UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30,December 31, 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 name of registrant 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 AugustFebruary 48,2020 202:1:  34,328,036

 

 

 

 

AeroGrow International, Inc.

TATBLEABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-Q REPORT

June 30,December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I   Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

3

 

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

3

 

Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)

4

 

Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)

5

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the ThreeNine Months Ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)

6

 

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

8

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

1819

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

2533

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2633

 

 

 

PART II  Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

2734

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors

2734

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

2736

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

2736

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

2736

Item 5.

Other Information

2736

Item 6.

Exhibits

2837

 

 

Signatures

29

38

 

 

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Condensed Financial Statements

 

AEROGROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

June 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31, 2020

  

March 31, 2020

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(Unaudited)

  

(Derived from

Audited Statements)

 

ASSETS

        

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

ASSETS

 

(Unaudited)

  

(Derived from

Audited Statements)

 

Current assets

                

Cash

 $10,304  $9,046  $13,636  $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 $823 and $376 at December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively

  15,155   3,422 

Other receivables

  334   257   571   257 

Inventory, net

  6,328   4,788   11,593   4,788 

Prepaid expenses and other

  2,684   1,392   2,888   1,392 

Total current assets

  23,534   18,920   43,858   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 $5,962 and $5,467 at December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively

  2,224   1,229 

Operating lease right-of-use

  1,121   1,229 

Deposits

  655   669   555   669 

Total assets

 $26,601  $22,047  $47,758  $22,047 
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable

 $2,962  $2,332  $8,102  $2,332 

Accounts payable related party

  3,019   2,396   2,170   2,396 

Accrued expenses

  3,234   2,308   7,844   2,308 

Debt associated with sale of intellectual property

  19   17 

Finance lease liability

  18   29   -   29 

Notes payable related party-current portion

  6,515   - 

Debt associated with sale of intellectual property-current portion

  10   17 

Operating lease liability-current portion

  126   58   146   58 

Total current liabilities

  9,378   7,140   24,787   7,140 

Long term liabilities

                

Notes payable related party

  900   900   900   900 

Operating lease liability

  1,166   1,201   1,090   1,201 

Other liability

  -   297   -   297 

Total liabilities

  11,444   9,538   26,777   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 

Stockholders’ equity

        

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

  34   34 

Additional paid-in capital

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

Accumulated deficit

  (125,694

)

  (128,342

)

  (119,870

)

  (128,342

)

Total stockholders' equity

  15,157   12,509 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $26,601  $22,047 

Total stockholders’ equity

  20,981   12,509 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $47,758  $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

December 31,

  

Nine Months ended

December 31,

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

         

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenue

 $16,411  $4,475  $38,367  $18,526  $69,088  $27,424 

Cost of revenue

  9,054   3,020   22,594   12,001   40,051   17,978 

Gross profit

  7,357   1,455   15,773   6,525   29,037   9,446 
                        

Operating expenses

                        

Research and development

  301   210   454   308   1,049   794 

Sales and marketing

  2,815   1,404   7,860   3,780   13,563   6,553 

General and administrative

  1,574   894   2,751   1,230   5,731   3,017 

Total operating expenses

  4,690   2,508   11,065   5,318   20,343   10,364 
                        

Income (loss) from operations

  2,667   (1,053

)

Profit (loss) from operations

  4,708   1,207   8,694   (918

)

                        

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

  (136

)

  (137

)

  (184

)

  (191

)

Other expense, net

  (14

)

  (4

)

  (38

)

  (9

)

Total other expense, net

  (150

)

  (141

)

  (222

)

  (200

)

                        

Net income (loss)

 $2,648  $(1,058

)

 $4,558  $1,066  $8,472  $(1,118

)

                        

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

 $0.08  $(0.03

)

Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted

 $0.13  $0.03  $0.25  $(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 December 31, 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, September 30, 2020

 

 

-

 

$

-

 

 

34,328,036

 

$

34

 

$

140,817

 

$

(124,428

)

 

$

16,423

 

Net income

  -   -   -   -   -   2,648   2,648 

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

4,558

 

 

 

4,558

 

Balances, June 30, 2020

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

)

 $15,157 

Balances, December 31, 2020

 

 

-

 

$

-

 

 

34,328,036

 

$

34

 

$

140,817

 

$

(119,870

)

 

$

20,981

 

  

 

 

Three months ended December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

(in thousands,

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Stockholders

 

except share data)

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

(Deficit)

 

 

Equity

 

Balances, September 30, 2019

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

34,328,036

 

 

$

34

 

 

$

140,817

 

 

$

(130,583

)

 

$

10,268

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,066

 

 

 

1,066

 

Balances, December 31, 2019

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

34,328,036

 

 

$

34

 

 

$

140,817

 

 

$

(129,517

)

 

$

11,334

 

 

                  

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 

 

 

Nine months ended December 31, 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

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8,472

 

 

 

8,472

 

Balances, December 31, 2020

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

34,328,036

 

 

$

34

 

 

$

140,817

 

 

$

(119,870

)

 

$

20,981

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended December 31, 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 (loss)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,118

)

 

 

(1,118

)

Balances, December 31, 2019

 

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

34,328,036

 

 

$

34

 

 

$

140,817

 

 

$

(129,517

)

 

$

11,334

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.

 

5

 

AEROGROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

 Nine Months Ended

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

         

2020

  

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income (loss)

 $2,648  $(1,058

)

 $8,472  $(1,118

)

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

        

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash (used) by operations:

        

Depreciation and amortization expense

  157   131   499   456 

Amortization of lease liability

  69   16 

Amortization of lease liability and right of use asset

  85   46 

Bad debt expense

  164   11   591   293 

Inventory allowance increase (decrease)

  60   (15

)

Inventory allowance

  74   5 

Accretion of debt associated with sale of intellectual property

  (5

)

  (6

)

  (14

)

  (19

)

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

                

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

  (611

)

  1,989 

(Increase) in accounts receivable

  (12,324

)

  (3,925

)

(Increase) decrease in other receivable

  (77

)

  63   (314

)

  31 

(Increase) decrease in inventory

  (1,600

)

  1,071   (6,879

)

  1,145 

(Increase) in prepaid expense and other

  (1,292

)

  (913

)

(Increase) in prepaid expenses and other

  (1,496

)

  (1,232

)

Decrease (increase) in deposits

  14   (700

)

  114   (730

)

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

  1,253   (517

)

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liability

  636   (324

)

Increase in accounts payable and accounts payable related party

  5,544   2,047 

Increase in accrued expenses and other liability

  5,246   847 

Increase in accrued interest-related party

  15   15 

(Decrease) in customer deposits

  -   (57

)

  -   (57

)

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

  1,416   (309

)

Net cash (used) by operating activities

  (387

)

  (2,196

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchases of equipment

  (147

)

  (31

)

  (1,494

)

  (634

)

Net cash (used) by investing activities

  (147

)

  (31

)

  (1,494

)

  (634

)

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

)

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

  9,061   1,756 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

 $10,319  $1,404 

Proceeds from notes payable-related party

  6,500   5,400 

Repayment of notes payable-related party

  -   (2,000

)

Repayment of capital lease

  (29

)

  (33

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  6,471   3,367 

Net increase in cash

  4,590   537 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

  9,061   1,756 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

 $13,651  $2,293 

 

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)

  

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Cash paid during the year for:

                

Interest-related party

 $22  $-  $183  $136 

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 (viavia 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.

 

Scotts Miracle-Gro Merger

As reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2020, 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 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 (the “Merger Consideration”), and will be cancelled.

