As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2023.

Registration No. 333-              

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

____________________________

FORM S-1

____________________________

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

____________________________

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

____________________________

Delaware

 

5411

 

84-2498797

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

127 N Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, California 91754
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices

____________________________

John Xu
President and Chief Executive Officer
Maison Solutions Inc.
127 N Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, California 91754
(626) 737
-5888

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

____________________________

Copies to:

Mark Y. Liu, Esq.
Christina Russo, Esq.
Akerman LLP
601 West 5
th Street, Suite 300
Los Angeles, California 90071
(213) 688
-9500

 

Elliot H. Lutzker
Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP
605 Third Avenue, 34
th Floor
New York, New York 10158
(212) 557
-7200

____________________________

Approximate date of commencement of the proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

 

Accelerated filer

 

   

Non-accelerated filer

 

 

Smaller reporting company

 

           

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

Table of Contents

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 22, 2023

Shares of Class A Common Stock

Maison Solutions Inc.

____________________________

This is the initial public offering of shares of our Class A common stock. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. The initial public offering price of our Class A common stock is expected to be $4.00. We have selected the price of $4.00 per share for use herein as the assumed sales price for our shares, given recent market volatility, for purposes of calculation of estimated use of proceeds, estimated dilution and other matters in this prospectus. We have applied to list our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MSS.” It is a condition of this offering that our Class A common stock be listed on Nasdaq.

We have two classes of common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting and conversion rights. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one (1) vote. Each share of Class B common stock is entitled to ten votes and is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock. John Xu, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, holds all of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock and is the beneficial owner of            shares of Class A common stock, which will collectively represent approximately            % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock following this offering.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, we have elected to comply with reduced reporting requirements for this prospectus and may elect to in future filings.

We are a “Controlled Company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because, and as long as, Mr. John Xu holds more than 50% of the Company’s voting power he will exercise control over the management and affairs of the company and matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of the Company’s directors. Mr. Xu, who after our initial public offering will control more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, will have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of our directors, as well as the overall management and direction of our company. For so long as we remain a Controlled Company under that definition, we are permitted to elect, and intend, to rely on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules of Nasdaq, including:

        an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors;

        an exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent directors; and

        an exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15.

 

Per Share

 

Total

Initial public offering price

 

$

4.00

 

$

12,000,000

Underwriting discount and commissions(1)(2)

 

$

   

$

810,000

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

 

$

   

$

11,190,000

____________

(1)      Represents underwriting discounts and commissions equal to 6.75% per share of Class A common stock, which is the underwriting discount we have agreed to pay to the underwriters.

(2)      Does not include a non-accountable expense allowance payable to Joseph Stone Capital, LLC, the representative (the “Representative”) of the underwriters, or the reimbursement of certain expenses of the underwriters. See “Underwriting” for additional information regarding all underwriting compensation.

The underwriters have an option to purchase up to 450,000 additional shares of Class A common stock, representing 15% of the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering, at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount, within 45 days of the date of this prospectus to cover over-allotments of shares (the “Over-allotment Option”).

This offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. The Representative is obligated to take and purchase all of the shares of Class A common stock offered under this prospectus if any such shares are taken.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about            , 2023.

JOSEPH STONE CAPITAL, LLC

The date of this prospectus is            , 2023

 

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

1

THE OFFERING

 

11

RISK FACTORS

 

15

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

39

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

41

MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

 

42

CAPITALIZATION

 

43

DILUTION

 

44

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

46

BUSINESS

 

61

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

 

64

PARTNERSHIP WITH JD.COM

 

80

MANAGEMENT

 

86

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

93

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

94

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

95

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

99

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-US HOLDERS

 

100

UNDERWRITING

 

104

LEGAL MATTERS

 

115

EXPERTS

 

115

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

F-1

PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

II-1

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, or on any free writing prospectus, that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the underwriters are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our Class A common stock only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of shares of our Class A common stock.

This prospectus contains information derived from various public sources regarding our industry. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and reports. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to variety of factors, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports.

i

Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you or that you should consider before buying shares of our Class A common stock. You should read the entire prospectus carefully. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In particular, you should read the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Selected Historical Financial and Other Data,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. In this prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Maison” or “the Company” refer to Maison Solutions Inc.

Our Company

We are a fast-growing, specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise to modern U.S. consumers, in particular to members of Asian-American communities. We are committed to providing Asian fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other daily necessities in a manner that caters to traditional Asian-American family values and cultural norms, while also accounting for the new and faster-paced lifestyle of younger generations and the diverse makeup of the communities in which we operate. To achieve this, we are developing a center-satellite stores network. Since our formation in July 2019, we have acquired equity interests in four traditional Asian supermarkets in Los Angeles, California, and have been operating these four supermarkets as center stores. We define a “center store” as a full service store, similar to a traditional supermarket or grocery store covering a metro area, but with its own storage space to be used as a warehouse to distribute products to smaller satellite stores. The center stores target traditional Asian-American family-oriented customers with a variety of meat, fresh produce and other merchandise, while additionally stocking items which appeal to the broader community. Our management’s deep cultural understanding of our consumers’ unique consumption habits drives the operation of these traditional supermarkets. In addition to our three center stores, in December of 2021 we acquired a 10% equity interest, in a new grocery store in a young and active community in Alhambra, California (the “Alhambra Store”). We intend to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. We acquired our interest in the Alhambra Store from Grace Xu, spouse John Xu, our chief executive officer. It is our intent that we will use a portion of the proceeds of this offering to acquire the remaining equity in the Alhambra Store. Our intention is that the Alhambra Store will serve as our first satellite store. The satellite stores in our network will be designed to penetrate local communities and neighborhoods with larger and growing concentrations of younger customers. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Our merchandise includes fresh and unique produce, meats, seafood and other groceries which are staples of traditional Asian cuisine and which are not commonly found in mainstream supermarkets, including a variety of Asian vegetables and fruits such as Chinese broccoli, bitter melon, winter gourd, Shanghai baby bok choy, longan and lychee; a variety of live seafood such as shrimp, clams, lobster, geoduck, and Alaska king crab; and Chinese specialty products like soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, bean sprouts, Sriracha, tofu, noodles and dried fish. With an in-house logistics team and strong relationships with local and regional farms, we are capable of offering high-quality specialty perishables at competitive prices.

Our customers have diverse shopping habits based on, among other factors, their age and lifestyle, and, through our partnerships with third-party vendors, we offer multiple shopping channels through integrated online and offline operations to accommodate for these habits. Along with creating an exciting and attractive in-store shopping experience, customers can choose to place orders on a third-party mobile app “Freshdeals24”, and an applet integrated into WeChat for either home delivery or in-store pickups offering our customers the option of a 100% cashier-less shopping experience. Our flexible shopping options are designed to provide customers with convenience and flexibility that best match their lifestyles and personal preferences. In April 2021, we entered into a series of agreements with JD E-commerce America Limited (“JD US”), the U.S. subsidiary of JD.com, including the Collaboration Agreement and Intellectual Property License Agreement (each as further described below).We are working closely with JD.com to build and update our own online apps to continue to specifically target and attract a wider variety of our customer base. Please see, “Business — Our Business Model — Partnership with JD.Com” for more information related to this partnership.

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The Company had cash on hand of $2.58 million and $0.90 million as of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, respectively. The outstanding debt of the Company was $3.0 million and $3.3 million as of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, respectively. As of April 30, 2022 and January 31, 2023 the Company was in violation of its debt service coverage ratio covenant on its loan with American First National Bank. The Company intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay the outstanding $0.39 million loan with American First National Bank.

While the Company has experienced challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and rising supply chain costs and has historically operated at a net loss, it has been able to reduce its overall debt burden and increase cash on hand through a series of effective responses and steps, including price adjustment, developing more purchasing channels, working with third-party vendors who have more buying power to get products, and replacing shortage or hot products by other brands or alternatives.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected consumer behavior in many ways. For example, people may be less likely to shop in person and more likely to order groceries online for delivery or pickup, or people are more likely to cook and eat at home rather than eating in a restaurant. This shift in consumer behavior has brought a positive impact on our supermarkets’ revenue streams.

Accordingly, our financial results for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021 and for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 were not materially adverse impacted by inflation, supply chain disruption and the COVID-19 pandemic, our profit margins remain stable for these reporting periods. The principal stockholder of the Company has also made a commitment to provide financial support to the Company whenever necessary and intends to continue to provide support following the consummation of this offering.

While our main focus is on targeting Asian-American communities and catering to both established Asian-American family values and the shifting needs of the younger generations, we also plan to opportunistically address other demographics and populations.

Market Opportunities

Emerging Trends in the Asian-American Grocery Market

Whether by using technology to streamline supply chains, unlocking the power of social media to influence shoppers, or adapting store designs to meet changing consumer behavior, the Asian-American grocery market is finding new ways to boost sales.

As grocers continue to battle for supremacy, catering to a wide variety of customers and consumer demands will be a key area of focus. According to New York Times, from 1990 to 2020, the U.S. Asian population increased from 6.6 million to 20 million people, representing a 203% increase. Asians are now the fastest-growing of the nation’s four largest racial and ethnic groups based on the 2021 census numbers. In addition to the population increase, the average household income of people of Asian descent also exceed the overall U.S. population’s average household income.

According to Mordor Intelligence’s “ETHNIC FOODS MARKET — GROWTH, TRENDS, AND FORECASTS (2022 – 2027)”, the presence of Asian Cuisine in the US Ethnic Food Marketspace is one of the key market trends. The forecast indicated that consumers’ interest in Asian cuisines is increasing globally, and they seek bold flavors. This trend is driven by the increasing immigrant population, as well as robust demand from native populations.

In the past few years, many Asian-American grocery store chains have risen in popularity in the United States, for example, Korean chain H Mart has expanded to 66 locations across 12 states. Each store offers imported packaged goods as well as prepared foods and general merchandise. According to a study by LoyaltyOne, Asian-Americans and other consumers looking to cook Asian cuisine are not finding what they need at their local stores and are often turning to independent grocers.

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Spice of life: As the Asian-American Population Continues to Grow, Demand for Cultural Foods will Likely Increase

The ethnic supermarkets industry is composed of companies that sell foods geared toward ethnically diverse populations. Industry growth is strongly supported by the quickly expanding population of Asian Americans, one of the largest market segments in the United States. As the population of Asian Americans continues to expand, we believe that the demand for stores like our, which provide specialty products that cater to the Asian-American communities, will be expanded as well.

Putting Health & Fresh Produce First

As modern Asian-American consumers become more affluent, educated, and influenced by government campaigns, they are increasingly aware of the health benefits of food. Whether buying fresh produce or choosing packaged products with clear health labelling, we believe Asian-American consumers will pay a premium for healthy food.

Many Asian-American retailers are offering a range of health-focused products and adapting their marketing strategies to cater to health-conscious consumers. According to freshfruitportal.com, fresh food and health & wellness products will feature more prominently in-store in the future as retailers respond to changing shopping habits.

Make Food Safer with Blockchain

Many Asian retailers are leading the way to enhanced food safety with exciting developments in blockchain technologies, a trend which we believe will similarly be employed by U.S. retailers. With the collaboration of JD.com, we intend to employ blockchain technology in our supply chain management.

Walmart China’s traceability system uses state of the art blockchain and AI to track the movement of over 50% of all packaged fresh meat, 40% of packaged vegetables, and 12.5% seafood at each stage of the supply chain.

As customers are increasingly conscious of the sourcing of their food, investing in technologies which promote health and safety is a sure-fire way to build trust with customers and boost brand loyalty. In collaboration with our current partners, including JD.com, we plan to capitalize on developments in blockchain technologies to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

Partner with Overseas Providers

Asian-American consumers are prepared to look far and wide to obtain the products they want. Retailers are partnering with overseas suppliers, fellow retailers, and even technology companies to pull together resources and accelerate growth.

Partnerships are helping brick and mortar retailers to “blur the line” between online and offline retail channels. We believe that our existing partnerships, including with JD.com, will help us to expand and strengthen both our online and offline presence.

Lead the Charge with Online Sales

While e-commerce only accounted for 3% of all U.S. grocery sales in 2019, the Asian grocery market has been quick to make the most of online retail channels.

According to a December 15, 2021 report by NBC News, online grocery sales grew 54% in 2020 to $95.82 billion. By 2026, online sales share is projected to account for 20% of the market. While Asian-American shoppers may prefer to handpick their favorite melon or cut of meat in-person, millions of customers simply don’t have access to Asian supermarkets or neighborhood stores because they live in parts of the country that cannot sustain them, making online shopping an attractive and necessary alternative.

For instance, Freshhippo (known as “Hema Shengxian” in China) uses an omni channel approach to offer customers a seamless transition between online shopping and in-store visits to promote online sales. Customers can switch between online and offline shopping and enjoy a consistent experience to put them in control of how they want to shop.

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Our Competitive Strengths

        Strong Management and Operations Team:    Our core operations team has extensive experience in and knowledge of supermarket operations, supply chain, logistics and warehouse management as well as e-commerce. Since the acquisition of our four center stores, we have hired experienced operations and management team members both locally in the United States and from China, including: Tao Han, who will serve as our Chief Operating Officer upon consummation of this offering, who has more than 20 years of experience in the retail industry with Yonghui Superstores, one of the largest chain supermarkets in China, and Freshippo, the online and offline retail platform under the Alibaba Group; and the store manager for the Alhambra Store who has 16 years of work experience in retail industry including extensive familiarity with process management practices in convenience store chains, which transfers directly to our satellite store concept. We strategically deploy our team members in positions that best match their experience and specialized skills.

        Vertically Integrated Supply Structure:    In May 2021, we acquired a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Company, Inc. (“Dai Cheong”), a wholesale business located in Los Angeles, California which mainly supplies foods and groceries imported from Asia and which is owned by our CEO John Xu. We intend to use a portion of the proceeds of this offering to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest. By adding our initial investment in Dai Cheong to our portfolio, we will have taken the first step toward creating a vertically integrated supply-retail structure. Having an importer as a part of our portfolio allows us the opportunity to offer a wider variety of products and to reap the benefits of preferred wholesale pricing.

        Cost Efficient Supply Chain:    We place orders through two primary wholesale agents who purchase products on our behalf from other vendors, including produce vendors and grocery vendors. The prices we pay to the wholesale agents are lower than the prices we would pay to each vendor directly which has the added benefit of reducing time and cost associated with developing relationships with individual vendors.

        Superior Customer Propositions:

        We implement stringent quality control procedures and processes across our supply chain, from procurement to inventory and logistics to ensure daily supply of the freshest products to our customers at competitive prices. At the store level we perform three rounds of quality control to each product on a daily basis:

1.      At the time of delivery, our delivery specialist performs comprehensive product checks to ensure product quality. If considerable amounts of product are not in saleable condition, we will request return of such products or credits from the suppliers.

2.      As we move our products onto the shelves, our staff will perform a second round of quality control checks, and we do not place products that are damaged or otherwise unfit for sale on the supermarket shelves.

3.      After the close of business, we bring perishable, unsold products back to storage to ensure that they remain in saleable condition and we consistently monitor the sell-by dates on dry good products to ensure that they remain in compliance.

        We perform extensive checks on products delivered to our stores prior to accepting them and return or reject any products that are damaged or expired.

        Our distributors utilize the cold chain supply method and vacuum sealing to keep perishable products such as meat and seafood fresh from the point of origin until it reaches our stores and to limit damage caused by fluctuating temperatures, air and moisture.

        Our produce distributors perform quality control checks prior to packaging and delivery to remove any products unsuitable for sale and additionally, much of the produce we sell is grown in greenhouses under controlled conditions.

        Top Trendy Goods and Products:    With our good relationships with reputable suppliers and distribution agents, we consistently assess and update our offering of goods, products and merchandise to ensure our product catalog stays current in the market and to reduce unnecessary redundancy.

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Our Growth Strategy

        Continue Building our Center-Satellite Network

        Operation of Center Stores:    Based on our understanding of the retail grocery market and our history of successfully investing in and operating our existing retail supermarkets, we have identified what we believe to be key weaknesses of acquired stores and have taken specific actions designed to achieve profitability, such as reducing redundant product offerings, managing fresh produce, meat and seafood inventory to reduce waste and tailoring inventory and product selection to more accurately match the needs of the customers that shop at each of our stores. We also established a new performance-based bonus system which we will continue to evaluate and expand. If a store meets or exceeds the pre-set Key Performance Indicator (KPI), the employees of that store will receive cash bonuses. Each department needs to provide weekly performance reports, which the management teams review and distribute monthly cash bonuses representing 1% of gross revenue to the departments’ staff for achievement of these performance goals.

We plan to acquire additional supermarkets to expand our footprint to both the West Coast and the East Coast. We plan to acquire a center store in Northern California by the end of 2024. On the East Coast, we intend to acquire up to five center stores by the end of 2024. We also plan to establish a new warehouse in New York City to serve the East Coast by the end of 2024. Upon completion of our East Coast expansion, we expect that we will operate a total of ten center stores by the end of 2025. See “Use of Proceeds.”

        Opening Satellite Stores:    We currently own a 10% equity interest in the Alhambra Store, which we acquired from Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, our chief executive officer. We plan to use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering acquire the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store and operate it as our first satellite store. We plan to open our satellite stores to penetrate local communities and neighborhoods with larger populations of younger customers. The satellite stores will serve as “community retail stores,” offering ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods and groceries. For the fiscal year ending 2024, we plan to open two to three additional satellite stores in Chino Hills and Rowland Heights, California.

        Multi-Channel Initiatives:    We are exploring our multi-channel initiatives including: improving our in-store shopping experience; developing and enhancing mobile ordering with at-home delivery and in-store pickup, and broadening our social media presence.

        Continue Building Integrated Online and Offline Services:    We will continue to work with a third-party mobile app, “Freshdeals24”, and an applet integrated into WeChat for our existing supermarkets to offer our customers the option of a 100% cashier-less shopping experience. We undertook this initiative and designed these apps based on our awareness of the predominance of WeChat in both the Chinese-American and broader Asian-American communities and extensive research into the habits of the younger generation of customers. Also, we are working closely with JD.com to develop and update our own online apps to continue to specifically target and attract a wider variety of our customer base.

Partnership with JD.com

In April 2021, we entered into a series of agreements with JD US, including the Collaboration Agreement and Intellectual Property License Agreement (each as further described below).

Overall, the collaboration with JD.com is expected to help us improve our business in the following areas:

        Store Digital Transformation — New stores will utilize state-of-the-art devices and equipment. The devices, including personal digital assistant (“PDAs”) and mobile checkout devices, tag printers, and laser scanners, will give the staff the mobility while working in stores. Meanwhile, devices such as the laser scanners and tag printers will enable us to upload data digitally to the connected servers for back-end management and analysis.

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        Newly-designed app and online platform that are product centric — JD.com will lead the design and implementation of a new mobile app to serve our customers both online and offline which will include flash sales, daily special promotions, ranking sales and popularity trends, providing customers with targeted recommendations and a calendar of promotional events.

        Cloud-based server with connected data — with JD.com’s help, we will move our back-end operations fully online via cloud-based servers. This will connect data from all stores together for the management to have a holistic view of performance of the brand. Traditionally, each store has its own data, limiting connectivity with other stores and making it hard for management to have a comprehensive view. The connected data will also help the company to find and create synergies between stores, analyze data in larger scale and identify bulk order opportunities for potential price benefits. With this connected data, we believe will be able to update inventory, sales, products, consumer traffic, logistics, delivery stats between stores and between online and offline in real time. This will give us the opportunity not just to operate stores, but to operate a 360-degree retail business with the optimized cost efficiency.

        Smart warehousing and logistics technology — By partnering with JD.com, we will be able to use big data analytics and artificial intelligence to explore warehousing automation solutions which we believe will allow us to achieve lean management of storage, improvement of production efficiency and reduction of operating costs through the use of fully automated warehouses that require limited human intervention.

        Introduction to more popular products — JD.com is the leading retail and e-commerce platform in China and a global ambassador for many world-renowned brands. The partnership with JD.com will allow us to introduce many boutique brand products popular in Asia to our existing and target markets.

Our Corporate Structure

We were founded in July 2019 as Maison International, Inc., an Illinois corporation, with our principal place of business in California. Immediately upon formation, the Company acquired three retail Asian supermarkets in Los Angeles, California and subsequently rebranded them as “HK Good Fortune Supermarkets” or “Hong Kong Supermarkets.” In September 2021, the Company was reincorporated in the State of Delaware as a corporation registered under the laws of the State of Delaware and renamed “Maison Solutions Inc.”

        In July 2019, the Company acquired 91% of the equity interests in Good Fortune Supermarket San Gabriel, LP, a California Limited Partnership (“Maison San Gabriel”), and 85.25% of the equity interests in Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP (“Maison Monrovia”), each of which owns a HK Good Fortune Supermarket in San Gabriel, California and Monrovia, California, respectively.

        In October 2019, the Company acquired 91.67% of the equity interests in Super HK of El Monte, Inc., a California Corporation (“Maison El Monte”), which owns a Hong Kong Supermarket in El Monte, California.

        In May 2021, the Company acquired 10% of the equity interests in Dai Cheong, a wholesale business which mainly supplies foods and groceries imported from Asia, which is 100% owned by Mr. John Xu. We intend to use a portion of the proceeds of this offering to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest. This transaction was treated as a related party transaction.

        In December 2021, the Company acquired 10% of the equity interests in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc., a California corporation, and the owner of a satellite store in Alhambra, California from Ms. Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, our chief executive officer. We intend to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. This transaction was treated as a related party transaction.

        On June 30, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the equity of GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. from DNL Management Inc., which owned 51% of the equity, and Ms. Grace Xu, who owned 49% of the equity, spouse of John Xu, our chief executive officer. This acquisition was treated as a related party transaction.

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Maison was initially authorized to issue 500,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On September 8, 2021, the total number of authorized shares of common stock was increased to 100,000,000 by way of a 200-for-1 stock split, among which, the authorized shares were divided in to 92,000,000 shares of Class A common stock entitled to one (1) vote per share and 3,000,000 shares of Class B common stock entitled to ten (10) votes per share and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. All shares and per share amounts used herein and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect (i) the increase of share capital as if the change of share numbers became effective as of the beginning of the first period presented for Maison Group and (ii) the reclassification of all outstanding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Golden Tree USA Inc. into Class B common stock, which are collectively referred to as the Reclassification.

Risk Factor Summary

Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section titled “Risk Factors” in this Registration Statement on Form S-1. Some of these principal risks include the following:

Risks Related to Our Business

        There is no guarantee that our center-satellite model will succeed.

        We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy on a timely basis or at all. Additionally, new stores may place a greater burden on our existing resources and adversely affect our existing business.

        One of our debt financing arrangements is currently in default, which may restrict our current and future business and operations.

        The terms of our debt financing arrangements may restrict our current and future operations, which could adversely affect our ability to respond to changes in our business and to manage our operations.

        There is no guarantee that our partnership with JD will be successful.

        Our new store base, or stores opened or acquired in the future may negatively impact our financial results in the short-term, and may not achieve sales and operating levels consistent with our mature store base on a timely basis or at all and may negatively impact our business and financial results.

        Because we have entered into a significant number of related party transactions through the course of our routine business operations, there is a risk of conflicts of interest involving our management, and that such transactions may not reflect terms that would be available from unaffiliated third parties.

Risks Related to our Industry

        We face competition in our industry, and our failure to compete successfully may have an adverse effect on our profitability and operating results.

        Our inability to maintain or improve levels of comparable store sales could cause our stock price to decline.

        Economic conditions that impact consumer spending could materially affect our business.

        Our inability to maintain or increase our operating margins could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.

        We may be unable to protect or maintain our intellectual property, including HK Good Fortune, which could result in customer confusion and adversely affect our business.

        Our success depends upon our ability to source and market new products to meet our high standards and customer preferences and our ability to offer our customers an aesthetically pleasing shopping environment.

        Our stores rely heavily on sales of perishable products, and ordering errors or product supply disruptions may have an adverse effect on our profitability and operating results.

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        Products we sell could cause unexpected side effects, illness, injury or death that could result in their discontinuance or expose us to lawsuits, either of which could result in unexpected costs and damage to our reputation.

        We may experience negative effects to our reputation from real or perceived quality or health issues with our food products, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results.

        The current geographic concentration of our stores creates an exposure to local economies, regional downturns or severe weather or catastrophic occurrences that may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

        Energy costs are an increasingly significant component of our operating expenses and increasing energy costs, unless offset by more efficient usage or other operational responses, may impact our profitability.

        If we experience a data security breach and confidential customer information is disclosed, we may be subject to penalties and experience negative publicity, which could affect our customer relationships and have a material adverse effect on our business.

        Disruption of any significant supplier relationship could negatively affect our business.

        Our high level of fixed lease obligations could adversely affect our financial performance.

        If we are unable to renew or replace current store leases or if we are unable to enter into leases for additional stores on favorable terms, or if one or more of our current leases is terminated prior to expiration of its stated term, and we cannot find suitable alternate locations, our growth and profitability could be negatively impacted.

        We have engaged, and are likely to continue to engage, in certain transactions with related parties. These transactions are not negotiated on an arms’ length basis.

        Failure to sustain customer growth or failure to maintain customer relationships, could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.

        Failure to retain our senior management and other key personnel could negatively affect our business.

        We will require significant additional capital to fund our expanding business, which may not be available to us on satisfactory terms or at all, and even if it is available, failure to use our capital efficiently could have an adverse effect on our profitability.

Risks Related to Regulatory Compliance and Legal Matters

        Changes in and enforcement of immigration laws could increase our costs and adversely affect our ability to attract and retain qualified store-level employees.

        Changes in U.S. trade policies could have a material adverse impact on our business.

        We, as well as our vendors, are subject to numerous federal, and local laws and regulations and our compliance with these laws and regulations, as they currently exist or as modified in the future, may increase our costs, limit or eliminate our ability to sell certain products, raise regulatory enforcement risks not present in the past, or otherwise adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to Ownership of our Class A Common Stock and this Offering

        No market currently exists for our Class A common stock. We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for our Class A common stock.

        If our stock price declines after this offering, you could lose a significant part of your investment and we may be sued in a securities class action.

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        Future sales, or the perception of future sales, of our Class A common stock may depress the price of our Class A common stock.

        We have considerable discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.

        Our costs will increase significantly as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to complying with public company regulations.

        Our management has limited experience managing a public company and our current resources may not be sufficient to fulfill our public company obligations.

        After this offering our CEO, John Xu, will continue to have substantial control over us and will maintain the ability to control the election of directors and other matters submitted to stockholders for approval, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and may result in actions that you do not believe to be in our interests or your interests.

        We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Class A common stock after the consummation of this offering and, as a result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our Class A common stock appreciates.

        If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about our business or our market, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Class A common stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price and/or trading volume could decline.

        If you purchase shares of our Class A common stock sold in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution.

        Our future operating results may fluctuate significantly and our current operating results may not be a good indication of our future performance. Fluctuations in our quarterly financial results could affect our stock price in the future.

        The resale of shares of our Class A common stock could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock, and our ability to raise additional equity capital.

        If we are unable to continue to meet the Nasdaq Capital Market rules for continued listing, our Class A common stock could be delisted.

        An investment in our Company may involve tax implications, and you are encouraged to consult your own tax and other advisors as neither we nor any related party is offering any tax assurances or guidance regarding our Company or your investment.

        In making your investment decision, you should understand that we have not authorized any other party to provide you with information concerning us or this offering.

        If we do not appropriately maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results and the market price of our securities may be adversely affected.

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Controlled Company

We are a “Controlled Company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because, and as long as, Mr. John Xu, our Chief Executive Officer, holds more than 50% of the Company’s voting power he will exercise control over the management and affairs of the Company and matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of the Company’s directors. Mr. Xu, who after our initial public offering will control more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, will have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of our directors, as well as the overall management and direction of our Company. For so long as we remain a Controlled Company under that definition, we are permitted to elect, and intend, to rely on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules of Nasdaq, including:

        an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors;

        an exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent directors; and

        an exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and financial disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies, that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, (1) presenting only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in this prospectus, (2) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), (3) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and (4) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We intend to take advantage of these exemptions. As a result, investors may find investing in our Class A common stock less attractive.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As a result, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of such extended transition period.

We would cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of: (i) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of this offering, (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.235  billion or more, (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities or (iv) as of the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year.

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THE OFFERING

Class A common stock offered by us

 

3,000,000 shares (or 3,450,000 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional 450,000 shares from us).

Offering Price

 

The assumed initial offering price is $4.00 per share.

Underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from us

 

We have granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase from us up to an additional 450,000 shares at the initial public offering price.

Class A common stock outstanding before this offering

 

13,760,000 shares each with one (1) vote per share

Class A common stock to be outstanding immediately after this
offering(1)

 


16,760,000 shares (or 17,210,000 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase 450,000 additional shares from us).

Class B common stock outstanding

 

2,240,000 shares each with ten (10) votes per share

Use of proceeds

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $10.57 million (or approximately $12.24 million if the underwriters exercise in full their over-allotment option to purchase 450,000 additional shares from us) based on an assumed initial public offering price of $4.00 per share, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds to us from this offering, primarily for new store acquisitions and expansion, including opening new stores and the acquisition of businesses and supermarkets that complement our business. We intend to use the net proceeds, as described above, to:

   Complete acquisitions and expansion, including completing the acquisition of the remaining 90% equity interests in (a) the Alhambra Store from Ms. Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, our chief executive officer, and (b) Dai Cheong from Mr. Xu, by paying off the SBA loans held by each entity of approximately $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, as partial consideration for such acquisitions;

   Open new center stores, including a flagship store in Rowland Heights, California;

   Repay the two outstanding loans of approximately $0.39 million in aggregate with American First National Bank, which loans have an interest rate of 4.5% per annum and a maturity date of March 2, 2024;

____________

(1)      The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 13,760,000 shares of our Class A common stock and 2,240,000 shares of our Class B common outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, after giving effect to the assumptions set forth below and excluding the following:

        outstanding warrants to purchase            shares of common stock; and

        3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”), pursuant to which            shares of Class A common stock underlie currently outstanding options and restricted stock units.

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   Research and develop our operating systems with JD.com, including updating our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system and point of sale (“POS”) system;

   Make upgrades and perform renovations to our existing stores; and

   Develop our online business.

The balance of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, sales and marketing activities, general administrative matters, operating expenses and capital expenditures. In view of the foregoing, we will have broad discretion over the uses of the net proceeds in this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.

Dividend policy

 

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on our Class A common stock in the foreseeable future. Any further determination to pay dividends on our capital stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, capital requirements, general business conditions, and other factors that our board of directors considers relevant.

Risk factors

 

You should read the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 15 and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors to consider before deciding to invest in shares of our Class A common stock.

Lock-Up

 

We and all of our directors, executive officers and existing beneficial owners of 5% or greater of our outstanding Class A common stock have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, not to, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, for a period of twelve (12) months after the closing of this offering: (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option, for the sale of, lend, encumber, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Class A common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock; (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of shares of Class A common stock, or (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of Class A common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock, whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery or Class A common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

Proposed listing and symbol

 

We have applied to list our Class A common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the trading symbol “MSS.”

Except as otherwise indicated herein, all information in this prospectus assumes the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares to cover overallotments, if any.

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SUMMARY SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

The following table presents summary consolidated financial data for the periods and at the dates indicated. The summary consolidated financial data as of and for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited) and the fiscal years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved in any future period, and results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The following information should be read in conjunction with “Capitalization”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Business”, “Risk Factors” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Results of Operations:

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

   

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

Net Revenues

 

$

41,215,255

 

$

31,074,455

 

Cost of Revenues

 

 

31,815,554

 

 

24,800,409

 

Gross Profit

 

 

9,399,701

 

 

6,274,046

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

9,319,507

 

 

6,944,603

 

Income from Operations

 

 

80,194

 

 

(670,557

)

Other Income, net

 

 

1,321,533

 

 

41,438

 

Interest Income (Expense), net

 

 

15,705

 

 

(41,798

)

Income Tax Provisions

 

 

189,151

 

 

27,116

 

Net Income (loss)

 

 

1,228,281

 

 

(698,033

)

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.06

 

$

(0.05

)

Diluted

 

$

0.06

 

$

(0.05

)

Basic and diluted earnings per share – proforma (unaudited)

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic – proforma

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted – proforma

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

16,000,000

 

 

16,000,000

 

Diluted

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – proforma (unaudited)

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic – proforma

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted – proforma

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance sheet data:

 

January 31, 2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,580,244

 

 

$

898,061

 

Total current assets

 

 

7,247,903

 

 

 

9,057,859

 

Total assets

 

 

30,357,478

 

 

 

26,099,794

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

7,801,010

 

 

 

7,542,614

 

Total liabilities

 

 

29,976,241

 

 

 

26,946,838

 

Total Maison Solutions Inc. stockholders’ deficit

 

 

(193,133

)

 

 

(727,493

)

Total noncontrolling interest deficit

 

 

(188,104

)

 

 

(119,551

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

 

(381,237

)

 

 

(847,044

)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

 

$

30,357,478

 

 

$

26,099,794

 

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Results of Operations:

 

Year Ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

Net Revenues

 

$

41,984,221

 

 

$

41,195,276

 

Cost of Revenues

 

 

33,697,597

 

 

 

32,884,774

 

Gross Profit

 

 

8,286,624

 

 

 

8,310,502

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

9,113,214

 

 

 

7,757,100

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

 

 

(826,590

)

 

 

553,402

 

Other Income, net

 

 

155,821

 

 

 

968,652

 

Interest Income (Expense), net

 

 

43,481

 

 

 

(59,209

)

Income Tax Provisions

 

 

(27,738

)

 

 

(436,055

)

Net Income (loss)

 

 

(655,026

)

 

 

1,026,790

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

0.06

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

0.06

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share – proforma (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic – proforma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted – proforma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

16,000,000

 

 

 

16,000,000

 

Diluted

 

 

16,000,000

 

 

 

16,000,000

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – proforma (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic – proforma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted – proforma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet data:

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

898,061

 

 

$

714,285

 

Total current assets

 

 

9,057,859

 

 

 

4,891,643

 

Total assets

 

 

26,099,794

 

 

 

23,262,302

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

7,542,614

 

 

 

4,735,365

 

Total liabilities

 

 

26,946,838

 

 

 

23,454,320

 

Total Maison Solutions Inc. stockholders’ deficit

 

 

(727,493

)

 

 

(164,749

)

Total noncontrolling interest deficit

 

 

(119,551

)

 

 

(27,269

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

 

(847,044

)

 

 

(192,018

)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

 

 

26,099,794

 

 

 

23,262,302

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our Class A common stock involves various risks. Before making an investment in our Class A common stock, you should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus. The risks described below are those that we believe are currently the material risks we face, but are not the only risks facing us and our business prospects. Any of the risk factors described below and elsewhere in this prospectus could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations in the future. As a result, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. Before deciding whether to invest in our Class A common stock, you should also refer to the other information contained in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes.

Risks Related to Our Business

There is no guarantee that our center-satellite model will succeed.

We currently manage and operate four traditional Asian supermarkets, which will be the center stores in our center-satellite business model. We currently own a 10% equity interest in the Alhambra Store. We intend to acquire the remaining 90% of the equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the proceeds of this offering and operate the Alhambra Store as our first satellite store. Our center-satellite store network model is new and we have no record of success before this offering. We cannot guarantee that our intended center-satellite model will succeed.

We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy on a timely basis or at all. Additionally, new stores may place a greater burden on our existing resources and adversely affect our existing business.

Our continued growth depends, in large part, on our ability to open new stores and to operate those stores successfully. Successful implementation of this strategy depends upon, among other things:

        the identification of suitable sites for store locations;

        the negotiation and execution of acceptable lease terms;

        the ability to continue to attract customers to our stores largely through favorable word-of-mouth publicity, rather than through conventional advertising;

        the hiring, training and retention of skilled store personnel;

        the identification and relocation of experienced store management personnel;

        the ability to secure and manage the inventory necessary for the launch and operation of our new stores and effective management of inventory to meet the needs of our stores on a timely basis;

        the availability of sufficient levels of cash flow or necessary financing to support our expansion; and

        the ability to successfully address competitive merchandising, distribution and other challenges encountered in connection with expansion into new geographic areas and markets.

We, or our third party vendors, may not be able to adapt our distribution, management information and other operating systems to adequately supply products to new stores at competitive prices so that we can operate the stores in a successful and profitable manner. We cannot assure you that we will continue to grow through new store openings. Additionally, our proposed expansion will place increased demands on our operational, managerial and administrative resources. These increased demands could cause us to operate our existing business less effectively, which in turn could cause deterioration in the financial performance of our existing stores. Further, new store openings in markets where we have existing stores may result in reduced sales volumes at our existing stores in those markets. If we experience a decline in performance, we may slow or discontinue store openings, or we may decide to close stores that we are unable to operate in a profitable manner. If we fail to successfully implement our growth strategy, including by opening new stores, our business and financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected.

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One of our debt financing arrangements is currently in default, which may restrict our current and future business and operations.

As of January 31, 2023, we are in violation of the debt service coverage ratio covenant on our loan with American First National Bank. As of the date of this registration statement, American First National Bank has not notified us that we are in default and has not taken any action as a result of this default, and we have not received a waiver from American First National Bank in relation to this violation. If we are unable to obtain continued forbearance from American First National Bank on this loan, we may be subject to repayment of the entire loan amount of $0.39 million at any time prior to the loan maturity date of March 2, 2024 at the sole discretion of American First National Bank, which may have a material adverse impact on our business, operations or financial condition. Management and the Board of Directors are evaluating options to improve liquidity and address the Company’s long-term capital structure, however, there can be no assurance that any such option or plan will be available on favorable terms, or at all.

The terms of our debt financing arrangements, one of which is currently in default, may restrict our current and future operations, which could adversely affect our ability to respond to changes in our business and to manage our operations.

We are a borrower under certain bank loans and loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) in the aggregate amount of approximately $3.29 million as of April 30, 2022. These debt financing arrangements contain, and any additional debt financing we may incur would likely contain, covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things: grant liens; incur additional debt; pay dividends on our common stock; redeem our common stock; make certain investments; engage in certain merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions; entering into certain type of transactions with affiliates; pay subordinated debt; purchasing or carrying margin stock; make changes in nature of business; make certain dispositions; guarantee the debts of others; and form joint ventures or partnerships.

Further, failure to comply with the covenants under our debt financing arrangements may have a material adverse impact on our operations. If we fail to comply with any of the covenants under our indebtedness, and are unable to obtain a waiver or amendment, such failure may result in an event of default under our indebtedness.

There is no guarantee that our partnership with JD US will be successful.

In April 2021, we entered into a series of agreements with JD US. Under these agreements, we and JD US agreed that JD US will assist us in upgrading our store management system and improving our product inventory with JD.com’s first tier product sourcing capacity in China. We also expect to benefit from JD.com’s brand name by co-branding our new stores. However, our partnership with JD US is at a very early stage and our success will depend on the long term cooperation with JD US. There is no guarantee that JD US will not terminate its cooperation with us before our business cooperation comes to fruition and there is no guarantee that our business cooperation will be come to a successful fruition. Pursuant to our Collaboration Agreement with JD US (the “Collaboration Agreement”), either party may terminate the Collaboration Agreement by giving notice in writing to the other party if the other party commits a material breach of agreement or the other party suffers an Insolvency Event (as defined in the Collaboration Agreement).

Our new store base, or stores opened or acquired in the future may negatively impact our financial results in the short-term, and may not achieve sales and operating levels consistent with our mature store base on a timely basis or at all and may negatively impact our business and financial results.

We have actively pursued new store growth in existing and new markets and plan to continue doing so in the future. Our growth continues to depend, in part, on our ability to open and operate new stores successfully. New stores may not achieve sustained sales and operating levels consistent with our mature store base on a timely basis or at all. This may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. In addition, if we acquire stores in the future, we may not be able to successfully integrate those stores into our existing store base and those stores may not be profitable or as profitable as our existing stores.

We cannot assure you that our new store openings will be successful or result in greater sales and profitability for the Company. New stores build their sales volume and their customer base over time and, as a result, generally have lower gross margins and higher operating expenses as a percentage of net sales than our more mature stores. There may be a negative impact on our results from a lower contribution of new stores, along with the impact of related pre-opening and applicable store management relocation costs. Further, we have experienced in the past, and expect to experience in the future, some sales volume transfer from our existing stores to our new stores as some of

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our existing customers switch to new, closer locations. Any failure to successfully open and operate new stores in the time frames and at the costs estimated by us could result in an adverse effect on our business and financial condition, operating results and a decline of the price of our Class A common stock.

Because we have entered into a significant number of related party transactions through the course of our routine business operations, there is a risk of conflicts of interest involving our management, and that such transactions may not reflect terms that would be available from unaffiliated third parties.

In the course of our normal business, we have engaged in certain transactions with our related parties which are affiliated with our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Xu, and his wife Grace Xu. In all related party transactions, there is a risk that even if the Company personnel negotiating on behalf of the Company with the related party are striving to ensure that the terms of the transaction are arms-length, the related party’s influence may be such that the transaction terms could be viewed as favorable to that related party. We are likely to continue to engage in these transactions as a result of existing relationships, and may enter into new transactions with related parties. It is possible that we could have received more favorable terms had these agreements been entered into with third parties. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for specific information about our related party transactions.

Risks Related to our Industry

We face competition in our industry, and our failure to compete successfully may have an adverse effect on our profitability and operating results.

Food retail is a competitive industry. Our competition varies and includes national, regional and local conventional supermarkets, national superstores, alternative food retailers, natural foods stores, smaller specialty stores, farmers’ markets, supercenters, online retailers, mass or discount retailers and membership warehouse clubs. Our principal competitors include 99 Ranch Market and HMart for traditional supermarkets and Weee! for online groceries. Each of these stores competes with us on the basis of product selection, product quality, customer service, price, store format, and location, or a combination of these factors. In addition, some competitors are aggressively expanding their number of stores or their product offerings. Many of these competitors may have been in business longer or may have more experience operating multiple store locations or may have greater financial or marketing resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to sourcing, promoting and selling their products. As competition in certain areas intensifies or competitors open stores within close proximity to one of our stores, our results of operations may be negatively impacted through a loss of sales, decrease in market share, reduction in margin from competitive price changes or greater operating costs. In addition, other established food retailers could enter our markets, increasing competition for market share.

Our inability to maintain or improve levels of comparable store sales could cause our stock price to decline.

We may not be able to maintain or improve the levels of comparable store sales that we have experienced in the recent past. As a result, our operating results may decline with resulting in a corresponding decline in the market price of our Class A common stock. Our store sales may fluctuate and a variety of factors affect comparable store sales, including:

        general economic conditions;

        the impact of new and acquired stores entering into the comparable store base;

        the opening of new stores that eroded store sales in existing areas;

        increased competitive activity;

        price changes in response to competitive factors;

        possible supply shortage;

        consumer preferences, buying trends and spending levels;

        product price inflation and deflation;

        the number and dollar amount of customer transactions in our stores;

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        cycling against any year of above-average sales results;

        our ability to provide product offerings that generate new and repeat visits to our stores;

        the level of customer service that we provide in our stores;

        our price optimization initiative;

        our in-store merchandising-related activities;

        our ability to source products efficiently; and

        the number of stores we open in any period.

Increased commodity prices and availability may impact profitability.

Many products we sell include ingredients such as wheat, corn, oils, milk, sugar, cocoa and other commodities. Commodity prices worldwide have been increasing due to supply chain disruptions, the war in Ukraine or otherwise. Any increase in commodity prices may cause our vendors to seek price increases from us. We cannot assure you that we will be able to mitigate vendor efforts to increase our costs, either in whole, or in part. In the event we are unable to continue mitigating potential vendor price increases, we may, in turn, consider raising our prices, and our customers may be deterred by any such price increases. Our profitability may be impacted through increased costs to us which may impact gross margins, or through reduced revenue as a result of a decline in the number and average size of customer transactions.

Economic conditions that impact consumer spending could materially affect our business.

Our results of operations may be materially affected by changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, including discretionary spending. This risk may be exacerbated if customers choose lower-cost alternatives in response to economic conditions. Current and/or future economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income such as employment levels, business conditions, changes in housing market conditions, the availability of credit, interest rates, tax rates, fuel and energy costs and other matters could reduce consumer spending. In addition, increases in utility, fuel and commodity prices could affect our cost of doing business by increasing the cost of illuminating and operating our stores and the transportation costs borne by our third-party service providers, which they may seek to recover through increased prices charged to us. We may not be able to recover these rising costs through increased prices charged to our customers and these increased prices may exacerbate the risk of customers choosing lower-cost alternatives. In addition, recent increases in inflation have directly impacted our purchase costs, occupancy costs and payroll costs leading us to increase prices to offset these inflationary pressures. Continued increase in inflationary pressures, combined with reduced consumer spending, could reduce gross profit margins. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Our inability to maintain or increase our operating margins could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.

We intend to continue to increase our operating margins through scale efficiencies, improved systems, continued cost discipline and enhancements to our merchandise offerings. If we are unable to successfully manage the potential difficulties associated with store growth, we may not be able to capture the scale efficiencies that we expect from expansion. If we are not able to continue to capture scale efficiencies, improve our systems, continue our cost discipline, maintain appropriate store labor level and disciplined product selection, and enhance our merchandise offerings, we may not be able to achieve our goals with respect to operating margins. In addition, if we do not adequately refine and improve our various ordering, tracking and allocation systems, we may not be able to increase sales and reduce inventory shrinkage. As a result, our operating margins may remain flat or decline, which could materially adversely affect business, financial condition, results of operations and, in turn, the price of our Class A common stock.

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We may be unable to protect or maintain our intellectual property, including HK Good Fortune, which could result in customer confusion and adversely affect our business.

We rely on a combination of trademark, trade secret, copy right and domain name law and internal procedures and nondisclosure agreements to protect our intellectual property. We believe that our intellectual property has substantial value and has contributed significantly to the success of our business. In particular, our trademarks, including our registered trade name “HK GOOD FORTUNE SUPERMARKET” and registered trademarks consisting of the stylized wording of “GOOD FORTUNE”, and our domain names, including https://maisonsolutionsinc.com/, are valuable assets that reinforce our customers’ favorable perception of our stores. However, there can be no assurance that our intellectual property rights will be sufficient to distinguish our products and services from those of our competitors and to provide us with a competitive advantage.

Our success depends upon our ability to source and market new products to meet our high standards and customer preferences and our ability to offer our customers an aesthetically pleasing shopping environment.

Our success depends on our ability to source and market new products that both meet our standards for quality and appeal to customers’ preferences. A small number of our employees, including our in-house merchants, are primarily responsible for both sourcing products that meet our high specifications and identifying and responding to changing customer preferences. Failure to source and market such products, or to accurately forecast changing customer preferences, could lead to a decrease in the number of customer transactions at our stores and a decrease in the amount customers spend when they visit our stores. In addition, the sourcing of our products is dependent, in part, on our relationships with our vendors. If we are unable to maintain these relationships we may not be able to continue to source products at competitive prices that both meet our standards and appeal to our customers. We also attempt to create a pleasant and aesthetically appealing shopping experience. If we are not successful in creating a pleasant and appealing shopping experience we may lose customers to our competitors. If we do not succeed in maintaining good relationships with our vendors, introducing and sourcing new products that consumers want to buy or if we are unable to provide a pleasant and appealing shopping environment or maintain our level of customer service, our sales, operating margins and market share may decrease, resulting in reduced profitability, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to successfully identify market trends and react to changing consumer preferences in a timely manner, our sales may decrease.

We believe our success depends, in substantial part, on our ability to:

        anticipate, identify and react to grocery and food trends and changing consumer preferences in a timely manner;

        translate market trends into appropriate, saleable product and service offerings in our stores before our competitors do; and

        develop and maintain vendor relationships that provide us access to the newest merchandise on reasonable terms.

If we are unable to anticipate and satisfy consumer preferences in the regions where we operate, our sales may decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and, in turn, the price of our Class A common stock.

Our stores rely heavily on sales of perishable products, or product supply disruptions may have an adverse effect on our profitability and operating results.

We have a significant focus on perishable products. Sales of perishable products accounted for approximately 57.5% and 60.7% of our total sales in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. We rely on various suppliers and vendors to provide and deliver our perishable product inventory on a continuous basis. We could suffer significant product inventory losses in the event of the loss of a major supplier or vendor, disruptions of our distribution network, extended power outages, natural disasters such as floods, droughts, frosts, earthquakes, hurricanes and pestilences or other catastrophic occurrences. Adverse weather conditions and natural disasters can lower crop yields and reduce crop size and quality, which in turn could reduce the available supply of, or increase the price of, fresh produce. We have

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implemented certain systems to ensure our ordering is in line with demand. We cannot assure you, however, that our ordering system will always work efficiently, in particular in connection with the opening of new stores, which have no, or a limited, ordering history. If we were to over-order, which could result in inventory losses, or otherwise were not able to maintain inventory suitable for our business needs, it would materially negatively impact our operating results.

Products we sell could cause unexpected side effects, illness, injury or death that could result in their discontinuance or expose us to lawsuits, either of which could result in unexpected costs and damage to our reputation.

There is increasing governmental scrutiny of and public awareness regarding food safety. Unexpected side effects, illness, injury, or death caused by products we sell could result in the discontinuance of sales of these products or prevent us from achieving market acceptance of the affected products. Such side effects, illnesses, injuries and death could also expose us to product liability or negligence lawsuits for which we do not have adequate insurance coverage. Any claims brought against us may exceed our existing or future insurance policy coverage or limits. Any judgment against us that is in excess of our policy limits would have to be paid from our cash reserves, which would reduce our capital resources. The real or perceived sale of contaminated or harmful products would cause negative publicity regarding our company, brand, or products, which could in turn harm our reputation and net sales, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition and, in turn, the price of our Class A common stock.

We may experience negative effects to our reputation from real or perceived quality or health issues with our food products, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results.

We could be materially adversely affected if consumers lose confidence in the safety and quality of products we sell. Concerns regarding the safety of our food products or the safety and quality of our food supply chain could cause shoppers to avoid purchasing certain products from us, or to seek alternative sources of food, even if the basis for the concern is outside of our control. In addition, adverse publicity about these concerns, whether or not ultimately based on fact, and whether or not involving products sold at our stores, could discourage consumers from buying our products and have an adverse effect on our operating results. Furthermore, the sale of food products entails an inherent risk of product liability claims, product recall and the resulting negative publicity. Food products containing contaminants could be inadvertently distributed by us and, if processing at the consumer level does not eliminate them, these contaminants could result in illness or death. We cannot assure you that product liability claims will not be asserted against us or that we will not be obligated to perform product recalls in the future.

Any lost confidence on the part of our customers would be difficult and costly to re-establish. Any such adverse effect could be exacerbated by our position in the market as a purveyor of fresh, high-quality food products and could significantly reduce our brand value. Issues regarding the safety of any food items sold by us, regardless of the cause, could have a substantial and materially adverse effect on our sales and operating results.

The current geographic concentration of our stores creates an exposure to local economies, regional downturns or severe weather or catastrophic occurrences that may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We currently operate all of our stores in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area. As a result, our business is currently more susceptible to regional conditions than the operations of more geographically diversified competitors, and we are vulnerable to economic downturns in those regions. Any unforeseen events or circumstances that negatively affect these areas could materially adversely affect our revenues and profitability. These factors include, among other things, changes in demographics, population and employee bases, wage increases, and changes in economic conditions.

Severe weather conditions and other catastrophic occurrences such as earthquakes and fires in areas in which we have stores or from which we obtain products may materially adversely affect our results of operations. Such conditions may result in reduced customer traffic and spending in our stores, physical damage to our stores, loss of inventory, closure of one or more of our stores, inadequate work force in our markets, temporary disruption in the supply of products, delays in the delivery of goods to our stores and a reduction in the availability of products in our stores. Any of these factors may disrupt our business and materially adversely affect our business and financial condition and result of operations.

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Energy costs are an increasingly significant component of our operating expenses and increasing energy costs, unless offset by more efficient usage or other operational responses, may impact our profitability.

We utilize natural gas, water, sewer and electricity in our stores and gasoline and diesel are used in trucks that deliver products to our stores. We may also be required to pay certain adjustments or other amounts pursuant to our supply and delivery contracts in connection with increases in fuel prices. Increases in energy costs, whether driven by increased demand, decreased or disrupted supply or an anticipation of any such events will increase the costs of operating our stores. Our shipping costs have also increased recently due to rising fuel and freight prices, and these costs may continue to increase. We may not be able to recover these rising costs through increased prices charged to our customers, and any increased prices may exacerbate the risk of customers choosing lower-cost alternatives. In addition, if we are unsuccessful in attempts to protect against these increases in energy costs through long-term energy contracts, improved energy procurement, improved efficiency and other operational improvements, the overall costs of operating our stores will increase, which would impact our profitability, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business could be harmed by a failure of our information technology, administrative or outsourcing systems.

We rely on our information technology, administrative and outsourcing systems to effectively manage our business data, communications, supply chain, order entry and fulfillment and other business processes. The failure of our information technology, administrative or outsourcing systems to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and result in transaction errors, processing inefficiencies and the loss of sales and customers, causing our business to suffer. In addition, our information technology and administrative and outsourcing systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from circumstances beyond our control, including fire, natural disasters, systems failures, viruses and security breaches, including breaches of our transaction processing or other systems that could result in the compromise of confidential customer data. Any such damage or interruption could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause us to face significant fines, customer notice obligations or costly litigation, harm our reputation with our customers, require us to expend significant time and expense developing, maintaining or upgrading our information technology, administrative or outsourcing systems or prevent us from paying our suppliers or employees, receiving payments from our customers or performing other information technology, administrative or outsourcing services on a timely basis. Any material interruption in our information systems may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

If we experience a data security breach and confidential customer information is disclosed, we may be subject to penalties and experience negative publicity, which could affect our customer relationships and have a material adverse effect on our business.

We and our customers could suffer harm if customer information were accessed by third parties due to a security failure in our systems. The collection of data and processing of transactions require us to receive, transmit and store a large amount of personally identifiable and transaction related data. This type of data is subject to legislation and regulation in various jurisdictions. Recently, data security breaches suffered by well-known companies and institutions have attracted a substantial amount of media attention, prompting state and federal legislative proposals addressing data privacy and security. If some of the current proposals are adopted, we may be subject to more extensive requirements to protect the customer information that we process in connection with the purchases of our products. We may become exposed to potential liabilities with respect to the data that we collect, manage and process, and may incur legal costs if our information security policies and procedures are not effective or if we are required to defend our methods of collection, processing and storage of personal data. Future investigations, lawsuits or adverse publicity relating to our methods of handling personal data could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows due to the costs and negative market reaction relating to such developments. Additionally, if we suffer data breaches one or more of the credit card processing companies that we rely on may refuse to allow us to continue to participate in their network, which would limit our ability to accept credit cards at our stores and could adversely affect our business and financial condition and results of operations.

Disruption of any significant supplier relationship could negatively affect our business.

We work with four primary suppliers. These primary suppliers accounted for approximately 61.3% and 58.0% of our total purchases in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. Due to this concentration of purchases from these primary suppliers, the cancellation of our supply arrangement with any of them or the disruption, delay or inability

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of any of them to deliver products to our stores may materially and adversely affect our operating results while we attempt to establish alternative distribution channels. If our suppliers fail to comply with food safety or other laws and regulations, or face allegations of non-compliance, their operations may be disrupted. In addition, we also do not have agreements in writing with these suppliers, and we may not be able to contract with them on acceptable terms or at all. We cannot assure you that we would be able to find replacement suppliers on commercially reasonable terms if at all. The price may increase in doing business through these suppliers which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our reliance on relatively few vendors for the majority of our inventory could adversely affect our ability to operate.

