Key Highlights

   -- Sales totaled $12.6 million in the quarter compared to $14.0 million in 
      the prior-year quarter 
 
   -- Retail and comparable store sales growth of 2.9%, resulting in a 21% 
      two-year stack, reflecting continued retail momentum 
 
   -- SG&A expenses decreased 26.5% in the quarter to $6.4 million, driven by a 
      materially lower operating cost base 
 
   -- Net loss narrowed to $0.6 million, from $1.6 million in the prior-year 
      quarter 
 
   -- $2.7 million revenue-linked financing completed during the quarter and 
      $3.0 million private placement closed post quarter-end 
 
   -- New store opened at Laurier Québec Mall in December with goal of 
      adding 6 new locations in fiscal 2026 

MONTREAL, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DAVIDsTEA Inc. (TSX-Venture: DTEA) ("DAVIDsTEA" or the "Company"), a leading North American tea merchant, announced today its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025, ended November 1, 2025.

"Our focus remains on delivering profitable quarters while achieving our annual sales targets. We intentionally timed key marketing initiatives to align with the holiday season and the seasonally stronger fourth quarter, and we continue to make meaningful progress executing our store-led omnichannel strategy," said Sarah Segal, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Brand Officer, DAVIDsTEA. "Both brick-and-mortar and comparable store sales increased 2.9% in the quarter, which comes on top of the 18.1% increase compared to Q3 2024, underscoring the strength of physical retail as the primary driver of brand engagement, product discovery, and long-term customer value."

"While online and wholesale channels were impacted by softer economic conditions, U.S. tariffs, and the elimination of the de minimis exemption for online deliveries to US consumers - which had previously spared most U.S. orders from duties and taxes and facilitated the efficient flow of goods through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we remain focused on adapting our supply chain to address these challenges, " Ms. Segal added. "As we enter the revenue-intensive fourth quarter, early retail trends have been encouraging, and we remain confident in our strategy to grow the business through disciplined retail expansion and omnichannel execution, with the objective of returning to sustained, profitable growth."

"The third quarter reflected the benefits of disciplined execution across our operations and balance sheet," said Frank Zitella, President, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, DAVIDsTEA. "We have materially reduced our operating cost base, including the full benefit of our lower-cost technology platform, which has permanently lowered IT-related expenses and improved operating leverage."

"We are also well on our way to doubling our retail footprint in Canada, " Mr. Zitella continued. "Our goal is to open up to six new stores in fiscal 2026. In support of this objective, we have two stores under contract expected to open in the first half of the year, two additional locations under letters of intent targeted for opening in the second half and are actively advancing site selection for the remaining locations."

"From a capital perspective, we strengthened liquidity through a $2.7 million revenue-linked financing completed during the quarter, followed by a $3.0 million private placement completed after quarter-end," Mr. Zitella concluded. "With a structurally lower cost base and an improved balance sheet, we are well positioned to execute our growth strategy with discipline and flexibility."

Operating Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2025

Sales. Sales for the quarter reached $12.6 million, down $1.4 million or 10.2% from the prior-year quarter. Sales in Canada, which accounted for 88.5% of total revenue, decreased by $0.8 million, or 7.1%, compared to the prior-year quarter. U.S. sales of $1.5 million decreased by $0.6 million, or 28.3%, from the prior-year quarter.

DAVIDsTEA is focused on delivering a value proposition that resonates with consumers, supported by a memorable experience both in person and online, to generate sales as the Company navigates macro-economic headwinds.

Brick-and-mortar sales of $4.9 million increased by $0.2 million, or 2.9%, from $4.7 million in the prior-year quarter. DAVIDsTEA had 20 stores at quarter end vs 19 stores in prior-year quarter. Comparable store sales growth(1) was 2.9% which was in addition to comparable store sales growth of 18.1% in the prior-year quarter. Brick-and-mortar sales represented 38.5% of total sales compared to 33.7% in the prior-year quarter.