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 normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at June 30,December 31, 2020, the results of operations for the three monthsthree- and nine–month periods ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the cash flows for the three monthsnine–month periods ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and 2019. Although ourThe results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 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 fromof September through January.   During the three-monthnine-month period ended June 30,December 31, 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, to 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.

8

On August 3, 2020, the Company renewed a Working Capital Term Loan Agreement in the principal amount of up to $7.5 million with a wholly owned subsidiary of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (collectively with its subsidiary, “SMG” or “Scotts Miracle-Gro”).  See Note 10 for subsequent events.3 “Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Current Portion – Long Term Debt” below

 

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. As of December 31, 2020 the Company did not have any dilutive securities. 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 three monthsfor the period ended June 30, 2019.December 31, 2020; and December 31, 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 severalone financial institutionsinstitution exceeded the $250,000 federally insured limit as of June 30,December 31, 2020 and two institutions as of March 31, 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 June 30,December 31, 2020, and 2019,the Company had one customer, Amazon.com, which represented 28.2%27.2% of the Company’s net revenue. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Company had two customers, Amazon.com and 33.8%Woot.com, which represented 30.2% and 12.5%, respectively, of the Company’s net revenue. For the nine months ended December 31, 2020, the Company had one customer, Amazon.com that represented 33.2% of the Company’s net revenue. For the nine months ended December 31, 2019, the Company had one customer, Amazon.com that represented 35.8% of the Company’s net revenue.

 

As of June 30,December 31, 2020, the Company had two customers, Amazon.com and Amazon.ca,Kohl’s, which represented 63.4%34.6% and 12.0%15.7%, 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 June 30,December 31, 2020, the Company purchased inventories and other inventory-related items from one supplier totaling $5.8$10.6 million. For the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2019, the Company purchased inventory and other inventory-related items from one supplier totaling $4.2 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2020, the Company purchased inventories and other inventory-related items from one supplier totaling $26.7 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2019, the Company purchased inventories and other inventory-related items from one supplier totaling $1.3$10.5 million. 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.

9

 

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, 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 3:3.

 

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.

 

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 June 30,December 31, 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 June 30,December 31, 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 June 30,December 31, 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$823,000 and $376,000 at June 30,December 31, 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 June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the balance in this reserve account was $334,000$571,000 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 Capitalized 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 months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, were as follows:

  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

(in thousands)

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Direct-to-consumer

 $1,014  $83 

Retail

  317   416 

Other

  -   13 

Total advertising expense

 $1,331  $512 

As of June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company had deferred $5,000 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 areInventory is 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 June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

 

June 30,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Finished goods

 $4,441  $3,191  $8,881  $3,191 

Raw materials

  1,887   1,597   2,712   1,597 

Total Inventory

 $6,328  $4,788 

Total inventory

 $11,593  $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 June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company had reserved $211,000$226,000 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: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.

 

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 June 30,December 31, 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 June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company reduced accounts receivable $934,000by $2.4 million and $744,000, respectively, as an estimate for the foregoing deductions and allowances within the “accounts receivable, net” and “accrued expenses” linesline of the balance sheets, 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$271,000 and $226,000 as of June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively.  These expenses are recorded in the accrued expenses line of the condensed balance sheets.

 

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 ofthe 1% to 2%, range, to cover returned goods and this allowance is deducted from payments made to us by such customers. As of June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company has recorded a reserve for customer returns of $425,000$1.0 million 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

 

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.  The Company records media costs related to its direct-to-consumer advertisements, inclusive of postage and printing costs incurred in conjunction with mailings of direct-response catalogues, and related direct-response advertising costs, in accordance with ASC 340-20 Reporting on Advertising Costs.  As prescribed by ASC 340-20-25, direct response 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.  

Advertising expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, were as follows:

  

Three Months Ended

December 31,

(in thousands) 

  

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

(in thousands)

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Direct-to-consumer

 $1,256  $338  $3,043  $526 

Retail

  2,361   1,468   3,553   2,222 

Other

  1,968   917   1,955   919 

Total advertising expense

 $5,585  $2,723  $8,551  $3,667 

As of December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company deferred $92,000 and $84,000, respectively, related to such media and advertising costs, which include the catalogue cost described above and commercial production costs.  The costs are included in the prepaid expenses and other line of the condensed balance sheets.

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.  The following summarizes the changes to our Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Current Portion – Long Term Debt for the periods presented.

 

As of June 30,December 31, 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)

  

December 31,

2020

(in thousands)

  

March 31,

2020

(in thousands)

 

Notes payable and debt-related party

 $915  $915   7,415   915 

Sale of intellectual property liability (see Note 4)

  19   24 

Sale of intellectual property liability

  10   24 

Total notes payable and debt

  934   939   7,425   939 

Less current portion - long term debt

  34   39 

Less current portion – long term debt

  6,525   39 

Long term debt

 $900  $900  $900  $900 

13

 

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 December 31, 2020, the Company had borrowed $6.5 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.

 

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 $1.51.5 million, with a due date of March 31, 2022. Interest is charged at the stated rate of 10% and iswill be paid quarterly in arrears on each of April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31. As of June 30,December 31, 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 June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, a liability of $19,000$10,000 and $24,000, respectively, was recorded on the condensed balance sheets for the Intellectual Property Sale Agreement.  As of June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company has accrued $1.8$1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, as a liability for the Technology Licensing Agreement, and has expensed $332,000$768,000 and $87,000$367,000 for the quarters ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and June 30,December 31, 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$839,000 and $922,000 as of June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively, andrespectively. In addition, the Company has expensed $291,000$384,000 and $67,000$204,000 for the quarters ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and June 30,December 31, 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.

14

 

5.    Equity Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans

 

For the three monthsthree- and nine-month periods ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and June 30,December 31, 2019, the Company did not grant any options to purchase the Company’s 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.  

 

During the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, zero and June 3011,000 options to purchase shares of common stock were cancelled or expired, respectively, and no shares of common stock were issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options under the 2005 Plan.  During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2019, nozero and 93,000 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 June 30,December 31, 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 June 30,December 31, 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.

In addition, as set forth above, the Company and SMG Global entered into a Merger Agreement on November 12, 2020. See Note 1 “Description of the Business – Scotts Miracle-Go Merger.

 

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

  

December 31,

2020

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Assets

        

Operating lease ROU assets

 $1,193  $1,121 
        

Liabilities

        

Operating lease

  1,292 

Operating lease, current

 $146 

Operating lease, noncurrent

 $1,090 

Total lease liabilities

 $1,236 

 

As of June 30,December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases was 6 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

 

 

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

 

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2021

 

$

185

 

$

19

 

 

$

65

 

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

 

 

$

1,645

 

Less: amount of lease payments representing interest

 

 

(473

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(409

)

 

 

Present value of future minimum lease payments

 

 

1,292

 

 

18

 

 

 

1,236

 

Less: current obligations under leases

 

 

(126

)

 

 

(18

)

 

 

146

 

 

Long-term lease obligations

 

$

1,166

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,090

 

 

Rent expense for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $144,000$165,000 and $128,000,$118,000, respectively. Rent expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $456,000 and $383,000, 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,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

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $9,056  $7,355  $-  $16,411 

Cost of revenue 

  4,854   4,200   -   9,054 

Gross profit

  4,202   3,155   -   7,357 

Gross profit percentage

  46.4

%

  42.9

%

  -   44.8

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  1,073   351   214   1,638 

Segment profit

  3,129   2,804   (214

)

  5,719 

Segment profit percentage

  34.6

%

  38.1

%

  -   34.8

%

16

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2020

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

 

 

Retail

 

 

Corporate/Other

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 

$

13,988

 

 

$

24,379

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

38,367

 

Cost of revenue 

 

 

8,008

 

 

 

14,586

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

22,594

 

Gross profit

 

 

5,980

 

 

 

9,793

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

15,773

 

Gross profit percentage

 

 

42.8

%

 

 

40.2

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

41.1

%

Sales and marketing (1)

 

 

1,991

 

 

 

2,420

 

 

 

1,444

 

 

 

5,855

 

Segment profit

 

 

3,989

 

 

 

7,373

 

 

 

(1,444

)

 

 

9,918

 

Segment profit percentage

 

 

28.5

%

 

 

30.2

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

25.9

%

(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 our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which is included in Item 2. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “MD&A”).

