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CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 3, 2024-- Torrid Holdings Inc. (“Torrid” or the “Company”) (NYSE: CURV), a direct-to-consumer apparel, intimates, and accessories brand in North America for women sizes 10 to 30, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended November 2, 2024. Lisa Harper, Chief Executive Officer of Torrid, stated, “Our third quarter results were below our expectations as our fall assortments did not offer enough newness and novelty. We also saw the environment change meaningfully from the end of September and into October. Despite the weaker top line sales, we delivered a positive full-price comp, 285 basis points of gross profit expansion, and modest Adjusted EBITDA (1) growth. We ended the quarter with clean inventory levels, down 19% to last year, and $44 million in cash.” Ms. Harper continued, “While we are encouraged by our customers’ response to the newness in our assortments, given the volatility we have seen in our business, and recognizing that there is still considerable amount of the quarter ahead of us, we are taking a prudent approach to our fourth quarter outlook. As we move into fiscal 2025, we are confident that we have put in place the necessary changes and strategies to position us for growth.” Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Net sales decreased 4.2% to $263.8 million compared to $275.4 million for the third quarter of last year. Comparable sales (2) decreased 6.5% in the third quarter of this year compared to the third quarter of last year. Gross profit margin was 36.1% compared to 33.2% in the third quarter of last year. The 285-bps improvement was primarily driven by reduced product costs and an increase in sales of regular-priced products. Net loss of $1.2 million, or ($0.01) per share, compared to net loss of $2.7 million, or ($0.03) per share in the third quarter of last year. Adjusted EBITDA (1) was $19.6 million, or 7.4% of net sales, compared to $19.4 million, or 7.0% of net sales, in the third quarter of last year. In the third quarter, we opened two Torrid stores and closed four Torrid stores. The total store count at quarter end was 655 stores. Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Financial and Operating Metrics November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 Number of stores (as of end of period) 655 643 Three Months Ended (in thousands, except percentages) November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 Comparable sales (A) (7 )% (8 )% Net loss $ (1,194 ) $ (2,748 ) Adjusted EBITDA (B) $ 19,584 $ 19,379 (A) Comparable sales (2) for the three-month period ended November 2, 2024 compares sales for the 13-week period ended November 2, 2024, with sales for the 13-week period ended November 4, 2023. (B) Please refer to “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” below for a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA (1). Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the third quarter of 2024 totaled $44.0 million. Total liquidity at the end of the quarter, including available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit agreement, was $151.8 million. Cash flow from operations for the nine-month period ended November 2, 2024, was $65.4 million, compared to $33.7 million for the nine-month period ended October 28, 2023. Outlook For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 the Company expects: Net sales between $255.0 million and $270.0 million. Adjusted EBITDA (1) between $9.0 million and $15.0 million. For the full year 2024, which has 52 weeks compared to 53 weeks in full year 2023, the Company expects: Net sales between $1.083 billion and $1.098 billion. Adjusted EBITDA (1) between $101.0 million and $107.0 million. Capital expenditures between $20 million and $25 million reflecting infrastructure and technology investments as well as new stores for the year. As part of our previously announced store fleet optimization program, we intend to open 12 to 16 new Torrid stores while closing 30 to 40 stores to move towards balancing outdoor centers and enclosed mall locations. The above outlook is based on several assumptions, including, but not limited to, the macroeconomic challenges in the industry in fiscal 2024 as well as higher labor costs. The above outlook does not take into consideration the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ruling which mandates, among other things, decreases in credit card late fees, and could alter the profitability of our agreements with our private label credit card financing company. See “Forward-Looking Statements” for additional information. Conference Call Details A conference call to discuss the Company’s third quarter 2024 results is scheduled for December 3, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ET. Those who wish to participate in the call may do so by dialing (877) 407-9208 or (201) 493-6784 for international callers. The conference call will also be webcast live at https://investors.torrid.com . For those unable to participate, a replay of the conference call will be available approximately three hours after the conclusion of the call until December 10, 2024. Notes Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures and the accompanying table for a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure. The Company does not provide reconciliations of the forward-looking non-GAAP measures of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure because the timing and amount of excluded items are unreasonably difficult to fully and accurately estimate. