Strategic Performance and Market Dynamics

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  • Performance was driven by the durability of the recurring Autoship model, which reached 84.4% of total net sales and grew over 10% year-over-year.

  • Management attributed record profitability to structural drivers including sponsored ads expansion, favorable product mix into health, and supply chain efficiencies from automation.

  • A weakening consumer environment in the latter part of Q1 led to modest pressure on premiumization and product attach rates, particularly in discretionary categories.

  • The company is successfully gaining market share as consumers prioritize value and reliability, with Chewy's absolute clicks increasing mid-single-digits despite broader industry impression declines.

  • Strategic positioning in pet health was bolstered by the acquisition of Modern Animal, aiming to capture a larger share of the $54 billion pet health TAM.

  • Operational leverage is being realized through AI integration across customer service, pharmacy, and fulfillment, targeting low tens of millions in savings for fiscal 2026.

Fiscal 2026 Outlook and Strategic Assumptions

  • Full-year net sales guidance was revised to $13.40 billion–$13.55 billion to reflect a more conservative view of the consumer environment and muted impact from growth initiatives.

  • Active customer additions are now expected to trend toward the lower end of the 150,000 to 250,000 range per quarter due to challenged new customer acquisition trends.

  • Management maintains its 10% long-term adjusted EBITDA margin target, supported by structural margin expansion that does not rely on outsized industry growth or pricing inflation.

  • The company expects to operate approximately 60 vet clinics by the end of fiscal 2026, with steady-state revenue contribution approaching $290 million.

  • A $600 million Term Loan B transaction was launched to evolve the capital structure, providing flexibility for M&A and shareholder returns while targeting net leverage below 2x.

Structural Changes and Risk Factors

  • The acquisition of Modern Animal adds 29 clinics and is expected to be adjusted EBITDA dollar neutral in 2026, though it will act as a modest margin rate drag.

  • Q2 gross margin is expected to contract modestly year-over-year due to difficult comparisons against nonrecurring MAP pricing benefits realized in fiscal 2025.

  • Elevated fuel surcharges passed on by carrier partners are expected to represent a mid-single-digit million dollar headwind in the second quarter.

  • Management flagged a short-term NSPAC headwind as consumers become more discerning and deliberate in discretionary spending decisions.