Q1 2026 CarParts.com Inc Earnings Call

May 7, 2026

Speaker #1: Recorded. I would like now to pass the conference over to our host, Mark DiSiena, Interim Chief Financial Officer. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Some assets are becoming easier and cheaper to replicate every year. Digital execution, content generation, catalog enrichment—what is not easily commoditized is physical infrastructure. Warehouses, fulfillment networks, last-mile reach, and the scale and purchasing power that come from three decades of supplier relationships.

Speaker #2: Hello everyone, and thank you for joining us for the CarParts.com First Quarter 2026 conference call. Joining me today is David Meniane, Chief Executive Officer.

Speaker #2: Before I turn it over to David, I have some important disclosures. Our remarks on this call could contain certain forward-looking statements related to our company and our strategic initiatives under the Federal Securities Laws.

Speaker #2: As a result, it may differ materially from those contained herein or implied by these forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties. For discussion of the material risks and other important factors, that could affect results, please refer to the CarParts.com Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Speaker #1: AI will optimize infrastructure, it will not replace it. At $300,000 packages annually, the economics become meaningful. At scale, they become structural, and could significantly reduce our freight costs as a percentage of revenue.

Speaker #1: Our strategy is to lead in both layers: owning the demand layer and building a durable competitive advantage in the physical layer. Stepping back, the investments we're making are part of our strategic and tactical roadmap.

Speaker #2: Each has followed with the SEC. All of which can be found in our Investor Relations website on the call both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures will be discussed.

Speaker #2: A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is provided in the press release that we shoot today. With that, I'd like to turn David.

Speaker #1: Our distribution network, our last-mile initiative, three decades of sourcing relationships in Taiwan, the JC Whitney brand—they reflect the coherent view of where the real advantages in this industry will live over the next five years.

Speaker #3: In the first quarter of 2026, we reached a milestone. We have been building toward for five consecutive quarters. Our first positive adjusted EBITDA since Q1 2024.

Speaker #1: We have more proof points to build and more to share in future quarters, but the direction of our capital allocation is deliberate and we're executing against it today.

Speaker #3: Our adjusted EBITDA was positive $585,000, a swing of nearly $7 million from the same quarter last year. This is the result of deliberate action across every line in the P&L.

Speaker #1: On the technology side, we have two AI systems in production. Spark is our customer-facing shopping assistant, live on CarParts.com, helping customers find the right part using our proprietary fitment catalog.

Speaker #3: Advertising efficiency, customer acquisition quality, lifecycle monetization, warehouse operations, offshore savings, and a fixed cost base that is now materially lower and mostly embedded in our run rates.

Speaker #1: That is our internal system, automating returns, cancellations, and warranty claims reducing manual work and improving response time. Both are in early stages of rollout.

Speaker #3: Twelve months ago, adjusted EBITDA was negative $6.2 million. We made a decision then to rebuild this business around profitability and today we cross the line.

Speaker #1: The advantage is the data underneath them, our customer history and catalog, that a new entrant cannot replicate. That is what we are building upon.

Speaker #3: Before I walk through the quarter, I want to establish two frameworks that matter for how investors think about this business. The first is how we measure profitability.

Speaker #1: We have recently opened a branch office in Taipei, Taiwan. Approximately 70% of our purchases come from Taiwan. The product of decades of supplier relationships built and deepened over time.

Speaker #3: As our mix evolves, more dropship, more A Premium, more JC Whitney, reported gross margin percentage will move. And our costs will reduce. We manage this business to contribution margin dollars.

Speaker #1: Having a permanent presence in Taipei puts us closer to those partners, strengthens those relationships, improves lead time, and supports our ability to consolidate and coordinate sourcing more efficiently.

Speaker #3: We're focused on long-term free cash flow, dollars that accrue to shareholders. Mark will walk through the mechanics, but focus on the dollars. The second framework is strategic.

Speaker #1: This is a long-term strategic investment in the supply chain infrastructure that underpins our business and one we have been planning for some time. Q1 also included several headwinds facing our industry.

Speaker #3: For the last several years, we have been thoughtfully building out two sides of our business. There is the digital layer, our website, our mobile app, our search, our catalog, our marketing, and there is the physical layer, our global supply chain, distribution network, fulfillment infrastructure, inventory, and last-mile capability.

Speaker #1: Oil prices increased approximately 50% during the quarter, driving a direct increase in freight costs and fuel surcharges. We responded with real-time pricing actions to protect gross profit dollars.

Speaker #1: Whether across multiple regions in January and February, also reduced order volume. The pricing response covered both. Gross profit came in at 42.9 million on 132 million dollars in net sales, with gross margin percentage up approximately 40 basis points year over year.

Speaker #3: Most people see CarParts.com as an e-commerce company. We see ourselves as both. And over time, the advantage will not simply be having both layers, but how effectively we can connect them through data AI and customer ownership.

Speaker #1: I also want to reinforce the contribution margin framework. As we mix more toward dropship for certain categories, reported gross margin percentage may decrease. However, contribution margin will increase.

Speaker #3: I will come back to that later in the call. Turning to the trajectory of the business, Q1 2026 marks five consecutive quarters of sequential improvement in the metrics that matter most: gross profit margin, fixed operating expenses, and adjusted EBITDA.

Speaker #1: As in a dropship transaction, there are no associated fulfillment expenses. Mark will give you the details. On the customer loyalty front, at the end of Q1, we officially launched the CarParts.com Mastercard issued by the Bank of Missouri in partnership with Concora.

Speaker #3: Q4 2025 improved over Q3. Q3 improved over Q2. Q2 improved over Q1 2025. And Q1 2026 crosses into positive adjusted EBITDA territory. Each quarter we set the model was working, this quarter the model proved it.

