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REED’S INC ANNOUNCES FISCAL 2008 FINANCIAL RESULTS Los Angeles, CA - March 27, 2009 - Reed’s Inc., (NASDAQ CM: REED), maker of the top-selling sodas in natural food stores nationwide, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Fiscal 2008 Highlights: Fiscal 2009 Outlook: “2008 was a transformational year for Reed’s, characterized by
a successfully realigned sales strategy, an expanded product assortment and
solid financial performance,” commented Chris Reed, Founder and Chief
Executive Officer. “During 2008, we refocused our sales strategy on
increasing our product placement within the estimated 10,500 supermarkets
nationwide. This strategy enables our sales personnel to leverage Reed’s
success at natural food grocery stores to establish new and enhanced relationships
with mainstream grocery stores as well as capitalize on the increasing consumer
demand for natural and ‘good-for-you’ products. The initial success
of our re-aligned sales strategy is reflected in our solid 17% revenue growth
in fiscal 2008, driven by continued strength in our core Reed’s and
Virgil’s brands as well as our new product introductions including diet
versions of our Virgil’s sodas, Virgil’s Orange Cream Soda, and
the launch of new products in specialty packaging, the consumer response to
which has been very positive. We view our ability to deliver year-over-year
revenue growth as a strong accomplishment, particularly in light of the challenging
macro-economic environment.” Fiscal 2008 Year End Results For the year ended December 31, 2008, sales increased 17% to $15.3 million from $13.1 million for the prior year. Sales growth was driven by increased sales of the Company's Virgil's and Reed's Ginger Brews product lines in existing natural food supermarkets, increased sales to newly introduced mainstream distributors and the launch of new products and specialty packaging. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2008, increased 68% to $3.4 million, or 22% of sales, from $2.0 million or 15% of sales, for the prior year. The increase in gross margin is due primarily to pricing increases on the Reed’s Ginger Brew product line by approximately 20% implemented in 2008, better management of promotional discounting by the sales force and renegotiated production costs from the Company's largest co-packer. Operating expenses for the full year 2008 decreased 7% to $7.0 million from $7.5 million for the prior year. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to decreased selling expense associated with the re-alignment of Reed’s sales force in 2008. The Company’s strategic direction in sales is to focus on increasing its product placements in its estimated 10,500 supermarkets nationwide. In connection with this sales strategy, the Company reduced its sales organization by 16 employees at year-end 2008 as compared to year-end 2007. The decrease in selling expenses was partially offset by increased general and administrative expense associated with higher professional fees and increased legal and accounting costs. In addition, the Company incurred a one-time non-cash expense of approximately $300,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008 for professional services, for which Reed’s issued stock. Loss from operations for the full year 2008 decreased to $3.5 million from $5.5 million in 2007. The improvement was due to increased sales, expanding gross margins and decreased selling expenses. In addition, the Company has implemented cost cutting measures throughout its business during 2008 that Reed’s expects will result in over $2.5 million in additional expense savings in 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2008, interest expense increased to approximately $244,000 compared to interest expense of approximately $182,000 in 2007. Interest expense increased in 2008 due to increased borrowing under Reed’s long-term mortgage and line of credit. The net loss attributable to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $3.8 million compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The net loss per share attributable to common stockholders - basic and fully diluted was $0.43 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $0.70 for the year ended December 31, 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $229,000, working capital was approximately $636,000, total debt (including long-term debt and obligations on lines of credit) was $3.4 million, stockholders’ equity was $4.0 million and the accumulated deficit was $14.9 million. 2009 Outlook Mr. Reed stated, “We expect further gross margin expansion and we are anticipating additional improvement in 2009 gross profit by 20% - 40%. We also believe we will be able to cut our expenses by another $2.5 million this year, which, we believe, will enable Reed’s to be operating cash flow break-even in 2009. “We expect to provide full year 2009 revenue guidance in our second quarter 2009 earnings report as we factor in new and expanded relationships with our existing supermarket customers. While consumer demand for our products has continued to be strong, despite the significantly weak economy, the overall current economic and consumer retail environment in which we operate has softened compared to historical levels. “Looking ahead, we will continue to build upon our momentum in 2008 by growing our presence in mainstream grocery store accounts, expanding our product offering through new products and packaging introductions, adding additional high-volume distribution and by increasing our domestic and international points of presence to position Reed’s for continued market share growth in 2009.” About Reed's, Inc. Reed's, Inc. makes the top selling sodas in natural food markets nationwide and is currently selling in 10,500 supermarkets in natural foods and mainstream. Its six award-winning non-alcoholic Ginger Brews are unique in the beverage industry, being brewed, not manufactured and using fresh ginger, spices and fruits in a brewing process that predates commercial soft drinks. In addition, the Company owns the top selling root beer line in natural foods, the Virgil's Root Beer product line, and the top selling cola line in natural foods, the China Cola product line. Other product lines include: Reed's Ginger Candies and Reed's Ginger Ice Creams. Reed's products are sold through specialty gourmet and natural food stores, mainstream supermarket chains, retail stores and restaurants nationwide, and in Canada. For more information about Reed's, please visit the company's website at: http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com or call 800-99-REEDS. Follow Reed's on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/reedsgingerbrew Reed's Facebook Fan Page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reeds-Ginger-Brew-and-Virgils-Natural-Sodas/57143529039?ref=nf Subscribe to Reed's RSS feed at: http://www.irthcommunications.com/REED_rss.xml More information can be found at: http://www.irthcommunications.com/clients_REED.php SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT Some portions of this press release, particularly those describing Reed's goals and strategies, contain "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words, such as "expects," "should," "believes," "anticipates" or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. While Reed's is working to achieve those goals and strategies, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include difficulty in marketing its products and services, maintaining and protecting brand recognition, the need for significant capital, dependence on third party distributors, dependence on third party brewers, increasing costs of fuel and freight, protection of intellectual property, competition and other factors, any of which could have an adverse effect on the business plans of Reed's, its reputation in the industry or its expected financial return from operations and results of operations. In light of significant risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Reed's that they will achieve such forward-looking statements. For further details and a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see our most recent reports on Form 10-KSB and Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as they may be amended from time to time. Reed's undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contact:
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