We currently rely on a relatively small number of vendors to provide us with the majority of our inventory, with 3 of our vendors providing approximately 58% of our total inventory in the year ended April 30, 2022 and 3 of our vendors providing approximately 98% of our total inventory in the year ended April 30, 2021. These third-party vendors are not our employees, and except for remedies available to us under our agreements with such third-party, we have limited ability to control the amount or timing of resources that any such third-party will devote to manufacturing our medical equipment and supplies. If these third-party vendors do not satisfactorily carry out their contractual duties or fail to meet expected deadlines, our inventory may not be sufficient to meet the needs of our customers and we may lose revenue. The third parties we rely on for these services may also have relationships with other entities, some of which may be our competitors. We often use vendors selectively for quality and cost reasons. Significant price increases, or disruptions in the ability to obtain inventory from existing vendors, may force us to increase our prices (which we may be unable to do) or reduce our margins, which would force us to use alternative vendors. As such, our reliance on relatively few vendors could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

If any of our relationships with these third parties terminate, we may not be able to enter into arrangements with alternative third parties or do so on commercially reasonable terms. Any change in the existing vendors we use could cause delays in the delivery of products and possible losses in revenue, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, alternative vendors may not be available, or may not provide their products and services at similar or favorable prices. If we cannot obtain the inventory, or alternatives at similar or favorable prices, our ability to serve our customers may be severely impacted, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Supply chain risks may affect our business plans.

The products we sell are sourced from a wide variety of domestic and international vendors. Continued supply chain disruptions or the inability to find qualified vendors and access products that meet requisite quality and safety standards in a timely and efficient manner could adversely affect our business. Failure to adequately source and timely ship our products to customers could lead to lost potential revenue, failure to meet customer demand, strained relationships with customers, and diminished brand loyalty. Additionally, if the supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and/or the war in Ukraine continue to occur, we may experience continued supply chain disruption which could result in delays in new store openings. We expect to still be impacted by global logistics challenges in the fiscal year ending April 30, 2023.

Our high level of fixed lease obligations could adversely affect our financial performance.

Our high level of fixed lease obligations will require us to use a significant portion of cash generated by our operations to satisfy these obligations, and could adversely impact our ability to obtain future financing to support our growth or other operational investments. We require substantial cash flows from operations to make our payments under our operating leases, all of which provide for periodic increases in rent. If we are not able to make the required payments under our store leases, the lenders or owners of the relevant stores could, among other things, repossess those assets, which could adversely affect our ability to conduct our operations. Our failure to make payments under our operating leases could trigger defaults under other leases or under agreements governing our indebtedness, which could cause the counterparties under those agreements to accelerate the obligations due thereunder.

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If we are unable to renew or replace current store leases or if we are unable to enter into leases for additional stores on favorable terms, or if one or more of our current leases is terminated prior to expiration of its stated term, and we cannot find suitable alternate locations, our growth and profitability could be negatively impacted.

We currently lease all of our store locations. Many of our current leases provide unilateral option to renew for several additional rental periods at specific rental rates. Our ability to re-negotiate favorable terms on an expiring lease or to negotiate favorable terms for a suitable alternate location, and our ability to negotiate favorable lease terms for additional store locations, could depend on conditions in the real estate market, competition for desirable properties, its relationships with current and prospective landlords, or other factors that are not within our control. Any or all of these factors and conditions could negatively impact our growth and profitability.

Our sales had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and there is no guarantee that such increase will continue post the Pandemic.

Since early 2020, in response to the spread of COVID-19, customers shopped for extra food, groceries, supplies and merchandises to put into storage. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has been gradually contained in United States, customers began returning to their normal shopping habits and consequently their spending on food and groceries may decline. Pandemic-induced extra shopping may not be sustained, and in future periods our revenue may decline. COVID-19 pandemic also caused travel and transportation restrictions, which put a strain on our supply chain. In addition, the United States is in general experiencing a labor shortage across industries and we are also experiencing difficulties in hiring sufficient number of employees, which has reduced our capacity and efficiency of our operations. At this point, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our long-term results remains uncertain, and we are closely monitoring its impact on us. Our business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospects could be adversely affected directly, as well as indirectly to the extent that COVID-19 or any other pandemic or natural disaster harms the U.S. economy in general and/or subsequent labor shortages continue.

Legal proceedings could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations, which are characterized by a high volume of customer traffic and by transactions involving a wide variety of product selections, carry a higher exposure to consumer litigation risk when compared to the operations of companies operating in some other industries. Consequently, we may be a party to individual personal injury, product liability, intellectual property, employment-related and other legal actions in the ordinary course of our business, including litigation arising from food-related illness. The outcome of litigation, particularly class action lawsuits, is difficult to assess or quantify. Plaintiffs in these types of lawsuits may seek recovery of very large or indeterminate amounts, and the magnitude of the potential loss relating to such lawsuits may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. While we maintain insurance, insurance coverage may not be adequate, and the cost to defend against future litigation may be significant. There may also be adverse publicity associated with litigation that may decrease consumer confidence in our business, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable. As a result, litigation may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Claims under our insurance plans may differ from our estimates, which could materially impact our results of operations.

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability (including, in connection with legal proceedings described under “— Legal proceedings could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations” above), property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability and team member health-care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by us are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Our results could be materially impacted by claims and other expenses related to such plans if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends.

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Failure to sustain customer growth or failure to maintain customer relationships, could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Customer loyalty and growth are essential to our business. Damage to our reputation or failure to anticipate the needs of our customers, could diminish customer loyalty and reduce customer activity in stores and on our e-commerce platform, which could cause our revenue income to decline and negatively impact our profitability. In addition, if our existing and new business opportunities fail to retain our existing customers or attract new customers on a sustained basis, then our operating results could be adversely affected.

Failure to retain our senior management and other key personnel could negatively affect our business.

We are dependent upon John Xu, our Chief Executive Officer, and a number of other senior management executives and other key personnel, who have experience in our industry and are familiar with our business, systems and processes. These executives have been primarily responsible for determining the strategic direction of our business and for executing our growth strategy and are integral to our brand and culture, and the reputation we enjoy with suppliers and consumers. The loss of services of one or more of these executives or other key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any such departure could be viewed in a negative light by investors and analysts, which may cause our stock price to decline. We do not maintain key person insurance on any employee. In addition, none of our key employees are subject to non-competition or non-solicitation obligations.

If we are unable to attract, train and retain employees, we may not be able to grow or successfully operate our business.

The supermarket retail industry is labor intensive, and our success depends, in part, upon our ability to attract, train and retain a sufficient number of employees who understand and appreciate our culture and are able to represent our brand effectively and establish credibility with our business partners and consumers. Our ability to meet our labor needs, while controlling wage and labor-related costs, is subject to numerous external factors, including the availability of a sufficient number of qualified persons in the work force in the markets in which we are located, unemployment levels within those markets, unionization of the available work force, prevailing wage rates, changing demographics, health and other insurance costs and changes in employment legislation. In the event of increasing wage rates, if we fail to increase our wages competitively, the quality of our workforce could decline, causing our customer service to suffer, while increasing our wages could cause our earnings to decrease. If we are unable to hire and retain employees capable of meeting our business needs and expectations, our business and brand image may be impaired. Any failure to meet our staffing needs or any material increase in turnover rates of our employees may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Prolonged labor disputes with employees and increases in labor costs could adversely affect our business.

Changes in federal and state minimum wage laws and other laws relating to employee benefits, pension plans, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, could cause us to incur additional wage and benefit costs. Increased labor costs would increase our expenses and have an adverse impact on our profitability. In addition, any work stoppages or labor disturbances as a result of employees’ dissatisfaction of their current employment terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We also expect that in the event of a work stoppage or labor disturbance, we could incur additional costs and face increased competition.

As we grow, we may face organized labor disputes or work stoppages, which could have an adverse impact on our operations and financial results.

As of the date of this prospectus, none of our employees is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. However, as we grow and the number of employees continues to increase, it is possible that our employees may want to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with us. If this occurs and if we are unable to negotiate acceptable contracts with labor unions, it could result in strikes by the affected workers and thereby significantly disrupt our operations. As part of any collective bargaining agreements, we may need to fund additional pension contributions, which would negatively impact our free cash flow. Further, if we are unable to control health care and pension costs provided for in the collective bargaining agreements, we may experience increased operating costs which could adversely impact on our financial results.

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We will require significant additional capital to fund our expanding business, which may not be available to us on satisfactory terms or at all, and even if it is available, failure to use our capital efficiently could have an adverse effect on our profitability.

To support our expanding business and pursue our growth strategy, we will utilize significant amounts of cash generated by our operations to pay our lease obligations, build out new store space, purchase inventory, pay personnel, further invest in our infrastructure and facilities, and pay for the increased costs associated with operating as a public company. We primarily depend on cash flow from operations and borrowings under our credit facility to fund our business and growth plans. Our ability to generate cash is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors that are beyond our control. If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to fund these activities, and sufficient funds are not otherwise available to us under our revolving credit facility, we may need additional equity or debt financing. If such financing is not available to us, or is not available to us on satisfactory terms, our ability to operate and expand our business or to respond to competitive pressures would be limited and we could be required to delay, significantly curtail or eliminate planned store openings or operations or other elements of our growth strategy.

We may incur additional indebtedness in the future, which could adversely affect our financial health and our ability to react to changes to our business.

We may incur additional indebtedness in the future. Any increase in the amount of our indebtedness could require us to divert funds identified for other purposes for debt service and impair our liquidity position. If we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt, we may need to refinance. all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity, sell assets, delay capital expenditures, curtail growth plans or scale back operations, or seek additional equity investment. We do not know whether we will be able to take any of such actions on a timely basis, on terms satisfactory to us or at all.

Our level of indebtedness has important consequences to you and your investment in our Class A common stock. For example, our level of indebtedness may:

        require us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest and principal on our debt, which would reduce the funds available to us for working capital, capital expenditures, growth plans and/or other general corporate purposes;

        limit our ability to pay future dividends;

        limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, expansion plans and other investments, which may limit our ability to implement our business strategy including both growth strategy on new store development and operational strategy in existing stores;

        heighten our vulnerability to general adverse economic conditions, downturns in our business, the food retail industry or in the general economy and limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the food retail industry, which would place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that may have less debt;

        prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities as they arise or successfully carrying out our plans to expand our store base and product offerings.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in amounts sufficient to enable us to make payments on our indebtedness or to fund our operations.

We are dependent on third-party e-commerce platform and on third-party networks.

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain new customers and expand our customer base. A substantial portion of our customer traffic comes from links shared by members through our social networks and via third-party online e-commerce platform. Any interruption to or discontinuation of our relationships with major social network operators may severely and negatively impact our ability to continue growing our user base, thereby producing a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we rely on our suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure that the products they manufacture and sell to us are in compliance with applicable regulatory and legal

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requirements. While we seek representations and warranties, indemnifications and/or insurance from our suppliers and contract manufacturers, any claims of non-compliance could significantly damage our reputation and consumer confidence in products we sell.

Risks Related to Regulatory Compliance and Legal Matters

Changes in U.S. trade policies could have a material adverse impact on our business.

Changes in U.S. trade policies, such as the imposition of tariffs on various goods and potential resulting trade war in China and other countries, could have a material adverse impact on our business. Some of our products are produced in China and other foreign countries, making the price and availability of our products susceptible to international trade risks and other international conditions. We are unable to predict future trade policy of the United States, China, or of any foreign countries from which we purchase goods, or the terms of any renegotiated trade agreements, or their impact on our business. Recent trade tensions between the United States and China could directly impact the import of our products and could have a significant adverse impact on the cost of our goods and the prices at which we offer them for sale. The adoption or expansion of trade restrictions and tariffs, a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs, may adversely affect our business as it may impact the cost of and demand for our products, our overall costs, our customers, our supplies, and the world economy, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, operational results, financial position and cash flows.

Changes in and enforcement of immigration laws could increase our costs and adversely affect our ability to attract and retain qualified store-level employees.

Federal and state governments from time to time implement laws, regulations or programs that regulate our ability to attract or retain qualified employees. Some of these changes may increase our obligations for compliance and oversight, which could subject us to additional costs and make our hiring process more cumbersome, or reduce the availability of potential employees. Although we have implemented, and are in the process of enhancing, procedures to ensure our compliance with the employment eligibility verification requirements, there can be no assurance that these procedures are adequate and some of our employees may, without our knowledge, be unauthorized workers. The employment of unauthorized workers may subject us to fines or civil or criminal penalties, and if any of our workers are found to be unauthorized we could experience adverse publicity that negatively impacts our brand and makes it more difficult to hire and keep qualified employees. There can be no assurance that any future audit will not require us to terminate employees and pay fines or other penalties. The termination of a significant number of employees may disrupt our operations, cause temporary increases in our labor costs as we train new employees and result in additional adverse publicity. Our operating results could be materially harmed as a result of any of these factors.

We, as well as our vendors, are subject to numerous federal, and local laws and regulations and our compliance with these laws and regulations, as they currently exist or as modified in the future, may increase our costs, limit or eliminate our ability to sell certain products, raise regulatory enforcement risks not present in the past, or otherwise adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

As a supermarket retailer, we are subject to numerous health and safety laws and regulations. Our suppliers are also subject to such laws and regulations. These laws and regulations apply to many aspects of our business, including the manufacturing, packaging, labeling, distribution, advertising, sale, quality and safety of products we sell, as well as the health and safety of our team members and the protection of the environment. We are subject to regulation by various government agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the “USDA”), the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (the “CPSC”), the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”), as well as various state and local agencies.

New or revised government laws and regulations, such as the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (referred to as “FSMA”), passed in January 2011, which grants the FDA greater authority over the safety of the national food supply, as well as increased enforcement by government agencies, could result in additional compliance costs and civil remedies. Specifically, the FSMA requires the FDA to issue regulations mandating that risk-based preventive controls be observed by the majority of food producers. This authority applies to all domestic food facilities and,

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by way of imported food supplier verification requirements, to all foreign facilities that supply food products. In addition, the FSMA requires the FDA to establish science-based minimum standards for the safe production and harvesting of produce, requires the FDA to identify “high risk” foods and “high risk” facilities and instructs the FDA to set goals for the frequency of FDA inspections of such high risk facilities as well as non-high risk facilities and foreign facilities from which food is imported into the United States.

With respect to both food and dietary supplements, the FSMA meaningfully augments the FDA’s ability to access producer’s and supplier’s records. This increased access could permit the FDA to identify areas of concern it had not previously considered to be problematic either for us, our producers or our suppliers. The FSMA is also likely to result in enhanced tracking and tracing of food requirements and, as a result, added recordkeeping burdens upon our producers and suppliers. In addition, under the FSMA, the FDA has the authority to inspect certifications and therefore evaluate whether foods and ingredients from our producers and suppliers are compliant with the FDA’s regulatory requirements. Such inspections may delay the supply of certain products or result in certain products being unavailable to us for sale in our stores.

The FDA has broad authority to enforce the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act applicable to the safety, labeling, manufacturing and promotion of foods, including powers to issue a public warning letter to a company, publicize information about illegal products, institute an administrative detention of food, request or order a recall of illegal products from the market, and request the Department of Justice to initiate a seizure action, an injunction action or a criminal prosecution in the U.S. courts. Pursuant to the FSMA, the FDA also has the power to refuse the import of any food that is not appropriately verified as in compliance with all FDA laws and regulations. Moreover, the FDA has the authority to administratively suspend the registration of any facility producing food, including supplements, deemed to present a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences.

In connection with the marketing and advertisement of products we sell, we could be the target of claims relating to false or deceptive advertising, including under the auspices of the FTC and the consumer protection statutes of some states. These events could interrupt the marketing and sales of products in our stores, severely damage our brand reputation and public image, increase the cost of products in our stores, result in product recalls or litigation, and impede our ability to deliver merchandise in sufficient quantities or quality to our stores, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are also subject to laws and regulations more generally applicable to retailers, including labor and employment, taxation, zoning and land use, environmental protection, workplace safety, public health, community right-to-know and alcoholic beverage sales. Certain local regulations may limit our ability to sell alcoholic beverages at certain times. Our stores are subject to unscheduled inspections on a regular basis, which, if violations are found, could result in the assessment of fines, suspension of one or more needed licenses and, in the case of repeated “critical” violations, closure of the store until a re-inspection demonstrates that we have remediated the problem. The buildings in which some stores are located are old and therefore require greater maintenance expenditures by us in order to maintain them in compliance with applicable building codes. If we are unable to maintain these stores in compliance with applicable building codes, we could be required by the building department to close them. Additionally, a number of federal, state and local laws impose requirements or restrictions on business owners with respect to access by disabled persons. Our compliance with these laws may result in modifications to our properties, or prevent us from performing certain further renovations Further, our new store openings could be delayed or prevented or our existing stores could be impacted by difficulties or failures in our ability to obtain or maintain required approvals or licenses.

In addition, we are subject to environmental laws pursuant to which we could be held responsible for all of the costs relating to any contamination at our or our predecessors’ past or present facilities and at third-party waste disposal sites, regardless of our knowledge of, or responsibility for, such contamination. We are also subject to laws governing our relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions, immigration, and work permit requirements.

As is common in our industry, we rely on our suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure that the products they manufacture and sell to us comply with all applicable regulatory and legislative requirements. In general, we seek certifications of compliance, representations and warranties, indemnification and/or insurance from our suppliers and contract manufacturers. However, even with adequate insurance and indemnification, any claims of non-compliance could significantly damage our reputation and consumer confidence in our products. In order to

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comply with applicable statutes and regulations, our suppliers and contract manufacturers have from time to time reformulated, eliminated or relabeled certain of their products and we have revised certain provisions of our sales and marketing program.

We cannot predict the nature of future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, or determine what effect either additional government regulations or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, or disparate federal, state and local regulatory schemes would have on our business in the future. They could, however, increase our costs or require the reformulation of certain products to meet new standards, the recall or discontinuance of certain products not able to be reformulated, additional recordkeeping, expanded documentation of the properties of certain products, expanded or different labeling and/or scientific substantiation. Any or all of such requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The effects of global climate change could present risks to our business.

The long-term effects of global climate change may present both physical and transition risks. Changes in extreme weather conditions or changes in technology are expected to produce widespread and unexpected results. These changes may impact our ability to obtain goods and services required for the success of our business. Additionally, we face the risk of physical damages to stores and distribution or fulfillment centers as a result of the physical risks of climate change. The transition to alternative energy sources, versus using natural gas, diesel fuel, or gasoline, may increase our costs. The impact of these events can adversely affect our operations, financial condition, and results of operations or cash flows.

Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock and this Offering

No market currently exists for our Class A common stock. We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for our Class A common stock.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for shares of our Class A common stock. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our Company will lead to the development of a trading market on Nasdaq or otherwise, or how liquid that market might become. If an active market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling any shares of our Class A common stock that you purchase in this initial public offering. The initial public offering price for the shares of our Class A common stock will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters, and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering.

If our stock price declines after this offering, you could lose a significant part of your investment and we may be sued in a securities class action.

The trading price of our Class A common stock is likely to be volatile and will fluctuate due to broad market and industry factors including the performance and fluctuation in the market prices or the underperformance of companies in our industry. Furthermore, securities markets may, from time to time, experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not reflective of our operating performance.

The market price of our stock may be influenced by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including those described above in “— Risks Related to Our Business” and the following:

        actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual financial results;

        delays in, or our failure to provide, financial guidance;

        the financial guidance we may provide to the public, any changes in such guidance, or our failure to meet such guidance;

        the failure of securities analysts to cover our Class A common stock after this offering;

        changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

        the inability to meet the financial estimates of analysts who follow our Class A common stock;

        strategic actions by us or our competitors;

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        actual or anticipated growth rates relative to our competitors;

        various market factors or perceived market factors, including rumors, whether or not correct, involving us or our competitors;

        fluctuations in stock market prices and trading volumes of securities of similar companies;

        announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, joint marketing relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

        sales, or anticipated sales, of large blocks of our stock;

        short selling of our Class A common stock by investors;

        additions or departures of key personnel;

        new store openings or entry into new markets by us or by our competitors;

        regulatory or political developments;

        changes in accounting principles or methodologies;

        litigation and governmental investigation;

        general financial market condition or events;

        economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance;

        discussion of use or our stock price by the financial press and in online investor forum;

        variations in our quarterly operating results and those of our competitors;

        general economic and stock market conditions;

        risks related to our business and our industry, including those discussed above;

        changes in conditions or trends in our industry, markets or customers;

        terrorist acts;

        future sales of our Class A common stock or other securities;

        public evaluations of our business models and our revenues, earnings and growth potential; and

        investor perceptions of the investment opportunity associated with our Class A common stock relative to other investment alternatives.

Furthermore, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for our Class A common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of Class A common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the price or liquidity of our Class A common stock. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders were to bring a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit or paying for settlements or damages. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from our business.

As a result of these factors, investors in our Class A common stock may not be able to resell their shares at or above the initial offering price or may not be able to resell them at all. These broad market and industry factors result of these factors, investors in our Class A common stock may not be able to resell their shares at or above the initial offering price or may not be able to resell them at all. These broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our Class A common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In addition, price volatility may be greater if the public float and trading volume of our Class A common stock is low.

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Future sales, or the perception of future sales, of our Class A common stock may depress the price of our Class A common stock.

The market price of our Class A common stock could decline significantly as a result of sales of a large number of shares of our Class A common stock in the market after this offering. The sales, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.

Upon completion of this offering, we will have 16,760,000 shares of Class A common stock outstanding (or 17,210,000 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase 450,000 additional shares from us). Of these, 3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock being sold in this offering (or 3,450,000 shares of Class A common stock if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for any shares of Class A common stock that may be held or acquired by our directors, executive officers and other “affiliates”, as that term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, which shares will be subject to the volume limitations and other restrictions of Rule 144. The remaining 13,760,000 shares (or 13,310,000 shares) of our outstanding Class A common stock upon completion of this offering will be “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144, and may be resold only after registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from such registration, including, among others, the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and lock-up restrictions described below.

In connection with this offering, the Company, our directors and executive officers and non-affiliate holders of 5% or greater of our Class A common stock have each agreed to lock-up restrictions, meaning that we and they and their permitted transferees will not be permitted to sell any shares of our Class A common stock for twelve (12) months after the closing of this offering, subject to certain exceptions, without the prior joint consent of the Representative. Although we have been advised that there is no present intention, the Representative may, in its sole discretion, release all or any portion of the shares of our Class A common stock from the restrictions in any of the lock-up agreements described above. See “Underwriting”.

Also, in the future, we may issue shares of our Class A common stock in connection with investments or acquisitions. The amount of shares of our Class A common stock issued in connection with an investment or acquisition could constitute a material portion of our then outstanding shares of Class A common stock.

We have considerable discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds to us from this offering primarily for (i) completing the acquisition of the remaining 90% equity interests in (a) the Alhambra Store from Ms. Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, our chief executive officer, and (b) Dai Cheong from Mr. Xu, by paying off the SBA loans held by each entity of approximately $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, as partial consideration for such acquisitions; (ii) opening new center stores, including a flagship store in Rowland Heights, California; (iii) repaying our two loans of approximately $0.39 million in aggregate with American First National Bank, which loans have an interest rate of 4.5% per annum and a maturity date of March 2, 2024; (iv) research and development of our operating systems with JD.com, including upgrading our ERP system and POS system; (v) developing our business online; and (vi) making upgrades and performing renovations to our existing stores.

We intend to use any remaining balance of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital, sales and marketing activities, general administrative matters, operating expenses and capital expenditures. We will have broad discretion over the uses of the net proceeds in this offering.

However, we have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The net proceeds may be used for corporate or other purposes with which you do not agree or that do not improve our profitability or increase our share price. The net proceeds from this offering may also be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value.

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Our costs will increase significantly as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to complying with public company regulations.

We historically have operated our business as a private company. As a public company, we will incur additional legal, accounting, compliance and other expenses that we have not incurred as a private company. After this offering, we will become obligated to file with the SEC annual and quarterly information and other reports that are specified in Section 13 and Proxy Statements under Section 14 and other sections of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, we will also become subject to other reporting and corporate governance requirements, including certain requirements of Nasdaq, and certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which will impose significant compliance obligations upon us. We will need to institute a comprehensive compliance function; establish internal policies; ensure that we have the ability to prepare financial statements that are fully compliant with all SEC reporting requirements on a timely basis; design, establish, evaluate and maintain a system of internal controls over financial reporting in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; involve and retain outside counsel and accountants in the above activities and establish an investor relations function.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and Nasdaq, have imposed increased regulation and disclosure and required enhanced corporate governance practices of public companies. Our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards in this regard are likely to result in increased administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. These changes will require a significant commitment of additional resources. We may not be successful in implementing these requirements, and implementing them could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we fail to implement the requirements with respect to our internal accounting and audit functions, our ability to report our operating results on a timely and accurate basis could be impaired. If we do not implement such requirements in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the SEC or Nasdaq. Any such action could harm our reputation and the confidence of investors and customers in our Company and could materially adversely affect our business and result in the delisting of our Class A common stock with both Nasdaq and the SEC.

Our management has limited experience managing a public company and our current resources may not be sufficient to fulfill our public company obligations.

Following the completion of this offering, we will be subject to various regulatory requirements, including those of the SEC and Nasdaq. These requirements include record keeping, financial reporting and corporate governance rules and regulations. Our management team has limited experience in managing a public company and, historically, has not had the resources typically found in a public company. Our internal infrastructure may not be adequate to support our increased reporting obligations and we may be unable to hire, train or retain necessary staff and may be reliant on engaging outside consultants or professionals to overcome our lack of experience or employees. Our business could be adversely affected if our internal infrastructure is inadequate, we are unable to engage outside consultants or are otherwise unable to fulfill our public company obligations.

After this offering our CEO, John Xu, will continue to have substantial control over us and will maintain the ability to control the election of directors and other matters submitted to stockholders for approval, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and may result in actions that you do not believe to be in our interests or your interests.

Following this offering, John Xu, our Chief Executive Officer, will beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately             % of our outstanding Class A common stock, or approximately             % of our outstanding Class A common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares from us in full. In addition, John Xu beneficially owns 2,240,000 shares of our Class B common stock, which carries ten votes per share. In the aggregate, following this offering, John Xu will beneficially own approximately             % voting power of our outstanding common stock, including both Class A common stock and Class B common stock. As a result, John Xu will be able to exert actual control over our management and affairs and over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets and any other significant transaction.

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This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters, and the interests of John Xu may not coincide with our interests or your interests. As a result, he may take actions that you do not believe to be in our interests or your interests and that could depress the price of our Class A common stock.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Class A common stock after the consummation of this offering and, as a result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our Class A common stock appreciates.

We currently expect to retain future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends after the consummation of this offering. In addition, our ability to declare and pay cash dividends is restricted by our revolving credit facility. The declaration and payment of future cash dividends to holders of our Class A common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, legal requirements, and restrictions in our debt agreements and other factors our board of directors deems relevant. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our Class A common stock will be your sole source of potential gain for the foreseeable future. The market price for our Class A common stock after this offering might not exceed the price that you pay for our Class A common stock in this offering.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about our business or our market, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Class A common stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, the stock price and/or trading volume of our Class A common stock could decline.

The trading market for our Class A common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts, if any, may publish about us, our business or our competitors. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our Company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our Company downgrades our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations or provide more favorable relative recommendations about our competitors, our stock price could decline.

If you purchase shares of our Class A common stock sold in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution.

If you purchase shares of our Class A common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the amount of $3.56 per share, or $3.48 per share if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, because assumed the initial public offering price of $4.00 per share is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our outstanding Class A common stock. This means that you will pay a higher price per share than the amount of our total tangible assets, less our total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding. In addition, you may also experience additional dilution upon future equity issuances or the exercise of stock options to purchase Class A common stock granted to our employees, executive officers, consultants and directors under our stock option and equity incentive plans. For additional information, see “Dilution.

Our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation contains anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit our shareholders’ opportunity to sell their shares of Class A common stock at a premium.

Our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our Company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our Company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our Class A common stock. Shares of preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms calculated on a delay to prevent a change in control of our Company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue shares of preferred stock, the price of our

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Class A common stock may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Class A common stock may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation contains other provisions that could limit the ability of third parties to acquire control of our Company or cause us to engage in a transaction resulting in a change of control.

Our bylaws designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain actions, which could limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company and its directors, officers, or other employees and may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims.

Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought against or on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), (iv) any action as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court located within the State of Delaware). However, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, and as such, the exclusive jurisdiction clauses set forth above would not apply to such suits. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act provides for concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, and as such, the exclusive jurisdiction clauses set forth above would not apply to such suits.

Although we believe the exclusive forum provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law for the specified types of actions and proceedings, this provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company and its directors, officers, or other employees and may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims.

Our future operating results may fluctuate significantly and our current operating results may not be a good indication of our future performance. Fluctuations in our quarterly financial results could affect our stock price in the future.

Our operating results have historically varied from period-to-period, and we expect that they will continue to as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. If our quarterly financial results or our forecasts of future financial results fail to meet the expectations of securities analysts and investors, our Class A common stock price could be negatively affected. Any volatility in our quarterly financial results may make it more difficult for us to raise capital in the future or pursue acquisitions that involve issuances of our stock. Our operating results for prior periods may not be effective predictors of our future performance.

We may incur significant fluctuations in our quarterly financial and other operating results, including fluctuations in our key metrics. This variability and unpredictability could result in our failing to meet our internal operating plan or the expectations of securities analysts or investors for any period. If we fail to meet or exceed such expectations for these or any other reasons, the market price of our shares could fall substantially and we could face costly lawsuits, including securities class action suits. In addition, a significant percentage of our operating expenses are fixed in nature and based on forecasted revenue trends. Accordingly, in the event of revenue shortfalls, we are generally unable to mitigate the negative impact on margins in the short term.

Limitation of liability and indemnification of officers and directors could adversely impact investors’ ability to bring claims against them.

Our officers and directors are required to exercise good faith and high integrity in the management of our affairs. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides, however, that our officers and directors shall have no personal liability to us or our stockholders for damages for any breach of duty owed to us or our stockholders, unless they breached their duty of loyalty, did not act in good faith, knowingly violated a law, or received an improper personal benefit. Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws also provide for the indemnification by us of our officers

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and directors against any losses or liabilities they may incur by reason of their serving in such capacities, provided that they do not breach their duty of loyalty, act in good faith, do not knowingly violate a law, and do not receive an improper personal benefit. Additionally, we have entered into employment agreements with our officers, which specify the indemnification provisions provided by the By-laws and provide, among other things, that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify such officer against any and all losses, expenses and liabilities arising out of such officer’s service as an officer of the Company.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us under the above provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

The resale of shares of our Class A common stock could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock, and our ability to raise additional equity capital.

As of the date of this prospectus, there are 13,760,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding. All the outstanding shares of Class A common stock are restricted shares subject to resale under Rule 144 and subsequent thereafter to any lock-up agreements described below.

If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, including shares issuable upon the effectiveness of a registration statement, upon the expiration of any statutory holding period under Rule 144, any lock-up agreement or shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants or restricted stock awards, it could create a circumstance commonly referred to as an “overhang” and, in anticipation of which, the market price of our Class A common stock could fall. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make more difficult our ability to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.

In general, a non-affiliated person who has held restricted shares for a period of six months, under Rule 144, may sell into the market our Class A common stock all of their shares, subject to the Company being current in its periodic reports filed with the SEC. An affiliate may sell an amount equal to the greater of 1% of the outstanding 13,760,000 shares of Class A common stock as of the date of this prospectus, or the average weekly number of shares sold on the Nasdaq Capital Market in the last four weeks prior to such sale. Such sales may be repeated once every three months, and any of the restricted shares may be sold by a non-affiliate without any restrictions after they have been held one year.

If we are unable to continue to meet the Nasdaq Capital Market rules for continued listing, our Class A common stock could be delisted.

We may be unable to meet the Nasdaq Capital Market rules for continued listing of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, notably, the minimum bid price and the stockholders’ equity minimum requirements. If we fail to meet the Nasdaq Capital Market’s ongoing listing criteria, our Class A common stock could be delisted. If our Class A common stock is delisted by the Nasdaq Capital Market, our Class A common stock may be eligible for quotation on an over-the-counter quotation system or on the pink sheets. Upon any such delisting, our Class A common stock would become subject to the regulations of the SEC relating to the market for penny stocks. A penny stock is any equity security not traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share. The regulations applicable to penny stocks may severely affect the market liquidity for our Class A common stock and could limit the ability of stockholders to sell such securities in the secondary market. In such a case, an investor may find it more difficult to dispose of or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our Class A common stock, and there can be no assurance that our Class A common stock will be eligible for trading or quotation on any alternative exchanges or markets.

Delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market could adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing through public or private sales of equity securities, would significantly affect the ability of investors to trade our securities and would negatively affect the value and liquidity of our Class A common stock. Delisting could also have other negative results, including the potential loss of confidence by employees, the loss of institutional investor interest and fewer business development opportunities.

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We may become subject to “penny stock” rules, which could damage our reputation and the ability of investors to sell their shares of Class A common stock.

Stockholders should be aware that, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission Release No. 34-29093, the market for penny stocks has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. These patterns include: control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and ales and false and misleading press releases; “boiler room” practices involving high pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced sales persons; excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differentials and markups by selling broker-dealers; and the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, along with the inevitable collapse of those prices with consequent investor losses.

Furthermore, the penny stock designation may adversely affect the development of any public market for our shares of Class A common stock or, if such a market develops, its continuation. Broker-dealers are required to personally determine whether an investment in penny stock is suitable for customers. Penny stocks are securities (i) with a price of less than five dollars ($5.00) per share; (ii) that are not traded on a “recognized” national exchange; and (iii) of an issuer with net tangible assets less than $2,000,000 (if the issuer has been in continuous operation for at least three years) or $5,000,000 (if in continuous operation for less than three years), or with average annual revenues of less than $6,000,000 for the last three years. Section 15(g) of the Exchange Act and Rule 15g-2 of the SEC require broker-dealers dealing in penny stocks to provide potential investors with a document disclosing the risks of penny stocks and to obtain a manually signed and dated written receipt of the document before effecting any transaction in a penny stock for the investor’s account. Potential investors in our Class A common stock are urged to obtain and read such disclosure carefully before purchasing any shares that are deemed to be penny stock. Rule 15g-9 of the SEC requires broker-dealers in penny stocks to approve the account of any investor for transactions in such stocks before selling any penny stock to that investor.

This procedure requires the broker-dealer to (i) obtain from the investor information concerning his financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives; (ii) reasonably determine, based on that information, that transactions in penny stocks are suitable for the investor and that the investor has sufficient knowledge and experience as to be reasonably capable of evaluating the risks of penny stock transactions; (iii) provide the investor with a written statement setting forth the basis on which the broker-dealer made the determination in (ii) above; and (iv) receive a signed and dated copy of such statement from the investor, confirming that it accurately reflects the investor’s financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives. Compliance with these requirements may make it more difficult for the Company’s stockholders to resell their shares of Class A common stock to third parties or to otherwise dispose of them.

The financial and operational projections that we may make from time to time are subject to inherent risks.

The projections that our management may provide from time to time (including, but not limited to, financial or operational matters) reflect numerous assumptions made by management, including assumptions with respect to our specific as well as general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, there is a risk that the assumptions made in preparing the projections, or the projections themselves, will prove inaccurate. There will be differences between actual and projected results, and actual results may be materially different from those contained in the projections. The inclusion of the projections in (or incorporated by reference in) this prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that we or our management or representatives considered or consider the projections to be a reliable prediction of future events, and the projections should not be relied upon as such.

If we were to dissolve, the holders of our securities may lose all or substantial amounts of their investments.

If we were to dissolve as a corporation, as part of ceasing to do business or otherwise, we may be required to pay all amounts owed to any creditors and/or preferred stockholders before distributing any assets to the investors and/or preferred stockholders. There is a risk that in the event of such a dissolution, there will be insufficient funds to repay amounts owed to holders of any of our indebtedness and insufficient assets to distribute to our other investors, in which case investors could lose their entire investment.

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An investment in our Company may involve tax implications, and you are encouraged to consult your own tax and other advisors as neither we nor any related party is offering any tax assurances or guidance regarding our Company or your investment.

An investment in our Company generally, involves complex federal, state and local income tax considerations. Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor any state or local taxing authority has reviewed the transactions described herein and may take different positions than the ones contemplated by management. You are strongly urged to consult your own tax and other advisors prior to investing, as neither we nor any of our officers, directors or related parties is offering you tax or similar advice, nor are any such persons making any representations and warranties regarding such matters.

In making your investment decision, you should understand that we have not authorized any other party to provide you with information concerning us or this offering.

You should carefully evaluate all of the information in this prospectus before investing in our Company. We may receive media coverage regarding our company, including coverage that is not directly attributable to statements made by our officers, that incorrectly reports on statements made by our officers or employees, or that is misleading as a result of omitting information provided by us, our officers or employees. We have not authorized any other party to provide you with information concerning us or this offering, and you should not rely on this information in making an investment decision.

We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and may identify additional material weaknesses in the future. If we fail to remediate this material weakness or otherwise fail to establish and maintain effective control over financial reporting, it may adversely affect our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results, and may adversely affect investor confidence and business operations.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

We and our independent registered public accounting firm identified certain material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021. The material weaknesses identified relate to (i) the lack of full time personnel with appropriate levels of accounting knowledge and experience to address complex U.S. GAAP accounting issues and to prepare and review financial statements and related disclosures under U.S. GAAP. Specifically, the Company’s control did not operate effectively to ensure the appropriate and timely analysis of and accounting for unusual and non-routine transactions and certain financial statement accounts; (ii) the lack of adequate policies and procedures in control environment and control activities to ensure that the Company’s policies and procedures have been carried out as planned. The Company has yet to set up internal audit functions; (iii) failure to keep a perpetual inventory control system, as goods received were not scanned into the MoleQ POS system on a timely basis, inventory shortages were not timely calculated and recorded during the audit periods and the Company relies on a consultant to adjust the inventory basis after the full inventory count at fiscal year-end; (iv) the lack of monitoring of related party transactions on a timely basis and the lack of maintaining of a related party list and (v) information technology general control in the areas of: (1) Risk and Vulnerability Assessment; (2) Selection and Management/Monitoring of Critical Vendors; (3) System Development and Change Management; (4) Backup Management; (5) System Security & Access: Deficiency in the Area of Audit Trail Record Control, Password Management, Vulnerability Scanning or Penetration Testing; (6) Segregation of Duties, Privileged Access, and Monitoring Controls; and (7) System Monitoring and Incident Management.

Although we continue to remediate our material weakness, we may be unable to remediate it in a timely manner, or at all, and additional weaknesses in our disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting may be discovered in the future. Any failure to remediate the material weakness or otherwise develop or maintain effective controls or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or improvement could limit our ability to prevent or detect a misstatement of our accounts or disclosures that could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements. In such case, we may be unable to maintain compliance with securities law requirements regarding timely filing of periodic reports in addition to the maintenance requirements of Nasdaq, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and our stock price may decline as a result.

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Additionally, when we cease to be an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws, our independent registered public accounting firm may be required to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls. If we are unable to confirm that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could cause the price of our Class A common stock to decline. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our financial statements from prior periods.

If we do not appropriately maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results and the market price of our securities may be adversely affected.

We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on such company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

However, if we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, our management may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level. This could in turn result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and negatively impact the trading price of our securities.

We are a “Controlled Company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and, as a result, may, and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.

We are, and will remain, a “Controlled Company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because, and as long as, our CEO, John Xu, holds more than 50% of the Company’s voting power, he will exercise control over the management and affairs of the company and matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of the Company’s directors and the acquisition of us by a third party. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted, and intend, to elect to rely on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including:

        an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors;

        an exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent directors; and

        an exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors.

As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements, including that a majority of the members of our board of directors may not be independent directors, and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees may not consist entirely of independent directors. Additionally, in the event that a third party were to seek to acquire us, there can be no guarantee, even if that third party’s offer were consider beneficial, that such a transaction would be contemplated resulting in your ability to obtain a premium for your shares being limited.

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The dual class structure of our common stock will have the effect of concentrating voting power with our CEO, John Xu, and his affiliates, which may depress the market value of the Class A common stock and will limit a stockholder or a new investor’s ability to influence the outcome of important transactions, including a change in control.

While the economic rights of our common stock are the same, the Class A common stock has one (1) vote per share, while Class B common stock has ten (10) votes per share. As of February 24, 2023, our Class B common stockholders represent approximately 62% of our voting power. Given the 10:1 voting ratio, even a significant issuance of Class A common stock, and/or a transaction involving Class A common stock as consideration, may not impact Mr. Xu’s significant majority voting position in us.

We have enacted a dual class voting structure to ensure the continuity of voting control in us for the foreseeable future. As a result, for the foreseeable future and after the consummation of the offering, Mr. Xu and his affiliates will be able to control matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other major corporate transactions.

Mr. Xu and his affiliates may have interests that differ from other stockholders and may vote their Class B common stock in a way with which other stockholders may disagree or which may be adverse to such other stockholders’ interests. In addition, this concentrated control will have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of Maison, could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their capital stock as part of a sale of Maison, and might have a negative effect on the market price of shares of our Class A common stock.

We are an “emerging growth company” and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our securities less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We may remain an emerging growth company until the fiscal year ended April 30, 2028. However, if our annual gross revenue hits $1.235 billion, or our non-convertible debt issued within a three-year period or revenues exceeds $1 billion, or the market value of the shares of our Class A common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year. As an emerging growth company, we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and are exempt from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Additionally, as an emerging growth company, we have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates. As a result, potential investors may be less likely to invest in our securities.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are included throughout this prospectus, including, but not limited to, in the sections titled “Prospectus Summary”, “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Business” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”, and relate to matters such as our industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other financial and operating information. We have used the words “anticipate”, “forecast”, “assume”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “should”, “can have”, “likely”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “will”, “plan”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “future” and similar terms and phrases, or the negative of these terms and phrases to identify forward-looking statements in this prospectus. For example, all statements we make relating to our estimated and projected store openings, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results, our plans and objectives for future operations, growth or initiatives, strategies or the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including: our ability to open new stores on a timely basis or at all; our ability to establish or maintain our center-satellite store network; our ability to implement our multi-channel initiatives; our ability to achieve sustained sales and profitable operating margins at new stores; the availability of financing to pursue our new store openings on satisfactory terms or at all; our ability to compete effectively with other retailers; our ability to maintain price competitiveness; the geographic concentration of our stores; ongoing economic uncertainty; our ability to maintain or improve our operating margins; our history of net losses; product supply disruptions in the delivery of perishable products; negative effects to our reputation from real or perceived quality or health issues with our food products; our ability to protect or maintain our intellectual property; the failure of our information technology or administrative systems to perform as anticipated; data security breaches and the release of confidential customer information; our ability to retain and attract senior management, key employees and qualified store-level employees; rising costs of providing employee benefits, including increased healthcare costs and pension contributions due to unfunded pension liabilities; our ability to negotiate any future collective bargaining agreements; changes to financial accounting standards regarding store leases; changes in law; additional indebtedness incurred in the future; our ability to satisfy our ongoing capital needs and unanticipated cash requirements; claims made against us resulting in litigation; increases in commodity prices; severe weather and other natural disasters in areas in which we have stores; wartime activities, threats or acts of terror or a widespread regional, national or global health epidemic; our high level of fixed lease obligations; impairment of our goodwill; and other factors discussed under “Risk Factors.”

We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, or cautionary statements, are disclosed under the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements as well as other cautionary statements that are made from time to time in our other SEC filings and public communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this prospectus in the context of these risks and uncertainties, and you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.

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We caution you that the important factors described in the sections in this prospectus titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” may not be all of the factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the issuance and sale of shares of Class A common stock in this offering will be approximately $10.57 million, assuming an initial public offering price of $4.00 per share, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in this offering is exercised in full, we estimate that our net proceeds will be approximately $12.24 million.

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $4.00 per share would increase (decrease) our net proceeds from this offering by approximately $2.80 million, or $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in this offering is exercised in full, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, an increase (decrease) in the number of shares offered by us in the offering of one million shares, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by $3.73 million, assuming the initial public offering price of $4.00 per share remained the same and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds to us from this offering primarily for (i) completing the acquisition of the remaining 90% equity interests in (a) the Alhambra Store from Ms. Grace Xu, spouse of Mr. John Xu, our chief executive officer, and (b) Dai Cheong from Mr. Xu, by paying off the SBA loans held by each entity of approximately $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, as partial consideration for such acquisitions; (ii) opening new center stores, including a flagship store in Rowland Heights, California; (iii) repaying our two loans of approximately $0.39 million in aggregate with American First National Bank, which loans have an interest rate of 4.5% per annum and a maturity date of March 2, 2024; (iv) research and development of our operating systems with JD.com, including upgrading our ERP system and POS system; (v) developing our business online; and (vi) making upgrades and performing renovations to our existing stores.

We intend to use any remaining balance of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital, sales and marketing activities, general administrative matters, operating expenses and capital expenditures. We will have broad discretion over the uses of the net proceeds in this offering.

As of the date of this prospectus, the expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions and certain assumptions regarding current economic and industry conditions and the Company’s future prospects. The amounts and timing of our actual business expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including market conditions, business developments and opportunities and related rate of growth, sales and marketing activities and competition. We may find it necessary or advisable to use portions of the proceeds from this offering for other purposes. From time to time, we evaluate these proposes and other factors and we anticipate continuing to make such evaluations to determine the existing allocations of resources, including the proceeds of this offering, are being optimized. We cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the proceeds of this offering or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amount and timing of actual expenditures may vary significantly, depending on a number of factors. Pending use of the net proceeds from this offering, we may invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities. We cannot predict whether any proceeds invested will yield a favorable return.

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MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

Market for our Class A Common Stock

Prior to this offering, our Class A common stock has not been traded on an established public trading market, and quotations for our Class A common stock were not reported on any market. As a result, there has been no regular market for our Class A common stock. As of April 30, 2023, there were 13,760,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding held by five holders of record.

We have applied to list our Class A common stock for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “MSS,” although there can be no assurance our listing will be approved. It is a condition of this offering that our Class A common stock be listed on Nasdaq. We cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for our Class A common stock will develop or be sustained after this offering. You may not be able to sell your shares quickly or at the market price if trading in our Class A common stock is not active.

Dividend Policy

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on our Class A common stock in the foreseeable future. Any further determination to pay dividends on our capital stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, capital requirements, general business conditions, and other factors that our board of directors considers relevant.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of January 31, 2023:

        on an actual basis;

        on a pro forma basis, giving effect to our sale and issuance of 3,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price per share of $4.00, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

This table should be read in conjunction with “Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Unless otherwise stated, all dollar amounts expressed below are in thousands, except per share amounts.

 

As of January 31, 2023

   

Actual(1)

 

Pro Forma
As Adjusted

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,580

 

$

13,145

   

 

   

 

 

Long-term loan payables (current and non-current portion)

 

 

3,033

 

 

3,033

   

 

   

 

 

Shareholders’ Deficit:

 

 

   

 

 

Class A common stock

 

 

1.4

 

 

1.7

Class B common stock

 

 

0.2

 

 

0.2

Additional paid in capital

 

 

 

 

10,564

Retained earnings

 

 

192

 

 

192

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

188

 

 

188

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

381

 

 

10,946

Total capitalization

 

$

3,414

 

 

13,979

____________

(1)      The amounts above are based on 13,760,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding as of January 31, 2023 and does not include 3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock underlying future equity awards that are reserved for issuance under the 2023 Plan.

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DILUTION

If you invest in our Class A common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our Class A common stock and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our Class A and Class B common stock immediately after this offering.

Net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of Class A common stock in this offering and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our confirmed Class A and Class B common stock immediately after completion of this offering.

Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets less our total liabilities by the number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding. Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) as of January 31, 2023 was $(2,119,212), or $(0.13) per share, assuming 13,760,000 shares of Class A common stock and 2,240,000 shares of Class B common stock were outstanding as of January 31, 2023 giving retroactive effect to the stock split completed in September 2021, but prior to this offering.

After giving effect to the sale by us of 3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $4.00 per share, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma net tangible book value as of January 31, 2023 would have been $8.45 million, or $0.44 per share. This represents an immediate increase in historical net tangible book value of $0.57 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of $3.56 per share to investors purchasing shares of our Class A common stock in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price. The following table illustrates this dilution:

 

January 31, 2023

   

Without
Over-Allotment

 

With
Over-Allotment
Exerc
ised
in Full

Assumed initial public offering price per share

 

$

4.00

 

 

$

4.00

 

Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of January 31, 2023

 

 

(0.13

)

 

 

(0.13

)

Increase in historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share attributable to new investors in this offering

 

 

0.57

 

 

 

0.65

 

Pro forma net tangible book value per share immediately after this offering

 

 

0.44

 

 

 

0.52

 

Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering

 

 

3.56

 

 

 

3.48

 

The following table summarizes, as of January 31, 2023, the number of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock combined, the total consideration and the average price per share (i) paid to us by existing Class A and Class B common stockholders, and (ii) to be paid by new investors acquiring our Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $4.00 per share, before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.

 

Shares Purchased

 

Total Consideration

 

Average Price
Per Share

   

Number

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Existing stockholders

 

16,000,000

(1)

 

84

%

 

$

 1,600

 

0.01

%

 

0.0001

New investors

 

3,000,000

(2)

 

16

%

 

$

   12,000,000

 

99.99

%

 

4.00

TOTAL

 

19,000,000

 

 

100

%

 

$

  12,001,600

 

100.00

%

 

0.63

____________

(1)      The amounts above exclude:

        3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock underlying future equity awards that are reserved for issuance under the 2023 Plan;

        shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, having an average of $            per share.

(2)      The amounts are based on 13,760,000 shares of our Class A common stock and 2,240,000 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding giving effect to the sale of 3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed offering price of $4.00 per share.

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If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, then our pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock as of January 31, 2023, would be approximately $10.12 million, or $0.52 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value to our existing shareholders of approximately $0.65 per share and immediate dilution in net tangible book value to investors purchasing shares in this offering of approximately $3.48 per share.

The table above excludes the impact of            shares which may be issued under the Plan. If equity awards are issued under the Plan, investors purchasing in this offering will experience further dilution.

In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital because of market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe that we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our shareholders.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with those statements. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with “Selected Historical Financial and Other Data” and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors”, and included in other portions of this prospectus.

Forward-Looking Statements

This prospectus includes forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. References to “we”, “us”, “our,” “Maison” or the “Company” are to Maison Solutions Inc., except where the context requires otherwise.

Overview

We are a fast-growing, specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise to modern U.S. consumers, in particular to members of Asian-American communities. We are committed to providing Asian fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other daily necessities in a manner that caters to traditional Asian-American family values and cultural norms, while also accounting for the new and faster-paced lifestyle of younger generations and the diverse makeup of the communities in which we operate. To achieve this, we are developing a center-satellite stores network. Since our formation in July 2019, we have acquired equity interests in three (3) traditional Asian supermarkets in Los Angeles, California. Since April 30, 2022, we have been operating these supermarkets as center stores. The center stores target traditional Asian-American, family-oriented customers with a variety of meat, fresh produce and other merchandise, while additionally stocking items which appeal to the broader community. We are operating these traditional Asian-American, family-oriented supermarkets with our management’s deep cultural understanding of our consumers’ unique consumption habits. In addition to the traditional supermarkets, on December 31, 2021, we acquired a 10% equity interest in a new grocery store located in Alhambra, California, a young and active community (the “Alhambra Store”). The Alhambra store is 100% owned by Mrs. Grace Xu, the spouse of Mr. John Xu, our chief executive officer. We intend to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. Our intention is that the Alhambra Store will serve as our first satellite store. The investment in the Alhambra Store is considered a related party transaction because Mrs. Xu is the spouse of Mr. Xu, our CEO. Please refer to “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for further explanation. In May 2021, the Company acquired 10% of the equity interests in Dai Cheong, a wholesale business which mainly supplies foods and groceries imported from Asia, which is owned by our CEO John Xu. We intend to acquire the controlling ownership of Dai Cheong with a portion of the net proceeds of this offering. By adding Dai Cheong to our portfolio, we will take the first step toward creating a vertically integrated supply-retail structure. Having an importer as a part of our portfolio will allow us the opportunity to offer a wider variety of products and to reap the benefits of preferred wholesale pricing.

Collaboration with JD.com

On April 19, 2021, JD US, the U.S. subsidiary of JD.com, and Maison entered into a Collaboration Agreement (the “Collaboration Agreement”) pursuant to which JD.com will provide services to Maison focused on updating in store technology through the development of a new mobile app and the updating of new in-store technology, and revising store layouts to promote efficiency. The agreement included a consultancy and initialization fee of $220,000, 40% of which was payable within 3 days of effectiveness, and which has been paid, 40% of which is due

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within 3 days of the completion and delivery of initialization services as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement and the remaining 20% is payable within three (3) days of the completion and delivery of the implementation services, as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement. The Collaboration Agreement also included certain additional storage and implementation fees to be determined by the parties and royalty fees, following the commercial launch of the platform developed by JD.com, of 1.2% of gross merchandise value based on information generated by the platform. For each additional store requiring Consultancy and Initialization service, an additional $50,000 will be charged for preparing the feasibility plan for such additional store. The Collaboration Agreement has an initial term of 10 years and customary termination and indemnification provisions. Simultaneously with the effectiveness of the Collaboration Agreement JD and Maison entered into an Intellectual Property License Agreement (the “IP Agreement”) outlining certain trademarks, logos and designs and other intellectual property rights used in connection with the retail supermarket operations outlined in the Collaboration Agreement, which includes an initial term of 10 years and customary termination provisions.

Key Factors that Affect Operating Results

Inflation

The annual inflation rate for the United States was 6.4% for the 12 months ended January 2023 after rising as high as 9.1% previously, according to U.S. Labor Department data published on February 16, 2023. Inflation increased our purchase costs, occupancy costs and payroll costs. To offset inflationary pressures, we have increased our products’ selling price to cover these increased costs.

Operating cost increase after initial public offering

As a new public company, we will be subject to increased operating costs related to our listing on Nasdaq and compliance with Securities Act and Exchange Act periodic reporting. For example, the annual audit expenses, the legal service expenses and related consulting service expenses will increase operating costs.

Supply chain disruptions

Due to ongoing inflationary and supply chain pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has experienced financial pressure when ordering and receiving products during 2021 and through September 2022. Specifically, the Company was impacted by increased shipping costs attributable to container shortages, port delays, and truck and driver shortages. We attempted to mitigate these disruptions by diversifying our supply chains, establishing backup plans, and increasing our inventory levels, as well as adjusting our products’ price. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company has been able to evolve its operations to successfully navigate such challenges, including the diversification of its supplier network, the adjustment of its inventory purchase pattern, and the continued focus on and investment in automation in its operations and its E-commerce platform. To gain buying power, the Company works with third-party vendors, who have more buying power to get products. To work with these third-parties, the Company needs to provide prepayments per order. Moreover, over the course of 2022, we saw a gradual easing of shipping costs and improvement in on-time shipping from our overseas vendors. While these supply chain challenges have led to an increase in costs to consumers, they have not materially impacted our ability to offer products and our sales increased during the fourth quarter of 2022. For the nine months ended January 31, 2023, our sales were $41.2 million, a $10.1 million increase from January 31, 2022, and gross profit increased $3.1 million from January 31, 2022, as a result of our acquisition of Maison Monterey Park. We have been able to remain stable during this challenging period as our sales were $42.0 million and $41.2 million for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, our gross profit remained at $8.3 million for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021.

Competition

Food retail is a competitive industry. Our competition varies and includes national, regional, and local conventional supermarkets, national superstores, alternative food retailers, natural foods stores, smaller specialty stores, farmers’ markets, supercenters, online retailers, mass or discount retailers and membership warehouse clubs. Our principal competitors include 99 Ranch Market and H-Mart for conventional supermarkets and Weee! for online groceries. Each of these stores competes with us based on product selection, product quality, customer service, price, store format, location, or a combination of these factors. In addition, some competitors are

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aggressively expanding their number of stores or their product offerings. Some of these competitors may have been in business longer, may have more experience operating multiple store locations or may have greater financial or marketing resources than us.

As competition in certain areas intensifies or competitors open stores within proximity to our stores, our results of operations may be negatively impacted through a loss of sales, decrease in market share, reduction in margin from competitive price changes or greater operating costs. In addition, other established food retailers could enter our markets, increasing competition for market share.

Payroll

As of January 31, 2023, we had approximately 64 employees, who work as full-time or part-time employees. Our employees are not unionized nor, to our knowledge, are there any plans for them to unionize. We have never experienced a strike or significant work stoppage. We consider our employee relations to be good. Minimum wage rates in some states have recently increased. For example, the minimum wage rose from $13 to $14 per hour from 2020 to 2021, and increased to $15.50 per hour in 2023 in Los Angeles. Payroll and payroll tax expenses were $5.0 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, and $3.6 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2022. Payroll and payroll tax expenses were $4.5 million for the year ended April 30, 2022, and $4.2 million for the year ended April 30, 2021, and in the year ended April 30, 2023, we estimate that our payroll expense will increase to $6 million due to the new acquisition of the Monterrey Park store supermarket in June 2022.