Speaker #1: Cardholders earn 3% cash back on CarParts.com purchases and 1% on all other purchases. This is very early, and we have a lot to build, but the infrastructure is now in place and we have already activated over 1,000 Mastercards.

Speaker #3: This is an execution story. The restructuring is behind us. The cost actions are complete and mostly reflected in our run rate. What you are seeing now is the output of a leaner organization operating against a disciplined plan, and we still have more levers to pull.

Speaker #1: The CarParts.com Mastercard is the latest addition to our capital light fee income platform, which includes our CarParts Plus membership program and various warranty products.

Speaker #3: On our A Premium partnership, the momentum is real and accelerating. The annualized revenue run rate is now approaching $45 million up from $35 million at year-end.

Speaker #1: Combined, these programs now generate an excess of $4 million in annual fee income and are aimed at increasing customer lifetime value, frequency, and retention.

Speaker #3: And we believe that there is a path to $50 million in the near term and eventually potentially exceeding $100 million. All of this is being generated at attractive contribution margins without requiring us to carry the inventory or the working capital.

Speaker #1: Over time, the goal is more revenue coming from customers we already have and less from customers we have to pay to acquire. Looking ahead, our path to sustainable free cash flow runs through the same controllable levers that produced this quarter's result.

Speaker #3: To put that in perspective, A Premium's catalog is five times larger than our private label mechanical offering. In the world of fitment-specific parts, coverage is a durable competitive advantage.

Speaker #1: Growing contribution margin dollars, a fixed cost base that is already materially lower, and improving capital efficiency as JC Whitney and A Premium scale. We're deliberately building a more resilient model.

Speaker #3: Every SKU we add compounds our ability to capture the customer before a competitor does. The partnership is capital-efficient by design, and the results are reflecting that structure.

Speaker #1: We're also clear-eyed that the path from here requires continued execution. There's no shortcut, and no single quarter that gets us there. We're doing this the right way.

Speaker #1: The foundation is strong, the initiatives are executing, we're not simply improving performance, we're building a model we believe is right, is the right one for how automotive commerce will operate in an AI-driven world.

Speaker #3: And we believe we're still in the early stages of what this partnership can become. Moving to JC Whitney, this has gone from announcement to execution at a rapid pace.

Speaker #3: In March, we launched the JC Whitney branded product line in partnership with A Premium. 30,000 SKUs with A Premium supporting the operational build-out. The initial 7,000 JC Whitney SKUs are now live on Amazon and generating sales.

Speaker #1: With that, I will turn it over to Mark to walk through the financial result in detail.

Speaker #2: Thank you, David. Before getting to the numbers, a quick calendar note: Q1 2026 included 13 weeks, consistent with Q1 2025. Fiscal 2026 is a 52-week year.

Speaker #3: With revenue growing week over week, the remainder of the 30,000 SKU year. To fund the JC Whitney inventory investment and strengthen our balance sheet, we completed an $8 million private placement with strategic investors who bring operational experience in e-commerce and the automotive aftermarket.

Speaker #2: Year-over-year comparisons are clean. Before I walk through the P&L, one framing note, as David described: we manage to contribution margin dollars, not gross margin percentage.

Speaker #2: Keep that in mind as I walk through the mix shift. The numbers will make more sense through that lens. In the first quarter, we reported net sales of $132.0 million, compared to $147.4 million in Q1 2025, down approximately 10%.

Speaker #3: We're buying inventory at known margins, selling through a channel that is already generating revenue, and turning that capital back into cash. The investment is expected to be accretive to earnings as inventory moves through the sales cycle.

Speaker #2: The decrease was primarily driven by the company's deliberate optimization of advertising spend towards higher returns, higher intent customers, partially offset by growth in A Premium and own-channel revenue.

Speaker #3: I want to come back to the two companies in one framework. What I'm about to describe is early. The numbers are small, and there is significant work ahead.

Speaker #3: But the direction matters, and I want investors to understand how we're thinking about it. Since the beginning of the year, we have delivered over 2,000 packages to our last-mile network.

Speaker #2: Real-time pricing actions taken in response to higher outbound freight costs and weather-related volume softness in January and February also affected the top-line during the quarter.

Speaker #3: And we're running next-day delivery for our own channels out of two out of four warehouses within a defined radius. This is proof of concept in intentionally constrained while we validate the model.

Speaker #2: Gross profit for the quarter was $42.9 million. Gross margin was $32.5%, up approximately 40 basis points from $32.1% in Q1 2025. The year-over-year margin improvement reflects pricing discipline, favorable product mix, and favorable freight costs during the quarter.

Speaker #3: But our target is to deliver 300,000 packages to our last-mile network over the next 12 to 24 months. With a focus on big and bulky non-conveyable parts.

Speaker #2: The dollar variance versus the prior year is driven by lower volume, not margin deterioration. Gap net loss for the first quarter was 1.9 million, compared to a loss of 15.3 million in Q1 2025.

Speaker #3: The heavy oversized items where we have the most scale, the deepest operational expertise, and historically the highest outbound carrier costs. Getting to 300,000 packages will require significant execution.

Speaker #2: The improvement was primarily driven by lower operating expenses, partially offset by the impact of lower net sales on gross profit dollars, with gross margin rate improving 40 basis points year over year.

Speaker #3: We know that. But the savings per package are real, and the infrastructure is already ours. Here's the strategic logic behind this investment. As AI continues to reshape e-commerce, we're paying very close attention to where durable competitive advantages actually exist.

Speaker #2: Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was positive, by $585,000, compared to a loss of approximately 6.2 million in Q1 2025. A swing of nearly $7 million year over year.

Speaker #3: Some assets are becoming easier and cheaper to replicate every year. Digital execution, content generation, catalog enrichment. What is not easily commoditized is physical infrastructure.

