EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1082923
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 1082923_10-K_2021_0001082923-21-000033.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Overview
Stamps.com® is a leading provider of Internet-based mailing and shipping solutions in the United States (US) and Europe. Our portfolio of solutions is marketed under the brand names Stamps.com®, Endicia®, Metapack®, ShippingEasy®, ShipEngine®, ShipStation®, and ShipWorks®. Our software solutions allow customers to print mailing and shipping labels for multiple carriers around the world through downloadable software, web-based user interfaces (UIs) and application programming interfaces (APIs). Our solutions provide our customers with access to discounted carrier rates for select carriers, including the United States Postal Service (USPS) and United Parcel Service (UPS). Our solutions also offer customers improved operational efficiency and financial savings. Our customers primarily include small businesses, home offices, medium-size businesses, large enterprises, e-commerce merchants, large retailers and high volume shippers including warehouses, fulfillment houses and omni-channel retailers.
We were founded in September 1996 and we were incorporated in Delaware in January 1998 as StampMaster, Inc., changing our name to Stamps.com Inc. in December 1998. We completed our initial public offering in June 1999. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “STMP.”
Our principal executive office is located at 1990 E. Grand Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245, and our telephone number is (310) 482-5800.
Segment Information and Geographic Data
Our operations consist of two segments: Stamps.com and Metapack. The Stamps.com segment includes the results of brand names Stamps.com, Endicia, ShippingEasy, ShipEngine, ShipStation and ShipWorks. Stamps.com's customers are primarily located in the US. The Metapack segment offers multi-carrier enterprise-level shipping software solutions to large e-commerce retailers and brands who are primarily located in Europe.
Mailing and Shipping Business References
When we refer to our "mailing and shipping business," we are referring to our mailing and shipping products and services including our USPS® and multi-carrier mailing and shipping solutions, consolidation services, mailing and shipping integrations, mailing and shipping supplies stores and branded insurance offerings. We do not include our historical customized postage business when we refer to our mailing and shipping business. When we refer to our "mailing and shipping revenue," we are referring to our service, product and insurance revenue generated by our mailing and shipping customers. We do not include our customized postage revenue generated by our customized postage business in our "mailing and shipping revenue."
Services and Products
Mailing and Shipping Business
We offer the following mailing and shipping services to our customers under the Stamps.com, Endicia, Metapack, ShipEngine, ShippingEasy, ShipStation and ShipWorks brands:
Mailing Solutions
As part of our mailing and shipping business, we offer our USPS-approved solutions to mail and ship a variety of domestic and international mail pieces and packages through the USPS. Our USPS mailing solutions enable our customers to print "electronic postage" using only a personal computing device, printer and Internet connection. Our solutions support a variety of USPS mail classes including First Class Mail®, Media Mail®, Parcel Select®, Priority Mail®, Priority Mail Express, and others. Customers can also add USPS Special Services to their mail pieces, such as Certified Mail®, Collect on Delivery, Insured Mail, Registered Mail®, Restricted Delivery, Return Receipt, Signature Confirmation™ and USPS Tracking®. Our customers can print postage on (1) NetStamps® labels, which can be used just like regular stamps, (2) envelopes and postcards or on labels in a single step process that saves time and provides a professional look, (3) plain 8.5" x 11" paper, (4) special labels for packages, and (5) on integrated customs forms for international mail and packages. Our USPS mailing solutions also provide our customers with access to discounted postage rates on certain mail classes.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Solutions
As part of our mailing and shipping business, we offer our industry leading domestic and international multi-carrier e-commerce shipping solutions. Our multi-carrier solutions collectively enable our customers to print approved shipping labels for more than 350 regional, national and international carriers and integrate with more than 300 partners including shopping carts, marketplaces, e-commerce tools and various other software products. Our multi-carrier solutions also provide our customers with access to discounted carrier rates including USPS and UPS®.
Consolidation Services
As part of our mailing and shipping business, we offer domestic and international shipping services through our consolidator partners, who group packages by destination and ship the packages directly or through partners. These services seek to take advantage of economies of scale by accessing lower carrier rates that apply to larger volume freight and are not otherwise accessible to smaller shipments, with the goal of yielding lower shipping costs for our customers.
Back-End Integrations
As part of our mailing and shipping services, we offer our back-end integration solutions where we provide the electronic postage for transactions to partners who manage the front-end users. Our solutions integrate directly into the most popular e-commerce platforms, allowing web store managers to automate their order fulfillment process by processing, managing and shipping orders from virtually any e-commerce source through a single interface without manual data entry. Managers can retrieve order data and print shipping labels for all types of packages.
We have integration partnerships with the USPS where we provide electronic postage for mailing and shipping transactions generated by certain USPS-branded programs. For example, we provide the electronic postage for Click-N-Ship®, a web-based service available at USPS.com that allows USPS customers to purchase and print shipping labels for certain domestic and international mail classes or packages at no additional mark-up over the cost of postage.
Mailing & Shipping Supplies
As part of our mailing and shipping services, we offer mailing and shipping-focused office supplies to our customers through our online supplies stores. Our supplies stores are available within our mailing and shipping solutions and sell a variety of products including NetStamps labels, shipping labels, mailing labels, postage printers and scales.
Branded Insurance
As part of our mailing and shipping services, we offer branded insurance for packages to our customers in an integrated, online process that eliminates any trips to retail carrier locations or the need to complete any special forms. Our branded insurance, which is provided by third party insurance providers with which we contract, is offered by certain of our brands including Stamps.com, Endicia, ShippingEasy, ShipEngine, ShipStation, and ShipWorks as part of their solutions.
Customized Postage
Prior to the third quarter of 2020, we offered customized postage under the PhotoStamps® brand name. Customized postage is a patented form of USPS postage that allowed consumers to turn digital photos, designs or images into valid USPS-approved postage. With this product, individuals or businesses could create customized USPS-approved postage using pictures of their children, pets, vacations, celebrations, business logos and more. Customized postage can be used as regular postage to send letters, postcards or packages. PhotoStamps was available from our www.photostamps.com website. As previously disclosed, in the second quarter of 2020, we received notification from the US Postal Service (USPS) that it was eliminating its customized postage program and also revoking our authorization to offer products pursuant to that program effective June 16, 2020.
Revenue Model and Seasonality
Customers may pay us a monthly fee, based on a subscription plan which may be waived or refunded for certain customers, for which we provide them access to our platform. We may be compensated directly by our carriers for shipping labels printed that meet certain requirements. We may earn revenue from customers when they purchase postage, print shipping labels or perform other transactions using our solutions. We may earn revenue that may take the form of some or all of the spread between the rate a customer pays and the rate the carrier or integration partner receives, either charged directly or paid by our partners. We may earn other types of revenue shares or other compensation from specific customers that have access to our platform or through integration partners.
During 2020, 2019, and 2018, we did not recognize revenue from any one customer that represented 10% or more of our total revenues.
See Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Results of Operations for years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Results of Operations for years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018,” for the percentage of total revenue contributed by categories of similar products or services that accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenue. Our product and insurance revenues are subject to seasonal variations with the first and fourth calendar quarters being typically seasonally stronger and the second and third calendar quarters being typically seasonally slower. Our service revenue is subject to seasonal variation driven by our growth in packages shipped where the fourth calendar quarter is typically seasonally stronger due to the holiday shipping season and to a lesser extent, by customer acquisition which is typically seasonally stronger in the first and fourth calendar quarters and typically seasonally slower in the second and third calendar quarters.
Target Customers
We target different customer segments through our various brands and service plans within those brands. We target smaller offices, home offices, larger enterprises, e-commerce merchants and higher volume shippers including warehouses, fulfillment houses and omni-channel retailers.
Our smaller office and home office customers are primarily mailers but also send some packages. These customers generally need a relatively basic set of mailing and shipping features and primarily use a version of our Stamps.com branded product.
Our larger enterprise customers are primarily mailers but also send some packages. These customers generally have multiple geographic locations and need a richer set of mailing capabilities such as multiple-user functionality, automated USPS mail forms, additional reference codes, enhanced reporting and controls. These customers primarily use a version of our Stamps.com branded product.
Our e-commerce merchant customers are primarily shippers who range in size from individuals to medium size businesses, sell through multiple channels and who ship in medium to higher volumes. These customers generally need a relatively robust set of shipping features including integrations with shopping carts, marketplaces and e-commerce tools; advanced order management features including inventory management, combined and split orders, order filters and alerts; sophisticated automation features such as custom hierarchical rules, batch processing, packing slips, customs forms and emails; robust product management features including product catalog support and product categorization support; and various other features including customer marketing, end-to-end package tracking, rate comparisons, returns labels and many more. These customers also generally need access to multiple carriers and discounted carrier rates. These customers primarily use versions of our Stamps.com, Endicia, ShippingEasy and ShipStation branded products.
Our higher volume shipping customers include warehouses, fulfillment houses and omni-channel retailers, and similar to our e-commerce merchant customers, generally need a relatively robust set of shipping features and need access to multiple carriers and discounted carrier rates. These customers primarily use versions of our ShipEngine, ShipStation, ShipWorks and Metapack branded products.
Customer Value Proposition for our Mailing and Shipping Business
Shippers
Our shipping customers save time and optimize their shipping operations in a number of ways including:
(1)Our solutions allow customers to easily access more than 350 regional, national and international carriers;
(2)Our solutions integrate with more than 300 partners including shopping carts, marketplaces, e-commerce tools and various other software products;
(3)Our solutions provide customers with advanced order management features including inventory management, combined and split orders, order filters and alerts;
(4)Our solutions provide customers with sophisticated automation features such as custom hierarchical rules, batch processing, packing slips, customs forms and emails;
(5)Our solutions provide customers with robust product management features including product catalog support and product categorization support; and
(6)Our solutions provide customers with a variety of other features including customer marketing, end-to-end package tracking, rate comparisons, and returns labels.
Our shipping customers save money in a number of ways including:
(1)Our solutions provide customers with access to discounted carrier rates including from USPS and UPS;
(2)Our solutions allow customers to optimize carrier services by selecting the lowest cost option based on package size, weight, destination distance and delivery times; and
(3)Our solutions allow customers to reduce their customer support costs by automatically generating and sending package delivery status emails to customers.
Mailers
Our mailing customers can save money in a number of ways including:
(1)Our USPS solutions allow customers to receive discounts on single piece First Class letter postage rates and most USPS packages compared to USPS post offices and other retail USPS locations;
(2)Our USPS solutions allow customers to calculate the exact amount of postage that is required for a mail piece or package depending on mail class, mail form, weight and distance to the destination which allows our customers to avoid overpaying for postage;
(3)Our USPS solutions allow customers to automatically check and validate destination addresses against the USPS address database so customers do not waste postage on undeliverable-as-addressed mail;
(4)Our USPS solutions provide customers with advanced reporting and administrative controls that improve the tracking and control of postage spend allowing customers to proactively manage and reduce their postage spend; and
(5)Our USPS solutions allow customers to save up to 50% or more versus the total cost of operation of traditional postage meters. The total cost of a traditional postage meter can include hardware rental fees, including items such as a postage meter and scale, maintenance and repair costs, insurance fees, fees to purchase postage and the cost to purchase proprietary ink cartridges.
Our mailing customers can save time in a number of ways including:
(1)Our USPS solutions allow small business customers to mail or ship from their home, office, warehouse or business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week avoiding the time that would ordinarily be spent on a trip to the post office or other retail shipping locations;
(2)Our USPS solutions allow customers to generate mass mailings quickly and easily by printing the address and postage together in a single step process. In addition, printing the address and postage together saves customers time on a single mail piece or package by combining a two-step process into a one-step process that produces more professional looking mail;
(3)Our USPS solutions integrate with most small business productivity applications such as word processors, financial applications and address books so our customers can save time by utilizing these integrations to print postage through their existing applications; and
(4)Our USPS solutions provide customers with advanced reporting so they can easily access and manage their records in one place. This reporting also provides greater visibility into postage activity compared to other USPS solutions such as post offices and traditional meters.
Marketing of our Mailing and Shipping Business
We target our mailing and shipping marketing at smaller offices, home offices, larger enterprises, e-commerce merchants and higher volume shippers including warehouses, fulfillment houses and omni-channel retailers. We market our mailing and shipping solutions through the following channels:
(1)Affiliate Channels. We utilize the traffic and customers of smaller websites and other businesses or individuals that are too small to qualify for a partnership directly with us by offering financial incentives for these small businesses and individuals to drive traffic to our website through a third party affiliate management company;
(2)Direct Mail. We send direct mail pieces to prospective customers with prospect lists purchased from third parties or obtained from partners;
(3)Direct Sales. We utilize a direct sales force that sells our mailing and shipping solutions to large enterprises and higher volume shippers;
(4)Offline Marketing Programs. We utilize various other offline advertising and marketing programs including telemarketing, tradeshows, retail and other programs;
(5)Partnerships. We work with strategic partners in order to leverage their website traffic, marketing programs and existing customer base to distribute our mailing and shipping software. For example, these partnerships may result in a link to our website from a partner’s website, a copy of our software included along with a partner’s software product, the distribution of our software at a retail location or the bundling of our software with a hardware device;
(6)Remarketing. We remarket our solutions to former customers. Our remarketing efforts are generally focused on new features that may relate to the reasons former customers stopped using our service. We utilize email and regular mail to communicate new features of our products to our former customers;
(7)Shipping Integrations. We market our solutions through partner integrations with e-commerce platforms, multi-carrier shipping management solutions, shopping cart software and other order-entry management applications;
(8)Traditional Media. We utilize television commercials and a variety of traditional and internet-based radio endorsements to advertise our solutions;
(9)Online Advertising. We work with companies to advertise our services online through paid searches, banner ads, permission-based emails and other online advertising vehicles; and
(10)Carrier Referrals. We market to USPS and other carrier account managers with the goal of receiving customer referrals.
Marketing of Customized Postage
As noted above, and as previously disclosed, in the second quarter of 2020, we received notification from the USPS that it was eliminating its customized postage program and also revoking our authorization to offer products pursuant to that program effective June 16, 2020. Prior to the end of the program, we targeted our customized postage products to both consumers and businesses. We marketed our customized postage products through the following channels:
(1)Direct Sales. Direct sales where we target businesses and not-for-profit organizations for high volume orders;
(2)Online Advertising. Online advertising including paid search and other online advertising methods;
(3)Partnerships. Partnering with various entities, including partnerships with online portals for photograph management and personalized products and services; and
(4)Marketing. Marketing to customers who have purchased customized postage in the past.
2021 Business Strategy
Our 2021 business strategy includes the initiatives and plans listed below. These initiatives and plans are subject to change without notice based on our analysis of market and business conditions, and constitute “forward-looking statements,” and accordingly are subject to the cautionary statements, qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements we discuss at the beginning of Part I of this Report.
Mailing and Shipping Business
We plan to continue to execute our strategy to transform our business into a global multi-carrier and e-commerce solutions company in 2021. We will continue to pursue diversified carrier relationships, such as our partnerships with the USPS and UPS. This strategy also includes leveraging our portfolio of mailing and shipping solutions to drive growth. With the acquisitions of Endicia, Metapack, ShippingEasy, ShipStation and ShipWorks, we now have a full and diverse suite of solutions across these brands, and we believe that we have a complete product and robust solution that will meet the needs of our current and of our target domestic and international customers.
We plan to continue to invest in the shipping part of our business, both domestic and international, where our customers include e-commerce merchants, warehouses, fulfillment houses, large retailers and other types of shippers. In particular, we plan to continue to expand the features and functionality of our solutions that will improve the value propositions of our solutions for shippers, add new partnerships and integrations, and offer enhanced support. We also plan to continue offering services such as our consolidation services program, which bundles domestic or international shipping with valuable customer benefits such as free package pickup, included loss-protection coverage, upgraded delivery speeds, enhanced tracking, simpler customs procedures and other benefits.
We plan to increase our total sales and marketing expense in 2021 based on expected strong returns on our investments from our mailing and shipping customers due to their high expected lifetime values relative to the expected cost of acquiring those customers.
Further, we plan to increase, optimize and refine our enterprise mailing customer lead generation and sales and marketing efforts. Our solutions targeted at enterprise customers continue to have a stronger customer value proposition compared to postage meters and our customers continue to be attracted to our enterprise solution versus a postage meter.
Competition
We compete with all of the alternate ways that consumers and businesses may access mailing and shipping carrier services, including retail mailing and shipping locations, carrier specific electronic solutions, multi-carrier and e-commerce solutions and traditional postage meters.
Retail Mailing and Shipping Locations
We compete with a variety of retail based mailing and shipping offerings from the USPS and non-US postal services such as Royal Mail in the United Kingdom (UK), and private carriers including UPS, FedEx, and others. The USPS’s offerings include retail post offices, self-service kiosks, contract post offices, community post offices and village post offices. The USPS also authorizes third parties to offer USPS products and services such as Hallmark stores, grocery stores, membership warehouse clubs and office supplies stores. Non-US postal services such as Royal Mail offer similar alternatives. Private carrier retail based offerings include retail stores including UPS stores and FedEx Office stores, and authorized third party offerings including grocery stores, membership warehouse clubs and office supplies stores.
We believe customers choose our products over retail based mailing and shipping options because of the convenience of our solutions, the breadth of features we offer, the quality of our support organization and ability to mail or ship from their home or business without making a trip to retail locations. We believe customers choose retail locations over our solutions because of the additional fees that we typically charge, the convenience of utilizing a retail location and/or the unavailability of certain carrier products through our solutions.
Carrier Specific Electronic Solutions
We compete with a variety of carrier specific electronic solutions offered in a variety of formats, including direct UI based solutions, direct API based solutions, and manifesting solutions. Direct UI based solutions of the USPS include USPS.com and USPS Click-N-Ship. Non-US postal services also offer similar API based solutions. The USPS also competes indirectly through authorized PC Postage vendors including Pitney Bowes with their pbSmartPostage and SendPro products. Direct UI based solutions of private carriers include ups.com®, UPS WorldShip®, FedEx.com and FedEx Ship Manager.
Direct API based solutions of the USPS include USPS Web Tools and Click-N-Ship Business Pro which utilize the USPS’s electronic verification system (eVS) or ePostage systems for providing access to USPS without needing a PC Postage certification or partnering with a USPS approved PC Postage vendor. Indirect API based solutions for the USPS include those from Shippo and those of other authorized PC Postage vendors including Pitney Bowes and EasyPost. Non-US postal services may also offer indirect API based solutions. Direct API based solutions are also offered by private carriers including UPS, FedEx, and others.
