• Dada Announces Unaudited Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 23 Nov 2021 17:00:00   America/New_York

    SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dada Nexus Limited (NASDAQ: DADA, “Dada” or the “Company”), China’s leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

    Third Quarter 2021 Highlights

    • Total net revenues were RMB1,686.8 million.
    • Total Gross Merchandise Volume (“GMV”) of JDDJ for the twelve months ended September 30, 2021 was RMB37.2 billion, an increase of 74.6% year over year from RMB21.3 billion in the same period ended September 30, 2020.
    • Number of active consumers for the twelve months ended September 30, 2021 was 57.1 million, as compared with 37.3 million in the same period ended September 30, 2020.

    “Dada has always been committed to driving digital transformation in the retail industry and providing consumers with superior experience to meet the evolving demands,” said Mr. Philip Kuai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dada. “We are excited to strengthen strategic cooperation with JD under the omni-channel strategy to explore the enormous potential in the on-demand retail industry. We will continuously work together to create more value for retailers, brands and consumers and serve the development of the real economy.”

    “We are delighted to deliver another strong quarter and believe the encouraging trend will continue based on the strengthened partnerships with retailers and brand owners,” said Beck Chen, Chief Financial Officer of Dada. “We are excited with accelerated total revenue growth year over year on a comparable basis1 and significant operating margin improvement. Driven by continuous expansion in partner and user base along with gains in operating efficiency, we remain confident on further revenue growth acceleration on a comparable basis1 and margin improvement in the fourth quarter.”

    Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

    Total net revenues were RMB1,686.8 million.

      For the three months ended September 30, 
      2020 2021 
      (RMB in thousands) 
    Net Revenue     
    Dada Now     
    Services 704,961 592,508 
    Sales of goods 14,034 21,781 
    Subtotal 718,995 614,289 
    JDDJ     
    Services note (1) 582,507 1,072,490 
    Total 1,301,502 1,686,779 
          

    Note:
    (1) Includes net revenues from commission fee, and advertising and marketing services of RMB297,382 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and RMB643,704 for the three months ended September 30, 2021; Fulfillment services and others of RMB285,125 and RMB428,786 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

    Net revenues generated from Dada Now were RMB614.3 million. The difference as compared to that of the third quarter of 2020 is mainly due to the fact that effective from April 2021, the cost of riders for last-mile delivery services has been directly paid through third-party companies instead of through the Company. Thus the Company no longer recognizes rider-related revenue and rider-related costs in the income statement for the last-mile delivery services. Aligning the revenue of Dada Now last-mile delivery services to a comparable basis, revenue growth from Dada Now would have been 90.5% year over year1, mainly driven by the increases in order volume of intra-city delivery service to chain merchants.

    Net revenues generated from JDDJ were RMB1,072.5 million. The difference as compared to that of the third quarter of 2020 is mainly due to the increase in GMV from the same quarter last year, which was driven by increases in the number of active consumers and average order size. The increase in online marketing services revenue as a result of the increasing promotional activities launched by brand owners also constituted an increment of the net revenues generated from JDDJ.

    Total costs and expenses were RMB2,282.3 million, compared with RMB1,758.1 million in the same quarter of 2020.

    • Operations and support costs were RMB1,235.7 million, compared with RMB1,018.2 million in the same quarter of 2020. The rise was primarily due to an increase in rider cost as a result of increasing order volume for intra-city delivery services provided to various chain merchants on the Dada Now platform and retailers on the JDDJ platform, partially offset by the decrease of rider-related cost incurred by business upgrade of last-mile delivery services.
    • Selling and marketing expenses were RMB780.3 million, compared with RMB499.2 million in the same quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to (i) growing incentives to JDDJ consumers, and (ii) an increase in personnel cost in connection with the Company’s growing business.
    • General and administrative expenses were RMB98.5 million, compared with RMB121.1 million in the same quarter of 2020. The decrease was primarily due to decreased share-based compensation expenses.
    • Research and development expenses were RMB148.0 million, compared with RMB103.1 million in the same quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase in research and development personnel cost as the Company continues to strengthen its technological capabilities.

