Biggest changeA discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 can be found under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023. 22 Table of Contents Condensed Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 The following table presents, for the periods indicated, selected information from our consolidated financial results, including information presented as a percentage of net sales: For the Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Year-to-Year Variance Net sales $ 225,882 100.0 % $ 278,166 100.0 % $ (52,284) (18.8) % Cost of sales 164,624 72.9 % 207,903 74.7 % (43,279) (20.8) % Gross profit 61,258 27.1 % 70,263 25.3 % (9,005) (12.8) % Operating expenses 111,102 49.2 % 238,138 85.6 % (127,036) (53.3) % Income (loss) from operations (49,844) (22.1) % (167,875) (60.4) % 118,031 (70.3) % Other income (expense) 3,380 1.5 % 1,243 0.4 % 2,137 171.9 % Net income (loss) before taxes (46,464) (20.6) % (166,632) (59.9) % 120,168 (72.1) % Benefit (provision) for income taxes (32) — % 2,885 1.0 % (2,917) (101.1) % Net income (loss) $ (46,496) (20.6) % $ (163,747) (58.9) % $ 117,251 (71.6) % Net Sales Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 were approximately $225.9 million, a decrease of 18.8% as compared to net sales of approximately $278.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Biggest changeCondensed Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 The following table presents, for the periods indicated, selected information from our consolidated financial results, including information presented as a percentage of net sales: For the Years Ended December 31, 2024 2023 Year-to-Year Variance Net sales $ 188,866 100.0 % $ 225,882 100.0 % $ (37,016) (16.4) % Cost of sales 145,144 76.9 % 164,624 72.9 % (19,480) (11.8) % Gross profit 43,722 23.1 % 61,258 27.1 % (17,536) (28.6) % Operating expenses 95,694 50.7 % 111,102 49.2 % (15,408) (13.9) % Loss from operations (51,972) (27.5) % (49,844) (22.1) % (2,128) 4.3 % Other income 2,620 1.4 % 3,380 1.5 % (760) (22.5) % Net loss before taxes (49,352) (26.1) % (46,464) (20.6) % (2,888) 6.2 % Provision for income taxes (158) (0.1) % (32) — % (126) 393.8 % Net loss $ (49,510) (26.2) % $ (46,496) (20.6) % $ (3,014) 6.5 % Net Sales Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $188.9 million, a decrease of $37.0 million, or 16.4% as compared to net sales of $225.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
MMI also offers a wide variety of services, including site surveys, floor plan designs, capacity analysis, seismic calculations, permitting, and installation, in order to provide a comprehensive, turnkey solution for customers. Based in the Hudson Valley, New York, the MMI team has decades of experience successfully completing projects throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
MMI also offers a wide variety of services, including site surveys, floor plan designs, capacity analysis, seismic calculations, permitting, and installation, in order to provide a comprehensive, turnkey solution for 21 Table of Contents customers. Based in the Hudson Valley, New York, the MMI team has decades of experience successfully completing projects throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
A change in any of these estimates and assumptions could produce a different fair value, which could have a material impact on the results of the goodwill impairment assessment and the our results of operations. The estimated fair value is then compared with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including recorded goodwill.
A change in any of these estimates and assumptions could produce a different fair value, which could have a material impact on the results of the goodwill impairment assessment and the our results of operations. 29 Table of Contents The estimated fair value is then compared with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including recorded goodwill.
As a result, we have built a business that is driven by a wide selection of products, a strong portfolio of proprietary brands, a solutions-driven staff located in strategic markets around the country, and pick, pack, ship distribution and fulfillment capabilities. Since its founding in 2014, GrowGeneration has acquired or opened numerous specialty hydroponic and organic gardening center locations.
As a result, we have built a business that is driven by a wide selection of products, a strong portfolio of proprietary brands, a solutions-driven staff located in strategic markets around the country, and pick, pack, ship distribution and fulfillment capabilities. Since our founding in 2014, we have acquired or opened numerous specialty hydroponic and organic gardening center locations.
We cater to diverse markets with our products and services, including agriculture, retail, warehousing, office and administrative, food service, hospitality, golf and country clubs, and more. Our products include high-density mobile 20 Table of Contents storage systems, static shelving, and other accessories such as desks, lockers, safes, and secured storage, offering a solution for every storage need.
We cater to diverse markets with our products and services, including agriculture, retail, warehousing, office and administrative, food service, hospitality, golf and country clubs, and more. Our products include high-density mobile storage systems, static shelving, and other accessories such as desks, lockers, safes, and secured storage, offering a solution for every storage need.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 is presented below.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 is presented below.
Net sales reflect the amount of 21 Table of Contents consideration that we expect to receive, which is derived from a list price reduced by variable consideration, including applicable sales discounts and estimated expected sales returns.
Net sales reflect the amount of consideration that we expect to receive, which is derived from a list price reduced by variable consideration, including applicable sales discounts and estimated expected sales returns.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes and the other information included elsewhere in this report.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes and the other information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Additionally, an 26 Table of Contents election can be made to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for a reporting unit. The quantitative approach compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to its carrying amount.
Additionally, an election can be made to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for a reporting unit. The quantitative approach compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to its carrying amount.
Management believes that the Company has the largest chain of specialty retail hydroponic and organic garden centers in the U.S., with 50 retail locations across 18 states as of December 31, 2023.
Management believes that the Company has the largest chain of specialty retail hydroponic and organic garden centers in the U.S., with 31 retail locations across 12 states as of December 31, 2024.
The decrease in net sales was primarily related to our Cultivation and Gardening segment, which had net sales of $194.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $245.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The decrease in net sales was primarily related to our Cultivation and Gardening segment, which had net sales of $163.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and $194.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
A discussion regarding the major sources and uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2021 can 25 Table of Contents be found under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023.
A discussion regarding the major sources and uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2022 can be found under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 13, 2024.
Today, GrowGeneration operates two major lines of business: its Cultivation and Gardening segment, composed of the Company's hydroponic and organic gardening business; and its Storage Solutions segment, composed of the Company's benching, racking, and storage solutions business.
Today, GrowGeneration operates two major lines of business: our Cultivation and Gardening segment, composed of our hydroponic and organic gardening business; and our Storage Solutions segment, composed of our benching, racking, and storage solutions business.
In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures address questions routinely received from analysts and investors and, in order to ensure that all investors have access to the same data, we have determined that it is appropriate to make this data available to all investors.
In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures address questions routinely received from analysts and investors and, in order to ensure that all investors have access to the same data, we have determined that it is appropriate to make this data available to all investors. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
We perform our goodwill impairment assessment for each of our four reporting units that have goodwill. Effective the fourth quarter of 2023 and prospectively, we performed our required annual goodwill impairment test as of December 1 rather than on December 31, which was the previous practice.
Effective the fourth quarter of 2023 and prospectively, we perform our goodwill impairment assessment for each of our four reporting units that have goodwill on December 1 of each fiscal year, rather than on December 31 which was our previous practice.
Gross profit excludes depreciation and amortization, which are presented separately as a component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Gross Profit We calculate gross profit as net sales less cost of sales. Gross profit excludes depreciation and amortization, which are presented separately as a component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Financing Activities Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $0.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, and was primarily attributable to common stock withheld to cover employee payroll taxes.
Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $0.3 million, related primarily to common stock withheld for employee payroll taxes.
Occupancy expenses of our retail locations and distribution centers, which consist of payroll, rent, and other lease required costs, including common area maintenance and utilities, are included as a component of operating expenses within Store operations and other operational expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gross Profit We calculate gross profit as net sales less cost of sales.
Occupancy expenses of our retail locations and distribution centers, which consist of payroll, rent, and other lease required costs, including common 23 Table of Contents area maintenance and utilities, are included as a component of operating expenses within Store operations and other operational expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Refer to the discussion within Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section as well as Note 6, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our impairment losses.
