Turned to Quarterly Operational Profitability for the First Time Operating Expenses as a Percentage of Revenues Decreased 120 Basis Points YoY to 5.8% Achieved Positive Operating Cash Flow SHANGHAI, May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 111, Inc. ("111" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:YI), a leading tech-enabled healthcare platform company committed to reshaping the value chain of healthcare industry by digitally empowering the upstream and downstream in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. First Quarter 2024 Highlights Net revenues were RMB3.5 billion (US$488.7 million) and Gross segment profit (1) was RMB 208.5 million (US$ 28.9 million). Due to the sudden surge in medicine demand during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Q1 2023, net revenue and gross segment profit had a 4.6% and 11.7% decrease respectively. Total operating expenses were RMB204.8 million (US$28.4 million), an improvement of 20.6% compared to RMB257.9 million in the same quarter of last year. As a percentage of net revenues, total operating expenses decreased by 120 basis points to 5.8% from 7.0% in the same quarter of last year, which reflected continuous improvement in our operation efficiency. Income from operations was RMB3.7 million (US$0.5 million), compared to loss from operations was RMB21.7 million in the same quarter of last year. This marks 111's inaugural operational income on a quarterly basis. Non-GAAP income from operations (2) was RMB8.9 million (US$1.2 million), representing an increase of 259.2% compared to RMB2.5 million in the same quarter of last year. As a percentage of net revenues, non-GAAP income from operations accounted for 0.3% in the quarter, an increase of 20 basis points from 0.1% in the same quarter of last year.   (1)  Gross segment profit represents net revenues less cost of goods sold. (2)  Non-GAAP income from operations represents income from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses. Mr. Junling Liu, Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of 111, commented, "We are delighted to start the year with a major milestone in the first quarter of 2024 as our continuous operational enhancements empowered us to turn to operational profitability for the first time. Notably, income from operations reached RMB3.7 million during the period, a wonderfully positive shift from an operational loss of RMB21.7 million a year ago. This was achieved despite a decrease in first-quarter revenue because of a higher baseline set in the corresponding period of 2023 during the peak of the pandemic. Non-GAAP income from operations even more than tripled year over year to a record high of RMB8.9 million. Our performance in the quarter validates the effectiveness of our business model as a leading tech-enabled healthcare platform company committed to digitally empower the entire healthcare value chain as well as our growth strategies. Mr. Liu added, "We successfully elevated our operational efficiency after disciplined expense optimization across the whole organization. Our operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased 120 basis points to 5.8%, while the ratio for non-GAAP operating expenses fell 60 basis points to 5.7%, reflecting our efforts for prudent resource management in the pursuit of sustainable growth. We anticipate the possibility of further operating cost reductions and higher efficiency as we scale up our business and refine operations. Our ambition is to stand out as the pinnacle of efficiency in the pharmaceutical e-commerce realm, and we strive to amplify our operational effectiveness to sharpen our competitive edge." "Furthermore, our investments in technology empowerment effectively drove up operational efficiency and customer engagement. We also made novel supply chain advancement that will unlock new growth opportunities, highlighted by our launch of a new delivery and transit model for streamlining logistics and saving fulfilment costs. Our pioneering role in digital commerce transformation and commitment to innovative excellence has also been recognized as we obtained significant accolades and a new patent from government agencies and professional institutions." "Looking ahead, we will remain dedicated to delivering one-stop shopping experiences supported by the most comprehensive and cost-effective product portfolio. With our internal 100% digital operating system at our core, we've attained unmatched operational efficiency within the industry. We are well positioned to empower both upstream and downstream customers to improve efficiency for the entire industry and reshape the traditional value chain. Our focus on strengthened partnership with pharmaceutical companies, strategic investments in operational efficiency, as well as relentless commitment to digitalization and AI innovation will enable us to capture greater market share and growth for higher revenue and profit levels. We are confident that these initiatives will solidify our leadership in the market, and we look forward to continuously generating value to our shareholders, customers, and stakeholders in the quarters ahead." First Quarter 2024 Financial Results Net revenues were RMB3.5 billion (US$488.7 million), representing a decrease of 4.6% from RMB3.7 billion in the same quarter of last year. (In thousands RMB) For the three months ended March 31, 2023 2024 YoY B2B Net Revenue Product 3,562,682 3,431,172 -3.7 % Service 21,141 20,837 -1.4 % Sub-Total 3,583,823 3,452,009 -3.7 % Cost of Products Sold(3) 3,372,828 3,261,103 -3.3 % Segment Profit 210,995 190,906 -9.5 % Segment Profit % 5.9 % 5.5 % (In thousands RMB) For the three months ended March 31 2023 2024 YoY B2C Net Revenue Product 106,608 72,206 -32.3 % Service 6,330 4,214 -33.4 % Sub-Total 112,938 76,420 -32.3 % Cost of Products Sold 87,720 58,793 -33.0 % Segment Profit 25,218 17,627 -30.1 % Segment Profit % 22.3 % 23.1 %   (3) For segment reporting purposes, purchase rebates are allocated to the B2B segment and B2C segments primarily based on the amount of cost of products sold for each segment. Cost of products sold does not include other direct costs related to cost of product sales such as shipping and handling expense, payroll and benefits of logistic staff, logistic centers rental expenses and depreciation expenses, which are recorded in the fulfillment expenses. Cost of service revenue is recorded in the operating expense. Operating costs and expenses were RMB3.5 billion (US$488.2 million), representing a decrease of 5.2% from RMB3.7 billion in the same quarter of last year. Cost of products sold was RMB3.3 billion (US$459.8 million), representing a decrease of 4.1% from RMB3.5 billion in the same quarter of last year. Fulfillment expenses were RMB88.5 million (US$12.3 million), representing a decrease of 13.8% from RMB102.7 million in the same quarter of last year. Fulfillment expenses accounted for 2.5% of net revenues this quarter as compared to 2.8% in the same quarter of last year.  