    Loss from operations was RMB565.8 million, compared with RMB449.9 million in the same quarter of 2020.

    Non-GAAP loss from operations2 was RMB472.1 million, compared with RMB338.7 million in the same quarter of 2020.

    Net loss was RMB542.7 million, compared with RMB434.0 million in the same period of 2020.

    Non-GAAP net loss3 was RMB450.1 million, compared with RMB324.0 million in the same period of 2020.

    Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada was RMB542.7 million, compared with RMB434.0 million in the same quarter of 2020.

    Non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada4 was RMB450.1 million, compared with RMB324.0 million in the same quarter of 2020.

    Basic and diluted net loss per share was RMB0.57, compared with RMB0.48 for the third quarter of 2020.

    Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per share5 was RMB0.48, compared with RMB0.36 for the third quarter of 2020.

    As of September 30, 2021, the Company had RMB2,932.0 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments, a decrease from RMB6,291.1 million as of December 31, 2020.

    Pursuant to our $150 million share repurchase authorization announced in June 2021, as of October 31, 2021, we had repurchased approximately US$130.6 million of ADSs under this repurchase program.

    Environment, Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance

    The Company made a number of advances across its ESG initiatives in the third quarter:

    • On September 27, Dada launched the first Dada Now Rider Festival, where riders participated in nationwide online and offline rider care activities. In September, Rider Talent Challenge hosted by Dada received over 10 million views on short video platform, allowing more people to learn about Dada Now riders’ highlight moments.
    • To improve riders’ delivery experience, Dada not only initiates various rider care programs, but also focuses on system upgrade. For example, based on the dynamic timeliness database, Dada is now able to identify most of the unusual scenarios during the delivery process to flexibly estimate the pick-up and delivery time for riders, so that riders can improve delivery efficiency and be protected against abnormal cases.
    • Dada proactively participates in the Special Action Plan for Aging- Friendly and Barrier-Free Updating of Internet Applications initiated by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. To ensure the ease-of-use of JDDJ App’s customized mode for elderly and disabled users, Dada recruited blind volunteers across a number of cities to collect feedbacks and engaged in writing the learning manual of using smart phones for the elderly people.

    Business Outlook

    For the fourth quarter of 2021, Dada expects total revenue to be between RMB2.0 billion and RMB2.1 billion. Aligning the revenue of Dada Now last-mile delivery services to a comparable basis in the fourth quarters of 2020 and 2021, total revenue of the fourth quarter of 2021 will realize 88% to 97% year-over-year growth1. This outlook is based on information available as of the date of this press release and reflects the Company's current and preliminary expectations, which are subject to change in light of various uncertainties, including those related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
    ___________________________
    1 Effective from April 2021, the cost of riders for last-mile delivery services has been directly paid through third-party companies instead of through the Company. The Company no longer recognizes rider-related revenue and rider-related costs in the income statement for the last-mile delivery services. To help better understand the growth excluding the change’s impact on revenue, the Company hereby presents the year-over-year growth assuming excluding the cost of riders directly paid during the comparative periods of current year and last year.

    2 Non-GAAP loss from operations represents loss from operations excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition.
    3 Non-GAAP net loss represents net loss excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions and tax benefit from amortization of such intangible assets.
    4 Non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada is net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition and tax benefit from amortization of such intangible assets.
    5 Non-GAAP net loss per share is non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada divided by weighted average number of shares used in calculating net loss per share.

    Conference Call

    The Company will host a conference call to discuss the earnings at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 (9:00 a.m. Beijing time on Wednesday, November 24, 2021).

    Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below and dial in 10 minutes prior to the call, using participant dial-in numbers, Direct Event passcode and unique registrant ID which would be provided upon registering. You will be automatically linked to the live call after completion of this process, unless required to provide the conference ID below due to regional restrictions.

    PRE-REGISTER LINK: http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/6597641

    CONFERENCE ID: 6597641

    A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through 07:59 a.m. Eastern Time, December 1, 2021.