For each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the impairment losses predominately related to our goodwill and intangible assets. Refer to the discussion within Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section as well as Note 6, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our impairment losses.
We assess the organic growth of our Cultivation and Gardening segment net sales on a same-store basis. We believe that our assessment on a same-store basis represents an important indicator of comparative financial results and provides relevant information to assess our performance.
We believe that our assessment on a same-store basis represents an important indicator of comparative financial results and provides relevant information to assess our performance.
Refer to Note 6, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 27 Table of Contents RECENTLY ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Refer to Note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding recently issued accounting standards.
RECENTLY ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Refer to Note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding recently issued accounting standards. 30 Table of Contents
Store operating costs and other operational expenses, which consisted primarily of payroll, rent and utilities, and allocated corporate overhead costs, were approximately $48.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $54.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $6.6 million or 12.1%.
Store operating costs and other operational expenses, which consisted primarily of payroll, rent and utilities, and allocated corporate overhead costs, were $40.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $48.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $7.9 million or 16.4%.
As a result of changes to the business and future projections, we identified a $9.3 million impairment related to goodwill. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded a goodwill impairment loss of $116.7 million. Refer to Note 6, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for each reporting unit. As a result of changes to the business and future projections, we recorded a goodwill impairment loss of $9.3 million. Refer to Note 6, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Operating Activities Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $1.4 million, compared to $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Operating Activities Net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $1.8 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Investing Activities Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities was approximately $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to approximately $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Investing Activities Net cash and cash equivalents provided by investing activities was $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We make our products available to growers through a variety of channels, including hydroponic retail locations, a commercial sales teams serving commercial cultivators, an online platform for cultivators at growgeneration.com, and a wholesale business, HRG Distribution, that markets to resellers in both the hydroponic and traditional gardening markets.
We make our products available to growers through a variety of channels, including our hydroponic retail locations, a commercial sales division that provides white glove service to commercial cultivators, a wholesale division that markets to resellers in both the hydroponic and traditional gardening markets, and an online platform at growgeneration.com, which includes a B2B customer portal for commercial and wholesale customers.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, we quantitatively evaluated the recoverability of our long-lived assets, including our finite-lived intangible assets, for impairment in conjunction with our annual goodwill impairment assessment. As a result, we identified a $6.2 million impairment related to our finite-lived intangible assets.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we quantitatively evaluated the recoverability of our long-lived assets for impairment in conjunction with our annual goodwill impairment assessment. As a result, we identified a $0.7 million and $6.2 million impairment loss related to our finite-lived intangible assets in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Total corporate overhead, which is comprised of selling, general, and administrative, estimated credit losses, and depreciation and amortization, was approximately $47.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $55.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $8.3 million or 14.9%.
Total corporate overhead, which is comprised of selling, general, and administrative, estimated credit losses, and depreciation and amortization, was $48.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $47.4 million for 25 Table of Contents the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $1.3 million or 2.7%.
We believe these non-GAAP measures, when used in conjunction with net income (loss), provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors, facilitating the evaluation of performance across reporting periods. Management uses these non-GAAP measures for internal planning and reporting purposes.
We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, net income (loss), provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors, facilitating the evaluation of performance across reporting periods, identify trends affecting our business, and project future performance.
Gross profit margin was 27.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of 180 basis points from a gross profit margin of 25.3% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Gross profit margin was 23.1% for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of 400 basis points from a gross profit margin of 27.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Proprietary brand sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 16.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 13.3% for the year ended December 31, 2022, driven by our strategic initiatives to increase sales volume with our expanded portfolio of proprietary brands and products.
Proprietary brand sales as a percentage of Cultivation and Gardening net sales increased to 24.2% for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 18.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023, largely driven by our strategic initiatives to increase sales volume with our expanded portfolio of proprietary brands and various product launches.