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

 

 

Retail

 

 

Corporate/Other

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 

$

4,666

 

 

$

13,860

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

18,526

 

Cost of revenue 

 

 

3,003

 

 

 

8,998

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

12,001

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,663

 

 

 

4,862

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6,525

 

Gross profit percentage

 

 

35.6

%

 

 

35.0

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

35.2

%

Sales and marketing (1)

 

 

546

 

 

 

1,559

 

 

 

951

 

 

 

3,056

 

Segment profit

 

 

1,117

 

 

 

3,303

 

 

 

(951

)

 

 

3,469

 

Segment profit percentage

 

 

23.9

%

 

 

23.8

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

18.7

%

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

 

 

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2020

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

 

 

Retail

 

 

Corporate/Other

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 

$

28,095

 

 

$

40,993

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

69,088

 

Cost of revenue 

 

 

15,921

 

 

 

24,130

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

40,051

 

Gross profit

 

 

12,174

 

 

 

16,863

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

29,037

 

Gross profit percentage

 

 

43.3

%

 

 

41.1

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

42.0

%

Sales and marketing (1)

 

 

3,848

 

 

 

3,662

 

 

 

1,816

 

 

 

9,326

 

Segment profit

 

 

8,326

 

 

 

13,201

 

 

 

(1,816

)

 

 

19,711

 

Segment profit percentage

 

 

29.6

%

 

 

32.2

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

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.

 

16

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

Nine Months Ended December 31, 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 

 

$

8,196

 

 

$

19,228

 

 

$

-

 

$

27,424

 

Cost of revenue

  1,389   1,631   -   3,020 

 

 

5,312

 

 

 

12,666

 

 

 

-

 

 

17,978

 

Gross profit

  513   942   -   1,455 

 

 

2,884

 

 

 

6,562

 

 

 

-

 

 

9,446

 

Gross profit percentage

  27.0

%

  36.6

%

  -   32.5

%

 

 

35.2

%

 

 

34.1

%

 

 

-

 

 

34.4

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  109   521   176   806 

 

 

790

 

 

 

2,510

 

 

 

1,282

 

 

4,582

 

Segment profit

  404   421   (176

)

  649 

 

 

2,094

 

 

 

4,052

 

 

 

(1,282

)

 

 

4,864

 

Segment profit percentage

  21.2

%

  16.4

%

  -   14.5

%

 

 

25.5

%

 

 

21.1

%

 

 

-

 

 

17.7

%

 

(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.

10.    Subsequent Events

On July 28, 2020, AeroGrow paid the Technology Licensing and Brand Licensing Agreements balances of $2.3 million as discussed in Note 3 for amounts owed through March 31, 2020. On August 3, 2020, AeroGrow entered into a Term Loan Agreement (“Term Loan”) 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 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 capital 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.  

 

17

10.    Subsequent Events

On January 11, 2021, an alleged stockholder of the Company, Overbrook Capital, LLC, filed a putative class action complaint in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County Nevada, against the Company, each of the members of the Board, Parent and Scotts Miracle-Gro, purportedly in relation to the Company’s entry into the Merger Agreement. The complaint asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty against the defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (i) the directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger due to, among other things, the fairness and adequacy of Merger Consideration for the Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders and a lack of certain measures in the Merger Agreement that the complaint alleges would have better protected the interests of Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders, (ii) Parent and Scotts Miracle-Gro (as controlling stockholders) breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders in connection with the Merger due to, among other things, an alleged lack of fairness to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders, both in terms of price and process, and (iii) Parent, Scotts Miracle-Gro and the Company breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger by, among other things, allegedly aiding and abetting the foregoing alleged breaches of fiduciary duty by the directors. The complaint seeks, among other things, in the event the Merger is consummated, an order rescinding it and setting it aside or awarding rescissory damages, and unspecified attorneys’ and experts’ fees.

On January 12, 2021, an alleged stockholder of the Company, Nicoya Capital, LLC, filed a putative class action complaint in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County Nevada, against each of the members of the Board, James Hagedorn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro, Peter Supron, Chief of Staff to the President of Scotts Miracle-Gro, the Company, Merger Sub, Parent and Scotts Miracle-Gro, purportedly in relation to the Company’s entry into the Merger Agreement. The complaint asserts a claim for breach of fiduciary duty against the defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (i) Scotts Miracle-Gro, James Hagedorn and Parent (as controlling stockholders) breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to the Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders in connection with the Merger due to, among other things, an alleged lack of fairness to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders, (ii) James Hagedorn, Peter Supron, the Company, Merger Sub and the directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger due by, among other things, allegedly aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty via selling the Company for what was alleged to be an unfair price, and (iii) the directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger by, among other things, allegedly failing to protect the Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders. The complaint seeks, among other things, an award of damages and unspecified attorneys’, accountant’s and experts’ fees.

18

 

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

 

The discussion contained herein is for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and June 30,December 31, 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 June 30,December 31, 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 the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, the failure to satisfy the closing conditions in the Merger Agreement, risks related to disruption of management’s attention from our ongoing business operations due to the proposed Merger, the effect of the announcement of the proposed Merger on our ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with our customers, suppliers, other business partners and employees, unexpected costs, liabilities or delays involving the proposed Merger, uncertainty surrounding the proposed Merger, including the timing of the consummation of the Merger, the outcome of any legal proceeding relating to the proposed Merger, other statements regarding the Merger, 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 inon 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’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); 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, asAs part of the strategic alliance, we entered into several other agreements with Scotts Miracle-Gro, including: (i) ana Securities Purchase Agreement in which Scotts Miracle-Gro invested approximately $4.0 million in the Company; (ii) a $500,000 Intellectual Property Sale Agreement; (ii)(iii) a Technology Licensing Agreement; (iii)(iv) a Brand License Agreement; and (iv)(v) 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.

19

 

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.

 

18

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.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Merger

As reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2020, 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 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 (the “Merger Consideration”), and will be cancelled.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and June 30,December 31, 2019

 

Summary Overview

For the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, we generated $16.4$38.4 million of total net revenue, an increase of 266.7%107.1%, or $11.9$19.8 million, relative to the same period in the prior year.  The current year sales growth is driven primarily by continued strength of the business, customer acceptance and knowledge, growing demand for our product, increased enthusiasm during the pandemic in indoor gardening, at-home meal preparation and access to healthy, fresh, safe food sources. Retail sales increased by 193.9%76.4% to $7.2$24.0 million, primarily due to timing of load-in sales to the brick-and-mortar customers, continued strong sales intowith our established web/internet channels (Amazon.com, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohls.com, Walmart.com, etc.) and new retail accounts.  Sales in our direct-to-consumer channel increased 199.8%, to $14.0 million.  This increase is due to the online channels, including Amazon.com, Kohls.com, HomeDepot.com and BestBuy.com,reasons listed above, as well as continued enthusiasm about indoor gardeningthe efficiency and healthy, safeeffectiveness of our promotional programs and fresh food.  Direct-to-consumer sales increased 376.1%, to $9.1 million, reflecting more efficient use of advertising and marketing campaigns, increased visibility and more focused sales programs.  In addition toincreases in our continued momentum from prior periods, we saw amplified demand in the indoor gardening market from customers seeking healthy, fresh food during a pandemic.established user base.

