Groupon, Inc. (GRPN) FY 2024 MD&A
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.
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 together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business and operations. Our actual results may differ materially from those we currently anticipate as a result of many factors, including those we describe under Item 1A, Risk Factors, and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See Part I, Forward-Looking Statements, for additional information. For further discussion regarding operating and financial data for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, refer to 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 the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Overview
Groupon is a global scaled two-sided marketplace that connects consumers to merchants. Consumers access our marketplace through our mobile applications and our websites. We operate in two segments, North America and International, and in three categories, Local, Goods and Travel. See Item 8, Note 18, Segment and Geographical Information, for additional information.
We generate service revenue from Local, Goods and Travel categories. Revenue primarily represents the net commissions earned from selling goods or services on behalf of third-party merchants. Revenue is reported on a net basis as the purchase price collected from the customer less the portion of the purchase price that is payable to the third-party merchant. We also earn commissions when customers make purchases with retailers using digital coupons accessed through our websites and mobile applications.
Strategy
Our strategy is to be the trusted marketplace where customers go to buy local services and experiences. We plan to grow our revenue by building long-term relationships with local merchants to strengthen our online selection and by enhancing the customer reach through experience curation and improved convenience in order to drive customer demand and purchase frequency.
We are investing significant resources in making our platform more efficient, stable and agile. By improving our technology, our customer base can enjoy a modernized experience along with seamless execution of new product innovation, improved customer experience and customer satisfaction. Our platform migrations are strategic investments in our ability to innovate faster, serve merchants better, and create more engaging experiences for our customers.
How We Measure Our Business
We use several operating and financial metrics to assess the progress of our business and make strategic decisions. Certain of the financial metrics are reported in accordance with GAAP and certain of those metrics are considered non-GAAP financial measures. As our business evolves, we may make changes to the key financial and operating metrics that we use to measure our business. For further information and reconciliations to the most applicable financial measures under GAAP, refer to our discussion under Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the Results of Operations section.
Operating Metrics
•Gross billings is the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services. Gross billings is presented net of customer refunds, order discounts and sales and related taxes. The substantial majority of our revenue transactions are comprised of sales of vouchers and similar transactions in which we collect the transaction price from the customer and remit a portion of the transaction price to the third-party merchant who will provide the related goods or services. For these transactions, gross billings differs from Revenue reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, which is presented net of the merchant's share of the transaction price. Gross billings is an indicator of our growth and business performance as it measures the dollar volume of transactions generated through our marketplaces. Tracking gross billings
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also allows us to monitor the percentage of gross billings that we are able to retain after payments to merchants. However, we are focused on achieving long-term gross profit and EBITDA growth.
•Units are the number of purchases during the reporting period, before refunds and cancellations, made either through one of our online marketplaces, a third-party marketplace, or directly with a merchant for which we earn a commission. We do not include purchases with retailers using digital coupons accessed through our websites or mobile applications in our units metric. We consider units to be an important indicator of the total volume of business conducted through our marketplaces. We report units on a gross basis prior to the consideration of customer refunds and therefore units are not always a good proxy for gross billings.
•Active customers are unique user accounts that have made a purchase during the TTM either through one of our online marketplaces or directly with a merchant for which we earned a commission. We consider this metric to be an important indicator of our business performance as it helps us to understand how the number of customers actively purchasing our offerings is trending. Some customers could establish and make purchases from more than one account, so it is possible that our active customer metric may count certain customers more than once in a given period. We do not include consumers who solely make purchases with retailers using digital coupons accessed through our websites or mobile applications in our active customer metric, nor do we include consumers who solely make purchases of our inventory through third-party marketplaces with which we partner.
Our gross billings, units and TTM active customers for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Gross billings | $ | 1,558,203 | $ | 1,645,058 | ||
| Units | 36,640 | 41,368 | ||||
| TTM Active customers | 15,432 | 16,501 |
Financial Metrics
•Revenue is earned through transactions which we generate commissions by selling goods or services on behalf of third-party merchants. Revenue from those transactions is reported on a net basis as the purchase price collected from the customer for the offering less an agreed upon portion of the purchase price paid to the third-party merchant. Revenue also includes commissions we earn when customers make purchases with retailers using digital coupons accessed through our digital properties.
