Gross profit improved to $17.0 million for the third quarter, a 14% increase compared to $14.9 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 44% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 47% in the third quarter of 2020. The decline in gross margin resulted from higher trade promotions.
Selling and marketing expense was $12.8 million compared to $7.0 million for the third quarter of 2020, primarily due to higher freight volumes and rates and increased marketing spend in 2021 to continue to invest in and grow the Zevia brand.
General and administrative expense was $7.7 million compared to $4.9 million for the third quarter of 2020, primarily due to public company costs and increased employee headcount to support growth.
Equity-based compensation, a non-cash expense, was $45.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $28,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The increase of $45.7 million was primarily driven by expense recognition associated with restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards and phantom stock awards that generally vest as a result of the expiration of the Initial Public Offering lock-up period in January 2022.
Net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 was $49.8 million, or $0.75 of diluted loss per share to Zevia’s common class A Common Stockholders.
Adjusted EBITDA loss was $3.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to Adjusted EBITDA income of $3.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the supplementary schedules in this press release for a discussion of how we define and calculate this measure and a reconciliation thereof to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
ESG Metrics and developments
In addition to financial metrics, the Company also reports ESG metrics regarding sugar reduction, plastic packaging reduction, and affordability. In the third quarter, Zevia estimates it eliminated approximately three thousand metric tons of sugar from consumers’ diets by selling its zero sugar, naturally sweetened products and replacing legacy sugary sodas.
The Company also estimates that it eliminated approximately 50 million plastic bottles from littering roadways, waterways, and communities by selling beverages only in aluminum packaging.
Regarding affordability, the Company’s products are priced at an average retail price per ounce of $0.07, representing the 36th percentile within all non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverages, excluding dairy and non-dairy protein. Among non-alcoholic beverages offered by companies that are certified B Corps, like Zevia, the Company’s products are at the 36th percentile on price, meaning that 64% of these products are more expensive than Zevia on a price per ounce basis.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flows
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $78.7 million in cash and no outstanding debt. During the first nine months of fiscal 2021, cash used in operating activities was $13.1 million