    Dial-in numbers for the replay are as follows:
      
    International Dial-in+61-2-8199-0299
    U.S. Toll Free1-855-452-5696
    Mainland China8008-700-206
    Hong Kong800-963-117
    Passcode:6597641#
      

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Dada’s website at https://ir.imdada.cn/.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    The Company also uses certain non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating its business. For example, the Company uses non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income/(loss), non-GAAP net margin, non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada and non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada per share as supplemental measures to review and assess its financial and operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations is income/(loss) from operations excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition. Non-GAAP operating margin is non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations as a percentage of total net revenues. Non-GAAP net income/(loss) is net income/(loss) excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition and tax benefit from amortization of such intangible assets. Non-GAAP net margin is non-GAAP net income/(loss) as a percentage of total net revenues. Non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada is net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition and tax benefit from amortization of such intangible assets. Non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada per share is non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada divided by weighted average number of shares used in calculating net income/(loss) per share.

    The Company presents the non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by the Company’s management to evaluate the Company’s financial and operating performance and formulate business plans. Non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations and non-GAAP net income/(loss) enable the Company’s management to assess the Company’s financial and operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition and tax benefit from amortization of such intangible assets. The Company also believes that the use of the non-GAAP measures facilitates investors’ assessment of the Company’s financial and operating performance.

    The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations, non-GAAP net income/(loss), non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada, and non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada per share is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company’s operations. Share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition and tax benefit from amortization of such intangible assets have been and may continue to be incurred in the Company’s business and is not reflected in the presentation of non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations, non-GAAP net income/(loss), non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada, and non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada per share. Further, the non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP measures used by other companies, including peer companies, potentially limiting the comparability of their financial results to the Company’s. In light of the foregoing limitations, the non-GAAP income/(loss) from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income/(loss), non-GAAP net margin, non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada and non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada per share for the period should not be considered in isolation from or as an alternative to income/(loss) from operations, operating margin, net income/(loss), net margin, net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada and net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada per share, or other financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

    The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measures, which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance. For reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled, “Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results.”

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to 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,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to” and similar statements. Among other things, quotations in this announcement, contain forward-looking statements. Dada 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 Dada’s beliefs, plans 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: Dada’s strategies; Dada’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Dada’s ability to maintain its relationship with major strategic investors; its ability to provide efficient on-demand delivery services and offer quality on-demand retail experience; its ability to maintain and enhance the recognition and reputation of its brands; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Dada’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Dada does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    About Dada

    Dada is a leading platform of local on-demand retail and delivery in China. It operates JDDJ, one of China’s largest local on-demand retail platforms for retailers and brand owners, and Dada Now, a leading local on-demand delivery platform open to merchants and individual senders across various industries and product categories. The Company’s two platforms are inter-connected and mutually beneficial. The Dada Now platform enables improved delivery experience for participants on the JDDJ platform through its readily accessible fulfillment solutions and strong on-demand delivery infrastructure. Meanwhile, the vast volume of on-demand delivery orders from the JDDJ platform increases order volume and density for the Dada Now platform.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.imdada.cn/.

    For investor inquiries, please contact:

    Dada Nexus Limited
    Ms. Caroline Dong
    E-mail: ir@imdada.cn

    Christensen

    In China
    Mr. Rene Vanguestaine
    Phone: +86-178-1749 0483
    E-mail: rvanguestaine@christensenir.com

    In US
    Ms. Linda Bergkamp
    Phone: +1-480-614-3004
    E-mail: lbergkamp@christensenir.com

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Dada Nexus Limited
    E-mail: PR@imdada.cn

    Appendix I

    DADA NEXUS LIMITED
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Amounts in thousands, except share data and otherwise noted)
          
      As of December 31, As of September 30, 
      2020 2021 
      RMB RMB 
    ASSETS     
    Current assets     
    Cash and cash equivalents 5,461,264 1,553,807 
    Restricted cash 59,791 44,876 
    Short-term investments 770,000 1,333,288 
    Accounts receivable 403,584 241,196 
    Inventories, net 5,410 7,228 
    Amount due from related parties 646,341 595,949 
    Prepayments and other current assets 175,592 449,385 
    Total current assets 7,521,982 4,225,729 