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results. Comparable sales for any given period are defined as the sales of our e-Commerce operations and stores that we have included in our comparable sales base during that period. We include a store in our comparable sales base after it has been open for 15 full fiscal months. If a store is closed during a fiscal year, it is only included in the computation of comparable sales for the full fiscal months in which it was open. Comparable sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 compares sales for the 13-week period ended November 2, 2024, with sales for the 13-week period ended November 4, 2023. Partial fiscal months are excluded from the computation of comparable sales. We apply current year foreign currency exchange rates to both current year and prior year comparable sales to remove the impact of foreign currency fluctuation and achieve a consistent basis for comparison. Comparable sales allow us to evaluate how our unified commerce business is performing exclusive of the effects of non-comparable sales and new store openings. About Torrid TORRID is a direct-to-consumer brand in North America dedicated to offering a diverse assortment of stylish apparel, intimates, and accessories skillfully designed for curvy women. Specializing in sizes 10 to 30, TORRID’s primary focus is on providing fashionable, comfortable, and affordable options that meet the unique needs of its customers. TORRID’s extensive collection features high quality merchandise, including tops, bottoms, denim, dresses, intimates, activewear, footwear, and accessories. Revenues are generated primarily through its e-Commerce platform www.torrid.com and its stores in the United States of America, Puerto Rico and Canada. Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to results determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management utilizes certain non-GAAP performance measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, for purposes of evaluating ongoing operations and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP operating measures, when reviewed collectively with our GAAP financial information, provide useful supplemental information to investors in assessing our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure of our operating performance that is neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, GAAP and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA represents GAAP net income (loss) plus interest expense less interest income, net of other expense (income), plus provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and share-based compensation, non-cash deductions and charges, and other expenses We believe Adjusted EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period by isolating the effects of certain items that vary from period to period without any correlation to ongoing operating performance. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting the overall expected performance of our business and for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis, actual results against such expectations. Further, we recognize Adjusted EBITDA as a commonly used measure in determining business value and, as such, use it internally to report and analyze our results and as a benchmark to determine certain non-equity incentive payments made to executives. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool. This measure is not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to or substitute for net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, earnings (loss) per share or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this earnings release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact included in this earnings release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning (including their negative counterparts or other various or comparable terminology). For example, all statements we make relating to our estimated and projected costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results, our plans and objectives for future operations, growth or initiatives, strategies or the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including: • the adverse impact of rulemaking changes implemented by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on our income streams, profitability and results of operations; • changes in consumer spending and general economic conditions; • the negative impact on interest expense as a result of steep interest rates; • inflationary pressures with respect to labor and raw materials and global supply chain constraints that could increase our expenses; • our ability to identify and respond to new and changing product trends, customer preferences and other related factors; • our dependence on a strong brand image; • increased competition from other brands and retailers; • our reliance on third parties to drive traffic to our website; • the success of the shopping centers in which our stores are located; • our ability to adapt to consumer shopping preferences and develop and maintain a relevant and reliable omni-channel experience for our customers; • our dependence upon independent third parties for the manufacture of all of our merchandise; • availability constraints and price volatility in the raw materials used to