Coupang, Inc. (CPNG)
SIC breadcrumb: Retail Trade > Miscellaneous Retail > SIC 5961 Retail-Catalog & Mail-Order Houses
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1834584. Latest filing source: 0001834584-26-000024.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read CPNG's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read CPNG's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 34,534,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Net income | 208,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Assets | 17,787,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-26. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001834584.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 6,273,263,000 | 11,967,339,000 | 18,406,000,000 | 20,583,000,000 | 24,383,000,000 | 30,268,000,000 | 34,534,000,000 |
| Net income | -696,885,000 | -463,157,000 | -1,543,000,000 | -92,000,000 | 1,360,000,000 | 154,000,000 | 208,000,000 |
| Operating income | -641,923,000 | -515,994,000 | -1,494,000,000 | -112,000,000 | 473,000,000 | 436,000,000 | 473,000,000 |
| Gross profit | 4,710,000,000 | 6,190,000,000 | 8,831,000,000 | 10,141,000,000 | |||
| Diluted EPS | -39.48 | -19.16 | -1.08 | -0.05 | 0.75 | 0.08 | 0.11 |
| Operating cash flow | -311,843,000 | 301,554,000 | -411,000,000 | 565,000,000 | 2,652,000,000 | 1,886,000,000 | 1,773,000,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 217,823,000 | 484,630,000 | 674,000,000 | 824,000,000 | 896,000,000 | 879,000,000 | 1,251,000,000 |
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 178,000,000 | 243,000,000 | |||
| Assets | 5,067,332,000 | 8,641,834,000 | 9,513,000,000 | 13,346,000,000 | 15,344,000,000 | 17,787,000,000 | |
| Liabilities | 5,670,583,000 | 6,465,877,000 | 7,099,000,000 | 9,242,000,000 | 11,167,000,000 | 13,164,000,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 2,176,000,000 | 2,414,000,000 | 4,089,000,000 | 4,102,000,000 | 4,623,000,000 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,251,455,000 | 3,488,000,000 | 3,509,000,000 | 5,243,000,000 | 5,879,000,000 | 6,318,000,000 | |
| Free cash flow | -529,666,000 | -183,076,000 | -1,085,000,000 | -259,000,000 | 1,756,000,000 | 1,007,000,000 | 522,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | -11.11% | -3.87% | -8.38% | -0.45% | 5.58% | 0.51% | 0.60% |
| Operating margin | -10.23% | -4.31% | -8.12% | -0.54% | 1.94% | 1.44% | 1.37% |
| Return on equity | -70.91% | -3.81% | 33.26% | 3.75% | 4.50% | ||
| Return on assets | -9.14% | -17.86% | -0.97% | 10.19% | 1.00% | 1.17% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 2.97 | 2.94 | 2.26 | 2.72 | 2.85 | ||
| Current ratio | 0.76 | 1.19 | 1.15 | 1.14 | 1.17 | 1.04 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0001834584-26-000024; concept RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax; source concepts us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax | Gross profit: accession 0001834584-26-000024; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001834584-26-000024; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001834584-26-000024; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001834584-26-000024; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001834584-26-000024; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001834584-26-000024; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001834584-26-000024; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-05. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001834584.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | -0.04 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.05 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.05 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 5,837,889,000 | 145,192,000 | 0.08 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 6,183,555,000 | 91,300,000 | 0.05 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 6,561,026,000 | 1,032,653,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 7,114,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 0.00 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 7,323,000,000 | -77,000,000 | -0.04 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 7,866,000,000 | 70,000,000 | 0.04 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 7,965,000,000 | 156,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 7,908,000,000 | 107,000,000 | 0.06 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 8,524,000,000 | 32,000,000 | 0.02 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 9,267,000,000 | 95,000,000 | 0.05 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 8,835,000,000 | -26,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 8,504,000,000 | -266,000,000 | -0.15 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001834584-26-000042; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001834584-26-000042; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001834584-26-000042; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001834584-26-000042.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, as well as our audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2025 Form 10-K. This discussion, particularly information with respect to our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-Q. As a result of many factors, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our 2025 Form 10-K and the “Risk Factors” section of subsequent Form 10-Qs, our actual results or timing of certain events could differ materially from the results or timing described in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. In the following discussion and analysis, amounts may not foot due to rounding.
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Overview | 20 |
| Key Business Metrics | 22 |
| Results of Operations | 23 |
| Non-GAAP Financial Measures | 27 |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 29 |
| Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates | 30 |
Overview
Coupang is a technology and Fortune 150 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CPNG) that provides retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech services to customers around the world under brands that include Coupang, Eats, Play, Rocket Now, and Farfetch. Headquartered in the United States, Coupang has operations and support services in geographies including Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, India, Japan, and Europe. Coupang’s mission is to revolutionize the everyday lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, “How did I ever live without Coupang?”
We believe that we are a preeminent retail destination because of our broad selection, low prices, and exceptional delivery and customer experience across our owned inventory selection as well as products offered by third-party merchants. Our unique end-to-end integrated fulfillment, logistics, and technology network enables Rocket Delivery, which provides free, next-day delivery for orders placed anytime of the day, even seconds before midnight—for millions of products across Korea and Taiwan. Our structural advantages from complete end-to-end integration, investments in technology, and scale economies generate higher efficiencies that allow us to pass savings to customers in the form of lower prices. The capabilities we have built provide us with opportunities to expand into other offerings and geographies.
Data Incident and Customer Compensation Program
In November 2025, Coupang became aware of the Incident. For additional information, see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” Part I, Item 1C. “Cybersecurity,” and Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our 2025 Form 10-K.
In December 2025, Coupang Corp. announced a customer compensation program to issue approximately $1.2 billion worth of vouchers, beginning in January 2026, to customers who were notified of the Incident at the end of November 2025 that may be applied towards future Coupang purchases. These vouchers are reflected as reductions to the selling price and revenue recognized on each corresponding transaction as they are redeemed. Voucher redemption occurred primarily in the first quarter of 2026 and concluded in mid-April 2026.
We believe that the Incident has increased and may further increase the Korean government’s focus on our business and could result in additional expenses, including from remediation, inquiries, enforcement actions, and litigation.
Segment Information
Our segments reflect the way we evaluate our business performance and manage operations. See Note 3 — "Segment Reporting" to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Product Commerce primarily includes our core Korean retail (owned inventory) and marketplace offerings (third-party merchants) and Rocket Fresh, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Product Commerce are derived primarily from online product sales of owned inventory to customers in Korea, commissions and logistics and fulfillment fees from merchants that sell products through our mobile application and website, and from our Korean WOW membership program.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | 20 |
Table of Contents
Developing Offerings includes more nascent offerings and services, including Eats, Rocket Now, Play, fintech, our retail operations in Taiwan, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings, and also includes Farfetch. Revenues from Developing Offerings are primarily generated from Farfetch, Eats, and retail operations in Taiwan.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | 21 |
Table of Contents
Key Financial and Operating Highlights:
| (in millions) | Three Months Ended March 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 8,504 | $ | 7,908 | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues, constant currency(1) | $ | 8,536 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||
| Gross profit(2) | $ | 2,297 | $ | 2,316 | (1) | % | ||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (266) | $ | 114 | NM(3) | |||||||||||
| Net (loss) income margin | (3.1) | % | 1.4 | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 29 | $ | 382 | (92) | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) | 0.3 | % | 4.8 | % | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 184 | $ | 354 | (48) | % | ||||||||||
| Free cash flow(1) | $ | (110) | $ | 116 | NM(3) | |||||||||||
| Segment adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 358 | $ | 550 | (35) | % | ||||||||||
| Developing Offerings | $ | (329) | $ | (168) | 96 | % |
| Trailing Twelve Months Ended March 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,603 | $ | 2,028 | (21) | % | ||||
| Free cash flow(1) | $ | 301 | $ | 1,025 | (71) | % |
(1)Total net revenues, constant currency; total net revenues growth, constant currency; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for the reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
(2)Gross profit is calculated as total net revenues minus cost of sales.
(3)Non-meaningful.
Key Business Metrics
| Three Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer | March 31, | |||
| 2026 | $ | 300 | ||
| 2026 - constant currency | $ | 303 | ||
| 2025 | $ | 294 | ||
| Percentage change | 2 | % | ||
| Percentage change - constant currency | 3 | % |
| (in millions) | Three Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Commerce Active Customers | March 31, | |||
| 2026 | 23.9 | |||
| 2025 | 23.4 | |||
| Percentage change | 2 | % |
We experienced a lower growth rate in Product Commerce Active Customers in the first quarter of 2026 primarily due to the impact of the Incident.
Net Revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer and Constant Currency Net Revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer
Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer is the total Product Commerce net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Product Commerce Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of customers who are shopping on our Product Commerce apps or websites. We therefore view net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our ability to drive future revenue growth, though there may be a short-term dilutive impact when a large number of new Product Commerce Active Customers are added in a recent period.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | 22 |
Table of Contents
Constant currency net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer is the total Product Commerce net revenues generated in a period translated using the prior period exchange rate to exclude the effect of foreign exchange rate movements divided by the total number of Product Commerce Active Customers in that period. Constant currency net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer is a key indicator to evaluate net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer between periods as it excludes the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of customer engagement and retention.
Product Commerce Active Customers
A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. As of the last date of each quarterly reported period, we determine our number of Product Commerce Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our Product Commerce apps or websites during the relevant quarterly period. The change in Product Commerce Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers who have made a purchase in the period as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Product Commerce Active Customers as an indicator of future growth in our net revenue, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.
Results of Operations
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2026 | 2025 | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 6,476 | $ | 6,088 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Net other revenue | 2,028 | 1,820 | 11 | % | |||||||||
| Total net revenues | 8,504 | 7,908 | 8 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 6,207 | 5,592 | 11 | % | |||||||||
| Operating, general and administrative | 2,539 | 2,162 | 17 | % | |||||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 8,746 | 7,754 | 13 | % | |||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | (242) | 154 | NM(1) | ||||||||||
| Interest income | 44 | 49 | (10) | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense | (13) | (23) | (43) | % | |||||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (44) | 36 | NM(1) | ||||||||||
| (Loss) income before income taxes | (255) | 216 | NM(1) | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 11 | 102 | (89) | % | |||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (266) | $ | 114 | NM(1) |
(1)Non-meaningful.
Total Net Revenues
We categorize our total net revenues as (1) net retail sales and (2) net other revenue. Total net revenues incorporate reductions for estimated returns, promotional discounts, and earned loyalty rewards and exclude amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added taxes. We periodically provide customers with promotional discounts to retail prices, such as percentage discounts and other similar offers, to incentivize increased customer spending and loyalty. These promotional discounts are discretionary and are reflected as redu
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion, particularly information with respect to our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-K. As a result of many factors, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K, our actual results or timing of certain events could differ materially from the results or timing described in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. In the following discussion and analysis, amounts may not foot due to rounding.
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Overview | 47 |
| Key Business Metrics | 49 |
| Results of Operations | 50 |
| Non-GAAP Financial Measures | 54 |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 56 |
| Critical Accounting Estimates | 58 |
| Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements | 60 |
Overview
Coupang is a technology and Fortune 150 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CPNG) that provides retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech services to customers around the world under brands that include Coupang, Eats, Play, Rocket Now, and Farfetch. Headquartered in the United States, Coupang has operations and support services in geographies including Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, India, Japan, and Europe. Coupang’s mission is to revolutionize the everyday lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, “How did I ever live without Coupang?”
We believe that we are a preeminent retail destination because of our broad selection, low prices, and exceptional delivery and customer experience across our owned inventory selection as well as products offered by third-party merchants. Our unique end-to-end integrated fulfillment, logistics, and technology network enables Rocket Delivery, which provides free, next-day delivery for orders placed anytime of the day, even seconds before midnight—across millions of products in Korea. Our structural advantages from complete end-to-end integration, investments in technology, and scale economies generate higher efficiencies that allow us to pass savings to customers in the form of lower prices. The capabilities we have built provide us with opportunities to expand into other offerings and geographies.
Data Incident and Customer Compensation Program
In November 2025, Coupang became aware of a data incident involving unauthorized access to customer accounts (the “Incident”). For additional information, see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” Part I, Item 1C. “Cybersecurity,” and Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.
In December 2025, Coupang Corp., our Korean subsidiary, announced a customer compensation program to issue approximately $1.2 billion worth of vouchers, beginning in January 2026, to customers who were notified of the Incident at the end of November 2025 that may be applied towards future Coupang purchases (the “Customer Compensation Program”). These vouchers will be reflected as reductions to the selling price and revenue recognized on each corresponding transaction as they are redeemed. The Customer Compensation Program may reduce net revenues growth and profitability primarily in the first quarter of 2026.
We believe that the Incident has increased and may further increase the Korean government’s focus on our business and could result in additional expenses, including from remediation, inquiries, enforcement actions, and litigation.
Farfetch Acquisition
In January 2024 we acquired the business and assets of Farfetch Holdings plc (“Farfetch”), a leading global marketplace for the luxury fashion industry. Throughout 2024 and 2025, we undertook restructuring actions to reduce headcount and exit leases and licensing agreements associated with Farfetch. See Note 16 — "Business Combinations - Farfetch" to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 47 |
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Fulfillment Center Fire
In June 2021, a fire extensively damaged our Deokpyeong fulfillment center (“FC Fire”) resulting in a loss of the inventory, building, equipment, and other assets at the site. We are insured on property losses from the FC Fire, and while the insurer continues assessment of the total potential loss coverage on the claim, during the fourth quarter of 2024 we agreed to a settlement on a portion of the claim and deemed the recovery of insurance proceeds under the policy as probable. We recognized an insurance gain of $175 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, which included $116 million for the inventory loss included in “Cost of sales” and $59 million for property and equipment losses, included in “Operating, general and administrative”. Whether and to what extent additional insurance recoveries will be received is currently unknown.
Segment Information
Our segments reflect the way we evaluate our business performance and manage operations. See Note 3 — "Segment Reporting" to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Product Commerce primarily includes our core Korean retail (owned inventory) and marketplace offerings (third-party merchants, including SMEs) and Rocket Fresh, our fresh grocery offering, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Product Commerce are derived primarily from online product sales of owned inventory to customers in Korea, commissions and logistics and fulfillment fees from merchants that sell products through our mobile application and website, and from our Korean retail WOW membership program.
Developing Offerings includes more nascent offerings and services, including Eats (our restaurant ordering and delivery service), Play (our online content streaming service), fintech, our retail operations in Taiwan, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Developing Offerings also includes Farfetch (our global luxury fashion marketplace). Revenues from Developing Offerings are primarily generated from Farfetch, Eats, and retail operations in Taiwan.
Key Financial and Operating Highlights:
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024(1) | % Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net revenues | $ | 34,534 | $ | 30,268 | 14 | % | ||||
| Total net revenues, constant currency(2) | $ | 35,834 | $ | 31,552 | 18 | % | ||||
| Gross profit(3) | $ | 10,141 | $ | 8,831 | 15 | % | ||||
| Net income(4) | $ | 214 | $ | 66 | 224 | % | ||||
| Net income margin | 0.6 | % | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $ | 1,490 | $ | 1,375 | 8 | % | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) | 4.3 | % | 4.5 | % | ||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,773 | $ | 1,886 | (6) | % | ||||
| Free cash flow(2) | $ | 527 | $ | 1,016 | (48) | % | ||||
| Segment adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 2,485 | $ | 2,006 | 24 | % | ||||
| Developing Offerings | $ | (995) | $ | (631) | 58 | % |
(1)Includes results of operations of Farfetch from acquisition date, January 30, 2024.
(2)Total net revenues, constant currency; total net revenues growth, constant currency; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for the reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
(3)Gross profit is calculated as total net revenues minus cost of sales, and 2024 includes $116 million of insurance gains related to inventory destroyed in the FC Fire.
(4)Net income for 2024 includes $175 million of insurance gains related to the FC Fire and $121 million of costs related to the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) administrative fine described in Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies" in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 48 |
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Key Business Metrics
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer | December 31, | September 30, | June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
| 2025 | $ | 301 | $ | 323 | $ | 307 | $ | 294 | |||
| 2025 - constant currency | $ | 312 | $ | 329 | $ | 315 | $ | 321 | |||
| 2024 | $ | 302 | $ | 307 | $ | 296 | $ | 302 | |||
| Percentage change | — | % | 5 | % | 4 | % | (3) | % | |||
| Percentage change - constant currency | 3 | % | 7 | % | 6 | % | 6 | % |
| (in millions) | Three Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Commerce Active Customers | December 31, | September 30, | June 30, | March 31, | ||||
| 2025 | 24.6 | 24.7 | 23.9 | 23.4 | ||||
| 2024 | 22.8 | 22.5 | 21.7 | 21.5 | ||||
| Percentage change | 8 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 9 | % |
Net Revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer and Constant Currency Net Revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer
Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer is the total Product Commerce net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Product Commerce Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of customers who are shopping on our Product Commerce apps or websites. We therefore view net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our ability to drive future revenue growth, though there may be a short-term dilutive impact when a large number of new Product Commerce Active Customers are added in a recent period.
Constant currency net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer is the total Product Commerce net revenues generated in a period translated using the prior period exchange rate to exclude the effect of foreign exchange rate movements divided by the total number of Product Commerce Active Customers in that period. Constant currency net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer is a key indicator to evaluate net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer between periods as it excludes the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of customer engagement and retention.
Product Commerce Active Customers
A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. As of the last date of each quarterly reported period, we determine our number of Product Commerce Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our Product Commerce apps or websites during the relevant quarterly period. The change in Product Commerce Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers who have made a purchase in the period as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Product Commerce Active Customers as an indicator of future growth in our net revenue, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 49 |
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Results of Operations
| % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024(1) | 2023(1) | 2025 vs 2024 | 2024 vs 2023 | |||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 26,312 | $ | 23,866 | $ | 21,223 | 10 | % | 12 | % | ||||||
| Net other revenue | 8,222 | 6,402 | 3,160 | 28 | % | 103 | % | |||||||||
| Total net revenues | 34,534 | 30,268 | 24,383 | 14 | % | 24 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 24,393 | 21,437 | 18,193 | 14 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||
| Operating, general and administrative | 9,668 | 8,395 | 5,717 | 15 | % | 47 | % | |||||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 34,061 | 29,832 | 23,910 | 14 | % | 25 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 473 | 436 | 473 | 8 | % | (8) | % | |||||||||
| Interest income | 199 | 216 | 178 | (8) | % | 21 | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense | (86) | (140) | (48) | (39) | % | 192 | % | |||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 11 | (39) | (19) | (128) | % | 105 | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 597 | 473 | 584 | 26 | % | (19) | % | |||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 383 | 407 | (776) | (6) | % | (152) | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 214 | $ | 66 | $ | 1,360 | 224 | % | (95) | % |
(1)The Farfetch acquisition date was January 30, 2024, thus results of operations for 2023 do not include Farfetch and for 2024 Farfetch results were included from the acquisition date.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for 2024 compared to 2023 can be found under Part II, Item 7. “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2024.
Total Net Revenues
We categorize our total net revenues as (1) net retail sales and (2) net other revenue. Total net revenues incorporate reductions for estimated returns, promotional discounts, and earned loyalty rewards and exclude amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added taxes. We periodically provide customers with promotional discounts to retail prices, such as percentage discounts and other similar offers, to incentivize increased customer spending and loyalty. These promotional discounts are discretionary and are reflected as reductions to the selling price and revenue recognized on each corresponding transaction. Loyalty rewards are offered as part of revenue transactions to all retail customers, whereby rewards are earned as a percentage of each purchase, for the customer to apply towards the purchase price of a future transaction. We defer a portion of revenue from each originating transaction, based on the estimated standalone selling price of the loyalty reward earned, and then recognize the revenue as the loyalty reward is redeemed in a future transaction, or when the reward expires. The amount of the deferred revenue related to these loyalty rewards is not material.
| % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | As Reported | Constant Currency | |||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 26,312 | $ | 23,866 | 10 | % | 14 | % | |||||
| Net other revenue | 8,222 | 6,402 | 28 | % | 33 | % | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 34,534 | $ | 30,268 | 14 | % | 18 | % |
Net retail sales represent the majority of our total net revenues which we earn from online product sales of our owned inventory to customers. Net other revenue includes revenue from commissions from merchants that sell their products through our apps or websites. We are not the merchant of record in these transactions, nor do we take possession of the related inventory. Net other revenue also includes consideration from online restaurant ordering and delivery services performed by us, as well as advertising services provided on our apps or websites. We also earn subscription revenue from memberships to our WOW membership programs, which is also included in net other revenue.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 50 |
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The following table presents our total net revenues by segment.
| % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | As Reported | Constant Currency | |||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 29,592 | $ | 26,699 | 11 | % | 16 | % | |||||
| Developing Offerings | 4,942 | 3,569 | 38 | % | 40 | % | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 34,534 | $ | 30,268 | 14 | % | 18 | % |
The increase in Product Commerce net revenues is primarily due to the growth in total net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer ranging from 3% to 7% each quarter during 2025, excluding effects of foreign exchange rates, driven by increased customer engagement within and across more product categories. This was combined with the increase in our Product Commerce Active Customers ranging from 8% to 10% each quarter during 2025. However, we experienced a lower growth rate in Product Commerce Active Customers in the fourth quarter of 2025 primarily due to seasonality and the impact of the Incident on customer demand. The annual growth in Product Commerce net revenues was partially offset by 5% due to the negative impact of foreign exchange.