Manifesting solutions are offered directly by carriers including USPS, UPS, FedEx, and others.
We believe customers choose our solutions over the various carrier specific solutions because of the capabilities and performance of our products, the superiority of our UIs, the breadth of features that we offer and the quality of our support organization. We believe customers choose various carrier-specific solutions over our solutions because of the additional fees that we may charge, free implementation, hardware or supplies that may be offered and/or the convenience of using one of these other products based on the specific needs of their business.
Multi-Carrier and Other E-Commerce Solutions
We compete with a variety of multi-carrier and other e-commerce solutions. Our market-leading UI and API based multi-carrier offerings compete against other multi-carrier offerings including EasyPost, ProShip, Shippo and others. Our multi-carrier offerings also compete with alternative e-commerce solutions including those available through online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay; e-commerce platforms such as Shopify; warehouse and transportation management systems such as Manhattan and BluJay; and other competitors who offer package manifesting, inventory management and/or listing management solutions individually or together as part of a more comprehensive solution. In Europe, Metapack primarily competes with transportation and delivery management providers such as Centiro and Sorted.
We believe customers choose our multi-carrier e-commerce products over alternative solutions because of the superiority of our UIs and APIs, our extensive partner integrations, the capabilities and performance of our products, the breadth of features we offer, the value of our product and the quality of our sales and support organization. We believe customers choose other multi-carrier e-commerce solutions over our solutions because of the higher fees that we may charge, the convenience of utilizing an integrated multi-carrier shipping solution as part of an overall e-commerce product and the breadth and depth of features available in a larger enterprise level solution.
Traditional Postage Meters
We compete with small business oriented traditional postage meters including those offered by FP Mailing Solutions, Hasler, Neopost and Pitney Bowes in the US market. We generally do not compete with higher volume postage meters generally found in dedicated mail rooms which can process mail faster than the speed of an office printer and which may also offer various automation services such as folding, inserting, sealing and weighing.
We believe that customers choose our solutions over small business oriented traditional postage meters because of our lower total cost of ownership and/or the greater visibility and financial controls we provide which are not readily available with postage meters. We believe customers choose traditional postage meters over our solutions because of the ease of use, speed, and/or convenience of those products and due to a lack of familiarity with the full benefits and functionality of our products.
Market Overview
As previously mentioned, we target different customer segments through our various brands and service plans within those brands. Trends in market data do not necessarily correspond to trends in our business. However, we believe the following information is relevant context in assessing our principal markets of the US and Europe.
Customers
According to the most recent available statistics provided by the US Census Bureau, Statistics of US Businesses, and the Internal Revenue Service, respectively, there were approximately 6 million small businesses with 1 - 99 employees as of 2017 and approximately 27 million sole proprietorships in 2018. Our mailing and shipping solutions target the home office, home business, small office and small business customers. We believe that some portion of the small businesses and sole proprietorships in the United States are potential customers for our solutions.
According to the most recent available statistics provided by Eurostat, it is estimated there were approximately 24.3 million enterprises in the non-financial business economy in the EU-28 in 2017, of which approximately 99% had fewer than 250 employees. We believe that some portion of these small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe are potential customers for our international solutions.
Carriers
According to the USPS Fiscal 2020 Final Revenue, Pieces, and Weight by Classes of Mail and Special Services Report, the total USPS revenue was $73.2 billion during its fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Of this amount, approximately $40.3 billion was represented by mail classes that are supported using our current solutions (First Class Mail, First Class Packages, International Mail, Media Mail, Parcel Select, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and special services including Certified Mail, Return Receipt, USPS tracking and package insurance). The $40.3 billion in supported mail classes is comprised of (1) $9.9 billion in First Class mail; (2) $28.2 billion in shipping and package services; (3) $1.1 billion in international mail; and (4) $1.1 billion in ancillary and other mail services. We believe that some portion of the $40.3 billion in supported mail classes was generated by users who are potential customers for our solutions.
According to data derived from the UPS 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, UPS earned $53.5 billion of US Domestic Package segment revenue on 5.4 billion packages shipped and $15.9 billion of International Package segment revenue on 901.4 million packages shipped. According to data derived from the FedEx 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the FedEx Q2 Fiscal 2021 Statistics Report, FedEx earned $13.0 billion of US FedEx Express segment package revenue on 713.2 million packages shipped, $14.6 billion on International FedEx Express segment package revenue on 807.2 million packages shipped, and $22.7 billion on FedEx Ground segment revenue on 2.5 billion packages shipped. When taken together, we estimate that the top 3 US carriers (UPS, FedEx and the USPS) have domestic and international package revenue of approximately $147.9 billion. According to data derived from the 2019 Annual Report of Deutsche Post DHL Group (the largest global express carrier in Europe by market volume), we estimate there is approximately $2.5 billion represented by DHL Express International shipments originating in the US and $12.5 billion originating outside the US. We believe some portion of the approximately $162.9 billion aggregate package revenue of the aforementioned carriers was generated by users who are potential customers for our solutions.
E-Commerce Trends
We believe that underlying e-commerce trends are affecting our customers and our business. According to quarterly US Census Bureau Retail E-Commerce Sales reports, US e-commerce sales for 2020 were estimated at $792 billion, an increase of 31.6% over e-commerce sales in 2019. E-commerce sales accounted for 14.0% of total US retail sales in 2020 which was up from 11.0% of total retail sales in 2019. We believe that the global COVID-19 pandemic and associated shelter in place orders played a significant role in supporting e-commerce in 2020, and that, accordingly, the growth rate from 2019 to 2020 is not sustainable and, if the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and consumers revert to pre-pandemic shopping habits, e-commerce growth could drop or even reverse rapidly. For comparison, as we reported last year, US Census Bureau data showed a year over year increase in US e-commerce sales from 2018 to 2019 of 15.4%, and that e-commerce sales increased from 9.9% of total US retail sales in 2018 to 11.0% of total US retail sales in 2019.
According to the United Kingdom's Office for National Statistics, 2019 e-commerce sales by businesses in the UK non-financial sector with 10 or more employees reached £669 billion, growing 5% over 2018 sales estimated at £640 billion. We note that even the most recent data available from this source predates the global COVID-19 pandemic, which we suspect enhanced this trend in 2020 in the UK, much as it did in the US Eurostat estimates the volume of European Union (EU) retail sales via either mail order houses or the Internet increased 24% in 2020 over 2019 (exclusive of UK sales, not seasonally adjusted). We note that Eurostat's data does include 2020, and we believe much of the year over year increase may be due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and is not sustainable nor indicative of a post-COVID-19 e-commerce market.
The PC Postage Certification and Regulatory Approval Process
Our technology must meet strict US government security standards. Our PC Postage products complete extensive USPS testing and evaluation in the areas of operational reliability, financial integrity and security to become certified for commercial distribution. The USPS certification process to become an USPS-approved PC Postage vendor is a standardized extensive process. The process includes testing and reviews by the USPS and an independent test laboratory, and certification of meeting Federal Information Processing Standards. While the USPS has no published timeline or estimated time to complete the process, it took the existing approved vendors years to complete. Stamps.com was approved in 1999 and Endicia was approved in 2000.
Our Technology
Our systems are located in a combination of secure connected cloud infrastructure platforms and multiple geographically disparate high-security data centers. These systems create and process the data used to generate information-based indicia and third party carrier certified labels. Our proprietary technology processes postage purchases using secure technology that meets federal and various carrier security requirements. Our services currently include Windows and Mac based clients, web-based applications and API Integrations that support a variety of shipping label and envelope options along with a wide range of printers. In addition, our applications employ both internally developed and third party user authentication mechanisms for additional security.
Our transaction processing servers are a combination of secure, commercially available and internally developed technologies that are designed to provide secure and reliable transactions. Our implementation of security system hardware meets government standards for security and data integrity. The database servers are designed and built with industry-leading database technologies for high availability and throughput. The performance and scalability of our PC Postage and carrier label systems are designed to allow many users to simultaneously process high volumes of shipping transactions with a variety of carriers in real-time.
We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright, trade name and trademark laws and contractual restrictions, such as confidentiality agreements and licenses, to establish and protect our rights in our products, services, know-how and information. We have a portfolio of issued and pending US and international patents. We also have a number of trade names and registered and unregistered trademarks. We plan to apply for more patents, trade names and trademarks in the future. Our issued in force and pending patents have a range of expiration dates from 2021 until 2038.
We continually invest in development of new technologies, products and services and enhancements to existing features and functionality. See Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Research and Development” for the amount spent during each of the last three fiscal years on Company-sponsored research and development activities.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately 1,482 employees across all of our companies, including 400 employed by our Metapack segment. Our employees work in various departments including customer support, research and development, sales and marketing, information technology and general administration. None of our employees are represented by a labor union.
Compensation and Benefits Programs
Our compensation program is designed to attract and retain talented individuals who possess the skills necessary to support our business objectives, assist in the achievement of our strategic goals and create long-term value for our stockholders. We provide our employees with compensation packages that may include base salary, annual bonuses, and equity awards tied to the value of our stock price. We seek to provide compensation that is competitive and aligns employee and stockholder interests, including by incentivizing business and individual performance. In addition to cash and equity compensation, we also offer employees benefits such as life and health (medical, dental and vision) insurance and retirement plans.
Diversity and Inclusion
We strive to maintain an inclusive environment that values and leverages the uniqueness of each employee to the benefit of all our stakeholders. We view the combination of diverse perspectives and backgrounds as a powerful force for innovation. To promote diversity, we emphasize dignity, value, and equality of all employees, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation. We strive to cultivate a climate that permits all our employees to bring their authentic selves to work.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of our employees is a top priority. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been and will continue to be following recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and other applicable agencies to promote the safety and well-being of our employees. We have implemented measures to mitigate exposure risks and support operations. For the vast majority of job roles, which can be performed remotely, we established a global work-from-home policy to facilitate social distancing and reduce occupancy in our facilities. We have implemented temperature and symptom screening procedures at each office location, and have communicated to our employees that if they are not comfortable coming to the office, regardless of role, then they do not have to do so at this time.
Community Involvement
We aim to give back to the communities where we live and work, and believe that this commitment supports our efforts to attract and retain employees. We offer a charitable matching program, paid volunteer time each year, and other events supporting donations and other charitable causes.
Available Information
We make available on our website (www.stamps.com), free of charge, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K may also be obtained free of charge by written request to Investor Relations, Stamps.com Inc., 1990 E. Grand Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
The following discussion is divided into six sections, and is summarized under the caption "Risk Factors Summary." The first section, captioned “Risks Related to COVID-19,” discusses some of the risks relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as efforts to mitigate the effects thereof. The second section, captioned “Risks Related to Our Industry,” discusses some of the risks relating to the mailing and shipping technology industry in which we operate. The third section, captioned “Risks Related to Our Business,” discusses some of the risks relating to our business operations. The fourth section, captioned “Risks Related to Our Finances, Liquidity and Taxation,” discusses some of the risks relating to our liquidity, capital resources and tax exposure. The fifth section, captioned “Risks Related to Our Common Stock,” discusses some of the risks particular to an investment in our common stock. The sixth section, captioned “Risks Related to General Economic and Market Conditions,” discusses some of the risks applicable to businesses, such as ours, that rely closely on broader commerce.
You should carefully consider all of the following risks and the other information in this Report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) before you decide to invest in our Company or to maintain or increase your investment. The risks included in this section are not the only ones we face. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the potential impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the significant and unprecedented uncertainty regarding the business and economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (as well as the impact of efforts of governments, businesses and individuals to mitigate the effects of such pandemic) on us, our customers, our carrier and integration partners and the global economy, makes it particularly difficult to predict the nature and extent of impacts on demand for our products and services, making our business outlook subject to considerable uncertainty. In addition, the global economic climate and additional or unforeseen effects from the COVID-19 pandemic amplify many of the other risks we face. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects would likely suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
This Report contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and the Internet. See the discussion of forward-looking statements on page 1 of Part I of this Report.
Risk Factors Summary
The following is a summary of the principal risks we perceive associated with an investment in our securities, each of which is discussed in greater detail in the “Risk Factors” section of the Report and, neither should not be relied upon as an exhaustive summary of the material risks facing our business.
Risks Related to COVID-19
•The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flow, including indirectly, by adversely affect our carrier partners’ or our integration partners’ or customers’ businesses;
•We may not be able to sustain our recent revenue growth rate, and, if the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and consumers revert to pre-pandemic shopping habits, our business could contract rapidly; and
•The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate many of the other risks facing our company, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks Related to Our Industry
•If we are unable to protect our information technology systems against service interruptions, misappropriation of data or breaches of security, our operations could be disrupted, our reputation may be harmed and we could be subject to legal and/or regulatory proceedings and liability;
•We are exposed to risks associated with the collection of credit card information and other customer data and the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks;
•USPS policy, postal reform or government regulations may cause disruptions to, or the discontinuance of our business and adversely affect our ability to compete and our results of operations;
•Our business is subject to extensive and frequently changing rules, regulations and legal interpretations including those regarding privacy and cyber security, and we may be adversely affected by the demands of compliance and/or by our liability for any failure to comply; and
•Our operating results could be adversely affected by consolidation and/or the vertical integration of our competitors, partners and potential customers.
Risks Related to Our Business
•Carriers whose services we offer to our customers could fail to compete successfully with existing or future competitors, resulting in reduced demand for our products and services;
•If we are unable to compete successfully against alternative methods of accessing relevant mailing and shipping services, or if we are unable to respond effectively to technological and market changes, our business and operating results will suffer;
•The discontinuation of certain financial compensation arrangements with the USPS will have an adverse effect on our revenues and operating results, unless we are successful in replacing the lost revenue and profit with similar compensation from the USPS or other potential partners;
•Carriers, e-commerce technology platforms, or our other business and integration partners could modify, discontinue or terminate agreements, strategic alliances, compensation arrangements and other relationships, including with third parties, or cause discounts our customers receive to be diminished or terminated, which would have an adverse effect on us;
•If we fail to effectively market and sell our services and products, to meet and anticipate the demands of our current and prospective customers, or to further develop and upgrade our services and products, then our business will be substantially harmed and could fail;
•Our expansion into new products, services, technologies, and geographic regions subjects us to additional business, legal, financial, and competitive risks and places a significant strain on our management, operational, financial, and other resources;
•Brexit, geopolitical uncertainty, and changes to international trade agreements, tariffs, import and excise duties, taxes or other governmental rules and regulations could reduce cross-border trade or otherwise adversely affect our business and results of operations;
•We may be subject to increased customs and regulatory risks from cross-border transactions, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
•If we do not successfully attract and retain skilled personnel for permanent management and other key personnel positions, we may not be able to effectively implement our business plan; and
•Pending or future litigation, assertions of violations of intellectual property rights or a failure to protect our intellectual property could harm our competitive position and adversely affect our business and results.
Risks Related to Our Finances, Liquidity and Taxation
•Increases in payment processing fees, any decline in our ability to effectively bill our customers by credit card and debit card or any increase in credit card fraud may increase our operating expenses;
◦We are exposed to risks associated with the credit and capital markets and if we are unable to generate sufficient cash to service our debt and fund our other capital requirements, our liquidity, financial condition, cash flow and reported earnings would be adversely affected;
◦Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement imposes certain limitations on our ability to make dividend payments and to engage in further borrowing, which could hamper our control over liquidity;
◦We do not collect sales or consumption taxes in some jurisdictions, and we could be subject to material liabilities if successfully challenged; and
◦We could be subject to changes in our effective tax rate which may reduce our net income.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
•Several provisions of the DGCL and our governing documents could discourage a merger or acquisition, or the USPS may object to a change of control of our common stock, which could inhibit your ability to receive an acquisition premium for your shares and adversely affect the market price of our common stock;
•Our stock price has been volatile, which may make us a target for securities class action litigation; and
•We may expand through acquisitions of, or investments in, other companies or technologies, which may result in dilution to our stockholders and consume resources that may be necessary to sustain our business.
Risks Related to General Economic and Market Conditions
•Global and regional economic political and other conditions could change, and political events, war, terrorism, public health issues and natural disasters could occur, unexpectedly and materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Related to COVID-19
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flow.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has led to severe disruption to general economic activities as governments and businesses take actions to mitigate the public health crisis. The extent to which the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic ultimately impacts our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions taken to contain the virus, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions resume, if at all. Even if the COVID-19 global pandemic subsides, we may continue to experience significant impacts to our business as a result of its global economic impact, including any resulting economic recession.
The complete impact on our business from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (including, for purposes of these Risk Factors, the efforts of governments and individuals to mitigate the effects of such pandemic) is unknown at this time and difficult to predict. In addition, as described below under “We may not be able to sustain our recent revenue growth rate in the future, and, if the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and consumers revert to pre-pandemic shopping habits, our business could contract rapidly,” during 2020 we experienced revenue growth related to COVID-19 that is unlikely to be sustainable.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant volatility in global markets. The spread of COVID-19 coronavirus has caused public health officials to recommend precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus, especially as to travel and congregating in large numbers. In addition, various states and municipalities have from time to time enacted, and/or may enact, quarantining and “shelter-in-place” regulations which severely limit the ability of people to move and travel, and require non-essential businesses and organizations to close.
There is significant uncertainty around the breadth and duration of these closures and other business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its impact on the US and world economies and, in particular on the commercial habits and operations of our customers. While a reduction in consumer willingness to visit malls and shopping centers, and employee willingness to staff brick and mortar stores, could be advantageous to e-commerce, such advantages may be more than offset by a general reduction of consumer activity. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our future results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity and transmissivity of COVID-19 (including any variants or mutations thereof) and the actions taken to contain it or mitigate its impact.
It is unclear how such restrictions, should they continue for an extended period, which will contribute to a general slowdown in the global economy, will affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our future strategic plans.
Although the impacts of the pandemic cannot be predicted at this time, some potential impacts from the pandemic could include:
•If there is a significant reduction or failure of small businesses in the US, that could result in an increase in our rate of customer loss and slower and/or more difficult customer acquisition;
•If shipper customers that we do retain have reduced sales, then we are likely to experience lower ARPU;
•Supply chain, governmental or other disruptions that adversely affect our operations and/or those of our customers;
•Increased risks of IT disruptions and/or cyber attacks as a result of our employees, customers or partners working remotely;
•Disruption of our operations as a result of the illness or social distancing of our employees or partners;
•Changes in the financial markets and/or our cash flows which adversely affect our stock price; and/or
•Increases in the cost or availability, or changes to the terms, of insurance.
While substantially all of our business operations can be performed remotely, many of our employees are balancing additional work-related and personal challenges, including preparing for a prolonged duration of remote working environments, adjusting communication and work practices to collaborate remotely with work colleagues and business partners, managing technical and communication challenges of working from home on a daily basis, looking after children as a result of school closures and remote-learning, making plans for childcare as children prepare to return to schools, and caring for themselves, family members or other dependents who are or may become ill. Similarly, many of our customers, vendors and other third parties with which we conduct business are also working from home, working at reduced staffing levels and dealing with other challenges, such as supply chain disruptions and revised budgets, that are forcing them to conduct business in different ways. The extent to which these parties suffer inefficiencies or other risks from these different arrangements, and the extent to which these risks may impact us, is impossible to predict. In addition, as long as the pandemic continues, our employees may be exposed to health risks. Our efforts to re-open our offices safely may expose our employees, customers and other third parties to health risks and us to associated liability, and doing so is likely to involve additional financial burdens, and we may experience disruptions to our business as employees return, or resist returning, to working from our offices. The COVID-19 pandemic may have long-term effects on the nature of the office environment and remote working. This may present operational and workplace culture challenges that may adversely affect our business.
We may not be able to sustain our recent revenue growth rate in the future, and, if the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and consumers revert to pre-pandemic shopping habits, our business could contract rapidly.
We have experienced significant growth during 2020, with our paid customers and mailing and shipping revenue increasing by 25.7% and 33.9%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year. Our recent growth has been significantly impacted by an increasing demand for our platform and products following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting precautionary measures including stay-at-home and shelter-in-place policies. As the impact of COVID-19 lessens, there may be reduced demand for our platform, and our revenue growth rate may decline and even turn negative. If these new customers elect not to continue their subscription as the impact of COVID-19 lessens, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be harmed.
As a result of our limited operating history at our current scale, our ability to forecast our future results of operations is limited and subject to a number of uncertainties. You should not rely on our recent revenue growth rate or the revenue growth rate of any prior quarterly or annual period as an indication of our future performance; moreover, we believe that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our recent growth rate makes attempts to extrapolate future performance from past results particularly problematic. Further, in future periods, our revenue growth rate could slow, or our revenue could decline for a number of reasons, including any reduction in demand for our platform, increased competition, higher market penetration, a contraction of our overall market, our inability to accurately forecast demand for our platform and plan for capacity constraints or our failure, for any reason, to capitalize on growth opportunities. If our revenue growth rate declines, investors’ perceptions of our business and the trading price of our common stock could be adversely affected.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect the businesses of our business partners, including carriers and integration partners, and customers, which, in turn could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flow.
Among other things, the COVID-19 pandemic may cause our carrier partners, who are critical business partners to us, to experience reduced or unmanageably increased volume, higher costs, tighter margins, or greater difficulty obtaining the equipment and labor necessary to operate their businesses. For example, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may result in: (i) shippers reducing their volumes; (ii) shippers increasing their volumes to levels which our carrier partners cannot handle without additional effort and expense or at all; (iii) carriers implementing more expensive protocols for package pick-up, handling and delivery, the costs of which they may not be able to pass on to their customers; and (iv) carriers’ personnel being unwilling to perform their jobs at their current rates, or at all, or insisting on health and safety measures that impair the profitability of the carriers’ operations. Similarly, the pandemic may cause our integration partners or customers to lose business, experience unmanageable spikes in demand or suffer disruptions and expenses in managing employee health and safety. If our business partners or customers feel any such impacts, then our volume, revenue and profitability may likewise be adversely affected.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate many of the other risks facing our company, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on us.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic interacts with the other risks facing our company including those that are described throughout the “Risk Factors” section this report. Developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been rapidly changing, and additional impacts and risks may arise that we are not aware of or able to appropriately respond to currently.
Among other things, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting action by governments, individuals and/or organizations, and the ensuing economic consequences, may exacerbate Risk Factors included in this Report, including as described below:
•Trade restrictions have been, and may be, imposed by governments in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and consumers are or may become reluctant, due to concerns over COVID-19, to order goods that will be shipped across international borders or from particular regions;
•The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could lead to regional and/or global recessions and unrest and impair the creditworthiness and ability to pay of our customers;
•The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may lead to employee attrition, whether due to the disease itself or an unwillingness to perform certain job functions for fear of contracting or spreading the disease, and “shelter-in-place” requirements may make it more difficult to recruit and review candidates for open positions;
•If the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic results in a significant reduction or failure of small businesses in the US, that could both increase our subscription cancellations and decrease our acquisition of new customers;
•Responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may consume large portions of the capacity of many of our existing and potential future business partners, making it more difficult or impossible to renew existing agreements and/or enter into new agreements with such partners;
•If the COVID-19 pandemic results in carriers whose services can be accessed through our technologies losing market share to carriers whose services cannot be so accessed, or can but less profitably for us, then our results of operations will be adversely affected;
•To the extent the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic interrupts the products and services we receive from our third party suppliers and outsourcing vendors and we are unable to find alternate suppliers, then we could experience disruptions in operations and/or higher costs;
•In the event our integration partners experience reduced activity and/or go out of business as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our agreements with them may generate less revenue to us and/or be terminated;
•To the extent the financial stability and creditworthiness of customers to whom we offer invoicing and extend credit terms is adversely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may be unable to collect amounts due from such customers; and
•To the extent the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic disrupts global credit and capital markets, we may encounter more difficult market conditions should we seek to raise financing through the issuance of equity or debt (including, without limitation should we seek to refinance our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement maturing in June 2022), which could adversely affect our ability to withstand any cash-flow difficulties or to engage in strategic transactions that could be beneficial to us.
Risks Related to Our Industry
If we are unable to protect our information technology systems against service interruptions, misappropriation of data or breaches of security, our operations could be disrupted, our reputation may be harmed and we could be subject to legal and/or regulatory proceedings and liability.
We depend on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications hardware systems to support numerous business processes and activities. In addition, we must provide a high level of security for the transactions we execute. We rely on internally developed and third party technology to provide secure transmission of postage and other valuable and/or confidential information. Any breach of these security measures would severely impact our business and reputation and would likely result in the loss of customers and revenues. Furthermore, if we fail to provide adequate security, the USPS could prohibit us from selling postage over the Internet and other existing and prospective partners could refuse to work with us.
Our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from a number of sources, including fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquakes and similar events. Our Internet host provider does not guarantee that our Internet access will be uninterrupted, error-free or secure. Our servers are also vulnerable to computer viruses, physical, electrical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions. We have experienced system interruptions in the past which have not been material and may experience similar or larger system interruptions again in the future. In addition, we are susceptible to system and operational disruptions caused by substantial changes to the demand for our services and surges in the use of our service by customers. Any substantial system interruptions in the future, whatever the cause, could result in the loss of data and could completely impair our ability to generate revenues from our service.
Our servers also periodically experience directed attacks intended to cause a disruption in service. Among other things, any breach of our information technology security could result in the unauthorized disclosure, theft or misuse of sensitive and confidential information regarding the company, our strategic partners, our customers and our employees. Any attempts to disrupt our service or our internal systems, if successful, could harm our business, be expensive to remedy and damage our reputation. Additionally, we could be exposed to potential liability, litigation, governmental inquiries, investigations or regulatory enforcement actions, our brand and reputation damaged, and we could be subject to the payment of fines or other penalties, legal claims and significant remediation costs.
Our insurance may not be sufficient to cover expenses related to system and operational disruptions or attacks on our website, servers or internal systems. We do not presently have a full disaster recovery plan in effect to cover the loss of all facilities and equipment. We cannot be certain that our business interruption insurance coverage will be sufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result of business interruptions.
We are exposed to risks associated with the collection of credit card information and other customer data and the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks, and our potential liability as well as the costs we may incur to mitigate such risks could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
A significant portion of our customer transactions requires the collection of customer data, such as credit card information. We and other parties involved in processing customer transactions must be able to transmit confidential information, including credit card information, securely over public networks. Third parties may have the technology or knowledge to breach the security of customer transaction data. Although we have security measures related to our systems and the privacy of our customers, we cannot guarantee these measures will effectively prevent others from obtaining unauthorized access to our information and our customers’ information. Any person who circumvents our security measures could destroy or steal valuable information and/or disrupt our operations.
We experience attempted cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance, system errors or vulnerabilities, including vulnerabilities of our vendors, or otherwise. Such breach or unauthorized access, increased government surveillance, or attempts by outside parties to fraudulently induce employees, users, or customers to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our users’ or customers’ data could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and a loss of confidence in the security of our websites, products and services that could potentially have an adverse effect on our business. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If
an actual or perceived breach of our security occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed and we could lose users and customers.
Any security breach could also expose us to risks of data loss, litigation and liability, and could seriously disrupt operations and harm our reputation, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, state and federal laws and regulations are increasingly enacted to protect consumers against identity theft. These laws and regulations will likely increase the costs of doing business and if we fail to implement appropriate security measures, or to detect and provide prompt notice of unauthorized access as required by some of these laws and regulations, we could be subject to potential claims for damages and other remedies, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We are subject to a multitude of privacy and cyber security laws, including the EU's GDPR, California's CCPA and those of other jurisdictions, which may affect our operations and expose us to potential liability.
We control and process large amounts of personally identifiable information, including that of our customers, our partners and their respective customers. Our exposure to financial and reputational risks under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has significantly increased as a result of our expanding European operations, in particular due to our Metapack acquisition. Even without any cyber event or data breach, we incur significant compliance costs.
The EU has adopted a comprehensive overhaul of its data protection regime from the national legislative approach to a single European Economic Area Privacy Regulation, the GDPR, which became effective in 2018. The EU data protection regime extends the scope of the EU data protection law to all foreign companies processing data of EU residents. It imposes a strict data protection compliance regime with severe penalties of up to the greater of 4% of worldwide turnover and €20 million and includes new rights such as the “portability” of personal data. Although the GDPR applies across the EU without a need for local implementing legislation, local data protection authorities (DPAs) still have the ability to interpret the GDPR, which has the potential to create inconsistencies on a country-by-country basis. Our exposure to financial and reputational risks under the GDPR has significantly increased as a result of expanding our European operations, in particular due to our Metapack acquisition.
The GDPR generally prohibits the transfer of personal data of EU subjects outside of the EU, unless a lawful data transfer solution has been implemented or a data transfer derogation applies. On July 16, 2020, in a case known as Schrems II, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled on the validity of two of the primary data transfer solutions. The first method, EU-US Privacy Shield operated by the US Department of Commerce, was declared invalid as a legal mechanism to transfer data from the EU to the US As a result, that mechanism may no longer be relied upon as a lawful means to transfer EU personal data to the US. For the time being, however, the Department of Commerce continues to operate the EU-US Privacy Shield, and if we fail to comply with the Privacy Shield requirements we risk investigation and sanction by US regulatory authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission. Such investigation could cost us significant time and resources, and could potentially result in fines, criminal prosecution, or other penalties.
The second mechanism, Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), an alternative transfer measure for the transfer of personal data out of the EU, was upheld as a valid legal mechanism for transnational data transfer. However, the ruling requires that organizations seeking to rely on the SCCs to export data out of the EU ensure the data is protected to a standard that is "essentially equivalent" to that in the EU including, where necessary, by taking "supplementary measures" to protect the data. It remains unclear what "supplementary measures" must be taken to allow the lawful transfer of personal data to the United States, and it is possible that EU data protection authorities may determine that there are no supplementary measures that can legitimize EU to US personal data transfers. For the time being, we rely on SCCs for transfer of European Economic Area (EEA) and UK personal data to the US and explore what “supplementary measures” can be implemented to protect such personal data that is transferred to us in the US
In the event that use of the SCCs is subsequently invalidated as a solution for data transfers to the US or there are additional changes to the data protection regime in the EU resulting in any inability to transfer personal data from the EU to the US in compliance with data protection laws, European partners and customers may be more inclined to work with businesses that do not rely on such compliance mechanisms to ensure legal and regulatory compliance, such as EU-based companies or other competitors that do not need to transfer personal data to the US in
order to avoid the above-identified risks and legal issues. Such changes could cause us to incur penalties under GDPR and could increase the cost and complexity of operating our business.
We may also need to restructure our data transfer practices as a result of Brexit. Since the end of 2020, EU law no longer applies to the UK. This means that data may not be able to flow freely between the EEA and the UK and our UK subsidiaries may have to enter into the SCCs, and implement “supplementary measures” in order to ensure the continuing flow of data to and from the UK.
The state of California has enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, a privacy and cyber security law, which establishes strict data protection and privacy controls and reporting requirements and increases liabilities for non-compliance. In addition, other jurisdictions, including other states, have enacted, or may enact, their own privacy and cyber security laws. Any such laws may impact our operations and the California legislation underscores the increasing risk profile of our business to both cyber events and the emerging, strict, regulatory framework governing all businesses dealing in personal data.
Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any applicable regulatory requirements or orders, or privacy, data protection, information security or consumer protection-related privacy laws and regulations in one or more jurisdictions could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, including class action privacy litigation in certain jurisdictions, subject us to significant fines, penalties, judgments and negative publicity, require us to change our business practices, increase the costs and complexity of compliance, and adversely affect our business. As noted above, we are also subject to the possibility of security and privacy breaches, which themselves may result in a violation of these privacy laws.
Regulations and/or USPS policy or practices may cause disruptions to, or the discontinuance of our business.
We are subject to continued USPS scrutiny and other government regulations. The availability of our services is dependent upon us continuing to meet USPS performance specifications and regulations. The USPS could change its certification requirements or specifications for PC Postage or other programs or revoke or suspend the approval of one or more of our services or those of our third party service providers at any time. If at any time we fail to meet USPS requirements, we may be prohibited from offering our services, and our business would be severely and negatively impacted. In addition, the USPS could suspend or terminate our approval or offer services that compete against us, any of which could stop or negatively impact the commercial adoption of our services. Any changes in requirements or specifications for PC Postage could adversely affect our pricing, cost of revenues, operating results and margins by increasing the cost of providing our services.
Our business is subject to regulation by other federal, state and foreign government agencies and our failure to comply, or allegations thereof, could restrict our ability to generate revenue, require us to pay fines and/or disgorge certain profits, or otherwise have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The USPS could also decide that PC Postage should no longer be an approved postage service due to security concerns, financial difficulties within the USPS or other issues. Our business would suffer dramatically if we were unable to promptly adapt our services to any new requirements or specifications or if the USPS were to discontinue PC Postage as an approved postage method. Alternatively, the USPS could introduce competitive programs or amend PC Postage requirements to make certification easier to obtain, which could lead to more competition from third parties or the USPS itself. If we are unable to compete successfully, particularly against large, traditional providers of postage products, such as Pitney Bowes, who entered the online postage market, our revenues and operating results will suffer.
In the second quarter of 2020, the USPS revoked our permission to offer customized postage products, effective June 16, 2020. As a result, we discontinued selling customized postage products, including our PhotoStamps product, and have not earned any customized postage revenue since the second quarter of 2020. Such revenues accounted for 2.6% of our total revenues in 2019 and 3.3% in the first six months of 2020. This decision by the USPS followed the filing of a lawsuit against the USPS by a third party alleging 1st Amendment religious expression harm as a result of the USPS published regulations regarding customized postage. The USPS thereafter decided to end the customized postage program. Actions by the USPS like this, or other similar actions which may be harmful to our business interests and services, are beyond our ability to control.
In addition, USPS regulations may require that our personnel with access to postal information or resources receive security clearance prior to doing relevant work. We may experience delays or disruptions if our personnel
cannot receive necessary security clearances in a timely manner, or at all. The regulations may limit our ability to hire qualified personnel. For example, sensitive clearance may only be provided to US citizens or aliens who are specifically approved to work on USPS projects.
Finally, any approved USPS market test or new service that benefits us could also ultimately be suspended or cancelled by the USPS, causing disruptions to our business.
Postal reform may negatively affect, or cause disruptions to, our services and business, and could adversely affect our ability to compete and our results of operations.
The USPS has reached its congressionally mandated debt limit and faces ongoing fiscal liquidity issues. The USPS currently has four vacancies on its Board of Governors. It has embarked on cost cutting initiatives and has asked Congress to enact various Postal Reform measures. Newly appointed Governors, including the two that were appointed in 2018, the three that were appointed in 2019 and the one appointed in 2020, could change the focus of cost cutting initiatives. Among the measures discussed are cutbacks in delivery schedules and locations, mail processing capability, and retail post office hours and locations. Any such changes actually approved and implemented, or the perception that such changes are forthcoming, may adversely affect the attractiveness of the USPS products and services we are able to offer our customers and could therefore seriously harm the competitiveness of our business. Additionally, absent Congressional action, any USPS fiscal crisis could interrupt basic USPS operations, as well as payments to USPS suppliers such as us, each of which could also seriously harm our business.
Our operating results could be impaired if we, or the Internet generally, become subject to additional government regulation.
Changes in the laws and regulations applicable to the Internet or us, including those relating to user privacy, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, characteristics and quality of products and services, and export controls, could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, the applicability of existing laws to the Internet is uncertain with regard to many issues, including property ownership, export of specialized technology, sales tax, state income taxes, libel and personal privacy, and changes in their interpretation could similarly harm us. The application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and other online services could also harm our business.
We have employees and offer our services in multiple states and internationally. These or other jurisdictions may claim that we are required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in each state or foreign country. Our failure to qualify as a foreign corporation in a jurisdiction where we are required to do so could subject us to taxes and penalties. Other states and foreign countries may also attempt to regulate our services or prosecute us for actual or perceived violations of their laws.
Our business is subject to extensive, complex, overlapping and frequently changing rules, regulations and legal interpretations, and our results of operations, financial condition and reputation may be adversely affected by the demands of compliance and/or by our liability for any failure to comply.
Our business is subject to laws, rules, regulations, policies and legal interpretations in the markets in which we operate and where our customers reside, including, but not limited to, those governing privacy, data protection and consumer protection. The legal and regulatory requirements applicable to us are extensive, complex, frequently changing, and increasing in number, and may impose overlapping and/or conflicting requirements or obligations. Any failure or perceived failure to comply with existing or new laws and regulations (including changes to or expansion of the interpretation of those laws and regulations), including without limitation those discussed in this risk factor or in other risk factors, may:
•subject us to significant fines, penalties, criminal and civil lawsuits, forfeiture of significant assets, and other enforcement actions in one or more jurisdictions;
•result in additional compliance and licensure requirements;
•increase regulatory scrutiny of our business;
•restrict our operations; and
•force us to change our business practices, make product or operational changes or delay planned product launches or improvements.
The complexity of US federal, state and international regulatory and enforcement regimes, among other things, could result in a single event giving rise to a large number of overlapping investigations and legal and regulatory proceedings by multiple government authorities in different jurisdictions.
We are subject to a number of laws, rules and directives (which we refer to as “privacy laws”) relating to the collection, use, retention, security, processing and transfer (which we refer to as “process”) of personally identifiable information about our customers and employees (which we refer to as “personal data”) in the jurisdictions where we have operations and where our users reside. Much of the personal data that we process is regulated by multiple privacy laws and, in some cases, the privacy laws of multiple jurisdictions. See “- We are subject to a multitude of privacy and cyber security laws, including the EU’s GDPR, California’s CCPA and those of other jurisdictions, which may affect our operations and expose us to potential liability,” above.
There is uncertainty associated with the legal and regulatory environment around privacy and data protection laws, which continue to develop in ways we cannot predict, including with respect to evolving technologies. Privacy and data protection laws may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and impose inconsistent or conflicting requirements. Complying with varying jurisdictional requirements could increase the costs and complexity of compliance or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business, and violations of privacy and data protection-related laws can result in significant penalties and damage to our brand and business. In addition, compliance with inconsistent privacy laws may restrict our ability to provide products and services to our customers. A determination that there have been violations of privacy or data protection laws could expose us to significant damage awards, fines and other penalties that could, individually or in the aggregate, materially harm our business and reputation.
Our operating results could be adversely affected by consolidation and/or vertical integration by our competitors, carriers, partners and potential customers.
The consolidation or vertical integration of our competitors, carriers, partners or customers may result in the loss of contracts or impact demand or competition for our products and services. Any changes that affect our customers’ shipping and mailing technology purchasing practices may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Many of these entities are significantly larger than we are (or through consolidation may suddenly grow much larger), have greater financial and other resources and also have the ability to purchase products and services from our competitors and/or to develop their own competitive offerings. As a result of their size and position in the marketplace, some of our partners and customers have significant leverage and could cause us to materially reduce margins on our products and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability.
Risks Related to Our Business
Carriers whose services we offer to our customers, could fail to compete successfully with existing or future competitors, resulting in reduced demand for our products and services.
The carriers whose services we offer to our customers, including the USPS, are critical business partners to us. However, we do not control and cannot predict the business decisions of our critical business partners, or their current or future competitors. One or more such carriers may suffer a sudden or gradual erosion of their competitiveness in the shipping and mailing market. Such loss of competitiveness may result from their own actions or inactions in their perceived self-interest, actions or inactions by third-parties, political pressure or governmental incentives, or for other reasons entirely. Furthermore, other competitors may successfully win business from the carriers whose services we offer to our customers. If the carriers whose services we offer fail to compete successfully with carriers whose services we do not offer (or whose services we do offer, but on terms less favorable to us), then we would suffer reduced demand for (or profitability from) our products and services, and our results of operations, financial condition and prospects would be adversely affected.
If we are unable to compete successfully against alternative methods of accessing relevant mailing and shipping services, our revenues and operating results will suffer.
We compete with all of the alternate ways that consumers and businesses may access mailing and shipping services from the USPS, including the following: online services available at USPS.com; USPS retail locations; USPS kiosks; multi-carrier solutions; integrated web shipping solutions such as eBay/PayPal or Amazon.com; traditional postage meters; other USPS-approved PC Postage vendors; USPS permit manifesting solutions; and commercial retail locations that sell postage or shipping services (for example grocery stores, discount warehouses, small business mailing and shipping centers, office supply chains, and others). Some of these alternative means of accessing USPS services are available with no additional markup over the face value of postage and some are available with discounted postage rates that are better than the discounts that we are able to provide to our customers. We also compete with all of the alternate ways that consumers and businesses may access the mailing and shipping services of carriers other than the USPS, including multi-carrier solutions providers. We also compete with the technology solutions available from these carriers themselves, which allow customers to access those carriers, and which are typically provided to the customers for no additional fees.
We may not be able to establish or maintain a competitive position against current or future competitors as they enter the market. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, greater brand recognition, greater financial, marketing, service, support, technical, intellectual property and other resources than us. As a result, our competitors may be able to devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote substantially more resources to website and systems development. This increased competition may result in reduced operating margins, loss of market share and a diminished brand. We may from time to time make pricing, service or marketing decisions or acquisitions as a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment. These actions could result in reduced margins and seriously harm our business.
We face competitive pressures from new technologies or the expansion of existing technologies approved for use by the USPS and other carriers. We may also face competition from a number of indirect competitors that specialize in electronic commerce and other companies with substantial customer bases in the computer and other technical fields. Additionally, companies that control access to transactions through a network or web browsers could also promote our competitors or charge us a substantial fee for inclusion. In addition, changes in postal regulations could adversely affect our service and significantly impact our competitive position. For example, in 2018, Amazon launched a delivery service that is designed to compete directly with carriers such as the USPS, UPS, FedEx and others. By leveraging a large customer base and substantial resources, Amazon and/or other companies (including, among others, well-resourced e-commerce platforms that have thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic and may compete with us as they seek greater vertical integration) may be able to win substantial market share at the expense of other carriers and the technology and service providers that support them, including the Company and its subsidiaries. We may be unable to compete successfully against current and future competitors, and the competitive pressures we face could seriously harm our business.
If we do not respond effectively to technological and market changes, our services and products could become obsolete and our business will suffer.
The development of our services, products and other technology entails significant technical and business risks. To remain competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality and features of our online operations. The Internet and the electronic commerce industry are characterized by rapid technological change, changes in user and customer requirements and preferences, frequent new product and service introductions embodying new technologies, and the emergence of new industry standards and practices.
The evolving nature of the Internet or the markets in which we operate could render our existing technology and systems obsolete. Our success will depend, in part, on our abilities:
•to develop, license or acquire leading technologies useful in our business;
•to enhance our existing services;
•to develop new services or features and technology that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of our current and prospective users; and
•to respond to technological advances and emerging industry and regulatory standards and practices in a cost-effective and timely manner.
With the growth of e-commerce, the pace of change in product offerings and consumer tastes in the shipping and logistics industries is faster now than in years past. This accelerated pace of change increases uncertainty and places a greater burden on management to anticipate and respond to such changes. The increased pace of change also means that the window in which a technologically advanced or sophisticated product or service can achieve and maintain partner and consumer interest is shrinking and, to the extent we fail to timely anticipate or respond to changes in our industry, the effects of such missteps may be amplified and our business seriously harmed.
Future advances in technology may not be beneficial to, or compatible with, our business. Furthermore, we may not be successful in using new technologies effectively or adapting our technology and systems to user requirements or emerging industry standards on a timely basis. Our ability to remain technologically competitive may require substantial expenditures and lead time. If we are unable to adapt in a timely manner and at reasonable cost to changing market conditions or user requirements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed.
The discontinuation of certain financial compensation arrangements with the USPS will have an adverse effect on our revenues and operating results, unless we are successful in replacing the lost revenue and profit with similar compensation from the USPS or other potential partners, of which there is no assurance.
As previously disclosed, during the second quarter of 2018, the USPS provided a notice requiring the renegotiation of certain important financial compensation arrangements, and our negotiations with the USPS resulted in the discontinuation of the aforementioned arrangements effective December 31, 2018. As a result, and as previously disclosed, our revenue and operating results will continue to be adversely affected unless we are successful in timely replacing the lost revenue with similar compensation from the USPS or other potential partners. There is no assurance as to when, if or to what extent we may ultimately succeed in implementing mitigating strategies, all of which carry negotiation and execution risks. Unless and until we replace these lost revenues and associated profit margins, our operating results may be materially less than in previous years.
Carriers could modify, discontinue or terminate agreements and other financial compensation arrangements, which could have an adverse effect on our revenue and operating results.
Carriers could decide to amend, renegotiate, discontinue or terminate one or more financial compensation arrangements from which we benefit that exist now or in the future. For example, if the USPS decides to amend, renegotiate, discontinue or terminate any of our agreements or our integration partners’ agreements under which we are compensated directly or indirectly by the USPS or integration partners for shipping customers who print certain classes of postage, or our credit card cost sharing agreements which govern the allocation of credit card fees paid by the USPS and us, then our revenue and operating results would suffer. In the history of our relationship with the USPS, we have had many of these important agreements renewed only on short-term extensions and without assurances of any long-term commitments by the USPS. More recently, certain important financial compensation arrangements with the USPS were neither renewed nor extended at the end of their terms (see "- The discontinuation of certain compensation arrangements with the USPS will have an adverse effect on our revenues and operating results, unless we are successful in replacing the lost revenue and profit with similar compensation from the USPS or other potential partners, of which there is no assurance," above). We expect continued uncertainty as to these compensation arrangements going forward, and, whether or not ultimately renewed, there could be prolonged periods where we operate without such agreements, which would have an adverse impact on our operating results. Similarly, the financial compensation arrangements we have or may enter into with other carriers may be amended, renegotiated, discontinued or terminated. If any of these financial compensation arrangements are not renewed, or if renegotiation leads to renewal on materially less favorable terms, then our revenue and operating results will be adversely affected.
Carriers or our integration partners could cause discounts our customers receive to be diminished or terminated, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations, reputation and competitiveness.
Carriers, including the USPS, could decide to amend or terminate the discounts our customers and integration partners receive. Customers using our services receive discounted postage rates, either from Stamps.com or from integration partners that provide discounted rates, compared to USPS retail rates on certain mail pieces such as First Class letters and packages, domestic and international Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express packages, and other
discounts available to high-volume shipping customers. We also earn compensation by offering customers a discounted postage rate that is provided to the customers by our integration partners. If the USPS decides to withdraw certain discounts or even remove the discounts entirely, our revenue and operating results will suffer. If the Postal Regulatory Commission decides the discounts are unlawful and require the USPS to cancel or change them, then our revenue and operating results would suffer. These discounts are subject to terms and conditions of agreements between third parties and the USPS, and there can be no assurance that our integration partners will continue to have access to such discounts or that they will continue to make them available to our customers on favorable terms or at all. Similarly, other carriers may amend or terminate the discounts our customers and/or integration partners receive now or in the future. Any disruption to our ability to provide discounts to our customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, reputation and competitiveness.
Strategic business and integration partners, including e-commerce technology platforms and carriers, could modify or terminate commercial agreements, strategic alliances, compensation arrangements and other relationships, including with third parties, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and prospects.
Strategic business partners, such as the USPS, other postal services, multi-carrier software providers, e-commerce platforms, private shipping services, shipping service resellers, or others, could decide to amend, renegotiate or terminate agreements or financial compensation arrangements that exist now or in the future. For instance, if these partners amend, renegotiate or terminate agreements allowing us to integrate their services with our products and services, our revenues and operating results could suffer and our ability to attract customers that rely on these services could suffer.
We have partnership agreements with many integration partners in the high volume shipping area of our business. These partners integrate our mailing and shipping services into their offerings and provide customers that use our services through their products. The modification or termination of any of these agreements by us or our partners could result in lost customers, reduced postage printed and lost revenue and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
We rely on e-commerce technology platforms, such as marketplaces, app stores, electronic shopping carts, payment solutions, and web store platforms, among others, to reach certain customers and promote the sale of our products and services. If popular e-commerce technology platforms adopt restrictive policies or take any other actions that would restrict or prohibit our ability to integrate with those platforms to sell our products and services, or increase our cost of sales or the price to consumers of our products and services, then it will make our products and services less useful to our customers and potential customers, and as a result, our business and operating results will suffer. While we rely on such third parties to introduce customers and generate sales through e-commerce channels, we do not necessarily have long-term contracts with such third parties, and it is possible that such third parties may decide not to contract with us in the future on reasonable terms or at all, or to terminate their existing contracts with us. Further, such third parties may offer products and services that compete with ours. If any such events occur, we may suffer decreasing paid customers and revenue from operations.
We depend on third party suppliers and outsource providers, and our business and results could be adversely affected if we fail to manage these vendors effectively.
We depend on third party suppliers and outsource providers for a variety of services, components and supplies, including carrier services whether offered under third party brands or our own branding, and certain asset-intensive portions of our logistics business. In certain instances, we rely on single-sourced or limited-sourced suppliers and outsourcing vendors because doing so is advantageous due to quality, price or lack of alternative sources. If production or services were interrupted and we were not able to find alternate third party suppliers, we could experience disruptions in operations including higher service costs. If outsourcing services were interrupted, not performed, or the performance was poor, our ability to process, record and report transactions with our customers, integration partners and other counterparties could be impacted. Such interruptions in the provision of supplies and/or services could impact our ability to meet customer demand, damage our reputation and relationships and adversely affect our revenue and profitability.
If we fail to effectively market and sell our services and products, our business will be substantially harmed and could fail.
In order to acquire customers and achieve widespread distribution and use of our services and products, we must develop and execute cost-effective marketing campaigns and sales programs. We currently rely on a
combination of marketing techniques to attract new customers including direct mail, online marketing and business partnerships. We may be unable to continue marketing our services and products in a cost-effective manner. If we fail to acquire customers in a cost-effective manner, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
We may not successfully implement strategies to increase the adoption of our services and products, which would limit our growth, adversely affect our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline.
Our continuing profitability depends on our ability to successfully implement our strategy of increasing the adoption of our services and products. Factors that might cause our revenues, margins and operating results to fluctuate include the factors described below in this section as well as:
•the costs of our marketing programs to establish and promote our brands;
•the demand for our services and products;
•our ability to develop and maintain strategic distribution relationships; the number, timing and significance of new products or services introduced by us and by our competitors;
•our ability to develop, market and introduce new and enhanced products and services on a timely basis;
•the level of service and price competition;
•our operating expenses;
•USPS regulation and policies relating to PC Postage;
•the modification or termination of financial compensation arrangements with the USPS, strategic business partners and other carriers; and
•general economic factors.
If we fail to meet and anticipate the demands of our current and prospective customers or to further develop and upgrade our services and products, our business will be substantially harmed and could fail.
Our services and products must meet the commercial demands of our customers, which include small businesses, home offices, medium-size businesses, large enterprises, e-commerce merchants, large retailers and high volume shippers including warehouses, fulfillment houses and omni-channel retailers. We cannot be sure that our services will appeal to or be adopted by an ever-growing range of customers. If we are unable to ship products such as items from our supplies store in a timely manner to our customers, our business may be harmed. Moreover, our ability to obtain and retain customers depends, in part, on our customer service capabilities. If we are unable at any time to address customer service issues adequately or to provide a satisfactory customer experience for current or potential customers, our business and reputation may be harmed. If we fail to meet the demands of our customers, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
We must minimize the rate of loss of existing customers while adding new customers. Customers cancel their subscription to our service for many reasons, including a perception that they do not use the service sufficiently. Also customers may feel the costs for service are too high, they may be going out of business, or they may have other issues that are not satisfactorily resolved. We must continually add new customers both to replace customers who cancel and to continue to grow our business beyond our current customer base. If too many of our customers cancel our service, or if we are unable to attract new customers in numbers sufficient to grow our business, our operating results will be adversely affected. Further, if excessive numbers of customers cancel our service, we may be required to incur significantly higher marketing expenditures than we currently anticipate to seek to replace these customers with new customers.
Any delays or failures in developing our services and products, including upgrades of current services and products, may have a harmful impact on our results of operations. The need to extend our core technologies, and those of the companies we acquire, into new features and services and to anticipate or respond to technological changes could affect our ability to develop these services and features. Delays in features or upgrade introductions could cause a decline in our revenue, earnings or stock price. We cannot determine the ultimate effect these delays or the introduction of new features or upgrades will have on our revenue or results of operations.
We may implement pricing plans and promotions that may adversely affect our future revenues and margins.
Our ability to generate gross margins depends upon our ability to generate significant revenues from a large base of active customers. In order to attract customers in the future, we may run special promotions and offers, such as trial periods, discounts on fees, offers of postage and/or supplies, and other promotions. In addition, we may offer new pricing plans for new and existing customers. We cannot be sure that customers will be receptive to future fee structures and special promotions that we may implement. Even though we have established a sizeable customer base, we still may not generate sufficient gross margins to remain profitable. In addition, our ability to generate revenues or sustain profitability could be adversely affected by the special promotions or additional changes to our pricing plans.
Our business could suffer if we are unsuccessful in making, integrating, and maintaining commercial agreements, strategic alliances, and other business relationships or in expanding into new products, services, technologies and geographic regions.
We provide e-commerce and other services to businesses through commercial agreements, strategic alliances, and business relationships. Under these agreements, we provide web services, shipping, mailing, and other services. These arrangements are complex and require substantial infrastructure capacity, personnel, and other resource commitments, which may limit the amount of business we can service. We may not be able to implement, maintain, and develop the components of these commercial relationships, which may include web services, fulfillment, customer service, inventory management, tax collection, payment processing, hardware, content, and third party software, and engaging third parties to perform services. The amount of compensation we receive under certain of our commercial agreements is partially dependent on the volume of the other company’s sales. Therefore, if the other company’s offering is not successful, the compensation we receive may be lower than expected or the agreement may be terminated. Moreover, we may not be able to enter into additional commercial relationships and strategic alliances on favorable terms. We also may be subject to claims from businesses to which we provide these services if we are unsuccessful in implementing, maintaining, or developing these services.
As our agreements terminate, we may be unable to renew or replace these agreements on comparable terms, or at all. We may in the future enter into amendments on less favorable terms or encounter parties that have difficulty meeting their contractual obligations to us, which could adversely affect our operating results.
Our present and future e-commerce services agreements, other commercial agreements, and strategic alliances create additional risks such as:
•disruption of our ongoing business, including loss of management focus on existing businesses;
•impairment of other relationships;
•variability in revenue and income from entering into, amending, or terminating such agreements or relationships; and
•difficulty integrating under the commercial agreements.
Our expansion into new products, services, technologies, and geographic regions subjects us to additional business, legal, financial, and competitive risks. We may have limited or no experience in our newer markets, and our customers may not adopt our new offerings. These offerings may present new and difficult technology challenges, and we may be subject to claims if customers of these offerings experience service disruptions or failures or other quality issues. In addition, profitability, if any, in our newer activities may be lower than in our older activities, and we may not be successful enough in these newer activities to recoup our investments in them. If any of this were to occur, it could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.
