UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
/X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-26707
SHOPNOW.COM INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
WASHINGTON 91-1628103
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
411 1ST AVENUE SOUTH
SUITE 200 NORTH
SEATTLE, WA 98104
(Address of principal executive offices)
(206) 223-1996
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ___ No _X_
As of November 2, 1999, there were 35,116,665 shares outstanding of the
Registrant's common stock.
SHOPNOW.COM INC.
Form 10-Q
Index
PAGE
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1: Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998
and September 30, 1999.................................................... 4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 1998 and 1999.................................. 5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 and 1999.................................. 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................... 7
ITEM 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations....................................... 13
ITEM 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk................... 30
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1: Legal Proceedings............................................................ 31
ITEM 2: Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.................................... 31
ITEM 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities.............................................. 31
ITEM 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.......................... 32
ITEM 5: Other Information............................................................ 32
ITEM 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................................. 32
SIGNATURES ............................................................................. 33
EXHIBITS ............................................................................. 34
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
3
SHOPNOW.COM INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
PRO FORMA
AS OF AS OF AS OF
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1999 1999 (A)
---------------------------------------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents........................... $ 9,820 $ 2,913 $ 94,460
Short-term investments.............................. 179 6,098 6,098
Accounts receivable, net............................ 2,266 7,911 7,911
Unbilled services................................... 1,448 1,288 1,288
Prepaid expenses and other.......................... 709 2,794 2,794
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets............................. 14,422 21,004 112,551
Property and equipment, net............................ 4,185 12,746 12,746
Goodwill, net.......................................... 515 965 965
Other intangible assets, net........................... 3,944 18,473 18,473
Investment in marketable equity securities............. -- 20,764 20,764
Other assets, net...................................... 717 7,048 7,048
-------- -------- --------
Total assets..................................... $ 23,783 $ 81,000 $172,547
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable.................................... $ 3,551 $ 7,801 $ 7,801
Accrued liabilities................................. 1,132 6,505 6,505
Line of credit...................................... 238 1,000 1,000
Current portion of notes and leases................. 1,133 8,110 8,110
Customer deposits................................... 2,155 6,185 6,185
Deferred revenue.................................... 535 6,047 6,047
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities........................ 8,744 35,648 35,648
Notes and leases payable, less current
portion............................................ 1,837 5,802 5,802
Put warrant liability.................................. -- 1,369 1,369
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities................................ 10,581 42,819 42,819
Commitments
Shareholders' equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
Authorized shares-20,000,000 (5,000,000
pro forma); issued shares-12,299,896 in
1998 and 20,189,061 in 1999 (none
pro forma)....................................... 35,070 89,351 --
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized
shares-40,000,000 (200,000,000 pro forma);
issued shares-4,602,573 in 1998 and
6,581,112 in 1999 (35,107,673 pro forma) ....... 6,559 23,414 204,312
Common stock warrants............................... 1,866 7,968 7,968
Deferred compensation............................... (930) (3,179) (3,179)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss................ -- (2,762) (2,762)
Accumulated deficit................................. (29,363) (76,611) (76,611)
-------- -------- --------
Total shareholders' equity....................... 13,202 38,181 129,728
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity....... $ 23,783 $ 81,000 $172,547
======== ======== ========
(A) The pro forma balance sheet gives effect to the net proceeds from the
Company's sale of 8,337,500 shares of common stock (which includes the exercise
in full of the over-allotment option) at $12.00 per share, which closed early in
the fourth quarter of 1999 as if this transaction had closed on September 30,
1999. See Notes 1 and 2.
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these consolidated balance sheets.
4
SHOPNOW.COM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------------- ----------------------------
1998 1999 1998 1999
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Revenues.......................................... $ 1,858 $ 7,555 $ 2,997 $ 23,537
Cost of revenues.................................. 1,629 4,811 2,814 19,494
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit.............................. 229 2,744 183 4,043
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing............................ 3,212 15,265 7,688 33,545
General and administrative..................... 1,069 3,012 2,423 5,493
Research and development....................... 1,560 2,433 3,002 5,367
Amortization of intangible assets.............. 223 2,096 341 3,734
Stock-based compensation....................... 35 592 37 2,547
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total operating expenses.................... 6,099 23,398 13,491 50,686
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Loss from operations...................... (5,870) (20,654) (13,308) (46,643)
Other income (expense), net....................... 68 (360) 177 (605)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net loss.................................. $ (5,802) $ (21,014) $ (13,131) $ (47,248)
============ ============ ============ ============
Basic and diluted net loss per share.............. $ (1.60) $ (3.42) $ (3.90) $ (9.03)
============ ============ ============ ============
Weighted average shares outstanding used to
compute basic and diluted net loss per share... 3,632,556 6,139,867 3,366,355 5,230,394
============ ============ ============ ============
Basic and diluted pro forma net loss per share.... $ (0.82) $ (2.16)
============ ============
Weighted average shares outstanding used to
compute basic and diluted pro forma net loss
per share...................................... 25,776,927 21,859,604
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim
consolidated statements.
5
SHOPNOW.COM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1999
-------- --------
Operating activities:
Net loss........................................................................ $(13,131) $(47,248)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities-
Depreciation and amortization................................................ 745 6,364
Amortization of deferred compensation........................................ 37 1,947
Operating expenses paid in stock and warrants................................ 125 1,354
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses
acquired:
Accounts receivable........................................................ (997) (5,627)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................................. 184 (2,215)
Other assets............................................................... -- (1,075)
Unbilled services and customer deposits, net............................... -- 4,190
Accounts payable........................................................... 1,975 4,114
Accrued liabilities........................................................ (54) 4,237
Deferred revenue........................................................... 193 5,383
-------- --------
Net cash used in operating activities................................... (10,923) (28,576)
-------- --------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment............................................. (1,959) (9,533)
Purchases of short-term investments............................................. (2,422) (23,630)
Sales of short-term investments................................................. -- 15,111
Purchase of domain names........................................................ -- (195)
Investments in common stock and other assets.................................... (76) (447)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired of $2,850 in 1998 and $640
in 1999...................................................................... (2,851) (3,951)
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities................................... (7,308) (22,645)
-------- --------
Financing activities:
Borrowings under bank line of credit............................................ 38 1,000
Principal payments under bank line of credit.................................... -- (238)
Proceeds from long-term debt.................................................... -- 10,706
Payments on long-term debt...................................................... (2,314) (1,613)
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock and warrants, net of issuance costs....... 22,983 33,429
Proceeds from sale of common stock.............................................. 15 1,076
Common stock repurchased........................................................ -- (46)
-------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities............................... 20,722 44,314
-------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents.................... 2,491 (6,907)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period................................ 376 9,820
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...................................... $ 2,867 $ 2,913
======== ========
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest...................................... $ 76 $ 911
======== ========
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Common stock, options and warrants issued as part of business and
technology acquisitions.................................................... $ 1,485 $ 11,560
======== ========
Conversion of note payable and convertible subordinated debt to preferred
stock...................................................................... $ 500 $ --
======== ========
Assets acquired under capital leases......................................... $ 1,730 $ 987
======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim
consolidated statements.
6
SHOPNOW.COM INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES:
THE COMPANY
ShopNow.com Inc. (the Company) provides e-commerce enabling and
outsourcing services for merchants to conduct business-to-business and
business-to-consumer online commerce. The Company also provides a range of
commerce-oriented direct marketing services to its business and merchant
customers.
In June 1999 the Company ceased operating the BuySoftware.com business.
Given the Company's continued involvement in similar activities, the results of
BuySoftware.com have been reflected in continuing operations until the date
operations ceased, as the disposal did not meet the criteria for discontinued
operations under Accounting Principles Board (APB) No. 30 "Reporting the Results
of Operations Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and
Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions".
The Company is subject to the risks and challenges associated with
other companies at a similar stage of development including dependence on key
individuals, successful development and marketing of its products and services,
the continued acceptance of the Internet as a medium for electronic commerce,
competition from substitute products and services and larger companies with
greater financial, technical management and marketing resources. Further, during
the period required to develop commercially viable products, services and
sources of revenues, the Company may require additional funds that may not be
readily available.
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA
The interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have
been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
regulations. These consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
included in the Company's final prospectus as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 29, 1999. The financial information included
herein reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair
presentation of the results for interim periods. The results of operations for
the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company generates revenues primarily from e-commerce outsourcing
and enabling services, advertising and merchandising conducted by businesses and
merchants on the Company's network of web sites (the ShopNow Network),
transaction fees from e-commerce web sites built and operated by the Company and
from products and services purchased by customers. Revenues are
recognized when e-commerce enabling and outsourcing services are provided or
when products have been shipped to the customer. The Company bears the full
credit risk with respect to these sales. Transactional fees paid by merchants
generally are recognized at the time of sale of a product or service using
the Company's transaction processing systems. In these transactions, the
merchant bears the full credit risk and the Company recognizes a transaction
fee upon consummation of the sale. Advertising and merchandising revenues are
7
recognized ratably over the term of the applicable agreement. Merchandising
agreements typically run for a period of one to four months, except for
listing agreements which may run for up to twelve months.
E-commerce enabling and outsourcing merchant services revenues from
fixed and unit price contracts are recognized on the percentage of completion
method of accounting, based primarily on the ratio of contract costs incurred
to date to total estimated contract costs. Anticipated losses on these
contracts are recorded when identified. To date, losses have not been
significant. Contract costs include all direct labor, material, subcontract
and other direct project costs and certain indirect costs related to contract
performance. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated
profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and
final contract settlements that may result in revision to costs and income,
are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Fee
revenue from ancillary services provided by the merchant services division is
recognized upon completion of the related job by the applicable third party
vendor.
Unbilled services typically represents amounts earned under the
Company's contracts but not billed due to timing or contract terms, which
usually consider passage of time, achievement of certain milestones or
completion of the project. Where billings exceed revenues earned on
contracts, the amounts are included in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets as customer deposits, as the amounts typically relate to ancillary
services, whereby the Company is acting in an agency capacity.