•Gross profit reflects the net margin we earn after deducting our Cost of revenue from our Revenue.
•Contribution Profit is our measure of segment profitability, defined as net revenues less cost of sales and marketing expense. See Item 8, Note 18, Segment and Geographical Information, for additional information.
•Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as Net income (loss) excluding income taxes, interest and other non-operating items, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and other special charges and credits, including items that are unusual in nature or infrequently occurring. For further information and a reconciliation to Net income (loss), refer to our discussion under Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the Results of Operations section.
•Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that comprises Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from operations less purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software. For further information and a reconciliation to Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, refer to our discussion in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section.
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The following table presents the above financial metrics for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Revenue | $ | 492,557 | $ | 514,910 | ||
| Gross profit | 444,306 | 450,664 | ||||
| Contribution profit | 300,099 | 340,159 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 69,308 | 55,453 | ||||
| Free cash flow | 40,561 | (97,270) |
Operating Expenses
•Marketing expense consists primarily of online marketing costs, such as search engine marketing, advertising on social networking sites and affiliate programs, and offline marketing costs, such as television. Additionally, compensation expense for marketing employees is classified within Marketing expense. We record these costs within Marketing on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when incurred. From time to time, we have offerings from well-known national merchants for customer acquisition and activation purposes, for which the amount we owe the merchant for each voucher sold exceeds the transaction price paid by the customer. Our gross billings from those transactions generate no revenue and our net cost (i.e., the excess of the amount owed to the merchant over the amount paid by the customer) is classified as marketing expense. We evaluate marketing expense as a percentage of gross profit because it gives us an indication of how well our marketing spend is driving gross profit performance.
•SG&A expenses include selling expenses such as sales commissions and other compensation expenses for sales representatives, as well as costs associated with supporting the sales function such as technology, telecommunications and travel. General and administrative expenses include compensation expense for employees involved in customer service, operations, technology and product development, as well as general corporate functions, such as finance, legal and human resources. Additional costs in general and administrative include depreciation and amortization, rent, professional fees, litigation costs, travel and entertainment, recruiting, maintenance, certain technology costs and other general corporate costs. We evaluate SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit because it gives us an indication of our operating efficiency.
•Restructuring and related charges represent severance and benefit costs for workforce reductions, impairments and other facilities-related costs and professional advisory fees. See Item 8, Note 13, Restructuring and Related Charges, for additional information about our restructuring plans.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
Attracting and retaining local merchants. As we focus on our local experiences marketplace, we depend on our ability to attract and retain merchants who are willing to offer their experiences on our platform. Merchants can withdraw their offerings from our marketplace at any time, and their willingness to continue offering services through our marketplace depends on the effectiveness of our marketplace offering. We are focused on improving our marketplace offering and merchant value proposition by exploring opportunities to better balance the needs of merchant partners, customers and Groupon.
Acquiring and retaining customers. To acquire and retain customers to drive higher volumes on our platform from new and existing customers, we are focused on strengthening our product offering, improving the attractiveness of our offerings, and enhancing the performance of our marketing campaigns.
Impact of macroeconomic conditions. We have been, and may continue to be, impacted by adverse consequences of the macroeconomic environment, including but not limited to, inflationary pressures, higher labor costs, tariff policy, labor shortages, supply chain challenges and changes in consumer and merchant behavior. To minimize the impact of macroeconomic conditions on our business, we are focusing on building long-term relationships with local merchants to enhance our inventory selection, improving the customer experience through inventory curation and expanding convenience in order to drive customer demand and purchase frequency.
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Results of Operations
North America
Operating Metrics
North America segment gross billings, units and TTM active customers for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs 2023 | ||||||||
| Gross billings | ||||||||||
| Local | $ | 999,836 | $ | 971,313 | 2.9 | % | ||||
| Goods | 53,589 | 88,987 | (39.8) | |||||||
| Travel | 79,347 | 80,946 | (2.0) | |||||||
| Total gross billings | $ | 1,132,772 | $ | 1,141,246 | (0.7) | |||||
| Units | ||||||||||
| Local | 21,805 | 21,483 | 1.5 | % | ||||||
| Goods | 1,882 | 3,412 | (44.8) | |||||||
| Travel | 321 | 334 | (3.9) | |||||||
| Total units | 24,008 | 25,229 | (4.8) | |||||||
| TTM Active customers | 10,289 | 10,291 | — | % |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
North America gross billings and units decreased by $8.5 million and 1.2 million, while TTM active customers remained flat for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period. As a result of favorable refund rates and our supply transformation efforts, our Local category experienced growth in gross billings, active customers and units. The Local category growth is offset by a de-emphasis on our Goods category evidenced by a decrease of our Goods active customers that resulted in fewer unit sales and lower gross billings year over year.