To date we have financed our operations through the issuance of common stock, convertible notes, and warrants, as well as cash generated from operations. The following discussion sets forth the major sources and uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
To date we have financed our operations through the issuance of common stock, convertible notes, and warrants, as well as cash generated from operations.
I n addition to our hydroponic and organic gardening product sales, we sell and install commercial fixtures through our benching, racking, and storage solutions business .
COMPONENTS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Net Sales We primarily generate net sales from the selling and distribution of proprietary and non-proprietary brand hydroponic and organic gardening products. I n addition to our hydroponic and organic gardening product sales, we sell and install commercial fixtures through our benching, racking, and storage solutions business.
The decrease in working capital from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 was due primarily to a decrease in inventory and cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by a decrease in current liabilities. As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $65.0 million.
The decrease in working capital from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 was due primarily to reductions in inventory and cash and cash equivalents used to repurchase common stock. As of December 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $56.5 million.
Set forth below is a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 Net income (loss) $ (46,496) $ (163,747) $ 12,786 Benefit (provision) for income taxes 32 (2,885) 2,443 Interest income (2,696) (580) (486) Interest expense 97 21 43 Depreciation and amortization 16,607 17,132 12,600 EBITDA $ (32,456) $ (150,059) $ 27,386 Share-based compensation 3,171 4,967 6,585 Investment income 2,696 — — Impairment loss 15,659 127,831 — Restructuring and other charges (1) 5,376 568 197 Adjusted EBITDA $ (5,554) $ (16,693) $ 34,168 (1) Consists primarily of expenditures related to the activity of store and distribution consolidation and one-time severances LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES As of December 31, 2023, we had working capital of approximately $116.5 million, compared to working capital of approximately $134.9 million as of December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $18.4 million.
Set forth below is a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net loss (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 Net loss $ (49,510) $ (46,496) $ (163,747) Provision (benefit) for income taxes 158 32 (2,885) Interest income (2,703) (2,696) (580) Interest expense 70 97 21 Depreciation and amortization 19,436 16,607 17,132 EBITDA $ (32,549) $ (32,456) $ (150,059) Share-based compensation 2,422 3,171 4,967 Investment income 2,582 2,696 — Impairment loss (1) 6,875 15,659 127,831 Restructuring plan (2) 3,009 — — Consolidation and other charges (3) 3,160 5,376 568 Adjusted EBITDA $ (14,501) $ (5,554) $ (16,693) (1) Impairment loss related to impairments of goodwill and intangible assets and the restructuring plan for operating lease right-of-use assets impairments (2) Includes the $2.1 million incurred in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the restructuring plan as well as an estimated additional $0.9 million loss in gross profit due to inventory discounts offered in conjunction with the restructuring plan (3) Consists primarily of expenditures related to the activity of store and distribution consolidation, one-time severances outside of the restructuring plan announced July 2024, and other non-core or non-recurring expenses 27 Table of Contents LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES As of December 31, 2024, we had working capital of $88.9 million, compared to working capital of $116.5 million as of December 31, 2023, a decrease of $27.6 million.
Additionally, we identified a $0.1 million impairment related to our operating lease right-of-use assets for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded an impairment loss of $11.2 million related to our finite-lived intangible assets.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we also identified a $0.2 million impairment loss related to operating lease right-of-use assets of certain closed retail locations in conjunction with our strategic restructuring plan. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2023 we identified a $0.1 million impairment loss related to our operating lease right-of-use assets.
Gross Profit Gross profit was approximately $61.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to approximately $70.3 million for the December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $9.0 million, or 12.8%.
Gross Profit Gross profit was $43.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $61.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $17.5 million or 28.6%.
Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 were primarily related to maturities of marketable securities of $46.6 million, partially offset by investment of excess cash into marketable securities of $38.7 million, acquisitions of $7.2 million, and the purchase of property and equipment primarily related to the design of a new enterprise resource planning software system of $12.9 million.
Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 were primarily related to investment of excess cash into marketable securities of $98.7 million, acquisitions of $3.1 million, and the purchase of property and equipment primarily related to the design of a new enterprise resource planning software system of $6.7 million, partially offset by maturities of marketable securities of $96.8 million. 28 Table of Contents Financing Activities Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $6.2 million, primarily attributable to common stock repurchased under our share repurchase program.
The Company is subject to financial statement risk to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value. For the goodwill impairment test performed on December 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for each reporting unit.
The Company is subject to financial statement risk to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value. For the goodwill impairment test performed on December 1, 2024, we elected different approaches based on the circumstances surrounding each reporting unit. Of our four reporting units, only three had remaining goodwill balances.
Today, management believes that the Company has the largest chain of specialty retail hydroponic and organic garden centers in the U.S., with 50 retail locations across 18 states as of December 31, 2023. During 2023, the Company acquired or opened 5 new locations and expanded its physical retail presence into 2 new states.
Management believes that GrowGeneration has the largest chain of specialty retail hydroponic and organic garden centers in the U.S., with 31 retail locations across 12 states as of December 31, 2024.
Net Income (Loss) Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $46.5 million, compared to approximately $163.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of approximately $117.3 million, primarily driven by the decrease of impairment losses by $112.2 million as discussed above. 24 Table of Contents Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in our industry and should not be construed in isolation as substitutions to net income (loss) as indicators of operating performance or as alternatives to cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity (each as determined in accordance with GAAP).
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in our industry and should not be construed in isolation as substitutions to net income (loss) as indicators of operating performance or as alternatives to cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity (each as determined in accordance with GAAP).
We recognize specifically identifiable operating costs such as cost of sales, distribution expenses, and store operations and other operational expenses within each segment.
MARKETS AND BUSINESS SEGMENTS We have two operating segments, each its own reportable segment, based on our major lines of business: the Cultivation and Gardening segment and the Storage Solutions segment. We recognize specifically identifiable operating costs such as cost of sales, distribution expenses, and store operations and other operational expenses within each segment.
Our target customers include commercial and craft growers, as well as home growers, in the plant-based medicine market, and commercial and home gardeners who grow organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
Our target customers include commercial and craft growers, as well as home growers, in the plant-based medicine market, and commercial and home gardeners who grow organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, through our wholesale division, we distribute many of our proprietary products to customers that are wholesalers, resellers, and retailers in the specialty retail hydroponic and organic gardening industry.
Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 were primarily attributable to investment of excess cash into marketable securities of $98.7 million, partially offset by maturity of marketable securities of $96.8 million.
Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 were primarily related to investment of excess cash into marketable securities of $52.6 million, offset by maturity of marketable securities of $60.2 million. We also had purchases of property and equipment of $2.0 million.
The percentage of net sales related to consumable products for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately 61.7%, which was an increase from 57.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The percentage of Cultivation and Gardening net sales related to consumable products for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 72.2%, an increase from 71.7% for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was mainly driven by increased brand adoption of proprietary growing media and nutrient products.
These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in their assessment of our operating performance and valuation.
Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for internal planning and reporting purposes, and we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful to investors in their assessment of our operating performance, our ability to generate cash, and valuation.
To date in 2024, the Company further closed and consolidated 3 additional stores and may consider additional store consolidations in the future. GrowGeneration has also acquired several other types of businesses within or complimentary to the hydroponic industry, such as online retailers, proprietary products, our distribution business, HRG, and our benching, racking, and storage solutions business, MMI.
We have also acquired several other types of businesses within or complimentary to the hydroponic industry, such as online retailers, proprietary products, our wholesale distribution business, and our benching, racking, and storage solutions business, MMI. We regularly seek and evaluates accretive acquisition opportunities with similar or complimentary businesses to those businesses it already operates.
Operating Expenses Operating expenses are comprised of store operations and other operational expenses, selling, general, and administrative, estimated credit losses, impairment loss, and depreciation and amortization. Operating expenses were approximately $111.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and approximately $238.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $127.0 million or 53.3%.
