Quarterly Report • May 25, 2023
Quarterly Report
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FOR Q1 2023
* from continued operations
| Q1 2023 | Q1 2022 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58.4 | 117.5 | -59.1 | -50.3% |
| 34.5% | 25.4% | 9.1% | |
| -3.5 | 26.31 | -29.8 | > 100% |
| -6.0% | 22.4% | -28.4% | > 100% |
| -7.2 | 20.6 | -27.8 | > 100% |
| -9.9 | 19.0 | -28.9 | > 100% |
| -0.4 | -2.9 | 2.5 | -87.4% |
| -10.3 | 16.1 | -26.4 | > 100% |
| in EUR million | Q1 2023 | Q1 2022 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity ratio | 14.2% | 32.2% | -18.1% | -56.1% |
| Cash flow from operating activities | -1.3 | -23.7 | 22.4 | -94.6% |
| Cash flow from investing activities | 4.7 | -3.3 | 8.0 | > 100% |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 6.7 | 9.2 | -2.5 | -26.7% |
| Employees (annual average) | 795 | 1,305 | -510.0 | -39.1% |
| Basic earnings / diluted earnings per share (in EUR) |
-0.66 | 1.11 | -1.77 | > 100% |
1 The !nancial year 2022 includes deconsolidation e"ects from partial sale of the KoRo group to the amount of EUR 39.2 million.
2 The result from discontinued operations includes the results of Social Chain UK and Social Chain US.



† The !nancial year 2022 includes deconsolidation e"ects from partial sale of the KoRo group to the amount of EUR 39.2 million.

(development)
| 1 Market conditions 04 |
|
|---|---|
| 2 Revenue development of the TSC Group 05 |
|
| 3 Signi!cant operational events in the period from 1 January to 31 March 2023 06 |
|
| 4 | Key performance indicators 07 |
| 5 | Signi!cant events a#er the quarterly reporting date 10 |
| 6 | Outlook for the \$ll year 2023 11 |
| 2 Revenue development |
|---|
| of the TSC Group |
The market environment in which The Social Chain AG (hereina!er also "TSC AG" or - together with its subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures - "TSC Group") operates is dependent on macroeconomic developments and the resulting consumer strength. Despite declining inflation rates and higher economic and income expectations in the "rst quarter of 2023, purchasing restraint remained noticeable and propensity to buy below the previous year's level (source: GfK consumer climate study for April 2023), as past and ongoing events continue to cause uncertainty among consumers. 1
The IMF (International Monetary Fund) also forecasts an overall economic development characterized by uncertainties for the 2023 "nancial year and subsequent years. The "World Economic Outlook" of January 2023 forecasts global economic growth of 2.9% for 2023 with inflation remaining high at 6.6%, up from 8.8% the year before. In the advanced economies, average inflation is expected to reach 4.6% in 2023. 2

During the period from 1 January to 31 March 2023, the TSC Group's revenue decreased by EUR 59.1 million year-on-year to EUR 58.4 million. However, revenue is only partially comparable to the comparative period of 2022, as a large number of subsidiaries was sold due to the restructuring measures of the Group:
Adjusted for these e&ects, in the "rst quarter of 2023 revenue decreased from EUR 80.8 million to EUR 58.4 million year-on-year. In addition to the weak consumer sentiment, the decline was caused in particular by #ll warehouses of retailers and deferrals of campaigns with important business partners.

