VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Simply Better Brands Corp. (the “Company” or “Simply Better Brands”) (TSX Venture: SBBC) (OTCQB: PKANF) is pleased to announce TRUBAR flavor innovation, category expansion, and retail distribution growth. These strategic initiatives are the catalyst to the brand’s accelerated growth at over 600% preliminarily year-to-date September 2022 with confirmed orders illustrated below and further described under the “Retail Distribution” heading.            

Graphs accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d77e21df-1f67-4298-a2d8-b0e60abebfb8


FLAVOR INNOVATION

Building on an earlier announcement of bar flavor expansion of “Get in my Belly, PB and Jelly” and “It’s Mint to be Chip”, TRUBAR now intends to commercialize a “Saltylicious Almond Love/Smother Fudger Peanut Butter”, an “I scream for Orange Cream/Whipped for Key Lime”, and a “Zamn Good Zesty Lemon/Whipped for Key Lime” dual packs for the Club Channel. The new fruity indulgent nutrition flavors are in response to accelerated demand by both consumers and retailers in the United States and Canadian markets. The innovation is expected to be launched in 2023.


CATEGORY EXPANSION

Obsessed with blurring the lines between healthy and delicious, TRUBARs have tapped into an entirely new space, which they’re coining as Indulgent Nutrition™. “For so long consumers endured the reality that most snacks either taste good, yet use unrecognizable ingredients, or they use clean ingredients—and taste like cardboard,” said Co-Founder and CEO at TRU BRANDS Inc., Erica Groussman. “One of my critical goals when bringing TRUBARs into emerging markets is to simplify the consumer experience, making it easier for those who aim to eat better but aren’t willing to sacrifice taste in the rapidly growing plant-based, natural, and active lifestyle space. As a follow up to our protein bar success, we are now stretching the brand into the protein powder category with an expected launch in Q1 2023. The indulgent taste and clean ingredient transparency are a differentiated addition to a growing category where the consumer is demanding more.” TRUBAR adheres to the strict nutritional guardrails of dairy-free, soy-free, no sugar alcohol, vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free expected by loyal consumers of the brand. The initial pea protein powder offerings are “Let’s Get Choco-Lit” and “Va-Va-Voom Vanilla” with 15 grams of protein.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/939782ea-36da-483d-90ad-8fe89e24c4ff


RETAIL DISTRIBUTION

As TRUBAR broadens its flavors and categories, it continues to accelerate its channel and distribution footprint through sales velocities that exceed the category expectation. What initially was an online brand, now enjoys a retail footprint in the both the U.S. and retail markets with such retailers as Costco, Walgreen’s, Whole Foods, 7-Eleven and Loblaw’s. “As we look at our retailer growth, we have confirmed significant new distribution at Costco in the U.S in the back half of 2022 and early 2023, a re-entry in Costco Canada expected in Q4 2022, new retailer placement within Canada in Jon Luca Distributors, as well as expanded distribution into Shoppers Drug Mart. The expansion of innovation, category, channel and geography remain foundational in our growth not just for TRUBAR, but for SBBC overall. Our preliminary year to date September 2022 consolidated sales for SBBC for the nine months ‎ended September 30, 2022 is approximately $42MM or 359% higher compared to a year ago ‎with a preliminary gross margin of 66% (compared to 57% prior year),” said CEO at Simply ‎Better Brands, Kathy Casey.‎

About Simply Better Brands Corp.

Simply Better Brands Corp. leads an international omni-channel platform with diversified assets in the emerging plant-based and holistic wellness consumer product categories. The Company’s mission is focused on leading innovation for the informed Millennial and Generation Z generations in the rapidly growing plant-based wellness, natural, and clean ingredient space. The Company continues to focus on expansion into high-growth consumer product categories including plant-based food, clean ingredient skincare and plant-based wellness.  For more information on Simply Better Brands Corp., please visit: https://www.simplybetterbrands.com/investor-relations.

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

Contact Information

Simply Better Brands Corp.
Brian Meadows
Chief Financial Officer
+1 (855) 553-7441
ir@simplybetterbrands.com

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" ‎and "forward looking ‎statements" as such terms are used in applicable Canadian securities ‎laws. Forward-looking statements and ‎information are based on plans, expectations and ‎estimates of management at the date the information is provided ‎and are subject to certain ‎factors and assumptions, including, among others, that the Company’s financial ‎condition and ‎development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, the impact of the COVID-19 ‎‎pandemic, the regulatory climate in which the Company operates, the Company’s ability to ‎execute on its ‎business plans, distribution plans, reliance on a consistent supply chain, and ‎claims relating to the efficacy and results of the Company's products. Specifically, this news ‎release contains forward-looking statements relating to, but not limited to, timing and launch of new product offerings; consumer expectations and interest in the Company’s products; and future product expansion plans.

Forward-looking statements and information are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties ‎and other factors ‎that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from ‎those projected in such forward-‎looking statements and information. Factors that could cause ‎the forward-looking statements and information in ‎this news release to change or to be ‎inaccurate include, but are not limited to, changing consumer preferences, the ‎impacts of ‎COVID-19, that the Company’s financial condition and development plans change, ability to ‎obtain ‎necessary regulatory approvals and product viability and risk, as well as the other risks ‎and uncertainties ‎applicable to the Company and the industries in which it operates, and as set ‎forth in the Company’s annual ‎information form available under the Company’s profile at ‎www.sedar.com.

There is no representation by the Company that actual results achieved will be the same in ‎whole or in part as ‎those referenced in the forward-looking statements and the Company does ‎not undertake any obligation to update ‎publicly or to revise any of the included forward-‎looking statements, whether as a result of new information, ‎future events or otherwise, except ‎as may be required by applicable securities law.‎


Primary Logo

TRUBAR 2021 vs 2022

Revenue and Committed Orders
Flavours

Let's Get Choco-Lit and Va-Va-Voom Vanilla