BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan. 14, 2014) - Naturally Splendid Enterprises ("Naturally Splendid") (TSX VENTURE:NSP) is pleased to provide the following corporate review and anticipated 2014 Company milestones.
Naturally Splendid became a publicly traded company on March 4, 2013 by way of a Qualifying Transaction with a "capital pool company" and raised gross proceeds of $1,750,000 by issuing 10,000,000 shares. In less than a year, Naturally Splendid has reached significant milestones including; the launch of its new NATERA™ line of hemp based superfood products; expansion of its exclusive marketing contract with Boreal Technologies Inc. ("Boreal"); as well as completing a secondary financing of approximately $491,000 in November 2013.
Launch of NATERA™ and Retail Market
Following the successful completion of its test marketing phase in early 2013, Naturally Splendid's line of superfood products was expanded and rebranded for even stronger appeal to its key demographic customer base. The result was the launch of the NATERA™ product line featuring new flavors and sizes of its shelled hemp seeds as well as its hemp protein powders. Since the launch of the new NATERA™ brand at the Canada Health Food Association trade show in the first week of October 2013, Naturally Splendid sales of the NATERA™ product line were comparable to its previous product line sales for the first nine months of 2013.
Naturally Splendid CEO, Craig Goodwin states, "We are pleased with the positive response our rebranded NATERA™ line of superfood products have received from both regional and national retail chains, as well as regional and national natural food distributors. With the addition of our social media marketing campaigns, we believe 2014 will be a significant year for expanding our retail sales."
Goodwin adds, "While at the Canadian Health Food Association trade show in October, Naturally Splendid was introduced to a number of Canadian food distributors through our national food broker NewAge Marketing & Brand Development. We continue discussions with a number of regional and national distributers to represent the entire NATERA™ product line across Canada."
NATERA™ website: www.nateralife.com
Hemp sales continue to be robust. In 2013, Canadian hemp sales showed significant growth in exports from $20.9 million to $34.2 million (64% growth) - virtually all of it to the USA. The $34.2 million is 'year to date' as of Oct 2013. If two additional months of shipments were to be added to that number to achieve an annual figure on a straight-line projection, that would equate to an estimated annual total market of $41 million (approximately 100% growth).
Boreal Technologies Exclusive Sales Agreement
In May 2013, Naturally Splendid announced a sales agreement with Boreal to market and distribute HempOmega™ and H2Omega™ throughout Canada. These products have been developed to deliver a sustained release of omega oils into the bloodstream over a longer period of time with increased stability when compared to existing omega oil products.
Following the signing of NDA's with multiple leading ingredient suppliers, Naturally Splendid was able to expand the original sales agreement with Boreal to include additional plant based omega products FlaxOmega™, ChiaOmega™, and CanolaOmega™, as well as expand the exclusive rights to all of North America. Leading ingredient suppliers are currently evaluating these omega products for their ingredient offerings.
The global market for Omega 3 products was valued at US$24 billion in 2011 by "Packaged Facts" and growth in the global, dietary supplement market is estimated at 12% annually2.
In a recent Ipsos Reid survey, Canadian respondents were asked about the level of influence specific ingredients had on their food purchase decisions. The survey showed that a full 80% of Canadians are influenced to buy a product if it contains omega-3 fatty acids.
Additionally, the survey found that 45% of all Canadians have used, or are using, omega-3 fatty acids in a natural health product format.
2 http://www.startribune.com/business/133124358.html?refer=y
Summary
Naturally Splendid believes it is ideally positioned to capitalize on the continued consumer awareness in healthy food choices. Management believes that 2014 will show continued growth in brand recognition and continued sales growth as we move from regional to national distribution
About Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd.
Naturally Splendid markets its "NATERA™" line of hemp-based superfood products to a retail network of stores across Canada including major national retailers and specialty stores. Naturally Splendid's recently rebranded "NATERA™" line of products includes plain and flavored shelled hemp seeds and plain and flavored hemp protein powders.
Naturally Splendid has an exclusive sales agreement to market and distribute, in North America, the full complement of patent pending, plant-based omega products created by Boreal Technologies. The products include HempOmega™ and H2Omega™, as well as the FlaxOmega™, CanolaOmega™, and ChiaOmega™ plant based omega products. These novel products utilize microencapsulation and liposome technologies and are available in both a powder format and an aqueous solution for increased flexibility in ingredient applications and stand-alone products.
J. Craig Goodwin, CEO & Director
Forward-Looking Statements: Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Naturally Splendid cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Naturally Splendid's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Naturally Splendid's limited operation history, ability to increase sales of its NATERA™ line of products, ability to complete sales of and develop new products of HempOmega™ and H2Omega™, ability to successfully incorporate HempOmega™ and H2Omega™ in its existing product line, and ability to complete sales of FlaxOmega™, ChiaOmega™, and CanolaOmega™. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Naturally Splendid undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.
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