manufacture our products; • interruptions of the flow of our merchandise from international manufacturers causing disruptions in our supply chain; • our sourcing a significant amount of our products from China; • shortages of inventory, delayed shipments to our e-Commerce customers and harm to our reputation due to difficulties or shut-down of our distribution facility; • our reliance upon independent third-party transportation providers for substantially all of our product shipments; • our growth strategy; • our failure to attract and retain employees that reflect our brand image, embody our culture and possess the appropriate skill set; • damage to our reputation arising from our use of social media, email and text messages; • our reliance on third-parties for the provision of certain services, including real estate management; • our dependence upon key members of our executive management team; • our reliance on information systems; • system security risk issues that could disrupt our internal operations or information technology services; • unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information, whether through a breach of our computer system, third-party computer systems we rely on, or otherwise; • our failure to comply with federal and state laws and regulations and industry standards relating to privacy, data protection, advertising and consumer protection; • payment-related risks that could increase our operating costs or subject us to potential liability; • claims made against us resulting in litigation; • changes in laws and regulations applicable to our business; • regulatory actions or recalls arising from issues with product safety; • our inability to protect our trademarks or other intellectual property rights; • our substantial indebtedness and lease obligations; • restrictions imposed by our indebtedness on our current and future operations; • changes in tax laws or regulations or in our operations that may impact our effective tax rate; • the possibility that we may recognize impairments of long-lived assets; • our failure to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting; and • the threat of war, terrorism or other catastrophes, including natural disasters, that could negatively impact our business. The outcome of the events described in any of our forward-looking statements are also subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 2, 2024 and in our other filings with the SEC and public communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this earnings release in the context of these risks and uncertainties. We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not include all of the factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the outcomes or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. The forward-looking statements included in this earnings release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except to the extent required by law. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments. Investors and others should note that we may announce material information to our investors using our investor relations website ( https://investors.torrid.com ), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media, to communicate with our investors and the public about our company, our business and other issues. It is possible that the information that we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. We therefore encourage investors to visit these websites from time to time. The information contained on such websites and social media posts is not incorporated by reference into this filing. Further, our references to website URLs in this filing are intended to be inactive textual references only. TORRID HOLDINGS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 Net sales $ 263,766 $ 275,408 Cost of goods sold 168,609 183,906 Gross profit 95,157 91,502 Selling, general and administrative expenses 74,899 71,881 Marketing expenses 13,056 12,739 Income from operations 7,202 6,882 Interest expense 8,784 9,757 Other income, net of other expense (362 ) 267 Loss before benefit from income taxes (1,220 ) (3,142 ) Benefit from income taxes (26 ) (394 ) Net loss $ (1,194 ) $ (2,748 ) Comprehensive loss: Net loss $ (1,194 ) $ (2,748 ) Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation adjustment (86 ) (271 ) Total other comprehensive loss (86 ) (271 ) Comprehensive loss $ (1,280 ) $ (3,019 ) Net loss per share: Basic $ (0.01 ) $ (0.03 ) Diluted $ (0.01 ) $ (0.03 ) Weighted average number of shares: Basic 104,698 104,081 Diluted 104,698 104,081 TORRID HOLDINGS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)(In thousands, except share and per share data) November 2, 2024 February 3, 2024 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 43,953 $ 11,735 Restricted cash 399 399 Inventory 138,261 142,199 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 33,343 22,229 Prepaid income taxes 6,617 2,561 Total current assets 222,573 179,123 Property and equipment, net 85,569 103,516 Operating lease right-of-use assets 149,732 162,444 Deposits and other noncurrent assets 18,027 14,783 Deferred tax assets 8,681 8,681 Intangible asset 8,400 8,400 Total assets $ 492,982 $ 476,947 Liabilities and stockholders' deficit Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 77,478 $ 46,183 Accrued and other current liabilities 116,650 107,750 Operating lease liabilities 36,312 42,760 Borrowings under credit facility — 7,270 Current portion of term loan 16,144 16,144 Due to related parties 4,330 9,329 Income taxes payable 62 2,671 Total current liabilities 250,976 232,107 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities 145,126 155,825 Term loan 276,445 288,553 Deferred compensation 3,735 5,474 Other noncurrent liabilities 5,986 6,705 Total liabilities 682,268 688,664 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' deficit Preferred shares: $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding at November 2, 2024 and February 3, 2024 — — Common shares: $0.