CENTR Brands Corp. Ceases Funding of USA-Based CBD Business Unit Furthering Business Transformation

Rhea-AI Summary

CENTR Brands Corp. (CSE: CNTR) (FSE: 303) (OTCQB: CNTRF) has ceased funding its US subsidiary, terminated employees, and is evaluating strategic alternatives to simplify its business. The decision was made due to decreasing revenues, liquidity constraints, and operational challenges in the CBD business.

Positive

• The company is taking necessary steps to ensure long-term success and focus resources on non-CBD business.
• The company is committed to providing high-quality products and services and remains dedicated to its existing selling channels, including retail stores, online platforms, and partnership with Amazon.

Negative

• Ceasing funding for the US subsidiary and terminating employees may lead to negative impacts on the company's reputation and employee morale.
• The precarious financial condition of the CBD business, decreasing revenues, and difficulties raising additional capital may affect the company's overall financial health and future growth prospects.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 18, 2023) - CENTR Brands Corp. (CSE: CNTR) (FSE: 303) (OTCQB: CNTRF) ("CENTR" or the "Company"), today announced that, with the authorization and approval of its Board of Directors, it has ceased funding its United States subsidiary, CENTR Brands USA LLC, and as a result has terminated all USA and Canadian-based employees with the exception of current CEO, Arjan Chima.

The decision to stop funding the Company's CBD business was taken after careful consideration of available alternatives, the Company's cash position, forecasted revenue and expenses (including in relation to its subsidiaries), and scheduled trade payables. The Company expects that its subsidiary will likely default on several material debtor obligations due to liquidity constraints stemming from operational challenges, inflationary pressures significantly impacting costs and market instabilities.

"We are taking the necessary steps to ensure the long-term success of CENTR," said CEO, Arjan Chima. "We are confident that this decision will help us to focus our resources on our other non-CBD business and create a more efficient and profitable organization."

The financial condition of our CBD business is in a precarious state, with decreasing revenues and difficulties raising additional capital in a time of market instability and reduced consumer spending in the hemp drinks category. The Company believes the lack of Federal oversight of hemp products has made it difficult to scale operations, leading to increased operational costs in a post-COVID environment. The competitive environment has also proven to be a challenge, with the loss of major national distributors, leaving CENTR Brands USA LLC struggling to grow or manage costs.

The Company is currently in the process of evaluating strategic alternatives to simplify its business, cut costs, and provide for future growth. This also involves exploring ways to enhance the management of its current US-based non-CBD subsidiary, CENTR Enhanced USA LLC and eventual expansion into Canada with its core product, CENTR Enhanced. CENTR will continue to be a leading provider of high-quality, innovative nootropic and adaptogen drinks in the United States. The Company remains committed to its existing selling channels, including retail stores, online platforms, and specifically through its partnership with Amazon.

"We are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services," said Mr. Chima. "We are confident that this decision will help us to focus our resources on our core business and create a more efficient and profitable organization."

The Company will provide further updates as the process progresses.

About CENTR Brands Corp.

CENTR Brands Corp. is one of North America's leading functional wellness beverage companies dedicated to promoting holistic well-being. With a commitment to providing high-quality products and exceptional customer experiences, CENTR offers a range of functional wellness beverages that support individuals in their pursuit of balanced and healthy lifestyles. By leveraging innovative technology and embracing consumer-centric strategies, CENTR empowers customers to prioritize their well-being and discover the benefits of wellness beverages.

The Company produces CENTR CBD, a family of sparkling, low calorie CBD beverages; CENTR Instant, a family of on-the-go, adaptogen-based CBD powders; and CENTR Enhanced, a family of refreshing, ZERO calorie, non-CBD, nootropic and adaptogen sparkling waters incorporating a variety of science-backed ingredients.

The Company's ethos revolves around functional efficacy, exceptional flavor, and a visual design that resonates with consumers seeking a well-rounded approach to wellness.

For more information on CENTR Brands visit www.findyourcentr.com or contact us at media@findyourcentr.com. Be sure to follow us on social media @findyourcentr. Consumers that do not yet have a local CENTR Brands retailer can visit our online store at: www.findyourcentr.com.

On behalf of the Board,

CENTR BRANDS CORP.
/s/ Arjan Chima
Arjan Chima, Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's intentions regarding the Company's expectations with respect to the performance of its US Subsidiaries, as well as the implications for the Company's stakeholders, creditors, and other interested parties, the Company's pursuit of strategic alternatives, the selling of the Company's products in Canada and the Company's objectives, goals or future plans and statements. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/191503

FAQ

Why did CENTR Brands Corp. cease funding its US subsidiary?

The decision to stop funding the CBD business was taken due to decreasing revenues, liquidity constraints, and operational challenges.

What are the company's plans for its non-CBD business?

The company is evaluating strategic alternatives to simplify its business, cut costs, and provide for future growth, including enhancing the management of its US-based non-CBD subsidiary and expanding into Canada with its core product, CENTR Enhanced.

How does the company plan to continue providing products and services to customers?

The company remains committed to its existing selling channels, including retail stores, online platforms, and partnership with Amazon, to provide high-quality products and services to customers.