 

For the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, total gross dollar sales of AeroGarden units increased by 218.9%98.4% from the prior year period and seedperiod.  Seed pod kit and accessory sales increased by 308.6% over prior year period.90.8% or $3.2 million. AeroGarden sales, net of allowances, represented 66.2%82.6% of total revenue, as compared to 76.1%81.1% in the prior year period.  Seed pod kit and accessory sales decreased as a percent of the total to 17.4% from 18.9% due to the increase in the sales of AeroGardens. This percentage decrease, on a product line basis, was attributable to both direct to consumer and retail online customers purchasing additional seed pod kits and accessories.  Salesthe load-in of seed pod kits increased from 94,000 to 382,000 units, primarily as a result of new AeroGrowbrick-and-mortar sales in the prior periodsquarter, which tends initially to favor garden sales over seed pod kit or accessory sales, especially during the high demand holiday season and organic growth of the follow on purchasesbusiness.  The decrease in sales of seed pod kits and resulting increased sizeaccessories are typically dependent on prior purchases of our active customer database.gardens and during the peak holiday season purchases of gardens are expected.

20

 

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, andas well as the product line.  As a result, duringDuring the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, (the first quarterwe spent $5.6 million in advertising, an increase of Fiscal 2021), we incurred $1.3$2.9 million, of advertising expenses to support our direct-to-consumer and retail channels, a $818,000 or 159.7% year-over-year increase105.1%, compared to the same period ended December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily due to an increase in Fiscal 2020. The advertisingour direct-to-consumer pay-per-click and retail marketing campaigns and expanded digital advertising. Advertising expenditures were divided as follows:included:

 

Retail specificRetail-specific advertising decreasedincreased to $317,000$2.4 million from $416,000$1.5 million for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, as the Company continues to invest in driving product awareness through:utilized: (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, etc.). 

Linear TV, Online TV, Connected TV, general TV, YouTube, Facebook and other media group and marketing service campaigns, etc.), however, due to lower levels of inventoryadvertising, as the Company did not spendspent approximately $1.9 million and $917,000, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, to drive category and brand awareness.  The Company views this investment as much driving sales through retail specific programs.a long term commitment to increasing awareness of the AeroGarden brand.

Direct-to-consumer advertising increased $919,000 to $1.0$1.3 million duringfrom $338,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020.  TheDecember 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, reflecting an increase reflects increases in specificspending for catalogues, pay-per-click advertising geared toward the direct-to-consumer customer basecampaigns, and direct advertising campaigns such as Google Ads and Facebook.other social media expenditures.  Efficiency, as measured by dollars of direct-to-consumer sales per dollar of related advertising expense, increaseddecreased to $8.94$11.14 for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, as compared to $20.07a 19.3% decline from $13.79 for the same period in Fiscal 2020.2020, in part due to the spillover effect of increased sales through retail outlets.

 

Our grossGross profit percentage for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 was 44.8%41.1%, up from 32.5%35.2% in the prior year period, primarily dueperiod. This increase was attributable to increases in sales prices, more salesthe following factors: (1) the introduction of new products with higher margins; (2) improved pricing from our suppliers as compared to higher margin Direct-to-consumer customers, supply chain efficiencies that were not in place in the prior year,year; and (3) higher demand during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (4) fewer planned discount programs in our sales channels due to lower inventory levels, and increased sales. channels.

 

In aggregate, our total operating expenses increased 87.0%108.1%, or $2.2$5.7 million, year-over-year, principally because we spent more to support revenue growth.  Gross spending increasedas a result of an increase in the following areas:

activities related to the increase in sales in the current year.  The increase in gross spending was attributable to:

a $909,000A $2.9 million increase in advertising costs to promote all sales channels;

A $1.8 million increase in personnel expenses, primarily driven bydue to the calculation on our company-wide incentive programcompensation that scales as our growth increases and an increase in headcount as some hiring happened during this quarter last year;headcount;

a $793,000 increase in sales and marketing costs to promote all sales channels;

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

a $156,000A $1.0 million increase in legal and consulting expenses, related to strategic alternatives being investigated.analysis and review of Scotts Miracle-Gro Letter of Intent and proposed Merger and related alternatives; and

A $103,000 increase in bad debt and depreciation expenses.

 

These increases were partially offset by a $111,000 decrease in Company-wide travel. As a result of efforts to drive growth and increase sales, ourby:

A $205,000 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 $61,000 decrease in Company-wide travel.

Our operating incomeprofit was $2.7$4.7 million for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, as compared to an operating lossprofit of $1.1$1.2 million in the prior year period.period, for the reasons disclosed above.

19

 

Net other expense for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 totaled $20,000,$150,000, as compared to net other expense of $5,000$141,000 in the prior year period.  The current yearnet other expense is primarily attributable to an increase in foreign exchange losses and interest expense on the outstanding loan. 

 

Net income for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 was $2.6$4.6 million, as compared to the $1.1 million loss in the prior year period.quarter.  The $3.7 million increase reflected increasedin net income is primarily a result of the overall increase in net sales revenue, decreased operating expensesand economies of scale, as a percentagediscussed above.

21

 

The following table sets forth, as a total percentage of sales, our financial results for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 and the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2019:

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Three Months Ended December 31,

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenue

                

Direct-to-consumer

  55.2

%

  42.5

%

  36.5

%

  25.2

%

Retail

  43.8

%

  54.6

%

  62.4

%

  73.3

%

International

  1.0

%

  2.9

%

  1.1

%

  1.5

%

Total net revenue

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

                

Cost of revenue

  55.2

%

  67.5

%

  58.9

%

  64.8

%

Gross profit percentage

  44.8

%

  32.5

%

  41.1

%

  35.2

%

                

Operating expenses

                

Research and development

  1.8

%

  4.7

%

  1.3

%

  1.7

%

Sales and marketing

  17.2

%

  31.4

%

  20.4%  20.4%

General and administrative

  9.6

%

  20.0

%

  7.1

%

  6.6

%

Total operating expenses

  28.6

%

  56.1

%

  28.8

%

  28.7

%

Profit (loss) from operations

  16.2

%

  (23.6

)%

Income (loss) from operations

  12.3

%

  6.5

%

 

Revenue

For the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, revenue totaled $16.4$38.4 million, a year-over-year increase of 266.7%107.1% or $11.9$19.8 million, from the three months ended June 30, 2019.December 31, 2020.

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

(in thousands)

  

Three Months Ended

December 31,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenue

        

Net Revenue

 

2020

  

2019

 

Direct-to-consumer

 $9,056  $1,902  $13,988  $4,665 

Retail

  7,180   2,443   23,950   13,579 

International

  175   130   429   282 

Total

 $16,411  $4,475  $38,367  $18,526 

 

Direct-to-consumer sales for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 totaled $9.1$14.0 million, an increase of $7.2up $9.3 million, or 376.1%199.8%, from the prior year period.  ThisThe increase in sales through direct-to-consumer channels was caused bydue to continued momentum of growth from prior periods amplified by demand in indoor gardening of customers seeking a trustworthy food supply chain for healthy, fresh food during the COVID-19 pandemic, more effective marketing, better promotional scheduling and uncertainties in the food supply chain during COVID-19, 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 generalincreased brand awareness campaigns.awareness.