Selling and marketing expenses were RMB80.4 million (US$11.1 million), representing a decrease of 10.0% from RMB89.2 million in the same quarter of last year. Excluding the share-based compensation expenses of RMB1.9 million for the quarter and RMB1.1 million for the same quarter last year, respectively, selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenues, accounted for 2.2% in the quarter as compared to 2.4% in the same quarter of last year. General and administrative expenses were RMB19.1 million (US$2.6 million), representing a decrease of 53.8% from RMB41.3 million in the same quarter of last year. Excluding the share-based compensation expenses of RMB2.1 million for the quarter and RMB19.0 million for the same quarter last year, respectively, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues, accounted for 0.5% in the quarter as compared to 0.6% in the same quarter of last year. Technology expenses were RMB18.3 million (US$2.5 million), representing a decrease of 27.7% from RMB25.3 million in the same quarter of last year. Excluding the share-based compensation expenses of RMB1.2 million for the quarter and RMB4.1 million for the same quarter last year, respectively, Technology expenses as a percentage of net revenues, accounted for 0.5% in the quarter as compared to 0.6% in the same quarter of last year. Income from operations was RMB3.7 million (US$0.5 million), compared to loss from operations was RMB21.7 million in the same quarter of last year. Non-GAAP income from operations was RMB8.9 million (US$1.2 million), compared to RMB2.5 million in the same quarter of last year. As a percentage of net revenues, non-GAAP income from operations accounted for 0.3% in the quarter as compared to 0.1% in the same quarter of last year.   Net loss was RMB2.7 million (US$0.4 million), compared to RMB19.4 million in the same quarter of last year. As a percentage of net revenues, net loss decreased to 0.1% in the quarter from 0.5% in same quarter of last year. Non-GAAP net income(4) was RMB2.5 million (US$0.3 million), compared to RMB4.9 million in the same quarter of last year. As a percentage of net revenues, non-GAAP net income accounted for 0.1% in the quarter, which was same as last year. Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB13.8 million (US$1.9 million), compared to RMB31.8 million in the same quarter of last year. As a percentage of net revenues, net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders decreased to 0.4% in the quarter from 0.9% in same quarter of last year. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders(5) was RMB8.6 million (US$1.2 million), compared to RMB7.6 million in the same quarter of last year. As a percentage of net revenues, non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders accounted for 0.2% in the quarter, which was same as last year. (4) Non-GAAP net income represents net income excluding share-based compensation expenses, net of tax. Considering the impact of accretion of redeemable non-controlling interest for the first quarter 2024, non-GAAP net income is used as a more meaningful measurement of the operation performance of the Company. (5) Non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders represents net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses, net of tax. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB627.3 million (US$86.9 million), compared to RMB673.7 million as of December 31, 2023. To this date, the Company has a total outstanding amount of RMB1.1 billion, which has been included in the balances of redeemable non-controlling interests and accrued expenses and other current liabilities, owed to a group of investors of 1 Pharmacy Technology pursuant to their equity investments made in 2020 as previously disclosed. 111 has received redemption requests from certain of such investors for a total redemption amount of RMB0.2 billion in accordance with the terms of their initial investments in 1 Pharmacy Technology. Furthermore, the Company has entered into written agreements and/or commitment letters with investors representing the majority of the total carrying amounts. For more information about the terms of 111's arrangements with these investors, see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Company's annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Conference Call 111's management team will host an earnings conference call at 7:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 23, 2024 (7:30 PM Beijing Time on the same day). Details for the conference call are as follows: Event Title: 111, Inc. First Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial ResultsRegistration Link: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10038645-oelc5s.html  All participants must use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers, the Direct Event passcode, and a unique Registration ID, which can be used to join the conference call. Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the Direct Event passcode and unique Registration ID you have received upon registering to join the call. A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call until May 30, 2024 on: China: 4001 209 216United States: +1 855 883 1031International: +61 7 3107 6325Conference ID: 10038645 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the website at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/83ojreww.  Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, and non-GAAP loss per ADS, as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance. The Company defines non-GAAP income from operations as income (loss) from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses. The Company defines non-GAAP net income as net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses, net of tax. The Company defines non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders as net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses, net of tax. The Company defines non-GAAP loss per ADS as net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders per ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses, net of tax per ADS. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, and non-GAAP loss per ADS help identify underlying trends in its business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that it includes in income (loss) from operations and net loss. Share-based compensation expenses is a non-cash expense that varies from period to period. As a result, management excludes the items from its internal operating forecasts and models. Management believes that the adjustments for share-based compensation expenses provide investors with a reasonable basis to measure the company's core operating performance, in a more meaningful comparison with the performance of other companies. The Company believes that non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, and non-GAAP loss per ADS provide useful information about its operating results, enhances the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the management in their financial and operational decision-making. The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, or non-GAAP loss per ADS is that it does not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company's operations. Further, the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. ...