Our business could suffer if we are unsuccessful in making, integrating, and maintaining acquisitions and investments.
We have acquired a number of companies, and we may acquire or invest in or enter into joint ventures with additional companies. These transactions create risks such as:
•disruption of our ongoing business, including loss of management focus on existing businesses;
•problems retaining key personnel;
•additional operating losses and expenses of the businesses we acquired or in which we invested;
•the potential impairment of tangible and intangible assets and goodwill, including as a result of acquisitions;
•the potential impairment of customer and other relationships of the company we acquired or in which we invested or our own customers as a result of any integration of operations;
•the potential impairment of our existing business relationships resulting from our existing business partners' perception that a newly acquired business or investment may compete with or otherwise harm them;
•the difficulty of completing such transactions and achieving anticipated benefits within expected timeframes, or at all;
•the difficulty of incorporating acquired operations, technology, and rights into our offerings, and unanticipated expenses related to such integration;
•the difficulty of integrating a new company’s accounting, financial reporting, management, information and information security, human resource, and other administrative systems to permit effective management, and the lack of control if such integration is delayed or not implemented;
•for investments in which an investee’s financial performance is incorporated into our financial results, either in full or in part, the dependence on the investee’s accounting, financial reporting, and similar systems, controls, and processes;
•the difficulty of implementing at companies we acquire the controls, procedures, and policies appropriate for a larger public company;
•the risks associated with businesses we acquire or invest in, which may differ from or be more significant than the risks our other businesses face;
•potential unknown liabilities associated with a company we acquire or in which we invest; and
•for foreign transactions, additional risks related to the integration of operations across different cultures and languages, and the economic, political, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries.
As a result of future acquisitions or mergers, we might need to issue additional equity securities, spend our cash, or incur debt, contingent liabilities, or amortization expenses related to intangible assets, any of which could reduce our profitability and harm our business or only be available on unfavorable terms, if at all. In addition, valuations supporting our acquisitions and strategic investments could change rapidly given the current global economic climate. We could determine that such valuations have experienced impairments or other-than-temporary declines in fair value which could adversely impact our financial results.
Our expansion places a significant strain on our management, operational, financial, and other resources.
We have significantly expanded our global operations with our Metapack acquisition, including increasing our product and service offerings and scaling our infrastructure to support our services' businesses. This expansion, as well as any further or other expansion, increases the complexity of our business and places significant strain on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance, financial resources, and internal financial control and reporting functions. We may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.
Our European operations, including those of our Metapack business, could be adversely impacted by Brexit.
In June 2016, the UK held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the EU, commonly referred to as "Brexit." On March 29, 2017, the UK notified the EU of its intention to withdraw pursuant to Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The UK exited the European Union on January 31, 2020. The UK’s membership of the EU single market ended on December 31, 2020. On December 24, 2020, the UK and the EU announced that they had struck a new bilateral trade and cooperation deal governing the future relationship between the UK and the EU (the “EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement”) which was formally approved by the 27 member states of the EU on December 29, 2020. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was formally approved by the UK parliament on December 30, 2020 and, as of the date of this Report, has not been ratified by the EU parliament.
Brexit has caused, and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement may continue to result in, significant volatility in global stock market and currency exchange rate fluctuations of the US dollar relative to other foreign currencies in which we conduct business. Ongoing changes in the EU's regulatory framework applicable to our business, including changes related to Brexit and any other changes in the composition of the EU's member states, may add further complexity to our global risks and operations.
Given the significant UK presence we have after acquiring Metapack, we could be adversely impacted by Brexit, any failure of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to be ratified and/or the Trade and Cooperation Agreement itself. In particular, any outcome that negatively impacts the ability of UK based businesses to deliver services to EU member states, or that increases the costs of such service delivery, would likely have an adverse impact on our business. For example, it is possible that there will be greater restrictions on imports and exports between the UK and EU countries and increased regulatory complexities. These changes may adversely affect our sales, operations and financial results. Further, our operations in the UK may be adversely affected by extreme fluctuations in UK exchange rates. Moreover, the imposition of any import restrictions and duties levied on our UK services as imported for EU customers may make our service more expensive for such customers and less competitive from pricing and speed and/or reliability of delivery and perspectives. Similarly, import restrictions and duties levied on the products shipped by our UK customers to the EU may make such products less competitive and result in lower shipping volume and reduced use of our shipping solutions.
Given the lack of comparable precedent, it is unclear how Brexit may negatively impact the economies of the UK, the EU member states and other nations. However, any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Geopolitical uncertainty, and changes to international trade agreements, tariffs, import and excise duties, taxes or other governmental rules and regulations could reduce cross-border trade or otherwise adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We are seeking to grow our revenue generated from customers located outside the US and, after acquiring Metapack, a significant portion of our assets, including employees, are located outside the US Risks associated with international operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and/or results of operations, include:
•political instability, and the possibility of deteriorating relationships involving countries in which we operate;
•the imposition of new or modified international trade restrictions, tariffs, import and excise duties or other taxes;
•import and export requirements, including restrictions on sales to certain end customers;
•restrictions on foreign ownership and investments, including potential intervention by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) or by other applicable administrative review boards to block strategic transactions that might otherwise be in shareholders’ interests;
•restrictions on repatriation of cash earned in foreign countries;
•changes in local political, economic, social and labor conditions;
•a less developed and less certain legal and regulatory environment in some countries, which, among other things, can create uncertainty regarding contract enforcement, intellectual property rights and liability issues; and
•inadequate levels of compliance with applicable anti-bribery laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The US federal government or other governmental bodies may propose changes to international trade agreements, tariffs, taxes and other government rules and regulations. Any changes to the international trading system, or the emergence or escalation of an international trade dispute, could significantly impact our business and have a negative impact on our revenues. In addition, the US and other countries in which we operate impose import and excise duties, tariffs and other taxes on our products in varying amounts. Any significant increases in import and
excise duties or other taxes on our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and/or results of operations.
We engage in cross-border trade (i.e., transactions where the merchant and consumer are in different countries) in the ordinary course of our business. Cross-border trade is subject to, and may be impacted by, foreign exchange rate fluctuations. In addition, the potential interpretation and application of laws of multiple jurisdictions (e.g., the jurisdiction of the merchant and of the consumer) are often extremely complicated in the context of cross-border trade. Changes to or the interpretation and/or application of laws applicable to cross-border trade could impose additional requirements (which may impose conflicting obligations) and restrictions on cross-border trade and increase the costs associated with cross-border trade. Any factors that increase the costs of cross-border trade or restrict, delay, or make cross-border trade more difficult or impractical would lower our revenues and profits and could harm our business.
To the extent our e-commerce business expands globally, we may be subject to increased customs and regulatory risks from cross-border transactions, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
To the extent we expand our operations to include international sales generated by customers processing transactions through our platform, our international e-commerce business will be subject to significant trade regulations, taxes, and duties in the applicable jurisdictions. Our growing exposure, as well as any changes, to these regulations could potentially impose increased documentation and delivery requirements on us, increase our costs, delay delivery times, and subject us to additional liabilities, each of which could diminish our ability to compete in international markets and adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Sales generated from our customers’ internationally focused businesses are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. A strengthening of the currency in which we price our products and services (currently US Dollars) relative to the currencies in other countries where we do business impacts our ability to compete internationally as the cost of similar international products and services priced in other currencies improve relative to the cost of our US Dollar-denominated products and services. Such an exchange rate driven increase in our prices would likely result in a decrease in international volumes, which would adversely affect our revenue and profitability. Alternatively, if we price our international products and services sales in local currencies, a relative strengthening of the US Dollar would result in lower reported revenues from such international sales.
We have foreign exchange risk.
The results of operations of, and certain of our intercompany balances associated with, our international websites and product and service offerings are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Upon translation, operating results may differ materially from expectations, and we may record significant gains or losses on the remeasurement of intercompany balances. As we have expanded our international operations, our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations has increased. We also hold cash equivalents and/or marketable securities in foreign currencies including British Pounds and Euros. If the US Dollar strengthens compared to these currencies, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances, when translated, may be materially less than expected and vice versa.
If we do not successfully attract and retain skilled personnel for permanent management and other key personnel positions, we may not be able to effectively implement our business plan.
Our success depends largely on the skills, experience and performance of the members of our senior management and other key personnel, including software developers and other technology specialists who are in particularly high demand in the markets where we are located. Any of these individuals can terminate his or her employment with us at any time. If we lose key employees and are unable to replace them with qualified individuals, our business and operating results could be seriously harmed. In addition, our future success will depend largely on our ability to continue attracting and retaining highly skilled personnel. We may be unable to successfully attract, assimilate or retain qualified personnel. Further, we may be unable to retain the employees we currently employ or attract additional qualified personnel to replace those key employees that may depart. The failure to attract and retain the necessary personnel could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Third party assertions of violations of their intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Substantial litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in our industry. Third parties may currently have, or may eventually be issued, patents upon which our products or technology infringe. Any of these third parties might make a claim of infringement against us. We may become aware of, or we may increasingly receive correspondence claiming, potential infringement of other parties’ intellectual property rights. We could incur significant costs and diversion of management time and resources to defend claims against us, regardless of their validity. Any associated costs (including settlement costs, judgments and legal expenses) and business distractions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, litigation in which we are accused of infringement might cause product development delays, require us to develop non-infringing technology or require us to enter into royalty or license agreements, which might not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If a successful claim of infringement were made against us and we could not develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely and cost-effective basis, our business could be significantly harmed or fail. Any loss resulting from intellectual property litigation could severely limit our operations, cause us to pay license fees, or prevent us from doing business.
A failure to protect our own intellectual property could harm our competitive position and adversely affect our results of operations and prospects.
We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws and contractual restrictions, such as confidentiality agreements and licenses, to establish and protect our rights in our products, services, know-how and information. We have a portfolio of issued and pending US and international patents. We also have a number of registered and unregistered trademarks. We plan to apply for more patents in the future. We may not receive patents for any of our patent applications. Even if patents are issued to us, claims issued in these patents may not protect our technology. In addition, a court might hold any of our patents, trademarks or service marks invalid or unenforceable. Even if our patents are upheld or are not challenged, the costs of enforcing our patents can be material, and third parties may develop alternative technologies or products without infringing our patents. If our patents fail to protect our technology or our trademarks and service marks are successfully challenged, our competitive position could be harmed. We also generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and other third parties to control and limit access to, and disclosure of, our confidential information. These contractual arrangements or other steps taken to protect our intellectual property may not prove to be sufficient to prevent misappropriation of technology or deter independent third party development of similar technologies. Additionally, the laws of foreign countries may not protect our services or intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
Pending or future litigation could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
Litigation is uncertain, and the outcome of individual cases is often not predictable with any degree of certainty. We establish loss provisions only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. If either or both of the criteria are not met, we assess whether there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss, or additional losses, may have been incurred. If there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred for such proceedings, we disclose the estimate of the amount of loss or possible range of loss, or disclose that an estimate of loss cannot be made, as applicable. We are currently a defendant in several cases including securities class action and shareholder derivative litigation for which we have not reserved any loss provision, since neither the likelihood that a loss, if any, will be realized, nor an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if any, can be determined. Any award or settlement in such cases in excess of applicable insurance coverage would have an adverse effect on our financial condition. Future litigation could involve potential compensatory or punitive damage claims, or sanctions, that, if awarded could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures in amounts that could exceed any loss provisions we may have established, any available insurance that we have for such claims, or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. Future litigation could also involve injunctive relief, where a court could prohibit, or materially restrict, our ability to compete in certain businesses or opportunities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business operations or financial results. For information concerning material litigation in which we are involved, please see the “Legal Proceedings” section in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this Report.
Increases in payment processing fees would increase our operating expenses and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our customers pay for our services using credit cards and debit cards and by use of automated clearing house payments. Our acceptance of these payment methods requires our payment of certain fees. From time to time, these fees may increase, either as a result of rate changes by the payment processing companies or as a result of a change in our business practices that increase the fees on a cost-per-transaction basis. If these fees for accepting payment methods increase in future periods, it would adversely affect our results of operations.
A decline in our ability to effectively bill our customers by credit card and debit card would adversely affect our results of operations.
Our ability to effectively charge our customers through credit cards and debit cards is subject to many variables, including our own billing technology and practices, the practices and rules of payment processing companies, and the practices and rules of issuing financial institutions. Although certain pass-through charges, such as for USPS postage, do not appear as revenue in our financial statements, any payment processing fees associated with those charges can be very large in relation to the profitability of the associated transactions to us, if any. If we do not effectively charge and bill our customers in future periods through credit cards and debit cards, it would adversely affect our results of operations.
Credit card fraud and our response to it could adversely affect our business.
We routinely receive orders placed with fraudulent credit card data. We do not carry insurance against the risk of credit card fraud, so our failure to adequately control fraudulent credit card transactions could reduce our net revenues and our profit. We may suffer losses as a result of postage purchases placed with fraudulent credit card data even if the associated financial institution approved payment. If we are unable to detect or control credit card fraud, our liability for these transactions could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation. Further, to the extent our efforts to prevent fraudulent transactions result in our inadvertent refusal to fill legitimate business requests, we would lose the benefit of legitimate potential sales and risk the alienation of legitimate customers.
Default on the credit we may provide for printing postage to one or more of our larger customers could adversely impact our results of operations.
As we acquire larger customers that require larger postage volumes to support their businesses, we offer invoicing and extend credit terms to certain of these customers to facilitate their access to postage and use of our services. If one or more of these customers were to default on amounts owed, it could adversely affect our results of operations.
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash to service our debt and fund our other capital requirements, our liquidity and financial condition would be adversely affected.
Our level of indebtedness could have significant effects on our business. For example, our current liabilities and any indebtedness we may incur in the future, including under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement could:
•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other elements of our business strategy and other general corporate purposes, including share repurchases and payment of dividends;
•increase our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate;
•restrict us from exploiting business opportunities;
•make it more difficult to satisfy our financial obligations, including payments on our indebtedness;
•make it more likely that we experience an event of default or other event that could result in the acceleration of our obligations to repay our indebtedness;
•place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness;
•limit our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or other general corporate purposes; and
•adversely affect our financial results as the interest rate on our current debt is subject to changes in the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or any applicable successor benchmark rate and changes in certain financial measures, and the interest rate on any indebtedness we may incur in the future may be subject to similar interest rate changes and thus could increase in future periods. The LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform, which may cause LIBOR to disappear entirely after 2021 or to perform differently than in the past, and while we expect that reasonable alternatives to LIBOR will be implemented prior to the 2021 target date, we cannot predict the consequences and timing of these developments, and they could include an increase in our interest expense and/or a reduction in our interest income.
Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and to fund working capital, capital expenditures and investments in our business, will depend upon our future performance, which will be subject to financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. For example, this could include general and regional economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors. We cannot ensure that we will generate cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available, in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or to dispose of material assets or operations, seek additional indebtedness or equity capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to timely effect any such alternative measures on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, those alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.
Our inability to generate sufficient cash flows to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, would materially and adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.
Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement imposes certain limitations on our ability to make dividend payments and to engage in further borrowing, which could hamper our control over liquidity.
Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2020 (the “Credit Agreement”), imposes certain requirements in order for us to make dividend payments to our shareholders. Please see the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of the “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of this Report for additional information. Adverse changes in our financial condition and results of operations could result in the Credit Agreement prohibiting us from paying any dividends or incurring additional debt in the future.
We are exposed to various risks associated with the credit and capital markets, which could negatively affect our financial condition, cash flow, and reported earnings.
Our cash equivalents and investments may be comprised of money market, asset-backed securities and public corporate debt securities. Global credit and capital markets can be suddenly and unexpectedly impaired, such as during the 2008 global financial crisis, and there can be no assurance that such markets will recover quickly or at all. Declines in the fair value of securities in our investment portfolio could lead to an increased risk that an other-than-temporary impairment exists. Uncertainties in the credit and capital markets or credit rating downgrades on any investments in our portfolio could cause impairment to our investment portfolio, which could negatively affect our financial condition, cash flow, and reported earnings.
We do not collect sales or consumption taxes in some jurisdictions, and if such jurisdictions successfully challenged this practice, we could be subject to liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We do not collect sales or consumption taxes in certain jurisdictions. An increasing number of states and foreign jurisdictions have considered or adopted laws or administrative practices that attempt to impose obligations on out-of-state or out of jurisdiction retailers to collect taxes on their behalf. A successful assertion by one or more states or foreign countries requiring us to remit taxes where we do not do so could result in substantial tax liabilities, including for past sales, as well as penalties and interest.
Certain states have been aggressively seeking to require even those businesses that do not maintain a physical presence in such states to collect sales and use taxes, rather than relying on the consumers to pay such taxes themselves. In June 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, et al. that upheld a South Dakota statute that imposes sales tax collection on an out of state seller under certain conditions that do not include physical presence in South Dakota. This, and any similar laws in other states, could result in us being required to collect state sales and use taxes in jurisdictions where we have not historically done so. This could reduce demand for our products and services, and adversely affect our results of operations.
We could be subject to changes in our tax rates, the adoption of new US or international tax legislation or exposure to additional state or international tax liabilities which may adversely impact our financial results.
We are subject to examination of our income tax returns by the US Internal Revenue Service and other domestic and foreign tax authorities. In addition, the application of other indirect taxes (such as sales and use tax, value added tax, goods and services tax, business tax and gross receipt tax) to a business such as Stamps.com is a complex and evolving issue, and states are increasingly seeking to assess sales tax on subscription fees. State or local authorities may attempt to collect taxes on our income based on this evolving area. The application of existing, new or future laws could have adverse effects on our business, prospects and operating results. There have been, and will continue to be, substantial ongoing costs associated with complying with the various indirect tax requirements in the numerous markets in which we conduct or will conduct business.
Among other factors, our effective tax rate is affected by the actions of third parties that we can neither control nor accurately predict, including the market for our common stock and the occurrence and timing of exercise of options awarded under our equity incentive plans. Actions that have generated material tax deductions for us in prior periods, such as the exercise of employee stock options, may not be repeated at the same levels in future periods, and our effective tax rate may increase as a result.
The potential of increased deficits that may result from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and/or other economic, political or other factors that we are not able to predict, could prompt future legislative action that may increase our tax rates, modify or eliminate deductions, credits or other tax features from which we currently benefit, or otherwise cause our effective tax rate to increase. Any increase in our effective tax rate would adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Changes in our effective tax rate may reduce our net income.