The increase in Developing Offerings net revenues is primarily due to an increase in total net revenues from our growth initiatives, as we are seeing greater levels of customer engagement in these early-stage offerings.
Cost of Sales
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | 24,393 | $ | 21,437 | $ | 2,956 | ||||
| As a percentage of revenues | 70.6 | % | 70.8 | % | (0.2) | % |
Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of products sold directly to customers where we record revenue gross, and includes logistics costs. Inbound shipping and handling costs to receive products from suppliers are included in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as products are sold. Additionally, cost of sales includes outbound shipping and logistics related expenses, delivery costs from our restaurant delivery business, and depreciation and amortization expense.
Cost of sales increased mainly due to higher volume from increased sales and customer demand. Additionally, the insurance gain related to an inventory loss from the FC Fire reduced cost of sales by $116 million in 2024. The decrease in cost of sales as a percentage of revenues is due to a decrease in Product Commerce cost of sales as a percentage of revenues from 69.6% to 68.0%, resulting from an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue categories and offerings, including revenue earned from Fulfillment and Logistics by Coupang (“FLC”) as we saw greater levels of merchant adoption and customer engagement, as well as further supply chain optimization, partially offset by the reduction in expenses from the insurance gain in 2024, resulting in a 0.4% reduction of cost of sales as a percentage of revenue in 2024. This was also partially offset by a 1.4% impact from the growth in certain Developing Offerings initiatives that currently operate with lower margins.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating, general and administrative expenses | $ | 9,668 | $ | 8,395 | $ | 1,273 | ||||
| As a percentage of revenues | 28.0 | % | 27.7 | % | 0.3 | % |
Operating, general and administrative expenses include all our operating costs excluding cost of sales, as described above. More specifically, these expenses include costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment centers (including costs attributed to receiving, inspecting, picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders), customer service related costs, payment processing fees, costs related to the design, execution, and maintenance of our technology infrastructure and online offerings, advertising costs, general corporate function costs, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in operating, general and administrative expenses primarily reflects increases in infrastructure and technology costs to support our continued growth, partially offset by the KFTC administrative fine (the “administrative fine”) of $121 million in 2024. Operating, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased due to increased infrastructure and technology costs, most notably in Developing Offerings, partially offset by a 0.4% impact from the administrative fine in 2024.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily consists of interest on our short-term borrowings and long-term debt.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 51 |
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Interest expense decreased $54 million compared to 2024, primarily due to the redemption of the syndicated term loans we assumed as part of the Farfetch Acquisition (“Farfetch Term Loans”) in July 2025, which was financed by borrowing under our five-year revolving credit agreement (“Revolving Credit Facility”) at a lower interest rate.
Interest Income
Interest income primarily consists of interest earned on our deposits held with financial institutions.
Interest income remained relatively flat when compared to 2024.
Income Taxes
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income tax expense | $ | 383 | $ | 407 | $ | (24) | ||||
| Effective tax rate | 64.2 | % | 86.0 | % | (21.9) | % |
We are subject to income taxes predominantly in Korea, as well as in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions in which we do business. Foreign jurisdictions have different statutory tax rates than those in the United States. Additionally, certain of our foreign earnings may also be taxable in the United States. Accordingly, our effective tax rate is subject to significant variation and can vary based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss, the relative proportion of foreign to domestic income, use of tax credits, and changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities.
In July 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was enacted in the U.S. The OBBBA introduces a broad range of tax reform provisions, including the allowance of immediate deduction of qualified domestic research and development expenses, modifications to the international tax framework, and changes to certain business-related exclusions, deductions, and credits. Certain provisions of the OBBBA were effective starting in 2025 and are reflected in our results for 2025, resulting in an immaterial decrease in our tax provision.
In December 2025, due to a change in the Korean tax law, the enacted statutory tax rates increased 1% for all taxable income brackets effective January 1, 2026. Under U.S. GAAP, we are required to recognize the effect of a change in tax law in the period of enactment. As a result, we recorded a one-time immaterial tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2025 due to the revaluation of the Korean net deferred tax assets.
Our effective income tax rate decreased primarily due to a decrease in U.S. taxes on foreign income resulting from lower taxable income attributable to the OBBBA and changes in the mix of our jurisdictional earnings. Our effective tax rate also decreased due to the impact of the administrative fine in 2024 as discussed in Note 6 — "Income Taxes" in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K. Pre-tax losses from loss making jurisdictions, for which we recognized no income tax benefit due to the related valuation allowances, increased the effective income tax rate by 44.2%. We expect that our effective tax rate in future periods will continue to differ significantly from the applicable statutory rate.
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds was $177 million and $138 million for the years 2025 and 2024, respectively.
In addition to the United States tax law changes, our global operations make the tax rate sensitive to significant foreign tax law changes. A number of countries have begun to enact legislation to implement the OECD’s international tax framework, including Pillar Two global minimum tax regime. Korea has enacted legislation to implement OECD framework including the Under-taxed Profit Rules (the “UTPR”) which is effective from January 1, 2025. Based on the Safe Harbor Rules provided by OECD guidance, including the Transitional Safe Harbor Rules, Coupang, Inc. does not owe Pillar Two liability for 2025. Furthermore, pursuant to the latest discussions within the Inclusive Framework of the OECD, including the Side-by-Side Safe Harbor approach, Coupang, Inc. is expected to qualify for safe harbor from Income Inclusion Rules and the UTPR for 2026 and onwards. This minimum tax will be treated as a period cost in future years and did not impact operating results for 2025. We are continuing to monitor legislative developments and are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of Korean and other legislation on our results of future operations.
Segment Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA
Segment gross profit is defined as net revenues less cost of sales attributable to each reportable segment.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before income taxes for a period before depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense, interest expense, interest income, and other income (expense), net. Segment adjusted EBITDA also excludes impairments, and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 52 |
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| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | % Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross profit | ||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 9,466 | $ | 8,105 | 17 | % | ||||
| Developing Offerings | 675 | 726 | (7) | % | ||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 10,141 | $ | 8,831 | 15 | % | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 2,485 | $ | 2,006 | 24 | % | ||||
| Developing Offerings | (995) | (631) | 58 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 1,490 | $ | 1,375 | 8 | % |
(1)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for the reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Product Commerce
The increase in gross profit for 2025 is primarily due to an increase in revenue of $2.9 billion compared to 2024. Gross profit grew at a faster rate than net revenues due to an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue categories and offerings, including revenue earned from FLC as we continue to see greater levels of merchant adoption and customer engagement, as well as further supply chain optimization. Partially offsetting these improvements was a $116 million insurance gain related to an inventory loss from the FC Fire that reduced cost of sales in 2024.
The increase in Product Commerce segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the increase in gross profit described above.
Developing Offerings
The decrease in gross profit for 2025 is primarily the result of growth in initiatives currently operating with lower margins as described previously. This is partially offset by the increase in revenue described above.
The increased loss for 2025 in Developing Offerings adjusted EBITDA was the result of increased investments in our Developing Offerings initiatives, including Taiwan.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 53 |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.
| Non-GAAP Measure | Definition | How We Use The Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Free Cash Flow | • Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Less: purchases of property and equipment, Plus: proceeds from sale of property and equipment. | • Provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our ongoing operations that, after purchases and sales of property and equipment, can be used for strategic initiatives, including investing in our business and strengthening our balance sheet, including paying down debt, repurchasing shares of our Class A common stock, and paying dividends to stockholders. |
| Adjusted EBITDA | • Net income (loss), excluding the effects of: - depreciation and amortization, - interest expense, - interest income,- other income (expense), net, - income tax expense (benefit),- equity-based compensation,- acquisition and restructuring related costs,- impairments, and- other items not reflective of our ongoing operations. | • Provides information to management to evaluate and assess our performance and allocate internal resources. • We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in evaluating companies in the retail industry for period-to-period comparisons as they remove the impact of certain items that are not representative of our ongoing business, such as material non-cash items, acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs, significant costs related to certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters, and certain variable charges. |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | • Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total net revenues. | |
| Total Net Revenues, Constant Currency | • Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant.• We define total net revenues, constant currency as total revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements, and use it to determine the total net revenues growth, constant currency on a comparative basis. • Total net revenues, constant currency is calculated by translating current period total net revenues using the prior period exchange rate. | • The effect of currency exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons. Our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”) and changes in foreign exchange rates can significantly affect our reported results and consolidated trends. For example, our business generates sales predominantly in Korean Won (“KRW”), which are favorably affected as the USD weakens relative to the KRW, and unfavorably affected as the USD strengthens relative to the KRW.• We use total net revenues, constant currency and total net revenues growth, constant currency for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate comparisons between periods. We believe the presentation of our results on a constant currency basis in addition to U.S. GAAP results helps improve the ability to understand our performance because they exclude the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of our actual results of operations. |
| Total Net Revenues Growth, Constant Currency | • Total net revenues growth, constant currency (as a percentage) is calculated by determining the increase in current period revenue over prior period revenue, where current period foreign currency revenue is translated using prior period exchange rates. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 54 |
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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Free Cash Flow
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,773 | $ | 1,886 | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Purchases of land and buildings | (236) | (245) | ||||
| Purchases of equipment | (1,015) | (634) | ||||
| Total purchases of property and equipment | $ | (1,251) | $ | (879) | ||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 5 | 9 | ||||
| Total adjustments | $ | (1,246) | $ | (870) | ||
| Free cash flow | $ | 527 | $ | 1,016 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (1,254) | $ | (819) | ||
| Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (247) | $ | (69) |
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net revenues | $ | 34,534 | $ | 30,268 | ||
| Net income | 214 | 66 | ||||
| Net income margin | 0.6 | % | 0.2 | % | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 517 | 433 | ||||
| Interest expense | 86 | 140 | ||||
| Interest income | (199) | (216) | ||||
| Income tax expense | 383 | 407 | ||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (11) | 39 | ||||
| Acquisition and restructuring related costs, net | 25 | 127 | ||||
| KFTC administrative fine | — | 121 | ||||
| FC Fire insurance gain | — | (175) | ||||
| Equity-based compensation | 475 | 433 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,490 | $ | 1,375 | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 4.3 | % | 4.5 | % |
Total Net Revenues, Constant Currency and Total Net Revenues Growth, Constant Currency
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over Year Growth | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | As Reported | Exchange Rate Effect | Constant Currency Basis | As Reported | As Reported | Constant Currency Basis | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 26,312 | $ | 997 | $ | 27,309 | $ | 23,866 | 10 | % | 14 | % | ||||||
| Net other revenue | 8,222 | 303 | 8,525 | 6,402 | 28 | % | 33 | % | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 34,534 | $ | 1,300 | $ | 35,834 | $ | 30,268 | 14 | % | 18 | % | ||||||
| Net Revenues by Segment | ||||||||||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 29,592 | $ | 1,252 | $ | 30,844 | $ | 26,699 | 11 | % | 16 | % | ||||||
| Developing Offerings | 4,942 | 48 | 4,990 | 3,569 | 38 | % | 40 | % | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 34,534 | $ | 1,300 | $ | 35,834 | $ | 30,268 | 14 | % | 18 | % |
Certain amounts may not foot due to rounding.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 55 |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to access sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, supplemented through various debt financing arrangements and sales of our equity securities. We had total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $6.4 billion as of December 31, 2025, the majority of which was held by foreign subsidiaries and may not be freely transferable to the United States due to local laws or other restrictions. Additionally, as of December 31, 2025, we had $1.5 billion available under our Revolving Credit Facility as described below.
The ability of certain subsidiaries to transfer funds or pay dividends to Coupang, Inc. is also restricted due to terms in our credit agreements which require the subsidiaries to meet certain financial covenants, including requirements to maintain a positive net equity balance or having current period income.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had stockholders’ equity of $4.6 billion and $4.1 billion. We may incur losses in the future. We expect that our investment into our growth strategy will continue to be significant, particularly with respect to our Developing Offerings segment, which will continue to focus on our newer offerings and entrance into new geographies, as well as overall expansion of our fulfillment, logistics, and technology capabilities. As part of this expansion to fulfill anticipated future customer demand and planned expansion of services, we plan to acquire and build new fulfillment centers. We have entered into various new construction contracts for capital projects which are expected to be completed over the next two years. These contracts have remaining capital expenditures commitments of $290 million as of December 31, 2025. We expect that our future expenditures for both infrastructure and workforce-related costs will exceed several billion dollars over the next several years. As of December 31, 2025, current taxes payable in Korea was approximately $245 million and is expected to be paid in 2026.
Stock Repurchase Program
In May 2025, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $1 billion of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock. We may repurchase shares of Class A common stock from time to time through open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions, or by other means in accordance with applicable securities laws and other restrictions. The program has no expiration date, and we are not obligated to repurchase any portion of our total authorization. During 2025, we repurchased 8.8 million shares of Class A common stock for an aggregate amount of $243 million.
Changes in our cash flows were as follows:
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,773 | $ | 1,886 | $ | (113) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (1,254) | $ | (819) | $ | (435) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (247) | $ | (69) | $ | (178) |
Operating Activities
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 214 | $ | 66 | $ | 148 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | 1,991 | 1,785 | 206 | |||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities | (432) | 35 | (467) | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,773 | $ | 1,886 | $ | (113) |
The year-over-year change in operating cash flow was primarily driven by changes in operating assets and liabilities, including an increase in other assets of $365 million due to increases in deposits and contract assets and an increase in accounts receivable of $172 million due to higher payment gateway receipts in 2024 due to timing, partially offset by a decrease in inventory of $143 million due to the timing of inventory purchases. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was also partially offset by a $148 million increase in net income.
Investing Activities
The increase in cash outflow was mainly driven by a $372 million increase in purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to investments made in our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure.
Financing Activities
The year-over-year change in financing cash flow was driven, in part, by repurchases of 8.8 million shares of our Class A common stock for $243 million in 2025 compared to 10 million shares of our Class A common stock for $178 million in 2024. Cash used in
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 56 |
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financing activities was also impacted by a $2.1 billion increase in repayments of debt and short-term borrowings, offset by a $2.0 billion increase in proceeds from the issuance of debt and short-term borrowings, both of which were due to the timing of maturities.
We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need additional cash resources in the future if we find and pursue other opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation, or other similar actions, which may include investing in technology, our logistics and fulfillment infrastructure, or related talent. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed our amounts of cash on hand or if we decide to change our capital structure, we may seek to issue additional debt or equity securities or obtain credit facilities or other sources of financing. This financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Capital Resources
We have entered into material unconditional purchase obligations. These contractual commitments primarily relate to technology related service contracts, fulfillment center construction contracts, and software licenses. We generally enter into term loan facility agreements to finance the construction or purchase of our fulfillment centers. These agreements may require that we provide collateral equal to or greater than the amount borrowed under the arrangement. As we continue to build or purchase additional fulfillment centers, we expect our borrowings under debt financing arrangements to continue to increase. We also have material operating leases which expire over the next ten years as well as obligations for our debt. Total minimum contractual commitments due within the next 12 months were $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2025. Additionally, we have:
•operating leases that have not commenced with future minimum lease payments of $689 million with non-cancellable lease terms of 1 to 10 years;
•expected defined severance benefits to be paid of $1 billion; and
•open purchase orders for inventories that are primarily due in the next 12 months, and are generally cancellable, in full or in part, through the contractual provisions.
Refer to Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies", Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits", and Note 11 — "Leases" in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our future commitments.
Our short-term and long-term borrowings generally include lines of credit with financial institutions available to be drawn upon for general operating purposes.
Revolving Credit Facility
In June 2025, we entered into a five-year the Revolving Credit Facility, replacing our prior revolving credit and guaranty agreement entered into in February 2021, which was terminated in connection with the entry into the new Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility provides for syndicated, unsecured revolving loans with a total borrowing capacity of up to $1.5 billion. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable benchmark rate, including but not limited to the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.25%. The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants. In July 2025, we borrowed $425 million under the Revolving Credit Facility primarily to finance the redemption of the Farfetch Term Loans. In December 2025, we repaid the $425 million outstanding balance on the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2025, there was no balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility.
Other Credit Facilities
During 2025, we entered into various unsecured borrowings under other revolving credit facilities, which are due in 2026. These credit facilities contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2025, aggregate outstanding borrowings under all other credit facilities totaled $963 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.02%.
Term Loan Agreement
In September 2025, we entered into an unsecured three-year term loan agreement with aggregate borrowings of $439 million to refinance existing facility-backed secured loans maturing in April 2026 and March 2027. The term loan agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and consists of two tranches with an average fixed interest rate of 3.80%.
Farfetch Term Loans
In 2025, we fully redeemed the $493 million of principal amount outstanding on the Farfetch Term Loans.
Refer to Note 13 — "Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt" in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our debt obligations.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 57 |
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Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in those consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, given the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, and due to the unforeseen effects including those of the current global macroeconomic environment, those estimates required increased judgment and actual results reported in future periods could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. See Note 1 — "Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to our consolidated financial statements appearing in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a description of our significant accounting policies.
The following items require significant estimation or judgment:
Revenue Recognition
The application of various accounting principles related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, complex arrangements with non-standard terms and conditions may require relevant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting treatment, including whether the promised goods and services specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate performance obligations. Other significant judgments include determining whether we are acting as the principal or the agent from an accounting perspective in a transaction.
For certain arrangements, we apply significant judgment in determining whether we are acting as the principal or agent in a transaction. We are acting as the principal if we obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to customers. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction and are subject to inventory risk or have latitude in establishing prices, or have several but not all of these indicators, we act as the principal and record revenue on a gross basis. We act as the agent and record the net amount as revenue earned if we do not obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to the customers.
Inventories
We account for our inventories, which consist of products available for sale, using the weighted average cost method, and value them at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This valuation requires management judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product suppliers, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of separate inventory categories. If changes in market conditions result in reductions to the estimated net realizable value of our inventory, the inventory is written down and an impairment charge is recognized in the period in which we made such a determination.
Income Taxes
We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of our reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments, and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws, the resolution of any tax audits, and actual and expected future income could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
We record deferred tax assets net of valuation allowances when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income. In considering the need for a valuation allowance, we consider historical, as well as future projected taxable income on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, along with other positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets. Actual operating results in future years could differ from our current assumptions, judgments, and estimates.
We also recognize and measure uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return utilizing a two-step process. In the first step, recognition, we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step addresses measurement of a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criteria. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a likelihood of greater than 50 percent of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Due to uncertainties in any tax audit outcome, our estimates of the ultimate settlement of our unrecognized tax positions may change and the actual tax benefits may differ significantly from our estimates. See Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 6 — "Income Taxes" to the consolidated financial statements.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 58 |
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Defined Severance Benefits
We have severance benefits primarily related to employees in Korea. See Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits" to the consolidated financial statements.
Actuarial valuations are used in determining amounts recognized in the financial statements for our severance benefit plans. These valuations incorporate the following significant assumptions:
•discount rates; and
•salary growth rates.
We believe that these assumptions are critical accounting estimates because significant changes in these assumptions could impact our results of operations and financial position. We believe that the assumptions utilized to record its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on the plans’ experience and advice received from its outside actuaries. We review the severance benefit plan assumptions annually and modify the assumptions based on current rates and trends as appropriate. The effects of such changes in assumptions are amortized as part of plan income or expense in future periods.
At the end of each fiscal year, we determine the weighted-average discount rates and salary growth rates used to calculate the projected defined severance benefits obligation. The discount rates are an estimate of the current interest rate at which the benefit plan liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. As of December 31, 2025, we determined the discount rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 3.90% to 4.60%, as compared to 3.50% to 3.90% as of December 31, 2024. In estimating these rates, we review rates of return on high-quality corporate bond indices, which approximate the timing and amount of benefit payments. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point increase or decrease in the discount rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2026. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we determined the salary growth rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 5.00% to 7.00%. In estimating these rates, we review our historical and expected rates as well as industry growth rates. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point increase or decrease in the salary growth rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2026.
Loss Contingencies
From time to time, we may become party to litigation incidents and other legal proceedings, including regulatory proceedings, tax and other government inquiries and investigations that arise in the ordinary course of business. Certain of these matters include speculative claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts of damages. Additionally, we are required to comply with laws and regulations, including tax laws, that currently apply or may become applicable to our operations in the United States, Korea, and other international jurisdictions, and we regularly become subject to new laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The requirements for complying with these obligations may be uncertain and subject to interpretation and enforcement by regulatory and other authorities, and any failure or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could eventually lead to asserted legal or regulatory action.
We assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes with respect to these matters and determine loss contingency assessments on a gross basis after assessing the probability of incurrence of a loss and whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In addition, we consider other relevant factors that could impact our ability to reasonably estimate a loss. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after analyzing each matter. Our reserves may change in the future due to new developments or changes in strategy in handling these matters. Significant judgment is required to determine the likelihood of loss and the estimated amount of loss, including when and if the probability and estimate have changed for asserted and unasserted matters. We disclose material contingencies when we believe that a loss is at least reasonably possible.
The ultimate outcome of these matters, such as whether the likelihood of loss is remote, reasonably possible, or probable or if and when the possible range of loss is reasonably estimable, is inherently uncertain. Therefore, if one or more of these matters were resolved against us for amounts that materially differ from management's estimates of losses, it could have a favorable or unfavorable impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors.
See Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” Note 6 — "Income Taxes" and Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements.
Business Combinations
In January 2024, the Farfetch Acquisition was completed. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we generally recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in an acquiree at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. We measure goodwill as the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the net of the estimated fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 59 |
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The acquisition method of accounting requires us to exercise judgment and make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as of the date of acquisition, including the estimated fair values of identifiable tangible and intangible assets, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interests, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, and contingencies. This method also allows us to refine these estimates over a one-year measurement period to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to retroactively adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could materially decrease net income and result in lower asset values on our consolidated balance sheet.
These significant estimates are inherently uncertain as they relate to future economic conditions, future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets and customer behavior. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If our estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be accelerated or slowed.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K | 60 |
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001834584-25-000030.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion, particularly information with respect to our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-K. You should review the disclosure in Part I—Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Overview | 45 |
| Key Business Metrics | 46 |
| Results of Operations | 47 |
| Non-GAAP Financial Measures | 51 |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 53 |
| Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates | 55 |
| Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements | 57 |
Overview
Coupang is a technology and Fortune 200 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CPNG) that provides retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech services to customers around the world under brands that include Coupang, Coupang Eats, Coupang Play and Farfetch. Headquartered in the United States, Coupang has operations and support services in geographies including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, India and Europe. Coupang’s mission is to revolutionize the everyday lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, “How did I ever live without Coupang?”
We believe that we are a preeminent retail destination because of our broad selection, low prices, and exceptional delivery and customer experience across our owned inventory selection as well as products offered by third-party merchants, in Korea. Our unique end-to-end integrated fulfillment, logistics, and technology network enables Rocket Delivery, which provides free, next-day delivery for orders placed anytime of the day, even seconds before midnight—across millions of products in Korea. Our structural advantages from complete end-to-end integration, investments in technology, and scale economies generate higher efficiencies that allow us to pass savings to customers in the form of lower prices. The capabilities we have built provide us with opportunities to expand into other offerings and geographies.
Farfetch Acquisition
In January 2024 we acquired the business and assets of Farfetch Holdings plc (“Farfetch”), a leading global marketplace for the luxury fashion industry. See Note 16 — "Business Combinations - Farfetch" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. During 2024, we have undertaken restructuring actions to reduce headcount, exit leases and licensing agreements. In February 2025, we entered into a settlement agreement and mutual release with Authentic Brands Group LLC related to a license agreement.
Fulfillment Center Fire
In June 2021, a fire extensively damaged our Deokpyeong fulfillment center (“FC Fire”) resulting in a loss of the inventory, building, equipment, and other assets at the site. We are insured on property losses from the FC Fire, and while the insurer continues assessment of the total potential loss coverage on the claim, during the fourth quarter of 2024 we agreed to a settlement on a portion of the claim and now deem the recovery of insurance proceeds under the policy as probable. We recognized an insurance gain of $175 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, which included $116 million for the inventory loss included in “Cost of sales” and $59 million for property and equipment losses, included in “Operating, general and administrative”. We received provisional payments of $138 million in prior years, which were previously deferred within “Other current liabilities”, and received a further payment of $40 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Whether and to what extent additional insurance recoveries will be received is currently unknown.
Segment Information
Our segments reflect the way we evaluate our business performance and manage operations. See Note 3 — "Segment Reporting" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 45 |
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Product Commerce primarily includes our core Korean retail (owned inventory) and marketplace offerings (third-party merchants) and Rocket Fresh, our fresh grocery offering, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Product Commerce are derived primarily from online product sales of owned inventory to customers in Korea, commissions, logistics and fulfillment fees earned from merchants that sell products through our mobile application and website, and from Rocket WOW membership.
Developing Offerings includes more nascent offerings and services, including Coupang Eats, our restaurant ordering and delivery service in Korea, Coupang Play, our online content streaming service in Korea, fintech, our retail operations in Taiwan, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings, and also includes Farfetch, our newly acquired global luxury fashion marketplace. Revenues from Developing Offerings are primarily generated from our global luxury fashion marketplace, online restaurant ordering and delivery services in Korea and retail operations in Taiwan.
Key Financial and Operating Highlights:
| (in millions) | 2024(1) | 2023 | % Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net revenues | $ | 30,268 | $ | 24,383 | 24 | % | ||||
| Total net revenues, constant currency(2) | $ | 31,552 | $ | 24,636 | 29 | % | ||||
| Gross profit(3) | $ | 8,831 | $ | 6,190 | 43 | % | ||||
| Net income(4) | $ | 66 | $ | 1,360 | (95) | % | ||||
| Net income margin | 0.2 | % | 5.6 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $ | 1,375 | $ | 1,074 | 28 | % | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) | 4.5 | % | 4.4 | % | ||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,886 | $ | 2,652 | (29) | % | ||||
| Free cash flow(2) | $ | 1,016 | $ | 1,775 | (43) | % | ||||
| Segment adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 2,006 | $ | 1,540 | 30 | % | ||||
| Developing Offerings | $ | (631) | $ | (466) | 35 | % |
(1)Includes results of operations of Farfetch from acquisition date, January 30, 2024.
(2)Total net revenues, constant currency; total net revenues growth, constant currency; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
(3)Gross profit is calculated as total net revenues minus cost of sales, and 2024 includes $116 million of insurance gains related to inventory destroyed in the FC Fire.
(4)Net income for 2024 includes $175 million of insurance gains related to the FC Fire and $121 million of costs related to the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) administrative fine.
Key Business Metrics
As of March 31, 2024, we are providing quarterly Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer and Product Commerce Active Customers metrics in lieu of Net revenues per Active Customer and Active Customers. We believe these metrics provide a better presentation of our more mature retail operations and predominant customer base as they exclude revenue and customer data specific only to our more nascent Developing Offerings. Product Commerce Active Customers includes those customers that use both our Product Commerce and Coupang Eats offerings, but excludes those customers that only use our Coupang Eats offering and customers outside Korea.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer | December 31, | September 30, | June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | $ | 302 | $ | 307 | $ | 296 | $ | 302 | |||
| 2023 | $ | 302 | $ | 296 | $ | 293 | $ | 305 | |||
| Percentage change | — | % | 4 | % | 1 | % | (1) | % |
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Commerce Active Customers (in millions) | December 31, | September 30, | June 30, | March 31, | ||||
| 2024 | 22.8 | 22.5 | 21.7 | 21.5 | ||||
| 2023 | 20.8 | 20.2 | 19.4 | 18.6 | ||||
| Percentage change | 10 | % | 11 | % | 12 | % | 16 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 46 |
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Net Revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer
Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer is the total Product Commerce net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Product Commerce Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of customers who are shopping on our Product Commerce apps or websites. We therefore view net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our ability to drive future revenue growth, though there may be a short-term dilutive impact when a large number of new Product Commerce active customers are added in a recent period.
Product Commerce Active Customers
As of the last date of each reported period, we determine our number of Product Commerce Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our Product Commerce apps or websites during the relevant period. A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. The change in Product Commerce Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Product Commerce Active Customers as an indicator of future growth in our net revenue, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.
Results of Operations
| % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024(1) | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023 | 2023 vs 2022 | |||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 23,866 | $ | 21,223 | $ | 18,338 | 12 | % | 16 | % | ||||||
| Net other revenue | 6,402 | 3,160 | 2,245 | 103 | % | 41 | % | |||||||||
| Total net revenues | 30,268 | 24,383 | 20,583 | 24 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 21,437 | 18,193 | 15,873 | 18 | % | 15 | % | |||||||||
| Operating, general and administrative | 8,395 | 5,717 | 4,822 | 47 | % | 19 | % | |||||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 29,832 | 23,910 | 20,695 | 25 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 436 | 473 | (112) | (8) | % | NM(2) | ||||||||||
| Interest income | 216 | 178 | 53 | 21 | % | NM(2) | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | (140) | (48) | (27) | 192 | % | 78 | % | |||||||||
| Other expense, net | (39) | (19) | (7) | 105 | % | 171 | % | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 473 | 584 | (93) | (19) | % | NM(2) | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 407 | (776) | (1) | (152) | % | NM(2) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 66 | $ | 1,360 | $ | (92) | (95) | % | NM(2) |
(1)Includes results of operations of Farfetch from acquisition date, January 30, 2024.
(2)Non-meaningful.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for 2023 compared to 2022 can be found under Part II, Item 7 — “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023.
Total Net Revenues
We categorize our total net revenues as (1) net retail sales and (2) net other revenue. Total net revenues incorporate reductions for estimated returns, promotional discounts, and earned loyalty rewards and exclude amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added taxes. We periodically provide customers with promotional discounts to retail prices, such as percentage discounts and other similar offers, to incentivize increased customer spending and loyalty. These promotional discounts are discretionary and are reflected as reductions to the selling price and revenue recognized on each corresponding transaction. Loyalty rewards are offered as part of revenue transactions to all retail customers, whereby rewards are earned as a percentage of each purchase, for the customer to apply towards the purchase price of a future transaction. We defer a portion of revenue from each originating transaction, based on the estimated standalone selling price of the loyalty reward earned, and then recognize the revenue as the loyalty reward is redeemed in a future transaction, or when they expire. The amount of the deferred revenue related to these loyalty rewards is not material.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 47 |
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| % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | As Reported | Constant Currency | |||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 23,866 | $ | 21,223 | 12 | % | 17 | % | |||||
| Net other revenue | 6,402 | 3,160 | 103 | % | 110 | % | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 30,268 | $ | 24,383 | 24 | % | 29 | % |
Net retail sales represent the majority of our total net revenues which we earn from online product sales of our owned inventory to customers. Net other revenue includes revenue from commissions earned from merchants that sell their products through our apps or websites. We are not the merchant of record in these transactions, nor do we take possession of the related inventory. Net other revenue also includes consideration from online restaurant ordering and delivery services performed by us, as well as advertising services provided on our apps or websites. We also earn subscription revenue from memberships to our Rocket WOW membership program, which is also included in net other revenue.
Fulfillment and Logistics by Coupang (“FLC”) is a Product Commerce offering that enables participating merchants to leverage our end-to-end integrated logistics and fulfillment network. The previous contract terms with FLC merchants resulted in the transfer of control of the merchants’ products to us and Coupang is the seller of record in these transactions, whereby revenue is recorded on a gross basis (principal). Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, we changed the FLC program and related contracts with merchants, streamlining the overall process for merchants and us. As a result of these changes, control of these products is no longer transferred to the Company prior to sales. The change impacted how we recognize a portion of our revenue, from a gross basis (principal) to a net basis (agent). As of the end of the second quarter of 2023, the previous contract terms had expired, after which commissions and logistics and fulfillment fees earned from FLC merchants under the new contracts are recorded in net other revenue.
The following table presents our total net revenues by segment.
| % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | As Reported | Constant Currency | |||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 26,699 | $ | 23,594 | 13 | % | 18 | % | |||||
| Developing Offerings | 3,569 | 789 | 352 | % | 363 | % | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 30,268 | $ | 24,383 | 24 | % | 29 | % |
The increase in Product Commerce net revenues is primarily due to higher net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer in the second and third quarters of 2024, combined with continued growth in Product Commerce Active Customers, increasing 10% year-over-year. Growth in total net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customers was driven by increased customer engagement within and across more product categories. This was partially offset by a 4% net revenue decline from our transition of FLC merchants to new contracts now recognized on a net basis and a 5% negative impact from foreign exchange.
The increase in Developing Offerings net revenues is primarily due to incremental revenues from our acquisition of Farfetch in the first quarter of 2024 of $1.7 billion. The remaining increase is primarily due to our growth initiatives in Eats and Taiwan.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of products sold directly to customers where we record revenue gross, and includes logistics costs. Inbound shipping and handling costs to receive products from suppliers are included in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as products are sold. Additionally, cost of sales includes outbound shipping and logistics related expenses, delivery costs from our restaurant delivery business, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in cost of sales primarily reflects higher volume from increased sales and customer demand. Additionally, the acquisition of Farfetch increased cost of sales by $945 million. Partially offsetting these increases was a $116 million insurance gain related to an inventory loss from the FC Fire. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue decreased from 74.6% for 2023 to 70.8% for 2024 primarily due to an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue categories and offerings, further operational efficiencies, and continued supply chain optimization. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue also benefited from the inclusion of Farfetch, which operates with a higher gross profit margin, and a reduction in expenses from the insurance gain, resulting in a 0.8% and 0.4% reduction of cost of sales as a percentage of revenue, respectively. These benefits were partially offset by a (0.7)% impact from our growth initiatives in developing offerings.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 48 |
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Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses include all our operating costs excluding cost of sales, as described above. More specifically, these expenses include costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment centers (including costs attributed to receiving, inspecting, picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders), customer service-related costs, payment processing fees, costs related to the design, execution, and maintenance of our technology infrastructure and online offerings, advertising costs, general corporate function costs, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in operating, general and administrative expenses primarily reflects increases in technology and infrastructure costs to support our continued growth. Additionally, the acquisition of Farfetch increased operating costs by $941 million. The increase also includes the impact of the KFTC administrative fine of $121 million. Partially offsetting these charges was a $59 million insurance gain related to property and equipment losses from the FC Fire. These expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 23.4% for 2023 to 27.7% for 2024 primarily consisting of 1.7% due to the inclusion of Farfetch, which operates at a higher expense margin. There is also a 0.4% impact due to the administrative fine. The remainder of the increase is due primarily to increased technology and infrastructure costs.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily consists of interest on our short-term borrowings and long-term debt.
Interest expense increased $92 million compared to the prior year, due to the incremental interest expense of $96 million associated with the Farfetch Term Loans that we assumed as part of the Farfetch Acquisition.
Interest Income
Interest income primarily consists of interest earned on our deposits held with financial institutions.
Interest income increased $38 million compared to the prior year. The increase in interest income was primarily due to higher interest rates in 2024 combined with our higher average cash and cash equivalent balances.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes predominantly in Korea, as well as in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions in which we do business. Foreign jurisdictions have different statutory tax rates than those in the United States. Additionally, certain of our foreign earnings may also be taxable in the United States. Accordingly, our effective tax rate is subject to significant variation and can vary based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss, the relative proportion of foreign to domestic income, use of tax credits and changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. Beginning in 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as currently enacted, requires taxpayers to capitalize research and development expenses with amortization periods over five and fifteen years, which has and is expected to continue to increase the amount of our GILTI inclusion.
Our effective income tax rate changed from a benefit of (133.1)% in 2023 to an expense of 86.0% in 2024 primarily due to the release of the valuation allowance for our Korean deferred tax assets in 2023. Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate due to valuation allowances, net operating losses and tax credits used for the periods, partially offset by the mix of our income (loss) before income taxes generated across the various jurisdictions in which we operate, including the impact of international provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and permanent differences from non-deductible expenses. Pre-tax losses from Farfetch, for which we recognized no income tax benefit due to the related valuation allowances, increased the effective income tax rate by 36.9%. We expect that our effective tax rate in future periods will continue to differ significantly from the applicable statutory rate.
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds was $138 million and $110 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In addition to the United States tax law changes, our global operations make the tax rate sensitive to significant foreign tax law changes. A number of countries have begun to enact legislation to implement the OECD’s international tax framework, including Pillar Two global minimum tax regime. South Korea has enacted legislation to implement OECD framework including the Under-taxed Profit Rules (the “UTPR”) which may impose additional reporting and compliance obligations to our group effective from January 1, 2025. This minimum tax will be treated as a period cost in future years and did not impact operating results for 2024. We are continuing to monitor legislative developments and are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of Korean and other legislation on our results of future operations.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before income taxes for a period before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), other income (expense), net, equity-based compensation, impairments, and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations associated with our segments.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 49 |
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| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Commerce | $ | 2,006 | $ | 1,540 | 30 | % | ||||
| Developing Offerings | (631) | (466) | 35 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 1,375 | $ | 1,074 | 28 | % |
(1)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Product Commerce
The increase in Product Commerce segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the increase in net revenues, improved operating efficiencies and an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue offerings.
Developing Offerings
The increased loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 in Developing Offerings adjusted EBITDA was the result of increased investments in Taiwan offerings, higher content costs for our Coupang Play offering, and the $34 million of adjusted EBITDA loss from Farfetch which was acquired in January 2024. These losses were partially offset by improved profitability in our Coupang Eats offering.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 50 |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.
| Non-GAAP Measure | Definition | How We Use The Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Free Cash Flow | • Cash flow from operations Less: purchases of property and equipment, Plus: proceeds from sale of property and equipment. | • Provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our ongoing operations that, after purchases and sales of property and equipment, can be used for strategic initiatives, including investing in our business and strengthening our balance sheet, including paying down debt, and paying dividends to stockholders. |
| Adjusted EBITDA | • Net income (loss), excluding the effects of: - depreciation and amortization, - interest expense, - interest income,- other income (expense), net, - income tax expense (benefit),- equity-based compensation,- impairments, and- other items not reflective of our ongoing operations. | • Provides information to management to evaluate and assess our performance and allocate internal resources. • We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in evaluating companies in the retail industry for period-to-period comparisons as they remove the impact of certain items that are not representative of our ongoing business, such as material non-cash items, acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs, significant costs related to certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters, and certain variable charges. |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | • Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total net revenues. | |
| Constant Currency Revenue | • Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant. • We define constant currency revenue as total revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements, and use it to determine the constant currency revenue growth on a comparative basis. • Constant currency revenue is calculated by translating current period revenues using the prior period exchange rate. | • The effect of currency exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons. Our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”) and changes in foreign exchange rates can significantly affect our reported results and consolidated trends. For example, our business generates sales predominantly in Korean Won (“KRW”), which are favorably affected as the USD weakens relative to the KRW, and unfavorably affected as the USD strengthens relative to the KRW. • We use constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate comparisons between periods. We believe the presentation of our results on a constant currency basis in addition to U.S. GAAP results helps improve the ability to understand our performance because they exclude the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of our actual results of operations. |
| Constant Currency Revenue Growth | • Constant currency revenue growth (as a percentage) is calculated by determining the increase in current period revenue over prior period revenue, where current period foreign currency revenue is translated using prior period exchange rates. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 51 |
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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Free Cash Flow
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,886 | $ | 2,652 | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Purchases of land and buildings | (245) | (374) | ||||
| Purchases of equipment | (634) | (522) | ||||
| Total purchases of property and equipment | $ | (879) | $ | (896) | ||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 9 | 19 | ||||
| Total adjustments | $ | (870) | $ | (877) | ||
| Free cash flow | $ | 1,016 | $ | 1,775 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (819) | $ | (927) | ||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | $ | (69) | $ | 199 |
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net revenues | $ | 30,268 | $ | 24,383 | ||
| Net income | 66 | 1,360 | ||||
| Net income margin | 0.2 | % | 5.6 | % | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 433 | 275 | ||||
| Interest expense | 140 | 48 | ||||
| Interest income | (216) | (178) | ||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 407 | (776) | ||||
| Other expense, net | 39 | 19 | ||||
| Acquisition and restructuring related costs | 127 | — | ||||
| KFTC administrative fine | 121 | — | ||||
| FC Fire insurance gain | (175) | — | ||||
| Equity-based compensation | 433 | 326 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,375 | $ | 1,074 | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 4.5 | % | 4.4 | % |
Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over Year Growth | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | As Reported | Exchange Rate Effect | Constant Currency Basis | As Reported | As Reported | Constant Currency Basis | ||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 23,866 | $ | 1,039 | $ | 24,905 | $ | 21,223 | 12 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||
| Net other revenue | 6,402 | 245 | 6,647 | 3,160 | 103 | % | 110 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 30,268 | $ | 1,284 | $ | 31,552 | $ | 24,383 | 24 | % | 29 | % | ||||||||
| Net Revenues by Segment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 26,699 | $ | 1,197 | $ | 27,896 | $ | 23,594 | 13 | % | 18 | % | ||||||||
| Developing Offerings | 3,569 | 85 | 3,654 | 789 | 352 | % | 363 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 30,268 | $ | 1,284 | $ | 31,552 | $ | 24,383 | 24 | % | 29 | % |
Certain amounts may not foot due to rounding.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 52 |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to access sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, supplemented through various debt financing arrangements and sales of our equity securities. We had total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $6.0 billion as of December 31, 2024, the majority of which was held by our foreign subsidiaries and may not be freely transferable to the United States due to local laws or other restrictions. Additionally, we have $923 million available under our revolving credit facilities as described below.