Vendor and Supply Management

Maison believes that a centralized and efficient vendor and supply management system is the key to profitability. Maison has major vendors, including Drop in The Ocean Inc., ONCO Food Corp. and GF Distribution, Inc. For the nine months ended January 31, 2023, three suppliers accounted for 20%, 18% and 18% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively. For the nine months ended January 31, 2022, three suppliers accounted for 27%, 22% and 13% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively.

For the year ended April 30, 2022, these three suppliers accounted for 23%, 21% and 14% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively. For the year ended April 30, 2021, three suppliers accounted for 54%, 26% and 18% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively. Maison believes that its centralized vendor management enhances its negotiating power and improves its ability to manage vendor payables.

Store Maintenance and Renovation

From time to time, Maison conducts maintenance on the fixtures and equipment for its stores. Any maintenance or renovations could interrupt the operation of our stores and result in a decline in customer volume. Significant maintenance or renovation would affect our operation and operating results. Meanwhile, improving the store environment can also attract more customers and lead to an increase in sales. Maison focused on improving stores for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. We spent $294,230 for repairs and maintenance of all departments, an increase of $28,765, compared to $265,465 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. We spent $197,000 for repairs and maintenance for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 as compared to $225,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2022.

Critical Accounting Policy

Related Parties

The Company identifies related parties, and accounts for, discloses related party transactions in accordance with ASC Topic 850, “Related Party Disclosures” and other relevant ASC standards. Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests.

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Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Significant accounting estimates are used for, but not limited to, useful lives of property and equipment, commitments and contingencies, inventory reserve, allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts receivables and other receivables, impairment of long-lived assets, contract liabilities and valuation of deferred tax assets. Given the global economic climate and additional or unforeseen effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, these estimates have become more challenging, and actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Inventories

Inventories, consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires us to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. The Company records inventory shrinkage based on the historical data and management’s estimates and provided a reserve for inventory shrinkage for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022.

Revenue recognition

The Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), from May 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective transition approach to all contracts that did not have an impact on the beginning retained earnings on May 1, 2020. The Group’s revenue recognition policies effective on the adoption date of ASC 606 are presented as below.

In accordance with ASC Topic 606, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied upon the transfer of goods to the customer, which occurs at the point of sale. Revenues are recorded net of discounts, sales taxes and returns and allowances.

The Company sells Company gift cards to customers. There are no administrative fees on unused gift cards, and the gift cards do not have an expiration date. Gift card sales are recorded as contract liability when sold and are recognized as revenue when either the gift card is redeemed, or the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed is remote (“gift card breakage”). The Company’s gift card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns, and it recognizes breakage revenue utilizing the redemption recognition method. The Company also offers discounts on the gift cards sold to its customers. The discounts are recorded as sales discount when gift card been redeemed.

The Company’s contract liability related to gift cards was $254,160 and $370,929 as of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, respectively.

Leases

On May 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Lease (FASB ASC Topic 842). The adoption of Topic 842 resulted in the presentation of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 12 — “Leases” for additional information.

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract under ASC Topic 842. At the commencement of each lease, management determines its classification as an operating or finance lease. For leases that qualify as operating leases, ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of any remaining lease payments over the lease term. For this purpose, the Company considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of its leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU assets include adjustments for accrued lease payments. The

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ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to commencement and is recorded net of any lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options.

A short-term lease is defined as a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. When determining whether a lease qualifies as a short-term lease, the Company evaluates the lease term and the purchase option. Hence, the Company does not recognize any operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities for short-term leases.

The Company evaluates the carrying value of ROU assets if there are indicators of impairment and review the recoverability of the related asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group is determined to not be recoverable and is in excess of the estimated fair value, the Company will record an impairment loss in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company also subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rent from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income collected from sub-lease tenants recognized as rental income and deducted occupancy cost.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Please refer to Note 2 “Summary of significant accounting policies” for details.

COVID-19

The health and safety of our employees and customers has been our highest priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly increased our operating expenses. We continue to clean all departments areas, restrooms, and other high-traffic surfaces in our stores, including our service counters. We continue to provide protective equipment which includes physical safety barriers and facemasks, gloves for all our employees.

We continue to experience strong demand in stores as well as online as people have adjusted to the new circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We have responded to increased demand driven by the COVID-19 pandemic by hiring additional employees and retaining additional sales from third-party online platform. However, we do expect that as the COVID-19 pandemic has been gradually contained in United States, customers began returning to their normal shopping habits and consequently their spending on food and groceries may decline. Pandemic-induced extra shopping may not be sustained, and in future periods our revenue may decline, which could lead to reductions in the size of our workforce.

The extent to which the Pandemic may continue to impact our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. We may experience an impact to the timing and availability of key products from suppliers, broader quarantines or other restrictions that limit consumer visits to our stores, increased employee impacts from illness, school closures and other community response measures, all of which could negatively impact our business. We continually monitor the situation and regularly adjust our policies and practices as more information and guidance becomes available.

How to Assess Our Performance

In assessing performance, management considers a variety of performance and financial measures, including principal growth in net revenue, gross profit and selling, general and administrative expenses. The key measures that we use to evaluate the performance of our business are set forth below.

Net Revenue

Our net revenues comprise gross revenues net of returns and discounts. We do not record sales taxes as a component of retail revenues as it is considered a pass-through conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes.

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Gross Profit

We calculate gross profit as net revenues less cost of revenues and occupancy costs. Gross margin represents gross profit as a percentage of net revenues. Occupancy costs include store rental costs. The components of our cost of revenues and occupancy costs may not be identical to those of our competitors. As a result, our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to similar data made available by our competitors.

Cost of revenue includes the purchase price of consumer products, inbound and outbound shipping costs, including costs related to our sorting and delivery centers, which is the warehouse attached to the El Monte store, and where we are the transportation service provider. Shipping costs to receive products from our suppliers are included in our inventory and recognized in cost of revenues upon sale of products to our customers.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of retail operational expenses, administrative salaries and benefits costs, marketing, advertising, and corporate overhead.

Marketing costs primarily consist of advertising and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities.

General and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs for corporate functions, including payroll and related expenses; facilities and equipment expenses, such as depreciation and amortization expense and rent; and professional fees and litigation costs.

Results of Operations for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022

 

Nine Months ended January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Net revenues

 

$

41,215,255

 

 

$

31,074,455

 

 

$

10,140,800

 

32.6

%

Cost of revenues

 

 

31,815,554

 

 

 

24,800,409

 

 

 

7,015,145

 

28.3

%

Gross profit

 

 

9,399,701

 

 

 

6,274,046

 

 

 

3,125,655

 

49.8

%

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

Selling expenses

 

 

6,670,088

 

 

 

4,806,980

 

 

 

1,863,108

 

38.8

%

General and administrative expenses

 

 

2,649,419

 

 

 

2,137,623

 

 

 

511,796

 

23.9

%

Total operating expenses

 

 

9,319,507

 

 

 

6,944,603

 

 

 

2,374,903

 

34.2

%

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

80,194

 

 

 

(670,557

)

 

 

750,751

 

112.0

%

Other income, net

 

 

1,321,533

 

 

 

41,438

 

 

 

1,280,095

 

3,089.2

%

Interest income (expenses), net

 

 

15,705

 

 

 

(41,798

)

 

 

57,503

 

137.6

%

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

1,417,432

 

 

 

(670,917

)

 

 

2,088,349

 

311.3

%

Income tax provisions

 

 

(189,151

)

 

 

(27,116

)

 

 

162,035

 

597.6

%

Net income (loss)

 

 

1,228,281

 

 

 

(698,033

)

 

 

1,926,314

 

276.0

%

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

307,655

 

 

 

51,540

 

 

 

256,115

 

496.9

%

Net income (loss) attributable to Maison Solutions Inc.

 

$

920,626

 

 

$

(749,573

)

 

$

1,670,199

 

222.8

%

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Revenues

 

Nine Months ended January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Perishables

 

$

23,069,855

 

$

18,495,264

 

$

4,574,591

 

24.7

%

Non-perishables

 

 

18,145,400

 

 

12,579,191

 

 

5,566,209

 

44.2

%

Net revenue

 

$

41,215,255

 

$

31,074,455

 

$

10,140,800

 

32.6

%

Our net revenues were approximately $41.2 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of approximately $10.1 million, or 32.6%, from approximately $31.1 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2022. The increase in net revenues was driven by the inclusion of revenues from our newly acquired subsidiary Maison Monterey Park supermarket of $10.4 million. Our existing three supermarkets contributed $30.8 million revenue during the nine months ending January 31, 2023, a slight decrease of approximately $0.3 million, as compared to the same period of 2022. The $0.3 million decrease was mainly due to the lessening impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and more people eating out instead of eating pre-made meals from grocery stores and cooking at home.

Cost of Revenues

 

Nine Months ended January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Total cost of revenues

 

$

31,815,554

 

$

24,800,409

 

$

7,015,145

 

28.3

%

Cost of revenues includes cost of supermarket product sales and occupancy costs, which are store rent expense, depreciation for store property and equipment, inventory shrinkage costs and store supplies. The depreciation expense comes from machinery & equipment, such as refrigerator, water heater, forklift, and freezer and furniture & fixtures, such as metal shelves, shopping cart, and LED lights. Shrinkage costs are different for different types of products. For example, fruits and vegetables have a high allowance rate during the receiving and display process. The seafood and meat departments have a low allowance rate because the non-fresh products can freeze and sell for the same price or even higher price after being cut. The cost of revenues increased by approximately $7.0 million, from $24.8 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2022, to approximately $31.8 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023. The increase in the cost of revenue was due to the inclusion of cost of revenue from our newly acquired Maison Monterey Park supermarket of $8.1 million which was partly offset by decreased freight costs from the other three supermarkets.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

Nine Months ended January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Gross Profit

 

$

9,399,701

 

 

$

6,274,046

 

 

$

3,125,655

 

49.8

%

Gross Margin

 

 

22.8

%

 

 

20.2

%

 

 

   

2.6

%

Gross profit was approximately $9.4 million and $6.3 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Gross margin was 22.8% and 20.2% for the nine Months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our supermarkets’ sales profit margins slightly increased by 2.6% from the same period last year, which was mainly due to increased profit margin of our El Monte store. We also hired a new grocery department manager with extensive industry experience to assist in reorganizing the stores, develop new marketing strategies to promote sales, and setting up effective products purchasing policies to lower the costs.

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Total Operating Expenses

 

Nine Months ended January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Selling Expense

 

$

6,670,088

 

 

$

4,806,980

 

 

$

1,863,108

 

38.8

%

General and Administration Expense

 

 

2,649,419

 

 

 

2,137,623

 

 

 

511,796

 

23.9

%

Total Operating Expense

 

$

9,319,507

 

 

$

6,944,603

 

 

$

2,374,904

 

34.2

%

Percentage of revenue

 

 

22.6

%

 

 

22.3

%

 

 

   

0.3

%

Total operating expenses were approximately $9.3 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of approximately $2.4 million, compared to approximately $6.9 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2022. Total operating expense as a percentage of revenues was 22.6% and 22.3% for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to the increase of selling expense, which includes the increase of payroll expenses, utilities expense, property tax and credit card service charge. Payroll expenses increased by approximately $1.4 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in payroll expenses was mainly due to the increased employees’ hourly rates and due to the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park. Property tax increased by approximately $0.06 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 due to the property tax paid at Maison Monterey Park. Utility expense increased by approximately $0.2 million in the nine months ended January 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 due to the increased usage rate and due to the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park. Credit card service charges increased by approximately $0.2 million due to the increased sales from the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park.

The increase in general and administration expenses during the nine months ended January 31, 2023 was primarily due to increased IPO related professional fees, including legal, audit and consulting fees, of approximately $0.5 million, and increased general and administrative expenses of approximately $0.2 million from our newly acquired Maison Monterey Park store and increased miscellaneous expenses of approximately $0.07 million mainly due to a significant increase in traveling expense, because of the Company’s IPO plan; however, the increase was partially offset by decreased G&A expenses of our El Monte and Monrovia stores due to effective cost control efforts. During the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, we had professional fees of approximately $1.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

Other Income, net

Other income was approximately $1.3 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, and approximately $41,438 for the nine months ended January 31, 2022. The increase in other income was mainly attributable to the $1.3 million employee retention credit (“ERC”) received in January 2023. The ERC is a refundable tax credit for businesses that continued to pay employees while shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic or had significant declines in gross receipts from March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2021.

Interest Income (Expense), net

Interest income was $15,705 for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of $57,503, from interest expense of $41,798 for the nine months ended January 31, 2022. The interest income was from the loan receivables from Drop in the Ocean, Inc. On April 30, 2020, we entered a promissory note with our vendor Drop in the Ocean, Inc. with a total loan amount of up to $4,000,000 with 6% interest. Drop in the Ocean repaid us in full including a 6% interest during the nine months ended January 31, 2023.

Income Taxes Provisions

Income tax expense was $189,151 for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of $162,035, from income taxes expense of $27,116 for the nine months ended January 31, 2022. The increase was mainly due to increased income for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 compared to loss for the nine months ended January 31, 2022.

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Net Income (loss)

Net income was approximately about $1.2 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of $1.9 million, or 276.0%, from $0.7 million of net loss for the nine months ended January 31, 2022, mainly attributable to the reasons as discussed above, which includes an approximately $3.1 million increase in gross profit and $1.3 million increase in other income, which was partially offset by increased operating expense of $2.3 million.

Results of Operations for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021

 

Years ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

 

Change

 

Percentage Change

Net revenues

 

$

41,984,221

 

 

$

41,195,276

 

 

$

788,945

 

 

1.9

%

Cost of revenues

 

 

33,697,597

 

 

 

32,884,774

 

 

 

812,823

 

 

2.5

%

Gross profit

 

 

8,286,624

 

 

 

8,310,502

 

 

 

(23,878

)

 

(0.3

)%

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Selling expenses

 

 

6,112,493

 

 

 

6,005,538

 

 

 

106,955

 

 

1.8

%

General and administrative expenses

 

 

3,000,721

 

 

 

1,751,562

 

 

 

1,249,159

 

 

71.3

%

Total operating expenses

 

 

9,113,214

 

 

 

7,757,100

 

 

 

1,356,114

 

 

17.5

%

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

(826,590

)

 

 

553,402

 

 

 

(1,379,992

)

 

(249.4

)%

Other income, net

 

 

155,821

 

 

 

968,652

 

 

 

(812,831

)

 

(83.9

)%

Interest Income (Expenses), net

 

 

43,481

 

 

 

(59,209

)

 

 

102,690

 

 

(173

)%

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

(627,288

)

 

 

1,462,845

 

 

 

(2,090,133

)

 

(142.9

)%

Income tax provisions

 

 

(27,738

)

 

 

(436,055

)

 

 

408,317

 

 

(93.6

)%

Net income (loss)

 

 

(655,026

)

 

 

1,026,790

 

 

 

(1,681,816

)

 

(163.8

)%

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(92,282

)

 

 

122,711

 

 

 

(214,993

)

 

(175.2

)%

Net income (loss) attributable to Maison Solutions Inc.

 

$

(562,744

)

 

$

904,079

 

 

$

(1,466,823

)

 

(162.2

)%

Revenues

 

Years ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Perishables

 

$

24,138,729

 

$

25,006,247

 

$

(867,518

)

 

(3.5

)%

Non-perishables

 

 

17,845,492

 

 

16,189,029

 

 

1,656,463

 

 

10.2

%

Net revenue

 

$

41,984,221

 

$

41,195,276

 

$

788,945

 

 

1.9

%

Our net revenues were approximately $42.0 million for the year ended April 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $0.8 million, or 1.9%, from approximately $41.2 million for the year ended April 30, 2021. The increase in net revenues was driven by an increase in revenues from the sale of non-perishable products and increased prices of these products, offset by a decrease in revenues from the sale of perishable items. During the COVID-19 pandemic, customers preferred to store more food at home based on shortages and a desire to limit time spent in public. This resulted in an increase in bulk purchases. Additionally, due to the overseas shipment shortage and supply chain disruptions, the cost of goods sold increased, which resulted in the increase of the sales price of goods in stores.

Cost of Revenues

 

Years ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Total cost of revenues

 

$

33,697,597

 

$

32,884,774

 

$

812,823

 

2.5

%

Cost of revenues includes cost of supermarket product sales and occupancy costs, which are store rent expense, depreciation for store property and equipment, inventory shrinkage costs and store supplies. The depreciation expense comes from Machinery & Equipment, such as refrigerator, water heater, forklift, and freezer and Furniture &

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Fixtures, such as metal shelves, shopping cart, and LED lights. Shrinkage costs are different for different type of products. For example, fruits and vegetables have a high allowance rate during receiving and display process. The seafood and meat departments have a low allowance rate because the non-fresh products can freeze and sell for the same price or even higher price after being cut. The cost of revenues increased by approximately $0.8 million, from $32.9 million for the year ended April 30, 2021, to approximately $33.7 million for the year ended April 30, 2022. The increase of cost of revenues was in line with the increase of our overall supermarket product sales and was a result of increases in the purchase price due to increased import costs and the effects of inflation.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

Years ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Gross Profit

 

$

8,286,624

 

 

$

8,310,502

 

 

$

(23,878

)

 

(0.3

)%

Gross Margin

 

 

19.7

%

 

 

20.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)%

Gross profit was approximately $8.3 million and $8.3 million for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Gross margin was 19.7% and 20.2% for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our supermarkets sales profit margins slightly decreased in fiscal year 2022, mainly due to increased import costs and the effects of inflation in 2022. The increase of the sales prices did not catch up with the inflation on cost of goods sold.

Total Operating Expenses

 

Years ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

 

Change

 

Percentage
Change

Selling Expense

 

$

6,112,493

 

 

$

6,005,538

 

 

$

106,955

 

1.8

%

General and Administration Expense

 

 

3,000,721

 

 

 

1,751,562

 

 

 

1,249,159

 

71.3

%

Total Operating Expense

 

$

9,113,214

 

 

$

7,757,100

 

 

$

1,356,114

 

17.5

%

Percentage of revenue

 

 

21.7

%

 

 

18.8

%

 

 

   

2.9

%

Total operating expenses were approximately $9.1 million for the year ended April 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $1.3 million, compared to approximately $7.8 million for the year ended April 30, 2021. Total operating expense as a percentage of revenues was 21.7% and 18.8% for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to the increase of general and administration expense, which includes the increase of payroll expenses and professional fees. Payroll expense increased by approximately $0.3 million in the year ended April 30, 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021. The increase in payroll expense was mainly due to the increased employees’ hourly rates and due to newly hired store management positions, who assist Maison to improve its service level and facilitate new store acquisitions. Professional fee expense increased by approximately $1.0 million in the year ended April 30, 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021 due to the expenses incurred related to IPO preparation and public company readiness related professional expenses. The increase in selling expense is primarily from advertising and promotion expense, including daily newspaper advertising and promotion of an annual store event.

Other Income, net

Other income was approximately $0.2 million for the year ended April 30, 2022, and approximately $1.0 million for the year ended April 30, 2021. The decrease in other income was mainly attributable to the PPP Loan forgiveness received, which was approximately $0.7 million for the year ended April 30, 2021.

Interest Income (Expense), net

Interest income was $43,481 for the year ended April 30, 2022, an increase of $102,690, from interest expense about $59,209 for the year ended April 30, 2021. The interest income was earned from the issuance of the promissory note with Drop in the Ocean, Inc. for a total amount up to $4 million with 6% interest rate, and XHJC Holding Inc. for a total amount of up to $1.0 million with 4% interest rate.

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Table of Contents

Income Taxes Provisions

Income tax expense was $27,738 for the year ended April 30, 2022, a change of approximately $408,317, from income taxes provision of approximately $436,055 for the year ended April 30, 2021. The change was mainly due to the operating loss for the year ended April 30, 2022 compared to the operating income for the year ended April 30, 2021.

Net Income (loss)

Net loss was approximately about $0.7 million for the year ended April 30, 2022, a change of approximately $1.7 million, or 163.8%, from $1.0 million of net income for the year ended April 30, 2021, mainly attributable to the reasons as discussed above, which includes approximately $1.0 million of expenses related to IPO preparation and public company readiness related professional expenses, and $0.3 million of extra payroll expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2023 Compared to the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022

As of January 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of approximately $2.6 million. We had net income attributable to us of approximately $920,626 for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and had a working capital deficit of approximately $0.6 million as of January 31, 2023. As of January 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding loan facilities of approximately $0.39 million due to American First National Bank, a National Banking Association, and approximately $2.6 million due to the SBA. The covenants of the loans require that so long as the loan agreements remain in effect, each borrower must maintain a ratio of debt service coverage of at least 1.3 to 1.0. This coverage ratio is evaluated as of the end of each fiscal year. As of fiscal year ending April 30, 2022, the coverage ratio for the loan under Maison San Gabriel was 2.0 to 1.0. As of fiscal year ending April 30, 2022, the coverage ratio for the loan under Maison Monrovia was 1.01 to 1.0, which is below the 1.3 to 1.0 set by bank. The Company reported this situation to American First National Bank, and there was no further action or notice of change on the terms of the loan agreement, nor a waiver from the bank up to the issuance date of the financial statements. Due to this violation of financial covenant as of April 30, 2022, the Company reclassified the loan balance of $0.3 million under Maison Monrovia as a current loan payable.

In assessing its liquidity, management monitors and analyzes the Company’s cash on-hand, its ability to generate sufficient revenue sources in the future, and its operating and capital expenditure commitments. We have funded our working capital, operations and other capital requirements in the past primarily by equity contributions from shareholders, cash flow from operations, government grants, and bank loans. Cash is required to pay purchase costs for inventory, rental expenses, salaries, income taxes, other operating expenses and to repay debts. Our ability to repay our current expenses and obligations will depend on the future realization of our current assets. Management has considered the historical experience, the economy, trends in the retail grocery industry, the expected collectability of our accounts receivable and the realization of the inventories as of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022. Our ability to continue to fund these items may be affected by general economic, competitive, and other factors, many of which are outside of our control.

We plan to acquire and open additional supermarkets with a portion of the proceeds of this offering to expand our footprint to both the West Coast and the East Coast, this includes completing the acquisition of the remaining 90% equity interests in both the Alhambra Store and Dai Cheong; opening new satellite stores in both Southern and Northern California in 2024 or 2025; acquiring up to five (5) center stores in 2024 and 2025 as part of our East Coast expansion; establishing a new warehouse in New York City to serve the East Coast by the end of 2025. Upon completion of our East Coast expansion, we expect that we will operate a total of ten center stores by the end of 2025.

To accomplish such expansion plan, we estimate the total related capital investment and expenditures to be approximately $35 million – $40 million, among which approximately $13 million – $16 million will be required within the next 12 months to support our preparation and opening of new stores in Southern and Northern California and acquiring additional supermarkets in the East Coast, based on management’s best estimate as of the date of this prospectus. We will also need approximately $0.39 million to fully settle our loan from American First National Bank.

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We believe that our current cash and cash flows provided by operating activities will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs for our existing business in the next 12 months from the date of the issuance date of the financial statements. However, we plan to use part of the proceeds from this offering to support our business expansion described above. We may also seek additional financing, to the extent needed, and there can be no assurance that such financing will be available on favorable terms, or at all. Such financing may include the use of additional debt or the sale of additional equity securities. Any financing which involves the sale of equity securities or instruments that are convertible into equity securities could result in immediate and possibly significant dilution to our existing shareholders. If it is determined that the cash requirements exceed the Company’s amounts of cash on hand, the Company may also seek to issue additional debt or obtain financial support from shareholders. The principal stockholder of the Company has made a commitment to provide financial support to the Company whenever necessary and will continue to provide support following the consummation of this offering.

All of our business expansion endeavors involve risks and will require significant management, human resources, and capital expenditures. There is no assurance that the investment to be made by us as contemplated under our future expansion plans will be successful and generate the expected return. If we are not able to manage our growth or execute our strategies effectively, or at all, our business, results of operations, and prospects may be materially and adversely affected. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy on a timely basis or at all. Additionally, new stores may place a greater burden on our existing resources and adversely affect our existing business” and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Industry — We will require significant additional capital to fund our expanding business, which may not be available to us on satisfactory terms or at all, and even if it is available, failure to use our capital efficiently could have an adverse effect on our profitability.”

The following table summarizes our cash flow data for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Nine Months ended January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

364,225

 

 

$

644,907

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

1,886,085

 

 

 

(648,918

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(641,396

)

 

 

2,428,612

 

Net change in cash and restricted cash

 

$

1,608,914

 

 

$

2,424,601

 

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $0.4 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and was mainly comprised of net income of approximately $1.2 million, add-back of non-cash depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $0.3 million; provision for inventory shrinkage reserve of $29,479; payment collected from accounts receivable from related parties of $85,981; decrease of inventories of approximately $0.2 million; decrease of prepayments of approximately $0.7 million; increase of outstanding accounts payable from related parties of $94,193, and an increase of outstanding taxes payable of approximately $0.2 million.

The net cash provided by operating activities was mainly offset by an increase of outstanding accounts receivable of approximately $0.9 million; increase of outstanding other receivables and other current assets of approximately $0.2 million; increased payment for accounts payable of $1.3 million; increased payment for accrued liability and other payables of $0.2 million; and increased payment for contract liabilities of $0.1 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $0.6 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2022, mainly comprised of add-back of non-cash depreciation expense of approximately $0.4 million, provision for inventory shrinkage $58,792, increase of outstanding accounts payable of approximately $1.9 million, increase of outstanding accounts payable from related parties of $60,056; increase of accrued expenses and other payables of approximately $0.4 million; and increase of outstanding taxes payable of $23,749.

The net cash provided by operating activities was mainly offset by net loss of approximately $0.7 million; deducting non-cash gain on disposal of fixed assets of $31,642; increase of outstanding accounts receivable of approximately $0.8 million, increase of outstanding accounts receivable from related parties of approximately $0.1 million, increase of inventory purchase of $0.6 million, and an increase of outstanding other receivables and other current assets of approximately $0.1 million.

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Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was approximately $1.9 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, which mainly consisted of loan repayment from third parties of approximately $4.4 million, which was partially offset with the purchase of equipment of $24,185, and payment for acquisition of subsidiary Maison Monterey Park of $2.5 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $0.7 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2022, which mainly consisted of purchase of equipment of $54,196, payment for intangible asset of $7,282, and loan to third parties of approximately $0.6 million, which was partially offset by cash received from asset disposal of $31,050.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $0.6 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, which mainly consisted of bank overdraft of $281,941, repayment on loan payable of $261,923, payments on other receivables from related parties of $62,932, and repayment to other payables of related parties of $34,600.

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $2.4 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2022, which mainly consisted of borrowings from loan payable of $2.0 million, repayment from other receivables from related parties of $0.4 million, and borrowings from other payables of related parties of $35,637.

Cash Flows for the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2022 Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2021

As of April 30, 2022, we had cash and restricted cash of approximately $1.0 million. We had operating loss attributable to us of approximately $0.6 million for the year ended April 30, 2022 and had working capital of approximately $1.5 million as of April 30, 2022. As of April 30, 2022, the Company had outstanding loan facilities of approximately $0.6 million due to American First National Bank, a National Banking Association, and approximately $2.6 million due to the SBA. The covenants of the loans require that so long as the loan agreements remain in effect, each borrower must maintain a ratio of debt service coverage of at least 1.3 to 1.0. This coverage ratio will be evaluated as of the end of each fiscal year. As of April 30, 2021, the coverage ratios for these two loans were both above the 1.3 to 1.0 ratio. As of April 30, 2022, the coverage ratio for the loan under Maison San Gabriel was 2.0 to 1.0. As of April 30, 2022, the coverage ratio for the loan under Maison Monrovia was 1.01 to 1.0, which is below the 1.3 to 1.0 set by bank. The Company reported this situation to American First National Bank, and there was no further action or notice of change on the terms of the loan agreement, nor a waiver from the bank up to the issuance date of the financial statements. Due to this violation of financial covenant as of April 30, 2022, the Company reclassified the loan balance of $0.3 million under Maison Monrovia as a current loan payable.

The following table summarizes our cash flow data for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

Years ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

1,487,476

 

 

$

1,109,133

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(3,284,997

)

 

 

(1,226,213

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

1,981,297

 

 

 

(650,994

)

Net change in cash and restricted cash

 

$

183,776

 

 

$

(768,074

)

Operating Activities

Net cash provided in operating activities was approximately $1.5 million for the year ended April 30, 2022, was mainly comprised of a decrease to accounts receivable from related parties of approximately $0.3 million, increase of accounts payable of approximately $1.4 million, and an increase of accrued liabilities and other payables of approximately $0.6 million.

The net cash provided by operating activities was mainly offset by net loss of approximately $0.7 million, with non-cash depreciation expense of approximately $0.4 million, an increase of inventories of approximately $0.4 million as we stocked up our inventories to ensure we could meet customer demand, and increases of prepayments of approximately $0.7 million as our vendors required us to make certain security deposits to ensure timely product deliveries.

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Table of Contents

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $1.1 million for the year ended April 30, 2021, mainly comprised of net income of approximately $1.0 million with non-cash depreciation expense of approximately $0.6 million, decrease of other receivables and other current assets of approximately $0.2 million, increase of operating lease liabilities of approximately $0.2 million and increase of taxes payable of approximately $0.4 million.

The net cash provided by operating activities was mainly offset by increase of accounts receivable to related parties of approximately $0.4 million, increase of inventories of approximately $0.4 million as we stocked up our inventories to ensure we could meet customer demand, and decrease of accounts payable of approximately $1.0 million as we made our account payable timely.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $3.3 million for the year ended April 30, 2022, which was mainly due to the purchase of equipment of $58,545, the increase of loan receivables extended to third parties of approximately $3.7 million, and offset with collections from related parties of approximately $0.5 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.2 million for the year ended April 30, 2021, which was mainly due to the purchase of equipment of $27,123, payments to related parties of approximately $0.5 million, and the increase of loan receivables extended to third parties of approximately $0.7 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $2.0 million for the year ended April 30, 2022, which mainly consisted of borrowings from related parties of $64,827, and borrowings from financial institutions of approximately $1.9 million.

Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $0.65 million for the year ended April 30, 2021, which mainly consisted of loan repayments of approximately $0.5 million of bank loans, and repayments on other payables of related parties of approximately $0.1 million.

Debt

American First National Bank — a National Banking Association

On March 2, 2017, Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP, entered into a $1 million Business Loan Agreement with American First National Bank, a National Banking Association, at 4.5% annual interest rate for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, ranging from 4.5% to 7.75% for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, with a maturity date on March 2, 2024. On March 2, 2017, Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel, LP, entered into a $1 million Business Loan Agreement with American First National Bank, a National Banking Association, at 4.5% annual interest rate for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, ranging from 4.5% to 7.75% for the nine months ended January 31, 2023, with and maturity date on March 2, 2024. The interest rate for these two loans is subject to change from time to time based on changes in an independent index which is the Wall Street Journal US prime as published in the Wall Street Journal Money Rate Section. The covenant of loans required that so long as the loan agreements remains in effect, borrower will maintain a ratio of debt service coverage within 1.300 to 1.000. This coverage ratio will be evaluated as of the end of each fiscal year.

Due to the violation of a covenant as of April 30, 2022, the Company reclassified the loan balance of $313,278 under Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP as current loan payable.

U.S. Small Business Administration

On June 15, 2020, Maison Monrovia, entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with Small Business Administration, SBA, at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050. On June 15, 2020, Maison San Gabriel entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with Small Business Administration, SBA, at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050. On June 15, 2020, Maison El Monte, entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with Small Business Administration, SBA, at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050. Per the SBA loan agreement, all these three loans’ interest payments were deferred to December 2022.

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Table of Contents

On January 2022, Maison San Gabriel received an extra $1,850,000 fund from Small Business Administration, SBA, at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050. Maison El Monte, received an extra $350,000 from Small Business Administration, SBA, at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

The following table presents the Company’s material contractual obligations as of January 31, 2023:

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1–3 
years

 

3–5 
years

 

Thereafter

American First National Bank, a National Banking Association

 

$

388,041

 

$

359,846

 

$

28,195

 

$

 

$

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

 

2,644,893

 

 

62,525

 

 

131,272

 

 

140,104

 

 

2,310,992

Operating Lease Obligations and others

 

 

21,105,904

 

 

1,776,649

 

 

3,909,018

 

 

4,475,276

 

 

10,944,961

   

$

24,138,838

 

$

2,199,020

 

$

4,068,485

 

$

4,615,380

 

$

13,255,953

The following table presents the Company’s material contractual obligations as of April 30, 2022:

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1–3
years

 

3–5
years

 

Thereafter

American First National Bank, a National Banking Association

 

$

656,160

 

$

472,585

 

$

172,575

 

$

 

$

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

 

2,649,700

 

 

25,671

 

 

128,128

 

 

136,714

 

 

2,359,187

Operating Lease Obligations and others

 

 

17,618,321

 

 

1,030,649

 

 

2,256,479

 

 

2,621,982

 

 

11,709,211

   

$

20,913,181

 

$

1,528,905

 

$

2,557,182

 

$

2,758,696

 

$

14,068,398

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company, has guaranteed all of the loans described above and its CEO Mr. John Xu has personally guaranteed the loans with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Company does not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements that either have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on its financial condition.

TREND INFORMATION

Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments, or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net revenue, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity, or capital resources, or that would cause reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.

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BUSINESS

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to make buying fresh groceries as easy as breathing fresh air.

OVERVIEW

We are a fast-growing, specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise to modern U.S. consumers, in particular to the members of Asian-American communities. We are committed to providing Asian fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other daily necessities in a manner that caters to traditional Asian-American family values and cultural norms, while also accounting for the new and faster-paced lifestyle of younger generations and the diverse communities in which we operate. To achieve this, we are developing a center-satellite stores network. Since our formation in July 2019, we have acquired equity interests in four traditional Asian supermarkets in Los Angeles, California, and have been operating these four supermarkets as center stores, which we define as a full service store, similar to a traditional supermarket or grocery store covering a metro area, but with its own storage space to be used as a warehouse to distribute products to the satellite stores. The center stores target traditional Asian-American family-oriented customers with a variety of meat, fresh produce and other merchandise, while additionally stocking items which appeal to the broader community. Our management’s deep cultural understanding of our consumers’ unique consumption habits drives the operation of these traditional supermarkets. In addition to the traditional supermarkets, in December 2021 we acquired a 10% equity interest, in a new grocery store in a young and active community in Alhambra, California (the “Alhambra Store”). We intend to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. We acquired our interest in the Alhambra Store from Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, our chief executive officer. It is our intent that we will use a portion of the proceeds of this offering to acquire the remaining equity in the Alhambra Store. Our intention is that the Alhambra Store will serve as our first satellite store. The satellite stores in our network will be designed to penetrate local communities and neighborhoods with larger and growing concentrations of younger customers. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Our merchandise includes fresh and unique produce, meats, seafood and other groceries that are not found in mainstream supermarkets, including a variety of Asian vegetables and fruits such as Chinese broccoli, bitter melon, winter gourd, Shanghai baby bok choy, longan and lychee; a variety of live seafood such as shrimp, clams, lobster, geoduck, and Alaska king crab; and Chinese specialty groceries like soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, bean sprouts, Sriracha, tofu, noodles and dried fish. With an in-house logistics team and strong relationships with local and regional farms, we are capable of offering high quality specialty perishables at competitive prices.

Our customers have diverse shopping habits based on, among other factors, their age and lifestyle. Along with creating an exciting and attractive in-store shopping experience, customers can choose to place orders on a third-party mobile app “Freshdeals24”, and an applet integrated into WeChat for either home delivery or in-store pickups offering our customers the option of a 100% cashier-less shopping experience. Our flexible shopping options are designed to provide customers with convenience and flexibility that best match their lifestyles and personal preferences. We are working closely with JD.com to improve and update our online apps to continue to specifically target and attract a wider variety of our customer base.

While our main focus is on targeting Asian-American communities and catering to both established Asian-American family values and the shifting needs of the younger generations, we also plan to opportunistically address other demographics and populations.

The success of our business is supported by a strong core team that brings deep knowledge and experience in supermarket operations, supply chain, warehouse management and logistics as well as e-commerce. The core team members all come from leading market players such as Freshippo (also known as Hema Xiansheng), Yonghui Superstores, H-Mart and other similar industry leading supermarket retailers.

We are exploring multi-channel solutions to customers by leveraging our strategic partnership with JD.com, a leading online retail business in China. See “Multi-channel Initiatives” and “Partnership with JD” in this section.

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Market Opportunities

Emerging Trends in the Asian-American Grocery Market

Whether by using technology to streamline supply chains, unlocking the power of social media to influence shoppers, or adapting store designs to meet changing consumer behavior, the Asian grocery market is finding new ways to boost sales.

As grocers continue to battle for supremacy, catering to a wide variety of customers and consumer demands will be a key area of focus. According to New York Times, from 1990 to 2020, the U.S. Asian population increased from 6.6 million to 20 million people, representing a 203% increase. Asians are now the fastest-growing of the nation’s four largest racial and ethnic groups based on the 2021 census numbers. In addition to the population increase, the average household income of people of Asian descent also exceeds the overall U.S. population’s average household income.

According to Mordor Intelligence’s “ETHNIC FOODS MARKET — GROWTH, TRENDS, AND FORECASTS (2022 — 2027)”, the presence of Asian Cuisine in the US Ethnic Food Marketspace is one of the key market trends. The forecast indicated that consumers’ interest in Asian cuisines is increasing globally, and they seek bold flavors. This trend is driven by the increasing immigrant population, as well as robust demand from native populations.

In the past few years, many Asian-American grocery store chains have risen in popularity in the United States, for example, Korean chain H Mart has expanded to 66 locations across 12 states. Each store offers imported packaged goods as well as prepared foods and general merchandise. According to a study by LoyaltyOne, Asian-Americans and other consumers looking to cook Asian cuisine are not finding what they need at their local stores and are often turning to independent grocers for their shopping trips. Our principal competitors include 99 Ranch Market and HMart for traditional supermarkets and Weee! for online groceries.

Spice of life: As the Asian-American Population Continues to Grow, Demand for Cultural Foods will Likely Increase

The ethnic supermarkets industry is composed of companies that sell foods geared toward ethnically diverse populations. Industry growth is strongly supported by the quickly expanding population of Asian Americans, one of the largest market segments in the United States. The ethnic supermarkets industry is composed of companies that sell foods geared toward ethnically diverse populations. Industry growth is strongly supported by the quickly expanding population of Asian Americans, one of the largest market segments in the United States. As the population of Asian Americans continues to expand, we believe that the demand for stores like ours, which provide specialty products that cater to the Asian-American communities, will be expanded as well.

Putting Health & Fresh Produce First

As modern Asian-American consumers become more affluent, educated, and influenced by government campaigns, they are increasingly aware of the health benefits of food. Whether buying fresh produce or choosing packaged products with clear health labelling, we believe Asian-American consumers will pay a premium for healthy food.

Many Asian-American retailers are offering a range of health-focused products and adapting their marketing strategies to cater to health-conscious consumers. According to freshfruitportal.com, fresh food and health & wellness products will feature more prominently in-store in the future as retailers respond to changing shopping habits.

Make Food Safer with Blockchain

Many Asian retailers are leading the way to enhanced food safety with exciting developments in blockchain technologies, a trend which we believe will similarly be employed by U.S. retailers.

Walmart China’s traceability system uses state of the art blockchain and AI to track the movement of over 50% of all packaged fresh meat, 40% of packaged vegetables, and 12.5% seafood at each stage of the supply chain.

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As customers are increasingly conscious of the sourcing of their food, investing in technologies which promote health and safety is a sure-fire way to build trust with customers and boost brand loyalty. In collaboration with our current partners, including JD.com, we plan to capitalize on developments in blockchain technologies to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

Partner with Overseas Providers

Asian-American consumers are prepared to look far and wide to obtain the products they want. Retailers are partnering with overseas suppliers, fellow retailers, and even technology companies to pull together resources and accelerate growth.

Partnerships are helping brick and mortar retailers to “blur the line” between online and offline retail channels. We believe that our existing partnerships, including with JD.com, will help us to expand and strengthen both our online and offline presence.

Lead the Charge with Online Sales

While e-commerce only accounted for 3% of all U.S. grocery sales in 2019, the Asian grocery market has been quick to make the most of online retail channels.

According to a December 15, 2021 report by NBC News, online grocery sales grew 54% in 2020, to $95.82 billion. By 2026, online sales share is projected to account for 20% of the market. While Asian-American shoppers may prefer to handpick their favorite melon or cut of meat in-person, millions of customers simply don’t have access to Asian supermarkets or neighborhood stores because they live in parts of the country that cannot sustain them, making online shopping an attractive and necessary alternative.

For instance, Freshhippo uses an omni channel approach to offer customers a seamless transition between online shopping and in-store visits to promote online sales. Customers can switch between online and offline shopping and enjoy a consistent experience to put them in control of how they want to shop.

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Our Business Model

Our History

We were founded in July 2019 as Maison International, Inc., an Illinois corporation, with our principal place of business in California. Immediately upon formation, the Company acquired three retail Asian supermarkets in Los Angeles, California and subsequently rebranded them as “HK Good Fortune Supermarkets” or “Hong Kong Supermarkets.” In September 2021, the Company was reincorporated in the State of Delaware as a corporation registered under the laws of the State of Delaware and renamed “Maison Solutions Inc.”

        In July 2019, the Company acquired 91% of the equity interests in Maison San Gabriel and 85.25% of the equity interests in Maison Monrovia, each of which owns a HK Good Fortune Supermarket in San Gabriel, California and Monrovia, California, respectively.

        In October 2019, the Company acquired 91.67% of the equity interests in Maison El Monte, which owns a Hong Kong Supermarket in El Monte, California.

        In May 2021, the Company acquired 10% of the equity interests in Dai Cheong, a wholesale business which mainly supplies foods and groceries imported from Asia, which is 100% owned by Mr. John Xu. We intend to use a portion of the proceeds of this offer to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest. This transaction was treated as a related party transaction.

        In December 2021, the Company acquired 10% of the equity interests in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc., a California corporation, and the owner of the Alhambra Store, California from Ms. Grace Xu, spouse of Mr. John Xu, our chief executive officer. We intend to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. This transaction was treated as a related party transaction.

        On June 30, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests of GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. from DNL Management Inc. (51% ownership) and Ms. Grace Xu (49% ownership), spouse of Mr. John Xu, our chief executive officer. This acquisition was treated as a related party transaction.

Maison was initially authorized to issue 500,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On September 8, 2021, the total number of authorized shares of common stock was increased to 100,000,000 by way of a 200-for-1 stock split, among which, the authorized shares were divided in to 92,000,000 shares of Class A common stock entitled to one (1) vote per share and 3,000,000 shares of Class B common stock entitled to ten (10) votes per share and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. All shares and per share amounts used herein and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect (i) the increase of share capital as if the change of share numbers became effective as of the beginning of the first period presented for Maison Group and (ii) the reclassification of all outstanding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Golden Tree USA Inc. into Class B common stock, which are collectively referred to as the “Reclassification”.

Our Center-Satellite Stores Model

Our four traditional retail supermarkets are set up and operated as center stores. We intend to purchase the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering and the Alhambra Store is intended to serve as our first satellite store. The center stores mainly serve traditional family-oriented customers with a variety of fresh produce and daily necessities at competitive prices. The satellite stores in our Center-Satellite store network will be designed to penetrate local communities and neighborhoods with larger populations of younger customers, such as “Millennials” and Generation Z.”

What is the Center-Satellite Store Model?

The Center-Satellite store model utilizes a center store, which is a typical supermarket or grocery store in a metro area, as a central hub to not only act as a regular supermarket but also provide logistics support to satellite/community stores in the surrounding area. This Center-Satellite store network allows us to more easily and inexpensively expand the coverage as compared to traditional supermarket expansion. The structure increases logistical efficiency and provides significant flexibility to serve all types of customer bases.

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A center store will serve as the main warehouse to the surrounding community stores for grocery shopping. Groceries can usually be delivered from the suppliers to the center store first, before needing to use outside suppliers allowing the center store to distribute to all the community stores it covers, with allocations based on historical sales data provided by the community stores.

The satellite stores are typically smaller than the traditional supermarkets. The stores often are established in residential areas with large populations. The satellite stores offer a smaller, particularly selected selection of products, designed to meet the needs and desires of the community. For example, a satellite store in a neighborhood with a higher concentration of younger consumers may offer more convenient food or social media trending products. A satellite store established in a neighborhood filled with young professionals may feature as a Meal Solution Supermarket (“MSSM”), where the consumers get their dinner almost instantly at a price point comparable to the cost of preparing a meal at home and lower than dining out. We believe our satellite stores will significantly reduce the time spent on grocery shopping for customers because they will be conveniently located and offer a carefully cultivated selection of products at an attractive price point. We expect that such time efficiencies and price competitiveness will attract additional customers.

Expected Advantages of the Center-Satellite store network:

        More cost efficient: satellite stores are smaller with a cultivated selection of products designed to cater to the needs of the specific community. They are easier to maintain and establish and more cost efficient than traditional stores.

        Higher profit margin expected: selective products with precision marketing to target a specific customer base leads to higher revenue and profit margins. We expect buyers will be willing to pay higher premiums for quality and convenience.

        Easier to set up: because of the smaller size and carefully selected and managed inventory, establishing satellite stores at scale will require less capital and cost compared to that of a traditional store.

        More flexible: satellite stores can be flexible in terms of their inventory and set up. Products offered by the satellite stores can vary depending on the location and the targeted customers.

        Synergies between center stores and satellite stores: one center store can power many satellite stores from a logistics perspective. The overall cost to the supply chain will be lower, and the efficiency will be higher than the traditional store network. The historic sales data of each satellite store will be leveraged to optimize supplies from the center store. Satellite stores can function as the distribution hub to achieve fast delivery and in-store pickup. Deliveries may be made from satellite stores or customers can select to pick up from the closest satellite stores. Either way, the time to hand goods to customers is significantly reduced.

        More attractive shopping experience: consumer behavior has changed and young people are more reluctant to spend a lot of time for grocery shopping due to their fast-paced life styles. With more trending products and fast delivery or in-store pickup options, satellite stores are expected to attract young customers, who often shop more spontaneously and focus more on shopping experience rather than needs.

        Promote our “Group Buy” activities: Group Buy activities are single-day promotions designed to increase the volume of sales of a particular product while providing a discount to the consumers. We believe that because our satellite stores will be designed to target a particular customer base, customer needs or interest will often overlap and offering Group Buy promotions will effectively stimulate sales of targeted products.

        Extended Customer Reach: we believe that our model of center and satellite stores will allow us to reach a wider base of customers in a more cost-effective manner leading to reduce costs and improved margins.

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Illustration of Center-Satellite Store Layout

Shopping Preference by Importance and Urgency

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Our Products

Traditional Supermarkets/Center Stores

All four of our traditional supermarkets offer perishable and non-perishable items. We put a significant focus on perishable product categories which include vegetables, seafood, fruit and meat. In fiscal years 2022 and 2021, our perishable product categories contributed approximately 57.5% and 60.7% to our total net sales respectively, in alignment with the space occupancy of perishables.

        Vegetables — All our stores receive daily deliveries of vegetables and are required to sell out all vegetables on a three to five day basis. We discount our vegetables after three days, which significantly lowers the storage cost and worn-and-torn rate and improves profitability. In addition, to lower the worn-out rate of green-leaf vegetables, due to customer rummage, we usually pack and sell such vegetables in bags. We also display and sell different kinds of vegetables according to their characteristics. For example, Chinese yams need to be displayed on wood shreds to keep them fresh, while winter melons are typically sold in pieces due to their large size.

        Fruit — Almost all of our unique fruits are seasonal offerings in which quality and price are decisive to customer traffic during peak season. These fruits are sold at higher unit prices and generally offer higher profit margins. We benefit from our long-standing relationships with farm vendors to stay competitive during peak seasons and enjoy better sourcing price and higher profit margin from fruit sales. We adopt different storage technologies based on characteristics of different fruits and vegetables. All vegetables and fruits are delivered and sold on a three to five day basis, to lower worn rate, lower human cost and keep up the high quality.

        Meat — Since we can sell more animal body parts than other mainstream grocery stores, the sales we generate from a whole pig, chicken or cow are much higher than those of mainstream groceries, resulting in higher margins on meat and meat products sales. For example, pork liver, intestines and feet, chicken hearts and feet and beef tripe, are all staples of Asian cooking that would not be offered in typical grocery store allowing us to capture more of the value of a whole animal leading to an increased margin on the sale of these products. We also cut and package meats for various specific purposes to cater to Asian cooking habits and styles. For example, we slice different kinds of meat specifically for hot pot cooking and then package and freeze them for quick pick-up and easy storage and use by customers. In addition, we sell meats prepared with Asian seasonings, which are ready to cook after purchase. Meats cut for specific purposes or prepared with Asian seasonings generally result in higher margins.

        Seafood — As an established procedure, our in-house merchants collect live seafood from wharfs and markets at midnight on a daily basis. Purchased seafood is immediately distributed to all retail stores via our in-house cold chain systems in which hibernation technology keeps seafood alive and ensures its freshness and quality. For different species, we maintain different water temperatures and oxygen density in their tanks and containers. Hibernation technology is widely used in the in-house cold-chain system for long distance distribution to best ensure freshness and quality. As with what we do with meats, we fillet fish for specific purposes or preseason the seafood for Asian cooking.

With respect to non-perishables, we have over 13,000 grocery products on our shelves ranging from cooking utensils, canned foods, Chinese and Asian seasonings and spices, to domestic and imported snacks. Many of our imported groceries are sourced from China, Thailand and Taiwan to meet the diverse demand of not only Chinese Americans but targeted customers originating from east and south-east Asia. In the fiscal years ended on April 30, 2022 and 2021, the non-perishable grocery category contributed approximately 42.51% and 39.30%, respectively, to our total net sales and realized a markup of 31.80% and 32.67%, on average respectively.

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Fresh vegetables offered in stores

Various choices of popular snacks

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Thin slices of meat typically for hot pot

Canned foods

The Alhambra Store

In December 2021, we acquired a 10% equity interest in a new grocery store in Alhambra, California from Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, our chief executive officer (the “Alhambra Store”). We intend to purchase the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering.

We believe, that as an MSSM, the Alhambra Store suits the lifestyle of young customers. MSSMs focus largely on ready-to-eat food and ready-to-cook groceries. The Alhambra Store has a built-in kitchen which offers Asian hot foods under the house brand “Chili Point Land.” Ready-to-cook groceries include frozen food as well as prewashed and pre-cut meats and vegetables.

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We believe that the Alhambra has the potential be a successful satellite store in the Alhambra neighborhood. The city of Alhambra has a population of 87,000, 53% of which is comprised of Asian Americans. A large portion of the consumer base within a 3 mile radius of the store is comprised of young students living in apartments and young professionals between the ages of 25 and 44, with annual incomes between $36,000 and $120,000.

The Alhambra store is currently designed to target the demographic of its neighborhood. The store is located in the heart of Alhambra’s Main Street, which is where young consumers spend significant time at the many restaurants and bars within walking distance of the store.

The Alhambra Store also carries Asian food, snacks and other merchandise that are popular on social media to attract young customers interested in trying out new and trendy products. The store aims to lead customers from shopping for needs to shopping for experience.

Inside the Alhambra Store

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Ready to eat corner at the Alhambra Store

The Alhambra Store — additional view

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Outside the Alhambra Store neighborhood

Entrance to the Alhambra Store

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Our Vertical Supply and Distribution Chain

Our business model features a vertically integrated structure covering upstream supply and downstream retail supermarkets. In December 2021, we acquired a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong, a wholesale business owned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Xu which mainly supplies foods and groceries imported from Asia. Dai Cheong was founded in 1979 and has been working with major suppliers in Asia for over 20 years and has extensive experience in sourcing products through a well-established sourcing system. To support its import trading business, Dai Cheong has an integrated ecosystem of import, customs clearance and wholesale services. Dai Cheong owns three warehouses and maintains a team of professionals selling more than 2,000 individual products. Dai Cheong primarily sells food products from all over Asia, including well-known Asian brands such as Garden (Hong Kong), Prima Taste (Singapore), Ng Fung (Mainland China), Royal Family (Taiwan), Gold Kili (Singapore), and other well-known Asian brands. Currently Dai Cheong supplies quality products to more than 2,000 ethnically diverse supermarkets and wholesalers in all 50 states. Our initial investment in Dai Cheong, and our plan to acquire the remaining equity interest, is the first step toward creating a vertically integrated supply-retail structure. Having an importer as a part of our portfolio allows us the opportunity to offer a wider variety of products and to reap the benefits of preferred wholesale pricing

We work with four primary suppliers. These primary suppliers accounted for approximately 61.3% and 58.0% of our total purchases in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. We also have established, long-term relationships with local and regional farms which grow Asian specialty vegetables and fruit and supply the most popular yet hard-to-source vegetables and fruits directly to our supermarkets. Working with our vendors, we are able to provide fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits. Produce, live seafood and groceries are delivered to our supermarkets on a daily basis from our farm partners and external vendors as directed by our in-house logistics system. With four retail supermarkets located in San Gabriel, Monrovia, El Monte and Monterey Park, in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area, and average store sizes over 36,000 square feet, we had over 1.62 million annual transactions in 2022. In addition, our initial investment in the Alhambra Store, and plan to acquire the remaining equity interest following this offering, is a key factor in or goal to reach out to younger community, and expand into a large market for young customers, including students.

Our in-house logistics team is committed to fast and reliable delivery for customers who place online orders for delivery. Our center-satellite store network gives us the ability to set up in-store, mini-warehouses to achieve fast order fulfillment and speedy delivery. We are able to provide same-day delivery for orders placed before noon within a 5 miles radius of the closest store.

Integrated Online and Offline Services

We started a series of online initiatives soon after we acquired our first supermarket in 2019. Customers can choose to place orders online through a third-party mobile app, “Freshdeals24”, and an applet integrated into WeChat for the option of a 100% cashier-less shopping experience. We undertook this initiative and designed these apps based on our awareness of the predominance of WeChat in both the Chinese-American and broader Asian-American communities and extensive research into the habits of the younger generation of customers. We are working closely with JD.com to improve and update our online apps to continue to specifically target and attract a wider variety of our customer base.

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Illustration of Fresh Deals 24

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Illustration of the current WeChat applet

We integrate our online and offline retail capabilities and use our center stores as warehouse to fulfill online orders. By managing inventory and offline resources effectively, our stores satisfy consumers’ demands in-store as well as online. We offer multiple shopping channels through integrated online and offline operations. Customers can place orders through the third-party mobile app and applet and for either home delivery or in-store pickups. Our flexible shopping options are aimed to provide customers with convenience and flexibility that best match their lifestyles and personal preferences.

Currently JD.com is developing a new mobile app for our future stores. For more information please see “Partnership with JD.com” below.

Pricing Strategy

In general, our pricing strategy is to provide premium products at reasonable prices. We believe pricing should be based on the quality of products and the shopping experience, rather than promotional pricing, to drive sales. Our goal is to deliver a sense of value to and foster a relationship of trust with our target and loyal customers.

We adopt different pricing strategies for different food categories. For best sellers such as seafood and core produce like swimming shrimp and live crawfish, we price competitively and aim to attract consumer traffic. For groceries department items which are usually imported and have a long shelf life, we price at a premium (with an average markup of 35%). Due to changes in market conditions and seasonal supplies, our pricing for seafood and produce are more volatile compared with the pricing of other categories.

Marketing and Advertising

We believe our unique offerings, competitive prices on popular produce, and word — of — mouth are major drivers of store sales. In addition to word-of-mouth, we advertise our brand using in-store tastings, in-store weekly promotion signage, cooking demonstrations and product sampling. We also promote our stores on our official website and an electronic newsletter, and/or inserts and sales flyers in local Chinese newspapers, magazines and local radio stations on a monthly or weekly basis. Our business is also marketed mainly on our official website, a

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third-party Mobile App “Freshdeals24”, and an applet integrated into WeChat. For the fiscal years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, we recognized $157,561 and $117,360, for marketing and advertising expenses, respectively. Overall, we have utilized mixed marketing and advertising strategies to enhance our brand recognition, to regularly communicate with our target customers, and to strengthen our ability to market new and differentiated products.