PRO FORMA NET LOSS PER SHARE
Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share is computed based on
the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding giving
effect to the conversion of convertible preferred stock outstanding that
automatically converted to common stock upon the closing of the Company's
initial public offering (IPO) discussed in Note 2, using the if-converted
method from the original issuance date. Pro forma diluted net loss per share
excludes the impact of stock options and warrants, as the effect of their
inclusion would be antidilutive.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain information reported in previous periods has been reclassified
to conform to the current period presentation.
2. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING:
On October 4, 1999, the Company closed its IPO of 7,250,000 shares
of common stock at $12.00 per share, for net proceeds of $80.9 million. At
closing, all of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of convertible
preferred stock were converted into shares of common stock on a one-for-one
basis. On November 2, 1999, the underwriters of the IPO exercised their
over-allotment option and sold an additional 1,087,500 shares at $12.00 per
share, for net proceeds of $12.1 million. The combined net proceeds to the
Company, less offering costs of approximately $1.5 million, were $91.6
million. In addition, a $1 million promissory note in connection with the
Company's acquisition of GO Software, Inc. (GO) and a $4 million bridge loan
with a financial institution plus accrued interest were repaid.
3. INVESTMENT IN MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES:
At September 30, 1999, the Company held 476,410 shares of 24/7 Media
and 195,122 shares of FreeShop.com Inc., both of which are publicly traded
companies subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Company classifies these investments as available
for sale and are stated at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 115
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." This
statement specifies that available for sale securities are reported at fair
value with changes in unrealized gains and losses recorded directly to
shareholders' equity, which are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive
loss in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Fair value is based on
quoted market prices.
8
4. DEBT OBLIGATIONS:
In March 1999, the Company entered into a loan and security
agreement with a financial institution for a term loan and line of credit. In
May 1999, the agreement was amended to allow the Company to borrow up to $8.5
million at any one time, consisting of a $3.5 million term loan (term loan),
a $4.0 million bridge loan (bridge loan) and a line of credit of up to $2.5
million ($1.0 million until the bridge loan is repaid). The line of credit
bears interest at the financial institution's base rate plus 2%, is secured
by substantially all assets of the Company and expires on March 31, 2000. The
term loan bears interest at 12%, is secured by substantially all assets of
the Company and matures in March 2002. The bridge loan bears interest at 12%
and was repaid in October 1999 as discussed in Note 2. In conjunction with
the agreement, the Company issued warrants to acquire 72,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $6.25 per share. The warrants are exercisable
immediately and expire in March 2006. In May 1999 in connection with the
modification, the Company issued additional warrants to acquire 70,000 shares
of common stock at an exercise price of $7.00 per share. The warrants are
exercisable immediately and expire in June 2006.
5. ACQUISITIONS:
In September 1998, the Company entered into a purchase and merger
agreement with Media Assets, Inc. (doing business as The Haggin Group). The
Haggin Group is a direct marketing firm with an office in Mill Valley,
California. The Company paid The Haggin Group consideration including
$300,000 in cash, a promissory note for $1.0 million, 600,000 shares of the
Company's common stock valued at $3.30 per share, and options to acquire
common stock for a total purchase price of approximately $3.3 million. The
terms of the promissory note require payments by the Company of eight equal
quarterly installments of $113,000 on the first day of each quarter
commencing January 1, 1999 (with the exception of April 1, 1999, which was
$254,000) until fully paid on October 1, 2000. The acquisition was
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The excess purchase
price of approximately $1.7 million was allocated to customer lists and
domain names and is being amortized over a three-year life. In connection
with this acquisition, three employees were granted a total of 1.2 million
options at exercise prices between $2.00 and $3.00 per share to acquire the
Company's common stock. The vesting of these options was dependent upon the
achievement of certain performance measures related to business unit revenue
and customer growth as defined in the stock option agreements. The
performance measures initially established were well beyond the historical
financial results achieved during prior periods. As such, during the period
these options were outstanding, the thresholds established to trigger vesting
were not considered achievable and were not achieved. Thus, no measurement
date for the options occurred since the price of the options was fixed and the
number of shares to be ultimately issued was not known. Since these
thresholds were not considered achievable, these options were cancelled in
May of 1999. The three employees were granted fixed-price options to purchase
405,000 shares of the Company's common stock with time vesting provisions not
dependent upon performance. These options had the same strike prices and
vesting terms as the original grants. As the grant of the new options created
a new measurement date, the Company recorded $1.9 million of deferred
compensation for the difference between the strike price and the underlying
fair market value of the common stock at May 1999, which was determined to be
$7.22 per share, and recognized a compensation charge of $831,000 for the
immediately vested portion of these grants in the accompanying consolidated
September 30, 1999 financial statements.
In June 1999, the Company acquired GO, which develops and markets
Microsoft Windows-based e-commerce transaction processing platforms over the
Internet. The Company paid GO $4.7 million in cash, issued a $1 million
promissory note bearing interest at 10%, and issued 1,123,751 shares of
common stock, valued at $8.54 per share, for a total purchase price of $15.4
million. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. Of the excess purchase price of approximately $14.4 million,
$13.8 million was allocated to acquired technology and $556,000 was allocated
to goodwill, which are both being amortized over a three-year life. The note
bears interest at 10% and was repaid in October 1999 as discussed in Note 2.
In addition, the Company acquired CardSecure, Inc. (CardSecure), an
e-commerce merchant services company, in June 1999 for a purchase price of
$3.5 million. CardSecure provides e-commerce merchant services and develops
e-commerce enabled Web sites. The acquisition was accounted for using the
purchase method of accounting. The excess purchase price of $3.5 million was
allocated to acquired technology and is being amortized over a three-year
life.
The following summarizes the unaudited pro forma results of the
Company's operations for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 and
1999 as if the Media Assets, Inc., GO and CardSecure transactions occurred on
9
January 1, 1998. The pro forma results are presented for the purposes of
additional analysis only and do not purport to present the results of
operations that would have occurred for the periods presented or that may
occur in the future.
FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1998 1999
----------- -----------
(in thousands, except per share
amounts)
Revenues.................................................. $ 8,938 $ 24,278
Net loss before taxes..................................... $ (22,841) $(49,922)
Net loss per share........................................ $ (4.02) $ (8.24)
6. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
The Company has authorized 20,000,000 shares of convertible preferred
stock. Shares of convertible preferred stock may be issued from time to time in
one or more series, with designations, preferences and limitations established
by the Company's board of directors. Upon closing of the IPO, the authorized
number of preferred stock was reduced to 5,000,000 with a par value of $0.001
per share.
During the fourth quarter of 1998 and the first quarter of 1999, the
Company completed a $14.6 million private equity placement. The Company issued
2,336,000 shares of Series F preferred stock at $6.25 per share. In conjunction
with this sale, the Company issued 233,600 warrants to purchase common stock at
$7.50 per share. The warrants are exercisable on the first anniversary of their
issuance and expire on their third anniversary. In addition, the Company issued
to the placement agent 233,600 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise
price of $6.25 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately and expire on
their third anniversary.
In March and April 1999, the Company completed a $5 million private
equity placement. The Company issued 714,286 shares of Series G preferred stock
at $7.00 per share and 35,715 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise
price of $7.50 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately and expire on
their third anniversary.
In April 1999 the Company entered into a cross promotion agreement and
equity exchange agreement with 24/7 Media. As a part of the equity exchange
agreement, 24/7 Media acquired 4.3 million shares of the Company's Series G
preferred stock at $7.00 per share and 860,000 warrants to acquire common stock
at an exercise price of $7.00 per share, in exchange for consideration valued at
$30.1 million. The warrants are exercisable immediately and expire on their
third anniversary. The purchase price consisted of three parts: $5.0 million in
cash, 466,683 shares of 24/7 Media's common stock, and the right to acquire 24/7
Media's interest in CardSecure. In June 1999 the Company acquired 24/7 Media's
interest in CardSecure and also acquired the remaining minority interest from
CardSecure's founders and received 9,727 additional shares of 24/7 Media's
common stock by issuing 243,036 shares of the Company's common stock valued at
$8.54 per share.
In May 1999 the Company completed a $3 million private equity
placement. The Company issued 333,334 shares of Series H preferred stock at
$9.00 per share and 50,000 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise
price of $9.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately and expire on
their third anniversary.
In July 1999 the Company closed a $18.9 million private equity
placement with a financial institution pursuant to the terms of a stock purchase
agreement which had been entered into on June 17, 1999. The Company issued
2,100,000 shares of Series I preferred stock at $9.00 per share and 555,556
warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $9.00 per share. The
warrants are exercisable immediately and expire on their third anniversary. In
conjunction with the Series I preferred stock, the Company entered into a
licensing agreement with the financial institution and received $6.1 million in
cash, which represents prepaid licensing fees. This amount will be recognized as
revenue on a straight-line basis over 27 months, which represents the term of
the agreement, beginning in August 1999.
10
COMMON STOCK
As of September 30, 1999, the Company had authorized 40,000,000 shares
of common stock. Upon closing of the IPO, the authorized number of common stock
was increased to 200,000,000 with a par value of $0.001 per share.
WARRANTS AND OPTIONS ISSUED TO MARKETING PARTNERS
On April 29, 1999, pursuant to a distribution and marketing agreement
with a telecommunications company, the Company issued warrants to purchase
100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per
share. The warrants are exercisable immediately and expire in April 2002.
Simultaneously, the Company entered into a put agreement, which allows the
telecommunications company to put the shares back to the Company for $25 per
share during the period from June 2001 to August 2001. The number of shares
subject to the put warrant declines over time as the Company generates revenue
under the marketing and distribution agreement. In accordance with EITF 96-13,
the Company has recorded the fair value of the put warrant in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 1999.
