Jones Soda Co.(CSE: JSDA) (OTCQB: JSDA) reported mixed financial results for 2024, with annual revenue growing 15% to $19.1 million despite a challenging fourth quarter that saw revenue decline and losses widen. Mostly, increased operating expenses and inventory write-downs led to wider losses.
The Seattle-based craft soda manufacturer, which diversified into cannabis-infused beverages, reported a net loss of $9.9 million for 2024, or $0.09 per share, versus a loss of $4.9 million, or $0.05 per share, in 2023. The higher losses also came as the company invested heavily in product innovation and marketing initiatives, it noted.
Fourth quarter results were especially difficult, with revenue falling to $2.8 million from $3.5 million in the year-ago period. According to the company, the decline was “primarily attributable to reduced sales volumes mostly driven by a transition to a new distributor in Canada combined with the loss of a discount retail customer in the U.S. during the third quarter of 2024.”
The company’s gross profit for the fourth quarter swung to a negative $1.3 million, versus a positive $700,000 in the same period of 2023, largely due to a one-time $1.2 million inventory write-off related to discontinued products.
“While Jones Soda started the year on a strong note, several challenges in the back-half of the year hindered our growth and presented notable challenges that tested the company’s resilience,” recently-appointed CEO Scott Harvey said in a statement.
Harvey, who joined the company in February, expressed optimism about Jones Soda’s future prospects despite recent challenges.
“I’m pleased to report that I believe Jones Soda is making meaningful progress toward turning around our business from last year’s performance,” he said.
A bright spot in the company’s report was the performance of its Mary Jones cannabis brand, which generated approximately $3.1 million in revenue in 2024, a 148% increase from $1.2 million in 2023. The growth came from both traditional THC products, which saw revenues of $1.3 million, and the newly launched hemp-derived HD9 products, which generated $1.8 million in their first year.
The company’s beverages segment, which includes its core craft sodas and newer product lines, generated approximately $17.8 million in revenue for the year, a 15.4% increase from 2023. The HD9 products contributed $1.3 million to this segment in their first year on the market.
Jones Soda said it has been expanding its product portfolio beyond its traditional craft sodas, launching new lines including the Latin-inspired Fiesta Jones in 16 oz resealable aluminum bottles and Pop Jones, a lineup of all-natural, low-calorie functional sodas in 12 oz slim cans. Most recently the company last month launched Jones Zero Cola across more than 10,000 national and regional grocery stores.
The company said it’s also been beefing its distribution network, increasing its partners from 75 to 81 over the past 15 months and expanding its presence in key national and regional retailers across 37 states. Additionally, Jones Soda gained distribution in nearly 2,000 convenience stores, including several Circle K divisions and other chains.
Still, cash reserves dwindled throughout the year, with cash and cash equivalents totaling $1.5 million at Dec. 31, 2024, down from $3.9 million at the end of 2023. The company scored a $5 million revolving credit line in February in order to address liquidity concerns. The company also announced the appointment of Brian Meadows as chief financial officer alongside Harvey’s CEO appointment.
Management said it’s working through a plan that includes an increased focus on HD9 product opportunities and a review of strategic alternatives for its Cannabis THC business. The company is also working to optimize its business operations, with efforts focused on “driving operational efficiencies, streamlining our cost structure, and implementing financial discipline to enhance profitability,” according to Harvey.