 

Sales to retailer customers for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 totaled $7.2$24.0 million, up $4.7$10.4 million, or 193.9%76.4%, principally reflecting continued strength of the business, customer acceptance and knowledge, growing demand for our product, timing of our load-in of sales to our brick-and-mortar stores, 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 oneseveral new account,accounts, including Best Buy.  Buy, Big Lots, Menards and Walmart, in advance of the peak holiday season. 

International sales increased from $130,000totaled $429,000, as compared to $175,000$282,000 in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 primarily due to timing of available inventory to sell in European marketsprior year period, as we continue to selectively test international markets in order to understand the trends, that impactdistribution models and acceptance of our products in the international market.

 

2022

 

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 June 30,December 31, 2020 and June 30,December 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

(in thousands)

  

Three Months Ended December 31,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Product revenue

                

AeroGardens

 $10,864  $3,406  $37,397  $18,845 

Seed pod kits and accessories

  6,866   1,681   6,675   3,498 

Discounts, allowances and other

  (1,319

)

  (612

)

  (5,705

)

  (3,817

)

Total

 $16,411  $4,475  $38,367  $18,526 

% of total revenue

                

AeroGardens

  66.2

%

  76.1

%

  97.5

%

  101.7

%

Seed pod kits and accessories

  41.8

%

  37.6

%

  17.4

%

  18.9

%

Discounts, allowances and other

  (8.0

)%

  (13.7

)%

  (14.9

)%

  (20.6

)%

Total

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

 

AeroGarden sales increased $7.5$18.6 million, or 218.9%98.4%, from the prior year period, reflecting: (i) increased retail channel sales asdue to continued strength of the AeroGarden gainedbusiness, customer acceptance and knowledge, growing demand for our product, timing of the load-in into brick-and-mortar stores in the quarter and customer acceptance from new and existing customers, in historically slower sales period, primarily from Amazon.com, Kohl’s, HomeDepot.comCanadian Tire, Costco.ca and BestBuy.com;Macy’s; (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 $5.2of $3.2 million, or 308.6%90.8%, principally reflectingreflects the increase in our prior focus on acquiring new AeroGarden customers, who purchase seed pod kits and accessories after purchasing and using new AeroGardens, and increases in light bulb sales for both LED lighting and CFL lights.established base of AeroGardens. For the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, sales of seed pod kits and accessories represented 41.8%17.4% of total revenue, as compared to 37.6%18.9% in the prior year period.  Other revenue, which is comprised primarily of grow club revenue, shipping revenue, accruals and deductions, decreased as a percent of total revenue to (8.0)(14.9)% from (13.7)(20.6)% in the prior year period, primarily due to selectdecreases in revenue deductions for estimated future returns and more effective usesales discounts and allowances for certain retail accounts. At the end of discounts for in-store retail accounts, which generated higher retail sales.each reporting period we analyze the possibility of product returns from customers and determine if specific reserves are satisfactory or should be adjusted and determined the customer specific reserve was appropriate.

 

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue for the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 totaled $9.1$22.6 million, an increase of $6.0$10.6 million, or 199.8%88.3%, from the three months ended June 30,December 31, 2019.  Cost of revenue includes product costs for purchased and manufactured products, inboundduties, customs and freight costs for imported products from manufacturers, costs related to warehousing and the shipping of products to customers and credit card processing fees for direct sales.  As a percent of total revenue, cost of revenue represented 58.9% of revenue, as compared to 64.8% for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.  The percentage decrease was primarily attributable to increased sales during the current quarter for customers with a higher margin product mix, as well as efficiencies and economies of scale in the supply chain, partially offset by higher shipping and order fulfillment costs, as we began using additional warehouses that put us in a better position for long-term growth.  

Gross Profit

Our gross profit varies based upon the factors impacting 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.  For international sales, when we sell to a distributor, 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 retail sales.  We have continued to test international test markets through Amazon in various countries, so this margin model may change over time.   The gross profit percentage for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 was 41.1%, as compared to 35.2% for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.  The increase in our gross profit was primarily due to the shift to retailers with higher margin products in both the retail and direct-to-consumer channels, reduced discounting, higher sales and resulting economies of scale.

23

Research and Development

Research and development costs for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 totaled $454,000, an increase of $147,000 from the quarter ended December 31, 2019.  The increase was due to increased R&D headcount and related incentive compensation, which scales with growth of the Company, partially offset by decreased travel and expenses related to new product development product testing and certifications.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing costs for the three months ended December 31, 2020 totaled $7.9 million, as compared to $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of 107.9%.  Sales and marketing costs include all costs associated with the marketing, sales, operations, customer support, and order processing for our products, and consisted of the following:

  

Three Months Ended

December 31,

(in thousands)

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Advertising

 $5,585  $2,723 

Personnel

  1,721   571 

Sales commissions

  175   44 

Trade shows

  -   7 

Market research

  17   112 

Travel

  8   43 

Media production and promotional products

  90   35 

Quality control and processing fees

  102   65 

Other

  162   180 
  $7,860  $3,780 

Advertising expense is composed primarily of television advertising, catalogue development, production, printing, and postage costs, web media expenses for search and affiliate web marketing programs, and the cost of developing and employing other forms of advertising.  Each is a key component of our integrated marketing strategy because it helps build consumer awareness and demand for our products in the retailer and direct-to-consumer sales channels.  As noted above, during the three months ended December 31, 2020, we spent $5.6 million in advertising expenditures to support our retail and direct-to-consumer channels, a 105.1% year-over-year increase compared to the same period in Fiscal 2020.  The increase resulted from  investments in driving brand product awareness through: (1) platforms made available by our retail partners, including increased spending in general TV, YouTube, Facebook and other general media advertising; and (2) pay-per click advertising, including keyword search campaigns and other 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 December 31, 2020, personnel costs for sales and marketing were $1.7 million, up $1.1 million, or 201.3% from the three months ended December 31, 2019.  The increase reflected the estimated employee incentive program expenses which are based on a comparison of current year and prior year sales.  Personnel expenses include all related payroll including departmental incentive programs, including salaries, bonuses and employee benefits.

Other marketing expenses decreased year-over-year principally because of decreases in travel and fewer market research programs.

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs for the three months ended December 31, 2020 totaled $2.8 million, as compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of 123.7%, or $1.6 million, primarily due to increases in the company-wide incentive program that scales with increased growth , bad debt and depreciation expense attributable to increase volume, and consulting and legal fees related to the proposed Scotts Miracle-Gro Merger discussed above, partially offset by decreases in travel expenses and general office categories including repairs and maintenance.

24

Operating Income

Our operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $4.7 million, an increase of $3.5 million from a $1.2 million operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The increase reflected increased sales in both our retail and direct-to-consumer channels, along with fewer revenue reductions for various returns and allowances and better gross margins, partially offset by increases in operating expenses, including overall general advertising, as discussed in greater detail above. 

Net Income

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, we recorded net income of $4.6 million, a $3.5 million increase over the $1.1 million net income for the three months ended December 31, 2019.  The increase in the net income is primarily a result of increased sales volume and gross margins in the current year period, partially offset by the increase in operating expenses.

