Spy Inc., a maker of sports inspired eyewear,  reported a drop in sales and gross margins for the three  and six-month periods ended June 30 due to fewer orders from a key retailer and lower sales of prescription frames.
 
First half sales were $17.3 million in 2015, a decrease of 0.7% or $0.1 million less than in the first half of 2014. Sales included higher closeout sales of $1.8 million in 2015, compared to $0.8 million in 2014. The decrease in our net sales was primarily driven by a key retailer holding lower levels of inventory relative to last year, as well as lower sales of our prescription frame products. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 52.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to 53.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

Second quarter sales were $8.1 million in 2015, a decrease of 0.8% or $0.1 million less than in the same period in 2014. The decrease in our net sales was primarily driven by lower sales of our goggles and prescription frame product lines, partially offset by higher sales of closeout products, particularly sunglasses. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 49.5% for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, compared to 55.5% for the same period in 2014.

CEO commentary

“We are disappointed with our overall results this second quarter as we set the bar high and expect gains in revenue and market share every quarter despite any external pressures,” said Michael Marckx, President and CEO. “That said, if you exclude the areas most impacted by the very negative exchange rate changes, our business would have experienced top line growth in the second quarter.

“Despite the challenges we faced, we were able to achieve double-digit, year-over-year gains in the areas that we identified as key initiatives necessary to position our business for future growth. Those areas include growth in the Rx frame and sporting goods channels, sunglasses that are ANSI certified, our premium sub-brand Crosstown, our e-commerce channel and in women's sunglasses. We are most excited about the increases in our optical channel and the growth in the pre-orders for our snow business, which we expect will have a very positive bearing on our second half results this year.”

Marckx said Spy would continue for the remainder of 2015 to focus on our growing e-commerce business, key accounts in the sporting goods and outdoor channels, opportunities created by its POWDR and BOYNE resort partnerships, and expanding its optical business.

“These key initiatives, plus a further expansion of our Happy Lens offering, improving our product margins and controlling our expenses will be our laser focus for the remainder of 2015,” Marckx said.

Income statement
Income from operations was essentially unchanged at $0.2 million in the first half of 2015, compared to the first half of 2014. Total operating expenses in the first half of 2015 were lower by $0.3 million, compared to the first half of 2014, however this savings was offset by higher sales of closeout products at reduced price levels and lower sales of higher margin prescription frames. Cash flow generated by operating activities was $1.3 million in the first half of 2015.

Loss from operations increased by $0.1 million to approximately $43,000 for the second quarter of 2015, compared to income from operations of approximately $0.1 million in the same period in 2014. The $0.1 million increase was primarily due to higher sales of closeout products at reduced priced levels and lower sales of higher margin prescription frames. Additionally, total operating expenses in the second quarter of 2015 were lower by $0.4 million, compared to the same period in 2014.

The company incurred a net loss of $0.9 million and $1.5 million during the first half of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The company incurred a net loss of $0.5 million and $0.7 million during the second quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively.