Key Highlights

  • Suja Life shares are trading down 5.43% at $8.21 versus a prior close of $8.68.
  • Third quarter net sales grew 3% to $76.4 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $10.5 million, a 13.8% margin.
  • 2026 net sales guidance was cut to $351 million to $354 million.
  • Management no longer expects a planned fourth quarter step-up.

Suja Life (NASDAQ:SUJA) is trading down 5.43% at $8.21 after management cut its full-year outlook on a weaker grocery channel. Third quarter net sales grew 3% to $76.4 million, ahead of the company's August outlook, including about $2 million of shipments pulled forward from the fourth quarter.

Quarter Details

Adjusted EBITDA was $10.5 million, a 13.8% margin. Gross Margin was 46.3%, pressured by higher promotion, unfavorable Fixed Cost absorption and higher freight and packaging costs tied to oil prices.

Suja gained about 30 basis points of natural healthy beverage share to just over 9%. Club grew nearly 20%, convenience more than 40% from a small base and mass about 6%. Refreshers grew more than 40% and Boosted Juice more than 18%, while single-serve shots, green juice and Vibe were softer and Slice growth slowed to 3%.

Grocery Pressure

Grocery pressure has intensified since July, with softer store traffic, deeper retailer price cuts and lower promotional returns. Distribution grew nearly 10% in grocery, but velocity per Placement declined. Management no longer expects the planned fourth quarter step-up.

Lower Outlook

The updated 2026 outlook is net sales of $351 million to $354 million, roughly 8% growth, and adjusted EBITDA of $68 million to $70 million, with net interest expense of about $18 million and a 26.1% tax rate. The outlook assumes current grocery conditions persist through year-end. Implied fourth quarter net sales are $83.7 million to $86.7 million.

Analyst View

Both analysts covering the stock are bullish, with an average target of $14.50 and a range of $12 to $17. The stock trades in a 52-week range of $5.59 to $18.48.

Grocery Velocity Decides the Next Move

The outlook now assumes grocery conditions do not improve, so velocity per placement is the key number. Investors will watch whether club and convenience growth offsets grocery, whether promotion costs ease gross margin pressure from 46.3% and whether fourth quarter sales land inside the $83.7 million to $86.7 million implied range.

The 2027 plan, which is likely to follow the fourth quarter report, is the next marker.