EX-99.2 3 ea190398ex99-2_yoshitsu.htm PRESS RELEASE TITLED "YOSHITSU CO., LTD REPORTS FIRST SIX MONTHS OF FISCAL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS"

Exhibit 99.2

 

Yoshitsu Co., Ltd Reports First Six Months of Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

 

Tokyo, Japan, December 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yoshitsu Co., Ltd (“Yoshitsu” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: TKLF), a retailer and wholesaler of Japanese beauty and health products, sundry products, luxury products, electronic products, as well as other products in Hong Kong, mainland China, Japan, North America, and the United Kingdom, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first six months of fiscal year 2024 ended September 30, 2023.

 

Mr. Mei Kanayama, Principal Executive Officer of Yoshitsu, commented, “We believe it has been a dynamic first half of fiscal year 2024, marked by a significant growth in revenue from physical stores and our strategic focuses on the asset-light business model and franchise expansion in Japan. Our revenue from directly-operated physical stores increased by 99.0% during the first half of fiscal year 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, which we believe reflects the success of our new luxury product lines and our expansion in key markets, like Japan and Hong Kong, and underscores our commitment to enhancing our physical store presence and adapting to market demands. Looking forward, we are optimistic about our asset-light business model and franchise expansion in Japan. We believe this strategy not only streamlines our operational efficiency but also aligns with our vision to build a strong brand presence and optimize revenue streams. As we continue to expand our business globally, we are expecting this model to bring innovative products to the market more rapidly, respond effectively to customer needs, and improve our overall profitability. Our commitment to our shareholders remains steadfast as we look to the future with optimism and a clear strategy aiming for sustained growth and value creation.”

 

Mr. Youichiro Haga, Principal Accounting and Financial Officer of Yoshitsu, remarked, “The financial results for the first six months of fiscal year 2024 present a diverse set of financial outcomes for Yoshitsu. We expect the adoption of the asset-light business model to enhance our market agility, foster stronger customer relationship, and elevate our customers’ shopping experiences. We are focused on continuing to strengthen our financial foundation and drive sustainable growth in the coming periods. We are committed to consistently evaluating and refining our financial strategies to align with our long-term goals and market dynamics, and to ensuring that Yoshitsu remains resilient and poised for continued success.”

 

First Six Months of Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Highlights

 

Revenue was $74.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $77.6 million for the same period of last year.

 

Gross profit was $9.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $14.6 million for the same period of last year.

 

Net income was $2.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, increased by 496.6% from $0.3 million for the same period of last year.

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share was $0.05 for the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $0.01 for the same period of last year.

 

 

 

 

First Six Months of Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue was $74.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, decreased by 4.4% from $77.6 million for the same period of last year.

 

   For the Six Months Ended September 30, 
   2023   2022 
($ millions)  Revenue   Cost of
Revenue
   Gross
Margin
   Revenue   Cost of
Revenue
   Gross
Margin
 
Directly-operated physical stores   11.6    9.9    14.6%   5.8    4.7    20.2%
Online stores and services   6.0    4.9    17.9%   16.3    13.0    20.5%
Franchise stores and wholesale customers   56.5    49.9    11.8%   55.5    45.4    18.1%
Total   74.2    64.7    12.8%   77.6    63.1    18.8%

 

Revenue from directly-operated physical stores increased by 99.0%, to $11.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from $5.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was mainly driven by the introduction of luxury products in directly-operated physical stores in Japan during the six months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in directly-operated physical stores sales was also due to revenue contributed from the Company’s newly-opened physical stores in Hong Kong.

 

Revenue from online stores and services decreased by 63.2%, to $6.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from $16.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was mainly due to a shift in the Company’s business strategy since August 2022. Instead of operating the online stores by itself, the Company entrusted the entire operations of all its online stores in China to third-party companies to minimize the operating risk. After the change, these third-party companies purchased products from the Company like other wholesale customers, and hence this portion of revenue was recorded under franchise stores and wholesale customers. The decrease was partially offset by increased revenue generated by the Company’s online stores in Japan and revenue from advertising services through key opinion leaders.

 

Revenue from franchise stores and wholesale customers increased by 1.9%, to $56.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from $55.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022. During the six months ended September 30, 2023, the Company started to offer luxury products and electronic products, which led to an increase in revenue from franchise stores and wholesale customers due to their higher unit selling price. The increase was also due to increased revenue previously recognized under physical stores and online stores as mentioned above. However, the increase was partially offset by the temporary suspension of sale to certain customers. In order to mitigate the increased credit risk due to slow collection of the Company’s overdue account receivable, the Company suspended its sales to certain customers during the period from May to June 2023. Sales to these customers have only gradually resumed since July 2023 after they accelerated their payments of the overdue accounts receivable to the Company.