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 104,732,148 shares issued and outstanding at November 2, 2024; 104,204,554 shares issued and outstanding at February 3, 2024 1,049 1,043 Additional paid-in capital 138,532 135,140 Accumulated deficit (328,281 ) (347,587 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (586 ) (313 ) Total stockholders' deficit (189,286 ) (211,717 ) Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit $ 492,982 $ 476,947 TORRID HOLDINGS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands) Nine Months Ended N ovember 2, 2024 Nine Months Ended October 28, 2023 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 19,306 $ 15,689 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Write down of inventory 1,519 3,767 Operating right-of-use assets amortization 30,429 30,494 Depreciation and other amortization 27,842 28,242 Share-based compensation 4,531 5,981 Other (957 ) (1,351 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Inventory 2,052 4,969 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (11,114 ) (4,578 ) Prepaid income taxes (4,056 ) (2,564 ) Deposits and other noncurrent assets (3,375 ) (6,433 ) Accounts payable 31,876 2,969 Accrued and other current liabilities 10,775 (5,954 ) Operating lease liabilities (33,527 ) (31,565 ) Other noncurrent liabilities (588 ) (468 ) Deferred compensation (1,739 ) 507 Due to related parties (4,999 ) (5,975 ) Income taxes payable (2,609 ) — Net cash provided by operating activities 65,366 33,730 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of property and equipment (12,617 ) (15,228 ) Net cash used in investing activities (12,617 ) (15,228 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from revolving credit facility 62,780 455,110 Principal payments on revolving credit facility (70,050 ) (458,390 ) Principal payments on term loan (13,125 ) (13,125 ) Proceeds from issuances under share-based compensation plans 704 320 Withholding tax payments related to vesting of restricted stock units and awards (675 ) (249 ) Net cash used in financing activities (20,366 ) (16,334 ) Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (165 ) (141 ) Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 32,218 2,027 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 12,134 13,935 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 44,352 $ 15,962 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Cash paid during the period for interest related to the revolving credit facility and term loan $ 27,080 $ 24,852 Cash paid during the period for income taxes $ 14,200 $ 10,976 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES Property and equipment purchases included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1,450 $ 3,360 Non-GAAP Reconciliation The following table provides a reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (dollars in thousands): Three Months Ended November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 Net loss $ (1,194 ) $ (2,748 ) Interest expense 8,784 9,757 Other income, net of other expense (362 ) 267 Benefit from income taxes (26 ) (394 ) Depreciation and amortization (A) 8,523 8,785 Share-based compensation (B) 685 1,585 Non-cash deductions and charges (C) 112 409 Other expenses (D) 3,062 1,718 Adjusted EBITDA $ 19,584 $ 19,379 (A) Depreciation and amortization excludes amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount that are reflected in interest expense. (B) During the three months ended November 2, 2024 and October 28, 2023, share-based compensation includes $(0.3) million and $0.1 million, respectively, for awards that will be settled in cash as they are accounted for as share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation , similar to awards settled in shares. (C) Non-cash deductions and charges includes non-cash losses on property and equipment disposals and the net impact of non-cash rent expense. (D) Other expenses include certain transaction and litigation fees (including certain settlement costs) and severance costs for certain key management positions. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203834068/en/ CONTACT: Investors Lyn Walther IR@torrid.com Media Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Michael Freitag / Arielle Rothstein / Lyle Weston Media@torrid.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL ONLINE RETAIL DEPARTMENT STORES FASHION SOURCE: Torrid Holdings Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/03/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/03/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203834068/enAI Futures: How Tech Leaders See Global Cooperation Surviving Challenges