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019

Summary Overview

For the nine months ended December 31, 2020, total revenue increased $41.7 million, or 151.9%, to $69.1 million relative to the same period in the prior year.  The current year 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, fresh, safe food sources and at-home meal preparation and sales to new accounts including BestBuy, Big Lots and Menards. Retail sales increased $21.6 million, or 115.2%, due to increased sales into existing online channels, including Amazon.com, Kohls.com, Costco.ca and the new accounts mentioned above. Sales in our direct-to-consumer channel increased 242.8%, or $19.9 million, primarily due to visibility and continued momentum from our general advertising and marketing campaign, increased user base, increased presence of other online accounts and amplified demand in the indoor gardening market from customers seeking healthy, fresh food.  Sales to international distributors increased $177,000 to $658,000 in the nine months ended December 31, 2020, relative to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to increased distribution in certain international markets such as Amazon.uk, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. 

For the nine months ended December 31, 2020, total dollar sales of AeroGardens increased by 137.1% and seed pod kit accessories increased by 148.2%, over the prior year period.  AeroGarden sales, net of allowances, represented 75.4% of total revenue, as compared to 75.1% in the prior year period. This percentage increase, on a product line basis, is relatively consistent with the prior year. Seed pod kit and accessory gross sales decreased as a percent of the total sales to 24.5% from 24.9% in the prior year period, with total dollar sales increasing by $10.1 million.  

During the nine months ended December 31, 2020, we spent $8.6 million in advertising expenditures to support our direct-to-consumer and retail channels, a year-over-year increase of 133.2%, compared to the same period ended December 31, 2019. These expenditures included the following:

Retail-specific advertising, which increased $1.4 million to $3.6 million from $2.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, as the Company continues to invest in: (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. inclusion in retail catalogues, website banner ads, email blasts, targeted search campaigns, etc.).

Other advertising related expenses, which increased $1.0 million to $2.0 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2020, due to increased spending on linear, connected and online TV, YouTube, Facebook and other media advertising. The Company views this general investment as a long term commitment to increasing awareness of the AeroGarden brand.

Direct-to-consumer advertising which increased to $3.0 million from $526,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, reflecting increased spending on catalogues and increases in pay-per-click campaigns.  Efficiency, as measure by dollars of direct-to-consumer sales per dollar of related advertising expense, decreased to $9.23 or 40.7% for the nine months ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $15.58 for the same period in Fiscal 2020.

Gross profit percentage for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 was 42.0%, as compared to 34.4% during the prior year period. This increase was attributable changes in customer and product mix, 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. The prior year included several one-time fees related to set up of a new warehouse to serve select customers.

25

In aggregate, our total operating expenses increased 96.3%, or $10.0 million, year-over-year.  Gross spending increased in the following areas:

a $4.9 million increase in advertising costs to promote all sales channels;

a $3.6 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;

a $1.2 million increase in legal and consulting expenses related to the analysis of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Letter of Intent and Merger proposal and alternatives;

a $352,000 increase in bad debt and depreciation expense. 

These increases were partially offset by a $308,000 decrease in company-wide travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating income increased by $9.6 million to $8.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2020, from an operating loss of $918,000 in the prior year period, primarily as a result of continued growth in the retail and direct-to-consumer channels, our efforts to provide general awareness of our product, and increased consumer demand for healthy, safe, fresh food.

Other expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2020, totaled to net other expense of $222,000, as compared to net other expense of $200,000 in the prior year period.  The net other expense in the current and prior year periods are attributable to interest expense on the Term Loans and foreign exchange losses.

Net income for the nine months ended December 31, 2020, was $8.5 million, as compared to a $1.1 million loss in the prior year. The increased net income is attributable to the factors discussed above.

The following table sets forth, as a percentage of sales, our financial results for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 and the nine months ended December 31, 2019:

  

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenue

        

Direct-to-consumer

  40.6

%

  29.9

%

Retail

  58.4

%

  68.3

%

International

  1.0

%

  1.8

%

Total net revenue

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

         

Cost of revenue

  58.0

%

  65.6

%

Gross profit percentage

  42.0

%

  34.4

%

         

Operating expenses

        

Research and development

  1.5

%

  2.9

%

Sales and marketing

  19.6%  23.8%

General and administrative

  8.3

%

  11.0

%

Total operating expenses

  29.4

%

  37.7

%

Income (loss) from operations

  12.6

%

  (3.3

)%

26

Revenue

For the nine months ended December 31, 2020, revenue totaled $69.1 million, a year-over-year increase of 151.9%, or $41.7 million, from the nine months ended December 31, 2019.

  

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

(in thousands)

 

Net Revenue

 

2020

  

2019

 

Direct-to-consumer

 $28,095  $8,196 

Retail

  40,335   18,747 

International

  658   481 

Total

 $69,088  $27,424 

Direct-to-consumer sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 totaled $28.1 million, up $19.9 million, or 242.8%, 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 a trustworthy supply chain for healthy, fresh food during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in sales to direct-to-consumer channels is due to more effective and focused marketing to drive direct-to-consumer awareness, better promotional scheduling, follow-on direct sales to customers that have previously purchased AeroGardens, better returns on existing general advertising and brand awareness programs.

Sales to retailer customers for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 totaled $40.3 million, up $21.6 million, or 115.2%, from the prior-year period, principally reflecting: (i) our marketing strategy of more focused and effective spending to drive sales through retailer programs and reduce product returns (ii) 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; (iii) organic growth in our existing retail accounts, namely Amazon.com, Kohl’s and Canadian Tire; and (iv) sales to new accounts including, Best Buy, Big Lots and Menards, 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 nine months ended December 31, 2020 increased $177,000, primarily due to increased sales testing in Europe and as we continue to expand our understanding of international market factors, distribution models and acceptance of our products.

Our products consist of AeroGardens, seed pod kits and accessories.  A summary of the sales of these product categories for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:

  

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Product revenue

 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

AeroGardens

 $60,826  $25,654 

Seed pod kits and accessories

  16,934   6,823 

Discounts, allowances and other

  (8,672

)

  (5,053

)

Total

 $69,088  $27,424 

% of total revenue

        

AeroGardens

  88.0

%

  93.5

%

Seed pod kits and accessories

  24.5

%

  24.9

%

Discounts, allowances and other

  (12.5

)%

  (18.4

)%

Total

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

27

AeroGarden sales increased $35.2 million, or 137.1%, from the prior year period, reflecting increased sales in the retail and direct-to-consumer channel, organic growth from existing customers, demand of customers seeking healthy, safe gardening items during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Sales of seed pod kits and accessories increased $10.1 million, or 148.2%, reflecting a large increase in direct-to-consumer and retail sales. Our customers have historically purchased seed pod kits and accessories after purchasing and using AeroGardens.  For the nine months ended December 31, 2020, sales of seed pod kits and accessories represented 24.5% of total revenue, as compared to 24.9% in the prior year period.  Other revenue, which is comprised primarily of shipping revenue, accruals and deductions, decreased as a percent of the total to (12.5)% from (18.4)% in the prior year period due to fewer deductions for returns and accruals for sales allowances and future discounts for in-store retail accounts.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 totaled $40.1 million, an increase of $22.1 million, or 122.8%, from the nine months ended December 31, 2019.  Cost of revenue includes product costs for purchased and manufactured products, freight costs for inbound freight from manufacturers, costs related to warehousing and shipping 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 for the nine months ended December 31, 2020, represented 55.2%58.0% of revenue, for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as compared to 67.5% for65.6% during the quarternine months ended June 30,December 31, 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 addition, we incurred one-time fees in the prior year related to establishing a new warehouse location, and additional warehouse fees for product preparation.

 

Gross Profit

Our gross profit varies based upon the factors impactingaffecting 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 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, when we sell to a distributor 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 retail sales.  We have begun international test sales through Amazon in various countries, so this margin model may change over time.  The gross profit percentage for the quarternine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 was 44.8%42.0% as compared to 32.5%34.4% for the quarternine months ended June 30, 2019.  The increase inDecember 31, 2019, primarily due to higher overall sales volume with our gross profit was primarily attributable to the changes to our customer and product mix within both the retailestablished retailer accounts and direct-to-consumer driving sales without as much discounting, higher salessegment, and resultingsupply chain economies of scale.  Additionally, in the prior year we had several supply chain and warehouse issues that caused friction and increased costs.