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Financial Metrics
North America segment revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs 2023 | ||||||||
| Revenue | ||||||||||
| Local | $ | 350,876 | $ | 346,962 | 1.1 | % | ||||
| Goods | 10,990 | 18,436 | (40.4) | |||||||
| Travel | 14,206 | 14,554 | (2.4) | |||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 376,072 | $ | 379,952 | (1.0) | |||||
| Cost of revenue | ||||||||||
| Local | $ | 34,070 | $ | 44,199 | (22.9) | % | ||||
| Goods | 1,405 | 3,276 | (57.1) | |||||||
| Travel | 2,433 | 3,484 | (30.2) | |||||||
| Total cost of revenue | $ | 37,908 | $ | 50,959 | (25.6) | |||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||||
| Local | $ | 316,806 | $ | 302,763 | 4.6 | % | ||||
| Goods | 9,585 | 15,160 | (36.8) | |||||||
| Travel | 11,773 | 11,070 | 6.4 | |||||||
| Total gross profit | $ | 338,164 | $ | 328,993 | 2.8 | |||||
| % of Consolidated revenue | 76.4 | 73.8 | ||||||||
| % of Consolidated cost of revenue | 78.6 | 79.3 | ||||||||
| % of Consolidated gross profit | 76.1 | 73.0 |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
North America revenue and cost of revenue decreased by $3.9 million and $13.1 million while gross profit increased by $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period. As a result of favorable refund rates and our supply transformation efforts, our Local category experienced revenue growth. The Local category growth is offset by a de-emphasis on our Goods category evidenced by a decrease of our Goods active customers that resulted in fewer unit sales and lower gross billings year over year. The decrease in cost of revenue is primarily due to a decrease in amortization of internally-developed software relating to customer-facing applications. Gross profit increased due to revenue remaining relatively flat and a decrease in cost of revenue.
Marketing and Contribution Profit
North America marketing and contribution profit for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs 2023 | ||||||||
| Marketing | $ | 113,096 | $ | 73,178 | 54.5 | % | ||||
| % of Revenue | 30.1 | % | 19.3 | % | ||||||
| Contribution Profit | $ | 225,068 | $ | 255,815 | (12.0) | % |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
North America marketing expense and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period, primarily driven by an increased investment in our performance marketing campaigns.
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North America contribution profit decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period, primarily due to an increase in marketing expense.
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International
Operating Metrics
International segment gross billings, units and TTM active customers for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs 2023 | ||||||||
| Gross billings | ||||||||||
| Local | $ | 332,795 | $ | 380,797 | (12.6) | % | ||||
| Goods | 60,530 | 80,062 | (24.4) | |||||||
| Travel | 32,106 | 42,953 | (25.3) | |||||||
| Total gross billings | $ | 425,431 | $ | 503,812 | (15.6) | |||||
| Units | ||||||||||
| Local | 10,764 | 13,032 | (17.4) | % | ||||||
| Goods | 1,688 | 2,866 | (41.1) | |||||||
| Travel | 180 | 241 | (25.2) | |||||||
| Total units | 12,632 | 16,139 | (21.7) | |||||||
| TTM Active customers | 5,143 | 6,210 | (17.2) | % |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
International gross billings, units and TTM active customers decreased by $78.4 million, 3.5 million and 1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period. The Local category decrease was primarily attributable to the exit of our Local business in Italy and a decline in site traffic. The decline in our Goods and Travel categories were primarily attributable to an overall decline in site traffic. In addition, there was a $3.4 million favorable impact on gross billings from year-over-year changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
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Financial Metrics
International segment revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs 2023 | ||||||||
| Revenue | ||||||||||
| Local | $ | 99,333 | $ | 111,543 | (10.9) | % | ||||
| Goods | 10,929 | 14,961 | (27.0) | |||||||
| Travel | 6,223 | 8,454 | (26.4) | |||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 116,485 | $ | 134,958 | (13.7) | |||||
| Cost of revenue | ||||||||||
| Local | $ | 7,889 | $ | 9,903 | (20.3) | % | ||||
| Goods | 1,691 | 2,305 | (26.6) | |||||||
| Travel | 763 | 1,079 | (29.3) | |||||||
| Total cost of revenue | $ | 10,343 | $ | 13,287 | (22.2) | |||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||||