Online sales of $5.3 million decreased by $1.1 million, or 16.9%, from $6.4 million in the prior-year quarter. Online sales accounted for 41.9% of total sales compared to 45.3% of sales in the prior-year quarter. Wholesale channel sales of $2.5 million decreased by $0.5 million, or 16.6%, from the prior-year quarter. Wholesale sales represented 19.5% of total sales compared to 21.0% in the prior-year quarter.

Gross profit. Gross profit of $5.9 million decreased by $1.3 million, or 17.9%, from $7.2 million in the prior-year quarter. The decrease in gross profit is largely attributable to lower sales, a marginal drop in product margin and a slight increase in fulfillment costs. These factors were partially offset by lower delivery costs. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 47.0% for the third quarter from 51.5% in the prior-year quarter.

Selling, general and administration expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") amounted to $6.4 million, representing a decrease of $2.3 million, or 26.5%, compared to the same period in the prior-year quarter. In the prior-year quarter, DAVIDsTEA incurred amounts due under onerous contracts of $3.1 million, an expense that was not incurred in the most recent quarter. IT-related expenses, which are included in SG&A costs, have been reduced by $1.5 million, resulting from the successful conversion of the Company's full technology stack to a lower-cost operating system in November 2024. This strategic transition has materially and permanently reduced the operating cost base, providing sustainable efficiency gains going forward. In addition, the Company recorded savings of $0.5 million in marketing expenses over the prior-year quarter. These savings were partially offset by a net reversal of $2.1 million in impairment charges on property and equipment and intangible assets incurred in the prior-year quarter, as well as an increase in wages, salaries and employee benefits of $0.4 million in the most recent quarter.

As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses improved to 50.7% from 62.0% in the prior-year quarter.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (after rent equivalent expense).(1) EBITDA totaled $0.7 million compared to negative $0.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $0.8 million compared to $1.0 million for the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA (after rent equivalent expense) was negative $0.4 million compared to negative $30 thousand in the prior-year quarter.

Net loss and Adjusted net income (loss).(1) Net loss totaled $0.6 million compared to a net loss of $1.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted net loss amounted to $0.6 million compared to adjusted net income of $12 thousand in the prior-year quarter.

Fully diluted net loss per share and Adjusted fully-diluted net income (loss) per share.(1) Fully diluted net loss per common share amounted to $0.02 compared to a fully diluted net loss per common share of $0.06 in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted fully diluted net loss per common share(1) , which is Adjusted net income on a fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding basis, totaled $0.02 compared to an Adjusted fully diluted net loss of nil in the prior-year quarter.

(__________________1) Please refer to "Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Ratios" in this press release.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As at November 1, 2025, the Company had $8.1 million of cash held by major Canadian financial institutions.

Working capital amounted to $10.7 million as at November 1, 2025, compared to $12.8 million as at February 1, 2025. The decline in working capital can be attributed to a decrease in cash of $8.1 million and increase in revenue-linked advances of $2.5 million. These factors were partially offset by an increase in inventories of $5.5 million and a decrease in trade and other payables of $2.8 million.

DAVIDsTEA's primary source of liquidity is cash on hand and cashflow generated from operations. Working capital requirements are driven by the purchase of inventory, payment of payroll, ongoing technology expenditures and other operating costs.

During the quarter, DAVIDsTEA entered into a revenue-linked financing agreement under which it received advance funding of $2.7 million. Under the terms of arrangement, the Company is required to remit 7% of revenues generated through its retail and e-commerce channels until a fixed repayment amount of $2.9 million has been satisfied. The fixed repayment amount represents the contractual funding of $2.7 million plus a fixed financing cost of 8.0%.

Working capital requirements fluctuate during the year, rising in the second and third fiscal quarters as the Company takes title to increasing quantities of inventory in anticipation of the peak selling season in the fourth fiscal quarter. Capital expenditures of $412 thousand in the third quarter of 2025 include the purchase of furniture and equipment of $40 thousand, leasehold improvements of $303 thousand, and computer hardware of $69 thousand, offset by a tenant inducement of $175 thousand. Capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2024 amounted to $608 thousand, comprised of furniture and equipment of $120 thousand, leasehold improvements of $463 thousand, and computer hardware of $25 thousand.

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

December 16, 2025 07:10 ET (12:10 GMT)