As we intend to establish more satellite stores and with our new mobile app being developed, we foresee a significant increase in advertising in the future, with a focus on social media promotion. With the younger generation being a key focus, we plan on advertising both our satellite stores and mobile app via TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, in addition to WeChat. We also plan to invite selected Internet influencers to cover our stores, products, and offerings.

Competition

Food retail is a large and highly competitive industry. Although the Asian supermarket industry is a niche market, market participants still remain highly fragmented and unsophisticated and we face competition from smaller or dispersed competitors. However, with the rapid growth of the Chinese and other Asian populations in the United States and their consumption power, other competitors may begin operating in this market in the future. Those competitors include: (i) national conventional supermarkets, (ii) regional supermarkets, (iii) national superstores, (iv) alternative food retailers, (v) local foods stores, (vi) small specialty stores, (vii) farmers’ markets, and (viii) e-commerce / online-only grocery stores.

The national and regional supermarket chains have strong experiences in operating multiple store locations and expansion management and have greater marketing or financial resources than we do. Even though they currently offer only a limited selection of Chinese and Asian specialty foods, they may be able to devote greater resources to sourcing, promoting and selling Chinese and other Asian products if they choose. The local food stores and markets are small in size with a deep understanding of local preferences. Their lack of scale results in high risk and limited growth potential. In addition, there are online Asian grocery platforms, such as Weee!, which have longer operating histories and more established reputation for online Asian grocery shopping. However, the lack of their own offline store presence leads to a higher cost to the customers. Online-only grocery stores rely on working with local supermarkets for supplies and that exposes them to the risk of not being able to always fulfill customer demands when the supply is low. In addition, online-only grocery stores, by their nature, are not able to offer in-store shopping experience, such as trying new food or cooked products in store, and in-store pick up. We believe our business model, when compared with the online-only grocery stores, brings a more comprehensive and holistic shopping experience to the customers while maintaining a competitive price point.

Our Competitive Strengths

Strong Management and Operations Team

Our core operations team has extensive experience in and knowledge of supermarket operations, supply chain, logistics and warehouse management as well as e-commerce. Since the acquisition of our four center stores, we have hired experienced operations and management team members both locally in the United States and from China, including: Tao Han, who will serve as our Chief Operating Officer upon consummation of this offering, who has more than 20 years of experience in the retail industry with Yonghui Superstores, one of the largest chain supermarkets in China, and Freshippo (known as “Hema Shengxian” in Chinese), the online and offline retail platform under the Alibaba Group; and the store manager for the Alhambra Store who has 16 years of experience in retail industry including extensive familiarity with process management practices in convenience store chains, which transfers directly to our satellite store concept. We strategically deploy our team members in positions that best match their experience and specialized skills.

We established a new performance-based bonus system. If a store meets or exceeds the pre-set Key Performance Indicator (KPI), the employees of that store will receive cash bonuses. Each department needs to provide weekly performance reports which the management teams will review. Each department needs to provide weekly performance reports, which the management teams will review and ultimately distribute monthly cash bonuses amounting to 1% of gross revenue to the department’s staff for achievement of these performance goals. 1% of gross revenue will set as bonuses for the department’s staff.

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Cost Efficient Supply Chain

Unlike many of our direct competitors which are family-owned single stores, we have four retail supermarkets with an average size of 36,000 square feet. We place orders mainly through two primary wholesale agents which purchase products on our behalf from various vendors. Due to their large quantity purchase position, these two wholesale agents are able to get competitive prices for a wide range of items. Similarly, due to our large purchasing power and long term business relationships with the two wholesale agents, even with price markups, we benefit from competitive pricing. The price we pay to the wholesale agents is lower than the prices we would pay to each vendor directly. In addition, by dealing with only two wholesale agents instead of approaching various vendors individually, we are saving time and costs.

Additionally, in order to begin the process of establishing a vertically integrated supply and distribution change, we acquired a 10% equity interest in a wholesale company, Dai Cheong, which has been in the business of importing and exporting Chinese and Asian specialty food and groceries for over 20 years. Dai Cheong, which is owned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Xu, specializes in identifying products that are popular among Asian-American consumers but rarely found in mainstream stores. Furthermore, Dai Cheong has a well-established sourcing system and has formed an ecosystem that integrates import, customs clearance and wholesale services. Without multi-layer intermediates, our retail supermarkets are able to set such products at competitive prices, not only securing the supply of popular products, but boosting our operation profitability as well.

Superior Customer Propositions

        We implement stringent quality control procedures and processes across our supply chain, from procurement to inventory and logistics to ensure daily supply of the freshest products to our customers at competitive prices. At the store level we perform three rounds of quality control to each product on a daily basis:

1.      At the time of delivery, our delivery specialist performs comprehensive product checks to ensure product quality. If considerable amounts of product are not in saleable condition, we will request the return of such products or credits from the suppliers.

2.      As we move our products onto the shelves, our staff will perform a second round of quality control checks, and we do not place products that are damaged or otherwise unfit for sale on the supermarket shelves.

3.      After the close of business, we bring perishable, unsold products back to storage to ensure that they remain in saleable condition and we consistently monitor the sell-by dates on dry good products to ensure that they remain in compliance.

        We perform extensive checks on products delivered to our stores prior to accepting them and return or reject any products that are damaged or expired.

        Our distributors utilize the cold chain supply method and vacuum sealing to keep perishable products such as meat and seafood fresh from the point of origin until it reaches our stores and to limit damage caused by fluctuating temperatures, air and moisture.

        Our produce distributors perform quality control checks prior to packaging and delivery to remove any products unsuitable for sale and additionally, much of the produce we sell is grown in greenhouses under controlled conditions.

Targeting Popular Product Trends

With our excellent relationships with reputable suppliers and distribution agents, we consistently update our product offerings to ensure our catalog stays competitive in the market and to reduce unnecessary redundancy. In collaboration with our suppliers and distribution agents we consistently monitor social media and assess store data to identify and subsequently offer products which are popular with our target consumers.

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Our Growth Strategy

Continue Building Center Satellite Stores Network

Operation of Center Stores — We have a successful record of operating our existing retail supermarkets and have been able to quickly turn distressed stores into profitable assets. Based on our understanding of the retail grocery market and our history of successfully investing in and operating our existing retail supermarkets, we have quickly identified what we believe to be the key weaknesses of acquired stores and have taken specific actions designed to achieve profitability, such as reducing redundant product offerings, managing fresh produce, meat and seafood inventory to reduce waste and tailoring inventory and product selection to more accurately match the needs of the population that shop at each of our stores. We plan to acquire additional supermarkets with a portion of the proceeds of this offering to expand our footprint to both the West Coast and the East Coast. We plan to acquire our first center store in Northern California by the end of 2024. On the East Coast, we intend to acquire five center stores by the end of 2024. We also plan to establish a new warehouse in New York City to serve the East Coast by the end of 2025. Upon completion of our East Coast expansion, we expect to operate a total of ten center stores by the end of 2025.

Opening Satellite Stores — We currently own a 10% equity interest in the Alhambra Store, which we purchased from Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, our chief executive officer. We plan to acquire the remaining 90% equity interest in the Alhambra Store with a portion of the net proceeds of this offering and operate it as our first satellite store. Since its opening, our management team has been involved with the operations and management of the Alhambra Store, utilizing our experience in supermarkets. The Alhambra store is situated in a community with a large population of younger customers and will serve as an important step in our targeting of this demographic as well as our plans to expand our center-satellite store model. We plan to open our satellite stores to penetrate local communities and neighborhoods with larger populations of younger and diverse customers. When selecting locations, we will also consider college towns and university neighborhoods in which there is a large Asian-American student population. The satellite stores will serve as “community retail stores”, offering ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods and groceries. By fiscal year 2024, we plan to open an additional two to three satellite stores in Chino Hills and Rowland Heights, California, with a portion of the net proceeds of this offering.

Multi-Channel Initiatives

We are exploring our multi-channel initiatives including: improving our in-store shopping experience; increasing and enhancing our mobile ordering with at-home delivery and in-store pickup, and broadening our social media presence. In addition, multi-channel solutions can help realize the users integration, price integration, inventory integration, price integration, marketing integration and orders integration:

        User integration means establishing a unique ID for each individual consumer which allows us to integrate their shopping experience across online and offline channels, and provide standardized services for these consumers based on the data that corresponds to their ID.

        Product integration means different sales channels can form integrated management of products. This implies that when sold on various online and offline channels, the same physical good has the same commodity code, and states language for life cycle management.

        Price integration means realizing a united price basis for the same product in different online and offline channels with the capability of synchronizing price changes across all channels, providing consumers with a convenient shopping experience without a price differentiation.

        Inventory integration means the realization of inventory sharing, flexible allocation, and inventory forecasting. The integration of data and services between different channels should realize inventory sharing between online and offline multi-channels. If incoming orders reduce the inventory of one online channel, other online channels will simultaneously synchronize this information. Meanwhile, since customers put certain items into their shopping cart without checking out, a certain amount of reserve inventory will be maintained by online channels.

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        Marketing integration means promotional activities, coupons, and virtual assets can be synchronized or kept independent on online and offline channels, user scenarios can be complementary to each other to cater to user needs, and online and offline channels can synchronize marketing activities to enhance momentum building; and

        Order integration means the realization of routing administration, multi-dimensional combination, and intelligent order splitting. During customers’ shopping process, the order and logistics processing will be completed in different channels to be grouped as the most optimal choice in terms of time and location to achieve the fastest delivery speed and the best user experience.

Our Multi-channel and consumer coverage

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Partnership With JD.COM

In April 2021, we entered into a series of agreements with JD E-commerce America Limited (“JD US”), the U.S. subsidiary of JD.com, including the Collaboration Agreement and Intellectual Property License Agreement (each as further described below).

Overall, we believe the collaboration with JD.com will help us improve our business in the following areas:

        Store Digital Transformation — New stores will utilize state-of-the-art devices and equipment. The devices, including PDAs and mobile checkout devices, tag printers, and laser scanners, will give the staff flexibility while working in stores. Meanwhile, devices such as the laser scanners and tag printers will enable us to upload data digitally to the connected servers for back-end management and analysis.

Store layouts will also be updated based on the thorough analysis performed by JD.com through years of massive data collection and analysis. The purpose is to design the store in a scientific way, including section arrangement, self-checkout POS locations, shelf location deployment to optimize the in-store traffic route and to improve the shopping experience.

Store layout design

        Newly-designed app that is product centric — JD.com will lead the design and implementation of a new mobile app to serve our customers both online and offline which will include flash sales, daily special promotions, ranking sales and popularity trends, providing customers with targeted recommendations and a calendar of promotional events.

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The new mobile app will support year-round promotions based on events, holidays and products. With target customers in mind, the app is designed not only to be used as a shopping app, but also a social platform for people to share their unique experience. The social elements include top-ranked / popular items, gourmet sharing, review and tasting, store exploration, and product unbox reviews.

Illustration of the new mobile app currently being developed

        Cloud-based server with connected data — With JD.com’s help, we will move our back-end operations fully online via cloud-based servers. This will connect data from all stores together for the management to have a holistic view of performance of the brand. Traditionally, each store has its own data, limiting connectivity with other stores and making it hard for management to have a comprehensive view. The connected data will also help the Company to find and create synergies between stores, analyze data in larger scale and identify bulk order opportunities for potential price benefits. With this connected data, we believe will be able to update inventory, sales, products, consumer traffic, logistics, delivery stats between stores and between online and offline in real time. This will give us the opportunity not just to operate stores, but to operate a 360-degree retail business with optimizing cost efficiency.

        Smart warehousing and logistics technology — By partnering with JD.com, we will be able to use big data analytics and artificial intelligence to explore warehousing automation solutions which we believe will allow us to achieve lean management of storage, improvement of production efficiency and reduction of operating costs through the use of fully automated warehouses that require limited human intervention. For supply chains, we aim to visualize supply chain health status with the JD.com partnership. The effective adjustment of resources can be made in time to maintain the efficiency and further reduce the cost. We would also be able to optimize distribution routes and vehicle routes

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via continued data collection and analysis in the target areas and improve the delivery time and user satisfaction. Establishment of satellite distribution station for different consumer groups, such as student concentrated areas. The satellite distribution stations can speed up last mile delivery.

        Introduction to more popular products — JD.com is the leading retail and e-commerce platform in China and a global ambassador for many world-renowned brands. The partnership with JD.com will allow us to introduce many boutique brand products popular in Asia to our existing and target markets. With Maison’s mature retail network and the fast-growing customer base in the United States, more overseas boutique products are expected to be imported to the United States for the benefit of American consumers.

The Collaboration Agreement

Under the Collaboration Agreement, JD US has agreed to provide the following services to us for fees:

        Stage 0 — the Consultancy Services including: (1) consideration and assessment of our business nature; (2) information and standards, and, analysis and study of feasibility of omni channel retailing of our business; and (3) preparation and delivery of feasibility plan of omni channel retailing of our stores;

        Stage 1 — the Initialization Services, including initializing the feasibility plan, digitalization of our stores, delivery of online retailing and e-commerce business and operational solutions for the stores with omni channels;

        Stage 2 — the Implementation Services, including product and merchandise supply chain configuration, staff training for operation and management of the digital solutions, installation and configuration of hardware, customization of software, concept design and implementation;

        Stage 3 — the Platform Services, including providing actual operation and management of the store upon delivery and necessary support services.

The Intellectual Property License Agreement

Under the Intellectual Property License, JD US granted us a ten-year limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license in the State of California to:

        use the brand consisting a combination of certain marks of JD.com (the “JD.com Marks”) and certain marks of ours in such forms to be agreed upon by mutual written consent of us and JD US (the “Co-Brand”);

        use the JD.com Marks, but only as incorporated into the Co-Brand; and

        use, copy and distribute any design or embodiment of the brand image or visual identity by which the Co-Brand will be known to the public, including any design of store layout, signage, advertising and marketing materials, consumer communications, artworks, webpages, mobile app content, and other materials that JD US may provide to us, in all cases solely in connection with our operation and promotion of our retail supermarket stores in the State of California as approved by JD US, and the products and goods and the related services offered and sold in such stores.

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TRADEMARKS

HK GOOD FORTUNE SUPERMARKET” and registered trademarks consisting of the stylized wording of “GOOD FORTUNE” are our self-owned trademark and were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for registration application in September 2021 and is awaiting approval but the 30-day opposition period has expired. Such trademark is currently the brand of our four retail supermarkets and will also cover such other supermarkets that we acquire in the future. We consider our trademark to be a valuable asset that diversifies customer’s value alternatives, a useful strategy to enhance profit margins and an important way to establish and protect our brand in a competitive environment. We are not currently in any trademark disputes with any third party.

INSURANCE

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance to provide coverage for potential liability for worker’s compensation, automobile and general liability, product liability, employee health care benefits and other casualty and property risks. Changes in legal trends and interpretations, variability in inflation rates, changes in the nature and method of claims settlement, benefit level changes due to changes in applicable laws, insolvency or insurance carriers, and changes in discount rates could all affect ultimate settlements of claims. We evaluate our insurance requirements on an ongoing basis to ensure that our insurance programs maintain adequate levels of coverage.

PROPERTIES

All of our retail supermarkets lease operating space from various third parties with which we maintain long-term leases averaging approximately 19 years.

The list below details the information related to our leases:

Store Name

 

Location

 

Gross Sq. Ft.

 

Lease Start

 

Lease End

 

Remaining
Years

 

Renewal Options

 

Rent

Good Fortune
Supermarket of San
Gabriel, LP

 

137 S. San Gabriel Blvd.,
San Gabriel, CA, 91776

 

25,638

 

12/1/2015

 

11/30/2030

 

8

 

N/A

 

Hong Kong
Supermarket
Monrovia, LP

 

935 W. Duarte Road,
Monrovia, CA, 91016

 

25,320

 

9/1/2015

 

8/31/2055

 

1

 

35 years

   

Super HK of El
Monte, Inc.

 

11850 Valley Boulevard,
El Monte, CA, 91732

 

62,000

 

7/15/2018

 

7/14/2028

 

6

 

5 years

   

GF Supermarket
of MP, Inc. (Acquisition
on 6/30/2022)

 

127 N. Garfield Avenue,
Monterey Park, CA 91732

 

31,716

 

7/1/2020

 

6/30/2025

 

3

 

3 years

   

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REGULATION

As a supermarket retailer, we are subject to numerous health and safety laws and regulations. Our suppliers are also subject to such laws and regulations. These laws and regulations apply to many aspects of our business, including the manufacturing, packaging, labeling, distribution, advertising, sale, quality and safety of products we sell, as well as the health and safety of our team members and the protection of the environment. We are subject to regulation by various government agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the “USDA”), the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (the “CPSC”), the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”), as well as various state and local agencies.

New or revised government laws and regulations, such as the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (referred to as “FSMA”), passed in January 2011, which grants the FDA greater authority over the safety of the national food supply, as well as increased enforcement by government agencies, could result in additional compliance costs and civil remedies. Specifically, the FSMA requires the FDA to issue regulations mandating that risk-based preventive controls be observed by the majority of food producers. This authority applies to all domestic food facilities and, by way of imported food supplier verification requirements, to all foreign facilities that supply food products. In addition, the FSMA requires the FDA to establish science-based minimum standards for the safe production and harvesting of produce, requires the FDA to identify “high risk” foods and “high risk” facilities and instructs the FDA to set goals for the frequency of FDA inspections of such high risk facilities as well as non-high risk facilities and foreign facilities from which food is imported into the United States.

With respect to both food and dietary supplements, the FSMA meaningfully augments the FDA’s ability to access producer’s and supplier’s records. This increased access could permit the FDA to identify areas of concern it had not previously considered to be problematic either for us, our producers or our suppliers. The FSMA is also likely to result in enhanced tracking and tracing of food requirements and, as a result, added recordkeeping burdens upon our producers and suppliers. In addition, under the FSMA, the FDA has the authority to inspect certifications and therefore evaluate whether foods and ingredients from our producers and suppliers are compliant with the FDA’s regulatory requirements. Such inspections may delay the supply of certain products or result in certain products being unavailable to us for sale in our stores.

The FDA has broad authority to enforce the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act applicable to the safety, labeling, manufacturing and promotion of foods, including powers to issue a public warning letter to a company, publicize information about illegal products, institute an administrative detention of food, request or order a recall of illegal products from the market, and request the Department of Justice to initiate a seizure action, an injunction action or a criminal prosecution in the U.S. courts. Pursuant to the FSMA, the FDA also has the power to refuse the import of any food that is not appropriately verified as in compliance with all FDA laws and regulations. Moreover, the FDA has the authority to administratively suspend the registration of any facility producing food, including supplements, deemed to present a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences.

In connection with the marketing and advertisement of products we sell, we could be the target of claims relating to false or deceptive advertising, including under the auspices of the FTC and the consumer protection statutes of some states. These events could interrupt the marketing and sales of products in our stores, severely damage our brand reputation and public image, increase the cost of products in our stores, result in product recalls or litigation, and impede our ability to deliver merchandise in sufficient quantities or quality to our stores, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are also subject to laws and regulations more generally applicable to retailers, including labor and employment, taxation, zoning and land use, environmental protection, workplace safety, public health, community right-to-know and alcoholic beverage sales. Certain local regulations may limit our ability to sell alcoholic beverages at certain times. Our stores are subject to unscheduled inspections on a regular basis, which, if violations are found, could result in the assessment of fines, suspension of one or more needed licenses and, in the case of repeated “critical” violations, closure of the store until a re-inspection demonstrates that we have remediated the problem. The buildings in which some stores are located are old and therefore require greater maintenance expenditures by us in order to maintain them in compliance with applicable building codes. If we are unable to maintain these stores in compliance with applicable building codes, we could be required by the building department to close them. Additionally, a number of federal, state and local laws impose requirements or restrictions on business owners with respect to access by disabled persons. Our compliance with these laws may result in modifications to our properties,

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or prevent us from performing certain further renovations Further, our new store openings could be delayed or prevented or our existing stores could be impacted by difficulties or failures in our ability to obtain or maintain required approvals or licenses.

In addition, we are subject to environmental laws pursuant to which we could be held responsible for all of the costs relating to any contamination at our or our predecessors’ past or present facilities and at third-party waste disposal sites, regardless of our knowledge of, or responsibility for, such contamination. We are also subject to laws governing our relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions, immigration, and work permit requirements.

As is common in our industry, we rely on our suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure that the products they manufacture and sell to us comply with all applicable regulatory and legislative requirements. In general, we seek certifications of compliance, representations and warranties, indemnification and/or insurance from our suppliers and contract manufacturers. However, even with adequate insurance and indemnification, any claims of non-compliance could significantly damage our reputation and consumer confidence in our products. In order to comply with applicable statutes and regulations, our suppliers and contract manufacturers have from time to time reformulated, eliminated or relabeled certain of their products and we have revised certain provisions of our sales and marketing program.

We cannot predict the nature of future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, or determine what effect either additional government regulations or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, or disparate federal, state and local regulatory schemes would have on our business in the future. They could, however, increase our costs or require the reformulation of certain products to meet new standards, the recall or discontinuance of certain products not able to be reformulated, additional recordkeeping, expanded documentation of the properties of certain products, expanded or different labeling and/or scientific substantiation.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, contractual disputes, and employment, health and safety matters. Although we cannot predict certainty the ultimate resolution of any lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against it, we do not believe any currently pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party will have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

Set forth below is information concerning our current executive officers and directors and all persons who have been selected and agreed to serve as directors effective upon consummation of this offering as of               , 2023.

Name

 

Age

 

Position(s)

John Xu

 

46

 

President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Alexandria M. Lopez

 

37

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director

Mark Willis*

 

66

 

Director Nominee and Chairperson of Compensation Committee

Bin Wang*

 

65

 

Director Nominee and Chairperson of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang*

 

53

 

Director Nominee

Tao Han**

 

48

 

Chief Operating Officer

____________

*         Each of Mr. Willis, Mr. Wang and Dr. Zhang has accepted our appointment to be a director of the Company, effective upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form S-1, of which this prospectus is a part.

**       Mr. Han has been selected, and has agreed to serve, as our Chief Operating Officer, effective upon consummation of this offering.

Backgrounds of Current Executive Officers and Directors and All Persons Who Have Been Selected and Agreed to Serve as Directors Effective Upon Consummation of this Offering

Set forth below is information concerning our current executive officers and directors identified above.

John Xu has served as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2019. Mr. Xu has served as Director and President of J&C International Group LLC, a cross-border investment firm since 2013. From 2009 to 2020, Mr. Xu also served as Director and President of Ideal City Realty, LLC, a real estate investment firm. Mr. Xu has extensive experience in business operations, investment and strategic management and retail enterprises, with a keen market sense and deep understanding of cross-border investment environment.

We believe Mr. Xu’s qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his perspective and experience building and leading our Company as the founder and Chief Executive Officer and his extensive experience in business, strategic development and implementation.

Alexandria M. Lopez has served as a member of our board of directors and has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 2019. Ms. Lopez previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of J&C International Group LLC, a position she has held from 2014 to 2023. Ms. Lopez has over 10 years of financial and accounting experience. Ms. Lopez received a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Phoenix.

We believe Ms. Lopez’s qualifications to serve on our board of directors include her knowledge of our Company and her extensive management experience at our Company.

Mark Willis, has been selected, and has agreed to serve, as a member of our board of directors upon the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Willis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of ParQuest Consulting, which he founded in 2015 and has served, since 2021, as a member of the transition team of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Prior to these roles, Mr. Willis served in various roles at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, from 1998 to 2015. Mr. Willis has a BBA in Finance and Investments from Baruch College and an MBA with a concentration computer methodology from the Baruch College Graduate School of Business.

We believe Mr. Willis’s qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his substantial experience in business management and finance as well as his expertise and resources in financial services.

Bin Wang has been selected, and has agreed to serve, as a member of our board of directors upon the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Wang is the Managing Director of Eon Capital International Ltd, a Hong Kong-incorporated corporate advisory service company since 2007. He also acted as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alberton Acquisition Corp. (ALAC), a NASDAQ listed company from 2018 to 2020. From 2010 to 2012, he served as Independent Board Director of Sky Digital Stores

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Corp. (SKYC), participating in the company’s a public listing process. Mr. Wang began his financial career in 1994 with Chemical Bank, as market segment manager for developing the bank’s commercial banking business in the US domestic Asian market. He then served as Vice President and Team Leader of Chase International Financial Services after Chemical Bank’s merger into Chase in 1996 and later combination into JP Morgan Chase in 2000. He continued his service at JP Morgan Chase with a broad range of management responsibilities in the development and growth of the bank’s international business until 2006. Mr. Wang graduated from Northwestern Polytechnic University in 1980, received his M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 1983 and he obtained his M.A. in economics from Illinois State University in 1992. Mr. Wang has over 30 years of management experience in financial industry and has provided his financial advisory services to dozens of corporate clients in both the United States and Asia.

We believe Mr. Wang’s qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his substantial experience in business management as well as his expertise and resources in financial services.

Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang, has been selected, and has agreed to serve, as a member of our board of directors upon the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Dr. Zhang serves as a consultant for a number of Chinese companies with U.S. operations, focusing on strategy, resourcing, technology and supply chain management. Her clients include Yangfang Shengli Catering, which she helped to grow from its origins as a street vendor to a full-industry-chain company that specializes in hala catering, food processing, packaging, central kitchen and restaurants, and to expand its footprint in the New York and California markets. Dr. Zhang also advises Shanxi Hongtong Fenghe Agroforestr, where she helped to develop its signature product, “Yulu Fragrant Pear”, which is known as the “King of Chinese Pears” and to streamline the company’s supply chain process, increasing company efficiency and profitability. Dr. Zhang also serves as Deputy Director at Renmin University of China Lifelong Learning Center, a position she has held since 2014. She previously served as Chairwoman at Zhongguancun Dongsheng New Urbanization Industry Alliance from 2016 to 2020 and Vice Dean at Tianjin Bohai Urban Development Research Institute from 2011 to 2021. Dr. Zhang received her Doctoral Degree in environment science from Peking University in 2004.

We believe Dr. Zhang’s qualifications to serve on our board of directors include her substantial experience in consulting and supply chain management and development as well as her experience with growth stage companies.

Tao Han has been selected, and has agreed to serve, as our Chief Operating Officer upon consummation of this offering. Since October 2020, Mr. Han has served as the general manager of our stores located in San Gabriel, El Monte and Monrovia. Prior to 2020, Mr. Han has served various managerial positions in retail supermarkets for more than 10 years. From 2017 to 2020, Mr. Han was a marketing manager for Hema Fresh in Beijing. From 2011 to 2017, Mr. Han served as administrative manager of Yonghui Supermarket, a public retail company in China. From 2001 to 2011, he was the Head of Management of Iko-Yokato Beijing.

Board of Directors

Board Composition

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. Our board of directors currently has two members. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that our board of directors will consist of a number of directors to be fixed from time to time by the board. Immediately following the completion of this offering, we expect that our board of directors will consist of five directors, of which Bin Wang, Mark Willis and Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang qualify as independent directors under the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq and the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Members of the board of directors will be elected at our annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until their successors have been elected and qualified, subject to prior death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office.

Controlled Company

We are a “Controlled Company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because, and as long as, Mr. John Xu, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, holds more than 50% of the Company’s voting power, he will exercise control over the management and affairs of the company and matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of the Company’s directors. Mr. Xu, who after our initial public offering will control more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, will have the ability to control the outcome of matters

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submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of our directors, as well as the overall management and direction of our Company. For so long as we remain a Controlled Company under that definition, we are permitted to elect, and intend, to rely on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules of Nasdaq, including:

        an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors;

        an exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent directors; and

        an exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors.

Committees of the board of directors

Our board of directors will establish an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Each committee member will be appointed by the board of directors and will serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified, unless he or she is earlier removed or resigns.

Audit Committee

Upon the consummation of this offering, we expect to have an audit committee that consists of Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang, Bin Wang and Mark Willis. The board of directors has determined that each of the members of the audit committee satisfy the independence requirements of the Nasdaq corporate governance standards and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and is financially literate (as defined under the rules of Nasdaq). In arriving at this determination, the Board has examined each audit committee member’s scope of experience, the nature of their prior and/or current employment and all other factors determined to be relevant under the rules and regulations of Nasdaq and the SEC.

Bin Wang will serve as the chair of the audit committee. The Board has determined that Bin Wang qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and meets the financial sophistication requirements of the Nasdaq rules. In making this determination, the Board has considered formal education and previous professional experience in financial roles. Both the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and management will periodically meet privately with the audit committee members.

The committee will have responsibility for, among other things:

        overseeing management’s maintenance of the reliability and integrity of our accounting policies and financial reporting and our disclosure practices;

        overseeing management’s establishment and maintenance of processes to assure that an adequate system of internal control is functioning;

        overseeing management’s establishment and maintenance of processes to assure our compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and corporate policies;

        reviewing our annual and quarterly financial statements prior to their filing and prior to the release of earnings; and

        reviewing the performance of the independent accountants and making recommendations to the board of directors regarding the appointment or termination of the independent accountants and considering and approving any non-audit services proposed to be performed by the independent accountants.

The audit committee will have the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties and to retain counsel for this purpose where appropriate.

Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for our audit committee effective upon consummation of this offering, which will be available on our corporate website at www.maisonsolutionsinc.com upon consummation of this offering.

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The composition and function of the audit committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Company will comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable to the Company.

Compensation Committee

The Company’s compensation committee will consist of Mark Willis, Bin Wang and Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang. The Board has determined that each of the members of nominating and corporate governance committee satisfy the independence requirements of Nasdaq and the SEC. Mark Willis will serve as the chair of the compensation committee. The functions of the compensation committee include, among other things:

        reviewing our compensation practices and policies, including equity benefit plans and incentive compensation;

        reviewing key employee compensation policies;

        monitoring performance and compensation of our employee-directors, officers and other key employees; and

        preparing recommendations and periodic reports to the board of directors concerning these matters.

Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for our compensation committee effective upon consummation of this offering, which will be available on our corporate website at www.maisonsolutionsinc.com upon consummation of this offering.

The composition and function of the compensation committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Company will comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable to the Company.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Company’s nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Bin Wang, Mark Willis and Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang. The Board has determined that each of the members of nominating and corporate governance committee satisfy the independence requirements of Nasdaq and the SEC. Bin Wang will serve as the chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The functions of the nominating and corporate governance committee include, among other things:

        making recommendations as to the size, composition, structure, operations, performance and effectiveness of the board of directors;

        establishing criteria and qualifications for membership on the board of directors and its committees;

        assessing and recommending to the board of directors strong and capable candidates qualified to serve on the board of directors and its committees;

        developing and recommending to the board of directors a set of corporate governance principles; and

        considering and recommending to the board of directors other actions relating to corporate governance.

Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for our nominating and corporate governance committee effective upon consummation of this offering, which will be available on our corporate website at www.maisonsolutionsinc.com upon consummation of this offering.

The composition and function of the nominating and corporate governance committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Company will comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable.

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our executive officers currently serve, or in the past year have served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

Code of Ethics

In connection with this offering, our board of directors will adopt a code of ethics effective upon consummation of this offering that establishes the standards of ethical conduct applicable to all of our directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors. The code of ethics will address, among other things, competition and fair dealing, conflicts of interest, financial matters and external reporting, company funds and assets, confidentiality and corporate opportunity requirements and the process for reporting violations of the code of ethics, employee misconduct, conflicts of interest or other violations. Our code of ethics will be publicly available on our website at www.maisonsolutionsinc.com. Any waiver of our code of ethics with respect to our directors, executive officers or other principal financial officers may only be authorized by our board of directors and will be disclosed as required by applicable law and the listing rules of Nasdaq.

Director Compensation

From 2019 to date, our directors were John Xu and Alexandria Marie Lopez and they have never received any compensation for their services as directors. We did, however, reimburse them for their travel expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at board meetings and fulfilling their duties as members of our board of directors.

Our board of directors will adopt a new non-employee director compensation program effective upon consummation of this offering, under which each non-employee director will receive compensation from us for their service on our board of directors as follows:

Director Service Agreements

In connection with the election as our directors, each of our current non-executive directors (including the independent directors) has entered into a standard director service agreement (the “Form Director Service Agreement”) with us, pursuant to which (a) such director will be entitled to annual cash retainers and/or equity incentive plans (which have yet to be established), (b) we agreed to indemnify our directors to the fullest extent authorized in our governing documents and applicable law, and such indemnity only applies if the director acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and, in the case of criminal proceedings, we had no reasonable cause to believe that the director’s conduct was unlawful; and (c) the directorship term will expire at the next annual stockholders meeting, subject to earlier extraordinary events.

Executive Compensation

This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our executive officers who are named in the section titled “Summary Compensation Table” below. The table summarizes the compensation paid to our principal executive officer and each of our other named executive officers determined under 402(m)(2) of Regulation S-K during 2022 and 2021. We refer to these individuals as our “named executive officers.” In fiscal years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, our named executive officers and their positions were as follows:

        John Xu, our President and Chief Executive Officer;

        Alexandria M. Lopez, our Chief Financial Officer; and

        Tao Han, our General Manager (who will be named Chief Operating Officer upon the consummation of this offering).

This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs we adopt following the completion of this offering may differ materially from the currently planned programs summarized in this discussion.

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Summary Compensation Table.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the annual compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other named executive officers during the last two fiscal years.

Officer Compensation Table (Fiscal Year 2022 and 2021)

Name and principal
position

 

Year

 

Salary
($)

 

Bonus
($)

 

Stock
awards
($)

 

Option
awards
($)

 

Nonequity
incentive plan
compensation
($)

 

Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)

 

All other
compensation
($)

 

Total
($)

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

John Xu,

 

2022

 

71,000

     

 

 

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexandria M. Lopez,

 

2022

 

106,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tao Han,

 

2022

 

86,000

     

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Operating Officer

 

2021

 

65,000

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

From 2019 to June 2021, our Chief Executive Offer John Xu and Chief Financial Officer Alexandria M. Lopez did not receive any compensation for their services as executive officers of Maison. From July 2021, Mr. Xu was paid a base salary in an amount of $71,000 per year and Ms. Lopez was paid a base salary in an amount of $106,000 per year.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers that generally set forth the terms and conditions of employment, including base salary, target bonus opportunities, the opportunity to participate in the equity incentive plans of Maison Solutions Inc., and any of its respective affiliates (to be documented in the relevant agreements of each such entity), and including, and standard employee benefit plan participation.

Grants of Plan Based Awards

None of our named executive officers participate in or have account balances in any plan based award programs.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End; Option Exercises and Stock Vested

None of our named executive officers have ever held options to purchase interests in it or other awards with values based on the value of its interests.

Pension Benefits

Prior to the consummation of this offering none of our named executive officers participate in or have account balances in qualified or nonqualified defined benefit plans sponsored by the Company.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Prior to the consummation of this offering none of our named executive officers participate in or have account balances in nonqualified defined contribution plans or other deferred compensation plans maintained by the Company.

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Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that contain provisions that limit their personal liability for monetary damages. Consequently, our directors and officers will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties. With certain exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of our directors in any action or proceeding. We believe that these indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors. We also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

Our amended and restated bylaws will provide that we shall advance expenses incurred by a director in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her.

The limitation of liability represented by the indemnification agreements and the indemnification provisions in our amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty of care. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information as of the date of this prospectus regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A and Class B common stock (i) immediately prior to this offering and (ii) as adjusted to give effect to this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option), by:

        each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;

        each of our named executive officers;

        each of our directors and director nominees; and

        all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

Beneficial ownership for the purposes of the following table is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These rules generally provide that a person is the beneficial owner of securities if they have or share the power to vote or direct the voting thereof, or to dispose or direct the disposition thereof or have the right to acquire such powers within 60 days. We have based percentage ownership of our common stock before this offering on 13,760,000 shares of our Class A common stock and 2,240,000 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.

 


Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to this
Offering

 

% of
Voting
Power
Before this
Offering

 


Shares Beneficially Owned After this
Offering

 

% of
Voting
Power
After this
Offering

   

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Shares

 

%

 

Shares

 

%

 

Shares

 

%(6)

 

Shares

 

%

 

5% Stockholders:

       

 

       

 

   

 

       

 

       

 

   

 

Stratton Arms Holding, LLC(1)(2)

 

13,600,000

 

85

%

 

 

*

 

 

37.61

%

 

13,600,000

 

81.15

%

 

 

*

 

 

34.73

%

Amsterdam NYC Fund, LP(3)

 

3,200,000

 

20

%

 

 

*

 

 

8.85

%

 

3,200,000

 

19.10

%

 

 

*

 

 

8.17

%

Golden Tree USA, Inc(4)

 

 

*

 

 

2,240,000

 

14

%

 

61.95

%

 

   

 

 

2,240,000

 

14

%

 

57.20

%

Executive Officers and Directors:

       

 

       

 

   

 

       

 

       

 

   

 

John Xu(6)

 

13,600,000

 

85

%

 

2,240,000

 

14

%

 

99.56

%

 

13,600,000

 

81.15

%

 

2,240,000

 

14

%

 

91.93

%

Alexandria M. Lopez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

   

 

Tao Han

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

   

 

Bin Wang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

   

 

Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

   

 

Mark Willis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

   

 

____________

*         Represents less than 1%

(1)      The address of Stratton Arms Holding, LLC is 3901 Main Street Ste 501, Flushing NY 11354.

(2)      Stratton Arms Holding, LLC owns 50% of the partnership interest of Amsterdam NYC Fund, LP and acts as the general partner of Amsterdam NYC Fund, LP. Stratton Arms Holding, LLC is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 3,200,000 Class A common stock held indirectly through its ownership in Amsterdam NYC Fund, LP.

(3)      The address of Amsterdam NYC Fund, LP is 3901 Main Street Ste 501, Flushing NY 11354.

(4)      The address of Golden Tree USA, Inc is 3901 Main Street Ste 501, Flushing NY 11354.

(5)      John Xu is 100% owner of Stratton Arms Holding, LLC and Golden Tree USA, Inc. John Xu has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares owned by Stratton Arms Holding, LLC and Golden Tree USA, Inc. John Xu is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

(6)      Based on 16,760,000 shares of common stock to be outstanding upon the consummation of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following includes a summary of transactions since July 2019 and any currently proposed transactions to which we were or are expected to be a participant in which any of our directors, executive officers, or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any affiliate or member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Most of these transactions are between John Xu, our majority shareholder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, and us.

        On October 29, 2019, the Company acquired a 25% equity interest of Hong Kong Supermarket of Monterey Park, Ltd for $0.66 million. On January 1, 2020, the Company sold the 25% equity interest of Hong Kong Supermarket of Monterey Park, Ltd to HZV Holding Inc. for $0.66 million, a company owned by John Xu.

        In fiscal year 2020, the Company borrowed $1,863,666 at 0% interest per annum from Ideal Investment, a company owned by John Xu. As of April 30, 2020, the Company has converted all payables from Ideal Investment to shares and the balance was zero.

        In fiscal year 2020, the Company lent $20,000 at 0% interest per annum to Good Fortune CA3, LP, a company owned by John Xu. Good Fortune CA3, LP repaid the Company this amount in full in 2022.

        As of April 30, 2021, the Company has borrowed $86,288 at 0% interest per annum from John Xu. The Company paid back this amount in 2022.

        In fiscal year 2021, the Company lent $270,000 at 0% interest per annum to JC International Group LLC, a company owned by John Xu. JC International Group LLC repaid the Company in full in 2022.

        In fiscal year 2021, the Company lent $60,000 at 0% interest per annum to Ideal Investment, a company owned by John Xu. Ideal Investment has paid back this amount as of April 30, 2022.

        In fiscal year 2021, the Company lent $30,000 at 0% interest per annum to Ideal City Capital, a company owned by John Xu. Ideal City Capital has paid back this amount as of April 30, 2022.

        In fiscal year 2021, the Company lent $122,000 at 0% interest per annum to Fowler Development, a company owned by John Xu. Fowler Development has paid back this amount as of April 30, 2022.

        In fiscal year 2021, the Company lent $43,100 at 0% interest per annum to Good Fortune CA3, LP, a company owned by John Xu. Good Fortune CA3, LP has paid back this amount as of April 30, 2022.

        On May 1, 2021, the Company acquired a 10% equity interest of Dai Cheong Co., Inc, a California corporation, from DC Holding. DC Holding is owned by John Xu. The purchase price for this transaction was $162,665.

        As of April 30, 2022, the Company lent $20,000 at 0% interest per annum to Good Fortune CA3, LP, a company owned by John Xu, this amount was repaid on July 29, 2022.

        In fiscal year 2022, the Company borrowed $30,825 at 0% interest per annum from Ideal City Capital, a company owned by John Xu. This amount was repaid on October 19, 2022.

        In fiscal year 2022, the Company borrowed $108,361 at 0% interest per annum from JC International Group LLC, a company owned by John Xu. This amount was repaid on October 19, 2022.

        As of April 30, 2022, the Company owed John Xu $174,594. This amount was repaid on October 20, 2022.

        As of April 30, 2022, the Company owed Grace Xu $40,775. This amount was repaid on October 20, 2022.

        On December 31, 2021, the Company acquired a 10% equity interest of HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc., the legal entity holding the Alhambra Store, from Grace Xu. The purchase price for this transaction was $40,775.

        On June 30, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the equity of GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. from DNL Management Inc. (51% ownership) and Ms. Grace Xu (49% ownership). This acquisition was treated as a related party transaction. The purchase price for this transaction was $1.5 million. On February 21, 2023, the Company and the selling shareholders renegotiated and entered into an Amended Stock Purchase Agreement, with an effective date on October 31, 2022, to amend the purchase price to $2.5 million, which both parties believed reflected the true fair value of Maison Monterey Park.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary describes our capital stock and the material provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, each of which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, the amended and restated investors’ rights agreement to which we and certain of our stockholders are parties, and of the DGCL. Because the following is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part.

General

Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on October 1, 2021, our authorized stock consists of:

The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 100,000,000 comprised of (i) 95,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “common stock”), of which (a) 92,000,000 shares shall be a series designated as Class A common stock (the “Class A common stock”), (b) 3,000,000 shares shall be a series designated as Class B common stock (the “Class B common stock”), and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

Voting Rights

Each holder of our Class A common stock is entitled to one (1) vote per share, and each holder of our Class B common stock is entitled to ten (10) votes per share, on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The holders of our Class A and Class B common stock will generally vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, unless otherwise required by Delaware law or our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation. Delaware law could require either holders of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock to vote separately as a single class in the following circumstances:

        if we were to seek to amend our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase or decrease the par value of a class of our capital stock, then that class would be required to vote separately to approve the proposed amendment; and

        if we were to seek to amend our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation in a manner that alters or changes the powers, preferences, or special rights of a class of our capital stock in a manner that affected its holders adversely, then that class would be required to vote separately to approve the proposed amendment.

Our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors.

Dividend Rights

The holders of our Class A and Class B common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. See the section titled “Dividend Policy” for additional information.

Conversion

Each outstanding share of Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of Class A common stock. In addition, each share of Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of Class A common stock upon any transfer, whether or not for value, which occurs after the completion of this offering, except for certain permitted transfers further described in our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation, including estate planning or charitable transfers where exclusive voting control with respect to the shares of Class B common stock is retained by the transferring holder, and transfers to affiliates or certain other related entities of the transferring holder.

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All outstanding shares of our Class B common stock will convert automatically into shares of our Class A common stock at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on a date fixed by our board of directors that is not less than 60 days nor more than 180 days following the date the aggregate number of shares of our Class B common stock then outstanding ceases to represent at least 5% of the aggregate number of all shares of our common stock then outstanding. In addition, each share of Class B common stock held by our John Xu, our Chief Executive Officer, (or any of Mr. Xu’s permitted transferees) will automatically convert into one share of Class A common stock at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on a date fixed by our board of directors that is not less than 60 nor more than 180 days following the death or disability of Mr. Xu. Once converted into Class A common stock, the Class B common stock may not be reissued.

Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of our Class A and Class B common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities

Rights and Preferences

Holders of our Class A and Class B common stock have no pre-emptive, conversion (except as noted above), or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our Class A common stock or Class B common stock.

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable

All of the outstanding shares of our Class A and Class B common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The provisions of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and our amended and restated bylaws, which are summarized below, may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or discouraging another person from acquiring control of our company. They are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging a proposal to acquire us because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Delaware Law

We are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales, or other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock. These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in our control.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaw Provisions

Our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could make the following actions and transactions, among others, more difficult: acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability

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to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Dual Class Stock

As described above in the subsection titled “— Class A and Class B common stock — Voting Rights,” our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will continue to provide for a dual class common stock structure, which will provide Mr. Xu and current investors with significant influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The board of directors of the Company is expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the board of directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The board of directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock will make it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to effect a change in control of our company. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our Company.

Special Stockholder Meetings

Our amended and restated bylaws will provide that a special meeting of stockholders may only be called by an officer of our company pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors then in office or the chairperson of our board of directors.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations

Our amended and restated bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors.

Forum Selection

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought against or on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), (iv) any action as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court located within the State of Delaware). However, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, and as such, the exclusive jurisdiction clauses set forth above would not apply to such suits. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive

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forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action against us or any of our directors, officers, employees, or agents and arising under the Securities Act. Nothing in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws preclude stockholders that assert claims under the Exchange Act from bringing such claims in state or federal court, subject to applicable law.

If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope described above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a Foreign Action), in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the applicable provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder. Although our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain the choice of forum provision described above, it is possible that a court could find that such a provision is inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable.

This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees, or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Amendment of Charter Provisions

Any amendment of the above provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation would require approval by holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. In addition, the affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of the shares of Class B common stock outstanding at the time of such vote, voting as a separate series, is required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the rights and preferences of our common stock.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification

For a discussion of limitation on liability and indemnification, see the section titled “Management — Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Listing

We have applied to list our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MSS.”

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there was no public market for our Class A common stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our Class A common stock.

Sale of Restricted Securities

Upon completion of this offering, we will have 16,760,000 shares of Class A common stock outstanding (or 17,210,000 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase 450,000 additional shares from us). Of these, the 3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock being sold in this offering (or 3,450,000 shares of Class A common stock if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except for any shares of common stock that may be held or acquired by our directors, executive officers and other “affiliates”, as that term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, which shares will be subject to the volume limitations and other restrictions of Rule 144. The remaining 13,760,000 shares (or 13,310,000 shares) of our outstanding Class A common stock upon completion of this offering will be “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144, and may be resold only after registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from such registration, including, among others, the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, subject to the registration rights, and lock-up agreements described below.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, persons who became the beneficial owner of shares of our Class A common stock prior to the completion of this offering may sell such shares upon the earlier of (1) the expiration of a six-month holding period, if we have been subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days prior to the date of the sale and have filed all reports required thereunder, or (2) the expiration of a one-year holding period.

At the expiration of the six-month holding period, assuming we have been subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements for at least 90 days and have filed all reports required thereunder, a person who was not one of our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding a sale would be entitled to sell an unlimited number of shares of our Class A common stock acquired prior to the completion of this offering, and a person who was one of our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding a sale would be entitled to sell upon expiration of the lock-up agreements described below, within any three-month period, a number of shares of Class A common stock acquired prior to the completion of this offering in the amount that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

        1% of the number of shares of our Class A common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately 137,600 shares immediately after this offering, assuming an initial public offering price of $4.00 per share, or

        the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, where we have applied to list our Class A common stock, during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

At the expiration of the one-year holding period, a person who was not one of our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding a sale would be entitled to sell an unlimited number of shares of our Class A common stock acquired prior to the completion of the offering without restriction. A person who was one of our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding a sale, upon expiration of the lock-up agreements described below, would remain subject to the volume restrictions described above.

Sales of any shares of Class A common stock that may be held or acquired by our affiliates through this offering will not be subject to the holding period limitations described above, but will remain subject to the volume limitations and other restrictions of Rule 144 and the lock-up agreement described below.

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-US HOLDERS

The following discussion is a summary of the material US federal income tax consequences to Non-US Holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our Class A common stock issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other US federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local, or non-US tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the US Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), in each case in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a Non-US Holder. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our Class A common stock.

This discussion is limited to Non-US Holders that hold our Class A common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all US federal income tax consequences relevant to a Non-US Holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income and the alternative minimum tax. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Non-US Holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:

        US expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

        persons holding our Class A common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment;

        banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions;

        brokers, dealers, or traders in securities;

        “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid US federal income tax;

        partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for US federal income tax purposes (and investors therein);

        tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

        persons deemed to sell our Class A common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

        persons who hold or receive our Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;

        tax-qualified retirement plans; and

        “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds.

If an entity treated as a partnership for US federal income tax purposes holds our Class A common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership, and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding our Class A common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the US federal income tax consequences to them.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE US FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE US FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR NON-US TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

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Definition of a Non-US Holder

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-US Holder” is any beneficial owner of our Class A common stock that is neither a “US person” nor an entity treated as a partnership for US federal income tax purposes. A US person is any person that, for US federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

        an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

        a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

        an estate, the income of which is subject to US federal income tax regardless of its source; or

        a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a US court and the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for US federal income tax purposes.

Distributions

As described in the section titled “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate declaring or paying dividends to holders of our Class A common stock in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or property on our Class A common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for US federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under US federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for US federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a Non-US Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “— Sale or Other Taxable Disposition.”

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, dividends paid to a Non-US Holder will be subject to US federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the Non-US Holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). A Non-US Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-US Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

If dividends paid to a Non-US Holder are effectively connected with the Non-US Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-US Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-US Holder will be exempt from the US federal withholding tax described above. To claim the exemption, the Non-US Holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Document

Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-US Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to US federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates. A Non-US Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-US Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition

A Non-US Holder will not be subject to US federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock unless:

        the gain is effectively connected with the Non-US Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-US Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

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        the Non-US Holder is a non-resident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

        our Class A common stock constitutes a US real property interest (USRPI) by reason of our status as a US real property holding corporation (USRPHC) for US federal income tax purposes.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to US federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates. A Non-US Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

A Non-US Holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to US federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock, which may be offset by US source capital losses of the Non-US Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the Non-US Holder has timely filed US federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends, however, on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our non-US real property interests and our other business assets, there can be no assurance we currently are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock by a Non-US Holder will not be subject to US federal income tax if our Class A common stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market and such Non-US Holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our Class A common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the Non-US Holder’s holding period.

Non-US Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends on our Class A common stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the holder is a United States person and the holder either certifies its non-US status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any distributions on our Class A common stock paid to the Non-US Holder, regardless of whether such distributions constitute dividends or whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock within the United States or conducted through certain US-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our Class A common stock conducted through a non-US office of a non-US broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-US Holder resides or is established.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-US Holder’s US federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)) on certain types of payments made to non-US financial institutions and certain other non-US entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or

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other disposition of, our Class A common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the US Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our Class A common stock. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our Class A common stock.

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UNDERWRITING

Joseph Stone Capital, LLC (“JSC”) is serving as the representative of the underwriters for this offering (the “Representative”). Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, JSC has agreed to purchase from us on a firm commitment basis 3,000,000 shares of Class A common stock at the assumed initial public offering price of $4.00 per share, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the Representative to purchase all of the Class A common stock being offered to the public is subject to specific conditions, including, but not limited to, obtaining listing approval on the Nasdaq Capital Market, the absence of any material adverse change in our business or in the financial markets and the receipt of certain legal opinions, certificates and letters from us, our counsel and the independent auditors. Subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will purchase all of the shares being offered to the public, other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below, if any of these shares are purchased.

Over-Allotment Option

We have also granted to Representative an option, exercisable not later than 45 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 450,000 additional shares of Class A common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions (the “Over-allotment Option”). The underwriters may exercise this option only to cover over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the shares offered by this prospectus. To the extent that the underwriters exercise this option, the underwriters will become obligated, subject to conditions, to purchase, and we will be obligated to sell, the additional shares. If any additional shares are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the other shares are being offered hereunder.

Discounts, Commissions and Expenses

Under the Underwriting Agreement, we will pay the underwriters fees and commissions equal to 6.75% of the gross proceeds raised in the offering and a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1.25% of the gross proceeds. In addition to the cash commission, we will also reimburse the underwriters for the full amount of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including their legal and travel expenses in an amount not to exceed $145,000. Such advance payments will be returned to us to the extent such out-of-pocket expenses are not actually incurred in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(C). The Representative will also receive an advisory fee of $50,000.

We have agreed to pay up to a maximum of $145,000 in expenses relating to the offering, including, but not limited to, (i) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the shares of Class A common stock to be sold in this offering (including the Over-Allotment Option shares) with the SEC and the filing of the offering materials with FINRA; (ii) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of such shares of Class A common stock under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the underwriters may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of underwriter’s counsel); (iii) the costs of all mailing and printing of the placement documents, registration statements, prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final prospectuses as the Representative may reasonably deem necessary; (iv) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering certificates representing the shares of Class A common stock and the fees and expenses of the transfer agent for such shares of Class A common stock; (v) the reasonable cost for road show meetings and preparation of a power point presentation; (vi) costs and expenses incurred in conducting background checks of the Company’s officers and directors by a background search firm not to exceed $3,000 per person; (vii) the costs for bound volumes, commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones; (viii) the costs and expenses of a public relations firm; (ix) the costs associated with post-closing advertising of the offering; (x) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants, legal counsel and other agents and representatives; and (xi) translation costs for due diligence purposes.

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The table below shows the per share and total commissions that we will pay to the underwriter.

 

Per Share

 

Total

Initial public offering price

 

$

   

$

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions (6.75%)

 

$

   

$

 

Proceeds to us, before expenses

 

$

   

$

 

In addition, we have agreed to grant the underwriters non-redeemable warrants to purchase an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the shares of Class A common stock sold in the offering. The underwriters warrants will be exercisable, in whole or in part, during a period commencing six (6) months after the closing of the offering and will expire five (5) years thereafter in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(i). Such warrants are exercisable at a price of 120% of the public offering price of the Class A common stock offered pursuant to this offering. We will register the shares of Class A common stock underlying the underwriter warrants and will file all necessary undertakings in connection therewith. The underwriter warrants may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part (in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110), except that they may be assigned, in whole or in part, to any member participating in the offering and the officers or partners thereof, and that all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction for the remainder of the time period. The underwriter warrants may be exercised as to all or a lesser number of shares of Class A common stock and will provide for cashless exercise.

Determination of Offering Price

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations between us and the Representative. In determining the initial public offering price, we and the Representative expect to consider a number of factors, including:

        the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the Representative;

        our prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

        an assessment of our management;

        our prospects for future earnings;

        the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;

        the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded securities of generally comparable companies; and

        other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us.

Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our Class A common stock, or that the shares of Class A common stock will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

Lock-Up Agreements

We and all of our directors, executive officers, senior management and existing beneficial owners of 5% or greater of our outstanding Class A common stock have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, not to, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, for a period of 12 months after the closing of this offering: (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Class A common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A common stock; (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Class A common stock; or (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any Class A common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A common stock, whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of Class A common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

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Right of First Refusal

JSC shall have a right of first refusal for the twelve (12) month period following the closing of this offering to act as a lead managing underwriters or lead placement agent and lead book runner in connection with any public or private offering of equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities contemplated by the Company. JSC shall have fifteen (15) business days from its receipt of the written terms of such engagement by the Company to determine whether or not to accept such offer.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we will contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

Stamp Taxes

If you purchase Class A common stock offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.

Stabilization

The underwriters have advised us that they, pursuant to Regulation M under Exchange Act, and certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the Class A common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. Establishing short sales positions may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales.

“Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the maximum number of units sold in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by purchasing shares of securities in the open market. In determining the source of shares of securities to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market.

“Naked” short sales are sales in excess of maximum number of units sold in this offering. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of Class A common stock on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the Class A common stock. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of Class A common stock on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our Class A common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our Class A common stock. As a result, the price of our Class A common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the Class A common stock originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Class A common stock. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.