| Local | $ | 91,444 | $ | 101,640 | (10.0) | % | ||||
| Goods | 9,238 | 12,656 | (27.0) | |||||||
| Travel | 5,460 | 7,375 | (26.0) | |||||||
| Total gross profit | $ | 106,142 | $ | 121,671 | (12.8) | |||||
| % of Consolidated revenue | 23.6 | % | 26.2 | % | ||||||
| % of Consolidated cost of revenue | 21.4 | 20.7 | ||||||||
| % of Consolidated gross profit | 23.9 | 27.0 |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
International revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit decreased by $18.5 million, $2.9 million and $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period. The Local category decrease was primarily attributable to the exit of our Local business in Italy and a decline in site traffic. The decline in our Goods and Travel categories were primarily attributable to an overall decline in site traffic. Revenue and gross profit had favorable impacts of $1.0 million and $0.9 million from year-over-year changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Marketing and Contribution Profit
International marketing and contribution profit for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs 2023 | ||||||||
| Marketing | $ | 31,111 | $ | 37,327 | (16.7) | % | ||||
| % of Revenue | 26.7 | % | 27.7 | % | ||||||
| Contribution Profit | $ | 75,031 | $ | 84,344 | (11.0) | % |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
International marketing expense and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to traffic declines and a lower investment in our online marketing spend.
International contribution profit decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period, primarily due to a decrease in revenue.
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Consolidated Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs 2023 | ||||||||
| Marketing | $ | 144,207 | $ | 110,505 | 30.5 | % | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative (1) | 295,399 | 350,405 | (15.7) | |||||||
| Restructuring and related charges | 1,066 | 8,006 | (86.7) | |||||||
| (Gain) on sale of assets | (5,160) | — | — | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 435,512 | $ | 468,916 | (7.1) | |||||
| % of Gross profit: | ||||||||||
| Marketing | 32.5 | % | 24.5 | % | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 66.5 | % | 77.8 | % |
(1)The years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 include $26.6 million and $14.3 million of stock-based compensation expense and $17.0 million and $26.2 million of depreciation and amortization expense.
Comparison of the Years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Marketing expense and marketing expense as a percentage of gross profit increased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period, due to an increased investment in our North America performance marketing campaigns.
SG&A and SG&A as a percentage of gross profit decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period, primarily due to a decrease in cloud computing costs and a reduction in headcount as a result of our 2022 Restructuring Plan.
Restructuring and related charges decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period, primarily due to a decrease in severance and benefit costs related to our 2022 Restructuring Plan, partially offset by an increase in charges related to the Italy Restructuring Plan. See Item 8, Note 13, Restructuring and Related Charges, for additional information.
Gain on sale of assets increased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period, primarily due to a gain from the sale of certain intangible assets. See Item 8, Note 4, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for additional information.
Consolidated Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net includes interest income, interest expense, gains and losses from changes in fair value of investments and foreign currency gains and losses, primarily resulting from intercompany balances with our subsidiaries that are denominated in foreign currencies.
Other income (expense), net for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | (39,185) | $ | (25,174) |
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
The change in Other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the prior year period is primarily related to a $40.3 million change in foreign currency gains and losses. This was partially offset by a remeasurement of our investment in SumUp of $25.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, with no comparable activity in the current year period. See Item 8, Note 5, Investments, for additional information.
