GreenSpace Brands Inc. is pleased to announce that it has closed a second and final tranche of its previously announced private placement, issuing 863,952 units at a price of $1.05 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $907,150. This results in total gross proceeds raised under the Private Placement of $1,968,126.

Each Unit consists of one common share of GreenSpace (a “Common Share”) and one quarter warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $1.20 for a period of 24 months from issuance.

The proceeds of the Second Tranche will be used to repay debt acquired as part of the acquisition of Love Child (Brands) Inc. and for general working capital purposes. All securities issued pursuant to the Second Tranche are subject to a hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Finders fees of up to 9%, payable in cash and warrants, were payable on certain of the subscriptions received. A total of 27,800 warrants became issuable to finders in conjunction with both tranches of the Private Placement, such warrants having the same terms and conditions as the Warrants. The Private Placement is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Since November 19, residents of New Brunswick have been receiving an IGA CO-OP or Les Marchés Tradition CO-OP flyer in their mailbox for the first time. In addition to having access to an improved offering of quality products at competitive prices, consumers will continue to find local products from producers in their region on store shelves along with region-specific offerings.

This past June, members of the Fédération acadienne des coopératives de consommation (FACC) signed a supplier agreement with IGA/Sobeys Québec. Following the conversion of two stores into Omni stores last June, IGA/Sobeys Québec is now proud to be welcoming eleven New Brunswick IGA CO-OP and Les Marchés Tradition CO-OP stores into its network. With all banners combined (IGA, Les Marchés Tradition, Marché Bonichoix, Omni, and several convenience stores) there are twenty active stores in the province. The supplier agreement provides long-term supply security while maintaining jobs and the current co-operative model.

Encouraging the co-operative model
IGA/Sobeys Québec values and adds value to the CO-OP stores co-operative model, so much so that they are the trusted suppliers for 70% of Quebec co-operatives. The company wishes to preserve the New-Brunswick way of doing things by maintaining the characteristic identity of stores in the region and by encouraging local sourcing.

This project is a perfect fit with The Joy of Eating Better movement, launched in May 2014. The objective of the movement, which guides everything the company’s employees, customers, and partners do, is to support making responsible choices (including buying local), eating a healthy diet, discovering new flavours, and cooking more, while never compromising on enjoyment.

Familiprix inc. continues along the path of technological progress, announcing its purchase of all intellectual property (IP) rights for PraxisLab, a laboratory software. Once this transaction is finalized, Familiprix will enjoy unrestricted use of the technology contained in this laboratory management software developed by ZoomMed, off the banner.

In 2011, Familiprix had begun developing its own software – called “Priorx” – and went on to acquire limited ownership of the IP rights in PraxisLab in 2013. Familiprix now has its own centre of technology expertise, staffed by an experienced IT development team and a training team, with a technical support call centre.

Albert Falardeau, President of Familiprix, declared, “Since our Priorx software was first developed, we have seen our pharmacists’ enthusiasm for switching to this lab management software. Our acquisition of the PraxisLab IP rights ensures sustained growth for our company.”
Falardeau concluded, “Familiprix has a clear business plan, and we are working to control the future of our group of independent pharmacists.”

Whole Foods Market Inc. recently announced the launch of 365 by Whole Foods; a new chain of stores providing “grocery staples, fresh produce, prepared foods and more, 365 days a year. It’s a new convenient and affordable way to get the good stuff you crave, all with the same quality standards you find today in our Whole Foods Market stores.”

According to Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey, the 365 by Whole Foods stores are set to open by mid 2016 and will have a positive impact on the Whole Foods empire itself.

“If you’re not willing to attack your own business model, you can’t expect other people not to attack it,” says Mackey. “You have to be willing to disrupt yourself because others are going to disrupt you. But I don’t think 365 is going to disrupt Whole Foods Market. I think it will actually help the key brand to evolve because the stores are going to introduce some new ideas that will accelerate Whole Foods’ evolution.”

Mackey told investors at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference that the company is taking “the best elements of competitors like Trader Joe’s and Sprouts and also the very best of Whole Foods, putting [them] in a very compelling package and marketing them to the Millennial generation. These stores are going to have a techno buzz to them, and they’re going to be fun and very accessible. And they are going to be less expensive.”

