TAAT™ Launches in Over 300 Stores in Puerto Rico and Houston, Texas

Rhea-AI Summary

TAAT Global Alternatives Inc. has announced the launch of its TAAT™ varieties in over 180 stores in Houston, Texas, and at least 120 stores in Puerto Rico. The company aims to increase its market presence in major urban areas as it shifts from a test phase to an official launch in Puerto Rico. The expansion coincides with marketing initiatives, including a billboard campaign in multiple U.S. cities. CEO Setti Coscarella expressed optimism about growing TAAT™'s retail footprint, driven by strong reorder rates and increased credibility in the tobacco industry.

Positive

• Launch of TAAT™ in 180+ stores in Houston and 120 stores in Puerto Rico, expanding market presence.
• Marketing initiatives, including billboards and retailer incentives, to enhance product visibility and sales.
• CEO's statement indicates strong momentum and growth potential within the tobacco alternative market.

Negative

• None.

LAS VEGAS and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAAT™ GLOBAL ALTERNATIVES INC. (CSE: TAAT) (OTCQX: TOBAF) (FRANKFURT: 2TP) (the “Company” or “TAAT™”) is pleased to announce that all three of its TAAT™ varieties (Original, Smooth, and Menthol) will be launching in more than 180 new stores in Houston, Texas (fourth-largest U.S. city) and at least 120 stores in Puerto Rico (which is advancing to an “official” launch, following a test placement in Cayey). During the second year in which TAAT™ is being sold at retail in the United States, the Company has taken measures to integrate marketing programs in parallel with its nationwide store placements to include billboards located near Nevada locations of a U.S. gas station chain (as announced in a March 2, 2022 press release) and an incentive strategy for chain retailers to convert TAAT™ sample recipients into first-time purchasers of a full pack (as announced in a February 11, 2022 press release). The Company has aggressively pursued store placements in new as well as existing U.S. markets to bolster overall availability of TAAT™, while driving sell-through and reorder rates through these parallel initiatives to reach current smokers.

Guaranteed Placement of 180 Stores in Houston, Texas

Earlier this week, a pallet shipment of TAAT™ arrived at the warehouse of a distributor who has guaranteed the placement of TAAT™ in at least 180 stores in the city of Houston (population 2.3 million). The state of Texas has a cigarette use incidence rate of 14.7%¹, and current Texas-based retailers of TAAT™ represent a relatively small percentage of the Company’s total footprint in the United States. As such, the Company is eager to build a presence in one of the country’s largest urban centres to complement its comparatively high store counts in the metro areas of large cities such as Chicago, Illinois and Columbus, Ohio. This launch of TAAT™ in Houston is planned to coincide with the Company’s multistate billboard advertising campaign announced in its December 14, 2021 press release, which includes billboard placements in Houston, Detroit, Atlanta, and multiple other U.S. cities.

Official TAAT™ Launch in Puerto Rico

TAAT™ was initially placed with a Puerto Rican distributor in Cayey (population 43,000, approximately 34 miles from San Juan) in 2021 on a “test” basis. The Company anticipates TAAT™ could perform especially well in Puerto Rico based on its ability to retail at an exceptionally low price point as a non-tobacco product, given Puerto Rico’s high taxes on tobacco cigarettes (among the nation’s highest per-pack taxes of USD $5.10²). At the ASD Market Week trade show in Las Vegas in March 2022, the Company was introduced to a distributor in Puerto Rico who ultimately placed a purchase order for two pallets of TAAT™ (one full pallet of TAAT™ Menthol and one half pallet split between TAAT™ Original and Smooth) as well as 180 pre-filled countertop displays (containing an additional 6,480 TAAT™ packs). This purchase order is expected to land in Puerto Rico by April 2022.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/22b33864-d973-4afb-b452-8c2613f7bf6c

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR or the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

TAAT™ Chief Executive Officer Setti Coscarella commented, “Now that we have generated momentum for TAAT™ at the consumer level, it has become significantly easier to convert wholesalers and retailers to begin carrying our products. With proven reorder rates and verified placements in high-profile gas and convenience chains across the United States, we have established valuable credibility as a serious player in the tobacco industry. We are making excellent progress towards our goals for the growth of the TAAT™ retail footprint in 2022 between organically adding stores through distributors, approaching retailers directly, and making connections at trade shows. These milestones so far in our calendar Q1 2022 are impressive, and we are excited to continue building upon them in an effort to make 2022 our best year yet.”

Sources

1 - https://www.cdc.gov/statesystem/cigaretteuseadult.html

2 - https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0097.pdf

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

TAAT™ GLOBAL ALTERNATIVES INC.

“Setti Coscarella”

Setti Coscarella, CEO and Director

For further information, please contact:

TAAT™ Investor Relations
1-833-TAAT-USA (1-833-822-8872)
investor@taatglobal.com

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (“CSE”) HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE, NOR HAS OR DOES THE CSE’S REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER.

About TAAT™ Global Alternatives Inc.

The Company has developed TAAT™, which is a tobacco-free and nicotine-free alternative to traditional cigarettes offered in "Original", "Smooth", and "Menthol" varieties. TAAT™'s base material is Beyond Tobacco™, a proprietary blend which undergoes a patent-pending refinement technique causing its scent and taste to resemble tobacco. Under executive leadership with "Big Tobacco" pedigree, TAAT™ was launched first in the United States in Q4 2020 as the Company seeks to position itself in the $812 billion¹ global tobacco industry.

For more information, please visit http://taatglobal.com.

References

¹ Statista: Consumer Markets - Tobacco Products

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the anticipated performance of TAAT™ in the tobacco industry, in addition to the following: Placement of TAAT™ in Houston and Puerto Rico retailers as described in the press release, potential success of TAAT™ in Houston and Puerto Rico as well as continued success of TAAT™ in the United States. The forward-looking information reflects management’s current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) changes to the growth and size of the tobacco markets; and (iii) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company’s management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The statements in this news release have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As each individual is different, the benefits, if any, of taking the Company’s products will vary from person to person. No claims or guarantees can be made as to the effects of the Company’s products on an individual’s health and well-being. The Company’s products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This news release may contain trademarked names of third-party entities (or their respective offerings with trademarked names) typically in reference to (i) relationships had by the Company with such third-party entities as referred to in this release and/or (ii) client/vendor/service provider parties whose relationship with the Company is/are referred to in this release. All rights to such trademarks are reserved by their respective owners or licensees.

Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms

Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by TAAT™ Global Alternatives Inc. can be found under the Company's profile on http://sedar.com.

 

FAQ

What is the significance of TAAT™'s launch in Houston, Texas?

The launch in Houston is significant as it expands TAAT™'s market presence in the fourth-largest U.S. city, with plans for over 180 store placements, aiming to capture a larger consumer base.

How many stores will TAAT™ be available in Puerto Rico?

TAAT™ will be available in at least 120 stores in Puerto Rico, transitioning from a test placement to an official launch.

What marketing strategies is TAAT™ using in its expansion?

TAAT™ is employing billboard advertising and an incentive program for retailers to convert sample recipients to first-time buyers, enhancing its visibility.

What are the expected benefits of TAAT™ being sold at a low price point in Puerto Rico?

Selling at a low price point can attract consumers due to Puerto Rico's high tobacco taxes, potentially increasing TAAT™'s market share.

What is the stock symbol for TAAT Global Alternatives Inc.?

The stock symbol for TAAT Global Alternatives Inc. is TOBAF.