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Consolidated Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs 2023 | |||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | $ | 26,123 | $ | 9,508 | 174.7 | % | |||||
| Effective tax rate | (86.0) | % | (21.9) | % |
Our U.S. Federal income tax rate was 21% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The primary factors impacting the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were the pretax losses incurred in jurisdictions that have valuation allowances against their net deferred tax assets. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we continue to maintain a full valuation allowance against all U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets. We expect that our consolidated effective tax rate in future periods may continue to differ significantly from the U.S. federal income tax rate as a result of our tax obligations in jurisdictions with profits and valuation allowances in jurisdictions with losses.
See Item 8, Note 14, Income Taxes, for additional information relating to tax audits and assessments and regulatory and legal developments that may impact our business and results of operations in the future.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to financial results reported in accordance with GAAP, we have provided the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and foreign currency exchange rate neutral operating results. Those non-GAAP financial measures are intended to aid investors in better understanding our current financial performance and prospects for the future as seen through the eyes of management. We believe that those non-GAAP financial measures facilitate comparisons with our historical results and with the results of peer companies who present similar measures (although other companies may define non-GAAP measures differently than we define them, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures). However, those non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be a substitute for those reported in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure that we define as Net income (loss) excluding income taxes, interest and other non-operating items, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation and other special charges and credits, including items that are unusual in nature or infrequently occurring. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by our management and Board to evaluate operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and Board. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a substitute for Net income (loss).
We exclude stock-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization because they are primarily non-cash in nature and we believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding those items provide meaningful supplemental information about our operating performance and liquidity. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, special charges and credits included charges related to our Italy, 2022 and 2020 Restructuring Plans, gain on sale of assets and foreign VAT assessments. We exclude special charges and credits from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that excluding those items provides meaningful supplemental information about our core operating performance and facilitates comparisons with our historical results. For the foreign VAT assessments, we also considered the fact that we ceased operations in Portugal in 2016 and it is not part of our ongoing business. We have not engaged in any revenue-generating or payroll-related activity in Portugal since ceasing those operations nor do we intend to engage in these activities in that jurisdiction in the future.
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The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable GAAP financial measure, Net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (56,514) | $ | (52,934) | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation (1) | 26,734 | 14,481 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 30,900 | 51,218 | ||||
| Restructuring and related charges (2) | 1,066 | 8,006 | ||||
| (Gain) on sale of assets | (5,160) | — | ||||
| Foreign VAT assessments (3) | 6,974 | — | ||||
| Other (income) expense, net (4) | 39,185 | 25,174 | ||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 26,123 | 9,508 | ||||
| Total adjustments | 125,822 | 108,387 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 69,308 | $ | 55,453 |
(1)Stock-based compensation excludes expense related to the 2024 Executive PSUs that are required to be settled in cash. Refer to Item 8, Note 11, Compensation Arrangements, for additional information.
(2)Includes a settlement of $4.25 million related to our sublease to Uptake for the year ended December 31, 2023. Refer to Item 8, Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies and Item 8, Note 13, Restructuring and Related Charges, for additional information.
(3)The Foreign VAT assessments adjustment excludes related interest expense of $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as the interest expense is included within Other (income) expense, net. Refer to Item 8, Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.
(4)Includes $1.6 million related to a loss on extinguishment of exchanged debt in connection with the Exchange and Subscription Agreements for the year ended December 31, 2024. Refer to Item 8, Note 7, Financing Arrangements. Includes a $25.8 million remeasurement of our investment in SumUp during the year ended December 31, 2023. Refer to Item 8, Note 5, Investments, for additional information.
Free cash flow. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure that comprises net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software. We use free cash flow to conduct and evaluate our business because, although it is similar to cash flow, we believe that it typically represents a more useful measure of cash flows because purchases of fixed assets, software developed for internal use and website development costs are necessary components of our ongoing operations. Free cash flow is not intended to represent the total increase or decrease in our cash balance for the applicable period.
Free cash flow has limitations due to the fact that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a complement to our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For a reconciliation of free cash flow to the most comparable GAAP financial measure, see Liquidity and Capital Resources below.
Foreign currency exchange rate neutral operating results. Foreign currency exchange rate neutral operating results show current period operating results as if foreign currency exchange rates had remained the same as those in effect in the prior year period. Those measures are intended to facilitate comparisons to our historical performance.