A number of factors may increase our effective tax rates, which could reduce our net income, including:
•changes in jurisdictions in which our profits are determined to be earned and taxed;
•the resolution of issues arising from tax audits;
•a lack of, or decrease in, exercises of employee stock options;
•changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and in deferred tax valuation allowances;
•adjustments to income taxes upon finalization of tax returns;
•increases in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, including impairments of goodwill;
•changes in available tax credits;
•changes in our ability to secure new or renew existing tax holidays and incentives;
•changes in US federal, state, or foreign tax laws or their interpretation; and
•changes in accounting standards.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Several provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition, which could inhibit your ability to receive an acquisition premium for your shares and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Several provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation, and our bylaws could discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that stockholders may consider favorable, and the market price of our common stock could be reduced as a result. These provisions include:
•authorizing our board of directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock without stockholder approval;
•providing for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms;
•prohibiting us from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” (as such terms are defined in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law) for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder unless certain provisions are met;
•prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;
•requiring a two-thirds vote of our outstanding shares to amend our bylaws;
•affording the ability to call special meetings of stockholders exclusively to our board of directors; and
•establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation contains certain net operating loss protective provisions (the “NOL Protective Measures”), which are more specifically described in our Definitive Proxy filed with the SEC on April 2, 2008. Generally, the NOL Protective Measures provide that any person, company or investment firm that wishes to become a “5% shareholder” (as defined in our certificate of incorporation) must first obtain a waiver from our board of directors. In addition, any person, company or investment firm that is already a “5% shareholder” of ours cannot make any additional purchases of our stock without a waiver from our board of directors.
On July 22, 2010, our board of directors suspended the NOL Protective Measures by approving a waiver from the NOL Protective Measures to all persons and entities, including companies and investment firms. As a result, our stockholders are now allowed to become “5% shareholders” and existing “5% shareholders” are allowed to make additional purchases of our stock each without having to comply with the restrictions contained in the NOL Protective Measures. Our board of directors may revoke this waiver at any time if the board deems the revocation
necessary to protect against a Section 382 “change of ownership” that would limit our ability to utilize future NOLs. For complete details about this waiver from the NOL Protective Measures, please see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 28, 2010.
If our board of directors were to revoke the existing waiver of our NOL Protective Measures so that the measures operated again to prevent new "5% shareholders," then the NOL Protective Measures could be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect because, among other things, they would restrict the ability of a person, entity or group to accumulate more than 5% of our common stock and the ability of persons, entities or groups now owning more than 5% of our common stock to acquire additional shares of our common stock without the approval of our board of directors. As a result, our board of directors might be able to prevent any future takeover attempt. Therefore, the NOL Protective Measures could discourage or prevent accumulations of substantial blocks of shares in which our stockholders might receive a substantial premium above market value and might tend to insulate management against the possibility of removal.
Our stock price has been volatile, which makes it more difficult for investors to predict at what price they may be able to sell their shares, and may make us a target for securities class action litigation.
The price at which our common stock has traded has fluctuated significantly. The price may continue to be volatile due to a number of factors, including the following, some of which are beyond our control:
•variations in our operating results;
•variations between our actual operating results and the expectations of securities analysts, investors and the financial community;
•sales by stockholders holding larger blocks of our stock;
•announcements of developments affecting our business, systems or expansion plans by us or others; and
•market volatility in general.
As a result of these and other factors, investors in our common stock may not be able to resell their shares at or above their original purchase price.
We have been, and in the future could be, subject to securities class action litigation following periods of volatility in our stock price. For example, on February 28, 2019 and March 13, 2019, we and certain of our officers were sued in putative class action lawsuits alleging violations of the federal securities laws for allegedly making materially false and misleading statements, and from May 2019 through October 2019 several purported shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed alleging breaches of fiduciary duties by our officers and/or directors and violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, among other things. See Item 3 "Legal Proceedings," below. We may be the target of additional litigation of these types in the future as well. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s time and attention from other business concerns, which could harm our business.
The USPS may object to a change of control of our common stock, which could inhibit your ability to receive an acquisition premium for your shares and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
The USPS may raise national security or similar concerns to prevent foreign persons from acquiring (or require foreign persons to divest) significant ownership of our common stock or of our Company. The USPS also has regulations regarding the change of control of approved PC Postage providers. These concerns may prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover of our Company that stockholders may consider favorable, and the market price of our common stock could be reduced as a result. Our competitors may also seek to have the USPS block the acquisition by a foreign person of our common stock or our Company in order to prevent the combined company from becoming a more effective competitor in the market for postage solutions.
We may expand through acquisitions of, or investments in, other companies or technologies, which may result in dilution to our stockholders and consume resources that may be necessary to sustain our business.
As part of our business efforts to acquire complementary services, technologies or businesses, we may:
•issue additional equity securities that would dilute our stockholders;
•use cash that we may need in the future to operate our business; and
•incur additional debt or refinance existing debt that could have terms unfavorable to us or that we might be unable to repay.
Business acquisitions, such as the acquisitions of PSI Systems, Inc. (Endicia), Metapack Limited (Metapack), ShippingEasy Group, Inc. (ShippingEasy), Auctane LLC (ShipStation) and Interapptive, Inc. (ShipWorks), also involve risks of unknown liabilities and potential litigation associated with the acquired business. In addition, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, including securing the services of key employees. Incurring unknown liabilities or the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of an acquisition could seriously harm our business. See “Risks Related to Our Business - Our business could suffer if we are unsuccessful in making, integrating, and maintaining acquisitions and investments,” above.
Risks Related to General Economic and Market Conditions
We could be subject to economic, political, regulatory and other risks arising from our international operations.
Operating in international markets requires significant resources and management attention and may subject us to regulatory, economic and political risks that may be different from or incremental to those in the US To the extent of our international operations, additional risks that could adversely affect our business, include:
•difficulties and costs associated with staffing and managing foreign operations;
•management distraction;
•political or social unrest and economic instability;
•compliance with US laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, export controls and economic sanctions, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials;
•difficulties in understanding and complying with local laws, regulations and customs in foreign jurisdictions;
•regulatory requirements or government action against our services, whether in response to enforcement of actual or purported legal and regulatory requirements or otherwise, that results in disruption or non-availability of our services in the applicable jurisdiction;
•less favorable foreign intellectual property laws;
•adverse tax consequences such as those related to changes in tax laws or tax rates or their interpretations, and the related application of judgment in determining our global provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets or liabilities or other tax liabilities given the ultimate tax determination is uncertain;
•fluctuations in currency exchange rates, against which we do not use foreign exchange contracts or derivatives to hedge, and which could impact revenues and expenses of our international operations and expose us to foreign currency exchange rate risk;
•profit repatriation and other restrictions on the transfer of funds;
•differing payment processing systems as well as consumer use and acceptance of electronic payment methods, such as payment cards;
•new and different sources of competition;
•low usage and/or penetration of internet-connected consumer electronic devices;
•different and more stringent user protection, data protection, privacy and other laws, including data localization requirements;
•availability of reliable broadband connectivity and wide area networks in targeted areas for expansion; and
•integration and operational challenges as well as potential unknown liabilities in connection with companies we may acquire or control.
Our failure to manage any of these risks successfully could harm our international operations and our overall business, and results of our operations.
Global and regional economic conditions could sour rapidly and unexpectedly, which would adversely affect our business.
Our operations and performance depend significantly on global and regional economic conditions. Adverse economic conditions and events have negatively impacted global and regional financial markets in the past, and uncertainty about global and regional economic events and conditions may result in consumers and businesses postponing spending in response to tighter credit, higher unemployment, financial market volatility, government austerity programs, negative financial news, declines in income or asset values, and other factors many of which are beyond our ability to anticipate. These and other global and regional economic events and conditions could have a material adverse impact on demand for our products and services, our results of operations and our financial condition.
Our business may be impacted by political events, war, terrorism, public health issues, natural disasters and other business interruptions that could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
War, terrorism, geopolitical uncertainties, public health issues, and other business interruptions have caused and could cause damage or disruption to the economy and commerce on a global or regional basis, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, our customers, and integration partners and other companies with which we do business. Our business operations are subject to interruption by, among others, natural disasters, fire, power shortages, earthquakes, floods, nuclear power plant accidents and other industrial accidents, terrorist attacks and other hostile acts, labor disputes, public health issues and other events beyond our control. Such events could decrease demand for our products and services or make it difficult or impossible for us or our integration partners to deliver products and services to our customers. In the event of a natural disaster, we could incur significant losses, require substantial recovery time and experience significant expenditures in order to resume operations.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
We believe that our existing facilities are suitable and adequate for our present purposes. In addition to the leases described below, we may lease additional space that is immaterial in size and rent amount.
Stamps.com segment properties
Our corporate headquarters are located in El Segundo, California, US where we own a 99,600 square foot facility. We also lease over 160,000 square feet of commercial office space in Austin, Texas, US and additional office space in the following US states: California; Georgia; and Missouri.
Metapack segment properties
We lease office space in London, England and Zielona Góra, Poland.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We are subject to various routine legal proceedings and claims incidental to our business, and we do not believe that these proceedings and claims would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
On February 28, 2019 and March 13, 2019, two putative class action complaints were filed against us in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division. One of the two putative class actions was dismissed without prejudice, and in the other case, styled as Karinski v. Stamps.com, Inc. et al, Case 2:19-cv-01828 (the “Securities Class Action”), the Court appointed a lead plaintiff and approved lead plaintiff’s selection of lead counsel. Lead plaintiff filed a consolidated complaint in August 2019, purportedly on behalf of all those who purchased, or otherwise acquired, Stamps.com common stock between May 3, 2017 and May 8, 2019, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based on public disclosures that were purportedly rendered misleading based on certain uses of reseller rates. We filed a motion to dismiss in October 2019, and our motion to dismiss was granted in part and denied in part in January 2020. The Court granted plaintiff's motion for class certification on November 9, 2020, and we have requested that the Court of Appeals permit an appeal from that order. The parties are currently engaged in fact discovery with trial scheduled for March 2022. We believe that the case is without merit and intend to defend it vigorously. Due to the early stage of the case, neither the likelihood that a loss, if any, will be realized, nor an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if any, can be determined.
On May 16, 2019 and May 21, 2019, two purported shareholder derivative suits were filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, alleging breaches of fiduciary duties by officers and/or directors, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, waste of corporate assets, and violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and seeking unspecified damages, attorneys' fees and costs. The two cases were consolidated as In re Stamps.com Stockholder Derivative Litigation, Case 2:19-cv-04272, co-lead plaintiffs and co-lead counsel were appointed, and the case was subsequently transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. On February 3, 2021, the case was consolidated with Harvey v. Kenneth T. McBride, et al (described below). We believe that the case is without merit and intend to defend it vigorously. Due to the early stage of the case, neither the likelihood that a loss, if any, will be realized, nor an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if any, can be determined.
On August 19, 2019, a purported shareholder derivative suit was filed against us in a case titled City of Cambridge Retirement System v. Kenneth T. McBride, et al, Case No. 2019-0658-AGB, in the Delaware Court of Chancery, alleging breaches of fiduciary duties by officers and/or directors, insider trading, waste of corporate assets, and unjust enrichment. We filed a motion to dismiss in October 2019. We believe that the case is without merit and intend to defend this case vigorously. Due to the early stage of the case, neither the likelihood that a loss, if any, will be realized, nor an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if any, can be determined.
On October 3, 2019, a purported shareholder derivative suit was filed against us in a case titled Harvey v. Kenneth T. McBride, et al, Case No. 1:19-cv-01861-CFC, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging breaches of fiduciary duties by officers and/or directors, unjust enrichment, waste of corporate assets, and violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Court had entered a stipulation to stay the derivative case pending the outcome of the derivative lawsuit pending in the Delaware Court of Chancery. On February 3, 2021, the Court lifted the stay and consolidated the case with In re Stamps.com Stockholder Derivative Litigation (described above), and vacated a prior order appointing lead counsel. The cases are consolidated as In re Stamps.com Stockholder Derivative Litigation, Case No. 1:19-cv-01861-CFC. We believe that the case is without merit and intend to defend this case vigorously. Due to the early stage of the case, neither the likelihood that a loss, if any, will be realized, nor an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if any, can be determined.
Although management at present believes that the ultimate outcome of the various proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not materially harm our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or overall trends, legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or other events could occur. An unfavorable outcome for an amount in excess of management's present expectations may result in a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial position, and overall trends.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II.

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market For our Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “STMP”. As of January 31, 2021, there were approximately 272 stockholders of record of our common stock. A substantially greater number of holders of our common stock are "street name" or beneficial holders, whose shares of record are held by banks, brokers, and other financial institutions.
Stock Performance Graph
The information contained in this section shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC, or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Exchange Act, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically request that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing.
The following line graph compares the cumulative total return to stockholders of our common stock from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2020 to the cumulative total return over such period of (i) NASDAQ Market Index and (ii) NASDAQ Internet Index, an equal-dollar-weighted index composed of leading companies involved in Internet commerce, service and software. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2015 in our common stock and in each of the other two indices and the reinvestment of all dividends, if any.
The graph is presented in accordance with SEC requirements. Stockholders are cautioned against drawing any conclusions from this data, as past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance.
Base December 31, Year Ended December 31,
Company/Index 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Stamps.com Inc. $ 100.00 $ 104.60 $ 171.52 $ 141.99 $ 76.20 $ 178.99
NASDAQ Market Index $ 100.00 $ 107.50 $ 137.86 $ 132.51 $ 179.19 $ 257.38
NASDAQ Internet Index $ 100.00 $ 103.50 $ 145.33 $ 138.56 $ 179.26 $ 290.55
Dividend Policy
We did not pay any dividends during 2020 or 2019.
Future declaration and payment of dividends will be in the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our future earnings, financial condition and capital requirements. Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement also imposes certain requirements in order for us to make dividend payments.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2020 with respect to shares of our common stock that may be issued under our existing stock incentive plans:
Plan Category Number of shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights Number of shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance under the equity compensation plans (excluding shares reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 2,649,000 $88.16 304,000
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders: Stock Options (1)
256,000 $229.07 0
Total 2,905,000 304,000
(1) Reflects the Stamps.com 2016 ShippingEasy Equity Inducement Plan granted on July 1, 2016 which provided for the issuance of an aggregate of 62,000 stock options to purchase Stamps.com common stock, the February 26, 2018 Equity Inducement Award granted on February 26, 2018 which provided for the issuance of up to 60,000 stock options to purchase Stamps.com common stock, and the 2018 Metapack Equity Inducement Plan granted on August 15, 2018 which provided for the issuance of an aggregate of 320,250 stock options to purchase Stamps.com common stock. These plans were exempt from stockholder approval requirements as an employment inducement grant plan under applicable Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) as inducements material to the new employees entering into employment with Stamps.com.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
We did not have any unregistered sales of common stock during 2020.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in 000’s)
October 1, 2020 -
October 31, 2020 27,670 $ 258.00 27,670 $ 21,178
November 1, 2020 -
November 30, 2020 33,404 $ 194.29 33,404 $ 14,687
December 1, 2020-
December 31, 2020 35,240 $ 202.63 35,240 $ 7,547
On August 3, 2020, our Board of Directors approved termination of the previous plan ahead of schedule and approved a new share repurchase program that took effect on August 11, 2020, following such termination. The new plan authorized us to purchase up to $40 million of stock over approximately six months following its effective date. On February 11, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan, which became effective February 22, 2021, that authorized the Company to repurchase up to $60 million of stock over approximately six months following its effective date.
We will consider repurchasing stock in the future by evaluating such factors as the price of the stock, the daily trading volume and the availability of large blocks of stock and any additional constraints related to material inside information we may possess. Our repurchase of any of our shares will be subject to limitations that may be imposed on such repurchases by applicable securities laws and regulations and the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, as well as restrictions under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Repurchases may be made in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at our discretion. We have no commitment to make any repurchases.
From time to time we withhold shares of our stock to satisfy income tax obligations related to performance-based or restricted equity awards. See Note 2 - "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Treasury Stock" in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this filing.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Part II, Item 6 is no longer required as we have adopted certain provisions within the amendments to Regulation S-K that eliminate Item 301.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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 financial statements and the related notes thereto included in this Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or anticipated results including those set forth in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Report. We call your attention to the discussion of forward-looking statements on page 1 of Part I of this Report, which is incorporated into, and is intended to accompany, this Item 7.
Overview
Stamps.com® is a leading provider of Internet-based mailing and shipping solutions in the United States (US) and Europe. Our portfolio of solutions is marketed under the brand names Stamps.com®, Endicia®, Metapack®, ShippingEasy®, ShipEngine®, ShipStation®, and ShipWorks®. Our software solutions allow customers to print mailing and shipping labels for multiple carriers around the world through downloadable software, web-based user interfaces (UIs) and application programming interfaces (APIs). Our solutions provide our customers with access to discounted carrier rates for select carriers, including the United States Postal Service (USPS) and United Parcel Service (UPS). Our solutions also offer customers improved operational efficiency and financial savings. Our customers primarily include small businesses, home offices, medium-size businesses, large enterprises, e-commerce merchants, large retailers and high volume shippers including warehouses, fulfillment houses and omni-channel retailers.
Mailing and Shipping Business References
When we refer to our "mailing and shipping business," we are referring to our mailing and shipping products and services for both our Stamps.com and Metapack segments, including our USPS and multi-carrier mailing and shipping technology solutions, consolidation services, mailing and shipping integrations, mailing and shipping supplies stores, and branded insurance offerings. We do not include our customized postage business when we refer to our "mailing and shipping business." When we refer to our "mailing and shipping revenue," we are referring to our service, product, and insurance revenue generated by our mailing and shipping business. We do not include our customized postage revenue generated by our customized postage business in our "mailing and shipping revenue."
COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel strain of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) to be a pandemic. The pandemic is having widespread, rapidly evolving impacts on economies, financial markets, and business practices. We are closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of our business.
Since the first quarter of 2020, we have taken a number of precautionary measures to help minimize the risk of exposure to our employees, including significantly revising travel policies and implementing temporary office closures as all employees are advised to work remotely where possible.
