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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2024
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission File No. 001-40115
COUPANG, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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27-2810505 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
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720 Olive Way, Suite 600
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 333-3839
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
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CPNG |
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New York Stock Exchange |
(Title of each class) |
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(Trading Symbol) |
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(Name of each exchange on which registered) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer |
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Accelerated filer |
☐ |
Non-accelerated filer |
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Small reporting company |
☐ |
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Emerging growth company |
☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (based on the closing price of the Registrant’s Class A common stock on June 28, 2024 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange) was approximately $25.2 billion. Solely for purposes of this disclosure, the registrant has assumed that all outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock are held by non-affiliates, except for shares of common stock held by each of the registrant’s executive officers, directors, and 10% or greater stockholders as such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This assumption should not be deemed to constitute an admission that all of the registrant’s executive officers, directors, and 10% or greater stockholders are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant, or that there are not other persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of the registrant.
As of February 20, 2025, there were 1,647,684,518 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock and 157,802,990 shares of the registrant’s Class B common stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
COUPANG, INC.
Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
1 |
COUPANG, INC.
All references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the information incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference to information in the Proxy Statement of Coupang, Inc. for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and in the exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K to "Coupang, Inc.," "Coupang,” "the Company," "our Company," "we," "us," and "our" are to the Delaware corporation named "Coupang, Inc." and, except where expressly noted or the context otherwise requires, that corporation's consolidated subsidiaries.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Form 10-K, including statements regarding our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “toward,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the following:
•our expectations regarding our future operating and financial performance including our ability to achieve, maintain and increase long-term future profitability;
•our ability to successfully execute our business and growth strategy;
•the continued growth of the retail market and the increased acceptance of online transactions by potential customers;
•the size of our addressable market segments, market share, and market trends;
•our ability to compete in our industry;
•our ability to maintain and improve our market position;
•our ability to manage expansion into new geographies and offerings;
•our ability to effectively manage the continued growth of our workforce and operations;
•our anticipated investments in new products and offerings, and the effect of these investments on our results of operations;
•our ability to effectively integrate acquisitions, including our acquisition of Farfetch Holdings plc (“Farfetch”), and realize the anticipated benefits of such transactions;
•the sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents, and investments, to meet our liquidity needs;
•our ability to retain existing suppliers and merchants and to add new suppliers and merchants;
•our suppliers’ and merchants’ ability to supply high-quality and compliant merchandise to our customers;
•the impact of cybersecurity incidents with respect to our systems and those of third parties on which we rely;
•our relationship with our employees and the status of our workers;
•our ability to operate and manage the expansion of our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure;
•the effects of seasonal trends on our results of operations;
•our ability to implement, maintain, and improve our internal control over financial reporting;
•our ability to effectively manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
•the impact of world events such as natural disasters, acts of war or geopolitical conflicts, terrorism or disease outbreaks;
•the effects of global macroeconomic conditions, including, but not limited to, inflationary pressures, a general economic slowdown or recession, interest rate fluctuations, the imposition of additional or increased tariffs, and changes in monetary policy;
•our ability to attract, retain, and motivate skilled personnel, including key members of our senior management;
•our ability to stay in compliance with laws and regulations, including tax laws, that currently apply or may become applicable to our business both in Korea and internationally and our expectations regarding various laws and restrictions that relate to our business; and
•the outcomes of any claims, litigation, governmental audits, inspections, and investigations;
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
2 |
We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K.
You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors described in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K. The results, events, and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur, and actual results, events, or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
In addition, statements such as “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this Form 10-K. While we believe such information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, such information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect new information, actual results, revised expectations, or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, or investments.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
3 |
PART I
The Company
Coupang is one of the fastest-growing technology and commerce companies in the world, providing retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech services to customers around the world under brands that include Coupang, Coupang Eats, Coupang Play and Farfetch. By investing for the long term with a culture focused on customer centricity, we believe we are delivering a superior customer experience at a lower cost as we continue to redefine retail standards worldwide. Our efforts have centered on building an end-to-end integrated system of technology and infrastructure, and most importantly, an innovation-focused culture driven to raise our customers’ expectations and lead them to wonder “How did I ever live without Coupang?”
Our Customer Experience
We are committed to delivering a “wow” experience to each of our customers every day. The technology, automation and efficiencies gained through our end-to-end systems have allowed Coupang to reinvest in new experiences and adjacent services. For example, the infrastructure that was originally created in Korea for fast delivery of general merchandise has evolved further to now also include same-day and dawn delivery of fresh produce and grocery items, as well as millions of general merchandise items. In Korea, the primary market we serve, we offer many services that provide customers with more selection, savings and convenience:
•Dawn and Same-Day Delivery. Customers can order fresh groceries and choose from millions of general merchandise items by midnight and receive products by 7 am the next morning.
•Next-Day Delivery. Customers are eligible for free, one-day delivery nationwide 365 days a year.
•Frictionless Returns. Customers simply tap a button on the app and leave the item outside their door. Refunds are initiated the moment the item is picked up.
In Korea, we also offer our “WOW” membership program for a low monthly fee, which provides additional benefits:
•Coupang Eats. Members receive free delivery of restaurant meals.
•Coupang Play. Members enjoy a large catalog of streaming media content (OTT) and access to exclusive live sporting events featuring top teams from around the world.
•Coupang Pay. Members can securely pay for Coupang purchases through this convenient feature built into the Coupang app.
•Free Installation. Members receive free delivery and installation on purchases of select appliances, furniture, tires and more.
We introduced Coupang in Taiwan in 2021. Since that time, we’ve opened new fulfillment centers and offer the following capabilities:
•Next Day Delivery. Customers can order food and daily consumables for overnight delivery to their door on purchases over $15.00.
•Free International Shipping (Rocket Overseas). Customers can choose from millions of American and Korean Products and receive free shipping on purchases over $21.00.
In January 2024 we acquired the business and assets of Farfetch Holdings plc (“Farfetch”), a leading global marketplace for the luxury fashion industry which connects customers in more than 190 countries and territories with some of the world’s best boutiques and brands.
Our Merchant Experience
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on Coupang form an essential part of our business, and we strive to be a growth driver for these companies through our win-win model. For example, in Korea over 75% of Coupang merchants are SMEs, which can leverage our nationwide fulfillment and logistics infrastructure to connect with millions of customers. We’ve supported these SMEs, helping them in everything from marketing and logistics to customer service. We also continue to develop new ways for SMEs to unlock growth through Coupang, such as Coupang Private Label Brands, through which we work mostly with SMEs to develop and market high-quality products for customers marketed under our private label brand, at affordable prices. As more SMEs partner with Coupang on private label products, more jobs are created. We also launched Rocket Overseas to customers in Taiwan, empowering SME partners to unlock even more growth through sales to customers outside of Korea, at no additional effort or cost on their part.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
4 |
We offer merchants of all sizes the opportunity to sell on Coupang and provide effective solutions to improve their customer experiences and enhance demand generation. Our fulfillment & logistics by Coupang (“FLC”) offering empowers merchants by offering them our fulfillment, logistics, delivery, and customer service network services.
The Farfetch marketplace connects luxury sellers with customers and offers brands direct-to-consumer distribution via an e-concession model.
Advertising
We also have offerings for our suppliers and merchants to advertise on our websites and mobile applications.
Our Competition
We compete with: (1) offline, online, and omnichannel retailers, suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, and producers of the products we offer and sell to consumers and businesses; (2) web search engines, comparison shopping websites, social networks, web portals, and other online and app-based means of discovering, using, or acquiring goods and services, either directly or in collaboration with other retailers; (3) companies that provide retail merchant services; (4) companies that sell grocery products online and offline; (5) on-demand food delivery services; (6) companies that provide fulfillment and logistics services for themselves or for third parties; (7) companies that provide online advertising products and services; (8) on-demand streaming entertainment services; (9) financial services companies, including credit card issuers and payment platforms; and (10) companies that sell luxury goods online.
Seasonality
Our overall operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of a variety of factors, including seasonal factors, weather conditions, economic cycles that influence consumer spend, and our ability to attract and retain new customers.
Human Capital
Our global team of employees is the driving force in creating a one-of-a-kind experience for millions of customers. In the same way our employees aim to go above and beyond for our customers, we aim to go above and beyond for them. As of December 31, 2024, we directly employ approximately 95,000 employees, the majority of which are located in South Korea, making us one of the largest private sector employers in the country. We believe our direct employment model, along with competitive wages, training and safety programs, and a broad range of comprehensive benefits, empowers our diverse set of employees to deliver the “wow” experiences for our customers we strive to create every day.
Most of our employees are frontline workers in our fulfillment and logistics operations, and we make their health, safety, and wellness a top priority. We've made significant investments in health and safety initiatives that helped strengthen our leading safety record, which is one of the best in the Korean logistics industry and globally1. These investments include Coupang Care, the first paid health promotion program of its kind at scale for logistics workers in Korea. Coupang has also launched several Coupang Care initiatives in Taiwan including mobile health checkups and a comprehensive employee assistance program. We believe the well-being of our employees is directly tied to the success of our business, and most importantly, our impact on our customers.
Intellectual Property
We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, license agreements, confidentiality procedures, non-disclosure agreements, employee non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements, and other legal and contractual rights to establish and protect our proprietary rights.
We have trademark rights in our name and other brand indicia and have trademark registrations for select marks in Korea, the United States, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and various European countries, and other jurisdictions around the world. We also have registered domain names for websites that we use in our business, such as https://www.aboutcoupang.com and similar variations.
We control access to and use of our proprietary technology and other confidential information through the use of internal and external controls, including technical and administrative security controls and contractual protections with employees, contractors, customers, and partners. It is our practice to enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements (or similar agreements) with our employees, consultants, and contractors involved in the development of intellectual property on our behalf. We also enter into confidentiality agreements with other third parties in order to limit access to, and disclosure and use of, our confidential information and proprietary information. We further control the use of our proprietary technology and intellectual property through provisions in our terms of service.
1 Measured using work-related and accident-related fatalities.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
5 |
Our design logos, “Coupang,” and our other registered or common law trademarks, service marks, or trade names appearing in this Form 10-K are our property or our affiliates’ property. Other trade names, trademarks, and service marks used in this Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners.
Government Regulation
Government regulation impacts key aspects of our business. In particular, we are subject to numerous national, state/regional, and local laws, legal requirements, standards and regulations in Korea, the United States, Taiwan, China, the United Kingdom, and various European countries, and other jurisdictions where we operate. These laws and regulations, which are subject to change over time, involve matters that are often central to our business, including our interactions with customers, suppliers, and merchants. They may regulate fair trade, competition, labor and employment, privacy, data protection, data use, intellectual property, consumer protection, advertising, import and export regulations, tax, and other subjects. These regulations are often complex and subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and as a result, their application in practice may change or develop over time through judicial decisions or as new guidance or interpretations are provided by regulatory and governing bodies, such as federal, state, and local administrative agencies.
For additional information, see the risk factors herein in Part I—Item 1A.“Risk Factors” under the sub-caption “Risks Related to Laws, Regulation, and Intellectual Property” in this Form 10-K.
Company Website, Social Media, and Availability of SEC Filings
Our corporate website address is https://www.aboutcoupang.com and our investor relations website is https://ir.aboutcoupang.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein and is not a part of this Form 10-K. We promptly make available on our investor relations website, free of charge, the reports that we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), corporate governance information (including our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics) and select press releases. We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Coupang and other issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
We may announce material business and financial information using our investor relations website, our filings with the SEC, webcasts, press releases, conference calls and social media. We use these mediums, including our corporate and investor relations websites, to communicate with investors and the general public about our company, our products, and other issues. It is possible that the information that we make available on our websites may be deemed to be material information. We therefore encourage investors and others interested in our Company to review the information that we make available on our websites.
Any updates to the list of disclosure channels through which we will announce information will be posted on our investor relations website.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
6 |
Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider and read carefully all of the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the sections titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K, before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties described below may not be the only ones we face. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating globally. The occurrence of any of the following risks or additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently believe to be immaterial, or that apply to all companies operating globally could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the price of our Class A common stock which would cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
Summary Risk Factors
Our business faces significant risks and uncertainties. The risk factors described below are only a summary of the principal risk factors associated with investing in our Class A common stock. These risks are more fully described in this “Risk Factors” section, including the following:
•our results of operations may fluctuate significantly, which makes our future results of operations difficult to predict and could cause our results of operations to fall below expectations;
•we may be unable to effectively manage the continued growth of our workforce and operations, including the development and management of new business initiatives;
•our business is rapidly evolving, and we plan to continue to forgo short-term financial performance for long-term growth, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and predict our future results of operations, including our revenue growth rate;
•we have had a history of net losses, and we may not be able to generate sufficient revenues to achieve or maintain profitability in future periods;
•we face intense competition and could lose market share to our competitors if we do not innovate or compete effectively;
•the acquisition of Farfetch creates incremental risk to our business, financial condition and results of operations, including potential difficulties in integrating Farfetch’s operations, operating in new geographic areas, and risks related to the restructuring of its subsidiary, New Guards Group Holdings S.p.A. (“New Guards”);
•because a majority of our operations are subject to Korean law, there are circumstances in which certain of our Korean affiliates’ executives may be held either directly or vicariously criminally liable for the actions of our Korean affiliates or our Korean affiliates’ executives and employees;
•a majority of our operations are subject to certain detailed and complex fair trade, labor, employment, and workplace safety laws and regulations, which continue to evolve and have and will continue to affect our operations and financial performance, could subject us to costs and penalties, and may affect our reputation;
•harm to our Coupang brand or our associated brands and marks (our “brand”) or reputation may occur if manufacturers and distributors from whom we buy products (“suppliers”) or the parties that sell their products on our marketplace (“merchants”) use unethical or illegal business practices, such as the sale of counterfeit or fraudulent products, or if our protocols with respect to such sales are perceived or found to be inadequate, which may also subject us to possible sanctions or penalties;
•any significant interruptions or delays in service on our apps or websites, or any undetected errors or design faults, could result in limited capacity, reduced demand, processing delays, and loss of customers, suppliers, or merchants;
•any failure to protect our apps, websites, networks, and systems against security breaches or otherwise protect our confidential information could damage our reputation and brand and may subject us to possible sanctions or penalties;
•any failure to comply with privacy laws or regulations, or to fulfill privacy-related customer expectations in the jurisdictions where we operate, could damage our reputation and brand and business and may subject us to possible sanctions or penalties;
•we rely on Coupang Pay to conduct a substantial amount of the payment processing across our business. If Coupang Pay’s services were limited, restricted, curtailed, or degraded in any way, or become unavailable to us or our customers for any reason, our business may be adversely affected;
•our expansion into new geographies and offerings and substantial increase in the number of our offerings expose us to new and increased challenges and risks;
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
7 |
•if we were to lose the services of members of our senior management team, we may not be able to effectively execute on our business strategy;
•international relations, including escalations in tensions between North Korea and South Korea, and other global conflicts could adversely affect the South Korean or global economies and demand for our products and services; and
•the dual class structure of our common stock has the effect of concentrating voting control with Bom Kim. This voting control may limit your ability to influence the outcome of important transactions and to influence corporate governance matters.
Risks Related to Our Operations, Limited Operating History and Evolving Business
We may experience significant fluctuations in our results of operations.
Our revenue and results of operations may fluctuate for a variety of reasons, many of which are beyond our control. These reasons include those described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section as well as the following:
•our ability to attract new and retain existing customers, increase sales to existing customers, and satisfy our customers’ demands;
•our ability to offer merchandise and services on favorable terms, manage inventory, and fulfill orders in a timely manner;
•the introduction or activities of competitors’ stores, apps, websites, merchandise, or services;
•the success of our growth and expansion efforts, including investments into new initiatives and expansion into new geographies;
•variations in our level of merchandise and supplier returns;
•the extent to which we offer fast and free delivery through Rocket Delivery, continue to offer a compelling value proposition to our customers, and provide additional benefits to our customers;
•factors affecting our reputation or brand image or awareness;
•the extent to which we finance our current operations and future growth, and the terms of any such financing;
•the timing, effectiveness, and costs of expansion and upgrades of our systems and infrastructure;
•the outcomes of any legal proceedings and claims or regulatory investigations, which may include significant monetary damages, injunctive relief, personal liability (including criminal liability), sanctions, fines, suspensions or revocations of related permits and licenses, and penalties;
•the extent to which we invest in technology and content, fulfillment, and other expense categories;
•increases in our temporary or long-term costs such as labor and energy sources, packing supplies, and other goods not for resale;
•changes in existing, or development of new, laws, regulations, or other regulatory practices and enforcement in the countries where we operate;
•the extent to which our services are affected by cybersecurity and data security incidents, including, but not limited to, spyware, viruses, phishing, and other spam emails, denial of service attacks, data theft, computer intrusions, outages, and similar events; and
•disruptions from natural or man-made disasters, extreme weather conditions (including as a result of climate change) and other catastrophic events, global health epidemics and pandemics, geopolitical events and security issues (including terrorist attacks and armed hostilities), labor or trade disputes, macroeconomic conditions, and other similar events.
Fluctuations in our revenues and results of operations may result in a failure to meet the expectations of analysts or investors, which could cause the price per share of our Class A common stock to decline. In addition, our revenue growth may not be sustainable and our growth rates may decrease. Our revenue and results of operations depend in part on the continued growth of demand for the products and services offered by us or our merchants, and on general economic and business conditions worldwide. A softening of demand, whether caused by changes in customer preferences or a weakening of the Korean or global economies, may materially and adversely affect our revenue or growth rate, which could also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the price per share of our Class A common stock.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
8 |
Our limited operating history and evolving business make it difficult to evaluate our future prospects, including future revenue growth rate, as well as the risks and challenges we may encounter.
Our limited operating history and evolving business make it difficult to evaluate and assess our future prospects, as well as the risks and challenges that we may encounter. Although we launched our first website in 2010 and our first mobile application in 2011, our business and the markets in which we compete have rapidly evolved over time. As a result, our ability to accurately forecast our future results of operations is limited and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including our ability to plan for and model future growth and to expand our business in existing markets and enter new markets. As such, you should not rely on our business and financial performance in any prior quarterly or annual period as an indication of our future business or financial performance. Many factors may contribute to a decline in our growth rate, including, but not limited to, market saturation, increased competition, slowing demand, global macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, the difficulty of capitalizing on growth opportunities, and the maturation of our business. If our growth rate declines, investors’ perceptions of our business could be materially and adversely affected and the price per share of our Class A common stock could decline.
You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties we may encounter. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to our ability to effectively and in a timely manner:
•attract, on a cost-effective basis, new customers who purchase merchandise and services from us at similar or higher rates and amounts as compared to existing customers;
•retain our existing customers and motivate their continued purchases from our apps and websites at rates and amounts consistent with or higher than their historical purchases;
•encourage customers to expand the categories of merchandise and services they purchase from us;
•retain and expand our network of suppliers and merchants;
•manage and expand our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure and related operations;
•fulfill and deliver customer orders on time and in accordance with customer expectations, which may change over time;
•increase awareness of our brand and protect our reputation;
•respond to changes in the way customers access and use the Internet and mobile devices;
•react to challenges from existing and new competitors;
•expand our business in new and existing geographies;
•avoid interruptions or disruptions in our business;
•further develop our scalable, high-performance technology and fulfillment infrastructure that can efficiently and reliably handle increased usage, as well as the deployment of new features and the sale of new merchandise and services; and
•hire, integrate, motivate and retain qualified personnel.
If we fail to address the risks and uncertainties that we face, including those associated with the challenges listed above and those described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be adversely affected.
In addition, because we have limited historical financial data about certain aspects of our business, and our business continues to evolve and expand, any predictions about our future revenue, expenses, and results of operations may not be as accurate as they would be if we had a longer operating history or operated a business that is not rapidly evolving and growing. We have encountered in the past, and will encounter in the future, risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies with limited operating histories and evolving businesses that operate in highly regulated and competitive industries or have fixed expenses. If our assumptions regarding these risks and uncertainties, which we use to plan and operate our business, are incorrect or change, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our results of operations could differ materially from our expectations, and our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects would be materially and adversely affected. Any failure to accurately predict revenue or to control our expenses could adversely affect our results of operations in any given quarter, or a series of quarters, which could cause the price per share of our Class A common stock to decline.
We have had a history of net losses prior to our most recent fiscal years, we may incur losses in the future, and we cannot ascertain whether we will maintain profitability in future periods, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Prior to 2023, we have had a history of net losses, including $(0.1) billion and $(1.5) billion for 2022 and 2021 respectively, as well as an accumulated deficit of $(4.2) billion as of December 31, 2024. Even though we have experienced recent profitability and expect to remain profitable, we cannot ascertain whether we will be able to maintain or increase our profitability in future periods. Our costs and expenses are expected to increase in future periods, which could materially and adversely affect our future results of operations. In particular, we intend to continue to spend significant amounts to increase our customer base, increase the number
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
9 |
and variety of merchandise and services we offer, expand our marketing channels, expand into new geographies, broaden our operations, develop additional fulfillment centers, hire additional and retain existing employees and managers, and develop our technology and fulfillment infrastructure. These increased costs may materially and adversely affect our operating expenses. Some of our initiatives to generate revenue are new and unproven, and any failure of these initiatives to meet our goals could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
In addition, we expect to invest in longer-term initiatives, which will likely impact our shorter-term results of operations. We may find that these efforts are more expensive than we currently anticipate and/or encounter technological and other development delays. We will also face increased compliance costs associated with growth and the expansion of our customer base. Our efforts to grow our business may cost more than we expect, and we may not be able to increase our revenue enough to offset our increased operating expenses or to achieve and, if achieved, maintain profitability in future periods.
We may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section, and unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications or delays, and other unknown events. If we are unable to achieve and, if achieved, sustain profitability in future periods, the value of our business and the price per share of our Class A common stock could decline.
Risks Related to Our Business and Our Industry
If we fail to timely identify or effectively respond to changing customer preferences and spending patterns, fail to expand the products being purchased by customers, or fail or are unable to obtain or offer appropriate categories of products, our relationship with our customers and the demand for our products and services could be materially and adversely affected, which could in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Our future business and financial performance depends on continued demand for the types of goods and services that we and our merchants offer. The popularity of certain products, including apparel, beauty, food, and consumer electronics, may vary over time due to perceived availability, subjective value, seasonality, and/or general societal trends. A decline in the demand for certain products we sell could materially and adversely affect our revenue. For example, demand for luxury product offerings, which we have recently expanded, can be particularly variable due to changes in consumer preferences and may be particularly susceptible to recessions or other economic downturns. In addition, a temporary or sudden surge in demand for certain products may temporarily inflate the volume of those products listed on or purchased through our apps and websites, placing a significant strain on our infrastructure and throughput capacity. These trends may also cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations from period to period. A failure to timely identify or effectively respond to changing consumer preferences and spending patterns, an inability to keep adequate inventory of the type of products being purchased by customers, failure to grow and retain the members of our Rocket WOW membership program, or a failure or inability to obtain or offer appropriate categories of products could negatively affect our relationship with customers and the demand for our products and services.
Our ability to identify and develop and effectively manage sourcing relationships with qualified, economically stable suppliers and merchants, who satisfy our requirements, and to acquire sufficient amounts of products in a timely and cost-efficient manner is critical to our business. Significant changes to, or a failure to develop and maintain, sourcing relationships with a broad and deep supplier base could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Further, we also offer our customers private-label products on our apps and websites. Selling private-label products subjects us to additional and/or heightened risks, including but not limited to, risks of: potential product liability and mandatory or voluntary product recalls; potential liability arising from our commercial relationships with the manufacturers of our private-label products; potential liability for incidents, including, but not limited to, the injuries of our subcontractors’ employees at manufacturing sites that we do not control; failure to successfully protect our intellectual property rights and the rights of applicable third parties; harm to our reputation and brand image; and other risks generally encountered by entities that source, market, and sell private-label products.
If we are unable to successfully implement some or all of our major strategic initiatives in a timely manner, our ability to maintain and improve our market position may be materially and adversely affected.
Our strategy is to continue to build on our market position by continuing to implement certain key strategic initiatives, which include the following:
•building our brand and further expanding our customer base;
•providing high-quality merchandise and services at attractive prices;
•focusing on customer satisfaction and our customers’ loyalty to our apps, websites, and programs, including our Rocket WOW membership program;
•expanding our product offerings; and
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
10 |
•enhancing our apps and websites and developing personalization tools to enhance our customers’ experience with our apps and websites.
We may not be successful in implementing any or all of these key strategic initiatives. If we are unable to successfully implement some or all of our key strategic initiatives in an effective and timely manner, our ability to maintain and improve our market position, and our competitive position, brand, and reputation may be harmed, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The acquisition of Farfetch created incremental risk to our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In January 2024, we completed the acquisition of Farfetch (the “Farfetch Acquisition”). The Farfetch Acquisition exposes us to challenges and risks, including: integrating financial and operational reporting systems; establishing budgetary and other financial controls; funding increased overhead expenses or cash flow shortages that may occur if anticipated revenues are not realized or are delayed, whether by general economic or market conditions or unforeseen internal difficulties; hiring management personnel for expanded operations; realizing the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the anticipated sales and growth opportunities, on the anticipated timelines, if at all; the value of assets acquired may be lower than expected or may diminish; the liabilities assumed may be greater than expected; assets and liabilities acquired may be subject to foreign currency change rate fluctuation; challenges associated with operating in geographic regions and markets where we have not had operations in the past; any potentially unknown significant claims that may arise following the acquisition for which we have limited or no contractual remedies or insurance coverage; the effects of the transaction on relationships, including with suppliers, customers, boutiques, and competitors as well as the effect on the Farfetch brand; risks related to the potential effect of general economic, political, and market factors, including changes in the financial markets, interest rates or foreign exchange rates as a result of inflation or governmental measures implemented to address inflation; litigation and regulatory risks related to the acquisition; the risk of adverse effects on the market price of our securities or on our operating results for any reason; and other risks described in our filings with the SEC. Additionally, we are continuing to integrate Farfetch into our overall internal control over financial reporting. There is a risk that deficiencies may occur that could constitute significant deficiencies or in the aggregate a material weakness. As disclosed in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A of this Form 10-K, we have determined a material weakness previously disclosed by Farfetch Limited related to the operating effectiveness of certain process and information technology controls in the New Guards business was not fully remediated as of December 31, 2024, and could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements that will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We cannot guarantee that we will not identify other significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in connection with the Farfetch acquisition or any future acquisition. See the risk factor entitled “We have previously identified and disclosed a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to our Farfetch acquisition, and if we fail to remediate this or any future material weakness or otherwise fail to properly manage our internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately and timely report our financial results, which could negatively impact our business, investor confidence, and the price of our Class A common stock”.
We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, significant restructuring costs as we implement cost savings measures, and terminate or dispose of contracts, operations or subsidiaries that we believe are underperforming. We have identified some, but not all, of the actions necessary to achieve our anticipated cost and operational savings. Accordingly, the cost and operational savings may not be achievable in our anticipated amount or timeframe, or at all.
As part of the Farfetch Acquisition, our subsidiary, Surpique LP (the “Limited Partnership”), assumed the then outstanding syndicated Term Loans (the “Farfetch Term Loans”) under Farfetch’s existing credit agreement with certain banks and financial institutions. In January 2025, the Farfetch Term Loans were amended to (i) waive technical defaults that resulted from our restructuring actions related to Farfetch subsidiaries in Italy and (ii) require loan prepayment (not to exceed $125 million) from restricted cash proceeds received for Italian VAT receivables and the Limited Partnership in turn extended its commitment to provide the remaining $148 million cash contribution to the earlier of the loan repayment date or April 2028. Coupang, Inc. has not provided any security or guaranty of repayment of the Farfetch Term Loans and is not obligated to provide additional cash funding to Farfetch beyond its share of the Limited Partnership’s remaining commitment.
We expect that Farfetch will require continued investment in operating expenses, headcount, and executive resources, none of which will ensure that we will be successful. We may also continue to incur various accounting charges related to the transaction. In addition, our credit facilities may restrict our ability to invest in Farfetch, which could make it more difficult for us to realize the expected benefits of the transaction. If we fail to successfully operate Farfetch, we will not realize the benefits anticipated, and any such failure could result in adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including substantial impairment charges.
If we fail to effectively manage our growth, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be harmed.
We have experienced significant growth since our inception and expect our business to continue to grow if we are successful in implementing our key strategic initiatives. The growth of our business has required and will continue to require significant attention of our management and expenditure of resources. To effectively manage our growth, we must successfully implement our operational plans and strategies, improve and expand our infrastructure and supplier relationships, and expand, train, and manage our employee and contractor base.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
11 |
For example, in recent years, we have rapidly increased our employee headcount to support the growth in our business, and we expect to continue to increase our headcount in the foreseeable future. To support our continued growth, we must effectively integrate, develop, and motivate a large number of new employees, while maintaining our corporate culture. In particular, we intend to continue to make substantial investments to expand our sales and technology personnel, which is challenging due to competition for such personnel.
In addition, the growth and expansion of our business and our variety of merchandise and services place significant demands on our management and other employees. For example, in an effort to increase customer engagement, we produce new versions of our apps and websites and communicate to our customers via email, mobile application push communications, and text messages. The continued growth of our business may require significant additional resources to continue these efforts, including increasing the size of our workforce, which may not scale in a cost-effective manner.
Similarly, we must effectively manage any retraction in parts of our business. Periodically, for reasons such as changing consumer preferences and other unforeseen circumstances, we have made, and may make in the future, decisions to discontinue investments in certain parts of our business. Such decisions require management effort to reorganize or reassign employees. In accordance with Korean law, employment contracts generally are not terminable at will unless an employee is deemed to be an “employer” (e.g., a registered director or an executive member-level employee), and employment and labor-related claims are common. Similar regulations in other jurisdictions in which we do business may also be applicable. If we fail to effectively manage retractions in our business or to successfully reorganize or reassign employees, our ability to meet our goals and our employee morale, productivity, and retention could suffer, which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our revenue depends on prompt and accurate payment processes. Our failure to grow our transaction-processing capabilities to accommodate the increasing number of transactions that must be billed on our apps and websites would materially harm our business and our ability to collect revenue.
Furthermore, we may need to enter into relationships with various strategic partners, websites, and other online service providers and other third parties necessary to support and grow our business. The increased complexity of managing multiple commercial relationships or entering into new relationships could lead to execution problems that could affect current and future revenue and operating margins.
Our current and planned systems, procedures and controls, personnel, and third-party relationships may not be adequate to support our future operations. Our failure to manage growth effectively or to enter into additional third-party relationships on a timely basis could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If we do not successfully operate and manage the expansion of our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially harmed.
We believe that our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure, including strategically located fulfillment centers, logistics centers, and delivery vehicles, coupled with our proprietary technology, is essential to our success. We operate our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure throughout Korea and maintain fulfillment centers in the United States, Taiwan, and Europe. We are in the process of obtaining and developing additional fulfillment and logistics infrastructure to increase our storage capacity, reduce delivery times, and further improve our workflow and processes.
If we do not expand and operate our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure successfully and efficiently, or there are delays in the expansion of our fulfillment and logistics operations, we could experience excess or insufficient fulfillment and logistics capacity in one or more locations, an increase in costs or impairment charges, or other adverse impacts. For example, we believe that our end-to-end logistics infrastructure, including the ability to control our last-mile delivery logistics, is a key competitive advantage. If our end-to-end logistics infrastructure, including last-mile delivery, is negatively affected in any manner, including, but not limited to, by the introduction of direct competitors with these capabilities or by legislation, legal rulings, or other regulation that may disrupt this service, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, if we do not have sufficient fulfillment and logistics capacity, or we experience problems fulfilling and delivering orders in a timely manner, our customers may experience delays in receiving their purchases, which could harm our reputation and our relationship with our customers.
We have designed, built, purchased, and/or leased our own fulfillment and logistics infrastructure, in addition to utilizing some third-party delivery resources. Our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure was designed to meet the specific needs of our business. If we continue to add fulfillment and logistics capabilities, add new offerings with different fulfillment or logistics requirements, expand into additional geographies, or change the mix of merchandise that we sell, our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure will become increasingly complex, and operating it will become more challenging. Failure to successfully address such challenges in a cost-effective and timely manner could impair our ability to timely deliver our customers’ purchases and could materially and adversely affect our reputation and ultimately, our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
12 |
We anticipate the need to add additional fulfillment and logistics capacity as our business continues to grow. We cannot assure you that we will be able to locate suitable facilities on commercially acceptable terms in accordance with our expansion plans. If we are unable to secure new facilities for the expansion of our fulfillment operations or effectively control expansion-related expenses, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
If we grow faster than we anticipate, we may exceed our fulfillment and logistics capacity, we may experience problems fulfilling or delivering orders in a timely manner, or our customers may experience delays in receiving their purchases, which could harm our reputation and our relationship with our customers, and we may need to increase our capital expenditures more than anticipated and in a shorter time frame than we currently anticipate, which could represent a demand on, or drain of, our financial resources and require additional capital. See the risk factor titled “We may require additional capital to support the growth of our business, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.” below.
Our ability to expand our fulfillment and logistics capacity is dependent upon our ability to secure suitable facilities and recruit and retain qualified employees, Coupang Flex partners (independent delivery partners who have signed up to deliver packages on days and times of their own choosing), Eats Delivery Partners, or EDPs (independent food delivery partners), and other workers, and there is no assurance that we will be able to secure such facilities or procure such partners or personnel. There have been and there may be future delays or increased costs associated with the spread and impact of ongoing or future pandemics or endemics, natural or man-made disasters, labor union activities, extreme weather conditions, and other catastrophic events.
Many of the expenses and investments with respect to our fulfillment and logistics capacity are fixed, and any expansion of such fulfillment and logistics infrastructure will require additional investment of capital. We expect to incur higher capital expenditures in the future for our fulfillment and logistics operations as our business continues to grow. We would incur such expenses and make such investments in advance of expected sales, and such expected sales may not occur. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We operate in a highly competitive industry and we may be unsuccessful in competing against current and future competitors, which could have a negative impact on the success of our business.
The industry in which we operate is intensely competitive and we expect that competition will continue to increase. We currently and potentially compete with a wide variety of online and offline companies providing goods and services to customers and merchants, including traditional retailers and merchandisers, such as department stores, discount warehouses, direct retailers, and home-shopping channels. The Internet and mobile networks provide new, rapidly evolving, and intensely competitive channels for the sale of all types of goods and services. We compete in two-sided markets and must attract both customers as well as merchants to use our apps and websites. Customers who purchase goods and services through us have many alternatives, and merchants have other channels to reach customers. We expect competition to continue to intensify. Online and offline businesses compete with each other, and our competitors include a number of online and offline retailers with greater resources, large user communities, and well-established brands. As we respond to changes in the competitive environment, we may, from time to time, make pricing, service, or marketing decisions or acquisitions that may lead to dissatisfaction among customers and merchants, which could reduce activity on our apps or websites and adversely affect our results of operations.
We face increased competitive pressure online and offline. In particular, the competitive norm for, and the expected level of service from, retailers and marketplaces has increased due to, among other factors, improved customer experience, greater ease of buying goods, lower (or no) shipping costs, faster shipping times, and more favorable return policies. In addition, certain online and offline businesses may offer goods and services to consumers and merchants that we do not offer. If we are unable to change our offerings in ways that reflect the changing demands of offline and online retailers and marketplaces, particularly at expected service levels, or compete effectively with and adapt to changes in larger retail businesses, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Competitors may also be able to devote more resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, and devote more resources to offline shopping venues, websites, mobile applications, and systems development than we can. In addition, competitors may be able to innovate faster and more efficiently, and new technologies including increased usage of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning technologies may increase the competitive pressures by enabling competitors to offer more efficient or lower-cost services.
Some of our competitors control other products and services that are important to our success, including credit card interchange, Internet search, and mobile operating systems. Such competitors could utilize complementary aspects of their businesses in order to provide a better shopping experience or make it difficult for customers to utilize our apps or websites, or change pricing, availability, or the terms or operation of service related to their products and services in a manner that impacts our competitive offerings. If we are unable to use or adapt to operational changes in such services, we may face higher costs for such services, encounter integration or technological barriers, or lose customers, which could cause our business, financial condition, and results of operations to be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, certain manufacturers may limit or cease distribution of their products through online channels, such as our apps or websites. Manufacturers may attempt to use contractual obligations or existing or future government regulation to prohibit or limit retailers in certain categories of goods or services. Manufacturers may also attempt to enforce minimum resale price maintenance
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
13 |
or minimum advertised price arrangements to prevent distributors and suppliers from selling on our apps, websites, or on the Internet generally, or drive distributors and suppliers to sell at prices that would make us less competitive. The adoption by manufacturers of policies, or their use of laws or regulations, in each case discouraging or restricting the sales of goods or services over the Internet, could force merchants to limit or stop selling certain products on our apps or websites, which could adversely affect our results of operations and result in loss of market share and diminished value of our brand.
Many of our competitors have, and potential competitors may have, competitive advantages such as longer operating histories, more experience in implementing their business plan and strategy, better brand recognition, popular offline locations, greater negotiating leverage, established supply relationships, and significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources. Our competitors may undertake aggressive marketing or pricing campaigns to enhance their brand name and increase the volume of business conducted through their stores or websites and make extensive investments to improve their stores or network and system infrastructure, including website design and logistics network enhancements. Our inability to adequately address these and other competitive pressures may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are dependent on the performance of certain members of management and other highly qualified and skilled personnel, and if we are unable to attract, retain, and motivate these and other well-qualified employees, our business could be harmed.
Our success depends largely upon the continued services of our executive officers, other key management team members, and key employees. From time to time, there may be changes in our executive management team or other key employees resulting from the hiring or departure of these personnel. Any of our executive officers or other key employees could terminate their employment with us at any time, and we cannot be assured of having reasonable prior notice. The loss of one or more of our executive officers or other key employees or the failure by our executive team, including any new hires that we may make, to work together effectively and to execute our strategy in a timely manner, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We continue to hire additional qualified employees to support our business operations and planned expansion. Our future success depends, to a significant extent, on our ability to recruit, train, integrate, motivate, and retain qualified personnel. Since our industry is characterized by high demand and intense worldwide competition for talent and labor, we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract or retain qualified staff or other highly skilled employees that we will need to achieve our strategic objectives. Accordingly, such efforts will require significant time, expense, and attention, and new hires require significant training and time before they achieve full productivity. In addition to hiring new employees, we must continue to focus on developing, motivating, and retaining our best employees, many of whom are at-will employees, which means they may terminate their employment relationship with us at any time. Further, even if qualified new employees are hired and achieve individual effectiveness, we may be materially and adversely affected by undue turnover in our employees.
If we fail to identify, recruit, and integrate strategic personnel hires, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Any loss of members of our senior management team or key personnel could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives and could materially harm our business and customer relationships. We may need to invest significant amounts of cash and equity to attract and retain new employees, and we may never realize returns on these investments. In addition, prospective and existing employees often consider the value of the equity awards they receive in connection with their employment. If the perceived value of our equity awards declines, experiences significant volatility, or increases such that prospective employees believe there is limited upside to the value of our equity awards, it may adversely affect our ability to recruit and retain key employees. If we are not able to retain and motivate our current personnel or effectively add and retain employees, our ability to achieve our strategic objectives, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.
Our culture has been critical to our success and if we cannot maintain this culture as we grow, our business could be harmed.
We believe that our culture, where the customer is at the beginning and the end in each decision we make, has been critical to our success. We may face a number of challenges that may affect our ability to sustain our corporate culture, including a potential failure to attract and retain employees who embrace and further our culture, any expansion into additional geographies and new lines of business, competitive pressures that may divert us from our vision and values, and the integration of new personnel and businesses from acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of Farfetch. If we are not able to maintain our culture as we continue to grow, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our expansion into new geographies and offerings and substantial increase in the number of our offerings may expose us to new and increased challenges and risks.
In recent years, we have expanded our offerings, including in consumer electronics, food and grocery, financial services, private-label brands, apparel, streaming content, travel, luxury products, and export and import offerings, as well as expanded our reach into new geographies such as Taiwan and various geographies in which Farfetch, or future businesses we may acquire, operate. Expansion involves new risks and challenges and may require significant investments. Our lack of familiarity with new markets and new products and services and lack of relevant customer data relating to these new markets or offerings may make it more difficult
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
14 |
for us to anticipate customer demand and preferences. We may misjudge customer demand and the potential profitability of a new market, product, or service. We may find it more difficult to inspect and control quality and ensure proper handling, storage, and delivery of new products, and to establish and maintain relationships with qualified suppliers and merchants for new products. We may experience higher return rates on new products, customer complaints about new products and services, and costly liability claims as a result of selling such products and services, any of which would harm our brand and reputation as well as our results of operations. We may need to price aggressively to gain market share or remain competitive in new categories. It may be difficult for us to achieve profitability in the new product or service categories and our profit margin, if any, may be lower than we anticipate, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot assure you that we will be able to recoup our investments in introducing any new product and service categories.
Any harm to our brand or reputation may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We believe that the recognition and reputation of our brand among our customers, merchants, suppliers, and our workforce has contributed to the growth and success of our business. Maintaining and enhancing the recognition and reputation of our brand is critical to our business and competitiveness. Heightened regulatory and public concerns over operation of our business, including but not limited to those related to any ongoing or potential labor and employment disputes, consumer protection and consumer safety issues, supplier relationships, environmental and sustainability concerns, and cybersecurity and data security incidents, may subject us to additional legal and reputational risks and increased scrutiny. Further, heightened public attention regarding worker safety and occupational health may subject us to regulatory and media scrutiny. In addition, changes in our services or policies have resulted, and could result, in objections by members of the public, customers, suppliers, merchants and various other groups. From time to time, these objections or allegations, regardless of their veracity, may result in customer dissatisfaction, which could result in government inquiries or substantial harm to our brand, reputation, and prospects. The proliferation of social media may increase the likelihood, speed, and magnitude of negative brand and reputation events.
A public perception that non-authentic, counterfeit, or defective goods are sold on our apps and websites or that we or our merchants do not provide satisfactory customer service, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could damage our reputation, diminish the value of our brand, undermine the trust and credibility we have established, and have a negative impact on our ability to attract new customers or retain our current customers. If we are unable to maintain our reputation, enhance our brand recognition, or increase positive awareness of our apps, websites, products, and services, as well as products sold by merchants through our online marketplace, it may be difficult to maintain and grow our customer base, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We are subject to risks associated with sourcing and manufacturing goods from countries outside of Korea.
A portion of our sales are dependent on our ability to import finished goods from other countries into Korea. Substantially all of our import operations are subject to customs requirements. The countries from which some of our products are manufactured or exported, or into which our products are imported, may from time to time impose quotas, duties, tariffs, or other restrictions on imports (including restrictions on manufacturing operations) or adversely modify existing restrictions. Changes in Korea, China, the United States, and other foreign government policies regarding international trade, including import and export regulation and international trade agreements, may negatively impact our business. Imports are also subject to unpredictable foreign currency variation which may increase our cost of sales. Adverse changes in these import costs and restrictions, or failure by our suppliers to comply with customs regulations or similar laws, could harm our business.
Our operations are also subject to the effects of international trade agreements and regulations, which may impose requirements that adversely affect our business, such as setting quotas on products that may be imported from a particular country.
Our ability to import products in a timely and cost-effective manner may also be affected by conditions at ports or issues that otherwise affect transportation and warehousing providers, such as port and shipping capacity, labor disputes, severe weather, or increased security requirements in Korea and other countries. These issues could delay importation of products or require us to locate alternative ports or transportation or warehousing providers to avoid disruption to customers. These alternatives may not be available on short notice or could result in higher costs, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If our ability to import goods from overseas is negatively impacted by domestic or international trade regulations (including any future customs requirements, tariffs, and quotas implemented in Korea), our ability to maintain a diverse selection of products for our customers and to be able to timely deliver products consistent with our customers’ expectations could be harmed, which could materially and adversely impact our future revenue and growth.
We operate in a rapidly changing industry and our business model is continuing to evolve, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects. If we are unable to continue to innovate or if we fail to adapt to changes in our industry, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
The retail industry in which we operate is characterized by rapidly changing regulatory requirements and industry standards and shifting consumer demands. In addition, our business model continues to evolve and we are continuously evaluating our products and services. As a result of our evolving industry and business model, our future results are uncertain and subject to a number of
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
15 |
risks and uncertainties, including our ability to plan for and model future growth, expand our business in existing geographies, and enter new geographies. Our industry is also characterized by rapidly changing technology, including AI, new mobile applications and protocols, new products and services, new media and entertainment content, including user-generated content, and changing consumer demands and trends. Furthermore, our competitors are continuously developing innovations in personalized search and recommendation, online and offline shopping and marketing, communications, social networking, entertainment, logistics, and other services to enhance the customer experience. Our financial performance depends on our ability to identify, originate, and define retail trends, as well as to anticipate, gauge, and react to changing customer preferences in a timely manner, including seasonal trends in customer spending.