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The following table represents the effect on our Consolidated Statements of Operations from changes in exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Avg. 2023 Rates (1) | Exchange Rate Effect (2) | As Reported | At Avg. 2022 Rates (1) | Exchange Rate Effect (2) | As Reported | |||||||||||||||||
| Gross billings | $ | 1,554,825 | $ | 3,378 | $ | 1,558,203 | $ | 1,637,091 | $ | 7,967 | $ | 1,645,058 | ||||||||||
| Revenue | 491,600 | 957 | 492,557 | 512,576 | 2,334 | 514,910 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 48,201 | 50 | 48,251 | 64,014 | 232 | 64,246 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 443,399 | 907 | 444,306 | 448,562 | 2,102 | 450,664 | ||||||||||||||||
| Marketing | 144,144 | 63 | 144,207 | 109,600 | 905 | 110,505 | ||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 294,628 | 771 | 295,399 | 347,683 | 2,722 | 350,405 | ||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring charges | 959 | 107 | 1,066 | 8,183 | (177) | 8,006 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Gain) on sale of assets | (5,160) | — | (5,160) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | $ | 8,828 | $ | (34) | $ | 8,794 | $ | (16,904) | $ | (1,348) | $ | (18,252) |
(1)Represents the financial statement balances that would have resulted had exchange rates in the reporting period been the same as those in effect in the prior year period.
(2)Represents the increase or decrease in the reported amount resulting from changes in exchange rates from those in effect in the prior year period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal source of liquidity is our cash balance totaling $228.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company's cash requirements are subject to change as business conditions warrant and opportunities arise. Additionally, with the Rights Offering, termination of our Credit Agreement in February 2024, and the Exchange and Subscription Agreements in November 2024, we believe that the Company has sufficient liquidity to support its overall ongoing operational needs within the next 12 months.
We are subject to claims for tax assessments by foreign jurisdictions, including a proposed Assessment for $122.3 million (€117.5 million), inclusive of estimated incremental interest from the original Assessment. The subsidiary subject to the Assessment is Groupon S.r.l., one of the Company's Italian subsidiaries formerly with operations relating specifically to the local voucher business in Italy. In December 2024, Groupon S.r.l. received an unfavorable ruling at the second-level Tax Court. The Company continues to believe that the Assessment is without merit and Groupon S.r.l. intends to pursue a prompt appeal to the Italian Supreme Court. If Groupon S.r.l. loses that appeal, Groupon S.r.l. plans to further challenge the Assessment and seek relief in an international mutual agreement procedure that involves the tax authorities of Ireland and Italy.
Under Italian tax court procedures, taxpayers are required to deposit “provisional payments” while tax appeals are pending, which are held in trust by tax authorities and returned to the taxpayer if the taxpayer prevails on the appeal. At present, Groupon S.r.l. would be required to deposit provisional amounts equal to two-thirds of the assessed amount. However, Groupon S.r.l. has sought and obtained approval of installment plans whereby the provisional payments may be deposited pro rata in monthly installments over seventy-two months. A third provisional amount (equal to the remaining third of the Assessment) would come due in October 2025. However, contemporaneous with its appeal to the Italian Supreme Court, Groupon S.r.l. intends to seek a full stay of the provisional payment obligations. Groupon S.r.l. expects a hearing on the possible stay of provisional payments to take place in the first half of 2025. If Groupon S.r.l. does not succeed in staying the provisional payment obligation, Groupon S.r.l. will consider its options, including making monthly installment payments up to the amount of its assets, or undertaking further restructuring actions. The payments due in 2025 under the terms of the installment plans total $13.7 million (€13.2 million). Such amounts are recorded as Other non-current assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets when cash is remitted.
The Company continues to expect that the Assessment will not result in financial exposure that exceeds the amounts disclosed in its Form 8-K, filed on April 15, 2024. We do not expect any related developments to impact the ability of the Company to meet its obligations outside of Groupon S.r.l. See Item 1, Note 14, Income Taxes, for additional information.
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Our net cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Cash provided by (used in): | ||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 55,894 | $ | (77,985) | ||
| Investing activities | (6,812) | (1,397) | ||||
| Financing activities | $ | 47,790 | $ | (35,690) |
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure that comprises net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software. Our free cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP financial measure, Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, for those periods are as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 55,894 | $ | (77,985) | ||
| Purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software | (15,333) | (19,285) | ||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 40,561 | $ | (97,270) |
Our revenue-generating transactions are primarily structured such that we collect cash up-front from customers and pay third-party merchants at a later date, either based upon the customer's redemption of the related voucher or fixed payment terms, which are generally biweekly, throughout the term of the merchant's offering.
