UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)MARK ONE)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

 

For the transition period from  ______________ to ______________

  

Commission File No. 001-33531

 

AEROGROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact nameName of registrantRegistrant as specified in its charter)

 

NEVADA

46-0510685

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

 

5405Spine Rd.,Rd, Boulder, Colorado

80301

 (Address of principal executive offices)

 (Zip Code)

 

(303) 444-7755

(Registrant'sRegistrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

AERO

OTCQB

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒   No ☐               

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes ☒   No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ☐

Accelerated filer   ☐

 

Non-accelerated filer   ☒

Emerging growth company   ☐

Smaller reporting company ☒

Emerging growth company   ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐   No ☒

 

Number of shares of issuer'sissuer’s common stock outstanding as of AugustNovember 49, 2020:  34,328,036

 

 

 

 

AeroGrow International, Inc.

TABLETABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-Q REPORT

JuneSeptember 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I  Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

3

 

Condensed Balance Sheets as of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 (Unaudited) and March 31, 2020

3

 

Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)

4

 

Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)

5

Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)

5

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the ThreeSix Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)

6

 

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

87

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management'sManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

1820

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

2535

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2635

 

 

 

PART II  Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

2736

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors

2736

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

2737

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

2737

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

2738

Item 5.

Other Information

2738

Item 6.

Exhibits

2838

 

 

Signatures

2939

 

 

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Condensed Financial Statements

 

AEROGROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

June 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

  

September 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(Unaudited)

  

(Derived from

Audited Statements)

  

(Unaudited)

  

(Derived from

Audited Statements)

 

ASSETS

                

Current assets

                

Cash

 $10,304  $9,046  $3,815  $9,046 

Restricted cash

  15   15   15   15 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $540 and $376

at June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively

  3,869   3,422 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $694 and $376 at September 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively

  6,217   3,422 

Other receivables

  334   257   391   257 

Inventory, net

  6,328   4,788   12,849   4,788 

Prepaid expenses and other

  2,684   1,392   3,773   1,392 

Total current assets

  23,534   18,920   27,060   18,920 

Property and equipment and intangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation of

$5,624 and $5,467 at June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively

  1,219   1,229 

Operating lease right of use

  1,193   1,229 

Property and equipment and intangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,789 and $5,467 at September 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively

  2,142   1,229 

Operating lease right-of-use

  1,158   1,229 

Deposits

  655   669   754   669 

Total assets

 $26,601  $22,047  $31,114  $22,047 
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable

 $2,962  $2,332  $5,583  $2,332 

Accounts payable related party

  3,019   2,396   1,075   2,396 

Accrued expenses

  3,234   2,308   3,842   2,308 

Finance lease liability

  7   29 

Notes payable related party

  2,000   - 

Debt associated with sale of intellectual property

  19   17   14   17 

Finance lease liability

  18   29 

Operating lease liability-current portion

  126   58   141   58 

Total current liabilities

  9,378   7,140   12,662   7,140 

Long term liabilities

                

Notes payable related party

  900   900   900   900 

Operating lease liability

  1,166   1,201   1,129   1,201 

Other liability

  -   297   -   297 

Total liabilities

  11,444   9,538   14,691   9,538 

Commitments and contingencies

                

Stockholders' equity

                

Common stock, $.001 par value, 750,000,000 shares authorized, 34,328,036 shares

issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020

  34   34 

Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively

  -   - 

Common stock, $.001 par value, 750,000,000 shares authorized, 34,328,036 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020

  34   34 

Additional paid-in capital

  140,817   140,817   140,817   140,817 

Accumulated deficit

  (125,694

)

  (128,342

)

  (124,428

)

  (128,342

)

Total stockholders' equity

  15,157   12,509   16,423   12,509 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $26,601  $22,047  $31,114  $22,047 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.

 

3

 

AEROGROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months ended June 30,

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

Three Months ended

September 30,

  

Six Months ended

September 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

         

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenue

 $16,411  $4,475  $14,310  $4,423  $30,721  $8,898 

Cost of revenue

  9,054   3,020   8,403   2,958   17,457   5,977 

Gross profit

  7,357   1,455   5,907   1,465   13,264   2,921 
                        

Operating expenses

                        

Research and development

  301   210   294   276   595   487 

Sales and marketing

  2,815   1,404   2,888   1,369   5,703   2,772 

General and administrative

  1,574   894   1,406   893   2,980   1,787 

Total operating expenses

  4,690   2,508   4,588   2,538   9,278   5,046 
                        

Income (loss) from operations

  2,667   (1,053

)

  1,319   (1,073

)

  3,986   (2,125

)

                        

Other (expense) income, net

        

Interest expense-related party

  (23

)

  (2

)

Other (expense) income, net

  4   (3

)

Total other (expense) income, net

  (19

)

  (5

)

Other (expense), net

                

Interest expense – related party

  (24

)

  (52

)

  (47

)

  (54

)

Other (expense), net

  (29

)

  (1

)

  (25

)

  (5

)

Total other (expense), net

  (53

)

  (53

)

  (72

)

  (59

)

                        

Net income (loss)

 $2,648  $(1,058

)

 $1,266  $(1,126

)

 $3,914  $(2,184

)

Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted

 $0.04  $(0.03

)

 $0.11  $(0.06

)

                        

Net income (loss) per common share, basic and diluted

 $0.08  $(0.03

)

        

Weighted average number of common

shares outstanding, basic

  34,328   34,328 
        

Weighted average number of common

shares outstanding, diluted

  34,339   34,328 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

  34,328   34,328   34,328   34,328 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.

 

4

 

AEROGROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2020

 
                 

Additional

      

Total

                  

Additional

      

Total

 

(in thousands,

 

Preferred Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Stockholders

  

Preferred Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Stockholders

 

except share data)

 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

(Deficit)

  

Equity

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

(Deficit)

  

Equity

 

Balances, March 31, 2020

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(128,342

)

 $12,509 

Balances, June 30, 2020

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(125,694

)

 $15,157 

Net income

  -   -   -   -   -   2,648   2,648   -   -   -   -   -   1,266   1,266 

Balances, June 30, 2020

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(125,694

)

 $15,157 

Balances, September 30, 2020

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(124,428

)

 $16,423 

 

  

Three months ended September 30, 2019

 
                  

Additional

      

Total

 

(in thousands,

 

Preferred Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Stockholders

 

except share data)

 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

(Deficit)

  

Equity

 

Balances, June 30, 2019

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(128,457

)

 $11,394 

Net income

  -   -   -   -   -   (1,126

)

  (1,126

)

Balances, September 30, 2019

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(130,583

)

 $10,268 

 

                  

Additional

      

Total

 

(in thousands,

 

Preferred Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Stockholders

 

except share data)

 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

(Deficit)

  

Equity

 

Balances, March 31, 2019

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(128,399) $12,452 

Net loss

  -   -   -   -   -   (1,058)  (1,058

)

Balances, June 30, 2019

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(129,457) $11,394 
  

Six months ended September 30, 2020

 
                  

Additional

      

Total

 

(in thousands,

 

Preferred Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Stockholders

 

except share data)

 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

(Deficit)

  

Equity

 

Balances, March 31, 2020

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(128,342

)

 $12,509 

Net income

  -   -   -   -   -   3,914   3,914 

Balances, September 30, 2020

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(124,428

)

 $16,423 

 

  

Six months ended September 30, 2019

 
                  

Additional

      

Total

 

(in thousands,

 

Preferred Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Stockholders

 

except share data)

 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

 ��

(Deficit)

  

Equity

 

Balances, March 31, 2019

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(128,399

)

 $12,452 

Net income

  -   -   -   -   -   (2,184

)

  (2,184

)

Balances, September 30, 2019

  -  $-   34,328,036  $34  $140,817  $(130,583

)

 $10,268 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.

 

5

 

AEROGROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

September 30,

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

(in thousands)

                

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income (loss)

 $2,648  $(1,058

)

 $3,914  $(2,184

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operations:

                

Depreciation and amortization expense

  157   131   322   264 

Amortization of lease liability

  69   16 

Amortization of lease liability and right-of-use asset

  82   63 

Bad debt expense

  164   11   236   33 

Inventory allowance increase (decrease)

  60   (15

)

Inventory allowance

  109   (15

)

Accretion of debt associated with sale of intellectual property

  (5

)

  (6

)

  (9

)

  (13

)

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

                

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

  (611

)

  1,989   (3,031

)

  1,344 

(Increase) decrease in other receivable

  (77

)

  63   (134

)

  99 

(Increase) decrease in inventory

  (1,600

)

  1,071 

(Increase) in inventory

  (8,170

)

  (2,953

)

(Increase) in prepaid expense and other

  (1,292

)

  (913

)

  (2,481

)

  (961

)

Decrease (increase) in deposits

  14   (700

)

  15   (731

)

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accounts payable related party

  1,253   (517

)

Increase in accounts payable and accounts payable related party

  1,930   516 

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liability

  636   (324

)

  1,243   (143

)

Increase in accrued interest-related party

  -   16 

(Decrease) in customer deposits

  -   (57

)

  -   (57

)

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

  1,416   (309

)

Net cash (used) by operating activities

  (5,974

)

  (4,722

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchases of equipment

  (147

)

  (31

)

  (1,235

)

  (396

)

Net cash (used) by investing activities

  (147

)

  (31

)

  (1,235

)

  (396

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Repayment of finance lease

  (11

)

  (12

)

Net cash (used) by financing activities

  (11

)

  (12

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash

  1,258   (352

)

Proceeds from notes payable-related party

  2,000   4,400 

Repayment of capital lease

  (22

)

  (26

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  1,978   4,374 

Net (decrease) in cash

  (5,231

)

  (744

)

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

  9,061   1,756   9,061   1,756 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

 $10,319  $1,404  $3,830  $1,012 

 

See supplemental disclosures below and the accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.

 

6

 

Continued from previous page

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

(in thousands)

  

Six months ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Cash paid during the year for:

                

Interest-related party

 $22  $-  $47  $- 

Income taxes

 $-  $-  $-  $- 
                

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:

        

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

        

Initial recognition of right-of-use asset (Note 8)

 $-  $805  $-  $805 

Initial lease liability arising from right-of-use asset (Note 8)

 $-  $805  $-  $805 

 

 

 

 

7

 

AEROGROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.     Description of the Business

 

AeroGrow International, Inc. (collectively, the “Company,” “AeroGrow,” “we,” “our”“our,” or “us”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada on March 25, 2002. The Company’s principal business is developing, marketing, and distributing advanced indoor aeroponic garden systems designed and priced to appeal to the consumer gardening, cooking and small indoor appliance markets worldwide.  The Company manufactures, distributes and markets ten different models of its AeroGarden systems in multiple colors, as well as over 40 varieties of seed pod kits and a full line of accessory products through multiple channels, including retail distribution (via online retail outlets an brick-and-mortar)and brick and mortar) storefronts, catalogue and direct-to-consumer sales primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as selected countries in Europe.

 

2.     Basis of Presentation, Liquidity and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim financial statements of the Company included herein have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. These condensed statements do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for annual audited financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020, (“Fiscal 2020”), as filed with the SEC on June 23, 2020.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments, including recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the results of operations for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, and the cash flows for the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019. Although ourThe results of operations for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 represent a substantial improvement over the prior year period, they are not necessarily indicative of the expected results of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 (“Fiscal 2021”) or any future period. In this regard, the Company��sCompany’s business ishas historically been highly seasonal, with approximately 60.6% of revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 20202020”) occurring in the five consecutive calendar months from September through January.  During the three-monthsix-month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the Company has further expanded its distribution channels and invested in necessary inventory and overhead in anticipation of the Fiscal 2021 peak sales season.  The balance sheet as of March 31, 2020 is derived from the Company’s audited financial statements.

 

Liquidity

Sources of funding to meet prospective cash requirements during Fiscal 2021 include the Company’s existing cash balances, cash flow from operations, and borrowings under the Company’s debt arrangements, as discussed in Note 3.  We may need to seek additional debt or equity capital, however, to address the seasonal nature of our working capital needs, enable us to increase the scale of our business and provide a cash reserve against contingencies.  There can be no assurance we will be able to raise this additional capital.  See Note 10 for subsequent events.

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  It is reasonably possible that a change in the Company’s estimates could occur in the near term as additional or new information becomes available.