We experienced a net financial benefit in 2020 resulting from continued increased shipping volume compared to prior years which we believe is related to shelter in place orders. We cannot predict how long these circumstances will continue, and it should not be assumed that they will yield any net financial benefit to us beyond 2020. Further, it is not possible to determine the duration and scope of the pandemic, including any recurrence, the actions taken in response to the pandemic, the scale and rate of economic change from the pandemic, any ongoing effects on consumer demand and spending patterns, or other impacts of the pandemic, and whether these or other currently unanticipated consequences of the pandemic are reasonably likely to materially affect our results of operations. See "Risk Factors -- Risks Related to COVID-19” in Item 1A of this Report for a discussion of some of the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and uncertainties we, our customers, business partners, and the national and global economies face as a result.
Acquisitions
Metapack
On August 15, 2018, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary Pacific Shelf 1855 Limited, completed our acquisition of Metapack Limited. The net purchase price totaled approximately £171 million, or $218 million using the August 15, 2018 GBP to USD exchange rate, and was funded from then current cash and investment balances.
In connection with the acquisition, we granted inducement stock options for an aggregate of 320,250 shares of Stamps.com common stock to 72 Metapack employees.
Please see Note 3 - “Acquisitions” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description.
Results of Operations
Total revenue increased 33% to $758.0 million in 2020 from $571.9 million in 2019. Mailing and shipping revenue, which includes service revenue, product revenue, and insurance revenue, was $746.1 million in 2020, an increase of 34% from $557.1 million in 2019. Customized postage revenue decreased 19% to $11.9 million in 2020 from $14.7 million in 2019.
Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Revenue by Segment
The following table sets forth the revenue by segment for 2020 and 2019 and the resulting percentage change (revenue in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 % Change
Segment revenues
Stamps.com $ 695,929 $ 519,088 34.1 %
Metapack 62,051 52,762 17.6 %
Total revenues $ 757,980 $ 571,850 32.5 %
The majority of the 33% increase in total revenue is due to a 34% increase in total revenue from the Stamps.com operating segment as discussed below.
Consolidated Revenue
The following table sets forth the breakdown of revenue for 2020 and 2019 and the resulting percent change (revenue in thousands):
2020 2019 % Change
Revenues
Service
$ 705,544 $ 523,528 34.8 %
Product
24,277 20,494 18.5 %
Insurance
16,268 13,102 24.2 %
Mailing and shipping revenue
746,089 557,124 33.9 %
Customized postage
11,891 14,726 (19.3) %
Total revenues
$ 757,980 $ 571,850 32.5 %
We define “paid customers” for the quarter as ones from whom we successfully collected service fees or otherwise earned revenue at least once during that quarter, and we define average revenue per paid customer (ARPU) as mailing and shipping revenue divided by paid customers. We believe ARPU provides insight into the degree of customer usage of our products and services and our monetization thereof.
The following table sets forth the number of paid customers in the period for our mailing and shipping business (in thousands):
Year First
Quarter Second Quarter Third
Quarter Fourth
Quarter Annual
Average
2020 777 956 987 1016 934
2019 736 742 743 750 743
The following table sets forth the change in paid customers and ARPU for our mailing and shipping business (in thousands except ARPU and percentage):
2020 2019 % Change
Paid customers for the year 934 743 25.7 %
ARPU $ 799 $ 750 6.5 %
Mailing and shipping revenue $ 746,089 $ 557,124 33.9 %
The number of paid customers increased by 25.7% in the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily as a result of our customer acquisition efforts which we believe were positively impacted by shelter in place orders.
Our ARPU increased by 6.5% in the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to the growth in our shipping business where we have the ability to better monetize shipping volume as compared to monthly flat rate subscription fees, a portion of which we
believe is due to the impact of increased shipping volumes related to shelter in place orders.
Revenue by Product
The following table shows our components of revenues and their respective percentages of total revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentage):
2020 2019
Revenues
Service
$ 705,544 $ 523,528
Product
24,277 20,494
Insurance
16,268 13,102
Customized postage
11,891 14,726
Total revenues
$ 757,980 $ 571,850
Revenue as a percentage of total revenues
Service
93.1 % 91.5 %
Product
3.2 % 3.6 %
Insurance
2.1 % 2.3 %
Customized postage
1.6 % 2.6 %
Total revenue
100.0 % 100.0 %
Our revenue is derived primarily from five sources: (1) service and transaction related revenues from our mailing services, our multi-carrier shipping services, and our mailing and shipping integrations; (2) product revenue from the direct sale of consumables and supplies through our supplies stores; (3) package insurance revenue from our branded insurance offerings; (4) customized postage revenue from the sale of customized postage labels; and (5) other revenue, consisting of advertising revenue derived from advertising programs with our existing customers. Other revenue was not material to our consolidated financial statements in the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Service revenue is recognized over time for each month that customers have access to our platform or at a point in time when assets are transferred to the customer. We earn service revenue from our mailing and shipping operations in several different ways: (1) customers may pay us a monthly fee, based on a subscription plan which may be waived or refunded for certain customers, for which we provide them access to our platform, in which case revenue is earned over the period of time that the customers have access to the platform which is typically month-to-month; (2) we may be compensated directly by our carriers for shipping labels printed that meet certain requirements, in which case revenue is earned over time, which is typically in the same month that the relevant labels are printed; (3) we may earn revenue from customers when they purchase postage, print shipping labels or perform other transactions using our solutions, in which case revenue is earned at the point in time we transfer an asset to the customer and have a present right of payment for the asset transferred; (4) we may earn revenue that may take the form of some or all of the spread between the rate a customer pays and the rate the carrier or integration partner receives, either charged directly or paid by our partners, in which case revenue is earned at a point in time, which is typically when the customer purchases postage or prints a shipping label; and (5) we may earn other types of revenue shares or other compensation from specific customers that have access to our platform or through integration partners, in which case revenue is recognized at a point in time, which is when we have fulfilled our performance obligations.
In the case of monthly fees based on subscription plans, the Company recognizes a reduction of revenue in the period for which a waiver is granted or when a refund is processed, which is typically the same period in which the associated subscription revenue is recognized or, in the case of refunds, could be a later period. Waivers and refunds were not material to the consolidated financial statements in 2020 or 2019.
Customers may purchase delivery services from carriers through our mailing and shipping solutions. When funds are transferred directly from customers to the carrier, these funds are not recognized as revenue. We also provide mailing and shipping services for which the cost of postage or delivery is included in the cost of the service and, therefore, is recognized as service revenue.
Service revenue increased 35% to $705.5 million in 2020 from $523.5 million in 2019. The increase in service revenue was driven by a 7.2% increase in our average service revenue per paid customer (Service Revenue ARPU) and a 25.7% increase in our annual average paid customers.
The increase in our Service Revenue ARPU in 2020 was primarily attributable to the growth in our shipping business where we have the ability to better monetize shipping volume as compared to monthly flat rate subscription fees, a portion of which we believe is due to the impact of increased shipping volumes related to shelter in place orders.
Product revenue increased 18% to $24.3 million in 2020 from $20.5 million in 2019. Product revenue is primarily driven by label sales, such as NetStamps, which are used for mailing. The increase in product revenue was not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Insurance revenue increased 24% to $16.3 million in 2020 from $13.1 million in 2019. The increase in insurance revenue was not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Customized postage revenue decreased 19% to $11.9 million in 2020 from $14.7 million in 2019. The decrease in customized postage revenue was primarily attributable to the elimination of the program by the United States Postage Service effective June 16, 2020, partially offset by a particular television marketing campaign for which we committed to donate the associated profits to charity, which occurred prior to the program's elimination.
Cost of Revenue
The following table shows cost of revenues and cost of revenues as a percentage of associated revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentage):
2020 2019
Cost of revenues
Service $ 161,031 $ 137,716
Product 7,785 6,349
Customized postage 10,000 11,151
Total cost of revenues
$ 178,816 $ 155,216
Cost as percentage of associated revenue
Service 22.8 % 26.3 %
Product
32.1 % 31.0 %
Customized postage 84.1 % 75.7 %
Total cost as a percentage of total revenues
23.6 % 27.1 %
Cost of service revenue principally consists of the cost of customer service, certain promotional expenses, system operating costs, credit card processing fees, vendor costs and expenses, and customer misprints that do not qualify for reimbursement from the USPS . Cost of product revenue principally consists of the cost of products sold through our supplies stores and the related costs of shipping and handling. Cost of customized postage revenue principally consists of the face value of postage, customer service, image review costs, and printing and fulfillment costs.
Cost of service revenue increased 17% to $161.0 million in 2020 from $137.7 million in 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to higher system operating and customer service costs to support our growing business.
Cost of service revenue as a percent of service revenue decreased from 26% in 2019 to 23% in 2020. The decrease in cost of service revenue as a percent of service revenue was due to the increase in higher margin shipping related service revenue as described above.
Cost of product revenue increased 23% to $7.8 million in 2020 from $6.3 million in 2019. The increase was not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Cost of product revenue as a percent of product revenue increased from 31% in 2019 to 32% in 2020. The increase was not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Cost of customized postage revenue decreased 10% to $10.0 million in 2020 from $11.2 million in 2019. The decrease in cost of customized postage revenue was primarily attributable to the decrease in customized postage revenue as described above.
Cost of customized postage revenue as a percent of customized postage revenue increased from 76% in 2019 to 84% in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to a particular television marketing campaign described above, resulting in lower margins.
Since October 1, 2018, our insurance revenue represents the amount we receive from customers net of the costs paid to our insurance providers. Accordingly, we do not present any cost of insurance revenue.
Income (Loss) from Operations by Segment
The following table sets forth income (loss) from operations and the resulting percentage change by segment for the year ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. (in thousands, except percentage):
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 % Change
Segment income (loss) from operations
Stamps.com $ 205,863 $ 105,242 95.6 %
Metapack (7,711) (11,679) 34.0 %
Total income from operations $ 198,152 $ 93,563 111.8 %
Our Stamps.com segment income from operations increased by 95.6% to $205.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2020 from $105.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in our segment income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the 34% increase in total revenue from the Stamps.com operating segment for the year ended December 31, 2020 which was primarily attributable to the growth in our shipping business a portion of which we believe is due to the impact of increased shipping volumes related to shelter in place orders, partially offset by the following items described further in the preceding or following sections: (a) the increase in discretionary and sales volume-based partner marketing spend; (b) the increase in cost of service revenue primarily attributable to higher system operating and customer service costs to support our growing business; (c) the increase in research and development headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation; and (d) the increase in sales and marketing headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation.
Our Metapack segment loss from operations decreased to $7.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2020 from $11.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2019. The change in Metapack segment loss from operations in the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the 18% increase in total revenue from the Metapack operating segment for the year ended December 31, 2020 which was primarily attributable to the growth in our shipping business, a portion of which we believe is due to the impact of increased shipping volumes related to shelter in place orders.
Consolidated Operating Expenses
The following table outlines the components of our operating expense and their respective percentages of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentage):
2020 2019
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing $ 166,742 $ 134,226
Research and development 95,600 78,041
General and administrative
118,670 110,804
Total operating expenses
$ 381,012 $ 323,071
Operating expenses as a percent of total revenues:
Sales and marketing 22.0 % 23.5 %
Research and development
12.6 % 13.6 %
General and administrative
15.7 % 19.4 %
Total operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues
50.3 % 56.5 %
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expense principally consists of spending to acquire new customers and compensation and related expenses for personnel engaged in sales, marketing, and business development activities. Our sales and marketing programs include direct sales, customer referral programs, customer re-marketing efforts, direct mail, online advertising, partnerships, telemarketing, and traditional advertising.
Sales and marketing expense increased 24% to $166.7 million in 2020 from $134.2 million in 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in discretionary and sales volume-based partner marketing spend of $25.7 million and a net increase in headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation of $8.2 million. These increases were partially offset by a net decrease in travel expenses of $2.2 million.
Sales and marketing expense as a percent of total revenue was 22% in 2020 and 23% in 2019. The decrease in sales and marketing expense as a percent of total revenue was primarily attributable to increased total revenue in excess of increased sales and marketing expense.
Research and Development
Research and development expense principally consists of compensation for personnel involved in the development of our services, depreciation of equipment and software, and expenditures for consulting services and third party software.
Research and development expense increased 22% to $95.6 million in 2020 from $78.0 million in 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to a net increase in headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation of $15.0 million and an increase in related facilities expense of $1.2 million.
Research and development expense as a percent of total revenue was approximately 13% in 2020 and 14% in 2019. Research and development expense as a percentage of total revenue decreased primarily due to increased total revenue in excess of increased research and development expense.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expense principally consists of compensation and related costs for executive and administrative personnel; fees for legal and other professional services; depreciation of equipment, software, and building used for general corporate purposes; and amortization of intangible assets.
General and administrative expense increased 7% to $118.7 million in 2020 from $110.8 million in 2019. The increase was attributable to general increases in various operating expenses.
General and administrative expense as a percent of total revenue was approximately 16% in 2020 and 19% in 2019. General and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenue decreased primarily due to increased revenue in excess of increased general and administrative expense.
Foreign Currency Exchange Gain (Loss), Net
Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net. The foreign currency exchange losses, net of $470,000 in 2020 and $506,000 in 2019 were not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Interest Income and Other Income
Interest income and other income primarily consists of interest income from cash and cash equivalents. Interest income and other income decreased to $68,000 in 2020 from $205,000 in 2019. Interest income and other income is not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consists of interest expense from the debt under our credit facility and the associated accretion of debt issuance costs. Interest expense was $1.1 million in 2020 compared to $2.5 million in 2019. Interest expense in 2019 was affected primarily by higher outstanding debt balances under our credit facility.
See Note 7 - “Debt” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Provision for Income Taxes
Our income tax expense was $18.0 million and $31.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Income taxes expected at the US federal statutory income tax rate of 21 percent differ from the reported income tax expense primarily as a result of permanent tax adjustments for non-deductible
expenses, state taxes, and tax benefits from exercises of stock-based awards and research and development tax credits.
See Note 10 - “Income Taxes” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had net deferred tax assets of approximately $18.9 million and $15.6 million, respectively. We evaluated the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes based on all available positive and negative evidence, including our recent earnings trend and expected future income.
Trend Analysis
The strong increases in e-commerce based consumption in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to meaningful financial benefits to the Company in 2020. Despite those financial benefits, there is substantial uncertainty in 2021 from the myriad of macroeconomic factors associated with the ongoing pandemic, and the resulting effect on global e-commerce. As such, for 2021 we are not at this time providing specific guidance.
The aforementioned uncertainties surrounding 2021, while making specific guidance with meaningful ranges of potential outcomes difficult, do not impact our overall operating strategies. As such, we plan to continue to invest in our global technology platforms and would expect our operating expenses in 2021 to increase, reflecting annualization of investments made during 2020 as well as additional investments expected in 2021.
As previously disclosed, in the second quarter of 2020, we received notification from the USPS that it was eliminating its customized postage program and also revoking our authorization to offer products pursuant to that program effective June 16, 2020. As such we do not expect customized postage revenue in 2021.
We expect our sales and marketing expenses to be higher in 2021 as compared to 2020. The increases are primarily a result of the annualized effect of our headcount investments in 2020, our plan to increase our investments in headcount resources in 2021 to drive growth, and our plan to increase discretionary sales and marketing spending in various customer acquisition channels. We will continue to monitor our customer metrics and the state of the economy and adjust our level of spending accordingly. Sales and marketing spend is expensed in the period incurred, while the revenue and profits associated with the acquired customers are earned over the customers’ lifetimes. As a result, increased sales and marketing spend in future periods could result in a reduction in operating profit and cash flow compared to past periods.
We expect research and development expenses to be higher in 2021 as compared to 2020. The increases are primarily a result of the annualized effect of our headcount investments in 2020, and our plan to increase our investments in headcount resources in 2021 to drive growth.
We expect general and administrative expenses to be higher in 2021 as compared to 2020. The increases are primarily a result of the annualized effect of our headcount investments in 2020, and our plan to increase our investments in headcount resources in 2021.
As discussed earlier in this Report, our expectations are subject to substantial uncertainty and our results are subject to macro-economic factors and other factors which could cause these trends to be worse than our current expectation or which could cause actual results to be materially different than our current expectations. These expectations are “forward looking statements,” are made only as of the date of this Report and are subject to the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements discussion on page 1 of Part I of this Report and the risks and other factors set forth in Item 1A “Risk Factors,” including those related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our business has grown through acquisitions during 2014 through 2018; however the expectations above do not assume any future acquisitions or dispositions, any of which could have a significant impact on our current expectations. As described in our forward-looking statements discussion, we do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report.
Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
See Item 7 of Part II in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2020 for a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Changes in cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 Change
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 247,338 $ 137,153 $ 110,185
Net cash used in investing activities (3,561) (2,256) (1,305)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 42,702 (92,762) 135,464
Effect of exchange rate changes 766 415 351
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 287,245 $ 42,550 $ 244,695
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had $443.6 million and $156.3 million, respectively, primarily in cash and cash equivalents.
Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $247.3 million in 2020 and $137.2 million in 2019. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the following changes in the consolidated statement of cash flows line items: an increase in net income of $119.4 million, and a $66.3 million increase in cash flows from an increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities, partially offset by a $51.6 million decrease in cash flows from an increase in other current assets, and a $16.7 million decrease in cash flows from an increase in other assets.
Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $3.6 million in 2020 and $2.3 million in 2019. The increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to the increase in the purchase of property and equipment.
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $42.7 million in 2020, while net cash used in financing activities was approximately $92.8 million in 2019. The increase in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to a $127.6 million increase in proceeds received from stock option exercises, a $36.9 million increase in cash flows due to the increase in net proceeds from short-term financing obligations, and a $10.3 million decrease in common stock repurchases, partially offset by a $39.7 million increase in term loan principal payments, including the optional prepayment of the remaining debt balance.
Significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
Payments due by period
Total Less than 1 year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years More than 5 years
Debt Obligations (1)
$ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Estimated Interest on Debt
Obligations (1)
- - - - -
Capital Lease Obligations - - - - -
Operating Lease Obligations (2)
79,156 618 19,114 13,824 45,600
Purchase Obligations - - - - -
Other Long-Term Liabilities - - - - -
Total $ 79,156 $ 618 $ 19,114 $ 13,824 $ 45,600
(1) The Company has no outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2020. See additional details described below.
(2) Amounts represent the undiscounted cash lease payments under non-cancelable leases, net of tenant improvement allowance reimbursements reasonably expected to be received by the Company. In the third quarter of 2020, the Company entered into a new operating lease for commercial office space in Austin, Texas resulting in approximately $62.4 million of undiscounted net operating lease obligations through 2032.