 

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Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of revenue increased by 2.6%, to $64.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from $63.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022.

 

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

Gross profit decreased by 35.1%, to $9.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from $14.6 million for the same period of last year.

 

Gross margin decreased by 6 percentage points, to 12.8% for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from 18.8% for the same period of last year.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses decreased by 32.5%, to $9.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from $13.5 million for the same period of last year. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily attributable to a decrease in shipping expenses, promotion and advertising expenses, transaction commission paid to third-party e-commerce marketplace operators, payroll, employee benefit expenses, and bonus expenses and allowance for credit losses. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in consulting and professional service fees.

 

Interest Expenses, net

 

Interest expenses, net included interest expenses calculated at interest rate per loan agreements and loan service costs, which were directly incremental to the loan agreements and amortized over the loan periods. Interest expenses, net decreased by 27.4%, to $1.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from $1.4 million for the same period of last year. The decrease mainly consisted of a decrease in interest expenses at interest rate by $0.4 million, which was mainly because the weighted average interest rate decreased to 0.98% for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from 1.83% for the same period of last year. The decrease was partially offset by the slight increase in amortized loan service costs in relation to the Company’s syndicated loans by $63,497.

 

Other Income (Expenses), net

 

The Company’s other income (expenses), net primarily includes tax refund, disposal gain or loss from property and equipment, government subsidies, and other immaterial income and expense items. Other income, net increased by 159.0%, to $66,947 for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from net other expenses of $113,409 for the same period of last year. The increase was mainly due to the decreased loss from disposal of property and equipment, which was partially offset by decreased government subsidies received during the six months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the same period of last year.

 

Gain from Foreign Currency Exchange

 

Gain from foreign currency exchange was $2.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to a gain from foreign currency exchange of $1.0 million for the same period of last year. The gain from foreign currency exchange was mainly due to the significant fluctuations of foreign exchange rate on the Company’s accounts receivable denominated in foreign currencies, such as U.S. dollars and Chinese Yuan, during the six months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was also due to the increased gain from foreign currency exchange by the Company’s Hong Kong subsidiaries, which was mainly due to the significant fluctuations of foreign exchange rate on its payables denominated in Japanese Yen during the six months ended September 30, 2023.

 

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Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

 

Benefit for income taxes was $0.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to provision for income taxes of $0.2 million for the same period of last year. The Company’s benefit for income taxes increased by 268.1%. The increase in benefit for income taxes was mainly due to the increased deferred income tax benefit, which was partially offset by the increased current income tax expenses resulting from the increased taxable income for the six months ended September 30, 2023.

 

Net Income

 

Net income increased by 496.6%, to $2.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, from $0.3 million for the same period of last year.

 

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share was $0.05 for the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $0.01 for the same period of last year.

 

Financial Condition

 

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had cash of $2.8 million, compared to $1.8 million as of March 31, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the Company also had approximately $74.2 million of account receivable balance due from third parties. Approximately 38.05% of the September 30, 2023 balance has been subsequently collected, and the majority of the remaining balance is expected to be collected by March 31, 2024. The collection of such receivables made cash available for use in the Company’s operations as working capital, if necessary.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, mainly derived from net income of $2.0 million for the period, and net changes in the Company’s operating assets and liabilities, which mainly due to the decrease in accounts receivable due from third parties of $6.4 million as a result of the Company’s great effort in collection of overdue accounts receivable and the decrease in compensation receivable for consumption tax of $6.1 million as the Company received payments from the debtors according to the collection plan. Net cash used in operating activities was $21.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022, mainly derived from net income of $0.3 million for the period, and net changes in the Company’s operating assets and liabilities, which mainly included an increase in accounts receivable from third parties of $21.8 million, which was due to the delayed shipments and longer payment processing procedures as affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $0.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to repayments from related parties of $0.4 million and proceeds from disposal of equity method investment of $0.3 million, partially offset by the purchases of property and equipment in the aggregate amount of $0.2 million and disposal of a subsidiary of $0.2 million. Net cash provided by investing activities was $0.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022, mainly due to repayments from related parties of $0.1 million.

 

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Net cash used in financing activities was $1.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, which primarily consisted of repayments of long-term borrowings of $0.6 million, payments made to related parties of $0.2 million, and repayments of obligations under finance leases of $0.3 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was $16.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022, which primarily consisted of proceeds from short-term borrowings of $74.8 million and proceeds from long-term borrowings of $2.2 million, partially offset by repayments of short-term borrowings of $56.1 million, repayments of long-term borrowings of $1.5 million, and cash consideration paid for business combination under common control of $2.8 million.