The stock market has been hitting new highs this year as excitement continues to build with respect to artificial intelligence (AI) and the opportunities that may open up for many businesses. But while retail investors have been eagerly buying up stocks, Warren Buffett has been fairly quiet and doing more selling than buying. The Oracle of Omaha has cautioned investors in the past "to be fearful when others are greedy," which reflects his overall cautious approach to investing. Minimizing losses are a priority for him, and AI likely wouldn't fall into his circle of competence, which is what he focuses on when deciding which stocks to buy. Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » Should investors take Buffett's conservatism in the markets this year as a red flag? Valuations are high based on historical levels In the third quarter, Buffett continued selling stocks, and Berkshire Hathaway 's cash balance reached more than $325 billion, which is higher than the nearly $277 billion it reported a quarter earlier. He has been selling shares of Apple and Bank of America for multiple periods, two top holdings in the Berkshire portfolio, and hasn't been making big moves with that money, resulting in a growing cash balance. But given how expensive the stock market has become these days, it's perhaps little wonder that he's taking a cautious position. One metric investors should pay close attention to is the S&P 500 Shiller price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which averages inflation-adjusted earnings over the past decade. Today, the ratio is well above what it has averaged since 2000. The previous times it has been this high, there have been significant declines in the market the following year. The Shiller P/E ratio was higher in 2021. The following year, in 2022, the S&P 500 would crash by more than 19%. In the early 2000s, the market underwent a significant dot-com crash due to the tech bubble. Many value-oriented investors may be concerned that the same could be happening with AI stocks today; many of them are trading at egregious multiples. Shareholders of Palantir Technologies , for example, don't seem to be balking at its massive earnings multiple of more than 300. A value-focused option for investors to consider Even if you're worried about valuations or the possibility of a crash in the markets, it may not necessarily mean that you should sell all of your stocks and pull all of your money out. If a correction takes place, some stocks will inevitably be hit much harder than others. Stocks trading at more reasonable valuations could weather the storm better than stocks which are at obscene multiples. Meanwhile, trying to time the market and waiting for ideal investing conditions is not an optimal strategy as it could result in you missing out on gains along the way. An alternative for investors is to consider an exchange-traded fund (ETF) which prioritizes value investments. A good example of that is the Vanguard Value Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSEMKT: VTV) . The fund has a low expense ratio of 0.04% and tracks the U.S. Large Cap Value index. With the average holding in the ETF averaging an earnings multiple of just over 20, investors are getting exposure to more attractively priced stocks than the overall S&P 500 index, which is averaging a multiple of nearly 26. The top holding in the Vanguard fund is Buffett's own Berkshire Hathaway, but at just 3% of the fund's weight, it doesn't represent a huge chunk of the overall portfolio. Investors will also get access to many other blue chip stocks with the ETF, including UnitedHealth Group and Home Depot . Historically, the fund has underperformed the S&P 500, but in a possible downturn, it could be the better buy, especially given how expensive many growth stocks are right now. Investors should prepare for a possible correction Timing the market is risky, but what can be even riskier is holding stocks which trade at extremely high premiums because they can be vulnerable to a sell-off at a moment's notice. When stocks are highly valued, expectations will also be high, and any sign that a company could face difficulty could prompt investors to hit the sell button. It doesn't have to be a bad earnings report, as corrections could happen at any time investors start to smell trouble ahead. That's why it's important to consider valuations and potentially move money into cheaper stocks which may not only provide more protection during a downturn but may possess more upside in the long run. And if you aren't sure which stocks to buy or sell, a good option is to consider the Vanguard Value ETF or similar types of investments which prioritize value stocks. Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $380,291 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $43,278 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $484,003 !* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See 3 “Double Down” stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of November 18, 2024 Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway, Home Depot, Palantir Technologies, and Vanguard Index Funds-Vanguard Value ETF. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . Warren Buffett Is Being Fearful When the Markets Are Being Greedy. Is This a Red Flag for Investors? was originally published by The Motley FoolOracle Announces Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results