Speaker #2: This reflects improvement across four controllable drivers: advertising efficiency, warehouse labor, offshore operating savings, followed by the Manila transition to lean solutions group, and fixed costs now mostly embedded in our run rate.

Speaker #3: Warehouses, fulfillment networks, last-mile reach, and the scale and purchasing power that come from three decades of supplier relationships. AI will optimize infrastructure, it will not replace it.

Speaker #2: Total operating expense for the first quarter was $46.0 million, compared to $62.5 million in Q1 2025. A reduction of approximately 16.5 million or 26% year over year.

Speaker #3: At 300,000 packages annually, the economics become meaningful. At scale, they become structural, and could significantly reduce our freight costs as a percentage of revenue.

Speaker #2: The improvement was primarily driven by lower advertising spend, improved warehouse efficiency, and headcount reductions. I also want to flag one non-recurring item in the quarter: a $2.3 million non-cash gain related to the completion of the sale of our Manila operations.

Speaker #3: Our strategy is to lead in both layers, owning the demand layer and building a durable competitive advantage in the physical layer. Stepping back, the investments we're making are part of our strategic and tactical roadmap.

David Meniane: Will require significant execution. We know that. The savings per package are real, and the infrastructure is already ours. Here's the strategic logic behind this investment. As AI continues to reshape e-commerce, we're paying very close attention to where durable competitive advantages actually exist. Some assets are becoming easier and cheaper to replicate every year. Digital execution, content generation, catalog enrichment. What is not easily commoditized is physical infrastructure, warehouses, fulfillment networks, last mile reach, and the scale and purchasing power that come from three decades of supplier relationships. AI will optimize infrastructure, it will not replace it. At 300,000 packages annually, the economics become meaningful. At scale, they become structural and could significantly reduce our freight costs as a percentage of revenue. Our strategy is to lead in both layers, owning the demand layer and building a durable competitive advantage in the physical layer.

Speaker #3: Our distribution network, our last-mile initiative, three decades of sourcing relationships in Taiwan, the JC Whitney brand. They reflect the coherent view of where the real advantages in this industry will live over the next five years.

Speaker #2: Excluding that item, underlying operating expenses still declined by approximately $14.2 million year over year. A combination of advertising and warehouse efficiency actions, as well as fixed cost improvements, are now embedded in our run rate.

Speaker #3: We have more proof points to build and more to share in future quarters. But the direction of our capital allocation is deliberate, and we're executing against it today.

Speaker #2: Turning to the balance sheet, we ended the first quarter with $38 million in cash and no revolving debt outstanding. This is a strong liquidity position that provides the financial flexibility to execute on our growth initiatives while maintaining a conservative balance sheet.

Speaker #3: On the technology side, we have two AI systems in production. Spark is our customer-facing shopping assistant. Live on CarParts.com, helping customers find the right part using our proprietary fitment catalog.

David Meniane: AI will optimize infrastructure, it will not replace it. At 300,000 packages annually, the economics become meaningful. At scale, they become structural and could significantly reduce our freight costs as a percentage of revenue. Our strategy is to lead in both layers, owning the demand layer and building a durable competitive advantage in the physical layer.

Speaker #2: Inventory was approximately $91 million, down from $95 million at year-end, reflecting lower-owned inventory requirements as dropship volume grows and the business shifts towards a more capital-efficient mix.

Speaker #3: Zap is our internal system, automating returns, cancellations, and warranty claims reducing manual work and improving response time. Both are in early stages of rollout.

Speaker #2: On share count, as of April 30th, we had 80 million 570,054 shares of common stock outstanding. This includes 10 million shares recently issued in connection with the JC Whitney private placement at 80 cents per share.

Speaker #3: The advantage is the data underneath them. Our customer history and catalog that a new entrant cannot replicate. That is what we are building upon.

David Meniane: Stepping back, the investments we're making are part of our strategic and tactical roadmap. Our distribution network, our last mile initiative, 3 decades of sourcing relationships in Taiwan, the JC Whitney brand. They reflect the coherent view of where the real advantages in this industry will live over the next 5 years. We have more proof points to build and more to share in future quarters, the direction of our capital allocation is deliberate, and we're executing against it today. On the technology side, we have 2 AI systems in production. Spark is our customer-facing shopping assistant, live on CarParts.com, helping customers find the right part using our proprietary fitment catalog. Zap is our internal system, automating returns, cancellations, and warranty claims, reducing manual work and improving response time. Both are in early stages of rollout.

Speaker #3: We have recently opened a branch office in Taipei, Taiwan. Approximately 70% of our purchases come from Taiwan. The product of decades of supplier relationships built and deepened over time.

Speaker #2: I want to specifically call out that the company holds 3,786,000 treasury shares, reflecting prior repurchase activities. At our current share price, that position is material and worth noting to investors modeling the fully diluted share count.

Speaker #3: Having a permanent presence in Taipei puts us closer to those partners, strengthens those relationships, improves lead time, and supports our ability to consolidate and coordinate sourcing more efficiently.

Speaker #2: Our convertible notes are at 25.3 million with a conversion price of $1.20 per share. On tariffs and sourcing, we continue to monitor the environment closely.

Speaker #3: This is a long-term strategic investment in the supply chain infrastructure that underpins our business and one we have been planning for some time. Q1 also included several headwinds facing our industry.

Speaker #2: Approximately 20% of our sourcing is from China, with approximately 70% from Taiwan, and the remainder from other countries. As David noted, we have officially opened a branch office in Taipei, a direct presence that deepens the supplier relationships representing the majority of our purchases.

Speaker #3: Oil prices increased approximately 50% during the quarter. Driving a direct increase in freight costs and fuel surcharges. We responded with real-time pricing actions to protect gross profit dollars.

Speaker #2: Our AIPA tariff claims. We estimate up to 4.3 million in outstanding claims and are pursuing recovery through a formal CVP process. We will keep investors updated as the process develops.