On May 19, 1999, the Company entered into a distribution agreement with
a software manufacturer. As part of this agreement, the Company issued warrants
to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $9.00 per
share, options to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock at $4.80 per share
and 200,000 shares of common stock valued at $9.00 per share.
11
7. SEGMENT INFORMATION:
The following table represents the Company's segment information for
the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1999:
FOR THE THREE MONTHS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------ -----------------------
1998 1999 1998 1999
-------- -------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Revenues from unaffiliated customers:
Enablement of business-to-consumer (excluding
BuySoftware.com)............................... $ 56 $ 4,366 $ 56 $ 6,249
Enablement of business-to-business (excluding
BuySoftware.com)............................... 308 3,189 517 7,365
BuySoftware.com................................. 1,494 -- 2,424 9,923
-------- -------- -------- --------
$ 1,858 $ 7,555 $ 2,997 $ 23,537
======== ======== ======== ========
Cost of revenues:
Enablement of business-to-consumer (excluding
BuySoftware.com)............................... $ 18 $ 2,561 $ 18 $ 3,585
Enablement of business-to-business (excluding
BuySoftware.com)............................... 207 2,250 270 4,719
BuySoftware.com................................. 1,404 -- 2,526 11,190
-------- -------- -------- --------
$ 1,629 $ 4,811 $ 2,814 $ 19,494
======== ======== ======== ========
Gross profit:
Enablement of business-to-consumer (excluding
BuySoftware.com)............................... $ 38 $ 1,805 $ 38 $ 2,664
Enablement of business-to-business (excluding
BuySoftware.com)............................... 101 939 247 2,646
BuySoftware.com................................. 90 -- (102) (1,267)
-------- -------- -------- --------
$ 229 $ 2,744 $ 183 $ 4,043
======== ======== ======== ========
Profit Reconciliation:
Gross profit for reportable segments............ $ 229 $ 2,744 $ 183 $ 4,043
Operating expenses.............................. (6,099) (23,398) (13,491) (50,686)
Other income (expense), net..................... 68 (360) 177 (605)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net loss.......................................... $ (5,802) $(21,014) $(13,131) $(47,248)
======== ======== ======== ========
The Company's enablement of business-to-business segment provides
e-commerce merchant services including e-commerce technology and outsourcing
services to businesses, merchants, manufacturers, catalogers, and Internet
companies. The Company's enablement of business-to-consumer segment, operating
as the ShopNow Network, generates revenues from advertising and merchandising,
merchant services and customer transactions. The Company does not track assets
by operating segments. Consequently is it not practicable to show assets by
operating segments.
12
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The matters discussed in this report contain forward-looking statements
that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, such as statements of
our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Words such as "may,"
"could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe,"
"estimate," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which are based on our current expectations
and projections about future events, are not guarantees of future performance,
are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions (including those described
below) and apply only as of the date of this report. Our actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not
limited to, those discussed below in "Additional Factors That May Affect Future
Results" as well as those discussed in this section and elsewhere in this
report, and the risks discussed in the "Risk Factors" section included in our
final prospectus filed on September 29, 1999 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
OVERVIEW
ShopNow.com Inc. provides shoppers, merchants and businesses with an
online marketplace and provides merchants with a variety of e-commerce and
direct marketing services. We were incorporated in January 1994 and initially
operated as a computer services company. In 1996, we changed the focus of our
business to providing e-commerce and direct marketing services. In August 1998,
we launched ShopNow.com, our shopping destination Web site. In April 1999, we
changed our name from TechWave Inc. to ShopNow.com Inc. and operate our
e-commerce and outsourcing network under the name of ShopNow.com (also
referred to as the ShopNow Network).
We incurred net losses of $47.2 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1999 and had accumulated deficits of $76.6 million as of September
30, 1999. Although our revenues have grown significantly in recent quarters, in
June 1999 we ceased operation of our BuySoftware.com business, from which we
derived 81% of our revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and
42% of our revenues during the same period in 1999. Excluding the results of our
ceased BuySoftware.com business, we have received more than 85% of our revenues
for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 from merchants who purchase
merchandising and merchant services. We have received the remainder of our
revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 as transactional revenues,
which result from consumers who purchase products from the ShopNow Network. Our
merchant customers are those merchants on the ShopNow Network that have paid us
a fee for services, other than a nominal entry-level listing fee, in the last 12
months. Merchandising revenues are generated from advertising on the ShopNow
Network, specific merchandising positions on our sites and from online direct
marketing to our customers through electronic mail. All online advertising and
marketing revenues are recorded as merchandising revenues. Merchant services
revenues are generated from providing custom developed e-commerce stores,
custom traditional direct marketing services, custom creative services and
custom promotional materials to merchants.
We generate revenues primarily from transactions, merchandising and
merchant services.
REVENUES FROM TRANSACTIONS. Revenues from transactions are generated in
two ways. First, we provide transaction and order processing services to
businesses and merchants for merchants who choose to sell their products
directly to consumers or businesses and record the gross sales and cost of
products sold. In this case, we provide transaction processing services and are
paid a transaction fee only. We do not record the gross revenues of these
product sales as ShopNow.com gross revenues. Second, we offer products directly
to consumers from the ShopNow Network. We record as revenues the full sales
price of the product sold and record the full cost of the product to us as our
cost of goods sold. In these cases, we purchase products from merchants and sell
those products directly to consumers. We bear all of the credit and loss risks
associated with these products. In most cases, these products are shipped
directly from the manufacturer, thus eliminating the need for us to carry
significant inventory. We currently provide products that appear on the ShopNow
Network from large and small vendors, manufacturers and distributors under
non-exclusive purchase agreements. These typically have a term of one year and
provide that we pay the vendors an agreed upon fee per product.
Our gross margin on the products we retail is generally lower than the
gross margins on our other transactions, merchandising and merchant services.
Revenues and cost of goods sold are recognized when the product has been
13
shipped or the service has been delivered to the customer.
ADVERTISING AND MERCHANDISING REVENUES. All online advertising and
marketing revenues are recorded as merchandising revenues. Merchandising
revenues are generated from the ShopNow Network through advertising, shopper
delivery programs, specific merchandising merchant positions on our sites and
from online direct marketing to our customers through e-mail. We sell to
merchants specific advertising locations, specific placements on our site, such
as on the home page or on a category page, and e-mails to our customers. Under
our shopper delivery programs to merchants, we commit to deliver a certain level
of shopping traffic to a merchant's site for a fixed fee. Although we do not
guarantee a time frame within which the shopping traffic will be delivered, we
generally recognize this revenue on a straight-line basis based on our estimate
for when the traffic will be delivered. If we do not deliver the required amount
of traffic within the estimated time frame, we extend the term of the agreement
until our obligations have been met. Except for revenues generated from shopper
delivery programs, merchandising revenues are recognized as services are
delivered to merchants. Merchandising agreements typically run for a period of
one to four months. Our credit terms are generally 30 days, with a 2% discount
if the full amount is paid within 10 days. Reserves for potential credit losses
are reviewed on an account by account basis.
REVENUES FROM MERCHANT SERVICES. Revenues from merchant services
include e-commerce enabling and outsourcing services. Revenues from merchant
services are recognized on a percentage of completion basis. We extend credit
and bear the full credit risk with respect to sales of merchandising and
merchant services. Our credit terms generally require that the net amount
outstanding is due upon receipt. Reserves for potential credit losses are
reviewed on an account by account basis.
Cost of transactions and advertising and merchandising revenues
includes the cost to us of all products and services we sell through our Web
sites to shoppers, the cost of processing transactions, including bank credit
card fees and shipping costs, which are incurred only from retail sales
transactions, the portion of the cost of our Internet telecommunications
connections that is directly attributable to traffic on our Web sites, and the
direct labor costs incurred in maintaining and enhancing our network
infrastructure. In order to fulfill our obligations under our shopper delivery
programs, we occasionally purchase shopping traffic from third parties by
placing on their Web sites advertisements that, when clicked on by a consumer,
send the consumer to our Web site. Any shopping traffic that we purchase from a
third party in order to fulfill our obligations under these programs is
included as a cost of transactions and merchandising revenues. Cost of
merchant services revenues includes all direct labor costs incurred in
connection with these services, as well as fees charged by third-party
vendors that have directly contributed to the design, development and
implementation of our merchant services.
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and
commissions and costs associated with marketing programs such as advertising and
public relations. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of
salaries and other personnel-related costs for executive, financial, human
resources, information services and other administrative personnel, as well as
legal, accounting and insurance costs. Research and development expenses consist
primarily of salaries and related costs associated with the development of new
products and services, the enhancement of existing products and services, and
the performance of quality assurance and documentation activities. Amortization
of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions is primarily related to the
amortization of customer lists, domain names, acquired technology and goodwill.
Stock-based compensation expense is related to the amortization of deferred
compensation resulting from stock option grants to employees with an option
exercise price below the estimated fair market value of our common stock as of
the date of grant.
We have entered into agreements with Chase Manhattan Bank, About.com
and 24/7 Media that require us to make advertising and marketing expenditures of
$6.0 million annually through 2001. We do not expect to incur significant
additional fixed costs in connection with these agreements or those related to
our other key business relationships. We expect operating losses and negative
cash flows to continue for the foreseeable future. We expect our losses to
increase significantly from current levels, as we expect to incur additional
costs and expenses related to brand development, marketing and other promotional
activities, deferred compensation expense, amortization of intangibles resulting
from acquisitions, the expansion of our operations, the continued development of
the ShopNow Network, increasing investment in the systems that we use to process
customers' orders and payments, the expansion of our product and service
offerings and development of key business relationships.
14
FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents selected operating data for the ShopNow
Network. This information should be read in conjunction with the other
information presented in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. The operating data presented below for any
quarter are not necessarily indicative of data for any future period.
March 31, June 30, September 30,
1999 1999 1999
---------- --------- -----------
Number of advertising customers on the ShopNow Network (1)........... 132 181 336
Number of businesses listed on the ShopNow Network (2)............... 20,571 33,841 37,099
Number of average monthly visits to the ShopNow Network (3).......... 2,954,000 9,376,000 12,747,000
(1) Represents the number of our customers that purchased an
advertising/merchandising package during the applicable quarter.