As a result, we continue to invest significant resources in our technology, infrastructure, research and development, and other areas in order to enhance our business and operations, as well as to explore new growth strategies and geographies and introduce new high-quality products and services. If we offer new merchandise or services that are not accepted by our customers, we may make fewer sales and our revenue may fall short of expectations, our brand and reputation could be materially harmed, and we may incur expenses that are not offset by revenue. We may make substantial investments in such new categories and new markets in anticipation of future revenue. If the launch of a new category or a new geography requires greater investment than we expect, if we are unable to attract suppliers and merchants that produce sufficient high-quality, value-oriented merchandise and services, or if the revenue generated from sales of a new item of merchandise or service grows more slowly or produces lower gross profit than we expect, our results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted. Expansion of our offerings may also strain our management and operational resources. We may also face greater competition in specific categories from retailers that are more focused on such categories. It may be difficult to differentiate our offering from other competitors as we offer additional categories of merchandise and services, and our customers may have additional considerations in deciding whether or not to purchase these additional offerings. In addition, the relative profitability, if any, of new categories of merchandise or services may be lower than we have experienced historically, and we may not generate sufficient revenue from sales of these new items to recoup our investments in them.
Our investments in innovations and new technologies, which may be significant, may not increase our competitiveness or generate financial returns in the short term, or at all, and we may not be successful in adopting and implementing new technologies. Our investments and endeavors to develop new growth initiatives and technologies may be hindered by regulatory scrutiny and limitations. The changes and developments taking place in our industry may also require us to re-evaluate our business model and adopt significant changes to our long-term strategies and business plans.
We have encountered in the past, and will encounter in the future, risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies that operate in evolving industries subject to increasing regulation. If our assumptions regarding these risks and uncertainties, which we use to plan and operate our business, are incorrect or change, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our results of operations could differ materially from our expectations and our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Any failure to innovate and adapt to these changes and developments would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Even if we timely innovate and adopt changes in our strategies and plans, we may nevertheless fail to realize the intended benefits of these changes or even experience reduced revenue as a result.
If we fail to retain existing suppliers or merchants or to add new suppliers or merchants, or if our existing suppliers or merchants fail to supply high-quality and compliant merchandise in a timely manner, our business, financial condition, and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.
We depend on our ability to attract and retain merchants that offer high-quality merchandise and services to our customers at attractive prices and in a timely manner to attract new customers and to keep our existing customers engaged and purchasing from our apps and websites. Similarly, we also must attract and retain suppliers to supply merchandise to us for our owned-inventory selection. We must continue to attract and retain suppliers and merchants in order to increase revenue and achieve profitability.
We may experience supplier or merchant attrition in the ordinary course of business, which could lead to a decrease in the volume and/or selection of merchandise available to our customers, resulting in loss of customers to our competitors. Even if we identify new suppliers, we may not be able to purchase desired merchandise in sufficient quantities on terms acceptable to us, and merchandise from alternative sources may be of a lesser quality or more expensive than those from existing suppliers. Similarly, new merchants may not offer the same selection or value to our customers. In addition, we may have disputes with suppliers and merchants with respect to their compliance with our quality control or other policies and measures and the penalties imposed by us for violation of these policies or measures from time to time, which may cause them to cease doing business with us. Any complaints from merchants may in turn result in a negative impact on our brand and reputation. If we experience significant supplier or merchant attrition, or if we are unable to attract new suppliers or merchants, our revenue and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Our inability to purchase suitable merchandise on acceptable terms or to source new suppliers and merchants could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
16 |
Efforts to increase advertising revenue may impact our sales or results of operations.
Growth in our advertising revenue depends on our ability to continue to develop and offer effective tools for advertisers. New advertising formats that take up more space on our apps and websites may impact customer satisfaction, which could impact our sales. As the advertising market generates and develops new concepts and technology, we may incur additional costs to implement more effective products and tools. Continuing to develop and improve these products and tools may require significant time and resources and additional investment. Additionally, changes to our advertising policies and data privacy practices, as well as changes to other companies’ advertising and/or data privacy practices have in the past, and may in the future, affect the advertising that we are able to provide, which could harm our business. If we cannot continue to develop and improve our advertising products and tools in a timely fashion, or if our advertising products and tools are not well received by advertisers or customers, our revenue or sales could be materially and adversely affected.
Inventory risks may materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
We are exposed to inventory risks that may materially and adversely affect our results of operations because of seasonality, new product launches, quick changes in product cycles and pricing, defective products, changes in customer demand and spending patterns, changes in customer tastes with respect to our products, spoilage, shrinkage, and other factors. We strive to predict these trends, as overstocking or understocking products we sell could lead to lower sales, missed opportunities, and excessive markdowns or write-offs, each of which could have a material impact on our business and results of operations. Moreover, once we launch a new product, it may be difficult to determine appropriate product selection and accurately forecast demand, which could increase our inventory risk, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The seasonality of our business affects our quarterly results and places an increased strain on our operations.
We have historically experienced seasonal fluctuations in our sales, with higher sales volumes associated with Chuseok, Lunar New Year, and Christmas. Some of these holidays are on the lunar calendar, and thus the associated sales do not always fall in the same quarterly period. We expect to continue to experience seasonal trends in our business, making results of operations variable from quarter to quarter. This variability makes it difficult to predict sales and can result in significant fluctuations in our revenue between periods. Any failure to stock or restock popular products in sufficient amounts or to develop sufficient fulfillment and logistics capacity to meet customer demand could adversely affect our results of operations. When we overstock products, we may be required to take significant inventory markdowns or write-offs and incur commitment costs, which could result in lower margins and higher labor costs as a percentage of sales, which would harm our financial performance.
We may also experience increases in our fulfillment and logistics costs due to promotions, split-shipments, changes to our fulfillment and logistics network, and other arrangements necessary to ensure timely delivery during times of high order volume.
If too many customers access our apps or websites within a short period of time due to increased demand, we may experience system interruptions that make our apps or websites unavailable or prevent us from efficiently fulfilling orders, which may reduce the volume of goods we offer or sell and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, we may be unable to adequately staff our fulfillment and logistics network, including our independent delivery partners, and customer service centers during these peak periods, which may impact our ability to satisfy seasonal or peak demand. Risks related to our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure described above in the risk factor titled “If we do not successfully operate and manage the expansion of our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially harmed.” are magnified during the holiday seasons.
We may expand our operations and offerings into new geographies, which would present new challenges and which may prove unsuccessful and materially and adversely affect our business.
As of December 31, 2024, we have operations and support services in the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Japan, India, the United Kingdom, and various other European countries. We may further expand our operations into new geographies. These expansions could present new risks and challenges and which may prove unsuccessful and materially and adversely affect our business. Further expansion into additional geographies and offerings, such as our recent entry into the global luxury goods space through Farfetch, will continue to require significant management attention and resources and would require us to localize our offerings to conform to a wide variety of local cultures, business practices, laws, regulations, and policies. Such local cultures, business practices, laws, regulations, and policies in other countries may make it more difficult for us to replicate our business model and anticipate customer demand and preferences. In each local market, we expect to compete with local and international companies that may understand the local market better than we do, and we may not benefit from first-to-market advantages. If we are not successful in expanding into particular international geographies or in generating revenue from such international operations, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
17 |
Acquisitions, strategic investments, partnerships, or alliances could be difficult to identify, pose integration challenges, divert the attention of management, disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value, and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to expand our products and services and grow our business in response to changing technologies, customer demands, and competitive pressures. In some circumstances, we may choose to do so through the acquisition of complementary businesses and technologies rather than through organic growth. The identification of suitable acquisition candidates can be difficult, time-consuming, and costly, and we may not be able to successfully complete identified acquisitions. Additionally, acquisitions and other transactions may be subject to regulatory challenges from antitrust or other regulatory authorities that may block, delay or impose conditions (such as divestitures, ownership or operational restrictions or other structural or behavioral remedies) on the completion of transactions or the integration of acquired operations. Further, once we have completed an acquisition (such as the Farfetch Acquisition), we may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired business. We face additional risks in connection with acquisitions, including that:
•an acquisition may negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations because it may require us to incur charges or assume substantial debt or other liabilities, may cause adverse tax consequences or unfavorable accounting treatment, may expose us to claims and disputes by stockholders and third parties, including intellectual property claims and disputes, or may not generate sufficient financial return to offset additional costs and expenses related to the acquisition;
•we may encounter difficulties or unforeseen expenditures in integrating the business, technologies, data security, products, personnel, accounting or operations of any company that we acquire, particularly if key personnel of the acquired company decide not to work for us;
•commitments, liabilities, deficiencies and other risks associated with acquired businesses may not be identified or may be underestimated;
•potential exposure to new or increased regulatory oversight and uncertain or evolving legal, regulatory and compliance requirements associated with acquired businesses;
•an acquisition may disrupt our ongoing business, divert resources, increase our expenses, and distract our management;
•an acquisition may result in a delay or reduction of customer purchases for both us and the company acquired due to customer uncertainty about continuity and effectiveness of service from us or the acquired company;
•we may encounter difficulties in selling or utilizing any acquired products or services, or we may be unable to do so successfully or at all;
•potential write-offs or impairment of goodwill or other acquisition-related intangible assets;
•our use of cash to pay for acquisitions would limit other potential uses for our cash;
•if we incur debt to fund an acquisition, such debt may subject us to material restrictions on our ability to conduct our business, or require us to comply with certain financial maintenance covenants which may adversely affect our ability to conduct our business; and
•if we issue a significant amount of equity securities in connection with future acquisitions, existing stockholders may be diluted and earnings per share may decrease or losses per share may increase.
The occurrence of any of these foregoing risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business depends on the continued growth of online commerce and the increased acceptance of online transactions by potential customers.
Online commerce is still developing in the geographies in which we operate. Our future revenue depends substantially on our customers, suppliers, merchants, and advertisers accepting the Internet as a way to conduct commerce, to purchase goods and services, and to carry out financial transactions. For us to grow our customer base successfully, more customers, merchants, and suppliers must accept and adopt new ways of conducting business and exchanging information, including through mobile devices. Further, service interruptions in Internet access could prevent customers from accessing our apps or websites and placing orders, and frequent interruptions could discourage customers from using our apps or websites, which could cause us to lose customers and harm our results of operations. In addition, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by the telecommunications operators. For more, see the risk factor below titled “Our business depends on network and mobile infrastructure, third-party data center hosting facilities, other third-party providers, and our ability to maintain and scale our technology. Any significant interruptions or delays in service on our apps or websites or any undetected errors or design faults could result in limited capacity, reduced demand, processing delays, and loss of customers, suppliers, or merchants.”
Acceptance and use of the Internet are critical to our growth and the occurrence of any one or more of the above challenges could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
18 |
If the mobile solutions available to our merchants and customers are not effective, the use of our apps, websites, and marketplaces could decline.
Purchases made on mobile devices by customers have increased significantly in recent years. Our suppliers and merchants are also increasingly using mobile devices to operate their businesses on our apps and websites. If we are unable to deliver a rewarding experience on mobile devices, our ability and the ability of our merchants to manage and scale our respective businesses may be harmed and, consequently, our business may suffer.
As new mobile devices and operating systems are released, we may encounter problems in developing or supporting applications for them. In addition, supporting new devices and mobile device operating systems may require substantial time and resources.
The success of our mobile applications could also be harmed by factors outside our control, such as:
•actions taken by providers of mobile operating systems or mobile application download stores;
•unfavorable treatment received by our mobile applications, especially as compared to competing applications, such as the placement of our mobile applications in a mobile application download store;
•increased costs to distribute or use our mobile applications; or
•changes in mobile operating systems, such as iOS and Android, that degrade the functionality of our mobile websites or mobile applications or that give preferential treatment to competitive products.
If merchants and customers encounter difficulty accessing or using our apps or websites on their mobile devices, or if they choose not to use our apps or websites on their mobile devices, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Failure to deal effectively with fraudulent activities on our apps or websites would increase our fraud losses and harm our business and could severely diminish merchant and customer confidence in and use of our services.
We face risks with respect to fraudulent activities on our apps or websites and periodically receive complaints from customers who assert they have not received the goods they purchased or that goods they received were fraudulent, from merchants who may not have received payment for goods that were purchased, or from manufacturers or others who assert that their intellectual property is being infringed.
Although we have implemented measures to detect and reduce the occurrence of fraudulent activities, combat bad customer experiences, and increase customer satisfaction, including encouraging reporting of concerns, gating and monitoring higher-risk activities, evaluating merchants on the basis of their transaction history, and restricting or suspending some merchants, we cannot assure you that these measures will be effective in combating fraudulent transactions or improving overall satisfaction among merchants and customers. We will need to evolve to combat fraudulent activities as they develop. Any failure to so evolve could result in loss of customer trust. At the same time, the implementation of additional measures to address fraud could negatively affect the attractiveness of our offerings to customers and merchants, or create friction in our customers’ experience.
We rely on Coupang Pay to conduct a substantial amount of the payment processing across our business. If Coupang Pay’s services were limited, restricted, curtailed, or degraded in any way, or become unavailable to us or our customers for any reason, our business may be adversely affected.
Coupang Pay, our digital financial services offering, provides our customers with convenient payment processing. These services are critical to our business. We rely on the convenience and ease of use that Coupang Pay provides to our customers and merchants. If the quality, utility, convenience, or attractiveness of Coupang Pay’s services declines for any reason, the attractiveness of our offerings to customers and merchants could be harmed.
Coupang Pay is subject to a number of risks which, if they were to materialize, could materially and adversely affect its ability to provide payment processing services to us and our customers, including, but not limited to:
•dissatisfaction with Coupang Pay’s services or lower use of Coupang Pay by customers and merchants;
•increasing competition, including from other established companies, payment service providers, and companies engaged in other financial technology services;
•changes to rules or practices applicable to payment systems that link to Coupang Pay;
•breach of customers’ privacy and concerns over the use and security of information collected from customers and any related negative publicity or liability relating thereto;
•service outages, system failures, or failure to effectively scale the system to handle large and growing transaction volumes;
•increasing costs to Coupang Pay, including fees charged by banks to process transactions through Coupang Pay, which would also increase our cost of revenue;
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
19 |
•negative news about and social media coverage on Coupang Pay, its business, its service offerings, or matters relating to Coupang Pay’s data security and privacy; and
•failure to manage customer funds accurately or loss of customer funds, whether due to employee fraud, security breaches, technical errors, or otherwise.
Coupang Pay’s services are highly regulated. Coupang Pay is required to comply with numerous complex and evolving laws, rules, and regulations, particularly in the areas of online and mobile payment services. In addition, as Coupang Pay expands the type and reach of its services within Korea and into international geographies, it will become subject to additional legal and regulatory risks and scrutiny. Any failure, or deemed failure, by Coupang Pay to comply with existing or new laws, regulations or orders of any governmental authority may subject us to significant fines, penalties, criminal and civil lawsuits; result in additional compliance and licensure requirements; cause us to lose existing licenses or prevent or delay us from obtaining additional licenses that may be required for our business; increase regulatory scrutiny of our business; divert management’s time and attention from our business; restrict our operations; lead to increased friction for customers; force us to make changes to our business practices, products or operations; require us to engage in remediation activities; or delay planned transactions, product launches or improvements. Any of the foregoing could, individually or in the aggregate, harm our reputation, damage our brands and business, and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Increases in food, energy, labor, and other costs could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Factors such as inflation, increased food costs, increased labor and employee benefit costs, increased rental costs, or increased energy costs have increased, and may continue to increase, our operating costs and those of our suppliers and independent contractors. Many of the factors affecting suppliers and independent contractors are beyond the control of these parties. In many cases, these increased costs may cause suppliers and independent contractors to spend less time providing services to our customers or to seek alternative sources of income. Likewise, these increased costs may cause suppliers and independent contractors to pass costs on to us and our customers by increasing prices, which would likely cause order volume to decline, and may cause suppliers or independent contractors to cease operations altogether.
We rely on our merchants to provide a high quality experience to our customers.
Our marketplace provides many small- and medium-sized businesses with access to customers across Korea and other countries. Aggregating their products in one convenient forum provides convenience to customers and an increased business opportunity to merchants. We have policies and procedures intended to protect both merchants and customers on our marketplace. However, we do not control the merchants, who are independent, third-party businesses. In most cases, the merchants provide fulfillment and arrange for third-party delivery of the orders placed by our customers.
A small portion of customers complain to us about their experience with our merchants. For example, customers may report that they have not received the items that they purchased, that the items received were not as represented by a merchant, or that a merchant has not been responsive to their questions or complaints. We have customer service resources to process such complaints, but we cannot guarantee that these resources have or will resolve all concerns. Similarly, we occasionally identify merchants who are unable to fulfill orders within a timeframe or in a manner consistent with customer expectations.
Negative publicity and sentiment generated as a result of these types of complaints or any associated enforcement action taken against merchants could reduce our ability to attract and retain our merchants and customers or damage our reputation. A perception that our levels of responsiveness and support for our merchants and customers are inadequate could have similar results. In some situations, we may choose to reimburse our customers for their purchases, but we may not be able to recover the funds we expend for those reimbursements. Although we focus on enhancing customer service, our efforts may be unsuccessful and our merchants and customers may be disappointed in their experience and not return.
Anything that prevents the timely processing of orders or delivery of goods to our customers could harm our merchants. Service interruptions and delivery delays may be caused by events that are beyond our control and the control of our merchants, such as transportation disruptions, natural disasters, inclement weather, (including as a result of climate change), terrorism, public health crises, or political unrest. Additionally, disruptions in the operations of a substantial number of our merchants could also result in negative experiences for a substantial number of our customers, which could harm our reputation and brand. If our customers have a negative experience in the purchase of these products, whether due to quality or timing of delivery, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Changes to our customer satisfaction program could increase our expenses.
Our customer satisfaction program protects customers from fraudulent transactions, as well as if they do not receive the items ordered or if the items received are significantly different from their descriptions. The risk of loss from our customer satisfaction program is specific to individual customers and transactions, and may also be impacted by modifications to this program resulting from changes in regulatory requirements, or changes that we decide to implement, such as expanding the scope of transactions covered. Increases in our expenses, including as a result of changes to our customer satisfaction program, could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
20 |
We are subject to payment-related risks, and if payment processors are unwilling or unable to provide us with payment processing services or impose onerous requirements on us in order to access their services, or if they increase the fees they charge us for these services, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We accept payments using a variety of methods, including credit and debit cards, money transfers, and Coupang Pay. For certain payment methods, including credit and debit cards, we pay bank interchange and other fees. These fees may increase over time, which would increase our operating costs and adversely affect our results of operations. We use third parties to provide payment processing services, including the processing of credit and debit cards. Our business may be disrupted for an extended period of time if any of these companies becomes unwilling or unable to provide these services to us. We are also subject to payment card association operating rules, certification requirements, and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, we may be subject to fines and higher transaction fees and/or lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from customers or facilitate other types of online payments, and our business could be harmed. Moreover, although the payment gateways we use are contractually obligated to indemnify us with respect to liability arising from fraudulent payment transactions, if such fraudulent transactions are related to credit card transactions and become excessive, they could potentially result in our losing the right to accept credit cards for payment. If any of these events were to occur, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our business depends on network and mobile infrastructure, third-party data center hosting facilities, other third-party providers, and our ability to maintain and scale our technology. Any significant interruptions or delays in service on our apps or websites or any undetected errors or design faults could result in limited capacity, reduced demand, processing delays, and loss of customers, suppliers, or merchants.
A key element of our strategy is to generate a high volume of traffic on, and use of, our apps and websites. Our reputation and ability to attract, retain, and serve our customers are dependent upon the reliable performance of our apps and websites and the underlying network infrastructure. As our customer base and the amount of information shared on our apps and websites continue to grow, we will need an increasing amount of network capacity and computing power. We have spent and expect to continue to spend substantial amounts on data centers and equipment and related network infrastructure to handle the traffic on our apps and websites. The operation of these systems is complex and could result in operational failures. In the event that the volume of traffic of our customers exceeds the capacity of our current network infrastructure or in the event that our customer base or the amount of traffic on our apps and websites grows more quickly than anticipated, we may be required to incur significant additional costs to enhance the underlying network infrastructure. Interruptions or delays in these systems, whether due to system failures, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, undetected errors, design faults, or other unexpected events or causes, could affect the security or availability of our apps and websites and prevent our customers from accessing our apps and websites. If sustained or repeated, these performance issues could reduce the attractiveness of our products and services. In addition, the costs and complexities involved in expanding and upgrading our systems may prevent us from doing so in a timely manner and may prevent us from adequately meeting the demand placed on our systems. Any interruption or inadequacy that causes performance issues or interruptions in the availability of our apps or websites could reduce customer satisfaction and result in a reduction in the number of customers purchasing our products and services.
We depend on the development and maintenance of the Internet and mobile infrastructure. This includes maintenance of reliable Internet and mobile infrastructure with the necessary speed, data capacity, and security, as well as timely development of complementary products, for providing reliable Internet and mobile access. We also use and rely on services from other third parties, such as our telecommunications services and credit card processors, and those services may be subject to outages and interruptions that are not within our control. Failures by our telecommunications providers may interrupt our ability to provide phone support to our customers and distributed denial-of-service attacks directed at our telecommunication service providers could prevent customers from accessing our apps or websites. In addition, we have in the past and may in the future experience down periods where our third-party credit card processors are unable to process the online payments of our customers, disrupting our ability to receive customer orders. Our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected if for any reason the reliability of our Internet, telecommunications, payment systems, and mobile infrastructure is compromised.
We offer our products through our apps and websites using the data centers of Amazon Web Services ("AWS"), a provider of cloud infrastructure services. We rely on the Internet to communicate with our customers and merchants and, accordingly, depend on the continuous, reliable, and secure operation of Internet servers, related hardware and software, and network infrastructure. Our operations depend on protecting the virtual cloud infrastructure hosted in AWS and its configuration, architecture, and interconnection specifications, as well as the information stored in these virtual data centers and which third-party Internet service providers transmit. Furthermore, we have no physical access or control over the services provided by AWS and we cannot quickly or easily switch our operations to another third-party cloud infrastructure service provider. A prolonged AWS service disruption affecting our apps or websites could damage our reputation with current and potential customers, expose us to liability, cause us to lose customers, or otherwise harm our business. We may also incur significant costs in connection with switching to or using alternative cloud services or taking other actions in preparation for, or in reaction to, events that impact our ability to use AWS services. Damage or interruptions to these data centers could harm our business. Moreover, negative publicity arising from these types of disruptions could damage our reputation and may adversely impact use of our apps and websites.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
21 |
AWS enables us to access and use its service offerings in varying amounts and sizes, and across multiple regions. AWS provides us with cloud infrastructure services pursuant to an agreement that continues until terminated by either party. AWS may terminate the agreement for any reason by providing us with at least two years’ notice. AWS may also terminate the agreement for cause upon 30 days’ notice, which, in certain instances, is subject to our right to issue an escalation notice, if (i) we are in material breach of the agreement and the material breach remains uncured for a period of 30 days from receipt of notice of such breach, (ii) our use of the service offerings under the agreement (a) poses a security risk to the AWS service offerings or any third party, (b) risks adversely impacting AWS’ systems, the AWS service offerings, or the systems or content of any other AWS customer, or (c) risks subjecting AWS or its affiliates to liability, and in each case, such acts or omissions that are curable are not cured within such 30 day period, (iii) we or our end users are not in compliance with the AWS acceptable use policy or the licensing terms and restrictions set out in the agreement, and such acts or omissions that are curable are not cured within such 30 day period, (iv) we fail to resolve a dispute involving payment of fees, and the disputed amount is not paid within a defined escalation period, except that AWS must first use commercially reasonable efforts to complete a dispute resolution process before terminating the agreement under such provision, and (v) in order to comply with applicable law or binding orders of governmental entities. AWS may also discontinue a service offering that it makes generally available to its customers by providing us with at least 12 months’ prior notice, except that AWS is not obligated to provide such notice if the discontinuation is necessary to address an emergency or threat to the security or integrity of AWS, respond to claims, litigation, or loss of license rights related to third-party intellectual property rights, or to comply with law or the requests of a government entity. AWS agrees that it will not make any such discontinuation in a manner that applies only to us, and not to the other AWS customers generally or to a subset of AWS customers. Termination or suspension of the AWS agreement or the underlying service offerings may harm our ability to access data centers we need to host our apps and websites or to do so on similar terms as those we have with AWS.
We also rely on e-mail service providers, bandwidth providers, Internet service providers, and mobile networks to deliver e-mail and “push” communications to customers and to allow customers to access our apps and websites. Any damage to, or failure of, our systems or the systems of our third-party data centers or our other third-party providers could result in interruptions to the availability or functionality of our apps and websites. As a result, we could lose customer data and miss order fulfillment deadlines, which could result in decreased sales, increased overhead costs, excess inventory, and product shortages. If for any reason our arrangements with our data centers or third-party providers are terminated or interrupted, such termination or interruption could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We exercise little control over these providers, which increases our vulnerability to problems with the services they provide. We could experience additional expense in arranging for new facilities, technology, services, and support. In addition, the failure of our third-party data centers or any other third-party providers to meet our capacity requirements could result in interruption in the availability or functionality of our apps and websites.
The satisfactory performance, reliability, and availability of our apps, websites, transaction processing systems, and technology infrastructure are critical to our reputation and our ability to attract and retain customers, as well as to maintain adequate customer service levels. Our revenue depends on the number of customers who shop on our apps and websites and the volume of orders that we can handle. Unavailability of our apps or websites or reduced order fulfillment performance would reduce the volume of goods sold and could also materially and adversely affect customer perception of our brand. Any slowdown or failure of our apps, websites, or the underlying technology infrastructure could harm our business, reputation, and ability to attract, retain, and serve our customers.
The occurrence of a natural disaster, power loss, telecommunications failure, data loss, computer virus, an act of terrorism, cyberattack, vandalism or sabotage, act of war or any similar event, or a decision to close our third-party data centers on which we normally operate or the facilities of any other third-party provider without adequate notice or other unanticipated problems at these facilities could result in lengthy interruptions in the availability of our apps and websites. If a natural or man-made disaster, pandemic, blackout, or other unforeseen event were to occur that disrupted the ability to obtain an Internet connection, we may experience a slowdown or delay in our operations.
In addition, certain of our hardware, including data servers, are located at an offsite data center, and certain other equipment is located within our headquarters. Such infrastructure systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption as a result of war, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunications failures, human error, and other similar events. While we have some limited disaster recovery arrangements in place, our preparations may not be adequate to account for disasters or similar events that may occur in the future and may not effectively permit us to continue operating in the event of any problems with respect to our systems or those of our third-party data centers or any other third-party facilities. Our disaster recovery and data redundancy plans may be inadequate, and our business interruption insurance may not be sufficient to compensate us for the losses that could occur. If any such event were to occur, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
22 |
Our business could be disrupted by catastrophic occurrences and similar events.
Our business and the infrastructure on which our business relies is vulnerable to damage or interruption from catastrophic occurrences, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, fires, extreme weather events (whether as a result of climate change or otherwise), power loss, telecommunication failures, criminal acts, sabotage, other intentional acts of violence, vandalism and misconduct, war, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, geopolitical events, including those related to hostilities between North Korea and South Korea, tensions between China and Taiwan, conflicts in the Middle East, disease and pandemics, and similar events. For example, in June 2021, there was a fire at our Deokpyeong fulfillment center which caused extensive damage to our fulfillment center and delayed delivery. Our Korean corporate offices and certain of the data centers in which we operate are located in regions known for seismic activity. Despite any precautions we may take, the occurrence of a natural or man-made disaster or other unanticipated problems at our facilities or the facilities of our cloud providers could result in disruptions, outages, and other performance and quality problems. If we are unable to develop adequate plans to ensure that our business functions continue to operate during and after a disaster and to execute successfully on those plans in the event of a disaster or emergency, our business would be seriously harmed.
The frequency and intensity of weather events related to climate change are increasing, which could increase the likelihood and severity of such disasters as well as related damage and business interruption. The long-term impacts of climate change, whether involving physical risks (such as extreme weather conditions, drought, or rising sea levels) or transition risks (such as regulatory or technology changes or increased operating costs, including the cost of insurance) are expected to be widespread and unpredictable. Certain impacts of physical risk may include: temperature changes that increase the heating and cooling costs at fulfillment centers; extreme weather patterns that affect the production or sourcing of certain products or commodities; and flooding and extreme storms that damage or destroy our buildings and inventory. Impacts of transition risks may include: changes in energy and commodity prices driven by climate-related weather events; prolonged climate-related events affecting macroeconomic conditions with related effects on consumer spending and confidence; stakeholder perception of our engagement in climate-related policies; new regulatory requirements resulting in higher compliance risk and operational costs; and increased insurance costs.
Our business and operations could be adversely affected by health epidemics, impacting the geographies and communities in which we and our customers, suppliers, merchants, and advertisers operate.
Health epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have resulted in, and may in the future result in supply chain disruptions including those of our vendors and suppliers, constraints in logistics and fulfillment related labor costs including costs to attract and retain employees, modification of our operations, adjustments to our services and technology and other responses.
The ultimate impact of any health epidemic on our business depends on many factors and uncertainties outside of our control, including, but not limited to:
•the severity and duration of any such health epidemic in areas in which we operate;
•evolving macroeconomic factors, including general economic uncertainty, unemployment rates, inflation and recessionary pressures;
•changes in labor markets affecting us and our suppliers;
•unknown consequences on our business performance and initiatives stemming from the substantial investment of time and other resources to the pandemic response;
•the impact of governmental restrictions;
•the long-term impact of the epidemic on our business, including consumer behaviors;
•disruption and volatility within the financial and credit markets; and
•the pace and extent of the ultimate recovery from the epidemic.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
23 |
We may require additional capital to support the growth of our business, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
We have funded our operations since inception primarily through equity and debt financings and revenue generated from our business. We cannot be certain if our operations will continue to generate sufficient cash to fully fund our ongoing operations or the growth of our business. We intend to continue to make investments to support the development of our various apps and websites and expansion of our commercial offerings, and will require additional funds for such development and expansion. We may need additional funding for marketing expenses and to develop and expand sales resources, develop new features or enhance our marketplace or other offerings, improve our operating infrastructure, or acquire complementary businesses and technologies. Accordingly, we might need or may want to engage in future equity or debt financings to secure additional funds. Additional financing may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, our ability to develop our apps and websites, support our business growth and respond to business challenges could be significantly impaired, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected.
The terms of any additional debt we may incur in the future could restrict our ability to effectively conduct our operations. Furthermore, if we raise capital through the issuance of additional equity securities, the new equity securities could have rights senior to those of our Class A common stock. Because our decision to raise additional capital will depend on numerous considerations, including factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of any future debt or equity financings, or terms on which any such financings may be completed.
We face risks associated with our investment portfolio.
Our investment policies and strategies may result in a variety of short-term and long-term investments. These investments may include (either directly or indirectly) obligations (including certificates of deposit) of banks, money market funds, government securities, and other short-term securities. These investments are subject to general market, interest rate, credit and liquidity risks, and such risks may be exacerbated during periods of unusual financial market volatility. Investments in these securities and funds are not insured against loss of principal. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to redeem all or part of these securities or funds at less than par value. A decline in the value of our investments, or a delay or suspension of our right to redeem them, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Restrictions in our credit agreements could materially and adversely affect our operating flexibility.
We are party to a senior unsecured revolving credit facility as well as various other credit agreements. Our credit agreements may limit our ability to, among other things:
•incur or guarantee additional debt;
•make certain investments and acquisitions;
•make certain restricted payments and prepayments of certain indebtedness;
•incur certain liens or permit them to exist; and
•make fundamental changes and dispositions (including dispositions of equity interests of any subsidiary guarantors).
Our revolving credit facility also contains covenants requiring us to maintain certain financial ratios. The provisions of our revolving credit facility and the Farfetch Term Loans may affect our ability to obtain future financing and to pursue attractive business opportunities and our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in business conditions. As a result, restrictions in our revolving credit facility and the Farfetch Term Loans could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of our revolving credit facility or the Farfetch Term Loans, as well as other credit agreements, could result in a default or an event of default that could enable our lenders to declare the outstanding principal of that debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the payment of outstanding amounts under our revolving credit facility, Farfetch Term Loans, or other credit agreements is accelerated, our assets may be insufficient to repay such amounts in full, and our common stockholders could experience a partial or total loss of their investment. Please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
24 |
We have previously identified and disclosed a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to our Farfetch acquisition, and if we fail to remediate this or any future material weakness or otherwise fail to properly manage our internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately and timely report our financial results, which could negatively impact our business, investor confidence, and the price of our common stock.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In order to properly manage our internal control over financial reporting, we may need to take additional measures, including system migration and automation, and we cannot be certain that the measures we have taken, and expect to take, to improve our internal controls will be sufficient to ensure that our internal controls will remain effective and eliminate the possibility that other material weakness or deficiencies may develop or be identified in the future. Implementing any changes to our internal controls may distract our officers and employees and require expenditures to implement new process or modify our existing processes. As disclosed in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A of this Form 10-K, we have determined a material weakness previously disclosed by Farfetch Limited related to the operating effectiveness of certain business process and information technology controls in the New Guards business was not fully remediated as of December 31, 2024, and could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements that will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If we fail to remediate this material weakness or experience future material weaknesses or deficiencies in internal controls (whether due to acquisitions or otherwise) and we are unable to correct them in a timely manner, our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information accurately and within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, will be adversely affected. Any such failure could result in investors losing confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, could cause us to violate covenants in our debt instruments or other reporting obligations, the market price of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected, and we could become subject to litigation or investigations by the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the SEC, Korean authorities, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
As a public reporting company, we are subject to rules and regulations established from time to time by the SEC and the NYSE regarding our internal control over financial reporting. We may not complete needed improvements to our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner, or these internal controls may not be determined to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the price per share of our Class A common stock could decline.
We are a public reporting company subject to the rules and regulations established from time to time by the SEC and the NYSE. These rules and regulations will require, among other things, that we establish and periodically evaluate procedures with respect to our internal control over financial reporting. Reporting obligations as a public company are likely to place a considerable strain on our financial and management systems, processes, and controls, as well as on our personnel. In addition, as a public company we are required to document and test our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act so that our management can certify as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Likewise, our independent registered public accounting firm is required to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If our management is unable to certify the effectiveness of our internal control or if our independent registered public accounting firm cannot deliver a report attesting to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, or if we identify or fail to remediate any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal control, we could be subject to regulatory or NYSE scrutiny and a loss of public confidence, which could seriously harm our reputation, and the price per share of our Class A common stock could decline. Further, if we do not maintain adequate financial and management personnel, processes, and controls, we may not be able to manage our business effectively or accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis, our business could be adversely affected and the price per share of our Class A common stock price could decline.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention, and affect our ability to attract and retain executive management and qualified board members.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. We expect that the requirements of these rules and regulations will continue to increase our legal, accounting, and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming, and costly, and place significant strain on our personnel, systems, and resources. For example, the Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to our business and results of operations. As a result of the complexity involved in complying with the rules and regulations applicable to public companies, our management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
25 |
We may need to hire more employees in the future or engage outside consultants, which will increase our operating expenses. In addition, changing laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs, and making some activities more time-consuming. These laws, regulations, and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We have invested and will continue to invest substantial resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations, and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from business operations to compliance activities.
In addition to changes in the legal landscape, we intend to continue innovating in our existing business and expand into new business opportunities. These new business opportunities could present new and unfamiliar legal risks. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations, and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be harmed.
As a result of the disclosure obligations required of a public company, our business and financial condition are more visible, which may result in an increased risk of threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, would divert the resources of our management and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, as a public company, we may be subject to heightened governmental scrutiny or actions or proceedings brought by governmental regulators, which may exacerbate some or all of the foregoing risks.
Risks Related to Doing Business in Korea
There are special risks involved with investing in companies with Korean operations, including the possibility of restrictions being imposed by the Korean government in emergency circumstances, accounting and corporate disclosure standards that differ from those in other jurisdictions, and the risk of direct or vicarious criminal liability for executives of our Korean affiliates.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Coupang Corp., is a Korean company, and Coupang Corp. and its Korean affiliates operate in a business and cultural environment that is different from that of other countries. For example, under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Act of Korea, if the Korean government determines that in certain emergency circumstances, including sudden fluctuations in interest rates or exchange rates, extreme difficulty in stabilizing the balance of payments or substantial disturbance in the Korean financial and capital markets are likely to occur, it may impose any necessary restriction such as requiring Korean or foreign investors to obtain prior approval from the Minister of Economy and Finance of Korea prior to repatriating interest, dividends or sales proceeds arising from Korean securities or from the disposition of such securities or other transactions involving foreign exchange. Although investors hold shares of our Class A common stock, Coupang Corp. may experience adverse risks and in turn could adversely impact our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations and could lead to a decline in the price per share of our Class A common stock.
We also have significant subsidiaries in Korea that have statutory financial statement filing requirements. They are subject to disclosure requirements by the Korean regulators, which will involve periodical public filings of financial information under local accounting standards. These local accounting standards may differ from those of U.S. GAAP.
In addition, under Korean law, there are circumstances in which certain executives of a company may be investigated or held criminally liable either directly or vicariously for the actions of the company and its executives and employees. For example, complaints alleging infringement of intellectual property rights, breaches of certain Korean laws (e.g., labor standards laws and fair trade laws), and product-related claims may be investigated and prosecuted as criminal offenses with both the company and the company’s executives being named as defendants in such proceedings. These risks change over time. For example, as a result of a Korea Fair Trade Commission (“KFTC”) referral, the Seoul Eastern Prosecutors’ Office has initiated a criminal investigation into Coupang Corp. and Coupang Private Label Brands (“CPLB”) as further described in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements.
As a result of these current and changing risks, our executives have in the past been named, and may be named in the future, in criminal investigations or proceedings stemming from our operations. In Korea, company executives being named in such investigations or proceedings is a common occurrence, even though in practice many such cases result in no liability to the individual. If our executives were to be named in such criminal proceedings or held either directly or vicariously criminally liable for the actions of the company and its executives and employees, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be harmed.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
26 |
Coupang Corp.’s transactions with its subsidiaries and affiliates may be restricted under Korean fair trade regulations.
Coupang Corp. enters into business relationships and transactions with its subsidiaries and affiliates, which are subject to scrutiny by the KFTC as to, among other things, whether such relationships and transactions constitute undue financial support among companies in the same business group. If, in the future, the KFTC determines that Coupang Corp. has engaged in transactions that violate the fair trade laws and regulations, it may be subject to an administrative and/or criminal fine, surcharge or other actions, which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. For example, as a result of a KFTC referral, the Seoul Eastern Prosecutors’ Office has initiated a criminal investigation into Coupang Corp. and CPLB as further described in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements.
Our Korean subsidiary, Coupang Corp., and a group of companies affiliated with it have been designated an affiliated group under Korean law, which would require that group of companies to make certain disclosures and implement additional corporate governance requirements.
Our Korean subsidiary, Coupang Corp., and a group of companies affiliated with it have been designated as a business group subject to regulatory oversight and restrictions under the Korean Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act. This designation - which is reviewed and may be re-designated under the Korean Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act by the KFTC on an annual basis — imposes additional corporate governance and public disclosure requirements on the subsidiary entities (which could also be applied to individual executives). These requirements will also create additional costs of compliance and subject the group of affiliated companies to greater regulatory scrutiny and risk of penalties for any failure to comply with the additional obligations imposed.
Coupang Corp. is subject to certain requirements and restrictions under Korean law that may, in certain circumstances, require it to act in a manner that may not be in our or our stockholders’ best interest.
Under applicable Korean law, directors of a Korean company, such as Coupang Corp., owe a fiduciary duty to the company itself rather than to its stockholders. This fiduciary duty obligates directors of a Korean company to perform their duties faithfully for the good of the company as a whole. As a result, if circumstances arise in which the good of Coupang Corp., conflicts with the good of Coupang, Inc. or our stockholders, Coupang Corp. may not be permitted under applicable Korean law to act in a manner that is in the best interest of Coupang, Inc., as its parent, or our stockholders. For example, providing guarantees or collateral by Coupang Corp. in favor of Coupang, Inc., as its parent, without a justifiable cause and on other than arm’s length terms may cause breach of a fiduciary duty of directors to Coupang Corp.
Approval by the board of directors of a Korean company is required for, among other things, all transactions between a director or major stockholder (including a 10% or more stockholder) and the company for the director’s or the major stockholder’s account. As a result, intercompany transactions between us and Coupang Corp. (or any other Korean subsidiary we may own, from time to time), could arise in the future in which the directors of the Korean subsidiary are not able to act in ours or our stockholders’ best interest as a result of competing interests of the subsidiary. Since substantially all of our operations are conducted by Coupang Corp., any such occurrence with respect to Coupang Corp. could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Coupang Corp.’s transactions with related parties are subject to close scrutiny by the Korean tax authorities, which may result in adverse tax consequences.
Under Korean tax law, there is an inherent risk that Coupang Corp.’s transactions with its subsidiaries, affiliates or any other person or company that is related to us may be challenged by the Korean tax authorities if such transactions are viewed as having been made on terms that were not on an arm’s-length basis. If the Korean tax authorities determine that any of its transactions with related parties were on other than arm’s-length terms, it may not be permitted to deduct as expenses, or may be required to include as taxable income, any amount which is found to be undue financial support between related parties in such transaction, which may have adverse tax consequences for us and, in turn, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
A focus on regulating copyright and patent Infringement by the Korean government subjects us to extra scrutiny in our operations and could subject us to sanctions, fines, or other penalties, which could adversely affect our business and operations in Korea.
The Korean government has recently focused on addressing copyright and patent infringement in Korea, particularly with respect to luxury and brand name merchandise. Despite measures we have taken to address copyright and patent infringement, the Korean government may subject us to sanctions, fines, or other penalties, which could adversely affect our business and operations in Korea.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
27 |
Our business may be adversely affected by developments that negatively impact the Korean economy and uncertainties in economic conditions that impact spending patterns of our customers in Korea.
We have historically generated a substantial majority of our revenue from sales in Korea. Our future performance will depend in large part on Korea’s future economic growth. Adverse developments in Korea’s economy as a result of various factors, including economic, political, legal, regulatory, and social conditions in Korea may have an adverse effect on customer spending, which may not allow us to achieve our desired revenue growth. The economic indicators in Korea in recent years have shown mixed signs of growth and uncertainty as the Korean economy is closely tied to, and is affected by developments in, the global economy. In recent years, adverse conditions and volatility in the worldwide financial markets, fluctuations in oil and commodity prices, inflationary pressures, elevated interest rates, acts of war, geopolitical conflicts, terrorism, and disease outbreaks, have contributed to the uncertainty of global economic prospects in general and have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the Korean economy. Due to liquidity and credit concerns and volatility in the global financial markets, the value of the KRW relative to the USD and other foreign currencies and the stock prices of Korean companies have fluctuated significantly in recent years. Further declines in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, large amounts of sales of Korean securities by foreign investors, and subsequent repatriation of the proceeds of such sales may adversely affect the value of the KRW, the foreign currency reserves held by financial institutions in Korea, and the ability of Korean companies to raise capital. Any future deterioration of the Korean economy or the global economy could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Potential developments that could have an adverse impact on Korea’s economy include:
•declines in customer confidence, decreases in consumer disposable income, a slowdown in customer spending and higher levels of unemployment;
•political instability or uncertainty;
•adverse conditions or developments in the economies of countries and regions that are important export and import markets for Korea, such as Taiwan, China, the United States, Europe, and Japan, or in emerging market economies in Asia or elsewhere, including as a result of deteriorating economic and trade relations between the United States and China and increased uncertainties resulting from the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union;
•adverse changes or volatility in foreign currency reserve levels, commodity prices (including oil prices), exchange rates (including fluctuation of the KRW, the USD, the euro or other exchange rates, or the revaluation of the Chinese Renminbi), interest rates, inflation rates, or stock markets;
•increased sovereign default risk of select countries and the resulting adverse effects on the global financial markets;
•investigations of large Korean business groups and their senior management for possible misconduct;
•a continuing rise in the level of household debt and increasing delinquencies and credit defaults by retail and small- and medium-sized enterprise borrowers in Korea;
•the continued emergence of the Chinese economy, to the extent its benefits (such as increased exports to China) are outweighed by its costs (such as competition in export markets or for foreign investment and the relocation of the manufacturing base from Korea to China), as well as a slowdown in the growth of China’s economy, which is one of Korea’s most important export markets;
•the economic impact of any pending or future free trade agreements or of any changes to existing free trade agreements;
•social or labor unrest;
•substantial changes in the market prices of Korean real estate;
•a decrease in tax revenue and a substantial increase in the Korean government’s expenditures for fiscal stimulus measures, unemployment compensation, and other economic and social programs that, together, would lead to an increased government budget deficit;
•financial problems or lack of progress in the restructuring of certain Korean conglomerates, certain other large troubled companies, or their suppliers;
•loss of investor confidence arising from corporate accounting irregularities and corporate governance issues concerning certain Korean conglomerates;
•increases in social expenditures to support an aging population in Korea or decreases in economic productivity due to the declining population size in Korea;
•acts of war or geopolitical uncertainty and risk of further attacks by terrorist groups around the world;
•the occurrence of severe health epidemics in Korea or other parts of the world;
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
28 |
•deterioration in economic or diplomatic relations between Korea and its trading partners or allies, including the imposition of any new or increased tariffs, or any deterioration resulting from territorial or trade disputes or disagreements in foreign policy (such as the ongoing trade disputes with Japan);
•political uncertainty or increasing strife among or within political parties in Korea;
•hostilities or political or social tensions involving oil producing countries in the Middle East and North Africa and any material disruption in the global supply of oil or increase in the price of oil;
•an increase in the level of tensions or an outbreak of hostilities between North Korea and Korea or the United States;
•political or social tensions involving Russia and any resulting adverse effects on the global supply of oil or the global financial markets;
•natural or man-made disasters that have a significant adverse economic or other impact on Korea or its major trading partners; and
•changes in financial regulations in Korea.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses to us.