Our cash balances fluctuate significantly throughout the year based on many variables, including changes in gross billings and the timing of payments to merchants and suppliers.
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our net cash provided by operating activities was $55.9 million as compared with net cash used in operating activities of $78.0 million in the prior period. The improved cash flow from operating activities is primarily due to a reduction in headcount as a result of the impacts of our 2022 Restructuring Plan.
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our net cash used in investing activities was $6.8 million as compared with net cash used in investing activities of $1.4 million in the prior period. The change is primarily driven by proceeds from the sale of SumUp of $18.9 million in the prior year period, with no comparable activity in the current year period, partially offset by $9.1 million of net proceeds from the sale intangible assets and fewer purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software during the year.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our net cash provided by financing activities was $47.8 million as compared with net cash used in financing activities of $35.7 million in the prior period. The improved cash flow from financing activities is primarily due to $79.6 million of proceeds received from the Rights Offering and $20.0 million of proceeds received in the Exchange and Subscription Agreements, partially offset by an increase of $10.6 million in payments of borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
Matters related to the Rights Offering and Credit Agreement
In March 2023, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, which reduced borrowing capacity under our senior secured revolving credit facility from $150.0 million to $75.0 million. In connection with the Fourth Amendment, we repaid $27.3 million of outstanding borrowings. Prior to entering into the Fourth Amendment, our access to the full capacity of our Credit Agreement was partially restricted and our liquidity impacted
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accordingly. Additionally, we have contracts in place with multiple payment processors, which give our payment processors in certain instances discretion to impose receivable holdbacks or reserve requirements based on changes to our business model or material changes in our financial condition. Any material increase in receivable holdbacks or reserve requirements could have a material impact on our cash flow and available liquidity.
On November 7, 2023, the Board approved the Rights Offering to our stockholders of record of our Common Stock, as of the close of business on November 20, 2023. To be able to execute the Rights Offering, the Credit Agreement was amended.
On January 22, 2024, we announced the closing of our $80.0 million fully backstopped Rights Offering for shares of our Common Stock. Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Offering, 7,079,646 shares of Common Stock were purchased at $11.30 per share, generating $80.0 million in gross proceeds to the Company.
On February 12, 2024, we prepaid the Payoff Amount to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under the Credit Agreement using our $80.0 million in proceeds received from the Rights Offering. The terms of the Rights Offering permit the Company to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt. We were not subject to any early termination penalties under the Credit Agreement. The payment of the Payoff Amount terminated our obligations under the Credit Agreement, except for ordinary and customary survival terms. In addition, we retained access to letters of credit, originally available under the Credit Agreement.
See Item 8, Note 7, Financing Arrangements, for additional information regarding the Credit Agreement and Item 8, Note 10, Stockholders' Equity (Deficit), for additional information regarding the Rights Offering.
Matters related to the 2026 Notes and 2027 Notes
In 2021, the Company issued the 2026 Notes in the principal amount of $230.0 million, which mature on March 15, 2026.
On November 19, 2024, we issued $197.3 million aggregate principal amount of 2027 Notes. From the issuance, we (i) exchanged $176.3 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes and (ii) issued and sold to certain Offering Participants $21.0 million additional principal amount of the 2027 Notes for gross cash proceeds of $20.0 million. We used the $20.0 million of the cash proceeds to offset the cash outflows associated with the debt issuance costs as well as general corporate purposes.
The 2027 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.25% per annum, payable semi-annually commencing March 15, 2025 and will mature March 15, 2027, subject to earlier repurchase or conversion. We may be required to pay additional interest of 2.5% per annum of the 2027 Notes in the event that we fail to pledge certain assets as part of the collateral for the 2027 Notes, unless such assets are sold, by November 20, 2025.
See Item 8, Note 7, Financing Arrangements, for additional information regarding the 2026 and 2027 Notes.
