The Step One Clothing Limited (ASX: STP) share price fell by as much as 40% today as logistics issues impacted pre-Christmas trading.
Currently, the Step One share price is down 27% to $1.70.
Step One, which was recently listed in November, is an online retailer of men’s underwear in Australia, the UK and the US.
Christmas trading plagued by logistics
The business expects first-half revenue of approximately $36-$39 million, a 12% improvement on last year’s half.
A majority of the growth is derived from Australia, which increased sales by 10%. The UK increased 3% while the remainder of sales from the November launch into the US.
Addressing the relative soft performance in the UK, the business expects an improvement in the second half with the launch of thermal underwear and greater patterns.
The business noted challenges with logistics over the Black Friday sales period, which impacted future trading leading into Christmas.
Step One outsources its supply chain and logistics and therefore has little control over the delivery of its products.
The backlog has been cleared, however, planned Christmas sales, new colour launches and its highly anticipated Women’s range has been delayed.
The company will release its full-year result on February 22.
GST Credit overclaim
The business also announced a potential overclaim of GST credits relating to one of its foreign suppliers.
A preliminary review has concluded the issue relates to just one supplier.
The financial impact is expected to be:
- $1.6 million ($1.1 million after tax) in FY22
- $1.3 million ($0.9 million after tax) in FY21
- $0.2 million ($0.1 million after tax) in FY20 and earlier years
The adjustment will be reflected as higher advertising costs in FY22.
Guidance update
Despite the logistic issues and delayed product launches, the business is upgrading its full-year revenue guidance.
The company now expects revenue growth of 21-25% in FY22, compared with 19.9% in its October prospectus.
Regarding FY22 EBITDA, the business has reconfirmed its $15 million target.
EBITDA likely would have increased if it hadn’t been for the GST overclaim.
My take
It looks like the market shot first and asked questions later, with the Step One share price regaining some of its losses.
Nonetheless, it’s surprising to see the Step One share price plummet 40% given the upgraded guidance and signalled strong trading conditions.
Sure, the logistics issues is not a great sign nor the GST claim.
But both are likely one-off events, and in the case of logistics, demonstrate the sheer demand for its product from customers.
Today’s price plummet in retrospect could be a great buying opportunity for investors.
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