(2) Represents the number of business merchants listed on the ShopNow Network
as of the last day of the applicable quarter.
(3) Represents the average number of monthly visits to the ShopNow Network
during the applicable quarter.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
REVENUES
Total revenues for the three- and nine-month periods ended September
30, 1999 were $7.6 million and $23.5 million, compared to $1.9 million and $3.0
million for the same periods ended September 30, 1998, an increase of $5.7
million and $20.5 million. The increases were due primarily to the expansion of
the ShopNow Network as well as increased demand for services from the
business-to-business division, including Media Assets, which we acquired in
September 1998. The BuySoftware.com portion of revenues for the three- and
nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 were $0 and $9.9 million compared to
$1.5 million and $2.4 million for the same periods ended September 30, 1998.
COST OF REVENUES
The cost of revenues for the three- and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 1999 were $4.8 million and $19.5 million, compared to $1.6 million
and $2.8 million for the same periods ended September 30, 1998, an increase of
$3.2 million and $16.7 million. The increases in our cost of revenues were due
primarily to increased product sales from the ShopNow Network and cost of
revenues of the business-to-business division, including Media Assets. The
BuySoftware.com portion of cost of revenues for the three- and nine-month
periods ended September 30, 1999 were $0 and $11.2 million, compared to $1.4
million and $2.5 million for the same periods ended September 30, 1998.
OPERATING EXPENSES
SALES AND MARKETING. Sales and marketing expenses for the three- and
nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 were $15.3 million and $33.5 million
compared to $3.2 million and $7.7 for the same periods ended September 30, 1998,
an increase of $12.1 million and $25.8 million. The increases were due primarily
to increased spending as a result of our launch and expansion of the ShopNow
Network, including additional personnel and nationwide print and radio
advertisements. We expect to continue to increase our sales and marketing
expenses in 1999 through both online and traditional advertising to promote the
ShopNow Network.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. General and administrative expenses for the
three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 were $3.0 million and
$5.5 million, compared to $1.1 million and $2.4 million for the same periods
ended September 30, 1998, an increase of $1.9 million and $3.1 million. The
increases were due primarily to an increase in personnel from internal growth
and acquisitions. We anticipate continued growth in our general and
15
administrative expenses in 1999. In September 1999, we settled a lawsuit brought
by a party with which we had entered into a contract. As a result of the terms
of this settlement, in the quarter ended September 30, 1999, we recognized
additional general and administrative expenses in the amount of $1.5 million.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Research and development expenses for the
three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 were $2.4 million and
$5.4 million, compared to $1.6 million and $3.0 million for the same periods
ended September 30, 1998, an increase of $873,000 and $2.4 million. The
increases were due primarily to the development and enhancement of our
technology platform, as well as to an increase in technology personnel. These
employees focus on developing our technology platform as well as building the
overall infrastructure that supports ShopNow Network. We anticipate continued
growth in our research and development expenses during the remainder of 1999.
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS. Amortization of intangible assets
expense for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 was $2.1
million and $3.7 million, compared to $223,000 and $341,000 for the same periods
ended September 30, 1998, an increase of $1.9 million and $3.4 million. The
increases were due primarily to the increase in intangible assets and related
amortization expenses from business acquisitions completed during the first half
of 1999, including GO Software and CardSecure. We anticipate continued growth
in our amortization of intangible assets expense as a result of future
business acquisitions.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. Stock-based compensation expense for the
three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 were $592,000 and $2.5
million, compared to $35,000 and $37,000 for the same periods ended September
30, 1998, an increase of $557,000 and $2.5 million. The expense is related to
employee stock option grants with option exercise prices below the estimated
fair market value of our common stock as of the date of grant. The amount of
deferred compensation resulting from these grants generally is amortized over a
three-year vesting period as stock-based compensation expense. In May 1999,
we granted stock options to certain employees who joined ShopNow as part of
our acquisition of Media Assets. These grants resulted in a one-time
stock-based compensation expense of $830,000 during the second quarter of
1999.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Other expense, net for the three- and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 1999 was $360,000 and $605,000, compared to other income, net of
$68,000 and $177,000 for the same periods ended September 30, 1998, a decrease
of $428,000 and $782,000. The decreases were due primarily to an increase in our
debt obligations during 1999, which resulted in an increase in interest expense.
Other income (expense), net consists primarily of interest income on cash and
cash equivalents and interest expense on our outstanding debt obligations.
NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
As of September 30, 1999, we had net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $68.0 million. If not used, the net operating loss carryforwards
will expire at various dates beginning in 2012. The Tax Reform Act of 1986
imposes restrictions on the use of net operating losses and tax credits in the
event that there has been an "ownership change" of a corporation since the
periods in which the net operating losses were incurred. Our ability to use net
operating losses incurred prior to April 1998 is limited to approximately $3.0
million per year due to sales of Series D and Series E convertible preferred
stock to third parties that have resulted in an "ownership change." We have
provided a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets because of the
uncertainty regarding their realization. Our accounting for deferred taxes
involves the evaluation of a number of factors concerning the realizability of
our deferred tax assets. In concluding that a full valuation allowance was
required, management considered such factors as our history of operating losses,
potential future losses and the nature of our deferred tax assets.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Since inception, we have experienced net losses and negative cash flows
from operations, and as of September 30, 1999, had an accumulated deficit of
$76.6 million. We have financed our activities largely through issuances of
common stock and preferred stock, from the issuance of short-term and long-term
obligations and from capital leasing transactions for certain of our fixed asset
purchases. Through September 30, 1999, our aggregate net proceeds have been
$69.7 million from issuing equity securities and $20.1 million from issuing debt
securities. As of September 30, 1999, we had $9.0 million in cash and short-term
investments.
16
Net cash used in operating activities was $28.6 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1999, compared to net cash used in
operating activities of $10.9 million for the same period in 1998. The increase
was due primarily to the increase in our net loss for the nine-month period
ended September 30, 1999, of $47.2 million compared to $13.1 million for the
same period ended 1998.
Net cash used in investing activities was $22.6 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1999, compared to net cash used in
investing activities of $7.3 million for the same period in 1998. The increase
was due primarily to the net increase in purchases of short-term investments of
$8.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999, compared to
$2.4 million for the same period in 1998, and due to the increase in purchases
of property and equipment of $9.5 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1999, compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 1998.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $44.3 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1999, compared to net cash provided by
financing activities of $20.7 million for the nine-month period ended September
30, 1998. The increase was due primarily to proceeds from the issuance of debt
of $11.7 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999, compared
to proceeds from the issuance of debt of $38,000 during the nine-month period
ended September 30, 1998, and to the increase in the amount of net proceeds from
issuances of preferred stock and warrants of $33.4 million during the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1999, compared to net proceeds from issuances of
preferred stock and warrants of $23.0 million during the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1998.
On October 4, 1999, we closed our initial public offering of common
stock and received net proceeds of $80.9 million from the sale of 7,250,000
shares of common stock at $12.00 per share to the public. On November 2, 1999,
we closed the over-allotment option of common stock and received net proceeds of
$12.1 million from the sale of 1,087,500 shares of common stock at $12.00 per
share to the public.
In March 1999 we entered into a loan and security agreement with
Transamerica Business Credit Corporation for a term loan and line of credit. In
June 1999, the agreement was amended and restated allowing us to borrow up to
$8.5 million at any one time, consisting of a $3.5 million term loan, a $4.0
million bridge loan and a line of credit of up to $2.5 million, initially capped
at $1.0 million until the bridge loan is repaid. At September 30, 1999, the
current principal amount of outstanding borrowings with Transamerica consisted
of a $3.5 million term loan, a $4.0 million bridge loan and a $1.0 million line
of credit. The line of credit bears interest at the Transamerica Business Credit
Corporation's base rate plus 2%, is secured by substantially all of our assets
and expires on March 31, 2000. The interest rate for September 1999 was an
annual rate of 10.25%. The term loan bears interest at 12%, is secured by
substantially all of our assets and matures in March 2002. The bridge loan bears
interest at 12% and was repaid in October 1999 after the closing of our
initial public offering. At September 30, 1999, we also had a total of $1.4
million outstanding on two promissory notes issued in business acquisitions.
One of the notes in the amount of $1.0 million was repaid in October 1999
after the closing of our initial public offering. The other note is to be
paid off in quarterly installments of $112,500 through October 1, 2000.
Our capital requirements depend on numerous factors, including the rate
of expansion of the ShopNow Network, the investments we make in our technology
platform, the number of acquisitions, if any, that are completed and the
composition of the consideration between cash and stock for those acquisitions
and the resources we devote to expansion of our sales, marketing and branding
programs. We have also entered into agreements with Chase Manhattan Bank,
About.com and 24/7 Media that require us to make advertising and marketing
expenditures of $6.0 million annually through 2001. We believe that existing
cash balances and cash generated from operations, together with the net
proceeds from the October 1999 initial public offering, will be sufficient to
meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures
in the short-term (for the next 12 months), and at least through the next 18
months. After that time, we may be required to raise additional financing.
There can be no assurance that the assumed levels of revenues and expenses
underlying our anticipated cash needs will prove to be accurate. The sale of
additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in additional
dilution to our shareholders. There can be no assurance that financing will
be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or even available at
all.
We are currently contemplating entering into a new secured credit
facility with terms and interest rates customary for transactions of this type.
We expect the maximum borrowings available under such new facility to be between
$15 million and $25 million. If we enter into this new credit facility, some of
the borrowings under this credit
17
arrangement will be used to repay all outstanding indebtedness under the term
loan and line of credit with Transamerica Business Credit Corporation.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 1998 the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position 98-1, "ACCOUNTING FOR THE COSTS OF COMPUTER
SOFTWARE DEVELOPED OR OBTAINED FOR INTERNAL USE." Statement of Position 98-1 is
effective for financial statements for years beginning after December 15, 1998.