The value of the KRW and other currencies against the USD has fluctuated, and may continue to fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. It is difficult to predict how market forces or Korean or the United States government policy, including any interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, may impact the exchange rate between the KRW and the USD in the future.
A substantial percentage of our revenue and costs are denominated in KRW, and a significant portion of our financial assets are also denominated in KRW, while a substantial portion of our debt is denominated in USD. We are a holding company and we may receive dividends, loans and other distributions on equity paid by our operating subsidiaries in Korea. Any significant fluctuations in the value of the KRW may materially and adversely affect our liquidity and cash flows. For example, the depreciation of the KRW and other foreign currencies against the USD typically results in a material increase in the cost of fuel and equipment purchased from outside of Korea and the cost of servicing debt denominated in currencies other than the KRW. As a result, any significant depreciation of the KRW or other major foreign currencies against the USD may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. A large percentage of our cash is in KRW. If we have to convert our KRW cash or other foreign currency cash into USD cash for the purpose of repaying principal or interest expense on our outstanding USD-denominated debt, making payments for USD-denominated stock repurchases or paying USD-denominated dividends on our Class A common stock, or other business purposes in USD, depreciation of the KRW or other foreign currencies against the USD would have a negative effect in that it would require us to convert more of our KRW cash or foreign currency cash in order to pay those required USD obligations.
Tensions with North Korea could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the price per share of our Class A common stock.
Relations between Korea and North Korea have fluctuated over the years. Tension between Korea and North Korea may increase or change abruptly as a result of current and future events. In particular, there have been heightened security concerns in recent years stemming from North Korea’s nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs as well as its hostile military actions against Korea.
North Korea’s economy also faces severe challenges, which may further aggravate social and political pressures within North Korea. Since April 2018, North Korea has held a series of bilateral summit meetings with Korea and the United States to discuss peace and denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. However, North Korea has since resumed its missile testing, heightening tensions, and the outlook of such discussions remains uncertain.
Further tensions in North Korean relations could develop due to a leadership crisis, breakdown in high-level inter-Korea contacts or military hostilities. Alternatively, tensions may be resolved through reconciliatory efforts, which may include peace talks, alleviation of sanctions or reunification. We cannot assure you that future negotiations will result in a final agreement on North Korea’s nuclear program, including critical details such as implementation and timing, or that the level of tensions between Korea and North Korea will not escalate. Any increase in the level of tension between Korea and North Korea, an outbreak in military hostilities or other actions or occurrences, could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations and could lead to a decline in the price per share of our Class A common stock.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
29 |
New Korean legislative proposals may expose our business to additional risks from litigation, regulation, and government investigations.
We are subject to changing laws and regulations everywhere we do business, including in Korea. For example, the KFTC is increasingly focused on regulating various new industries including what they describe as online platform companies. The KFTC takes the position these regulations could apply to the Company. Any additional regulations that may apply to us, including, but not limited to, regulation related to retail, online retail, or technology, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operation.
Additional enacted or proposed regulations include numerous consumer related provisions in the online shopping industry. Implementation of any of these regulations could have an adverse effect on our business.
Our business is also subject to changes in regulation affecting workplace safety, health, and risk prevention. For example, the Act on Punishment for Serious Accidents (the “Serious Accidents Act”) became effective in 2022. The Serious Accidents Act imposes enhanced liability (including criminal liability) on businesses, managers, and individuals who are responsible for causing loss of life by failing to fulfill duties relating to workplace safety and health or risk prevention. The Serious Accidents Act provides the potential for criminal punishment, public disclosure of punishment, and monetary damages, including punitive damages up to five times the actual damages suffered. The Serious Accidents Act extends potential liability to a wider group of persons than under pre-existing law, including those who oversee safety and health matters for the business concerned and also general managers of the business.
These are just some examples of how our business could be affected by changing regulations. If these or other regulatory proposals are enacted and implemented, our Korean subsidiary, Coupang Corp. (and its Korean subsidiaries), could face substantial costs and disruption to our business, and management could be required to spend significant time and attention on these matters, which would divert our focus from our core business. This could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Korean government mandates, policies, negotiations, and orders may have a negative impact on our business, financial conditions, and results of operations.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Coupang Corp., and its Korean subsidiaries and affiliates have from time to time been, and may in the future be, subject to various Korean government mandates, policies, negotiations, and orders that extend across different areas of their businesses, including but not limited to economic taxation, price controls, labor market policies, and environmental mandates. Such actions by the Korean government could negatively impact or restrict our business, financial conditions, and results of operations as Coupang Corp. and its Korean subsidiaries and affiliates may face compliance challenges with new mandates, policies, negotiations, and orders that may, among other things, be burdensome, require significant expenditures, cause operational constraints, increase our costs of providing services, increase our costs of products, harm our business, and result in fines and penalties.
As Coupang Corp., our wholly-owned Korean subsidiary, is incorporated in Korea, it may be more difficult to enforce judgments obtained in courts outside Korea.
Coupang Corp., our wholly-owned subsidiary, is incorporated in Korea, most of its executives reside in Korea, and a substantial majority of its assets and the personal assets of its executives are located in Korea. As a result, it may be more difficult for investors to effect service of process in the United States upon it or its executives or to enforce against it or its executives judgments obtained in the United States courts predicated upon civil liability provisions of the federal or state securities laws of the United States or similar judgments obtained in other courts outside Korea. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Korean courts, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of the United States courts, of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal and state securities laws of the United States.
Risks Related to Labor and Employment
If we are unable to recruit, train, and retain qualified personnel or sufficient workforce while controlling our labor costs, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, on our ability to recruit, train, and retain qualified personnel, particularly technical, fulfillment, marketing, infrastructure, customer service center, and other back office functions and operational personnel. Since our industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent and labor, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to attract or retain qualified staff or other highly skilled employees that we will need to achieve our strategic objectives.
Our fulfillment infrastructure requires a substantial number of workers, and these positions tend to have higher than average turnover. During certain periods there may be shortages of labor supply for our workforce, which, could increase our labor costs and make it difficult to hire and deploy a sufficient number of people to operate our fulfillment network as efficiently as we would like. Failure to hire and retain capable fulfillment, delivery personnel, and other labor support may lead to underperformance of
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
30 |
these functions and cause disruption to our business. Labor costs in Korea have increased in connection with heightened scrutiny of workplace conditions. Therefore, to maintain and enhance our competitiveness, we may from time to time need to adjust certain elements of our operations in response to evolving economic conditions, political climate, and business needs. These adjustments, however, may not be sufficient to allow us to address the various challenges we face or improve our results of operations and financial performance as expected.
Any failure to address these fulfillment infrastructure risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations.
We are subject to fair trade, labor, employment, and workplace health and safety laws and regulations in Korea and other jurisdictions, which continue to evolve and have and will continue to affect some of our operations and our financial performance.
We have a workforce consisting of thousands of employees and independent contractors. We are subject to laws and regulations relating to labor and employment, including requirements on how we recruit, hire, employ, manage, train, discipline, and separate employees and independent contractors in all jurisdictions where we do business, including Korea.
We have been and will continue to be subject to inspections, investigations, disputes, and litigation relating to these labor and employment laws and regulations.
Additional laws and regulations affecting our operations may be adopted in the future. The impact of any new laws or regulations or our failure to comply with these laws and regulations may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Union activities could affect our business.
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea provides workers with rights to collective bargaining and collective action. Currently, some of our workforce are members of labor unions, with which we are currently negotiating collective bargaining agreements. Unionization of more of our employees or any of our independent delivery partners, actual or threatened strikes, work stoppages or slowdowns may occur and could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Our business could be adversely affected from an accident, health and safety incident, or workforce disruption.
Our fulfillment and logistics processes and related activities, as well as our last mile delivery logistics activities are subject to significant regulation. For example, Korean laws and regulations specify very broad and technical safety and health obligations on the employer and service recipient company. Breach of such obligations could result in penalties, such as criminal sanctions, administrative fines, and corrective measure orders. The Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor may also order work suspension or use suspension of machinery/equipment if it identifies harmful or dangerous conditions in the workplaces. A breach of the above obligations by the employer or the service recipient company may result in potential civil liability. If we are unable to timely adapt to changing norms and requirements around maintaining a safe workplace, it could cause employee illness, accidents, worker discontent, and negative publicity related to workforce safety, as well as potentially significant costs, criminal or civil penalties, or disruptive government orders or requirements. Any of the foregoing could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
While we maintain liability insurance, the amount of such coverage may not be adequate to cover fully all claims, and we may be forced to bear substantial losses from an accident or safety incident resulting from our fulfillment or last mile delivery activities. For example, in June 2021, there was a fire at our Deokpyeong fulfillment center which caused extensive damage to our property and inventories and resulted in a material write-off for 2021. In addition, our business was negatively impacted by, but not limited to, delay in delivery, response to investigations in relation to the fire, and compensation for damages caused.
Risks Related to Laws, Regulation, and Intellectual Property
The nature of our food delivery services, including Coupang Eats and Rocket Fresh, could subject us to potential liability for foodborne illnesses experienced by our customers.
Our Coupang Eats service delivers food prepared by independent restaurants and our Rocket Fresh service delivers fresh food to customers. The business of delivering ready-to-eat and fresh food presents risks related to food freshness, cleanliness, and quality. Whether or not they are true, reports of food-borne illnesses could adversely impact our reputation and results of operations, regardless of whether our customers actually suffer such illnesses. Food-borne illnesses and other food safety issues have occurred in the global food industry in the past and could occur in the future. In addition, customer preferences could be affected by health concerns about the consumption of food provided on Coupang Eats and Rocket Fresh, even if those concerns do not directly relate to food items available on our Coupang Eats and Rocket Fresh websites. A negative report, whether related to a delivery under Coupang Eats or Rocket Fresh or to a competitor, may have an adverse impact on demand for food delivery and could result in decreased orders. A decrease in orders as a result of these health concerns could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
31 |
Furthermore, our reliance on third-party food suppliers and distributors increases the risk that food-borne illness incidents could be caused by factors outside of our control. If customers become ill from food-borne illnesses, we and/or merchants on Coupang Eats could be forced to temporarily suspend the Coupang Eats or Rocket Fresh businesses, in whole or in part. Furthermore, any instances of food contamination, whether or not they are related to us, could subject us or restaurants to additional regulations.
The nature of our delivery logistics, including those related to our own delivery services and our services that use independent delivery partners, exposes us to potential liability and expenses for legal claims that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We face risks relating to our delivery services. We use independent delivery partners to deliver prepared food and some packages. For example, on top of the tens of thousands of individuals that have signed up as Coupang Flex partners, we have contracted with other Delivery Service Providers. Similarly, our Coupang Eats service delivers food prepared by independent restaurants using the services of independent EDPs. Third parties have in the past and could in the future assert legal claims against us relating to safety incidents associated with delivery drivers. Orders made via Rocket Delivery and Coupang Eats are delivered by drivers of motor vehicles. Some drivers delivering orders via these services have been involved in motor vehicle accidents, and some drivers may be involved in motor vehicle accidents in the future.
We believe that our independent delivery partners are independent contractors because, among other things, they choose whether, when, and where to provide these services, provide these services at days and times that are convenient for them (or not at all), are free to hold other jobs and provide services to our competitors, provide a vehicle to perform delivery services, decide for themselves how best to perform their services, and are under no long-term or exclusive commitment to us. However, if the classification of any of our independent delivery partners as independent contractors were to be challenged by legislation, regulation or legal interpretation, the costs associated with defending, settling, or resolving these matters could be material to our business. Further, any such reclassification would require us to change our business model, including our Coupang Eats service, and consequently have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We have incurred and may continue to incur expenses relating to legal claims on these matters. The frequency of such claims is unpredictable. We could experience diversion of attention by management to address these claims, and such claims can result in significant costs to investigate and defend, regardless of their merits. These claims could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Failure by our suppliers or merchants to comply with product safety, intellectual property, or other laws may subject us to liability, damage our reputation and brand, and harm our business.
Much of the merchandise we sell on our apps and websites are subject to regulation by Korean laws or administrative agencies. Failure of our suppliers to provide merchandise that complies with all applicable laws, including, without limitation, product safety and intellectual property regulations and statutes, could result in liability, damage to our reputation and brand, increased enforcement activity or litigation, and increased legal costs.
Certain merchandise in the past has been, and could in the future be, subject to recalls and other remedial actions. Such recalls and voluntary removal of merchandise could result in, among other things, lost sales, diverted resources, potential harm to our reputation, and increased customer service costs and legal expenses, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We have in the past become subject to fair trade claims and regulatory actions relating to allegedly false statements on our apps or websites about merchandise and their quality and have been fined by the KFTC.
Similarly, failure of our merchants to provide merchandise that complies with all applicable laws could result in liability relating to our marketplace, damage to our reputation and brand, increased enforcement activity or litigation, and increased legal costs.
We have in the past been subject to third-party lawsuits and complaints relating to some of our suppliers’ and merchants’ use of parallel importing, which allows them, other than those with exclusive sale rights in Korea, to also sell merchandise of a particular brand in Korea, so long as the merchandise is purchased from a valid source outside of Korea and the supply chain is documented. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in defending against these claims.
We have also received in the past, and we may receive in the future, communications alleging that certain items provided by suppliers or listed by merchants on our apps and/or websites infringe upon third-party copyrights, trademarks, and trade names or other intellectual property rights of others. Although we have sought to prevent and eliminate the listings of such goods, they may be listed on our apps or websites in the future and we may be held liable to those parties claiming an infringement of their intellectual property rights. Although we have a service quality management team that is responsible for monitoring reports of listing, display, and sales of pirated, counterfeited, prohibited, regulated, or faulty merchandise and services, such items may nevertheless be listed, displayed, or sold on our apps or websites and subject us to potential lawsuits, sanctions, fines, or other penalties, which could adversely affect our business. For more, see “Risks Related to Laws, Regulation, and Intellectual Property—We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights or may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties.”
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
32 |
Government regulation of the Internet, online retail, and mobile commerce is evolving, and unfavorable changes or failure by us to comply with these regulations could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are subject to general business regulations and laws as well as regulations and laws specifically governing the Internet, online retail, and mobile commerce. Existing, proposed, and future regulations and laws could change our liabilities and impede the growth of the Internet, online retail, or mobile commerce. These regulations and laws may involve taxes, tariffs, consumer protection, competition and antitrust, privacy and data security, anti-spam, content protection, AI, electronic contracts and communications, and gift cards, among other topics. It is not clear how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, fair trade, sales and other taxes, and consumer privacy apply to the Internet as the vast majority of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and do not contemplate or address the unique issues raised by the Internet, online retail, and mobile commerce. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with any of these laws or regulations could result in damage to our reputation or our business or result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others. Any such proceeding or action could hurt our reputation, force us to spend significant amounts in defense of these proceedings, distract our management, increase our costs of doing business, decrease the use of our apps and websites by customers and merchants, and may result in the imposition of monetary liability. We may also be contractually liable to indemnify and hold harmless third parties from the costs or consequences of non-compliance with any such laws or regulations.
Any failure to protect our apps, websites, networks, and systems against security breaches or otherwise protect our and our customers’ and business partners’ confidential information could damage our reputation and brand and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business employs websites, networks, and systems through which we collect, maintain, transmit, and store data about our customers, merchants, suppliers, advertisers, and others, including personally identifiable information, as well as other confidential and proprietary information. We rely on encryption and authentication technology in an effort to securely transmit confidential and sensitive information. However, security breaches or other security incidents have in the past resulted and could in the future result in the inadvertent or unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential and sensitive information we collect, store, or transmit, or otherwise enable third parties to gain unauthorized access to this information such as our inadvertent exposure of limited customer information within our App that occurred during an upgrade in 2021 and was remediated within an hour. In addition, our apps, websites, networks, and systems are subject to security threats, including hacking of our systems, denial-of-service attacks, viruses, malicious software, ransomware, break-ins, phishing attacks, social engineering, security breaches, or other attacks and similar disruptions that may jeopardize the security of information stored in or transmitted by our apps, websites, networks, and systems, or that we otherwise maintain. Such risks extend not only to our own apps, websites, networks, and systems, but also to those of third-party services providers and our customers, contractors, business partners, vendors, and other third parties. Moreover, techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to or sabotage systems change frequently and are becoming increasingly sophisticated and may not be known until launched against us or our third-party service providers, increasing the difficulty of detecting and defending against such threats. We have observed an increase in the frequency of the security threats we and our third-party service providers face, and we expect these activities to continue to increase. Geopolitical tensions or conflicts, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the increased adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, may further heighten the risk of cyber security incidents. In addition, security breaches can also occur as a result of non-technical issues, including intentional or inadvertent breaches by our employees or by persons with whom we have commercial relationships. As a result of any security breach, our reputation and brand could be damaged, our business could suffer, we could be required to expend significant capital and other resources to alleviate problems caused by such breaches, and we could be exposed to a risk of loss, litigation, or regulatory action and possible liability. Actual or anticipated attacks may cause us to incur increasing costs, including costs to deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees, and engage third-party experts and consultants. Any compromise or breach of our security measures, or those of our third-party service providers, could violate applicable privacy, data security, and other laws, and cause significant legal and financial exposure, adverse publicity, and a loss of confidence in our security measures, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are also subject to regulations relating to privacy and use of confidential information of our consumers, including, among others, Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act and related legislation, regulations and orders (the “PIPA”), China’s Personal Information Protection Act, the Act on the Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Protection of Information Act (Korea), and the Credit Information Act in Korea that specifically regulates certain sensitive personal information. PIPA requires consent by the consumer with respect to the use of his or her data and requires the persons responsible for management of personal data to take the necessary technological and managerial measures to prevent data breaches and, among other duties, to notify the Personal Information Protection Commission of any data breach incidents within 24 hours. Failure to comply with PIPA in any manner may subject these persons responsible to personal liability for not obtaining such consent in an appropriate manner or for such breaches, including even negligent breaches, and violators face varying penalties ranging from monetary penalties to imprisonment. We strive to take the necessary technological and managerial measures to comply with PIPA, including the implementation of privacy policies concerning the collection, use, and disclosure of subscriber data on our apps and websites, and we regularly review and update our policies and practices. Despite these efforts to comply with PIPA, these rules are complex and evolving, subject to interpretation by government regulators which may change over time and therefore we are subject to the risk of claims by regulators of failure to comply with PIPA. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with such policies, laws, regulations, and other legal obligations and regulatory guidance could adversely affect our reputation, brand, and
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
33 |
business, and may result in claims, proceedings, or actions, including criminal proceedings, against us and certain of our executive officers by governmental entities or others or other liabilities. Any such claim, proceeding, or action, could hurt our reputation, brand, and business, force us to incur significant expenses in defense of such proceedings, distract our management, increase our costs of doing business, result in a loss of customers and merchants, and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Moreover, we are also subject to other data privacy and protection laws regulating the collection, use, retention, disclosure, transfer, and processing of personal information, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, which was significantly modified by the California Privacy Rights Act, similar laws in other states in the United States, the United Kingdom’s General Data Protection Regulation, and the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation. The potential effects of these laws are far-reaching, continue to evolve, and may require us to modify our data processing practices and policies and to incur substantial costs and expenses to comply with the obligations imposed by the governments of the foreign jurisdictions in which we do business or seek to do business and we may be required to make significant changes in our business operations, all of which may adversely impact our business. These and other privacy and cybersecurity laws may carry significant potential penalties for noncompliance.
We may also be contractually liable to indemnify and hold harmless third parties from the costs or consequences of non-compliance with any laws, regulations or other legal obligations relating to privacy or consumer protection or any inadvertent or unauthorized use or disclosure of data that we store or handle as part of operating our business. In addition, legislative and regulatory bodies, or self-regulatory organizations, may expand or change their interpretations of current laws or regulations, or enact new laws or regulations or issue revised rules or guidance regarding privacy, data protection, and consumer protection. Any such changes may force us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices. This could compromise our ability to pursue our growth strategy effectively and may harm our ability to attract new customers or retain existing customers, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Additionally, some providers of consumer devices and web browsers have implemented, or announced plans to implement, means to make it easier for Internet users to prevent the placement of cookies or to block other tracking technologies, which could, if widely adopted, result in the use of third-party cookies and other methods of online tracking becoming significantly less effective. The regulation of the use of these cookies and other current online tracking and advertising practices or a loss in our ability to make effective use of services that employ such practices could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are subject to claims, litigation, governmental audits, inspections, investigations, and various legal proceedings, and face potential liability, expenses for legal claims, and harm to our business.
From time to time, we are subject to claims, litigation, governmental audits, inspections, investigations, and other legal proceedings relating to issues such as employment and labor, worker classification and assignment, worker pay, hours and benefits, labor relations including union and collective bargaining issues, employment authorization and immigration, worker safety, intellectual property (including patent, trademark and copyright), product safety, personal injury, privacy, information security, tax compliance, import/export regulations, foreign exchange regulations, licenses and permits, food safety, medical products, drugs and devices, financial services, antitrust, securities regulation, and fair trade matters, consumer protection, and environmental issues. As our operations are predominantly based in Korea, we are, and may from time to time become subject to investigations by Korean government authorities, including investigations related to Antitrust, Fair Trade, Labor and Employment and other matters. See the section titled “Business—Legal Proceedings” for additional information about these types of legal proceedings.
Legal proceedings are inherently uncertain, and any judgment, ruling, fine, penalty or injunctive relief entered against us or any adverse settlement in current or other future matters could result in harm to our reputation, monetary damages, fines or other sanctions, consent decrees, injunctions, or orders requiring a change in our business practices or otherwise negatively affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, be harmful to our reputation, require significant management attention, and divert significant resources. Further, under certain circumstances, we have contractual and other legal obligations to indemnify and to incur legal expenses on behalf of our business and commercial partners and current and former directors and officers.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
34 |
Failure to comply with anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws, including the FCPA and similar laws, could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We operate a global business and may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities. We are subject to anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws in countries in which we conduct activities. These laws prohibit companies and their employees and third-party intermediaries from corruptly promising, authorizing, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or anything of value to foreign government officials, political parties, and private-sector recipients for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, directing business to any person, or securing any advantage. In addition, the United States public companies are required to maintain records that accurately and fairly represent their transactions and have an adequate system of internal accounting controls. In many foreign countries, including countries in which we may conduct business, it may be a local custom that businesses engage in practices that are prohibited by applicable laws and regulations. We face significant risks if we or any of our directors, officers, employees, agents or other partners or representatives fail to comply with these laws and governmental authorities seek to impose substantial civil and/or criminal fines and penalties which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.
We have implemented an anti-corruption compliance program and policies, procedures, and training, however, our employees, consultants, contractors, and agents, and companies to which we outsource certain of our business operations, may take actions in violation of our policies or applicable law. Any such violation could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations, and prospects.
Any violation of applicable anti-corruption laws or anti-money laundering laws could result in whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage, investigations, loss of export privileges, and severe criminal or civil sanctions, any of which could have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial performance, and results of operations. In addition, responding to any enforcement action may result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees.
We are subject to governmental economic and trade sanctions laws and regulations and violations of such laws could subject us to liabilities, penalties, and other potential consequences.
We are subject to governmental, economic and trade sanctions laws and regulations in a number of countries, which restrict or prohibit transactions and dealings (including the sale, supply, or sourcing of products and services) with certain governments, persons, entities, countries, and territories, including those that are the target of comprehensive sanctions. We may have in the past, and could in the future, violate economic and trade sanctions laws and regulations. As such, we have and may from time to time in the future submit as warranted voluntary disclosures concerning potential violations of economic and trade sanctions laws and regulations to relevant governmental authorities or otherwise be subject to review by such authorities.
If we are found to be in violation of economic and trade sanctions laws and regulations, it could result in administrative, civil, and/or criminal fines, penalties and/or other remedial obligations. We may also be adversely affected through other penalties, business disruption, reputational harm, loss of access to certain markets and customers, or otherwise. In addition, any change to economic and trade sanctions laws and regulations, shift in the enforcement or scope of existing regulations or change in the countries, government, or persons targeted by such regulations could impact our ability to engage in transactions and dealings with certain parties and countries and could harm our business.
A failure to comply with current laws, rules and regulations or changes to such laws, rules, and regulations and other legal uncertainties may adversely affect our business, financial performance, results of operations, or business growth.
Our business and financial performance could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in or interpretations of existing laws, rules, and regulations or the promulgation of new laws, rules, and regulations applicable to us and our business, including those relating to the Internet and retail sales, Internet advertising and price display, consumer protection, economic and trade sanctions, tax, payments, foreign exchange regulations, banking, data security, network and information systems security, data protection, and privacy. As a result, regulatory authorities could prevent or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or otherwise penalize us if our practices were found not to comply with applicable regulatory or licensing requirements or any binding interpretation of such requirements. For example, in June 2024, the KFTC determined that our product search rankings practices violated Korean law and imposed an administrative fine of approximately $121 million. Unfavorable changes or interpretations could decrease demand for our offerings, limit marketing methods and capabilities, affect our margins, increase costs, or subject us to additional liabilities.
Additionally, there are, and will likely continue to be, an increasing number of laws and regulations pertaining to the Internet and retail sales that may relate to liability for information retrieved from or transmitted over the Internet, display of certain taxes and fees, online editorial and user-generated content, user privacy, data security, network and information systems security, behavioral and online advertising, the use of AI and machine learning, taxation, liability for third-party activities, quality of services, and consumer protection. Further, the growth and development of online retail may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws and more aggressive enforcement efforts, which may impose additional burdens on online businesses generally.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
35 |
Furthermore, the law relating to liability of online service providers is currently unsettled. Lawmakers and governmental agencies have in the past and could in the future require changes in the way our business is conducted that might create increased legal liability for online retailers and service providers. Unfavorable regulations, laws, decisions, or interpretations by government or regulatory authorities applying those laws and regulations, or inquiries, investigations, or enforcement actions threatened or initiated by them, could cause us to incur substantial costs, expose us to unanticipated civil and criminal liability or penalties (including substantial monetary fines), increase our cost of doing business, require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business, damage our reputation, impede our growth, or otherwise have a material effect on our operations.
Our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by governmental regulation and associated regulatory costs related to the environment and climate change.
Our business is subject to a wide range of laws and regulations related to environmental and other matters. Such laws and regulations have become increasingly stringent over time. We may experience increased costs due to stricter pollution control requirements or liabilities resulting from noncompliance with operating or other regulatory standards. New regulations, such as those relating to the storage, transportation, and delivery of the products that we sell, might adversely impact operations or make them more costly. In addition, as an owner and operator of commercial real estate, we may be subject to liability under applicable environmental laws for clean-up of any contamination at our facilities. We cannot be sure that we have identified all such contamination, that we know the full extent of our obligations with respect to contamination of which we are aware, or that we will not become responsible for additional contamination not yet discovered. It is possible that material costs and liabilities will be incurred, including those relating to claims for damages to property and persons and the environment. Unfavorable changes in, failure to comply with, or increased costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Continuing political and social attention to the issue of climate change has resulted in both existing and pending international agreements and national, regional, and local legislation and regulatory measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions, such as cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, restrictive permitting, increased fuel efficiency standards, and incentives or mandates for renewable energy, as well as legal and regulatory requirements requiring certain climate-related disclosures, and pressure from stockholders, ratings agencies, and other third parties to make various climate-related disclosures. We expect regulatory requirements related to such matters to continue to expand globally. Such measures have subjected us, and may subject our vendors and suppliers, to additional costs and restrictions and require significant operating and capital expenditures, including with respect to waste and energy reduction, compliance costs, and workforce initiatives, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. Further, a failure to adequately meet regulatory measures or stakeholder expectations may result in non-compliance, the loss of business, reputational impacts, diluted market valuation, an inability to attract customers, and an inability to attract and retain top talent.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights or may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties.
The protection of our intellectual property rights may require the expenditure of significant financial, managerial, and operational resources. The steps we take to protect our intellectual property may not adequately protect our rights or prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our proprietary rights. Any of our current or future patents, trademarks or other intellectual property rights may be challenged by others or invalidated through administrative process or litigation. Our pending patent and trademark applications may never be granted. Additionally, the process of obtaining patent protection is expensive and time-consuming, and the amount of compensation for damages can be limited in certain jurisdictions. Further, we may not be able to prosecute or otherwise obtain all necessary or desirable patent or trademark applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. Even if issued, these patents or trademarks may not adequately protect our intellectual property, as the legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights are applied on a case-by-case basis and it is generally difficult to predict the results of any litigation relating to such matters. Additionally, others may independently develop or otherwise acquire equivalent, “design-around” or superior technology or intellectual property rights. We may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon, misappropriating or otherwise violating our intellectual property rights and other proprietary rights. Any litigation, whether or not it is resolved in our favor, could result in significant expense to us and divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Although our terms of use prohibit the sale of counterfeit items or any items infringing upon third parties’ intellectual property rights in our marketplace and we have implemented measures to exclude goods that have been determined to violate our terms of use, we may not be able to detect and remove every item that may infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties. As a result, we have received in the past, and may receive in the future, complaints alleging that certain items listed or sold on our apps or websites infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties, which could lead to actual disputes and lawsuits relating to intellectual property infringement.
The online retail industry is characterized by vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights, which has resulted in protracted and expensive litigation or investigations for many companies. We are currently party to litigation or disputes related to
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
36 |
intellectual property rights of third parties, and we expect we will continue to be subject to such litigation, disputes, and investigations in the future, some of which may be material. Any intellectual property litigation or investigations to which we might become a party, or for which we are required to provide indemnification, may require us to, among other things, (i) cease selling certain products, (ii) make substantial payments for legal fees, settlement payments, or other costs or damages, (iii) change our processes or technology, obtain license(s), which may not be available on reasonable terms or at all, to use the relevant technology or process, or (iv) redesign the allegedly infringing processes to avoid infringement, misappropriation or violation.
Whether or not these claims are resolved in our favor, they could divert the resources of our management and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Some of our software and systems contain open source software, which may pose particular risks to our proprietary software and solutions.
We use, and expect to continue to use, open source software in our software and systems. Some licenses applicable to open source software may require that the source code subject to the license be made available to the public and that any modifications or derivative works to open source software continue to be licensed under open source licenses. From time to time, we may face claims from third parties of infringement of their intellectual property rights, or demanding the release or license of the open source software or derivative works that we developed using such software (which could include our proprietary source code) or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. We may inadvertently use open source software in a manner that exposes us to claims of non-compliance with the applicable terms of such license, including claims for infringement of intellectual property rights or for breach of contract. These claims could result in litigation and could require us to purchase a costly license, publicly release the affected portions of our source code, be limited in the licensing of our technologies or cease offering the implicated solutions unless and until we can re-engineer them to avoid infringement or change the use of the implicated open source software. In addition to risks related to license requirements, use of certain open source software can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties, indemnities, or other contractual protections with respect to the software (for example, non-infringement or functionality). Our use of open source software may also present additional security risks because the source code for open source software is publicly available, which may make it easier for hackers and other third parties to determine how to breach our apps or websites and systems that rely on open source software. Any of these risks could be difficult to eliminate or manage, and, if not addressed, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The use of AI, machine learning, and related technologies in our business present risks and challenges that could adversely affect us.
We use AI, machine learning, and related technologies in our business, and we expect to continue to incorporate AI and machine learning into our business operations. Our investment in AI and machine learning tools and technologies may not provide the anticipated benefits, and the increasing use of AI and machine learning technologies present many challenges and risks to our business. Flaws in AI algorithms or datasets may lead to unintended consequences, such as operational disruptions, data loss, actual or perceived bias, or erroneous decision-making, which could adversely impact our customer relationships, brand, or business operations, and result in lost sales or higher costs. The use of AI and machine learning may also increase the risk of data security breaches or other cybersecurity threats, improper handling of private or sensitive information, inadvertent loss of our intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of third parties’ rights, any of which could result in adverse consequences, including costly claims, litigation, regulatory investigations, and penalties. Our competitors’ increasing use of AI and machine learning technology may also adversely affect our business and if our competitors incorporate AI and machine learning into their business, services, and products more rapidly or more successfully than us, it could hinder our ability to compete effectively and adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, the legal and regulatory environment surrounding AI and machine learning technology is evolving and complex. Regulation of AI tools and their use, such as the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act adopted in 2024 can be expected to intensify in many countries and regions. Compliance with the evolving regulatory landscape may entail significant costs, require us to change aspects of our technologies or business practices, or otherwise negatively affect us. Any of these or other emerging risks associated with AI or machine learning could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, and results of operations.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
37 |
Risks Related to Taxes
Changes in the tax treatment of companies engaged in online retail may adversely affect the commercial use of our apps and websites and our financial results.
The Korean National Tax Service or the Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance may attempt to introduce new tax regimes in alignment with the Korean government’s recent international-tax overhaul attempt to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalization of the economy including online retail. This may lead the Korean government to impose additional or new regulations on our business or levy additional or new sales, income or other taxes relating to our activities. New or revised tax regulations may subject us or our customers to additional sales, income, and other taxes. We cannot predict the effect of current attempts to impose sales, income, or other taxes on online retail. New or revised taxes could increase the cost of doing business online and decrease the attractiveness of advertising and selling merchandise and services over the Internet. New taxes could also create significant increases in internal costs necessary to capture data and collect and remit taxes. Any of these events could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may experience fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to taxes in the United States, Korea, China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and other foreign jurisdictions where we operate. We are a Delaware corporation that is treated as a domestic corporation for the United States federal income tax purposes. Under the rules of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, we may be subject to the United States federal income tax on a substantial portion of any income earned by our non-U.S. affiliates, regardless of whether that income is distributed to us, although it may be possible to offset some or all of any United States tax liability with credits for non-U.S. income taxes paid by the non-U.S. affiliates. These rules are extremely complicated, and their impact on us will depend on the results of our future operations and cannot be predicted or quantified at this time.
Also, in 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) released Pillar Two model rules defining the global minimum tax rules, which contemplate a jurisdictional 15% minimum tax rate. The OECD continues to release additional guidance on these rules and the framework calls for law enactment by local countries to take effect in 2024 or 2025. These changes, when enacted by various countries in which we do business, may increase our taxes in these countries. South Korea has enacted legislation to implement OECD framework including the Under-taxed Profit Rules (the “UTPR”) which may impose additional reporting and compliance obligations to our group effective from January 1, 2025. This minimum tax will be treated as a period cost in future years and did not impact operating results for 2024. We are continuing to monitor legislative developments and are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of Korean and other legislation on our taxes.
Our effective tax rate could fluctuate due to changes in the proportion of our earnings and losses in countries with differing statutory tax rates. Our tax expense could also be impacted by changes in non-deductible expenses; changes in excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation expense; changes in the valuation of, or our ability to use, deferred tax assets; impacts from global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”); and the applicability of withholding taxes.
Our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be materially impacted by:
•changes in tax laws, regulations, and treaties, or the interpretation thereof,
•the practices of tax authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate,
•tax policy initiatives and reforms under consideration,
•changes in the need for a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets;
•changes to existing accounting rules or regulations, or
•changes to our ownership or capital structure.
The income tax rules and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate are constantly under review by taxing authorities and other governmental bodies. New tax laws or changes to current tax laws (which changes may have retroactive application) could adversely affect our results of operations as well as our stockholders.
We are subject to audit by the United States and foreign tax authorities. Such tax authorities may disagree with tax positions we take, and if any such tax authority were to successfully challenge any such position, our business could be adversely impacted. Additionally, the taxing authorities of the jurisdictions in which we operate may challenge our methodologies for pricing intercompany transactions pursuant to our intercompany arrangements or disagree with our determinations as to the income and expenses attributable to specific jurisdictions. If such a challenge or disagreement were to occur, and our position was not sustained, we could be required to pay additional taxes, interest, and penalties, which could result in one-time tax charges, higher effective tax rates, reduced cash flows, and lower overall profitability of our operations. Our consolidated financial statements could fail to reflect adequate reserves to cover such a contingency.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
38 |
Similarly, a taxing authority could assert that we are subject to tax in a jurisdiction where we believe we have not established a taxable connection, often referred to as a “permanent establishment” under international tax treaties, and such an assertion, if successful, could increase our expected tax liability in one or more jurisdictions.
Any resulting fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate could materially and adversely affect our results of business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards may be limited.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $3.9 billion of federal, state and foreign net operating losses (“NOLs”) carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income. Realization of these NOL carryforwards depends on our future taxable income in the taxing jurisdiction and there is a risk that portions of our existing carryforwards could expire unused and be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results.
Certain of these amounts are subject to annual limitations under applicable tax law. If not utilized, a portion of these losses will begin to expire in 2025.
As of December 31, 2024, we maintained a valuation allowance of $903 million for deferred tax assets that are not more likely than not to be realized, which primarily included our U.S. and foreign operating losses for Farfetch subsidiaries. For additional information, see Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 6 — "Income Taxes" to the consolidated financial statements.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Class A Common Stock
The dual class structure of our common stock has the effect of concentrating voting control with Bom Kim, who beneficially owns all of our Class B common stock representing in the aggregate 74.4% of the voting power of our capital stock as of December 31, 2024.
All of our shares of Class B common stock, which has 29 votes per share, are beneficially owned by Mr. Kim, our Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Our Class A common stock, which is the stock we list on the NYSE, has one vote per share. Our Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters, except as otherwise required by applicable law or our certificate of incorporation. Each share of our Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of our Class A common stock. In addition, each share of our Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of our Class A common stock upon any transfer, whether or not for value, except certain transfers to entities, to the extent the transferor retains sole dispositive power and exclusive voting control with respect to the shares of Class B common stock, and certain other transfers described in our certificate of incorporation. Upon any conversion of shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock, the voting power of any existing holder of Class A common stock in any vote of the Class A common stock voting separately as a class will be diluted to the extent of the additional shares of Class A common stock issued as a result of the conversion, but because there will be fewer shares of Class B common stock outstanding as a result of such a conversion, the voting power of any existing holder of Class A common stock in any vote of all shares of capital stock voting together as a class will increase because there will be fewer shares of the higher vote Class B common stock outstanding. Because of the 29-to-one voting ratio between our Class B and Class A common stock, the Class B common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Kim represent, in the aggregate, 74.4% of the combined voting power of our capital stock as of December 31, 2024. The control by Mr. Kim of a majority of the combined voting power will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future, including the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval. In addition, this may defer, prevent, or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our capital stock that you may believe are in your best interest as one of our stockholders. Mr. Kim also has the ability to control our management and major strategic investments as a result of his position as our Chief Executive Officer. Although Mr. Kim owes a fiduciary duty to the Company and our stockholders as a board member and officer, as a stockholder, Mr. Kim is entitled to vote his shares in his own interest, which may not always be in the interest of our stockholders generally. Similarly, a reduction in Mr. Kim’s shareholdings could impact his ability to control corporate matters.
We cannot predict the effect our dual class structure may have on the price per share of our Class A common stock.
We cannot predict whether our dual class structure will result in a lower or more volatile price of our Class A common stock, in adverse publicity, or other adverse consequences. For example, certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with multiple-class share structures in certain of their indices. In July 2017, FTSE Russell announced that it plans to require new constituents of its indices to have greater than 5% of the company’s voting rights in the hands of public stockholders, and S&P Dow Jones announced that it will no longer admit companies with multiple-class share structures to certain of its indices. Affected indices included the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400, and S&P SmallCap 600, which together make up the S&P Composite 1500. Although S&P Dow Jones has since revised its eligibility criteria to again permit companies with multiple classes of common stock to be added to its indices, including the S&P 500, the S&P MidCap 400, and the S&P SmallCap 600, there can be no assurances that such companies will remain eligible. The dual class structure of our common stock would make us ineligible for inclusion in these and certain other indices and, as a result, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and other
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
39 |
investment vehicles that attempt to passively track those indices would not invest in our Class A common stock. Exclusion from indices, could make our Class A common stock less attractive to investors and, as a result, the market price of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected.
In addition, several stockholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our common stock could cause stockholder advisory firms to recommend withholding votes against our directors, publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any actions or publications by stockholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could cause the price per share of our Class A common stock to decline.
The market price of shares of our Class A common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
The stock market in general, and the market for stocks of technology companies in particular, has been highly volatile. As a result, the market price of shares of our Class A common stock is likely to be volatile, and investors in our Class A common stock may experience a decrease, which could be substantial, in the price of their Class A common stock or the loss of their entire investment for a number of reasons, including reasons unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. The market price of shares of our Class A common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a broad and diverse range of factors, including those described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section and this Form 10-K and the following:
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations;
•overall performance of the equity markets and the economy as a whole;
•changes in the financial projections we may provide to the public or our failure to meet these projections;
•failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow us, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
•actual or anticipated changes in our growth rate relative to that of our competitors;
•changes in the anticipated future size or growth rate of our addressable markets;
•changes in our dividend or stock repurchase activities;
•announcements of new products or services, new geographic markets, or acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital-raising activities or commitments, by us or by our competitors;
•additions or departures of board members, management, or key personnel;
•rumors and market speculation involving us or other companies in our industry;
•new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business, including those related to data privacy and cyber security in Korea or globally;
•lawsuits or investigations threatened or filed against us;
•other events or factors, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events;
•health epidemics and pandemics, influenza, and other highly communicable diseases or viruses; and
•sales or expectations with respect to sales of shares of our Class A common stock by us or our security holders.
In addition, stock markets with respect to newly public companies, particularly companies in the technology industry, have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the stock prices of these companies. Stock prices of many companies, including technology companies, have fluctuated in a manner often unrelated to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the trading price for their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We are currently subject to a putative securities class action litigation and we may be subject to additional securities related litigation and claims in the future. Any such securities litigation or claims could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business, and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. For additional information about the litigation in which we are involved, see “Item 3 —Legal Proceedings”.
Sales of our Class A common stock in the public market could cause the price per share of our Class A common stock to decline.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market, particularly sales by our directors, executive officers, or principal stockholders, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the price of our Class A common stock to decline and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. The shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock subject to outstanding options and restricted stock unit awards under our equity incentive plans, and the shares reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans, will become eligible for sale in the
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
40 |
public market upon issuance, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, applicable vesting requirements, and other restrictions provided under the terms of the applicable plan and/or the award agreements entered into with participants.
Furthermore, certain holders of our Class A and Class B common stock have rights, subject to certain conditions, with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in the shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Acts, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws. We also may issue our capital stock or securities convertible into our capital stock from time to time in connection with a financing, acquisition, investments or otherwise.
Any such issuances by us or sales of securities by us or our existing stockholders, or the perception that these issuances or sales may occur, could cause the price of our Class A common stock to decline and materially dilute investors. We are unable to predict the timing of or the effect that such issuances or sales may have on the prevailing market price of our common stock. As a result, holders of our Class A common stock bear the risk that future issuances by us or sales of securities by us or our existing stockholders may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock and dilute their stockholdings in the Company.
Our certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and, to the extent enforceable, the federal district courts of the United States as the exclusive forums for certain disputes between us and our stockholders, which will restrict our stockholders’ ability to choose the judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or employees.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law: any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a breach of a fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation, or our bylaws, or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The provisions would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the United States federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act actions. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims. To prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our certificate of incorporation provides that the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.
These choice of forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees. While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring such a claim arising under the Securities Act against us, our directors, officers, or other employees in a venue other than in the federal district courts of the United States. In such instance, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions of our certificate of incorporation. This may require significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, and we cannot assure that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
41 |
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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments |
None.
Coupang has a cyber risk management framework designed to identify, assess, and manage cyber related risks. Cyber related risks are identified through self-identification, audits, assessments, and incidents. Our vulnerability scanning process uses both automated tools and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities within our environment.
We seek to identify, manage and reduce the risks and potential vulnerabilities by integrating controls and solutions into information security and technology projects based on severity and priority.
The Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”), who has extensive cybersecurity knowledge and skills gained from over 15 years of work experience at the Company and elsewhere, leads our global information security organization responsible for overseeing the Coupang information security program. The CISO regularly reviews our cyber strategy with technology leadership in order to integrate the cyber strategy across the organization. The CISO is updated on cybersecurity threats from experienced information security officers in our security organization on an ongoing basis and in conjunction with management, regularly reviews risk management measures implemented by the Company to identify and mitigate data protection and cybersecurity risks. Supporting the CISO, is the dedicated information security team, which comprises almost 200 individuals. In addition to full-time employees, external consultancy services provide us with certain information security services and specialized advice.
We conduct annual assessments by certified external third-party assessors as part of our industry-recognized information security certifications, ISO 27001, 27017, 27701, and ISMS-P. We periodically have external third-party consultants conduct maturity assessments of our Information Security program. The results of these audits and assessments inform us about possible risks which are managed through our enterprise risk management process. We employ external third-party vendors to provide cyber threat intelligence when relevant information is available or as requested. We also employ systems and processes designed to oversee, identify, and reduce the potential impact of a security incident at a third-party vendor, service provider, customer or otherwise implicating the third-party technology and systems we use. We also have a program of Cyber Tabletop exercises, run periodically, with key people in our business, to further enhance our capabilities to respond and recover to a cyber incident.
The Coupang executive leadership team provides oversight and guidance on cyber policies, procedures, and strategies. Our Board of Director’s role in risk oversight is consistent with our leadership structure, with the executive leadership team having responsibility for assessing and managing risks we face in executing our business plans, and the Board and its committees providing oversight in connection with those efforts.