 

Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common Stock

The Company computes net income (loss) per share of common stock in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260.  ASC 260 requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”).  Basic EPS is measured as the income or loss available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS, but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common stock equivalents (e.g., convertible securities, options, and warrants) as if such securities had been converted into common stock at the beginning of the periods presented. Securities that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS includeinclude: employee stock options to purchase 94,000zero and 11,000 shares of common stock for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019.2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

 

8

 

Concentrations of Risk

ASC 825-10-50-20 requires disclosure of significant concentrations of credit risk regardless of the degree of such risk.  

 

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.  

CashCash:

The Company maintains cash depository accounts with financial institutions.  The amount on deposit with several financial institutions exceeded the $250,000 federally insured limit of $250,000 as of JuneSeptember 30, 2020.  The Company has not historically incurred any losses related to these deposits.  The financial institutions are highly rated, financially sound and the risk of loss is minimal.

Customers and Accounts ReceivableReceivable:

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the Company had two customers, Amazon.com and Best Buy, which represented 31.4% and 10.4% of net revenue, respectively.  For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company had two customers, Amazon.com, and Macy’s, which represented 25.0% and 14.8% of net revenue, respectively. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Company had one customer, Amazon.com, which represented 28.2% and 33.8%, respectively,35.4% of the Company’s net revenue. For the six months ended September 30, 2019, the Company had two customers, Amazon.com, and Macy’s, which represented 35.1% and 10.4% of the Company’s net revenue, respectively.

 

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020, twothe Company had four customers, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Woot!, and Amazon.ca,Macy’s that represented 63.4%31.3%, 23.6%, 11.7% and 12.0%10.2%, respectively, of the Company’s outstanding accounts receivable.  As of March 31, 2020, three customers, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Bed, Bath and Beyond, represented 39.9%, 20.7% and 10.4%, respectively, of outstanding accounts receivable.  The Company believes that all receivables from these customers are collectible.

 

SuppliersSuppliers:

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the Company purchased inventories and other inventory-related items from one supplier totaling $5.8$10.3 million. For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019, the Company purchased inventories and other inventory-related items from one supplier totaling $1.3$5.0 million. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Company purchased $16.1 million of inventories and other inventory-related items from one supplier. For the six months ended September 30, 2019, the Company purchased $6.4 million of inventories and other inventory-related items from one supplier.  The purchase of inventories and other inventory-related items is tied to the anticipated timing and amount of sales for our highly seasonal business and payment terms with our suppliers.

 

The Company’s primary contract manufacturers are located in China.  As a result, the Company may be subject to political, currency, regulatory, transportation/shipping, third-party labor, spread and virulence of diseases such as the global COVID-19 pandemic and weather/natural disaster risks.  Although the Company believes alternate sources of manufacturing could be obtained, these risks and any potential loss of supply could have an adverse impact on operations, especially in the short term.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company follows the guidance in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), as it relates to the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820 provides for a standard definition of fair value to be used in new and existing pronouncements. This guidance requires disclosure of fair value information about certain financial instruments (insurance contracts, real estate, goodwill and taxes are excluded) for which it is practicable to estimate such values, whether or not these instruments are included in the balance sheet at fair value. The fair values presented for certain financial instruments are estimates which,that, in many cases, may differ significantly from the amounts that could be realized upon immediate liquidation.

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants.  ASC 820 also provides a hierarchy for determining fair value, which emphasizes the use of observable market data whenever available. The three broad levels defined by the hierarchy are as follows, with the highest priority given to Level 1 as these are the most reliable, and the lowest priority given to Level 3:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data, including model-derived valuations.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.

 

9

The carrying value of financial instruments including cash, receivables and accounts payable and accrued expenses and notes payable related party, approximates their fair value at JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020 due to the relatively short-term nature of these instruments. 

 

9

The Company’s intellectual property liability carrying value was determined by utilizing Level 3 inputs.  As discussed below in Notes 3 and 4, this liability was incurred in conjunction with the Company’s strategic alliance with Scotts Miracle-Gro.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the fair value of the Company'sCompany’s sale of the intellectual property liability was estimated using the discounted cash flow method, which is based on expected future cash flows, discounted to present value using a discount rate of 15%.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the Company did not have any financial assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis subsequent to initial recognition.   

 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company sells its products to retailers and directly to consumers. Direct-to-consumer transactions are primarily paid by credit card. Retailer sales terms vary by customer, but generally range from net 30 days to net 60 days.  Accounts receivable are reported at net realizable value and net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company uses the allowance method to account for uncollectible accounts receivable. The Company'sCompany’s allowance estimate is based on a review of the current status of trade accounts receivable, which resulted in an allowance of $540,000$694,000 and $376,000 at JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively.

 

Other Receivables

In conjunction with the Company’s processing of credit card transactions for its direct-to-consumer sales activities and as security with respect to the Company’s performance for credit card refunds and charge backs, the Company is required to maintain a cash reserve with Fidelity Information Services, the Company’s credit card processor. This reserve is equal to 5% of the credit card sales processed during the previous six months. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve account was $334,000$391,000 and $257,000, respectively.

 

Advertising and Production Costs

The Company expenses all production costs related to advertising, including print, television, and radio advertisements when the advertisement has been broadcast or otherwise distributed.  In contrast, the Company records media and marketing costs related to its direct-to-consumer advertisements and catalogues, inclusive of postage and printing costs and related direct-response advertising costs, in accordance with ASC 340-20 CapitalizedCapitalized Advertising Costs.  As prescribed by ASC 340-20-25, direct-to-consumer advertising costs incurred are reported as assets and are amortized over the estimated period of the benefits, based on the proportion of current period revenue from the advertisement to probable future revenue.  

 

As the Company has continued to expand its retail distribution channel, the Company has expanded its advertising to include online gateway and portal advertising, as well as placement in third party catalogues.

 

Advertising expense for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

(in thousands)

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

  

Six Months Ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Direct-to-consumer

 $1,014  $83  $774  $93  $1,788  $188 

Retail

  317   416   857   339   1,174   755 

Other

  -   13   5   -   5   1 

Total advertising expense

 $1,331  $512  $1,636  $432  $2,967  $944 

 

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company had deferred $5,000$119,000 and $84,000, respectively, related to media and advertising costs, including the catalogue costs described above.  The costs are included within the “prepaid expenses and other” line of the balance sheets.

 

10

 

Inventory

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined on the basis of standard costing, which approximates the first-in, first-out method, or net realizable value.  When the Company is the manufacturer, raw materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead are included in inventory costs. The Company records the raw materials at delivered cost. Standard labor and manufacturing overhead costs are applied to the finished goods based on normal production capacity.  A majority of the Company’s products are manufactured overseas and are recorded at standard cost, which includes product costs for purchased and manufactured products, and freight and transportation costs for inbound freight from manufacturers.  Inventory values at JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

 

June 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

  

September 30,

  

March 31,

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

  

2020

(in thousands)

  

2020

(in thousands)

 

Finished goods

 $4,441  $3,191  $10,414  $3,191 

Raw materials

  1,887   1,597   2,435   1,597 

Total Inventory

 $6,328  $4,788 

Total inventory

 $12,849  $4,788 

 

The Company determines an inventory obsolescence reserve based on management’s historical experience and establishes reserves against inventory according to the age of the product. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company had reserved $211,000$260,000 and $151,000, respectively for inventory obsolescence.  The inventory values are shown net of these reserves.

Leases

At lease inception, the Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current operating lease liabilities, and noncurrent operating lease liabilities in the financial statements. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use leased assets over the term of the lease. Lease liabilities represent the Company’s contractual obligation to make lease payments over the lease term. For operating leases, ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date. The lease liability is measured as the present value of the lease payments over the lease term using: (i) the rate implicit in the lease if it is determinable, or (ii) alternatively, if the rate is not determinable from the lease, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date of the lease.lease to determine the present value of the lease payments. Operating ROU assets are calculated as the present value of the remaining lease payments, plus unamortized initial direct costs and any prepayments, less any unamortized lease incentives received. Lease terms may include renewal or extension options to the extent they are reasonably certain to be exercised. The assessment of whether renewal or extension options are reasonably certain to be exercised is made at lease commencement. Factors considered in determining whether an option is reasonably certain of exercise include, but are not limited to, the value of any leasehold improvements, the value of renewal rates compared to market rates, and the presence of factors that would cause a significant economic penalty to the Company if the option were not exercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has elected not to recognize an ROU asset and obligation for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less. The expense associated with short-term leases is included in lease expense in the statement of operations.

 

For finance leases, after lease commencement the lease liability is measured on an amortized cost basis and increased to reflect interest on the liability and decreased to reflect the lease payment made during the period. Interest on the lease liability is determined each period during the lease term as the amount that results in a constant period discount rate on the remaining balance of the liability. The ROU asset is subsequently measured at cost, less any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. Amortization on the ROU asset is recognized over the period from the commencement date to the earlier of:of (1) the end of the useful life of the ROU asset;asset, or (2) the end of the lease term. To determine the present value of finance leases the Company uses a 10%10.0% discount rate, which is the rate specified in the lease agreement, or the incremental borrowing rate, as appropriate. To the extent a lease arrangement includes both lease and non-lease components, the components are accounted for separately.

 

The Company has various operating leases primarily for office space and other distribution centers, some of which include escalating lease payments and options to extend or terminate the lease. The Company determines if a contract is a lease at the inception of the arrangement. The exercise of lease renewal option is at the Company’s sole discretion and options are recognized when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. The Company’s leases have remaining terms of less than one year to seven years. The Company does not have lease agreements with residual value guarantees, sale leaseback terms or material restrictive covenants.

 

11

Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date of lease agreements greater than one year based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease costs are expensed as incurred.

 

11

Revenue Recognition

The Company currently has two operating and reportable segments: (i) the Direct-to-Consumer segment, which is composedcomprised of sales directly from our website, mail order or customer calls to our customer service department; and (ii) the Retail segment, which is comprised of all sales related to retailers, including where possession of our product is taken and sold by the retailer in store or online, and drop ship orders that process from the retailer and drop directly to our warehouse for us to ship on behalf of the retailer.

 

The majority of the Company’s revenue is recognized when it satisfies a single performance obligation by transferring control of its products and the risk of loss to a customer. Control is generally transferred when the Company’s products are either shipped or delivered based on the terms contained within the underlying contracts or agreements.  The Company’s general payment terms are short-term in duration. The Company does not have significant financing components or payment terms. The Company did not have any material unsatisfied performance obligations as of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 or March 31, 2020.

 

The Company excludes from revenues all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are imposed on the sale of its products and collected from customers.

 

There were no changes to the Company’s accounting for variable consideration under ASC 606. However, the classification of net realizable accounts receivable from a liability to a contra asset to show net realizable accounts receivable results in a change in presentation on the balance sheet. Promotional and other allowances (variable consideration), which are recorded as a reduction to net sales, primarily include consideration given to retail customers, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

 

discounts granted off list prices to support price promotions to end-consumers by retailers;

 

the Company’s agreed share of fees given directly to retailers for advertising, in-store marketing and promotional activities; and

 

incentives given to the Company’s retailers for achieving or exceeding certain predetermined purchases (i.e., rebates).

 

The Company executes promotional allowance programs with retailers through separate agreements in the ordinary course of business. These agreements generally provide for one or more of the arrangements described above and are of varying durations, ranging from one day to one year. The Company’s promotional and other allowances are calculated based on various programs with retail customers, and accruals are established during the year for its anticipated liabilities. These accruals are based on agreed upon terms, as well as the Company’s historical experience with similar programs, and require management’s judgment with respect to estimating consumer participation and retail customer performance levels. Differences between estimated and actual expenses for promotional and other allowance costs have historically been insignificant and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined.

 

The Company records estimated reductions to revenue for customer and distributor programs and incentive offerings, including promotions, rebates, and other volume-based incentives, based on historical rates.  Certain incentive programs require the Company to estimate the number of customers who will actually redeem the incentive based on our historical industry experience. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company reduced accounts receivable $934,000$1.0 million and $744,000, respectively, as an estimate for the foregoing deductions and allowances within the “accounts receivable, net” and “accrued expenses” lines of the condensed balance sheets,sheet, respectively.