1 Market conditions
6 Outlook for the #ll year 2023
On 11 August 2022, the Executive Board of the TSC Group decided on measures to streamline the investment portfolio with the aim to #rther increase the pro"tability of the Group as a whole.
On 3 February 2023, the TSC Group sold its English-speaking agency business in England and the USA. A corresponding share purchase agreement was signed, under which all shares in Social Chain Ltd. (Manchester), including its direct subsidiary Social Chain USA Inc. (New York), were sold to Brave Bison Group PLC. As part of the transaction, all trademark rights to the term "Social Chain" were sold and transferred to the buyer. The Company and the agency business in Germany have received a comprehensive license for the #rther use of the rights to the name. The Supervisory Board of the Company approved the transaction.
As consideration for the sale of the shares, the parties have agreed on a total purchase price of up to approximately EUR 20 million (based on a cash/debt-free calculation), of which an initial purchase price of approximately EUR 8.7 million (before cash/debt-free calculation) will be paid upon closing of the transaction. Further subsequent purchase price payments (earn-out) will be due – subject to corresponding consolidated business development of the target companies – on a staggered basis until 2025.
The consideration was "nanced by the purchaser via the issuance of new shares. The closing of the transaction was in particular subject to the condition precedent of the success#l completion of the share placement by the purchaser which took place on 6 February 2023.
On 1 March 2023, the Executive Board of TSC AG, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, decided to increase the company's share capital from EUR 15,527,775.00 by EUR 227,568.00 to EUR 15,755,343.00 via issuance of 227,568 new no-par value registered shares with a proportionate amount of the share capital of EUR 1 against contributions in kind by partially utilizing the authorized capital in accordance with Article 3 (6) of the Articles of Association (Authorized Capital 2022/I). The object of the contribution in kind are shares in drtv.agency GmbH based in Stuttgart. The shareholders' subscription rights were excluded in accordance with Article 3 (6) sentence 4 lit. cc) of the Articles of Association. The new shares will be issued at an issue price of EUR 15.38 per share and thus at a total issue price of EUR 3,499,995.84 and will be entitled to participate in pro"ts from 1 January 2023. The capital increase was entered in the commercial register on 25 April 2023.
On 19 January 2023, Sebastian Stietzel was appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board of TSC AG. The appointment had become necessary a!er Dr. Georg Kofler had resigned from his position as a member of the Supervisory Board in order to be able to be appointed Chairman of the Company's Executive Board.
On 24 January 2023, immediately following its constituent meeting, the Supervisory Board of TSC AG appointed Dr. Georg Kofler as the Company's new Chief Executive O'cer. The appointment was made for a #ll 36 calendar months. The previous Chairman of the Executive Board, Mr. Wanja Sören Oberhof, resigned from o'ce with immediate e&ect.
1 Market conditions
3 Signi"cant operational events
4 Key performance indicators
5 Signi"cant events a!er the quarterly reporting date
6 Outlook for the #ll year 2023
| in EUR thousand | Q1 2023 | Q1 20222 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 58,368 | 117,460 |
| Gross pro"t 1 (absolute) |
20,132 | 29,831 |
| Gross margin 1 (% of sales) |
34.5% | 25.4% |
| Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization | ||
| (EBITDA) 3 |
-3,481 | 26,319 |
| EBITDA margin 3 |
-6.0% | 22.4% |
1 Gross pro"t corresponds to revenues plus changes in inventories and less material expenses from continued operations.
2 The "gures di&er from those reported in the quarterly reporting for the "rst quarter of 2022, as the income and expenses of discontinued operations were retrospectively reclassi"ed to income from discontinued operations.
3 The !nancial year 2022 includes deconsolidation e"ects from the partial sale of the KoRo group to the amount of EUR 39,174 thousand.
4 Key performance indicators
5 Signi"cant events a!er the
quarterly reporting date
6 Outlook for the #ll year 2023
| Q1 2023 segments | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in EUR thousand | Core Brands | MAXX Group | Brand Chain | Social Marketing | Holding/Other | Consolidation | Group |
| Revenue from external customers | 15,853 | 25,082 | 9,725 | 7,632 | 75 | 0 | 58,368 |
| thereof sale of merchandise | 15,645 | 24,921 | 9,725 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 50,297 |
| thereof agency business | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6,165 | 0 | 0 | 6,165 |
| thereof production | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,014 | 0 | 0 | 1,014 |
| thereof events | 205 | 0 | 0 | 454 | 0 | 0 | 659 |
| thereof other revenue | 3 | 162 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 0 | 233 |
| depreciation and amortization | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (EBITDA) | 423 | -1,554 | -32 | 573 | -15,462 | 12,570 | -3,481 |
| in EUR thousand | Core Brands | MAXX Group | Brand Chain | Social Marketing | Holding/Other | Consolidation | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue from external customers | 55,619 | 34,258 | 14,214 | 12,939 | 430 | 0 | 117,460 |
| thereof sale of merchandise | 55,536 | 34,233 | 14,214 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 103,983 |
| thereof agency business | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11,431 | 0 | 0 | 11,431 |
| thereof production | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,299 | 415 | 0 | 1,714 |
| thereof events | 83 | 0 | 0 | 207 | 0 | 0 | 290 |
| thereof other revenue | 0 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 41 |