In addition to the full Board, the Audit Committee of the Board plays an important role in the oversight of our enterprise risk assessment and management activities, which identify key risks to our business, including risks related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and regulations, and assesses any steps taken to monitor and control such risk. The Audit Committee regularly meets with the CISO to discuss various cybersecurity matters including cyber strategy, cybersecurity risks, controls, including results of audits, mitigation strategies, areas of emerging risks, incidents, if any, and industry trends. We have protocols by which certain cybersecurity incidents that meet established reporting thresholds are escalated within the Company and, where appropriate, reported to the Audit Committee through ongoing updates until resolution.
We seek to identify and manage risks from cyber threat intelligence and lessons learned from known cyber incidents with our cyber risk management process and include these within our cyber risk strategy through major information security and technology enhancements and projects. As of the date of this 10-K, risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have not materially affected us, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. Cybersecurity threats continue to increase, and as set out in our risk factors our services may be affected by cybersecurity and data security incidents, which could be material to the Company. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K for additional discussion on the risks of future cyber incidents to our results of operations and financial condition.
We lease our principal executive office in Seattle, Washington and additional office space in Korea, the United States, Europe, and throughout Asia. We lease or own over 67 million square feet of fulfillment and logistics space throughout Korea, as well as other parts of Asia and the United States. We believe our facilities are adequate and suitable for our current needs and that, should it be needed, suitable additional or alternative space will be available to accommodate our operations.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
42 |
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings |
From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings, claims, litigation, governmental audits, inspections, investigations, and other various proceedings in the ordinary course of business. We have received, and may in the future continue to receive, claims, litigation, governmental audits, inspections, and investigations relating to issues such as employment and labor, worker classification and assignment, worker pay, hours and benefits, labor relations including union and collective bargaining issues, employment authorization and immigration, health and safety, workplace harassment, workplace sexual harassment, intellectual property (including patent, trademark, and copyright), product safety, personal injury, privacy, information security, tax compliance, import/export regulations, foreign exchange regulations, licenses and permits, food safety, medical products, drugs and devices, financial services, antitrust and fair trade matters, consumer protection, and environmental issues.
The results of any current or future claims, litigation, governmental audits, inspections, or investigations cannot be predicted with certainty. Regardless of the outcome, these claims, proceedings and investigations could have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, harm to our brand and reputation, and other factors.
The most significant of our current legal proceedings are described in Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies", in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, and risks relating to legal matters are described elsewhere in this Form 10-K, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not applicable.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
43 |
PART II
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Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
Market Information
Market for Common Stock
Our Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CPNG.” Our Class B common stock is not listed or traded on any stock exchange.
Holders of Common Stock
As of February 20, 2025, there were 27 holders of record of our Class A common stock and one holder of record of our Class B common stock. Because some of our shares of class A common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.
Dividend Policy
We have not in the past and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Additionally, we may enter into agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that will restrict our ability to declare or pay cash dividends or make distributions on our capital stock. The ability of certain subsidiaries to pay dividends to Coupang, Inc. is restricted due to terms which require the subsidiaries to meet certain financial covenants. In addition, Coupang, Inc.’s Korean subsidiaries, have certain regulatory restrictions that only allow dividend payments to be made while maintaining a positive net equity balance or if dividends are paid out of the current year’s income, if any. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, general business conditions, and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities and Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities
None.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
44 |
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion, particularly information with respect to our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-K. You should review the disclosure in Part I—Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Overview
Coupang is a technology and Fortune 200 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CPNG) that provides retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech services to customers around the world under brands that include Coupang, Coupang Eats, Coupang Play and Farfetch. Headquartered in the United States, Coupang has operations and support services in geographies including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, India and Europe. Coupang’s mission is to revolutionize the everyday lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, “How did I ever live without Coupang?”
We believe that we are a preeminent retail destination because of our broad selection, low prices, and exceptional delivery and customer experience across our owned inventory selection as well as products offered by third-party merchants, in Korea. Our unique end-to-end integrated fulfillment, logistics, and technology network enables Rocket Delivery, which provides free, next-day delivery for orders placed anytime of the day, even seconds before midnight—across millions of products in Korea. Our structural advantages from complete end-to-end integration, investments in technology, and scale economies generate higher efficiencies that allow us to pass savings to customers in the form of lower prices. The capabilities we have built provide us with opportunities to expand into other offerings and geographies.
Farfetch Acquisition
In January 2024 we acquired the business and assets of Farfetch Holdings plc (“Farfetch”), a leading global marketplace for the luxury fashion industry. See Note 16 — "Business Combinations - Farfetch" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. During 2024, we have undertaken restructuring actions to reduce headcount, exit leases and licensing agreements. In February 2025, we entered into a settlement agreement and mutual release with Authentic Brands Group LLC related to a license agreement.
Fulfillment Center Fire
In June 2021, a fire extensively damaged our Deokpyeong fulfillment center (“FC Fire”) resulting in a loss of the inventory, building, equipment, and other assets at the site. We are insured on property losses from the FC Fire, and while the insurer continues assessment of the total potential loss coverage on the claim, during the fourth quarter of 2024 we agreed to a settlement on a portion of the claim and now deem the recovery of insurance proceeds under the policy as probable. We recognized an insurance gain of $175 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, which included $116 million for the inventory loss included in “Cost of sales” and $59 million for property and equipment losses, included in “Operating, general and administrative”. We received provisional payments of $138 million in prior years, which were previously deferred within “Other current liabilities”, and received a further payment of $40 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Whether and to what extent additional insurance recoveries will be received is currently unknown.
Segment Information
Our segments reflect the way we evaluate our business performance and manage operations. See Note 3 — "Segment Reporting" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
45 |
Product Commerce primarily includes our core Korean retail (owned inventory) and marketplace offerings (third-party merchants) and Rocket Fresh, our fresh grocery offering, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Product Commerce are derived primarily from online product sales of owned inventory to customers in Korea, commissions, logistics and fulfillment fees earned from merchants that sell products through our mobile application and website, and from Rocket WOW membership.
Developing Offerings includes more nascent offerings and services, including Coupang Eats, our restaurant ordering and delivery service in Korea, Coupang Play, our online content streaming service in Korea, fintech, our retail operations in Taiwan, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings, and also includes Farfetch, our newly acquired global luxury fashion marketplace. Revenues from Developing Offerings are primarily generated from our global luxury fashion marketplace, online restaurant ordering and delivery services in Korea and retail operations in Taiwan.
Key Financial and Operating Highlights:
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(in millions) |
2024(1) |
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2023 |
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% Change |
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,268 |
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$ |
24,383 |
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24 |
% |
Total net revenues, constant currency(2) |
$ |
31,552 |
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$ |
24,636 |
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29 |
% |
Gross profit(3) |
$ |
8,831 |
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$ |
6,190 |
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43 |
% |
Net income(4) |
$ |
66 |
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$ |
1,360 |
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(95) |
% |
Net income margin |
0.2 |
% |
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5.6 |
% |
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Adjusted EBITDA(2) |
$ |
1,375 |
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$ |
1,074 |
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28 |
% |
Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) |
4.5 |
% |
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4.4 |
% |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
1,886 |
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$ |
2,652 |
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(29) |
% |
Free cash flow(2) |
$ |
1,016 |
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$ |
1,775 |
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(43) |
% |
Segment adjusted EBITDA: |
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Product Commerce |
$ |
2,006 |
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$ |
1,540 |
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30 |
% |
Developing Offerings |
$ |
(631) |
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$ |
(466) |
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35 |
% |
(1)Includes results of operations of Farfetch from acquisition date, January 30, 2024.
(2)Total net revenues, constant currency; total net revenues growth, constant currency; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. See “
Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
(3)Gross profit is calculated as total net revenues minus cost of sales, and 2024 includes $116 million of insurance gains related to inventory destroyed in the FC Fire.
(4)Net income for 2024 includes $175 million of insurance gains related to the FC Fire and $121 million of costs related to the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) administrative fine.
Key Business Metrics
As of March 31, 2024, we are providing quarterly Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer and Product Commerce Active Customers metrics in lieu of Net revenues per Active Customer and Active Customers. We believe these metrics provide a better presentation of our more mature retail operations and predominant customer base as they exclude revenue and customer data specific only to our more nascent Developing Offerings. Product Commerce Active Customers includes those customers that use both our Product Commerce and Coupang Eats offerings, but excludes those customers that only use our Coupang Eats offering and customers outside Korea.
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Three Months Ended |
Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer |
December 31, |
September 30, |
June 30, |
March 31, |
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2024 |
$ |
302 |
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$ |
307 |
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$ |
296 |
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$ |
302 |
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2023 |
$ |
302 |
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$ |
296 |
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$ |
293 |
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$ |
305 |
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Percentage change |
— |
% |
4 |
% |
1 |
% |
(1) |
% |
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Three Months Ended |
Product Commerce Active Customers (in millions) |
December 31, |
September 30, |
June 30, |
March 31, |
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2024 |
22.8 |
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22.5 |
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21.7 |
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21.5 |
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2023 |
20.8 |
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20.2 |
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19.4 |
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18.6 |
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Percentage change |
10 |
% |
11 |
% |
12 |
% |
16 |
% |
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Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
46 |
Net Revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer
Net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer is the total Product Commerce net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Product Commerce Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of customers who are shopping on our Product Commerce apps or websites. We therefore view net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our ability to drive future revenue growth, though there may be a short-term dilutive impact when a large number of new Product Commerce active customers are added in a recent period.
Product Commerce Active Customers
As of the last date of each reported period, we determine our number of Product Commerce Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our Product Commerce apps or websites during the relevant period. A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. The change in Product Commerce Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Product Commerce Active Customers as an indicator of future growth in our net revenue, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.
Results of Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% Change |
(in millions) |
2024(1) |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
2024 vs 2023 |
|
2023 vs 2022 |
Net retail sales |
$ |
23,866 |
|
|
$ |
21,223 |
|
|
$ |
18,338 |
|
12 |
% |
|
16 |
% |
Net other revenue |
6,402 |
|
|
3,160 |
|
|
2,245 |
|
103 |
% |
|
41 |
% |
Total net revenues |
30,268 |
|
|
24,383 |
|
|
20,583 |
|
24 |
% |
|
18 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales |
21,437 |
|
|
18,193 |
|
|
15,873 |
|
18 |
% |
|
15 |
% |
Operating, general and administrative |
8,395 |
|
|
5,717 |
|
|
4,822 |
|
47 |
% |
|
19 |
% |
Total operating cost and expenses |
29,832 |
|
|
23,910 |
|
|
20,695 |
|
25 |
% |
|
16 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
436 |
|
|
473 |
|
|
(112) |
|
(8) |
% |
|
NM(2) |
Interest income |
216 |
|
|
178 |
|
|
53 |
|
21 |
% |
|
NM(2) |
Interest expense |
(140) |
|
|
(48) |
|
|
(27) |
|
192 |
% |
|
78 |
% |
Other expense, net |
(39) |
|
|
(19) |
|
|
(7) |
|
105 |
% |
|
171 |
% |
Income (loss) before income taxes |
473 |
|
|
584 |
|
|
(93) |
|
(19) |
% |
|
NM(2) |
Income tax expense (benefit) |
407 |
|
|
(776) |
|
|
(1) |
|
(152) |
% |
|
NM(2) |
Net income (loss) |
$ |
66 |
|
|
$ |
1,360 |
|
|
$ |
(92) |
|
(95) |
% |
|
NM(2) |
(1)Includes results of operations of Farfetch from acquisition date, January 30, 2024.
(2)Non-meaningful.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for 2023 compared to 2022 can be found under Part II, Item 7 — “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023.
Total Net Revenues
We categorize our total net revenues as (1) net retail sales and (2) net other revenue. Total net revenues incorporate reductions for estimated returns, promotional discounts, and earned loyalty rewards and exclude amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added taxes. We periodically provide customers with promotional discounts to retail prices, such as percentage discounts and other similar offers, to incentivize increased customer spending and loyalty. These promotional discounts are discretionary and are reflected as reductions to the selling price and revenue recognized on each corresponding transaction. Loyalty rewards are offered as part of revenue transactions to all retail customers, whereby rewards are earned as a percentage of each purchase, for the customer to apply towards the purchase price of a future transaction. We defer a portion of revenue from each originating transaction, based on the estimated standalone selling price of the loyalty reward earned, and then recognize the revenue as the loyalty reward is redeemed in a future transaction, or when they expire. The amount of the deferred revenue related to these loyalty rewards is not material.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% Change |
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
As Reported |
|
Constant Currency |
Net retail sales |
$ |
23,866 |
|
|
$ |
21,223 |
|
|
12 |
% |
|
17 |
% |
Net other revenue |
6,402 |
|
|
3,160 |
|
|
103 |
% |
|
110 |
% |
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,268 |
|
|
$ |
24,383 |
|
|
24 |
% |
|
29 |
% |
Net retail sales represent the majority of our total net revenues which we earn from online product sales of our owned inventory to customers. Net other revenue includes revenue from commissions earned from merchants that sell their products through our apps or websites. We are not the merchant of record in these transactions, nor do we take possession of the related inventory. Net other revenue also includes consideration from online restaurant ordering and delivery services performed by us, as well as advertising services provided on our apps or websites. We also earn subscription revenue from memberships to our Rocket WOW membership program, which is also included in net other revenue.
Fulfillment and Logistics by Coupang (“FLC”) is a Product Commerce offering that enables participating merchants to leverage our end-to-end integrated logistics and fulfillment network. The previous contract terms with FLC merchants resulted in the transfer of control of the merchants’ products to us and Coupang is the seller of record in these transactions, whereby revenue is recorded on a gross basis (principal). Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, we changed the FLC program and related contracts with merchants, streamlining the overall process for merchants and us. As a result of these changes, control of these products is no longer transferred to the Company prior to sales. The change impacted how we recognize a portion of our revenue, from a gross basis (principal) to a net basis (agent). As of the end of the second quarter of 2023, the previous contract terms had expired, after which commissions and logistics and fulfillment fees earned from FLC merchants under the new contracts are recorded in net other revenue.
The following table presents our total net revenues by segment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% Change |
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
As Reported |
|
Constant Currency |
Product Commerce |
$ |
26,699 |
|
|
$ |
23,594 |
|
|
13 |
% |
|
18 |
% |
Developing Offerings |
3,569 |
|
|
789 |
|
|
352 |
% |
|
363 |
% |
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,268 |
|
|
$ |
24,383 |
|
|
24 |
% |
|
29 |
% |
The increase in Product Commerce net revenues is primarily due to higher net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customer in the second and third quarters of 2024, combined with continued growth in Product Commerce Active Customers, increasing 10% year-over-year. Growth in total net revenues per Product Commerce Active Customers was driven by increased customer engagement within and across more product categories. This was partially offset by a 4% net revenue decline from our transition of FLC merchants to new contracts now recognized on a net basis and a 5% negative impact from foreign exchange.
The increase in Developing Offerings net revenues is primarily due to incremental revenues from our acquisition of Farfetch in the first quarter of 2024 of $1.7 billion. The remaining increase is primarily due to our growth initiatives in Eats and Taiwan.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of products sold directly to customers where we record revenue gross, and includes logistics costs. Inbound shipping and handling costs to receive products from suppliers are included in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as products are sold. Additionally, cost of sales includes outbound shipping and logistics related expenses, delivery costs from our restaurant delivery business, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in cost of sales primarily reflects higher volume from increased sales and customer demand. Additionally, the acquisition of Farfetch increased cost of sales by $945 million. Partially offsetting these increases was a $116 million insurance gain related to an inventory loss from the FC Fire. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue decreased from 74.6% for 2023 to 70.8% for 2024 primarily due to an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue categories and offerings, further operational efficiencies, and continued supply chain optimization. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue also benefited from the inclusion of Farfetch, which operates with a higher gross profit margin, and a reduction in expenses from the insurance gain, resulting in a 0.8% and 0.4% reduction of cost of sales as a percentage of revenue, respectively. These benefits were partially offset by a (0.7)% impact from our growth initiatives in developing offerings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
48 |
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses include all our operating costs excluding cost of sales, as described above. More specifically, these expenses include costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment centers (including costs attributed to receiving, inspecting, picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders), customer service-related costs, payment processing fees, costs related to the design, execution, and maintenance of our technology infrastructure and online offerings, advertising costs, general corporate function costs, and depreciation and amortization expense.
The increase in operating, general and administrative expenses primarily reflects increases in technology and infrastructure costs to support our continued growth. Additionally, the acquisition of Farfetch increased operating costs by $941 million. The increase also includes the impact of the KFTC administrative fine of $121 million. Partially offsetting these charges was a $59 million insurance gain related to property and equipment losses from the FC Fire. These expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 23.4% for 2023 to 27.7% for 2024 primarily consisting of 1.7% due to the inclusion of Farfetch, which operates at a higher expense margin. There is also a 0.4% impact due to the administrative fine. The remainder of the increase is due primarily to increased technology and infrastructure costs.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily consists of interest on our short-term borrowings and long-term debt.
Interest expense increased $92 million compared to the prior year, due to the incremental interest expense of $96 million associated with the Farfetch Term Loans that we assumed as part of the Farfetch Acquisition.
Interest Income
Interest income primarily consists of interest earned on our deposits held with financial institutions.
Interest income increased $38 million compared to the prior year. The increase in interest income was primarily due to higher interest rates in 2024 combined with our higher average cash and cash equivalent balances.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes predominantly in Korea, as well as in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions in which we do business. Foreign jurisdictions have different statutory tax rates than those in the United States. Additionally, certain of our foreign earnings may also be taxable in the United States. Accordingly, our effective tax rate is subject to significant variation and can vary based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss, the relative proportion of foreign to domestic income, use of tax credits and changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. Beginning in 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as currently enacted, requires taxpayers to capitalize research and development expenses with amortization periods over five and fifteen years, which has and is expected to continue to increase the amount of our GILTI inclusion.
Our effective income tax rate changed from a benefit of (133.1)% in 2023 to an expense of 86.0% in 2024 primarily due to the release of the valuation allowance for our Korean deferred tax assets in 2023. Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate due to valuation allowances, net operating losses and tax credits used for the periods, partially offset by the mix of our income (loss) before income taxes generated across the various jurisdictions in which we operate, including the impact of international provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and permanent differences from non-deductible expenses. Pre-tax losses from Farfetch, for which we recognized no income tax benefit due to the related valuation allowances, increased the effective income tax rate by 36.9%. We expect that our effective tax rate in future periods will continue to differ significantly from the applicable statutory rate.
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds was $138 million and $110 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In addition to the United States tax law changes, our global operations make the tax rate sensitive to significant foreign tax law changes. A number of countries have begun to enact legislation to implement the OECD’s international tax framework, including Pillar Two global minimum tax regime. South Korea has enacted legislation to implement OECD framework including the Under-taxed Profit Rules (the “UTPR”) which may impose additional reporting and compliance obligations to our group effective from January 1, 2025. This minimum tax will be treated as a period cost in future years and did not impact operating results for 2024. We are continuing to monitor legislative developments and are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of Korean and other legislation on our results of future operations.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before income taxes for a period before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), other income (expense), net, equity-based compensation, impairments, and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations associated with our segments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% Change |
Product Commerce |
$ |
2,006 |
|
|
$ |
1,540 |
|
|
30 |
% |
Developing Offerings |
(631) |
|
|
(466) |
|
|
35 |
% |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
$ |
1,375 |
|
|
$ |
1,074 |
|
|
28 |
% |
(1)See “
Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for the reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures with their comparable amounts prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Product Commerce
The increase in Product Commerce segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the increase in net revenues, improved operating efficiencies and an increased percentage of revenues earned from higher margin revenue offerings.
Developing Offerings
The increased loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 in Developing Offerings adjusted EBITDA was the result of increased investments in Taiwan offerings, higher content costs for our Coupang Play offering, and the $34 million of adjusted EBITDA loss from Farfetch which was acquired in January 2024. These losses were partially offset by improved profitability in our Coupang Eats offering.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
50 |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP Measure |
Definition |
How We Use The Measure |
Free Cash Flow |
• Cash flow from operations
Less: purchases of property and equipment,
Plus: proceeds from sale of property and equipment.
|
• Provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our ongoing operations that, after purchases and sales of property and equipment, can be used for strategic initiatives, including investing in our business and strengthening our balance sheet, including paying down debt, and paying dividends to stockholders. |
Adjusted EBITDA |
• Net income (loss), excluding the effects of:
- depreciation and amortization,
- interest expense,
- interest income,
- other income (expense), net,
- income tax expense (benefit),
- equity-based compensation,
- impairments, and
- other items not reflective of our ongoing operations.
|
• Provides information to management to evaluate and assess our performance and allocate internal resources. • We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in evaluating companies in the retail industry for period-to-period comparisons as they remove the impact of certain items that are not representative of our ongoing business, such as material non-cash items, acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs, significant costs related to certain non-ordinary course legal and regulatory matters, and certain variable charges. |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
• Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total net revenues. |
Constant Currency Revenue |
• Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant. • We define constant currency revenue as total revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements, and use it to determine the constant currency revenue growth on a comparative basis. • Constant currency revenue is calculated by translating current period revenues using the prior period exchange rate. |
• The effect of currency exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons. Our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”) and changes in foreign exchange rates can significantly affect our reported results and consolidated trends. For example, our business generates sales predominantly in Korean Won (“KRW”), which are favorably affected as the USD weakens relative to the KRW, and unfavorably affected as the USD strengthens relative to the KRW. • We use constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate comparisons between periods. We believe the presentation of our results on a constant currency basis in addition to U.S. GAAP results helps improve the ability to understand our performance because they exclude the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of our actual results of operations. |
Constant Currency Revenue Growth |
• Constant currency revenue growth (as a percentage) is calculated by determining the increase in current period revenue over prior period revenue, where current period foreign currency revenue is translated using prior period exchange rates. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
51 |
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Free Cash Flow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
1,886 |
|
|
$ |
2,652 |
|
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
Purchases of land and buildings |
(245) |
|
|
(374) |
|
Purchases of equipment |
(634) |
|
|
(522) |
|
Total purchases of property and equipment |
$ |
(879) |
|
|
$ |
(896) |
|
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment |
9 |
|
|
19 |
|
Total adjustments |
$ |
(870) |
|
|
$ |
(877) |
|
Free cash flow |
$ |
1,016 |
|
|
$ |
1,775 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
$ |
(819) |
|
|
$ |
(927) |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
$ |
(69) |
|
|
$ |
199 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,268 |
|
|
$ |
24,383 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
66 |
|
|
1,360 |
|
Net income margin |
0.2 |
% |
|
5.6 |
% |
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
433 |
|
|
275 |
|
Interest expense |
140 |
|
|
48 |
|
Interest income |
(216) |
|
|
(178) |
|
Income tax expense (benefit) |
407 |
|
|
(776) |
|
Other expense, net |
39 |
|
|
19 |
|
Acquisition and restructuring related costs |
127 |
|
|
— |
|
KFTC administrative fine |
121 |
|
|
— |
|
FC Fire insurance gain |
(175) |
|
|
— |
|
Equity-based compensation |
433 |
|
|
326 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
1,375 |
|
|
$ |
1,074 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
4.5 |
% |
|
4.4 |
% |
Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Year over Year Growth |
(in millions) |
As Reported |
Exchange Rate Effect |
Constant Currency Basis |
|
As Reported |
|
|
|
As Reported |
Constant Currency Basis |
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net retail sales |
$ |
23,866 |
|
$ |
1,039 |
|
$ |
24,905 |
|
|
$ |
21,223 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
% |
17 |
% |
Net other revenue |
6,402 |
|
245 |
|
6,647 |
|
|
3,160 |
|
|
|
|
103 |
% |
110 |
% |
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,268 |
|
$ |
1,284 |
|
$ |
31,552 |
|
|
$ |
24,383 |
|
|
|
|
24 |
% |
29 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenues by Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product Commerce |
$ |
26,699 |
|
$ |
1,197 |
|
$ |
27,896 |
|
|
$ |
23,594 |
|
|
|
|
13 |
% |
18 |
% |
Developing Offerings |
3,569 |
|
85 |
|
3,654 |
|
|
789 |
|
|
|
|
352 |
% |
363 |
% |
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,268 |
|
$ |
1,284 |
|
$ |
31,552 |
|
|
$ |
24,383 |
|
|
|
|
24 |
% |
29 |
% |
Certain amounts may not foot due to rounding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
52 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to access sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, supplemented through various debt financing arrangements and sales of our equity securities. We had total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $6.0 billion as of December 31, 2024, the majority of which was held by our foreign subsidiaries and may not be freely transferable to the United States due to local laws or other restrictions. Additionally, we have $923 million available under our revolving credit facilities as described below.
The ability of certain subsidiaries to transfer funds or pay dividends to Coupang, Inc. is also restricted due to terms which require the subsidiaries to meet certain financial covenants, including requirements to maintain a positive net equity balance or having current period income.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had stockholders’ equity of $4.1 billion. We may incur losses in the future. We expect that our investment into our growth strategy will continue to be significant, particularly with respect to our Developing Offerings segment, which will continue to focus on our newer offerings and entrance into new geographies, as well as overall expansion of our fulfillment, logistics, and technology capabilities. As part of this expansion to fulfill anticipated future customer demand and continuation to expand services, we plan to build new fulfillment centers. We have entered into various new construction contracts for capital projects which are expected to be completed over the next three years. These contracts have remaining capital expenditures commitments of $306 million as of December 31, 2024. We expect that our future expenditures for both infrastructure and workforce-related costs will exceed several billion dollars over the next several years.
Changes in our cash flows were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
1,886 |
|
|
$ |
2,652 |
|
|
$ |
(766) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
$ |
(819) |
|
|
$ |
(927) |
|
|
$ |
108 |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
$ |
(69) |
|
|
$ |
199 |
|
|
$ |
(268) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
Net income |
$ |
66 |
|
|
$ |
1,360 |
|
|
$ |
(1,294) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities |
1,785 |
|
|
354 |
|
|
1,431 |
|
Change in operating assets and liabilities |
35 |
|
|
938 |
|
|
(903) |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
1,886 |
|
|
$ |
2,652 |
|
|
$ |
(766) |
|
The year-over-year change in operating cash flow was primarily driven by a $1.3 billion decrease in net income. Cash provided by operating activities was also impacted by the changes in operating assets and liabilities, including a decrease in accounts payable of $1.0 billion primarily as a result of increased volume of purchases as well as improved payment terms, primarily with certain large, multi-national suppliers which occurred in 2023, and $332 million from inventories primarily from the implementation of the FLC program in the prior year, partially offset by the accrual of the administrative fine during the second quarter of 2024.
Investing Activities
The decrease in cash outflow was mainly driven by the net cash acquired in the acquisition of Farfetch in exchange for the noncash contribution of the outstanding bridge loan and $76 million proceeds from the sale of an investment. This was partially offset by the additional $75 million bridge loan made to Farfetch prior to the closing of the acquisition.
Financing Activities
The decrease was primarily driven by a $402 million increase in repayments of debt and short-term borrowings due to the timing of maturities and the repurchase of 10 million shares of our Class A common stock for $178 million, partially offset by a $285 million increase in proceeds from debt and short-term borrowings.
We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need additional cash resources in the future if we find and pursue other opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation, or other similar actions, which may include investing in technology, our logistics and fulfillment infrastructure, or related talent. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed our amounts of cash on hand or if we decide to further
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
53 |
optimize our capital structure, we may seek to issue additional debt or equity securities or obtain credit facilities or other sources of financing. This financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Capital Resources
We have entered into material unconditional purchase obligations. These contractual commitments primarily relate to technology related service contracts, fulfillment center construction contracts, and software licenses. We generally enter into term loan facility agreements to finance the construction of our fulfillment centers. These agreements may require that we provide for collateral equal to or greater than the amount borrowed under the arrangement. As we continue to build or purchase additional fulfillment centers, we expect our borrowings under debt financing arrangements to continue to increase. We also have material operating leases which expire over the next ten years as well as obligations for our debts. Total minimum contractual commitments due within the next 12 months were $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2024. Additionally, we have:
•operating leases that have not commenced with future minimum lease payments of $215 million with non-cancellable lease terms of 2 to 10 years;
•expected defined severance benefits to be paid of $981 million; and
•open purchase orders for inventories that are primarily due in the next twelve months, and are generally cancellable, in full or in part, through the contractual provisions.
Refer to Note 14 — "Commitments and Contingencies", Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits", and Note 11 — "Leases" in Part II, Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our future commitments.
Our short-term and long-term borrowings generally include lines of credit with financial institutions available to be drawn upon for general operating purposes.
Revolving Credit Facility
In January 2024, our senior unsecured credit facility (“the Revolving Credit Facility”) was amended to extend the maturity date to February 2026 and to bring the aggregate principal amount to $875 million. The Revolving Credit Facility continues to provide us the right to request incremental commitments up to $1.25 billion, subject to customary conditions.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to (i) a base rate equal to the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the higher of the federal funds rate or a composite overnight bank borrowing rate plus 0.50%, or (C) an adjusted Term Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”) rate for a one-month interest period plus 1.00% or (ii) an adjusted Term SOFR plus a margin equal to 1.00%. We are also required to pay other customary fees for a credit facility of this size and type, including letter of credit fees, an upfront fee, and an unused commitment fee. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to:
•incur or guarantee additional debt;
•make certain investments and acquisitions;
•make certain restricted payments and payments of certain indebtedness;
•incur certain liens or permit them to exist; and
•make fundamental changes and dispositions (including dispositions of the equity interests of subsidiary guarantors).
Each of these restrictions is subject to various exceptions.
The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain material restricted subsidiaries of Coupang, Inc. (including Coupang Corp.), subject to customary exceptions. The Revolving Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type.
The Revolving Credit Facility requires us to (i) maintain a ratio of secured indebtedness to total consolidated tangible assets of less than 35%, if we have $1 or more of revolving loans or any unreimbursed drawn letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of each fiscal quarter and (ii) maintain a minimum amount of liquidity of at least $625 million (or $313 million to the extent the aggregate commitment of the Revolving Credit Facility is $500 million).
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
54 |
Farfetch Term Loans
As part of the Farfetch Acquisition, our subsidiary assumed the then outstanding syndicated Term Loans (“Farfetch Term Loans”) under Farfetch’s existing credit agreement with certain banks and financial institutions (the "Lenders") of $575 million, inclusive of fees incurred and less $58 million we repurchased upon acquisition. Repayment of the Farfetch Term Loans is due in quarterly installments, of 0.25% of the original principal balance, payable on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The Farfetch Term Loans mature in October 2027, and early payment is permitted. The Farfetch Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to SOFR plus 6.25% per annum. As of December 31, 2024, there was $493 million outstanding on the Farfetch Term Loans.
In January 2025, the Farfetch Term Loans were amended to (i) waive technical defaults that resulted from our restructuring actions related to Farfetch subsidiaries in Italy and (ii) to require loan prepayment (not to exceed $125 million) from restricted cash proceeds received for Italian VAT receivables and the Limited Partnership in turn extended its commitment to provide the remaining $148 million cash contribution to the earlier of the loan repayment date or April 2028. Coupang, Inc. has not provided any security or guaranty of repayment of the Farfetch Term Loans and is not obligated to provide additional cash funding to Farfetch beyond its share of the Limited Partnership’s remaining commitment.
The Farfetch Term Loans contain customary affirmative covenants as well as customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on certain entities within Farfetch’s ability to incur additional debt, make investments, make distributions, dispose of assets, or enter into certain types of related party transactions. The Farfetch Term Loans are secured against specified assets of the Farfetch group and guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of Farfetch.
Refer to Note 16 — "Business Combinations - Farfetch" in Part II, Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further discussion.
Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility
In September 2024, a Taiwan subsidiary entered into a new five-year senior unsecured credit facility (the “Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility”) providing for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $199 million. The Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility permits the borrower to obtain incremental commitments up to $296 million, subject to customary conditions. Borrowings under the Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Taipei Interbank Offered Rate (TAIBOR) plus 1.25%.
The Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2024, there was $151 million balance outstanding on the Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility.
Refer to Note 13 — "Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt" in Part II, Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for disclosure of our debt obligations.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in those consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, given the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, and due to the unforeseen effects of the current global macroeconomic environment, those estimates required increased judgment, and actual results reported in future periods could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. See Note 1 — "Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a description of our significant accounting policies.
The following items require significant estimation or judgment:
Revenue Recognition
The application of various accounting principles related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, complex arrangements with non-standard terms and conditions may require relevant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting treatment, including whether the promised goods and services specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate performance obligations. Other significant judgments include determining whether we are acting as the principal or the agent from an accounting perspective in a transaction.
For certain arrangements, we apply significant judgment in determining whether we are acting as the principal or agent in a transaction. We are acting as the principal if we obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to customers. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction and are subject to inventory risk or have latitude in establishing prices, or have several but not all of these indicators, we act as the principal and record revenue on a gross basis. We act as the agent and record the net amount as revenue earned if we do not obtain control over the goods and services before they are transferred to the customers.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
55 |
Inventories
We account for our inventories, which consist of products available for sale, using the weighted average cost method, and value them at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This valuation requires management judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product suppliers, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of separate inventory categories. If changes in market conditions result in reductions to the estimated net realizable value of our inventory, the inventory is written down and an impairment charge is recognized in the period in which we made such a determination.
Income Taxes
We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of our reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments, and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws, the resolution of any tax audits, and actual and expected future income could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
We record deferred tax assets net of valuation allowances when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income. In considering the need for a valuation allowance, we consider historical, as well as future projected taxable income on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, along with other positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets. Actual operating results in future years could differ from our current assumptions, judgments, and estimates.
We also recognize and measure uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return utilizing a two-step process. In the first step, recognition, we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step addresses measurement of a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criteria. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a likelihood of greater than 50 percent of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Due to uncertainties in any tax audit outcome, our estimates of the ultimate settlement of our unrecognized tax positions may change and the actual tax benefits may differ significantly from our estimates. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 6 — "Income Taxes" to the consolidated financial statements.
Defined Severance Benefits
We have severance benefits primarily related to employees in Korea. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” — Note 5 — "Defined Severance Benefits" to the consolidated financial statements.
Actuarial valuations are used in determining amounts recognized in the financial statements for our severance benefit plans. These valuations incorporate the following significant assumptions:
•discount rates; and
•salary growth rates
Management believes that these assumptions are critical accounting estimates because significant changes in these assumptions could impact our results of operations and financial position. Management believes that the assumptions utilized to record its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on the plans’ experience and advice received from its outside actuaries. We review the severance benefit plan assumptions annually and modify the assumptions based on current rates and trends as appropriate. The effects of such changes in assumptions are amortized as part of plan income or expense in future periods.
At the end of each fiscal year, we determine the weighted-average discount rates and salary growth rates used to calculate the projected defined severance benefits obligation. The discount rates are an estimate of the current interest rate at which the benefit plan liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. As of December 31, 2024, we determined the discount rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 3.50% to 3.90%, as compared to 4.30% to 4.80% as of December 31, 2023. In estimating these rates, we review rates of return on high-quality corporate bond indices, which approximate the timing and amount of benefit payments. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the discount rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2025. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we determined the salary growth rates for the severance benefit plan used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 5.00% to 7.00%. In estimating these rates, we review our historical and expected rates as well as industry growth rates. Assuming all other defined benefit plan assumptions remain
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
56 |
constant, a one percentage point decrease in the salary growth rates would result in an immaterial change in benefit plan expense during 2025.
Business Combinations
In January 2024, the Farfetch Acquisition was completed. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we generally recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in an acquiree at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. We measure goodwill as the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the net of the estimated fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The acquisition method of accounting requires us to exercise judgment and make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as of the date of acquisition, including the estimated fair values of identifiable tangible and intangible assets, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interests, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, and contingencies. This method also allows us to refine these estimates over a one-year measurement period to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to retroactively adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could materially decrease net income and result in lower asset values on our consolidated balance sheet.
These significant estimates are inherently uncertain as they relate to future economic conditions, future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets and customer behavior. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If our estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be accelerated or slowed.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
57 |
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
In addition to the risks inherent in our operations, we are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency, and credit.
Interest Rate Risk
As of December 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $6.0 billion. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes and have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure. Our interest rate risk arises primarily from some of our variable rate debt as well as our undrawn revolving credit agreements. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose us to variability in cash flows. Our policy, in the management of interest rate risk, is to structure a reasonable balance between fixed and floating rate financial instruments as well as our cash and cash equivalents and any short-term investments we may hold. The balance struck by our management is dependent on prevailing interest rate markets at any point in time.
Our borrowings generally include lines of credit with financial institutions, some of which carry variable interest rates, and the Farfetch Term Loans which carries a variable interest rate. As of December 31, 2024, we had $493 million outstanding on the Farfetch Term Loans, $151 million outstanding on the Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility, and no balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility. An assumed hypothetical 10% change in prevailing interest rates would not have a material impact on our results of operations. Any future borrowings incurred under the Revolving Credit Facility would accrue interest at rates subject to current market conditions.
Foreign Currency Risk
We have accounts on our foreign subsidiaries’ ledgers, which are maintained in the respective subsidiary’s local currency and translated into USD for reporting of our consolidated financial statements. As a result, we are exposed to fluctuations in the exchange rates of various currencies against the USD and other currencies, predominantly the KRW.
Transactional
We generate the majority of our revenue from customers within Korea. Typically, we aim to align costs with revenue denominated in the same currency, but we are not always able to do so. As a result of the geographic spread of our operations and due to our reliance on certain products and services priced in currencies other than KRW, our business, results of operations, and financial condition have been and will continue to be impacted by the volatility of the KRW against foreign currencies.
Translational
Coupang, Inc.’s functional currency and reporting currency is the USD. The local and functional currency for our Korean subsidiary, Coupang Corp., which is our primary operating subsidiary, is the KRW. The other subsidiaries predominantly utilize their local currencies as their functional currencies. Increases or decreases in the value of the USD affect the value of these items with respect to the non-USD-denominated businesses on the consolidated financial statements, even if their value has not changed in their original currency. For example, a stronger USD will reduce the reported results of operations of non-USD-denominated businesses and conversely a weaker USD will increase the reported results of operations of non-USD-denominated businesses. An assumed hypothetical 10% adverse change in average exchange rates used to translate foreign currencies to USD would have resulted in a decline in total net revenues of $2.5 billion and a decrease in net income of $137 million for 2024.
At this time, we do not, but we may in the future, enter into derivatives or other financial instruments in an attempt to hedge our foreign currency risk. It is difficult to predict the impact hedging activities would have on our results of operations.
Credit Risk
Our cash and cash equivalents, deposits, and loans with banks and financial institutions are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. We place cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. The degree of credit risk will vary based on many factors, including the duration of the transaction and the contractual terms of the agreement. As appropriate, management evaluates and approves credit standards and oversees the credit risk management function related to investments.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
58 |
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
59 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Coupang, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Coupang, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity, and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, including the related notes and schedule of condensed financial information of parent (Coupang, Inc.) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024 appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Farfetch from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during 2024. We have also excluded Farfetch from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. Farfetch is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total revenues excluded from management’s assessment and our audit of internal control over financial reporting represent 7% and 5%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
60 |
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Valuation of Defined Severance Benefits Obligation
As described in Notes 1 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s defined severance benefits obligation was $491 million as of December 31, 2024. Management measures the defined severance benefits obligation annually, or more frequently if there is a remeasurement event, based on the measurement date utilizing certain assumptions including discount rates, salary growth rates, and certain employee-related factors, such as turnover, retirement age and mortality. Management reviews its actuarial assumptions and makes modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when appropriate.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of defined severance benefits obligation is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when estimating the defined severance benefits obligation; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to discount rates and salary growth rates; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s estimate of the defined severance benefits obligation. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for estimating the defined severance benefits obligation; evaluating the appropriateness of the actuarial model; testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in the model; and evaluating the reasonableness of management’s assumptions related to discount rates and salary growth rates. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to salary growth rates involved evaluating whether the assumptions used were reasonable considering the Company’s historical experience and expectation of future experience. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the appropriateness of the actuarial model and the reasonableness of the assumptions relating to discount rates.
/s/ Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers
Seoul, Korea
February 25, 2025
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
61 |
COUPANG, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
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(in millions, except per share amounts) |
2024 |
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2023 |
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2022 |
Net retail sales |
$ |
23,866 |
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$ |
21,223 |
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$ |
18,338 |
|
Net other revenue |
6,402 |
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|
3,160 |
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|
2,245 |
|
Total net revenues |
30,268 |
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|
24,383 |
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|
20,583 |
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|
Cost of sales |
21,437 |
|
|
18,193 |
|
|
15,873 |
|
Operating, general and administrative |
8,395 |
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|
5,717 |
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|
4,822 |
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Total operating cost and expenses |
29,832 |
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|
23,910 |
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|
20,695 |
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Operating income (loss) |
436 |
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|
473 |
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(112) |
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Interest income |
216 |
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|
178 |
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|
53 |
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Interest expense |
(140) |
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(48) |
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(27) |
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Other expense, net |
(39) |
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(19) |
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(7) |
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
473 |
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|
584 |
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(93) |
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Income tax expense (benefit) |
407 |
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|
(776) |
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|
$ |
(1) |
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Net income (loss) |
$ |
66 |
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|
$ |
1,360 |
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|
$ |
(92) |
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Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(88) |
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|
— |
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— |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to Coupang stockholders |
$ |
154 |
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|
$ |
1,360 |
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|
$ |
(92) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
(0.05) |
|
Diluted |
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
$ |
(0.05) |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
1,794 |
|
|
1,782 |
|
|
1,765 |
|
Diluted |
1,826 |
|
|
1,803 |
|
|
1,765 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
62 |
COUPANG, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Net income (loss) |
$ |
66 |
|
|
$ |
1,360 |
|
|
$ |
(92) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive (loss) income: |
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax |
(352) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
9 |
|
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined severance benefits, net of tax |
(34) |
|
|
(18) |
|
|
41 |
|
Total other comprehensive (loss) income |
(386) |
|
|
(20) |
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive (loss) income |
(320) |
|
|
1,340 |
|
|
(42) |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(87) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Coupang stockholders |
$ |
(233) |
|
|
$ |
1,340 |
|
|
$ |
(42) |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
63 |
COUPANG, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Assets |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
5,879 |
|
|
$ |
5,243 |
|
Restricted cash |
151 |
|
|
353 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
407 |
|
|
314 |
|
Inventories |
2,099 |
|
|
1,666 |
|
Prepaids and other current assets |
458 |
|
|
316 |
|
Total current assets |
8,994 |
|
|
7,892 |
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
2,813 |
|
|
2,465 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
2,016 |
|
|
1,601 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
271 |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets |
622 |
|
|
925 |
|
Long-term lease deposits and other |
628 |
|
|
426 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
15,344 |
|
|
$ |
13,346 |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders' equity |
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
5,554 |
|
|
$ |
5,099 |
|
Accrued expenses |
461 |
|
|
352 |
|
Deferred revenue |
141 |
|
|
97 |
|
Short-term borrowings |
479 |
|
|
282 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
66 |
|
|
203 |
|
Current portion of long-term operating lease obligations |
422 |
|
|
386 |
|
Other current liabilities |
593 |
|
|
526 |
|
Total current liabilities |
7,716 |
|
|
6,945 |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
988 |
|
|
529 |
|
Long-term operating lease obligations |
1,770 |
|
|
1,387 |
|
Defined severance benefits and other |
693 |
|
|
381 |
|
Total liabilities |
11,167 |
|
|
9,242 |
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 16) |
75 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
Common Stock |
— |
|
|
— |
|
Class A — shares authorized 10,000, outstanding 1,643 and 1,616
Class B — shares authorized 250, outstanding 158 and 175
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
8,736 |
|
|
8,489 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(404) |
|
|
(17) |
|
Accumulated deficit |
(4,229) |
|
|
(4,383) |
|
Noncontrolling interests |
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
Total equity |
4,102 |
|
|
$ |
4,089 |
|
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity |
$ |
15,344 |
|
|
$ |
13,346 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
64 |
COUPANG, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest |
|
|
Class A and Class B Common Stock |
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
Noncontrolling Interests |
|
Total Equity |
(in millions) |
|
|
Shares |
|
Amount |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
$ |
— |
|
|
|
1,754 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
7,874 |
|
|
$ |
(47) |
|
|
$ |
(5,651) |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
2,176 |
|
Net loss |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(92) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(92) |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
9 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
9 |
|
Actuarial gain on defined severance benefits, net of tax |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
41 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
41 |
|
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options |
— |
|
|
|
9 |
|
— |
|
|
18 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
18 |
|
Issuance of common stock upon settlement of restricted stock units |
— |
|
|
|
10 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Equity-based compensation |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
262 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
262 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ |
— |
|
|
|
1,773 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
8,154 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
(5,743) |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
2,414 |
|
Net income |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
1,360 |
|
|
— |
|
|
1,360 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(2) |
|
Actuarial loss on defined severance benefits, net of tax |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(18) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(18) |
|
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options |
— |
|
|
|
4 |
|
— |
|
|
9 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
9 |
|
Issuance of common stock upon settlement of restricted stock units |
— |
|
|
|
14 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Equity-based compensation |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
326 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
326 |
|
Noncontrolling interest contribution |
15 |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
$ |
15 |
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
8,489 |
|
|
$ |
(17) |
|
|
$ |
(4,383) |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
4,089 |
|
Net income |
(77) |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
154 |
|
|
(11) |
|
|
143 |
|
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders |
55 |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Recognition of noncontrolling interest upon acquisition |
69 |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
10 |
|
|
10 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax |
1 |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(353) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(353) |
|
Actuarial gain on defined severance benefits, net of tax |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(34) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(34) |
|
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options |
— |
|
|
|
1 |
|
— |
|
|
4 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
4 |
|
Issuance of common stock upon settlement of restricted stock units |
— |
|
|
|
19 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Repurchase of Class A common stock |
— |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
— |
|
|
(178) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(178) |
|
Equity-based compensation |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
433 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
433 |
|
Re-measurement of noncontrolling interest |
12 |
|
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
(12) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(12) |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2024 |
$ |
75 |
|
|
|
1,801 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
8,736 |
|
|
$ |
(404) |
|
|
$ |
(4,229) |
|
|
$ |
(1) |
|
|
$ |
4,102 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
65 |
COUPANG, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
$ |
66 |
|
|
$ |
1,360 |
|
|
$ |
(92) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
433 |
|
|
275 |
|
|
231 |
|
Provision for severance benefits |
187 |
|
|
159 |
|
|
161 |
|
Equity-based compensation |
433 |
|
|
326 |
|
|
262 |
|
Non-cash operating lease expense |
432 |
|
|
338 |
|
|
310 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
225 |
|
|
(884) |
|
|
(41) |
|
Fulfillment center fire insurance gain |
(175) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Non-cash others |
250 |
|
|
140 |
|
|
112 |
|
Change in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net |
209 |
|
|
(133) |
|
|
(34) |
|
Inventories |
(376) |
|
|
(44) |
|
|
(367) |
|
Other assets |
(152) |
|
|
(153) |
|
|
(249) |
|
Accounts payable |
507 |
|
|
1,514 |
|
|
444 |
|
Accrued expenses |
60 |
|
|
43 |
|
|
7 |
|
Other liabilities |
(213) |
|
|
(289) |
|
|
(179) |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
1,886 |
|
|
2,652 |
|
|
565 |
|
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
(879) |
|
|
(896) |
|
|
(824) |
|
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment |
9 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
13 |
|
Net cash acquired in acquisition |
68 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Other investing activities |
(17) |
|
|
(50) |
|
|
(37) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
(819) |
|
|
(927) |
|
|
(848) |
|
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, equity-based compensation plan |
4 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
18 |
|
Repurchase of Class A common stock |
(178) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Proceeds from short-term borrowings and long-term debt |
857 |
|
|
572 |
|
|
701 |
|
Repayment of short-term borrowings and long-term debt |
(794) |
|
|
(392) |
|
|
(467) |
|
Net short-term borrowings and other financing activities |
42 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
(5) |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(69) |
|
|
199 |
|
|
247 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
(564) |
|
|
(14) |
|
|
(87) |
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
434 |
|
|
1,910 |
|
|
(123) |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as of beginning of period |
5,597 |
|
|
3,687 |
|
|
3,810 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as of end of period |
$ |
6,031 |
|
|
$ |
5,597 |
|
|
$ |
3,687 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
66 |
COUPANG, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
Coupang, Inc. (“Coupang” or the “Parent”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “we,” “us,” or “our”), is a technology and Fortune 200 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CPNG) that provides retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech services to customers around the world under brands that include Coupang, Coupang Eats, Coupang Play and Farfetch. Headquartered in the United States, Coupang has operations and support services in geographies including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, India and Europe. Coupang’s mission is to revolutionize the everyday lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, “How did I ever live without Coupang?”