The decrease was partially offset by an increase in the Storage Solutions segment gross profit margin to 45.6% in the year ended December 31, 2024 from 44.1% in the year ended December 31, 2023. Operating Expenses Operating expenses are comprised of store operations and other operational expenses, selling, general, and administrative, estimated credit losses, depreciation and amortization, and impairment loss.
The decrease in gross profit was primarily related to the Gardening and Cultivation segment, which decreased 19.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, largely as a result of the decrease in sales volume due to store closures and continued pressure on the cannabis industry as discussed above.
The decrease in gross profit was primarily related to the Cultivation and Gardening segment, which decreased $15.2 million or 32.1% for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, largely as a result of the decrease in sales volume due to store consolidations and the effects of the strategic restructuring plan, including the estimated $0.9 million in inventory sales discounts, the additional $1.0 million of inventory disposal costs, and the strategic rationalization of our product offerings in the year ended December 31, 2024.
Generally, in new markets where legalization of plant-based medicines is recent and licensors are starting new grow operations, there is a higher volume of durable product purchases for facility build-outs compared to purchases of recurring consumable products. In more mature markets, there are generally more purchases of consumables than durables.
Generally, in new markets where legalization of plant-based medicines is recent and licensors are starting new grow operations, there is an initial increase of durable product purchases for facility build-outs, which decrease over time as growers establish their operations. Thereafter, we tend to observe cultivators focus their purchasing patterns to consumables as the primary source of product need.
GROWTH STRATEGIES GrowGeneration's main growth strategy has been to consolidate assets within the fragmented hydroponics industry to leverage efficiencies of a centralized organization.
Refer to Note 17, Restructuring, of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Consolidated Financial Statements") for additional information regarding restructuring activities. GROWTH STRATEGIES Our main growth strategy has been to consolidate assets within the fragmented hydroponics industry to leverage efficiencies of a centralized organization.
Cost of Sales Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased approximately $43.3 million or 20.8% compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in cost of sales was primarily due to the 18.8% decrease in sales as previously discussed.
Cost of Sales Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $145.1 million, a decrease of $19.5 million or 11.8%, compared to $164.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The decrease was partially offset by a $2.4 million gross profit increase for the Storage Solutions segment for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Additionally, gross profit from our Storage Solutions segment decreased $2.3 million, or 16.6%, in the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily driven by the decrease in revenue.
The Company's main growth strategies for its Storage Solutions segment include expanding the types of customers and industries to which we sell our products, including greater penetration in agriculture and golf and country clubs. In addition, the Company regularly seeks and evaluates accretive acquisition opportunities with similar or complimentary businesses to those businesses it already operates.
Our main growth strategies for the Storage Solutions segment include expanding the types of customers and industries to which we sell our Storage Solutions products, including greater penetration in controlled environment agriculture, industrial and country club verticals. For further detail on all acquisitions please see Note 13, Acquisitions, of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Overall sales of commercial fixtures within our Storage Solutions segment remained relatively flat year-over-year, declining slightly from $32.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $31.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Additionally, net sales of commercial fixtures within our Storage Solutions segment decreased to $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $31.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a similar volume of projects with a decrease in average project size.
The decrease in store operating costs was primarily attributable to the closure of 14 retail locations during 2023.
The decrease in store operating costs was primarily due to the 19 retail locations closed during 2024, including the 12 redundant or underperforming retail locations consolidated in conjunction with the restructuring plan.
This decrease in net sales was primarily due to the closure of 14 retail locations during 2023 as well as a decrease of approximately $37.9 million, or 19.3%, in same store sales, which is primarily attributable to continued pressure on the cannabis industry generally.
This decrease in net sales was primarily due to the closure of 19 retail locations during 2024, which include the 12 redundant or underperforming retail locations consolidated in conjunction with the restructuring plan.
Approximately $112.2 million of the decrease in operating expenses related to impairment losses, which were $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $127.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and were predominately related to our goodwill and intangible assets.
Operating expenses were $95.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and $111.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $15.4 million or 13.9%.