Statement of Position 98-1 provides guidance on accounting for computer software
developed or obtained for internal use, including the requirement to capitalize
specified costs and amortization of such costs. The implementation of Statement
of Position 98-1 did not have a material impact on our financial position or
operating results.
In April 1998 the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position 98-5, "REPORTING ON THE COSTS OF START-UP
ACTIVITIES." Statement of Position 98-5, which is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1998, provides guidance on the financial reporting
of start-up costs and organization costs. It requires costs of start-up
activities and organization costs to be expensed as incurred. As we have
expensed these costs historically, the implementation of Statement of Position
98-5 did not have a material effect on our financial condition or operating
results.
SEASONALITY
We believe that retail transactions and advertising sales in
traditional media, such as television and radio, generally are lower in the
first and third calendar quarters of each year. In addition, Internet usage
typically declines during the summer and certain holiday periods. If our market
makes the transition from an emerging to a more developed market, seasonal and
cyclical patterns may develop in our industry and in the usage of, and
transactions on, our Web sites and those of our merchants. Seasonal and cyclical
patterns in online transactions and advertising would affect our revenues. Those
patterns may also develop on our Web sites. Given the early stage of the
development of the Internet and our company, however, we cannot predict to what
extent, if at all, our operations will prove to be seasonal.
IMPACT OF THE YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PROBLEM
OVERVIEW. Many currently installed computer systems and software
products are coded to accept only two-digit entries in the date code field. As a
result, software that records only the last two digits of the calendar year may
not be able to distinguish whether "00" means 1900 or 2000. This may result in
system failures, delays or miscalculations.
STATE OF READINESS. We rely on proprietary, as well as third-party,
software in the operation of our business. Year 2000 testing of our proprietary
software is part of our on going, internal quality assurance testing. To date,
we have tested our core proprietary software to determine whether it is Year
2000 compliant. Because our user interface software frequently changes we do not
test each revision to determine if it is Year 2000 compliant. By November 1999,
we expect to have incorporated Year 2000 compliance testing into our user
interface development process. For our third-party software, we have obtained
Year 2000 compliance certificates from the companies from which we license
software that is critical to the day-to-day operation of our business. Through
September 30, 1999, we contacted approximately 80% of our third-party software
suppliers to obtain Year 2000 compliance statements with respect to the software
that we license from such companies. With respect to the companies from which we
obtain critical outsourcing services, or with which we have key business
relationships, we attempt to obtain warranties that such software is Year 2000
compliant. We have received such warranties from the companies from which we
obtain critical outsourcing services and with which we have key business
relationships.
COSTS. To date, we have incurred less than $250,000 in third-party
expenses as a result of our Year 2000 compliance efforts, which include an
on-going review of our systems by an outside consulting company. If the review
uncovers any Year 2000 problem related to our internal systems, we could incur
substantial costs to remedy the problem. For example, we might have to purchase
additional hardware or software and we could incur additional administrative
costs. The exact costs would depend upon the scope of the problem. The actual
occurrence of a Year 2000 problem could result in delays or losses of revenue,
interruptions of Internet communications, cancellations of contracts by our
customers, diversions of our development resources, damage to our reputation,
increased service and warranty costs and litigation costs.
18
WORST-CASE SCENARIO. We believe that our worst-case scenario would
involve an unanticipated defect in one or more of our critical hardware or
software systems or those of a critical outsourcing or business partner,
resulting in an inability to maintain and operate our Web sites or process
transactions generated by our Web sites. Such a defect would interrupt our
business and expose us to breach of contract and other claims against us by our
customers, merchants and business affiliates.
RISKS. We are not currently aware of any internal Year 2000 compliance
problem that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
our business, operating results or financial condition, without taking into
account our Year 2000 remediation efforts. However, we may discover
unanticipated Year 2000 compliance problems in our computer infrastructure that
will require substantial revisions or replacements. In addition, third-party
software, hardware or services incorporated into our material systems or other
systems upon which we rely may need to be revised or replaced, which could be
time consuming and expensive.
The computer systems of governmental agencies, utility companies,
Internet access companies, third-party service providers and others outside of
our control may not be Year 2000 compliant. The failure by such entities to
achieve timely Year 2000 compliance could result in a systemic failure beyond
our control, such as prolonged Internet, telecommunications or electrical
failures. This could prevent shoppers and merchants from accessing our systems,
which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. In
addition, the computer systems of the merchants who are part of the ShopNow
Network may not be Year 2000 compliant. The failure by such entities to achieve
timely Year 2000 compliance could prevent shoppers from consummating
transactions through the ShopNow Network, which could harm our business,
operating results and financial condition.
CONTINGENCY PLAN. Because we regularly deploy new software, we believe
that we must regularly test our software and other systems for Year 2000
problems. To conduct this testing, we have assembled a Year 2000 compliance
team, headed by personnel from our quality assurance department. The compliance
team has begun a phased approach to attempt to mitigate the possible effects of
Year 2000 issues. As part of this initiative, the compliance team periodically
implements code reviews to attempt to identify and isolate Year 2000 issues.
Beginning in September 1999, we are conducting monthly Year 2000 testing by
physically setting the date forward on our computer systems to the year 2000. On
December 31, 1999, we plan to have personnel monitor our systems and software
for Year 2000 issues, which our compliance team will then address.
ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
BECAUSE WE RECENTLY CHANGED OUR BUSINESS FOCUS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO
EVALUATE OUR BUSINESS AND PROSPECTS
ShopNow was incorporated in January 1994, and operated initially as a
computer services company. In 1996, we changed the focus of our business to
providing e-commerce and direct marketing services. In August 1998, we launched
ShopNow.com, our shopping destination Web site. During the first nine months of
1998 and 1999, 80.9% and 42.2%, respectively, of our revenues came from retail
sales of computer products through our BuySoftware.com online retail store. In
June 1999, we ceased operation of our BuySoftware.com business. Accordingly, the
recent changes in our business focus may make it difficult for you to evaluate
our business and prospects. When making your investment decision, you should
also consider the risks, expenses and difficulties that we may encounter as a
young company in a rapidly evolving market.
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF LOSSES AND WE EXPECT FUTURE LOSSES
We incurred net losses of $13.1 million and $47.2 million for the
nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1999. At September 30, 1999, we
had an accumulated deficit of $76.6 million. Although our revenues have grown
significantly in recent quarters, in June 1999 we ceased operation of our
BuySoftware.com business. As a result, we may not be able to sustain our recent
revenue growth rates or obtain sufficient revenues to achieve profitability.
We have historically invested heavily in sales and marketing,
technology infrastructure and research and development and expect to do so in
the future. As a result, we must generate significant revenues to achieve and
maintain profitability. We expect that our sales and marketing expenses,
research and development expenses and
19
general and administrative expenses will continue to increase in absolute
dollars and may increase as percentages of revenues. In addition, we may incur
substantial expenses in connection with future acquisitions.
OUR FUTURE REVENUES ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND WE EXPECT OUR OPERATING
RESULTS TO FLUCTUATE FROM PERIOD TO PERIOD
It is difficult for us to accurately forecast our revenues in any given
period. Our revenues could fall short of our expectations if we experience
declines in shopper traffic or purchases, or if the number of merchants to whom
we provide services decreases. Our business model has only been applied to the
Internet since the mid-1990's, therefore we have limited experience in financial
planning for our business on which to base our planned operating expenses. If
our revenues in a particular period fall short of our expectations, we will
likely be unable to quickly adjust our spending in order to compensate for that
revenue shortfall.
Our operating results are likely to fluctuate substantially from period
to period as a result of a number of factors, such as:
- the amount and timing of operating costs and expenditures
relating to expansion of our operations and
- the mix of products and services that we sell.
In addition, factors beyond our control may also cause our operating
results to fluctuate, such as:
- the announcement or introduction of new or enhanced products or
services by our competitors and
- the pricing policies of our competitors.
Period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not a good
indication of our future performance. It is likely that our operating results in
some quarters will not meet the expectations of stock market analysts and
investors and this could cause our stock price to decline.
OUR BUSINESS MODEL IS UNPROVEN AND CHANGING
Our business model consists of providing shoppers and merchants with an
online marketplace and e-commerce and direct marketing services. This business
model has only been applied to the Internet since the mid-1990's, is unproven
and will need to continue to develop. Accordingly, our business model may not be
successful, and we may need to change it. Our ability to generate sufficient
revenues to achieve profitability will depend, in large part, on our ability to
successfully market our e-commerce and direct marketing services to merchants
that may not be convinced of the need for an online presence or may be reluctant
to rely upon third parties to develop and manage their e-commerce offerings and
direct marketing efforts.
OUR FUTURE GROWTH WILL DEPEND ON OUR ABILITY TO MAKE ADDITIONAL
ACQUISITIONS
Our success depends on our ability to continually enhance and expand
our online marketplace and our e-commerce and direct marketing services in
response to changing technologies, customer demands and competitive pressures.
Consequently, we have acquired complementary technologies or businesses in the
past, and intend to do so in the future. If we are unable to identify suitable
acquisition targets, or are unable to successfully complete acquisitions, our
ability to increase the size of our operations will be reduced. This could cause
us to lose business to our competitors and our operating results could suffer
significantly.
ACQUISITIONS INVOLVE A NUMBER OF RISKS
Acquisitions that we make may involve numerous risks, including:
- diverting management's attention from other business concerns;
- being unable to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures
and policies;
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- entering markets in which we have no direct prior experience; and
- improperly evaluating new services and technologies.
In addition, in order to finance any acquisitions, we might need to
raise additional funds through public or private financing. In this event, we
could be forced to obtain equity or debt financing on terms that are not
favorable to us and that may result in dilution to our shareholders.
Future acquisitions may involve the assumption of obligations or large
one-time write-offs and amortization expenses related to goodwill and other
intangible assets. Any of these factors would adversely affect our results of
operations.