Farfetch Acquisition
In January 2024 we acquired the business and assets of Farfetch Holdings plc (“Farfetch”), a leading global marketplace for the luxury fashion industry (the “Farfetch Acquisition”). Refer to Note 16 — "Business Combinations - Farfetch" for additional information.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of our consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified or combined to conform to current year presentation. Our fiscal year is consistent with the calendar year and ends on December 31. References to years relate to the fiscal year ended December 31.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We based our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Segment Information
We have two reportable segments: Product Commerce and Developing Offerings. Refer to Note 3 — "Segment Reporting" for additional information.
Foreign Currency
Our functional currency, including that of the Parent, is the United States dollar (“U.S. dollar”). The Korean Won is the local and functional currency for our Korean subsidiary, Coupang Corp., which is our primary operating subsidiary. The other subsidiaries predominantly utilize their local currencies as their functional currencies. Assets and liabilities of each subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each period. Revenue and expenses for these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using average rates that approximate those in effect during the period. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss,” a separate component of stockholders’ equity and in the “Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash” on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Transaction gains and losses are included in “Other expense, net” on the consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenues on the amount of expected consideration it will receive, which incorporates reductions for estimated returns, promotional discounts, and earned loyalty rewards. Revenue excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added taxes. Historical experience is used to estimate returns at the time of sale at a portfolio level using the expected value method. We include these amounts in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur and updates as additional information becomes available. For revenue contracts with multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. We primarily determine stand-alone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
67 |
Net Retail Sales
Retail sales are earned from our online product sales to consumers. Retail revenue is recognized when control of the goods is transferred to the customer, which occurs upon delivery to the customer.
Net Other Revenue
Net other revenue includes commissions and logistics and fulfillment fees earned from merchants that sell their products through our online business. We are not the seller of record in these transactions, nor do we take control of the related inventory. Although we process and collect the entire amount of these transactions, we record revenue on the net commission because we are acting as an agent. Commission revenue is recognized when the order is completed and transmitted to the third-party merchant. Logistics and fulfillment fees are recognized as the services are rendered.
Net other revenue also includes consideration from our online restaurant ordering and delivery services, performed by us, as well as advertising services provided on our website and mobile applications. Revenues from online restaurant ordering and delivery are recognized when we deliver the order. Advertising revenue is recognized as ads are delivered over a period of time or based on number of clicks and impressions.
We offer a subscription service to our Rocket WOW membership program, which provides customers with access to benefits such as access to Rocket Fresh, no minimum spend for Rocket Delivery, Dawn Delivery, product discounts, free shipping on returns, free delivery and discounts on restaurant orders via Coupang Eats, and access to content streaming. Subscription benefits represent a single, stand-ready obligation and revenue from subscription fees are recognized over the subscription period.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue primarily relates to retail sales and is recorded when payments are received in advance of delivery to customers. Deferred revenue is generally recognized as revenue in the following month when delivery is made to customers.
Discount Coupons and Loyalty Rewards
For discount coupons or loyalty rewards offered as part of revenue transactions, we defer a portion of the revenue based on the estimated standalone selling price of the discount coupons or loyalty rewards earned and recognize the revenue as they are redeemed in future transactions or when they expire. Discount coupons and loyalty rewards expire after six months and are generally redeemed within six months from issuance and therefore, breakage is not significant. We also issue discount coupons or loyalty rewards that are not earned in conjunction with the purchase of a product as part of our marketing activities. This is not a performance obligation and is recognized as a reduction of the transaction price when rendered by the customer.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales are primarily comprised of the purchase price of products sold to customers where we record revenue gross, and includes logistics center costs. Inbound shipping and handling costs to receive products from suppliers are included in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as products are sold. Additionally, cost of sales includes outbound shipping and logistics related expenses, and delivery service costs from our restaurant delivery business, primarily where we are the delivery service provider, as well as depreciation and amortization.
Payments from Suppliers
We receive consideration from suppliers for various programs, including rebates, incentives, and discounts, as well as advertising services provided on our website and mobile applications. We generally record these amounts received from suppliers to be a reduction of the prices we pay for their goods, and a subsequent reduction in cost of sales as the inventory is sold.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses include all our operating costs, excluding cost of sales, as described above. More specifically, these expenses include costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment centers (including costs attributable to receiving, inspecting, picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders), customer service related costs, payment processing fees, costs related to the design, execution and maintenance of our technology infrastructure and online offerings, advertising costs, general corporate function costs, and depreciation and amortization. Advertising expenses, which are expensed as incurred, were $947 million, $711 million, and $605 million for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Equity-Based Compensation
We account for equity-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires compensation expense for the grant-date fair value of equity-based awards to be recognized over the requisite service period. We determine the
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
68 |
fair value of equity-based awards granted or modified on the grant date or modification date using appropriate valuation techniques. Forfeitures are estimated using historical experience at the time of grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates.
Restricted Stock Units
We grant restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that generally vest upon the satisfaction of a service-based condition as defined in our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (“2021 Plan”). The grant-date fair value of each RSU, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized as expense over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis for RSUs with service only vesting conditions.
Stock Options
In the past, we granted stock options to certain employees. We determine compensation expense associated with stock options based on the estimated grant date fair value method using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
Defined Severance Benefits
We accrue severance benefits for employees of our Korean subsidiaries. Pursuant to the Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act of Korea, eligible employees with one or more years of service are entitled to severance payments upon the termination of their employment based on their length of service and pay rate.
We recognize the defined severance benefits obligation on the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding adjustment to operating expenses and “Accumulated other comprehensive loss”. The obligations are measured annually, or more frequently if there is a remeasurement event, based on our measurement date utilizing various actuarial assumptions and methodologies. We use certain assumptions including, but not limited to, the selection of the: (i) discount rates; (ii) salary growth rates; and (iii) certain employee-related factors, such as turnover, retirement age and mortality. We review our actuarial assumptions and make modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when appropriate.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
Our deferred tax assets are recorded net of valuation allowances when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. Realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income. In considering the need for a valuation allowance, we consider our historical, as well as future projected taxable income, along with other positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Decreases to valuation allowances are recorded as reductions to our income tax expense and increases to valuation allowances result in additional expense for income taxes. Global Intangible Low-taxed Income (“GILTI”) provisions are applied, providing for incremental tax on foreign income. We have made the policy election to record any liability associated with GILTI in the period in which it is incurred.
We recognize and measure uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return utilizing a two-step process. In the first step, recognition, we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step addresses measurement of a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criteria. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a likelihood of greater than 50 percent of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Coupang stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Coupang stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive common stock outstanding during the period.
We have two classes of common stock outstanding, Class A common stock and Class B common stock (collectively “common stock”), with equal rights to dividends and income. Earnings per share are therefore the same for Class A and Class B common stock, both on an individual and combined basis.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
69 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase, or deposit accounts that can be withdrawn at any time without significant penalty.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash primarily consists of certain cash pledged as collateral for loan facility agreements, cash on deposit designated for interest and principal debt repayments, as well as cash on deposit pledged as collateral for potential refunds on transactions with customers or future payments to suppliers. Restricted cash with remaining restrictions of one year or less are classified as current on the consolidated balance sheets.
Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable, net are stated at their carrying value, net of allowance for credit losses based on lifetime expected losses. Accounts receivable balances are primarily trade receivables due from payment gateway providers, customers, suppliers and sellers, net of estimated allowances for credit losses. Amounts included in accounts receivable, or collected from payment gateway providers, to be remitted to merchants are included in accounts payable. Receivables from suppliers and sellers primarily relate to advertising activities. We estimate the allowance for credit losses based upon historical experience, the age and delinquency rates of receivables and credit quality, as well as economic and regulatory conditions combined with reasonable and supportable management forecasts of collectability and other economic factors over the lifetime of the receivables. We write off accounts against the allowance for credit losses when they are deemed to be uncollectible. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, net receivables from customers and sellers were $174 million and $71 million, respectively. The allowance amounts were immaterial for all periods presented.
Inventories
Our inventories, which consist of products available for sale, are accounted for using the weighted average cost method, and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This valuation requires management judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product suppliers, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of separate inventory categories.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Property and equipment primarily includes buildings and structures, land, leasehold improvements, furniture, internal-use software, vehicles, information technology equipment, heavy equipment, and other fulfillment equipment. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective asset categories.
Depreciation and amortization expense is classified within the corresponding operating expense categories on the consolidated statements of operations. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are primarily finite-lived and stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed.
Fulfillment Center Fire
In June 2021, a fire extensively damaged our Deokpyeong fulfillment center (“FC Fire”) resulting in a loss of the inventory, building, equipment, and other assets at the site. We are insured on property losses from the FC Fire, and while the insurer continues assessment of the total potential loss coverage on the claim, during the fourth quarter of 2024 we agreed to a settlement on a portion of the claim and now deem the recovery of insurance proceeds under the policy as probable. We recognized an insurance gain of $175 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, which included $116 million for the inventory loss included in “Cost of sales” and $59 million for property and equipment losses, included in “Operating, general and administrative”. We received provisional payments of $138 million in prior years, which were previously deferred within “Other current liabilities”, and received a further payment of $40 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Whether and to what extent additional insurance recoveries will be received is currently unknown.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. Leases are classified as either operating or finance.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
70 |
Lease obligations and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are recognized at the present value of the fixed lease payments. We only consider options to extend or terminate a lease if it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the option. We determine our discount rate at lease inception using the rate implicit in the lease if it is readily determinable, otherwise we use our incremental borrowing rate. For operating leases, expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Leases with an initial contractual term of twelve months or less are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term and we do not recognize lease liabilities and ROU assets.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Conditions that may necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recorded if the asset’s carrying value is not recoverable through its undiscounted future cash flows. Impairment losses are measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the related asset or asset group. No material impairment losses were recorded for 2024, 2023, and 2022.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our primary financial instruments include cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt. The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable, short-term borrowings, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Refer to Note 8 — "Fair Value Measurement" for further information.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and accounts receivable are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash are placed with several financial institutions and money market funds that management believes are of high credit quality, of which 69% and 47% were held at four and two financial institutions as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, no process payment company had 10% or more of our gross accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2023, our gross accounts receivable included amounts concentrated with three processing payment companies representing 51% of gross accounts receivable.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-04, “Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50) - Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations.” The standard requires entities that use supplier finance programs to disclose the key terms of the program, the balance sheet presentation of the related amounts, and the amounts outstanding, including providing a rollforward of such amounts. As required by the ASU, we included disclosures in our consolidated financial statements, including the rollforward of supplier finance program obligations, which we presented in Note 12 — "Supplemental Financial Information" for 2024.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The standard requires additional disclosures about an entity’s segments, primarily about significant segment expenses that are reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker. We adopted ASU 2023-07 for 2024, and upon adoption, the guidance was applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Yet To Be Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The standard requires disclosure of specific categories of an entity’s income tax expenses and income taxes paid among other disclosures. Early adoption is allowed under the standard. We are evaluating the effect of adopting the ASU on our disclosures, which is effective beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40)”, which requires public entities to disaggregate significant expense categories within functional line items to enhance transparency and comparability in financial reporting. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, which clarifies the effective date and provides additional implementation guidance for ASU 2024-03 to ensure consistent application. Both standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027, and interim reporting periods beginning with the period ending March 31, 2028, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the effect of adopting these standards on our financial reporting and disclosures.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
71 |
2. Net Revenues
Details of total net revenues were as follows:
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(in millions) |
2024 |
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2023 |
|
2022 |
Net retail sales |
$ |
23,866 |
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$ |
21,223 |
|
|
$ |
18,338 |
|
Third-party merchant services |
5,580 |
|
|
2,576 |
|
|
1,870 |
|
Other revenue |
822 |
|
|
584 |
|
|
375 |
|
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,268 |
|
|
$ |
24,383 |
|
|
$ |
20,583 |
|
This level of revenue disaggregation takes into consideration how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Net retail sales are recognized from owned inventory product sales to consumers. Third-party merchant services represent commissions, advertising, and delivery fees earned from merchants and restaurants that sell their products through our online businesses. Other revenue includes revenue earned from our Rocket WOW membership program and various other offerings.
Contract liabilities consist of payments in advance of delivery and customer loyalty credits, which are included in “Deferred revenue” on the consolidated balance sheets. We recognized revenue of $91 million, $89 million, and $86 million for 2024, 2023, and 2022 respectively, primarily related to payments in advance of products and services delivered which were included in “Deferred revenue” on the consolidated balance sheets as of the beginning of the respective years.
3. Segment Reporting
We own and operate a retail business that primarily serves the Korean retail market along with other international markets. Based on the location of the legal entity that earned the revenue, over 90% of our total net revenues are from Korea. The remaining revenue is primarily from entities located in the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region with none having over 5% of total net revenues.
The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) is our Chief Executive Officer. We have two operating and reportable segments: Product Commerce and Developing Offerings. These segments are based on how the CODM manages the business, allocates resources, makes operating decisions and evaluates operating performance.
Product Commerce primarily includes our core Korean retail (owned inventory) and marketplace offerings (third-party merchants) and Rocket Fresh, our fresh grocery category offering, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings. Revenues from Product Commerce are derived primarily from online product sales of owned inventory to customers in Korea, commissions, and logistics and fulfillment fees earned from merchants that sell products through our mobile application and website, and from Rocket WOW membership.
Developing Offerings includes our more nascent offerings and services, including Coupang Eats, our restaurant ordering and delivery service in Korea, Coupang Play, our online content streaming service in Korea, fintech, our retail operations in Taiwan, as well as advertising products associated with these offerings, and also includes Farfetch, our newly acquired global luxury fashion marketplace. Revenues from Developing Offerings are primarily generated from our luxury fashion marketplace through Farfetch, our online restaurant ordering and delivery services in Korea and retail operations in Taiwan.
The CODM uses two profitability measures, Segment Adjusted EBITDA and Segment Gross Profit, in assessing segment performance and allocating resources to each segment.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before income taxes for a period before depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense, interest expense, interest income, and other income (expense), net. Segment adjusted EBITDA also excludes impairments and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations. Other segment items in reconciling from net revenues by segment to Segment Adjusted EBITDA include cost of sales, operating, general and administrative expense, and the adjustments described below.
Gross Profit is defined as total net revenues less cost of sales attributable to each reportable segment.
We generally allocate operating expenses to the respective segments based on usage. The CODM does not evaluate segments using asset information and, accordingly, we do not report asset information by segment.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
72 |
Reportable segment financial information is as follows:
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(in millions) |
2024 |
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2023 |
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2022 |
Net revenues |
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Product Commerce |
$ |
26,699 |
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|
$ |
23,594 |
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|
$ |
19,955 |
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Developing Offerings |
3,569 |
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|
789 |
|
|
628 |
|
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,268 |
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|
$ |
24,383 |
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|
$ |
20,583 |
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Cost of sales |
|
|
|
|
|
Product Commerce |
$ |
18,594 |
|
|
$ |
17,313 |
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|
$ |
15,280 |
|
Developing Offerings |
2,843 |
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|
880 |
|
|
593 |
|
Total cost of sales |
$ |
21,437 |
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|
$ |
18,193 |
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|
$ |
15,873 |
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Gross profit |
|
|
|
|
|
Product Commerce |
$ |
8,105 |
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|
$ |
6,282 |
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$ |
4,675 |
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Developing Offerings |
726 |
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(91) |
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|
35 |
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Total gross profit |
$ |
8,831 |
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|
$ |
6,190 |
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$ |
4,710 |
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Operating, general and administrative |
(8,395) |
|
|
(5,717) |
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|
(4,822) |
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Interest expense |
(140) |
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|
(48) |
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|
(27) |
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Interest income |
216 |
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|
178 |
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|
53 |
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Other expense, net |
(39) |
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|
(19) |
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|
(7) |
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
$ |
473 |
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|
$ |
584 |
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|
$ |
(93) |
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Segment adjusted EBITDA |
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|
|
|
|
Product Commerce |
$ |
2,006 |
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|
$ |
1,540 |
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$ |
606 |
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Developing Offerings |
(631) |
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|
(466) |
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(225) |
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Total segment adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
1,375 |
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|
$ |
1,074 |
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|
$ |
381 |
|
Reconciling items: |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
(433) |
|
|
(275) |
|
|
(231) |
|
Equity-based compensation |
(433) |
|
|
(326) |
|
|
(262) |
|
Acquisition and restructuring related costs |
(127) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
KFTC administrative fine (see Note 14) |
(121) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
FC Fire insurance gain |
175 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Interest expense |
(140) |
|
|
(48) |
|
|
(27) |
|
Interest income |
216 |
|
|
178 |
|
|
53 |
|
Other expense, net |
(39) |
|
|
(19) |
|
|
(7) |
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
$ |
473 |
|
|
$ |
584 |
|
|
$ |
(93) |
|
Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.
4. Equity-based Compensation Plans
Our 2021 Equity-based Compensation Plan (the “2021 Plan”) provides for the granting of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards, and other equity-based awards. The number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan will be increased on January 1 of each calendar year through January 1, 2031. As of December 31, 2024, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Plans is 480,960,672 shares and 315,173,683 shares of common stock are available for future grants to employees.
Shares subject to stock awards granted under the 2021 Plan that expire or terminate without being exercised in full, or that are paid out in cash rather than in shares, do not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan. Additionally, shares become available for future grant under the 2021 Plan if they were issued under stock awards under the 2021 Plan and we repurchase them or they are forfeited.
RSUs
RSUs generally vest over 2 to 4 years from the vesting start date, subject to the recipient remaining an employee at each vesting date.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $904 million of unamortized compensation costs related to all unvested RSU awards. The unamortized compensation costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years, net of estimated forfeitures.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
73 |
The table below summarizes our RSU activity:
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Outstanding RSUs |
|
|
(in millions, except unit price) |
Number of RSUs |
|
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
46 |
|
|
$ |
17.25 |
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|
|
|
Granted |
44 |
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|
19.77 |
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|
|
|
Vested |
(19) |
|
|
17.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited / cancelled |
(7) |
|
|
17.92 |
|
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|
|
|
December 31, 2024 |
64 |
|
|
$ |
18.82 |
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|
|
|
The following information is provided for our RSUs:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
(in millions, except unit price) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted |
$ |
19.77 |
|
|
$ |
16.31 |
|
|
$ |
17.24 |
|
Fair value of RSUs at vesting |
$ |
402 |
|
|
$ |
223 |
|
|
$ |
181 |
|
Stock Options
In the past, we granted stock options to certain employees. Stock options generally expire ten years from the grant date.
The table below summarizes our stock option activity:
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|
|
Outstanding Options |
(in millions, except unit price) |
Number of Options |
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) |
|
Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
December 31, 2023 |
17 |
|
|
$ |
7.60 |
|
|
4.90 |
|
$ |
152 |
|
Forfeited / cancelled |
— |
|
|
$ |
2.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
(2) |
|
|
$ |
2.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised Withheld |
— |
|
|
$ |
2.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2024 |
15 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
|
3.83 |
|
$ |
213 |
|
Exercisable as of December 31, 2024 |
15 |
|
|
$ |
8.39 |
|
|
3.82 |
|
$ |
206 |
|
Expected to vest as of December 31, 2024 |
— |
|
|
$ |
1.99 |
|
|
4.38 |
|
$ |
6 |
|
The following information is provided for our stock options:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions, except unit price) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Intrinsic fair value of stock options exercised |
$ |
35 |
|
|
$ |
57 |
|
|
$ |
131 |
|
Equity-based Compensation Expense
The following table presents the effects of equity-based compensation on the consolidated statements of operations:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Cost of sales |
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
Operating, general and administrative |
416 |
|
|
312 |
|
|
246 |
|
Total |
$ |
433 |
|
|
$ |
326 |
|
|
$ |
262 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
74 |
5. Defined Severance Benefits
Changes in defined severance benefits obligation were as follows:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
Beginning balance, January 1 |
$ |
396 |
|
|
$ |
304 |
|
Current service cost |
166 |
|
|
141 |
|
Interest cost |
16 |
|
|
14 |
|
Actuarial losses |
52 |
|
|
22 |
|
Payments from plans |
(79) |
|
|
(84) |
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effects of foreign currency translation |
(60) |
|
|
(1) |
|
Ending balance, December 31 |
$ |
491 |
|
|
$ |
396 |
|
Current |
$ |
96 |
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
Noncurrent |
$ |
395 |
|
|
$ |
314 |
|
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined severance benefits was $348 million and $288 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Net periodic cost consists of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Current service costs |
$ |
166 |
|
|
$ |
141 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
Interest cost |
16 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of: |
|
|
|
|
|
Prior service cost |
2 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
3 |
|
Net actuarial loss |
3 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost |
$ |
187 |
|
|
$ |
159 |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
The principal actuarial assumptions used to determine defined severance benefits obligation were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Discount rates |
3.50% |
– |
3.90% |
|
4.30% |
– |
4.80% |
Salary growth rates |
5.00% |
– |
7.00% |
|
5.00% |
– |
7.00% |
The principal actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic cost were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Discount rates |
4.30 |
% |
– |
4.80 |
% |
|
5.10 |
% |
– |
5.30 |
% |
|
2.70 |
% |
– |
3.00 |
% |
Salary growth rates |
5.00 |
% |
– |
7.00 |
% |
|
5.00 |
% |
– |
8.00 |
% |
|
5.00 |
% |
– |
5.24 |
% |
Estimated future benefit payments as of December 31, 2024 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Less than 1 year |
|
Between 1-2 years |
|
Between 2-5 years |
|
Over 5 years |
|
Total |
Defined severance benefits |
$ |
98 |
|
|
$ |
99 |
|
|
$ |
305 |
|
|
$ |
479 |
|
|
$ |
981 |
|
s
s
6. Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxation through certain of our subsidiaries primarily in the United States, South Korea, United Kingdom, and other foreign jurisdictions in which we do business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
75 |
The components of income tax expense (benefit) were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Current taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
United States |
$ |
76 |
|
|
$ |
62 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Foreign |
106 |
|
|
46 |
|
|
39 |
|
Current taxes |
182 |
|
|
108 |
|
|
39 |
|
Deferred taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
United States |
(15) |
|
|
21 |
|
|
(40) |
|
Foreign |
240 |
|
|
(905) |
|
|
— |
|
Deferred taxes |
225 |
|
|
(884) |
|
|
(40) |
|
Income tax expense (benefit) |
$ |
407 |
|
|
$ |
(776) |
|
|
$ |
(1) |
|
The components of income (loss) before income taxes are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
United States |
$ |
(1,073) |
|
|
$ |
(217) |
|
|
$ |
(232) |
|
Foreign |
1,546 |
|
|
801 |
|
|
139 |
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
$ |
473 |
|
|
$ |
584 |
|
|
$ |
(93) |
|
Differences between the provision at the federal statutory rate and the provision recorded at the consolidated level are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Taxes computed at the federal statutory rate |
$ |
99 |
|
|
$ |
122 |
|
|
$ |
(20) |
|
Differences resulting from: |
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory rate difference |
32 |
|
|
28 |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in valuation allowances |
193 |
|
|
(1,031) |
|
|
(144) |
|
U.S. taxes on foreign earnings |
153 |
|
|
108 |
|
|
103 |
|
Stock compensation |
56 |
|
|
44 |
|
|
37 |
|
Tax credit |
(133) |
|
|
(47) |
|
|
(35) |
|
Other nondeductible expense |
17 |
|
|
— |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
(10) |
|
|
— |
|
|
2 |
|
Income tax expense (benefit) |
$ |
407 |
|
|
$ |
(776) |
|
|
$ |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
76 |
Our resulting effective tax rate differs from the applicable statutory rate, primarily due to tax credits, U.S. taxes on foreign earnings such as the inclusion of the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) provisions, the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in loss making jurisdictions, and other permanent differences.
The income tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
Provision and allowances |
$ |
89 |
|
|
$ |
69 |
|
Stock compensation |
22 |
|
|
13 |
|
Depreciation |
13 |
|
|
8 |
|
Accrued expenses |
104 |
|
|
69 |
|
Amortization |
22 |
|
|
21 |
|
Defined severance benefits |
118 |
|
|
84 |
|
Lease liabilities |
500 |
|
|
409 |
|
Net operating loss carryforwards |
989 |
|
|
643 |
|
Tax credits |
89 |
|
|
33 |
|
Other |
48 |
|
|
36 |
|
Total deferred tax assets |
1,994 |
|
|
1,385 |
|
Less: valuation allowances |
(903) |
|
|
(82) |
|
Total deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance |
$ |
1,091 |
|
|
$ |
1,303 |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease asset |
(466) |
|
|
(371) |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
(3) |
|
|
(7) |
|
Total deferred tax liabilities |
(469) |
|
|
(378) |
|
Net deferred tax assets |
$ |
622 |
|
|
$ |
925 |
|
Changes in the valuation allowances were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Beginning balance, January 1 |
$ |
(82) |
|
|
$ |
(1,085) |
|
|
$ |
(1,284) |
|
Changes to existing valuation allowances |
(193) |
|
|
140 |
|
|
103 |
|
Farfetch Acquisition |
(633) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Derecognition of valuation allowances |
— |
|
|
905 |
|
|
41 |
|
Changes in foreign exchange rates, statutory rates and other |
5 |
|
|
(42) |
|
|
55 |
|
Ending balance, December 31 |
$ |
(903) |
|
|
$ |
(82) |
|
|
$ |
(1,085) |
|
The valuation allowance at December 31, 2022 was primarily related to our Korea net operating loss carryforwards that, in our judgement, were not more likely than not to be realized. During 2023, we continued to see improved and sustained profitability in Korea, which represents objective positive evidence for the realizability of certain deferred tax assets. As such, based on our analysis of the positive and negative evidence in each tax jurisdiction, during 2023 we released the valuation allowance primarily related to the Korea net operating loss deferred tax assets. The release of the valuation allowance in 2023 resulted in an increase to the carrying value of deferred tax assets on the balance sheet and a benefit to our provision for income taxes of $905 million. The valuation allowance at December 31, 2024 was primarily related to our U.S. and foreign net operating loss carryforwards for Farfetch subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $3.9 billion of federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future corporate taxable income. Certain of these amounts are subject to annual limitations under applicable tax law. If not utilized, an immaterial amount of these losses will begin to expire in 2025 and $2.7 billion of these losses do not expire.
We have corporate tax credit carryforwards of $29 million in the United States which may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce future corporate regular income taxes, and $79 million of tax credit carryforwards in Korea which begin to expire in 2028.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
77 |
We did not have any material uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The open tax years for our major tax jurisdictions are 2020 - 2024 for the United States and 2018 - 2024 for Korea.
7. Earnings per Share
The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions, except per share amounts) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Numerator |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to Coupang stockholders |
$ |
154 |
|
|
$ |
1,360 |
|
|
$ |
(92) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average shares used in computing net income (loss) per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
1,794 |
|
|
1,782 |
|
|
1,765 |
|
Dilutive effect of equity compensation awards |
32 |
|
|
21 |
|
|
— |
|
Diluted |
1,826 |
|
|
1,803 |
|
|
1,765 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
(0.05) |
|
Diluted |
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
$ |
(0.05) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anti-dilutive shares |
1 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
24 |
|
8. Fair Value Measurement
Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are reported in one of three levels reflecting the significant inputs used to determine fair value.
The following summarizes our financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Classification |
|
Measurement Level |
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Financial assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market trust |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
Level 1 |
|
$ |
1,755 |
|
|
$ |
1,582 |
|
Money market fund |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
Level 1 |
|
$ |
828 |
|
|
$ |
1,205 |
|
Money market trust |
Restricted cash |
|
Level 1 |
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
$ |
86 |
|
Our long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair value is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on our current interest rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying amount of the long-term debt approximates its fair value as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, due primarily to the interest rates approximating market interest rates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
78 |
9. Property and Equipment, net
The following summarizes our property and equipment, net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Useful Life |
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Land |
|
$ |
401 |
|
|
$ |
323 |
|
Buildings |
40 years |
794 |
|
|
751 |
|
Equipment and furniture |
1 - 8 years |
1,136 |
|
|
914 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
(1) |
929 |
|
|
662 |
|
Vehicles |
4 - 6 years |
65 |
|
|
79 |
|
Software |
4 years |
75 |
|
|
26 |
|
Construction in progress |
|
377 |
|
|
347 |
|
Property and equipment, gross |
|
$ |
3,777 |
|
|
$ |
3,102 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
(964) |
|
|
(637) |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
$ |
2,813 |
|
|
$ |
2,465 |
|
(1)Lesser of useful life or remaining lease term
For 2024, 2023, and 2022, depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment was $369 million, $271 million, and $229 million, respectively.
Property and equipment under construction, which primarily consists of fulfillment centers and deposits for equipment, is recorded as construction in progress until it is ready for its intended use; thereafter, it is transferred to the related class of property and equipment and depreciated over its estimated useful life.
10. Intangible Assets
The following summarizes our finite-lived intangible assets, net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
|
Gross Carrying Value |
|
Accumulated Amortization |
|
Net Carrying Value |
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trademarks(1) |
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
$ |
(46) |
|
|
$ |
137 |
|
|
Customer relationships(1) |
|
|
34 |
|
|
(6) |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed technology and other(1) |
|
|
109 |
|
|
(21) |
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
$ |
326 |
|
|
$ |
(73) |
|
|
$ |
253 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
|
Gross Carrying Value |
|
Accumulated Amortization |
|
Net Carrying Value |
December 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trademarks |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
(4) |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
Developed technology and other |
|
|
22 |
|
|
(5) |
|
|
17 |
|
Total |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
(9) |
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
(1)Includes intangible assets acquired in the Farfetch Acquisition. See Note 16 — "Business Combinations - Farfetch".
For 2024, 2023, and 2022, amortization expense of intangible assets was $64 million, $4 million, and $2 million, respectively. Indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $18 million and $16 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024, future amortization expense is expected to be as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Amortization Expense |
2025 |
$ |
55 |
|
2026 |
55 |
|
2027 |
29 |
|
2028 |
26 |
|
2029 |
19 |
|
Thereafter |
69 |
|
Total |
$ |
253 |
|
11. Leases
We are obligated under operating leases primarily for vehicles, equipment, warehouses, and facilities that expire over the next ten years. These leases can contain renewal options. Because we are not reasonably certain to exercise these renewal options, or the renewal options are not solely within our discretion, the options are not considered in determining the lease term, and the associated potential option payments are excluded from expected minimum lease payments. Our leases generally do not include termination options for either party or restrictive financial or other covenants.
Our finance leases as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were not material and are included in “Property and equipment, net”, on our consolidated balance sheets.
The components of operating lease cost were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Operating lease cost |
$ |
595 |
|
|
$ |
457 |
|
|
$ |
410 |
|
Variable and short-term lease cost |
51 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
40 |
|
Total operating lease cost |
$ |
646 |
|
|
$ |
499 |
|
|
$ |
450 |
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information related to operating leases were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Cash paid for the amount used to measure the operating lease liabilities |
$ |
572 |
|
|
$ |
445 |
|
|
$ |
367 |
|
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations |
$ |
878 |
|
|
$ |
428 |
|
|
$ |
426 |
|
Net increase to operating lease ROU assets resulting from remeasurements of lease obligations |
$ |
123 |
|
|
$ |
133 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
Amounts disclosed for ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations include amounts added to the carrying amount of ROU assets resulting from lease modifications and reassessments, and new leases.
The assumptions used to value operating leases for the periods presented were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Weighted-average remaining lease term |
6.1 years |
|
5.7 years |
Weighted-average discount rate |
7.62 |
% |
|
7.77 |
% |
As of December 31, 2024, we had entered into operating leases that have not commenced with future minimum lease payments of $215 million, that have not been recognized on our consolidated balance sheets. These leases have non-cancellable lease terms of 2 to 10 years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
80 |
12. Supplemental Financial Information
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Supplemental disclosure of cash-flow information |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds |
$ |
138 |
|
|
$ |
110 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
Cash paid for interest |
$ |
85 |
|
|
$ |
31 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
Non-cash investing and financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in property and equipment-related accounts payable |
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
$ |
(68) |
|
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown within the consolidated statements of cash flows.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
5,879 |
|
|
$ |
5,243 |
|
|
$ |
3,509 |
|
Restricted cash |
151 |
|
|
353 |
|
|
176 |
|
Noncurrent assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash included in long-term leasehold deposits and other |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
2 |
|
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ |
6,031 |
|
|
$ |
5,597 |
|
|
$ |
3,687 |
|
Supplier Financing Arrangements
We have agreements with third-party financial institutions to facilitate participating vendors’ and suppliers’ ability to settle payment obligations from us to designated third-party financial institutions. Participating vendors and suppliers may, at their sole discretion, settle obligations prior to their scheduled due dates at a discounted price to the participating financial institutions. The invoices that have been confirmed as valid under the program require payment, in full, based on the original standard invoice terms. Confirmed invoices owed to financial institutions under these programs are included within “Accounts payable” on the consolidated balance sheets.
Changes in the amount of supplier finance obligations were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
|
Confirmed obligations outstanding, January 1 |
$ |
459 |
|
|
|
Invoices confirmed during the year |
4,028 |
|
|
|
Confirmed invoices paid during the year |
(3,985) |
|
|
|
Foreign currency related changes |
(59) |
|
|
|
Confirmed obligations outstanding, December 31 |
$ |
443 |
|
|
|
13. Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
Short-Term Borrowings
Details of carrying amounts of short-term borrowings were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowing Limit |
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Maturity Date |
|
Interest rate (%) |
|
|
|
January 2025 - December 2025 |
|
2.26 |
– |
5.54 |
|
$ |
464 |
|
|
$ |
331 |
|
|
$ |
282 |
|
April 2025 - June 2025 |
|
TAIBOR + 1.25% |
|
199 |
|
|
151 |
|
|
— |
|
September 2025 |
|
(1) |
|
10 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Total principal short-term borrowings |
|
|
|
$ |
673 |
|
|
$ |
482 |
|
|
$ |
282 |
|
Less: unamortized discounts |
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
— |
|
Total short-term borrowings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
479 |
|
|
$ |
282 |
|
Weighted-average interest rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.07 |
% |
|
3.49 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
81 |
(1)The interest rate is based on an average of AAA rated financial bonds rate in Korea plus 1.35%.
Our short-term borrowings generally include lines of credit and loan facilities with financial institutions to be drawn upon for general operating purposes.
Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility
In September 2024, a Taiwan subsidiary entered into a new five-year senior unsecured credit facility (the “Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility”) providing for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $199 million. The Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility permits the borrower to obtain incremental commitments up to $296 million, subject to customary conditions. Borrowings under the Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Taipei Interbank Offered Rate (“TAIBOR”) plus 1.25%.
The Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2024, there was $151 million balance outstanding on the Taiwan Revolving Credit Facility.
Long-Term Debt
Details of carrying amounts of long-term debt were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Contractual |
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowing Limit |
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Description |
Maturity Date |
|
Interest rate (%) |
|
|
|
April 2023 Term Loan(1) |
Apr 2026 |
|
6.76 |
|
$ |
156 |
|
|
$ |
156 |
|
|
$ |
178 |
|
Revolving Credit Facility |
Feb 2026 |
|
(2) |
|
875 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
March 2022 Term Loan(1) |
Mar 2027 |
|
4.26 |
|
273 |
|
|
273 |
|
|
310 |
|
August 2021 Term Loan(1) |
Aug 2027 |
|
4.90 |
|
111 |
|
|
111 |
|
|
— |
|
Farfetch Term Loan |
Oct 2027 |
|
SOFR |
+ |
6.25 |
|
493 |
|
|
493 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Term Loan Facilities(1) |
Apr 2025 - Nov 2026 |
|
3.78 |
- |
4.45 |
|
38 |
|
|
38 |
|
|
247 |
|
Total principal long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,946 |
|
|
$ |
1,071 |
|
|
$ |
735 |
|
Less: current portion of long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(66) |
|
|
(203) |
|
Less: unamortized discounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17) |
|
|
(3) |
|
Total long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
988 |
|
|
$ |
529 |
|
(1)At December 31, 2024, we had pledged up to $717 million of land and buildings as collateral against long-term loan facilities.
(2)Borrowings under the 2021 revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to (i) a base rate equal to the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the higher of the federal funds rate or a composite overnight bank borrowing rate plus 0.50%, or (C) an adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) for a one-month interest period plus 1.00% or (ii) an adjusted Term SOFR plus a margin equal to 1.00%.
Revolving Credit Facility
In January 2024, our senior unsecured credit facility (“the Revolving Credit Facility”) was amended to extend the maturity date to February 2026 and to bring the aggregate principal amount to $875 million. The Revolving Credit Facility continues to provide us the right to request incremental commitments up to $1.25 billion, subject to customary conditions.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including certain financial covenants. The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all our material restricted subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains financial covenants that require us to maintain certain maximum net leverage ratios and minimum liquidity amounts.
Farfetch Term Loans
As part of the Farfetch Acquisition, our subsidiary assumed the then outstanding syndicated Term Loans (“Farfetch Term Loans”) under Farfetch’s existing credit agreement with certain banks and financial institutions of $575 million, inclusive of fees incurred and less $58 million we repurchased upon acquisition. Repayment of the Farfetch Term Loans is due in quarterly installments, of 0.25% of the original principal balance, payable on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The Farfetch Term Loans mature in October 2027, and early payment is permitted. The Farfetch Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to SOFR plus 6.25% per annum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
82 |
In January 2025, the Farfetch Term Loans were amended to (i) waive technical defaults that resulted from our restructuring actions related to Farfetch subsidiaries in Italy and (ii) require loan prepayment (not to exceed $125 million) from restricted cash proceeds received for Italian VAT receivables and the Limited Partnership in turn extended its commitment to provide the remaining $148 million cash contribution to the earlier of the loan repayment date or April 2028. Coupang, Inc. has not provided any security or guaranty of repayment of the Farfetch Term Loans and is not obligated to provide additional cash funding to Farfetch beyond its share of the Limited Partnership’s remaining commitment.
The Farfetch Term Loans contain customary affirmative covenants as well as customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on certain entities within Farfetch’s ability to incur additional debt, make investments, make distributions, dispose of assets, or enter into certain types of related party transactions. The Farfetch Term Loans are secured against specified assets of the Farfetch group and guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of Farfetch.
We were in compliance with the financial covenants for each of our borrowings and debt agreements as of December 31, 2024.
Future contractual principal payments for long-term debt as of December 31, 2024 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Long-term debt |
2025 |
$ |
71 |
|
2026 |
201 |
|
2027 |
799 |
|
2028 |
— |
|
2029 |
— |
|
Thereafter |
— |
|
Total |
$ |
1,071 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
83 |
14. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The following summarizes our minimum contractual commitments as of December 31, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Minimum royalty payments(1) |
|
Unconditional purchase obligations (unrecognized) |
|
Long-term debt (including interest) |
|
Operating leases |
|
|
|
Total |
2025 |
$ |
41 |
|
|
$ |
593 |
|
|
$ |
154 |
|
|
$ |
563 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,351 |
|
2026 |
34 |
|
|
516 |
|
|
271 |
|
|
492 |
|
|
|
|
1,313 |
|
2027 |
32 |
|
|
386 |
|
|
852 |
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
|
1,688 |
|
2028 |
31 |
|
|
317 |
|
|
— |
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
|
703 |
|
2029 |
31 |
|
|
311 |
|
|
— |
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
|
620 |
|
Thereafter |
95 |
|
|
313 |
|
|
— |
|
|
687 |
|
|
|
|
1,095 |
|
Total undiscounted payments |
$ |
264 |
|
|
$ |
2,436 |
|
|
$ |
1,277 |
|
|
$ |
2,793 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,770 |
|
Less: lease imputed interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(601) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total lease commitments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1)Contract terminated by mutual agreement in February 2025.
Unconditional purchase obligations include legally binding contracts with terms in excess of one year that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. These contractual commitments primarily relate to the purchases of technology related services, fulfillment center construction contracts, and software licenses. For contracts with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum pricing as of the reporting date.
New Guards Group
In February 2025, New Guards Group Holdings S.p.A. (“New Guards”) and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively “NGGH”), a subsidiary acquired in the Farfetch Acquisition, and Authentic Brands Group LLC (the “licensor”) entered into a settlement agreement and mutual release with the licensor (the “Mutual Termination Agreement”) related to a license agreement. The license agreement granted NGGH distribution rights for Reebok-branded footwear and apparel ranges within certain countries in the European region and provided for minimum guaranteed royalties to be paid by NGGH over the remaining eight years of the agreement, with no cancellation rights. Pursuant to the Mutual Termination Agreement, NGGH’s distribution rights and licensor’s right to receive guaranteed minimum royalty payments over the remaining term totaling $264 million was terminated, in exchange for the transfer of inventory and certain working capital balances to a new licensee. In addition, NGGH entered into a Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”) with the new licensee to provide support services through April 2025 and licensee agreed to reimburse the cost of such services.