The ability of certain subsidiaries to transfer funds or pay dividends to Coupang, Inc. is also restricted due to terms which require the subsidiaries to meet certain financial covenants, including requirements to maintain a positive net equity balance or having current period income.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had stockholders’ equity of $4.1 billion. We may incur losses in the future. We expect that our investment into our growth strategy will continue to be significant, particularly with respect to our Developing Offerings segment, which will continue to focus on our newer offerings and entrance into new geographies, as well as overall expansion of our fulfillment, logistics, and technology capabilities. As part of this expansion to fulfill anticipated future customer demand and continuation to expand services, we plan to build new fulfillment centers. We have entered into various new construction contracts for capital projects which are expected to be completed over the next three years. These contracts have remaining capital expenditures commitments of $306 million as of December 31, 2024. We expect that our future expenditures for both infrastructure and workforce-related costs will exceed several billion dollars over the next several years.
Changes in our cash flows were as follows:
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,886 | $ | 2,652 | $ | (766) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (819) | $ | (927) | $ | 108 | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | $ | (69) | $ | 199 | $ | (268) |
Operating Activities
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 66 | $ | 1,360 | $ | (1,294) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | 1,785 | 354 | 1,431 | |||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities | 35 | 938 | (903) | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,886 | $ | 2,652 | $ | (766) |
The year-over-year change in operating cash flow was primarily driven by a $1.3 billion decrease in net income. Cash provided by operating activities was also impacted by the changes in operating assets and liabilities, including a decrease in accounts payable of $1.0 billion primarily as a result of increased volume of purchases as well as improved payment terms, primarily with certain large, multi-national suppliers which occurred in 2023, and $332 million from inventories primarily from the implementation of the FLC program in the prior year, partially offset by the accrual of the administrative fine during the second quarter of 2024.
Investing Activities
The decrease in cash outflow was mainly driven by the net cash acquired in the acquisition of Farfetch in exchange for the noncash contribution of the outstanding bridge loan and $76 million proceeds from the sale of an investment. This was partially offset by the additional $75 million bridge loan made to Farfetch prior to the closing of the acquisition.
Financing Activities
The decrease was primarily driven by a $402 million increase in repayments of debt and short-term borrowings due to the timing of maturities and the repurchase of 10 million shares of our Class A common stock for $178 million, partially offset by a $285 million increase in proceeds from debt and short-term borrowings.
We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need additional cash resources in the future if we find and pursue other opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation, or other similar actions, which may include investing in technology, our logistics and fulfillment infrastructure, or related talent. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed our amounts of cash on hand or if we decide to further
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 53 |
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optimize our capital structure, we may seek to issue additional debt or equity securities or obtain credit facilities or other sources of financing. This financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Capital Resources
We have entered into material unconditional purchase obligations. These contractual commitments primarily relate to technology related service contracts, fulfillment center construction contracts, and software licenses. We generally enter into term loan facility agreements to finance the construction of our fulfillment centers. These agreements may require that we provide for collateral equal to or greater than the amount borrowed under the arrangement. As we continue to build or purchase additional fulfillment centers, we expect our borrowings under debt financing arrangements to continue to increase. We also have material operating leases which expire over the next ten years as well as obligations for our debts. Total minimum contractual commitments due within the next 12 months were $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2024. Additionally, we have:
•operating leases that have not commenced with future minimum lease payments of $215 million with non-cancellable lease terms of 2 to 10 years;
•expected defined severance benefits to be paid of $981 million; and
•open purchase orders for inventories that are primarily due in the next twelve months, and are generally cancellable, in full or in part, through the contractual provisions.
Refer to Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies", Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits", and Note 11 — "Leases" in Part II, Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our future commitments.
Our short-term and long-term borrowings generally include lines of credit with financial institutions available to be drawn upon for general operating purposes.
Revolving Credit Facility
In January 2024, our senior unsecured credit facility (“the Revolving Credit Facility”) was amended to extend the maturity date to February 2026 and to bring the aggregate principal amount to $875 million. The Revolving Credit Facility continues to provide us the right to request incremental commitments up to $1.25 billion, subject to customary conditions.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to (i) a base rate equal to the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the higher of the federal funds rate or a composite overnight bank borrowing rate plus 0.50%, or (C) an adjusted Term Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”) rate for a one-month interest period plus 1.00% or (ii) an adjusted Term SOFR plus a margin equal to 1.00%. We are also required to pay other customary fees for a credit facility of this size and type, including letter of credit fees, an upfront fee, and an unused commitment fee. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to:
•incur or guarantee additional debt;
•make certain investments and acquisitions;
•make certain restricted payments and payments of certain indebtedness;
•incur certain liens or permit them to exist; and
•make fundamental changes and dispositions (including dispositions of the equity interests of subsidiary guarantors).
Each of these restrictions is subject to various exceptions.
The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain material restricted subsidiaries of Coupang, Inc. (including Coupang Corp.), subject to customary exceptions. The Revolving Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type.
The Revolving Credit Facility requires us to (i) maintain a ratio of secured indebtedness to total consolidated tangible assets of less than 35%, if we have $1 or more of revolving loans or any unreimbursed drawn letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of each fiscal quarter and (ii) maintain a minimum amount of liquidity of at least $625 million (or $313 million to the extent the aggregate commitment of the Revolving Credit Facility is $500 million).
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 54 |
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Farfetch Term Loans
As part of the Farfetch Acquisition, our subsidiary assumed the then outstanding syndicated Term Loans (“Farfetch Term Loans”) under Farfetch’s existing credit agreement with certain banks and financial institutions (the "Lenders") of $575 million, inclusive of fees incurred and less $58 million we repurchased upon acquisition. Repayment of the Farfetch Term Loans is due in quarterly installments, of 0.25% of the original principal balance, payable on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The Farfetch Term Loans mature in October 2027, and early payment is permitted. The Farfetch Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to SOFR plus 6.25% per annum. As of December 31, 2024, there was $493 million outstanding on the Farfetch Term Loans.
In January 2025, the Farfetch Term Loans were amended to (i) waive technical defaults that resulted from our restructuring actions related to Farfetch subsidiaries in Italy and (ii) to require loan prepayment (not to exceed $125 million) from restricted cash proceeds received for Italian VAT receivables and the Limited Partnership in turn extended its commitment to provide the remaining $148 million cash contribution to the earlier of the loan repayment date or April 2028. Coupang, Inc. has not provided any security or guaranty of repayment of the Farfetch Term Loans and is not obligated to provide additional cash funding to Farfetch beyond its share of the Limited Partnership’s remaining commitment.
The Farfetch Term Loans contain customary affirmative covenants as well as customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on certain entities within Farfetch’s ability to incur additional debt, make investments, make distributions, dispose of assets, or enter into certain types of related party transactions. The Farfetch Term Loans are secured against specified assets of the Farfetch group and guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of Farfetch.
Refer to Note 16 — "Business Combinations - Farfetch" in Part II, Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further discussion.
Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility
In September 2024, a Taiwan subsidiary entered into a new five-year senior unsecured credit facility (the “Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility”) providing for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $199 million. The Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility permits the borrower to obtain incremental commitments up to $296 million, subject to customary conditions. Borrowings under the Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Taipei Interbank Offered Rate (TAIBOR) plus 1.25%.
The Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2024, there was $151 million balance outstanding on the Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility.
Refer to Note 13 — "Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt" in Part II, Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our debt obligations.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in those consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, given the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, and due to the unforeseen effects of the current global macroeconomic environment, those estimates required increased judgment, and actual results reported in future periods could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. See Note 1 — "Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a description of our significant accounting policies.
The following items require significant estimation or judgment:
Revenue Recognition
The application of various accounting principles related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, complex arrangements with non-standard terms and conditions may require relevant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting treatment, including whether the promised goods and services specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate performance obligations. Other significant judgments include determining whether we are acting as the principal or the agent from an accounting perspective in a transaction.
For certain arrangements, we apply significant judgment in determining whether we are acting as the principal or agent in a transaction. We are acting as the principal if we obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to customers. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction and are subject to inventory risk or have latitude in establishing prices, or have several but not all of these indicators, we act as the principal and record revenue on a gross basis. We act as the agent and record the net amount as revenue earned if we do not obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to the customers.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 55 |
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Inventories
We account for our inventories, which consist of products available for sale, using the weighted average cost method, and value them at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This valuation requires management judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product suppliers, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of separate inventory categories. If changes in market conditions result in reductions to the estimated net realizable value of our inventory, the inventory is written down and an impairment charge is recognized in the period in which we made such a determination.
Income Taxes
We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of our reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments, and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws, the resolution of any tax audits, and actual and expected future income could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
We record deferred tax assets net of valuation allowances when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income. In considering the need for a valuation allowance, we consider historical, as well as future projected taxable income on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, along with other positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets. Actual operating results in future years could differ from our current assumptions, judgments, and estimates.
We also recognize and measure uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return utilizing a two-step process. In the first step, recognition, we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step addresses measurement of a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criteria. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a likelihood of greater than 50 percent of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Due to uncertainties in any tax audit outcome, our estimates of the ultimate settlement of our unrecognized tax positions may change and the actual tax benefits may differ significantly from our estimates. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 6 — "Income Taxes" to the consolidated financial statements.
Defined Severance Benefits
We have severance benefits primarily related to employees in Korea. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits" to the consolidated financial statements.
Actuarial valuations are used in determining amounts recognized in the financial statements for our severance benefit plans. These valuations incorporate the following significant assumptions:
•discount rates; and
•salary growth rates
Management believes that these assumptions are critical accounting estimates because significant changes in these assumptions could impact our results of operations and financial position. Management believes that the assumptions utilized to record its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on the plans’ experience and advice received from its outside actuaries. We review the severance benefit plan assumptions annually and modify the assumptions based on current rates and trends as appropriate. The effects of such changes in assumptions are amortized as part of plan income or expense in future periods.
At the end of each fiscal year, we determine the weighted-average discount rates and salary growth rates used to calculate the projected defined severance benefits obligation. The discount rates are an estimate of the current interest rate at which the benefit plan liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. As of December 31, 2024, we determined the discount rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 3.50% to 3.90%, as compared to 4.30% to 4.80% as of December 31, 2023. In estimating these rates, we review rates of return on high-quality corporate bond indices, which approximate the timing and amount of benefit payments. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the discount rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2025. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we determined the salary growth rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 5.00% to 7.00%. In estimating these rates, we review our historical and expected rates as well as industry growth rates. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 56 |
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constant, a one percentage point decrease in the salary growth rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2025.
Business Combinations
In January 2024, the Farfetch Acquisition was completed. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we generally recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in an acquiree at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. We measure goodwill as the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the net of the estimated fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The acquisition method of accounting requires us to exercise judgment and make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as of the date of acquisition, including the estimated fair values of identifiable tangible and intangible assets, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interests, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, and contingencies. This method also allows us to refine these estimates over a one-year measurement period to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to retroactively adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could materially decrease net income and result in lower asset values on our consolidated balance sheet.
These significant estimates are inherently uncertain as they relate to future economic conditions, future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets and customer behavior. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If our estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be accelerated or slowed.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K | 57 |
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001834584-24-000023.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion, particularly information with respect to our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-K. You should review the disclosure in Part I—Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Overview | 43 |
| Key Business Metrics | 44 |
| Non-GAAP Financial Measures | 45 |
| Results of Operations | 47 |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 49 |
| Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates | 52 |
| Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements | 54 |
Overview
Coupang is one of the largest retailers in Asia, with a mission to revolutionize the everyday lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, “How did we ever live without Coupang?” Coupang is headquartered in the United States, with operations and support services performed in geographies including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, and India. We believe that we are a preeminent online destination because of our broad selection, low prices, and exceptional delivery and customer experience across our owned inventory selection as well as products offered by third-party merchants. Our unique end-to-end integrated fulfillment, logistics, and technology network enables Rocket Delivery, which provides free, next-day delivery for orders placed anytime of the day, even seconds before midnight—across millions of products in Korea. Our structural advantages from complete end-to-end integration, investments in technology, and scale economies generate higher efficiencies that allow us to pass savings to customers in the form of lower prices. The capabilities we have built provide us with opportunities to expand into other offerings and geographies.
We believe the true measure of our success will be shareholder value created over the long term. Our long-term investments in building a differentiated technology-orchestrated network and customer-facing functionality have helped build a business that we expect will deliver significant growth and cash flows at scale. We have in turn successfully reinvested to expand existing offerings and develop new offerings, such as with our owned-inventory and marketplace selection, FLC merchant services, Rocket WOW membership, Rocket Fresh, Coupang Eats, and Coupang Play, among others in Korea.
Our segments reflect the way we evaluate our business performance and manage operations. See Note 3 — "Segment Reporting" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Product Commerce primarily includes core Korean retail (owned inventory) and marketplace offerings (third-party merchants) and Rocket Fresh, our fresh grocery offering, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Product Commerce are derived primarily from online product sales of owned inventory to customers in Korea, commissions, logistics and fulfillment fees earned from merchants that sell products through our mobile application and website, and from Rocket WOW membership.
Developing Offerings primarily includes more nascent offerings and services, including Coupang Eats, our restaurant ordering and delivery service in Korea, Coupang Play, our online content streaming service in Korea, fintech, our retail operations in Taiwan, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Developing Offerings are primarily generated from online restaurant ordering and delivery services in Korea and retail operations in Taiwan.
Farfetch Acquisition
In January 2024 we completed the Farfetch Acquisition which will be consolidated in our results beginning in Q1 2024. Farfetch has a history of operating losses, and to what extent their future results may impact our consolidated results is unknown.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 43 |
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Key Financial and Operating Highlights:
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | % Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net revenues | $ | 24,383 | $ | 20,583 | 18 | % | ||||
| Total net revenues, constant currency(1) | $ | 24,637 | $ | 23,236 | 20 | % | ||||
| Gross profit(2) | $ | 6,190 | $ | 4,710 | 31 | % | ||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 1,360 | $ | (92) | NM(3) | |||||
| Net income (loss) margin | 5.6 | % | (0.4) | % | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 1,074 | $ | 381 | 182 | % | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) | 4.4 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,652 | $ | 565 | NM(3) | |||||
| Free cash flow(1) | $ | 1,775 | $ | (246) | NM(3) | |||||
| Segment adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 1,540 | $ | 606 | 154 | % | ||||
| Developing Offerings | $ | (466) | $ | (225) | 107 | % |
(1)Total net revenues, constant currency; total net revenues growth, constant currency; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures” below for the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
(2)Gross profit is calculated as total net revenues minus cost of sales.
(3)Non-meaningful.
Key Business Metrics
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except net revenues per Active Customer) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Active Customers | 21.0 | 18.1 | ||||
| Total net revenues per Active Customer | $ | 312 | $ | 294 |
Active Customers
As of the last date of each reported period, we determine our number of Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our apps or websites in Korea during the relevant period. A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. The change in Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Active Customers as a key indicator of our potential for growth in total net revenues, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.
Net Revenues per Active Customer
Net revenues per Active Customer is the total net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of Active Customers who are shopping on our apps or websites. We therefore view net revenues per Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our ability to drive future revenue growth.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 44 |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.
| Non-GAAP Measure | Definition | How We Use The Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Free Cash Flow | • Cash flow from operations Less: purchases of property and equipment, Plus: proceeds from sale of property and equipment. | • Provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our ongoing operations that, after purchases and sales of property and equipment, can be used for strategic initiatives, including investing in our business and strengthening our balance sheet, including paying down debt, and paying dividends to stockholders. |
| Adjusted EBITDA | • Net income (loss), excluding the effects of: - depreciation and amortization, - interest expense, - interest income,- other income (expense), net, - income tax expense (benefit),- equity-based compensation,- impairments, and- other items not reflective of our ongoing operations. | • Provides information to management evaluate and assess our performance and allocate internal resources.• We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in evaluating companies in the retail industry for period-to-period comparisons as they remove the impact of certain items that are not representative of our ongoing business, such as material non-cash items and certain variable charges. |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | • Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total net revenues. | |
| Constant Currency Revenue | • Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant. • We define constant currency revenue as total revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements, and use it to determine the constant currency revenue growth on a comparative basis. • Constant currency revenue is calculated by translating current period revenues using the prior period exchange rate. | • The effect of currency exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons. Our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”) and changes in foreign exchange rates can significantly affect our reported results and consolidated trends. For example, our business generates sales predominantly in Korean Won (“KRW”), which are favorably affected as the USD weakens relative to the KRW, and unfavorably affected as the USD strengthens relative to the KRW. • We use constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate comparisons between periods. We believe the presentation of our results on a constant currency basis in addition to U.S. GAAP results helps improve the ability to understand our performance because they exclude the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of our actual results of operations. |
| Constant Currency Revenue Growth | • Constant currency revenue growth (as a percentage) is calculated by determining the increase in current period revenue over prior period revenue, where current period foreign currency revenue is translated using prior period exchange rates. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 45 |
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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Free Cash Flow
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,652 | $ | 565 | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Purchases of land and buildings | (374) | (226) | ||||
| Purchases of equipment | (522) | (598) | ||||
| Total purchases of property and equipment | $ | (896) | $ | (824) | ||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 19 | 13 | ||||
| Total adjustments | $ | (877) | $ | (811) | ||
| Free cash flow | $ | 1,775 | $ | (246) | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (927) | $ | (848) | ||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 199 | $ | 247 |
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net revenues | $ | 24,383 | $ | 20,583 | ||
| Net income (loss) | 1,360 | (92) | ||||
| Net income (loss) margin | 5.6 | % | (0.4) | % | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 275 | 231 | ||||
| Interest expense | 48 | 27 | ||||
| Interest income | (178) | (53) | ||||
| Income tax benefit | (776) | (1) | ||||
| Other expense, net | 19 | 7 | ||||
| Equity-based compensation | 326 | 262 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,074 | $ | 381 | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 4.4 | % | 1.9 | % |
Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over Year Growth | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | As Reported | Exchange Rate Effect | Constant Currency Basis | As Reported | As Reported | Constant Currency Basis | ||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 21,223 | $ | 221 | $ | 21,444 | $ | 18,338 | 16 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||
| Net other revenue | 3,160 | 33 | 3,193 | 2,245 | 41 | % | 42 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 24,383 | $ | 254 | $ | 24,637 | $ | 20,583 | 18 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||
| Net Revenues by Segment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 23,594 | $ | 246 | $ | 23,840 | $ | 19,955 | 18 | % | 19 | % | ||||||||
| Developing Offerings | 789 | 8 | 797 | 628 | 26 | % | 27 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 24,383 | $ | 254 | $ | 24,637 | $ | 20,583 | 18 | % | 20 | % |
Certain amounts may not foot due to rounding.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 46 |
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Results of Operations
| % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022 | 2022 vs 2021 | |||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 21,223 | $ | 18,338 | $ | 16,488 | 16 | % | 11 | % | ||||||
| Net other revenue | 3,160 | 2,245 | 1,918 | 41 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||
| Total net revenues | 24,383 | 20,583 | 18,406 | 18 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 18,193 | 15,873 | 15,455 | 15 | % | 3 | % | |||||||||
| Operating, general and administrative | 5,717 | 4,822 | 4,445 | 19 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 23,910 | 20,695 | 19,900 | 16 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 473 | (112) | (1,494) | NM(1) | (93) | % | ||||||||||
| Interest income | 178 | 53 | 9 | NM(1) | NM(1) | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | (48) | (27) | (45) | 78 | % | (40) | % | |||||||||
| Other expense, net | (19) | (7) | (12) | 171 | % | (38) | % | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 584 | (93) | (1,542) | NM(1) | (94) | % | ||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (776) | (1) | 1 | NM(1) | NM(1) | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 1,360 | $ | (92) | $ | (1,543) | NM(1) | (94) | % |
(1)Non-meaningful.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021 can be found under Part II, Item 7 — “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2022.