David Meniane: The advantage is the data underneath them, our customer history and catalog that a new entrant cannot replicate. That is what we are building upon. We have recently opened a branch office in Taipei, Taiwan. Approximately 70% of our purchases come from Taiwan, the product of decades of supplier relationships built and deepened over time. Having a permanent presence in Taipei puts us closer to those partners, strengthens those relationships, improves lead time, and supports our ability to consolidate and coordinate sourcing more efficiently. This is a long-term strategic investment in the supply chain infrastructure that underpins our business and one we have been planning for some time. Q1 also included several headwinds facing our industry. Oil prices increased approximately 50% during the quarter, driving a direct increase in freight costs and fuel surcharges. We responded with real-time pricing actions to protect gross profit dollars.

Speaker #3: Weather across multiple regions in January and February also reduced order volume. The pricing response covered both. Gross profit came in at 42.9 million. On 132 million in net sales, with gross margin percentage up approximately 40 basis points year over year.

Speaker #2: We are not building our forward plan around this outcome, but it represents a potential source of cash we want investors to be aware of.

Speaker #2: Turning to our partnership metrics, the A Premium partnership is now generating an annualized revenue run rate approaching $45 million, up from approximately $35 million at the end of fiscal 2025.

Speaker #3: I also want to reinforce the contribution margin framework. As we mix more toward dropship for certain categories, reported gross margin percentage may decrease. However, contribution margin will increase.

Speaker #2: We continue to target $50 million in the near term, with a long-term path we believe can exceed $100 million. All at attractive contribution margins and without a working capital burden of owned mechanical inventory.

Speaker #3: As in a dropship transaction, there are no associated fulfillment expenses. Mark will give you the detail. On the customer loyalty front, at the end of Q1, we officially launched the CarParts.com Mastercard issued by the Bank of Missouri in partnership with Concora.

Speaker #2: I want to walk through the operational dashboard. We track each quarter, so investors can monitor progress across the key drivers of the business. Starting with product mix.

Speaker #2: Private label represents approximately 81% of the revenue in Q1, compared to 83% in Q1 2025. Collision and replacement accounted for approximately 67% of the revenue, up from 65% in Q1 2025, consistent with our core strength in big and bulky non-conveyable parts.

Speaker #3: Cardholders earn 3% cash back on CarParts.com purchases and 1% on all other purchases. This is very early, and we have a lot to build.

David Meniane: Weather across multiple regions in January and February also reduced order volume. The pricing response covered both. Gross profit came in at $42.9 million on $132 million in net sales, with gross margin percentage up approximately 40 basis points year over year. I also want to reinforce the contribution margin framework. As we mix more towards drop ship for certain categories, reported gross margin percentage may decrease. However, contribution margin will increase. As in a drop ship transaction, there are no associated fulfillment expenses. Mark will give you the details. On the customer loyalty front, at the end of Q1, we officially launched the CarParts.com Mastercard, issued by The Bank of Missouri in partnership with Concora Credit. Cardholders earn 3% cashback on CarParts.com purchases and 1% on all other purchases.

Speaker #3: But the infrastructure is now in place, and we have already activated over 1,000 Mastercards. The CarParts.com Mastercard is the latest addition to our capital light fee income platform, which includes our CarParts Plus membership program and various warranty products.

Speaker #2: Turning to the channel mix. Owned channels are e-commerce site, mobile app, and commercial channels represented approximately 69% of revenue in Q1, up from 64% in Q1 2025, with marketplaces at 31%.

Speaker #3: Combined, these programs now generate an excess of $4 million in annual fee income and are aimed at increasing customer lifetime value, frequency, and retention.

Speaker #2: The continued shift towards owned channel reflects higher net contribution margins and lower working capital intensity. On retention and mobile. Email and SMS and push notifications represented approximately 10% of e-commerce revenue in Q1, up from 7.5% in Q1 2025.

Speaker #3: Over time, the goal is more revenue coming from customers we already have and less from customers we have to pay to acquire. Looking ahead, our path to sustainable free cash flow runs through the same controllable levers that produce this quarter's result.

Speaker #2: Mobile app revenue was approximately 14% of e-commerce revenue, up from 10% in Q1 2025. App customers convert at higher rates. Carry larger basket sizes and come at lower acquisition costs.

Speaker #3: Growing contribution margin dollars, a fixed cost base that is already materially lower, and improving capital premium scale. We're deliberately building a more resilient model.

Speaker #2: A compounding advantage as the base grows. With that, I'll turn the call back to David for closing remarks.

David Meniane: This is very early and we have a lot to build, but the infrastructure is now in place, and we have already activated over 1,000 Mastercards. The CarParts.com Mastercard is the latest addition to our capital-light fee income platform, which includes our CarParts+ membership program and various warranty products. Combined, these programs now generate in excess of $4 million in annual fee income and are aimed at increasing customer lifetime value, frequency, and retention. Over time, the goal is more revenue coming from customers we already have and less from customers we have to pay to acquire. Looking ahead, our path to sustainable free cash flow runs through the same controllable levers that produce this quarter's result. Growing contribution margin dollars, a fixed cost base that is already materially lower, and improving capital efficiency as JC Whitney and A-Premium scale.

Speaker #3: We're also clear-eyed that the path from here requires continued execution. There's no shortcut, and no single quarter that gets us there. We're doing this the right way.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Mark. Five quarters ago, we made a decision: rebuild this business, focusing on sustained profitability and long-term cash generation. Volume. We adjusted advertising spend, right-sized the organization, executed on partnerships that brought real operational capability, and synergies.

Speaker #3: The foundation is strong, the initiatives are executing, we're not simply improving performance, we're building a model we believe is right, is the right one for how automotive commerce will operate in an AI-driven world.

