“We’re laser focused on providing a fast and convenient shopping experience that builds trust, brand awareness and drives repeat purchasing. CarParts.com continues to demonstrate strong forward momentum and our team is executing well on multiple strategic objectives.”
Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 were $119.7 million compared to $63.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The growth in sales was primarily driven by increased revenue growth from our flagship website, CarParts.com.
Gross profit in the fourth quarter increased 97% to $41.6 million compared to $21.2 million last year, with gross margin up 110 bps to 34.8% compared to 33.7%. These improvements were driven by strong growth in house brands sales, favorable channel and product mix, partially offset by higher inbound and outbound freight costs and seasonal surcharges from our carriers.
Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter were $44.9 million compared to $23.3 million in the fourth quarter last year. The increase was driven by personnel costs related to the new Texas DC, technology spend, & marketing spend.
Net loss in the fourth quarter decreased to ($3.5) million compared to ($25.1) million in the fourth quarter last year. The loss for 2020 was primarily driven by startup expenses incurred to open the Texas DC without the benefit of offsetting revenues while the prior year loss was primarily driven by a non-cash valuation allowance charge of ($23.0) million related to our deferred tax assets.
Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter decreased to $1.0 million compared to $1.7 million in the year-ago quarter, with the decrease driven primarily by the aforementioned increase in expenses related to opening a new DC as well as increased receiving across the network.
At fiscal year-end January 2, 2021, the company had no revolver debt, no outstanding trade letters of credit (“LCs”) and a cash balance of $35.8 million, compared to no debt, $17.3 million of outstanding trade LCs and a $2.3 million cash balance at December 28, 2019.
Conference Call
CarParts.com CEO Lev Peker and CFO/COO David Meniane will host a conference call today, followed by a question and answer period.
Date: Monday, March 8, 2021
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time)
Webcast: www.carparts.com/investor/news-events
To listen to the live call, please click the link above to access the webcast at least 5-10 minutes prior to the start time to register your name and organization. The audio webcast will be archived on the Company’s website at www.carparts.com/investor.
If you are unable to join via the webcast, you may dial in to the call at 833-649-1138 (domestic) or 918-922-3112 (international) using access code 6047338. A telephone replay will also be available on the same day through March 22, 2021 at 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international) using access code 6047338.
A copy of the investor presentation for the 2020 fiscal year will also be made available on the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.carparts.com/investor.