06/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/05/2026 15:19
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Form 10-Q"), as well as the corresponding Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026 (the "2025 Form 10-K"). The discussion and analysis below contains certain forward-looking statements about our business and operations that are subject to the risks, uncertainties, and other factors referred to in Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this Form 10-Q. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. The risks described in this Form 10-Q and in other documents we file from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" in this Form 10-Q, should be carefully reviewed. All amounts herein are unaudited.
Overview
Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. ("Petco", the "Company", "we", "our" and "us") is a leading pet specialty retailer focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents, and our own partners. We nurture the pet-human bond in the aisles of more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Chile.
Our multicategory strategy integrates our digital assets with our nationwide physical footprint to meet the needs of pet parents who are looking for a single source for all their pets' needs. Petco.com, our e-commerce site, and the Petco app, our personalized mobile app, together serve as hubs for pet parents to book appointments and manage all of their pets' needs, while enabling them to shop wherever, whenever, and however they want. We are focused on continually improving both our digital capabilities as well as our membership offering.
We strive to be a company that is improving millions of pet lives as well as the lives of pet parents and the partners who work for us. In tandem with Petco Love, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and, through these partnerships and in-store adoption events, we have helped find homes for over 7 million animals.
Macroeconomic factors, including interest rates, potential inflationary pressures, supply chain constraints, tariffs, and global economic and geopolitical developments, including geopolitical conflicts and tensions, have had varying impacts on our results of operations that are difficult to isolate and quantify. We cannot predict the duration or ultimate severity of these macroeconomic factors or the ultimate impact on our operations and liquidity. Please refer to the risk factors referred to in Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this Form 10-Q.
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision invalidating certain tariffs previously imposed under the International Emergency Economic Power Act ("IEEPA"). We have applied for a refund of tariffs paid, following the processes established by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We will continue to evaluate new information and will recognize any IEEPA tariff refunds or related receivables when they are realized or realizable.
How We Assess the Performance of Our Business
In assessing our performance, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures, including the following:
Comparable Sales
Comparable sales is an important measure throughout the retail industry and includes both retail and digital sales of products and services. A new location or digital site is included in comparable sales beginning on the first day of the fiscal month following 12 full fiscal months of operation and is subsequently compared to like time periods from the previous year. Relocated pet care centers become comparable pet care centers on the first day of operation if the original pet care center was open longer than 12 full fiscal months. If, during the period presented, a pet care center was closed, sales from that pet care center are included up to the first day of the month of closing. There may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable sales. As a result, data in this filing regarding our comparable sales may not be comparable to similar data made available by other retailers.
Comparable sales allow us to evaluate how our overall ecosystem is performing by measuring the change in period-over-period net sales from locations and digital sites that have been open for the applicable period. We intend to improve comparable sales by continuing initiatives aimed to increase customer retention, frequency of visits, and basket size. General macroeconomic and retail business trends are also a key driver of changes in comparable sales.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management and our board of directors review, in addition to GAAP (as defined herein) measures, certain non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans, and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. Further explanations of these non-GAAP measures, along with reconciliations to their most comparable GAAP measures, are presented below under "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Measures."