Speaker #1: And reduced our fixed cost base. I want to take a moment to acknowledge what that required. It was challenging. It was disruptive. And a lot of people across this organization made real sacrifices to get us here.

Speaker #3: With that, I will turn it over to Mark to walk through the financial result in detail.

Speaker #1: Thank you, David. Before getting to the numbers, a quick calendar note. Q1 2026 included 13 weeks, consistent with Q1 2025. Fiscal 2026 is a 52-week year.

Speaker #1: This quarter's result belongs to them. And the results speak for themselves. Adjusted EBITDA crossed into positive territory for the first time since Q1 2024.

Speaker #1: Year-over-year comparisons are clean. Before I walk through the P&L, one framing note, as David described, we manage to contribution margin dollars, not gross margin percentage.

Speaker #1: A swing of nearly $7 million in 12 months. Gross margin percentage expanded year over year, despite real freight headwinds. A Premium is approaching $45 million in run rate revenue.

Speaker #1: Keep that in mind as I walk through the mix shift. The numbers will make more sense through that lens. In the first quarter, we reported net sales of $132.0 million, compared to $147.4 million in Q1 2025, down approximately 10%.

David Meniane: We're deliberately building a more resilient model. We're also clear-eyed that the path from here requires continued execution. There's no shortcut and no single quarter that gets us there. We're doing this the right way. The foundation is strong. The initiatives are executing. We're not simply improving performance, we're building a model we believe is the right one for how automotive commerce will operate in an AI-driven world. With that, I will turn it over to Mark to walk through the financial results in detail.

Speaker #1: JC Whitney SKUs are live on Amazon and generating sales today. Spark and Zap are running. The CarParts.com MasterCard is in the market. We have officially opened our branch office in Taipei.

Speaker #1: And we're running next-day delivery to our last-mile network out of two of four of our warehouses with a target of 300,000 packages over the next 12 to 24 months.

Speaker #1: The decrease was primarily driven by the company's deliberate optimization of advertising spend towards higher returns, higher intent customers, partially offset by growth in a premium and own channel revenue.

Speaker #1: We ended the quarter with 38 million in cash and no revolver debt. The balance sheet supports everything we have described today. We still have a lot of work ahead, and we're not declaring victory.

Speaker #1: Real-time pricing actions taken in response to higher outbound freight costs and weather-related volume softness in January and February also affected the top-line during the quarter.

Mark: Thank you, David. Before getting to the numbers, a quick calendar note. Q1 2026 included 13 weeks, consistent with Q1 2025. Fiscal 2026 is a 52-week year. Year over year comparisons are clean. Before I walk through the P&L, one framing note, as David described, we manage to contribution margin dollars, not gross margin percentage. Keep that in mind as I walk through the mix shift. The numbers will make more sense through that lens. In Q1, we reported net sales of $132.0 million compared to $147.4 million in Q1 2025, down approximately 10%. The decrease was primarily driven by the company's deliberate optimization of advertising spend towards higher return, higher intent customers, partially offset by growth in A-Premium and own channel revenue.

Mark DiSiena: Thank you, David. Before getting to the numbers, a quick calendar note. Q1 2026 included 13 weeks, consistent with Q1 2025. Fiscal 2026 is a 52-week year. Year over year comparisons are clean. Before I walk through the P&L, one framing note, as David described, we manage to contribution margin dollars, not gross margin percentage. Keep that in mind as I walk through the mix shift. The numbers will make more sense through that lens. In Q1, we reported net sales of $132.0 million compared to $147.4 million in Q1 2025, down approximately 10%. The decrease was primarily driven by the company's deliberate optimization of advertising spend towards higher return, higher intent customers, partially offset by growth in A-Premium and own channel revenue.

Speaker #1: Positive adjusted EBITDA is only one checkpoint, not the destination. From here, the path runs through growing EBITDA dollars, consistently quarter over quarter, until the business is generating cash after all of its obligations.

Speaker #1: Gross profit for the quarter was $42.9 million. Gross margin was $32.5%, up approximately 40 basis points from $32.1% in Q1 2025. The year-over-year margin improvement reflects pricing discipline, favorable product mix, and favorable freight costs during the quarter.

Speaker #1: We're not there yet. We set free cash flow positive in 2026, and the levers that get us there are the same ones that produce Q1.

Speaker #1: Contribution margin dollars growing, fixed costs embedded, and capital efficiency improving. Q1 is the foundation it rests on. We know what we have to do, and we're continuing to execute on our roadmap.

Speaker #1: The dollar variance versus the prior year is driven by lower volume, not margin deterioration. Gap net loss for the first quarter was 1.9 million, compared to a loss of 15.3 million in Q1 2025.

Speaker #1: At a higher level, we have always been two companies in one. A digital layer and a physical asset base. In a world where AI is rapidly commoditizing digital execution, we're investing in the supply chain, physical infrastructure, and brand assets that cannot be easily replicated.

Speaker #1: The improvement was primarily driven by lower operating expenses, partially offset by the impact of lower net sales on gross profit dollars, with gross margin rate improving 40 basis points year over year.

Mark: Real-time pricing actions taken in response to higher outbound freight costs and weather-related volume softness in January and February also affected the top line during the quarter. Gross profit for the quarter was $42.9 million. Gross margin was 32.5%, up approximately 40 basis points from 32.1% in Q1 2025. The year-over-year margin improvement reflects pricing discipline, favorable product mix, and favorable freight costs during the quarter. The dollar variance versus the prior year is driven by lower volume, not margin deterioration. GAAP net loss for Q1 was $1.9 million, compared to a loss of $15.3 million in Q1 2025. The improvement was primarily driven by lower operating expenses, partially offset by the impact of lower net sales on gross profit dollars, with gross margin rate improving 40 basis points year over year.

