Indian wearable brand boAt, under the umbrella of Imagine Marketing Limited, recently disclosed its financial performance for the fiscal year ending March 2023. Despite achieving its highest-ever revenue of Rs 3,377 crore, the company faced a surprising loss of Rs 129.4 crore, attributed to escalated costs related to business development and advertising.
Revenue Slowdown and IPO Setbacks
boAt, renowned for brands like RedGear, Defy, Misfit, and Tegg, reported a revenue growth slowdown, reaching approximately 18% year-on-year. This marks a significant contrast to the impressive 133% average revenue growth recorded over the past three fiscal years. In FY22, Imagine Marketing reported revenue from operations at Rs 2,873 crore with a profit of Rs 68.70 crore.
In comparison to its competition, bootstrapped consumer electronics startup Noise achieved an 80% revenue growth, totaling Rs 1,426 crore, and a profit of Rs 88 lakh during FY23. Despite boAt’s strong global market presence as the second-largest wearable brand, the company faced a challenging financial year, impacting its IPO aspirations.
Financial Challenges and Market Position
Despite experiencing a 75% YoY growth in smartwatch and wearable sales, boAt encountered challenges in its IPO bid. Sales of audio and electronic accessories, a significant segment for boAt, witnessed modest 3% growth during the same period. boAt recorded wearable sales worth Rs 902 crore in FY23, while Noise surpassed it with Rs 1,138 crore in wearable sales.
Led by CMO Aman Gupta, known from Shark Tank, boAt adopted unconventional marketing strategies, including suspending external advertising efforts during Shark Tank episodes. The company allocated a significant portion of its gross sales to discounts, returns, and warranty claims, amounting to nearly Rs 900 crore. Despite these challenges, boAt showed an 82% YoY improvement in cash outflow from operations, reaching Rs 64 crore during FY23.
Strategic Shifts and Growth Initiatives
As boAt marks its tenth year, it is transitioning from a consumer electronics marketer to a manufacturer with domestic production capabilities. The company entered a joint venture with Dixon, engaging in manufacturing activities at Dixon’s plant in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, boAt acquired KaHa, a Singapore-based electronics product development company, for $40 million, enhancing its capabilities in IoT devices and audio design processes.
boAt’s financial year review reflects a blend of remarkable achievements and challenges. While the company achieved record revenue and showcased growth in specific segments, setbacks in IPO aspirations and increased costs affected its overall financial health. The strategic shifts toward manufacturing and IoT capabilities signify boAt’s commitment to evolving in response to market dynamics and consumer demands. As boAt navigates its tenth year, the company’s ability to adapt and capitalize on emerging opportunities will play a crucial role in shaping its future trajectory in the competitive consumer electronics landscape.