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Coupang, Inc. (CPNG) FY 2023 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from Coupang, Inc.'s 10-K for fiscal year 2023. Filing date: 2024-02-28. Report date: 2023-12-31. Accession: 0001834584-24-000023.

This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high.

Company profile: CPNG · All MD&A years: index · Previous year: FY 2022 · Next year: FY 2024

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
Overview43
Key Business Metrics44
Non-GAAP Financial Measures45
Results of Operations47
Liquidity and Capital Resources49
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates52
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements54

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.

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Key Financial and Operating Highlights:

(in millions)20232022% Change
Total net revenues$24,383$20,58318%
Total net revenues, constant currency(1)$24,637$23,23620%
Gross profit(2)$6,190$4,71031%
Net income (loss)$1,360$(92)NM(3)
Net income (loss) margin5.6%(0.4)%
Adjusted EBITDA(1)$1,074$381182%
Adjusted EBITDA margin(1)4.4%1.9%
Net cash provided by operating activities$2,652$565NM(3)
Free cash flow(1)$1,775$(246)NM(3)
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Product Commerce$1,540$606154%
Developing Offerings$(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)20232022
Active Customers21.018.1
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.

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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 MeasureDefinitionHow 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.
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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

Free Cash Flow

(in millions)20232022
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)$(824)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment1913
Total adjustments$(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)20232022
Total net revenues$24,383$20,583
Net income (loss)1,360(92)
Net income (loss) margin5.6%(0.4)%
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization275231
Interest expense4827
Interest income(178)(53)
Income tax benefit(776)(1)
Other expense, net197
Equity-based compensation326262
Adjusted EBITDA$1,074$381
Adjusted EBITDA margin4.4%1.9%

Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth

20232022Year over Year Growth
(in millions)As ReportedExchange Rate EffectConstant Currency BasisAs ReportedAs ReportedConstant Currency Basis
Consolidated
Net retail sales$21,223$221$21,444$18,33816%17%
Net other revenue3,160333,1932,24541%42%
Total net revenues$24,383$254$24,637$20,58318%20%
Net Revenues by Segment
Product Commerce$23,594$246$23,840$19,95518%19%
Developing Offerings789879762826%27%
Total net revenues$24,383$254$24,637$20,58318%20%

Certain amounts may not foot due to rounding.

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Results of Operations

% Change
(in millions)2023202220212023 vs 20222022 vs 2021
Net retail sales$21,223$18,338$16,48816%11%
Net other revenue3,1602,2451,91841%17%
Total net revenues24,38320,58318,40618%12%
Cost of sales18,19315,87315,45515%3%
Operating, general and administrative5,7174,8224,44519%8%
Total operating cost and expenses23,91020,69519,90016%4%
Operating income (loss)473(112)(1,494)NM(1)(93)%
Interest income178539NM(1)NM(1)
Interest expense(48)(27)(45)78%(40)%
Other expense, net(19)(7)(12)171%(38)%
Income (loss) before income taxes584(93)(1,542)NM(1)(94)%
Income tax (benefit) expense(776)(1)1NM(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)20232022As ReportedConstant Currency
Net retail sales$21,223$18,33816%17%
Net other revenue3,1602,24541%42%
Total net revenues$24,383$20,58318%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.

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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)20232022As ReportedConstant Currency
Product Commerce$23,594$19,95518%19%
Developing Offerings78962826%27%
Total net revenues$24,383$20,58318%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

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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)20232022% Change
Product Commerce$1,540$606154%
Developing Offerings(466)(225)107%
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA$1,074$381182%

(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.

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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)20232022Change
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)20232022Change
Net income (loss)$1,360$(92)$1,452
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities3541,035(681)
Change in operating assets and liabilities938(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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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.

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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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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.

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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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