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Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the websites or through online services maintained by the underwriters or its affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares of Class A common stock for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by the underwriters is not part of this prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in, and may in the future engage in, various activities, which may include securities trading, investment banking and other commercial dealings, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. In addition, from time to time, the underwriters and their affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the Class A common stock offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the Class A common stock offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Application for Nasdaq Capital Market

We have applied to list our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MSS.” We will not consummate and close this offering without a listing approval letter from Nasdaq. If our Class A common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be subject to continued listing requirements and corporate governance standards. We expect these new rules and regulations to significantly increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs.

Selling Restrictions

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

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Australia

This prospectus does not constitute a product disclosure document or a prospectus under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), has not been, and will not be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, as a disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act. It does not constitute or involve a recommendation to acquire, an offer or invitation for issue or sale, an offer or invitation to arrange the issue or sale, or an issue or sale, of interests to a “retail client” (as defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act and applicable regulations) in Australia and may only be provided in Australia to select investors who are able to demonstrate that they fall within one or more of the categories of investors, or Exempt Investors, available under section 708 of the Corporations Act as set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus in Australia:

A. By applying for Class A common stock, you confirm and warrant that you are either:

        a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

        a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)I or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the Company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)I(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

        a person associated with the Company under Section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

        a “professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act.

The Class A common stock may not be directly or indirectly offered for subscription or purchased or sold, and no invitations to subscribe for or buy the Class A common stock may be issued, and no draft or definitive offering memorandum, advertisement or other offering material relating to any Class A common stock may be distributed in Australia, except where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act or is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations. By submitting an application for the Class A common stock, you represent and warrant to us that you are an Exempt Investor. To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus is void and incapable of acceptance.

B. As any offer of Class A common stock under this prospectus will be made without disclosure in Australia under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, the offer of those securities for resale in Australia within 12 months may, under section 707 of the Corporations Act, require disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D.2 if none of the exemptions in section 708 applies to that resale. By applying for the Class A common stock, you warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the securities issued to you pursuant to this prospectus for resale in Australia within 12 months of those securities being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

Bermuda

The Class A common stock may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Business Act of 2003 of Bermuda which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. Additionally, non-Bermudian persons (including companies) may not carry on or engage in any trade or business in Bermuda unless such persons are permitted under applicable Bermuda legislation.

British Virgin Islands

The Class A common stock are not being, and may not be offered to the public or to any person in the British Virgin Islands for purchase or subscription by or on behalf of the Company. The Class A common stock may be offered to companies incorporated under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (British Virgin Islands), but only where the offer will be made to, and received by, the relevant BVI company entirely outside of the British Virgin Islands.

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Canada

The Class A common stock may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Cayman Islands

This prospectus does not constitute a public offer of the Class A common stock, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the Cayman Islands. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any Class A common stock to the public in the Cayman Islands.

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, or each referred as a “Relevant Member State,” an offer to the public of the Class A common stock which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may not be made in that Relevant Member State except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any Class A common stock may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

        to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

        to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters or the underwriter nominated by us for any such offer; or

        in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of Class A common stock shall require us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive, and each person who initially acquires any Class A common stock or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the underwriters and us that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive. In the case of any Class A common stock being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the Class A common stock acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any Class A common stock to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

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For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer Class A common stock to the public” in relation to the Class A common stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Class A common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe to the Class A common stock, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

Hong Kong

No Class A common stock have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong, or the SFO, and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, or the CEO, or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CEO and the SFO. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the content of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.

This prospectus has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this prospectus and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.

Japan

The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or FIEL, and the Initial Purchaser will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Kuwait

Unless all necessary approvals from the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry required by Law No. 31/1990 “Regulating the Negotiation of Securities and Establishment of Investment Funds,” its Executive Regulations and the various Ministerial Orders issued pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, have been given in relation to the marketing and sale of the Class A common stock, these may not be marketed, offered for sale, nor sold in the State of Kuwait. Neither this prospectus (including any related document), nor any of the information contained therein is intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within Kuwait.

Malaysia

No prospectus or other offering material or document in connection with the offer and sale of the Class A common stock has been or will be registered with the Securities Commission of Malaysia, or the Commission, for the Commission’s approval pursuant to the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Class A common stock may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Class A common stock be offered or

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sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Malaysia other than (i) a closed end fund approved by the Commission; (ii) a holder of a Capital Markets Services License; (iii) a person who acquires the Class A common stock, as principal, if the offer is on terms that the Class A common stock may only be acquired at a consideration of not less than RM250,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) for each transaction; (iv) an individual whose total net personal assets or total net joint assets with his or her spouse exceeds RM3 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), excluding the value of the primary residence of the individual; (v) an individual who has a gross annual income exceeding RM300,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vi) an individual who, jointly with his or her spouse, has a gross annual income of RM400,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vii) a corporation with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in a foreign currencies) based on the last audited accounts; (viii) a partnership with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies); (ix) a bank licensee or insurance licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; (x) an Islamic bank licensee or takaful licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; and (xi) any other person as may be specified by the Commission; provided that, in the each of the preceding categories (i) to (xi), the distribution of the Class A common stock is made by a holder of a Capital Markets Services License who carries on the business of dealing in securities. The distribution in Malaysia of this prospectus is subject to Malaysian laws. This prospectus does not constitute and may not be used for the purpose of public offering or an issue, offer for subscription or purchase, invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities requiring the registration of a prospectus with the Commission under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

People’s Republic of China

This prospectus may not be circulated or distributed in the PRC and the Class A common stock may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly to any resident of the PRC or for the benefit of, legal or natural persons of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. Further, no legal or natural persons of the PRC may directly or indirectly purchase any of the Class A common stock or any beneficial interest therein without obtaining all prior PRC governmental approvals that are required, whether statutorily or otherwise. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus are required by the issuer and its representatives to observe these restrictions. For the purpose of this paragraph, PRC does not include Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Korea

The Class A common stock have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Investments Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder, or the FSCMA, and the Class A common stock have been and will be offered in Korea as a private placement under the FSCMA. None of the Class A common stock may be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the FSCMA and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder, or the FETL. The Class A common stock have not been listed on any of securities exchanges in the world including, without limitation, the Korea Exchange in Korea. Furthermore, the purchaser of the Class A common stock shall comply with all applicable regulatory requirements (including, but not limited to, requirements under the FETL) in connection with the purchase of the Class A common stock. By the purchase of the Class A common stock, the relevant holder thereof will be deemed to represent and warrant that if it is in Korea or is a resident of Korea, it purchased the Class A common stock pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea.

Qatar

In the State of Qatar, the offer contained herein is made on an exclusive basis to the specifically intended recipient thereof, upon that person’s request and initiative, for personal use only and shall in no way be construed as a general offer for the sale of securities to the public or an attempt to do business as a bank, an investment company or otherwise in the State of Qatar. This prospectus and the underlying securities have not been approved or licensed by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority or any other regulator in the State of Qatar. The information contained in this prospectus shall only be shared with any third parties in Qatar on a need to know basis for the purpose of evaluating the contained offer. Any distribution of this prospectus by the recipient to third parties in Qatar beyond the terms hereof is not permitted and shall be at the liability of such recipient.

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Saudi Arabia

This prospectus may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations issued by the Capital Market Authority pursuant to resolution number 2-11-2004 dated 4 October 2004 as amended by resolution number 1-28-2008, as amended. The Capital Market Authority does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this prospectus, and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this prospectus. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

South Africa

Due to restrictions under the securities laws of South Africa, the Class A common stock are not offered, and the offer shall not be transferred, sold, renounced or delivered, in South Africa or to a person with an address in South Africa, unless one or other of the following exemptions applies:

        the offer, transfer, sale, renunciation or delivery is to: (a) persons whose ordinary business is to deal in securities, as principal or agent; (b) the South African Public Investment Corporation; (c) persons or entities regulated by the Reserve Bank of South Africa; (d) authorized financial service providers under South African law; (e) financial institutions recognized as such under South African law; (f) a wholly-owned subsidiary of any person or entity contemplated in (c), (d) or (e), acting as agent in the capacity of an authorized portfolio manager for a pension fund or collective investment scheme (in each case duly registered as such under South African law); or (g) any combination of the person in (a) to (f); or

        the total contemplated acquisition cost of the securities, for any single addressee acting as principal is equal to or greater than ZAR1,000,000.

No “offer to the public” (as such term is defined in the South African Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008 (as amended or re-enacted) in South Africa is being made in connection with the issue of the Class A common stock. Accordingly, this prospectus does not, nor is it intended to, constitute a “registered prospectus” (as that term is defined in the South African Companies Act) prepared and registered under the South African Companies Act and has not been approved by, and/or filed with, the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or any other regulatory authority in South Africa. Any issue or offering of the Class A common stock in South Africa constitutes an offer of the Class A common stock in South Africa for subscription or sale in South Africa only to persons who fall within the exemption from “offers to the public” set out in section 96(1)(a) of the South African Companies Act. Accordingly, this prospectus must not be acted on or relied on by persons in South Africa who do not fall within section 96(1)(a) of the South African Companies Act (such persons being referred to as SA Relevant Persons). Any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus relates is available in South Africa only to SA Relevant Persons and will be engaged in South Africa only with SA Relevant Persons.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been and will not be lodged or registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Class A common stock may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Class A common stock be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA. Where the Class A common stock are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person, which is: a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

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securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Class A common stock pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

        to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

        where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

        where the transfer is by operation of law;

        as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

        as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Switzerland

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or the SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or the CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.

Taiwan

The Class A common stock have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitutes an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the Class A common stock in Taiwan.

United Arab Emirates

This prospectus is not intended to constitute an offer, sale or delivery of Class A common stock or other securities under the laws of the United Arab Emirates, or the UAE. The Class A common stock have not been and will not be registered under Federal Law No. 4 of 2000 Concerning the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority and the Emirates Security and Commodity Exchange, or with the UAE Central Bank, the Dubai Financial Market, the Abu Dhabi Securities Market or with any other UAE exchange.

The offering, the Class A common stock and interests therein have not been approved or licensed by the UAE Central Bank or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE, and do not constitute a public offer of securities in the UAE in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended) or otherwise.

In relation to its use in the UAE, this prospectus is strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. The interests in the Class A common stock may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly to the public in the UAE.

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United Kingdom

This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the Order, and/or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”).

This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus or any of its contents.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for our company by Akerman LLP, Los Angeles, California. The underwriters have been represented by Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, New York, New York in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Maison Solutions Inc. as of and for each of the year in the two-year period ended April 30, 2022 and 2021 appearing in this prospectus and the registration statement of which it is a part have been audited by Friedman LLP, located at 165 Broadway 21st Floor, New York, NY 10006 independent registered public accounting firm, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority of as experts in accounting and auditing.

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Effective September 1, 2022, Friedman LLP combined with Marcum LLP. On January 3, 2023, we engaged Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP (“KC”) to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm and dismissed Friedman LLP, subject to the completion of all necessary client acceptance procedures and the required communications between KC and Friedman LLP, which were completed on January 17, 2023.

Friedman LLP’s reports on our consolidated financial statements for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. Furthermore, during our two most recent fiscal years and through January 14, 2023, there have been no disagreements with Friedman LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to Friedman LLP’s satisfaction, would have caused Friedman LLP to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on our financial statements for such periods.

For our two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period through January 14, 2023, there were no ‘reportable events’ as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, other than the material weaknesses reported by management in the Risk Factors section beginning on page 15 of this prospectus and neither our Company nor anyone acting on our behalf consulted KC with respect to the material weaknesses or any reportable events.

During our two most recent fiscal years and through January 14, 2023, neither our Company nor anyone acting on our behalf consulted KC with respect to any of the matters or reportable events set forth in 304(a)(1)(v)) of Regulation S-K.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the Class A common stock we propose to sell in this offering. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. For further information about us and the Class A common stock that we propose to sell in this offering, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits, schedules, financial statements and notes filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the contract or document that has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit. The exhibits to the registration statement should be referenced for the complete contents of these contracts and documents.

You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the reporting, proxy and information requirements of the Exchange Act, and as a result will be required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference room and the website of the SEC referred to above, as well as on our website, without charge, at www.maisonsolutionsinc.com. You may access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The contents of our website are not part of this prospectus, and you should not consider the contents of our website in making an investment decision with respect to our Class A common stock.

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MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Page

Financial Statements

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and April 30, 2022

 

F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)

 

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)

 

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)

 

F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements January 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and April 30, 2022

 

F-7

     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 711)

 

F-29

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2021

 

F-30

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2021

 

F-31

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit as of April 30, 2022 and 2021

 

F-32

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2021

 

F-33

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2021

 

F-34

     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-52

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. Balance Sheet

 

F-53

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. Statement of Income for the year ended April 30, 2022

 

F-54

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

F-55

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended April 30, 2022

 

F-56

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. Notes To Financial Statements

 

F-57

F-1

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MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

 

January 31, 2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

ASSETS

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

 

$

2,580,244

 

$

898,061

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

937,999

 

 

 

Accounts receivable – related parties

 

 

240,313

 

 

409,463

 

Inventories, net

 

 

2,920,404

 

 

2,320,359

 

Prepayments

 

 

24,631

 

 

727,654

 

Loan receivables

 

 

 

 

4,410,270

 

Other receivables and other current assets

 

 

510,317

 

 

272,052

 

Other receivable – related parties

 

 

33,995

 

 

20,000

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

7,247,903

 

 

9,057,859

 

Restricted cash – non-current

 

 

1,101

 

 

74,370

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

714,491

 

 

552,395

 

Intangible assets

 

 

509,843

 

 

15,272

 

Security deposits

 

 

457,491

 

 

301,200

 

Investment in equity securities – related parties

 

 

203,440

 

 

203,440

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net

 

 

19,232,603

 

 

15,895,258

 

Goodwill

 

 

1,990,606

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

30,357,478

 

$

26,099,794

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

2,404,704

 

$

3,374,532

 

Accounts payable – related parties

 

 

513,977

 

 

 

Current portion of loan payables

 

 

422,371

 

 

498,252

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

1,364,329

 

 

1,435,344

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

254,160

 

 

370,929

 

Other payables – related parties

 

 

246,017

 

 

354,555

 

Operating lease liabilities – current

 

 

1,776,649

 

 

1,065,852

 

Income taxes payables

 

 

818,803

 

 

443,150

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

7,801,010

 

 

7,542,614

 

Long-term loan payables

 

 

2,610,563

 

 

2,796,605

 

Other long-term payables

 

 

110,114

 

 

55,150

 

Operating lease liabilities – non-current

 

 

19,329,255

 

 

16,552,469

 

Deferred tax liability, net

 

 

125,299

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

29,976,241

 

 

26,946,838

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Commitment and contingencies (Note 15)

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class A Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 92,000,000 shares authorized; 13,760,000 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

1,376

 

 

1,376

 

Class B Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized; 2,240,000 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

224

 

 

224

 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

 

191,533

 

 

(729,093

)

Total Maison Solutions, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

 

193,133

 

 

(727,493

)

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

188,104

 

 

(119,551

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

 

381,237

 

 

(847,044

)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

$

30,357,478

 

$

26,099,794

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-2

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2023 AND 2022 (UNAUDITED)

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Net Revenues

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supermarket

 

$

41,215,255

 

$

31,074,455

 

Total Revenues, Net

 

 

41,215,255

 

 

31,074,455

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of Revenues

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supermarket

 

 

31,815,554

 

 

24,800,409

 

Total Cost of Revenues

 

 

31,815,554

 

 

24,800,409

 

Gross Profit

 

 

9,399,701

 

 

6,274,046

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Selling Expenses

 

 

6,670,088

 

 

4,806,980

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

2,649,419

 

 

2,137,623

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

9,319,507

 

 

6,944,603

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

 

 

80,194

 

 

(670,557

)

   

 

   

 

 

 

Other Income, net

 

 

1,321,533

 

 

41,438

 

Interest Income (Expense)

 

 

15,705

 

 

(41,798

)

Total other Income (Expenses), net

 

 

1,337,238

 

 

(360

)

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

 

1,417,432

 

 

(670,917

)

Income Tax Provisions

 

 

189,151

 

 

27,116

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

 

1,228,281

 

 

(698,033

)

   

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

 

 

307,655

 

 

51,540

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Maison Solutions Inc.

 

$

920,626

 

$

(749,573

)

Income (Loss) per Share Attributable to Maison Solutions, Inc.
– Basic and Diluted

 

$

0.06

 

$

(0.05

)

Weighted Average Number of Common Stock
– Basic and Diluted

 

 

16,000,000

 

 

16,000,000

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-3

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2023 AND 2022 (UNAUDITED)

 

Class A
Common Stock

 

Class B
Common Stock

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Noncontrolling
Interests

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Balance at April 30, 2022

 

13,760,000

 

$

1,376

 

2,240,000

 

$

224

 

$

(729,093

)

 

$

(119,551

)

 

$

(847,044

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

920,626

 

 

 

307,655

 

 

 

1,228,281

 

Balance at January 31, 2023

 

13,760,000

 

$

1,376

 

2,240,000

 

$

224

 

$

191,533

 

 

$

188,104

 

 

$

381,237

 

 

Class A
Common Stock

 

Class B
Common Stock

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Noncontrolling
Interests

 

Total
Stockholders’
Deficit

   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Balance at April 30, 2021

 

13,760,000

 

$

1,376

 

2,240,000

 

$

224

 

$

(166,349

)

 

$

(27,269

)

 

$

(192,018

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(749,573

)

 

 

51,540

 

 

 

(698,033

)

Balance at January 31, 2022

 

13,760,000

 

$

1,376

 

2,240,000

 

$

224

 

$

(915,922

)

 

$

24,271

 

 

$

(890,051

)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2023 AND 2022 (UNAUDITED)

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

1,228,281

 

 

$

(698,033

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses

 

 

312,549

 

 

 

401,476

 

Provision for inventory shrinkage reserve

 

 

29,479

 

 

 

58,792

 

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

 

 

 

(31,642

)

Change in deferred taxes

 

 

(8,229

)

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(880,952

)

 

 

(796,139

)

Accounts receivable – related party

 

 

85,981

 

 

 

(101,173

)

Inventories

 

 

242,560

 

 

 

(601,257

)

Prepayments

 

 

703,023

 

 

 

4,858

 

Other receivables and other current assets

 

 

(238,475

)

 

 

(139,443

)

Security deposits

 

 

5,654

 

 

 

(20,476

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(1,290,541

)

 

 

1,906,923

 

Accounts payable-related party

 

 

94,193

 

 

 

60,056

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

(156,804

)

 

 

394,750

 

Contract Liabilities

 

 

(127,138

)

 

 

19,830

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

149,489

 

 

 

142,777

 

Taxes payables

 

 

192,391

 

 

 

23,749

 

Other long-term payables

 

 

22,764

 

 

 

19,859

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

364,225

 

 

 

644,907

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of fixed assets

 

 

(24,185

)

 

 

(54,196

)

Payment of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

(7,282

)

Payment for acquisition of subsidiary

 

 

(2,500,000

)

 

 

 

Cash received from asset disposal

 

 

 

 

 

31,050

 

Loans repaid from/provided to third parties

 

 

4,410,270

 

 

 

(618,490

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

1,886,085

 

 

 

(648,918

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank overdraft

 

 

(281,941

)

 

 

 

Repayments on loan payables

 

 

(261,923

)

 

 

 

Borrowings from loan payables

 

 

 

 

 

1,976,850

 

(Lending to) payment from other receivables – related parties

 

 

(62,932

)

 

 

416,125

 

Borrowings from (repayment to) other payables – related parties

 

 

(34,600

)

 

 

35,637

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(641,396

)

 

 

2,428,612

 

F-5

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (Continued)
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2023 AND 2022 (UNAUDITED)

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Net changes in cash and restricted cash

 

 

1,608,914

 

 

2,424,601

Cash and restricted cash at the beginning of the period

 

 

972,431

 

 

788,655

Cash and restricted cash at the end of the period

 

$

2,581,345

 

$

3,213,256

   

 

   

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash and restricted cash

 

 

   

 

 

Cash

 

$

2,580,244

 

$

3,212,155

Restricted cash

 

 

1,101

 

 

1,101

Total cash and restricted cash

 

$

2,581,345

 

$

3,213,256

   

 

   

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

   

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

29,577

 

$

29,351

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

8,481

 

$

2,400

   

 

   

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

   

 

 

Purchase price of cost method investments included in other payables – related parties

 

$

 

$

203,440

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

1. Organization

Maison Solutions Inc. (“Maison”, the “Company”, and formerly known as “Maison International Inc.”) was founded on July 24, 2019 as an Illinois corporation with its principal place of business in California. In September 2021, the Company was redomiciled in the State of Delaware as a corporation registered under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Immediately upon formation, the Company acquired three retail Asian supermarkets with two brands (Good Fortune and Hong Kong Supermarkets) in Los Angeles, California and rebranded them as “HK Good Fortune Supermarkets”. Upon completion of these acquisitions, these entities became controlled subsidiaries of the Company (hereafter collectively referred to as “Maison Group”).

        In July 2019, the Company purchased 91% of the equity interests in Good Fortune Supermarket San Gabriel, LP (“Maison San Gabriel”) and 85.25% of the equity interests in Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP (“Maison Monrovia”), each of which owns a Good Fortune Supermarket.

        In October 2019, the Company purchased 91.67% of the equity interests in Super HK of El Monte, Inc. (“Maison El Monte”), which owns a Hong Kong Supermarket.

        On June 30, 2022, the Company purchased 100% equity interest in GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. (“Maison Monterey Park”), the legal entity holding a supermarket in Monterey Park.

The Company, through its four subsidiaries engages in the specialty grocery retailer business. The Company is a fast-growing specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise to U.S. consumers, in particular to Asian-American communities.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial information as of and for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“US GAAP”) for interim financial statements and are in the form prescribed by Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. The information included in these financial statements should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Form S-1.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and, when applicable, entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Noncontrolling interests

The Company follows FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) ASC (Accounting Standards Codification) Topic 810, “Consolidation,” governing the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCI be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability, that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially-owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to noncontrolling interests even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance.

F-7

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

The net income attributed to NCI was separately designated in the accompanying statements of operations. Losses attributable to NCI in a subsidiary may exceed a NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to NCI is attributed to those interests. NCIs shall continue to be attributed their share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCIs balance.

As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, the Company had NCIs of $188,104 and negative amount for $119,551, respectively, which represent 9% of the equity interest of Maison San Gabriel, 14.75% of the equity interest of Maison Monrovia and 8.33% of the equity interest of Maison El Monte. For the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had net income of $307,655 and $51,540, respectively, that were attributable to NCIs.

Liquidity

As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company had retained earnings of $191,533 at January 31, 2023, the Company had net income of $920,626 and net loss of $749,573 for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022. The management plans to increase its revenue by strengthening its sales force, providing attractive sales incentive programs, and increasing marketing and promotion activities. Management also intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering, or by obtaining loans from banks or others.

The Company had $2.58 million cash on hand and working capital deficit of $0.55 million at January 31, 2023. The Company has historically funded its working capital needs primarily from operations. The working capital requirements are affected by the efficiency of operations and depend on the Company’s ability to increase its revenue. The Company believes that its cash on hand and operating cash flows will be sufficient to fund its operations over at least the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these financial statements. However, the Company may need additional cash resources in the future if the Company experiences changed business conditions or other developments, and may also need additional cash resources in the future if the Company wishes to pursue opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation or other similar actions. If it is determined that the cash requirements exceed the Company’s amounts of cash on hand, the Company may seek to issue debt or equity securities or obtain a credit facility.

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Significant accounting estimates are used for, but not limited to, useful lives of property and equipment, commitments and contingencies, inventory reserve, allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts receivable and other receivables, impairment of long-lived assets, contract liabilities and valuation of deferred tax assets. Given the global economic climate and additional or unforeseen effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, these estimates have become more challenging, and actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cash investments that are highly liquid in nature and have original maturities when purchased of three months or less. The Company’s cash is maintained at financial institutions in the United States of America. Deposits in these financial institutions may, from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)’s federally insured limits. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. The bank deposits exceeding the standard insurance amount will not be covered. As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, cash balances held in the banks, exceeding the standard insurance amount, are $2,330,244 and $872,318, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in accounts held in these financial institutions and believes it is not exposed to any risks on its cash held in these financial institutions.

F-8

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Cash from operating, investing and financing activities of the consolidated statement of cash flows are net of assets and liabilities acquired of Maison Monterey Park.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash is an amount of cash deposited with banks in conjunction with borrowings from banks. Restriction on the use of such cash and the interest earned thereon is imposed by the banks and remains effective throughout the terms of the bank borrowings and notes payable. Restricted cash is classified as non-current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, as all the balances are not expected to be released to cash within the next 12 months. As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, the Company had restricted cash of $1,101 and $74,370, respectively.

Accounts receivable

The Company’s accounts receivable arises from product sales. The Company does not adjust its receivables for the effects of a significant financing component at contract inception if it expects to collect the receivables in one year or less from the time of sale. The Company does not expect to collect receivables greater than one year from the time of sale.

The Company’s policy is to maintain an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, there was no allowance for the doubtful accounts.

Accounts receivable — related parties

Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables from related parties on 30-day credit terms and are presented net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company periodically assesses its accounts receivable for collectability on a specific identification basis. If collectability of an account becomes unlikely, an allowance is recorded for that doubtful account. Once collection efforts have been exhausted, the accounts receivable is written off against the allowance. As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, there was no allowance for the doubtful accounts.

Inventories, net

Inventories consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires the Company to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. The Company records inventory shrinkage based on the historical data and management’s estimates and provides a reserve for inventory shrinkage for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022.

Prepayments

Prepayments and deposits are mainly comprised of cash deposited and advanced to suppliers for future inventory purchases and services to be performed. This amount is refundable and bears no interest. For any prepayments that management determines will not be in receipts of inventories, services, or refundable, the Company recognizes an allowance account to reserve such balances. Management reviews its prepayments on a regular basis to determine if the allowance is adequate and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written-off against allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, the Company had made prepayment to its vendors and its insurance provider. The Company’s management continues to evaluate the reasonableness of the allowance policy and update it if necessary.

F-9

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Other receivables and other current assets

Other receivables and other current assets primarily include non-interest-bearing loans of the other business entities. Management regularly reviews the aging of receivables and changes in payment trends and records allowances when management believes collection of amounts due are at risk. Accounts considered uncollectable are written off against allowances after exhaustive efforts at collection are made. As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, the Company did not have any bad debt allowance for other receivables.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets.

The following table includes the estimated useful lives of certain of our asset classes:

Furniture & fixtures

 

5 – 10 years

Leasehold improvements

 

Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the assets

Equipment

 

5 – 10 years

Automobiles

 

5 years

The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred, while additions, renewals and betterments, which are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Management reviews long-lived assets, including property and equipment with finite lives and operating lease right-of-use assets, for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is at the individual store level. Undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the related assets are estimated over the assets’ useful lives based on updated projections. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable, any potential impairment is measured based upon the fair value of the related asset or asset group as determined by an appropriate market appraisal or other valuation technique. The Company did not record any impairment loss during the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022.

Security deposits

Security deposits primarily include deposits made to the Company’s landlord for its supermarkets and office facilities. These deposits are refundable upon expiration of the lease.

Investment in equity securities

The Company accounts for investments with less than 20% of the voting shares and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee using the cost method. The Company elects the measurements alternative and records investment in equity securities at the historical cost in its consolidated financial statements and subsequently records any dividends received from the net accumulated earrings of the investee as income. Dividends received in excess of earnings are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reduction in the cost of the investments.

Investment in equity securities is evaluated for impairment when facts or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the long-term investments is less than its carrying value. An impairment is recognized when a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss

F-10

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not limited to, the: (i) nature of the investment; (ii) cause and duration of the impairment; (iii) extent to which fair value is less than cost; (iv) financial condition and near-term prospects of the investments; and (v) ability to hold the security for a period sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. No event had occurred and indicated that other-than-temporary impairment existed and therefore the Company did not record any impairment charges for its investments for the nine months ended January 31, 2023.

In May 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Inc., a grocery trading company, for $162,665 from DC Holding. DC Holding is 100% owned by John Xu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. See Note 11 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

In December 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc, the legal entity holding the store for $40,775 from Ms. Grace Xu, sole shareholder of HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. and a related party as the spouse of Mr. John Xu, our chief executive officer. See Note 11 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment, annually or more frequently when circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Impairment testing is performed at a reporting unit level.

Generally, the Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If factors indicate that this is the case, the Company then estimates the fair value of the related reporting unit determined using discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the DCF analysis to forecast operating cash flows, including the discount rate, the internal rate of return and projections of realizations and costs to produce. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the fair values of its reporting units are estimated.

If the fair value is less than the carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is determined to be impaired and the Company will record an impairment equal to the excess of the carrying value over its fair value. The Company did not record any impairment loss during the nine months ended January 31, 2023.

Leases

On May 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Lease (FASB ASC Topic 842). The adoption of Topic 842 resulted in the presentation of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 12 — “Leases” for additional information.

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract under ASC Topic 842. At the commencement of each lease, management determines its classification as an operating or finance lease. For leases that qualify as operating leases, ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of any remaining lease payments over the lease term. For this purpose, the Company considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of its leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU assets include adjustments for accrued lease payments. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to commencement and is recorded net of any lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options.

A short-term lease is defined as a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. When determining whether a lease qualifies as a short-term lease, the Company evaluates the lease term and the purchase option. Hence, the Company does not recognize any operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities for short-term leases.

F-11

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

The Company evaluates the carrying value of ROU assets if there are indicators of impairment and review the recoverability of the related asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group is determined to not be recoverable and is in excess of the estimated fair value, the Company will record an impairment loss in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company also subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rent from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income collected from sub-lease tenants recognized as rental income and deducted occupancy cost.

Fair value measurements

The Company records its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S GAAP. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

Level 1:      Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2:      Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3:      Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

Fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of intangible assets and long-lived assets.

Financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at cost, which approximate fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rates of interest.

Revenue recognition

The Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), from May 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective transition approach to all contracts that did not have an impact on the beginning retained earnings on May 1, 2020. The Group’s revenue recognition policies effective on the adoption date of ASC 606 are presented as below.

In accordance with ASC Topic 606, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied upon the transfer of goods to the customer, which occurs at the point of sale. Revenues are recorded net of discounts, sales taxes and returns and allowances.

The Company sells Company gift cards to customers. There are no administrative fees on unused gift cards, and the gift cards do not have an expiration date. Gift card sales are recorded as contract liability when sold and are recognized as revenue when either the gift card is redeemed, or the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed is remote (“gift card breakage”). The Company’s gift card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns, and it recognizes breakage revenue utilizing the redemption recognition method. The Company also offers discounts on the gift cards sold to its customers. The discounts are recorded as sales discount when gift card been redeemed. The Company’s contract liability related to gift cards was $254,160 and $370,929 as of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, respectively.

F-12

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

The following table summarizes disaggregated revenue from contracts with customers by product group: perishable and non-perishable goods. Perishable product categories include meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit. Non-perishable product categories include grocery, liquor, cigarettes, lottery, newspaper, reusable bag, non-food, and health products.

 

Nine Months ended
January 31,

   

2023

 

2022

   

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

Perishables

 

$

23,069,855

 

$

18,495,264

Non-perishables

 

 

18,145,400

 

 

12,579,191

Total revenues

 

$

41,215,255

 

$

31,074,455

Cost of sales

Cost of sales includes the rental expense, depreciation, the direct costs of purchased merchandise, shrinkage costs, store supplies, and inbound shipping costs.

The Company subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rents from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income collected from sub-lease tenants are recognized as rental income and deducted rental expense.

Selling expenses

Selling expenses mainly consist of advertising costs, promotion expenses and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in selling and marketing activities. Advertising expenses, which consist primarily of online and offline advertisements, are expensed when the services are performed. The Company’s advertising expenses were $16,070 and $89,958 for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

General and administration expenses

General and administration expenses mainly consist of payroll and related costs for employees involved in general corporate functions, professional fees and other general corporate expenses, as well as expenses associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, such as rental and depreciation expenses.

Concentrations of risks

(a)     Major customers

For each of the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any customers that accounted for more than 10% of consolidated total net sales.

(b)    Major vendors

The following table sets forth information as to the Company’s suppliers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total purchases for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022.

Nine Months Ended
January 31, 2023

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31, 2022

Supplier

 

Percentage of
Total
Purchases

 

Supplier

 

Percentage of
Total
Purchases

A

 

%

 

A

 

27

%

B

 

20

%

 

B

 

22

%

C

 

18

%

 

C

 

13

%

D

 

18

%

 

D

 

%

F-13

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

(c)     Credit risks

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and derived from products sold to customers, and are thereby exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes the concentration of credit risk in its accounts receivable is substantially mitigated by its ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its accounts receivable.

The Company also has loan receivables to its centralized vendors occasionally. The loan receivables are typically unsecured and exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes that the loan receivables amount to its centralized vendor is managed by financial department and these centralized vendors are still providing products monthly to the Company. The Company does not generally require collateral from the vendors. The Company also evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based on upon factors surrounding the credit risks. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its loan receivables and all loan receivables been collected in subsequent period.

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management reviews both positive and negative evidence, including current and historical results of operations, future income projections and the overall prospects of our business. Realization of the deferred tax assets is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income offset by deferred tax liabilities. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the judgment occurs.

The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating its tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments, and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. The Company includes interest and penalties related to its tax contingencies in income tax expense.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was signed into law, intended to provide economic relief to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions addressing the carryback of net operating losses for specific periods, temporary modifications to the limitations placed on the tax deductibility of net interest expenses, and technical amendments for qualified improvement property (QIP). The impacts of the CARES Act are recorded as components within the Company’s deferred income tax liabilities and income tax receivable on the Company’s balance sheets.

F-14

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common stock outstanding and of potential common stock (e.g., convertible securities, options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common stock that has an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) is excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no dilutive potential common stock.

Related Parties

The Company identifies related parties, and accounts for, discloses related party transactions in accordance with ASC Topic 850, “Related Party Disclosures” and other relevant ASC standards. Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all significant related party transactions in Note 11 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

Segment Information

The Company’s chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by different product types for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company and its subsidiaries offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel and other items and services in its stores. The Company’s supermarket stores are geographically based, have similar economic characteristics and similar expected long-term financial performance. The Company’s operating segments, and reporting units are its four stores, which are reported in one reportable segment. There are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results and plans for levels or components below the consolidated unit level. Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria established by ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. Management periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, which is an update to ASU Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduced the expected credit losses methodology for the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis, replacing the previous incurred loss methodology. The amendments in Update 2016-13 added Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, and made several consequential amendments to the Codification. Update 2016-13 also modified the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities, which must be individually assessed for credit losses when fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, in accordance with Subtopic 326-30, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities. The amendments

F-15

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

in this Update address those stakeholders’ concerns by providing an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis. For those entities, the targeted transition relief will increase comparability of financial statement information by providing an option to align measurement methodologies for similar financial assets. Furthermore, the targeted transition relief also may reduce the costs for some entities to comply with the amendments in Update 2016-13 while still providing financial statement users with decision-useful information. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, to update the effective date of ASU No. 2016-02 for private companies, not-for-profit organizations and certain smaller reporting companies applying for credit losses, leases, and hedging standard. The new effective date for these preparers is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company has not early adopted this update and it became effective on May 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2019-05 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for (1) public business entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) all other entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. The Company elected early adoption for this policy on May 1, 2021 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, “Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables — Non-refundable Fees and Other Costs”. The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify the Codification. The amendments make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. ASU 2020-08 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning May 1, 2021. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All entities should apply the amendments in this Update on a prospective basis as of the beginning of the period of adoption for existing or newly purchased callable debt securities. These amendments do not change the effective dates for Update 2017-08. The adoption of this standard on May 1, 2021, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. Inventories, net

A summary of inventories, net is as follows:

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Perishables

 

$

756,106

 

 

$

410,266

 

Non-perishables

 

 

2,366,583

 

 

 

2,045,215

 

Reserve for inventory shrinkage

 

 

(202,285

)

 

 

(135,122

)

Inventories, net

 

$

2,920,404

 

 

$

2,320,359

 

F-16

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

3. Inventories, net (cont.)

Movements of reserve for inventory shrinkage are as follows:

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Beginning balance

 

$

135,122

 

$

119,859

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. Inventory shrinkage reserve at July 1, 2022

 

 

37,684

 

 

Provision for inventory shrinkage reserve

 

 

29,479

 

 

15,263

Ending Balance

 

$

202,285

 

$

135,122

4. Prepayments

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Prepayment for inventory purchases

 

$

20,000

 

$

656,917

Prepaid expense – services provider

 

 

4,631

 

 

70,737

Total prepayments

 

$

24,631

 

$

727,654

As of January 31, 2023, the $20,000 prepayment is the amount the Company paid to GF distribution, the Company’s major vendor. The $4,631 prepaid expense is the amount the Company paid to its insurance company to purchase next term general liability insurance.

As of April 30, 2022, the $656,917 prepayment is the amount the company paid to XHJC Holding Inc., who is the Company’s new centralized vendor. This vendor requires approximately one month prepayment for purchases. The prepayment balance, as of April 30, 2022, was used for the Company’s May 2022 purchase. The $70,737 prepaid expense is the amount the Company paid to its insurance company to purchase next term general liability insurance.

5. Loan receivables

A summary of the Company’s loan receivables is listed as follows:

Borrower

 

Relationship

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

       

(Unaudited)

   

Drop in the Ocean, Inc.

 

Vendor

 

$

 

$

3,977,134

XHJC Holding Inc.

 

Vendor

 

 

 

 

433,136

Total loan receivables

     

$

 

$

4,410,270

On April 30, 2020, the Company entered a promissory note with its vendor Drop in the Ocean, Inc. (“Drop in the Ocean”) with a total loan amount of up to $4,000,000 with 6% interest. Drop in the Ocean repaid $1,800,000 to the Company on September 9, 2022, $1,200,000 on October 14, 2022, $761,932 on October 28, 2022, and $215,344 on October 31, 2022, including an extra 6% interest.

The Company entered a promissory note with its vendor XHJC Holding Inc. on January 1, 2022, with a total loan amount of up to $1,000,000 with 4% interest. On November 4, 2022, XHJC Holding Inc. repaid $433,136 to the Company.

F-17

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY
31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

6. Property and equipment, net

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Furniture & Fixtures

 

$

3,000,312

 

 

$

2,455,698

 

Equipment

 

 

1,011,333

 

 

 

1,011,333

 

Leasehold Improvement

 

 

486,644

 

 

 

480,530

 

Automobile

 

 

37,672

 

 

 

37,672

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

4,535,961

 

 

 

3,985,233

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(3,821,470

)

 

 

(3,432,838

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

714,491

 

 

$

552,395

 

Depreciation expenses for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 were $291,521 and $399,989, respectively.

7. Intangible assets

Intangible assets mainly consisted of a trademark acquired through the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park on June 30, 2022. The fair value of the trademark at acquisition date was $515,600, to be amortized over 15 years. The amortization of the trademark for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 was $20,051.

8. Goodwill

Goodwill represented the excess fair value of the assets under the fair value of the identifiable assets owned at the closing of the acquisition of Maison Monetary Park, including an assembled workforce, which cannot be sold or transferred separately from the other assets in the business. See Note 17 — “Acquisition of subsidiary” for additional information. As of January 31, 2023, the Company had goodwill of $1,990,606. The Company did not record any impairment to the goodwill for the nine months ended January 31, 2023.

9. Accrued expenses and other payables

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Accrued payroll

 

$

516,534

 

$

318,594

Accrued interest expense

 

 

302,417

 

 

97,818

Accrued loss for legal matter

 

 

98,500

 

 

98,500

Other payables

 

 

106,716

 

 

757,244

Due to third parties

 

 

291,490

 

 

Accrued consulting expense payable

 

 

 

 

132,000

Sales tax payable

 

 

48,672

 

 

31,188

Total accrued expenses and other payables

 

$

1,364,329

 

$

1,435,344

10. Loan payables

A summary of the Company’s loans is listed as follows:

Lender

 

Due date

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

       

(Unaudited)

   

American First National Bank

 

March 2, 2024

 

$

388,041

 

 

$

645,157

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

June 15, 2050

 

 

2,644,893

 

 

 

2,649,700

 

Total loan payables

     

 

3,032,934

 

 

 

3,294,857

 

Current portion of loan payables

     

 

(422,371

)

 

 

(498,252

)

Non-current loan payables

     

$

2,610,563

 

 

$

2,796,605

 

F-18

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

10. Loan payables (cont.)

American First National Bank — a National Banking Association

On March 2, 2017, Maison Monrovia entered into a $1 million Business Loan Agreement with American First National Bank, a National Banking Association, at a 4.5% annual interest rate with a maturity date on March 2, 2024. On March 2, 2017, Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel, LP, entered into a $1 million Business Loan Agreement with American First National Bank at a 4.5% annual interest rate with a maturity date on March 2, 2024. The covenant of loans required that so long as the loan agreements remains in effect, borrower will maintain a ratio of debt service coverage within 1.300 to 1.000. This coverage ratio will be evaluated as of the end of each fiscal year. The interest rate for these two loans is subject to change from time to time based on changes in an independent index which is the Wall Street Journal US prime as published in the Wall Street Journal Money Rate Section. The annual interest rate was 4.5% for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, and ranging from 4.5% to 7.75% for the nine months ended January 31, 2023.

The collateral for the bank loans is personally guaranteed by Mr. Wu, who is the prior owner and applicant for the bank loan. At the same time, a minimum of $1 million in general liability insurance to cover the collateral business assets located at 935 W. Duarte Dr. Monrovia, CA 91016. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the coverage ratio for Maison Monrovia is 1.01 and 1.48. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the coverage ratio for Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel, LP (“Maison San Gabriel”) is 2.00 and 2.58 respectively. The Company reported this situation to American First National Bank, and there was no change on the term up to the date the Company issued these consolidated financial statements. Due to the violation of a covenant as of April 30, 2022, the Company reclassified the loan balance of $313,278 under Maison Monrovia as current loan payable. The interest expense for this loan were $22,708 and $29,351, respectively, for the nine Months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022.

U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”)

Borrower

 

Due date

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

       

(Unaudited)

   

Maison Monrovia

 

June 15, 2050

 

$

149,716

 

$

149,900

Maison San Gabriel

 

June 15, 2050

 

 

1,996,165

 

 

1,999,900

Maison El Monte

 

June 15, 2050

 

 

499,012

 

 

499,900

Total SBA loan payables

     

$

2,644,893

 

$

2,649,700

On June 15, 2020, Maison Monrovia entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050. On June 15, 2020 Maison San Gabriel entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050. On June 15, 2020, Maison El Monte entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050.

On January 12, 2022, Maison San Gabriel entered into an additional $1,850,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050.

On January 6, 2022, Maison El Monte, Inc. entered into an additional $350,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050.

Per SBA loan agreement, all interest payments on these three loans were deferred to December 2022. As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, the Company’s aggregate balance on the three SBA loans was $2,644,893 and $2,649,700, respectively. Interest expenses were $71,494 and $12,383 for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During the nine months ended January 31, 2023, the Company made repayment of $13,010 (which includes principal of $5,107 and interest expense of $7,903).

F-19

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

11. Related party balances and transactions

Related party transactions

Revenues — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

Nine Months
ended
January 31,
2023

 

Nine Months
ended
January 31,
2022

           

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

The United Food LLC

 

Supermarket product sales

 

John Xu, one of the United Food LLC’s shareholder

 

$

22,270

 

$

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc.*

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, spouse of John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer is the major shareholder with 49% ownership

 

 

 

 

500,700

HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc.

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer, controls this entity with 100% ownership

 

 

569,432

 

 

225,074

Total

         

$

591,702

 

$

725,844

Investment in equity securities purchased from related parties

Name of Investment Company

 

Nature of
Operation

 

Investment percentage

 

Relationship

 

As of
January 31,
2023

 

As of
April 30,
2022

               

(Unaudited)

   

Dai Cheong Trading Co Inc.

 

Import and wholesales of groceries

 

10%

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, controls this entity with 100% ownership through DC Holding CA, Inc.

 

$

162,665

 

$

162,665

HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc.

 

Supermarket product sales

 

10%

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer, controls this entity with 100% ownership

 

 

40,775

 

 

40,775

Total

             

$

203,440

 

$

203,440

In May 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Inc., a grocery trading company, for $162,665 from DC Holding CA, Inc. DC Holding CA, Inc. is owned by John Xu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

In December 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc, the legal entity holding the Alhambra store for $40,775 from Ms. Grace Xu, a related party as the spouse of Mr. John Xu, our chief executive officer.

F-20

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

11. Related party balances and transactions (cont.)

Related party balances

Accounts receivable — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

           

(Unaudited)

   

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc.*

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer is the major shareholder with 49% ownership

 

$

 

$

114,158

HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc*

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer, controls this entity with 100% ownership

 

 

238,553

 

 

292,566

United Food LLC*

 

Supermarket product sales

 

John Xu, is the United Food LLC’s shareholder

 

 

1,760

 

 

2,739

Total

         

$

240,313

 

$

409,463

____________

*        The receivables as of April 30, 2022 have been repaid by the related parties on July 28, 2022.

Accounts payable — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

           

(Unaudited)

   

Hong Kong Supermarket M.P

 

Due on demand,
non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, controls this entity

 

$

495,325

 

$

Dai Cheong Trading Co Inc.

 

Import and wholesales of groceries

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, controls this entity with 100% ownership through DC Holding CA, Inc.

 

 

18,652

 

 

Total

         

$

513,977

 

$

Other receivables — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

           

(Unaudited)

   

Good Fortune CA3,
LP*

 

Due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

 

 

 

 

20,000

Ideal Investment

 

Due on demand,
non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

 

 

3,995

 

 

 

Ideal City Capital

 

Due on demand,
non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

 

 

30,000

 

 

John Xu

     

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Total

         

$

33,995

 

$

20,000

____________

*        This receivable had been repaid by the related party on July 29, 2022.

F-21

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

11. Related party balances and transactions (cont.)

Other payables — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

           

(Unaudited)

   

John Xu

 

due on demand,
non-interest bearing

 

The Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

$

200,810

 

$

174,594

Grace Xu

 

due on demand,
non-interest bearing

 

Spouse of John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer

 

 

40,775

 

 

40,775

Hong Kong Supermarket M.P

 

due on demand,
non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer, controls this entity

 

 

4,432

 

 

J&C Int’l Group LLC

 

due on demand,
non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer, has majority ownership of this entity

 

 

 

 

108,361

Ideal City Capital

 

due on demand,
non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s chief executitve officer, has majority ownership of this entity

 

 

 

 

30,825

Total

         

$

246,017

 

$

354,555

12. Leases

The Company accounted for leases in accordance with ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), for all periods presented. The Company leases certain supermarkets and office facilities from third parties. Some of the Company’s leases include one or more options to renew, which are typically at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company evaluates the renewal options, and, when it is reasonably certain of exercise, it will include the renewal period in its lease term. New lease modifications result in re-measurement of the right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities. Operating ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Since the implicit rate for the Company’s leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis, an amount equal to the lease payments, in a similar economic environment and over a similar term. As of January 31, 2023, the average remaining term of the lease is 16.15 years. The Company’s total lease expenses are $1.99 million and $1.47 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company’s material leases consist of store rent. The lease detail information is listed below:

Store

 

Lease Term Due

Maison Monrovia

 

August 31, 2055 (with extension)

Maison San Gabriel

 

November 30, 2030

Maison El Monte

 

July 14, 2028

Maison Monterey Park

 

May 1, 2028

The Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized using an effective interest rate of 4.5% which was determined using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

F-22

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

12. Leases (cont.)

The Company’s operating ROU assets and lease liabilities were as follows:

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Operating ROU:

 

 

   

 

 

ROU assets

 

$

19,232,603

 

$

15,895,258

Total operating ROU assets

 

$

19,232,603

 

$

15,895,258

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Operating lease obligations:

 

 

   

 

 

Current operating lease liabilities

 

$

1,776,649

 

$

1,065,852

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

 

19,329,255

 

 

16,552,469

Total lease liabilities

 

$

21,105,904

 

$

17,618,321

As of January 31, 2023, the five-year maturity of the Company’s operating lease liabilities is as follow:

Years Ending January 31,

 

Operating
lease
liabilities

2024

 

$

2,671,860

 

2025

 

 

2,701,406

 

2026

 

 

2,751,266

 

2027

 

 

2,809,526

 

2028

 

 

2,840,422

 

Thereafter

 

 

18,120,823

 

Total lease payments

 

 

31,895,303

 

Less: interest

 

 

(10,789,399

)

Present value of lease liabilities

 

$

21,105,904

 

13. Stockholder’s Equity (Deficit)

Common stock

Maison was initially authorized to issue 500,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On September 8, 2021, the total number of authorized shares of common stock was increased to 100,000,000 by way of a 200-for-1 stock split, among which, the authorized shares were divided in to 92,000,000 shares of Class A common stock entitled to one (1) vote per share and 3,000,000 shares of Class B common stock entitled to ten (10) votes per share and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. All shares and per share amounts used herein and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect (i) the increase of share capital as if the change of share numbers became effective as of the beginning of the first period presented for Maison Group and (ii) the reclassification of all outstanding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Golden Tree USA Inc. into Class B common stock, which are collectively referred to as the “Reclassification”.

F-23

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY
31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

14. Income Taxes

Maison Solutions is a Delaware holding company that is subject to the U.S. income tax. Maison Monrovia and Maison San Gabriel are pass through entities whose income or losses flow through Maison Solution’s income tax return.

Since its formation in 2019, the Company and its subsidiaries filed separate returns based upon a tax year-end of December 31. The Company recently filed an application with the IRS and the state of California to change its and its subsidiaries year-end to April 30. Based upon approval from the tax authorities, the Company intends to file stub period returns for each of the entities for the period January 1, 2023 to April 30, 2023 and file individual entity’s tax return for the years thereafter. The income tax provision in these financial statements is based upon the pretax income (loss) for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income taxes provisions consists of the following components:

 

Nine Months
ended
January 31,
2023

 

Nine Months
ended
January 31,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax expense

 

$

126,185

 

 

$

16,828

State income tax expense

 

 

71,195

 

 

 

10,288

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax benefit

 

 

(6,175

)

 

 

State income tax benefit

 

 

(2,054

)

 

 

Total

 

$

189,151

 

 

$

27,116

The following is a reconciliation of the difference between the actual (benefit) provision for income taxes and the (benefit) provision computed by applying the federal statutory rate on income (loss) before income taxes:

 

Nine Months
ended
January 31,
2023

 

Nine Months
ended
January 31,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

Federal statutory rate

 

21.00

%

 

(21.00

)%

State statutory rate, net of effect of state income tax deductible to federal income tax

 

7.12

%

 

(6.70

)%

Permanent difference – penalties, interest, and others

 

3.87

%

 

5.78

%

Utilization of net operating losses (“NOL”)

 

(21.20

)%

 

(3.88

)%

Valuation allowance

 

2.55

%

 

29.84

%

Effective tax rate

 

13.34

%

 

4.04

%

F-24

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

14. Income Taxes (cont.)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred taxes are comprised of the following:

 

January 31,
2023

 

April 30,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

   

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory reserve

 

$

20,636

 

 

$

13,101

 

ROU, net of lease liabilities

 

 

524,217

 

 

 

 

NOL

 

 

572,315

 

 

 

872,592

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(1,103,795

)

 

 

(885,693

)

Deferred tax assets, net

 

$

13,373

 

 

$

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademark acquired at acquisition of Maison Monterey Park

 

 

138,672

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability, net of deferred tax assets

 

$

125,299

 

 

$

 

As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, Maison and Maison El Monte had approximately $2.21 million and $3.28 million, respectively, of U.S. federal NOL carryovers available to offset future taxable income which do not expire but are limited to 80% of income until utilized. As of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022, Maison and Maison El Monte had approximately $1.54 million and $2.61 million, respectively, of California state net operating loss which can be carried forward up to 20 years to offset future taxable income. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the Company’s future generation of taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance.

The Company has recorded $38,243 and $24,550 of interest and penalties related to understated income tax payments for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company intends to file amended income tax returns in 2023 with respect to these positions. The tax late payment was due to the change in the tax year-end, since the year-end for the purpose of financial statements reporting already changed to fiscal year ending April 30, the Company recorded the tax provision and tax liability for the nine months ending January 31, 2023 and 2022 and as of January 31, 2023 and April 30, 2022 for the taxable income (loss) in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has not yet filed amendment to the income tax returns, and therefore did not receive the actual tax late payment notice from the IRS yet.

15. Other income

Other income mainly consisted of $1.32 million employee retention credit (“ERC”) received in January 2023. The ERC is a tax credit for businesses that continued to pay employees while shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic or had significant declines in gross receipts from March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2021.

16. Commitments and contingencies

Contingencies

The Company is otherwise periodically involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of its business, including, but not limited to, employment discrimination claims, customer injury claims, and investigations. When the potential liability from a matter can be estimated and the loss is considered probable, the

F-25

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

16. Commitments and contingencies (cont.)

Company records the estimated loss. Due to uncertainties related to the resolution of lawsuits, investigations, and claims, the ultimate outcome may differ from the estimates. Although the Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of any lawsuits, investigations, and claims asserted against it, management does not believe any currently pending legal proceeding to which the Company is a party will have a material adverse effect on its financial statements.

In May 2020, Maison El Monte was named as a co-defendant in a complaint filed by a consumer advocacy group alleging violations of a California health and safety regulation. The case is pending in the Superior Court of the State of California, and as such the Company has not made any accruals of the nine months ended January 31, 2023 related to this case.

In June 2022, Maison San Gabriel entered into a confidential settlement agreement with the plaintiff in connection with a California employment law case whereby Maison San Gabriel agreed to pay $98,500 to plaintiff in full settlement of all claims in the case. As a result of the settlement agreement, the Company accrued $98,500 as a loss relating to the case for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. This settlement amount is subject to reduction by a court proceeding scheduled in 2023.

Commitments

On April 19, 2021 JD E-commerce America Limited (“JD US”) and the Company entered into a Collaboration Agreement (the “Collaboration Agreement”) pursuant to which JD.com will provide services to Maison focused on updating in store technology through the development of a new mobile app and the updating of new in-store technology, and revising store layouts to promote efficiency. The Collaboration Agreement provided for a consultancy and initialization fee of $220,000, 40% of which was payable within 3 days of effectiveness, 40% of which is due within 3 days of the completion and delivery of initialization services (including initializing of a feasibility plan, store digitalization, delivery of online retailing and e-commerce business and operational solutions for the Stores) as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement and the remaining 20% is payable within three (3) days of the completion and delivery of the implementation services (including product and merchandize supply chain configuration, staff training for operation and management of the digital solutions, installation and configuration of hardware, customization of software, concept design and implementation), as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement. The Collaboration Agreement also included certain additional storage and implementation fees to be determined by the parties and royalty fees, following the commercial launch of the platform developed by JD US, of 1.2% of gross merchandise value based on information generated by the platform. For each additional store requiring Consultancy and Initialization service, an additional $50,000 will be charged for preparing the feasibility plan for such additional store. The Collaboration Agreement has an initial term of 10 years and customary termination and indemnification provisions. Simultaneously with the effectiveness of the Collaboration Agreement, JD US and Maison entered into an Intellectual Property License Agreement (the “IP Agreement”) outlining certain trademarks, logos and designs and other intellectual property rights used in connection with the retail supermarket operations outlined in the Collaboration Agreement, which includes an initial term of 10 years and customary termination provisions, there are no additional licensing fees or costs associated with the IP Agreement.

17. Acquisition of subsidiary

On June 30, 2022, the Company purchased 100% equity interest in GF Supermarket of MP, Inc (“Maison Monterey Park”), the legal entity holding a supermarket in Monterey Park. Mrs. Grace Xu (spouse of Mr. John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer) is the selling shareholder of GF Supermarket of MP Inc., with 49% ownership percentage. Another selling shareholder of GF Supermarket of MP Inc. is DNL Management Inc with 51% ownership percentage, who is not a related party of the Company. The purchase consideration was $1.5 million. On February 21, 2023, the Company and the selling shareholders renegotiated and entered into an Amended Stock Purchase Agreement, with an effective date on October 31, 2022, to amend the purchase price to $2.5 million, which both parties believed reflected the true fair value of Maison Monterey Park.