If we are unable to accurately assess and effectively integrate any
newly acquired businesses or technologies, our business would suffer. For
example, in June 1998 we acquired e-Warehouse and CyberTrust. These companies
had developed payment processing technologies that we planned to utilize as part
of our e-commerce and direct marketing services. However, we are not currently
utilizing the acquired technology, and we have determined that the technology
has no other use or value to us. Because we are not using the acquired
technology, we wrote-off substantially all of the $5.4 million aggregate
purchase price for e-Warehouse and CyberTrust during the fourth quarter of 1998.
We may be unable to successfully integrate other businesses, technologies or
personnel that we acquire in the future.
OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON ACHIEVING ADEQUATE MARKET SHARE TO INCREASE
OUR REVENUES AND BECOME PROFITABLE
Our success and profitability is dependent upon achieving significant
market penetration and acceptance of our online marketplace by both shoppers and
merchants. Our online marketplace has achieved only limited market acceptance to
date and we, therefore, do not currently have adequate market share to
successfully execute our business plan. Our ShopNow.com Web site aggregates
products and services from more than 30,000 merchants, but we must continue to
attract new merchants in order to increase our attractiveness to consumers. If
we are unable to attract substantial shopper traffic to our online market place,
or if shoppers do not purchase products online in substantial volume, we may be
unable to attract merchants.
In order to attract shopper traffic and increase online purchase
volume, we must:
- create brand awareness;
- ensure that we have Web sites that are easy to use;
- maintain a large selection of shopping categories and merchants;
and
- create customer confidence in us and our merchants.
IF WE DO NOT INCREASE BRAND AWARENESS OUR SALES MAY SUFFER
Due in part to the emerging nature of the markets for an online market
place and e-commerce and direct marketing solutions and the substantial
resources available to many of our competitors, our opportunity to achieve and
maintain a significant market share may be limited. Developing and maintaining
awareness of the ShopNow brand name is critical to achieving widespread
acceptance of our online marketplace and our e-commerce and direct marketing
solutions. We launched our ShopNow.com shopping Web site in August 1998. The
importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our market
increases. Successfully promoting and positioning the ShopNow brand will depend
largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and our ability to develop
reliable and useful products at competitive prices. If our planned marketing
efforts are ineffective, we may need to increase our financial commitment to
creating and maintaining brand awareness among shoppers and merchants, which
could divert financial and management resources from other aspects of our
business, or cause our operating expenses to increase disproportionately to our
revenues. This would cause our business and operating results to suffer.
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WE FACE SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION
The market for Internet products and services is intensely competitive.
Barriers to entry in Internet markets are not significant and current and new
competitors may be able to launch new Web sites at a relatively low cost.
Accordingly, we believe that our success will depend heavily upon achieving
significant market acceptance of both our online marketplace and our merchant
services before our competitors and potential competitors introduce competing
services.
ONLINE MARKETPLACE. We compete with various companies for
e-commerce merchants, shoppers, e-commerce transactions, advertisers and
other sources of online revenue. These competitors include:
- online shopping destination Web sites, such as iMall and
Shopping.com;
- merchant and product Web site directories and search and
information services, all of which offer online shopping, such as
America Online, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Excite, Lycos and Infoseek;
and
- conventional merchants and retailers that offer goods and
services directly over the Web.
The number of companies providing these types of services is large and
increasing at a rapid rate. We expect that additional companies, including media
companies and conventional retailers that to date have not had a substantial
commercial presence on the Internet, will offer services that directly compete
with us.
SERVICES FOR MERCHANTS. We also compete with companies that may offer
alternatives to one or more components of the e-commerce and direct marketing
solutions that we offer to merchants. These competitors include:
- companies offering e-commerce and online direct marketing
services, such as Go2Net, Xoom and DoubleClick;
- companies offering products that address specific aspects of
e-commerce, such as payment and transaction processing and
security, such as CyberSource;
- Web development firms;
- systems integrators;
- Internet service providers;
- other providers of e-commerce outsourcing services, such as
Digital River and USWeb/CKS and;
- traditional media companies.
We expect competition from these sources to intensify in the future.
Many of the current and potential competitors to both our online
marketplace and our merchant services are likely to enjoy substantial
competitive advantages compared to us, including:
- larger customer or user bases;
- the ability to offer a wider array of e-commerce and direct
marketing services;
- greater name recognition and larger marketing budgets and
resources;
- substantially greater financial, technical and other resources;
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- the ability to offer additional content and other personalization
features; and
- larger production and technical staffs.
In addition, as the use of the Internet and other online services
increases, larger, well-established and well-financed entities may continue to
acquire, invest in or form joint ventures with providers of e-commerce and
direct marketing solutions, and existing providers of e-commerce and direct
marketing solutions may continue to consolidate. Providers of Internet browsers
and other Internet products and services who are affiliated with providers of
Web directories and information services that compete with our Web sites may
more tightly integrate these affiliated offerings into their browsers or other
products or services. Any of these trends would increase the competition we
face.
To be competitive, we must respond promptly and effectively to the
challenges of technological change, evolving standards and our competitors'
innovations by continuing to enhance our products and services, as well as our
sales and marketing channels. Increased competition could result in a decrease
in shopper traffic on our Web sites, fewer merchants listed in our directories,
the obsolescence of the technology underlying our e-commerce and direct
marketing services, a loss of our market share and a reduction in the prices or
margins of our products and services.
IF WE FAIL TO MAINTAIN OUR KEY BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND ENTER INTO
NEW RELATIONSHIPS OUR BUSINESS WILL SUFFER
An important element of our strategy involves entering into key
business relationships with other companies. Our success is dependent on
maintaining our current contractual relationships and developing new
relationships. These contractual relationships typically involve joint
marketing, promotional arrangements or distribution. For example, we have
entered into a licensing and co-marketing agreement with Chase Manhattan Bank, a
joint development agreement with About.com, a cross promotion agreement with
24/7 Media, a distribution and marketing agreement with Qwest Communications, an
agreement with HNC Software and a strategic advisor agreement with the ZERON
Group. Although these relationships are a key factor in our strategy, in that
they are intended to provide us important marketing and distribution
arrangements, the parties with which we contract may not view their
relationships with us as significant to their own businesses. To date, we have
not derived material revenue from these relationships, and some of these
relationships impose substantial obligations onus. It is not certain that the
benefits to us will outweigh our obligations. For example, our relationship with
24/7 Media requires us to refer to them any merchant that would benefit from the
advertising services offered by 24/7 Media and makes 24/7 Media the only third
party authorized to sell advertising on our Web site. Several of our significant
business arrangements do not establish minimum performance requirements but
instead rely on contractual best efforts obligations of the parties with which
we contract. In addition, most of these relationships may be terminated by
either party with little notice. Accordingly, in order to maintain our key
business relationships we will need to meet our partners' specific business
objectives, including incremental revenue, brand awareness and implementation of
specific e-commerce applications. If our key business relationships are
discontinued for any reason, or if we are unsuccessful in entering into new
relationships in the future, our business and results of operations may be
adversely affected.
IF WE FAIL TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE THE RAPID GROWTH OF OUR OPERATIONS OUR
BUSINESS WILL SUFFER
Our ability to successfully offer products and services and implement
our business plan in a rapidly evolving market requires an effective planning
and management process. We are increasing the scope of our operations
domestically and internationally, and we have recently increased our headcount
substantially. From December 31, 1997 to September 30, 1999, our total number of
employees increased from less than 50 to 361. This growth has placed and will
continue to place a significant strain on our management systems, infrastructure
and resources. We will need to continue to improve our financial and managerial
controls and reporting systems and procedures, and will need to continue to
expand, train and manage our workforce worldwide. Furthermore, we expect that we
will be required to manage an increasing number of relationships with various
customers and other third parties. Any failure to expand any of the foregoing
areas efficiently and effectively could cause our business to suffer.
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WE DEPEND ON OUR KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL FOR SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF
OUR BUSINESS
Our success depends on the skills, experience and performance of our
senior management and other key personnel. Our key personnel include Dwayne
Walker, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Haggin, the head of
our direct marketing and creative services business, and Dr. Ganapathy Krishnan,
our Chief Technology Officer. Only Messrs. Walker and Haggin have an employment
agreement with ShopNow. Many of our executive officers have joined us within the
past three years. If we do not quickly and efficiently integrate these new
personnel into our management and culture, our business could suffer. Our
business could also suffer if we do not successfully retain our key personnel.
WE MUST HIRE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO EXPAND OUR OPERATIONS
Our future success depends on our ability to identify, hire, train,
retain and motivate highly skilled executive, technical, managerial, sales and
marketing and business development personnel. We intend to hire a significant
number of personnel during the next year, and as of November 1, 1999 we had
openings for 37 job positions. Competition for qualified personnel is intense,
particularly in the technology and Internet markets. If we fail to successfully
attract, assimilate and retain a sufficient number of qualified executive,
technical, managerial, sales and marketing, business development and
administrative personnel, our ability to manage and expand our business could
suffer.
OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND INTEGRATE E-COMMERCE TECHNOLOGIES IS SUBJECT
TO UNCERTAINTIES
We have limited experience delivering our e-commerce products and
services. In order to remain competitive, we must regularly upgrade our
e-commerce services to incorporate current technology, which requires us to
integrate complex computer hardware and software components. If we do not
successfully integrate these components, the performance of the ShopNow Network
and the ability of our network to accommodate a large number of merchants and
consumers would suffer. While these technologies are generally commercially
available, we may be required to expend considerable time and money in order to
successfully integrate them into our e-commerce services and this may cause our
business to suffer. We must also maintain an adequate testing and technical
support infrastructure to ensure the successful introduction of products and
services.
OUR COMPUTER SYSTEMS MAY BE VULNERABLE TO SYSTEM FAILURES
Our success depends on the performance, reliability and availability of
our online marketplace and the technology supporting our e-commerce and online
direct marketing services. Our revenues depend, in large part, on the number of
shoppers and merchants that access our online marketplace and use our e-commerce
and direct marketing services. This depends, in part, upon our actual and
perceived reliability and performance. Any slowdown or stoppage of our online
marketplace could cause us to lose customers and therefore lose revenue.
