High Tide Acquires One of the Original Ontario Licensed Cannabis Retail Stores

Rhea-AI Summary

High Tide has successfully completed the acquisition of the Canna Cabana retail cannabis store in Toronto, a significant contributor to its portfolio. The store, operational since June 2019, has generated over $1 million in royalties. The acquisition was finalized for approximately $4 million in cash, with High Tide assuming the loan related to the store, effectively saving over $2.3 million in dilution. High Tide continues to expand its retail presence in Ontario, aiming to solidify its position in Canada's largest cannabis market.

Positive

• Acquisition of Canna Cabana store enhances retail portfolio and customer base.
• Saves over $2.3 million in dilution and cash through loan assumption.

Negative

• None.

CALGARY, AB, April 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - High Tide Inc. ("High Tide" or the "Company") (TSXV: HITI) (OTCQB: HITIF) (FRA: 2LY), a retail-focused cannabis corporation enhanced by the manufacturing and distribution of consumption accessories, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition (the "Transaction") of the Canna Cabana retail cannabis store located at 435(B) Yonge Street in Toronto, Ontario (the "Toronto Store"). The Toronto Store has a strong operating history, being one of the original 25 cannabis retail stores operating in the province. To date, High Tide has earned over $1 million in royalties from the Toronto Store.

In connection with the Transaction, the Company acquired all of the shares of a company owned by the original holder of the cannabis retail store authorization issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. High Tide and the vendor agreed to reduce the original purchase price, agreed in March 2019, which was to be partially paid in common shares in the capital of the Company ("HITI Shares") at a deemed price of $0.48. As consideration for the acquisition, High Tide paid the vendor approximately $4 million in cash, and assumed the company's loan to open and build the Toronto Store, saving High Tide over $2.3 million¹ of dilution and cash.

"As one of the original Ontario lottery winners, the Toronto Store has been successfully operating on Toronto's iconic Yonge Street since June 2019 and has demonstrated consistent success for almost two years," said Raj Grover, High Tide's President & Chief Executive Officer. "We are very pleased to bring this store with its well established track record and existing customer base into our corporately owned portfolio. We remain focused on increasing our retail footprint in Ontario, Canada's largest cannabis market." added Mr. Grover.

About High Tide Inc.

High Tide is a retail-focused cannabis company enhanced by the manufacturing and distribution of consumption accessories. The Company is the most profitable Canadian retailer of recreational cannabis as measured by Adjusted EBIDTA,² with 85 current locations spanning Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. High Tide's retail segment features the Canna Cabana, KushBar, Meta Cannabis Co., Meta Cannabis Supply Co. and NewLeaf Cannabis banners, with additional locations under development across the country. High Tide has been serving consumers for over a decade through its numerous consumption accessory businesses including e-commerce platforms Grasscity.com and CBDcity.com, and its wholesale distribution division under Valiant Distribution, including the licensed entertainment product manufacturer Famous Brandz. High Tide's strategy as a parent company is to extend and strengthen its integrated value chain, while providing a complete customer experience and maximizing shareholder value. Key industry investors in High Tide include Aphria Inc. (TSX:APHA) (NYSE:APHA) and Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB).

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

______________
1	Based on the current market price of HITI Shares if the original structure with the vendor was maintained.
2	Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe",  "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to the potential effects of the Transaction on the business of High Tide. While High Tide considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements also necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments involving the retail cannabis markets; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the retail cannabis industries generally; income tax and regulatory matters; the ability of High Tide to implement its business strategy; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations; the COVID-19 pandemic nationally and globally and the response of governments to the COVID-19 pandemic in respect of the operation of retail stores and other risks. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Readers are further cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements (including, but not limited to, the assumption that (i) High Tide's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, (ii) there will continue to be a demand, and market opportunity, for High Tide's product offerings; (iii) current and future economic conditions will neither affect the business and operations of High Tide nor High Tide's ability to capitalize on anticipated business opportunities, although considered reasonable by management of High Tide at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and result in actual results differing materially from those anticipated, and as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements, forward-looking financial information and other metrics presented herein are not intended as guidance or projections for the periods referenced herein or any future periods, and in particular, past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results of High Tide in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast or projection of High Tide future results. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect our expectations as of the date hereof, and thus are subject to change thereafter. High Tide disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters referred to above and elsewhere in High Tide's public filings and material change reports, which are and will be available on SEDAR.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/high-tide-acquires-one-of-the-original-ontario-licensed-cannabis-retail-stores-301279781.html

SOURCE High Tide Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of High Tide's acquisition of the Toronto store?

The acquisition enhances High Tide's retail presence and customer base in Ontario, Canada's largest cannabis market.

How much did High Tide pay for the Toronto cannabis store?

High Tide completed the acquisition for approximately $4 million in cash.

What impact does the acquisition have on High Tide's financials?

The deal saves High Tide over $2.3 million in dilution and cash by assuming the store's loan.

What is the historical success of the Toronto store?

The Toronto store has generated over $1 million in royalties and has been successfully operational since June 2019.