 

Conference Call Information

 

The Company will host an earnings conference call at 8:30 am U.S. Eastern Time (10:30 pm Japan Standard Time) on December 22, 2023. Dial-in details for the conference call are as follows:

 

Date: December 22, 2023
Time: 8:30 am U.S. Eastern Time
International: 1-412-902-4272
United States Toll Free: 1-888-346-8982
Japan Toll Free: 0066-33-812830
Conference ID Yoshitsu Co., Ltd

 

Please dial in at least 15 minutes before the commencement of the call to ensure timely participation.

 

For those unable to participate, an audio replay of the conference call will be available from approximately one hour after the end of the live call until December 29, 2023. The dial-in for the replay is +1-877-344-7529 within the United States or +1-412-317-0088 internationally. The replay access code is No. 1325694.

 

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at https://www.ystbek.co.jp/irlibrary/.

 

About Yoshitsu Co., Ltd

 

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Yoshitsu Co., Ltd is a retailer and wholesaler of Japanese beauty and health products, sundry products, luxury products, electronic products, as well as other products in Hong Kong, mainland China, Japan, North America, and the United Kingdom. The Company offers various beauty products (including cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and body care products), health products (including over-the-counter drugs, nutritional supplements, and medical supplies and devices), sundry products (including home goods), luxury products (including branded watches, perfume, handbags, clothes, and jewelry), electronic products (including entertainment gaming products), and other products (including food and alcoholic beverages). The Company currently sells its products through directly-operated physical stores, through online stores, and to franchise stores and wholesale customers. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at https://www.ystbek.co.jp/irlibrary/.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to,” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. In addition, there is uncertainty about the further spread of the COVID-19 virus or the occurrence of another wave of cases and the impact it may have on the Company’s operations, the demand for the Company’s products, global supply chains, and economic activity in general. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and in its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Yoshitsu Co., Ltd

Investor Relations Department

Email: ir@ystbek.co.jp

 

Ascent Investor Relations LLC

Tina Xiao

President

Phone: +1-646-932-7242

Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

 

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YOSHITSU CO., LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  

   September 30,   March 31, 
   2023   2023 
ASSETS        
CURRENT ASSETS:        
Cash  $2,790,801   $1,766,441 
Accounts receivable, net   74,181,423    89,447,155 
Accounts receivable - related parties   44    327,807 
Merchandise inventories, net   14,828,587    7,187,800 
Due from related parties   9,035    444,567 
Compensation receivable for consumption tax, current   9,229,456    3,912,719 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net   3,453,592    3,542,864 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS   104,492,938    106,629,353 
           
Property and equipment, net   11,284,906    12,938,598 
Operating lease right-of-use assets   3,113,422    2,709,954 
Long-term investment   -    169,148 
Compensation receivable for consumption tax, non-current, net   6,106,954    19,230,370 
Long-term prepaid expenses and other non-current assets, net   4,128,092    4,997,857 
TOTAL ASSETS  $129,126,312   $146,675,280 
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES:          
Short-term borrowings  $54,539,800   $60,636,412 
Current portion of long-term borrowings   3,618,832    2,783,445 
Accounts payable   13,344,531    12,719,160 
Accounts payable - related parties   67,848    - 
Due to related parties   108,064    297,559 
Deferred revenue   85,989    146,024 
Taxes payable   12,283,353    18,219,803 
Operating lease liabilities, current   1,348,045    1,323,900 
Finance lease liabilities, current   231,406    369,786 
Representative’s warrants liability   20,222    24,663 
Other payables and other current liabilities   1,284,569    1,520,756 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   86,932,659    98,041,508 
           
Operating lease liabilities, non-current   1,833,622    1,416,508 
Finance lease liabilities, non-current   340,899    622,922 
Long-term borrowings   7,315,955    10,326,399 
Other non-current liabilities   2,152,875    2,535,123 
Deferred tax liabilities, net   2,583,854    4,451,077 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  $101,159,864   $117,393,537 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES          
           
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Ordinary shares, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 36,250,054 shares and 36,250,054 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively   14,694,327    14,694,327 
Capital reserve   9,078,915    9,078,915 
Retained earnings   15,532,199    13,577,844 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (11,338,993)   (8,069,343)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   27,966,448    29,281,743 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $129,126,312   $146,675,280 

 

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YOSHITSU CO., LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

   For the Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2023   2022 
REVENUE        
Revenue - third parties  $74,049,115   $77,607,361 
Revenue - related parties   115,034    8,188 
Total revenue   74,164,149    77,615,549 
           
COSTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES          
Merchandise costs   64,706,599    63,052,437 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   9,124,805    13,518,943 
Total operating expenses   73,831,404    76,571,380 
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS   332,745    1,044,169 
           