 

Warranty and Return Reserves

The Company records warranty liabilities at the time of sale for the estimated costs that may be incurred under its basic warranty program. The specific warranty terms and conditions vary depending upon the product sold, but generally include technical support, repair parts, and labor for periods up to one year. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of installed units currently under warranty, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims on those units, and cost per claim to satisfy the Company’s warranty obligation.  Based upon the foregoing, the Company has recorded a provision for potential future warranty costs of $241,000$256,000 and $226,000 as of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively. These expenses are recorded in the accrued expenses line

12

 

The Company reserves for known and potential returns from customers and associated refunds or credits related to such returns based upon historical experience. In certain cases, retail customers are provided a fixed allowance, usually in a range of 1% to 2%, to cover returned goods and this allowance is deducted from payments made to us by such customers. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company has recorded a reserve for customer returns of $425,000$449,000 and $430,000, respectively. Additionally, the Company calculates specific returns for any customers that are deemed to have a right of return and the customer specific calculation is reviewed for reasonableness at the end of each period. These expenses are recorded as an offset to the accounts receivable line of the condensed balance sheets.

 

12

Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information

U.S. GAAP utilizes a management approach based on allocating resources and assessing performance as the source of the Company'sCompany’s reportable segments.  U.S. GAAP also requires disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.  At present, the Company operates in two segments, Direct-to-Consumer and Retail Sales.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13“Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which requires entities to estimate all expected credit losses for certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The updated guidance also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses over the entire contractual term of the instrument from the date of initial recognition of that instrument. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASC 842”), which, among other things, requires an entity to recognize a ROU and a lease liability on the balance sheet for substantially all leases, including operating leases. The Company adopted ASC 842 effective April 1, 2019 utilizing the modified retrospective approach such that prior year financial statements were not recast under the new standard. Adoption of this standard resulted in changes to the Company’s condensed balance sheets and accounting policies for leases but did not have an impact on the condensed statements of operations or cash flows. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the new standard and its impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance to not reassess (1) whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases; (2) the lease classification for expired or existing leases; and (3) initial direct costs for existing leases.

The adoption of the guidance effective as of April 1, 2019 resulted in the recognition of: (i) ROU assets of $805,000 which amortization of the ROU began the quarter ended June 30, 2019; and (ii) additional lease liabilities for operating leases of $805,000. The guidance did not have an impact on the Company's condensed statements of operations from the adoption date forward based on amortization of the asset and liability. See Note 8 for disclosures related to the Company's leases.

3.     Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Current Portion – Long Term Debt

 

The following represents the changes to our Notes Payable and Long Term Debt for the periods presented. For a more detailed discussion on our previously outstanding Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Current Portion – Long Term Debt, refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on June 23, 2020.

 

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the outstanding balance of the Company’s notes payable and debt, including accrued interest, is as follows:

 

 

June 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

  

September 30,

2020

(in thousands)

  

March 31,

2020

(in thousands)

 

Notes payable and debt-related party

 $915  $915   2,915   915 

Sale of intellectual property liability (see Note 4)

  19   24   14   24 

Total notes payable and debt

  934   939   2,929   939 

Less current portion - long term debt

  34   39 

Less current portion – long term debt

  2,029   39 

Long term debt

 $900  $900  $900  $900 

 

Scotts Miracle-Gro Term Loan Agreements

On August 3, 2020, the Company renewed a Working Capital Term Loan Agreement with Scotts Miracle-Gro due June 30, 2021. Under Term Loan, Scotts Miracle-Gro agreed to provide up to $7.5 million of capital in increments of $500,000. The Term Loan Agreement is secured by a lien on the assets of the Company.  Interest is charged at the stated rate of 10% per annum and is payable, in cash, quarterly in arrears at the end of each September, December, March and June. The funds provided under the Term Loan are used for general working capital and to acquire inventory to support anticipated growth as the Company expands its retail and its direct-to-consumer sales channels.  The Term Loan permits prepayment and re-borrowing without penalty or premium, and as of September 30, 2020, the Company had borrowed $2.0 million under the Term Loan.  The Term Loan Agreement was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 11, 2020. Refer to Note 10 “Subsequent Events” for additional information regarding the term loan.

13

 

On June 20, 2019, the Company entered into a Real Estate Term Loan Agreement in the principal amount of up to $1.5 million with Scotts Miracle-Gro.  The funding provided capital to fund real estate related lease obligations. The proceeds were made available as needed in increments of $100,000, not to exceed $1.5 million, with a due date of March 31, 2022. Interest is charged at the stated rate of 10% and is paid quarterly in arrears on each of April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the Company had borrowed $900,000 under the Real Estate Term Loan. See Note 10 for subsequent events.

13

 

Liability Associated with Scotts Miracle-GroMiracle-Gro Transaction

 

On April 22, 2013, theThe Company and Scotts Miracle-Gro, the owner of approximately 80.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, have entered into an Intellectual Property Sale Agreement, a Technology License Agreement, a Brand License Agreement, and a Supply Chain Services Agreement, each of which has been filed with the SEC.  The Intellectual Property Sale Agreement and the Technology License constitute an agreement of sales ofto sell future revenues.  Becauserevenue because: (i) the Company received cash from Scotts Miracle-Gro and agreed to pay, for a defined period, a specified percentage of its revenue,revenue; and because(ii) the Company has significant involvement in the generation of its revenue,revenue. As a result, the excess paid over net book value is classified as debt and is being amortized under the effective interest method.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, a liability of $19,000$14,000 and $24,000, respectively, was recorded on the condensed balance sheets for the Intellectual Property Sale Agreement.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company has accrued $1.8 million$620,000 and $1.5 million, respectively, as a liability for the Technology Licensing Agreement, and has expensed $332,000$620,000 and $87,000$176,000 for the quarters ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and JuneSeptember 30, 2019, respectively. The accrual is calculated as 2% of the annual net sales and recorded as a liability. The accrued liability for the Brand License Agreement, which is calculated at an amount equal to 5% of all seed pod kit and seed pod kit related sales, amountstotaled to $1.2 million$455,000 and $922,000 as of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively, andrespectively. In addition, the Company has expensed $291,000$455,000 and $67,000$140,000 for the quarters ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and JuneSeptember 30, 2019, respectively.

 

4.Scotts Miracle-Gro Transactions – Convertible Preferred Stock, Warrants and Other Transactions

 

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and Related Transactions

 

On April 22, 2013, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with SMG Growing Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: “SMG”), a worldwide marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products.  Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, Scotts Miracle-Gro acquired 2,649,007 shares of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the Series“Series B Preferred Stock”) and a warrant to purchase up to 80% of the Company’s common stock (the “Warrant”“Warrant,”) for an aggregate purchase price of $4.0 million.  The Securities Purchase Agreement, Certificates of Designations for the Series B Preferred Stock, Form of Warrant, Indemnification Agreement, Investor’s Rights Agreement and Voting Agreement were filed as exhibits to a Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the SEC on April 23, 2013.  On November 29, 2016 Scotts Miracle-Gro fully exercised the Warrant and, by its terms, the Series B Preferred Stock automatically converted into the Company’s common stock. Scotts Miracle-Gro currently owns approximately 80.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

 

Upon demand by Scotts Miracle-Gro, the Company must use its best efforts to file a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or, if the Company is not eligible for Form S-3, on Form S-1 (collectively, the “Registration Statement”), within 120 calendar days after receipt of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s demand for registration. The Company must use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective as soon as possible thereafter.

 

In conjunction with the private offering described above, the Company and Scotts Miracle-Gro also agreed to enter an Intellectual Property Sale Agreement, a Technology License Agreement, a Brand License Agreement, and a Supply Chain Services Agreement.  The Intellectual Property Sale Agreement and the Technology License constitute an agreement of sales of future revenues. For more details regarding these agreements, please refer to Note 3 “Scotts Miracle-Gro Transactions” to the financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on June 23, 2020.  See also Note 103 above for subsequent events.the Term Loan with Scotts Miracle-Gro.

 

5.Equity Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans

 

For the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and JuneSeptember 30, 2019, the Company did not grant any options to purchase the Company’sshares of common stock under the Company’s 2005 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and no new options will be granted under this plan until a new plan is adopted.  

 

14

During the three months and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, 11,000 shares of common stock were cancelled or expired and Juneduring the three months and six months ended September 30, 2019, no93,000 options to purchase shares of common stock were cancelled or expired and no shares of common stock were issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options under the 2005 Plan.  

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the Company had no unvested outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stockstock; all outstanding options have expired and therefore, no additional compensation expense will be attributable to such stock options.

14

Information regarding all stock options outstanding under the Company’s 2005 Plan as of June 30, 2020 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

OPTIONS OUTSTANDING AND EXERCISABLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Average

 

 

Intrinsic

 

Exercise

 

 

Options

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Value

 

price

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Life (years)

 

 

Price

 

 

(in thousands)

 

$

1.55

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

0.13

 

 

$

1.55

 

 

18 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price and the exercise price of each in-the-money option on the last trading day of the period presented, which was June 30, 2020.recognized.  

 

6. Income Taxes

 

The Company follows the guidance in ASC 740, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements.  This interpretation defines the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.

 

Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at the end of each period, based on enacted laws and statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.  Any liability for actual taxes to taxing authorities is recorded as income tax liability.  

 

A valuation allowance is established against such assets where management is unable to conclude more likely than not that such asset will be realized. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company recognized a valuation allowance equal to 100% of the net deferred tax asset balance and the Company has no unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions.

 

7.     Related Party Transactions

 

See Note 6 “Related Party Transactions” of Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on June 23, 2020 for a detailed discussion of related party transactions.  Additionally, see

On August 3, 2020, AeroGrow entered into a Working Capital Term Loan Agreement in the principal amount of up to $7.5 million and on June 20, 2019 AeroGrow entered in a Real Estate Term Loan Agreement in the principal amount of up to $1.5 million with Scotts Miracle-Gro.  Under both loan agreements, interest is charged at the stated rate of 10% per annum and is paid quarterly in arrears.  See Note 10 “Subsequent Events” to our financial statements for discussion related to transactions involving our officers, directors3 “Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and 5% or greater shareholders. Current Portion – Long Term Debt” above.

 

8.     Leases

 

The Company recognized operatingoperation lease ROU assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of remaining minimum lease payments. For the discount rate assumption, the implicit rate was not readily determinable in the Company’s lease agreements. Therefore, the Company used an estimated incremental borrowing rate, in determining the present value of lease payments. If at lease inception, the Company considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, the Company will includeincluded the extended term in the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability.

 

The Company elected the practical expedients available under ASC 842 and applied them consistently to all applicable leases. The Company did not apply ASC 842 to any leases with a remaining term of 12 months or less. For these leases, no asset or liability was recorded and lease expense continues to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. As allowed by the practical expedients, the Company does not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, does not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and does not reassess initial direct costs for existing leases.

  

15

The table below sets forth supplemental Balance Sheet information for the Company’s leases.

 

 

June 30,

2020

  

September 30,

2020

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Assets

        

Operating lease ROU assets

 $1,193 

Operating lease ROU

 $1,158 
        

Liabilities

        

Operating lease

  1,292 

Operating lease, current

  141 

Operating lease, noncurrent

  1,129 

Total lease liabilities

 $1,270 

15

 

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases was 67 years, and the weighted average discount rate was 10%.

 

The table below sets forth the future cash payments under such agreements for the remaining years are as follows:

 

Year Ending

 

Operating Leases

 

Financing Leases

 

 

Operating Leases

  

Financing Leases

 

 

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

 

 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2021

 

$

185

 

$

19

 

 $131  $7 

March 31, 2022

 

 

266

 

 

-

 

  266   - 

March 31, 2023

 

 

275

 

 

-

 

  275   - 

March 31, 2024

 

 

285

 

 

-

 

  285   - 

March 31, 2025

 

 

294

 

 

-

 

  294   - 

Thereafter

 

 

460

 

 

-

 

  460   - 

Total lease payments

 

$

1,765

 

$

19

 

 $1,711  $7 

Less: amount of lease payments representing interest

 

 

(473

)

 

 

(1

)

  (441

)

  - 

Present value of future minimum lease payments

 

 

1,292

 

 

18

 

  1,270   7 

Less: current obligations under leases

 

 

(126

)

 

 

(18

)

  (141

)

  (7

)

Long-term lease obligations

 

$

1,166

 

$

-

 

 $1,129  $- 

 

Rent expense for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019 was $144,000$147,000 and $128,000,$136,000, respectively. Rent expense for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $292,000 and $264,000, respectively.

 

9.    Segment Information

 

The Company has determined that its reportable segments are those that are based on its method of internal reporting and the perspective of the chief operating decision maker. The Company has two reportable segments, Retail Sales and Direct-to-Consumers. The Company evaluates performance based on the primary financial measure of contribution margin (“segment profit”). Segment profit, which reflects the income or loss from operations before corporate expenses, non-operating income, net interest expense, and income taxes.  The Company does not have any individually identified assets regarding specific segments as all processes to manufacture products are not different based on segment.