F-26

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

17. Acquisition of subsidiary (cont.)

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. Goodwill as a result of the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park is calculated as follows; however, the following purchase price allocation amounts are preliminary, as the Company is still in the process of completing the valuation of certain intangible assets acquired as part of the acquisition:

Total purchase considerations

 

$

2,500,000

 

Fair value of tangible assets acquired:

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

79,651

 

Due from related party

 

 

25,000

 

Property and equipment

 

 

448,932

 

Security deposit

 

 

161,945

 

Inventory

 

 

872,084

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

10,545

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

4,680,216

 

Intangible assets (trademark) acquired

 

 

515,600

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

 

 

6,793,973

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of liabilities assumed:

 

 

 

 

Bank overdraft

 

 

(281,940

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(865,769

)

Contract liabilities

 

 

(10,369

)

Income tax payable

 

 

(183,262

)

Accrued liability and other payable

 

 

(85,789

)

Tenant Security deposit

 

 

(32,200

)

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

(4,680,967

)

Deferred tax liability

 

 

(144,283

)

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

(6,284,579

)

Net identifiable assets acquired

 

 

509,394

 

Goodwill as a result of the acquisition

 

$

1,990,606

 

The following condensed unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the Company for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 and 2022 present the results of operations of the Company and Maison Monterey Park as if the acquisitions occurred on May 1, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been completed as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results.

 

For the
Nine Months
Ended
January 31,
2023

   

(Unaudited)

Revenue

 

$

44,038,436

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

43,633,975

 

Income from operations

 

 

404,461

 

Other income

 

 

1,337,288

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(286,445

)

Net income

 

$

1,455,304

 

F-27

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JANUARY 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2022

17. Acquisition of subsidiary (cont.)

 

For the
Nine Months
Ended
January 31,
2022

   

(Unaudited)

Revenue

 

$

40,991,621

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

41,874,297

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(882,677

)

Other expense

 

 

(333

)

Income tax expense

 

 

(27,116

)

Net loss

 

$

(910,126

)

18. Subsequent Event

The Company follows the guidance in FASB ASC 855-10 for the disclosure of subsequent events. The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and determined the Company has the following major subsequent event that need to be disclosed.

Subsequent promissory note issued to Mrs. Grace Xu

On October 19, 2022, the Company issued a promissory note to Mrs. Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu (the Company’s chief executive officer), for an amount of $750,000 with 6% annual interest rate. The principal amount of this promissory note and any accrued but unpaid interest shall be due and payable, in one installment or many installments, no later than one year from October 19, 2022. On February 21, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended Stock Purchase Agreement, with an effective date of October 31, 2022, to amend the purchase price of Maison Monterey Park to be $2.5 million; accordingly this note was repaid by offsetting with the amended purchase price of Maison Monterey Park (described in Note 17 — “Acquisition of subsidiary”) that the Company ought to pay Grace Xu.

F-28

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Maison Solutions Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Maison Solutions Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of April 30, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended April 30, 2022 and related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended April 30, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Friedman LLP

We served as the Company’s auditor from May 2021 through December 2022.

New York, New York

December 22, 2022

F-29

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF APRIL 30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

898,061

 

 

$

714,285

 

Accounts receivable – related parties

 

 

409,463

 

 

 

673,504

 

Inventories, net

 

 

2,320,359

 

 

 

1,944,364

 

Prepayments

 

 

727,654

 

 

 

4,858

 

Loan receivables

 

 

4,410,270

 

 

 

698,146

 

Other receivables and other current assets

 

 

272,052

 

 

 

345,572

 

Other receivable – related parties

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

510,914

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

9,057,859

 

 

 

4,891,643

 

Restricted cash – non-current

 

 

74,370

 

 

 

74,370

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

552,395

 

 

 

931,258

 

Intangible assets

 

 

15,272

 

 

 

10,030

 

Security deposits

 

 

301,200

 

 

 

302,746

 

Investment in equity securities – related parties

 

 

203,440

 

 

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

15,895,258

 

 

 

17,052,255

 

Total Assets

 

$

26,099,794

 

 

$

23,262,302

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

3,374,532

 

 

$

1,943,145

 

Current portion of loan payables

 

 

498,252

 

 

 

304,619

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

1,435,344

 

 

 

793,806

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

370,929

 

 

 

176,852

 

Other payables – related parties

 

 

354,555

 

 

 

86,288

 

Operating lease liabilities – current

 

 

1,065,852

 

 

 

1,003,546

 

Income taxes payables

 

 

443,150

 

 

 

427,109

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

7,542,614

 

 

 

4,735,365

 

Long-term loan payables

 

 

2,796,605

 

 

 

1,073,767

 

Other long-term payables

 

 

55,150

 

 

 

60,550

 

Operating lease liabilities – non-current

 

 

16,552,469

 

 

 

17,584,638

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

26,946,838

 

 

 

23,454,320

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 92,000,000 shares authorized; 13,760,000 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

1,376

 

 

 

1,376

 

Class B Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized; 2,240,000 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

224

 

 

 

224

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(729,093

)

 

 

(166,349

)

Total Maison Solutions, Inc. Stockholders’ Deficit

 

 

(727,493

)

 

 

(164,749

)

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

(119,551

)

 

 

(27,269

)

Total Stockholders’ Deficit

 

 

(847,044

)

 

 

(192,018

)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit

 

$

26,099,794

 

 

$

23,262,302

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-30

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2022 AND 2021

 

Years Ended
April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

Net Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supermarket

 

$

41,984,221

 

 

$

41,195,276

 

Total Revenues, Net

 

 

41,984,221

 

 

 

41,195,276

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supermarket

 

 

33,697,597

 

 

 

32,884,774

 

Total Cost of Revenues

 

 

33,697,597

 

 

 

32,884,774

 

Gross Profit

 

 

8,286,624

 

 

 

8,310,502

 

Selling Expenses

 

 

6,112,493

 

 

 

6,005,538

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

3,000,721

 

 

 

1,751,562

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

9,113,214

 

 

 

7,757,100

 

(Loss) Income from Operations

 

 

(826,590

)

 

 

553,402

 

Other Income, net

 

 

155,821

 

 

 

968,652

 

Interest Income (Expenses), net

 

 

43,481

 

 

 

(59,209

)

Total other income, net

 

 

199,302

 

 

 

909,443

 

(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

(627,288

)

 

 

1,462,845

 

Income Tax Provisions

 

 

(27,738

)

 

 

(436,055

)

Net (Loss) Income

 

 

(655,026

)

 

 

1,026,790

 

Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

 

 

92,282

 

 

 

(122,711

)

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Maison Solutions Inc.

 

$

(562,744

)

 

$

904,079

 

(Loss) Earnings per Share Attributable to Maison Solutions, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Basic and Diluted

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

0.06

 

Weighted Average Number of Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Basic and Diluted

 

 

16,000,000

 

 

 

16,000,000

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-31

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
AS OF APRIL 30, 2022 AND 2021

 

Class A
Common Stock

 

Class B
Common Stock

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

Noncontrolling Interests

 

Total Stockholders’ Deficit

   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Balance at April 30, 2020

 

13,760,000

 

$

1,376

 

2,240,000

 

$

224

 

$

(1,070,428

)

 

$

(149,980

)

 

$

(1,218,808

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

904,079

 

 

 

122,711

 

 

 

1,026,790

 

Balance at April 30, 2021

 

13,760,000

 

 

1,376

 

2,240,000

 

 

224

 

 

(166,349

)

 

 

(27,269

)

 

 

(192,018

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(562,744

)

 

 

(92,282

)

 

 

(655,026

)

Balance at April 30, 2022

 

13,760,000

 

$

1,376

 

2,240,000

 

$

224

 

$

(729,093

)

 

$

(119,551

)

 

$

(847,044

)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-32

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

 

Years Ended
April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(655,026

)

 

$

1,026,790

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

437,408

 

 

 

578,874

 

Provision for inventory shrinkage reserve

 

 

15,263

 

 

 

31,553

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable – related party

 

 

264,041

 

 

 

(411,678

)

Inventories

 

 

(391,258

)

 

 

(420,013

)

Prepayments

 

 

(722,797

)

 

 

147,902

 

Other receivables and other current assets

 

 

73,520

 

 

 

201,413

 

Security deposits

 

 

1,545

 

 

 

(46,914

)

Accounts payable

 

 

1,431,386

 

 

 

(957,124

)

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

641,537

 

 

 

161,707

 

Contract Liabilities

 

 

194,077

 

 

 

152,015

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

187,139

 

 

 

217,536

 

Taxes payables

 

 

16,041

 

 

 

426,309

 

Other long-term payables

 

 

(5,400

)

 

 

763

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

1,487,476

 

 

 

1,109,133

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments from (payments to) other receivable – related parties

 

 

490,914

 

 

 

(490,914

)

Payments of equipment

 

 

(58,545

)

 

 

(27,123

)

Payments of intangible assets

 

 

(5,242

)

 

 

(10,030

)

Loans provided to third parties

 

 

(3,712,124

)

 

 

(698,146

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(3,284,997

)

 

 

(1,226,213

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments on loan payables

 

 

 

 

 

(525,292

)

Borrowings from loan payables

 

 

1,916,470

 

 

 

 

Repayments on other payables – related parties

 

 

 

 

 

(125,702

)

Borrowings from other payables – related parties

 

 

64,827

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

1,981,297

 

 

 

(650,994

)

Net changes in cash and restricted cash

 

 

183,776

 

 

 

(768,074

)

Cash and restricted cash at the beginning of the year

 

 

788,655

 

 

 

1,556,729

 

Cash and restricted cash at the end of the year

 

$

972,431

 

 

$

788,655

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash and restricted cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

898,061

 

 

$

714,285

 

Restricted cash

 

 

74,370

 

 

 

74,370

 

Total cash and restricted cash

 

$

972,431

 

 

$

788,655

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

73,759

 

 

$

62,494

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

4,000

 

 

$

9,746

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase price of equity security investments included in other payables – related parties

 

$

203,440

 

 

$

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-33

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

1. Organization

Maison Solutions Inc. (“Maison”, the “Company”, and formerly known as “Maison International Inc.”) was founded on July 24, 2019 as an Illinois corporation with its principal place of business in California. In September 2021, the Company was redomiciled in the State of Delaware as a corporation registered under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Immediately upon formation, the Company acquired three retail Asian supermarkets with two brands (Good Fortune and Hong Kong Supermarkets) in Los Angeles, California and rebranded them as “HK Good Fortune Supermarkets”. Upon completion of these acquisitions, these entities became controlled subsidiaries of the Company (hereafter collectively referred to as “Maison Group”).

        In July 2019, the Company purchased 91% of the equity interests in Good Fortune Supermarket San Gabriel, LP (“Maison San Gabriel”) and 85.25% of the equity interests in Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP (“Maison Monrovia”), each of which owns a Good Fortune Supermarket.

        In October 2019, the Company purchased 91.67% of the equity interests in Super HK of El Monte, Inc. (“Maison El Monte”), which owns a Hong Kong Supermarket.

The Company, through its three controlled subsidiaries, Maison Group, engages in the specialty grocery retailer business. The Company is a fast-growing specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise to U.S. consumers, in particular to the Asian-American communities.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries and, when applicable, entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Noncontrolling interests

The Company follows FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) ASC (Accounting Standards Codification) Topic 810, “Consolidation,” governing the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests (“NCIs”) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCI (previously referred to as minority interests) be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability, that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially-owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to noncontrolling interests even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance.

The net income attributed to NCI was separately designated in the accompanying statements of operations. Losses attributable to NCI in a subsidiary may exceed a NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to NCI is attributed to those interests. NCIs shall continue to be attributed their share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCIs balance.

F-34

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had NCIs of negative amount for $119,551 and $27,269 respectively, which represent 9% of the equity interest of Maison San Gabriel, 14.75% of the equity interest of Maison Monrovia and 8.33% of the equity interest of Maison El Monte. For the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had net loss of $(92,282) and net income of $122,711 respectively that were attributable to NCIs.

Liquidity

As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $729,093 on April 30, 2022, the Company had net loss of $655,026 for the year ended April 30, 2022. The management plans to increase its revenue by strengthening its sales force, providing attractive sales incentive programs, and increasing marketing and promotion activities. Management also intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering, or by obtaining loans from banks or others.

The Company had $0.90 million cash on hand and working capital of $1.52 million at April 30, 2022. For the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, cash provided by operating activities were approximately $1.5 million and 1.1 million, respectively. The Company has historically funded its working capital needs primarily from operations. The working capital requirements are affected by the efficiency of operations and depend on the Company’s ability to increase its revenue . The Company believes that its cash on hand and operating cash flows will be sufficient to fund its operations over at least the next 12 months from the date of this offering document. However, the Company may need additional cash resources in the future if the Company experiences changed business conditions or other developments, and may also need additional cash resources in the future if the Company wishes to pursue opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation or other similar actions. If it is determined that the cash requirements exceed the Company’s amounts of cash on hand, the Company may seek to issue debt or equity securities or obtain a credit facility.

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Significant accounting estimates are used for, but not limited to, useful lives of property and equipment, commitments and contingencies, inventory reserve, allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts receivable and other receivables, impairment of long-lived assets, contract liabilities and valuation of deferred tax assets. Given the global economic climate and additional or unforeseen effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, these estimates have become more challenging, and actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Cash

The Company’s cash is maintained at financial institutions in the United States of America. Deposits in these financial institutions may, from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)’s federally insured limits. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. The bank deposits exceeding the standard insurance amount will not be covered. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, cash balances held in the banks, exceeding the standard insurance amounts, are $872,318 and $688,542, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in accounts held in these financial institutions and believes it is not exposed to any risks on its cash held in these financial institutions.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash is an amount of cash deposited with banks in conjunction with borrowings from banks. Restriction on the use of such cash and the interest earned thereon is imposed by the banks and remains effective throughout the terms of the bank borrowings and notes payable. Restricted cash is classified as non-current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, as all the balances are not expected to be released to cash within the next 12 months.

F-35

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Accounts receivable — related parties

Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables from related parties on 30-day credit terms and are presented net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company periodically assesses its accounts receivable for collectability on a specific identification basis. If collectability of an account becomes unlikely, an allowance is recorded for that doubtful account. Once collection efforts have been exhausted, the accounts receivable is written off against the allowance. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, there was no allowance for the doubtful accounts.

Inventories, net

Inventories, net consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires the Company to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. The Company records inventory shrinkage based on the historical data and management’s estimates and provides a reserve for inventory shrinkage for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021.

Prepayments

Prepayments and deposits are mainly comprised of cash deposited and advanced to suppliers for future inventory purchases and services to be performed. This amount is refundable and bears no interest. For any prepayments that management determines will not be in receipts of inventories, services, or refundable, the Company recognizes an allowance account to reserve such balances. Management reviews its prepayments on a regular basis to determine if the allowance is adequate and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written-off against allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had made prepayment to its vendors and its insurance provider. The Company’s management continues to evaluate the reasonableness of the allowance policy and update it if necessary. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, there was no allowance for the doubtful accounts.

Other receivables and other current assets

Other receivables and other current assets primarily include non-interest-bearing loans of the other business entities. Management regularly reviews the aging of receivables and changes in payment trends and records allowances when management believes collection of amounts due are at risk. Accounts considered uncollectable are written off against allowances after exhaustive efforts at collection are made. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not have any bad debt allowance for other receivables.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets.

The following table includes the estimated useful lives of certain of our asset classes:

Furniture & fixtures

 

5 – 10 years

Leasehold improvements

 

Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the assets

Equipment

 

5 – 10 years

Automobiles

 

5 years

The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred, while additions, renewals and betterments, which

F-36

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Management reviews long-lived assets, including property and equipment with finite lives and operating lease right-of-use assets, for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is at the individual store level. Undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the related assets are estimated over the assets’ useful lives based on updated projections. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable, any potential impairment is measured based upon the fair value of the related asset or asset group as determined by an appropriate market appraisal or other valuation technique. The Company did not record any impairment loss during the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021.

Security deposits

Security deposits primarily include deposits made to the Company’s landlord for its supermarkets and office facilities. These deposits are refundable upon expiration of the lease.

Investment in equity securities

The Company accounts for investments with less than 20% of the voting shares and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee using the cost method. The Company elects the measurements alternative and records investment in equity securities at the historical cost in its consolidated financial statements and subsequently records any dividends received from the net accumulated earrings of the investee as income. Dividends received in excess of earnings are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reduction in the cost of the investments.

Investment in equity securities is evaluated for impairment when facts or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the long-term investments is less than its carrying value. An impairment is recognized when a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not limited to, the: (i) nature of the investment; (ii) cause and duration of the impairment; (iii) extent to which fair value is less than cost; (iv) financial condition and near-term prospects of the investments; and (v) ability to hold the security for a period sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. No event had occurred and indicated that other-than-temporary impairment existed and therefore the Company did not record any impairment charges for its investments for the year ended April 30, 2022.

In May 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Inc., a grocery trading company, for $162,665 from DC Holding. DC Holding is owned by John Xu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. See Note 9 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

In December 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc, the legal entity holding the store for $40,775 from Ms. Grace Xu, a related party as the spouse of Mr. John Xu, our chief executive officer. See Note 9 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

Leases

On May 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Lease (FASB ASC Topic 842). The adoption of Topic 842 resulted in the presentation of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 10 — “Leases” for additional information.

F-37

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract under ASC Topic 842. At the commencement of each lease, management determines its classification as an operating or finance lease. For leases that qualify as operating leases, ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of any remaining lease payments over the lease term. For this purpose, the Company considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of its leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU assets include adjustments for accrued lease payments. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to commencement and is recorded net of any lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options.

A short-term lease is defined as a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. When determining whether a lease qualifies as a short-term lease, the Company evaluates the lease term and the purchase option. Hence, the Company does not recognize any operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities for short-term leases.

The Company evaluates the carrying value of ROU assets if there are indicators of impairment and review the recoverability of the related asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group is determined to not be recoverable and is in excess of the estimated fair value, the Company will record an impairment loss in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company also subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rent from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income collected from sub-lease tenants recognized as rental income and deducted occupancy cost.

Fair value measurements

The Company records its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S GAAP. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

Fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of intangible assets and long-lived assets.

Financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at cost, which approximate fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rates of interest.

Revenue recognition

The Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), from May 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective transition approach to all contracts that did not have an impact on the beginning retained earnings on May 1, 2020. The Group’s revenue recognition policies effective on the adoption date of ASC 606 are presented as below.

F-38

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

In accordance with ASC Topic 606, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied upon the transfer of goods to the customer, which occurs at the point of sale. Revenues are recorded net of discounts, sales taxes and returns and allowances.

The Company sells Company gift cards to customers. There are no administrative fees on unused gift cards, and the gift cards do not have an expiration date. Gift card sales are recorded as contract liability when sold and are recognized as revenue when either the gift card is redeemed, or the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed is remote (“gift card breakage”). The Company’s gift card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns, and it recognizes breakage revenue utilizing the redemption recognition method. The Company also offers discounts on the gift cards sold to its customers. The discounts are recorded as sales discount when gift card been redeemed. The Company’s contract liability related to gift cards was $370,929 and $176,852 as of April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The following table summarizes disaggregated revenue from contracts with customers by product group: perishable and non-perishable goods. Perishable product categories include meat, seafood, vegetable, and fruit. Non-perishable product categories include grocery, liquor, cigarettes, lottery, newspaper, reusable bag, non-food, and health products.

 

Years ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

Perishables

 

$

24,138,729

 

$

25,006,247

Non-perishables

 

 

17,845,492

 

 

16,189,029

Total revenues

 

$

41,984,221

 

$

41,195,276

Cost of sales

Cost of sales includes the rental expense, depreciation, the direct costs of purchased merchandise, shrinkage costs, store supplies, and inbound shipping costs.

Selling expenses

Selling expenses mainly consist of advertising costs, promotion expenses and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in selling and marketing activities. Advertising expenses, which consist primarily of online and offline advertisements, are expensed when the services are performed. The Company’s advertising expenses were $157,561 and $117,360 for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

General and administration expenses

General and administration expenses mainly consist of payroll and related costs for employees involved in general corporate functions, professional fees and other general corporate expenses, as well as expenses associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, such as rental and depreciation expenses.

Concentrations of risks

(a)      Major customers

For each of the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not have any customers that accounted for more than 10% of consolidated total net sales.

(b)    Major vendors

For the year ended April 30, 2022, three suppliers accounted for 23%, 21% and 14% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively. For the year ended April 30, 2021, three suppliers accounted for 54%, 26% and 18% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively.

F-39

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

(c)     Credit risks

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and derived from products sold to customers, and are thereby exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes the concentration of credit risk in its accounts receivable is substantially mitigated by its ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its accounts receivable.

The Company also has loan receivables to its centralized vendors occasionally. The loan receivables are typically unsecured and exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes that the loan receivables amount to its centralized vendor is managed by financial department and these centralized vendors are still providing products monthly to the Company. The Company does not generally require collateral from the vendors. The Company also evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based on upon factors surrounding the credit risks. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its loan receivables and all loan receivables been collected in subsequent period.

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management reviews both positive and negative evidence, including current and historical results of operations, future income projections and the overall prospects of our business. Realization of the deferred tax assets is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income offset by deferred tax liabilities. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the judgment occurs.

The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating its tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments, and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. The Company includes interest and penalties related to its tax contingencies in income tax expense.

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common stock outstanding and of potential common stock (e.g., convertible securities, options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common stock that has an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) is excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had no dilutive potential common stock.

F-40

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Related Parties

The Company identifies related parties, and accounts for, discloses related party transactions in accordance with ASC Topic 850, “Related Party Disclosures” and other relevant ASC standards. Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all significant related party transactions in Note 9 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

Segment Information

The Company’s chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by different product types for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company and its subsidiaries offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel and other items and services in its stores. The Company’s supermarket stores are geographically based, have similar economic characteristics and similar expected long-term financial performance. The Company’s operating segments, and reporting units are its four stores, which are reported in one reportable segment. There are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results and plans for levels or components below the consolidated unit level. Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria established by ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. Management periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, which is an update to ASU Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduced the expected credit losses methodology for the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis, replacing the previous incurred loss methodology. The amendments in Update 2016-13 added Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, and made several consequential amendments to the Codification. Update 2016-13 also modified the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities, which must be individually assessed for credit losses when fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, in accordance with Subtopic 326-30, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities. The amendments in this Update address those stakeholders’ concerns by providing an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis. For those entities, the targeted transition relief will increase comparability of financial statement information by providing an option to align measurement methodologies for similar financial assets. Furthermore, the targeted transition relief also may reduce the costs for some entities to comply with the amendments in Update 2016-13 while still providing financial statement users with decision-useful information. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, to update the effective date of ASU No. 2016-02 for private companies, not-for-profit organizations and certain smaller reporting companies applying for credit losses, leases, and hedging standard.

F-41

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

The new effective date for these preparers is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company has not early adopted this update and it became effective on May 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2019-05 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for (1) public business entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) all other entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. The Company elected early adoption for this policy on May 1, 2021 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, “Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables — Non-refundable Fees and Other Costs”. The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify the Codification. The amendments make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. ASU 2020-08 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning May 1, 2021. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All entities should apply the amendments in this Update on a prospective basis as of the beginning of the period of adoption for existing or newly purchased callable debt securities. These amendments do not change the effective dates for Update 2017-08. The adoption of this standard on May 1, 2021, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, “Codification Improvements to Subtopic 205-10, presentation of financial statements”. The amendments in this Update improve the codification by ensuring that all guidance that requires or provides an option for an entity to provide information in the notes to financial statements is codified in the disclosure section of the codification. That reduces the likelihood that the disclosure requirement would be missed. The amendments also clarify guidance so that an entity can apply the guidance more consistently. ASU 2020-10 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2022. Early application of the amendments is permitted for any annual or interim period for which financial statements are available to be issued. The amendments in this Update should be applied retrospectively. An entity should apply the amendments at the beginning of the period that includes the adoption date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. Inventories, net

A summary of inventories, net is as follows:

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Perishables

 

$

410,266

 

 

$

249,927

 

Non-perishables

 

 

2,045,215

 

 

 

1,814,296

 

Reserve for inventory shrinkage

 

 

(135,122

)

 

 

(119,859

)

Inventories, net

 

$

2,320,359

 

 

$

1,944,364

 

F-42

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

3. Inventories, net (cont.)

Movements of reserve for inventory shrinkage are as follows:

 

Year ended April 30,

   

2022

 

2021

Beginning balance

 

$

119,859

 

$

88,306

Provision for inventory shrinkage reserve

 

 

15,263

 

 

31,553

Ending Balance

 

$

135,122

 

$

119,859

4. Prepayments

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Prepayment for inventory purchases

 

$

656,917

 

$

104

Prepaid expense – services provider

 

 

70,737

 

 

4,754

Total prepayments

 

$

727,654

 

$

4,858

As of April 30, 2022, the $656,917 prepayment is the amount the company paid to XHJC Holding Inc., who is the Company’s new centralized vendor. This vendor requires approximately one month prepayment for purchases. The prepayment balance, as of April 30, 2022, was used for the Company’s May 2022 purchase. The $70,737 prepaid expense is the amount the Company paid to its insurance company to purchase next term general liability insurance.

5. Loan receivables

A summary of the Company’s loan receivables is listed as follows:

Borrower

 

Relationship

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Drop in the Ocean, Inc.

 

Vendor

 

$

3,977,134

 

$

698,146

XHJC Holding Inc.

 

Vendor

 

 

433,136

 

 

— 

Total loan receivables

     

$

4,410,270

 

$

698,146

On April 30, 2020, the Company entered a promissory note with its vendor Drop in the Ocean, Inc. (“Drop in the Ocean”) with a total loan amount of up to $4,000,000 with 6% interest. Drop in the Ocean repaid $1,800,000 to the Company on September 9, 2022, $1,200,000 on October 14, 2022, $761,932 on October 28, 2022, and $215,344 on October 30, 2022, including an extra 6% interest.

The Company entered a promissory note with its vendor XHJC Holding Inc. on January 1, 2022, with a total loan amount of up to $1,000,000 with 4% interest. On November 4, 2022, XHJC Holding Inc. repaid $433,136 to the Company.

Interest income for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021 amounted to $117,241 and $708, respectively.

6. Property and equipment, net

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Furniture & Fixtures

 

$

2,455,698

 

 

$

2,445,142

 

Equipment

 

 

1,011,333

 

 

 

1,007,998

 

Leasehold Improvement

 

 

480,530

 

 

 

421,814

 

Automobile

 

 

37,672

 

 

 

51,734

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

3,985,233

 

 

 

3,926,688

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(3,432,838

)

 

 

(2,995,430

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

552,395

 

 

$

931,258

 

Depreciation expenses for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021 were $437,408 and $578,874, respectively.

F-43

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

7. Accrued expenses and other payables

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Accrued payroll

 

$

318,594

 

$

371,075

Accrued interest expense

 

 

97,818

 

 

81,120

Accrued loss for legal matter

 

 

98,500

 

 

Other payables

 

 

757,244

 

 

327,858

Accrued consulting expense payable

 

 

132,000

 

 

Sales tax payable

 

 

31,188

 

 

13,753

Total accrued expenses and other payables

 

$

1,435,344

 

$

793,806

8. Loan payables

A summary of the Company’s loans is listed as follows:

Lender

 

Due date

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

American First National Bank

 

March 2, 2024

 

$

645,157

 

 

$

928,686

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

June 15, 2050

 

 

2,649,700

 

 

 

449,700

 

Total loan payables

     

 

3,294,857

 

 

 

1,378,386

 

Current portion of loan payables

     

 

(498,252

)

 

 

(304,619

)

Non-current loan payables

     

$

2,796,605

 

 

$

1,073,767

 

American First National Bank — a National Banking Association

On March 2, 2017, Maison Monrovia entered into a $1 million Business Loan Agreement with American First National Bank, a National Banking Association, at 4.5% annual interest rate and maturity date on March 2, 2024. On March 2, 2017, Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel, LP, entered into a $1 million Business Loan Agreement with American First National Bank, a National Banking Association, at 4.5% annual interest rate and maturity date on March 2, 2024. The covenant of loans required that so long as the loan agreements remains in effect, borrower will maintain a ratio of debt service coverage within 1.300 to 1.000. This coverage ratio will be evaluated as of the end of each fiscal year.

The collateral for the bank loans is personally guaranteed by Mr. Wu, who is the prior owner and applicant for the bank loan. At the same time, a minimum of $1 million in general liability insurance to cover the collateral business assets located at 935 W. Duarte Dr. Monrovia, CA 91016. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the coverage ratio for Maison Monrovia is 1.01 and 1.48. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the coverage ratio for Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel, LP (“Maison San Gabriel”) is 2.00 and 2.58 respectively. The Company reported this situation to American First National Bank, and there was no change on the term up to the date the Company issued these consolidated financial statements. Due to the violation of a covenant as of April 30, 2022, the Company reclassified the loan balance of $313,278 under Maison Monrovia as current loan payable.

U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”)

Borrower

 

Due date

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Maison Monrovia

 

June 15, 2050

 

$

149,900

 

$

149,900

Maison San Gabriel

 

June 15, 2050

 

 

1,999,900

 

 

149,900

Maison El Monte

 

June 15, 2050

 

 

499,900

 

 

149,900

Total SBA loan payables

     

$

2,649,700

 

$

449,700

F-44

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

8. Loan payables (cont.)

On June 15, 2020, Maison Monrovia entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050. On June 15, 2020 Maison San Gabriel entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050. On June 15, 2020, Maison El Monte entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050.

On January 12, 2022, Maison San Gabriel entered into an additional $1,850,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050.

On January 6, 2022, Maison El Monte, Inc. entered into an additional $350,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and maturity date on June 15, 2050.

Per SBA loan agreement, all interest payments on these three loans were deferred to December 2022. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s aggregate balance on the three SBA loans was of $2,649,700 and $449,700, respectively. Interest expense was $36,456 and $14,756 for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

9. Related party balances and transactions

Related party transactions

Revenues — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

Year ended
April 30,
2022

 

Year ended
April 30,
2021

Hong Kong Supermarket of Monterey Park, Ltd.

 

Supermarket product sales

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, controls this entity

 

$

822,699

 

$

429,808

GF Supermarket M.P, Inc (Acquired assets from Hong Kong Supermarket of Monterey Park, Ltd on August 1, 2021)

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu (the Company’s chief executive officer) is the major shareholder with 49% ownership

 

 

702,082

 

 

The United Food LLC

 

Supermarket product sales

 

John Xu, is the United Food LLC’s shareholder

 

 

2,739

 

 

HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu (the Company’s chief executive officer), controls this entity with 100% ownership

 

 

387,147

 

 

Total

         

$

1,914,667

 

$

429,808

F-45

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

9. Related party balances and transactions (cont.)

Investment in equity securities purchased from related parties

Name of Investment
Company

 

Nature of
Operation

 

Investment
percentage

 

Relationship

 

Year ended
April 30,
2022

 

Year ended
April 30,
2021

Dai Cheong Trading Co Inc.

 

Import and wholesales of groceries

 

10%

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, controls this entity with 100% ownership through DC Holding CA, Inc.

 

$

162,665

 

$

HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc

 

Supermarket product sales

 

10%

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu (the Company’s chief executive officer), controls this entity with 100% ownership

 

 

40,775

 

 

Total

             

$

203,440

 

$

In May 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Inc., a grocery trading company, for $162,665 from DC Holding CA, Inc. DC Holding CA, Inc. is owned by John Xu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

In December 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc, the legal entity holding the Alhambra store for $40,775 from Ms. Grace Xu, a related party as spouse of Mr. John Xu.

Related party balances

Accounts receivable — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

Subsequent
Collection
Dat
e

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Hong Kong Supermarket M.P.*

 

Supermarket product sales

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, controls this entity

     

$

 

$

673,504

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc.*

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu (the Company’s chief executive officer) is the major shareholder with 49% ownership

 

July 28, 2022

 

 

114,158

 

 

HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc*

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu (the Company’s chief executive officer), controls this entity with 100% ownership

 

July 28, 2022

 

 

292,566

 

 

United Food LLC*

 

Supermarket product sales

 

John Xu, is the United Food LLC’s shareholder

 

July 28, 2022

 

 

2,739

 

 

Total

             

$

409,463

 

$

673,504

____________

*        These receivables had been repaid by the related parties.

F-46

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

9. Related party balances and transactions (cont.)

Other receivables — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

Subsequent
Collection
Date

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

J&C Int’l Group LLC

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

     

$

 

$

256,639

Good Fortune CA3, LP*

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

 

July 29, 2022

 

 

20,000

 

 

43,100

Ideal Investment

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

     

 

 

 

60,000

Ideal City Capital

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

     

 

 

 

29,175

Fowler Development LLC

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

     

 

 

 

122,000

Total

             

$

20,000

 

$

510,914

____________

*        This receivable had been repaid by the related party.

Other payables — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

John Xu

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

The Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

$

174,594

 

$

86,288

Grace Xu

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

Spouse of John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

40,775

 

 

J&C Int’l Group LLC

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

 

 

108,361

 

 

Ideal City Capital

 

Loans, due on demand, non-interest bearing

 

John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has majority ownership of this entity

 

 

30,825

 

 

Total

         

$

354,555

 

$

86,288

F-47

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

10. Leases

The Company accounted for leases in accordance with ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), for all periods presented. The Company leases certain supermarkets and office facilities from third parties. Some of the Company’s leases include one or more options to renew, which are typically at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company evaluates the renewal options, and, when it is reasonably certain of exercise, it will include the renewal period in its lease term. New lease modifications result in re-measurement of the right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities. Operating ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Since the implicit rate for the Company’s leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis, an amount equal to the lease payments, in a similar economic environment and over a similar term. As of April 30, 2022, the average remaining term of the lease is 17.5 years. The Company’s total lease expenses are $1.8 million and $1.7 million for the year ended April 30, 2022 and 2021.

The Company’s material leases consist of store rent. The lease detail information is listed below:

Store

 

Lease Term Due

Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP

 

August 31, 2055 (with extension)

Good Fortune Supermarket San Gabriel, LP

 

November 30, 2030

Super HK of El Monte, Inc.

 

July 14, 2028

The Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized using an effective interest rate of 4.5% which was determined using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

The Company’s operating ROU assets and lease liabilities were as follows:

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Operating ROU:

 

 

   

 

 

ROU assets

 

$

15,895,258

 

$

17,052,255

Total operating ROU assets

 

$

15,895,258

 

$

17,052,255

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Operating lease obligations:

 

 

   

 

 

Current operating lease liabilities

 

$

1,065,852

 

$

1,003,546

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

 

16,552,469

 

 

17,584,638

Total lease liabilities

 

$

17,618,321

 

$

18,588,184

As of April 30, 2022, the five-year maturity of the Company’s operating lease liabilities is as follow:

Years Ending April 30,

 

Operating
lease
liabilities

2023

 

$

1,787,002

 

2024

 

 

1,804,228

 

2025

 

 

1,821,884

 

2026

 

 

1,871,781

 

2027

 

 

1,906,230

 

Thereafter

 

 

19,253,944

 

Total lease payments

 

 

28,445,069

 

Less: interest

 

 

(10,826,748

)

Present value of lease liabilities

 

$

17,618,321

 

F-48

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

11. Stockholder’s Deficit

Common stock

Maison was initially authorized to issue 500,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On September 8, 2021, the total number of authorized shares of common stock was increased to 100,000,000 by way of a 200-for-1 stock split, among which, the authorized shares are divided in to 92,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock entitled to one (1) vote per share and 3,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock entitled to ten (10) votes per share. The Class B Common Stock is convertible at any time into shares of Class A Common Stock and once converted may not be reissued. The Company believed it to be appropriate to reflect the above transactions on a retroactive basis similar to stock split or dividend pursuant to ASC 260. All shares and per share amounts used herein and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the increase of share capital as if the change of share number became effective as of the beginning of the first period presented for Maison Group.

12. Income Tax

Maison Solutions is a Delaware holding company that is subject to the U.S. income tax.

Since its formation in 2019, the Company and its subsidiaries filed separate returns based upon a tax year-end of December 31. The Company recently filed an application with the IRS and the state of California to change its and its subsidiaries year-end to April 30. Based upon approval from the tax authorities, the Company intends to file stub period returns for each of the entities for the period January 1, 2023 to April 30, 2023 and file individual entity’s tax return for the years thereafter. The income tax provision in these financial statements is based upon the pretax income (loss) for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income taxes provisions consists of the following components:

 

Year ended
April 30,
2022

 

Year ended
April 30,
2021

Current:

 

 

   

 

 

Federal

 

$

17,246

 

$

299,942

State

 

 

10,492

 

 

136,113

Deferred:

 

 

   

 

 

Federal

 

 

 

 

State

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

27,738

 

$

436,055

The following is a reconciliation of the difference between the actual (benefit) provision for income taxes and the (benefit) provision computed by applying the federal statutory rate on income (loss) before income taxes:

 

Year ended
April 30,
2022

 

Year ended
April 30,
2021

Federal statutory rate

 

(21.00

)%

 

21.00

%

State statutory rate, net of effect of state income tax deductible to federal income tax

 

(6.88

)%

 

6.99

%

Permanent difference

 

(11.70

)%

 

1.82

%

Valuation allowance

 

44.00

%

 

0.00

%

Effective tax rate

 

4.42

%

 

29.81

%

F-49

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

12. Income Tax (cont.)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred taxes are comprised of the following:

 

April 30,
2022

 

April 30,
2021

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory reserve

 

$

13,101

 

 

$

8,830

 

Net operating losses (“NOL”)

 

 

872,592

 

 

 

551,734

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(885,693

)

 

 

(560,564

)

Deferred tax assets, net

 

$

 

 

$

 

As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, Maison and Maison El Monte had approximately $3.28 million and $2.02 million, respectively, of U.S. federal NOL carryovers available to offset future taxable income which do not expire but are limited to 80% of income until utilized. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, Maison and Maison El Monte had approximately $2.61 million and $1.82 million, respectively, of California state net operating loss which can be carried forward up to 20 years to offset future taxable income. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the Company’s future generation of taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance.

The Company has recorded $25,160 and $20,383 of interest and penalties related to understated income tax payments for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company intends to file amended income tax returns in 2023 with respect to these positions. The tax late payment was due to the change in the tax year-end, since the year-end for the purpose of financial statements reporting already changed to fiscal year ending April 30, the Company recorded the tax provision and tax liability for the years ending April 30, 2022 and 2021 and as of April 30, 2022 and 2021 for the taxable income (loss) for these two fiscal years in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has not yet filed amendment to the income tax returns, and therefore did not receive the actual tax late payment notice from the IRS yet.

13. Commitments and contingencies

Contingencies

In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, contractual disputes, and employment, health and safety matters. Although we cannot predict certainty the ultimate resolution of any lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against it, we do not believe any currently pending legal proceedings to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

In May 2020, Maison El Monte was named as a co-defendant in a complaint filed by a consumer advocacy group alleging violations of a California health and safety regulation. The case is pending in the Superior Court of the State of California, and as such the Company has not made any accruals of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 related to this case.

F-50

Table of Contents

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL
30, 2022 AND APRIL 30, 2021

13. Commitments and contingencies (cont.)

In June 2022, Maison San Gabriel entered into a confidential settlement agreement with the plaintiff in connection with a California employment law case whereby Maison San Gabriel agreed to pay $98,500 to plaintiff in full settlement of all claims in the case. As a result of the settlement agreement, the Company accrued $98,500 as a loss relating to the case for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. This settlement amount is subject to reduction by a court proceeding scheduled in 2023.

Commitments

On April 19, 2021 JD E-commerce America Limited (“JD US”) and the Company entered into a Collaboration Agreement (the “Collaboration Agreement”) pursuant to which JD.com will provide services to Maison focused on updating in store technology through the development of a new mobile app and the updating of new in-store technology, and revising store layouts to promote efficiency. The Collaboration Agreement provided for a consultancy and initialization fee of $220,000, 40% of which was payable within 3 days of effectiveness, 40% of which is due within 3 days of the completion and delivery of initialization services (including initializing of a feasibility plan, store digitalization, delivery of online retailing and e-commerce business and operational solutions for the Stores) as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement and the remaining 20% is payable within three (3) days of the completion and delivery of the implementation services (including product and merchandize supply chain configuration, staff training for operation and management of the digital solutions, installation and configuration of hardware, customization of software, concept design and implementation), as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement. The Collaboration Agreement also included certain additional storage and implementation fees to be determined by the parties and royalty fees, following the commercial launch of the platform developed by JD US, of 1.2% of gross merchandise value based on information generated by the platform. For each additional store requiring Consultancy and Initialization service, an additional $50,000 will be charged for preparing the feasibility plan for such additional store. The Collaboration Agreement has an initial term of 10 years and customary termination and indemnification provisions. Simultaneously with the effectiveness of the Collaboration Agreement, JD US and Maison entered into an Intellectual Property License Agreement (the “IP Agreement”) outlining certain trademarks, logos and designs and other intellectual property rights used in connection with the retail supermarket operations outlined in the Collaboration Agreement, which includes an initial term of 10 years and customary termination provisions, there are no additional licensing fees or costs associated with the IP Agreement.

14. Subsequent Event

The Company evaluated all events and transactions that occurred after April 30, 2022 up through the date the Company issued these consolidated financial statements on December 22, 2022.

New acquisition for new supermarket retail store

On June 30, 2022, the Company purchased 100% equity interest in GF Supermarket of MP, Inc, the legal entity holding a supermarket in Monterey Park. Mrs. Grace Xu (spouse of Mr. John Xu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) is the selling shareholder of GF Supermarket of MP Inc., with 49% ownership percentage. Another selling shareholder of GF Supermarket of MP Inc. is DNL Management Inc with 51% ownership percentage, who is not a related party of the Company. The purchase consideration was approximately the carrying value of the net assets on the acquisition date of GF Supermarket of MP Inc, which was approximately $1.5 million. The net assets are comprised of $0.68 million of inventory, $0.7 million of net property & equipment, and 0.26 million in cash.

Subsequent promissory note issued to Mrs. Grace Xu

On October 19, 2022, the Company issued a promissory note to Mrs. Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu (the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), for an amount of $750,000 with 6% annual interest rate. The principal amount of this promissory note and any accrued but unpaid interest shall be due and payable, in one installment or many installments, no later than one year from October 19, 2022.

F-51

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors
and Stockholders of GF Supermarket of MP, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2022, and the related statement of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended April 30, 2022, and the related notes and schedules (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended April 30, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.

Los Angeles, California

May 4, 2023

F-52

Table of Contents

GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
BALANCE SHEET

As of

 

April 30,
2022

ASSETS

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

30,601

Accounts receivable – related parties, net

 

 

1,807

Inventories, net

 

 

872,085

Prepayments

 

 

193,179

Other receivables and other current assets

 

 

41,968

Total Current Assets

 

 

1,139,640

Property and equipment, net

 

 

455,037

Intangible assets, net

 

 

310,344

Security deposits

 

 

161,945

Goodwill

 

 

349,491

Total Assets

 

$

2,416,457

   

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

Book overdraft

 

$

179,122

Accounts payable

 

 

681,293

Accounts payable – related parties, net

 

 

708,326

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

111,023

Contract liabilities

 

 

15,458

Income taxes payable

 

 

183,262

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

1,878,484

Other long-term payables

 

 

32,200

Deferred tax liability

 

 

76,300

Total Liabilities

 

 

1,986,984

   

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

Paid in capital

 

 

31,165

Retained earnings

 

 

398,308

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

429,473

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

2,416,457

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-53

Table of Contents

GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2022

Net Revenues

 

 

 

Supermarket

 

$

13,838,396

Total Revenues, Net

 

 

13,838,396

   

 

 

Cost of Revenues

 

 

 

Supermarket

 

 

10,865,134

Total Cost of Revenues

 

 

10,865,134

Gross Profit

 

 

2,973,262

   

 

 

Selling Expenses

 

 

1,926,873

General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

489,515

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

2,416,388

   

 

 

Income from Operations

 

 

556,874

   

 

 

Other Income, net

 

 

9,852

Total Other Income, net

 

 

9,852

   

 

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

566,726

Income Tax Expense

 

 

168,418

Net Income

 

$

398,308

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-54

Table of Contents

GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Paid in Capital

 

Retained Earnings

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

Balance at May 1, 2021

 

$

 

$

 

$

Shareholder contribution

 

 

31,165

 

 

 

 

31,165

Net income

 

 

 

 

398,308

 

 

398,308

Balance at April 30, 2022

 

$

31,165

 

$

398,308

 

$

429,473

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-55

Table of Contents

GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2022

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

398,308

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

109,262

 

Provision for inventory shrinkage reserve

 

 

37,684

 

Change in deferred taxes

 

 

(15,654

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(30,601

)

Accounts receivable – related party

 

 

(1,807

)

Inventories

 

 

(909,769

)

Prepayments

 

 

(193,178

)

Security deposits

 

 

(161,945

)

Accounts payable

 

 

681,293

 

Accounts payable – related parties

 

 

708,326

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

111,023

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

15,458

 

Taxes payables

 

 

183,262

 

Other long-term payables

 

 

32,200

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

963,862

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

Purchase fixed assets

 

 

(546,044

)

Acquisition of intangible assets

 

 

(586,137

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(1,132,181

)

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

Capital contributions from stockholder

 

 

31,165

 

Loan to shareholder

 

 

(41,968

)

Book overdraft

 

 

179,122

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

168,319

 

   

 

 

 

Net changes in cash

 

 

 

Cash at the beginning of the year

 

 

 

Cash at the end of the year

 

$

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

800

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-56

Table of Contents

GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization

GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. (“Maison Monterey Park” or the “Company”) was incorporated on February 10, 2021 in California. The Company is a fast-growing specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise to U.S. consumers, in particular to Asian-American communities.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Significant accounting estimates are used for, but not limited to, useful lives of property and equipment, commitments and contingencies, inventory reserve, allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts receivable and other receivables, impairment of long-lived assets, contract liabilities and valuation of deferred tax assets. Given the global economic climate and additional or unforeseen effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, these estimates have become more challenging, and actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cash investments that are highly liquid in nature and have original maturities when purchased of three months or less. The Company’s cash is maintained at financial institutions in the United States of America. Deposits in these financial institutions may, from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)’s federally insured limits. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. The bank deposits exceeding the standard insurance amount will not be covered. As of April 30, 2022, the Company had book overdraft of $179,122. The Company has not experienced any losses in accounts held in these financial institutions and believes it is not exposed to any risks on its cash held in these financial institutions.

Accounts receivable — related parties

Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables from related parties on 30-day credit terms and are presented net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company periodically assesses its accounts receivable for collectability on a specific identification basis. If collectability of an account becomes unlikely, an allowance is recorded for that doubtful account. Once collection efforts have been exhausted, the accounts receivable is written off against the allowance. As of April 30, 2022, there was no allowance for the doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable and accounts payable with the same related party were netted off.

Inventories, net

Inventories consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires the Company to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. The Company records inventory shrinkage based on the historical data and management’s estimates and provides a reserve for inventory shrinkage for the year ended April 30, 2022.

F-57

Table of Contents

GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Prepayments

Prepayments and deposits are mainly comprised of cash deposited and advanced to suppliers for future inventory purchases and services to be performed. This amount is refundable and bears no interest. For any prepayments that management determines will not be in receipts of inventories, services, or refundable, the Company recognizes an allowance account to reserve such balances. Management reviews its prepayments on a regular basis to determine if the allowance is adequate and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written-off against allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of April 30, 2022, the Company had made prepayment to its vendors and its insurance provider. The Company’s management continues to evaluate the reasonableness of the allowance policy and update it if necessary.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets.

The following table includes the estimated useful lives of certain of our asset classes:

Furniture & fixtures

 

5 – 10 years

Leasehold improvements

 

Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the assets
(five years)

Equipment

 

5 – 10 years

Automobiles

 

5 years

The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the statements of operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred, while additions, renewals and betterments, which are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Management reviews long-lived assets, including property and equipment with finite lives and operating lease right-of-use assets, for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is at the individual store level. Undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the related assets are estimated over the assets’ useful lives based on updated projections. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable, any potential impairment is measured based upon the fair value of the related asset or asset group as determined by an appropriate market appraisal or other valuation technique. The Company did not record any impairment loss during the year ended April 30, 2022.

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently when an event or circumstance indicates that goodwill might be impaired. Generally, the Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If factors indicate that this is the case, the Company then estimates the fair value of the related reporting unit. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is determined to be impaired and the Company will record an impairment equal to the excess of the carrying value over its fair value. The Company did not record any impairment loss to the goodwill during the year ended April 30, 2022.

F-58

Table of Contents

GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Fair value measurements

The Company records its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S GAAP. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

Fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of intangible assets and long-lived assets.

Financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities are reported in the balance sheet at cost, which approximate fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rates of interest.

Revenue recognition

The Company followed ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), in accordance with ASC Topic 606, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied upon the transfer of goods to the customer, which occurs at the point of sale. Revenues are recorded net of discounts, sales tax and returns and allowances.

The Company sells Company gift cards to customers. There are no administrative fees on unused gift cards, and the gift cards do not have an expiration date. Gift card sales are recorded as contract liability when sold and are recognized as revenue when either the gift card is redeemed, or the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed is remote (“gift card breakage”). The Company’s gift card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns, and it recognizes breakage revenue utilizing the redemption recognition method. The Company also offers discounts on the gift cards sold to its customers. The discounts are recorded as sales discount when gift card been redeemed. The Company’s contract liability related to gift cards was $15,458 as of April 30, 2022.

The following table summarizes disaggregated revenue from contracts with customers by product group: perishable and non-perishable goods. Perishable product categories include meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit. Non-perishable product categories include grocery, liquor, cigarettes, lottery, newspaper, reusable bag, non-food, and health products.

 

Year ended
April 30,
2022

Perishables

 

$

7,171,914

Non-perishables

 

 

6,666,482

Total revenues

 

$

13,838,396

Cost of sales

Cost of sales includes the rental expense (occupancy cost), depreciation, the direct costs of purchased merchandise, shrinkage costs, store supplies, and inbound shipping costs.

The Company subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rent from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income of $257,532 collected from sub-lease tenants recognized as rental income and deducted occupancy cost of $674,386.

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GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Selling expenses

Selling expenses mainly consist of advertising costs, promotion expenses and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in selling and marketing activities. Advertising expenses, which consist primarily of online and offline advertisements, are expensed when the services are performed. The Company’s advertising expenses were $62,416 for the year ended April 30, 2022.

General and administration expenses

General and administration expenses mainly consist of payroll and related costs for employees involved in general corporate functions, professional fees and other general corporate expenses, as well as expenses associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, such as rental and depreciation expenses.

(a)     Concentrations of risks Major customers

For the year ended April 30, 2022, the Company did not have any customers that accounted for more than 10% of total net sales.

(b)    Major vendors

For the year ended April 30, 2022, the Company had two vendors that accounted for 35% and 18% of the Company’s net purchase, respectively.

(c)     Credit risks

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and derived from products sold to customers, and are thereby exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes the concentration of credit risk in its accounts receivable is substantially mitigated by its ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its accounts receivable.

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management reviews both positive and negative evidence, including current and historical results of operations, future income projections and the overall prospects of our business. Realization of the deferred tax assets is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income offset by deferred tax liabilities. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the judgment occurs.

The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more

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GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating its tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments, and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. The Company includes interest and penalties related to its tax contingencies in income tax expense.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was signed into law, intended to provide economic relief to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions addressing the carryback of net operating losses for specific periods, temporary modifications to the limitations placed on the tax deductibility of net interest expenses, and technical amendments for qualified improvement property (QIP). The impacts of the CARES Act are recorded as components within the Company’s deferred income tax liabilities and income tax receivable on the Company’s balance sheets.

Related Parties

The Company identifies related parties, and accounts for, discloses related party transactions in accordance with ASC Topic 850, “Related Party Disclosures” and other relevant ASC standards. Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all significant related party transactions in Note 9 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

Segment Information

The Company’s chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews financial information presented on a basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by different product types for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company and its subsidiaries offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel and other items and services in its stores. The Company’s operating segments and reporting units are reported in one reportable segment. There are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results and plans for levels or components below the unit level. Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria established by ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. Management periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance should be adopted on a prospective basis. As a smaller reporting company, the standard will be effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe there will be a impact of adopting this standard on its financial statement In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, which is an update to ASU Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit

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GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduced the expected credit losses methodology for the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis, replacing the previous incurred loss methodology. The amendments in Update 2016-13 added Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, and made several consequential amendments to the Codification. Update 2016-13 also modified the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities, which must be individually assessed for credit losses when fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, in accordance with Subtopic 326-30, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities. The amendments in this Update address those stakeholders’ concerns by providing an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis. For those entities, the targeted transition relief will increase comparability of financial statement information by providing an option to align measurement methodologies for similar financial assets. Furthermore, the targeted transition relief also may reduce the costs for some entities to comply with the amendments in Update 2016-13 while still providing financial statement users with decision-useful information. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, to update the effective date of ASU No. 2016-02 for private companies, not-for-profit organizations and certain smaller reporting companies applying for credit losses, leases, and hedging standard. The new effective date for these amendments is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company has not early adopted this update and it became effective on May 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2019-05 will have on the Company’s financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for (1) public business entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) all other entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. The Company elected early adoption for this policy on July 1, 2021 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply the elections as applicable as changes in the market occur.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, “Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables — Non-refundable Fees and Other Costs”. The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify the Codification. The amendments make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. ASU 2020-08 is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning May 1, 2021. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All entities should apply the amendments in this Update on a prospective basis as of the beginning of the period of adoption for existing or newly purchased callable debt securities. These amendments do not change the effective dates for Update 2017-08. The adoption of this standard on July 1, 2021, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

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GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. Inventories, net

A summary of inventories, net is as follows:

 

April 30,
2022

Perishables

 

$

167,111

 

Non-perishables

 

 

742,658

 

Reserve for inventory shrinkage

 

 

(37,684

)

Inventories, net

 

$

872,085

 

Movements of reserve for inventory shrinkage are as follows:

 

April 30,
2022

Beginning balance

 

$

Provision for inventory shrinkage reserve

 

 

37,684

Ending Balance

 

$

37,684

4. Prepayments

 

April 30,
2022

Prepayment for inventory purchases

 

$

193,179

Total prepayments

 

$

193,179

5. Property and equipment, net

 

April 30,
2022

Furniture & Fixtures

 

$

374,098

 

Equipment

 

 

153,565

 

Leasehold Improvement

 

 

18,381

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

546,044

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(91,007

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

455,037

 

Depreciation expenses for the year ended April 30, 2022 were $91,007.

6. Intangible assets

Intangible assets mainly consisted of a trademark acquired through the purchase of assets from Hong Kong Supermarket of M.P (“HKMP” or the “seller”) including all the property and equipment, inventory and other tangible assets on July 1, 2021. The fair value of the trademark at acquisition date was $328,600, to be amortized over 15 years. The amortization of the trademark for the year ended April 30, 2022 was $18,255.

7. Goodwill

Goodwill represented the excess fair value of the assets under the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired, including an assembled workforce, which cannot be sold or transferred separately from the other assets in the business. See Note 11 — “Acquisition of business” for additional information. As of April 30, 2022, the Company had goodwill of $349,491, and no impairment loss was recorded during the year ended April 30, 2022.

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GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8. Accrued expenses and other payables

 

April 30,
2022

Accrued payroll

 

$

62,112

Other payables

 

 

19,264

Credit card payable

 

 

17,424

Sales tax payable

 

 

12,223

Total accrued expenses and other payables

 

$

111,023

9. Related party balances and transactions

Accounts receivable — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

April 30,
2022

 

Maison
Monterey
Park
purchased
from

 

Maison
Monterey
Park
sold to

Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP (“Maison Monrovia”)

 

Supermarket product sales

 

Maison owns 85.25%*

 

$

1,807

 

4,018

 

4,660

Accounts payables — related parties

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

April 30,
2022

 

Maison
Monterey
Park
purchased
from

 

Maison
Monterey
Park
sold to

HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc

 

Supermarket product purchased

 

Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer, 49% shareholder of the Company, controls this entity with 100% ownership

 

$

3,093

 

$

8,535

 

$

5,441

Super HK of El Monte, Inc. (“Maison El Monte”)

 

Supermarket product purchased

 

Maison owns 91.67%*

 

 

149,016

 

 

642,229

 

 

7,069

Hong Kong Supermarket of M.P.