THE "ber" months have arrived, and the Philippines is buzzing with holiday spirit. Shoppers are finding their feeds filled with gift ideas and festive finds, presenting brands with a unique opportunity to connect with consumers eager to celebrate. Crafting memorable holiday campaigns requires more than just eye-catching visuals; it's about meeting consumers where they are most engaged — through social commerce, contextual relevance and placements that inspire lasting trust. As Filipino shoppers increasingly turn to their favorite social platforms for inspiration and purchases, brands can maximize this festive season by embracing social commerce, enhancing contextual relevance, and crafting campaigns that resonate with holiday shoppers. Bringing holiday shopping to life For Filipino shoppers, social media has become more than a place to catch up with friends — it's where holiday shopping journeys often begin. 48.3 percent of Filipino consumers made purchases based on items they discovered on social media, according to the Consumer Report Philippines 2023 by Standard Insights. These platforms have evolved into trusted sources for festive inspiration, offering a seamless and convenient shopping experience for the busy holiday season. Filipinos are also among the world's most active social media users, spending over 3 hours and 33 minutes daily across an average of 8.2 platforms each month, according to the Digital 2024 October Statshot by We Are Social and Meltwater. With Gen Z now comprising 38 percent of the Philippines' total population, these young consumers, in particular, value trust and authenticity in their shopping experience. A joint study by The Fourth Wall and Uniquecorn Strategies reveals that 81 percent of Gen Z consumers turn to online reviews and search engines before making a purchase decision. This behavior highlights their preference for informed shopping that blends inspiration with credibility. By engaging with Filipino consumers where they naturally gather, social commerce becomes more than just a sales channel — it acts as a shopping companion. Each interaction provides brands the chance to connect with engaged shoppers, building excitement and loyalty throughout the festive season. Making every interaction meaningful With social platforms essential for holiday inspiration, consumers in the Philippines are primed to engage with brands that enhance their holiday experience. Contextual targeting enables brands to deepen this engagement by aligning their ads with relevant content audiences are already exploring. This strategy taps into a page's sentiment and emotion, creating ad experiences that feel natural and engaging — whether shoppers are browsing holiday gift ideas or festive decor. IAS research shows the impact of these tailored interactions: in-context ads are four times more likely to lead to unaided brand recall, boost purchase intent by 14 percent, and increase brand favorability by 5 percent — proof that ads placed in relevant content can leave a lasting impression. Utilizing contextual segments like "Gift Ideas" or "Festive Recipes" allows brands to seamlessly integrate into seasonal shopping moments, making each interaction more meaningful. This approach resonates particularly well with Filipino Gen Z consumers, who prioritize authenticity in their shopping experiences. Contextual targeting empowers brands to connect with holiday-ready audiences, fostering excitement that builds both immediate interest and long-term loyalty. By focusing on a holiday experience that feels personal and impactful, brands can cultivate relationships that extend beyond the season, carrying the joy of connection into the new year. Keeping spirits bright, safety tight As we embrace the festive rush, it's crucial to remember that ensuring ads appear in positive, brand-safe spaces is essential for creating lasting connections. This season, brand safety is a vital consideration for advertisers aiming to make their campaigns shine in the right settings. Brand-safe environments can boost trust and enhance brand recall — especially powerful during the holidays. According to IAS State of Brand Safety research, 82 percent of consumers believe it's essential for online ads to be surrounded by appropriate content, highlighting how much brand-safe placements matter to audiences. When ads align with the right content, consumers are more likely to connect and engage. The research further reveals that half of consumers (50 percent) are more likely to recommend a brand to others when its ad appears near appropriate content, while 45 percent are more inclined to engage directly with the ad itself under similar conditions. This thoughtful approach doesn't just protect a brand's image; it enables campaigns to connect with audiences in spaces that feel inviting. Each well-placed ad fosters trust, creating joyful, lasting connections that go beyond the season's festivities. Celebrating a season of success With the holiday season sparkling to life, Filipino consumers are eager to engage with brands that bring value and joy to their celebrations. By prioritizing social commerce, contextual targeting and brand safety, brands can amplify their message, build trust and maximize return on ad spend. Meeting consumers where they naturally gather — in safe, relevant environments — ensures that every ad peso works harder, fostering connections that truly resonate. Megan Reichelt is the country manager for Southeast Asia at Integral Ad Science, an American publicly traded technology company that analyzes the value of digital advertising placements and, in turn, delivering the industry's most actionable data to drive superior results for the world's largest advertisers, publishers and platforms.Plug Power: Trending Positive, But The Momentum Is Tenuous