Legal Matters
From time to time, we may become party to litigation incidents and other legal proceedings, including regulatory proceedings, in the ordinary course of business. We assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes with respect to these matters and determines loss contingency assessments on a gross basis after assessing the probability of incurrence of a loss and whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In addition, we consider other relevant factors that could impact our ability to reasonably estimate a loss. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after analyzing each matter. Our reserves may change in the future due to new developments or changes in strategy in handling these matters. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we currently believe that the final outcome of currently pending legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
84 |
Litigation
On August 26, 2022, a putative class action was filed on behalf of all purchasers of Coupang Class A common stock pursuant and/or traceable to Coupang’s registration statement issued in connection with our initial public offering. Choi v. Coupang, Inc. et al was brought against Coupang, Inc., and certain of its former and current directors, current officers, and certain underwriters of the offering. The action was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging inaccurate and misleading or omitted statements of material fact in Coupang's Registration Statement in violation of Sections 11, 12, and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. The action was amended on May 22, 2023, and added allegations of securities fraud under Sections 10 and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The action seeks unspecified compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and reasonable costs and expenses. Between August and December 2023, three separate stockholders’ derivative actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and in December of 2024, a derivative action was filed in Delaware Chancery Court, in each case against certain of Coupang’s former and current directors and current officers. Coupang was named as a nominal defendant in the various derivative actions. Aside from the aforementioned actions, there have been additional Delaware Section 220 records inspection demands. These derivative actions and related demands purport to assert claims on behalf of Coupang and make substantially similar factual allegations to Choi v. Coupang, Inc. et al, bringing claims for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and violations of securities laws. The actions seek compensatory damages, governance reforms, and other relief. We intend to vigorously defend against the aforementioned actions. A reasonable estimate of the amount of any possible loss or range of loss cannot be made at this time. Accordingly, we can provide no assurances as to the scope and outcome of these matters and no assurances as to whether our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows will not be materially adversely affected. In February of 2025, we received two demands on the Board of Directors alleging claims similar to those in the class and derivative actions and demanding civil actions by the Board against certain current and former directors and officers. Those have been provided to the Board of Directors to evaluate.
Korean Fair Trade Commission Investigations
In June 2021, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) initiated an investigation into a potential violation of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act by two of our Korean subsidiaries, Coupang Corp. and Coupang Private Label Brands (“CPLB”), including certain alleged treatment of private labelled products provided by CPLB. In June 2024, the KFTC publicly announced that as a result of their investigation, they determined that Coupang Corp.’s search rankings disclosure violated Korean law; a regulatory finding subject to judicial review, and that they would impose an administrative fine on Coupang Corp., direct Coupang Corp. and CPLB to take certain related corrective actions, and refer the matter for criminal prosecution. Payments of administrative fines to the KFTC are not stayed during an appeal process and as a result, we accrued the administrative fine in the second quarter of 2024, resulting in a charge, included within “Operating, general and administrative”, of approximately $121 million. Coupang Corp. will pay the administrative fine in six installments over two years and made the first payment in October 2024 and will make the last payment in June 2026.
In August 2024, Coupang Corp. and CPLB received the KFTC’s formal written decision, and in September 2024, Coupang Corp. and CPLB appealed such decision. That appeal is pending, and the first hearing of the administrative litigation action was held in November 2024 and the second hearing will be held at the end of March 2025. Coupang Corp. and CPLB also filed a preliminary injunction with the Seoul High Court to stay the fine and corrective orders during the pendency of the appeal. In October 2024, the Seoul High Court granted Coupang Corp.’s and CPLB’s request for suspension of the KFTC’s corrective orders, but dismissed the request for a stay of the KFTC’s administrative fine. The KFTC subsequently appealed the Seoul High Court’s decision to grant a suspension of the corrective orders and in February 2025, the Supreme Court of Korea dismissed the KFTC’s appeal. Last November, in response to the KFTC’s criminal referral, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office initiated a criminal investigation into Coupang Corp. and CPLB.
The KFTC is also investigating Coupang Corp. on other matters related to the alleged violations of certain KFTC regulations. Coupang Corp. is diligently cooperating with these investigations, and actively defending its practices as appropriate.
Under Korean law, the issues addressed in the investigations can be resolved through civil, administrative, or criminal proceedings. The ultimate case resolution could include fines, orders to alter our processes or procedures, and criminal investigations or charges against individuals or us. We cannot reasonably estimate any penalties, loss or range of loss that may arise from these other KFTC Investigations, in excess of the amounts accrued. Accordingly, we can provide no assurance as to the scope and outcome of these matters and no assurance as to whether our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows will not be materially adversely affected.
15. Stockholders' Equity
Our certificate of incorporation provides for two classes of common stock, and authorizes shares of undesignated preferred stock, the rights, preferences, and privileges of which may be designated from time to time by our board of directors. Our authorized capital stock consists of 10 billion shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; 250 million shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and 2 billion shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. No preferred stock was issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
85 |
The shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting, conversion, and transfer rights. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote. Each share of Class B common stock is entitled to twenty-nine votes. In addition, each share of our Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of our Class A common stock upon any transfer, whether or not for value, except certain transfers to entities, to the extent the transferor retains sole dispositive power and exclusive voting control with respect to the shares of Class B common stock.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period that have yet to be recognized in income. The major components are foreign currency translation adjustments and actuarial gains (losses) on our defined severance benefits. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the ending balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to foreign currency translation adjustments was $(309) million and $43 million, respectively, and the amount related to actuarial losses on defined severance benefits was $(95) million and $(61) million, respectively.
Share Repurchase
In April 2024, we repurchased 10 million shares of our Class A common stock for $178 million in a private transaction.
16. Business Combinations - Farfetch
Farfetch Acquisition
On January 30, 2024 we completed the acquisition of Farfetch. We believe the acquisition will allow us to expand into luxury retail. We have accounted for this acquisition as a business combination. Total purchase consideration consisted of amounts previously funded to Farfetch under a loan prior to acquisition (the “Bridge Loan”) and required partial repayment of the Farfetch Term Loans at the close of the transaction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Estimated Fair Value |
Farfetch Term Loan repayment |
$ |
58 |
|
Bridge Loan contribution |
150 |
|
Total purchase consideration |
$ |
208 |
|
Purchase Price Allocation
The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of purchase consideration and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
Estimated Fair Value |
Assets acquired |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
126 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
288 |
|
Inventories |
310 |
|
Prepaids and other current assets |
224 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
95 |
|
Intangible assets |
325 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
209 |
|
Other non-current assets |
227 |
|
Liabilities assumed |
|
Accounts payable |
(505) |
|
Other current liabilities |
(169) |
|
Long-term debt |
(557) |
|
Operating lease obligations |
(214) |
|
Other non-current liabilities |
(177) |
|
Net assets assumed |
182 |
|
Noncontrolling interests |
(78) |
|
Goodwill on acquisition |
104 |
|
Total consideration |
$ |
208 |
|
The excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill which is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill represents the future economic benefits we expect to achieve as a
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
86 |
result of the acquisition, including the workforce of the acquired business as well as future operational and logistical cost efficiencies expected to be achieved. During 2024, certain insignificant measurement period adjustments were made to the initial allocation, and the preliminary amount of goodwill was increased by $35 million. Goodwill was recorded in our Developing Offerings segment.
The identifiable intangible assets acquired were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions, except years) |
Weighted Average Useful Life |
|
Estimated Fair Value |
Brand trademarks |
5 years |
|
$ |
130 |
|
Customer relationships |
5 years |
|
34 |
|
Supplier relationships |
15 years |
|
61 |
|
Developed technology |
3 years |
|
38 |
|
Brand licenses |
8 years |
|
62 |
|
Total intangible assets |
|
|
$ |
325 |
|
The results of Farfetch included in our consolidated statement of operations since the closing of the acquisition were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
Total net revenues |
$ |
1,658 |
|
Net loss |
$ |
(352) |
|
Acquisition-related costs were recorded as operating expenses for 2024 and were not material.
Supplemental Pro Forma Information (Unaudited)
The following financial information presents our results as if the acquisition of Farfetch had occurred on January 1, 2023:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
Pro Forma Information |
|
|
|
Total net revenues |
$ |
30,455 |
|
|
$ |
26,712 |
|
Net (loss) income |
$ |
(20) |
|
|
$ |
965 |
|
These pro forma results are based on estimates and assumptions, which we believe are reasonable. They are illustrative only and are not the results that would have been achieved had the acquisition actually occurred on January 1, 2023, nor are they indicative of future results. The pro forma results include adjustments related to the business combination, including amortization of acquired intangibles, stock-based compensation, lease expense, and income taxes.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
In December 2023, we established a subsidiary, Surpique LP (the “Limited Partnership”) for the purposes of providing the Bridge Loan and acquiring all of the business and assets of Farfetch. The Limited Partnership is owned 80.1% by Coupang, Inc and 19.9% by certain funds advised or managed by Greenoaks Capital Partners, LLC (“Greenoaks”), a related party. The Limited Partnership is included in the Company’s consolidated operating results as of 2024 and 2023.
Greenoaks’ 19.9% equity interest in the Limited Partnership is subject to a put/call option after the acquisition was completed, whereby their equity interest can be purchased at either parties’ option after seven years has elapsed and no initial public offering of the acquired Farfetch assets has taken place. The put/call option is to be calculated based on market value of the Farfetch business at the time of exercise. As of December 31, 2023, we recognized a redeemable noncontrolling interest of $15 million for Greenoaks’ equity interest in the Limited Partnership. During 2024, Greenoaks contributed a further $55 million in connection with the Bridge Loan and acquisition of Farfetch, which we recognized as additional redeemable noncontrolling interest. It is probable that the redeemable noncontrolling interest will be redeemed and we have elected to adjust the carrying value to its redemption value over a seven year period following the Farfetch acquisition. The redemption value is estimated at $100 million as of December 31, 2024.
Mr. Neil Mehta, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, has served as a Managing Partner of Greenoaks since April 2012. Greenoaks and certain funds and accounts to which Greenoaks serves as the investment adviser and related persons or entities, including Mr. Mehta, have ownership in our Class A common stock.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
87 |
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
None.
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Item 9A. Controls and Procedures |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), to assess whether they are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
In accordance with the interpretative guidance issued by the SEC staff, companies are allowed to exclude acquired businesses from the assessment of internal control over financial reporting during the first year after completion of an acquisition and the disclosure controls and procedures of the acquired entity that are subsumed in the internal control over financial reporting from the assessment of disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this guidance, our assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024 excluded the portion of disclosure controls and procedures that are subsumed by internal control over financial reporting of Farfetch. The Company completed the acquisition of Farfetch on January 30, 2024. Farfetch, excluding the effects of purchase accounting, represented 7% and 5% of the Company’s consolidated total assets and consolidated total revenues, respectively, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using criteria described in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Based on our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024 based on the criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013).
In accordance with the interpretive guidance issued by the SEC staff, management has excluded Farfetch from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Farfetch assets represented approximately 7% of the Company’s consolidated total assets, excluding the effects of purchase accounting, and its revenues represented approximately 5% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues, each as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 has been audited by Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting of Farfetch
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Farfetch Limited disclosed the existence of material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting in Item 15 of its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The unremediated material weakness identified and disclosed by Farfetch Limited related to the operating effectiveness of certain business process and information technology controls in the New Guards business. We are in the process of reviewing the operations of Farfetch and implementing Coupang’s internal control structure over the acquired operations. While we did not include Farfetch in our assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, we determined the material weakness previously disclosed by Farfetch Limited was not fully remediated as of December 31, 2024 and could result in a
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
88 |
material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements that will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We are actively engaged in the remediation efforts.
Remediation Efforts
The Company continues to assess the impact of the Acquisition and is taking actions to remediate the material weakness relating to the New Guards business.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
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Item 9B. Other Information |
b) Trading Plans
Gaurav Anand, our Chief Financial Officer, adopted a pre-arranged stock trading plan (the “Plan”) in accordance with the SEC guidelines specified under Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act and the policies of Coupang regarding stock transactions, to sell up to 301,400 shares of Coupang Class A Common Stock (the “Shares”), subject to certain terms and conditions, beginning no earlier than March 10, 2025. The Plan, which was entered into on December 8, 2024, will terminate the earlier of the sale of all 301,400 Shares pursuant to the Plan or December 17, 2025. Mr. Anand entered into the Plan to primarily satisfy certain tax obligations.
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Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections |
Not applicable.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
89 |
PART III
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Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
The information required by this item, including information about our Directors, Executive Officers and Audit Committee and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Insider Trading Policy, is incorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC, no later than 120 days after December 31, 2024. To the extent permissible under applicable rules, we intend to disclose amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as well as waivers of the provisions thereof granted to executive officers and directors, on our investor relations website under the heading “Corporate Governance” at https://ir.aboutcoupang.com.
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Item 11. Executive Compensation |
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters |
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
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Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
Our independent registered public accounting firm is Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers, Seoul, Republic of Korea (PCAOB ID: 1103).
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
90 |
PART IV
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Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
a) Documents filed as part of this report:
1) Financial Statements (Item 8);
2) Financial Statement Schedules. Financial Statement Schedules of the Company, as required for 2024, 2023, and 2022, consist of Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Coupang, Inc. Schedules not included are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.
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Exhibit Number |
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Description of Exhibit |
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Provided Herewith |
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Incorporated by Reference |
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Form |
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File No. |
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Exhibit |
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Filing Date |
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3.1 |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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3.1 |
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November 12, 2021 |
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3.2 |
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8-K |
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001-40115 |
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3.1 |
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June 27, 2024 |
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4.1 |
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S-1 |
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333-253030 |
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4.1 |
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February 12, 2021 |
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4.2 |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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4.2 |
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March 3, 2022 |
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10.1+ |
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S-8 |
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333-254117 |
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99.1 |
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March 11, 2021 |
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10.2+ |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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10.5 |
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March 1, 2023 |
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10.3+ |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.2 |
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May 12, 2022 |
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10.4+ |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.3 |
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May 12, 2022 |
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10.5+ |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.1 |
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August 11, 2022 |
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10.6+ |
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X |
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10.7+ |
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S-1 |
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333-253030 |
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10.1 |
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February 12, 2021 |
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10.8+ |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.6 |
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May 13, 2021 |
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10.9+ |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.7 |
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May 13, 2021 |
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10.10+ |
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X |
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10.11+ |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.11 |
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May 13, 2021 |
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10.12+ |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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10.9 |
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February 28, 2024 |
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10.13+ |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.1 |
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May 10, 2023 |
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10.14+ |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.1 |
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November 6, 2024 |
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10.15 |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.12 |
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May 13, 2021 |
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
91 |
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10.16 |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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10.12 |
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March 3, 2022 |
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10.17 |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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10.13 |
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March 3, 2022 |
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10.18 |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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10.15 |
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March 3, 2022 |
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10.19 |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.2 |
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August 9, 2023 |
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10.20 |
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8-K |
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001-40115 |
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10.1 |
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February 1, 2024 |
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10.21 |
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10-Q |
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001-40115 |
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10.2 |
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May 8, 2024 |
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10.22 |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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10.21 |
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February 28, 2024 |
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10.23 |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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10.22 |
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February 28, 2024 |
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10.24 |
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X |
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19.1 |
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X |
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21.1 |
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X |
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23.1 |
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X |
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31.1 |
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X |
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31.2 |
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X |
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32.1* |
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X |
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32.2* |
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X |
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97.0 |
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10-K |
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001-40115 |
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97.0 |
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February 28, 2024 |
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101.INS |
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XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
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101.SCH |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
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Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
92 |
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101.CAL |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
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101.DEF |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
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101.LAB |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. |
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101.PRE |
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
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104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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_____________
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+ |
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan |
* |
The certifications attached as Exhibit 32.1 and 32.2 that accompany this Annual Report on Form 10-K are deemed furnished and not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Coupang, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing. |
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Coupang, Inc. |
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2024 Form 10-K |
93 |
COUPANG, INC.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (COUPANG, INC.)
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
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(in millions) |
2024 |
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2023 |
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2022 |
Management service fee revenues |
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
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Operating cost and expenses |
(558) |
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(400) |
|
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(324) |
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Interest expense |
(2) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
(2) |
|
Other income, net |
63 |
|
|
84 |
|
|
28 |
|
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries |
(477) |
|
|
(300) |
|
|
(281) |
|
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Equity in earnings of subsidiaries |
722 |
|
|
1,783 |
|
|
189 |
|
|
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|
|
Income (loss) before taxes |
245 |
|
|
1,483 |
|
|
(92) |
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Income tax expense |
91 |
|
|
123 |
|
|
— |
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Net income (loss) |
$ |
154 |
|
|
$ |
1,360 |
|
|
$ |
(92) |
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Other comprehensive income (loss): |
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Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax |
(353) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
9 |
|
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined severance benefits, net of tax |
(34) |
|
|
(18) |
|
|
41 |
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Total other comprehensive (loss) income |
(387) |
|
|
(20) |
|
|
50 |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income |
$ |
(233) |
|
|
$ |
1,340 |
|
|
$ |
(42) |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
94 |
COUPANG, INC.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (COUPANG, INC.)
Condensed Balance Sheets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
December 31, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Assets |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
1,016 |
|
|
$ |
1,592 |
|
Restricted cash |
— |
|
|
79 |
|
Other current assets |
66 |
|
|
20 |
|
Total current assets |
1,082 |
|
|
1,691 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets |
12 |
|
|
12 |
|
Investment in subsidiaries |
3,058 |
|
|
2,438 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
4,152 |
|
|
$ |
4,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and stockholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities |
$ |
49 |
|
|
$ |
42 |
|
Total current liabilities |
49 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities |
— |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
49 |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' equity |
|
|
|
Common stock |
— |
|
|
— |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
8,736 |
|
|
8,489 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(404) |
|
|
(17) |
|
Accumulated deficit |
(4,229) |
|
|
(4,383) |
|
Total stockholders' equity |
4,103 |
|
|
4,089 |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
$ |
4,152 |
|
|
$ |
4,141 |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
95 |
COUPANG, INC.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (COUPANG, INC.)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
$ |
(126) |
|
|
$ |
95 |
|
|
$ |
(79) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contribution to subsidiaries |
(349) |
|
|
(121) |
|
|
(725) |
|
Return of capital contribution from subsidiaries |
90 |
|
|
61 |
|
|
80 |
|
Increase of short-term loans |
(95) |
|
|
(25) |
|
|
— |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
(354) |
|
|
(85) |
|
|
(645) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of common units and preferred units |
(178) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock/units, equity-based compensation plan |
4 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other financing activities |
(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(175) |
|
|
9 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(655) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
(706) |
|
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period |
1,671 |
|
|
1,652 |
|
|
2,358 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period |
$ |
1,016 |
|
|
$ |
1,671 |
|
|
$ |
1,652 |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
96 |
Coupang, Inc.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Coupang, Inc.)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
1.Basis of Presentation
These condensed Parent company-only financial statements have been derived from its consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Coupang, Inc. and subsidiaries included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The Parent’s significant accounting policies are consistent with those described in Note 1 — "Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Part II, Item 8, except that all subsidiaries are accounted for as equity method investments.
Certain subsidiaries in Korea hold various licenses and/or are regulated by governmental requirements. As a result, the ability of these subsidiaries to pay dividends or loan money to our Parent company is restricted due to terms which require the subsidiaries to meet certain financial covenants, including maintaining a positive net equity balance; having a minimum percentage of its total assets in low-risk, cash-like assets; and maintaining a minimum current asset to current liability ratio. In addition, the Parent has certain regulatory restrictions that only allow dividend payments to be made while maintaining a positive net equity balance or if dividends are paid out of the current years' income, if any.
2.Debt
The Parent has a $875 million unsecured credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) as further described in Note 13 — "Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt" which was amended to extend the term to February 2026. As of December 31, 2024, there was no balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary |
None.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
98 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
COUPANG, INC. |
|
|
By: |
/s/ Bom Kim |
|
Bom Kim |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
Dated: February 25, 2025
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Bom Kim |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Bom Kim |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Gaurav Anand |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Gaurav Anand |
|
(Principal Financial Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jonathan Lee |
|
Chief Accounting Officer |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Jonathan Lee |
|
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Neil Mehta |
|
Director |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Neil Mehta |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jason Child |
|
Director |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Jason Child |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Pedro Franceschi |
|
Director |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Pedro Franceschi |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Asha Sharma |
|
Director |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Asha Sharma |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Benjamin Sun |
|
Director |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Benjamin Sun |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Ambereen Toubassy |
|
Director |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Ambereen Toubassy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Kevin Warsh |
|
Director |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Kevin Warsh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coupang, Inc. |
|
2024 Form 10-K |
99 |
EX-10.6
2
cpng-12312024exhibit106.htm
EX-10.6
Document
COUPANG, INC.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY
(Last amended December 12, 2024)
The purpose of this Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (this “Policy”) of Coupang, Inc. (the “Company”), is to provide a compensation package that enables the Company to attract and retain high-caliber directors and aligns their interests with the interests of the Company’s stockholders. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Policy will have the meaning given such term in the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Equity Plan”).
1.Eligibility
This Policy applies to all members of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) who are not employees or officers of the Company or its subsidiaries (each, a “Non-Employee Director” and, collectively, “Non-Employee Directors”). Directors who are employees or officers of the Company or its subsidiaries do not receive compensation for their service on the Board.
2.Equity Compensation
Non-Employee Directors shall be eligible to be granted the Awards described below. The Awards described below shall be granted under and subject to the terms and provisions of the Equity Plan or a successor equity incentive plan, and shall be granted subject to the execution and delivery of any related Award Agreements, including any exhibits that may be attached thereto, in substantially the same forms previously approved by the Board, setting forth the vesting schedule applicable to such Awards and such other terms as may be required by the Equity Plan. All Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors hereunder shall be in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), with each such RSU representing a contingent right to receive one share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock upon settlement.
Except as otherwise provided by the Board or in any related Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Non-Employee Director and the Company, all Awards granted under this Policy shall be subject to the Non-Employee Director’s Continuous Service to the Company through the applicable vest date.
In the event of a Change in Control, all Awards granted under this Policy to Non-Employee Directors that remain outstanding and unvested at the time of such Change in Control shall vest in full at the time of such Change in Control, subject to the applicable Non-Employee Director’s Continuous Service until immediately prior to the time of such Change in Control.
For purposes of this Policy, the “Value” of an Award means the grant date fair value as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or such other methodology that the Board may determine prior to the grant of the applicable Award becoming effective.
(a)Annual Equity Awards.
The Company shall grant Awards to Non-Employee Directors as annual retainers as set forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Retainer for Board Membership |
$ 300,000 |
Additional Annual Retainers |
•Lead Independent Director |
$ 25,000 |
•Chair of the Audit Committee |
$ 25,000 |
•Chair of the Compensation Committee |
$ 20,000 |
•Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
$ 15,000 |
•Member of the Audit Committee (Other than Chair) |
$ 12,500 |
•Member of the Compensation Committee (Other than Chair) |
$ 10,000 |
•Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Other than Chair) |
$ 7,500 |
On the date of each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders (each, an “Annual Meeting”), a person who is a Non-Employee Director immediately following the applicable Annual Meeting and who will continue to serve as a Non-Employee Director immediately following such Annual Meeting shall be automatically granted (i) an Award consisting of RSUs for his or her service as a Non-Employee Director (an “Annual Retainer Award”) and (ii) to the extent applicable, an Award consisting of RSUs each an “Additional Annual Retainer Award,” and collectively with the Annual Retainer Award, each an “Annual Award”) for his or her service in any of the Additional Annual Retainer roles listed above (each such additional role, a “Board Leadership or Committee Role”); provided that a Non-Employee Director who serves as the chair of a Board committee will receive only the Additional Annual Retainer Award for serving as the chair of the committee and not the Additional Annual Retainer Award for serving as a (non-chair) member of such committee; and provided further that a Non-Employee Director who serves as the Lead Independent Director will receive the Annual Retainer Award as a Non-Employee Director and the Additional Annual Retainer Award as the Lead Independent Director.
Each Annual Award will cover a number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock having a Value equal to the amount listed in the table above for serving in the applicable role. Any fraction resulting from the Value calculation for any Annual Award will be rounded down to the nearest whole share. Each Annual Award granted will vest in full on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of grant or (ii) the date of the next Annual Meeting following the date of grant (the “Annual Award Vest Date”), in each case, subject to the Non-Employee Director’s Continuous Service through the applicable Annual Award Vest Date; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that Additional Annual Retainer Awards will also be subject to the pro rata vesting provisions of Section 2(c) of this Policy.
(b)Initial Equity Awards.
In connection with joining the Board, the Board may grant a new Non-Employee Director an Award of RSUs (an “Initial Award”). Each Initial Award will cover a number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock having a Value to be determined by the Board but not to exceed $1,000,000. Any fraction resulting from the Value calculation for any Initial Award will be rounded down to the nearest whole share. For the avoidance of doubt, Initial Awards under this Policy are not automatic, and must be approved by the Board.
A Non-Employee Director will not be eligible to be granted an Initial Award if the individual was or is an employee member of the Board who becomes a Non-Employee Director due to termination of employment.
Each Initial Award will vest on a schedule determined by the Board at the time of grant, subject to the Non-Employee Director’s Continuous Service through the applicable vest date.
(c)Partial Year Board Leadership or Committee Service.
If a Non-Employee Director’s service in any Board Leadership or Committee Role is terminated by the Board prior to the Annual Award Vest Date but the Non-Employee Director otherwise remains as a member of the Board, the corresponding Additional Annual Retainer Award or Partial Year Committee Award (as defined below, and together with the Additional Annual Retainer Award, each an “Additional Retainer Award”) will vest, unless a different vest date is provided for by the Board, on the date of termination of service in such Board Leadership or Committee Role, on a pro-rata basis to reflect the applicable Non-Employee Director’s length of service in the Board Leadership or Committee Role during the vesting period, with the pro rata portion determined based on the number of days between the date of grant of the Additional Retainer Award (inclusive) and the date of termination of service in the Board Leadership or Committee Role (inclusive) divided by 365, rounded down to the nearest whole share. Any unvested shares subject to an Additional Retainer Award that do not vest pursuant the preceding sentence will terminate on the date the applicable Non-Employee Director terminates service in the corresponding Board Leadership or Committee Role.
If an incumbent Non-Employee Director is appointed to a Board Leadership or Committee Role during his or her tenure on the Board, such Non-Employee Director may be granted an Award of RSUs for such new Board Leadership or Committee Role (a “Partial Year Committee Award”). The grant date for the Partial Year Committee Award will be the date that the Non-Employee Director’s appointment to the applicable Board Leadership or Committee Role is effective (the “New Role Date”), unless otherwise provided by the Board. Each Partial Year Committee Award will cover a number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock having a Value equal to the amount listed in the table in Section 2(a) of this Policy for serving in the applicable Board Leadership or Committee Role, but prorated to reflect the length of service in such new role, with the pro rata portion determined based on the number of days between the New Role Date (inclusive) and the first Annual Award Vest Date to occur after the New Role Date (inclusive) divided by 365, rounded down to the nearest cent. Any fraction resulting from the Value calculation for any Partial Year Committee Award will be rounded down to the nearest whole share. For the avoidance of doubt, Partial Year Committee Awards under this Policy are not automatic, and must be approved by the Board.
Each Partial Year Committee Award granted will vest in full on the first Annual Award Vest Date to occur after the applicable New Role Date, subject to the Non-Employee Director’s Continuous Service to the Company through the applicable Annual Award Vest Date; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that Partial Year Committee Awards will also be subject to the pro rata vesting provisions of Section 2(c) of this Policy.
(d)Deferral of Awards.
(e)The Board may provide that each Non-Employee Director may elect to defer the settlement of the shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock subject to any RSUs granted under this Policy pursuant to an Award that would otherwise be settled and delivered to such Non-Employee Director on or following the date such Award vests pursuant to the terms of this Section 2 (the “Deferral Election”). Any Deferral Election will be irrevocable, and will be subject to such rules, conditions and procedures as shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, which rules, conditions and procedures shall at all times comply with the requirements of Section 409A, unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board. Deferral Elections shall be made pursuant to a form of deferral election as approved by the Board.
3.Director Pay Limit
The total compensation provided to a Non-Employee Director during any calendar year may not exceed $750,000 (determined based on the total Value of Awards and cash fees provided for such calendar year (excluding reimbursements)). In the calendar year when a Non-Employee Director first joins the Board, such limit will be increased to $1,000,000. Any Awards or other compensation provided to an individual for services as an Employee, or for services as a Consultant other than as a Non-Employee Director, will be excluded for purposes of applying the above limit.
4.Expense Reimbursement
All Non-Employee Directors shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for their reasonable travel (including airfare and ground transportation), lodging, and meal expenses incident to meetings of the Board or committees thereof or in connection with other Board-related business. In each case and unless otherwise provided by the Board, such expenses shall be in accordance with and subject to the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as presented to the Audit Committee of the Board. The Company shall make reimbursement to a Non-Employee Director within a reasonable amount of time following submission by the Non-Employee Director of reasonable written substantiation for the expenses (and, subject to Section 8 of this Policy, in all events not later than the end of the year following the year in which the related expense was incurred).
5.Administration; Amendments
The Board, with the assistance of the Compensation Committee, administers this Policy and may amend, alter, suspend, or terminate this Policy at any time in its sole discretion. No amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of this Policy will materially impair the rights of a Non-Employee Director with respect to compensation that already has been paid or awarded, unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing between the Non-Employee Director and the Company. Termination of this Policy will not affect the Board’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it with respect to Awards granted pursuant to this Policy prior to the date of such termination, including without limitation such applicable powers set forth in the Equity Plan.
6.Taxes
Each Non-Employee Director will be solely responsible for any tax obligations incurred by such Non-Employee Director as a result of compensation received by such individual under this Policy.
7.Section 409A
In no event will taxable expense reimbursement payments under this Policy be paid after the later of (a) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of the Company’s taxable year in which the taxable expenses are incurred, or (b) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of the calendar year in which the taxable expenses are incurred, as applicable, in compliance with the “short-term deferral” exception under Section 409A. It is the intent of this Policy that this Policy and all payments hereunder be exempt or excepted from or otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the compensation to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be so exempt or comply. In no event will the Company or its Affiliates have any responsibility, liability, or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless a Non-Employee Director or any other person for any taxes imposed, or other costs incurred, as a result of Section 409A.
Policy last amended on December 12, 2024.
EX-10.10
3
cpng-12312024exhibit1010.htm
EX-10.10
Document
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT AGREEMENT
This Second Amended and Restated Executive Appointment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into and shall be effective as of November 1, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Coupang Corp. (the “Company”) and HANSEUNG KANG (“Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive previously entered into an Executive Retainer Agreement, dated September 1, 2020 (the “2020 Agreement”).
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive previously entered into an Amended and Restated Executive Appointment Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2021 (the “2021 Agreement”), which amended and restated the 2020 Agreement in its entirety according to the terms and conditions set forth therein.
WHEREAS, the Company is wholly owned by Coupang, Inc., a Delaware corporation and successor to Coupang, LLC (the “Parent”).
WHEREAS, the Parent and Executive are also parties to certain equity award agreements pursuant to which the Parent granted to the Executive equity incentive awards (the “Existing Equity Award Agreements”; and collectively with any equity award agreements governing any future grants of equity incentive awards by the Parent to Executive (the “Equity Award Agreements”)).
WHEREAS, Section 3(a) of the 2021 Agreement provides that Executive’s appointment under the 2021 Agreement shall end on November 1, 2024, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 3(b) of the 2021 Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive now mutually desire to amend and restate the 2021 Agreement in its entirety on the terms and conditions set forth below.
WHEREAS, for avoidance of doubt the 2021 Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the effectiveness of this Agreement on the Effective Date.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, undertakings, and covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:
1.Duties and Scope of Appointment.
a.Appointment and Duties. The Company hereby agrees to continue to appoint Executive as Representative Director, Business Management of the Company as of the Effective Date, and Executive hereby accepts such appointment. In addition, Executive agrees to continue to serve as Representative Director, Business Management of the Parent for no additional consideration. Executive will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Parent (the “CEO”). Executive will perform such duties and responsibilities as are designated by the Company and the Parent and at the direction of the CEO.
b.Performance. Executive shall perform in good faith and with a high duty of care Executive’s duties and responsibilities as set forth in this Agreement. Executive shall comply and act in accordance with and be bound by (i) the rules and policies of the Company and the Parent (and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates), as applicable, and (ii) the instructions issued by the Company or the Parent (or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates), as applicable, as such rules and policies or the instructions may be adopted or amended from time to time.
c.Full-Time Commitment. During Executive’s appointment with the Company, Executive shall devote substantially all of Executive’s business time, energy, and skill to the affairs of the Parent and the Company, and Executive shall not assume a position in any other business, profession, or occupation without the express prior written consent of the CEO; provided, that Executive may upon prior written disclosure to the CEO (i) serve as a member of not more than one for-profit board of directors so long as Executive receives express prior written consent of the CEO, (ii) serve in any capacity with charitable or not-for-profit organizations so long as there is no material conflict of interest or interference with Executive’s duties to the Company or the Parent, and (iii) make passive investments where Executive is not obligated or required to, and shall not in fact, devote any managerial efforts. The Company shall have the right to limit Executive’s participation in any of the foregoing activities and endeavors if the CEO believes, in the CEO’s sole and exclusive discretion, that the time spent on such activities and endeavors infringes upon, or is incompatible with, Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties under this Agreement.
d.No Conflicting Obligations. Executive represents and warrants that Executive is under no contractual or other obligations or commitments that are inconsistent with Executive’s obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to any restrictions that would preclude Executive from providing services to the Company or the Parent. In connection with Executive’s appointment, Executive shall not use or disclose any trade secrets or other proprietary information or intellectual property in which Executive or any other person or entity has any right, title or interest, and Executive’s appointment will not infringe or violate the rights of any other person or entity. Executive confirms that Executive has not removed or taken any documents or proprietary data or materials of any kind from any other employer to the Company or the Parent without written authorization from that employer.
e.Location of Appointment. Executive shall perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities at the offices of the Company located in Seoul, Republic of Korea, except for any reasonable business travel as may be required from time to time.
2.Compensation. In consideration of the services to be performed hereunder, during the Service Period (as defined below), the Company shall provide Executive with the following compensation and benefits pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof.
a.Base Salary. The Company shall pay Executive an annual base salary of 1 billion KRW per year, subject to periodic review by the board of directors of the Parent (or applicable committee thereof) for potential increases (but not decreases), which amount shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices as in effect and applicable wage payment laws, and subject to such withholdings as required by law. Executive’s annual base salary, as in effect from time to time, is hereinafter referred to as “Base Salary”.
b.Long-Term Service Bonus. The Company shall pay a long-term service bonus of 500 million KRW per year to encourage long-term service by Executive. One quarter of the long-term service bonus (125 million KRW) shall be paid each quarter on the last compensation payment date of the quarter, beginning with November 1, 2020 (i.e., the original starting date of Executive’s relationship with the Company), paying the balance remaining after withholding various taxes and public fees pursuant to the related statutes. Payment of the long-term service bonus shall be subject to Executive’s continued service to the Company and the Parent on each payment date, and shall cease immediately if Executive’s service to the Company and the Parent ends for any reason, including resignation by or dismissal of Executive before the applicable payment date.
c.Incentive Compensation. Executive may be eligible for short-term or long-term incentive awards under such policies and programs as may be maintained by the Company or the Parent from time to time, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Parent or any committee or subcommittee thereof with appropriate requisite authority (the “Parent Board”) in its sole discretion.
d.Business Expenses. Executive shall be reimbursed for Executive’s necessary and reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties in accordance with the Company’s or the Parent’s (or any of their respective subsidiaries’) applicable expense reimbursement policy. Executive must promptly submit an itemized account of expenses and appropriate supporting documentation, in accordance with the Company’s generally applicable guidelines.
e.Work Vehicle and Driver. The Company shall ask the Parent Board to furnish Executive with a work vehicle and driver, as determined by the Parent Board in its sole discretion.
f.Additional Benefits. The Company shall provide Executive with one (1) mobile phone (including communications fees) and a golf club membership and health club membership for one (1) person, as determined by the Parent Board in its sole discretion.
3.Term and Termination.
a.Executive’s appointment under this Agreement commences on the Effective Date, and shall terminate at 11:59 p.m. (KST) on October 31, 2026 (i.e., the day immediately before the second (2nd) anniversary date of the Effective Date) (the “Initial Service Period”), unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 3(b) of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless written notice of either party’s desire to terminate this Agreement has been given to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Service Period (or any renewal thereof contemplated by this Section 3(a)), the term of Executive’s appointment hereunder shall be automatically renewed for successive one (1)-year periods (such term, including the Initial Service Period, as it may be extended, the “Service Period”).
b.(i) Either party may terminate Executive’s appointment under this Agreement and the Service Period at any time by giving the other party sixty (60) days’ prior written notice (or, in the case of the Company, by paying Base Salary in lieu of such notice); and (ii) the Company may terminate Executive’s appointment under this Agreement and the Service Period for “Cause” (as defined below) at any time without provision of notice or payment of any compensation of any kind not accrued as of the date of termination. In the event the Company elects to terminate Executive’s appointment under this Agreement and the Service Period without Cause, payment of Executive’s Base Salary during the aforementioned sixty (60) day notice period shall be subject to Executive’s timely execution of an effective release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company and the Parent and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates (and each of their respective officers and directors) on a form provided by the Company (a “Release”) and such Release becoming irrevocable no later than sixty (60) days following the date of termination (the “Release Execution Period”).
“Cause” shall mean any of the following reasons as determined within the sole discretion of the Parent Board: (a) the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or willful dishonesty by Executive which adversely affects the business of the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates; (b) any unauthorized use or disclosure by Executive of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates; (c) the refusal or omission by Executive to perform any lawful duties properly required of Executive under this Agreement or any other written agreement between the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates and Executive, provided that any such failure or refusal has been communicated to Executive in writing and Executive has been provided a reasonable opportunity (not to exceed 20 days) to correct it, if correction is possible; (d) any act or omission by Executive involving malfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of Executive’s duties to, or material deviation from or violation of any of the policies or directives of, the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates; (e) conduct on the part of Executive which constitutes the breach of any statutory or common law duty of loyalty to the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates; (f) any illegal act by Executive which adversely affects the business of the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, or any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude committed by Executive, as evidenced by conviction thereof (or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere thereto); or (g) any other reason constituting justifiable grounds for termination under the laws of the Republic of Korea, including the Commercial Act.
c.In the event that Executive’s appointment under this Agreement and the Service Period terminates for any reason, Executive shall be entitled to (i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, payable on the next regularly scheduled payroll date following such termination (or such earlier or later date as may be required by applicable law), (ii) any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the date of termination, in accordance with Section 2(d), and (iii) any accrued and vested benefits under the Company’s employee benefit plans, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans (other than any rights under the Company’s Amended and Restated Executive Severance Policy (the “Executive Severance Policy”) unless the Executive Severance Policy provides more favorable benefits than those provided in this Agreement). Executive will be eligible to participate in the Executive Severance Policy as may be in effect and/or amended and/or restated from time to time in accordance with its terms (provided, that, to the extent that any severance payments or benefits under this Agreement are more favorable than the severance payments or benefits under the Executive Severance Policy, Executive shall receive the severance payments or benefits under this Agreement instead of the severance payments or benefits provided for under the Executive Severance Policy).
d.If the Company terminates Executive’s appointment under this Agreement and the Service Period without Cause (other than by reason of death or disability), subject to Executive’s timely execution of a Release and such Release becoming effective and irrevocable no later than the last day of the Release Execution Period (such date that the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, the “Release Effective Date”), and Executive’s continued compliance with Sections 5 and 6, Executive shall be entitled to continued payment of Executive’s Base Salary for a period of twelve (12) months following Executive’s date of termination, payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, which shall commence within fourteen (14) days of the Release Effective Date.
e.If the Company terminates Executive’s appointment under this Agreement and the Service Period without Cause (other than by reason of death or disability), any of the 600,524 restricted equity units granted under the REU Award Agreement, dated November 17, 2020, by and between the Parent and Executive, that are outstanding and have not satisfied the time and service based vesting requirement at the time of such termination shall be treated as provided in clause (d) of the Notice of Restricted Equity Unit Award governing such REUs.
f.In the event of termination of Executive’s appointment under this Agreement and the Service Period, Executive hereby agrees to resign from all positions that Executive holds with the Company and the Parent and any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates.
g.In the event of termination of Executive’s appointment under this Agreement and the Service Period, Executive hereby agrees to assist and cooperate with the Company and the Parent in executing any and all termination procedures and Executive agrees and acknowledges that Executive will not make a claim for any wages, commissions, bonuses, payments or remuneration of any kind, other than that specifically provided for in this Agreement.
4.Successors. The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” will include any successor to the Company’s business or assets that becomes bound by this Agreement.
5.Non-Solicitation of Staff; Non-Disparagement.
a.Executive covenants and agrees with the Company that during Executive’s service with the Company and the Parent and for a period of one (1) year following the termination of Executive’s service for any reason, Executive will not, whether for Executive’s own account or in conjunction with or on behalf of any other Person (as defined below), directly or indirectly solicit or entice away from the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates any individual who is an employee, director, or officer of the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates and with whom Executive has had business dealings during the course of Executive’s service with the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates whether or not any such Person would commit a breach of contract by reason of Executive’s leaving service. A “Person” means any individual, entity, association, or governmental body.
b.Executive covenants and agrees with the Company that during Executive’s service with the Company and the Parent and thereafter, Executive shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed any negative, adverse or derogatory comments or information about (i) the Company and the Parent and any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries, if any; (ii) any product or service provided by the Company and the Parent and any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries, if any; or (iii) the Company’s and the Parent’s or any of their respective affiliates’ or subsidiaries’ prospects for the future. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit Executive from (v) testifying truthfully in any legal or administrative proceeding or otherwise truthfully responding to any other request for information or testimony that Executive is legally required to respond to, (w) making any truthful statement to the extent necessary to rebut any untrue public statements made by another party, (x) making any legally required disclosures, and /or discussing any of the above with the Company’s legal advisors or Executive’s legal advisors on a confidential basis, or (y) making any statement as part of or in any arbitration or court proceeding that involves Executive, on the one hand, and /or any of the Company, the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, on the other hand.
6.Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Invention Assignment Agreement. Executive covenants and agrees that Executive continues to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Invention Assignment Agreement (the “CNIAA”) that the Executive entered into on October 28, 2020. Such agreement restricts Executive’s future flexibility, and its restrictions are in addition to and in no way subtract from the restrictions imposed on Executive by this Agreement.
7.Restrictive Covenants. Executive declares that the restrictions set forth or referenced above are reasonable and necessary for the adequate protection of the business and goodwill of the Company and its affiliates. Each of the restrictions set forth or referenced above shall be construed as a separate and independent restriction and if one or more of the restrictions (or any part of them) is found to be void or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining restrictions shall not be affected.
If any of the restrictions set forth or referenced in this Agreement shall be deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by reason of the extent, duration or scope thereof, or otherwise, then the court making such determination shall have the right to reduce such extent, duration, scope, or other provisions hereof to make the restriction consistent with applicable law, and in its reduced form such restriction shall then be enforceable in the manner contemplated hereby. In the event that Executive breaches any of the promises contained or referenced in this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that the Company’s remedy at law for damages will be inadequate and that the Company may be entitled to specific performance, a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction to prevent Executive’s prospective or continuing breach and to maintain the status quo. The existence of this right to injunctive relief, or other equitable relief, or the Company’s exercise of any of these rights, shall not limit any other rights or remedies the Company may have in law or in equity and the right to compensatory and monetary damages. Executive and the Company here by agree to waive any right to a jury trial with respect to any action commenced to enforce the terms of this Agreement.
If Executive violates any of the restrictions set out above, or in the CNIAA, then the effective period for such restriction shall be automatically extended by one day for each day during which the violation, or the harm from such violation, continues uncured.
8.Cooperation with Respect to Litigation. During Executive’s service with the Company and at all times thereafter, Executive agrees to give prompt written notice to the Company of any formally asserted written claim relating to the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates and to cooperate, in good faith, with the Company and the Parent and any of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates in connection with any and all pending, potential or future claims, investigations or actions which directly or indirectly relate to any action, event or activity about which Executive has or is reasonably believed by the Company to have direct material knowledge in connection with or as a result of Executive’s service to the Company or the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates hereunder, provided that Executive is not waiving any legal rights Executive may have. Such cooperation will include all assistance that the Company, its counsel or its representatives may reasonably request, including reviewing documents, meeting with counsel, providing factual information and material, and appearing or testifying as a witness.
9.Data Protection. The Company will handle personal data of Executive in accordance with the Company’s privacy policy (as may be amended and/or restated from time to time).
10.Compliance. Executive further agrees to comply with all laws, rules and regulations of the Company and any regulatory authority or agency.
11.Tax Returns. Executive shall be responsible for filing annual income tax returns with the relevant tax authorities. The Company may make such deductions, withholdings and other payments from all sums payable to Executive under this Agreement that are required by law.
12.No Assignment. This Agreement and all of Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder are personal to Executive and may not be transferred or assigned by Executive at any time. The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement to the extent any entity assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder in connection with any sale or transfer or all or a substantial portion of the Company’s assets to such entity.
13.Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Executive to the full extent provided in the Parent’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the laws of the State of Delaware in connection with Executive’s activities as an officer or director of the Company and the Parent. Executive will be covered as an insured on the director and officer liability insurance policy maintained by the Parent or as may be maintained by the Parent from time to time.
14.Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the CNIAA and the Equity Award Agreements express the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the terms of Executive’s provision of services to the Company and the Parent, and supersedes any prior oral or written agreement, understanding or the like, including the Prior Agreement. No modification or amendment of this Agreement, and no waiver of any provision hereof may be made unless such modification, amendment, or waiver is set forth in writing by the parties hereto.
15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with, and governed by the laws of the Republic of Korea, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws. Seoul Central District Court shall be the jurisdictional court of disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
16.Employee Protection. Nothing in this Agreement or otherwise limits Executive’s ability to communicate directly with and provide information, including documents, not otherwise protected from disclosure by any applicable law or privilege to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other governmental agency or commission (“Government Agency”) regarding possible legal violations, without disclosure to the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates may retaliate against Executive for any of these activities, and nothing in this Agreement or otherwise requires Executive to waive any monetary award or other payment that Executive might become entitled to from the SEC or any other Government Agency.