Mark DiSiena: Real-time pricing actions taken in response to higher outbound freight costs and weather-related volume softness in January and February also affected the top line during the quarter. Gross profit for the quarter was $42.9 million. Gross margin was 32.5%, up approximately 40 basis points from 32.1% in Q1 2025. The year-over-year margin improvement reflects pricing discipline, favorable product mix, and favorable freight costs during the quarter. The dollar variance versus the prior year is driven by lower volume, not margin deterioration. GAAP net loss for Q1 was $1.9 million, compared to a loss of $15.3 million in Q1 2025. The improvement was primarily driven by lower operating expenses, partially offset by the impact of lower net sales on gross profit dollars, with gross margin rate improving 40 basis points year over year.

Speaker #1: Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was positive, by $585,000, compared to a loss of approximately 6.2 million in Q1 2025. A swing of nearly $7 million year over year.

Speaker #1: Warehouses cannot be digitized. Decades of supplier relationships cannot be rebuilt overnight. Last-mile capability in big and bulky non-conveyable parts is a genuine moat. We have more to prove and more to share, but the direction of our investment is deliberate and we believe it is the right bet for us in the next five years.

Speaker #1: This reflects improvement across four controllable drivers: advertising efficiency, warehouse labor, offshore operating savings, followed by the Manila transition to lean solutions group, and fixed costs now mostly embedded in our run rate.

Speaker #1: I want to recognize our team. The inflection point you are seeing in these results is the product of disciplined, unglamorous work executed consistently over five quarters.

Speaker #1: Total operating expense for the first quarter was $46.0 million, compared to $62.5 million in Q1 2025. A reduction of approximately 16.5 million or 26% year over year.

Speaker #1: Are people stay focused on the plan, served our customers, and delivered? I'm proud of what this team has accomplished. I'm even more confident about where we go from here.

Speaker #1: With that, I'll turn it back to the operator.

Speaker #1: Improvement was primarily driven by lower advertising spend, improved warehouse efficiency, and headcount reductions. I also want to flag one non-recurring item in the quarter, a $2.3 million non-cash gain related to the completion of the sale of our Manila operations.

Mark: Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was +$585,000, compared to a loss of approximately $6.2 million in Q1 2025, a swing of nearly $7 million year over year. This reflects improvement across four controllable drivers: advertising efficiency, warehouse labor, offshore operating savings propelled by the Manila transition to Lean Solutions Group, and fixed costs now mostly embedded in our run rate. Total operating expense for Q1 was $46.0 million, compared to $62.5 million in Q1 2025, a reduction of approximately $16.5 million or 26% year over year. The improvement was primarily driven by lower advertising spend, improved warehouse efficiency, and headcount reductions.

Mark DiSiena: Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was +$585,000, compared to a loss of approximately $6.2 million in Q1 2025, a swing of nearly $7 million year over year. This reflects improvement across four controllable drivers: advertising efficiency, warehouse labor, offshore operating savings propelled by the Manila transition to Lean Solutions Group, and fixed costs now mostly embedded in our run rate. Total operating expense for Q1 was $46.0 million, compared to $62.5 million in Q1 2025, a reduction of approximately $16.5 million or 26% year over year. The improvement was primarily driven by lower advertising spend, improved warehouse efficiency, and headcount reductions.

Speaker #1: Excluding that item, underlying operating expenses still declined by approximately 14.2 million year over year, a combination of advertising and warehouse efficiencies actions as well as fixed cost improvements now embedded in our run rate.

Speaker #1: Turning to the balance sheet, we ended the first quarter with $38 million in cash and no revolving debt outstanding. This is a strong liquidity position that provides the financial flexibility to execute on our growth initiatives while maintaining a conservative balance sheet.

Speaker #1: Inventory was approximately $91 million, down from $95 million at year-end, reflecting lower owned inventory requirements as dropship volume grows and the business shifts towards a more capital-efficient mix.

Speaker #1: On share count, as of April 30th, we had $80 million 570,054 shares of common stock outstanding. This includes $10 million shares recently issued in connection with the JC Whitney private placement at 80 cents per share.

Mark: I also want to flag one non-recurring item in the quarter, a $2.3 million non-cash gain related to the completion of the sale of our Manila operations. Excluding that item, underlying operating expenses still declined by approximately $14.2 million year-over-year. A combination of advertising and warehouse efficiency actions, as well as fixed cost improvements now embedded in our run rate. Turning to the balance sheet. We ended the Q1 with $38 million in cash and no revolving debt outstanding. This is a strong liquidity position that provides the financial flexibility to execute on our growth initiatives while maintaining a conservative balance sheet. Inventory was approximately $91 million, down from $95 million at year-end, reflecting lower own inventory requirements as drop ship volume grows and the business shifts towards a more capital-efficient mix. On share count.

Mark DiSiena: I also want to flag one non-recurring item in the quarter, a $2.3 million non-cash gain related to the completion of the sale of our Manila operations. Excluding that item, underlying operating expenses still declined by approximately $14.2 million year-over-year. A combination of advertising and warehouse efficiency actions, as well as fixed cost improvements now embedded in our run rate. Turning to the balance sheet. We ended the Q1 with $38 million in cash and no revolving debt outstanding. This is a strong liquidity position that provides the financial flexibility to execute on our growth initiatives while maintaining a conservative balance sheet. Inventory was approximately $91 million, down from $95 million at year-end, reflecting lower own inventory requirements as drop ship volume grows and the business shifts towards a more capital-efficient mix. On share count.

Speaker #1: I want to specifically call out that the company holds $3,786,000 treasury shares, reflecting prior repurchase activities. At our current share price, that position is material and worth noting to investors modeling the fully diluted share count.

Speaker #1: Our convertible notes are at 25.3 million with a conversion price of $1.20 per share. On tariffs and sourcing, we continue to monitor the environment closely.