 

Research and Development

Research and development costs for the quarternine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 totaled $301,000,$1.0 million, an increase of $91,00032.1%, or $255,000, from the quarternine months ended June 30, 2019, primarilyDecember 31, 2019.  The increase reflects increases in personnel expenses for new R&D employees and a related incentive compensation attributable to increased salaries and wages due to greater headcount anda company-wide incentive program that scales with increased growth and termination of the collaboration expense repaymentin sales, partially offset by decreaseddecreases in travel, and expenses related to new product development.testing and certification expenses.

21

 

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing costs for the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 totaled $2.8$13.6 million, up 100.6% fromas compared to $6.6 million for the prior year period.nine months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of 107.0%, or $7.0 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)

  

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

(in thousands)

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Advertising

 $1,331  $512  $8,551  $3,718 

Personnel

  1,057   491   3,750   1,556 

Sales commissions

  48   9   235   67 

Trade shows

  -   8 

Market research

  122   205 

Travel

  2   66   11   200 

Media production and promotional products

  1   7   109   141 

Quality control and processing fees

  69   33   241   148 

Market research

  91   50 

Other

  216   236   544   510 
 $2,815  $1,404  $13,563  $6,553 

28

 

Advertising expense is composed primarily of catalogue development, production, printing, and postage costs, web media expenses for search and affiliate web marketing programs, and the cost of developing and employing other forms of advertising.  Each is a key component of our integrated marketing strategy because it helps build consumer awareness and demand for our products in the retailer and direct-to-consumer sales channels.  Total advertising expense was $1.3totaled $8.6 million for the quarternine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, a year-over-year increase of 159.7%130.0%, or $818,000, primarily due$4.8 million.  These increase in advertising expenditures was attributable to: (i) direct-to-consumer advertising (which increased to increased spending on pay-per click$3.0 million from $526,000); (ii) $1.3 million in retail-specific advertising, from $2.2 million to $3.5 million and (iii)approximately $1.0 million in general brand awarenessTV, YouTube, Facebook and marketing, and email campaigns.other general media 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 threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, personnel costs for sales and marketing were $1.1$3.7 million, up $567,000 or 115.5%for a 141.0% increase from the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2019.  The increase reflected the company-wide incentive program that scales aswith growth in sales and increases increasedin employees.  Personnel expenses include all related payroll expenses, including incentive programs, bonuses and employee headcount and related benefits.

 

Other marketing expenses increaseddecreased year-over-year as we continuebecause of decreases in a variety of spending categories, primarily related to grow our business and increase market research and other programs, including the use of third party agencies for sales planning.travel.

 

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs for the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 totaled $1.6$5.7 million, as compared to $894,000$3.0 million for the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2019, an increase of 76.0%89.9%, or $680,000.$2.7 million.  The increase was primarilyis attributable to increased salaries and wages(i) payroll-related expenses, including the company-wide incentive program that scales aswith sales growth, increases,salaries, and employee benefits; (ii) consulting and legal fees associated with strategic alternatives intended to maximize shareholder value,consideration and analysis of the proposed Scotts Miracle-Gro Merger discussed above; (iii) IT services as we expand our web based experienceexperience; and (iv) bad debt and depreciation expenses.expense.

 

Operating Income and LossLoss

Our operating income for the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 was $2.7$8.7 million, an increase of $3.7$9.6 million from the $1.1 million operating loss of $918,000 for the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2019.  The increasedincrease in operating income was attributable to increase sales in the retail and direct-to-consumer sales channels, increased margins on our higher sales, partially offset by increasesgross margin and economies of scale, which also resulted in marketing and brand awareness advertisinga reduction in operating expenses as a company-wide incentive program, and usepercentage of outside consultants.revenue.

 

Net Income and Lossloss

ForThe net income for the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020 we recordedwas $8.5 million, as compared to a net income of $2.6 million, a $3.7 million increase over the $1.1 million net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2019.  The increase in the net income is primarily a result of increased margins on increased sales volume in the currentprior year, period, partially offset by increases in sales and marketing expenses designed to continue growing brand awareness and outside consulting fees.as discussed above.

 

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)CODM regularly receives discrete financial information about each reportable segment, (ii)segment. The CODM uses all such information for performance assessment and resource allocation decisions; and (iii)decisions. The CODM 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

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

  

Retail

  

Corporate/Other

  

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 $9,056  $7,355  $-  $16,411 

Cost of revenue 

  4,854   4,200   -   9,054 

Gross profit

  4,202   3,155   -   7,357 

Gross profit percentage

  46.4

%

  42.9

%

  -   44.8

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  1,073   351   214   1,638 

Segment profit

  3,129   2,804   (214

)

  5,719 

Segment profit percentage

  34.6

%

  38.1

%

  -   34.8

%

29

 

 

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2020

 

(dollar amounts in thousands) 

 

Direct-to-consumer

 

 

Retail

 

 

Corporate/Other

 

 

Consolidated

 

Net sales

 

$

28,095

 

 

$

40,993

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

69,088

 

Cost of revenue 

 

 

15,921

 

 

 

24,130

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

40,051

 

Gross profit

 

 

12,174

 

 

 

16,863

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

29,037

 

Gross profit percentage

 

 

43.3

%

 

 

41.1

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

42.0

%

Sales and marketing (1)

 

 

3,848

 

 

 

3,662

 

 

 

1,816

 

 

 

9,326

 

Segment profit

 

 

8,326

 

 

 

13,201

 

 

 

(1,816

)

 

 

19,711

 

Segment profit percentage

 

 

29.6

%

 

 

32.2

%

 

 

-

 

 

 

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

 

 

Nine Months Ended December 31, 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 

 

$

8,196

 

 

$

19,228

 

 

$

-

 

$

27,424

 

Cost of revenue

  1,389   1,631   -   3,020 

 

 

5,312

 

 

 

12,666

 

 

 

-

 

 

17,978

 

Gross profit

  513   942   -   1,455 

 

 

2,884

 

 

 

6,562

 

 

 

-

 

 

9,446

 

Gross profit percentage

  27.0

%

  36.6

%

  -   32.5

%

 

 

35.2

%

 

 

34.1

%

 

 

-

 

 

34.4

%

Sales and marketing (1)

  109   521   176   806 

 

 

790

 

 

 

2,510

 

 

 

1,282

 

 

4,582

 

Segment profit

  404   421   (176

)

  649 

 

 

2,094

 

 

 

4,052

 

 

 

(1,282

)

 

 

4,864

 

Segment profit percentage

  21.2

%

  16.4

%

  -   14.5

%

 

 

25.5

%

 

 

21.1

%

 

 

-

 

 

17.7

%

 

(1)  Sales and marketing expense 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 million$387,000 for the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, as compared to cash used of $309,000 for$2.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2019.  prior year period.

 

Non-cash items, comprising depreciation, amortization, bad debt allowances, accretion of debt association with sale of intellectual property and inventory allowances,allowance, totaled to a net gain of $444,000$1.2 million for the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, as compared to a net gain of $137,000$781,000 in the prior year period.  The increase principally reflected non-cash expenses, including charges arising from all ofbad debt expense, depreciation and changes in the non-cash expenses. inventory allowance.