 

Supermarket product purchased

 

John Xu, spouse of Grace Xu, indirectly controls this entity

 

 

544,878

 

 

 

 

Good Fortune Supermarket San Gabriel, LP (“Maison San Gabriel”)

 

Supermarket product purchased

 

Maison owns 91.00%*

 

 

11,339

 

 

63,366

 

 

8,469

Total

         

$

708,326

 

$

714,130

 

$

20,979

____________

*        Maison Solutions Inc. (“Maison”) acquired Maison Monterey Park on July 1, 2022 (see Note 12).

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GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9. Related party balances and transactions (cont.)

Other receivable — related party

Name of Related Party

 

Nature

 

Relationship

 

April 30, 2022

Grace Xu

 

Advance, no interest, was repaid in October 2022

 

49% shareholder of the Company

 

$

41,968

10. Income Taxes

The income tax provision in these financial statements is based upon the pretax income for the year ended April 30, 2022.

Income Tax Provision

The provision for income taxes provisions consists of the following components:

 

Year ended
April 30,
2022

Current:

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax expense

 

$

125,945

 

State income tax expense

 

 

58,127

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax benefit

 

 

(11,747

)

State income tax benefit

 

 

(3,907

)

Total

 

$

168,418

 

The following is a reconciliation of the difference between the actual provision for income taxes and the provision computed by applying the federal statutory rate on income before income taxes:

 

Year ended
April 30,
2022

Federal statutory rate

 

21.00

%

State statutory rate, net of effect of state income tax deductible to federal income tax

 

6.98

%

Permanent difference – penalties, interest, and others

 

1.74

%

Effective tax rate

 

29.72

%

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred taxes are comprised of the following:

 

April 30,
2022

Deferred tax asset:

 

 

 

Inventory impairment

 

$

10,545

Deferred tax liability:

 

 

 

Trademark

 

 

86,845

Deferred tax liability, net of deferred tax asset

 

$

76,300

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GF SUPERMARKET OF MP, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10. Income Taxes (cont.)

The Company has recorded $8,727 of interest and penalties related to understated income tax payments for the year ended April 30, 2022. The estimated tax penalty was due to the change in the tax year-end, the Company had calendar year-end for year 2021 and 2022, and in the end of 2022, the Company filed an application of change year-end with the IRS to change its year-end to April 30 since the year-end for the purpose of financial statements reporting already changed to fiscal year ending April 30, the Company recorded the tax provision and tax liability for the year ending April 30, 2022 and as of April 30, 2022 for the taxable income in the financial statements. The Company‘s corporate income tax return for calendar year 2021 is open to the IRS audit, the Company has not yet filed its 2022 income tax return.

11. Acquisition of business

On July 1, 2021, the Company entered an Asset Purchase Agreement with Hong Kong Supermarket of M.P (“HKMP” or the “seller”) to purchase assets from HKMP including all the property and equipment, inventory and other tangible assets for $2.25 million. As of April 30, 2022, the remaining outstanding balance for the assets purchased from HKMP was $381,575.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired at the date of acquisition. Goodwill as a result of the acquisition of the assets from HKMP is calculated as follows:

Total purchase considerations

 

$

2,225,000

 

Fair value of tangible assets acquired:

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

 

480,062

 

Inventory

 

 

1,053,465

 

Other assets

 

 

105,336

 

Total tangible assets acquired

 

 

1,638,863

 

Deferred tax liability arising from trademark acquired

 

 

(91,954

)

Net tangible assets acquired

 

 

1,546,909

 

Intangible assets (trademark) acquired

 

 

328,600

 

Goodwill as a result of the acquisition

 

$

349,491

 

12. Subsequent Event

The Company follows the guidance in FASB ASC 855-10 for the disclosure of subsequent events. The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and determined the Company has the following major subsequent event that need to be disclosed.

On June 30, 2022, Mrs. Grace Xu, (spouse of Mr. John Xu, the Company’s chief executive officer) the selling shareholder of Maison Monterey Park with 49% ownership, and DNL Management Inc. with 51% ownership of the Company, sold 100% equity interest in Maison Monterey Park to Maison. The purchase consideration was $1.5 million. On February 21, 2023, the selling shareholders of Maison Monterey Park and Maison renegotiated and entered into an Amended Stock Purchase Agreement, with an effective date on October 31, 2022, to amend the purchase price to $2.5 million, which both parties believed it reflected the true fair value of Maison Monterey Park.

Effective on June 21, 2022, the Company (“subtenant”) entered a Consent to Sublease with the landlord of the supermarket and HKMP (“tenant”), wherein the landlord consented the certain Standard Sublease Multi-Tenant, between tenant and subtenant, with respect to subletting by subtenant, pursuant to the terms of Section 14.1 of the original lease agreement entered on June 30, 2020. Under the original lease agreement, the term of the lease was from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025, with option to renew for another three years. The monthly base rent was $67,438.56 for the first two years, $72,000 for the third year, $73,000 for the fourth year and $74,000 for the fifth year.

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             shares of Class A Common Stock

___________________

PROSPECTUS

___________________

JOSEPH STONE CAPITAL, LLC

            , 2023

Through and including            , 2023 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

     

 

Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.     Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts are estimated except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee. All of the expenses below will be paid by the Registrant.

SEC registration fee

 

$

 

FINRA filing fee

 

$

*

NASDAQ listing fee

 

 

*

Legal fees and expenses

 

 

*

Accounting fees and expenses

 

 

*

Printing and engraving expenses

 

 

*

Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses

 

 

*

Blue sky fees and expenses

 

 

*

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

 

 

*

Total

 

$

*

____________

*        To be filed by amendment.

Item 14.     Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL allows a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation will not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached the duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides for this limitation of liability.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Section 145 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such person serving in any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Our amended and restated bylaws provide for the indemnification of officers and directors of the corporation consistent with Section 145 of the DGCL.

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Table of Contents

We intend to maintain liability insurance policies that indemnify our directors and officers against various liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, that may be incurred by them in their capacity as such.

The indemnification rights set forth above are not exclusive of any other right which an indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of our restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

The underwriting agreement to be filed as an exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement will provide for indemnification of us and our directors and certain of our officers by the underwriters for certain liabilities.

Item 15.     Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

In the two years preceding the filing of this registration statement, other than the initial subscription by our initial shares at the time of our incorporation, we have not sold any securities.

Item 16.     Exhibits and Financial Statements

(a)     Exhibits

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

1.1*

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

3.1**

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Maison Solutions Inc.

3.2**

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Maison Solutions Inc.

3.3**

 

Bylaws of Maison Solutions Inc.

3.4**

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Maison Solutions Inc.

4.1*

 

Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate.

5.1*

 

Opinion of Akerman LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered.

10.1**#

 

Form of Maison Solutions Inc. 2023 Stock Incentive Plan.

10.2**

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between Maison Solutions Inc. and each of the directors and officers thereof.

10.3**

 

Form of Employment Agreement between Maison Solutions Inc. and John Xu.

10.4**

 

Form of Employment Agreement between Maison Solutions Inc. and Alexandria M. Lopez.

10.5**

 

Form of Employment Agreement between Maison Solutions Inc. and Tao Han.

10.6**

 

Amended Loan Authorization and Agreement by and between the U.S. Small Business Administration and Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia LP, principal amount of $150,000 at 3.75% interest for a term of 30 years dated June 3, 2020.

10.7**

 

Loan Authorization and Agreement by and between the U.S. Small Business Administration and Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP, principal amount of $2,000,000 at 3.75% interest for a term of 30 years dated January 12, 2022.

10.8**

 

Amended Loan Authorization and Agreement by and between the U.S. Small Business Administration and Super HK of El Monte Inc, principal amount of $500,000 at 3.75% interest for a term of 30 years dated January 6, 2022.

10.9**

 

Collaboration Agreement by and between JD E-commerce American Limited and Maison Solutions Inc. dated April 19, 2021 (English Translation).

10.10**

 

Intellectual Property License Agreement by and between JD E-commerce American Limited and Maison Solutions Inc. dated April 19, 2021 (English Translation).

10.11**

 

Business Loan Agreement by and between American First National Bank and Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP, principal amount of $1,000,000 at 4.5% to 6.5% variable interest for a term of 7 years dated March 2, 2017.

10.12**

 

Business Loan Agreement by and between American First National Bank and Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel, LP, principal amount of $1,000,000 at 4.5% to 6.5% variable interest for a term of 7 years dated March 2, 2017.

16.1**

 

Letter of Friedman LLP, dated May 4, 2023.

21.1**

 

Subsidiaries of Maison Solutions Inc.

23.1**

 

Consent of Friedman LLP.

II-2

Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

23.2*

 

Consent of Akerman LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1 hereto).

24.1**

 

Power of attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).

99.1**

 

Consent of Mark Willis, Director Nominee.

99.2**

 

Consent of Bin Wang, Director Nominee.

99.3**

 

Consent of Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang, Director Nominee.

107**

 

Calculation of Filing Fee Table.

____________

*        To be filed by amendment.

**      Filed herewith.

#        Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Item 17.     Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1)    For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2)    For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-3

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Los Angeles, California, on the 22nd day of May, 2023.

 

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.

   

By:

 

/s/ John Xu

   

Name:

 

John Xu

   

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below, hereby constitutes and appoints John Xu and Alexandria M. Lopez and each of them singly, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments, including post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, and to sign any and all additional registration statements relating to the same offering of securities of the Registration Statement that are filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate to be done in connection therewith and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitutes or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dated indicated.

Signature

 

Capacity in Which Signed

 

Date

/s/ John Xu

 

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

 

May 22, 2023

John Xu

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

   

/s/ Alexandria M. Lopez

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director

 

May 22, 2023

Alexandria M. Lopez

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

   

/s/ Tao Han

 

Chief Operating Officer

 

May 22, 2023

Tao Han

       

/s/ Bin Wang

 

Director Nominee

 

May 22, 2023

Bin Wang

       

/s/ Mark Willis

 

Director Nominee

 

May 22, 2023

Mark Willis

       

/s/ Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang

 

Director Nominee

 

May 22, 2023

Dr. Xiaoxia Zhang

       

II-4

Exhibit 3.1

 

FORM BCA 2.10

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

Business Corporation Act

 

Filing Fee: $150  
Franchise Tax:  $ 25  
Total: $175  

 

File #:  72399331  

 

Approved By:  MAJ  

 

FILED  
JUL 24 2019  
Jesse White  
Secretary of State  

 

1.Corporate Name: MAISON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    
    

 

 

 

2.Initial Registered Agent: JOHN JUN XU
   First Name Middle Initial Last Name
        
 Initial Registered Office: 3501 W 48TH PL
   Number Street Suite No.
        
   CHICAGO IL       60632-3028        COOK
   City ZIP Code County

 

 

 

3.Purposes for which the Corporation is Organized:

 

The transaction of any or all lawful businesses for which corporations may be incorporated under the Illinois Business Corporation Act.

 

 

 

4.Authorized Shares, Issued Shares and Consideration Received:

 

  Class Number of Shares
Authorized
Number of Shares
Proposed to be Issued
Consideration to be
Received Therefor
  COMMON 500000 500000 $ 1

 

 

 

NAME & ADDRESS OF INCORPORATOR

 

5.The undersigned incorporator hereby declares, under penalties of perjury, that the statements made in the foregoing Articles of Incorporation are true.

 

  Dated JULY 24,   2019   3501 W 48TH PLACE
    Month & Day   Year   Street

 

  JOHN JUN XU   CHICAGO IL 60632
  Name   City/Town State ZIP Code

 

This document was generated electronically at www.cyberdriveillinois.com

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.

 

Maison Solutions Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), hereby certifies as follows:

 

ONE: The name of this corporation is Maison Solutions, Inc. and the original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 8, 2021.

 

TWO: The Certificate of Incorporation of this company is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

I.

 

The name of this company is Maison Solutions Inc. (the “Company“ or the “Corporation”).

 

II.

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1031 Centre Road, 403-B, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19805, and the name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is Vcorp Services, LLC.

 

III.

 

The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).

 

IV.

 

A. Authorized Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 100,000,000 comprised of (i) 95,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of which (a) 92,000,000 shares shall be a series designated as Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”), (b) 3,000,000 shares shall be a series designated as Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Common Stock”), and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001

par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

B. Reclassification of Common Stock; Stock Split. Upon the filing and effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”):

 

(a) each share of the Common Stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Old Common Stock”), other than the Founder Shares, will be automatically split and reclassified into thirty two (32) shares of Class A Common Stock without any further action by the Corporation or the holder of any such share; and

 

(b) each Founder Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be automatically split and reclassified into thirty two (32) shares of Class B Common Stock without any further action by the Corporation or the holder of any such share.

 

 

 

C. Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Company is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

 

D. Number of Authorized Shares. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Certificate of Designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

 

E. Except as provided above, the rights, preferences, privileges, restrictions and other matters relating to the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are as follows:

 

1. Definitions. For purposes of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a) Acquisition” shall mean (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any other corporate reorganization, other than any such consolidation, merger or reorganization in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, continue to hold a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity in substantially the same proportions (or, if the surviving entity is a wholly owned subsidiary, its parent) immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization; or (B) any transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is a party in which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power is transferred; provided that an Acquisition shall not include any transaction or series of transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes in which cash is received by the Company or any successor or indebtedness of the Company is cancelled or converted or a combination thereof.

 

(b) Asset Transfer” shall mean a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

(c) Family Member” shall mean with respect to the Founder, the spouse, parents, grandparents, lineal descendants, siblings and lineal descendants of siblings (in each case whether by blood relation or adoption) thereof.

 

(d) Founder” means John Xu, an individual.

 

(e) Founder Shares” means the shares of Common Stock held by Golden Tree USA, Inc. as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

(f) IPO” means the Company’s first firmly underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offer and sale of Class A Common Stock where the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are each a “covered security” as described in Section 18(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(g) Liquidation Event” shall mean any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, any Asset Transfer or any Acquisition.

 

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(h) Permitted Entity” shall mean, any corporation, partnership or limited liability company in which the Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Transferees, owns shares, partnership interests or membership interests, as applicable, with sufficient Voting Control in the corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that the Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to all shares of Class B Common Stock held of record by such corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be.

 

(i) Permitted Transfer” shall mean, and be restricted to, any Transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock by the Qualified Stockholder to the Founder, a Permitted Entity, a Permitted Trust or the trustee of a Permitted Trust.

 

(j) Permitted Transferee” shall mean a transferee of shares of Class B Common Stock received in a Transfer that constitutes a Permitted Transfer.

 

(k) Permitted Trust” shall mean a bona fide trust for the benefit of the Founder or Family Members of the Founder, if such Transfer does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration (other than an interest in such trust) to the Founder, a trust under the terms of which the Founder has retained a “qualified interest” within the meaning of §2702(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and/or a reversionary interest, in each case so long as the Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust.

 

(l) Qualified Stockholder” shall mean (i) the record holder of a share of Class B Common Stock immediately prior to the IPO; (ii) the initial record holder of any shares of Class B Common Stock that are originally issued by the Company after the IPO (including, without limitation, upon conversion of any preferred stock outstanding prior to the IPO or upon exercise of options or warrants); and (iii) a Permitted Transferee.

 

(m) Transfer” of a share of Class B Common Stock shall mean any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, including, without limitation, a transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock to a broker or other nominee (regardless of whether there is a corresponding change in beneficial ownership), or the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control (as defined below) over such share by proxy or otherwise; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer” within the meaning of this Article IV:

 

(i) the granting of a revocable proxy to officers or directors of the Company at the request of the Board of Directors in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders;

 

(ii) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) solely with stockholders who are holders of Class B Common Stock that (A) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the Secretary of the Company, (B) either has a term not exceeding one (1) year or is terminable by the holder of the shares subject thereto at any time and (C) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to the holder of the shares subject thereto other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner;

 

(iii) the pledge of shares of Class B Common Stock by a stockholder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction for so long as such stockholder continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such shares or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer” unless such foreclosure or similar action qualifies as a “Permitted Transfer”; or

 

(iv) entering into, or reaching an agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding, a support or similar voting or tender agreement (with or without granting a proxy) in connection with a Liquidation Event that has been approved by the Board of Directors.

 

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A “Transfer” shall also be deemed to have occurred with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock beneficially held by (i) a Permitted Transferee on the date that such Permitted Transferee ceases to meet the qualifications to be a Permitted Transferee of the Qualified Stockholder who effected the Transfer of such shares to such Permitted Transferee, or (ii) an entity that is a Qualified Stockholder, if there occurs a Transfer on a cumulative basis, from and after the acceptance of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation for filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”), of a majority of the voting power of the voting securities of such entity or any direct or indirect Parent of such entity, other than a Transfer to parties that are, as of the Effective Time, holders of voting securities of any such entity or Parent of such entity. “Parent” of an entity shall mean any entity that directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the voting power of the voting securities of such entity.

 

(n) Voting Control” shall mean, with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock, the power (whether exclusive or shared) to vote or direct the voting of such share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.

 

2. Rights Relating To Dividends, Subdivisions and Combinations.

 

(a) Subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes and series of stock at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of the Company legally available therefor, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors. Except as permitted in Section 2(b) below, any dividends paid to the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be paid pro rata, on an equal priority, pari passu basis, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable class of Common Stock treated adversely, voting separately as a class.

 

(b) The Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution to the holders of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock payable in securities of the Company unless the same dividend or distribution with the same record date and payment date shall be declared and paid on all shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that (i) dividends or other distributions payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or rights to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock may be declared and paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock without the same dividend or distribution being declared and paid to the holders of the Class B Common Stock if, and only if, a dividend payable in shares of Class B Common Stock, or rights to acquire shares of Class B Common Stock, as applicable, are declared and paid to the holders of Class B Common Stock at the same rate and with the same record date and payment date; and (ii) dividends or other distributions payable in shares of Class B Common Stock or rights to acquire shares Class B Common Stock may be declared and paid to the holders of Class B Common Stock without the same dividend or distribution being declared and paid to the holders of the Class A Common Stock if, and only if, a dividend payable in shares of Class A Common Stock, or rights to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, are declared and paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock at the same rate and with the same record date and payment date.

 

(c) If the Company in any manner subdivides or combines (including by reclassification) the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, then the outstanding shares of all Common Stock will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner.

 

3. Voting Rights.

 

(a) Class A Common Stock. Each holder of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share thereof held.

 

(b) Class B Common Stock. Each holder of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to ten (10) votes for each share thereof held.

 

4

 

 

(c) General. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or as required by law, the holders of Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together and not as separate series or classes. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (which, as used herein, shall mean the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time, including the terms of any certificate of designations of any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law.

 

4. Liquidation Rights.

 

In the event of a Liquidation Event, upon the completion of the distributions required with respect to each series of Preferred Stock that may then be outstanding, the remaining assets of the Company legally available for distribution to stockholders shall be distributed on an equal priority, pro rata basis to the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, compensation pursuant to any employment, consulting, severance or other compensatory arrangement to be paid to or received by a person who is also a holder of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock does not constitute consideration or a “distribution to

stockholders” in respect of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock.

 

5. Conversion.

 

(a) Optional Conversion of the Class B Common Stock.

 

(i) At the option of the holder thereof, each share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible, at any time or from time to time, into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock as provided herein.

 

(ii) Each holder of Class B Common Stock who elects to convert the same into shares of Class A Common Stock shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Company or any transfer agent for the Class B Common Stock, and shall give written notice to the Company at such office that such holder elects to convert the same and shall state therein the number of shares of Class B Common Stock being converted. Thereupon, the Company shall promptly issue and deliver at such office to such holder a certificate or certificates or, if the shares are uncertificated, documentation from the Company’s transfer agent evidencing ownership of such shares for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to which such holder is entitled upon such conversion. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted, or, if the shares are uncertificated, immediately prior to the close of business on the date that the holder delivers notice of such conversion to the Company’s transfer agent and the person entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time. If a conversion election under this Section 5(a)(ii) is made in connection with an underwritten public offering of the Company’s securities pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the conversion may, at the option of the holder tendering shares of Class B Common Stock for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing with the underwriters of the sale of the Company’s securities pursuant to such offering, in which event the holders making such elections who are entitled to receive Class A Common Stock upon conversion of their Class B Common Stock shall not be deemed to have converted such shares of Class B Common Stock until immediately after to the closing of such sale of the Company’s securities in the offering.

 

5

 

 

(b) Automatic Conversion of the Class B Common Stock.

 

Each share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically be converted into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon a Transfer, other than a Permitted Transfer, of such share of Class B Common Stock. Such conversion shall occur automatically without the need for any further action by the holders of such shares and whether or not the certificates representing such shares are surrendered to the Company or its transfer agent; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion unless the certificates evidencing such shares of Class B Common Stock are either delivered to the Company or its transfer agent as provided below, or the holder notifies the Company or its transfer agent that such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Company to indemnify the Company from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificates. Upon the occurrence of such automatic conversion of the Class B Common Stock, the holders of Class B Common Stock so converted shall surrender the certificates representing such shares at the office of the Company or any transfer agent for the Class A Common Stock. Thereupon, there shall be issued and delivered to such holder promptly at such office and in its name as shown on such surrendered certificate or certificates, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which the shares of Class B Common Stock surrendered were convertible on the date on which such automatic conversion occurred.

 

6. Redemption. The Common Stock is not redeemable.

 

7. Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Class B Common Stock, as applicable, such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then-outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, as applicable, the Company will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock to such numbers of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.

 

8. Prohibition on Reissuance of Shares. Shares of Class B Common Stock that are acquired by the Company for any reason (whether by repurchase, upon conversion, or otherwise) shall be retired in the manner required by law and shall not be reissued as shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

V.

 

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Company, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Company, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:

 

A. Board of Directors.

 

1. Generally. The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Company shall be vested in its Board of Directors.

 

2. Election. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to the election of directors, the number of directors that constitutes the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be fixed solely by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to the election of directors, each director of the Corporation shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which he or she is elected and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, death or removal.

 

6

 

 

3. Removal of Directors. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, removal shall be as provided in Section 141(k) of the DGCL.

 

4. Vacancies. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders and except as otherwise provided by applicable law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.

 

B. Stockholder Actions. No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Company except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Bylaws and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or electronic transmission. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Company shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Company.

 

C. Bylaws. The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Company by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Company required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

VI.

 

A. The liability of the directors of the Company for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law.

 

B. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company may provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers, and other agents of the Company (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the Company to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by such applicable law. If applicable law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director to the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as so amended.

 

C. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Article VI in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act giving rise to liability.

 

D. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law: (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; (B) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Company or any stockholder to the Company or the Company’s stockholders; (C) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against the Company or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Company or any stockholder arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company (as each may be amended from time to time); (D) any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company (including any right, obligation or remedy thereunder); (E) any action or proceeding as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; (F) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation or any stockholder, governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. This Article VI shall not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

7

 

 

E. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to and contingent upon a final adjudication in the State of Delaware of the enforceability of such exclusive forum provision.

 

F. Any person or entity holding, owning or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this

Article VI.

 

VII.

 

A. The Company reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in paragraph B. of this Article VII, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

B. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the Company required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any Certificate of Designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles V, VI, and VII.

 

* * * *

 

THREE: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

FOUR: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of said Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL by the stockholders of the Company.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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In Witness Whereof, Maison Solutions Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer this 1st  day of October, 2021.

 

  By: /s/ John Xu  
    John Xu  
    Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]

 

 

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Exhibit 3.3

 

BYLAWS

OF

MAISON INTERNATIONAL, INC.

AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1. Principal Executive or Business Offices. The board of directors will fix the location of the principal executive office of the corporation at any place within or outside the State of Illinois. If the principal executive office is located outside Illinois and the corporation has one or more business offices in Illinois, the board will fix and designate a principal business office in Illinois.

 

Section 2. Other Offices. Branch or subordinate offices may be established at any time and at any place by the board of directors.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Section 1. Place and Conduct of Meetings. Meetings of shareholders will be held at any place within or outside the State of Illinois designated by the board of directors. In the absence of a designation by the board, shareholders’ meetings will be held at the corporation’s principal executive office. If authorized by the board of directors and subject to the consent requirement in Illinois Corporations Code and any guidelines and procedures adopted by the board of directors, shareholders not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders may, by electronic transmission by and to the corporation or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of shareholders, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote, whether the meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the corporation or by electronic video screen communication.

 

A meeting of shareholders may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the corporation or by electronic video screen communication if:

 

(a) The corporation implements reasonable measures to provide shareholders (in person or by proxy) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the shareholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting concurrently with those proceedings; and

 

(b) The corporation maintains a record of the vote or action and any shareholder votes or other shareholder action is taken at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the corporation or electronic video screen communication.

 

 

 

 

Any request by the corporation to a shareholder under Illinois Corporations Code for consent to conduct a meeting of shareholders by electronic transmission must include a notice that absent consent of the shareholder, the meeting will be held at a physical location.

 

Section 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders will be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the board of directors. The date so designated will be within five months after the end of the corporation’s fiscal year, and within fifteen months after the last annual meeting. At each annual meeting, directors will be elected and any other proper business within the power of the shareholders may be transacted.

 

Section 3. Special Meeting. A special meeting of the shareholders may be called at any time by the board of directors, by the chairman of the board, by the President or Vice President, or by one or more shareholders holding shares that in the aggregate are entitled to cast 10 percent or more of the votes at that meeting.

 

If a special meeting is called by anyone other than the board of directors, the person or persons calling the meeting will make a request in writing, delivered personally or sent by registered mail, or by electronic transmission to the corporation, to the chair of the board or the president, vice president, or secretary, specifying the time and date of the meeting (which is not less than 35 nor more than 60 days after receipt of the request) and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted. Within 20 days after receipt, the officer receiving the request will cause notice to be given to the shareholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4 and 5 of this Article II, stating that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person(s) calling the meeting, and stating the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted. If notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing in this paragraph will be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of shareholders called by action of the board may be held.

 

Section 4. Notice of Shareholders’ Meetings. All notices of meetings of shareholders will be sent or otherwise given in accordance with section 5 of this Article II not fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. Shareholders entitled to notice will be determined in accordance with section 11 of this Article II. The notice will specify the place, date, and hour of the meeting, and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted, or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters that the board of directors, at the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders. If directors are to be elected, the notice will include the names of all nominees whom the board intends, at the time of the notice, to present for election.

 

If the meeting is to be held in whole or in part by electronic transmission, the notice shall state the means of electronic transmission by and to the corporation or electronic video screen communication, if any, by which shareholders may participate in that meeting.

 

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Section 5. Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice. Notice of any shareholders’ meeting will be given either personally or by first-class mail or other written communication (including electronic transmission by the corporation), charges prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at the physical or electronic address appearing on the corporation’s books or given by the shareholder to the corporation for purposes of notice. If no address appears on the corporation’s books or has been given as specified above, notice will be either (1) sent by first-class mail addressed to the shareholder at the corporation’s principal executive office, or (2) published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the corporation’s principal executive office is located. Notice is deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mall or sent by other means of written communication.

 

If any notice or report mailed to a shareholder at the address appearing on the corporation’s books is returned marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the document to the shareholder at that address, all future notices or reports will be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if the corporation holds the document available for the shareholder on written demand at the corporation’s principal executive office for a period of one year after the date the notice or report was given to all other shareholders.

 

Notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the corporation after either of the following: (1) The corporation is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the shareholder by that means, or (2) the inability to so deliver such notices to the shareholder becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of the notice.

 

An affidavit of the mailing, or other authorized means of transmitting, of any notice of shareholders’ meeting, report, or other document sent to shareholders, may be executed by the corporation’s secretary, assistant secretary, or transfer agent and, if executed, will be filed and maintained in the minute book of the corporation.

 

Section 6. Quorum. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any meeting of the shareholders will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave fewer than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum, unless the General Corporation Law requires the vote of a greater number of shareholders or a vote by classes.

 

Section 7. Adjourned Meeting; Notice. Any shareholders’ meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of the majority of the shares represented at that meeting, either in person or by proxy, but in the absence of a quorum, no other business may be transacted at that meeting, except as provided in section 6 of this Article II.

 

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When any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, is adjourned to another time or place, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place (or the means of electronic transmission by and to the corporation or electronic video screen communication, if any, by which shareholders may participate) are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, or unless the adjournment is for more than 45 days after the date set for the original meeting, in which case the board of directors will set a new record date. Notice of any such adjourned meeting, if required, will be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, in accordance with sections 4 and 5 of this Article II. At any adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 8. Voting. The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders will be determined in accordance with section 11 of this Article II, subject to the provisions of the Illinois Corporations Code relating to voting shares held by a fiduciary, in the name of a corporation, or in joint ownership. The shareholders’ vote may be by voice vote or by ballot, provided, however, that any election for directors must be by ballot if demanded by any shareholder before the voting has begun. On any matter other than the election of directors, any shareholder may vote part of the shares the shareholder is to vote in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares or vote them against the proposal, but, if the shareholder fails to specify the number of shares that the shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder’s approving vote is with respect to all shares that the shareholder is entitled to vote. If a quorum is present (or if a quorum has been present earlier at the meeting but some shareholders have withdrawn), the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting, provided such shares voting affirmatively also comprise a majority of the number of shares required for a quorum, will constitute an act of the shareholders unless the vote of a greater number or a vote by classes is required by law or by the articles of incorporation.

 

At a shareholders’ meeting at which directors are to be elected, no shareholder will be entitled to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any candidate a number of votes greater than the number of votes which that shareholder normally would be entitled to cast), unless the candidates’ names have been placed in nomination before commencement of the voting and a shareholder has given notice at the meeting, before the voting has begun, of the shareholder’s intention to cumulate votes. If any shareholder has given such a notice, then all shareholders entitled to vote may cumulate their votes for candidates in nomination. Thus each such shareholder may give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which that shareholder’s shares are normally entitled, or may distribute the shareholder’s votes on the same principle among any or all of the candidates. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of positions to be filled, will be elected.

 

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Section 9. Waiver of Notice or Consent by Absent Shareholders. The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, however called and noticed and wherever held, will be as valid as though they were had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if each person entitled to vote who was not present in person or by proxy, either before or after the meeting, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes of the meeting. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose of any annual or special meeting of the shareholders, except that, if action is taken or proposed to be taken for approval of any of those matters specified in the Illinois Corporations Code.

 

The waiver of notice or consent is required to state the general nature of the action or proposed action. All waivers, consents, and approvals will be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

A shareholder’s attendance at a meeting also constitutes a waiver of notice of that meeting, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. In addition, attendance at a meeting does not constitute a waiver of any right to object to consideration of matters required by law to be included in the notice of the meeting which were not so included, if that objection is expressly made at the meeting.

 

Section 10. Shareholder Action by Written Consent without a Meeting. Any action that could be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on that action were present and voted.

 

Directors may be elected by written consent of the shareholders without a meeting only if the written consents of all outstanding shares entitled to vote are obtained, except that vacancies on the board (other than vacancies created by removal) not filled by the board may be filled by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 

All consents will be filed with the secretary of the corporation and will be maintained in the corporate records. Any shareholder or other authorized person who has given a written consent may revoke it by a writing received by the secretary of the corporation before written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the secretary.

 

Unless the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, prompt notice will be given of any corporate action approved by shareholders without a meeting by less than unanimous consent, to those shareholders entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.

 

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Section 11. Record Date for Shareholder Notice of Meeting, Voting, and Giving Consents.

 

(a) For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at a shareholders’ meeting or give written consent to corporate action without a meeting, the board may fix in advance a record date that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of a shareholders’ meeting, or not more than 60 days before any other action.

 

(b) If no record date is fixed:

 

(i) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at a shareholders’ meeting will be the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived as provided in section 9 of this Article II, the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

 

(ii) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, if no prior action has been taken by the board, will be the day on which the first written consent is given.

 

(iii) The record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose will be as set forth in section 1 of Article VIII of these bylaws.

 

(c) A determination of shareholders of record entitled to receive notice of and vote at a shareholders’ meeting will apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting. However, the board will fix a new record date if the adjournment is to a date more than 45 days after the date set for the original meeting.

 

(d) Only shareholders of record on the corporation’s books at the close of business on the record date will be entitled to any of the notice and voting rights listed in subsection (a) of this section, notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the corporation’s books after the record date, except as otherwise required by law.

 

Section 12. Proxies. Every person entitled to vote for directors or on any other matter will have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the secretary of the corporation. A proxy will be deemed signed if the shareholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, electronic signature, or otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholder’s attorney in fact. A validly executed proxy that does not state that it is irrevocable will continue in full force and effect unless: (i) revoked by the person executing it, before the vote pursuant to that proxy, by a writing delivered to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked, or by attendance at the meeting and voting in person by the person executing the proxy or by a subsequent proxy executed by the same person and presented at the meeting; or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted; provided, however, that no proxy will be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date of the proxy, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable will be governed by the provisions of the Illinois Corporations Code.

 

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Section 13. Inspectors of Election. Before any meeting of shareholders, the board of directors may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspectors of election are so appointed, the chair of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy will, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors will be either one or three. If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting will determine whether one or three inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the chair of the meeting may, and upon the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy will, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.

 

These inspectors will: (a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies; (b) receive votes, ballots, or consents; (c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote; (d) count and tabulate all votes or consents; (e) determine when the polls will close; (f) determine the result; and (g) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.

 

ARTICLE III

 

DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. Powers. Subject to the provisions of the Illinois Corporation Law and any limitations in the articles of incorporation and these bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation will be managed and all corporate powers will be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.

 

Without prejudice to these general powers, and subject to the same limitations, the board of directors will have the power to:

 

(a) Select and remove all officers, agents, and employees of the corporation; prescribe any powers and duties for them that are consistent with law, with the articles of incorporation, and with these bylaws; fix their compensation; and require from them security for faithful service.

 

(b) Change the principal executive office or the principal business office in the State of Illinois from one location to another; cause the corporation to be qualified to do business in any other state, territory, dependency, or country and conduct business within or outside the State of Illinois; and designate any place within or outside the State of Illinois for holding any shareholders’ meeting or meetings, including annual meetings.

 

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(c) Adopt, makes, and uses a corporate seal; prescribe the forms of certificates of stock; and alter the form of the seal and certificates.

 

(d) Authorize the issuance of shares of stock of the corporation on any lawful terms, in consideration of money paid, labor done, services actually rendered, debts or securities canceled, or tangible or intangible property actually received.

 

(e) Borrow money and incur indebtedness on behalf of the corporation, and cause to be executed and delivered for the corporation’s purposes, in the corporate name, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations, and other evidences of debt and securities.

 

Section 2. Number of Directors. The authorized number of directors will be two until changed by a duly adopted amendment to the articles of incorporation or by amendment to this bylaw adopted by the vote or written consent of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 

Section 3. Election and Term of Office of Directors. Directors will be elected at each annual meeting of the shareholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, will hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified.

 

No reduction of the authorized number of directors will have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

 

Section 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in the board of directors will be deemed to exist: (1) if a director dies, resigns, or is removed by the shareholders or an appropriate court, as provided in the Illinois Corporations Code; (2) if the board of directors declares vacant the office of a director who has been convicted of a felony or declared of unsound mind by an order of court; (3) if the authorized number of directors is increased; or (4) if at any shareholders’ meeting at which one or more directors are elected the shareholders fail to elect the full authorized number of directors to be voted for at that meeting.

 

Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the chair of the board, the president, the secretary, or the board of directors, unless the notice specifies a later effective date. If the resignation is effective at a future time, the board may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective.

 

Except for a vacancy caused by the removal of a director, vacancies on the board may be filled by approval of the board or, if the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, by: (1) the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at a meeting held pursuant to notice or waivers of notice complying with Corporations Code; or (2) a sole remaining director.

 

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A vacancy on the board caused by the removal of a director may be filled only by the shareholders, except that a vacancy created when the board declares the office of a director vacant as provided in clause (2) of the first paragraph of this section of the bylaws may be filled by the board of directors.

 

The shareholders may elect a director at any time to fill a vacancy not filled by the board of directors.

 

The term of office of a director elected to fill a vacancy will run until the next annual meeting of the shareholders, and such a director will hold office until a successor is elected and qualified.

 

Section 5. Place of Meetings; Meetings by Electronic Communications. Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held at any place within or outside the State of Illinois that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. In the absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Any regular meeting of the board of directors may nonetheless be held at any place consented to in writing by all members of the board of directors, whether before or after the meeting. If consents are given, they shall be filed with the minutes of the meeting. Special meetings of the board of directors will be held at any place within or outside the State of Illinois that has been designated in the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the notice or there is no notice, at the principal executive office of the corporation. Any special meeting of the board of directors may nonetheless be held at any place consented to in writing by all members of the board of directors, whether before or after the meeting. If consents are given, they shall be filed with the minutes of the meeting. Members of the board of directors may participate in a meeting through the use of conference telephone, electronic video screen communication, or electronic transmission by and to the corporation. Participation in a meeting through the use of conference telephone or electronic video screen communication constitutes presence in person at that meeting so long as all members participating in the meeting are able to hear one another. Participation in a meeting through the use of electronic transmission by and to the corporation (other than conference telephone and electronic video screen communication) constitutes presence in person at that meeting if each member participating in the meeting can communicate with all of the other members concurrently and each member is provided the means of participating in all matters before the board of directors, including, without limitation, the capacity to propose, or to interpose an objection to, a specific action to be taken by the corporation, and the corporation adopts and implements some means of verifying that: (i) each person participating in the meeting is a director or other person entitled to participate in the meeting; and, (ii) all actions of, or votes by, the board are taken or cast only by directors and not by persons who are not members of the board of directors.

 

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Section 6. Annual Directors’ Meeting. Immediately after each annual shareholders’ meeting, the board of directors will hold a regular meeting at the same place, or at any other place that has been designated by the board of directors, to consider matters of organization, election of officers, and other business as desired. Notice of this meeting will not be required unless some place other than the place of the annual shareholders’ meeting has been designated.

 

Section 7. Other Regular Meetings. Other regular meetings of the board of directors will be held without call at times to be fixed by the board of directors from time to time. Such regular meetings may be held without notice.

 

Section 8. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called for any purpose or purposes at any time by the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the secretary, or any two directors.

 

Special meetings will be held on 4 days’ notice by mail or 48 hours’ notice delivered personally or by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, electronic mail, or other electronic means. Oral notice given personally or by telephone, or written notice given by electronic mail or facsimile, may be transmitted either to the director or to a person at the director’s office who can reasonably be expected to communicate it promptly to the director. Written notice, if used, will be addressed to each director at the address shown on the corporation’s records. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting, nor need it specify the place if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.

 

Section 9. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote on a matter represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of the outstanding shares entitled so to vote. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares is represented, then a majority of the shares represented may adjourn the meeting at any time without further notice. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on a matter shall be the act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by The Business Corporation Act, or the Articles of Incorporation or these by-laws. The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Withdrawal of shareholders from a meeting shall not cause failure of a quorum at the meeting. Holders of preferred stock not entitled to vote have the right to attend the shareholder meeting.

 

Even though a quorum is initially present, if the number of directors present at a meeting is reduced to less than a quorum by withdrawal of directors, no further business except adjournment from time to time may be transacted at the meeting until a quorum is present.

 

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Section 10. Waiver of Notice. Notice of a meeting, although otherwise required, need not be given to any director who: (1) either before or after the meeting signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting without being given notice; (2) signs an approval of the minutes of the meeting; or (3) attends the meeting without protesting the lack of notice before or at the beginning of the meeting. Waivers of notice or consents need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All waivers, consents, and approvals of the minutes will be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

Section 11. Adjournment to another Time or Place. Whether or not a quorum is present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn any meeting to another time or place.

 

Section 12. Notice of Adjourned Meeting. Notice of the time and place of resuming a meeting that has been adjourned need not be given unless the adjournment is for more than 24 hours, in which case notice will be given, before the time set for resuming the adjourned meeting, to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment. Notice need not be given in any case to directors who were present at the time of adjournment.

 

Section 13. Action without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board of directors individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Any action by written consent will have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the board of directors. All written consents will be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board of directors.

 

Section 14. Fees and Compensation of Directors. Directors and members of committees of the board may be compensated for their services, and will be reimbursed for expenses, as fixed or determined by resolution of the board of directors. This section will not be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity, as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise, or from receiving compensation for those services.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COMMITTEES

 

Section 1. Committees of the Board. The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors, designate one or more committees, each consisting of two or more directors. The board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, to replace any absent member at a committee meeting. The appointment of committee members or alternate members requires the vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. A committee may be granted any or all of the powers and authority of the board, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors establishing the committee, except with respect to:

 

(a) Approving any action for which the Illinois Corporations Code also requires the approval of the shareholders or of the outstanding shares;

 

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(b) Filling vacancies on the board of directors or any committee of the board;

 

(c) Fixing directors’ compensation for serving on the board or a committee of the board;

 

(d) Adopting, amending, or repealing bylaws;

 

(e) Amending or repealing any resolution of the board of directors that by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;

 

(f) Making distributions to shareholders, except at a rate or in a periodic amount or within a price range determined by the board of directors; or

 

(g) Appointing other committees of the board or their members.

 

Section 2. Meetings and Action of Committees. Meetings and action of committees will be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, bylaw provisions applicable to meetings and actions of the board of directors, as provided in section 5 and sections 7 through 13 of Article III of these bylaws, in regard to the following matters: place of meetings, section 5; regular meetings, section 7; special meetings and notice, section 8; quorum, section 9; waiver of notice, section 10; adjournment, section 11; notice of adjournment, section 12; and action without meeting, section 13, with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members, except that; (1) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of the committee; (2) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors; and (3) notice of special meetings of committees will also be given to all alternative members who will have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt rules for the governance of any committee not inconsistent with these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE V

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Officers. The officers of the corporation will be a president, a secretary, and a chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chair of the board, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with section 3 of this Article V. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

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Section 2. Appointment of Officers. The officers of the corporation, except for subordinate officers appointed in accordance with section 3 of this Article V, will be appointed annually by the board of directors, and will serve at the pleasure of the board of directors.

 

Section 3. Subordinate Officers. The board of directors may appoint, and may empower the president to appoint, other officers as required by the business of the corporation, whose duties will be as provided in the bylaws, or as determined from time to time by the board of directors or the president.

 

Section 4. Removal and Resignation of Officers. Any officer chosen by the board of directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause or notice, by the board of directors. Subordinate officers appointed by persons other than the board under section 3 of this Article V may be removed at any time, with or without cause or notice, by the board of directors or by the officer by whom appointed. Officers may be employed for a specified term under a contract of employment if authorized by the board of directors; such officers may be removed from office at any time under this section, and will have no claim against the corporation or individual officers or board members because of the removal except any right to monetary compensation to which the officer may be entitled under the contract of employment.

 

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Resignations will take effect on the date of receipt of the notice, unless a later time is specified in the notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, acceptance of the resignation is not necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation to monetary damages under any contract of employment to which the officer is a party.

 

Section 5. Vacancies in Offices. A vacancy in any office resulting from an officer’s death, resignation, removal, or disqualification, or from any other cause, will be filled in the manner prescribed in these bylaws for regular election or appointment to that office.

 

Section 6. Chairman of the Board. The board of directors may elect a chair, who will preside, if present, at board meetings and will exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be assigned from time to time by the board of directors. If there is no president, the chairman of the board will in addition be the chief executive officer of the corporation, and will have the powers and duties as set forth in section 7 of this Article V.

 

Section 7. President. Except to the extent that the bylaws or the board of directors assign specific powers and duties to the chair of the board (if any), the president will be the corporation’s general manager and chief executive officer and, subject to the control of the board of directors, will have general supervision, direction, and control over the corporation’s business and its officers. The managerial powers and duties of the president will include, but are not limited to, all the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation, and the president will have other powers and duties as prescribed by the board of directors or the bylaws. The president will preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence of the chairman of the board or if there is no chairman of the board, will also preside at meetings of the board of directors.

 

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Section 8. Vice Presidents. If desired, one or more vice presidents may be chosen by the board of directors in accordance with the provisions for electing officers set forth in section 2 of this Article V. In the absence or disability of the president, the president’s duties and responsibilities will be carried out by the highest ranking available vice president if vice presidents are ranked or, if not, by a vice president designated by the board of directors. When so acting, a vice president will have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions on the president. Vice presidents of the corporation will have such other powers and perform such other duties as prescribed from time to time by the board of directors, the bylaws, or the president (or chairman of the board if there is no president).

 

Section 9. Secretary.

 

(a) Minutes. The secretary will keep, or cause to be kept, minutes of all of the shareholders’ meetings and of all other board meetings. If the secretary is unable to be present, the secretary or the presiding officer of the meeting will designate another person to take the minutes of the meeting.

 

The secretary will keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or such other place as designated by the board of directors, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of the shareholders, of the board of directors, and of committees of the board. The minutes of each meeting will state the time and place the meeting was held; whether it was regular or special; if special, how it was called or authorized; the names of directors present at board or committee meetings; the number of shares present or represented at shareholders’ meetings; an accurate account of the proceedings; and when it was adjourned.

 

(b) Record of Shareholders. The secretary will keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or at the office of the transfer agent or registrar, a record or duplicate record of shareholders. This record will show the names of all shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of share certificates issued to each shareholder, and the number and date of cancellation of any certificates surrendered for cancellation.

 

(c) Notice of Meetings. The secretary will give notice, or cause notice to be given, of all shareholders’ meetings, board meetings, and meetings of committees of the board for which notice is required by statute or by the bylaws. If the secretary or other person authorized by the secretary to give notice fails to act, notice of any meeting may be given by any other officer of the corporation.

 

(d) Other Duties. The secretary will keep the seal of the corporation, if any, in safe custody. The secretary will have such other powers and perform other duties as prescribed by the board of directors or by the bylaws.

 

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Section 10. Chief Financial Officer. The chief financial officer will keep, or cause to be kept, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and shares. The books of account will at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.

 

The chief financial officer will: (1) deposit corporate funds and other valuables in the corporation’s name and to its credit with depositaries designated by the board of directors; (2) make disbursements of corporate funds as authorized by the board; (3) render a statement of the corporation’s financial condition and an account of all transactions conducted as chief financial officer whenever requested by the president or the board of directors; and (4) have other powers and perform other duties as prescribed by the board of directors or the bylaws.

 

Unless the board of directors has elected a separate treasurer, the chief financial officer will be deemed to be the treasurer for purposes of giving any reports or executing any certificates or other documents.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

ALLOCATIONS OF INCOME AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 1. Allocations of Net Profits and Net Losses from Operations. Profits and Losses shall be allocated among the Officers in proportion to their Percentage Ownership Interests. Any special allocations necessary to comply with the requirements set forth in Internal Revenue Code Section 704 and the corresponding Regulations, including, without limitation, the qualified income offset and minimum gain chargeback provisions contained therein, shall be made if the Voting Members deem these actions to be appropriate.

 

Section 2. A distribution shall generally be made by cash or cash equivalent.

 

Section 3. The board of directors shall have the powers and authorities to make distributions by property or otherwise, except in the event of, in connection with or upon dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to officers in proportion to the respective, at such time as determined by the board of directors.

 

Section 4. All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or other relevant state or tax laws with respect to any payment or distribution to the Officers shall be treated as amounts distributed to the respective Officers pursuant to this Section. In making decisions regarding the timing and amount of any distribution of cash or other property, the board of directors may consider, among other things, the necessity, relevancy or desirability of establishing and/or supplementing Reserves.

 

Section 5. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, on or prior to March 31 of each year, the Company may distribute to the Officers, in accordance with their Percentage Interest, an amount sufficient to cover their tax liability that may be imposed on any Officers as a result of any profits generated by the Company in the most recently concluded fiscal year, provided such distribution not violate any corporate tax laws.

 

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ARTICLE VII

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS,

OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER AGENTS

 

The corporation will, to the maximum extent permitted by the Illinois Corporation Law, have power to indemnify each of its agents against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact that any such person is or was an agent of the corporation, and will have power to advance to each such agent expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by that law. For purposes of this Article, an “agent” of the corporation includes any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or other agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of a corporation that was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise serving at the request of such predecessor corporation.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

RECORDS AND REPORTS

 

Section 1. Maintenance of Shareholder Record and Inspection by Shareholders. The corporation will keep at its principal executive office or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a record of the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each shareholder.

 

A shareholder or shareholders holding at least 5 percent in the aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation have the right to do either or both of the following: (a) inspect and copy the record of shareholders’ names and addresses and shareholdings during usual business hours, on five days’ prior written demand on the corporation, or (b) obtain from the corporation’s transfer agent, on written demand and tender of the transfer agent’s usual charges for this service, a list of the names and addresses of shareholders who are entitled to vote for the election of directors, and their shareholdings, as of the most recent record date for which a list has been compiled or as of a specified date later than the date of demand. This list will be made available within 5 days after: (i) the date of demand, or (ii) the specified later date as of which the list is to be compiled. The record of shareholders will also be open to inspection on the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, at any time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder’s interests as a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate. Any inspection and copying under this section may be made in person or by an agent or attorney of the shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate making the demand.

 

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Section 2. Maintenance and Inspection of Bylaws. The corporation will keep at its principal executive office, or if its principal executive office is not in the State of Illinois, at its principal business office in this state, the original or a copy of the bylaws as amended to date, which will be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours. If the principal executive office of the corporation is outside the State of Illinois and the corporation has no principal business office in this state, the secretary will, on the written request of any shareholder, furnish to that shareholder a copy of the bylaws as amended to date.

 

Section 3. Maintenance and Inspection of Minutes and Accounting Records. The minutes of proceedings of the shareholders, board of directors, and committees of the board, and the accounting books and records, will be kept at the principal executive office of the corporation, or at such other place or places as designated by the board of directors. The minutes and the accounting books and records will be kept either in written form or in a form capable of being converted into written form. The minutes and accounting books and records will be open to inspection on the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate at any reasonable time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder’s interests as a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate. The inspection may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and will include the right to copy and make extracts. These rights of inspection will extend to the records of each subsidiary of the corporation.

 

Section 4. Inspection by Directors. Every director will have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the corporation and each of its subsidiary corporations. This inspection by a director may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.

 

Section 5. Annual Report to Shareholders. The board of directors will cause an annual report to be sent to the shareholders not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year adopted by the corporation. This report will be sent at least 15 days (if third- class mail is used, 35 days) before the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the next fiscal year and in the manner specified for giving notice to shareholders in section 5 of Article II of these bylaws. The annual report will contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and a statement of cash flows for the fiscal year that are (1) prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis and (2) accompanied by any report of independent accountants, or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that the statements were prepared without audit from the corporation’s books and records.

 

Section 6. Financial Statements. The corporation will keep a copy of each annual financial statement, quarterly or other periodic income statement, and accompanying balance sheets prepared by the corporation on file in the corporation’s principal executive office for 12 months; these documents will be exhibited at all reasonable times, or copies provided, to any shareholder on demand.

 

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If no annual report for the last fiscal year has been sent to shareholders, on written request of any shareholder made more than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year the corporation will deliver or mail to the shareholder, within 30 days after receipt of the request, a balance sheet as of the end of that fiscal year and an income statement and statement of cash flows for that fiscal year.

 

A shareholder or shareholders holding 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the corporation may request in writing an income statement for the most recent 3-month, 6-month, or 9-month period (ending more than 30 days before the date of the request) of the current fiscal year, and a balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of that period. If such documents are not already prepared, the chief financial officer will cause them to be prepared and will deliver the documents personally or mail them to the requesting shareholders within 30 days after receipt of the request. A balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows for the last fiscal year will also be included, unless the corporation has sent the shareholders an annual report for the last fiscal year.

 

Quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in this section will be accompanied by the report, if any, of independent accountants engaged by the corporation or the certificate of an authorized corporate officer stating that the financial statements were prepared from the corporation’s books and records without audit.

 

Section 7. Annual Statement of General Information.

 

(a) The corporation shall file a statement with the Secretary of State on the prescribed form, setting forth the authorized number of directors; the names and complete business or residence addresses of all incumbent directors; the names and complete business or residence addresses of the chief executive officer, the secretary, and the chief financial officer; the street address of the corporation’s principal executive office or principal business office in this state; a statement of the general type of business constituting the principal business activity of the corporation; and a designation of the agent of the corporation for the purpose of service of process, all in compliance with Illinois Corporations Code.

 

(b) Despite the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, if there has been no change in the information in the corporation’s last statement on file with the Secretary of State’s office, the corporation may, in lieu of filing the statement described in paragraph (a) of this section, advise the Secretary of State, on the appropriate form, that no changes in the required information have occurred during the applicable period.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

GENERAL CORPORATE MATTERS

 

Section 1. Record Date for Purposes other Than Notice and Voting. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of dividends or other distributions or allotment of rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action (other than voting at and receiving notice of shareholders’ meetings and giving written consent of the shareholders without a meeting), the board of directors may fix in advance a record date, which will be not more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the dividend payment, distribution, allotment, or other action. If a record date is so fixed, only shareholders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to receive the dividend, distribution, or allotment of rights, or to exercise the other rights, as the case may be, despite any transfer of shares on the corporation’s books after the record date, except as otherwise provided by statute.

 

If the board of directors does not so fix a record date in advance, the record date will be at the close of business on the later of: (1) the day on which the board of directors adopts the applicable resolution; or (2) the 60th day before the date of the dividend payment, distribution, allotment of rights, or other action.

 

Section 2. Authorized Signatories for Checks. All checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of or payable to the corporation will be signed or endorsed by the person or persons in the manner authorized from time to time by resolution of the board of directors.

 

Section 3. Executing Corporate Contracts and Instruments. Except as otherwise provided in the articles or in these bylaws, the board of directors by resolution may authorize any officer, officers, agent, or agents to enter into any contract or to execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation. This authority may be general or it may be confined to one or more specific matters. No officer, agent, employee, or other person purporting to act on behalf of the corporation will have any power or authority to bind the corporation in any way, to pledge the corporation’s credit, or to render the corporation liable for any purpose or in any amount, unless that person was acting with authority granted by the board of directors as provided in these bylaws, or unless an unauthorized act was later ratified by the corporation.

 

Section 4. Certificates for Shares. A certificate or certificates for shares of the capital stock of the corporation will be issued to each shareholder when any of the shares are fully paid. In addition to certificates for fully paid shares, the board of directors may authorize the issuance of certificates for shares that are partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the purchase price, provided that the certificates representing partly paid shares will state the total amount of the consideration to be paid for the shares and the amount actually paid. All certificates will certify the number of shares and the class or series of shares represented by the certificate. All certificates will be signed in the name of the corporation by: (1) either the chair of the board of directors, the vice chair of the board of directors, the president, or any vice president; and (2) either the chief financial officer, any assistant treasurer, the secretary, or any assistant secretary.

 

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Any of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. If any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate will have ceased to be that officer, transfer agent, or registrar before that certificate is issued, the certificate may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if that person were an officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 5. Lost Certificates. Except as provided in this section 5, no new certificates for shares will be issued to replace old certificates unless the old certificate is surrendered to the corporation for cancellation at the same time. If share certificates or certificates for any other security have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, the board of directors may authorize the issuance of replacement certificates on terms and conditions as required by the board, which may include a requirement that the owner give the corporation a bond (or other adequate security) sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against it (including any expense or liability) on account of the alleged loss, theft, or destruction of the old certificate or the issuance of the replacement certificate.

 

Section 6. Shares of Other Corporations: How Voted. Shares of other corporations standing in the name of this corporation will be voted by one of the following persons, listed in order of preference: (1) chair of the board, or person designated by the chair of the board; (2) president, or person designated by the president; (3) first vice president, or person designated by the first vice president; (4) other person designated by the board of directors. The authority to vote shares granted by this section includes the authority to execute a proxy in the name of the corporation for purposes of voting the shares.

 

Section 7. Reimbursement of Corporation if Payment Not Tax Deductible. If all or part of the compensation, including expenses, paid by the corporation to a director, officer, employee, or agent is finally determined not to be allowable to the corporation as a federal or state income tax deduction, the director, officer, employee, or agent to whom the payment was made will repay to the corporation the amount disallowed. The board of directors will enforce repayment of each such amount disallowed by the taxing authorities.

 

Section 8. Construction and Definitions.

 

(a) Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in Illinois Corporations Code govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

 

(b) Unless otherwise provided in these bylaws, and subject to any guidelines and procedures that the board may adopt from time to time, the terms “written” and “in writing” as used in these bylaws include any form of recorded message in the English language capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means and may include electronic transmissions such as facsimile or e-mail provided that: (i) for electronic transmissions from this corporation, this corporation has obtained an unrevoked written consent from the recipient to the use of those means of communication; (ii) for electronic transmissions to this corporation, this corporation has in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the individual purporting to have sent the transmission; and (iii) the transmission creates a record that can be retained, retrieved, reviewed, and rendered into clearly legible tangible form.

