GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Vipshop Holdings Limited (NYSE: VIPS), a leading online discount retailer for brands in China (“Vipshop” or the “Company”), today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Highlights

• Total net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 22.0% year over year to RMB35.8 billion (US$5.5 billion) from RMB29.3 billion in the prior year period. Total net revenue for the full year of 2020 increased by 9.5% year over year to RMB101.9 billion (US$15.6 billion) from RMB93.0 billion in the prior year.
• GMV^[1] for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 25% year over year to RMB59.3 billion from RMB47.6 billion in the prior year period. GMV for the full year of 2020 increased by 11% year over year to RMB165.0 billion from RMB148.2 billion in the prior year.
• Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 12.1% year over year to RMB7.8 billion (US$1.2 billion) from RMB7.0 billion in the prior year period. Gross profit for the full year of 2020 increased by 2.9% year over year to RMB21.3 billion (US$3.3 billion) from RMB20.7 billion in the prior year.
• Net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 67.7% year over year to RMB2.4 billion (US$374.1 million) from RMB1.5 billion in the prior year period. Net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the full year of 2020 increased by 47.1% year over year to RMB5.9 billion (US$905.3 million) from RMB4.0 billion in the prior year.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders^[2] for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 33.4% year over year to RMB2.6 billion (US$394.8 million) from RMB1.9 billion in the prior year period. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the full year of 2020 increased by 25.0% year over year to RMB6.3 billion (US$960.7 million) from RMB5.0 billion in the prior year.
• The number of active customers^[3] for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 37% year over year to 53.0 million from 38.6 million in the prior year period. The number of active customers for the full year of 2020 increased by 22% year over year to 83.9 million from 69.0 million in the prior year.
• Total orders^[4] for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 30% year over year to 227.3 million from 174.6 million in the prior year period. Total orders for the full year of 2020 increased by 22% year over year to 692.4 million from 566.3 million in the prior year.

Mr. Eric Shen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vipshop, stated, “We are delighted to have finished the year of 2020 with strong financial and operational results in the fourth quarter. The growth in our number of active customers in the fourth quarter of 2020 continued to accelerate, reaching 37% year over year. Our GMV in the quarter has also shown strong growth momentum, with total GMV increasing by 25% year over year to 59.3 billion from 47.6 billion in the prior year period, driven by a strong 28% year-over-year increase in apparel-related GMV. We are glad that our customers, old and new, are recognizing the value of our differentiated offerings, as exemplified by a 10% year-over-year increase in our conversion rate in the fourth quarter of 2020. Looking ahead, we will continue to be keenly focused on our merchandising strategy, while at the same time, enhancing our big data and technological capabilities to cater to the diversified needs of a broader customer base, particularly in our core categories, aiming to further expand our market share in China’s discount retail market.”

Mr. David Cui, Chief Financial Officer of Vipshop, further commented, “We continued to deliver accelerated topline growth in the fourth quarter of 2020, driven by the strong growth in our number of active customers, of which new customers grew even faster on a year-over-year basis. In addition, our net income grew faster than our revenues, demonstrating enhanced profitability, and we generated robust free cash inflow for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2020. We believe these successes result from our focus on offering our customers desirable merchandises at deep discounts, while providing them with superior shopping experience. We are committed to continuing to offer value to our customers while helping our brand partners grow their business and monetize their excess inventory quickly and effectively, ultimately generating sustainable return for our shareholders.”

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

REVENUE

Total net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 22.0% year over year to RMB35.8 billion (US$5.5 billion) from RMB29.3 billion in the prior year period, primarily driven by the growth in the number of total active customers.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 12.1% year over year to RMB7.8 billion (US$1.2 billion) from RMB7.0 billion in the prior year period. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2020 was 21.9%, as compared with 23.9% in the prior year period.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 were RMB5.4 billion (US$830.9 million), as compared with RMB5.4 billion in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased to 15.2% from 18.3% in the prior year period.

