HANGZHOU, China, June 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yunji Inc. ("Yunji" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:YJ), a leading membership-based social e-commerce platform, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024[1]. First Quarter 2024 Highlights Total revenues in the first quarter of 2024 were RMB127.9 million (US$17.7 million), compared with RMB178.7 million in the same period of 2023. The change was primarily due to soft consumer confidence and the Company's continued strategy to refine its product selection across all categories and optimize its selection of suppliers and merchants, which had a near-term impact on sales. Repeat purchase rate[2] in the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 was 74.4%. Mr. Shanglue Xiao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yunji, said, "Last month, we celebrated Yunji's ninth anniversary, marking this milestone with the unveiling of new initiatives and fresh visions. We are dedicated to working closely with our employees and service managers to further cultivate and grow our business in the beauty and healthcare sectors." "During the quarter, we maintained a stable gross margin. We will continue to refine our operations while efficiently managing our assets," said Mr. Yeqing Cui, Senior Financial Director of Yunji. First Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results Total revenues were RMB127.9 million (US$17.7 million), compared with RMB178.7 million in the same period of 2023. This change was primarily due to soft consumer confidence and the Company's continued strategy to refine its product selection across all categories and optimize its selection of suppliers and merchants, which had a near-term impact on sales. Revenues from sales of merchandise were RMB102.0 million (US$14.1 million), compared with RMB143.0 million in the same period of 2023. Revenues from the marketplace business were RMB24.1 million (US$3.3 million), compared with RMB32.9 million in the same period of 2023. Other revenues were RMB1.8 million (US$0.3 million), compared with RMB2.8 million in the same period of 2023. Total cost of revenues decreased by 30.7% to RMB64.7 million (US$9.0 million), or 50.6% of total revenues, from RMB93.5 million, or 52.3% of total revenues, in the same period of 2023. The decrease was mainly attributable to the change in merchandise sales, for which revenues are recognized on a gross basis. Total cost of revenues was mainly comprised of the costs related to the sales of merchandise in the first quarter of 2024. Total operating expenses decreased by 11.0% to RMB75.9 million (US$10.5 million) from RMB85.3 million in the same period of 2023. Fulfillment expenses decreased by 19.2% to RMB21.9 million (US$3.0 million), or 17.1% of total revenues, from RMB27.1 million, or 15.2% of total revenues, in the same period of 2023. The decrease was mainly due to (i) reduced warehousing and logistics expenses due to lower merchandise sales, and (ii) reduced personnel costs as a result of staffing structure refinements. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 12.8% to RMB25.8 million (US$3.6 million), or 20.2% of total revenues, from RMB29.6 million, or 16.6% of total revenues, in the same period of 2023. The decrease was mainly due to the reduction in member management fees, partially offset by an increase in business promotion expenses. Technology and content expenses decreased by 0.2% to RMB13.3 million (US$1.8 million), or 10.4% of total revenues, from RMB13.4 million, or 7.5% of total revenues, in the same period of 2023. General and administrative expenses decreased by 2.0% to RMB14.9 million (US$2.1 million), or 11.6% of total revenues, from RMB15.2 million, or 8.5% of total revenues, in the same period of 2023. The decrease was mainly due to the reduction in personnel costs as a result of staffing structure refinements, partially offset by an increase in the allowance for credit losses. Loss from operations was RMB9.3 million (US$1.3 million), compared with income from operations of RMB1.0 million in the same period of 2023. Financial income, net was RMB14.7 million (US$2.0 million), compared with financial loss, net of RMB22.2 million in the same period of 2023, mainly due to an increase in the fair value changes of equity securities investments. Net income was RMB3.9 million (US$0.5 million), compared with net loss of RMB22.9 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)[3] was RMB3.0 million (US$0.4 million), compared with adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB27.2 million in the same period of 2023. Basic and diluted net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders were both nil, compared with basic and diluted net loss per share of RMB0.01 in the same period of 2023. Acquisition of Land Use Right In June 2024, the Company won the bid for a parcel of land located in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, China, covering approximately 10 thousand square meters (the "Hangzhou Land Parcel") and entered into an agreement with the local government to acquire the land use right of the Hangzhou Land Parcel for an aggregate consideration of approximately RMB171.5 million. The Company intends to construct a new office building on the Hangzhou Land Parcel to use it as its new headquarters and also lease offices to external parties. The total amount for the land acquisition and office building construction is expected to be approximately RMB600.0 million. The Company intends to fund the land acquisition and building construction through cash on hand and bank financing.  Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses adjusted net income/(loss) as a supplemental measure to review and assess operating performance. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure 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 defines adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation. The Company presents adjusted net income/(loss) because it is used by management to evaluate operating performance and formulate business plans. Adjusted net income/(loss) enables management to assess operating performance without considering the impact of share-based compensation recorded under ASC 718, "Compensation-Stock Compensation." The Company also believes that the use of this non-GAAP measure facilitates investors' assessment of operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as an analytical tool. One of the key limitations of using adjusted net income/(loss) is that it does not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company's operations. Share-based compensation has been and may continue to be incurred in Yunji's business and is not reflected in the presentation of adjusted net income/(loss). Further, this non-GAAP measure may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore its comparability may be limited. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating performance. Yunji encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Directly Comparable Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. Conference Call The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 7:30 A.M. Eastern Time or 7:30 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time to discuss its earnings. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers: International: 1-412-902-4272 United States Toll Free: 1-888-346-8982 Mainland China Toll Free:   4001-201203 Hong Kong Toll Free:      800-905945 Conference ID:  Yunji Inc. A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call for one week. Dial-in numbers for the replay are as follows: United States Toll Free 1-877-344-7529 International 1-412-317-0088 Replay Access Code 4223382 Safe Harbor Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. Among other things, the quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Yunji's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Yunji may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Yunji's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Yunji's growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to understand buyer needs and provide products and services to attract and retain buyers; its ability to maintain and enhance the recognition and reputation of its brand; its ability to rely on merchants and third-party logistics service providers to provide delivery services to buyers; its ability to maintain and improve quality control policies and measures; its ability to establish and maintain relationships with merchants; trends and competition in China's e-commerce market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; the expected growth of China's e-commerce market; PRC governmental policies and regulations relating to Yunji's industry, and general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Yunji's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Yunji undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. About Yunji Inc. Yunji Inc. is a leading social e-commerce platform in China that has pioneered a unique, membership-based model to leverage the power of social interactions. The Company's e-commerce platform offers high-quality products at attractive prices across a wide variety of categories catering to the day-to-day needs of Chinese consumers. In addition, the Company uses advanced technologies including big data and artificial intelligence to optimize user experience and incentivize members to promote the platform as well as share products with their social contacts. Through deliberate product curation, centralized merchandise sourcing, and efficient supply chain management, Yunji has established itself as a trustworthy e-commerce platform with high-quality products and exclusive membership benefits, including discounted prices. For more information, please visit https://investor.yunjiglobal.com/  Investor Relations Contact Yunji Inc.Investor RelationsEmail: +1 (646) 224-6957 ICR, LLCRobin YangEmail: +1 (646) 224-6957       YUNJI INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted) As of December 31, 2023 March 31, 2024 RMB RMB US$ ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 517,542 478,833 66,318 Restricted cash 27,169 26,196 3,628 Short-term investments 7,195 245 34 Accounts receivable, net (Allowance for credit losses of RMB35,159 and RMB34,939, respectively) 64,312 71,163 9,856 Advance to suppliers 14,058 11,224 1,555 Inventories, net 42,716 35,686 4,942 Amounts due from related parties 1,361 1,990 276 Prepaid expenses and other current assets[4](Allowance for credit losses of RMB13,017 and RMB14,882, respectively) 134,247 154,614 21,414