Substantially all of our computer and communications hardware is located at
leased facilities in Seattle, Washington and Weehawken, New Jersey. Our systems
and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from fire, flood, power
loss, telecommunications failure, break-in, earthquake and similar events.
Because we presently do not have fully redundant systems or a formal disaster
recovery plan, a systems failure could adversely affect our business. Our
computer systems are vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic
break-ins and similar disruptions, which may lead to interruptions, delays, loss
of data or inability to process online transactions for our merchant customers.
We may be required to expend considerable time and money to correct any system
failure. If we are unable to fix a problem that arises, we may lose customers or
be unable to conduct our business at all.
OUR BUSINESS MAY BE HARMED BY DEFECTS IN OUR SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS
We have developed custom software for our network servers and have
licensed additional software from third parties. This software may contain
undetected errors, defects or bugs. Although we have not suffered significant
harm from any errors or defects to date, we may discover significant errors or
defects in the future that we may or may not be able to fix.
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WE MAY NEED TO EXPAND AND UPGRADE OUR SYSTEMS
We must expand and upgrade our technology, transaction-processing
systems and network infrastructure if the volume of traffic on our Web sites or
our merchants' Web sites increases substantially. We could experience periodic
temporary capacity constraints, which may cause unanticipated system
disruptions, slower response times and lower levels of customer service. We
maybe unable to accurately project the rate or timing of increases, if any, in
the use of our Web sites or when we must expand and upgrade our systems and
infrastructure to accommodate these increases in a timely manner. Any inability
to do so could harm our business by causing our customers to be unhappy with our
services.
OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS INVOLVE RISKS
Our e-commerce and direct marketing solutions are available to
merchants and shoppers worldwide. We also plan to make our online marketplace
available to shoppers and merchants on a global basis. In the nine-month period
ended September 30, 1999, international sales constituted 1.9% of total revenue.
We are subject to the normal risks of doing business internationally. These
risks include:
- difficulties in managing operations due to distance, language and
cultural differences;
- unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
- export and import restrictions;
- tariffs and trade barriers and limitations on fund transfers;
- difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
- longer payment cycles and problems in collecting accounts
receivable;
- potential adverse tax consequences;
- exchange rate fluctuations, as we do not currently hedge our
foreign currency exposures; and
- political risks, such as changes in governments, and risks that
assets in foreign countries may be nationalized.
In addition, we are subject to risks specific to Internet-based
companies in foreign markets. These risks include:
- delays in the development of the Internet as a commerce medium in
international markets;
- restrictions on the export of encryption technology; and
- increased risk of piracy and limits on our ability to enforce our
intellectual property rights.
We intend to begin developing a Japanese-language online marketplace in
the first quarter of 2000. In recent periods, the Japanese economy has been in a
recession. If the Japanese economy does not recover, our efforts to develop a
Japanese-language online marketplace and our ability to grow in that market
could be impaired. In addition, the failure to succeed in the Japanese market
could impair our ability to enter other international markets.
WE MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SUCCESSFULLY OPERATE AND GROW OUR
BUSINESS
Although we believe that our cash reserves and cash flows from
operations will be adequate to fund our operations for at least the next twelve
months, these resources may be inadequate. Consequently, we may require
additional funds during or after this period. Additional financing may not be
available on favorable terms or at all.
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If we raise additional funds by selling stock, the percentage ownership of our
then current shareholders will be reduced. If we cannot raise adequate funds
to satisfy our capital requirements, we may have to limit our operations
significantly. Our future capital requirements depend upon many factors,
including, but not limited to:
- the rate at which we expand our sales and marketing operations;
and our product and service offerings;
- the extent to which we develop and upgrade our technology and
data network infrastructure; and
- the occurrence, timing, size and success of acquisitions.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
We regard our intellectual property rights as critical to our success,
and we rely on trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection and
confidentiality and, or license agreements with our employees, customers and
others to protect our proprietary rights. Despite our precautions, unauthorized
third parties might copy portions of our software or reverse engineer and use
information that we regard as proprietary. We currently have four patents
pending in the United States Patent and Trademark Office covering different
aspects of our product architecture and technology. However, we do not currently
own any issued patents and there is no assurance that any pending or future
patent applications will be granted, that any existing or future patents will
not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, or that the rights granted
thereunder will provide us with a competitive advantage. The laws of some
foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as do the
laws of the United States, and our means of protecting our proprietary rights
abroad may not be adequate. Any misappropriation of our proprietary information
by third parties could adversely affect our business by enabling third parties
to compete more effectively with us.
OUR TECHNOLOGY MAY INFRINGE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS
Although we have not received notice of any alleged infringement by us,
we cannot be certain that our technology does not infringe issued patents or
other intellectual property rights of others. In addition, because patent
applications in the United States are not publicly disclosed until the patent is
issued, applications may have been filed which relate to our software. We may be
subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time in the ordinary course
of our business, including claims of alleged infringement of the trademarks and
other intellectual property rights of third parties. Intellectual property
litigation is expensive and time-consuming, and could divert our management's
attention away from running our business.
PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
BUSINESS
Many currently installed computer systems and software products are
coded to accept only two digit entries in the date code field. As a result,
software that records only the last two digits of the calendar year may not be
able to distinguish whether "00" means 1900 or 2000. This may result in software
failures or the creation of erroneous results.
We rely on proprietary as well as third party software in the operation
of our business. Our proprietary software, as well as the third-party software
on which we rely, is used in complex network environments, including the
Internet, and directly and indirectly interacts with our customers' hardware and
software systems. Despite preliminary investigation and testing by us and our
customers, our proprietary software, the third-party software on which we rely,
and the underlying systems and protocols may contain errors or defects
associated with Year 2000 date functions. We are unable to predict to what
extent our business may be affected if the software or the systems that operate
in conjunction with the software, including the Internet, experience a material
Year 2000 failure. Known or unknown errors or defects that affect the operation
of software that we use could result in delays or losses of revenue,
interruptions of Internet communications, cancellations of contracts by our
customers, diversions of our development resources, damage to our reputation,
increased service and warranty costs and litigation costs.
Year 2000 failures of our merchant customers' internal systems may
affect their ability to purchase our products and services. If a significant
number of our current or potential future customers experience Year 2000
failures, our business could suffer.
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Because of the publicity surrounding the Year 2000 issue, consumers may
delay purchasing goods and services online in the last few months of 1999. If
this occurs, our revenues could suffer.
If the performance of our proprietary software is adversely affected by
Year 2000 defects in hardware or software with which it interacts, our merchant
customers or their end users may mistakenly believe that these defects occurred
in our proprietary software. These customers and end users could react by
demanding extensive technical support from us or by filing suit against us,
either of which would cause a significant diversion of our management and
financial resources.
The computer systems of governmental agencies, utility companies,
Internet access companies, third-party service providers and others outside of
our control may not be Year 2000 compliant. The failure by such entities to
achieve timely Year 2000 compliance could result in a systemic failure beyond
our control, such as prolonged Internet, telecommunications, or electrical
failures. This could prevent shoppers and merchants from accessing our systems,
which could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition. In
addition, the computer systems of the merchants who are part of the ShopNow
Network may not be Year 2000 compliant. The failure by such entities to achieve
timely Year 2000 compliance could prevent shoppers from consummating
transactions through the ShopNow Network, which could harm our business,
operating results and financial condition.
OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON CONTINUED INCREASES IN THE USE OF THE INTERNET
AS A COMMERCIAL MEDIUM
Sales of consumer goods using the Internet currently do not represent a
significant portion of overall sales of consumer goods. We depend on the growing
use and acceptance of the Internet as an effective medium of commerce by
merchants and shoppers. Rapid growth in the use of and interest in the Internet
and other online services is a recent development. No one can be certain that
acceptance and use of the Internet and other online services will continue to
develop or that a sufficiently broad base of merchants and shoppers will adopt
and continue to use the Internet and other online services as a medium of
commerce.
The Internet may fail as a commercial marketplace for a number of
reasons, including potentially inadequate development of the necessary network
infrastructure or delayed development of enabling technologies, including
security technology and performance improvements. For example, if technologies
such as software that stops advertising from appearing on a Web user's computer
screen gain wide acceptance, the attractiveness of the Internet to advertisers
would be diminished, which could harm our business.
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
Rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, evolving
customer demands and frequent new product and service introductions characterize
the market for online marketplaces. Our future success will depend in
significant part on our ability to improve the performance, content and
reliability of our services in response to both the evolving demands of the
market and competitive product offerings. Our efforts in these areas may not be
successful. If a large number of our merchant customers adopt new Internet
technologies or standards, we may need to incur substantial expenditures
modifying or adapting our e-commerce and direct marketing services to remain
compatible with their systems.
THE SECURITY PROVIDED BY OUR E-COMMERCE SERVICES COULD BE BREACHED
A fundamental requirement for e-commerce is the secure transmission of
confidential information over the Internet. Among the e-commerce services we
offer to merchants are security features such as:
- secure online payment services;
- secure order processing services; and
- fraud prevention and management services.
Third parties may attempt to breach the security provided by our
e-commerce services or the security of our merchant customers' internal systems.
If they are successful, they could obtain confidential information about
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shoppers using the ShopNow Network, including their passwords, financial account
information, credit card numbers or other personal information. We may be liable
to our merchant customers or shoppers for any such breach in security. Even if
we are not held liable, a security breach could harm our reputation, and the
mere perception of security risks, whether or not valid, could inhibit market
acceptance of our services. We may be required to expend significant capital and
other resources to license encryption or other technologies to protect against
security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by these breaches. In
addition, our merchant customers might decide to stop using our e-commerce
services if their shoppers experience security breaches.