Speaker #1: Approximately 20% of our sourcing is from China, with approximately 70% from Taiwan, and the remainder from other countries. As David noted, we have officially opened a branch office in Taipei, a direct presence that deepens the supplier relationships representing the majority of our purchases.

Mark: As of April 30th, we had 80,570,054 shares of common stock outstanding. This includes 10 million shares recently issued in connection with the JC Whitney private placement at $0.80 per share. I want to specifically call out that the company holds 3,786,000 treasury shares re-reflecting prior repurchased activities. At our current share price, that position is material and we're committed to investors modeling the fully diluted share count. Our convertible notes are at $25.3 million with a conversion price of $1.20 per share. Tariff and sourcing. We continue to monitor the environment closely. Approximately 20% of our sourcing is from China, with approximately 70% from Taiwan and the remainder from other countries.

Mark DiSiena: As of April 30th, we had 80,570,054 shares of common stock outstanding. This includes 10 million shares recently issued in connection with the JC Whitney private placement at $0.80 per share. I want to specifically call out that the company holds 3,786,000 treasury shares re-reflecting prior repurchased activities. At our current share price, that position is material and we're committed to investors modeling the fully diluted share count. Our convertible notes are at $25.3 million with a conversion price of $1.20 per share. Tariff and sourcing. We continue to monitor the environment closely. Approximately 20% of our sourcing is from China, with approximately 70% from Taiwan and the remainder from other countries.

Speaker #1: Our AIPA tariff claims. We estimate up to 4.3 million in outstanding claims and are pursuing recovery through a formal CBT process. We will keep investors updated as the process develops.

Speaker #1: We are not building our forward plan around this outcome, but it represents a potential source of cash we want investors to be aware of.

Speaker #1: Turning to our partnership metrics. The a premium partnership is now generating an annualized revenue run rate approaching $45 million, up from approximately $35 million at the end of fiscal 2025.

Speaker #1: We continue to target $50 million in the near term, with a long-term path we believe can exceed $100 million. All at attractive contribution margins and without a working capital burden of owned mechanical inventory.

Speaker #1: I want to walk through the operational dashboard. We track each quarter, so investors can monitor progress across the key drivers of the business. Starting with product mix.

Mark: As David noted, we have officially opened a branch office in Taipei, a direct presence that deepens the supplier relationships representing the majority of our purchases. Our IEEPA tariff claims. We estimate up to $4.3 million in outstanding claims and are pursuing recovery through a formal CBP process. We will keep investors updated as the process develops. We are not building our forward plan around this outcome, but it represents a potential source of cash we want investors to be aware of. Turning to our partnership metrics. The A-Premium partnership is now generating an annualized revenue run rate approaching $45 million, up from approximately $35 million at the end of fiscal 2025.

Mark DiSiena: As David noted, we have officially opened a branch office in Taipei, a direct presence that deepens the supplier relationships representing the majority of our purchases. Our IEEPA tariff claims. We estimate up to $4.3 million in outstanding claims and are pursuing recovery through a formal CBP process. We will keep investors updated as the process develops. We are not building our forward plan around this outcome, but it represents a potential source of cash we want investors to be aware of. Turning to our partnership metrics. The A-Premium partnership is now generating an annualized revenue run rate approaching $45 million, up from approximately $35 million at the end of fiscal 2025.

Speaker #1: Private label represents approximately 81% of the revenue in Q1, compared to 83% in Q1 2025. Collision and replacement accounted for approximately 67% of the revenue, up from 65% in Q1 2025, consistent with our core strength in big and bulky non-conveyable parts.

Speaker #1: Turning to the channel mix. Owned channels are e-commerce site, mobile app, and commercial channels represented approximately 69% of revenue in Q1, up from 64% in Q1 2025, with marketplaces at 31%.

Speaker #1: The continued shift towards owned channel reflects higher net contribution margin and lower working capital intensity. On retention and mobile. Email SMS and push notifications represented approximately 10% of e-commerce revenue in Q1, up from 7.5% in Q1 2025.

Mark: We continue to target $50 million in the near term with a long-term path we believe can exceed $100 million, all at attractive contribution margins and without a working capital burden of owned mechanical inventory. I want to walk through the operational dashboard we track each quarter so investors can monitor progress across the key drivers of the business. Starting with product mix. Private label represents approximately 81% of the revenue in Q1 compared to 83% in Q1 2025. Collision and replacement accounted for approximately 67% of the revenue, up from 65% in Q1 2025, consistent with our core strength in big and bulky non-conveyable parts. Turning to the channel mix. Owned channels, our e-commerce site, mobile app, and commercial channels represented approximately 69% of revenue in Q1, up from 64% in Q1 2025, with marketplace at 31%.

Mark DiSiena: We continue to target $50 million in the near term with a long-term path we believe can exceed $100 million, all at attractive contribution margins and without a working capital burden of owned mechanical inventory. I want to walk through the operational dashboard we track each quarter so investors can monitor progress across the key drivers of the business. Starting with product mix. Private label represents approximately 81% of the revenue in Q1 compared to 83% in Q1 2025. Collision and replacement accounted for approximately 67% of the revenue, up from 65% in Q1 2025, consistent with our core strength in big and bulky non-conveyable parts. Turning to the channel mix. Owned channels, our e-commerce site, mobile app, and commercial channels represented approximately 69% of revenue in Q1, up from 64% in Q1 2025, with marketplace at 31%.

Speaker #1: Mobile app revenue was approximately 14% of e-commerce revenue, up from 10% in Q1 2025. App customers convert at higher rates. Carry larger basket sizes and come at lower acquisition costs, a compounding advantage as the base grows.

Speaker #1: With that, I'll turn the call back to David for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Mark. Five quarters ago, we made a decision: rebuild this business, focusing on sustained profitability and long-term cash generation, not unprofitable volumes. We adjusted advertising spend, right-sized the organization, executed on partnerships that brought real operational capability, and synergies, and reduced our fixed cost base.