 

Changes in current assets used net cash of $3.6$20.9 million during the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, principally from increases in inventory, prepaid assets and accounts receivable balances and inventory as we continue to order inventory to supporta result of our retail channel sales during the sales growth and begin to prepare for our fall sales programs.peak holiday season.

 

As of June 30,December 31, 2020, the total inventory balance was $6.3$11.6 million, representing approximately 7490 days of sales activity, and 6447 days of sales activity at the average daily rate of product cost expensed during the twelve months and three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, respectively.  The three months’ days in inventory calculation is based on the three months of sales activity and can beis greatly impactedaffected by the seasonality of our sales, which have historically beenare at their highest level during theour 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$10.8 million during the threenine months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, principally because ofreflecting seasonal increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses.all operating liability accounts.  Accounts payable as of June 30,December 31, 2020 totaled $6.0$10.3 million, representing approximately 4653 days of daily expense activity, and 4028 days of daily expense activity at the average daily rate of expenses incurred during the twelve months and three months ended June 30,December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

Net investing activity used $147,000$1.5 million of cash in the current year period, principally due to the purchasespurchase of equipment.equipment required to introduce new products.

30

Net financing activity provided net cash of $6.5 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2020, due to the Term Loan agreement with Scotts Miracle-Gro.

 

Cash

As of June 30,December 31, 2020, we had a cash balance of $10.3$13.7 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 increase in cash is primarily attributable to the sales in the current quarter and the increased in cash collections particularly related to the direct-to-consumer customers.

 

Borrowing Agreements

As of June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, we have $7.4 million and $900,000 of outstanding long-term debt, respectively. See Note 3 relatedWe 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 June 30,December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the outstanding balance of our note payable and debt, including accrued interest, was as follows:

 

  

June 30,

  

March 31,

 
  

2020

(in thousands)

  

2020

(in thousands)

 

Notes payable and debt-related party

 $915  $915 

Total notes payable and debt

  915   915 

Less current portion - long term debt

  15   15 

Long term debt 

 $900  $900 
  

December 31,

2020

  

March 31,

2020

 
  

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Notes payable-related party

 $7,415  $915 

Total debt

  7,415   915 

Less notes payable and current portion – long term debt

  6,515   15 

Long term debt

 $900  $900 

 

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.

 

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$13.7 million ($15,000 of which is restricted as collateral for our various corporate obligations) as of June 30,December 31, 2020;

our cash of $6.0$15.4 million, ($15,000 of which is restricted as collateral for our various corporate obligations) as of August 4, 2020;February 8, 2021,

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 from Scotts Miracle-Gro and Real Estate Term loan of up to $1.5 million, of which we had borrowed $6.5 million and $900,000 of the combined $9.0 million in principal amount as of December 31, 2020 and February 8, 2021, 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.

31

On August 3, 2020, the Company renewed 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 $6.5 million as of February 8, 2021 and can reborrow amounts repaid against the $7.5 million loan in order to purchase additional inventory.  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 is charged at the stated rate of 10% and is payable quarterly in arrears on each of April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31. As of December 31, 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.  

24

our working capital needs, and to enable us to invest further in trying to increase the scale of our business.  There can be no assurance we will be able to raise this additional capital.

 

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;

uncertainty regarding the impact of macroeconomic conditions on consumer spending, including the COVID-19 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 in the five-month period from September(September through January;March);

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

the success of theour Scotts Miracle-Gro relationship, and

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

 

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.

32

 

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 AsiaChina 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 currenciescurrency 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 June 30,December 31, 2020.

 

 

2633

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.On January 11, 2021, an alleged stockholder of the Company, Overbrook Capital, LLC, filed a putative class action complaint in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County Nevada, against the Company, each of the members of the Board, Parent and Scotts Miracle-Gro, purportedly in relation to the Company’s entry into the Merger Agreement. The complaint asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty against the defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (i) the directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger due to, among other things, the fairness and adequacy of Merger Consideration for the Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders and a lack of certain measures in the Merger Agreement that the complaint alleges would have better protected the interests of Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders, (ii) Parent and Scotts Miracle-Gro (as controlling stockholders) breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders in connection with the Merger due to, among other things, an alleged lack of fairness to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders, both in terms of price and process, and (iii) Parent, Scotts Miracle-Gro and the Company breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger by, among other things, allegedly aiding and abetting the foregoing alleged breaches of fiduciary duty by the directors. The complaint seeks, among other things, in the event the Merger is consummated, an order rescinding it and setting it aside or awarding rescissory damages, and unspecified attorneys’ and experts’ fees.

On January 12, 2021, an alleged stockholder of the Company, Nicoya Capital, LLC, filed a putative class action complaint in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County Nevada, against each of the members of the Board, James Hagedorn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro, Peter Supron, Chief of Staff to the President of Scotts Miracle-Gro, the Company, Merger Sub, Parent and Scotts Miracle-Gro, purportedly in relation to the Company’s entry into the Merger Agreement. The complaint asserts a claim for breach of fiduciary duty against the defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (i) Scotts Miracle-Gro, James Hagedorn and Parent (as controlling stockholders) breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to the Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders in connection with the Merger due to, among other things, an alleged lack of fairness to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders, (ii) James Hagedorn, Peter Supron, the Company, Merger Sub and the directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger due by, among other things, allegedly aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty via selling the Company for what was alleged to be an unfair price, and (iii) the directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger by, among other things, allegedly failing to protect the Company’s unaffiliated minority stockholders. The complaint seeks, among other things, an award of damages and unspecified attorneys’, accountant’s and experts’ fees.

 

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 the Merger Consideration, and will be cancelled.

34

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.

The Merger cannot be completed until the conditions to closing are satisfied or (if permissible under applicable law) waived. These conditions are more fully described in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A related to the Merger and the Special Meeting filed with the SEC on January 22, 2021 (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.

35

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 is 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.

As described in Note 10 “Subsequent Events” to our condensed financial statements, two complaints have been filed by alleged stockholders of the Company, one of which is against the Company, each of the members of the Company’s board of directors, Parent and Scotts Miracle-Gro, and the other of which is against each of the members of the Company’s board of directors, James Hagedorn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro, Peter Supron, Chief of Staff to the President of Scotts Miracle-Gro, the Company, Merger Sub, Parent and Scotts Miracle-Gro, in each case, purportedly in relation to the Company’s entry into the Merger Agreement. The first complaint seeks, among other things, in the event the Merger is consummated, an order rescinding it and setting it aside or awarding rescissory damages, and unspecified attorneys’ and experts’ fees. The second complaint seeks, among other things, an award of damages and unspecified attorneys’, accountant’s and experts’ fees. If injunctive relief is granted in any one or more of the lawsuits, then the Merger may not be consummated at all or within the expected timeframe. Also, if our insurance provider were to deny coverage under the existing insurance policies covering such actions or should such policies fail to cover the costs of defending any one or more of the lawsuits, we may incur substantial costs.

Additional 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.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicable.None. 

 

2736

 

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 Annex A of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed January 22, 2021)

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, dated as of August 3, 2020, by and among the Companybetween AeroGrow International, Inc. and The Scotts Company LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ourAeroGrow International, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 7, 2020)

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.

99.1Scott’s Miracle-Gro Letter of Intent, dated October 2, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 8, 2020)

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.

 

2837

 

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, 2020February 16, 2021

 

/s/J. Michael Wolfe

 

 

By: J. Michael Wolfe

 

 

Its: President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer) and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  August 11, 2020February 16, 2021

 

/s/Grey H. Gibbs

 

 

By: Grey H. Gibbs

 

 

Its: Senior Vice President Finance and Accounting

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

2938