17.Miscellaneous. If any provision in this Agreement or compliance by Executive or the Company with any provision of this offer constitutes a violation of any law, or is or becomes unenforceable or void, it will be deemed modified to the extent necessary so that it is no longer in violation of law, unenforceable or void, and such provision will be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. If such modification is not possible, said provision, to the extent that it is in violation of law, unenforceable or void, will be deemed severable from the remaining provisions of this Agreement, which provisions and terms will remain in effect.
18.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.
19.Section Headings. Section headings used in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and will not affect the meaning of any provision of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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EXECUTIVE |
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COUPANG CORP. |
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Signature: |
/s/ Hanseung Kang |
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/s/ Harold Rogers |
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Hanseung Kang |
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Harold Rogers |
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General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer |
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2024-10-15 |
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10/15/2024 |
[Signature Page to Robert Hanseung Kang Executive Appointment Agreement]
EX-10.24
4
cpng-12312024exhibit1024.htm
EX-10.24
Document
SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
This SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of January 30, 2025 (this “Sixth Amendment”), by and among Surpique Acquisition Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“Parent”), Farfetch US Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), each Lender (as defined below) party hereto and GLAS USA LLC, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Borrower, Parent, Farfetch Osprey Limited, a private limited liability company organized under the laws of England and Wales, each of the financial institutions party thereto as lenders from time to time (collectively, the “Lenders” and each individually, a “Lender”), the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are party to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2022 (as amended by the First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2023, the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 11, 2023, the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2023, the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2024, and the Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, Accession and Fee Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2024, and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), the “Existing Credit Agreement” and, as amended by this Sixth Amendment, and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement).
WHEREAS, the Borrower, Parent and the Lenders party hereto (which Lenders together constitute the Required Lenders (collectively, the “Consenting Lenders”)) each agree (i) that the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Consenting Lenders) and the Consenting Lenders shall waive certain outstanding Events of Default as more fully set forth in Section 2 of this Sixth Amendment and (ii) to make certain other amendments to the Credit Agreement as more fully set forth in Section 1 of this Sixth Amendment.
WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby requests, and the Consenting Lenders agree, that the Existing Credit Agreement be amended as set forth in Section 1 of this Sixth Amendment, and which amendments shall be effective, upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3 hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein, as well as other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Amendments to Existing Credit Agreement. Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement and subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 3 hereof, effective as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
(a)Section 1.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following definition in proper alphabetical sequence:
“Sixth Amendment Effective Date” means January 30, 2025.
(b)Section 1.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of “Approved Sale Investor Equity Commitments” set forth therein in its entirety to read as follows:
“Approved Sale Investor Equity Commitments” means the equity commitments provided by Coupang and Greenoaks Capital Opportunities Fund V LP (collectively, the “Surpique Investors”) to Surpique LP pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2024 (as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Surpique LP, dated as of January 30, 2025, the “A&R LPA”), by and among Surpique LP, Surpique GP LLC and the applicable Surpique Investors in an aggregate amount not to exceed, as of any date of determination, the equity commitments as of such date in accordance with the A&R LPA and the related equity commitments of Surpique LP and Holdings to, respectively, Holdings and Parent pursuant to the Subscription Agreements (as defined in the Fifth Amendment). As of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date and after giving effect to the Approved Sale Investor Equity Contributions funded prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the unfunded Approved Sale Investor Equity Commitments equal $148,000,000 in the aggregate.
(c)Section 2.05(b)(ii)(B) of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
“(B) If, on and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, Parent or any other Loan Party receives any Italian VAT Receivables, the Borrower shall (x) notify the Administrative Agent of such receipt and (y) prepay an aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (not to exceed $125,000,000 in the aggregate) in an amount equal to 100% of such Italian VAT Receivables, net of any penalty payments imposed by the Italian tax authority directly attributed to the release of such Italian VAT Receivables, within three Business Days after receipt thereof by Parent or such Loan Party (and no less than one Business Day following the notification of the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent)) and identify to the Administrative Agent that such prepayment is made under this Section 2.05(b)(ii)(B).”
(d)Section 8.01(l) of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
“(l) Approved Sale Investor Equity Commitments. Any of the Approved Sale Investor Equity Commitments or the Approved Sale Investor Equity Contribution Documents are terminated, or the Surpique Investors, Surpique LP or Holdings contest the validity or enforceability thereof, in each case, on and from the Fifth Amendment Effective Date through the Longstop Date (as defined in the A&R LPA).”
(e)Section 10.04(b) of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
“(b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the other Agents and each Lender for all reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights or remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Approved Sale Investor Equity Contribution Documents (including all such costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding, any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or in connection with any workout or restructuring), including the fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel (limited to the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to the Administrative Agent, one counsel to the Collateral Agent, one counsel to the other Agents, and one counsel to the Lenders taken as a whole, and, if necessary, of one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and of special counsel for each relevant specialty, in each case, limited to jurisdictions material to the interests of the Lenders and, in the event of any actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for each Agent, Lender or group of similarly affected Lenders subject to such conflict after notification to the Borrower, or otherwise agreed by the Borrower).”
SECTION 2. Limited Waiver. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 3 hereof, on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Consenting Lenders and the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Consenting Lenders) hereby waive (a) any Defaults or Events of Default that have occurred and are continuing under Section 8.01(f) of the Existing Credit Agreement as a result of any Material Subsidiary being subject to a Composizione negoziata per la soluzione della crisi d’impresa process under the Laws of Italy (collectively, the “Specified Default”) and (b) any other Default or Event of Default that now exists as a result of the Specified Default (including any Default or Event of Default arising out of the failure to provide notice of the Specified Default pursuant to Section 6.03(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement). The waiver provided for in this Section 2 is limited in nature and nothing contained herein is intended or shall be deemed or construed (A) to constitute a waiver of any future compliance with any term or provision of any Loan Document or applicable law or (B) to establish a custom or course of dealing between the Loan Parties, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender, on the other hand.
SECTION 3. Conditions of Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Sixth Amendment (including the amendments contained in Section 1 and the waiver contained in Section 2; provided that the direction contained in Section 11 shall become effective on the date that the Collateral Agent shall have received a signed counterpart of this Sixth Amendment from the Borrower, Parent, the Consenting Lenders and the Administrative Agent) is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions (the date of satisfaction (or waiver) of such conditions being referred to herein as the “Sixth Amendment Effective Date”):
(a)this Sixth Amendment shall have been duly executed by, and the Administrative Agent shall have received a signed counterpart of this Sixth Amendment from, the Borrower, Parent, the Consenting Lenders and the Administrative Agent (which may include a copy transmitted by facsimile or other electronic method);
(b)the Approved Sale Investor Equity Contribution Documents shall have been amended in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Consenting Lenders;
(c)the Borrower shall have paid, or substantially concurrently with the Sixth Amendment Effective Date shall pay (or cause to be paid), all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements due and payable under the Loan Documents (including, for the avoidance of doubt, under the amended Section 10.04(b) set forth in Section 1 hereto) on or prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, consisting of White & Case LLP, counsel to the Collateral Agent, consisting of Seward & Kissel LLP, and counsel to the Lenders, consisting of Milbank LLP and PedersoliGattai; and
(d)after giving effect to this Sixth Amendment and the waiver set forth in Section 2, no Default or Event of Default is existing on and as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.
The Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Consenting Lenders) shall notify the Collateral Agent in writing (with email by the Administrative Agent’s counsel to the Collateral Agent’s counsel being sufficient) of the occurrence of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, which determination the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on.
SECTION 4. Effects on Loan Documents; Representations.
(a) Except as expressly amended or waived herein, all Loan Documents shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.
(b) Except as expressly set forth herein, the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Sixth Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor in any way limit, impair or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents.
(c) On and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein” or words of like import referring to the Existing Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “Credit Agreement”, “Existing Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Existing Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, and this Sixth Amendment and the Credit Agreement shall be read together and construed as a single instrument.
(d) Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle the Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party to a further consent to, or a further waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances.
(e) Nothing herein contained is intended by the parties to be, or shall be, construed as a substitution or novation of the instruments, documents and agreements securing the Obligations, which shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Sixth Amendment shall be construed as a release or other discharge of any Loan Party from any of its obligations and liabilities under the Loan Documents, all of which are continued on the terms set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
(f) Each of the Borrower and Parent hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, after giving effect to this Sixth Amendment and the waiver set forth in Section 2, no Default or Event of Default exists on and as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.
SECTION 5. Expense Reimbursement, Hold Harmless and Indemnification.
(a) The Borrower hereby confirms that the expense reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in Sections 10.04 and 10.05 of the Credit Agreement shall apply to this Sixth Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in the Loan Documents to the contrary, none of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any of their respective Related Parties (each of the
foregoing, an “Agent-Related Person”) shall be liable to any Lender or any of their respective affiliates, equity holders or debt holders for any losses, costs, damages or liabilities incurred, directly or indirectly, as a result of any Agent-Related Person, or their counsel or other representatives, taking any action in accordance with this Sixth Amendment or any transactions related thereto.
SECTION 6. Amendments; Severability.
(a) This Sixth Amendment may not be amended, nor may any provision hereof be waived, except by written agreement in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement.
(b) To the extent any provision of this Sixth Amendment is prohibited by or invalid under the applicable law of any jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity and only in such jurisdiction, without prohibiting or invalidating such provision in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions of this Sixth Amendment in any jurisdiction.
SECTION 7. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction. THIS SIXTH AMENDMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SIXTH AMENDMENT, WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT (AT LAW OR IN EQUITY) OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. The provisions of Sections 10.15(b), 10.15(c), 10.16 and 10.17 the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.
SECTION 8. Headings. Section headings in this Sixth Amendment are included herein for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Sixth Amendment and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Sixth Amendment.
SECTION 9. Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Sixth Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures delivered by facsimile or PDF or other electronic means shall have the same force and effect as manual signatures delivered in person. The words “execution”, “execute”, “signed”, “signature” and words of like import herein or in any document to be signed in connection with this Sixth Amendment shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state Laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. The Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, require that any such documents and signatures executed electronically or delivered by fax or other electronic transmission be confirmed by a manually-signed original thereof; provided that the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any document or signature executed electronically or delivered by fax or other electronic transmission.
SECTION 10. Reaffirmation. Each of Parent and the Borrower, on behalf of itself and each other Loan Party, expressly acknowledges the terms of this Sixth Amendment and reaffirms, as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, that the guarantee of the Obligations under the Guaranty and the grant of Liens on the Collateral to secure the Obligations (or the Secured Obligations, as defined in the Collateral Documents) pursuant to each Collateral Document, in each case, is in full force and effect and extends to the Obligations (and the Secured Obligations) of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, subject to any limitations set out in the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document.
None of the execution, delivery, performance or effectiveness of this Sixth Amendment nor the modification of the Existing Credit Agreement, in each case, effected pursuant hereto (i) impairs the validity, effectiveness or priority of the Liens granted pursuant to any Loan Document and such Liens continue unimpaired with the same priority to secure repayment of all Obligations, whether heretofore or hereafter incurred; or (ii) is intended to or will create a registerable Lien or requires that any new filings be made or other action be taken to perfect or to maintain the perfection of such Liens. Each of Parent and the Borrower, on behalf of itself and each other Loan Party, in respect of the Collateral Documents, confirms that at the time of the execution and delivery of such Collateral Documents, it was expressly agreed that the Liens created thereunder were intended to secure the Obligations, as amended, modified, novated, supplemented or restated from time to time. The security under the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations as amended by this Sixth Amendment is thus hereby confirmed and ratified.
SECTION 11. VAT Proceeds Account. The Consenting Lenders, together constituting the Required Lenders, hereby direct the Collateral Agent on the first Business Day following the date hereof to withdraw 100% of the amounts on deposit in the VAT Proceeds Account as of the date hereof and to distribute such amounts to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office to prepay the Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.05(b) of the Existing Credit Agreement.
SECTION 12. Capital Call Revoked; Release. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 3 hereof, on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Consenting Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree that the letter dated as of December 4, 2024 (the “Capital Call Letter”), sent from the Required Lenders (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) to the Surpique Investors, which set forth the terms on which the Lenders party thereto were exercising the third-party beneficiary rights of the Lenders under the Approved Sale Investor Equity Contribution Documents, is hereby revoked and of no further force and effect from this date forward with respect to the Specified Default; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender under any of the Approved Sale Investor Equity Contribution Documents, nor in any way limit, impair or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Approved Sale Investor Equity Contribution Documents, with respect to any Event of Default (whether now existing or in the future occurring) other than the Specified Default, nor shall it establish a custom or course of dealing between the Surpique Investors, on the one hand, and any Lender, on the other hand.
Each of the Borrower and Parent, on behalf of itself, each other Loan Party and its and their Affiliates, and each of their successors, representatives, assignees and, whether or not claimed by right of, through or under the name of the Borrower, Parent or any other Loan Party, past, present and future employees, agents, representatives, officers, directors, members, managers, principals, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, predecessors, shareholders, trustees, consultants, experts, advisors, attorneys and other professionals (each, a “Releasing Party” and, collectively, the “Releasing Parties”) does hereby fully, finally, and forever remise, release and discharge, and shall be deemed to have forever remised, released and discharged, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and their respective affiliates, successors, representatives, assignees and past, present and future employees, agents, representatives, officers, directors, members, managers, principals, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, predecessors, shareholders, trustees, consultants, experts, advisors, attorneys and other professionals and all other persons and entities to whom any of the foregoing would be liable if such persons or entities were found to be liable to any Releasing Party, or any of them (collectively, hereinafter the “Lender Parties”), from any and all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of action, claims, defenses, rights of setoff, charges, demands, counterclaims, suits, debts, obligations, liabilities, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills, specialties, covenants, contracts, controversies, agreements, promises, damages, judgments, expenses, executions, liens, claims of liens, claims of costs, penalties, attorneys’ fees, or any other compensation, recovery or relief on account of any liability, obligation, demand or cause of action of whatever nature, whether in law, equity or otherwise (including, without limitation, those arising under any Debtor Relief Laws and interest or other carrying costs, penalties, legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses, and incidental, consequential and punitive damages payable to third parties), whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, joint and/or several, secured or unsecured, due or not due, primary or secondary, liquidated or unliquidated, contractual or tortious, direct, indirect, or derivative, asserted or unasserted, foreseen or unforeseen, suspected or unsuspected, now existing, heretofore existing or which may heretofore accrue against any of the Lender Parties, whether held in a personal or representative capacity, and which are based on any act, circumstance, fact, event or omission or other matter, cause or thing occurring at or from any time prior to and including the date hereof in any way, directly or indirectly arising out of, connected with, in respect of or relating to the Specified Default and any other Default or Event of Default referred to in Section 2 hereof (together, the “Waived Defaults”) and any actions taken by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent indirectly or directly in connection with any Waived Default (including, but not limited to, issuance of the Capital Call Letter by the Required Lenders pursuant to the terms of the A&R LPA), and all other agreements, certificates, instruments and other documents and statements (whether written or oral) related to any of the foregoing. Each of the Borrower and Parent, on behalf of itself, each other Loan Party and its and their Affiliates, understands, acknowledges and agrees that the release set forth above may be pleaded as a full and complete defense and may be used as a basis for an injunction against any action, suit or other proceeding which may be instituted, prosecuted or attempted in breach of the provisions of such release.
SECTION 13. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Collateral Agent and the Lender Parties shall each be an express third-party beneficiary of this Sixth Amendment with rights to enforce the provisions hereof.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Sixth Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their respective and proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
PARENT:
SURPIQUE ACQUISITION LIMITED
By: /s/ Pankaj Srivastava
Name: Pankaj Srivastava
Title: Director
BORROWER:
FARFETCH US HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ Jonathan Lee
Name: Jonathan Lee
Title: Authorized Signatory
[Signature Page to Sixth Amendment]
SCULPTOR INVESTMENTS IV SARL, as a Lender
By: /s/ Hamza Moumayz
Name: Hamza Moumayz
Title: Manager
By: /s/ Szymon Dec
Name: Szymon Dec
Title: Manager
SCULPTOR INVESTMENTS V SARL, as a Lender
By: /s/ Hamza Moumayz
Name: Hamza Moumayz
Title: Manager
By: /s/ Szymon Dec
Name: Szymon Dec
Title: Manager
SCULPTOR INVESTMENTS VII SARL, as a Lender
By: /s/ Hamza Moumayz
Name: Hamza Moumayz
Title: Manager
By: /s/ Szymon Dec
Name: Szymon Dec
Title: Manager
[Signature Page to Sixth Amendment]
SCULPTOR INVESTMENTS VIII SARL, as a Lender
By: /s/ Hamza Moumayz
Name: Hamza Moumayz
Title: Manager
By: /s/ Szymon Dec
Name: Szymon Dec
Title: Manager
SCULPTOR INVESTMENTS IX SARL, as a Lender
By: /s/ Hamza Moumayz
Name: Hamza Moumayz
Title: Manager
By: /s/ Szymon Dec
Name: Szymon Dec
Title: Manager
[Signature Page to Sixth Amendment]
REDWOOD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC,
on behalf of the below Lenders
By: /s/ Ruben Kliksberg
Name: Ruben Kliksberg
Title: CEO
REDWOOD OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND LTD
REDWOOD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC-REDWOOD ENHANCED INCOME CORP REDWOOD MASTER FUND, LTD.
REDWOOD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC-REDWOOD DRAWDOWN MASTER FUND III, L.P EMPYREAN INVESTMENTS, LLC, as a Lender
[Signature Page to Sixth Amendment]
By: /s/ Jennifer Norman
Name: Jennifer Norman
Title: Authorized Person
[Signature Page to Sixth Amendment]
DIAMETER CAPITAL PARNTERS LP,
on behalf of its below Investment Funds that are Lenders
By: /s/ Michael Cohn
Name: Michael Cohn
Title: General Counsel & CCO
DIAMETER CAPITAL PARTNERS LP - DIAMETER MASTER FUND LP
DIAMETER CAPITAL PARTNERS LP - DCP TREE LP
DIAMETER CAPITAL PARTNERS LP - DIAMETER DISLOCATION MASTER FUND II LP
DIAMETER CAPITAL PARTNERS LP - DIAMETER CREDIT FUNDING I, LTD.
DIAMETER CAPITAL PARTNERS LP - DIAMETER CREDIT FUNDING II, LTD
DIAMETER CAPITAL PARTNERS LP - DIAMETER CREDIT FUNDING III, LTD.
DIAMETER CAPITAL PARTNERS LP - DIAMETER CREDIT FUNDING IV, LTD.
DIAMETER CLO ADVISORS LLC - DIAMETER CAPITAL CLO 1 LTD.
DIAMETER CLO ADVISORS LLC - DIAMETER CAPITAL CLO 2 LTD
DIAMETER CLO ADVISORS LLC - DIAMETER CAPITAL CLO 4 LTD.
DIAMETER CLO ADVISORS LLC - DIAMETER CAPITAL CLO 3 LTD.
DIAMETER CLO ADVISORS LLC - DIAMETER CAPITAL CLO 5 LTD GLAS USA LLC, as Administrative Agent
[Signature Page to Sixth Amendment]
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
By: /s/ Tarik Johnson
Name: Tarik Johnson
Title: Assistant Vice President
[Signature Page to Sixth Amendment]
EX-19.1
5
cpng-12312024exhibit191.htm
EX-19.1
Document
1.Purpose and scope
목적 및 범위
Q: Why have an insider trading policy?
문: 내부자거래정책을 두는 이유는 무엇입니까?
A: During the course of your relationship with Coupang, you may receive material nonpublic information about Coupang or other publicly traded companies with which Coupang has business relationships. Material nonpublic information may give you, or someone to whom you pass that information, a leg up over others when deciding whether to buy, sell, or otherwise transact in Coupang’s securities or the securities of another publicly traded company. This policy sets forth guidelines with respect to transactions in Coupang securities by persons subject to this policy.
답: 귀하는 쿠팡과 관계를 맺는 과정에서 쿠팡이나 쿠팡이 사업관계를 맺고 있는 다른 상장법인에 관한 미공개중요정보를 수령할 수 있습니다. 미공개중요정보는 쿠팡이나 다른 상장법인의 증권을 매매하거나 달리 거래할지 여부를 결정할 때 귀하 또는 귀하가 해당 정보를 전해준 사람이 다른 사람들에 비해 유리한 입장에 서게 만들 수 있습니다. 본 내부자거래정책은 본 정책 적용 대상자들에 의한 쿠팡 증권 거래와 관련하여 가이드라인을 제시하기 위하여 마련되었습니다.
Q: Who is subject to this policy?
문: 본 정책은 누구에게 적용됩니까?
A: This policy applies to you and all other employees, directors, and designated consultants and independent contractors of Coupang and its subsidiaries. This policy also applies to Related Persons. You are responsible for making sure that your Related Persons comply with this policy.
답: 본 정책은 귀하를 비롯한 쿠팡 및 그 자회사들의 모든 기타 임직원, 이사, 지정 자문인 및 독립계약자에게 적용됩니다. 본 정책은 관련자에게도 적용됩니다. 귀하는 귀하의 관련자가 본정책을 준수하도록 하여야 할 책임이 있습니다.
In addition, if you are a Specified Personnel of Coupang as described on Appendix A, you and your Related Persons are subject to the quarterly trading blackout periods described below.
또한 귀하가 부록 A 에 기재된 쿠팡의 특정 임직원인 경우 귀하 및 귀하의 관련자에 대하여 아래 설명된 분기별 거래제한기간이 적용됩니다.
Q: Whose responsibility is it to comply with this policy?
문: 본 정책을 준수해야하는 책임은 누구에게 있습니까?
A: Persons subject to this policy have ethical and legal obligations to maintain the confidentiality of information about Coupang and to not engage in transactions in Coupang’s securities while aware of material nonpublic information. Each individual is responsible for making sure that he or she and his or her Related Persons comply with this policy. In all cases, the responsibility for determining whether an individual is aware of material nonpublic information rests with that individual, and any action on the part of Coupang or any employee or director of Coupang pursuant to this policy (or otherwise) does not in any way constitute legal advice or insulate an individual from liability under applicable securities laws. You could be subject to severe legal penalties and disciplinary action by Coupang for any conduct prohibited by this policy or applicable securities laws.
답: 본 정책이 적용되는 자에게는 미공개중요정보에 대해 알고 있는 동안 쿠팡에 대한 정보의 기밀을 유지하고 쿠팡 증권의 거래에 참여하지 않아야 할 윤리적·법적 의무가 있습니다. 각각의 개인은 본인과 본인의 관련자가 본 정책을 반드시 준수하도록 할 책임이 있습니다. 모든 경우에 있어 개인이미공개중요정보에 대해 알고 있는지 여부를 판단할 책임은 해당 개인에게 있으며, 본 정책에 따른 (그렇지 않더라도) 쿠팡이나 쿠팡의 직원 또는 이사 측의 어떠한 행위도 어떤 식으로든 법적 자문을 구성하거나 해당 개인을 관련 증권법상의 책임으로부터 보호하지 않습니다. 본 정책이나 관련 증권법에서 금지하는 행위를 하는 경우 무거운 법정형 및 쿠팡에 의한 제재 조치를 받을 수 있습니다.
Q: What transactions are subject to this policy?
문: 본 정책이 적용되는 거래는 무엇입니까?
A: This policy applies to all transactions in securities issued by Coupang, as well as derivative securities that are not issued by Coupang, such as exchange-traded put or call options or swaps relating to Coupang’s securities. Accordingly, for purposes of this policy, the terms “trade,” “trading,” and “transactions” are as defined in the definitions section.
답: 본 정책은 쿠팡이 발행한 증권과 거래소에서 거래되는 쿠팡 증권 관련 풋옵션, 콜옵션 또는 스왑 등과 같이 쿠팡이 발행하지 않은 파생증권에 대한 모든 거래에 적용됩니다. 따라서 본 정책의 목적상 ‘거래’ 및 ‘거래행위’는 정의 항목에 규정된 바와 같습니다.
2.Application
적용
This Policy applies to all employees, officers, directors, designated consultants and independent contractors of Coupang and its subsidiaries, and any Related Persons.
본 정책은 쿠팡 및 그 자회사의 모든 임직원, 이사, 지정 자문인 및 독립계약자, 관련자에게 적용된다.
3.Policy statements
정책 성명
-Personnel of Coupang are responsible for understanding the obligations that come with having access to material nonpublic information and wanting to transact in Coupang securities.
쿠팡의 임직원은 미공개중요정보에 대한 접근 권한을 갖고 쿠팡 증권을 거래하고자 하는 경우 발생하는 의무에 대해 숙지할 책임이 있다.
-Coupang personnel who are aware of material nonpublic information relating to Coupang may not engage in transactions in Coupang’s securities except as permitted by this policy and applicable law.
쿠팡 관련 미공개중요정보를 알고 있는 쿠팡 임직원은 본 정책 및 관련 법령에 따라 허용되는 경우를 제외하고 쿠팡 증권 거래에 참여할 수 없다.
-Coupang personnel may not disclose material nonpublic information outside of Coupang unless the disclosure is made in accordance with a specific Coupang policy that authorizes such disclosure.
쿠팡 임직원은 정보 공개를 인가하는 구체적인 쿠팡의 정책에 따라 정보가 공개되는 것이 아닌 한 쿠팡외부에 미공개중요정보를 공개할 수 없다.
-Coupang personnel may not disclose material nonpublic information to persons within Coupang whose jobs do not require them to have that information.
쿠팡 임직원은 직무상 미공개중요정보를 필요로 하지 않는 쿠팡 내 임직원에게 미공개중요정보를 공개할 수 없다.
-Coupang personnel may not recommend the purchase or sale of any Coupang’s securities.
쿠팡 임직원은 쿠팡 증권에 대한 매매를 권유할 수 없다.
-Changes to this policy require approval by Coupang’s Board of Directors or a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors.
본 정책의 변경은 쿠팡의 이사회 또는 적법하게 선임된 이사회 내 위원회의 승인에 의한다.
Policy Q&A
질의·응답
Insider Trading and Material Nonpublic Information
내부자 거래 및 미공개중요정보
Q: What is insider trading?
문: 내부자 거래란 무엇입니까?
A: Generally speaking, insider trading is the buying or selling of stocks, bonds, futures, or other securities by someone who possesses or is otherwise aware of material nonpublic information about the securities or the issuer of the securities. Insider trading also includes trading in derivatives (such as put or call options) where the price is linked to the underlying price of a company’s stock. It does not matter whether the decision to buy or sell was influenced by the material nonpublic information, how many shares you buy or sell, or whether it has an effect on the stock price. Bottom line: If you are aware of material nonpublic information about Coupang or another publicly traded company that Coupang has business relationships with and you trade in Coupang’s or such other company’s securities, you have broken the law.
답: 일반적으로 말하자면 내부자 거래란 증권 또는 그 발행인에 대한 미공개중요정보를 가지고 있거나 달리 알고 있는 자가 주식, 채권, 선물 또는 그 밖의 증권을 매매하는 것입니다. 가격이 회사 주가에 연동되어 있는 파생상품(풋옵션, 콜옵션 등)의 거래 또한 이에 포함됩니다. 매매 결정이 미공개중요정보에 의해 영향을 받았는지 여부, 매매하는 주식의 수량 또는 주가에 대한 영향 여부는 중요하지 않습니다. 요점은 귀하가 쿠팡이나 쿠팡이 사업관계를 맺고 있는 다른 상장법인에 대한 미공개중요정보를 알고 있으며 쿠팡이나 그러한 회사의 증권을 거래하는 것은 위법이라는 점입니다.
Q: Why is insider trading illegal?
문: 내부자 거래가 불법인 이유는 무엇입니까?
A: If company insiders are able to use their confidential knowledge to their financial advantage, other investors would not have confidence in the fairness and integrity of the market. This ensures that there is an even playing field by requiring those who are aware of material nonpublic information to refrain from trading.
답: 회사 내부자가 금전적 이득을 보기 위하여 기밀 정보를 이용하는 것이 가능하다면 다른 투자자들이 시장의 공정성 및 완전성(integrity)을 신뢰할 수 없게 됩니다. 미공개중요정보를 알고 있는 자들이 거래를 하지 못하게 함으로써 시장이 기울어진 운동장이 되지 않도록 보장하는 것입니다.
Q: What is material information?
문: 중요정보란 무엇입니까?
A: It is not always easy to figure out whether you are aware of material nonpublic information. But there is one important factor to determine whether nonpublic information you know about a public company is material: whether the information could be expected to affect the market price of that company’s securities or to be considered important by investors who are considering trading that company’s securities. If the information makes you want to trade, it would probably have the same effect on others. Keep in mind that both positive and negative information can be material.
답: 귀하가 미공개중요정보를 알고 있는지 여부를 따져보는 것이 항상 쉽지만은 않습니다. 다만, 상장법인에 대해 귀하가 알고 있는 미공개정보가 중요한지 여부를 판단하는 중요한 요인이 하나 있는데 이는 해당 정보가 그 법인의 증권 시세에 영향을 미칠 것으로 예상되는지 또는 동 법인 증권거래를 고려하고 있는 투자자들의 입장에서 해당 정보가 중요하다고 여겨지는지 여부입니다. 그 정보로 인해 귀하가 거래를 하고 싶어진다면 아마 다른 사람들에게도 마찬가지 일 것입니다. 긍정적인 정보와 부정적인 정보 모두 중요정보가 될 수 있다는 점에 주의하시기 바랍니다.
Q: What are examples of material information?
문: 중요정보의 사례로는 무엇이 있습니까?
A: There is no bright-line standard for assessing materiality; rather, materiality is based on an assessment of all of the facts and circumstances, and is often evaluated by relevant enforcement authorities with the benefit of hindsight. Depending on the specific details, the following items may be considered material nonpublic information until publicly disclosed within the meaning of this policy. There may be other types of information that would qualify as material information as well; use this list merely as a non-exhaustive guide:
답: 중요성을 평가하는 명백한 기준은 없습니다. 다만 중요성에 대한 평가는 일체의 사실 및 정황에 대한평가에 근거하며, 결과론적인 사실이지만 보통 관련 집행 당국에 의해 평가됩니다. 구체적인 내용에 따라 아래의 사항들은 본 정책의 의미 내에서 공개되기 전까지 미공개중요정보로 간주됩니다. 중요정보로 볼 수 있는 다른 유형의 정보가 있을 수 있으며, 아래 목록은 대략적인 가이드로만 사용하시기 바랍니다.
ofinancial results or forecasts;
재무 실적 또는 전망
oacquisitions, dispositions, entry into a new market or business or other strategic transactions;
취득, 처분, 신규 시장의 진입, 신규 사업의 개시, 또는 그 밖의 전략적 거래
oevents regarding our securities (e.g., repurchase plans, stock splits, public or private equity or debt offerings, or changes in our dividend policies or amounts);
쿠팡 증권 관련 사건(재매입 계획, 주식 분할, 상장 또는 비상장 주식 투자 또는 채권 발행, 또는 쿠팡 배당 정책 또는 배당금 변경 등)
omajor contracts or contract cancellations;
주요 계약 또는 계약 취소
ogain or loss of a significant customer;
중요고객의 손익
opricing changes;
가격책정 관련 변동
onew product releases;
신제품 출시
osignificant product problems or security incidents;
심각한 제품상의 문제 또는 보안 사고
otop management or control changes;
고위 경영진 또는 지배권 변동
ofinancial restatements or significant writeoffs;
재무제표 수정 또는 중요한 대손상각(write-offs)
oemployee layoffs;
직원 정리해고
oa disruption in Coupang’s operations or breach or unauthorized access of its property or assets, including its facilities or information technology infrastructure;
쿠팡의 사업운영에 대한 지장 또는 쿠팡의 시설 또는 정보기술 기반기설 등 재산이나 자산에대한 파괴 또는 무단 접근
oproxy fights;
의결권 경쟁
oactual or threatened major litigation, SEC or other investigations, or a major development in or the resolution of any such litigation or investigation;
실제 또는 연루될 우려가 있는 주요 소송, SEC 또는 기타 기관에 의한 조사, 또는 그러한 소송이나 조사의 주요 경과 또는 결정
oimpending bankruptcy;
파산 임박 사실
ocommunications with government agencies; and
정부 기관과의 의사소통 내용
onotice of issuance of patents.
특허 발행 통지
Q: When is information considered public?
문: 정보가 공개된 것으로 간주되는 시점은 언제입니까?
A: The prohibition on trading when you have material nonpublic information lifts once that information becomes publicly disseminated. But for information to be considered publicly disseminated, it must be widely disseminated through a press release, a filing with the SEC or other widely disseminated announcement. Once information is publicly disseminated, it is still necessary to afford the investing public with sufficient time to absorb the information. Generally speaking, information will be considered publicly disseminated for purposes of this policy only after one full trading day has elapsed since the information was publicly disclosed. For example, if we announce material nonpublic information before trading begins on Wednesday, then information would be considered to be publicly disseminated by the time trading begins on Thursday; if we announce material nonpublic information after trading ends on Wednesday, then information would be considered to be publicly disseminated by the time trading ends on Thursday.
Depending on the particular circumstances, Coupang may determine that a longer or shorter waiting period should apply to the release of specific material nonpublic information. Any disclosure of nonpublic information, material or otherwise, must be done in accordance with Coupang’s Corporate Disclosure Policy.
답: 귀하가 미공개중요정보를 보유하는 동안 적용되는 거래 제한은 해당 정보가 공개적으로 전파되면 해제됩니다. 그러나 정보가 공개적으로 전파되었다고 보기 위해서는 해당 정보가 언론,
SEC에 대한 신고서 제출 또는 기타 발표를 통해 널리 알려져야 합니다. 정보가 공개적으로 전파되면 일반 투자자들이 해당 정보를 받아들이는데 충분한 시간을 두어야 합니다. 일반적으로 설명하자면, 정보가 공개된 때부터 1 거래일이 완전히 경과한 후에야 비로소 정보가 본 정책의 목적 상 공개적으로 전파된 것으로 간주됩니다. 예를 들어 쿠팡이 수요일 거래 개시 전에 미공개 중요정보를 발표하였다면 해당 정보는 목요일 거래가 개시되는 시점부터 공개적으로 전파된 것으로 간주되며, 수요일 거래가 종료된 후에 미공개중요정보를 발표하였다면 해당정보는 목요일 거래가 종료된 이후부터 공개적으로 전파된 것으로 간주됩니다. 구체적인 정황에 따 라 쿠팡은 특정 미공개중요정보의 공개에 더 길거나 짧은 대기기간을 적용하도록 할 수 있습니다. 미공개 정보를 공개할 때에는 중요 여부와 무관하게 쿠팡의 기업공개방침(Corporate Disclosure Policy)에 따라 정보를 공개하여야 합니다.
Q: Who can be guilty of insider trading?
문: 누가 내부자거래로 형사책임을 부담하게 됩니까?
A: Anyone who buys or sells a security while aware of material nonpublic information, or provides material nonpublic information that someone else uses to buy or sell a security, may be guilty of insider trading. This applies to all individuals, including officers, directors, and others who don’t even work at Coupang. Regardless of who you are, if you know something material about the value of a security that not everyone knows and you trade (or convince someone else to trade) in that security, you may be found guilty of insider trading.
답: 미공개중요정보에 대해 알고 있는 상태로 증권을 사고 팔거나 다른 사람이 미공개중요정보를 이용하여 증권을 사고 팔도록 해당 정보를 타인에게 제공하는 모든 사람이 내부자거래로 형사책임을 부담할 수 있습니다. 이는 임원, 이사 및 쿠팡에서 일하지 않는 사람 등 모든 개인에게 적용됩니다. 귀하가 어떤 사람인지 관계없이 모두가 알지 못하는 증권 가치에 대한 중요한 사실을 알고 있으며 해당 증권을 거래(하거나 타인으로 하여금 거래하도록 설득)하는 경우 귀하는 내부자거래로 형사책임을 부담할 수 있습니다.
Q: What if I am aware of material nonpublic information when I trade, but the reason I trade is because of something else, like to pay medical bills?
문: 거래 시점에 미공개중요정보를 알고 있었으나 의료비 지불 등 다른 사유로 거래를 하는 경우 어떻게 됩니까?
A: The prohibition against insider trading is absolute. It applies even if the decision to trade is not based on such material nonpublic information. It also applies to transactions that may be necessary or justifiable for independent reasons (such as the need to raise money for an emergency expenditure) and also to very small transactions. All that matters is whether you are aware of any material nonpublic information relating to Coupang at the time of the transaction.
답: 내부자거래 금지는 절대적입니다. 미공개중요정보에 근거하여 거래 결정을 내리지 않았더라도 내부자거래 금지가 적용되며, (긴급한 지출을 위해 자금을 형성할 필요 등과 같이) 독립적인 사유로 인해 필요하거나 정당화할 수 있는 거래와 아주 작은 규모의 거래에도 적용됩니다. 중요한 점은 거래당시 쿠팡과 관련한 미공개중요정보를 알았는지 여부입니다.
Q: Do the U.S. securities laws take into account mitigating circumstance, like avoiding a loss or planning a transaction before I had material nonpublic information?
문: 미국 증권법은 손실회피 또는 미공개중요정보를 취득하기 전의 거래 계획 등과 같은 경감사유를 고려합니까?
A: No. The U.S. federal securities laws do not recognize any mitigating circumstances to insider trading. In addition, even the appearance of an improper transaction must be avoided to preserve Coupang’s reputation for adhering to the highest standards of conduct. In some circumstances, you may need to forgo a planned transaction even if you planned it before becoming aware of the
material nonpublic information. So, even if you believe you may suffer an economic loss or sacrifice an anticipated profit by waiting to trade, you must wait.
답: 고려하지 않습니다. 미국 연방 증권법은 내부자거래에 대해 어떠한 경감사유도 인정하지 않습니다. 또한 최대 강도의 행동 강령을 준수하고 있다는 쿠팡의 평판을 유지하기 위해서는 외견상일지라도 부당한 거래 피해야 합니다. 어떤 경우에는 미공개중요정보에 대해 알게 되기 전에 계획한 것이더라도 계획했던 거래를 포기해야 할 수도 있습니다. 그러므로 거래를 위하여 기다리면 경제적손실을 보거나 예상되는 수익을 포기하게 될 것으로 보이더라도 일단 기다려야 합니다.
Q: What if I don’t buy or sell anything, but I tell someone else material nonpublic information and he or she buys or sells?
문: 본인은 아무런 매매 행위도 하지 않았으나 다른 사람에게 미공개중요정보를 알려주어 그 사람이 증권을 매매하는 경우 어떻게 됩니까?
A: That is called “tipping.” You are the “tipper” and the other person is called the “tippee.” If the tippee buys or sells based on that material nonpublic information, both you and the “tippee” could be found guilty of insider trading. In fact, if you tell family members who tell others and those people then trade on the information, those family members and the “tippee” might be found guilty of insider trading too. To prevent this, you may not discuss material nonpublic information about the company with anyone outside Coupang, including spouses, family members, friends, or business associates (unless the disclosure is made in accordance with Coupang’s policies regarding the protection or authorized external disclosure of information regarding Coupang). This includes anonymous discussions on the internet about Coupang or companies with which Coupang does business.
답: 그러한 행위는 ’정보 제공(tipping)’이라고 하며, 귀하가 ‘정보제공자(tipper)’가 되고 상대방이 ’정보수령자(tippee)’가 됩니다. 알려준 미공개중요정보에 근거하여 정보수령자가 증권을 사거나 파는 경우 귀하와 ‘정보수령자’가 모두 내부자거래로 형사책임을 부담할 수 있습니다. 실제로 귀하가 귀하의 가족 구성원에게 미공개중요정보를 알려주었는데 그 가족 구성원이 이를 타인에게 알려주어 타인이 해당 정보에 근거하여 거래를 하는 경우 그 가족
구성원을 비롯한 ‘정보수령자’ 또한 내부자거래로 형사책임을 부담할 수 있습니다. 이러한 사태를 방지하기 위해서 귀하는 (쿠팡 관련 정보의 보호 또는 승인된 외부 공개에 관한 쿠팡의 정책에 따라 공개되는 것이 아닌 한) 회사에 대한 미공개중요정보를 배우자나 가족 구성원, 친구 또는 동업자 등 쿠팡 외부 인사와 논의할 수 없습니다. 쿠팡이나 쿠팡이 사업관계를 맺고 있는 법인에 대하여 인터넷상에서 익명으로 논의하는 것 또한 이에 포함됩니다.
You can be held liable for your own transactions, as well as the transactions by a tippee and even the transactions of a tippee’s tippee. For these and other reasons, no employee, director, or designated consultant of Coupang (or any other person subject to this policy) may either (a) recommend to another person that they buy, hold, or sell Coupang’s securities at any time or (b) disclose material nonpublic information to persons within Coupang whose jobs do not require them to have that material nonpublic information, or outside of Coupang to other persons (unless the disclosure is made in accordance with Coupang’s policies regarding the protection or authorized external disclosure of information regarding Coupang).
귀하가 직접 행한 거래뿐만 아니라 정보수령자의 거래 또는 2 차 정보수령자의 거래까지도 귀하가 책임을 부담하게 될 수 있습니다. 위와 같은 사유 및 그 밖의 사유로 쿠팡의 직원, 이사 또는 지정 자문인 (또는 기타 본 정책 적용 대상)은 (쿠팡 관련 정보의 보호 또는 승인된 외부 공개에 관한 쿠팡의 정책에 따라 공개되는 것이 아닌 한) (a) 언제든지 타인에게 쿠팡 증권을 매수, 보유 또는 매도하라고 권하거나 (b) 업무상 미공개중요정보를 요하지 않는 쿠팡 내부자 또는 쿠팡 외부의 다른 사람에게 미공개중요정보를 공개하여서는 안됩니다.
Q: What if I don’t tell someone inside information itself; I just tell him or her whether to buy or sell?
문: 다른 사람에게 내부자에게 정보 자체에 대한 이야기는 하지 않고 매수 또는 매도 여부에 대해서만 이야기하는 경우 어떻게 됩니까?
A: That is still tipping, and you can still be responsible for insider trading. You may never recommend to another person that they buy, hold or sell Coupang’s common stock or any derivative security related to Coupang’s common stock, since that could be a form of tipping.
답: 그러한 경우도 정보 제공에 해당하며 내부자거래로 귀하가 책임을 부담할 수 있습니다. 타인에게 쿠팡의 보통주식이나 그와 관련된 파생상품을 매수, 매도 또는 보유하라고 권유하는 것은 정보 제공에 해당할 수 있으므로 귀하는 절대로 이와 같은 행위를 할 수 없습니다.
Q: Does this policy or the insider trading laws apply to me if I work outside the U.S.?
문: 미국 이외 지역에서 근무하는 경우에도 본 정책이나 내부자거래법이 적용됩니까?
A: Yes. The same rules apply to U.S. and foreign employees and consultants and independent contractors. The SEC (the U.S. government agency in charge of investor protection), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a private regulator that oversees U.S. securities exchanges) routinely investigate trading in a company’s securities conducted by individuals and firms based abroad. In addition, as a Coupang director, employee, or consultant, our policies apply to you no matter where you work.
답: 예. 미국 및 외국에서 근무하는 직원, 자문인 및 독립계약자에도 동일한 규칙이 적용됩니다. SEC (투자자 보호를 담당하는 미국 정부 기관)와 미국 금융산업규제국(미국 증권거래소를 감독하는 사적규제기관)(Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)은 평상시에 해외 소재 개인 및 법인들에 의한 법인 증권 거래에 대해 조사합니다. 또한 귀하의 근무지와 무관하게 쿠팡의 이사, 직원, 또는 자문인으로서 귀하에게 당사의 정책이 적용됩니다.
Q: Am I restricted from trading securities of any companies other than Coupang, for example a customer or competitor of Coupang?
문: 쿠팡의 고객사 또는 경쟁사 등 쿠팡 이외 회사의 증권 거래도 제한됩니까?
A: Possibly. U.S. insider trading laws generally restrict everyone aware of material nonpublic information about a company from trading in that company’s securities, regardless of whether the person is directly connected with that company, except in limited circumstances. Therefore, if you have material nonpublic information about another company, you should not trade in that company’s securities. You should be particularly conscious of this restriction if, through your position at Coupang, you sometimes obtain sensitive, material information about other companies and their business dealings with Coupang.
답: 그럴 수 있습니다. 미국 내부자 거래 관련 법률은 제한된 경우를 제외하고 일반적으로 회사와의 직접적인 연관성과 관계없이 회사에 대한 미공개중요정보를 아는 모든 사람이 해당 회사의 증권을 거래하는 것을 제한합니다. 따라서 귀하가 타 회사에 대한 미공개중요정보를 가지고 있는 경우 해당회사의 증권을 거래하지 말아야 합니다. 특히 귀하가 쿠팡에서의 지위를 통해 쿠팡과 거래 관계를 맺고 있는 타 법인 및 해당 법인의 사업에 관한 민감하고 중요한 정보를 종종 얻게 되는 경우 위 제한에 대해 각별히 주의하여야 합니다.
Q: So when can I buy or sell my Coupang securities?
문: 본인이 보유한 쿠팡 증권은 언제 매매할 수 있습니까?