Executive Summary
Comparing the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026 with the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025 (unless otherwise noted), our results included the following:
Results of Operations
The following tables summarize our results of operations and the percent of net sales of line items included in our consolidated statements of operations (dollars in thousands):
|
Thirteen weeks ended |
|||||||||
|
May 2, |
May 3, |
||||||||
|
Net sales: |
|||||||||
|
Products |
$ |
1,228,087 |
$ |
1,241,891 |
|||||
|
Services and other |
268,645 |
251,508 |
|||||||
|
Total net sales |
1,496,732 |
1,493,399 |
|||||||
|
Cost of sales: |
|||||||||
|
Products |
757,778 |
766,285 |
|||||||
|
Services and other |
164,529 |
157,146 |
|||||||
|
Total cost of sales |
922,307 |
923,431 |
|||||||
|
Gross profit |
574,425 |
569,968 |
|||||||
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
549,799 |
553,609 |
|||||||
|
Operating income |
24,626 |
16,359 |
|||||||
|
Interest income |
(1,497 |
) |
(1,359 |
) |
|||||
|
Interest expense |
32,785 |
33,494 |
|||||||
|
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt |
11,840 |
- |
|||||||
|
Loss before income taxes and income |
(18,502 |
) |
(15,776 |
) |
|||||
|
Income tax expense |
2,199 |
495 |
|||||||
|
Income from equity method investees |
(5,555 |
) |
(4,610 |
) |
|||||
|
Net loss attributable to Class A and B-1 |
$ |
(15,146 |
) |
$ |
(11,661 |
) |
|||
|
Thirteen weeks ended |
|||||||||
|
May 2, |
May 3, |
||||||||
|
Net sales: |
|||||||||
|
Products |
82.1 |
% |
83.2 |
% |
|||||
|
Services and other |
17.9 |
16.8 |
|||||||
|
Total net sales |
100.0 |
100.0 |
|||||||
|
Cost of sales: |
|||||||||
|
Products |
50.6 |
51.3 |
|||||||
|
Services and other |
11.0 |
10.5 |
|||||||
|
Total cost of sales |
61.6 |
61.8 |
|||||||
|
Gross profit |
38.4 |
38.2 |
|||||||
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
36.7 |
37.1 |
|||||||
|
Operating income |
1.7 |
1.1 |
|||||||
|
Interest income |
(0.1 |
) |
(0.1 |
) |
|||||
|
Interest expense |
2.2 |
2.3 |
|||||||
|
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt |
0.8 |
- |
|||||||
|
Loss before income taxes and income |
(1.2 |
) |
(1.1 |
) |
|||||
|
Income tax expense |
0.1 |
0.0 |
|||||||
|
Income from equity method investees |
(0.3 |
) |
(0.3 |
) |
|||||
|
Net loss attributable to Class A and B-1 |
(1.0 |
)% |
(0.8 |
)% |
|||||
|
Thirteen weeks ended |
|||||||||
|
May 2, |
May 3, |
||||||||
|
Operational Data: |
|||||||||
|
Comparable sales change |
0.7 |
% |
(1.3 |
)% |
|||||
|
Total pet care centers (U.S.) at end of period |
1,378 |
1,393 |
|||||||
|
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) |
$ |
97,331 |
$ |
89,449 |
|||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended May 2, 2026 Compared with Thirteen Weeks Ended May 3, 2025
Net Sales and Comparable Sales
|
Thirteen weeks ended |
||||||||||||||||
|
(dollars in thousands) |
May 2, |
May 3, |
$ |
% |
||||||||||||
|
Consumables |
$ |
746,827 |
$ |
748,070 |
$ |
(1,243 |
) |
(0.2 |
%) |
|||||||
|
Supplies and companion animals |
481,260 |
493,821 |
(12,561 |
) |
(2.5 |
%) |
||||||||||
|
Services and other |
268,645 |
251,508 |
17,137 |
6.8 |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Net sales |
$ |
1,496,732 |
$ |
1,493,399 |
$ |
3,333 |
0.2 |
% |
||||||||
Net sales increased $3.3 million, or 0.2%, to $1.50 billion in the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026 compared to net sales of $1.49 billion in the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025. The sales increase primarily reflects growth in our services business, driven by our investments in customer acquisition and retention, as well as optimization of our veterinary footprint. We also experienced positive comparable sales trends in our consumables category, offset by a lower pet care center count. We continue to focus on profitability and margin through a disciplined approach to managing unit costs, pricing, and promotional strategies.
We are unable to quantify certain factors impacting sales described above due to the fact that such factors are based on input measures or qualitative information that do not lend themselves to quantification.
Gross Profit
As a percentage of net sales, our gross profit rate was 38.4% for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026 compared with 38.2% for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025. We continue to focus on effectively utilizing our services footprint and managing our inventory, unit costs, pricing, and promotional strategies. We are unable to quantify the factors impacting gross profit rate described above due to the fact that such factors are based on input measures or qualitative information that do not lend themselves to quantification.
Selling, General and Administrative ("SG&A") Expenses
As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses were 36.7% for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026 compared with 37.1% for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025. The decrease in SG&A expenses between the periods was primarily due to lower payroll and consulting costs, partially offset by an increase in advertising expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $0.7 million, or 2.1%, to $32.8 million in the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026 compared with $33.5 million in the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025. The decrease was primarily driven by a lower aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness, partially offset by higher interest rates during the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026. For more information, refer to Note 3, "Senior Secured Credit Facilities," and Note 4, "Senior Secured Notes" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Loss on Extinguishment and Modification of Debt
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt was $11.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026. This loss was recognized in conjunction with the February 2, 2026 debt refinancing transaction described under "Sources of Liquidity-Senior Secured Credit Facilities and Senior Secured Notes" below. There was no loss on debt extinguishment and modification for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025. For more information, refer to Note 3, "Senior Secured Credit Facilities," and Note 4, "Senior Secured Notes," to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Income Tax Expense
We compute our tax provision (benefit) for interim periods by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to our year-to-date income (loss) before income taxes, adjusted for discrete items recognized during the quarter. However, due to the sensitivity of the estimated annual effective tax rate to changes in estimated annual pre-tax results, we determined that the actual effective tax rate method is the appropriate approach in the computation of the interim tax provision for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026, as the use of the estimated annual effective tax rate would provide a distortive result.