P’tit Bonheur Au Naturel, one of the best known supplement-only stores in Montreal, is now operating under the name of La Parapharmacie. Owner Camille Coudari explains, “Parapharmacies have been around in most countries in Europe for many years. The name applies to stores that carry over-the-counter health, cosmetic and personal hygiene products. Some are associated with pharmacies that also sell prescription drugs, while other are stand-alone health stores.”

According to Mr. Coudari, the previous name, P’tit Bonheur Au Naturel, no longer reflected what the store had evolved into during the last few years.

“We have been working more and more with therapists looking for a store where their clients would find all their products and which scrupulously respect their protocols. Many are frustrated when they find out a clerk has suggested a lower quality brand that happens to be on sale for a professional line product. If the product is on backorder at the supplier, we contact the therapist for an alternative.”

La Parapharmacie is the brick and mortar division of Kemsolutions, a company that offers therapists and health stores multiple e-commerce services, including no cost online stores that can be added to existing website or blog page, fulfillment services, and affiliation programs that allow therapists and brick and mortar stores to generate extra revenues form their on line traffic.

According to new data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) released at a World Diabetes Day event in Brussels on November 11, 415 million adults have diabetes and an additional 318 million are currently at risk. According to IDF, most countries spend from five to 20 per cent of their healthcare budget on the disease. IDF calls on governments to target diabetes risk factors and adopt fiscal policies on unhealthy foods; using revenues generated to improve prevention of type 2 diabetes and care for all people with diabetes and those at risk.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for roughly 90 per cent of all diabetes cases worldwide and has strong links to unhealthy lifestyles.

According to IDF, Middle East and North Africa region as one of the areas worst affected. It is estimated that the number of adults with diabetes in the region will increase more than two-fold by 2040, taking the regional total from 35 million adults with diabetes to 72 million or from 9.1 per cent to 11.4 per cent of the adult population.

South and Central America is also expected to experience a sharp climb in diabetes rates with an estimated 65 per cent increase in cases by 2040, resulting in one adult in eight with diabetes by 2040.

“If we cannot take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes and improve management of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, we risk not only the health of people but also economies and the livelihood of future generations,” says Dr Petra Wilson, IDF’s CEO. “A co-operative response from the G20 governments, which has been key in reacting to the global financial crisis, is also essential to improving health outcomes for people with diabetes”.

Accoring to IDF, total healthcare spending on diabetes in 2015 totalled USD 673 billion and will increase to $802 billion by 2040. Mortality from diabetes is greater than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, causing one death every six seconds.

This September, the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit was held in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Over the course of the conference, industry leaders discussed sustainability issues in the cosmetic and personal care trade.

Amarjit Sahota, the founder of Organic Monitor, sat down with Simon Pitman of Cosmetics Design to discuss the most important issues surrounding the three-day event. Sahota suggested that while many Brazilian companies, including Natura, are taking the opportunity to invest in green initiatives, the Brazilian cosmetics market has recently been hit by a “triple whammy” of challenges.

Sahota noted that sales for the Brazilian cosmetics industry have declined 15 to 17 per cent this year, which is a “direct result” of the decline in the purchasing power of Brazilian consumers, the high cost for imported products and the new Brazilian cosmetics tax.

To see the full interview, click here.

Kroger Co., the largest operator of supermarkets in the U.S., is set to expand its fleet even further. The supermarket giant has agreed to buy Milwaukee-based Roundy’s Inc., extending its reach into one of the few states in which it doesn’t already compete. This will add 151 stores to Kroger’s already massive faction of 2,623 grocery stores nationwide.

The acquisition is valued at $800 million, including debt. However, the equity value of the deal is $177.8 million, based on Roundy’s outstanding shares as of August 3rd.

Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO of Kroger, says the corporation will use its strong financial position to help Roundy’s compete more effectively within its home market of Wisconsin. Additionally, he adds, it will pursue a growth strategy with Roundy’s Chicago-based banner, Mariano’s.

“We admire what Bob Mariano has done with the Mariano’s banner in Chicago,” says McMullen. “[There,] he has created an urban format that is resonating with customers and we expect to apply Roundy’s experience to our stores in urban areas around the country.”

Mariano himself notes that his namesake chain will not suffer as a result of being acquired by Kroger. “I’m still on watch, I’m not going anywhere and I’m not going to let that happen,” he says. “Kroger sees this as a merger. They want to take the best of what we do and add the best of what they do. Our view is that we’re not going to fiddle with things that are critical to our success.”