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

  

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $9,056  $7,355  $-  $16,411  $5,051  $9,259  $-  $14,310 

Cost of revenue

  4,854   4,200   -   9,054   3,059   5,344   -   8,403 

Gross profit

  4,202   3,155   -   7,357   1,992   3,915   -   5,907 

Gross profit percentage

  46.4

%

  42.9

%

  -   44.8

%

  39.4

%

  42.3

%

  -   41.3

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  1,073   351   214   1,638   783   891   159   1,833 

Segment profit

  3,129   2,804   (214

)

  5,719   1,209   3,024   (159

)

  28.5 

Segment profit percentage

  34.6

%

  38.1

%

  -   34.8

%

  23.9

%

  32.7

%

  -   28.5

%

(1) Sales and marketing expense includes advertising, trade shows, media production and promotional products and other as discussed in the sales and marketing section of the MD&A. See Item 2 below.

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $1,628  $2,795  $-  $4,423 

Cost of revenue 

  920   2,038   -   2,958 

Gross profit

  708   757   -   1,465 

Gross profit percentage

  43.5

%

  27.1

%

  -   33.1

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  110   463   147   720 

Segment profit

  598   294   (147

)

  745 

Segment profit percentage

  36.7

%

  10.5

%

  -   16.8

%

 

(1) Sales and marketing expense includes advertising, trade shows, media production and promotional products and other as discussed in the sales and marketing section of the MD&A. See Item 2 below.

 

16

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

  

Six Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

  

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $1,902  $2,573  $-  $4,475  $14,107  $16,614  $-  $30,721 

Cost of revenue

  1,389   1,631   -   3,020   7,913   9,544   -   17,457 

Gross profit

  513   942   -   1,455   6,194   7,070   -   13,264 

Gross profit percentage

  27.0

%

  36.6

%

  -   32.5

%

  43.9

%

  42.6

%

  -   43.2

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  109   521   176   806   1,857   1,242   372   3,471 

Segment profit

  404   421   (176

)

  649   4,337   5,828   (372

)

  1,395 

Segment profit percentage

  21.2

%

  16.4

%

  -   14.5

%

  30.7

%

  35.1

%

  -   31.9

%

 

(1) Sales and marketing expense includes advertising, trade shows, media production and promotional products and other as discussed in the sales and marketing section of the MD&A. See Item 2 below.below

 

10.    Subsequent Events

  

Six Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $3,530  $5,368  $-  $8,898 

Cost of revenue 

  2,309   3,668   -   5,977 

Gross profit

  1,221   1,700   -   2,921 

Gross profit percentage

  34.6

%

  31.7

%

  -   32.8

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  142   1,065   319   1,526 

Segment profit

  1,079   635   (319

)

  1,395 

Segment profit percentage

  30.6

%

  11.8

%

  -   15.7

%

 

On July 28, 2020, AeroGrow paid the Technology Licensing(1) Sales and Brand Licensing Agreements balances of $2.3 millionmarketing expense includes advertising, trade shows, media production and promotional products and other as discussed in Note 3the sales and marketing section of the MD&A. See Item 2 below

10.     Subsequent Events

As reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 8, 2020, the Company entered a non-binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) with The Scotts Miracle-Gro, dated October 2, 2020, setting forth the terms for amounts owed through March 31, 2020. On August 3,a transaction in which Scotts would acquire all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock it does not currently own, subject to the satisfaction of various customary conditions. The LOI provides that the transaction would be structured as a merger pursuant to which the shareholders of AeroGrow other than Scotts would receive consideration of $3.00 per share in cash.

As reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2020, AeroGrow International, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with SMG Growing Media, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Parent”), AGI Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Term LoanNevada corporation and direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub” and, together with Parent, the “Purchaser Parties”), and, solely for the purposes stated in Section 6.4 of the Merger Agreement, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, an Ohio corporation (“Term Loan”Scotts Miracle-Gro”), relating to the proposed acquisition of the Company by Parent.

The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”) with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the principal amountMerger, and, at the effective time of upthe Merger (the “Effective Time”) each share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) (other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares (each as defined in the Merger Agreement)), issued and outstanding immediately prior to $7.5 million with Scotts Miracle-Gro.  The proceedsthe Effective Time will be made available as neededautomatically converted into the right to receive $3.00 in incrementscash, without interest thereon and subject to any required withholding of $500,000, the Company may reborrow and pay down during the Term Loan, not to exceed $6.0 million with a due date of June 30, 2021.  The funding will provide general working capitaltaxes (the “Merger Consideration”), and will be used for the purpose of acquiring inventory to support anticipated growth as the Company expands its retail and its direct-to-consumer sales channels.  Advances under the Term Loan Agreement will be secured by a lien on the assets of the Company.  Interest will be charged at the stated rate of 10% per annum and will be paid quarterly in arrears on each of September 30, 2020, December 30, 2020, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021.  

cancelled.

 

17

Based on the recommendation of the special committee (the “Special Committee”) of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), consisting solely of independent and disinterested directors, the Board unanimously (i) adopted and approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the Merger), (ii) determined the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the Merger) to be in the best interests of, and fair to, the Company and its stockholders and (iii) determined the Merger Consideration to be the “fair value” of the Common Stock as of the date of the Merger Agreement, having been determined by the Special Committee’s independent financial advisor and the Special Committee using customary and current valuation concepts and techniques generally employed for similar businesses in the context of a merger and without discounting for lack of marketability or minority status. Stockholders of the Company will be asked to vote on the approval of the Merger Agreement at a special stockholders meeting that will be held on a date to be announced (the “Special Meeting”). The closing of the Merger is subject to, among other conditions, the approval of the Merger Agreement by a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote on such matter (the “Company Stockholder Approval”). Purchaser Parties and their respective affiliates currently beneficially own approximately 80% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock. Approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock not beneficially owned by the Purchaser Parties and their respective affiliates is not required under Nevada law for the Company to complete the Merger. Consummation of the Merger is not subject to a financing condition.

In addition to the Company Stockholder Approval condition, consummation of the Merger is also subject to various customary conditions, including, but not limited to, the obtainment of any necessary regulatory approvals.

The Company is subject to customary restrictions on its ability to initiate, solicit, propose or knowingly encourage or otherwise knowingly facilitate Acquisition Proposals (as defined in the Merger Agreement) from third parties and to provide any information or data concerning the Company or access to the Company‘s properties, books and records to any person in connection with any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry, proposal or offer that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, with customary exceptions regarding the Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable law. The Board has recommended that the Company’s stockholders vote to adopt and approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Merger), subject to certain customary exceptions regarding the Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable law.

The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights, including the right of the Company to terminate the Merger Agreement to accept a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement). In addition, subject to certain exceptions and limitations set forth in the Merger Agreement, either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger is not consummated by March 31, 2021.

The Company has made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including, among others, covenants (1) to conduct its business in the ordinary course during the period between the Signing Date and the Effective Time, (2) not to engage in certain types of transactions during this period unless agreed to in writing by Parent, (3) to convene and hold the Special Meeting for the purpose of obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, (4) subject to certain conditions, not to withhold, withdraw, qualify or modify (or publicly propose or resolve to withhold, withdraw, qualify or modify), in a manner adverse to Parent, the recommendation of the Board that the Company’s stockholders vote affirmatively at the Special Meeting to approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger, and (5) to cooperate with Parent to use their respective reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary or advisable to obtain any required antitrust approval for the Merger.

The foregoing summary of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

The Merger Agreement has been included to provide investors with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement as of the specific dates therein, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors.

18

Investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the Merger Agreement and should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the parties thereto or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosures.

As disclosed in Note 3 above, the proceeds under the SMG Working Capital Term Loan are made available in increments of at least $500,000 with a due date of March 31, 2020.  As of November 9, 2020, the Company had borrowed an aggregate of $3.5 million in principal under the SMG Working Capital Term Loan, a $1.5 million increase over the $2.0 million principal balance as of September 30, 2020.

19

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The discussion contained herein is for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and JuneSeptember 30, 2019.  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of AeroGrow International, Inc. (the “Company,” “AeroGrow,” “we,” “our,” or “us,”“us”) and the notes to the financial statements included in Item 1 above in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 (this “Quarterly Report”). The following discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including statements that include words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief, or current expectations regarding our strategies, plans, and objectives, our product release schedules, our ability to design, develop, manufacture, and market products, the ability of our products to achieve or maintain commercial acceptance, our ability to obtain financing and/or generate cash flow sufficient to fund our future operations, and our ability to continue as a going concern. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause or contribute to the differences are discussed in this Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020.  Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report. The information contained in this Quarterly Report is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment in our common stock. Each reader should carefully review and consider the various disclosures we made in this Quarterly Report and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Overview

 

AeroGrow International, Inc. was formed as a Nevada corporation in March 2002. The Company’s principal business is developing, marketing, and distributing advanced indoor aeroponic garden systems designed and priced to appeal to the consumer gardening, cooking and small indoor appliance markets worldwide.  The Company’s principal activities from its formation through March 2006, consisted of product research and development, market research, business planning, and raising the capital necessary to fund these activities. In December 2005, the Company commenced initial production of its AeroGarden system and, in March 2006, began shipping these systems to retail and catalogue customers. The Company manufactures, distributes and markets eight different models of its AeroGarden systems in multiple colors, as well as over 40 varieties of seed pod kits and a full line of accessory products through multiple channels including online retail distribution, in-store retail distribution, catalogue and direct-to-consumer sales primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as selected countries in Europe.

 

In April 2013, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and strategic alliance with a wholly owned subsidiary of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (collectively with its subsidiary, “SMG” or “Scotts Miracle-Gro”). Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, we issued (i) 2.6 million shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock)Stock”); and (ii) a warrant to purchase up to 80% of the Company’s common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $4.0 million.  In addition, as part of the strategic alliance, we entered into several other agreements with Scotts Miracle-Gro, including: (i) an Intellectual Property Sale Agreement; (ii) a Technology Licensing Agreement; (iii) a Brand License Agreement; and (iv) a Supply Chain Management Agreement. In November 2016, Scotts Miracle-Gro fully exercised the Warrant and, by its terms, the Series B Preferred Stock automatically converted into the Company’s common stock. Scotts Miracle-Gro currently owns approximately 80.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

  

Pursuant to the Intellectual Property Agreement, we agreed to sell all intellectual property associated with our hydroponic products (the “Hydroponic IP”), other than the AeroGrow and AeroGarden trademarks, free and clear of all encumbrances, to Scotts Miracle-Gro for $500,000.  Scotts Miracle-Gro has the right to use the AeroGrow and AeroGarden trademarks in connection with the sale of products incorporating the Hydroponic IP.  In addition to the total working capital infusion of approximately $4.5 million from the Securities Purchase Agreement and Intellectual Property Sale Agreement, as amended, the strategic alliance allows us to use the globally recognized and highly trusted Miracle-Gro brand name.  We believe that the strategic alliance also gives Scotts Miracle-Gro an entry into the burgeoning indoor gardening market, while providing AeroGrow a broad base of support in marketing, distribution, supply chain logistics, R&D and sourcing.  We have also used our strategic alliance with Scotts Miracle-Gro to re-establish our presence in the retail and international sales channels. In Fiscal 2020, we amended the Brand License Agreement with Scotts Miracle-Gro to allow us to remove the Miracle-Gro brand from AeroGardens, thereby eliminating the cost associated with this portion of the agreement.

 

1820

 

On August 3, 2020, the Company entered into a Working Capital Term Loan Agreement in the principal amount of up to $7.5 million with Scotts Miracle-Gro.  The proceeds will be made available as needed in increments of $500,000, and the Company may pay down and reborrow during the Term Loan, not to exceed $7.5 million with a due date of June 30, 2021.  The Term Loan Agreement is secured by a lien on the assets of the Company.  Interest will be charged at the stated rate of 10% per annum and will be paid, in cash, quarterly in arrears at the end of each September, December, March and June. The funding provides general working capital and is being used to acquire inventory in advance of the Company’s peak selling season for our retail and its direct-to-consumer sales channels.  See Note 3 “Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Current Portion – Long Term Debt” to our condensed financial statements.

As reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 8, 2020, the Company entered a non-binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) with The Scotts Miracle-Gro, dated October 2, 2020, setting forth the terms for a transaction in which Scotts would acquire all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock it does not currently own, subject to the satisfaction of various customary conditions. The LOI provides that the transaction would be structured as a merger pursuant to which the shareholders of AeroGrow other than Scotts would receive consideration of $3.00 per share in cash.

As reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2020, AeroGrow International, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with SMG Growing Media, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Parent”), AGI Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Nevada corporation and direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub” and, together with Parent, the “Purchaser Parties”), and, solely for the purposes stated in Section 6.4 of the Merger Agreement, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, an Ohio corporation (“Scotts Miracle-Gro”), relating to the proposed acquisition of the Company by Parent.

The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”) with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger, and, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) each share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) (other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares (each as defined in the Merger Agreement)), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be automatically converted into the right to receive $3.00 in cash, without interest thereon and subject to any required withholding of taxes (the “Merger Consideration”), and will be cancelled.

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and JuneSeptember 30, 2019

 

Summary Overview

Sales results during the first six months of our fiscal year (April-September), are historically variable and can be impacted by load-in timing before the holiday season, which fluctuates year to year, however, for the current year our sales growth is driven primarily by continued strength of the business, customer acceptance and knowledge of the category, and growing demand for our product and sales to a new account BestBuy. For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, we generated $16.4 million of total revenue was $14.3 million, an increase of 266.7%223.5%, or $11.9$9.9 million, relative to the same period in the prior year.  Retail sales increased by 193.9% to $7.2 million primarilyThe increase was due to continued sales into the online channels, including Amazon.com, Kohls.com, HomeDepot.comCanadian Tire and BestBuy.com,BestBuy, as well as continued enthusiasm aboutincreased interest in indoor gardening, at-home meal preparation and access to healthy, safe and fresh food.  Direct-to-consumerAdditionally, sales in our direct-to-consumer channel increased 376.1%210.2%, or $3.4 million, primarily due to $9.1 million, reflecting more efficient use ofcontinued momentum from our general advertising and marketing campaigns, increased visibilitycampaign, and more focused sales programs.an increase in our established user base.  In addition to our continued momentum from prior periods, as we saw amplified demand in the indoor gardening market from customers seeking healthy, fresh food during a pandemic.food.

 

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, total dollar sales of AeroGarden units increased by 218.9%269.2% from the prior year period due to increased sales in the retail and seeddirect-to-consumer channels and earlier ordering for programs with existing customers, in advance of the peak holiday season.  Seed pod kit and accessory sales increased by 308.6%106.3% over prior year period.period as our established base of AeroGardeners continues to grow.  AeroGarden sales, net of allowances, represented 66.2%76.3% of total revenue, as compared to 76.1%62.8% in the prior year period.  This percentage decrease,increase, on a product line basis, was attributable to both directtiming of sales to consumerretail accounts, as discussed above.  Seed pod kit and retail online customers purchasing additionalaccessory sales increased $1.7 million or 106.3%. As a percent of total sales, seed pod kitskit and accessories.  Sales of seed pod kits increasedaccessory sales decreased to 23.7% from 94,00037.2%, primarily due to 382,000 units, primarily as a result of new AeroGrow saleslarge increase in the prior periods and the follow on purchasespurchase of seed pod kits and resulting increased sizean AeroGarden. 

21

 

The Company continues to spend advertising dollars in order to strategically build market awareness and enhance initiatives implemented in the prior year. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 (“Fiscal 2021”), we intend to expand consumer awareness of the AeroGrow brand and product line.  As a result, duringDuring the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, (the first quarter of Fiscal 2021), we incurred $1.3$1.6 million ofin advertising expenses to support our direct-to-consumer and retail channels,expenditures, a $818,000$1.2 million or 159.7%278.7% year-over-year increase compared to the same periodprior year period. This was primarily due to an increase in Fiscal 2020.our direct-to-consumer pay-per-click and retail marketing campaigns and expanded digital marketing.  The advertising expenditures were divided as follows:

 

Retail specificDirect-to-consumer advertising increased $681,000 from $93,000 to $774,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily reflecting an increase in spending from pay-per-click and digital display advertising campaigns such as Google Ads and Facebook.  Efficiency, as measured by dollars of direct-to-consumer sales generated per dollar of related advertising expense, decreased to $317,000 from $416,000$6.53 for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, as compared to $17.50 for the same period in Fiscal 2020.

Retail advertising increased $518,000 from $339,000 to $857,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively, as the Company continuescontinued to invest in driving product awareness through: (i) platforms made available by our retailers; (ii) various promotional programs to increase product awareness with our housewares channel of retail accounts, including catalogues and email campaigns; and (iii) web-based advertising programs (e.g. including online retail catalogues, website banner ads, email blasts, targeted search campaigns, media group and marketing service campaigns, etc.), however, due to lower levels of inventory the Company did not spend as much driving sales through retail specific programs.

Direct-to-consumer advertising increased $919,000 to $1.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020.  The increase reflects increases in specific pay-per-click advertising geared toward the direct-to-consumer customer base and direct advertising campaigns such as Google Ads and Facebook.  Efficiency, as measured by dollars of direct-to-consumer sales per dollar of related advertising expense, increased to $8.94 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to $20.07 for the same period in Fiscal 2020.

 

Our gross profit percentage for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 was 44.8%41.3%, up from 32.5%33.1% in the prior year period primarily due to increases inhigher demand during the COVID pandemic, and increased sales prices, more sales to higher margin Direct-to-consumer customers, supply chain efficiencies that were not in place in the prior year,, fewer planned discount programs in our sales channels due to lower inventory levels, and increased sales.supply chain efficiencies that were not in place in the prior year.   

 

In aggregate, our total operating expenses increased 87.0%,80.8% or $2.2$2.0 million year-over-year, principally because we spent more to support revenue growth.as a result of an increase in sales in the current year.  Gross spending increasedfluctuated in the following areas:

 

A $1.2 million increase in advertising costs to promote all sales channels;

a $909,000A $878,000 increase in personnel expenses, primarily driven bydue to the calculation on our company-wide incentive program that scales as our growth increases and an increase in headcount as some hiring happened during this quarter last year;headcount;

a $793,000A $174,000 increase in saleslegal and marketing costs to promote all sales channels;consulting expenses, as the Company considers and analyzes strategic alternatives proposed by Scotts Miracle-Gro; and

a $180,000 increase for shareholder value meetings with directors and in web services as we launch better order processing software and prepare for new product launches that leverage web-based platforms;

a $171,000A $78,000 increase in bad debt and depreciation expense; and 

a $156,000 increase in legal and consulting expenses related to strategic alternatives being investigated.expense.

 

These increases were partially offset by:

A $140,000 decrease in a variety of general operating accounts, including office related expenses, such as repairs and maintenance, telephone, courier fees, and new product testing and development; and

A $136,000 decrease in Company-wide travel.

Due to the increased order volume driven by better marketing and earlier load-in orders, and decreased operating expenses as a $111,000 decrease in Company-wide travel. As a resultpercentage of efforts to drive growth and increase sales, ourrevenue, we generated an operating income was $2.7of $1.3 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, as compared to an operating loss of $1.1 million in the prior year period.

 

19

Net otherOther expense for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 totaled $20,000, as compared to a net other expense of $5,000$53,000 in the prior year period.both periods.  The current yearnet other expense is primarily attributable to an increase in foreign exchange losses and interest expense on the outstanding loan. 

 

NetThe net income for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 was $2.6increased to $1.3 million, as compared to thea loss of $1.1 million loss in the prior year period.year.  The $3.7 million increase reflectedin net income resulted from increases in overall sales in retail accounts, primarily due to more pre-holiday load-in sales to retailers, increased direct-to-consumer sales, revenue,along with increased gross margins, and decreased operating expenses as a percentage of revenue and increased margins.revenue. 

22

 

The following table sets forth, as a total percentage of sales, our financial results for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019:

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenue

                

Direct-to-consumer

  55.2

%

  42.5

%

  35.3

%

  36.8

%

Retail

  43.8

%

  54.6

%

  64.3

%

  61.6

%

International

  1.0

%

  2.9

%

  0.4

%

  1.6

%

Total net revenue

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

                

Cost of revenue

  55.2

%

  67.5

%

  58.7

%

  66.9

%

Gross profit percentage

  44.8

%

  32.5

%

  41.3

%

  33.1

%

                

Operating expenses

                

Research and development

  1.8

%

  4.7

%

  2.1

%

  6.3

%

Sales and marketing

  17.2

%

  31.4

%

 

20.2

%  30.9%

General and administrative

  9.6

%

  20.0

%

  9.8

%

  20.2

%

Total operating expenses

  28.6

%

  56.1

%

  32.1

%

  57.4

%

Profit (loss) from operations

  16.2

%

  (23.6

)%

Profit (loss) income from operations

  9.2

%

  (24.3

)%

 

Revenue

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, revenue totaled $16.4$14.3 million, a year-over-year increase of 266.7%223.5% or $11.9$9.9 million, from the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019.

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

(in thousands)

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenue

        

Net Revenue

 

2020

  

2019

 

Direct-to-consumer

 $9,056  $1,902  $5,051  $1,628 

Retail

  7,180   2,443   9,205   2,725 

International

  175   130   54   70 

Total

 $16,411  $4,475  $14,310  $4,423 

  

Direct-to-consumer sales for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 totaled $9.1$5.1 million, an increase of $7.2up $3.4 million or 376.1%,210.2% from the prior year period.   This increase was caused by continued momentum of growth from prior periods amplified by demand in indoor gardening of customers seeking healthy, fresh food and uncertainties in the food supply chain during COVID-19,COVID-19. We continued driving direct-to-consumer awareness during our non-peak season through our focus on advertising that drives sales, follow-on direct sales to customers that have previously purchased AeroGardens, and continued momentum from general brand awareness campaigns.

 

Sales to retailer customers for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 totaled $7.2$9.2 million, up $4.7$6.5 million or 193.9%,from the prior year period, principally reflecting organic growth in our existing retail accounts, namely Amazon.com, Kohl’s and Canadian Tire, and timing of programsearlier program load-in sales with Home DepotWoot!, and sales to one new account, Best Buy.Buy, in advance of the peak holiday season.  International sales increasedtotaled $54,000, down from $130,000 to $175,000$70,000 in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 primarily due to timing of available inventory to sell in European markets as we continue to understand the trends that impact the international market.prior year period.

 

2023

 

Our products consist of AeroGardens, and seed pod kits and accessories.  A summary of the sales of these two product categories for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and JuneSeptember 30, 2019 is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

(in thousands)

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Product revenue

                

AeroGardens

 $10,864  $3,406  $12,565  $3,403 

Seed pod kits and accessories

  6,866   1,681   3,393   1,644 

Discounts, allowances and other

  (1,319

)

  (612

)

  (1,648

)

  (624

)

Total

 $16,411  $4,475  $14,310  $4,423 

% of total revenue

                

AeroGardens

  66.2

%

  76.1

%

  87.8

%

  76.9

%

Seed pod kits and accessories

  41.8

%

  37.6

%

  23.7

%

  37.2

%

Discounts, allowances and other

  (8.0

)%

  (13.7

)%

  (11.5

)%

  (14.1

)%

Total

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

 

AeroGarden sales increased $7.5$9.2 million, or 218.9%269.2%, from the prior year period, reflecting: (i) increased retail channel sales as the AeroGarden gained customer acceptance from new and existing customers, in historically slower sales period, primarily from Amazon.com, Kohl’s, HomeDepot.comWoot! and BestBuy.com; (ii) increased sales in Direct-to-consumer channels; and (iii) continued focus on specific advertising, including pay-per-click, and general awareness campaigns toward the general population, which informed buyers about our products.  The increase in seed pod kit and accessory sales, which increased by $5.2from $1.6 million or 308.6%,to $3.4 million, principally reflectingreflects the overall increase in our prior focus on acquiring new AeroGarden customers, who purchase seed pod kits and accessories after purchasing and using newestablished base of AeroGardens and increases in light bulb sales for both LED lighting and CFL lights.to retail customers at brick-and-mortar stores.  For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, sales of seed pod kits and accessories represented 41.8%23.7% of total revenue, as compared to 37.6%37.2% in the prior year period.period, as a result of the significant increase in the AeroGarden retail sales in the current year.  Other revenue, which is comprised primarily of grow club revenue, shipping revenue, accruals and deductions, decreased as a percent of the total revenue to (8.0)(11.5)% from (13.7)(14.1)% in the prior year period, primarily due to lower estimated returns and select and more effective use of discounts for in-store retail accounts, which generated higher retail sales.accounts.

