Arlo Shares Tumble 16% From Pandemic's 'Considerable Disruption' at Retail

Arlo withdrew full-year revenue guidance, with CEO Matt McRae citing “considerable disruption and uncertainty across its distribution channels” due to the coronavirus pandemic. “As channels return to a more normal operational footprint and inventory model, we expect this destocking to reverse in future quarters” and shipments to improve, McRae said on the Q1 call Monday. The company is pinning hopes on a shift in its services business: Subscription conversion rates from the legacy business model were around 5%; early data for its new subscription model is about 50%. The company expects a “substantially lower churn rate,” said the executive. The jump in subscription attach rates will “transform the business as Arlo continues to end-of-life legacy products that include free storage and introduces new products that incorporate the new business model.” Q1 revenue grew 13% year on year to $65.5 million, said the company. Service revenue grew 31% to $14.7 million, paid account growth grew 57% and Arlo added 25,000 paid subscribers in the quarter. The company partnered with Kartchner Homes to integrate its video doorbell into homes built over the next 12 months, including a free three-month trial, said McRae. It introduced a wireless floodlight during the quarter with built-in 2K HDR video and two-way audio. Q2 revenue guidance is $50 million-$60 million; Q2 revenue in 2019 was $83.6 million. Shares closed down 16% to $2.31.