On June 29, 2020, we entered into a revolving credit facility (the "Amended and Restated Credit Agreement") with a group of banks, which provides for a revolving credit facility with a maximum borrowing of $130.0 million. Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement matures on June 29, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of our assets. In connection with entering into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, we incurred approximately $762,000 in creditor and third-party fees which were recorded as deferred expense and will be accreted as interest expense over the life of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. See Note 7- "Debt-Revolving Credit Facility" in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description, including of the interest rate and restrictive covenants.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting global disruptions have caused significant market volatility. This disruption can contribute to defaults in our accounts receivable, affect asset valuations resulting in impairment charges, and affect the availability of credit. We expect to continue to maintain financing flexibility in the current market conditions. However, due to the rapidly evolving global situation, it is not possible to predict whether unanticipated consequences of the pandemic are reasonably likely to materially affect our liquidity and capital resources in the future.
We believe our available cash and marketable securities, together with the cash flow from operations, will be sufficient to fund our business for at least the next twelve months.
Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments
General
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to patents, contingencies, litigation, and goodwill and intangibles acquired relating to our acquisitions. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Business Combinations
The acquisition method of accounting is used for business combinations. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements prospectively from the date of acquisition. The fair value of purchase consideration is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired entity and is generally based on their fair value at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized in our consolidated financial statements as incurred.
Contingencies and Litigation
In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various litigation matters as a claimant and a defendant. We record any amounts recovered in these matters when received. We establish loss provisions for claims against us when the loss is both probable and can be reasonably estimated. If either or both of the criteria are not met, we assess whether there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss, or additional losses, may have been incurred. If there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred for such proceedings, we disclose the estimate of the amount of loss or possible range of loss, or disclose that an estimate of loss cannot be made, as applicable.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. When drawn, the Company’s outstanding debt held by third party financial institutions is carried at cost, adjusted for debt issuance costs. When drawn, the Company’s debt is not publicly traded and the carrying amount typically approximates fair value for debt that accrues interest at a variable rate for companies with similar financial characteristics as the Company, which are considered Level 2 fair value inputs as defined in Note 6 in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of the Company’s major foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into US dollars are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net. All assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into US dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations. We are required to test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. A reporting unit is the operating segment or a business that is one level below that operating segment. Reporting units are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics.
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually on October 1 utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. We have an option to make a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's goodwill for impairment. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine the fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. When we perform a quantitative assessment, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income approach based on the present value of discounted cash flows, to the respective carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss. As of December 31, 2020, we are not aware of any indicators of impairment that would require an impairment analysis other than our annual goodwill impairment analysis. No instances of impairment to the Company's goodwill were identified during our October 1, 2020, October 1, 2019, or October 1, 2018 reviews.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually on October 1 and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be below its carrying value. In assessing other intangible assets not subject to amortization for impairment, the Company also has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then the Company is not required to perform any additional tests for assessing those intangible assets for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test that involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. As of December 31, 2020, we are not aware of any indicators of impairment that would require an impairment analysis other than our annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment analysis. The Company concluded that it was more likely than not the fair value of each of the Company’s intangible assets not subject to amortization was in excess of its respective carrying value during our October 1, 2020, October 1, 2019, or October 1, 2018 reviews.
Long-Lived Assets and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Long-lived assets including intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows
expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
We account for property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally three to five years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment and ten to forty years for building and building improvements. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. We have a policy of capitalizing expenditures that materially increase assets' useful lives and charging ordinary maintenance and repairs to operations as incurred. When property or equipment is disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed, and any gain or loss is included in income from operations.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the US and foreign jurisdictions. We provide for income taxes at the current and future enacted tax rate and consistent with the laws applicable in each jurisdiction. We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic No. 740, Income Taxes (Income Taxes), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Income Taxes also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our gross deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be realized. In order for us to realize our deferred tax assets, we must be able to generate sufficient taxable income. We evaluate the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with Income Taxes based on all available positive and negative evidence.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenues when we transfer control of promised goods or services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. Our payment terms vary by the products and services offered. The term between billings and when payment is due is not significant.
Revenues are presented on a disaggregated basis on the consolidated statements of operations.
Service revenue is recognized over time for each month that customers have access to our platform or at a point in time when assets are transferred to the customer. We earn service revenue from our mailing and shipping operations in several different ways: (1) customers may pay us a monthly fee, based on a subscription plan which may be waived or refunded for certain customers, for which we provide them access to our platform, in which case revenue is earned over the period of time that the customers have access to the platform which is typically month-to-month; (2) we may be compensated directly by our carriers for shipping labels printed that meet certain requirements, in which case revenue is earned over time, which is typically in the same month that the relevant labels are printed; (3) we may earn revenue from customers when they purchase postage, print shipping labels or perform other transactions using our solutions, in which case revenue is earned at the point in time we transfer an asset to the customer and have a present right of payment for the asset transferred; (4) we may earn revenue that may take the form of some or all of the spread between the rate a customer pays and the rate the carrier or integration partner receives, either charged directly or paid by our partners, in which case revenue is earned at a point in time, which is typically when the customer purchases postage or prints a shipping label; and (5) we may earn other types of revenue shares or other compensation from specific customers that have access to our platform or through integration partners, in which case revenue is recognized at a point in time, which is when we have fulfilled our performance obligations.
In the case of monthly fees based on subscription plans, the Company recognizes a reduction of revenue in the period for which a waiver is granted or when a refund is processed, which is typically the same period in which the associated subscription revenue is recognized or, in the case of refunds, could be a later period. Waivers and refunds were not material to the consolidated financial statements in 2020, 2019 or 2018.
Customers may purchase delivery services from carriers through our mailing and shipping solutions. When funds are transferred directly from customers to the carrier, these funds are not recognized as revenue. We also provide mailing and shipping services for which the cost of postage or delivery is included in the cost of the service and, therefore, is recognized as service revenue.
Product revenue consists of products sold through the mailing and shipping supplies stores which are available to our customers from within some of our mailing and shipping solutions. Products sold include mailing labels, shipping labels, thermal printers, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies. We recognize product revenue on product purchases upon shipment of orders to customers.
We provide our customers with the opportunity to purchase parcel insurance directly through our solutions. Beginning October 1, 2018, insurance revenue represents the amount we receive from customers net of the costs paid to our insurance providers. For the periods presented prior to October 1, 2018, insurance revenue represented the gross amount charged to the customer for purchasing insurance and the insurance cost of revenues represented the amount paid to our insurance providers. We recognize insurance revenue on insurance purchases upon the ship date of the insured package, which is the point in time when we have fulfilled our performance obligations.
Customized postage revenue, which includes the face value of postage, from the sale of customized postage sheets and rolls is recognized upon transfer of control of the product to the customer, which occurs upon our delivery to the carrier. In the second quarter of 2020, we received notification from the US Postal Service (USPS) that it was eliminating its customized postage program and also revoking our authorization to offer products pursuant to that program effective June 16, 2020. As a result, we do not expect material customized postage revenue or cost of revenue after June 2020.
On a limited basis, we allow third parties to offer products and promotions to our customer base. These arrangements generally provide payment in the form of a flat fee or revenue sharing arrangements where we receive payment upon customers accessing third party products and services. Total revenue from such advertising arrangements was not significant during 2020, 2019 or 2018.
Segment Information
Our operations consist of two segments: Stamps.com and Metapack. Please see Note 13 - “Segment and Geographical Information” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for share-based employee compensation plans under the fair value recognition and measurement provisions in accordance with applicable accounting standards, which require all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs), to be measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards, with the resulting expense generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award. We account for forfeitures as they occur.
We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant, which requires us to use a number of estimates and subjective assumptions, including stock price volatility, expected term, and risk-free interest rates. In the case of options we grant, our assumption of expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price over the term equal to the expected life of the options. We base the risk-free interest rate on US Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the options assumed at the date of grant. The estimated expected life represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding, determined based on an analysis of historical exercise behavior.
Trademarks, Trade Names, and Other Intangible Assets (excluding Goodwill)
Acquired trademarks, trade names, and other intangibles (excluding goodwill) include both amortizable and non-amortizable assets and are included in intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Cost associated with internally developed intangible assets is typically expensed as incurred as research and development costs. Amortization of amortizable intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis, which is consistent with the expected future cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2020
Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, a standard which aligns the capitalization requirements for implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the existing capitalization requirements for implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by this update, meaning service costs will continue to be expensed as incurred. The guidance became effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill Impairment
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, a standard which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance became effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, a standard which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, a standard that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. We are required to use a forward-looking expected credit loss model for accounts receivable, loans, and other financial instruments. The guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted
Income Taxes
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, a standard which eliminates certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes. The guidance is effective for reporting periods after December 15, 2020; however, early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Reference Rate Reform
In March 2020, the FASB issued 2020-04, optional accounting guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new standard provides expedients and exceptions to existing accounting requirements for contract modifications and hedge accounting related to transitioning from discontinued reference rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), to alternative reference rates, if certain criteria are met. The new standard was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied to applicable contract modifications through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact of the transition from LIBOR to alternative reference interest rates on our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as described in Note 7 - "Debt", but do not expect a significant impact to our operating results, financial position or cash flows.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Borrowings under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at the base rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin or a London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable margin, in each case such margin will be between 1.25% and 3.00% and is determined by certain financial measures. There were no amounts drawn on the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2020. See Note 7 - "Debt" in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description.
We have foreign currency risks related to our revenue and operating expenses denominated in currencies other than the US dollar, primarily the British Pound Sterling. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates could negatively affect our results. We have experienced and will continue to experience fluctuations in our net income as a result of transaction gains or losses related to revaluing monetary asset and liability balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entities in which they are recorded.
We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. We do not have material exposure to market risk with respect to investments. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Nor do we use forwards, options or other derivative instruments to hedge our forecast cash flow currency exposures, our foreign currency intercompany transactions or otherwise. However, we may adopt specific hedging strategies in the future. Our cash balances would not be materially affected by significant changes in exchange rates.
Our cash equivalents consist of money market securities and had weighted average maturity of 1 day and a weighted average interest rate of 0.02% at December 31, 2020. Our cash equivalents and investments approximated $443.6 million at December 31, 2020. Interest rate fluctuations impact the carrying value of the portfolio. The fair value of our portfolio of marketable securities would not be significantly affected by either a 10% increase or decrease in the rates of interest due primarily to the short-term nature of the portfolio. We do not believe that the future market risks related to the above securities will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
Our consolidated financial statements, schedules and supplementary data, as listed under Item 15, appear in a separate section of this Report beginning on page.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act).
As of the end of the period covered by this Report, our management evaluated, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded, as of that time, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who also audited our consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, which is included herein.
Changes in internal controls
During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Stamps.com Inc. and subsidiaries
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Stamps.com Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control- Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Stamps.com, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes, and our report dated February 26, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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.
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.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Los Angeles, California
February 26, 2021
PART III.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference herein to our proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC by not later than 120 days after our fiscal year end, including under the captions "PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS," and "MANAGEMENT."

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference herein to our proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC by not later than 120 days after our fiscal year end, including under the captions "DIRECTOR COMPENSATION," and "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION."

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference herein to our proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC by not later than 120 days after our fiscal year end, including under the caption "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES," and by reference herein to Item 5 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the caption "Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans."

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference herein to our proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC by not later than 120 days after our fiscal year end, including under the captions "BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE -- Director Independence," and "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS."

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The information required under this item is incorporated by reference herein to our proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC by not later than 120 days after our fiscal year end, including under the caption "INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES AND SERVICES."
PART IV.

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) Documents filed as part of this report.
1. Financial Statements. Our following financial statements are included in a separate section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K commencing on the pages referenced below:
Stamps.com Inc. and Subsidiaries Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedules. All of our financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3. Exhibits. The following Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed with this report as indicated below:
Exhibit Number
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and Amendments thereto.(11)
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.(3)
4.1
Specimen common stock certificate.(4)
4.2
Description of Securities (26)
10.1
Patent Assignment from Mohan P. Ananda to the Company, dated January 20, 1998.(1)
10.2
Assignment and License Agreement between the Company and Mohan P. Ananda, dated January 20, 1998.(1)
10.3
1998 Stock Plan and Forms of Notice of Grant and Stock Option Agreement.(2) +++
10.4
1999 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated on April 25, 2000).(7) +++
10.5
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended from time to time through October 24, 2018).(26) +++
10.6
Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its directors and officers.(18) +++
10.7
Form of Stamps.com Inc. February 26, 2018 Equity Inducement Award. (16)
10.8
Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
10.9
Form of Stock Option Agreement (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
10.10
Form of Addendum to Stock Option Agreement-Involuntary Termination Following Corporate Transaction/Change in Control (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
10.11
Form of Addendum to Stock Option Agreement-Limited Stock Appreciation Right (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
10.12
Form of Stock Issuance Agreement (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
10.13
Form of Addendum to Stock Issuance Agreement-Involuntary Termination Following Corporate Transaction/Change in Control (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
10.14
Form Automatic Stock Option Agreement (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
10.15
Form Notice of Grant of Non-Employee Director-Automatic Stock Option (Initial) (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
Exhibit Number
Description
10.16
Form Notice of Grant of Non-Employee Director-Automatic Stock Option (Annual) (1999 Stock Incentive Plan).(5) +++
10.17
Form of Enrollment/Change Form for Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(5) +++
10.18
Form of Stock Purchase Agreement for Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(5) +++
10.19
Stock Purchase Agreement (12) +++
10.20
2010 Equity Incentive Plan.(13) +++
10.21
2014 Amendment to the Stamps.com Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.(17) +++
10.22
2016 Amendment to the Stamps.com Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.(17) +++
10.23
2018 Amendment to the Stamps.com Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.(13) +++
10.24
Form of Stock Option Agreement.(14) +++
10.25
Settlement Agreement among the Company, Kara Technology Incorporated and Salim Kara.(15)
10.26
Stock Purchase Agreement made and entered into as of March 22, 2015, by and among Stamps.com Inc., a Delaware corporation, PSI Systems, Inc., a California corporation, and Newell Rubbermaid Inc., a Delaware corporation. (20) +
10.27
Commitment Letter, by and among Bank of America, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Stamps.com Inc., dated March 22, 2015.(20)
10.28
Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release of Claims made and entered into on August 6, 2015, by and between Stamps.com Inc., Auctane, LLC d/b/a ShipStation, Interapptive, Inc. d/b/a ShipWorks, Kenneth T. McBride, Jason Hodges, Nathan Jones, and Curtis Mitchell, on the one hand, and Rapid Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Express One and J. Colby Clark, on the other hand.(21)
10.29
Credit Agreement made and entered into as of November 18, 2015, by and among Stamps.com Inc., a Delaware corporation, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Bank of America, N.A., the lenders from time to time party thereto (each a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”), and Wells Fargo as administrative agent for the Lenders. (22) +
10.30
Collateral Agreement made and entered into as of November 18, 2015, by and among Stamps.com Inc., a Delaware corporation, the Grantors (as defined therein), in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined therein).(22)
10.31
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 16, 2016, by and among ShippingEasy Group, Inc., Stamps.com Inc., SEG Merger Sub, Inc. and Tim Jugmans. Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, the registrant hereby agrees to supplementally furnish to the SEC upon request any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Agreement and Plan of Merger. (23) +
10.32
Management Incentive Plan, dated as of July 1, 2016, by and among ShippingEasy, Inc., Stamps.com Inc. and the Participant Representative (as defined therein), and acknowledged and agreed to by Katie May and Barry Cox. (23) +
10.33
Consulting Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2017, between James Bortnak and Stamps.com Inc. (8)
10.34
Stamps.com Inc. 2016 ShippingEasy Equity Inducement Plan (9)
10.35
Form of Award Agreement to Stamps.com Inc. 2016 ShippingEasy Equity Inducement Plan (9)
10.36
Share Purchase Agreement, dated July 24, 2018, by and among Metapack, Pacific Shelf, the Key Sellers and Stamps.com Inc. as guarantor. (24) +
10.37
Stamps.com Inc. 2018 Metapack Equity Inducement Plan. (16)
10.38
Form of Non-CSOP Award Agreement to Stamps.com Inc. 2018 Metapack Equity Inducement Plan. (16)
10.39
Form of CSOP Award Agreement to Stamps.com Inc. 2018 Metapack Equity Inducement Plan. (16)
10.40
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2020, by and among Stamps.com Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Bank of America, N.A. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K as not material and likely to cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed. (25)
10.41
Reaffirmation and Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2020, by and among Stamps.com Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined therein). (25)
Code of Ethics.(10)
List of Subsidiaries.(26)
Exhibit Number
Description
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.(26)
24.1
24.2
24.3
Power of Attorney by Mohan P. Ananda.(26)
Power of Attorney by David C. Habiger.(26)
Power of Attorney by G. Bradford Jones.(26)
24.4
Power of Attorney by Katie Ann May.(26)
24.5
Power of Attorney by Theodore R. Samuels.(26)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.(26)
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.(26)
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(26) (furnished, not filed)
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(26) (furnished, not filed)
Type XBRL Exhibit
101.INS 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.
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 1999 (File No. 333-77025).
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 1999 (File No. 333-77025).
(3) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2018 (File No. 000-26427).
(4) Incorporated herein by reference to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77025).
(5) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 1999 (File No. 333-81733).
(6) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000 (File No. 333-33648).
(7) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 1, 2000 (File No. 333-42764).
(8) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2017 (File No. 000-26427).
(9) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2017 (File No. 333-216990)
(10) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2008 (File No. 000-26427).
(11) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2008 (File No. 000-26427).
(12) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2010 (File No. 000-26427).
(13) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2018 (File No. 000-26427).
(14) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2010 (File No. 333-168360).
(15) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2010 (File No. 000-26427).
(16) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2019 (File No. 000-26427).
(17) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2017 (File No. 000-26427).
(18) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2014 (File No. 000-26427).
(19) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2014 (File No. 000-26427).
(20) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2015 (File No. 000-26427).
(21) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2015 (File No. 000-26427).
(22) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2015 (File No. 000-26427).
(23) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2016 (File No. 000-26427).
(24) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 21, 2018 (File No. 000-26427).
(25) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 6, 2020 (File No. 000-26427).
(26) Filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission with this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
+ Confidential treatment requested and received as to certain portions.
+++Denotes management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.