 

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 totaled $9.1$8.4 million, an increase of $6.0$5.4 million or 199.8%, from the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019.2019, due to increased sales volume.  Cost of revenue includes product costs for purchased and manufactured products, freight costs for inbound freight costs from manufacturers, costs related to warehousing and the shipping of products to customers, credit card processing fees for direct sales, and duties and customs applicable to imported products. As a percent of total revenue, cost of revenue represented 55.2%58.7% of revenue as compared to 66.9% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as compared to 67.5% for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019.  The decrease in costs as a percent of revenue was primarily due to increases in sales prices as we offered fewer discounts, as well as realizing efficiencies and economies of scale in the supply chain..chain. In the prior year, we generated a disproportionate amount of sales related to specific deals, such as Amazon’s Prime Day, which typically have compressed margins, one-time fees related to establishing a new warehouse location, and additional warehouse fees for product preparation, which did not occur in the current period.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit varies based upon the factors impactingaffecting net revenue and cost of revenue as(as discussed above,above), as well as the mix of our revenue that comes from the retail, direct-to-consumer, and international channels.  In a direct-to-consumer sale, we recognize as revenue the full consumer purchase price for the product.  In retail and international sales, by comparison, we recognize as revenue the wholesale price for the product that we charge to the retailer or international distributor.  Media costs associated with direct sales are included in sales and marketing expenses.  For international sales, margins are structured based on the distributor purchasing products by letter of credit or cash in advance, terms with the distributor bearing all of the marketing and distribution costs within its territory.  As a result, international sales generally have lower gross profits than domestic retailmargins and retailer margins will fluctuate with changes in programs designed to drive sales.  The gross profit percentage for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 was 44.8%41.3% as compared to 32.5%33.1% for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019.  The increase in our gross profit was primarily attributable to the changes to our customer and product mix within both the retail and direct-to-consumer, driving sales without as much discounting, higher sales and resulting economies of scale. Additionally, in the prior year we hadexperienced several supply chain and warehouse issues that caused friction and increased costs.

24

 

Research and Development

Research and development costs for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 totaled $301,000,$294,000, an increase of $91,000$18,000 from the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019, primarily related to increased salaries and wages2019.  The increase reflects a $79,000 in personnel expenses due to greater headcount and a company-wide incentive program that scales with increased growth, and termination of the collaboration expense repayment partially offset by decreased travel and expenses related to new product development.development product testing and certifications.

21

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing costs for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 totaled $2.8$2.9 million, up 100.6% fromas compared to $1.4 million for the prior year period.three months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of 111.0%, or $1.5 million.  Sales and marketing costs include all costs associated with the marketing, sales, operations, customer support, and sales order processing for our products, and consisted of the following:

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

(in thousands)

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Advertising

 $1,331  $512  $1,636  $432 

Personnel

  1,057   491   972   494 

Sales commissions

  48   9   12   14 

Trade shows

  -   1 

Market research

  13   94 

Travel

  2   66   2   90 

Media production and promotional products

  1   7   18   22 

Quality control and processing fees

  69   33   69   50 

Market research

  91   50 

Other

  216   236   166   172 
 $2,815  $1,404  $2,888  $1,369 

 

Advertising expense is composed primarilyprincipally comprised of cataloguethe costs of development, production, printing and postage costs,for catalogue mailing, web media expensescosts for search and affiliate web marketing programs, and the cost of developing and employing other forms of advertising. Each is aof these are key componentcomponents of our integrated marketing strategy because it helpsthat aims to build consumer awareness and demand for our products in the retailer and direct-to-consumer sales channels.  Total advertisingAdvertising expense was $1.3totaled $1.6 million for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, a year-over-year increase of 159.7%278.7%, or $818,000, primarily$1.2 million, due to increasedan increase in spending on pay-per click advertising, including keyword search campaigns, general brand awareness and marketing and email campaigns.advertising campaigns and web-based advertising programs.

 

Sales and marketing personnel costs include salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefits and other payroll costs for our sales, operations, customer service, graphics and marketing departments.  For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, personnel costs for sales and marketing were $1.1 million,$972,000, up $567,000$477,000 or 115.5%96.6% from the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019.  The increase reflected the company-wide incentive program that scales as growth increases, increasedestimate, which is based on a comparison of current year and prior year sales, the creation of new retail support roles and a related increase in employee headcountbenefits for those employees. Personnel expenses include all related payroll expenses, including incentive programs, salaries, bonuses and relatedemployee benefits.

 

Other marketing expenses increaseddecreased year-over-year as we continue to grow our businessprincipally because of decreases in travel and increasefewer market research and other programs, including the use of third party agencies for sales planning.programs.

 

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 totaled $1.6$1.4 million, as compared to $894,000$893,000 for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019, an increase of 76.0%57.4%, or $680,000.$513,000.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased salaries and wages including theattributable to a company-wide incentive program that scales aswith sales growth, increases, consulting and legal fees associated with strategic alternatives intended to maximize shareholder value, and IT services as we expand our web based experience and bad debt and depreciation expenses.expenses, partially offset by decreases in travel expenses and general office categories including repairs and maintenance.

Operating Income and Loss

Our operating income for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020 was $2.7$1.3 million, an increase of $3.7$2.4 million from the operating loss of $1.1 million operating loss for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019.  The increased operating income was attributable to increased margins on ourreflected higher sales partially offset by increases in marketingall channels and brand awareness advertising expenses, a company-wide incentive program, and usegross margins, as discussed in greater detail above.

25

 

Net Income and Loss

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, we recorded a net income of $2.6$1.3 million as compared to a $3.7 million increase over thenet loss of $1.1 million net loss for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2019.  The increase in the net income is primarily a result of increased margins on increased sales volume in the current year period, partially offset by increases in sales and marketing expenses designed to continue growing brand awareness and outside consulting fees.

 

Segment Results

We report our segment information in the same way that management assesses the business and makes decision regarding the allocations of resources in accordance with the Segment Reporting Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). Factors considered in determining our reportable segments include the nature of the business activities, the reports provided to the Company’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) for operating and administrative activities, available information and information that is presented to our Board of Directors.

22

 

The Company’s CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer because he has final authority over the performance assessment and resource allocation decisions. The CODM: (i) regularly receives discrete financial information about each reportable segment, (ii) uses all such information for performance assessment and resource allocation decisions; and (iii) evaluates the performance of and allocates resources based upon the contribution margins of each segment.

 

As a result, we divide our business into two reportable segments: Direct-to-Consumer and Retail. This division of reportable segments is consistent with how the segments report to and are managed by the chief operating decision maker of the Company.  The Company evaluates performance based on the primary financial measure of contribution margin (“segment profit”). Segment profit reflects the income or loss from operations before corporate expenses, non-operating income, net interest expense, and income taxes.

  

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

  

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $9,056  $7,355  $-  $16,411  $5,051  $9,259  $-  $14,310 

Cost of revenue

  4,854   4,200   -   9,054   3,059   5,344   -   8,403 

Gross profit

  4,202   3,155   -   7,357   1,992   3,915   -   5,907 

Gross profit percentage

  46.4

%

  42.9

%

  -   44.8

%

  39.4

%

  42.3

%

  -   41.3

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  1,073   351   214   1,638   783   891   159   1,833 

Segment profit

  3,129   2,804   (214

)

  5,719   1,209   3,024   (159

)

  28.5 

Segment profit percentage

  34.6

%

  38.1

%

  -   34.8

%

  23.9

%

  32.7

%

  -   28.5

%

 

(1) Sales and marketing expense includes advertising, trade shows, media production and promotional products and other as discussed in the sales and marketing section.

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

  

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $1,902  $2,573  $-  $4,475  $1,628  $2,795  $-  $4,423 

Cost of revenue

  1,389   1,631   -   3,020   920   2,038   -   2,958 

Gross profit

  513   942   -   1,455   708   757   -   1,465 

Gross profit percentage

  27.0

%

  36.6

%

  -   32.5

%

  43.5

%

  27.1

%

  -   33.1

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  109   521   176   806   110   463   147   720 

Segment profit

  404   421   (176

)

  649   598   294   (147

)

  745 

Segment profit percentage

  21.2

%

  16.4

%

  -   14.5

%

  36.7

%

  10.5

%

  -   16.8

%

 

(1) Sales and marketing expense includes advertising, trade shows, media production and promotional products and other as discussed in the sales and marketing section.

26

Six Months Ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019

Summary Overview

Sales results during the first six months of our fiscal year (April-September), are historically variable and can be impacted by the timing of load-in sales in advance of the peak holiday season, which fluctuates year to year. In certain years there are also differences due to timing of load-in of holiday stock sales at many retail accounts as these customers will take load-in orders as early or later as they had in the prior year. Retail sales results in advance of the holiday peak season have historically fluctuated between the first six months of our fiscal year (April-September) and the first nine months of the year (April-December).  However, for the current year our sales growth is driven primarily by continued strength of the business, customer acceptance and knowledge, growing demand for our product, increased interest during the pandemic in indoor gardening, at-home meal preparation and access to fresh, safe food sources, and sales to a new account BestBuy.

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, total revenue was $30.7 million, up 245.3%, or $21.8 million, relative to the same period in the prior year.  The increase was primarily due to continued sales into the existing online channels, including Amazon.com, Kohls.com, HomeDepot.com, Woot!, sales to new accounts, including BestBuy.com, as well as increased enthusiasm about indoor gardening and healthy, safe and fresh food.   In addition to the increase in retail sales, sales in our direct-to-consumer channels increased by 299.6%, or $10.6 million, primarily due to more visibility and continued momentum from our general advertising and marketing campaign, increased user base and our increased visibility, continued momentum from prior periods, and amplified demand in the indoor gardening market from customers seeking healthy, fresh food.

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, total sales of AeroGarden units increased by 244.1% from the prior year period and seed pod kit and accessory sales increased by 208.5% over prior year period.  AeroGarden sales, net of allowances, represented 66.6% of total revenue, as compared to 62.6% in the prior year period.  This percentage increase, on a product line basis, was attributable to a growth in existing customer accounts, and to a lesser extent the timing of load-in programs in advance of the peak holiday season, as discussed above. Total dollar sales of seed pod kits and accessories increased by $6.9 million or 208.5%. As a percentage of total sales, seed pod kit and accessory sales decreased from 37.4% in the prior year period to 33.4%, primarily as a result of the increase in the amount of AeroGarden sales.  

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, we spent $3.0 million in advertising expenditures, a year-over-year increase of $2.0 million, or 214.1%, compared to the same period ended September 30, 2019. These expenditures were divided as follows:

Direct-to-consumer advertising increased $1.6 million to $1.8 million during the six months ended September 30, 2020, primarily reflecting increases in specific pay-per-click advertising geared toward the direct-to-consumer customer base and direct advertising campaigns.  Efficiency, as measured by dollars of direct-to-consumer sales per dollar of related advertising expense decreased to $7.89 for the six months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $18.80 for the same period in Fiscal 2020.

Retail advertising increased to $1.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2020 from $756,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2019, as we invested in: (i) platforms made available by our retailers; (ii) various promotional programs to increase product awareness with our retail housewares channel, including catalogues and email campaigns; and (iii) web-based advertising programs (e.g. inclusion in online retail catalogues, website banner ads, email blasts, targeted search campaigns, etc.).

Our gross profit for the six months ended September 30, 2020, was 43.2%, up from 32.8% in the prior year period.  The increase in the gross profit percentage is due to increased demand and sales volume to higher margin customers, fewer planned discount programs in our sales channels due to lower inventory levels, economies of scales and supply chain efficiencies that were not in place in the prior year. The prior year included several one-time fees related to set up of a new warehouse to serve select retail customers.

In aggregate, our total operating expenses increased 83.9%, or $4.2 million, year-over-year, principally to support new revenue growth, including the following:

a $2.0 million increase in advertising costs to promote all sales channels;

a $1.8 million increase in personnel expenses primarily driven by our company-wide incentive program that scales as our growth increases and an increase in headcount to support higher sales volume;

27

a $330,000 increase in legal and consulting expenses related to the consideration and analysis of strategic alternatives posed by Scotts Miracle-Gro; and

a $249,000 increase in bad debt and depreciation expense.

These increases were partially offset by a $247,000 decrease in company-wide travel. Our operating income increased $6.1 million to $4.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2020, from an operating loss of $2.1 million in the prior year period, primarily as a result of increased sales with existing customers, sales to new customers, decreased operating expenses as a percentage of revenue and increased margins. 

Other expense for the six months ended September 30, 2020 totaled to a net other expense of $73,000, as compared to net other expense of $59,000 in the prior year period.  The current year other expense is attributable to an increase in foreign exchange losses and interest expense on the outstanding loans.  In the prior year period, net other expense was primarily attributable to interest expense, offset by foreign exchange gains.  