Total Net Revenues
We categorize our total net revenues as (1) net retail sales and (2) net other revenue. Total net revenues incorporate reductions for estimated returns, promotional discounts, and earned loyalty rewards and exclude amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added taxes. We periodically provide customers with promotional discounts to retail prices, such as percentage discounts and other similar offers, to incentivize increased customer spending and loyalty. These promotional discounts are discretionary and are reflected as reductions to the selling price and revenue recognized on each corresponding transaction. Loyalty rewards are offered as part of revenue transactions to all retail customers, whereby rewards are earned as a percentage of each purchase, for the customer to apply towards the purchase price of a future transaction. We defer a portion of revenue from each originating transaction, based on the estimated standalone selling price of the loyalty reward earned, and then recognize the revenue as the loyalty reward is redeemed in a future transaction, or when they expire. The amount of the deferred revenue related to these loyalty rewards is not material.
| % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | As Reported | Constant Currency | |||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 21,223 | $ | 18,338 | 16 | % | 17 | % | |||||
| Net other revenue | 3,160 | 2,245 | 41 | % | 42 | % | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 24,383 | $ | 20,583 | 18 | % | 20 | % |
Net retail sales represent the majority of our total net revenues which we earn from online product sales of our owned inventory to customers. Net other revenue includes revenue from commissions earned from merchants that sell their products through our apps or websites. We are not the merchant of record in these transactions, nor do we take possession of the related inventory. Net other revenue also includes consideration from online restaurant ordering and delivery services performed by us, as well as advertising services provided on our apps or websites. We also earn subscription revenue from memberships to our Rocket WOW membership program, which is also included in net other revenue.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 47 |
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Fulfillment and Logistics by Coupang (“FLC”) is a Product Commerce offering that enables participating merchants to leverage our end-to-end integrated logistics and fulfillment network. The previous contract terms with FLC merchants resulted in the transfer of control of the merchants’ products to us and Coupang is the seller of record in these transactions, whereby revenue is recorded on a gross basis (principal). Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, we changed the FLC program and related contracts with merchants, streamlining the overall process for merchants and us. As a result of these changes, control of these products is no longer transferred to the Company prior to sales. The change impacted how we recognize a portion of our revenue, from a gross basis (principal) to a net basis (agent). As of the end of the second quarter of 2023, the previous contract terms had expired, after which commissions and logistics and fulfillment fees earned from FLC merchants under the new contracts are recorded in net other revenue. This will continue to result in a prospective reduction in total net revenues associated with FLC compared to historical periods, with no significant corresponding impact on gross profit expected.
The following table presents our total net revenues by segment.
| % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | As Reported | Constant Currency | |||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 23,594 | $ | 19,955 | 18 | % | 19 | % | |||||
| Developing Offerings | 789 | 628 | 26 | % | 27 | % | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 24,383 | $ | 20,583 | 18 | % | 20 | % |
The increase in Product Commerce net revenues are primarily due to continued growth in our Active Customers and total net revenues per Active Customer, driven by increased product selection of our owned inventory, increased customer engagement across more product categories, and increased merchants available on our marketplace. This was partially offset by the net revenue impact of our transition of FLC merchants to new contracts now recognized on a net basis.
The increase in Developing Offerings net revenues are primarily due to our growth initiatives in Taiwan.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of products sold directly to customers where we record revenue gross, and includes logistics costs. Inbound shipping and handling costs to receive products from suppliers are included in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as products are sold. Additionally, cost of sales includes outbound shipping and logistics related expenses, delivery costs from our restaurant delivery business, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in cost of sales primarily reflects higher volume from increased sales and customer demand. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue decreased from 77.1% for 2022 to 74.6% for 2023 primarily due to further operational efficiencies, continued supply chain optimization, and an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue categories and offerings, including the enhanced FLC program. These benefits were partially offset by the impacts from our growth initiatives in developing offerings.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses include all our operating costs excluding cost of sales, as described above. More specifically, these expenses include costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment centers (including costs attributed to receiving, inspecting, picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders), customer service-related costs, payment processing fees, costs related to the design, execution, and maintenance of our technology infrastructure and online offerings, advertising costs, general corporate function costs, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in operating, general and administrative expenses primarily reflects increases in fulfillment costs due to growth in our business and slightly higher advertising expenses, reflecting growth in revenues. These expenses as a percentage of revenue were unchanged at 23.4% for 2022 and 2023 as continued operating efficiencies were offset by decreased revenues from the transition to the new FLC contracts beginning in the second quarter of 2023.
Interest Income
Interest income primarily consists of interest earned on our deposits held with financial institutions.
Interest income increased $125 million compared to the prior year. The increase in interest income was primarily due to higher interest rates in 2023 combined with our higher average cash and cash equivalent balances.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes predominantly in Korea, as well as in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions in which we do business. Foreign jurisdictions have different statutory tax rates than those in the United States. Additionally, certain of our
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 48 |
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foreign earnings may also be taxable in the United States. Accordingly, our effective tax rate is subject to significant variation and can vary based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss, the relative proportion of foreign to domestic income, use of tax credits and changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. Beginning in 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as currently enacted, requires taxpayers to capitalize research and development expenses with amortization periods over five and fifteen years, which has and is expected to continue to increase the amount of our GILTI inclusion.
Our effective income tax rate changed from an expense of 1.1% in 2022 to a benefit of (133.1)% in 2023 due to the release of the valuation allowance for our Korean deferred tax assets in 2023. Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate due to valuation allowances, net operating losses and tax credits used for the periods, partially offset by the mix of our income (loss) before income taxes generated across the various jurisdictions in which we operate, including the impact of international provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and permanent differences from non-deductible expenses. We expect that our effective tax rate in future periods will continue to differ significantly from the applicable statutory rate.
During 2023, we continued to see improved and sustained profitability, which presents objective positive evidence for the realizability of certain deferred tax assets. As such, based on the overall analysis of the positive and negative evidence in each tax jurisdiction, during 2023 we released the valuation allowance related to the Korea net operating loss deferred tax assets. The release of the valuation allowance in 2023 resulted in recognition of a portion of our net deferred tax assets and a benefit to our provision for income taxes of $905 million. We expect this change to result in a subsequently higher effective tax rate until the net operating losses are fully utilized, but we do not expect that it will materially impact our cash tax payments and related liabilities.
In addition to U.S. tax law changes, our global operations make the tax rate sensitive to significant foreign tax law changes. A number of countries have begun to enact legislation to implement the OECD’s international tax framework, including Pillar Two global minimum tax regime. South Korea has enacted legislation to implement OECD framework including the Under-taxed Profit Rules (the “UTPR”) which may impose additional reporting and compliance obligations to our group effective from January 1, 2025. This minimum tax will be treated as a period cost in future years and did not impact operating results for 2023. We are continuing to monitor legislative developments and are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of Korean and other legislation on our results of future operations.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The operating performance measure of each segment is segment adjusted EBITDA. Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before income taxes for a period before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), other income (expense), net, equity-based compensation, impairments, and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations associated with our segments.
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | % Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Commerce | $ | 1,540 | $ | 606 | 154 | % | ||||
| Developing Offerings | (466) | (225) | 107 | % | ||||||
| Consolidated adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,074 | $ | 381 | 182 | % |
(1)Non-meaningful.
The improvement in Product Commerce segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to an increase in net revenues, further operational efficiencies, improvements from supply chain optimization, and an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue categories and offerings.
The increased loss in Developing Offerings segment adjusted EBITDA was the result of increased investments in our Eats and Taiwan offerings, and higher content costs for our Coupang Play offering. These losses were partially offset by efficiencies in delivery costs associated with Coupang Eats.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to access sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, supplemented through various debt financing arrangements and sales of our equity securities. We had total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $5.6 billion as of December 31, 2023, of which $3.9 billion was held by our foreign subsidiaries and may not be freely transferable to the U.S due to local laws or other restrictions. Additionally, we have $875 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility as amended in January 2024, as described below.
The ability of certain subsidiaries to transfer funds or pay dividends to Coupang, Inc. is also restricted due to terms which require the subsidiaries to meet certain financial covenants, including requirements to maintain a positive net equity balance or having current period income.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 49 |
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As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had stockholders’ equity of $4.1 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively. We have periodically incurred losses in prior periods and may incur losses in the future. We expect that our investment into our growth strategy will continue to be significant, particularly with respect to our Developing Offerings segment, which will continue to focus on our newer offerings and entrance into new geographies, as well as overall expansion of our fulfillment, logistics, and technology capabilities. As part of this expansion to fulfill anticipated future customer demand and continuation to expand services, we plan to build new fulfillment centers. We have entered into various new construction contracts for capital projects which are expected to be completed over the next three years. These contracts have remaining capital expenditures commitments of $114 million as of December 31, 2023. We expect that our future expenditures for both infrastructure and workforce-related costs will exceed several billion dollars over the next several years.
At closing of the Farfetch Acquisition, a Coupang subsidiary provided additional cash funding to Farfetch of $150 million, and contributed the outstanding $150 million bridge loan towards the Farfetch Acquisition. The limited partnership is further obligated to fund Farfetch up to $200 million within twelve months of the acquisition date.
Changes in our cash flows were as follows:
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,652 | $ | 565 | $ | 2,087 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (927) | $ | (848) | $ | (79) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 199 | $ | 247 | $ | (48) |
Operating Activities
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income (loss) | $ | 1,360 | $ | (92) | $ | 1,452 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities | 354 | 1,035 | (681) | |||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities | 938 | (378) | 1,316 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,652 | $ | 565 | $ | 2,087 |
The year-over-year change in operating cash flow was primarily driven by a $1.5 billion improvement in net income (loss), which resulted in net income for the year. Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities included changes in deferred income taxes of $843 million. Additionally, benefiting the improvement in cash used in operating activities were the changes in operating assets and liabilities, including a decrease in inventories of $323 million primarily from the implementation of the new FLC program combined with improved inventory management, and an increase in accounts payable of $1.1 billion primarily as a result of increased volume of purchases as well as improved payment terms, primarily with certain large, multi-national suppliers, partially offset by a reduction in payables from the FLC changes.
Investing Activities
The increase was primarily driven by the $75 million bridge loan made to Farfetch as of December 31, 2023, and a $72 million increase in purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to investments made in the current year in our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure, including purchases of buildings, land and equipment.
Financing Activities
The decrease was primarily driven by a $129 million decrease in proceeds from debt and short-term borrowings, partially offset by a $75 million decrease in repayments of debt and short-term borrowings due to the timing of maturities.
We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need additional cash resources in the future if we find and pursue other opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation, or other similar actions, which may include investing in technology, our logistics and fulfillment infrastructure, or related talent. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed our amounts of cash on hand or if we decide to further optimize our capital structure, we may seek to issue additional debt or equity securities or obtain credit facilities or other sources of financing. This financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Capital Resources
We have entered into material unconditional purchase obligations. These contractual commitments primarily relate to technology related service contracts, fulfillment center construction contracts, and software licenses. We generally enter into term loan facility agreements to finance the construction of our fulfillment centers. These agreements may require that we provide for collateral equal to or greater than the amount borrowed under the arrangement. As we continue to build or purchase additional fulfillment centers, we expect our borrowings under debt financing arrangements to continue to increase. We also have material operating
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 50 |
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leases which expire over the next ten years as well as obligations for our debts. Total minimum contractual commitments due within the next 12 months were $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, we have:
•operating leases that have not commenced with future minimum lease payments of $355 million with non-cancellable lease terms of 1 to 10 years;
•expected defined severance benefits to be paid of $889 million; and
•open purchase orders for inventories that are primarily due in the next twelve months, and are generally cancellable, in full or in part, through the contractual provisions.
Refer to Note 13 — "Commitments and Contingencies", Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits", and Note 10 — "Leases" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our future commitments.
Our short-term and long-term borrowings generally include lines of credit with financial institutions available to be drawn upon for general operating purposes.
Term Loan Facilities
In April 2023, we entered into a new three-year term loan facility agreement to borrow $178 million to finance the purchase of a fulfillment center and land. We pledged up to $214 million of certain land and buildings as collateral. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.76%.
Revolving Credit Agreement
We have a two-year Revolving Credit Agreement with a borrowing limit of $124 million that bears interest at the average of 91-days CD interest rate plus 2.30%. The revolving facility is secured by certain of our inventories.
Revolving Credit Facility
In January 2024, our senior unsecured credit facility (“the Revolving Credit Facility”) was amended to extend the maturity date to February 2026 and to bring the aggregate principal amount to $875 million. The Revolving Credit Facility continues to provide us the right to request incremental commitments up to $1.25 billion, subject to customary conditions.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to (i) a base rate equal to the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the higher of the federal funds rate or a composite overnight bank borrowing rate plus 0.50%, or (C) an adjusted Term Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”) rate for a one-month interest period plus 1.00% or (ii) an adjusted Term SOFR plus a margin equal to 1.00%. We are also required to pay other customary fees for a credit facility of this size and type, including letter of credit fees, an upfront fee, and an unused commitment fee. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to:
•incur or guarantee additional debt;
•make certain investments and acquisitions;
•make certain restricted payments and payments of certain indebtedness;
•incur certain liens or permit them to exist; and
•make fundamental changes and dispositions (including dispositions of the equity interests of subsidiary guarantors).
Each of these restrictions is subject to various exceptions.
The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain material restricted subsidiaries of Coupang, Inc. (including Coupang Corp.), subject to customary exceptions. The Revolving Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type.
The Revolving Credit Agreement and Revolving Credit Facility both require us to (i) maintain a ratio of secured indebtedness to total consolidated tangible assets of less than 35%, if we have $1 or more of revolving loans or any unreimbursed drawn letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement or Revolving Credit Facility at the end of each fiscal quarter and (ii) maintain a minimum amount of liquidity of at least $625 million (or $313 million to the extent the aggregate commitment of the Revolving Credit Agreement or Revolving Credit Facility, respectively, is $500 million).
Refer to Note 12 — "Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our debt obligations.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 51 |
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Farfetch Acquisition
In December 2023, we announced the pending acquisition of the business and assets of Farfetch, a leading global marketplace for the luxury fashion industry, which included a $500 million bridge loan to Farfetch and certain of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.
We established a limited partnership for the purposes of providing the bridge loan and acquiring all of the business and assets of Farfetch, owned 80.1% by Coupang, Inc and 19.9% by certain funds advised or managed by Greenoaks Capital Partners, LLC (“Greenoaks”). The limited partnership is included in the Company’s consolidated operating results as of December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, the limited partnership provided $75 million of financing under the bridge loan, and in January 2024, an additional $75 million was provided. Financings under the bridge loan, as well as capital contributions, are provided by the partners in accordance with their ownership percentages.
As announced on January 31, 2024, the acquisition was completed. At closing, the limited partnership provided additional cash funding to Farfetch of $150 million. Additionally, $150 million previously provided under the bridge loan was contributed towards the Farfetch Acquisition. The limited partnership is further obligated to fund Farfetch up to $200 million within twelve months of the acquisition date.
As part of the Farfetch Acquisition, a subsidiary of the limited partnership assumed the then outstanding syndicated Term Loans of $633 million, inclusive of fees incurred, under Farfetch’s existing Credit Agreement with certain banks and financial institutions. The Term Loans are payable on October 20, 2027, early repayment permitted. Repayment of the Term Loans is due in quarterly installments, of 0.25%, payable on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to SOFR plus 6.25% per annum. Immediately following the acquisition, Farfetch repurchased $60 million of the outstanding Term Loan.
The Term Loans contain customary affirmative covenants as well as customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on certain entities within Farfetch’s ability to incur additional debt, make investments, make distributions, dispose of assets, or enter into certain types of related party transactions. The loans are secured against specified assets of the Farfetch group and guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of Farfetch.
Refer to Note 15 — " Subsequent Event - Farfetch" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further discussion.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in those consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, given the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, and due to the unforeseen effects of the current global macroeconomic environment, those estimates required increased judgment, and actual results reported in future periods could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. See Note 1 — "Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a description of our significant accounting policies.
The following items require significant estimation or judgment:
Revenue Recognition
The application of various accounting principles related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, complex arrangements with non-standard terms and conditions may require relevant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting treatment, including whether the promised goods and services specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate performance obligations. Other significant judgments include determining whether we are acting as the principal or the agent from an accounting perspective in a transaction.
For certain arrangements, we apply significant judgment in determining whether we are acting as the principal or agent in a transaction. We are acting as the principal if we obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to customers. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction and are subject to inventory risk or have latitude in establishing prices, or have several but not all of these indicators, we act as the principal and record revenue on a gross basis. We act as the agent and record the net amount as revenue earned if we do not obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to the customers.
Inventories
We account for our inventories, which consist of products available for sale, using the weighted average cost method, and value them at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This valuation requires management judgments, based on currently available
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 52 |
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information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product suppliers, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of separate inventory categories. If changes in market conditions result in reductions to the estimated net realizable value of our inventory, we would increase our valuation in the period in which we made such a determination.
Income Taxes
We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of our reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments, and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws, the resolution of any tax audits, and actual and expected future income could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
We record deferred tax assets net of valuation allowances when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income. In considering the need for a valuation allowance, we consider historical, as well as future projected taxable income on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, along with other positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets. Actual operating results in future years could differ from our current assumptions, judgments, and estimates. As of December 31, 2023, after considering these factors, we determined that the positive evidence overcame any negative evidence, and concluded that it was more likely than not that the Korean deferred tax assets were realizable. As a result, we released the entire valuation allowance of $905 million related to the Korean net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023.
We also recognize and measure uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return utilizing a two-step process. In the first step, recognition, we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step addresses measurement of a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criteria. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a likelihood of greater than 50 percent of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Due to uncertainties in any tax audit outcome, our estimates of the ultimate settlement of our unrecognized tax positions may change and the actual tax benefits may differ significantly from our estimates. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 6 — "Income Taxes" to the consolidated financial statements.
Defined Severance Benefits
We have severance benefits primarily related to employees in Korea. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits" to the consolidated financial statements.
Actuarial valuations are used in determining amounts recognized in the financial statements for our severance benefit plans. These valuations incorporate the following significant assumptions:
•discount rates; and
•salary growth rates
Management believes that these assumptions are critical accounting estimates because significant changes in these assumptions could impact our results of operations and financial position. Management believes that the assumptions utilized to record its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on the plans’ experience and advice received from its outside actuaries. We review the severance benefit plan assumptions annually and modify the assumptions based on current rates and trends as appropriate. The effects of such changes in assumptions are amortized as part of plan income or expense in future periods.
At the end of each fiscal year, we determine the weighted-average discount rates and salary growth rates used to calculate the projected defined severance benefits obligation. The discount rates are an estimate of the current interest rate at which the benefit plan liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. As of December 31, 2023, we determined the discount rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 4.30% to 4.80%, as compared to 5.10% to 5.30% as of December 31, 2022. In estimating these rates, we review rates of return on high-quality corporate bond indices, which approximate the timing and amount of benefit payments. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the discount rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2024. As of December 31, 2023, we determined the salary growth rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 5.00% to 7.00%, as compared to 5.00% to 8.00% as of December 31, 2022. In estimating these rates, we review our historical and expected rates as well as industry growth rates.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 53 |
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Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the salary growth rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2024.
Business Combinations
In January 2024, the Farfetch Acquisition was completed. Due to the timing of the acquisition, the initial accounting for the business combination is incomplete. As such, we are not able to disclose certain information relating to the acquisition, including the preliminary fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We expect to complete the initial accounting for the acquisition during the first quarter of 2024.
Under the acquisition method of accounting, we generally recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in an acquiree at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. We measure goodwill as the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the net of the estimated fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The acquisition method of accounting requires us to exercise judgment and make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as of the date of acquisition, including the estimated fair values of identifiable tangible and intangible assets, liabilities assumed, non-controlling interests, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, and contingencies. This method also allows us to refine these estimates over a one-year measurement period to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to retroactively adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could materially decrease net income and result in lower asset values on our consolidated balance sheet.
These significant estimates are inherently uncertain as they relate to future economic conditions, future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets and customer behavior. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If our estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be accelerated or slowed.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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| Coupang, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K | 54 |
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001834584-23-000023.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”). This discussion, particularly information with respect to our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-K. You should review the disclosure in Part I—Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a leading e-commerce retailer in Korea with operations in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and China. We believe that we are the preeminent online destination in the market because of our broad selection, low prices, and exceptional delivery and customer experience across our owned inventory selection as well as products offered by third-party merchants. Our unique end-to-end integrated fulfillment, logistics, and technology network enables Rocket Delivery, which provides free, next-day delivery for orders placed anytime of the day, even seconds before midnight—across millions of products. Our structural advantages from complete end-to-end integration, investments in technology, and scale economies generate higher efficiencies that allow us to pass savings to customers in the form of lower prices. The capabilities we have built provide us with opportunities to expand into other offerings and geographies.
We believe the true measure of our success will be shareholder value created over the long term. Our long-term investments in building a differentiated technology-orchestrated network and customer-facing functionality have helped build a business that we expect will deliver significant growth and cash flows at scale. We have in turn successfully reinvested to expand into new offerings, such as with our owned-inventory selection, Rocket WOW membership, Rocket Fresh, Coupang Eats, and Coupang Play, among others. We will continue to reinvest cash flows generated by our established offerings into new initiatives and innovations for our customers. We plan to invest and maximize value for customers and shareholders in the long term over optimizing our short-term results.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2022, we organized our operations into two segments: Product Commerce and Developing Offerings. These segments reflect the way management evaluates its business performance and manages its operations. See Note 3 — "Segment Reporting" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Product Commerce primarily includes core retail (owned inventory) and marketplace offerings (third-party merchants) and Rocket Fresh, our fresh grocery offering, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Product Commerce are derived primarily from online product sales of owned inventory to customers in Korea and from commissions earned from merchants that sell products through our mobile application and website.