Other Liquidity and Capital Resource matters
As of December 31, 2024, we had $85.7 million in cash held by our international subsidiaries, which is primarily denominated in British Pounds Sterling, Euros, Indian Rupees and Australian dollars. In general, it is our practice and intention to re-invest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in those operations or remit such earnings in a tax-efficient manner. We have not, nor do we anticipate the need to, repatriate funds to the United States to satisfy domestic liquidity needs arising in the ordinary course of business.
In May 2018, the Board authorized us to repurchase up to $300.0 million of our Common Stock under our share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2024, up to $245.0 million of Common Stock remained available for purchase under our program. The timing and amount of share repurchases, if any, will be determined based on market conditions, share price, available cash and other factors, and the share repurchase program may be terminated at any time. Repurchases will be made in compliance with SEC rules and other legal requirements and may be made, in part, under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which permits share repurchases when we might otherwise be precluded from doing so.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
For additional information on our commitments for other financing arrangements, future lease payments and purchase obligations, see Item 8, Note 7, Financing Arrangements, Note 8, Leases and Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies, for additional information.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2024.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Item 8, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe that the estimates and assumptions related to revenue recognition, impairment assessments and income taxes have the greatest potential impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Therefore, we consider these to be our critical accounting estimates.
Revenue Recognition
We make significant estimates related to revenue recognition including estimates for refund reserve, variable consideration from vouchers that will not ultimately be redeemed, and breakage income from customer credits that are not expected to be used. We estimate future refunds, voucher redemptions, and customer credit redemptions using historical refund and redemption experience. We also consider trends when making those estimates that could be driven by changes to our policies, or in general, economic conditions that may impact customer behavior. We reevaluate our estimate as facts and circumstances change.
These estimates rely on judgments regarding future expectations of customer behavior. While the basis of our estimates is historical data, customer behavior may not always be predictable. If actual refunds or redemptions differ from our estimates, the effects could be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
See Item 8, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 12, Revenue Recognition, for information about our revenue recognition accounting policies.
Impairment Assessments
Impairment assessment estimates apply to goodwill, long-lived assets, right-of-use assets and investments.
Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units at the date the goodwill is initially recorded. We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually on October 1 or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value of a reporting unit may exceed its fair value. We review our long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and software, intangible assets, right-of-use assets and investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Significant judgment and estimates are required when determining the fair value of these assets for impairment tests.
When determining fair values in impairment tests, we use the income approach (including discounted cash flows). Our significant estimates in those fair value measurements may include identifying business factors such as size, growth, profitability and risk and return on investment. Further, when measuring fair value based on discounted
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cash flows, we make assumptions about risk-adjusted discount rates, including the weighted average cost of capital; rates of increase in revenue, cost of revenue and operating expenses; rates of long-term growth; working capital levels; and income tax rates. Valuations are performed by management or third-party valuation specialists under management's supervision, where appropriate. We believe that the estimated fair values used in impairment tests are based on reasonable assumptions that marketplace participants would use. However, such assumptions are inherently uncertain and actual results could differ materially from those estimates. See Item 8, Note 3, Property, Equipment and Software, Net, Note 4, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Note 5, Investments and Note 8, Leases for more information about our impairment assessments.
Future changes in our assumptions or the interrelationship of the assumptions described above may negatively impact future valuations. In future measurements of fair value, adverse changes in assumptions could result in impairments of goodwill or long-lived assets that would require non-cash charges to the Consolidated Statements of Operations and those charges could have a material effect on our financial condition and operating results.
See Item 8, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for information about our accounting policies relating to impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets, right-of-use assets and investments.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method and assess whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. We are also subject to taxation in the United States, various states and foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related income tax assets and liabilities.
To assess whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized and whether a valuation allowance needs to be recorded against them, we consider the following four sources of taxable income for each tax jurisdiction: (a) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, (b) projected future earnings, (c) taxable income in carryback years, and (d) tax planning strategies.
During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. For example, our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in countries where it has lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where it has higher statutory rates, by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, by changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, by changes in the measurement of uncertain tax positions, by changes affecting transfer pricing or by changes in the relevant laws, regulations, principles and interpretations.
See Item 8, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 14, Income Taxes, for information about our income tax accounting policies.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a description of recently issued accounting standards, please see Item 8, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
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