WE RELY ON THE INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDED BY OTHERS TO OPERATE
OUR BUSINESS
Our success depends, in large part, on other companies maintaining the
Internet infrastructure. In particular, we rely on other companies to maintain
are liable network backbone that provides adequate speed, data capacity and
security and to develop products that enable reliable Internet access and
services. If the Internet continues to experience significant growth in the
number of users, frequency of use and amount of data transmitted, the Internet
infrastructure of thousands of computers communicating via telephone lines,
coaxial cable and other telecommunications systems may be unable to support the
demands placed on it, and the Internet's performance or reliability may suffer
as a result of this continued growth. If the performance or reliability of the
Internet suffers, consumers could have difficulty obtaining access to the
Internet. In addition, data transmitted over the Internet, including information
and graphics contained on Web pages, could reach the consumer much more slowly.
This could result in frustration by consumers, which could decrease shopper
traffic and cause advertisers to reduce their Internet expenditures.
FUTURE GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION AND PRIVACY CONCERNS COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
We are not currently subject to direct regulation by any government
agency, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally, and there are
currently few laws or regulations directly applicable to access to or commerce
on the Internet. However, due to the increasing popularity and use of the
Internet, a number of legislative and regulatory proposals are under
consideration by federal, state, local and foreign governmental organizations,
and it is possible that a number of laws or regulations may be adopted with
respect to the Internet relating to issues such as user privacy, taxation,
infringement, pricing, quality of products and services and intellectual
property ownership. The adoption of any laws or regulations that have the effect
of imposing additional costs, liabilities or restrictions relating to the use of
the Internet by businesses or consumers could decrease the growth in the use of
the Internet, which could in turn decrease the demand for our e-commerce and
direct marketing services, increase our cost of doing business, or otherwise
have a material adverse effect on our business. Moreover, the applicability to
the Internet of existing laws governing issues such as property ownership,
copyright, trademark, trade secret, obscenity, libel and personal privacy is
uncertain and developing. Any new legislation or regulation, or application or
interpretation of existing laws, could have a material adverse effect on our
business.
The Federal Communications Commission is currently reviewing its
regulatory positions on the privacy protection given to data transmissions over
telecommunications networks and could seek to impose some form of
telecommunications carrier regulation on telecommunications functions of
information services. State public utility commissions generally have declined
to regulate information services, although the public service commissions of
some states continue to review potential regulation of such services. Future
regulation or regulatory changes regarding data privacy could have an adverse
effect on our business by requiring us to incur substantial additional expenses
in order to comply with this type of regulation.
A number of proposals have been made at the federal, state and local
level that would impose additional taxes on the sale of goods and services over
the Internet and certain states have taken measures to tax Internet-related
activities. Foreign countries also may tax Internet transactions. The taxation
of Internet-related activities could have the effect of imposing additional
costs on companies, such as ShopNow, that conduct business over the Internet.
This, in turn, could lead to increased prices for consumers, which could result
in decreased demand for online shopping.
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WE COULD FACE LIABILITY FOR MATERIAL TRANSMITTED OVER THE INTERNET BY
OTHERS
Because material may be downloaded from Web sites hosted by us and
subsequently distributed to others, there is a potential that claims will be
made against us for negligence, copyright or trademark infringement or other
theories based on the nature and content of this material. Negligence and
product liability claims also potentially may be made against us due to our role
in facilitating the purchase of products, such as firearms. Although we carry
general liability insurance, our insurance may not cover claims of these types,
or may not be adequate to indemnify us against this type of liability. Any
imposition of liability, and in particular liability that is not covered by our
insurance or is in excess of our insurance coverage, could have a material
adverse effect on our reputation and our operating results, or could result in
the imposition of criminal penalties on us.
WE DO NOT CURRENTLY COLLECT SALES TAX FROM ALL TRANSACTIONS
We do not currently collect sales or other similar taxes in respect to
shipments of goods into states other than Washington and California. However,
one or more states or foreign countries may seek to impose sales tax collection
obligations on out-of-state or foreign companies engaging in e-commerce. In
addition, any new operation in states outside Washington and California could
subject shipments into these states to state or foreign sales taxes. A
successful assertion by one or more states or any foreign country that we should
collect sales or other similar taxes on the sale of merchandise could result in
liability for penalties as well as on the sale of merchandise could result in
liability for penalties as well as substantially higher expenses incurred by our
business.
OUR STOCK PRICE MAY BE VOLATILE
The stock market in general, and the stock prices of Internet-related
companies in particular, have recently experienced extreme volatility, which has
often been unrelated to the operating performance of any particular company or
companies. Our stock price could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to
factors such as the following:
- actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of
operations;
- the addition or loss of merchants and consumer traffic;
- announcements of technological innovations, new products or
services by us or our competitors;
- changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities
analysts;
- conditions or trends in the Internet and e-commerce and direct
marketing industries;
- changes in the market valuations of other Internet, online
service or software companies;
- our announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic
relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
- additions or departures of key personnel;
- sales of our common stock;
- general market conditions; and
- other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control.
These broad market and industry factors may materially and adversely
affect our stock price, regardless of our operating performance. The trading
prices of the stocks of many technology companies are at or near historical
highs and reflect price to earnings ratios substantially above historical
levels. These trading prices and price-to earnings ratios may not be sustained.
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In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought
against companies following periods of volatility in their stock prices. We may
in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could
result in substantial costs and divert our management's time and resources,
which could cause our business to suffer.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We currently have instruments sensitive to market risk relating to
exposure to changing interest rates and market prices. We do not enter into
financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and do not currently
utilize derivative financial instruments. Our operations are conducted primarily
in the United States and as such are not subject to material foreign currency
exchange rate risk.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 2: CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On September 28, 1999, our registration statement on Form S-1, file
number 333-80981, became effective. The offering date was September 28, 1999.
All shares offered in the final prospectus (filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 29, 1999) were sold, thus terminating our
offering. The managing underwriters were Dain Rauscher Wessels, U.S. Bancorp
Piper Jaffray, SoundView Technology Group and Wit Capital Corporation. The
offering consisted of 7,250,000 shares of ShopNow.com Inc. common stock issued
in September 1999 and an additional 1,087,500 shares of common stock subject to
the underwriter's over-allotment option, which was exercised on October 28,
1999. The aggregate price of the shares offered and sold was $100.1 million.
Proceeds to us, after accounting for $7.0 million in underwriting discounts and
commissions and $1.5 million in other expenses, were $91.6 million.
We are using the net proceeds raised in the initial public offering
primarily for working capital and general corporate purposes and to repay
indebtedness. We have used and intend to use the net proceeds from this offering
as follows:
- Approximately $4.2 million of the net proceeds were used to repay
our outstanding indebtedness to Transamerica Business Credit
Corporation. The indebtedness repaid consisted of $4.0 million in
principal that remained on a bridge note bearing interest at the
rate of 12.0% per annum. The bridge note was due upon the earlier
of December 1, 1999, or the date on which we receive more than
$10.0 million in aggregate proceeds from the issuance of debt or
equity securities. Following repayment of the bridge note, we
continue to be indebted to Transamerica Business Credit
Corporation for a term loan with a principal amount of $3.5
million and a $1.0 million line of credit.
- Approximately $1.0 million of the net proceeds were used to
redeem a $1.0 million promissory note that we issued to the
Lovett Miller 1997 Fund, a shareholder of GO Software, when we
acquired GO Software in June 1999. The promissory note bore
interest at the rate of 10.0% per annum and was due upon the
effectiveness of our registration statement.
- The remainder of the net proceeds, or approximately $86.4
million, will be used for working capital and general corporate
purposes. We do not currently have a specific plan for the use of
these proceeds. The amounts that we actually expend for working
capital will vary significantly depending on a number of factors,
including future revenue growth, if any, and the amount of cash
we generate from operations. As a result, we will retain broad
discretion in allocating the net proceeds of this offering.
In addition, we may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or
invest in complementary businesses, products and technologies. From time to
time, in the ordinary course of business, we expect to evaluate potential
acquisitions of such businesses, products or technologies. As a result, we will
have broad discretion in the way we use net proceeds. Pending such uses, the net
proceeds will be invested in interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.
None of the net offering proceeds were paid, and none of the initial
public offering expenses related to payments, directly or indirectly to
directors, officers or general partners of ShopNow or their associates, persons
owning 10% or more of any class of our securities, or affiliates of ShopNow.
ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
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ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY SHAREHOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION
On October 12, 1999, our board of directors was increased from seven to
nine members, effective as of October 6, 1999, and Eytan Lombroso was appointed
as a director to fill one of these new positions. The other position is still
vacant and will be filled in accordance with our Amended and Restated Bylaws.
Mr. Lombroso is 48 years old. Since May 1998, he has been Senior Vice
President--Card Member Services at Chase Manhattan Bank. From September 1996 to
May 1998, he was Senior Vice President--International Consumer at Chase. From
August 1995 to September 1996, he was Senior Vice President--Merger Integration
at Chase. From January 1993 to August 1995, he was Senior Vice President--Retail
Bank Transformation at Chase. Mr. Lombroso was elected as one of our directors
pursuant to a provision of our securities purchase agreement with Chase. Mr.
Lombroso received a B.S. from Technion--Israel Institute of Technology and an
M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.
ITEM 6: EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of ShopNow.com Inc.
(incorporated by reference to exhibit number 3.1 to ShopNow.com's
registration statement on Form 8-A (file number 000-26707), filed
July 14, 1999.
3.2 Bylaws of ShopNow.com Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit
number 3.2 to ShopNow.com's registration statement on Form S-1 (file
number 333-80981), filed June 18, 1999.
10.1 Lease Agreement, dated October 2, 1999 between CEP INVESTORS XII LLC
and ShopNow.com Inc.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter covered by this Form
10-Q.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
SHOPNOW.COM INC.
Date: November 8, 1999
By: /s/ Dwayne M. Walker
----------------------------
Dwayne M. Walker
Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Alan D. Koslow
-----------------------------
Alan D. Koslow
Chief Financial Officer
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