Developing Offerings primarily includes more nascent offerings and services, including Coupang Eats, our restaurant ordering and delivery service, Coupang Play, our online content streaming service, fintech, certain international initiatives, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Developing Offerings are primarily generated from online restaurant ordering and delivery services provided on our mobile applications and websites.
Initial Public Offering
On March 15, 2021, we completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) in which we issued and sold 100,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock at an IPO price of $35.00 per share. We received net proceeds of $3.4 billion after deducting underwriting discounts of $69 million and other offering costs.
Immediately prior to effectiveness of our IPO registration statement on Form S-1, Coupang, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, converted into a Delaware corporation pursuant to a statutory conversion, which changed our name to Coupang, Inc. (“Corporate Conversion”).
As a result of the Corporate Conversion and IPO, our redeemable convertible preferred units (“preferred units”) and common units (which included common units designated as profits interests (“PIUs”)), in each case, automatically converted into an equal number of shares of Class A or Class B common stock, except with respect to a conversion adjustment to certain PIUs, which reduced the outstanding common units designated as PIUs that converted into the shares of Class A common stock. Also, our convertible notes were automatically converted into 171,750,446 shares of our Class A common stock. For additional information related to the Corporate Conversion and IPO, see Note 14 — "Redeemable Convertible Preferred Units and Stockholders'/Members' Equity (Deficit)" and Note 15 — "Convertible Notes and Derivative Instrument" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in our consolidated financial statements.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 43 |
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Fulfillment Center Fire
In June 2021, a fire extensively damaged our Deokpyeong fulfillment center (“FC Fire”) resulting in a loss of the inventory, building, equipment, and other assets at the site. Inventory and property and equipment losses from the FC Fire of $158 million and $138 million were recognized in “Cost of sales” and “Operating, general and administrative”, respectively, in 2021.
While we are insured on property losses from the FC Fire, investigations surrounding the fire continue. In December 2022, we received a refundable insurance cash advance payment of $79 million, which is included within other current liabilities and reflected as an inflow for operating cash flows. We have not recognized any insurance benefit in our consolidated statements of operations to date. Whether and to what extent the advance will become non-refundable or additional proceeds will be received is currently unknown.
Key Financial and Operating Highlights:
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net revenues | $ | 20,582,615 | $ | 18,406,372 | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues, constant currency(1) | $ | 23,235,971 | $ | 17,850,617 | 26 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit(2) | $ | 4,709,873 | $ | 2,951,128 | 60 | % | ||||||||||
| Net loss(4) | $ | (92,042) | $ | (1,542,590) | (94) | % | ||||||||||
| Net loss margin | (0.4) | % | (8.4) | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 381,212 | $ | (747,636) | NM(3) | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) | 1.9 | % | (4.1) | % | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 565,439 | $ | (410,578) | NM(3) | |||||||||||
| Free cash flow(1) | $ | (245,641) | $ | (1,082,377) | (77) | % | ||||||||||
| Segment adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 605,838 | $ | (360,896) | NM(3) | |||||||||||
| Developing Offerings | $ | (224,626) | $ | (386,740) | (42) | % |
(1)Total net revenues, constant currency; total net revenues growth, constant currency; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures” below for the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
(2)Gross profit is calculated as total net revenues minus cost of sales, and for 2021 includes $158 million related to inventory losses from the FC Fire.
(3)Non-meaningful.
(4)Net loss for 2021 includes $296 million in losses recognized during the second quarter of 2021 related to the FC Fire.
Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Key Business Metrics
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except net revenues per Active Customer) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Active Customers | 18,115 | 17,936 | ||||
| Total net revenues per Active Customer | $ | 294 | $ | 283 |
Active Customers
As of the last date of each reported period, we determine our number of Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our apps or websites during the relevant period. A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. The change in Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Active Customers as a key indicator of our potential for growth in total net revenues, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.
Net Revenues per Active Customer
Net revenues per Active Customer is the total net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of Active Customers who are shopping on our apps or websites. We therefore view net revenues per Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our success in increasing the share of wallet.
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| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 44 |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.
| Non-GAAP Measure | Definition | How We Use The Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Free Cash Flow | • Cash flow from operations Less: purchases of property and equipment, Plus: proceeds from sale of property and equipment. | • Provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our ongoing operations that, after purchases and sales of property and equipment, can be used for strategic initiatives, including investing in our business and strengthening our balance sheet, including paying down debt, and paying dividends to stockholders. |
| Adjusted EBITDA | • Net income (loss), excluding the effects of: - depreciation and amortization, - interest expense, - interest income,- other income (expense), net, - income tax expense (benefit),- equity-based compensation,- impairments, and- other items not reflective of our ongoing operations. | • Provides information to management evaluate and assess our performance and allocate internal resources. • We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in evaluating companies in the e-commerce industry for period-to-period comparisons as they remove the impact of certain items that are not representative of our ongoing business, such as material non-cash items and certain variable charges. |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | • Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total net revenues. | |
| Constant Currency Revenue | • Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant. • We define constant currency revenue as total revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements, and use it to determine the constant currency revenue growth on a comparative basis. • Constant currency revenue is calculated by translating current period revenues using the prior period exchange rate. | • The effect of currency exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons. Our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”) and changes in foreign exchange rates can significantly affect our reported results and consolidated trends. For example, our business generates sales predominantly in Korean Won (“KRW”), which are favorably affected as the USD weakens relative to the KRW, and unfavorably affected as the USD strengthens relative to the KRW. • We use constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate comparisons between periods. We believe the presentation of our results on a constant currency basis in addition to U.S. GAAP results helps improve the ability to understand our performance because they exclude the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of our actual results of operations. |
| Constant Currency Revenue Growth | • Constant currency revenue growth (as a percentage) is calculated by determining the increase in current period revenue over prior period revenue, where current period foreign currency revenue is translated using prior period exchange rates. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 45 |
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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Free Cash Flow
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 565,439 | $ | (410,578) | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Purchases of land and buildings | (226,587) | (215,062) | ||||
| Purchases of equipment | (597,675) | (458,601) | ||||
| Total purchases of property and equipment | $ | (824,262) | $ | (673,663) | ||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 13,182 | 1,864 | ||||
| Total adjustments | $ | (811,080) | $ | (671,799) | ||
| Free cash flow | $ | (245,641) | $ | (1,082,377) | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (848,254) | $ | (675,525) | ||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 247,352 | $ | 3,576,850 |
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total net revenues | $ | 20,582,615 | $ | 18,406,372 | ||
| Net loss | (92,042) | (1,542,590) | ||||
| Net loss margin | (0.4) | % | (8.4) | % | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 230,965 | 201,480 | ||||
| Interest expense | 27,169 | 45,358 | ||||
| Interest income | (52,798) | (8,645) | ||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (1,063) | 1,002 | ||||
| Other expense, net | 6,715 | 10,913 | ||||
| Equity-based compensation | 262,266 | 249,345 | ||||
| FC Fire Losses | — | 295,501 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 381,212 | $ | (747,636) | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 1.9 | % | (4.1) | % |
Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over Year Growth | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | As Reported | Exchange Rate Effect | Constant Currency Basis | As Reported | Exchange Rate Effect | Constant Currency Basis | As Reported | Constant Currency Basis | ||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 18,338,177 | $ | 2,364,020 | $ | 20,702,197 | $ | 16,487,975 | $ | (497,832) | $ | 15,990,143 | 11 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||
| Net other revenue | 2,244,438 | 289,336 | 2,533,774 | 1,918,397 | (57,923) | 1,860,474 | 17 | % | 32 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 20,582,615 | $ | 2,653,356 | $ | 23,235,971 | $ | 18,406,372 | $ | (555,755) | $ | 17,850,617 | 12 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||
| Net Revenues by Segment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 19,954,594 | $ | 2,572,396 | $ | 22,526,990 | $ | 17,837,717 | $ | (538,586) | $ | 17,299,131 | 12 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||
| Developing Offerings | 628,021 | 80,960 | 708,981 | 568,655 | (17,169) | 551,486 | 10 | % | 25 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 20,582,615 | $ | 2,653,356 | $ | 23,235,971 | $ | 18,406,372 | $ | (555,755) | $ | 17,850,617 | 12 | % | 26 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 46 |
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Results of Operations
| % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs 2021 | 2021 vs 2020 | |||||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 18,338,177 | $ | 16,487,975 | $ | 11,045,096 | 11 | % | 49 | % | ||||||
| Net other revenue | 2,244,438 | 1,918,397 | 922,243 | 17 | % | 108 | % | |||||||||
| Total net revenues | 20,582,615 | 18,406,372 | 11,967,339 | 12 | % | 54 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 15,872,742 | 15,455,244 | 9,981,102 | 3 | % | 55 | % | |||||||||
| Operating, general and administrative | 4,821,892 | 4,445,090 | 2,502,231 | 8 | % | 78 | % | |||||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 20,694,634 | 19,900,334 | 12,483,333 | 4 | % | 59 | % | |||||||||
| Operating loss | (112,019) | (1,493,962) | (515,994) | (93) | % | 190 | % | |||||||||
| Interest income | 52,798 | 8,645 | 10,991 | NM(1) | (21) | % | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | (27,169) | (45,358) | (107,762) | (40) | % | (58) | % | |||||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (6,715) | (10,913) | 149,900 | (38) | % | NM(1) | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (93,105) | (1,541,588) | (462,865) | (94) | % | NM(1) | ||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (1,063) | 1,002 | 292 | NM(1) | NM(1) | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (92,042) | $ | (1,542,590) | $ | (463,157) | (94) | % | NM(1) |
(1)Non-meaningful.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020 can be found under Part II, Item 7 — “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2021.
Total Net Revenues
We categorize our total net revenues as (1) net retail sales and (2) net other revenue. Total net revenues incorporate reductions for estimated returns, promotional discounts, and earned loyalty rewards and exclude amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added taxes. We periodically provide customers with promotional discounts to retail prices, such as percentage discounts and other similar offers, to incentivize increased customer spending and loyalty. These promotional discounts are discretionary and are reflected as reductions to the selling price and revenue recognized on each corresponding transaction. Loyalty rewards are offered as part of revenue transactions to all retail customers, whereby rewards are earned as a percentage of each purchase, for the customer to apply towards the purchase price of a future transaction. We defer a portion of revenue from each originating transaction, based on the estimated standalone selling price of the loyalty reward earned, and then recognize the revenue as the loyalty reward is redeemed in a future transaction, or when they expire. The amount of the deferred revenue related to these loyalty rewards is not material.
| % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | As Reported | Constant Currency | |||||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 18,338,177 | $ | 16,487,975 | 11 | % | 26 | % | |||||
| Net other revenue | 2,244,438 | 1,918,397 | 17 | % | 32 | % | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 20,582,615 | $ | 18,406,372 | 12 | % | 26 | % |
Net retail sales represent the majority of our total net revenues which we earn from online product sales of our owned inventory to customers. Net other revenue includes revenue from commissions earned from merchants that sell their products through our apps or websites. We are not the merchant of record in these transactions, nor do we take possession of the related inventory.
Net other revenue also includes consideration from online restaurant ordering and delivery services performed by us, as well as advertising services provided on our apps or websites. We also earn subscription revenue from memberships to our Rocket WOW membership program, which is also included in net other revenue.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 47 |
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Net revenues by segment was as follows:
| % Change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | As Reported | Constant Currency | |||||||||
| Product Commerce | $ | 19,954,594 | $ | 17,837,717 | 12 | % | 26 | % | |||||
| Developing Offerings | 628,021 | 568,655 | 10 | % | 25 | % | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 20,582,615 | $ | 18,406,372 | 12 | % | 26 | % |
The increases in Product Commerce net revenues are primarily due to continued growth in our Active Customers and total net revenues per Active Customer, driven by increased product selection of our owned inventory, and increased customer engagement across more product categories.
The increase in Developing Offerings net revenues is primarily from an increase in the average spend from Active Customers using our Eats offering, partially offset by a decrease in those customers.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of products sold directly to customers where we record revenue gross, and includes logistics costs. Inbound shipping and handling costs to receive products from suppliers are included in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as products are sold. Additionally, cost of sales includes outbound shipping and logistics related expenses, delivery service costs from our restaurant delivery business, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in cost of sales was primarily attributable to increased volume resulting from increased sales and customer demand. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue decreased from 84.0% for 2021 to 77.1% for 2022 primarily due to our efforts around supply chain optimization and increased volume in higher margin offerings. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue for 2021 was also negatively impacted by $158 million in non-recurring inventory losses related to the FC Fire.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses include all our operating costs excluding cost of sales, as described above. More specifically, these expenses include costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment centers (including costs attributed to receiving, inspecting, picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders), customer service related costs, payment processing fees, costs related to the design, execution, and maintenance of our technology infrastructure and online offerings, advertising costs, general corporate function costs, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in operating, general and administrative expenses primarily reflects the growth we have achieved in our overall business. While our advertising expenses increased $172 million to support growth and expansion, this is primarily the result of lower advertising expenses we incurred in the prior two years due to COVID-related impacts. The increases in our operating, general and administrative expenses were partially offset by property, equipment and other non-recurring losses of $138 million recognized in 2021 related to the FC Fire.
Operating, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased from 24.1% for 2021 to 23.4% for 2022 primarily related to improved operating leverage as well as property, equipment and other non-recurring losses from the FC Fire recognized in 2021, partially offset by increases in advertising expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily consists of interest on our short-term borrowings and long-term debt, and our convertible notes issued in our 2018 convertible note financing.
The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to the conversion of our convertible notes into shares of our Class A common stock as a result of the Corporate Conversion and our IPO during the first quarter of 2021.
Interest Income
Interest income primarily consists of interest earned on our deposits held with financial institutions.
The increase in interest income was primarily related to an increase in interest rates on our deposits with various financial institutions.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 48 |
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Segment Adjusted EBITDA
The operating performance measure of each segment is segment adjusted EBITDA. Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as loss before income taxes for a period before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), other income (expense), net, equity-based compensation, impairments, and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations associated with our segments.
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | % Change | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Commerce | $ | 605,838 | $ | (360,896) | NM(1) | ||||
| Developing Offerings | (224,626) | (386,740) | (42) | % | |||||
| Consolidated adjusted EBITDA | $ | 381,212 | $ | (747,636) | NM(1) |
(1)Non-meaningful.
The improvement in Product Commerce segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to an increase in net revenues, improved margins from supply chain optimization, an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue offerings, and improved operating leverage.
The improved Developing Offerings segment adjusted EBITDA was the result of lower advertising and promotional costs as well as lower delivery costs per order associated with Coupang Eats, offset by continued investments in licensed content for Coupang Play as well as our international expansion.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to access sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, supplemented through various debt financing arrangements and sales of our equity securities. We had total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of $3.7 billion as of December 31, 2022, of which $2.0 billion was held by our foreign subsidiaries and may not be freely transferable to the U.S due to local laws or other restrictions. Additionally, we have over $1.0 billion available under our 2022 and 2021 revolving credit facilities as described below.
The ability of certain subsidiaries to transfer funds or pay dividends to Coupang, Inc. is restricted due to terms which require the subsidiaries to meet certain financial covenants, including requirements to maintain a positive net equity balance or having current period income.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had stockholders’ equity of $2.4 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively. We may incur losses in the future. We expect that our investment into our growth strategy will continue to be significant, particularly with respect to our Developing Offerings segment, which will continue to focus on our newer offerings and entrance into new geographies, as well as overall expansion of our fulfillment, logistics, and technology capabilities. As part of this expansion to fulfill anticipated future customer demand and continuation to expand services, we plan to build new fulfillment centers. We have entered into various new construction contracts for capital projects which are expected to be completed over the next three years. These contracts have remaining capital expenditures commitments of $466 million as of December 31, 2022. We expect that our future expenditures for both infrastructure and workforce-related costs will exceed several billion dollars over the next several years.
During the first quarter of 2021, we completed our IPO, in which we issued and sold 100,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock at a price of $35.00 per share. We received net proceeds of approximately $3.4 billion from the IPO after deducting underwriting discounts of $69 million and other offering costs.
Changes in our cash flows were as follows:
| Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 vs 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 565,439 | $ | (410,578) | $ | 976,017 | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (848,254) | $ | (675,525) | $ | (172,729) | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 247,352 | $ | 3,576,850 | $ | (3,329,498) |
Operating Activities
The year-over-year change in operating cash flow was primarily driven by a $1.5 billion decrease in net loss partially offset by a $(125) million decrease in our non-cash expenses contributing to the net loss for 2022. Cash outflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities increased $(349) million, consisting primarily of:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 49 |
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•a decrease in cash inflow in accounts payable of $(284) million as a result of slower growth than in 2021 and timing of purchases, partially offset by a decrease in cash outflow in inventory of $161 million;
•an increase in cash outflow in other assets of $(111) million as a result of additional advances made to vendors and suppliers;
•a decrease in cash inflow in accrued expenses of $(199) million impacted by lower employee accruals compared to the prior year due to slower headcount growth.
Investing Activities
The increase was mainly driven by a $151 million increase in purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure, including purchases of buildings, land and equipment.
Financing Activities
The decrease was primarily driven by $3.4 billion of proceeds, net of underwriting discounts of $69 million and other offering costs, from the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock upon the completion of our IPO in 2021, a $132 million increase in repayments of debt and short-term borrowings, all partially offset by a $267 million increase in proceeds from debt and short-term borrowings.
We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need additional cash resources in the future if we find and pursue opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation, or other similar actions, which may include investing in technology, our logistics and fulfillment infrastructure, or related talent. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed our amounts of cash on hand or if we decide to further optimize our capital structure, we may seek to issue additional debt or equity securities or obtain credit facilities or other sources of financing. This financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Capital Resources
We have entered into material unconditional purchase obligations. These contractual commitments primarily relate to technology related service contracts, fulfillment center construction contracts, and software licenses. We generally enter into term loan facility agreements to finance the construction of our fulfillment centers. These agreements may require that we provide for collateral equal to or greater than the amount borrowed under the arrangement. As we continue to build or purchase additional fulfillment centers, we expect our borrowings under debt financing arrangements to continue to increase. We also have material operating leases which expire over the next ten years as well as obligations for our debts. Total minimum contractual commitments due within the next 12 months were $814 million as of December 31, 2022. Additionally, we have:
•operating leases that have not commenced with future minimum lease payments of $308 million with non-cancellable lease terms of 1 to 10 years;
•expected defined severance benefits to be paid of $708 million; and
•open purchase orders for inventories that are primarily due in the next twelve months, and are generally cancellable, in full or in part, through the contractual provisions.
Refer to Note 13 — "Commitments and Contingencies", Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits", and Note 11 — "Leases" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our future commitments.
Our short-term and long-term borrowings generally include lines of credit with financial institutions available to be drawn upon for general operating purposes.
Term Loan Facilities
In September 2022, we entered into a $87 million one-year term loan agreement. We pledged $104 million of certain land as collateral. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.75%. Principal is to be paid at maturity and interest is paid on a monthly basis.
In March 2022, we entered into a new five-year loan agreement to borrow $316 million, which was partially used to extinguish the $149 million August 2020 term loan facility which matured in March 2022, and to finance infrastructure of a fulfillment center. We pledged up to $379 million of certain existing land and a building as collateral. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.26%.
2022 Revolving Credit Facility
In October 2022, we entered into a two-year revolving facility agreement with a borrowing limit of $126 million that bears interest at the average of 91-days CD interest rate plus 2.30%. The revolving facility is secured by certain of our inventories.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 50 |
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2021 Revolving Credit Facility
We have a three-year $1.0 billion unsecured credit facility (the “2021 revolving credit facility”). As of December 31, 2022, there was no balance outstanding on the 2021 revolving credit facility.
Borrowings under the 2021 revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to (i) a base rate equal to the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the higher of the federal funds rate or a composite overnight bank borrowing rate plus 0.50%, or (C) an adjusted London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) for a one-month interest period plus 1.00% or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR plus a margin equal to 1.00%. We are also required to pay other customary fees for a credit facility of this size and type, including letter of credit fees, an upfront fee, and an unused commitment fee. The 2021 revolving credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to:
•incur or guarantee additional debt;
•make certain investments and acquisitions;
•make certain restricted payments and payments of certain indebtedness;
•incur certain liens or permit them to exist; and
•make fundamental changes and dispositions (including dispositions of the equity interests of subsidiary guarantors).
Each of these restrictions is subject to various exceptions.