    Non-current assets     
    Property and equipment, net 39,640 38,962 
    Goodwill 957,605 957,605 
    Intangible assets, net 507,964 375,079 
    Operating lease right-of-use assets 107,120 87,856 
    Non-current time deposits 400,000 400,000 
    Other non-current assets 12,715 29,952 
    Total non-current assets 2,025,044 1,889,454 
          
    TOTAL ASSETS 9,547,026 6,115,183 
          
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     
    Current liabilities     
    Short-term loan 600,000 200,000 
    Accounts payable 13,846 6,462 
    Notes payable 170,000 170,000 
    Payable to riders and drivers 717,496 459,909 
    Amount due to related parties 52,918 63,544 
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 814,991 483,623 
    Operating lease liabilities 41,737 39,592 
    Total current liabilities 2,410,988 1,423,130 
          
    Non-current liabilities     
    Deferred tax liabilities 38,558 34,799 
    Non-current operating lease liabilities 69,525 53,961 
    Total non-current liabilities 108,083 88,760 
          
    TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,519,071 1,511,890 


    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
    Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value, 2,000,000,000 shares authorized, 941,450,185 and 935,728,429 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021, respectively) 639  635 
    Additional paid-in capital 16,442,721  15,936,616 
    Accumulated deficit (9,345,102) (11,238,442)
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss (70,303) (95,516)
    TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 7,027,955  4,603,293 
         
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 9,547,026  6,115,183 
           


    DADA NEXUS LIMITED
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
    (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data and otherwise noted)

       
      For the three months ended September 30,
      2020  2021 
      RMB RMB
         
         
    Net revenues 1,301,502  1,686,779 
    Costs and expenses    
    Operations and support (1,018,168) (1,235,733)
    Selling and marketing (499,150) (780,324)
    General and administrative (121,135) (98,536)
    Research and development (103,117) (147,982)
    Other operating expenses (16,500) (19,750)
    Total costs and expenses (1,758,070) (2,282,325)
    Other operating income 6,635  29,721 
    Loss from operations (449,933) (565,825)
         
    Other income/(expenses)    
    Interest income 18,717  24,777 
    Interest expenses (4,066) (2,918)
    Foreign exchange gain —  52 
    Total other income 14,651  21,911 
    Loss before income tax benefits (435,282) (543,914)
    Income tax benefits 1,253  1,253 
    Net loss (434,029) (542,661)
    Accretion of convertible
    redeemable preferred shares    		 —  — 
    Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada Group (434,029) (542,661)
         
    Net loss per share    
    Basic (0.48) (0.57)
    Diluted (0.48) (0.57)
         
    Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per share    
    Basic 898,428,565  944,451,432 
    Diluted 898,428,565  944,451,432 
         
    Net loss (434,029) (542,661)
    Other comprehensive income/(loss)    
    Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of nil (107,726) 5,348 
    Total comprehensive loss (541,755) (537,313)
           


    DADA NEXUS LIMITED
    Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
    (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data and otherwise noted)

        
      For the three months ended September 30,
      2020  2021 
      RMB RMB
         
    Loss from operations (449,933) (565,825)
    Add:    
    Share-based compensation expense 66,004  50,673 
    Intangible assets amortization 45,231  43,099 
    Non-GAAP loss from operations (338,698) (472,053)
         
    Net loss (434,029) (542,661)
    Add:    
    Share-based compensation expense 66,004  50,673 
    Intangible assets amortization 45,231  43,099 
    Income tax benefit (1,253) (1,253)
    Non-GAAP net loss (324,047) (450,142)
         
    Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares —  — 
         
    Non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Dada Group (324,047) (450,142)
         
    Non-GAAP net loss per share    
    Basic (0.36) (0.48)
    Diluted (0.36) (0.48)
         
    Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per share    
    Basic 898,428,565  944,451,432 
    Diluted 898,428,565  944,451,432 

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