A: If you are aware of material nonpublic information, you may not buy or sell our common stock until one full trading day has elapsed since the information was publicly disclosed. At that point, the information is considered publicly disseminated for purposes of our insider trading policy. For example, if we announce material nonpublic information before trading begins on Wednesday, then you may execute a transaction in our securities on Thursday; if we announce material nonpublic information after trading ends on Wednesday, then you may execute a transaction in our securities on Friday. Even if you are not aware of any material nonpublic information, you may not trade our common stock during any trading “blackout” period that applies to you. Our insider trading policy describes the quarterly trading blackout period, and additional event-driven trading blackout periods (which may apply to you even if the quarterly trading blackout periods do not) may be announced by email.
답: 귀하가 미공개중요정보를 알고 있는 경우 귀하는 해당 정보가 공개된 때로부터 1 거래일이 완전히 경과할 때까지 쿠팡의 보통주를 매매할 수 없습니다. 당사 내부자거래정책의 목적상 해당 정보는위와 같은 시점에 공개적으로 전파된 것으로 간주됩니다. 예를 들어 쿠팡이 수요일 거래 개시 전에 미공개중요정보를 발표하였다면 귀하는 목요일에 쿠팡 증권에 대한 거래를 체결할 수 있으며, 수요일 거래가 종료된 후에 미공개중요정보를 발표하였다면 귀하는 금요일에 쿠팡 증권에 대한 거래를 체결할 수 있습니다. 귀하는 어떠한 미공개중요정보도 알지 못하더라도 귀하에게 적용되는 거래제한기간 동안에는 쿠팡 보통주를 거래할 수 없습니다. 쿠팡의 내부자거래정책은 분기별 거래제한기간에 대한 설명을 제공하고 있으며, 추가적인 사건별 거래제한기간(분기별 거래제한기간이 적용되지 않더라도 귀하에게 적용 가능함)이 이메일을 통해 고지될 수 있습니다.
Blackout Periods
거래제한기간
Q: What is a quarterly trading blackout period?
문: 분기별 거래제한기간이란 무엇입니까?
A: To minimize the appearance of insider trading among our officers, directors, Specified Personnel, and their Related Persons, we have established “quarterly trading blackout periods” during which they—regardless of whether they are aware of material nonpublic information or not—may not conduct any trades in Coupang securities. That means that, except as described in this policy, all officers, directors, Specified Personnel, and their Related Persons will be able to trade in Coupang securities only during limited open trading window periods that generally will begin after one full trading day has elapsed since the public dissemination of Coupang’s annual or quarterly financial results and end at the beginning of the next quarterly trading blackout period. Of course, even during an open trading window period, you may not (unless an exception applies) conduct any trades in Coupang securities if you are otherwise in possession of material nonpublic information.
답: 외견상으로라도 쿠팡 임원, 이사, 특정 임직원 및 이들의 관련자 간의 내부자 거래의 양상을 보이는 것을 최소화하기 위하여 쿠팡은 ‘분기별 거래제한기간’을 설정하여 미공개중요정부에 대해 아는지여부를 불문하고 쿠팡 증권을 거래하지 못하도록 하였습니다. 이는 본 방심에 설명된 예외를 제외한모든 임원, 이사, 특정 임직원 및 이들의 관련자는 제한된 거래허용기간(open trading window period) 동안만 쿠팡 증권을 거래할 수 있게 된다는 의미입니다. 거래허용기간은 일반적으로 쿠팡의 연간 또는 분기별 재무실적이 공개적으로 전파된 때부터 1 거래일이 경과한 이후에 개시되어 다음 분기별 거래제한기간 시작 시 종료됩니다. 물론 거래허용기간 중에도 귀하가 달리 미공개중요정보를 보유하고 있는 경우 (예외가 적용되지 않는 한) 쿠팡 증권을거래할 수 없습니다.
Q: What are Coupang’s quarterly trading blackout periods?
문: 쿠팡의 분기별 거래제한기간은 언제입니까?
A: Each “quarterly trading blackout period” will generally begin on the day that is the 14th day before the end of the third month of each fiscal quarter (i.e., March 17, June 16, September 16 and December 17) and end after one full trading day has elapsed since the public dissemination of Coupang’s financial results for that quarter (e.g., time of earnings call). If the 14th day before the end of the third month of the fiscal quarter is a weekend, the next business day will be the start of the blackout period.
답: 각 ‘분기별 거래제한기간’은 통상 각 회계분기의 세 번째 달의 말일로부터 14일 전에 해당하는 날(즉, 3 월 17 일, 6 월 16 일, 9 월 16 일 및 12 월 17 일)에 시작하여, 해당 분기에 대한 쿠팡의
재무실적이 공개전파된 때(실적발표일 등)로부터 1 거래일이 경과한 후에 종료됩니다. 해당 회계분기의 세 번째 달의 말일로부터 14일 전에 해당하는 날이 주말인 경우에는, 다음 영업일에 분기별 거래제한기간이 시작됩니다.
Q: Can Coupang’s quarterly trading blackout periods change?
문: 쿠팡의 분기별 거래제한기간이 변경될 수 있습니까?
A: The quarterly trading blackout period may commence early or may be extended if, in the judgment of the Corporate Secretary, there exists undisclosed information that would make trades by Coupang officers, directors, Specified Personnel or their Related Persons inappropriate. It is important to note that the fact that the quarterly trading blackout period has commenced early or has been extended should be considered material nonpublic information that should not be communicated to any other person.
답: 기업업무총괄이 판단하기에 쿠팡 임원, 이사, 특정 임직원 또는 이들의 관련자에 의한 거래를 부적절하게 만들 미공개정보가 존재하는 경우 분기별 거래제한기간이 일찍 개시되거나 연장될 수 있습니다. 분기별 거래제한기간이 일찍 개시되었거나 연장되었다는 사실 또한 타인에게 공유되어서는 안 되는 미공개중요정보라는 점에 유의하는 것이 중요합니다.
Q: Does Coupang have blackout periods other than quarterly trading blackout periods?
문: 쿠팡은 분기별 거래제한기간 외에도 다른 거래제한기간을 두고 있습니까?
A: Yes. From time to time, an event may occur that is material to Coupang and is known by only a few directors, officers, and/or employees. So long as the event remains material and nonpublic, the persons designated by the Corporate Secretary may not trade in Coupang’s securities. In that situation, Coupang will notify the designated individuals that neither they nor their Related Persons may trade in the Coupang’s securities. The existence of an event-specific trading blackout should also be considered material nonpublic information and should not be communicated to any other person.
답: 그렇습니다. 간혹 쿠팡에게 중요하고 일부 이사, 임원 또는 직원들에게만 알려지는 사건이 발생할수 있습니다. 이러한 사건의 중요성이 유지되고 공개되지 않는 한, 기업업무총괄이 지정한 자는 쿠팡 증권을 거래할 수 없습니다. 이 경우 쿠팡은 지정된 개인에게 해당 개인 또는 그 관련자가 쿠팡증권을 거래할 수 없다는 점을 통지합니다. 특정 사건에 따른 거래제한이 존재한다는 점은 미공개중요정보로 간주되며 타인에게 공유되어서는 안됩니다.
Q: If I am subject to a blackout period and I have an open order to buy or sell Coupang securities on the date a blackout period commences, can I leave it to my broker to cancel the open order and avoid executing the trade?
문: 만약 본인에게 거래제한기간이 적용되며 거래제한기간이 시작되는 날에 쿠팡 증권을 매매하기 위한 유효 주문(open order)이 있는 경우증권사에 해당 주문을 취소하고 거래 체결을 하지 않도록 맡겨 두어도 됩니까?
A: No, unless it is in connection with a 10b5-1 Trading Plan (as defined below). If you have any open orders when a blackout period commences other than in connection with a 10b5-1 Trading Plan, it is your responsibility to cancel these orders with your broker. If you have an open order and it executes after a blackout period commences not in connection with a 10b5-1 Trading Plan, you will have violated our insider trading policy and may also have violated insider trading laws.
답: (아래 정의된 바와 같이) 규칙 제 10b5-1 조 트레이딩 플랜(Trading Plan)과 관련된 것이 아닌 한 맡겨두면 안됩니다. 거래제한기간이 시작했을 때 규칙 제 10b5-1 조 트레이딩 플랜과 관련된 주문 외의 유효 주문이 있다면, 증권사를 통해 해당 주문을 취소할 책임을 귀하에게 있습니다. 유효 주문이 있어 규칙 제 10b5-1 조 트레이딩 플랜과 무관하게 거래제한기간이 시작된 이후 주문이 체결되는 경우 귀하는 쿠팡 내부자거래정책을 위반하게 되며, 내부자 거래 관련 법률을 위반하게 될 수 있습니다.
Q: Am I subject to trading blackout periods if I am no longer an employee, director or consultant of Coupang?
문: 더 이상 쿠팡의 직원, 이사 또는 컨설턴트가 아닌 경우에도 거래제한기간이 적용됩니까?
A: It depends. If your employment with Coupang ends during a trading blackout period, you will be subject to the remainder of that trading blackout period. If your employment with Coupang ends on a day that the trading window is open, you will not be subject to the next trading blackout period. However, even if you are not subject to our trading blackout period after you leave Coupang, you should not trade in Coupang securities if you are aware of material nonpublic information. That restriction stays with you as long as the information you possess is material and not publicly disseminated within the meaning of our insider trading policy.
답: 상황에 따라 다릅니다. 거래제한기간 도중에 쿠팡과의 고용관계가 종료된다면 남은 거래제한기간이 귀하에게 적용됩니다. 거래허용기간이 시작된 날에 쿠팡과의 고용관계가 종료된다면 다음 거래제한기간은 귀하에게 적용되지 않습니다. 그러나 귀하가 쿠팡에서 퇴사한 후 쿠팡의 거래제한기간이 귀하에게 적용되지 않는다고 하더라도 귀하가 미공개중요정보를 알고 있는경우 쿠팡 증권을 거래하여서는 안됩니다. 이러한 제한은 귀하가 가지고 있는 정보가 중요하고 본 정책의 의미 내에서 공개적으로 전파되지 않은 한 귀하에게 계속 적용됩니다.
Q: Are there any exceptions to this policy?
문: 본 정책에 대한 예외가 있습니까?
A: There are no exceptions to this policy, except as specifically noted below.
답: 아래에서 구체적으로 설명된 바 외에는 본 정책에 대한 예외는 없습니다.
Q: Can I exercise options granted to me by Coupang, or participate in a Coupang employee stock purchase plan, during a trading blackout period or when I possess material nonpublic information?
문: 거래제한기간 또는 미공개중요정보를 보유할 동안 쿠팡으로부터 부여 받은 옵션을 행사하거나 쿠팡의 종업원자사주매입플랜에 참여할 수 있습니까?
A: Yes. You may purchase shares by exercising your options or participating in a Coupang employee stock purchase plan, but you may not sell the shares (even to pay the exercise price or any taxes due) during a trading blackout period or any time that you are aware of material nonpublic information. To be clear, you may not effect a broker-assisted cashless exercise (because these cashless exercise transactions include a market sale) during a trading blackout period or any time that you are aware of material nonpublic information.
답: 예. 귀하는 귀하의 옵션을 행사하거나 쿠팡의 종업원자사주매입플랜에 참여하여 주식을 매수할 수있습니다. 그러나 거래제한기간이나 미공개중요정보를 알고 있는 동안에는 주식을 매도할 수 없습니다(행사가격 지불 또는 세금 납부를 위한 것이더라도 불가함). 분명히 하면 귀하는 거래제한기간 중이거나 미공개중요정보를 알고 있는 동안에는 증권사 지원 비현금 권리행사(broker-assisted cashless exercise)를 할 수 없습니다 (이러한 비현금 권리행사 거래는 장내 매도를 포함하기 때문입니다).
Q: What tax withholding transactions are not restricted by this policy?
문: 본 정책에 의해 제한되지 않는 원천징수 대상 거래는 무엇입니까?
A: This policy does not apply to the surrender of shares directly to Coupang to satisfy tax withholding obligations as a result of the issuance of shares upon exercise of options or settlement of restricted stock units issued by Coupang. Any market sale of the stock received upon exercise or settlement of any such equity awards remains subject to all provisions of this policy whether or not for the purpose of generating the cash needed to pay the exercise price or pay taxes, unless Coupang requires the sale of stock received upon exercise or settlement to pay taxes and the individual has no discretion over such sales.
답: 옵션 행사 또는 쿠팡이 발행한 양도제한조건부 주식의 정산에 따른 주식 발행의 결과 원천징수의무를 다하기 위하여 쿠팡에게 직접 교부된 주식에는 본 정책이 적용되지 않습니다. 쿠팡이 세금 납부를 위하여 주식 보상의 행사 또는 정산에 따라 수령한 주식의 매도를 요구하고 해당 개인이 해당 매도에 대한 재량이 없는 경우를 제외하고, 주식 보상의 행사 또는 정산에 따라 수령하는 주식의 장내 매도에 대하여는 행사가격 지불 또는 세금 납부에 필요한 현금을 생성하기 위한 목적인지 여부와 관계없이 본 정책의 모든 조항이 적용됩니다.
Q: Are mutual fund shares holding Coupang common stock subject to the trading blackout periods?
문: 쿠팡 보통주를 보유한 뮤추얼펀드(mutual fund)의 주식에도 거래제한기간이 적용됩니까?
A: No. You may trade in mutual funds holding Coupang stock at any time as long as (i) you do not control the investment decisions on individual stocks within the fund or portfolio and (ii) Coupang securities do not represent a substantial portion of the assets of the fund or portfolio.
답: 아니요. (i) 귀하가 해당 펀드 또는 포트폴리오에 포함되는 개별 주식에 대하여 투자 결정권을
보유하지 않고, (ii) 쿠팡 증권이 해당 펀드 또는 포트폴리오 자산에서 상당한 부분을 차지하지 않는 한, 귀하는 언제든지 쿠팡 주식을 보유한 뮤추얼펀드에 투자할 수 있습니다.
Q: What are the rules that apply to 10b5-1 Automatic Trading Programs?
문: 규칙 제 10b5-1 조 자동 트레이딩 프로그램(Automatic Trading Programs)에는 어떤 규칙이 적용됩니까?
A: Under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, any person may establish a Trading Plan. So long as a Trading Plan is properly established, purchases and sales of Coupang securities pursuant to that Trading Plan are not subject to this policy. To be properly established, a person’s Trading Plan must be established in compliance with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act which includes, among other requirements, that the Trading Plan was entered into at a time when they were unaware of any material nonpublic information relating to Coupang and that the Trading Plan was adopted in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the federal securities laws, that the person adopting the Trading Plan acts in good faith with respect to the Trading Plan, that such person has not entered into another or altered a different trading plan or hedging transaction or position with respect to the securities subject to the Trading Plan, and that the first trade under the Trading Plan does not occur until the expiration of the statutory cooling-off period. Additionally, for the purposes of this insider trading policy, Trading Plans must be entered into when you were not otherwise subject to a trading blackout period. Moreover, the Company does not require directors or officers to enter into 10b5-1 Trading Plans. All Trading Plans to be adopted by directors, officers, Specified Personnel and their Related Persons, as well as any amendments or terminations of existing Trading Plans, must be reviewed and approved by Coupang in accordance with Coupang’s Section 16 Compliance Program before being established to confirm that the Trading Plan complies with all pertinent company policies and applicable securities laws. See “Pre-Clearance of Transactions in Coupang Stock” below. In addition, the Company will disclose in its quarterly filings with the SEC if any director or officer has entered into, terminated or modified any trading plan during the quarter, as well as certain details of the plan (including number of securities to be sold or purchased).
답: 거래법 규칙 제 10b5-1 조에 따르면, 누구든지 트레이딩 플랜을 세울 수 있습니다. 트레이딩 플랜이 적절히 수립되기만 한다면 동 플랜에 따른 쿠팡 증권의 매매에는 본 정책이 적용되지 않습니다. 트레이딩 플랜이 적절히 수립되기 위해서는 거래법 규칙 제 10b5-1 조에서 정한 조건을 충족하여야 합니다. 거래법 규칙 제 10b5-1 조에서 정한 조건 중에는, 트레이딩 플랜은 쿠팡과 관련한 어떠한 미공개중요정보도 알고 있지 않은 상태에서 체결될 것, 증권 관련 연방법을
회피하기 위한 계획 또는 의도의 일부가 아닌 신의성실에 입각하여 트레이딩 플랜이 채택될 것, 트레이딩 플랜을 채택한 당사자는 신의성실하게 트레이딩 플랜에 관한 행위를 할 것, 트레이딩 플랜을 채택한 당사자는 트레이딩 플랜의 대상이 되는 증권에 대하여 다른 트레이딩 플랜, 헷지 거래 또는 헷지 포지션을 체결하거나 변경하지 아니할 것, 법에서 정한 대기기간(cooling-off period)이 종료되기 전까지는 트레이딩 플랜에 따른 첫 거래가 발생하지 않을 것이라는 조건이 포함되어 있습니다. 또한, 본 내부자거래정책의 목적상 트레이딩 플랜은 거래제한기간이 적용되지 않을 때에 체결되어야 합니다. 회사는 이사 또는 임원이 제 10b5- 1조의 트레이딩 플랜을 체결할 것을 요구하지 않습니다. 이사, 임원 및 특정 임직원과 그들의 관련자가 트레이딩 플랜을 채택하고자 하거나 기존 트레이딩 플랜을 변경 또는 종료하고자 하는 경우, 트레이딩 플랜이 관련되는 회사 정책 및 증권법을 모두 준수하는지 여부를 확인하기 위하여 수립되기 전에 쿠팡의 제 16 조 컴플라이언스 프로그램(Section 16 Compliance Program)에 따라 쿠팡의 검토와 승인을 받아야 합니다. 아래 ‘쿠팡 주식 거래에 대한 사전 승인’ 항목을 참고하시기 바랍니다. 또한, 이사 또는 임원이 분기 중에 트레이딩 플랜을 체결, 종료 또는 변경하는 경우, 회사는 SEC에 제출하는 분기보고서에 해당 사실과 트레이딩 플랜의 세부 내용(매수 또는 매도 예정인 증권의 수량 등)을 공시할 것입니다.
Q: Can I gift stock while I possess material nonpublic information or during a trading blackout period?
문: 미공개중요정보를 보유하고 있는 동안이나 거래제한기간 중에 주식을 증여할 수 있습니까?
A: Because of the potential for the appearance of impropriety, as a general matter gifts should only be made when you are not in possession of material nonpublic information and not subject to a trading blackout period. For example, charities that receive gifted stock typically immediately sell the stock into the public market, potentially subjecting you to “tipper” liability if you were in possession of material nonpublic information at the time of the gift. You may not make bona fide gifts of our stock when you are aware of material nonpublic information or during a trading blackout period applicable to you unless the gift has been pre-cleared by Coupang’s Corporate Secretary or their designee. Pre-clearance must be obtained at least two business days in advance of the proposed gift, and pre-cleared gifts not completed within five business days will require new pre-clearance. Coupang may choose to shorten this period. Regardless of whether they are aware of material nonpublic information or subject to a trading blackout period, officers, directors, and other applicable members of management subject to the pre-clearance requirements described below must obtain pre-clearance before completing any gift of Coupang securities.
답: 외견상으로라도 부적절한 행위로 보일 여지가 있기 때문에 통상적으로 증여는 귀하가 미공개중요정보를 소유하고 있지 않으며 거래제한기간이 귀하에게 적용되지 않을 때에만 해야 합니다. 예를 들어 증여 형태로 주식을 제공받는 자선단체들은 보통 공개시장에서 해당 주식을 즉시 매각하기 때문에 귀하가 증여 시점에 미공개중요정보를 소유하고 있었다면 귀하에게 ‘정보제공자’로서의 책임을 발생시킬 가능성이 있습니다. 귀하는 쿠팡의 기업업무총괄 또는 그 지정인이 사전에 승인하지 않은 경우 귀하가 미공개중요정보를 알고 있거나 거래제한기간이 적용 중인 동안 쿠팡 주식을 선의로 증여할 수 없습니다. 사전 승인은 증여 최소 2 영업일 전에 취득하여야 하며, 사전 승인을 받은 증여가 5 영업일 이내에 완료되지 않는 경우 사전 승인을 새로 받아야 합니다. 쿠팡은 위 기간을 단축시킬 수 있습니다. 미공개중요정보의 인식 여부 및 거래제한기간에 해당하는지 여부와 관계 없이, 아래에 기재된 사전 승인 요건이 적용되는 임원, 이사 및 그 밖의 관련 경영진 구성원은 쿠팡 증권의 증여를 완료하기 전에 반드시 사전 승인을 받아야 합니다.
Q: Are purchases of Coupang stock in a 401(k) plan allowed by this policy?
문: 401(k) 플랜에 따른 쿠팡 주식 매수는 본 정책에 의해 허용됩니까?
A: In the U.S., the law allows employees to participate in a retirement program called a 401(k) plan. This policy does not apply to purchases of Coupang’s securities in Coupang’s 401(k) plan resulting from your periodic contribution of money to the plan pursuant to your payroll deduction election. This policy does apply, however, to certain elections you may make under the 401(k) plan, including: (a) an election to increase or decrease the percentage of your periodic contributions that will be allocated to the Coupang stock fund; (b) an election to make an intra-plan transfer of an existing account balance into or out of the Coupang stock fund; (c) an election to borrow money against your 401(k) plan account if the loan will result in a liquidation of some or all of your Coupang stock fund balance; and (d) an election to pre-pay a plan loan if the pre- payment will result in allocation of loan proceeds to the Coupang stock fund.
답: 미국에서는 직원들이 401(k) 플랜이라는 은퇴 프로그램에 가입하는 것이 법적으로 허용됩니다. 본 정책은 귀하가 선택한 급여 공제 방식으로 쿠팡의 401(k) 플랜에 정기적으로 자금을 납입함으로써 발생하는 동 플랜하의 쿠팡 증권 매수에는 적용되지 않습니다. 그러나
(a)쿠팡 주식형 펀드에 할당될 귀하의 정기 납입금의 비율을 인상 혹은 인하하기로 하거나,
(b)기존 계정 잔고를 쿠팡 주식형 펀드 내·외부로 플랜 내에서 이전하기로 하거나, (c) 대출로 인해 귀하의 쿠팡 주식형 펀드의 잔고 전체 혹은 일부가 청산될 예정인 경우 귀하의 401(k) 플랜 계정에서 대출을 받기로 하거나, 또는 (d) 플랜 대출금 선납으로 인해 쿠팡 주식형 펀드에 대출금이 할당될 예정인 경우 해당 대출금을 선납하기로 하는 등 401(k) 플랜 하에 귀하가 선택하는 특정 사항에 관해서는 본 정책이 적용됩니다.
Hedging and Other Speculation in Coupang Securities
쿠팡 증권에 대한 헷지거래 및 기타 투기
Q: Can I hedge my ownership position in Coupang?
문: 쿠팡에서의 소유권 포지션을 헷지할 수 있습니까?
A: No. Hedging or monetization transactions, including through the use of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds are prohibited by our insider trading policy. Since such hedging transactions allow you to continue to own Coupang’s securities obtained through employee benefit plans or otherwise, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership, you may no longer have the same objectives as Coupang’s other shareholders. Therefore, our insider trading policy prohibits you from engaging in any such transactions.
답: 아니오. 쿠팡의 내부자거래정책은 변동선급선도, 주식 스왑, 칼라 및 외국환기금 등과 같은 금융상품을 사용하는 등의 방식을 통한 헷지 또는 현금화 거래를 금지하고 있습니다. 이러한 헷지거래는 귀하가 종업원복지제도나 그 밖의 방식을 통해 취득한 쿠팡 증권을 소유권에 따른 일체의 위험 및 보상 없이 지속적으로 소유할 수 있게 해주기 때문에 귀하는 더 이상 다른 쿠팡 주주들과 동일한 목표를 가지지 않게 될 수 있습니다. 따라서 쿠팡의 내부자거재정책은 귀하가 위와 같은 거래에 참여하는 것을 금지하고 있습니다.
Q: Why are hedging transactions prohibited?
문: 헷지거래가 금지된 이유는 무엇입니까?
A: Such transactions may permit a person subject to this policy to continue to own Coupang’s securities obtained through employee benefit plans or otherwise, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership. When that occurs, the person may no longer have the same objectives as Coupang’s other stockholders. Therefore, all persons subject to this policy are prohibited from engaging in any such transactions.
답: 상기 거래들은 본 정책이 적용되는 자가 종업원복지제도나 그 밖의 방식을 통해 취득한 쿠팡 증권을 소유권에 따른 일체의 위험 및 보상 없이 지속적으로 소유할 수 있도록 할 수 있습니다. 그렇게 되는 경우 해당 주주는 더 이상 다른 쿠팡 주주들과 동일한 목표를 가지지 않게 될 수 있습니다. 따라서 본정책이 적용되는 모든 대상자는 위와 같은 거래에 참여하는 것이 금지됩니다.
Q: Am I allowed to trade derivative securities of Coupang’s common stock?
문: 쿠팡 보통주의 파생증권을 거래하는 것은 허용됩니까?
A: No. You may not trade in derivative securities related to our common stock, which include publicly traded call and put options. In addition, you may not engage in short selling of our common stock at any time.
답: 아니오. 귀하는 공개 거래되는 콜옵션과 풋옵션이 포함된 쿠팡 보통주와 관련된 파생증권을 거래할 수 없습니다. 또한 귀하는 언제라도 쿠팡 보통주 공매도에 참여할 수 없습니다.
Q: What are derivative securities?
문: 파생증권(derivative securities)이란 무엇입니까?
A: “Derivative securities” are securities other than common stock that are speculative in nature because they permit a person to leverage their investment using a relatively small amount of money. Examples of derivative securities include “put options” and “call options.” These are
different from employee options and other equity awards granted under our equity compensation plans, which are not derivative securities for purposes of our policy.
답: ‘파생증권’이란 보통주 이외의 증권으로서 상대적으로 적은 자금을 통해 레버리지를 일으켜 투자할 수 있도록 해주는 투기성을 띈 증권입니다. 파생증권의 예를 들자면 ‘풋옵션’과 ‘콜옵션’이 있습니다. 풋옵션과 콜옵션은 쿠팡 정책의 목적 상 파생증권에 해당하지 않는 쿠팡 보상 플랜하의 우리사주와 그 밖의 주식 보상과는 차이가 있습니다.
Q: What is short selling?
문: 공매도란 무엇입니까?
A: “Short selling” is profiting when you expect the price of the stock to decline, and includes transactions in which you borrow stock from a broker, sell it, and eventually buy it back on the market to return the borrowed shares to the broker. Profit is realized if the stock price decreases during the period of borrowing.
답: ‘공매도’란 주가가 하락할 것으로 예상될 때 수익을 올리는 것으로, 증권사로부터 주식을 대여하여 해당 주식을 매도한 후 최종적으로는 대여한 주식을 증권사에 상환하기 위하여 시장에서 이를 재매입하는 것을 거래를 포함합니다. 주식 대여기간 동안 주가가 하락하면 수익이 실현됩니다.
Q: Why does Coupang prohibit trading in derivative securities and short selling?
문: 쿠팡이 파생상품 거래 및 공매도를 금지하는 이유는 무엇입니까?
A: Many companies with volatile stock prices have adopted similar policies because of the temptation it represents to try to benefit from a relatively low-cost method of trading on short-term swings in stock prices, without actually holding the underlying common stock, and encourages speculative trading. We are dedicated to building stockholder value, short selling our common stock conflicts with our values and would not be well-received by our stockholders.
답: 공매도는 기초가 되는 보통주를 실제로 보유하지 않은 채 단기 주가 변동 시 상대적으로 저가에서 거래하는 방식으로 이익을 얻고자 하여 투기성 거래를 부추기는데, 공매도가 시사하는 이러한 유혹으로 인해 변동적인 주가를 가지고 있는 많은 회사들이 유사한 정책을 채택하고 있습니다. 쿠팡은 주주가치를 창출하는 데에 전력을 다하고 있습니다. 쿠팡 보통주 공매도는 이러한 당사의가치와 상충되고, 쿠팡 주주들에 의해 긍정적으로 받아들여지지 않을 것입니다.
Q: What if I purchased publicly traded options or other derivative securities before I became subject to this policy?
문: 본 정책이 적용되기 전에 공개 거래되는 옵션이나 기타 파생증권을 매수한 경우 어떻게 됩니까?
A: The same rules apply as for employee stock options. You may exercise the publicly traded options at any time, but you may not sell the securities during a trading blackout period or at any time that you are aware of material nonpublic information.
답: 임직원 주식매수선택권에도 동일한 규칙이 적용됩니다. 귀하는 언제든지 공개 거래되는 옵션을 행사할 수 있으며 다만 거래제한기간 또는 귀하가 미공개중요정보를 알고 있는 동안에는 해당증권을 매도할 수 없습니다.
Q: What are the concerns about standing and limit orders?
문: 자동이체주문(standing order)과 지정가주문에 대한 우려사항은 무엇입니까?
A: Standing and limit orders (except standing and limit orders under approved Trading Plans, as discussed above) create heightened risks for insider trading violations. There is no control over the timing of purchases or sales that result from standing instructions to a broker, and as a result the broker could execute a transaction when a Coupang employee, director, or designated consultant is in possession of material nonpublic information. Coupang therefore discourages placing standing or limit orders on Coupang’s securities. If a person subject to this policy determines that they must use a standing order or limit order (other than under an approved Trading Plan as discussed above), the order should be limited to short duration and the person using such standing order or limit order is required to cancel such instructions immediately in the event restrictions are imposed on their ability to trade pursuant to the “Quarterly Trading Blackouts” and “Event-Specific Trading Blackouts” provisions above.
답: 자동이체 및 지정가주문(전술한 바에 따른 트레이딩 플랜하의 자동이체 및 지정가주문은 제외함)은내부자 거래행위를 할 위험을 상승시킵니다. 증권사에 대한 자동이체 지시를 하는 경우 매매 시점에대해 통제력이 없기 때문에 증권사가 쿠팡 직원, 이사 또는 지정 자문인이 미공개중요정보를 보유할때 거래를 체결할 수 도 있습니다. 따라서 쿠팡은 쿠팡 증권에 대한 자동이체 주문 또는 지정가주문을 하지 않도록 합니다. 본 정책 적용 대상자가 자동이체 또는 지정가주문(전술한 바에 따른 트레이딩 플랜하의 자동이체 및 지정가주문은 제외함)을 반드시 이용하여야 한다고 판단하는 경우 주문은 단기간에 한정되어야 하며, 자동이체 또는 지정가주문을 이용하는 자는 위 ‘분기별 거래제한’ 및 ‘사건별 거래제한’ 규정에 따라 거래할 수 있는 능력에 제한이 부과되는 경우 그 즉시 해당 주문 지시를 취소하여야 합니다.
Pre-Clearance of Transactions in Coupang Stock
쿠팡 주식 거래에 대한 사전 승인
Q: Who is required to pre-clear and provide advance notice of transactions?
문: 거래 사전 승인 및 사전 공시 대상자는 누구입니까?
A: In addition to the requirements above, officers, directors, and other applicable members of management who have been notified that they are subject to pre-clearance requirements, as well as their Related Persons, face a further restriction: Even during an open trading window, they may not engage in any transaction in Coupang’s securities without first obtaining pre-clearance of the transaction from Coupang’s Corporate Secretary or their designee. Requests for pre-clearance should be submitted to Coupang’s Corporate Secretary or their designee at least two business days in advance of the proposed transaction. He or she will then determine whether the transaction may proceed and, if so, will direct the Section 16 Compliance Coordinator (as identified in Coupang’s Section 16 Compliance Program) to help comply with any required reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. Pre-cleared transactions not completed within two business days after approval is obtained will require new pre-clearance. Coupang may choose to shorten this period. If a proposed transaction is not approved, the requesting individual should refrain from initiating any transaction in Coupang securities and should not inform anyone within or outside of the company of the restriction.
답: 사전 승인 요건이 적용된다고 통지받은 임원, 이사 및 그 밖의 관련 경영진 구성원과 그들의 관련자는 위 요건과 함께 추가적인 제한을 받습니다. 이들은 거래허용기간 중에도 기업업무총괄 또는 그 지정인으로부터 사전 승인을 받지 않으면 쿠팡 증권 거래에 참여할 수 없습니다. 사전 승인 요청은 쿠팡의 기업업무총괄 또는 그 지정인에게 늦어도 거래예정일로부터 2영업일 전까지 제출되어야 합니다. 쿠팡의 기업업무총괄 또는 그 지정인이 거래 진행 가능 여부를 판단하며, 가능하다고 판단하는 경우 거래법 제 16(a)조에 따른 신고 요건을 준수하는 것을 지원하도록 (쿠팡의 제 16 조 컴플라이언스 프로그램에 명시되어 있는 바에 따라) 제 16 조 컴플라이언스 코디네이터(Section 16 Compliance Coordinator)에게 지시합니다. 사전 승인된 거래가 승인 취득일로부터 2 영업일 이내에 완료되지 않으면 사전 승인을 새로 받아야 합니다. 쿠팡은 위 기간을 단축시킬 수 있습니다. 거래가 승인되지 않은 경우, 해당 승인 요청을 한 자는 쿠팡 증권에 대한 어떠한 거래도 진행하여서는 아니 되며, 회사 내부 또는 외부의 어느 누구에게도 그와 같은 거래 제한을 알려서는 아니 됩니다.
Q: Are individuals subject to pre-clearance required to provide advanced notice of stock option exercises?
문: 사전 승인 대상자는 주식매수선택권 행사에 대한 사전통지를 제출해야 합니까?
A: Yes. Persons subject to pre-clearance must also give advance notice of their plans to exercise an outstanding stock option to the Section 16 Compliance Coordinator. Once any transaction takes place, the officer, director, or applicable member of management must immediately notify the Section 16 Compliance Coordinator so that Coupang may assist in any Section 16 reporting obligations.
답: 예. 사전 승인 대상자가 유효한 주식매수선택권을 행사하기 위해서는 그 계획을 제 16 조 컴플라이언스 코디네이터에게 사전통지하여야 합니다. 일단 거래가 실행되면 임원, 이사 또는 관련경영진 구성원은 쿠팡이 제 16 조 신고 의무에 있어 도움을 줄 수 있도록 즉시 그 사실을 제 16 조 컴플라이언스 코디네이터에게 알려야 합니다.
Q: What additional requirements apply to individuals subject to Section 16?
문: 제 16 조 대상자에게 적용되는 추가 요건은 무엇인가요?
A: Officers and directors, who are subject to the reporting obligations under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, should take care to avoid short-swing transactions (within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act) and the restrictions on sales by control persons (Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and should file all appropriate Section 16(a) reports (Forms 3, 4, and 5), which are described in Coupang’s Section 16 Compliance Program, and any notices of sale required by Rule 144.
답: 거래법 제 16 조에 따른 신고의무 대상자인 이사 및 임원은 (거래법 제 16(b)조의 의미내에서의) 단기매매 와 (1933 년 미국 증권법(개정 사항 포함) 규칙 제 144 조) 통제자(control person)에 의한 매도 제한을 피하기 위하여 주의하여야 하며, 쿠팡의 제 16 조 컴플라이언스 프로그램에 기재된 모든 적절한 제 16(a)조 신고서(Forms 3, 4 및 5)와 규칙 제 144 조에 의해 요구되는 매각 통지를 제출하여야 한다.
Company Transactions
회사의 거래
Q: What is Coupang’s policy with respect to engaging in transactions in its own securities?
문: 자기 증권 거래와 관련한 쿠팡의 정책은 무엇인지요?
A: From time to time, Coupang may engage in transactions in its own securities. It is Coupang’s policy to comply with all applicable laws (including appropriate approvals by the Board of Directors or appropriate committee, if required) when engaging in transactions in its securities.
답: 쿠팡은 경우에 따라 자기 증권의 거래에 참여할 수 있습니다. 자기 증권의 거래에 참여할 때에는, (필요한 경우 이사회 또는 적정한 위원회의 적절한 승인을 득하는 것을 포함하여) 모든 적용 가능한 법률을 준수하는 것이 쿠팡의 정책입니다.
Other Information
기타 정보
Q: What happens if I violate our insider trading policy?
문: 쿠팡의 내부자거래정책을 위반하면 어떻게 됩니까?
A: Violating our policies may result in disciplinary action, which may include termination of your employment or other relationship with Coupang.
답: 당사 정책 위반 시 귀하와 쿠팡 간의 고용 또는 기타 관계 해지 등의 징계 조치를 받을 수 있습니다.
Q: What are the sanctions if I trade on material nonpublic information or tip off someone else?
문: 미공개중요정보를 이용하여 거래하거나 해당 정보를 타인에게 제공한 경우 어떤 제재를 받습니까?
A: In addition to disciplinary action by Coupang—which may include termination of employment—you may be liable for civil sanctions for trading on material nonpublic information. The sanctions may include return of any profit made or loss avoided as well as penalties of up to three times any profit made or any loss avoided. Persons found liable for tipping material nonpublic information, even if they did not trade themselves, may be liable for the amount of any profit gained or loss avoided by everyone in the chain of tippees as well as a penalty of up to three times that amount. In addition, anyone convicted of criminal insider trading could face prison and additional fines.
답: 고용 해지 등 쿠팡의 징계 조치에 더하여 미공개중요정보 거래행위를 하는 경우 민사적 책임에 의한제재를 받을 수 있습니다. 실현된 수익 또는 회피한 손실의 반환 및 그 3 배에 달하는 벌금 등의 제재가 있을 수 있습니다. 미공개중요정보를 제공한 책임이 있다고 판단되는 자는 직접 거래하지 않았더라도 여러 정보수령자들에 의해 실현된 수익액 또는 회피한 손실액뿐만 아니라 해당 금액의 3 배에 달하는 벌금에 대하여 책임을 부담할 수 있습니다. 또한 내부자거래로 유죄판결을 받은 자는 징역형 또는 추가 벌금형에 처해질 수 있습니다.
Q: What is “loss avoided”?
문: ‘손실 회피’란 무엇입니까?
A: If you sell common stock or a related derivative security before negative news is publicly announced, and as a result of the announcement the stock price declines, you have avoided the loss caused by the negative news.
답: 귀하가 부정적인 소식이 공개적으로 발표되기 전에 보통주 또는 관련 파생증권을 매도하고 해당발표 결과 주가가 하락한다면 귀하는 부정적인 소식으로 인한 손실을 회피한 것입니다.
Q: Who should I contact if I have questions about our insider trading policy or specific trades?
문: 내부자거래정책이나 특정 거래에 대한 문의가 있는 경우 누구에게 연락하여야 합니까?
A: You should contact our Corporate Secretary.
답: 당사의 기업업무총괄에게 연락하시기 바랍니다.
Q: Do changes to this policy require approval by Coupang’s Board of Directors?
문: 본 정책을 변경하기 위해서는 쿠팡 이사회의 승인이 요구됩니까?
A: Yes. Changes to this policy require approval by Coupang’s Board of Directors or a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors.
답: 그렇습니다. 본 정책의 변경은 쿠팡의 이사회 또는 적법하게 선임된 이사회 내 위원회의 승인을 요합니다.
4.Roles and responsibilities
역할 및 책임
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Role |
Key responsibilities |
역할 |
주요 책임 |
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Policy Owner
정책 주관 부서/담당자
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Responsibility and accountability for establishing, amending, and maintaining this Policy.
본 정책을 수립, 개정 및 유지할 책임과 의무
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Coupang, employees, officers, directors, designated consultants and independent contractors of Coupang, and any Related Persons
쿠팡, 쿠팡의 직원, 임원, 이사, 지정 자문인 및 독립계약자, 관련자
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Responsibility for ensuring compliance with this policy and understanding the obligations that come with having access to material nonpublic information and wanting to transact in Coupang securities.
본 정책의 준수를 보장하고, 미공개중요정보에 대한 접근권한을 갖고 쿠팡 증권을 거래하고자 하는 경우 발생하는 의무에 대해 숙지할 책임
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5.Inquiry
문의
Questions about this Policy should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary.
본 정책에 대한 문의는 기업업무총괄 앞으로 제출되어야 한다.
6.Dispensations
특별 예외 승인
-No dispensations from the requirements to comply with this Policy will be granted.
본 정책의 준수사항에 관하여 어떠한 특별 예외 승인도 허용되지 않는다.
7.Definitions
용어 정의
-Refer to the Master Glossary for the definitions of capitalized terms used in these Policies.
정책에서 사용된 용어는 기본 용어집(Master Glossary) 참조한다.
-Capitalized terms that are defined below are specific to this Policy:
아래 정의된 용어는 본 정책에서 사용된 용어이다.
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Term
용어
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Meaning
의미
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Coupang
쿠팡
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Coupang, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Coupang, Inc. 및 그 자회사
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Exchange Act
거래법
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Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
개정 미국 1934 년 증권거래법
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material nonpublic information
미공개중요정보
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Material information that is not yet publicly available.
아직 공개되지 않은 중요한 정보
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Related Persons
관련자
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Family members who reside with the individual (including a spouse, a child, a child away at college, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, siblings and in- laws), other household members, economic dependents, and, unless otherwise determined by Coupang, any other individuals or entities whose transactions in securities are influenced, directed, or controlled (including, e.g., a venture or other investment fund, if influenced, directed, or controlled transactions by the fund) by employees, directors, and designated consultants and independent contractors of Coupang and its subsidiaries.
대상자의 동거가족 구성원(배우자, 자녀, 멀리 떨어져 지내는 대학생 자녀, 계자녀, 손자녀, 부모, 계부모, 조부모, 형제자매, 인척 포함), 기타 가구원, 피부양자, 그리고 쿠팡이 달리 정한 바가 없으면 쿠팡 및 그 자회사의 임직원, 이사, 지정 자문인 및 독립계약자가 증권 거래에 영향을 미치거나 이를 지시하거나 통제하는 경우 그 영향, 지시 또는 통제를 받는 그 밖의 개인 또는 법인(펀드가 그러한 영향, 지시 또는 통제를 하는 거래의 경우, 해당 벤처 또는 기타
투자 펀드 포함)
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SEC
SEC
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Securities and Exchange Commission.
미국 증권거래위원회
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Specified Personnel
특정 임직원
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An officer or director of Coupang, or an employee or designated consultant of Coupang as described on Appendix A.
쿠팡의 임원이나 이사 또는 부록 A에 기재된 쿠팡의 임직원 또는 지정 자문인
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“trade,” “trading,” and “transactions”
‘거래’, ‘거래행위’
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Purchases and sales of Coupang’s common stock in the public market as well as any other purchases, sales, transfers, or other acquisitions and dispositions of common or preferred equity, options, warrants, and other securities (including debt securities) and other arrangements or transactions that affect economic exposure to changes in the prices of these securities.
공개시장에서의 쿠팡 보통주 매매 및 보통주 또는 우선주, 옵션, 보증 및 기타 증권(채무증권 등)의 매매, 양도 또는 기타
취득 및 처분과 이러한 증권 가격의 변동에 대한 경제적 익스포저에 영향을 미치는 그 밖의 약정 또는 거래
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Trading Plan
트레이딩 플랜
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A trading plan under which a broker is instructed to buy and sell Coupang securities based on pre-determined criteria.
증권사가 정해진 기준에 따라 쿠팡 증권을 매매하도록 지시하는 트레이딩 플랜
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Appendix A
부록 A Specified Personnel
특정 임직원
The Corporate Secretary will maintain, and may periodically update, the list of non-officer employees, designated consultants and independent contractors who are subject to quarterly trading blackout periods.
기업업무총괄은 분기별 거래제한기간 적용 대상 비임원 직원, 지정 자문인 및 독립계약자 목록을 보관하며, 이를 정기적으로 업데이트할 수 있다.
EX-21.1
6
cpng-12312024exhibit211.htm
EX-21.1
Document
Significant Subsidiaries of Coupang, Inc.
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Subsidiary |
Jurisdiction |
Coupang Global LLC |
Delaware, USA |
Coupang Corp. |
Korea |
Coupang Pay, Ltd. |
Korea |
Coupang Fulfillment Services Ltd. |
Korea |
Coupang Logistics Service Ltd. |
Korea |
CPLB Corp. |
Korea |
Surpique Acquisition Limited |
England and Wales |
EX-23.1
7
cpng-12312024exhibit231.htm
EX-23.1
Document
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-254117, 333-254426, 333-263270, and 333-270172) of Coupang, Inc. of our report dated February 25, 2025 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.
/s/ Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers
Seoul, Korea
February 25, 2025
EX-31.1
8
cpng-12312024exhibit311.htm
EX-31.1
Document
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Bom Kim, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Coupang, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 25, 2025
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COUPANG, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Bom Kim |
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Bom Kim |
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Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
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EX-31.2
9
cpng-12312024exhibit312.htm
EX-31.2
Document
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Gaurav Anand, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Coupang, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 25, 2025
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COUPANG, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Gaurav Anand |
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Gaurav Anand |
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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EX-32.1
10
cpng-12312024exhibit321.htm
EX-32.1
Document
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Bom Kim, the Chief Executive Officer of Coupang, Inc., certify, to the best of my knowledge and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Coupang, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Coupang, Inc.
Date: February 25, 2025
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By: |
/s/ Bom Kim |
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Bom Kim |
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Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
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EX-32.2
11
cpng-12312024exhibit322.htm
EX-32.2
Document
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Gaurav Anand, the Chief Financial Officer of Coupang, Inc., certify, to the best of my knowledge and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Coupang, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Coupang, Inc.
Date: February 25, 2025
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By: |
/s/ Gaurav Anand |
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Gaurav Anand |
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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