The net income for the six months ended September 30, 2020 was $3.9 million, as compared to the $2.2 million loss in the prior year.  The increased net income is due to increases in overall sales, for both retail accounts direct-to-consumer sales, along with increased gross margins, and decreased operating expenses as a percentage of revenue. 

The following table sets forth, as a total percentage of sales, our financial results for the six months ended September 30, 2020, and the six months ended September 30, 2019:

  

Six Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenue

        

Direct-to-consumer

  45.9

%

  39.7

%

Retail

  53.3

%

  58.1

%

International

  0.8

%

  2.2

%

Total net revenue

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

         

Cost of revenue

  56.8

%

  67.2

%

Gross profit

  43.2

%

  32.8

%

         

Operating expenses

        

Research and development

  1.9

%

  5.5

%

Sales and marketing

  18.6

%

  31.1

%

General and administrative

  9.7

%

  20.1

%

Total operating expenses

  30.2

%

  56.7

%

Income (loss) income from operations

  13.0

%

  (23.9

)%

Revenue

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, revenue totaled $30.7 million, a year-over-year increase of 245.3% or $21.8 million, from the six months ended September 30, 2019.

  

Six Months Ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

 

Net Revenue

 

2020

  

2019

 

Direct-to-consumer

 $14,107  $3,530 

Retail

  16,385   5,168 

International

  229   200 

Total

 $30,721  $8,898 

28

Direct-to-consumer sales for the six months ended September 30, 2020, totaled 14.1 million, up $10.6 million or 299.6%, from the prior year period. This increase was caused by continued momentum of growth from prior periods amplified by demand in indoor gardening of customers seeking healthy, fresh food and uncertainties in the food supply chain during COVID-19. We continued driving direct-to-consumer awareness during our non-peak season through our focus on advertising that drives increased direct-to-consumer awareness, better promotional scheduling, follow-on direct sales to customers that have previously purchased AeroGardens, and continued momentum from general brand awareness campaigns.

Sales to retailer customers for the six months ended September 30, 2020, totaled $16.4 million, up $11.2 million, or 217.0%, from the prior year period, principally reflecting: (i) organic growth in our existing retail accounts, namely Amazon.com, Kohl’s and Canadian Tire; (ii) earlier program load-in with Woot!; and (iii) sales to one new account, Best Buy, all of which began in advance of the peak holiday season. Historically, load-in sales in advance of the peak holiday season to both online and brick-and-mortar stores vary between this quarter and the next quarter.

International sales for the six months ended September 30, 2020, totaled $229,000, an increase of $29,000 from the prior year period.

Our products consist of AeroGardens, and seed pod kits and accessories.  A summary of the sales of these two product categories for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 is as follows:

  

Six Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Product revenue

 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

AeroGardens

 $23,429  $6,809 

Seed pod kits and accessories

  10,259   3,325 

Discounts, allowances and other

  (2,967

)

  (1,236

)

Total

 $30,721  $8,898 

% of total revenue

        

AeroGardens

  76.3

%

  76.5

%

Seed pod kits and accessories

  33.4

%

  37.4

%

Discounts, allowances and other

  (9.7

)%

  (13.9

)%

Total

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

AeroGarden sales increased $16.6 million, or 244.1%, from the prior year period, reflecting an increase in the organic growth from existing customers, demand of customers seeking healthy, safe gardening items and sales of AeroGardens in our direct-to-consumer channel.  The increase in seed pod kit and accessory sales, which increased by $6.9 million, or 208.5%, principally reflects the continued focus on acquiring new AeroGarden customers, who have historically purchased seed pod kits and accessories after purchasing and using new AeroGardens.  For the six months ended September 30, 2020, sales of seed pod kits and accessories represented 33.4% of total revenue, as compared to 37.4% in the prior year period.  The percentage decrease is due to the relatively larger increase in AeroGarden purchases.  Other revenue, which is comprised primarily of grow club revenue, shipping revenue, accruals and deductions, decreased as a percent of the total to (9.7)% from (13.9)% in the prior year period due to lower retail sales estimated returns, deductions for sales allowances and future discounts for in-store retail accounts.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2020 totaled $17.5 million, an increase of $11.5 million, from the six months ended September 30, 2019, due to increased sales volume.  Cost of revenue includes product costs for purchased and manufactured products, freight costs for inbound freight from manufacturers, costs related to warehousing and the shipping of products to customers, credit card processing fees for direct sales, and duties and customs applicable to imported products. As a percent of total revenue, cost of revenue represented 56.8% of revenue as compared to 67.2% for the prior year period.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit varies based upon the factors affecting net revenue and cost of revenue as discussed above, as well as the mix of our revenue that comes from the retail, direct-to-consumer, and international channels.  In a direct-to-consumer sale, we recognize as revenue the full consumer purchase price for the product.  In retail and international sales, by comparison, we recognize as revenue the wholesale price for the product that we charge to the retailer or international distributor.  Media costs associated with direct sales are included in sales and marketing expenses.  As a result, retail and international sales generally have lower gross profits than direct-to-consumer sales.  The gross profit for the six months ended September 30, 2020, was 43.2% as compared to 32.8% for the six months ended September 30, 2019.  The increase in our gross profit percentage was primarily due to changes in customer demand and product mix within both the retail and direct-to-consumer channels, driving sales without as much discounting, higher overall sales volume and economies of scale in our supply chain.

29

Research and Development

Research and development costs for the six months ended September 30, 2020, totaled $595,000, an increase of 22.3%, or $108,000, from the six months ended September 30, 2019.  The increase reflects increases in personnel expenses for new employees and a company-wide incentive program that scales with growth in sales, partially offset by decreases in travel, new product testing and certifications.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing costs for the six months ended September 30, 2020, totaled $5.7 million, as compared to $2.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of 105.7%, or $2.9 million.  Sales and marketing costs include all costs associated with the marketing, sales, operations, customer support, and sales order processing for our products, and consisted of the following:

  

Six Months Ended

September 30,

(in thousands)

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Advertising

 $2,967  $944 

Personnel

  2,029   985 

Sales commissions

  60   23 

Trade shows

  -   1 

Market research

  105   145 

Travel

  4   156 

Media production and promotional products

  19   29 

Quality control and processing fees

  139   82 

Other

  380   407 
  $5,703  $2,772 

Advertising expense totaled $3.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2020, a year-over-year increase of 214.1%, or $2.0 million, primarily due to increased spending on general brand awareness advertising and marketing, promotional programs within our retail channel, email campaigns, and pay-per click advertising.

Sales and marketing personnel costs include salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefits and other payroll costs for our sales, operations, customer service, graphics and marketing departments.  For the six months ended September 30, 2020, personnel costs for sales and marketing were $2.0 million, up from $985,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of 106.0%.  The increase primarily reflected the company-wide incentive program that scales with growth in sales, the creation of new retail support roles and a related increase in employee benefits for those employees.  Personnel expenses include all related payroll expenses, including incentive programs, bonuses and employee benefits.

Other marketing expenses decreased year-over-year due to decreased travel and fewer market research and retailer marketing programs.

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs for the six months ended September 30, 2020, totaled $3.0 million, as compared to $1.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of 66.7%, or $1.2 million.  The increase is attributable to increases in: (i) salaries and wages including the company-wide incentive program that scales with sales growth; (ii) consulting and legal fees associated with consideration and analysis of strategic alternatives intended to maximize shareholder value; (iii) IT services as we expand our web based experience; and (iv) bad debt and depreciation expense. These increases were partially offset by decreases in a Company-wide travel.

Operating Income and Loss

Operating income for the six months ended September 30, 2020 was $4.0 million, an increase of $6.1 million from the operating loss of $2.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019.  The increase in operating income was attributable to increase sales in the retail and direct-to-consumer sales channels, increased gross margin and economies of scale, which resulted in a reduction in operating expenses as a percentage of revenue.

Net Income and Loss

The net income for the six months ended September 30, 2020 was $3.9 million, as compared to a $2.2 million net loss in the prior-year period as discussed above.

30

Segment Results

We report our segment information in the same way that management assesses the business and makes decision regarding the allocations of resources

  

Six Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $14,107  $16,614  $-  $30,721 

Cost of revenue 

  7,913   9,544   -   17,457 

Gross profit

  6,194   7,070   -   13,264 

Gross profit percentage

  43.9

%

  42.6

%

  -   43.2

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  1,857   1,242   372   3,471 

Segment profit

  4,337   5,828   (372

)

  1,395 

Segment profit percentage

  30.7

%

  35.1

%

  -   31.9

%

(1) Sales and marketing includes advertising, trade shows, media production and promotional products and other as discussed in the sales and marketing section.

  

Six Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $3,530  $5,368  $-  $8,898 

Cost of revenue 

  2,309   3,668   -   5,977 

Gross profit

  1,221   1,700   -   2,921 

Gross profit percentage

  34.6

%

  31.7

%

  -   32.8

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  142   1,065   319   1,526 

Segment profit

  1,079   635   (319

)

  1,395 

Segment profit percentage

  30.6

%

  11.8

%

  -   15.7

%

(1) Sales and marketing includes advertising, trade shows, media production and promotional products and other as discussed in the sales and marketing section.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

After adjusting the net income for non-cash items and changes in operating assets and liabilities, the net cash providedused by operating activities totaled $1.4$5.9 million for the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, as compared to cash used of $309,000 for$4.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2019.  prior year period.

 

Non-cash items, comprising depreciation, amortization, bad debt allowances, accretion of debt associationassociated with sale of intellectual property and inventory allowances, totaled to a net gain of $444,000$740,000 for the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, as compared to a net gain of $137,000$331,000 in the prior year period.  The increase reflected non-cash charges arising from all of the non-cash expenses. expense categories.

 

Changes in current assets used net cash of $3.6$13.7 million during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, principally from increases in inventory, prepaid assets and accounts receivable,deposit balances as we continue to order inventory to support the sales growth and begin to prepareramp up for our fallpeak sales programs.season, which historically begins in the second and third fiscal quarter.

 

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020, the total inventory balance was $6.3$12.8 million, representing approximately 74128 days of sales activity, and 64140 days of sales activity, at the average daily rate of product cost expensed during the twelve months and three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, respectively.  The three months’ days in inventory calculation is based on the three months of sales activity and can be greatly impacted by the seasonality of our sales, which have historically been at their highest level during the quarter ending December 31.  The twelve months’ days in inventory calculation is based on the twelve months of sales activity and is less impacted by the seasonality of our sales.

 

23

Current operating liabilities increased $1.9$3.1 million during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, principally because of increasesan increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses.payable.  Accounts payable as of JuneSeptember 30, 2020, totaled $6.0$6.6 million, representing approximately 4645 days of daily expense activity, and 4047 days of daily expense activity, at the average daily rate of expenses incurred during the twelve months and three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020, respectively.

 

31

Net investinginvestment activity used $147,000$1.2 million of cash in the current year period, principally due to purchases of equipment as we change supply manufacturers and introduce new products.

Net financing activity provided net cash of $2.0 million during the six months ended September 30, 2020, principally due to the purchases of equipment.Term Loan and payments on the capital lease.

 

Cash

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020, we had a cash balance of $10.3$3.8 million, of which $15,000 was restricted as collateral for various corporate obligations.  This compares to a cash balance of $9.1 million as of March 31, 2020, of which $15,000 was restricted.  The decrease in cash is primarily attributable to the purchase of inventory in the current quarter to meet peak season sales demand, particularly current period load-in sales with new and expanded brick-and-mortar retail customers.

 

Borrowing Agreements

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, we have $2.9 million and $900,000, respectively, of outstanding long-term debt, respectively. See Note 3 relateddebt. We have entered into a Working Capital Term Loan Agreement in the principal amount of up to the$7.5 million and Real Estate Term Loan AgreementsAgreement in the principal amount of up to $1.5 million with Scotts Miracle-Gro and Note 10 for subsequent events.Miracle-Gro. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the outstanding balance of our note payable and debt, including accrued interest, was as follows:

 

 

June 30,

  

March 31,

  

September 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

 
 

2020

(in thousands)

  

2020

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Notes payable and debt-related party

 $915  $915  $2,915  $915 

Total notes payable and debt

  915   915 

Less current portion - long term debt

  15   15 

Total debt

  2,915   915 

Less current portion – long term debt

  2,015   15 

Long term debt

 $900  $900  $900  $900 

After September 30, 2020, we borrowed an additional $1.5 million under the Working Capital Term Loan, bringing the total principal amount due under both loans to $4.4 million.

