Part 1: Analysis of the company's performance during the period
Solo Brands, Inc. has had a good year in 2022, with significant growth in net sales (28.2%) and total customers (34.7%). The company's DTC and wholesale sales channels have both seen increases in demand, with the growth rate in wholesale sales outpacing that of DTC sales. This growth has been driven by the company's innovative, high-quality products that are loved by its customers and revolutionize the outdoor experience. The company's repeat purchase rate of 42.0% in 2022 demonstrates the success of its customer-centric approach.
Despite the good performance on the top line, the company's net income decreased to a net loss of $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from net income of $56.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This was primarily due to $30.6 million of impairment charges recorded during the second quarter of 2022, coupled with higher selling, general and administrative costs as a result of investments in long-term strategic initiatives, costs associated with being a public company, and headcount. Additionally, marketing and distribution expenses increased along with the increases in net sales.
Solo Brands, Inc. has been impacted by global economic conditions, including supply chain disruptions, inflation, and rising interest rates, but the impact has been minimal. During 2022, some of the company's factories in China closed periodically due to COVID-19, which did temporarily delay the delivery of the Solo Stove Pi. Freight rates were higher in 2022 than the prior year, which put pressure on gross margin in 2022. However, the company saw spot rates decrease in the second half of 2022, and it opportunistically used the spot rates if they were lower than its contracted rates. The company expects to take advantage of lower freight rates in the second half of 2023 by re-negotiating contracted freight rates early in the year on an annual basis.
Part 2: Forward-looking analysis
Solo Brands, Inc. continues to focus on its long-term growth strategies, including product innovation, channel and category expansion, strategic acquisitions, and investments in information technology to drive efficiencies. The company believes it is prepared to mitigate pressures resulting from decreased discretionary spending brought about by unknown consumer behavior in the face of uncertainty around inflation and rising interest rates.
Looking ahead, Solo Brands, Inc. acknowledges that it is not immune to the impacts resulting from decreased discretionary spending, which could pose risks and challenges to the company's future success. If current macroeconomic pressures persist or worsen, the company's business may continue to be adversely impacted. The company has not historically raised the prices of its products and has mitigated inflationary pressures through cost management, but it may need to consider strategies to minimize the impact of inflation if it persists or worsens.
Overall, Solo Brands, Inc. appears to be a strong and innovative company with a customer-centric approach that has enabled it to see significant growth in recent years. Its focus on long-term growth strategies and ability to adapt to challenges should set it up for continued success in the years to come, though investors should be aware of potential risks posed by macroeconomic conditions.