• Fulfillment expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 were RMB2.2 billion (US$335.6 million), as compared with RMB2.1 billion in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, fulfillment expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased to 6.1% from 7.0% in the prior year period, primarily attributable to the change in fulfillment logistic arrangement.
• Marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 were RMB1.7 billion (US$261.1 million), as compared with RMB944.1 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 were 4.8%, as compared with 3.2% in the prior year period, primarily attributable to increased investment in customer acquisition.
• Technology and content expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased to RMB272.4 million (US$41.7 million) from RMB362.2 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, technology and content expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased to 0.8% from 1.2% in the prior year period.
• General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 were RMB1.3 billion (US$192.5 million), as compared with RMB1.7 billion in the prior year period. As a percentage of total net revenue, general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased to 3.5% from 5.9% in the prior year period.

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 45.9% year over year to RMB2.6 billion (US$396.9 million) from RMB1.8 billion in the prior year period. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased to 7.2% from 6.1% in the prior year period.

Non-GAAP income from operations[5]for the fourth quarter of 2020, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, increased by 30.2% year over year to RMB2.8 billion (US$432.1 million) from RMB2.2 billion in the prior year period. Non-GAAP operating income margin^[6] for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased to 7.9% from 7.4% in the prior year period.

NET INCOME

Net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 67.7% year over year to RMB2.4 billion (US$374.1 million) from RMB1.5 billion in the prior year period. Net margin attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased to 6.8% from 5.0% in the prior year period. Net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders per diluted ADS^[7] for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased to RMB3.51 (US$0.54) from RMB2.14 in the prior year period.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2020, which excluded (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) tax effect of share-based compensation expenses, (iii) impairment loss of investments, (iv) amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (v) tax effect of amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (vi) investment gain and revaluation of investments excluding dividends, (vii) tax effect of investment gain and revaluation of investments excluding dividends, and (viii) share of loss in investment of limited partnerships that are accounted for as equity method investees, increased by 33.4% year over year to RMB2.6 billion (US$394.8 million) from RMB1.9 billion in the prior year period. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders[8] for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased to 7.2% from 6.6% in the prior year period. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders per diluted ADS[9] for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased to RMB3.70 (US$0.57) from RMB2.84 in the prior year period.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s weighted average number of ADSs used in computing diluted income per ADS was 696,098,755.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB12.8 billion (US$2.0 billion) and short term investments of RMB7.3 billion (US$1.1 billion).

For the quarter ended December 31, 2020, net cash from operating activities was RMB7.2 billion (US$1.1 billion), and free cash flow[10], a non-GAAP measurement of liquidity, was as follows:

Full Year 2020 Financial Results

Total net revenue for the full year of 2020 increased by 9.5% year over year to RMB101.9 billion (US$15.6 billion) from RMB93.0 billion in the prior year, primarily driven by the growth in the number of total active customers.

Gross profit for the full year of 2020 increased by 2.9% year over year to RMB21.3 billion (US$3.3 billion) from RMB20.7 billion in the prior year. Gross margin for the full year of 2020 was 20.9%, as compared with 22.2% in the prior year.

Income from operations for the full year of 2020 increased by 22.8% year over year to RMB5.9 billion (US$898.1 million) from RMB4.8 billion in the prior year. Operating margin for the full year of 2020 increased to 5.8% from 5.1% in the prior year.

Non-GAAP income from operations for the full year of 2020, which excluded share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, increased by 19.0% year over year to RMB6.8 billion (US$1.0 billion) from RMB5.8 billion in the prior year. Non-GAAP operating income margin for the full year of 2020 increased to 6.7% from 6.2% in the prior year.

Net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the full year of 2020 increased by 47.1% year over year to RMB5.9 billion (US$905.3 million) from RMB4.0 billion in the prior year. Net margin attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the full year of 2020 increased to 5.8% from 4.3% in the prior year. Net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders per diluted ADS for the full year of 2020 increased to RMB8.56 (US$1.31) from RMB5.92 in the prior year.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the full year of 2020, which excluded (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) tax effect of share-based compensation expenses, (iii) impairment loss of investments, (iv) amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (v) tax effect of amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (vi) investment gain and revaluation of investments excluding dividends, (vii) tax effect of investment gain and revaluation of investments excluding dividends, and (viii) share of loss in investment of limited partnership that is accounted for as an equity method investee, increased by 25.0% year over year to RMB6.3 billion (US$960.7 million) from RMB5.0 billion in the prior year. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders for the full year of 2020 increased to 6.2% from 5.4% in the prior year. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders per diluted ADS for the full year of 2020 increased to RMB9.08 (US$1.39) from RMB7.38 in the prior year.