| Revenues with other segments | 1,462 | 6,170 | 829 | 268 | 7,316 | -16,044 | 0 |
| Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) |
-3,716 | -4,836 | -1,485 | 37 | 34,892 | 1,427 | 26,319 |
| 3 Signi"cant operational events | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- | --------------------------------- | -- |
4 Key performance indicators
5 Signi"cant events a!er the quarterly reporting date
6 Outlook for the #ll year 2023
| in EUR thousand | 31/03/2023 | 31/03/2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Inventories | 72,886 | 114,509 |
| Trade receivables | 48,433 | 79,047 |
| Other current assets excluding loans receivable |
18,148 | 72,407 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 7,847 | 10,909 |
| 147,314 | 276,871 | |
| Current provisions | 2,690 | 14,708 |
| Bank overdra!s | 2,001 | 2,000 |
| Trade payables | 30,923 | 57,664 |
| Other current liabilities excluding lia bilities to banks, bonds and liabilities |
||
| from put options | 29,644 | 54,889 |
| 65,258 | 129,261 | |
| Net Working Capital 1 |
82,056 | 147,610 |
1 Net working capital corresponds to current assets less current liabilities excluding loans receivable, liabilities to banks, bonds, liabilities from put options and assets and liabilities held for sale.
| in EUR thousand | 31/03/2023 | 31/03/2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Net !nancial debt (current) 1 |
51,978 | 229,314 |
| Total debt 2 |
254,086 | 314,576 |
1 Net "nancial debt (current) corresponds to current "nancial liabilities less cash and cash equivalents and current "nancial assets.
2 Total debt corresponds to net "nancial debt (current) plus non-current "nancial liabilities, non-current provisions and other non-current non-"nancial liabilities.
The decrease in net working capital resulted mainly from the optimization of inventories and portfolio streamlining as well as more e'cient receivables management. The resulting freed up capital was used to repay loans, i.e. to reduce net "nancial debt and total debt, which on the whole also decreased as a result of the changes in the group.
Furthermore, debt was re"nanced with long-term loans at the end of the previous "nancial year, so that current liabilities are now reported as non-current compared to the same quarter 2022.
As at 31 March 2023, the TSC Group had a total of 795 (previous year: 1,305) employees.
1 Market conditions
2 Revenue development of the TSC Group
3 Signi"cant operational events 4 Key performance indicators 5 Signi!cant events a#er the quarterly reporting date 6 Outlook for the #ll year 2023
On 6 April 2023, Berlin-based Lions Chain GmbH was sold by TSC AG to Leverkusen-based HaWiCon GmbH. With the payment of the purchase price all receivables from shareholder loans were assigned to the buyer.
On 14 April 2023, TSC AG sold RAVENSBERGER Matratzen GmbH, headquartered in Berlin, to SCUR-Alpha 1576 GmbH (in #ture Perfect Sleep GmbH), headquartered in Munich, under the terms of a share purchase agreement.
On 3 May 2023, TSC AG sold its 4,198 shares held in KoRo Handels GmbH (Berlin).
On 11 May 2023, TSC AG sold its 25% stake in the share capital of mint performance marketing, Inc. (Wilmington, DE, USA).
There were no other events of particular signi"cance for the net assets, "nancial and earnings position a!er the end of the reporting period.
1 Market conditions
The Social Chain AG expects revenue of around EUR 270 million, with EBITDA of around EUR 8 million for the current "nancial year. This updated forecast is at the lower end of the range published in the annual report and reflects the persistently weak consumer sentiment.
As part of the post-merger restructuring, management is focusing on the three brand and commerce pillars Core Brands, Brand Chain and MAXX Group as well as social media and has disposed of several companies. This will contribute to increasing pro"tability in the medium term and reducing complexity within the Group.
The newly reorganized TSC Group will consistently focus on its core business: Innovative cutting-edge products for the mass market. Problem solvers for the everyday life of end consumers in the areas of household, leisure, "tness and entertainment. Marketed and distributed using a modern omnichannel structure consisting of o(ine retail, online marketplaces, the Group's own digital flagship stores, social marketing and #ture marketplaces in the virtual world of Web 3.0.
With a view to the #ture growth of the TSC Group, management is focusing on four "elds: continuous innovation of the product range, exploitation of all omnichannel commerce opportunities in analog and digital marketplaces, consistent internationalization of the topseller strategy and targeted acquisitions that can be integrated into the existing structure of the TSC Group with clearly de"ned synergy potential.
Berlin, 25 May 2023

WKN: A1YC99 ISIN: DE000A1YC996 SYMBOL: PU11
CONTACT: [email protected] [email protected] WWW.THESOCIALCHAIN.AG
THE SOCIAL CHAIN AG ALTE JAKOBSTRASSE 85/86, 10179 BERLIN
This quarter-year report contains information on #ture scenarios based on current management assumptions and forecasts. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results, "nancial position and performance of the company to di&er materially from such projections. The Social Chain AG accepts no liability to update the information and forecasts contained in this report, unless required to do so by law.
The "nancial "gures have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as applicable in the EU. However, this quarterly statement does not constitute an interim report as de"ned in International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34.
Due to the rounding of "gures, it is possible that individual "gures in this and other documents do not add up exactly to the totals given and that the percentages shown do not exactly reflect the absolute values to which they relate.
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