Canada's first vertically integrated cannabis company is well positioned to be one of the world's largest private sector cannabis retailers by the end of 2018
Hiku also provides update on early conversion of debentures further to May 16, 2018announcement
TORONTO, June 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Hiku Brands Company Ltd. (CSE: HIKU) ("Hiku" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the approach to private sector retailing of cannabis in Alberta. Hiku, and our award-winning retail storefront brand Tokyo Smoke, have filed applications for a series of locations in Alberta which, if approved, will provide customers with a variety of experiences in different retail environments including flagship stores, express stores, shopping centres, and shop-in-shop.
Hiku has filed applications for more than a dozen storefronts in Calgary and are at the top of the list to be considered in each of those locations followingCalgary's first come, first serve approach to licensing. In addition to Calgary, Hiku has also filed applications in Edmonton for its random lottery process.
"The province of Alberta represents a fantastic opportunity for Hiku Brands to roll out our engaging retail store fronts, in a variety of locations including best in class retail hubs, shopping districts, and innovative shop-in-shop concepts which will serve different customers and different demographics in places and communities where they already live, shop, and find entertainment" said Alan Gertner, Chief Executive Officer of Hiku Brands. "With our retail leadership and the transformational merger announced recently with WeedMD Inc. (TSX-V: WMD), we are positioning the Company and its shareholders for long-term success."
The applications in Alberta follow on the success that Tokyo Smoke has achieved in Manitoba, where it was awarded one of only four conditional master retail licenses. The master license will allow Hiku Brands to open 9-16 stores in the province and operate an e-commerce portal. Hiku has also entered into a letter of intent with Oceanic Releaf Inc. ("Oceanic"), a late stage applicant under the ACMPR in Newfoundland & Labrador, pursuant to which Oceanic and Hiku are working with the government on the approval for Oceanic of up to 5 additional stores in that province.
Hiku is a proudly Canadian cannabis company. With its portfolio of iconic cannabis brands, including its private sector retail store front brand Tokyo Smoke, featuring existing coffee store locations across the country, Hiku is looking forward to the significant work ahead to educate and enlighten Alberta cannabis consumers and non-consumers alike as the federal government moves forward with legalization of adult use cannabis. Our retail brand Tokyo Smoke was the winner of Brand of the Year at the Canadian Cannabis Awards in 2017.
Hiku is also pleased to announce that further to its news release of May 16, 2018, an aggregate of$14,880,000 of principal amount of convertible debentures of Hiku (the "Debentures") were converted in connection with the Early Conversion Opportunity (as defined below) offered to holders, representing approximately $3.1 million in interest savings for the Company.