For the full year of 2020, the Company’s weighted average number of ADSs used in computing diluted earnings per ADS was 690,180,050.

For the full year of 2020, net cash from operating activities was RMB11.8 billion (US$1.8 billion), and free cash flow, a non-GAAP measurement of liquidity, was as follows:

Business Outlook

For the first quarter of 2021, the Company expects its total net revenue to be between RMB27.2 billion and RMB28.2 billion, representing a year-over-year growth rate of approximately 45% to 50%. These forecasts reflect the Company’s current and preliminary view on the market and operational conditions, which is subject to change.

Exchange Rate

The Company’s business is primarily conducted in China and the significant majority of revenues generated are denominated in Renminbi. This announcement contains currency conversions of Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB6.5250 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate on December 31, 2020 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the Renminbi amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into U.S. dollars at that rate on December 31, 2020, or at any other rate.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 7:30 am Eastern Time or 8:30 pm Beijing Time to discuss its financial results and operating performance for the fourth quarter and full year of 2020.

All participants wishing to join the conference call must pre-register online using the link provided below. Once pre-registration has been complete, participants will receive dial-in numbers, a passcode, and a unique registrant ID. To join the conference, simply dial the number in the calendar invite you receive after pre-registration, enter the passcode followed by your PIN, and you will join the conference instantly.

The replay will be accessible through March 5, 2021 by dialing the following numbers:

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

About Vipshop Holdings Limited

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

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Vipshop’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Vipshop may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Vipshop’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Vipshop’s goals and strategies; Vipshop’s future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online discount retail market in China; Vipshop’s ability to attract customers and brand partners and further enhance its brand recognition; Vipshop’s expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of flash sales products and services; competition in the discount retail industry; the potential impact of the COVID-19 to Vipshop’s business operations and the economy in China and elsewhere generally; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Vipshop’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Vipshop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The condensed consolidated financial information is derived from the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), except that comparative consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the period presented and detailed footnote disclosures required by Accounting Standards Codification 270, Interim Reporting (“ASC270”), have been omitted. Vipshop uses non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders, non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders per diluted ADS, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating income margin, non-GAAP net margin attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders, and free cash flow, each of which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders is net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) tax effect of share-based compensation expenses, (iii) impairment loss of investments, (iv) amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (v) tax effect of amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (vi) investment gain and revaluation of investments excluding dividends, (vii) tax effect of investment gain and revaluation of investments excluding dividends, and (viii) share of loss in investment of limited partnerships that are accounted for as equity method investees. Non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders per diluted ADS is computed using non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADS outstanding for computing diluted earnings per ADS. Non-GAAP income from operations is income from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. Non-GAAP operating income margin is non-GAAP income from operations as a percentage of total net revenue. Non-GAAP net margin attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders is non-GAAP net income attributable to Vipshop’s shareholders as a percentage of total net revenue. Free cash flow is net cash from operating activities adding back the impact from Internet financing activities and less capital expenditures, which include purchase and deposits of property and equipment and land use rights, and purchase of other assets. Impact from Internet financing activities added back or deducted from free cash flow contains changes in the balances of financial products, which are primarily consumer financing and supplier financing that the Company provides to customers and suppliers. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of the non-cash impact of (a) share-based compensation, (b) impairment loss of investments, (c) amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (d) investment gain and revaluation of investments excluding dividends, and (e) share of loss in investment of limited partnerships that are accounted for as equity method investees add clarity to the constituent parts of its performance. The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses these non-GAAP financial measures for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures are useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the effect of (1) non-cash share-based compensation expenses, (2) impairment loss of investments, (3) amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, (4) investment gain and revaluation of investments excluding dividends, and (5) share of loss in investment of limited partnerships that are accounted for as equity method investees. Free cash flow enables the Company to assess liquidity and cash flow, taking into account the impact from Internet financing activities and the financial resources needed for the expansion of fulfillment infrastructure and technology platform. Share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in its business. However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company’s net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similar titled measures used by other companies. One of the key limitations of free cash flow is that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures.

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

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