The 2021 revolving credit facility is guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain material restricted subsidiaries of Coupang, Inc. (including Coupang Corp.), subject to customary exceptions. The 2021 revolving credit facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type.
The 2021 and 2022 revolving credit facilities both require us to (i) maintain a ratio of secured indebtedness to total consolidated tangible assets of less than 35%, if we have $1 or more of revolving loans or any unreimbursed drawn letters of credit outstanding under the 2021 or 2022 revolving credit facility at the end of each fiscal quarter and (ii) maintain a minimum amount of liquidity of at least $625 million (or $313 million to the extent the aggregate commitment of the 2021 or the 2022 revolving credit facility, respectively, is $500 million).
Refer to Note 12 — "Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our debt obligations.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in those consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, given the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, and due to the unforeseen effects of the current global macroeconomic environment, those estimates required increased judgment, and actual results reported in future periods could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. See Note 1 — "Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a description of our significant accounting policies.
The following items require significant estimation or judgment:
Revenue Recognition
The application of various accounting principles related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, complex arrangements with non-standard terms and conditions may require relevant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting treatment, including whether the promised goods and services specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate performance obligations. Other significant judgments include determining whether we are acting as the principal or the agent from an accounting perspective in a transaction.
For certain arrangements, we apply significant judgment in determining whether we are acting as the principal or agent in a transaction. We are acting as the principal if we obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to customers. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction and are subject to inventory risk or have latitude in establishing prices, or have several but not all of these indicators, we act as the principal and record revenue on a gross basis. We act as the agent and record the net amount as revenue earned if we do not obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to the customers.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 51 |
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Inventories
We account for our inventories, which consist of products available for sale, using the weighted average cost method, and value them at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This valuation requires management judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product suppliers, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of separate inventory categories. If changes in market conditions result in reductions to the estimated net realizable value of our inventory, we would increase our valuation in the period in which we made such a determination.
Income Taxes
We record deferred tax assets net of valuation allowances when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income. In considering the need for a valuation allowance, we consider historical, as well as future projected taxable income, along with other positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets. We recorded valuation allowances of $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We also recognize and measure uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return utilizing a two-step process. In the first step, recognition, we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step addresses measurement of a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criteria. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a likelihood of greater than 50 percent of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Defined Severance Benefits
We have severance benefits covering employees in Korea. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits" to the consolidated financial statements.
Actuarial valuations are used in determining amounts recognized in the financial statements for our severance benefit plans. These valuations incorporate the following significant assumptions:
•discount rates; and
•salary growth rates
Management believes that these assumptions are critical accounting estimates because significant changes in these assumptions could impact our results of operations and financial position. Management believes that the assumptions utilized to record its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on the plans’ experience and advice received from its outside actuaries. We review the severance benefit plan assumptions annually and modify the assumptions based on current rates and trends as appropriate. The effects of such changes in assumptions are amortized as part of plan income or expense in future periods.
At the end of each fiscal year, we determine the weighted-average discount rates and salary growth rates used to calculate the projected defined severance benefits obligation. The discount rates are an estimate of the current interest rate at which the benefit plan liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. As of December 31, 2022, we determined the discount rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 5.10% to 5.30%, as compared to 2.70% to 3.00% as of December 31, 2021. In estimating these rates, we review rates of return on high-quality corporate bond indices, which approximate the timing and amount of benefit payments. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the discount rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2023. As of December 31, 2022, we determined the salary growth rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 5.00% to 8.00%, as compared to 5.00% to 5.24% as of December 31, 2021. In estimating these rates, we review our historical and expected rates as well as industry growth rates. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the salary growth rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2023.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupang, Inc. | 2022 Form 10-K | 52 |
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FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001834584-22-000015.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”). This discussion, particularly information with respect to our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-K. You should review the disclosure in Part I—Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a leading e-commerce player in Korea. We believe that we are the preeminent online destination in the market because of our broad selection, low prices, and exceptional convenience across our owned inventory selection as well as products offered by third-party merchants. Our unique end-to-end fulfillment, logistics, and technology network enables Rocket Delivery, which provides free, next-day delivery for orders placed anytime of the day, even seconds before midnight—across millions of products. Our structural advantages from complete end-to-end integration, investments in technology, and scale economies generate higher efficiencies that allow us to pass savings to customers in the form of lower prices. The capabilities we have built provide us with opportunities to expand into other offerings and geographies.
We believe the true measure of our success will be shareholder value created over the long term. Our long-term investments in building a differentiated technology-orchestrated network and customer-facing functionality have helped build a business that we expect will deliver significant growth and cash flows at scale. We have in turn reinvested to expand into new offerings successfully, such as with our owned-inventory selection, Rocket WOW membership, Rocket Fresh, and Coupang Eats, among others. We will continue to reinvest cash flows generated by our established offerings into new initiatives and innovations for our customers. We plan to invest and maximize value for customers and shareholders in the long term over optimizing our short-term results.
Initial Public Offering
On March 15, 2021, we completed our IPO in which we issued and sold 100,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock at an IPO price of $35.00 per share. We received net proceeds of $3.4 billion after deducting underwriting discounts of $69 million and other offering costs.
Immediately prior to effectiveness of the Company’s IPO registration statement on Form S-1, Coupang, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, converted into a Delaware corporation pursuant to a statutory conversion, which changed our name to Coupang, Inc. (“Corporate Conversion”).
As a result of the Corporate Conversion and IPO, our redeemable convertible preferred units (“preferred units”) and common units (which included common units designated as profits interests (“PIUs”)), in each case, automatically converted into an equal number of shares of Class A or Class B common stock, except with respect to a conversion adjustment to certain PIUs, which reduced the outstanding common units designated as PIUs that converted into the shares of Class A common stock. Also, our convertible notes were automatically converted into 171,750,446 shares of our Class A common stock. For additional information related to the Corporate Conversion and IPO, see Note 11 — "Redeemable Convertible Preferred Units and Stockholders'/Members' Equity (Deficit)" and Note 9 — "Convertible Notes and Derivative Instrument" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in our consolidated financial statements.
Fulfillment Center Fire
On June 17, 2021, a fire extensively damaged the Company’s Deokpyeong fulfillment center (the “FC Fire”) resulting in a loss of the inventory, building, equipment, and other assets at the site. Inventory and property and equipment losses from the FC Fire of $158 million and $127 million were recognized in “Cost of sales” and “Operating, general and administrative”, respectively, during the second quarter of 2021. The Company is insured on property losses from the FC Fire, however, whether and to what extent the Company may recover insurance proceeds on these losses is currently unknown, and as such, no insurance recoveries have been recognized. During the second quarter of 2021, the Company also incurred or accrued other costs directly related to the FC Fire of $11 million. The FC Fire resulted in an increase to our net loss of $296 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
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Key Financial and Operating Highlights:
| (in thousands) | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 18,406,372 | $ | 11,967,339 | 54 | % | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues, constant currency(1) | $ | 17,850,617 | $ | 12,115,179 | 49 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit(2) | $ | 2,951,128 | $ | 1,986,237 | 49 | % | ||||||||||
| Net loss(4) | $ | (1,542,590) | $ | (463,157) | NM(3) | |||||||||||
| Net loss margin | (8.4) | % | (3.9) | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | (747,636) | $ | (357,144) | 109 | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) | (4.1) | % | (3.0) | % | ||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | $ | (410,578) | $ | 301,554 | NM(3) | |||||||||||
| Free cash flow(1) | $ | (1,082,377) | $ | (182,569) | NM(3) |
_____________
(1)Total net revenues, constant currency; total net revenues growth, constant currency; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations” below for the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
(2)Gross profit is calculated as total net revenues minus cost of sales, and for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes $158 million related to inventory losses from the FC Fire.
(3)Non-meaningful.
(4)Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes $296 million in losses recognized during the second quarter of 2021 related to the FC Fire.
Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We review the key business and financial metrics discussed below. We use these measures to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans, and make strategic decisions.
Key Business Metrics
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except net revenues per Active Customer) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Active Customers | 17,936 | 14,850 | 11,791 | |||||||
| Total net revenues per Active Customer | $ | 283 | $ | 256 | $ | 161 |
Active Customers
As of the last date of each reported period, we determine our number of Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our apps or websites during the relevant period. A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. The change in Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Active Customers as a key indicator of our potential for growth in total net revenues, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.
Net Revenues per Active Customer
Net revenues per Active Customer is the total net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of Active Customers who are shopping on our apps or websites. We therefore view net revenues per Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our success in increasing the share of wallet.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations less purchases of property and equipment, plus proceeds from sale of property and equipment. We believe that free cash flow is an additional and useful indicator of liquidity that provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our core operations that, after purchases and sales of property and equipment, can be used for strategic initiatives, including investing in our business and strengthening our balance sheet. Free cash flow has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of other U.S. GAAP financial measures, such as net cash provided by operating activities. A limitation of free cash flow is that it may be calculated differently by other companies in our industry, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. We expect our free cash flow to fluctuate in future periods as we invest in our business to support our plans for growth.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
During the first quarter of 2021, we began using adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin as non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/(loss) for a period before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), other income (expense), net, equity-based compensation, impairments, and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total net revenues. We use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin as key measures to evaluate and assess our performance and allocate internal resources. We believe adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in evaluating companies in the e-commerce industry for period-to-period comparisons as they remove the impact of certain items that are not representative of our core business, such as material non-cash items and certain variable charges. However, other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin in a manner different from ours and therefore they may not be directly comparable to similar terms used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities or as measures of liquidity or alternatives to net income/(loss) as indicators of operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin have limitations as analytical tools, and you should consider them in addition to, and not in isolation or as substitutes, for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.
Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth
The effect of currency exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons. Our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”) and changes in foreign exchange rates can significantly affect our reported results and consolidated trends. For example, our business generates sales predominantly in Korean Won (“KRW”), which are favorably affected as the USD weakens relative to the KRW, and unfavorably affected as the USD strengthens relative to the KRW. We use constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate comparisons between periods. We believe the presentation of our results on a constant currency basis in addition to U.S. GAAP results helps improve the ability to understand our performance because they exclude the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of our actual results of operations.
Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant. We define constant currency revenue as total revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements, and use it to determine the constant currency revenue growth on a comparative basis. Constant currency revenue is calculated by translating current period revenues using the prior period exchange rate. Constant currency revenue growth (as a percentage) is calculated by determining the increase in current period revenue over prior period revenue, where current period foreign currency revenue is translated using prior period exchange rates.
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These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not a measure of performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The following tables present the reconciliations from each U.S. GAAP measure to its corresponding non-GAAP measure for the periods noted:
Free Cash Flow
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | $ | (410,578) | $ | 301,554 | $ | (311,843) | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (673,663) | (484,630) | (217,823) | |||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 1,864 | 507 | 3,543 | |||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | (1,082,377) | $ | (182,569) | $ | (526,123) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (675,525) | $ | (520,654) | $ | (218,224) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 3,576,850 | $ | 178,502 | $ | 1,184,104 |
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 18,406,372 | $ | 11,967,339 | $ | 6,273,263 | ||||
| Net loss | (1,542,590) | (463,157) | (696,885) | |||||||
| Net loss margin | (8.4) | % | (3.9) | % | (11.1) | % | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 201,480 | 127,519 | 70,908 | |||||||
| Interest expense | 45,358 | 107,762 | 96,907 | |||||||
| Interest income | (8,645) | (10,991) | (19,135) | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,002 | 292 | (241) | |||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 10,913 | (149,900) | (22,569) | |||||||
| Equity-based compensation | 249,345 | 31,331 | 20,823 | |||||||
| FC Fire Losses | 295,501 | — | — | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (747,636) | $ | (357,144) | $ | (550,192) | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | (4.1) | % | (3.0) | % | (8.8) | % |
Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 18,406,372 | $ | 11,967,339 | $ | 6,273,263 | ||||
| Total net revenues growth | 54 | % | 91 | % | 55 | % | ||||
| Adjustment: | ||||||||||
| Exchange rate effect | (555,755) | 147,840 | 372,587 | |||||||
| Total net revenues, constant currency | $ | 17,850,617 | $ | 12,115,179 | $ | 6,645,850 | ||||
| Total net revenues growth, constant currency | 49 | % | 93 | % | 64 | % |
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| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 16,487,975 | $ | 11,045,096 | $ | 5,787,090 | ||
| Net retail sales growth | 49 | % | 91 | % | 52 | % | ||
| Exchange rate effect | (497,832) | 136,447 | 343,712 | |||||
| Net retail sales, constant currency | $ | 15,990,143 | $ | 11,181,543 | $ | 6,130,802 | ||
| Net retail sales growth, constant currency | 45 | % | 93 | % | 61 | % | ||
| Net other revenue | $ | 1,918,397 | $ | 922,243 | $ | 486,173 | ||
| Net other revenue growth | 108 | % | 90 | % | 91 | % | ||
| Exchange rate effect | (57,923) | 11,393 | 28,875 | |||||
| Net other revenue, constant currency | $ | 1,860,474 | $ | 933,636 | $ | 515,048 | ||
| Net other revenue growth, constant currency | 102 | % | 92 | % | 102 | % |
Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting global disruptions have affected our business, as well as those of our customers, merchants, and suppliers. To serve our customers while also providing for the safety of our employees, we have adapted numerous aspects of our logistics and infrastructure, transportation, supply chain, purchasing, and third-party merchant processes. We also made numerous process updates across our operations and adapted our fulfillment and delivery infrastructure to implement additional employee and customer safety measures. We have experienced and may continue to experience a net positive impact on our sales and consumer demand for our products and services following changes in consumer purchasing behavior and the implementation of governmental orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The global impact of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve, and we will continue to monitor the situation and the effects on our business and operations closely. Further, we do not yet know the full extent of potential impacts of the pandemic on our business or operations, including the impact of any future developments related to the duration and scope of the pandemic, any ongoing effects on consumer demand and spending patterns, ongoing logistics and fulfillment related labor constraints and costs including costs to attract and retain employees, or other impacts as a result of the pandemic, and whether these or other currently unanticipated consequences of the pandemic are reasonably likely to materially affect our results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition. These drivers make it challenging to reasonably quantify the direct impact the pandemic has had, or may have in the future, on our business versus those impacts that may have been, or may be, indirectly related to the pandemic. For additional details, refer to Part I—Item 1A. “Risk Factors” contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Components of Results of Operations
Total Net Revenues
We categorize our revenue as (1) net retail sales and (2) net other revenue. Total net revenues incorporate reductions for estimated returns, promotional discounts, and earned loyalty rewards and exclude amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added taxes. We periodically provide customers with promotional discounts to retail prices, such as percentage discounts and other similar offers, to incentivize increased customer spending and loyalty. These promotional discounts are discretionary and are reflected as reductions to the selling price and revenue recognized on each corresponding transaction. Loyalty rewards are offered as part of revenue transactions to all retail customers, whereby rewards are earned as a percentage of each purchase, for the customer to apply towards the purchase price of a future transaction. We defer a portion of revenue from each originating transaction, based on the estimated standalone selling price of the loyalty reward earned, and then recognize the revenue as the loyalty reward is redeemed in a future transaction, or when they expire. The amount of the deferred revenue related to these loyalty rewards is not material.
Net retail sales represent the majority of our total net revenues which we earn from online product sales of our owned inventory to customers. Net other revenue includes revenue from commissions earned from merchants that sell their products through our apps or websites. We are not the merchant of record in these transactions, nor do we take possession of the related inventory.
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Net other revenue also includes consideration from online restaurant ordering and delivery services performed by us, as well as advertising services provided on our apps or websites. We also earn subscription revenue from memberships to our Rocket WOW membership program, which provides customers with access to benefits such as access to Rocket Fresh, no minimum spend for Rocket Delivery, free shipping on returns, and access to Coupang Play content streaming, which is also included in net other revenue.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of products sold directly to customers where we record revenue gross, and includes logistics costs. Inbound shipping and handling costs to receive products from suppliers are included in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as products are sold. Additionally, cost of sales includes outbound shipping and logistics related expenses, delivery service costs from our restaurant delivery business, and depreciation and amortization expense.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses include all our operating costs excluding cost of sales, as described above. More specifically, these expenses include costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment centers (including costs attributed to receiving, inspecting, picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders), customer service related costs, payment processing fees, costs related to the design, execution, and maintenance of our technology infrastructure and online offerings, advertising costs, general corporate function costs, and depreciation and amortization expense.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily consists of interest on our short-term borrowings and long-term debt, our convertible notes issued in our 2018 convertible note financing, and finance lease liabilities.
Other (Expense) Income, net
Other (expense) income, net consists primarily of changes in fair value recorded on the derivative instrument and foreign currency gains and losses.
Income Tax Expense
We are subject to income taxes predominantly in Korea, as well as in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions in which we do business. Foreign jurisdictions have different statutory tax rates than those in the United States. Additionally, certain of our foreign earnings may also be taxable in the United States. Accordingly, our effective tax rate is subject to significant variation and can vary based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss. For example, the impact of discrete items and non-deductible expenses on our effective tax rate is greater when our pre-tax income is lower.
We have a valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets, including federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, and tax credits. We expect to maintain these valuation allowances until it becomes more likely than not that the benefit of our deferred tax assets will be realized by way of expected future taxable income in Korea and the United States.
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Results of Operations
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Net retail sales | $ | 16,487,975 | $ | 11,045,096 | $ | 5,787,090 | ||||
| Net other revenue | 1,918,397 | 922,243 | 486,173 | |||||||
| Total net revenues | 18,406,372 | 11,967,339 | 6,273,263 | |||||||
| Cost of sales | 15,455,244 | 9,981,102 | 5,240,041 | |||||||
| Operating, general and administrative | 4,445,090 | 2,502,231 | 1,675,145 | |||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 19,900,334 | 12,483,333 | 6,915,186 | |||||||
| Operating loss | (1,493,962) | (515,994) | (641,923) | |||||||
| Interest income | 8,645 | 10,991 | 19,135 | |||||||
| Interest expense | (45,358) | (107,762) | (96,907) | |||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (10,913) | 149,900 | 22,569 | |||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (1,541,588) | (462,865) | (697,126) | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 1,002 | 292 | (241) | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (1,542,590) | $ | (463,157) | $ | (696,885) |
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
Net Retail Sales
Net retail sales increased $5.4 billion or 49% (45% on a constant currency basis) for the year ended December 31, 2021, when compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a 15% growth in our Active Customers in 2021, as well as 30% growth (26% on a constant currency basis) in our net retail sales per Active Customer during that same period, driven by increased customer engagement across more product categories. In addition, the growth in net retail sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 was impacted by the comparison to the year ended December 31, 2020, which benefited from an elevated increase in sales due to COVID-19 related changes in consumer behavior.
Net Other Revenue
Net other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $996 million or 108% (102% on a constant currency basis) compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a 15% growth in our Active Customers in 2021, as well as 81% growth (75% on a constant currency basis) in our net other revenue per Active Customer during that same period, driven by the continued expansion of newer offerings and increased merchants and related product selection on our marketplace.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $5.5 billion or 55% compared to the prior year. The increase was attributable to increased product and logistics costs resulting from increased sales and customer demand as well as $158 million in inventory losses related to the FC Fire. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue increased from 83.4% for the year ended December 31, 2020 to 84.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to costs related to the FC Fire and higher labor and operations costs, partially offset by a shift to higher margin revenue categories. The portion of the FC Fire loss that was recorded within cost of sales as a percentage of revenue was 0.9% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $1.9 billion or 78%, compared to the prior year. The increase primarily reflects higher employee costs, to support growth and expansion of newer initiatives, increased advertising expenses following a significant decline in the prior year due to the initial impacts of COVID-19, higher stock compensation of $208 million related to a cumulative catch-up adjustment for awards that vested upon the completion of our IPO and additional grants in the current year reflecting a higher fair value over the previous period, as well as property, equipment and other losses of $138 million recognized related to the FC Fire. These expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 20.9% for the year ended December 31, 2020 to 24.1% for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily related to higher employee costs, advertising expense, and impact from the FC Fire.
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Interest Expense
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased $62 million or (58)% compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily attributable to the conversion of our convertible notes into shares of our Class A common stock as a result of the Corporate Conversion and IPO during the first quarter of 2021.
Other (Expense) Income, Net
Other (expense) income, net for the year ended December 31, 2021 changed $161 million, or (107)%, as compared to the prior year period. The impact was primarily due to a gain of $150 million from a change in the value of our derivative instrument recognized in the prior year.
Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019
Net Retail Sales
Net retail sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased $5.3 billion, or 91% (93% on a constant currency basis), as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to a 18% growth in our Active Customers in 2020, as well as 62% growth (64% on a constant currency basis) in our net retail sales per Active Customer during that same period, driven by a continual increase in product selection and additional offerings provided to our customers. Also impacting the increase in net retail sales was changes in consumer behavior in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net Other Revenue
Net other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased $436 million, or 90% (92% on a constant currency basis), as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to the 18% growth in our Active Customers in 2020, as well as a 61% growth (63% on a constant currency basis) in our net other revenue per Active Customer during that same period, driven by an increase in merchants on our marketplace, and related offerings and product selection. Also impacting the increase in net other revenue was changes in consumer behavior in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased $4.7 billion, or 91%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was attributable to increased product and logistics costs resulting from increased sales. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue slightly improved from 83.5% in 2019 to 83.4% in 2020, primarily due to efficiencies of scale in our supply chain and direct sourcing from manufacturers, offset by additional COVID-19 related expenses in our logistics network and product costs.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased $827 million, or 49%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in fulfillment center capacity, technology infrastructure and general corporate costs to support our overall growth, as well as additional expenses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and related safety measures. These expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased from 26.7% in 2019 to 20.9% in 2020, due primarily to our ability to continue to generate leverage from the scale of our growing operations, and lower spending on advertising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased $11 million, or 11%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in interest expense on our convertible notes due to compounding paid-in-kind interest at higher average rates during 2020.
Other (Expense) Income, Net
Other (expense) income, net for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased $127 million, or 564%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to a gain of $150 million from a change in the value of our derivative instrument for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared with a $(37) million loss for the year ended December 31, 2019. Offsetting the increase from the change in derivative values was a $(21) million decrease in foreign currency gains and a $36 million gain on forward sale contracts that occurred in 2019.
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Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table presents our unaudited selected consolidated quarterly results of operations for the eight quarters ended December 31, 2021. These unaudited selected consolidated quarterly results of operations have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period. Our business is affected by seasonality, which historically has resulted in higher sales volume during our fourth quarter. The quarterly results were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except for per share amounts) | March 31, 2021 | June 30, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 4,206,860 | $ | 4,478,114 | $ | 4,644,705 | $ | 5,076,693 | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 3,474,354 | 3,819,620 | 3,890,178 | 4,271,092 | ||||||||||
| Operating, general and administrative | 999,822 | 1,173,430 | 1,069,639 | 1,202,199 | ||||||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 4,474,176 | 4,993,050 | 4,959,817 | 5,473,291 | ||||||||||
| Operating loss | (267,316) | (514,936) | (315,112) | (396,598) | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (295,025) | (518,504) | (323,911) | (404,148) | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 8 | 97 | 66 | 831 | ||||||||||
| Net loss | (295,033) | (518,601) | (323,977) | (404,979) | ||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders | $ | (295,033) | $ | (518,601) | $ | (323,977) | $ | (404,979) | ||||||
| Net loss attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.68) | $ | (0.30) | $ | (0.19) | $ | (0.23) | ||||||
| Weighted-average number of Class A and Class B common shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts, basic and diluted | 434,917 | 1,743,109 | 1,747,255 | 1,752,238 |
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except for per share amounts) | March 31, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 2,413,259 | $ | 2,614,080 | $ | 3,136,507 | $ | 3,803,493 | ||||||
| Cost of sales(1) | 1,982,964 | 2,174,345 | 2,669,552 | 3,154,241 | ||||||||||
| Operating, general and administrative(1) | 503,932 | 534,953 | 683,192 | 780,154 | ||||||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 2,486,896 | 2,709,298 | 3,352,744 | 3,934,395 | ||||||||||
| Operating loss | (73,637) | (95,218) | (216,237) | (130,902) | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (105,230) | (101,966) | (172,978) | (82,691) | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 123 | 84 | 21 | 64 | ||||||||||
| Net loss | (105,353) | (102,050) | (172,999) | (82,755) | ||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders | $ | (140,224) | $ | (159,913) | $ | (172,999) | $ | (82,755) | ||||||
| Net loss attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders per share, basic and diluted(2) | $ | (5.74) | $ | (5.81) | $ | (5.91) | $ | (2.38) | ||||||
| Weighted-average number of Class A and Class B common shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts, basic and diluted(2) | 24,409 | 27,539 | 29,284 | 34,749 |
____________
(1)During the first quarter of 2021, the Company changed its policy for recognizing equity-based compensation expense from the graded vesting attribution method of accounting to the straight-line attribution method of accounting for its equity-based compensation arrangements with service only vesting conditions. Comparative financial statements for prior periods have been adjusted to apply the
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straight-line attribution method retrospectively. Refer to Note 2 — "Change in Accounting Principle" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information on this change in accounting policy.
(2)As reported net loss per share for prior periods reflect the retrospective adjustments from the Corporate Conversion described in Note 15 — "Net Loss per Share" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had stockholders’ equity and members’ (deficit) of $2.2 billion and $(4.1) billion, respectively. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the next few years. We expect that our investment into our growth strategy will continue to be significant, including with respect to the expansion of our fulfillment, logistics, and technology capabilities. As part of this expansion to fulfill anticipated future customer demand and continuation to expand services, we plan to build several new fulfillment centers. We have entered into various new construction contracts for capital projects which are expected to be completed over the next three years. These contracts have remaining capital expenditures commitments of $514 million as of December 31, 2021. We expect that our future expenditures for both infrastructure and workforce-related costs will exceed several billion dollars over the next several years.
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, supplemented through various debt financing arrangements and sales of our equity securities. We had total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of $3.8 billion as of December 31, 2021, compared to $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2020. Additionally, the Company has $1.0 billion available under its new revolving credit facility as described below.
During the first quarter of 2021, we completed our IPO, in which we issued and sold 100,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock at a price of $35.00 per share. We received net proceeds of approximately $3.4 billion from the IPO after deducting underwriting discounts of $69 million and other offering costs.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | $ | (410,578) | $ | 301,554 | $ | (311,843) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (675,525) | (520,654) | (218,224) | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 3,576,850 | 178,502 | 1,184,104 | |||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | (81,702) | 70,365 | (22,412) | |||||||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 2,409,045 | $ | 29,767 | $ | 631,625 | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as of beginning of period | $ | 1,401,302 | $ | 1,371,535 | $ | 739,910 | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as of end of period | $ | 3,810,347 | $ | 1,401,302 | $ | 1,371,535 |
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
Operating Activities
Our net cash used in operating activities was $(411) million for the year ended December 31, 2021, representing a change of $(712) million, compared to $302 million of net cash from operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. The change in operating cash flow was primarily driven by a $(452) million reduction in cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities, consisting of increases in accounts receivable and investments in inventory of $(116) million and $(24) million, respectively, as a result of higher sales volume and expanded available selection for customers, and a decrease in other liabilities and accounts payable of $(108) million and $(337) million, respectively, offset by an increase in accrued expenses of $156 million from the timing of payments for operating lease liabilities, payables and accrued expenses. Also contributing to the increase in cash used in operating activities was a $(1.1) billion increase in net loss partially offset by a $820 million increase in our non-cash expenses contributing to the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Investing Activities
Our net cash used in investing activities was $(676) million for the year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of $155 million, or 30%, as compared to $(521) million used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was mainly driven by a $189 million increase in purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to our fulfillment
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and logistics infrastructure, including increased purchases of building and land, as well as higher investments in technology equipment and capabilities. For the year ended December 31, 2021, purchases of land and buildings comprised $215 million of the $674 million in total purchases of property and equipment. For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases of land and buildings comprised $102 million of the $485 million in total purchases of property and equipment.
Financing Activities
Our net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $3.4 billion, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily driven by $3.4 billion of proceeds, net of underwriting discounts of $69 million and other offering costs, from the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock upon the completion of our IPO, a $34 million increase in cash proceeds from the issuance of common stocks/units related to equity awards and $97 million in repurchases of common units and preferred units in the prior period, and a $147 million increase in proceeds from debt and short-term borrowings, net of issuance costs, partially offset by a $(297) million increase in repayments of debt and short-term borrowings.
Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019
Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities was $302 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of $613 million, or 197%, as compared to $(312) million of cash used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2019. The improvement in our operating cash flows was primarily driven by a $326 million increase from changes in operating assets and liabilities, primarily driven by a $649 million increase in accounts payable, partially offset by a $225 million increase in inventory and a $132 million increase in other assets to support the overall growth in our business. Also contributing to the improvements in the cash flow from operating activities was a $234 million decrease in net loss, due in large part to a 91% increase in total net revenues with a slightly improved cost of sales margin. In addition, there was a $54 million improvement in our operating cash flow from non-cash expenses affecting the net loss in 2020, mainly attributable to a $240 million increase in various non-cash related expenses, partially offset by a $(187) million change in the fair value of our derivative instrument.
Investing Activities
Our net cash used in investing activities was $(521) million for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of $302 million, or 139%, as compared to $(218) million used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was mainly driven by a $267 million increase in purchases of property and equipment. Our capital expenditures primarily related to investments in our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure, as well as technology equipment and capabilities.
Financing Activities
Our net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased $1.0 billion, or (85)%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was primarily driven by a $1.5 billion decrease in cash proceeds from the issuance of common units and preferred units, net of issuance costs, primarily from a $1.5 billion issuance of Class J preferred units in 2019, partially offset by a $310 million reduction in repayments of debt and short-term borrowing and a $155 million increase in proceeds from debt and short-term borrowings, net of issuance costs.
We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need additional cash resources in the future if we find and pursue opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation, or other similar actions, which may include investing in technology, our logistics and fulfillment infrastructure, or related talent. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed our amounts of cash on hand or if we decide to further optimize our capital structure, we may seek to issue additional debt or equity securities or obtain credit facilities or other sources of financing. This financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Capital Resources
We have entered into material unconditional purchase obligations. These contractual commitments primarily relate to technology related service contracts, fulfillment center construction contracts and software licenses. Refer to Note 10 — "Commitments and Contingencies"” in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our future commitments. We generally enter into term loan facility agreements to finance the construction of our fulfillment centers. These agreements may require that we provide for collateral equal to or greater than the amount borrowed under the arrangement. As we continue to build additional fulfillment centers, we expect our borrowings under debt financing arrangements to continue to increase. The Company also has material operating leases which expire over the next ten years. Total minimum contractual
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commitments due within the next 12 months were $991 million as of December 31, 2021. Additionally, we have open purchase orders for inventories that are primarily due in the next twelve months, and they are generally cancellable, in full or in part, through the contractual provisions.
Our short-term and long-term borrowings generally include lines of credit with financial institutions available to be drawn upon for general operating purposes.
The following debt arrangements were entered into since December 31, 2020:
Term Loan Facilities
During August 2021, we entered into a new $169 million three-year term loan. We have pledged $202 million of certain land and buildings as collateral against the loan. The term loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.155%.
In October 2021, the Company entered into a new two-year loan agreement to borrow up to $139 million to finance the construction of a fulfillment center. The Company pledged up to $167 million of certain existing land and a building to be constructed as collateral. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.45%.
In November 2021, the Company entered into a new five-year term loan facility agreement to borrow up to $47 million to finance the construction of a fulfillment center and a new three-year term loan facility agreement to borrow up to $23 million for general operating purposes. The Company pledged up to $85 million of certain existing land and buildings. The loans bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.78% and 3.68%, respectively.
In December 2021, the Company entered into a new two-year loan agreement to borrow up to $152 million to finance the construction of a fulfillment center. The Company pledged up to $182 million of certain existing land and a building to be constructed as collateral. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.87%.
New Revolving Credit Facility
In February 2021, we entered into a new three-year senior unsecured credit facility (the “new revolving credit facility”) providing for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $475 million (which automatically increased to an aggregate principal amount of $950 million based on us receiving at least $2.0 billion in net proceeds from our IPO). The new revolving credit facility provides us the right to request incremental commitments up to $1.25 billion, subject to customary conditions. During March 2021, the aggregate principal amount of our new revolving credit facility increased to $1.0 billion as a result of our IPO. As of December 31, 2021, there was no balance outstanding on the new revolving credit facility.
Borrowings under the new revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to (i) a base rate equal to the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the higher of the federal funds rate or a composite overnight bank borrowing rate plus 0.50%, or (C) an adjusted London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) for a one-month interest period plus 1.00% or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR plus a margin equal to 1.00%. We are also required to pay other customary fees for a credit facility of this size and type, including letter of credit fees, an upfront fee, and an unused commitment fee. The new revolving credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to:
•incur or guarantee additional debt;
•make certain investments and acquisitions;
•make certain restricted payments and payments of certain indebtedness;
•incur certain liens or permit them to exist; and
•make fundamental changes and dispositions (including dispositions of the equity interests of subsidiary guarantors).
Each of these restrictions is subject to various exceptions.
The new revolving credit facility requires us to (i) maintain a ratio of secured indebtedness to total consolidated tangible assets of less than 35%, if we have $1 or more of revolving loans or any unreimbursed drawn letters of credit outstanding under the new revolving credit facility at the end of each fiscal quarter and (ii) maintain a minimum amount of liquidity of at least $625.0 million (or $312.5 million to the extent the aggregate commitment of the new revolving credit facility is $500 million).
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The new revolving credit facility is guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain material restricted subsidiaries of Coupang, Inc. (including Coupang Corp.), subject to customary exceptions. The new revolving credit facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type.
Refer to Note 8 — "Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt" in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our debt obligations, collateral, and covenants.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have identified the following accounting policies we believe as the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our consolidated financial condition and results of our operations. The application of these policies requires significant and complex management estimates, assumptions, and judgment, and the reporting of materially different amounts could result if different estimates or assumptions were used or different judgments were made. See Note 1 — "Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a description of our other significant accounting policies. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in those consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, given the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates and due to the impact and unforeseen effects on the global economy from the COVID-19 pandemic, those estimates required increased judgment, and actual results reported in future periods could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenue principally consists of retail sales earned from our online product sales to customers, commissions earned on transactions through our online business, consideration from online restaurant ordering and delivery services, third-party advertising, and subscription fees. Revenue represents the amount of expected consideration we are entitled to receive upon the transfer of promised goods or services in the ordinary course of our activities and is recorded net of estimated returns, promotional discounts, earned loyalty rewards, and value added taxes. Consistent with the criteria of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, we recognize revenue when performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of a promised good or service to a customer. For performance obligations that are satisfied at a point in time, we also consider the following indicators to assess whether control of a promised good or service is transferred to the customer: (i) right to payment; (ii) legal title; (iii) physical possession; (iv) significant risks and rewards of ownership; and (v) acceptance of the good or service. For performance obligations satisfied over time, we recognize revenue over time by measuring the progress toward complete satisfaction of a performance obligation.
The application of various accounting principles related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, complex arrangements with non-standard terms and conditions may require relevant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting treatment, including whether the promised goods and services specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate performance obligations. Other significant judgments include determining whether we are acting as the principal or the agent from an accounting perspective in a transaction.
For revenue contracts with multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. We primarily determined stand-alone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers.
For certain arrangements, we apply significant judgment in determining whether we are acting as the principal or agent in a transaction. We are acting as the principal if we obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to customers. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction and are subject to inventory risk or have latitude in establishing prices, or have several but not all of these indicators, we act as the principal and record revenue on a gross basis. We act as the agent and record the net amount as revenue earned if we do not obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to the customers.
Inventories and Cost of Sales
We account for our inventories, which consist of products available for sale, using the weighted average cost method, and value them at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This valuation requires management judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product suppliers, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of separate inventory categories. If changes in market conditions result
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in reductions to the estimated net realizable value of our inventory, we would increase our valuation in the period in which we made such a determination.
Cost of sales primarily consist of the purchase price of products sold to customers where we record revenue gross, and include logistics center costs. We include inbound shipping and handling costs to receive products from suppliers in inventory and recognize them in cost of sales as products are sold. Additionally, cost of sales includes outbound shipping and logistics related expenses, and delivery service costs from our restaurant delivery business, primarily where we are the delivery service provider, and depreciation and amortization.
We receive consideration from suppliers for various programs, including rebates, incentives, and discounts, as well as advertising services provided on our apps and websites. We generally record these amounts received from suppliers to be a reduction of the prices we pay for their goods, and a subsequent reduction in cost of sales as the inventory is sold.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. We recognized lease liabilities based on the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the discount rate based on our incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) or implicit rate (when available). The determination of the IBR requires judgement. We primarily base the IBR for each lease on publicly available information for companies within the same industry and with similar credit profiles. We adjust the rate for the impact of collateralization, the lease term, and other specific terms included in our lease arrangement. The IBR is determined at the lease commencement and is subsequently reassessed upon a modification to the lease agreement.
Equity-Based Compensation Expense and Valuation of Underlying Awards
We account for equity-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on the date of grant. Determining the fair value of equity-based awards can require significant judgment.
Prior to the IPO, We issued equity awards in the form of unit options, profits interests (“PIUs”) and restricted equity units (“REUs”) to certain employees and consultants. We estimated the fair value of unit options using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires inputs such as the fair value of our ordinary units, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected life, and expected volatility. We estimated the fair value of PIUs and REUs based on our estimated equity value for each unit class at the time of grant. The relevant assumptions used to calculate the fair value of equity awards were evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and our historical experience.
Subsequent to the IPO, we have issued equity awards in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees. We estimate the fair value of RSUs using the market closing price on the grant date.
We record equity-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss over the requisite service period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures, based on the fair value of such awards. The expense is recognized on a straight-line basis for awards with only service conditions, and on a graded vesting basis for awards with a service and performance condition. We estimate the forfeiture rate based on historical forfeitures of equity awards and adjust the rate to reflect changes when necessary. We revise our estimated forfeiture rate if actual forfeitures significantly differ from the initial estimates.
Determination of the Fair Value of Common Units
Prior to the IPO, as there had been no public market for our common units, the estimated fair value of our common units had been supported with input by third-party valuations with input of a combination of objective and subjective factors that management believes are relevant. These third-party valuations were performed in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Accounting and Valuation Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.
Our management has exercised reasonable judgment and considered numerous factors to determine the best estimate of fair value of our common units, including:
•valuations of comparable publicly traded companies;
•our operating and financial performance;
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•current business conditions and projections;
•the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the underlying equity instruments, such as an initial public offering or sale of our company, given prevailing market conditions;
•the prices of the recent redeemable convertible preferred unit sales by us to investors in arm’s-length transactions;
•the price paid by us to repurchase outstanding units;
•the preferences held by our redeemable convertible preferred unit classes relative to those of our common units; and
•the lack of marketability of our common units.
We determined the fair value of our common units using the income and market approach valuation methods. The income approach estimates the enterprise value of our business based on our expectation of future cash flows discounted to their present values using a discount rate based on our weighted-average cost of capital. The market approach estimates the enterprise value of our business based on a comparison to a group of public companies with similar financial and operating characteristics. A representative market value multiple is determined and applied to our historical results and forecasts to estimate the enterprise value of our business.
The enterprise value was then allocated to our common units using the option pricing method, under which our common units are considered to be a call option with a claim on the enterprise value at an exercise price equal to the remaining value immediately after the preferred units are liquidated. We also considered prior arm’s length sales of our units as indicators of their fair value, including recent secondary transactions and repurchases of our outstanding units. Finally, we applied a non-marketability discount in consideration of the fact that unitholders could not freely trade the common units in the public markets.
Application of these approaches involves the use of estimates, judgment, and assumptions that are highly complex and subjective, such as those regarding our expected future revenue and expenses, future cash flows, discount rates, market multiples, and the selection of comparable companies. Changes in any or all of these estimates and assumptions impact our valuations as of each valuation date and may have a material impact on the valuation of our common units.
Following the IPO, we determine the fair value of our common stock, on the grant date, using the closing price of our Class A common stock.
Defined Severance Benefits
We have severance benefits covering employees in Korea. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 14 — "Defined Severance Benefits" to the consolidated financial statements.
Actuarial valuations are used in determining amounts recognized in the financial statements for our severance benefit plans. These valuations incorporate the following significant assumptions:
•Discount rates; and
•Salary growth rates
Management believes that these assumptions are critical accounting estimates because significant changes in these assumptions could impact our results of operations and financial position. Management believes that the assumptions utilized to record its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on the plans’ experience and advice received from its outside actuaries. We review the severance benefit plan assumptions annually and modify the assumptions based on current rates and trends as appropriate. The effects of such changes in assumptions are amortized as part of plan income or expense in future periods.
At the end of each fiscal year, we determine the weighted-average discount rates and salary growth rates used to calculate the projected defined severance benefits obligation. The discount rates are an estimate of the current interest rate at which the benefit plan liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. As of December 31, 2021, we determined the discount rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 2.70% to 3.00%, as compared to 1.73% to 2.57% as of December 31, 2020. In estimating these rates, we review rates of return on high-quality corporate bond indices, which approximate the timing and amount of benefit payments. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the discount rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2022. As of December 31, 2021, we determined the salary growth rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 5.00% to 5.24%, as compared to 1.48% to 5.00% as of
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December 31, 2020. In estimating these rates, we review historical and expected rates of the Company as well as industry growth rates. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the salary growth rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2022.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.