Mark: The continued shift towards owned channel reflects higher net contribution margin and lower working capital intensity. On retention and mobile. Email, SMS, and push notifications represented approximately 10% of e-commerce revenue in Q1, up from 7.5% in Q1 2025. Mobile app revenue was approximately 14% of e-commerce revenue, up from 10% in Q1 2025. App customers convert at higher rates, carry larger basket sizes, and come at lower acquisition costs, a compounding advantage as the base grows. With that, I'll turn the call back to David for closing remarks.

Mark DiSiena: The continued shift towards owned channel reflects higher net contribution margin and lower working capital intensity. On retention and mobile. Email, SMS, and push notifications represented approximately 10% of e-commerce revenue in Q1, up from 7.5% in Q1 2025. Mobile app revenue was approximately 14% of e-commerce revenue, up from 10% in Q1 2025. App customers convert at higher rates, carry larger basket sizes, and come at lower acquisition costs, a compounding advantage as the base grows. With that, I'll turn the call back to David for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: I want to take a moment to acknowledge what that required. It was challenging. It was disruptive. And a lot of people across this organization made real sacrifices to get us here.

Speaker #2: This quarter's result belongs to them. And the results speak for themselves. Adjusted EBITDA crossed into positive territory for the first time since Q1 2024.

Speaker #2: A swing of nearly $7 million in 12 months. Gross margin percentage expanded year over year, despite real freight headwinds. A premium is approaching $45 million in run rate revenue.

Speaker #2: JC Whitney SKUs are live on Amazon and generating sales today. Spark and Zap are running. The CarParts.com MasterCard is in the market. We have officially opened our branch office in our last-mile network out of two of four of our warehouses with a target of 300,000 packages over the next 12 to 24 months.

David Meniane: Thank you, Mark. 5 quarters ago, we made a decision. Rebuild this business focusing on sustained profitability and long-term cash generation, not volume. We had profitable adjusted advertising spend, right-sized the organization, executed on partnerships that brought real operational capability and synergies, and reduced our fixed cost base. I wanna take a moment to acknowledge what that required. It was challenging, it was disruptive, and a lot of people across this organization made real sacrifices to get us here. This quarter's result belongs to them. The results speak for themselves. Adjusted EBITDA crossed into positive territory for the first time since Q1 2024, a swing of nearly $7 million in 12 months. Gross margin percentage expanded year over year despite real freight headwinds. A-Premium is approaching $45 million in run rate revenue. JC Whitney SKUs are live on Amazon and generating sales today.

Speaker #2: We ended the quarter with $38 million in cash and no revolver debt. The balance sheet supports everything we have described today. We still have a lot of work ahead, and we're not declaring victory.

Speaker #2: Positive adjusted EBITDA is only one checkpoint, not the destination. From here, the path runs through growing EBITDA dollars, consistently quarter over quarter, until the business is generating cash after all of its obligations.

Speaker #2: We're not there yet. We set free cash flow positive in 2026, and the levers that get us there are the same ones that produce Q1.

Speaker #2: Contribution margin dollars growing, fixed costs embedded, and capital efficiency improving. Q1 is the foundation it rests on. We know what we have to do, and we're continuing to execute on our roadmap.

David Meniane: Spark and Zap are running. The CarParts.com Mastercard is in the market. We have officially opened our branch office in Taipei, and we're running next day delivery through our last mile network out of two of four of our warehouses with a target of 300,000 packages over the next 12 to 24 months. We ended the quarter with $38 million in cash and no revolver debt. The balance sheet supports everything we have described today. We still have a lot of work ahead, and we're not declaring victory. Positive adjusted EBITDA is only one checkpoint, not the destination. From here, the path runs through growing EBITDA dollars consistently quarter over quarter until the business is generating cash after all of its obligations. We're not there yet.

Speaker #2: At a higher level, we have always been two companies in one. A digital layer and a physical asset base. In a world where AI is rapidly commoditizing digital execution, we're investing in the supply chain, physical infrastructure, and brand assets that cannot be easily replicated.

Speaker #2: Warehouses cannot be digitized. Decades of supplier relationships cannot be rebuilt overnight. Last-mile capability in big and bulky non-conveyable parts is a genuine moat. We have more to prove and more to share, but the direction of our investment is deliberate and we believe it is the right bet for us in the next five years.

David Meniane: We said free cash flow positive in 2026. The levers that get us there are the same ones that produced Q1. Contribution margin dollars growing, fixed costs embedded, and capital efficiency improving. Q1 is the foundation it rests on. We know what we have to do, and we're continuing to execute on our roadmap. At a higher level, we have always been two companies in one, a digital layer and a physical asset base. In a world where AI is rapidly commoditizing digital execution, we're investing in the supply chain, physical infrastructure, and brand assets that cannot be easily replicated. Warehouses cannot be digitized. Decades of supplier relationships cannot be rebuilt overnight. Last mile capability in big and bulky, non-conveyable parts is a genuine moat.

Speaker #2: I want to recognize our team, the inflection point you are seeing in these results is the product of disciplined, unglamorous work executed consistently over five quarters.

Speaker #2: Our people stay focused on the plan, served our customers, and delivered. I'm proud of what this team has accomplished. I'm even more confident about where we go from here.

Speaker #2: With that, I'll turn it back to the operator.

David Meniane: We have more to prove and more to share, The direction of our investment is deliberate, and we believe it is the right bet for us in the next 5 years. I wanna recognize our team. The inflection point you are seeing in these results is the product of disciplined, unglamorous work executed consistently over 5 quarters. Our people stayed focused on the plan, served our customers, and delivered. I'm proud of what this team has accomplished. I'm even more confident about where we go from here. With that, I'll turn it back to the operator.

Operator: This does conclude today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.