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)          
Interest expenses, net   (995,997)   (1,372,444)
Additional and delinquent tax due to consumption tax correction   (644,780)   - 
Gain from disposal of equity method investment   195,391    - 
Gain from disposal of a subsidiary   341,755    - 
Other income (expenses), net   66,947    (113,409)
Gain from foreign currency exchange   2,371,226    981,017 
Change in fair value of representative’s warrants liability   1,833    89,049 
Loss from equity method investment   (71,200)   (88,737)
Total other income (expenses), net   1,265,175    (504,524)
           
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION   1,597,920    539,645 
           
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES   (356,435)   212,052 
           
NET INCOME   1,954,355    327,593 
           
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS          
Foreign currency translation loss   (3,269,650)   (7,374,799)
           
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS  $(1,315,295)  $(7,047,206)
           
Earnings per ordinary share - basic and diluted  $0.05   $0.01 
Weighted average shares - basic and diluted   36,250,054    36,250,054 

 

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YOSHITSU CO., LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

   Ordinary Shares   Capital   Retained   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
   Total
Shareholders’
 
   Shares   Amount   Reserve   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Equity 
Balance, March 31, 2022   36,250,054   $14,694,327    11,921,065    21,465,317   $(3,628,669)   44,452,040 
                             
Business combinations under common control   -    -    (2,842,173)   -    -    (2,842,173)
Net income for the period   -    -    -    327,593    -    327,593 
Foreign currency translation loss   -    -    -    -    (7,374,799)   (7,374,799)
                               
Balance, September 30, 2022   36,250,054   $14,694,327   $9,078,892   $21,792,910   $(11,003,468)  $34,562,661 
                               
Balance, March 31, 2023   36,250,054   $14,694,327   $9,078,915   $13,577,844   $(8,069,343)  $29,281,743 
                              
Net income for the period   -    -    -    1,954,355    -    1,954,355 
Foreign currency translation loss   -    -    -    -    (3,269,650)   (3,269,650)
                               
Balance, September 30, 2023   36,250,054   $14,694,327   $9,078,915   $15,532,199   $(11,338,993)  $27,966,448 

 

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YOSHITSU CO., LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   For the Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2023   2022 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net Income  $1,954,355   $327,593 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   526,994    514,000 
Loss from disposal of property and equipment   13,704    304,133 
Loss (gain) from unrealized foreign currency translation   139,012    (175,351)
Allowance for (net recovery of) credit losses   (148,556)   87,250 
Reversal of merchandise inventories written down   (10,713)   - 
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets   876,122    1,086,370 
Deferred tax benefit   (1,460,623)   (29,689)
Change in fair value of representative’s warrants liability   (1,833)   (89,049)
Investment loss from equity method investment   71,200    88,737 
Gain from disposal of equity method investment   (195,391)   - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   6,372,895    (21,785,420)
Accounts receivable - related parties   309,809    - 
Merchandise inventories   (8,645,561)   4,774,980 
Compensation receivable for consumption tax   6,116,206    - 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (2,342,968)   (4,009,679)
Long-term prepaid expenses and other non-current assets   2,767,762    1,681,064 
Accounts payable   2,128,474    (1,509,149)
Accounts payable - related parties   67,840    (211,615)
Deferred revenue   68,324    84,979 
Taxes payable   (4,136,000)   (106,681)
Other payables and other current liabilities   103,774    (1,894,627)
Operating lease liabilities   (838,782)   (1,102,199)
Other non-current liabilities   (38,735)   26,812 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   3,697,309    (21,937,541)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of property and equipment   (197,825)   (45,472)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment   710    2,992 
Proceeds from disposal of equity method investment   283,800    - 
Proceeds from disposal of a subsidiary   35,475    - 
Disposal of a subsidiary, net of cash   (176,133)   - 
Collection of amount due from related parties   410,181    145,017 
Net cash provided by investing activities   356,208    102,537 
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Cash consideration paid for business combination under common control   -    (2,840,957)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings   -    74,800,000 
Repayments of short-term borrowings   -    (56,100,000)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings   -    2,190,669 
Repayments of long-term borrowings   (608,947)   (1,450,671)
Payments made to related parties   (166,252)   (48,632)
Repayment of obligations under finance leases   (297,843)   (200,104)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (1,073,042)   16,350,305 
           
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash   (1,956,115)   (3,618,859)
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash   1,024,360    (9,103,558)
Cash at beginning of period   1,766,441    18,256,220 
Cash at end of period  $2,790,801   $9,152,662 
           
Supplemental cash flow information          
Cash paid for income taxes  $592,194   $334,323 
Cash paid for interest  $341,583   $644,244 
           
Supplemental non-cash operating activities          
Purchase of property and equipment financed under finance leases  $-   $30,892 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities   $1,512,843   $464,940 

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