 

Cash Requirements

 

We generally require cash to:

 

fund our operations and working capital requirements;

develop and execute our product development and market introduction plans;

execute our sales and marketing plans;

fund research and development efforts; and

pay debt obligations as they come due.

 

At this time, we do not expect to enter into additional capital leases to finance major purchases.  In addition, we do not currently have any binding commitments with third parties to obtain any material amount of equity or debt financing other than the financing arrangements described in this report.

 

32

Assessment of Future Liquidity and Results of Operations

 

Liquidity

To assess our ability to fund ongoing operating requirements, we developed assumptions regarding operating cash flow.  Critical sources of funding, and key assumptions and areas of uncertainty include:

 

our cash of $10.3$3.8 million ($15,000 of which is restricted as collateral for our various corporate obligations) as of JuneSeptember 30, 2020;

our cash of $6.0$2.8 million ($15,000 of which is restricted as collateral for our various corporate obligations) as of August 4,November 9, 2020;

the continued support of, and extensions of credit by, our suppliers and lenders;lenders, including, but not limited to, the Working Capital Term Loan of up to $7.5 million and Real Estate Term Loan of up to $1.5 million, both from Scotts Miracle-Gro, of which we had borrowed an aggregate of approximately $2.9 million and $4.4 million of the combined $9.0 million in principal amount as of September 30, 2020 and November 9, 2020, respectively;

our historical pattern of increased sales between September and March, and lower sales volume from April through August;

the level of spending necessary to support our planned initiatives; and

our sales to consumers, retailers, and international distributors, and the resulting cash flow from operations, which will depend in great measure on the success of our direct-to-consumer sales initiatives, and the acceptance of the product at our various retail distribution customers.

On August 3, 2020, the Company entered into a Working Capital Term Loan Agreement in the principal amount of up to $7.5 million with Scotts Miracle-Gro.  The proceeds will be made available as needed in increments of $500,000, the Company may pay down and reborrow during the Term Loan, not to exceed $7.5 million with a due date of June 30, 2021.  The Term Loan Agreement is secured by a lien on the assets of the Company and interest is charged at the stated rate of 10% per annum to be paid quarterly in arrears in cash, at the end of each September, December, March and June.  The funds provide general working capital and is being used for the purpose of acquiring inventory to support anticipated growth as the Company expands its retail and its direct-to-consumer sales channels.  We have borrowed an aggregate $3.5 million as of November 9, 2020 and can reborrow amounts repaid against the $7.5 million loan in order to purchase inventory during our peak selling season.  See Note 3 “Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Current Portion – Long Term Debt” to our condensed financial statements.

On June 20, 2019, the Company entered into a Real Estate Term Loan Agreement in the principal amount of up to $1.5 million with Scotts Miracle-Gro.  The funding provides capital to fund real estate related lease obligations. The proceeds will be made available as needed in increments of $100,000 not to exceed $1.5 million with a due date of March 31, 2022. Interest will be charged at the stated rate of 10% and will be paid quarterly in arrears on each of April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had borrowed $900,000 under the Real Estate Term Loan. See Note 3 “Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Current Portion – Long Term Debt” to our condensed financial statements.

 

Based on these facts and assumptions, we believe our existing cash and cash equivalents, along with the Term Loan Agreement and the cash generated by our anticipated results from operations, will be sufficient to meet our operating needs for the next twelve months.  

 

2433

 

Results of Operations

There are several factors that could affect our future results of operations.  These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

the effectiveness of our consumer marketing efforts in generating both direct-to-consumer sales, and sales to consumers by our retailer customer;customers;

uncertainty regarding the impact of macroeconomic conditions, including the COVID pandemic, on consumer spending;

uncertainty regarding the capital markets and our access to sufficient capital to support our current and projected scale of operations;

the seasonality of our business, in which we have historically experienced higher sales volume induring the five-month period from Septemberfall and winter months (September through January;March);

a continued, uninterrupted supply of product from our third-party manufacturing suppliers in China;

the success of theour relationship with Scotts Miracle-Gro, relationship, and

uncertainty of appropriate exit strategies with retail customers regardless of the contractual obligations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or liabilities, guarantee contracts, retained or contingent interest in transferred assets, and have not entered into any contracts for financial derivative such as futures, swaps, and options.

34

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our interest income is most sensitive to fluctuations in the general level of U.S. interest rates. As such, changes in U.S. interest rates affect the interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents, and cash equivalents.short-term investments, and the value of those investments. Due to the short-term nature of our cash equivalents and investments, we have concluded that a change in interest rates does not pose a material market risk to us with respect to our interest income. As discussed above, if we acquire additionalOur debt carries fixed interest rates and therefore changes in the general level of market interest rates couldwill not impact our interest expense during the terms of futureour existing debt arrangements.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

 

We transact business primarily in U.S. currency.  Although we purchase our products in U.S. dollars, the prices charged by our suppliers in Asia are predicated upon their cost for components, labor and overhead. Therefore, changes in the valuation of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Chinese currencies may cause our manufacturers to raise prices of our products which could reduce our profit margins.

  

In future periods, it is possible that we could be exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on accounts receivable from sales and net monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies and liabilities.  To date, however, virtually all of our transactions have been denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

Foreign Import Tariff Risk

 

We purchase a significant portion of supplies from suppliers outside the United States. The United States and other countries have levied tariffs and taxes on certain goods. Further tariffs, additional taxes, or trade barriers may increase our selling and/or manufacturing costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of our products, or inhibit our ability to sell products or purchase necessary supplies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial conditions.

25

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon and as of the date of that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could have significantly affected those controls during the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2020.

 

 

2635

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, future results, and the trading price of our common stock. In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report and the risk factors noted below, you should also carefully consider the factors described in “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020, which could materially affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, future results, and the trading price of our common stock.

The announcement and pendency of the Merger may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

On November 11, 2020, we entered into the Merger Agreement with Parent, Merger Sub, and, solely for the purposes stated in Section 6.4 of the Merger Agreement, Scotts Miracle-Gro, relating to the proposed acquisition of the Company by Parent. Upon consummation of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company will continue as the surviving corporation as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Scotts Miracle-Gro.

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each share of the Company’s common stock (other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares (each as defined in the Merger Agreement)), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be automatically converted into the right to receive $3.00 in cash, without interest thereon and subject to any required withholding of taxes, and will be cancelled.

Uncertainty about the effect of the proposed Merger on our employees, partners, customers and other third parties may disrupt our sales and marketing or other key business activities and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their roles following the Merger, and this may have an effect on our corporate culture. There can be no assurance we will be able to attract and retain key talent to the same extent that we have previously been able to attract and retain employees. Any loss or distraction of such employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, we have devoted, and will continue to devote, significant management and other internal resources towards the completion of the Merger and planning for integration, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Parties with which we have business relationships may experience uncertainty as to the future of such relationships and may delay or defer certain business decisions, seek alternative relationships with third parties or seek to alter their present business relationships with us. Parties with whom we otherwise may have sought to establish business relationships may seek alternative relationships with third parties.

The Merger Agreement generally requires us to operate our business in the ordinary course pending consummation of the proposed Merger and generally restricts us from taking certain specified actions until the Merger is completed. These restrictions may affect our ability to execute our business strategies, to respond effectively to competitive pressures and industry developments, and to attain our financial and other goals and may otherwise harm our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

The failure to complete the Merger in a timely manner or at all could negatively impact the market price of our common stock as well as adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

Completion of the Merger is subject to conditions beyond our control that may prevent, delay or otherwise adversely affect its completion in a material way, including the requirement that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Merger) be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on such matter at the Special Meeting.

36

The Merger cannot be completed until the conditions to closing are satisfied or (if permissible under applicable law) waived. These conditions will be more fully described in the Company’s proxy statement on Schedule 14A related to the Merger and the Special Meeting to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Proxy Statement”).  We cannot guarantee that the closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement will be satisfied or, even if satisfied, that no event of termination will take place. In the event that the Merger is not completed for any reason, the holders of our common stock will not receive any payment for their shares of common stock in connection with the proposed Merger. Instead, we will remain an independent public company and the holders of our common stock will continue to own their shares of stock.

If the Merger or a similar transaction is not completed, the share price of our common stock may drop to the extent that the current market price of our common stock reflects an assumption that a transaction will be completed.

Furthermore, if the Merger is significantly delayed or not completed, we may suffer other consequences that could adversely affect our business, results of operations and stock price, including the following:

we would have incurred significant costs in connection with the Merger that we would be unable to recover;

we may be subject to negative publicity or be negatively perceived by the investment or business communities;

we may be subject to legal proceedings related to any delay or failure to complete the Merger;

●     any disruptions to our business resulting from the announcement and pendency of the Merger, including any adverse changes in our relationships with our customers, suppliers, other business partners and employees, may continue or intensify in the event the Merger is not consummated; and          

●     we may not be able to take advantage of alternative business opportunities or effectively respond to competitive pressures.     

There can be no assurance that our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows will not be adversely affected, as compared to our condition prior to the announcement of the Merger, if the Merger is not consummated.

The Merger Agreement contains provisions that could discourage or deter a potential competing acquirer that might be willing to pay more to effect an alternative transaction with us.

The Merger Agreement contains provisions that, subject to certain exceptions, limit our ability to initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage, or engage in discussions or negotiations with respect to, or provide non-public information in connection with, a proposal from a third party with respect to an alternative transaction. It is possible that these or other provisions in the Merger Agreement might discourage a potential competing acquirer that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of our company from considering or proposing an acquisition or might result in a potential competing acquirer proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire our common stock than it might otherwise have proposed to pay. Additional information regarding these restrictions will be provided in the Proxy Statement.

Litigation challenging the Merger Agreement may prevent the Merger from being consummated at all or within the expected timeframe and may result in substantial costs to us.

Lawsuits may be filed against us, our board of directors or other parties to the Merger Agreement, challenging our acquisition by Parent or making other claims in connection therewith. Such lawsuits may be brought by our purported stockholders and may seek, among other things, to enjoin consummation of the Merger. One of the conditions to the consummation of the Merger is the absence of certain orders or laws enjoining, preventing or otherwise prohibiting, restraining or making unlawful the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. As such, if the plaintiffs in any such potential lawsuits are successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting us from completing the Merger on the agreed upon terms, then such injunction may prevent the Merger from becoming effective, or from becoming effective within the expected timeframe.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

37

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicable.None.

27

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

 

 

Description

 

 

 

2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 11, 2020, by and among AeroGrow International, Inc., SMG Growing Media, Inc., AGI Acquisition Sub, Inc. and solely for the purposes stated in Section 6.4, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 12, 2020)

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K/A-2, filed November 16, 2006)

3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated June 25, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Current Report on Form 8-K/A-2, filed November 16, 2006)

3.3

 

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated November 3, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of our Current Report on Form 8-K/A-2, filed November 16, 2006)

3.4

 

Certificate of Change to Articles of Incorporation, dated January 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of our Current Report on Form 8-K/A-2, filed November 16, 2006)

3.5

 

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated July 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of our Current Report on Form 8-K/A-2, filed November 16, 2006)

3.6

 

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated February 24, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of our Current Report on Form 8-K/A-2, filed November 16, 2006)

3.7

 

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, certified May 3, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 12, 2010)

3.8

 

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated May 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 10, 2012)

3.9

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 26, 2008)

3.10

 

Amendment to Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, filed July 6, 2009)

3.11

 

Amendment No. 2 to Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 23, 2013)

4.1

 

Form of Certificate of Common Stock of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 5, 2007)

4.2

 

Investor Rights Agreement by and between the Company and SMG Growing Media, Inc., dated April 22, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 23, 2013)

10.1

Term Loan and CreditSecurity Agreement by and among the CompanyAeroGrow and The Scotts Company, LLC, dated August 3, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 toof our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 7, 2020)

10.2

Fourth Amendment to the Technology License Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 11, 2018)

31.1*

Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

31.2*

Certifications of the Chief Financial Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

32.1*

Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

32.2*

Certifications of the Chief Financial Officer Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

*  Filed herewith.

 

2838

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

AeroGrow International, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date:  August 11,November 16, 2020

/s/J. Michael Wolfe

 

 

By: J. Michael Wolfe

 

 

Its: President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer) and Director

Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  August 11,November 16, 2020

/s/Grey H. Gibbs

 

 

By: Grey H. Gibbs

 

 

Its: Senior Vice President Finance and Accounting

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

2939