Our actual effective tax rate was (17.0)%, resulting in income tax expense of $2.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026, compared to an estimated annual effective tax rate of (4.5%), resulting in income tax expense of $0.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025. The change in tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026, was primarily driven by a reduction of equity-based compensation not expected to be deductible for tax purposes, along with a change in pre-tax earnings and the application of our actual effective tax rate in the current period compared to the use of our estimated annual effective tax rate in the prior year.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Measures
The following information provides definitions and reconciliations of certain non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the most comparable GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented may differ from similarly-titled measures used by other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA
We present Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, because we believe it enhances an investor's understanding of our financial and operational performance by excluding certain material non-cash items, unusual or non-recurring items that we do not expect to continue in the future, and certain other adjustments we believe are or are not reflective of our ongoing operations and performance. Adjusted EBITDA enables operating performance to be reviewed across reporting periods on a consistent basis. We use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor our operating financial performance and to compare our performance to others in our industry. We also use Adjusted EBITDA in connection with establishing discretionary annual incentive compensation targets, to make budgeting decisions, to make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital, and to report our quarterly results as defined in our debt agreements, although under such agreements the measure is calculated differently and is used for different purposes.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a substitute for net income (loss), the most comparable GAAP measure, and is subject to a number of limitations as a financial measure, so it should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and not in isolation. There can be no assurances that we will not modify the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA in the future. In addition, other companies in our industry may define Adjusted EBITDA differently, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. Refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Measures" included in the 2025 Form 10-K for more information regarding how we define Adjusted EBITDA.
The table below reflects the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the periods presented:
|
Thirteen weeks ended |
|||||||||
|
(dollars in thousands) |
May 2, |
May 3, |
|||||||
|
Net loss attributable to Class A and B-1 |
$ |
(15,146 |
) |
$ |
(11,661 |
) |
|||
|
Interest expense, net |
31,288 |
32,135 |
|||||||
|
Income tax expense |
2,199 |
495 |
|||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization |
49,041 |
49,811 |
|||||||
|
Income from equity method investees |
(5,555 |
) |
(4,610 |
) |
|||||
|
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt |
11,840 |
- |
|||||||
|
Equity-based compensation |
9,451 |
9,420 |
|||||||
|
Mexico joint venture EBITDA (1) |
12,916 |
10,198 |
|||||||
|
Other costs (2) |
1,297 |
3,661 |
|||||||
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
97,331 |
$ |
89,449 |
|||||
|
Net sales |
$ |
1,496,732 |
$ |
1,493,399 |
|||||
|
Net margin (3) |
(1.0 |
)% |
(0.8 |
)% |
|||||
|
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
6.5 |
% |
6.0 |
% |
|||||
|
Thirteen weeks ended |
|||||||||
|
(dollars in thousands) |
May 2, |
May 3, |
|||||||
|
Net income |
$ |
11,104 |
$ |
9,220 |
|||||
|
Depreciation |
8,306 |
6,597 |
|||||||
|
Income tax expense |
5,194 |
4,166 |
|||||||
|
Foreign currency loss (gain) |
144 |
(292 |
) |
||||||
|
Interest expense, net |
1,083 |
704 |
|||||||
|
EBITDA |
$ |
25,831 |
$ |
20,395 |
|||||
|
50% of EBITDA |
$ |
12,916 |
$ |
10,198 |
|||||
Free Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less cash paid for fixed assets. Management believes that Free Cash Flow, which measures our ability to generate additional cash from our business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the Company's financial performance.
