominated in Renminbi ("RMB"). This announcement contains currency conversions of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US$ are made at a rate of RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for March 30, 2018 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on March 30, 2018, or at any other rate.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 8:00 am Eastern Time or 8:00 pm Beijing Time to discuss its financial results and operating performance for the first quarter of 2018.

The replay will be accessible through May 23, 2018 by dialing the following numbers:

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.vip.com.

About Vipshop Holdings Limited

Vipshop Holdings Limited is a leading online discount retailer for brands in China. Vipshop offers high quality and popular branded products to consumers throughout China at a significant discount to retail prices. Since it was founded in August 2008, the Company has rapidly built a sizeable and growing base of customers and brand partners. For more information, please visit www.vip.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Vipshop's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Vipshop may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Vipshop's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Vipshop's goals and strategies; Vipshop's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online discount retail market in China; Vipshop's ability to attract customers and brand partners and further enhance its brand recognition; Vipshop's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of flash sales products and services; competition in the discount retail industry; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Vipshop's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Vipshop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The condensed consolidated financial information is derived from the Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"), except that the consolidated statements of cash flows, and the detailed footnote disclosure required by Accounting Standards Codification 270, Interim Reporting ("ASC270"), have not been omitted. Vipshop uses non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders, non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders per diluted ADS, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating income margin, non-GAAP net margin attributable to Vipshop's shareholders, and free cash flow, each of which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders is net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses, impairment loss of investments, and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions and equity method investments. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders per diluted ADS is computed using non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADS outstanding for computing diluted earnings per ADS. Non-GAAP income from operations is income from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. Non-GAAP operating income margin is non-GAAP income from operations as a percentage of total net revenue. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Vipshop's shareholders is non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop's shareholders as a percentage of total net revenue. Free cash flow is the operating cash flow adding back the impact from Internet financing activities and less capital expenditures, which include purchase of property and equipment, purchase and deposits of land use rights, and purchase of other assets. Impact from Internet financing activities added back or deducted from free cash flow contains changes in the balances of financial products, which are primarily consumer financing, supplier financing and cooperative lending that the Company provides to customers, suppliers and individuals respectively. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of the non-cash impact of share-based compensation, impairment loss of investments and amortization of intangible assets adds clarity to the constituent parts of its performance. The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses these non-GAAP financial measures for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures are useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the effect of non-cash share-based compensation expenses, impairment loss of investments, and amortization of intangible assets. Free cash flow enables the Company to assess liquidity and cash flow, taking into account the impact from Internet financing activities and the financial resources needed for the expansion of fulfillment infrastructure and technology platform. Share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in its business. However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company's net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similar titled measures used by other companies. One of the key limitations of free cash flow is that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures.

The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Vipshop Holdings Limited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" at the end of this release.

Investor Relations Contact

Jessie Fan
Tel: +86 (20) 2233-0732
Email: IR@vipshop.com

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