The table below reflects the calculation of Free Cash Flow for the periods presented:
|
Thirteen weeks ended |
||||||||
|
May 2, |
May 3, |
|||||||
|
(dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
$ |
(30,969 |
) |
$ |
(15,454 |
) |
||
|
Cash paid for fixed assets |
(38,153 |
) |
(28,412 |
) |
||||
|
Free Cash Flow |
$ |
(69,122 |
) |
$ |
(43,866 |
) |
||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are funds generated by operating activities and available capacity for borrowings on our $546.0 million ABL Revolving Credit Facility. Our ability to fund our operations, to make planned capital investments, to make scheduled debt payments and to repay or refinance indebtedness depends on our future operating performance and cash flows, which are subject to prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. Our liquidity as of May 2, 2026 was $654.4 million, inclusive of cash and cash equivalents of $166.8 million and $487.6 million of availability on the ABL Revolving Credit Facility.
We are a party to contractual obligations involving commitments to make payments to third parties. These obligations impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. We believe that our current resources, together with anticipated cash flows from operations and borrowing capacity under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility will be sufficient to finance our operations, meet our current cash requirements, and fund anticipated capital investments for at least the next 12 months. We may, however, seek additional financing to fund future growth or refinance our existing indebtedness through the debt capital markets, but we cannot be assured that such financing will be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows:
|
Thirteen weeks ended |
||||||||
|
(dollars in thousands) |
May 2, |
May 3, |
||||||
|
Total cash used in: |
||||||||
|
Operating activities |
$ |
(30,969 |
) |
$ |
(15,454 |
) |
||
|
Investing activities |
(37,849 |
) |
(27,133 |
) |
||||
|
Financing activities |
(32,638 |
) |
(334 |
) |
||||
|
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents |
$ |
(101,456 |
) |
$ |
(42,921 |
) |
||
Operating Activities
Our primary source of operating cash is sales of products and services to customers, which are substantially all on a cash basis, and therefore provide us with a significant source of liquidity. Our primary uses of cash in operating activities include: purchases of inventory; freight and warehousing costs; employee-related expenditures; occupancy-related costs for our pet care centers, distribution centers and corporate support centers; credit card fees; interest under our debt agreements; and marketing expenses. Net cash used in operating activities is impacted by our net loss adjusted for certain non-cash items, including: depreciation and amortization; amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs; deferred income taxes; equity-based compensation; impairments of goodwill and intangible assets; other non-operating income; and the effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in operating activities was $31.0 million in the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026 compared with net cash used in operating activities of $15.5 million in the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025. The decrease in operating cash flows were primarily driven by a increase in inventory purchases as well as timing of invoice payments. This was partially offset by a decrease in cash paid for interest and lower payouts of prior year accrued incentive bonuses.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $37.8 million and $27.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026 and May 3, 2025, respectively, and consisted primarily of capital expenditures to support our business.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $32.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026, compared with $0.3 million used in financing activities for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025. Financing cash flows in the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2026 primarily consisted of payments of debt issuance costs and borrowings and repayments of debt in connection with the February 2, 2026 refinancing transaction discussed under "Sources of Liquidity" below. Financing cash flows in the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025 were not material.
Sources of Liquidity
Senior Secured Credit Facilities and Senior Secured Notes
The Company had a secured term loan facility originally maturing on March 4, 2028 (the "First Lien Term Loan"), with an outstanding principal balance of $1,500.0 million as of January 31, 2026. On February 2, 2026, the Company entered into a refinancing amendment to the credit agreement governing the First Lien Term Loan ("Amended First Lien Term Loan") and issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the "Senior Secured Notes"). Following the amendment, $900.0 million of principal remained on the Amended First Lien Term Loan.
The Company has a secured asset-based revolving credit facility (as amended from time to time, the "ABL Revolving Credit Facility"). The first tranche of the ABL Revolving Credit Facility, which had availability of up to $35.0 million, subject to a borrowing base, matured on March 4, 2026. The remaining tranche has availability of up to $546.0 million, subject to a borrowing base, maturing on March 29, 2029.
For more information regarding this indebtedness, refer to Note 3, "Senior Secured Credit Facilities," and Note 4, "Senior Secured Notes," to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Derivative Instruments
The Company has entered into interest rate collar and swap agreements to limit the maximum interest on a portion of the Company's variable-rate debt and decrease its exposure to interest rate variability relating to three-month Term SOFR. For more information regarding derivative instruments, refer to Note 5, "Derivative Instruments," to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") requires us to make assumptions and estimates about future results and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales, expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that we believe to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On an ongoing basis, we review the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material.
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates described in the 2025 Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.