 

ARTICLE X

 

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1. Amendment by Board of Directors or Shareholders. Except as otherwise required by law or by the articles of incorporation, these bylaws may be amended or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted, by the board of directors or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

 

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify:

 

1.That I am the duly elected and acting the Secretary of Maison International, Inc., an Illinois corporation; and

 

2.That the foregoing Bylaws, comprising 21 pages, were duly adopted by Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors, dated as of July 25, 2019.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name as of July 25, 2019.

 

/s/ John Xu   
John Xu, Secretary  

 

 

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Exhibit 3.4

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.

 

ARTICLE I.

 

CORPORATE OFFICES

 

Section 1.01 Registered Office. The address of the registered office of Maison Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware, and the name of its registered agent at such address, shall be as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may be further amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

 

Section 1.02 Other Offices. The Corporation may have additional offices at any place or places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time establish or as the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 2.01 Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders of the Corporation (the “Stockholders”), may be held at any place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner determined by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, meetings of Stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of Stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication authorized by, and in accordance with, Section 211(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

 

Section 2.02 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of Stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date and time as may be designated by or in the manner determined by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other business as may be properly brought before the annual meeting may be transacted at the annual meeting. The Board of Directors may postpone, recess, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of Stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.03 Special Meetings. Special meetings of Stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called only by a chairperson or co-chairperson of the Board of Directors (a “Chairperson”) or pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board of Directors then in office. For purposes of these Bylaws, the term “Whole Board of Directors” shall mean the total number of authorized directors whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships. Special meetings validly called in accordance with this Section 2.03 of these amended and restated bylaws (as the same may be further amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, these “Bylaws”) may be held at such date and time as specified in the applicable notice. Notice of every special meeting shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the business transacted at any special meeting of Stockholders shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice. The Board of Directors may postpone, recess, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of Stockholders previously scheduled by a Chairperson or the Board of Directors.

 

 

 

 

Section 2.04 Notice of Meetings. Whenever Stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting shall be given that shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which Stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for Stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each Stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Stockholder at such Stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

 

Section 2.05 Adjournments. Any meeting of Stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time by the chairperson of the meeting, whether or not there is a quorum (or, in the absence of a quorum, by the Stockholders in accordance with Section 2.06), to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any, and the same or some other time, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which Stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of Stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for determining Stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 2.09(a) of these Bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Stockholder at such Stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

 

Section 2.06 Quorum. At any meeting of the Stockholders, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation (“Stock”) entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law, the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. In the absence of a quorum, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting or (ii) if the Board of Directors so determines, the Stockholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Stock entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.05 of these Bylaws until a quorum is present or represented. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series of Stock is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of voting power of the shares of such class or classes or series of Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on such matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to the vote on such matter. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.

 

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Section 2.07 Organization. Meetings of Stockholders shall be presided over by a Chairperson or by such other officer or director of the Corporation as designated by the Board of Directors or a Chairperson, or in the absence of such person or designation, by a chairperson chosen at the meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of Stock present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting (provided there is a quorum). The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 2.08 Voting; Proxies. Each Stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of Stockholders shall be entitled to the number of votes, if any, for each share of Stock held of record by such Stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question that is set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or, if such voting power is not set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, one vote per share. Each Stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Stockholders or express consent to corporate action without a meeting (if permitted by the Certificate of Incorporation) may authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy may be authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law and shall be filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A Stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person (including by means of remote communication, if applicable) or by delivering to the Secretary a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date. Voting at meetings of Stockholders need not be by written ballot. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, at all meetings of Stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect directors. No holder of shares of Stock shall have the right to cumulate votes. All other elections and questions presented to the Stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter, unless a different or minimum vote is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities in which case such different or minimum vote shall be the applicable vote required on the matter.

 

Section 2.09 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record.

 

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of Stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of Stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of Stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for Stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of Stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of Section 2.09(a) at the adjourned meeting.

 

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(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining Stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

(c) Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, in order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date for determining Stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting is fixed by the Board of Directors, (i) when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law and (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the record date for such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

Section 2.10 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The Corporation shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of Stockholders, a complete list of the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the Stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth (10th) day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each Stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each Stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any Stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any Stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any Stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the “stock ledger” shall be the only evidence as to who are the Stockholders entitled to examine the list of Stockholders required by this Section 2.10 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of Stockholders. For purposes of these Bylaws, the term “stock ledger” means one or more records administered by or on behalf of the Corporation in which the names of all of the Corporation’s Stockholders of record, the address and number of shares registered in the name of each such Stockholder, and all issuances and transfers of stock of the Corporation are recorded.

 

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Section 2.11 Inspectors of Election. The Corporation may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of Stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. In the event that no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of Stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by law, shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (i) ascertain the number of shares of Stock outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (ii) determine the shares of Stock represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares of Stock represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of Stockholders, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

 

Section 2.12 Conduct of Meetings. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the Stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting designated in accordance with Section 2.07 of these Bylaws. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes or any revocations or changes thereto may be accepted. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of Stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the person presiding over any meeting of Stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of Stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of Stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

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Section 2.13 Advance Notice Procedures for Business Brought before a Meeting. This Section 2.13 shall apply to any business that may be brought before an annual meeting of Stockholders other than nominations for election to the Board of Directors at such a meeting, which shall be governed by Section 2.14 of these Bylaws. Stockholders seeking to nominate Persons for election to the Board of Directors must comply with Section 2.14 of these Bylaws, and this Section 2.13 shall not be applicable to nominations for election to the Board of Directors except as expressly provided in Section 2.14 of these Bylaws.

 

(a) At an annual meeting of the Stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (a) specified in a notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, (b) if not specified in a notice of meeting, otherwise brought before the meeting by the Board of Directors or the chairperson of the meeting, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a Stockholder present in person who (A)(1) was a Stockholder of record of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.13 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) has complied with this Section 2.13 or (B) properly made such proposal in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Act”), which proposal has been included in the proxy statement for the annual meeting. The foregoing clause (c) shall be the exclusive means for a Stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the Stockholders. The only matters that may be brought before a special meeting are the matters specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Person calling the meeting pursuant to Section 2.03 of these Bylaws. For purposes of these Bylaws, “Person” shall mean any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity. For purposes of this Section 2.13 and Section 2.14 of these Bylaws, “present in person” shall mean that the Stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the meeting or, if the proposing Stockholder is not an individual, a qualified representative of such proposing Stockholder, appear at such annual meeting, and a “qualified representative” of such proposing Stockholder shall be, if such proposing Stockholder is (x) a general or limited partnership, any general partner or Person who functions as a general partner of the general or limited partnership or who controls the general or limited partnership, (y) a corporation or a limited liability company, any officer or Person who functions as an officer of the corporation or limited liability company or any officer, director, general partner or Person who functions as an officer, director or general partner of any entity ultimately in control of the corporation or limited liability company or (z) a trust, any trustee of such trust.

 

(b) Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a Stockholder, the Stockholder must (i) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (ii) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.13. To be timely, a Stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the Stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.13(h)) of the date of such annual meeting was first made (such notice within such time periods, “Timely Notice”). In no event shall any adjournment, recess or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of Timely Notice as described above.

 

(c) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.13, a Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

 

(i) As to each Proposing Person (as defined below), (A) the name and address of such Proposing Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporation’s books and records); and (B) the number of shares of each class or series of Stock that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Proposing Person, except that such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of Stock as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) and (B) are referred to as “Stockholder Information”);

 

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(ii) As to each Proposing Person, (A) the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“Synthetic Equity Position”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such Proposing Person with respect to any shares of any class or series of Stock; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further, that any Proposing Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (other than a Proposing Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act solely by reason of Rule 13d- 1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to hold or maintain the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such Proposing Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such Proposing Person arising in the ordinary course of such Proposing Person’s business as a derivatives dealer, (B) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of Stock owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (C) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such Proposing Person is a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation, (D) any other material relationship between such Proposing Person, on the one hand, and the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation, on the other hand, (E) any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement of such Proposing Person with the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (F) a representation that such Proposing Person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or otherwise solicit proxies from Stockholders in support of such proposal and (G) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (G) are referred to as “Disclosable Interests”); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and

 

(iii) As to each item of business that the Stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and the text of any proposed amendment to these Bylaws), (C) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other Person or entity (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and (D) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the disclosures required by this Section 2.13(c) shall not include any disclosures with respect to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the Stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner.

 

(d) For purposes of this Section 2.13, the term “Proposing Person” shall mean (a) the Stockholder providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting is made, and (c) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such Stockholder in such solicitation.

 

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(e) A Proposing Person shall update and supplement its notice to the Corporation of its intent to propose business at an annual meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall be true and correct as of the record date for Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a Stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a Stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding matters, business or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the Stockholders.

 

(f) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting that is not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.13. The presiding officer of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.13, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

(g) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.13 with respect to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such business. Nothing in this Section 2.13 shall be deemed to affect the rights of Stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

(h) For purposes of these Bylaws, “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Section 2.14 Advance Notice Procedures for Nominations of Directors.

 

(a) Nominations of any person for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting or at a special meeting (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) may be made at such meeting only (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, including by any committee authorized to do so by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, or (b) by a Stockholder present in person (as defined in Section 2.13) (1) who was a Stockholder of record of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.14 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) has complied with this Section 2.14 as to such notice and nomination. The foregoing clause (b) shall be the exclusive means for a Stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at any annual meeting or special meeting of Stockholders.

 

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(b) (i) Without qualification, for a Stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting, the Stockholder must (a) provide Timely Notice (as defined in Section 2.13(b) of these Bylaws) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (b) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such Stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required by this Section 2.14, and (c) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.14.

 

(ii) Without qualification, if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling a special meeting, then for a Stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting, the Stockholder must (A) provide timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (B) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such Stockholder and its candidate for nomination required by this Section 2.14, and (C) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.14. To be timely for purposes of this Section 2.14(b)(ii), a Stockholder’s notice for nominations to be made at a special meeting must be delivered to, or mailed to and received by the Secretary of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.13(h)) of the date of such special meeting was first made.

 

(iii) In no event shall any adjournment, recess or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(iv) In no event may a Nominating Person (as defined below) provide notice under this Section 2.14 or otherwise with respect to a greater number of director candidates than are subject to election by Stockholders at the applicable meeting. If the Corporation shall, subsequent to such notice, increase the number of directors subject to election at the meeting, such notice as to any additional nominees shall be due on the later of (i) the conclusion of the time period for Timely Notice (with respect to an annual meeting), (ii) the date set forth in Section 2.14(b)(ii) (with respect to a special meeting) or (iii) the tenth (10th) day following the date of public disclosure (as defined in Section 1.23(h)) of such increase.

 

(c) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.14, a Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

 

(i) As to each Nominating Person, the Stockholder Information (as defined in Section 2.13(c)(i) of these Bylaws) except that for purposes of this Section 2.14, the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.13(c)(i);

 

(ii) As to each Nominating Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined in Section 2.13(c)(ii), except that for purposes of this Section 2.14 the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.13(c)(ii) and the disclosure with respect to the business to be brought before the meeting in Section 2.13(c)(iii) shall be made with respect to nomination of each Person for election as a director at the meeting); and

 

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(iii) As to each candidate whom a Nominating Person proposes to nominate for election as a director, (A) all information with respect to such candidate for nomination that would be required to be set forth in a Stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.14 if such candidate for nomination were a Nominating Person, (B) all information relating to such candidate for nomination that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act (including such candidate’s written consent to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement as a nominee of the Nominating Person and to serving as a director if elected), (C) a description of any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement between or among any Nominating Person, on the one hand, and each candidate for nomination or any other participants in such solicitation, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such Nominating Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the candidate for nomination were a director or executive officer of such registrant (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (C) are referred to as “Nominee Information”), and (D) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in Section 2.14(f).

 

(d) For purposes of this Section 2.14, the term “Nominating Person” shall mean (a) the Stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is made and (c) any other participant in such solicitation.

 

(e) A Stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be true and correct as of the record date for Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a Stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a Stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any nomination or to submit any new nomination.

 

(f) To be eligible to be a candidate for election as a director of the Corporation at an annual or special meeting, a candidate must be nominated in the manner prescribed in this Section 2.14 and the candidate for nomination, whether nominated by the Board of Directors or by a Stockholder of record, must have previously delivered (in accordance with the time period prescribed for delivery in a notice to such candidate given by or on behalf of the Board of Directors), to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (i) a completed written questionnaire (in the form provided by the Corporation) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such candidate for nomination and (ii) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Corporation upon written request therefor) that such candidate for nomination (A) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any Person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation or reimbursement for service as a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed in such written questionnaire, (B) has not given and will not (1) give any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such proposed nominee, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) or (2) enter into any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law and (C) if elected as a director of the Corporation, will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to all directors and in effect during such Person’s term in office as a director (and, if requested by any candidate for nomination, the Secretary of the Corporation shall provide to such candidate for nomination all such policies and guidelines then in effect).

 

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(g) The Board of Directors may also require any proposed candidate for nomination as a Director to furnish such other information as may reasonably be requested by the Board of Directors in writing prior to the meeting of Stockholders at which such candidate’s nomination is to be acted upon in order for the Board of Directors to determine the eligibility of such candidate for nomination to be an independent director of the Corporation.

 

(h) A candidate for nomination as a director shall further update and supplement the materials delivered pursuant to this Section 2.14, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be true and correct as of the record date for Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (or any other office specified by the Corporation in any public announcement) (A) not later than five (5) business days after the record date for Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and (B) not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any nomination or to submit any new nomination.

 

(i) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.14 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.

 

(j) No candidate proposed by a Nominating Person shall be eligible for nomination as a director of the Corporation unless such candidate for nomination and the Nominating Person seeking to place such candidate’s name in nomination has complied with this Section 2.14, as applicable. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with this Section 2.14, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determination to the meeting, the defective nomination shall be disregarded and any ballots cast for the candidate in question (but in the case of any form of ballot listing other qualified nominees, only the ballots case for the nominee in question) shall be void and of no force or effect.

 

(k) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no candidate proposed by a Nominating Person for nomination at an annual or special meeting shall be eligible to be seated as a director of the Corporation unless nominated and elected in accordance with this Section 2.14.

 

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ARTICLE III.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.01 Number; Tenure; Qualifications. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board of Directors. Each director shall hold office until his or her death, resignation, disqualification or removal, or as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be Stockholders to be qualified for election or service as a director of the Corporation.

 

Section 3.02 Election; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of Stockholders by such Stockholders that have the right to vote on such election. Any director may resign at any time upon written or electronic notice to the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon delivery unless otherwise specified. Directors of the Corporation may be removed only as expressly provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Any director so chosen shall hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified.

 

Section 3.03 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such places, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, and at such times as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. A notice of regular meetings shall not be required.

 

Section 3.04 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by a Chairperson or a majority of the directors then in office and shall be held at such time, date and place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware as he or she or they shall fix. Notice to directors of the date, place and time of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the directors calling the meeting. Notice may be given in person, by United States first-class mail, or by e-mail, telephone, telecopier, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission. If the notice is delivered in person, by e-mail, telephone, telecopier, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission, it shall be delivered or sent at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting.

 

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Section 3.05 Telephonic Meetings Permitted. Members of the Board of Directors may participate in any meetings of the Board of Directors thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.05 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 3.06 Quorum; Vote Required for Action. At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the Whole Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided that, solely for the purposes of filling vacancies pursuant to Section 3.02 of these Bylaws, a meeting of the Board of Directors may be held if a majority of the directors then in office participate in such meeting. The affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

Section 3.07 Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by at least one Chairperson, or in his, her or their absence by the person whom a Chairperson shall designate, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a Chairperson chosen at the meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the Chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 3.08 Action by Unanimous Consent of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. Thereafter, the writing or writings or electronic transmissions shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee in accordance with applicable law.

 

Section 3.09 Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary or other compensation as a director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed compensation for attending committee meetings. Any director of the Corporation may decline any or all such compensation payable to such director in his or her discretion.

 

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Section 3.10 Chairpersons. The Board of Directors may appoint from its members a Chairperson or Chairpersons of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, from time to time appoint one or more vice chairpersons (each, a “Vice Chairperson”) each of whom as such shall report directly to the Chairperson or Chairpersons, as applicable.

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

COMMITTEES

 

Section 4.01 Committees. With the affirmative vote of a majority of the Whole Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of any committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by law and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the resolution of the Board of Directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the resolution of the Board of Directors designating the committee (or resolution of the committee designating the subcommittee, if applicable), a majority of the directors then serving on a committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the members of the committee or subcommittee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee or subcommittee. Special meetings of any committee of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairperson of such committee or a majority of the members of such committee.

 

Section 4.02 Committee Minutes. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

Section 4.03 Committee Rules. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board of Directors may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to Article III of these Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 5.01 Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer and a Secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairperson or Chairpersons of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, one (1) or more Assistant Secretaries, one (1) or more Assistant Treasurers, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No officer need be a stockholder or director of the Corporation.

 

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Section 5.02 Appointment of Officers. The Board of Directors shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.03 of these Bylaws.

 

Section 5.03 Subordinate Officer. The Board of Directors may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, subject in each case to the control of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.04 Removal and Resignation of Officers. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. If a resignation is made effective at a later date and the Corporation accepts the future effective date, the Board of Directors may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the Board of Directors provides that the successor shall not take office until the effective date. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

 

Section 5.05 Vacancies in Offices. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors or as provided in Section 5.03.

 

Section 5.06 Chief Executive Officer. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to a Chairperson, if any, the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) (if such an officer is appointed) shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and the officers of the Corporation. In the absence or nonexistence of a Chairperson, the CEO shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he or she is present and shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of chief executive officer of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

 

Section 5.07 President. The Board of Directors may appoint a President. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to a Chairperson (if any) or the CEO, the President, if appointed, shall have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and other officers of the Corporation. He or she shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

 

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Section 5.08 Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or such other place as the Board of Directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors, committees of directors, and Stockholders. The minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, the names of those present at directors’ meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at Stockholders’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, a stock ledger, or a duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of all Stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares (if such shares are to be certificated), and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Stockholders and of the Board of Directors required to be given by law or by these Bylaws. He or she shall keep the seal of the Corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws.

 

Section 5.09 Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) shall be the treasurer and shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director. The CFO shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation with such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the President, if any is appointed, the CEO, or the directors, upon request, an account of all his or her transactions as CFO and of the financial condition of the Corporation, and shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

 

Section 5.10 Representation of Equity Interests of Other Entities. Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the CEO or the President or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors, the CEO or the President is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares, securities or interests of any other corporation or entity standing in the name of the Corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

Section 5.11 Authority and Duties of Officers. All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such powers and authority and shall perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be provided herein or designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.12 Compensation. The compensation of the officers of the Corporation for their services as such shall be fixed from time to time by or at the direction of the Board of Directors. An officer of the Corporation shall not be prevented from receiving compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE VI.

 

STOCK

 

Section 6.01 Certificates. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors by resolution may provide that some or all of the shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by a certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, any two officers authorized to sign stock certificates representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. The Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Board, CEO, the President, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall be specifically authorized to sign stock certificates. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

The Corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the Corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

 

Section 6.02 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate for shares of Stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares. The Board of Directors may establish regulations, rules or procedures concerning the proof required for adequately alleging the loss, theft or destruction of any Stock certificate and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or bonds of indemnity.

 

Section 6.03 Shares Without Certificates. The Corporation may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares of stock by electronic or other means not involving the issuance of certificates, provided the use of such system by the Corporation is permitted in accordance with applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

 

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

 

Section 7.01 Right to Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (including as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), any person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (any such action, suit or proceeding, a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 7.04 of these Bylaws, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.02 Indemnification of Others. The Corporation shall have the power (but not the obligation) to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she, or a Person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with any such proceeding.

 

Section 7.03 Advancement of Expenses. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VII or otherwise.

 

Section 7.04 Claims. If a claim for indemnification under this Article VII (following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full within sixty (60) days after the Corporation has received a written claim therefor by the Covered Person, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Article VII is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after the Corporation has received a written statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the Covered Person shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. If successful in whole or in part, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

 

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Section 7.05 Non-exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquires under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of Stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

Section 7.06 Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust enterprise or non-profit entity against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

 

Section 7.07 Other Sources. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such Covered Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.

 

Section 7.08 Continuation of Indemnification. The rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VII shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and distributees of such Person.

 

Section 7.09 Amendment or Repeal. Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses of any Covered Person arising hereunder shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal of these Bylaws or an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.

 

Section 7.10 Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. This Article VII shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.

 

ARTICLE VIII.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 8.01 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8.02 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments. The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount. Any document, including without limitation, any consent, agreement, certificate or instrument, required by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be executed by any officer, director, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation may be executed using a facsimile or other form of electronic signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. All other contracts, agreements, certificates or instruments to be executed on behalf of the Corporation may be executed using a facsimile or other form of electronic signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

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Section 8.03 Dividends. The Board of Directors, subject to any restrictions contained in either (i) the DGCL or (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation, may declare and pay dividends out of funds legally available therefor upon the shares of its capital Stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s capital Stock. The Board of Directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, and meeting contingencies.

 

Section 8.04 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation: (i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a Person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner; and (ii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 8.05 Corporate Seal. The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board of Directors. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

Section 8.06 Construction; Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.

 

Section 8.07 Manner of Notice.

 

(a) Notice by Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to Stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any notice to Stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission to the extent permitted by law.

 

Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given (i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the Stockholder has consented to receive notice; (ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to such Stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the Stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail; (iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the Stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the Stockholder. A notice by electronic mail must include a prominent legend that the communication is an important notice regarding the Corporation.

 

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An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For the purposes of these Bylaws, an “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

(b) Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to Stockholders, and except as prohibited by applicable law, any notice to Stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to Stockholders who share an address if consented to by the Stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the Stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any Stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation, within sixty (60) days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice permitted under this Section 8.07, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

(c) Notice to Directors. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to any director may be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to such director at such director’s address appearing on the books of the Corporation, or may be given by telephone or by any means of electronic transmission (including, without limitation, electronic mail) directed to an address for receipt by such director of electronic transmissions appearing on the books of the Corporation.

 

Section 8.08 Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees. A written waiver of any notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether given before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Stockholders, Board of Directors, or committee or subcommittee of the Board of Directors need be specified in a waiver of notice.

 

Section 8.09 Form of Records. Any records maintained by or on behalf of the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device, method or one or more electronic networks or databases, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time, and the stock ledger is maintained in accordance with applicable law.

 

Section 8.10 Amendment of Bylaws. Subject to any additional vote required by the Certificate of Incorporation, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, repeal, alter, amend or rescind these Bylaws. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Board of Directors shall be required in order for the Board of Directors to adopt, repeal, alter, amend or rescind these Bylaws. The Stockholders shall also have power to adopt, repeal, alter, amend or rescind these Bylaws. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such adoption, repeal, alteration, amendment or rescission of these Bylaws by the Stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

 

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.

2023 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. ESTABLISHMENT, EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM

 

Maison Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Maison Solutions”), hereby establishes the Maison Solutions Inc. Stock Incentive Plan. The Effective Date of the Plan shall be the later of: (i) the date the Plan was approved by the Board, and (ii) the date the Plan was approved by stockholders of Maison Solutions in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 14(l) hereof, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Capitalized terms used herein are defined in Annex A attached hereto.

 

2. PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Plan is to enable Maison Solutions to attract, retain, reward and motivate Eligible Individuals by providing them with an opportunity to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in Maison Solutions and to incentivize them to expend maximum effort for the growth and success of the Company, so as to strengthen the mutuality of the interests between the Eligible Individuals and the stockholders of Maison Solutions.

 

3. ELIGIBILITY

 

Awards may be granted under the Plan to any Eligible Individual, as determined by the Committee from time to time, on the basis of their importance to the business of the Company, pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

 

4. ADMINISTRATION

 

(a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have the full power and authority to take all actions, and to make all determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan and deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award granted or any Award Agreement entered into hereunder. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect as it may determine in its sole discretion. The decisions by the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding with respect to the interpretation and administration of the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement entered into under the Plan.

 

(b) Delegation to Officers or Employees. The Committee may designate officers or employees of the Company to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan. The Committee may delegate authority to officers or employees of the Company to grant Awards and execute Award Agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee in connection with the administration of the Plan, subject to whatever limitations or restrictions the Committee may impose in accordance with applicable law and to the extent that such delegation will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16(b)-3(d)(1) for Awards grants to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company and will not result in a related-person transaction with an executive officer required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulations S-K (in accordance with Instruction 5.a.ii thereunder) under the Exchange Act.

 

(c) Designation of Advisors. The Committee may designate professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan. The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants, and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any advice and any computation received from any such counsel, consultant, or agent. The Company shall pay all expenses and costs incurred by the Committee for the engagement of any such counsel, consultant, or agent.

 

(d) Participants Outside the U.S. In order to conform with the provisions of local laws and regulations of foreign countries that may affect the Awards or the Participants, the Committee shall have the sole discretion to (i) modify the terms and conditions of the Awards granted under the Plan to Eligible Individuals located outside the United States; (ii) establish subplans with such modifications as may be necessary or advisable under the circumstances present by local laws and regulations; and (iii) take any action that it deems advisable to comply with or otherwise reflect any necessary governmental regulatory procedures, or to obtain any exemptions or approvals necessary with respect to the Plan or any subplan established hereunder.

 

 

 

 

(e) Liability and Indemnification. No Covered Individual shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award granted hereunder or any Award Agreement entered into hereunder. The Company shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Maison Solutions, indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Individual against any cost or expense (including reasonable attorney fees reasonably acceptable to the Company) or liability (including any amount paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Company), and amounts advanced to such Covered Individual necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan, any Award granted hereunder or any Award Agreement entered into hereunder. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any rights of indemnification such individuals may have under other agreements, applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Maison Solutions. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by a Covered Individual with regard to Awards granted to such Covered Individual under the Plan or arising out of such Covered Individual’s own fraud or bad faith.

 

5. SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

 

(a) Shares Available for Awards. The Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be treasury shares or authorized but unissued shares of the Common Stock. The total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be 3,000,000 shares. A maximum of 3,000,000 shares of Maison Solutions stock may be subject to grants of Incentive Stock Options.

 

(b) Reduction of Shares Available for Awards. Upon the granting of an Award, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under this Section for the granting of further Awards shall be reduced as follows:

 

(i) In connection with the granting of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares of Common Stock shall be reduced by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option or Stock Appreciation Right;

 

(ii) In connection with the granting of an Award that is settled in Common Stock, other than the granting of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares of Common Stock shall be reduced by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award; and

 

(iii) Awards settled in cash or property other than Common Stock shall not count against the total number of shares of Common Stock available to be granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(c) Cancelled, Forfeited, or Surrendered Awards. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, if any award under this Plan is cancelled, forfeited or terminated for any reason prior to exercise, delivery or becoming vested in full, the shares of Common Stock that were subject to such Award shall, to the extent cancelled, forfeited or terminated, immediately become available for future Awards granted under this Plan; provided, however, that any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that is cancelled, forfeited or terminated in order to pay the exercise price of a stock option, purchase price or any taxes or tax withholdings on an award shall not be available for future Awards granted under this Plan.

 

(d) Recapitalization. If the outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities by reason of any recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, stock split, reverse split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock of Maison Solutions or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt of consideration by Maison Solutions occurring after the effective date, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made by the Committee to: (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan (including, but not limited to, the limits of the number of shares of Common Stock described in Section 5(a)), (ii) the calculation of the reduction of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan, (iii) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan and/or (iv) the Exercise Price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan. No fractional shares of Common Stock or units of other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment under this Section 5(d), and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share or unit. Any adjustments made under this Section 5(d) with respect to any Incentive Stock Options must be made in accordance with Code Section 424.

 

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6. OPTIONS

 

(a) Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine, Options to purchase such number of shares of Common Stock and on such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Each grant of an Option shall satisfy the requirements set forth in this Section.

 

(b) Type of Options. Each Option granted under the Plan may be designated by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as either (i) an Incentive Stock Option, or (ii) a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Options designated as Incentive Stock Options that fail to continue to meet the requirements of Code Section 422 shall be re-designated as Non-Qualified Stock Options automatically on the date of such failure to continue to meet such requirements without further action by the Committee. In the absence of any designation, Options granted under the Plan will be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

(c) Exercise Price. Subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options, the Exercise Price of an Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the respective Award Agreement, provided that the Exercise Price of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option may not be less than Fair Market Value of such Common Stock on the Grant Date, or if greater, the par value of the Common Stock.

 

(d) Limitation on Repricing. Unless such action is approved by Maison Solutions’ stockholders in accordance with applicable law: (i) no outstanding Option granted under the Plan may be amended to provide an Exercise Price that is lower than the then-current Exercise Price of such outstanding Option (other than adjustments to the Exercise Price pursuant to Sections 5(d) and 11); (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option and grant in substitution therefore new Awards under the Plan covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an Exercise Price lower than the then-current Exercise Price of the cancelled Option (other than adjustments to the Exercise Price pursuant to Sections 5(e) and 11); and (iii) the Committee may not authorize the repurchase of an outstanding Option that has an Exercise Price that is higher than the then-current fair market value of the Common Stock (other than adjustments to the Exercise Price pursuant to Sections 5(d) and 11).

 

(e) Limitation on Option Period. Subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options, Options granted under the Plan and all rights to purchase Common Stock thereunder shall terminate no later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date of such Options, or on such earlier date as may be stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option. In the case of Options expiring prior to the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, the Committee may in its discretion, at any time prior to the expiration or termination of said Options, extend the term of any such Options for such additional period as it may determine, but in no event beyond the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date thereof.

 

(f) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the following provisions shall apply with respect to Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(i) Limitation on Grants. Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Section 424 Employees. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock for which any individual may have Incentive Stock Options that first become vested and exercisable in any calendar year (under all incentive stock option plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000. Options granted to such individual in excess of the $100,000 limitation, and any Options issued subsequently that first become vested and exercisable in the same calendar year, shall automatically be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

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(ii) Minimum Exercise Price. In no event may the Exercise Price of a share of Common Stock subject an Incentive Stock Option be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share of Common Stock on the Grant Date.

 

(iii) Ten Percent Stockholder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Section 424 Employee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns (after application of the rules set forth in Code Section 424(d)) stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of Maison Solutions, such Incentive Stock Options (i) must have an Exercise Price per share of Common Stock that is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value as of the Grant Date of a share of Common Stock, and (ii) must not be exercisable after the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date.

 

(g) Vesting Schedule and Conditions. No Options may be exercised prior to the satisfaction of the conditions and vesting schedule provided for in the Plan and in the Award Agreement relating thereto.

 

(h) Exercise. When the conditions to the exercise of an Option have been satisfied, the Participant may exercise the Option only in accordance with the following provisions. The Participant shall deliver to Maison Solutions a written notice stating that the Participant is exercising the Option and specifying the number of shares of Common Stock that are to be purchased pursuant to the Option, and such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Exercise Price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised, by one or more of the methods provided for in the Plan. An attempt to exercise any Option granted hereunder other than as set forth in the Plan shall be invalid and of no force and effect.

 

(i) Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be made by one of the following methods:

 

(i) by cash, certified or cashier’s check, bank draft or money order;

 

(ii) through the delivery to Maison Solutions of shares of Common Stock that have been previously owned by the Participant for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to Maison Solutions’ earnings for financial reporting purposes; such shares shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which the Exercise Price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise; without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may require the Participant to furnish an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Committee to the effect that such delivery would not result in Maison Solutions incurring any liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; or

 

(iii) by any other method that the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, may permit, including, but not limited to through a “cashless exercise sale and remittance procedure” pursuant to which the Participant shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions (1) to a brokerage firm approved by the Committee to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to Maison Solutions, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable federal, state and local income, employment, excise, foreign and other taxes required to be withheld by the Company by reason of such exercise and (2) to Maison Solutions to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale.

 

(j) Termination of Employment. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, upon the termination of the employment or other service of a Participant with Company for any reason, all of the Participant’s outstanding Options (whether vested or unvested) shall be subject to the rules of this paragraph. Upon such termination, the Participant’s unvested Options shall expire. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Committee may provide, in its sole and absolute discretion, that following the termination of employment or other service of a Participant with the Company for any reason (i) any unvested Options held by the Participant shall vest in whole or in part, at any time subsequent to such termination of employment or other service, and/or (ii) a Participant or the Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable), may exercise an Option, in whole or in part, at any time subsequent to such termination of employment or other service and prior to the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms that are unrelated to termination of service. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, temporary absence from employment or other service because of illness, vacation, approved leaves of absence or military service shall not constitute a termination of employment or other service.

 

(i) Termination for Reason Other Than Cause, Disability or Death. If a Participant’s termination of employment or other service is for any reason other than death, Disability, Cause or a voluntary termination within ninety (90) days after occurrence of an event that would be grounds for termination of employment or other service by the Company for Cause, any Option held by such Participant may be exercised, to the extent exercisable at termination, by the Participant at any time within a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of such termination, but in no event after the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms that are unrelated to termination of service.

 

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(ii) Disability. If a Participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company is by reason of a Disability of such Participant, any Option held by such Participant may be exercised, to the extent exercisable at termination, by the Participant at any time within a period not to exceed one (1) year after such termination, but in no event after the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms that are unrelated to termination of service; provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such period, any vested Option held by such Participant upon death shall be exercisable by the Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable) for a period not to exceed one (1) year after the Participant’s death, but in no event after the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms that are unrelated to termination of service.

 

(iii) Death. If a Participant dies while in the employment or other service of the Company, any Option held by such Participant may be exercised, to the extent exercisable at termination, by the Participant’s estate or the devisee named in the Participant’s valid last will and testament or the Participant’s heir at law who inherits the Option, at any time within a period not to exceed one (1) year after the date of such Participant’s death, but in no event after the termination of the Option pursuant to its terms that are unrelated to termination of service.

 

(iv) Termination for Cause. In the event the termination is for Cause or is a voluntary termination within ninety (90) days after occurrence of an event that would be grounds for termination of employment or other service by the Company for Cause (without regard to any notice or cure period requirement), any Option held by the Participant at the time of such termination shall be deemed to have terminated and expired upon the date of such termination.

 

7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine, Stock Appreciation Rights, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Each grant of a Stock Appreciation Right shall satisfy the requirements as set forth in this Section.

 

(b) Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the terms and conditions (including, without limitation, the limitations on the Exercise Price, exercise period, repricing and termination) of the Stock Appreciation Right shall be substantially identical (to the extent possible taking into account the differences related to the character of the Stock Appreciation Right) to the terms and conditions that would have been applicable under Section 6 above were the grant of the Stock Appreciation Rights a grant of an Option.

 

(c) Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercised by a Participant only by written notice delivered to Maison Solutions, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised.

 

(d) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant or Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable) shall be entitled to receive payment, in cash, in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. The amount of such payment shall be determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date, by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Rights are then being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right by including such limitation in the Award Agreement.

 

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8. RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall satisfy the requirements as set forth in this Section.

 

(b) Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such restrictions on any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, time-based vesting restrictions or the attainment of Performance Goals. The determination with respect to achievement of Performance Goals shall be made pursuant to Section 9 hereof.

 

(c) Certificates and Certificate Legend. With respect to a grant of Restricted Stock, the Company may issue a certificate evidencing such Restricted Stock to the Participant or issue and hold such shares of Restricted Stock for the benefit of the Participant until the applicable restrictions expire. The Company may legend the certificate representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions. In addition to any such legends, each certificate representing shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan shall bear the following legend:

 

“Shares of stock represented by this certificate are subject to certain terms, conditions, and restrictions on transfer as set forth in Maison Solutions Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), and in an agreement entered into by and between the registered owner of such shares and Maison Solutions Inc. (the “Company”), dated ___________________ (the “Award Agreement”). A copy of the Plan and the Award Agreement may be obtained from the Secretary of the Company.”

 

(d) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, shares of Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by the Participant upon the lapse of the applicable restrictions. Once the shares of Restricted Stock are released from the restrictions, the Participant shall be entitled to have the legend required by paragraph (c) above removed from the share certificate evidencing such Restricted Stock and the Company shall pay or distribute to the Participant all dividends and distributions held in escrow by the Company with respect to such Restricted Stock, if any.

 

(e) Stockholder Rights. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, until the expiration of all applicable restrictions, (i) the Restricted Stock shall be treated as outstanding, (ii) the Participant holding shares of Restricted Stock may exercise full voting rights with respect to such shares, and (iii) the Participant holding shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares while they are so held. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in shares of Common Stock, such shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, at the discretion of the Committee, all such dividends and distributions may be held in escrow by the Company (subject to the same restrictions on forfeitability) until all restrictions on the respective Restricted Stock have lapsed. Holders of the Restricted Stock Units shall not have any of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote or receive dividends and other distributions, until Common Stock shall have been issued in the Participant’s name pursuant to the Restricted Stock Units; provided, however the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may provide for Dividend Equivalents on vested Restricted Stock Units.

 

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(f) Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates for any reason, all unvested shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant and any dividends or distributions held in escrow by the Company with respect to Restricted Stock shall be forfeited immediately and returned to the Company. Notwithstanding this paragraph, to the extent applicable, all grants of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that vest solely upon the attainment of Performance Goals shall be treated pursuant to the terms and conditions that would have been applicable under Section 9 as if such grants were Awards of Performance Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Committee may provide, in its sole and absolute discretion, that following the termination of employment or other service of a Participant with the Company for any reason, any unvested shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant that vest solely upon a future service requirement shall vest in whole or in part, at any time subsequent to such termination of employment or other service.

 

(g) Payment of Common Stock with respect to Restricted Stock Units. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless otherwise provided in the Award agreement, Common Stock will be issued with respect to Restricted Stock Units no later than March 15 of the year immediately following the year in which the Restricted Stock Units are first no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as such term is defined in Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder (“RSU Payment Date”). In the event that Participant has elected to defer the receipt of Common Stock pursuant to an Award Agreement beyond the RSU Payment Date, then the Common Stock will be issued at the time specified in the Award Agreement or related deferral election form. In addition, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if the receipt of Common Stock is deferred past the RSU Payment Date, Dividend Equivalents on the Common Stock covered by Restricted Stock Units shall be deferred until the RSU Payment Date.

 

9. PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS

 

(a) Grant of Performance Shares and Performance Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may grant to such Eligible Individuals as the Committee may determine, Performance Shares and Performance Units, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

(b) Performance Goals. Performance Goals will be determined by the Committee in its absolute and sole discretion.

 

(c) Terms and Conditions of Performance Shares and Performance Units. The applicable Award Agreement shall set forth (i) the number of Performance Shares or the dollar value of Performance Units granted to the Participant; (ii) the Performance Period and Performance Goals with respect to each such Award; (iii) the threshold, target and maximum shares of Common Stock or dollar values of each Performance Share or Performance Unit and corresponding Performance Goals; and (iv) any other terms and conditions as the Committee determines in its sole and absolute discretion. The Committee shall establish, in its sole and absolute discretion, the Performance Goals for the applicable Performance Period for each Performance Share or Performance Unit granted hereunder. Performance Goals for different Participants and for different grants of Performance Shares and Performance Units need not be identical. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, a holder of Performance Units or Performance Shares is not entitled to the rights of a holder of Common Stock.

 

(d) Determination and Payment of Performance Units or Performance Shares Earned. The Committee shall determine the extent to which Performance Shares or Performance Units have been earned on the basis of the Company’s actual performance in relation to the established Performance Goals as set forth in the applicable Award. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion whether payment with respect to the Performance Share or Performance Unit shall be made in cash, in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination thereof.

 

(e) Termination of Employment. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates for any reason, all of the Participant’s outstanding Performance Shares and Performance Units shall be subject to the rules of this Section.

 

(i) Termination for Reason Other Than Death or Disability. If a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates prior to the expiration of a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Units or Performance Shares held by such Participant for any reason other than death or Disability, the outstanding Performance Units or Performance Shares held by such Participant for which the Performance Period has not yet expired shall terminate upon such termination of employment or other service with the Company and the Participant shall have no further rights pursuant to such Performance Units or Performance Shares.

 

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(ii) Termination of Employment for Death or Disability. If a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company terminates by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability prior to the end of a Performance Period, the Participant, or the Participant’s estate, devisee or heir at law (whichever is applicable) shall be entitled to a payment of the Participant’s outstanding Performance Units and Performance Shares, pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the Participant’s Award Agreement; provided, however, that the Participant shall be deemed to have earned only that proportion (to the nearest whole unit or share) of the Performance Units or Performance Shares granted to the Participant under such Award as the number of full months of the Performance Period which have elapsed since the first day of the Performance Period for which the Award was granted to the end of the month in which the Participant’s termination of employment or other service, bears to the total number of months in the Performance Period, subject to the attainment of the Performance Goals associated with the Award as certified by the Committee. The remaining Performance Units or Performance Shares and any rights with respect thereto shall be canceled and forfeited.

 

10. OTHER AWARDS

 

Awards of shares of Common Stock, phantom stock and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, may also be made, from time to time, to Eligible Individuals as may be selected by the Committee. Such Common Stock may be issued in satisfaction of Awards granted under any other plan sponsored by the Company or compensation payable to an Eligible Individual. In addition, such Awards may be made alone or in addition to or in connection with any other Award granted hereunder. The Committee may determine the terms and conditions of any such Award. Each such Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement between the Eligible Individual and the Company that shall specify the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, any consideration therefore, any vesting or performance requirements, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

11. CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, provide on a case by case basis that (i) all Awards shall terminate, provided that Participants shall have the right, immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control and during such reasonable period as the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine and designate, to exercise any Award, (ii) all Awards shall terminate, provided that Participants shall be entitled to a cash payment equal to the Change in Control Price with respect to shares subject to the vested portion of the Award net of the Exercise Price thereof, if applicable, (iii) in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of Maison Solutions, the Awards, to the extent vested, shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds net of the Exercise Price (if applicable), (iv) accelerate the vesting of Awards and (v) any combination of the foregoing. In the event that the Committee does not terminate or convert an Award upon a Change in Control of Maison Solutions, then the Award shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring, or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof).

 

12. CHANGE IN STATUS OF PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY

 

Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that an entity or business unit that was previously a part of the Company is no longer a part of the Company, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion: (i) provide on a case by case basis that some or all outstanding Awards held by a Participant employed by or performing service for such entity or business unit may become immediately exercisable or vested, without regard to any limitation imposed pursuant to this Plan; (ii) provide on a case by case basis that some or all outstanding Awards held by a Participant employed by or performing service for such entity or business unit may remain outstanding, may continue to vest, and/or may remain exercisable for a period not exceeding one (1) year, subject to the terms of the Award Agreement and this Plan; and/or (iii) treat the employment or other services of a Participant performing services for such entity or business unit as terminated, if such Participant is not employed by Maison Solutions or any entity that is a part of the Company, immediately after such event.

 

8

 

 

13. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

 

(a) Violations of Law. The Company shall not be required to make any payments, sell or issue any shares of Common Stock under any Award if the sale or issuance of such shares would constitute a violation by the individual exercising the Award, the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation any provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations. Any determination in this connection by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Award, the issuance of shares pursuant thereto or the grant of an Award to comply with any law or regulation of any governmental authority.

 

(b) Registration. At the time of any exercise or receipt of any Award, the Company may, if it shall determine it necessary or desirable for any reason, require the Participant (or Participant’s heirs, legatees or legal representative, as the case may be), as a condition to the exercise or grant thereof, to deliver to the Company a written representation of present intention to hold the shares for their own account as an investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of such shares, except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws with respect thereto. In the event such representation is required to be delivered, an appropriate legend may be placed upon each certificate delivered to the Participant (or Participant’s heirs, legatees or legal representative, as the case may be) upon the Participant’s exercise of part or all of the Award or receipt of an Award and a stop transfer order may be placed with the transfer agent. Each Award shall also be subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Company determines, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject to the Award upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of the shares thereunder, the Award may not be exercised in whole or in part and the restrictions on an Award may not be removed unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company in its sole discretion. The Participant shall provide the Company with any certificates, representations and information that the Company requests and shall otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval that the Company deems necessary or appropriate. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercisability or vesting of an Award, to cause the exercise of an Award or the issuance of shares pursuant thereto, or to cause the grant of Award to comply with any law or regulation of any governmental authority.

 

(c) Withholding. The Committee may make such provisions and take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes that the Company is required by any law or regulation of any governmental authority, whether federal, state or local, domestic or foreign, to withhold in connection with the grant or exercise of an Award, or the removal of restrictions on an Award including, but not limited to: (i) the withholding of delivery of shares of Common Stock until the holder reimburses the Company for the amount the Company is required to withhold with respect to such taxes; (ii) the canceling of any number of shares of Common Stock issuable in an amount sufficient to reimburse the Company for the amount it is required to so withhold; (iii) withholding the amount due from any such person’s wages or compensation due to such person; or (iv) requiring the Participant to pay the Company cash in the amount the Company is required to withhold with respect to such taxes.

 

(d) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

14. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a) Award Agreements. All Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Award Agreement shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award granted and shall contain any additional provisions, as the Committee shall deem appropriate, in its sole and absolute discretion (including, to the extent that the Committee deems appropriate, provisions relating to confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and similar matters). The terms of each Award Agreement need not be identical for Eligible Individuals provided that each Award Agreement shall comply with the terms of the Plan.

 

9

 

 

(b) Exemption from Section 16(b) Liability. It is the intent of the Company that the grant of any Awards to or other transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exempt from Section 16 pursuant to an applicable exemption (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by such Participant and sales transactions to persons other than the Company). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 then applicable to any such transaction, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b). In the event Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Board, or the Committee acting on behalf of the Board, may exercise discretion to modify this Plan in any respect necessary to satisfy the requirements of the revised exemption or its replacement.

 

(c) Purchase Price. To the extent the purchase price of any Award granted hereunder is less than par value of a share of Common Stock and such purchase price is not permitted by applicable law, the per share purchase price shall be deemed to be equal to the par value of a share of Common Stock.

 

(d) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Except as set forth in the Plan, an Award Agreement or provided by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, a Participant shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash or stock dividends, Dividend Equivalents, or cash payments in amounts equivalent to cash or stock dividends on shares of Common Stock covered by an Award. The Committee in its absolute and sole discretion may credit a Participant’s Award with Dividend Equivalents with respect to any Awards. To the extent that dividends and distributions relating to an Award are held in escrow by the Company, or Dividend Equivalents are credited to an Award, a Participant shall not be entitled to any interest on any such amounts.

 

(e) Deferral of Awards. The Committee may from time to time establish procedures pursuant to which a Participant may elect to defer, until a time or times later than the vesting of an Award, receipt of all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock or cash subject to such Award and to receive Common Stock or cash at such later time or times, all on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. The Committee shall not permit the deferral of an Award unless counsel for Maison Solutions determines that such action will not result in adverse tax consequences to a Participant under Section 409A. If any such deferrals are permitted, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Participant who elects to defer receipt of Common Stock shall not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to deferred shares of Common Stock unless and until shares of Common Stock are actually delivered to the Participant with respect thereto, except to the extent otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

(f) Prospective Employees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any Award granted to a Prospective Employee shall not become vested prior to the date the Prospective Employee first becomes an employee of the Company.

 

(g) Stockholder Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, a Participant shall not have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Common Stock subject to the Awards prior to satisfaction of all conditions relating to the issuance of such Common Stock, and no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights of any kind for which the record date is prior to the date on which all such conditions have been satisfied.

 

(h) Transferability of Awards. A Participant may not Transfer an Award other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Awards may be exercised during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant. No Award shall be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, or liabilities of any Participant, nor shall any Award be subject to legal process or attachment for or against such person. Any purported Transfer of an Award in contravention of the provisions of the Plan shall have no force or effect and shall be null and void, and the purported transferee of such Award shall not acquire any rights with respect to such Award. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Committee may in its sole and absolute discretion permit the Transfer of an Award to a Participant’s “family member” as such term is defined in the Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, under such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee; provided, however, that the Participant will not directly or indirectly receive any payment of value in connection with the transfer of the Award. In such case, such Award shall be exercisable only by the transferee approved of by the Committee. To the extent that the Committee permits the Transfer of an Incentive Stock Option to a “family member”, so that such Option fails to continue to satisfy the requirements of an incentive stock option under the Code such Option shall automatically be re-designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

10

 

 

(i) Buyout and Settlement Provisions. Except as prohibited in Section 6(d) of the Plan, the Committee may at any time on behalf of Maison Solutions offer to buy out any Awards previously granted based on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine which shall be communicated to the Participants at the time such offer is made.

 

(j) Use of Proceeds. The proceeds received by Maison Solutions from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall constitute general funds of Maison Solutions.

 

(k) Modification or Substitution of an Award. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may modify outstanding Awards, provided that, except as expressly provided in the Plan, no modification of an Award shall adversely affect any rights or obligations of the Participant under the applicable Award Agreement without the Participant’s consent. Nothing in the Plan shall limit the right of the Company to pay compensation of any kind outside the terms of the Plan.

 

(l) Amendment and Termination of Plan. The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as to any shares of Common Stock as to which Awards have not been granted; provided, however, that the approval of the stockholders of Maison Solutions in accordance with applicable law and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Maison Solutions shall be required for any amendment: (i) that changes the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan; (ii) that increases the maximum number of shares of Common Stock in the aggregate that may be subject to Awards that are granted under the Plan (except as permitted under Section 5 or Section 11 hereof); (iii) the approval of which is necessary to comply with federal or state or with the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock may be listed or traded; or (iv) that proposed to eliminate a requirement provided herein that the stockholders of Maison Solutions must approve an action to be undertaken under the Plan. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the holder of an Award, alter or impair rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan. Awards granted prior to the termination of the Plan may extend beyond the date the Plan is terminated and shall continue subject to the terms of the Plan as in effect on the date the Plan is terminated.

 

(m) Section 409A of the Code. With respect to Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code, this Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and the provisions hereof shall be interpreted in a manner that satisfies the requirements of such Section 409A and the related regulations, and the Plan shall be operated accordingly. If any provision of this Plan or any term or condition of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision, term or condition will be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid this conflict.

 

(n) Notification of 83(b) Election. If in connection with the grant of any Award, any Participant makes an election permitted under Code Section 83(b), such Participant must notify Maison Solutions in writing of such election within ten (10) days of filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

(o) Disclaimer of Rights. No provision in the Plan, any Award granted hereunder, or any Award Agreement entered into pursuant to the Plan shall be construed to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the employ of or other service with the Company or to interfere in any way with the right and authority of the Company either to increase or decrease the compensation of any individual, including any holder of an Award, at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between any individual and the Company. The grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

 

11

 

 

(p) Unfunded Status of Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not yet made to such Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.

 

(q) Nonexclusivity of Plan. The adoption of the Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or individuals) as the Board in its sole and absolute discretion determines desirable.

 

(r) Other Benefits. No Award payment under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or any agreement between a Participant and the Company, nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of the Company now or subsequently in effect under which benefits are based upon a Participant’s level of compensation.

 

(s) Headings. The section headings in the Plan are for convenience only; they form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect its interpretation.

 

(t) Pronouns. The use of any gender in the Plan shall be deemed to include all genders, and the use of the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa, wherever it appears appropriate from the context.

 

(u) Successors and Assigns. The Plan shall be binding on all successors of the Company and all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, but not limited to, a Participant’s estate, devisee, or heir at law.

 

(v) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

 

(w) Notices. Any communication or notice required or permitted to be given under the Plan shall be in writing, and mailed by registered or certified mail or delivered by hand, to Maison Solutions, to its principal place of business, Attention: Corporate Secretary and if to the holder of an Award, to the address as appearing on the records of the Company.

 

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ANNEX A

 

DEFINITIONS

 

“Award” means any Common Stock, Option, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Unit or any other award granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

“Award Agreement” means a written agreement entered into by Maison Solutions and a Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of the grant of an Award to such Participant.

 

“Board” means the board of directors of Maison Solutions.

 

“Cause” means, with respect to a termination of employment or other service with the Company, a termination of employment or other service due to a Participant’s dishonesty, fraud, or willful misconduct; provided, however, that if the Participant and the Company have entered into an employment agreement or consulting agreement that defines the term Cause, the term Cause shall be defined in accordance with such agreement with respect to any Award granted to the Participant on or after the effective date of the respective employment or consulting agreement. The Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion whether Cause exists for purposes of the Plan.

 

“Change in Control” means: (i) any Person (other than Maison Solutions, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of Maison Solutions, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of Maison Solutions in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Maison Solutions Common Stock) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Maison Solutions representing more than fifty percent (50%) or more of the value of Maison Solutions’ then outstanding securities (the “Majority Owner”); provided, however, that no Change in Control shall occur under this paragraph (i) unless a person who was not a Majority Owner at some time after the Effective Date becomes a Majority Owner after the Effective Date; (ii) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or other business combination of Maison Solutions with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the securities of Maison Solutions outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) by value of the securities of Maison Solutions or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iii) the consummation of the sale or disposition by Maison Solutions of all or substantially all of its assets other than (x) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Person or Persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the securities of Maison Solutions by value at the time of the sale or (y) pursuant to a spin-off type transaction, directly or indirectly, of such assets to the stockholders of the Maison Solutions.

 

However, to the extent that Section 409A of the Code would cause an adverse tax consequence to a Participant using the above definition, the term “Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed to the phrase “Change in the Ownership or Effective Control of a Corporation or in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Assets of a Corporation” under Treasury Department Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5), as revised from time to time in either subsequent regulations or other guidance, and in the event that such regulations are withdrawn or such phrase (or a substantially similar phrase) ceases to be defined, as determined by the Committee.

 

“Change in Control Price” means the price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of Maison Solutions.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Committee” means the compensation committee or sub-committee of the Board consisting of two or more members of the Board, none of whom shall be an officer or other salaried employee of the Company, and each of whom shall qualify in all respects as a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. If no Committee exists, the functions of the Committee will be exercised by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the grant of Awards to non-employee directors, the Committee shall be the Board.

 

Annex A-1

 

 

“Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Maison Solutions or any other security into which such common stock shall be changed as contemplated by the adjustment provisions of Section 5 of the Plan.

 

“Company” means Maison Solutions, the subsidiaries of Maison Solutions and all other entities whose financial statements are required to be consolidated with the financial statements of Maison Solutions pursuant to United States generally accepted accounting principles, and any other entity determined to be an affiliate Maison Solutions as determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

“Covered Individual” means any current or former member of the Committee, any current or former officer or director of the Company, or, if so determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, any individual designated pursuant to Section 4(c).

 

“Disability” means a “permanent and total disability” within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3); provided, however, that if a Participant and the Company have entered into an employment or consulting agreement that defines the term Disability for purposes of such agreement, Disability shall be defined pursuant to the definition in such agreement with respect to any Award granted to the Participant on or after the effective date of the respective employment or consulting agreement. The Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion whether a Disability exists for purposes of the Plan.

 

“Dividend Equivalents” means an amount equal to the cash dividends paid by the Company upon one share of Common Stock subject to an Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

 

“Eligible Individual” means any employee, consultant, officer, director (employee or non-employee director) or independent contractor of the Company, any Prospective Employee to whom Awards are granted in connection with an offer of future employment with the Company.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Exercise Price” means the purchase price per share of each share of Common Stock subject to an Award.

 

“Fair Market Value” means, unless otherwise required by the Code, as of any date, the last sales price reported for the Common Stock on the day immediately prior to such date (i) as reported by the national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded, or (ii) if not traded on any such national securities exchange, as quoted on an automated quotation system sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or if the Common Stock shall not have been reported or quoted on such date, on the first day prior thereto on which the Common Stock was reported or quoted; provided, however, that the Committee may modify the definition of Fair Market Value to reflect any changes in the trading practices of any exchange or automated system sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. on which the Common Stock is listed or traded. If the Common Stock is not readily traded on a national securities exchange or any system sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee.

 

“Grant Date” means, unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the date on which the Committee approves the grant of an Award or such later date as is specified by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

“Maison Solutions” means Maison Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

“Incentive Stock Option” means an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Code Section 422.

 

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

“Option” means an option to purchase Common Stock granted pursuant to Sections 6 of the Plan.

 

“Participant” means any Eligible Individual who holds an Award under the Plan and any of such individual’s successors or permitted assigns.

 

Annex A-2

 

 

“Performance Goals” means the specified performance goals that have been established by the Committee in connection with an Award.

 

“Performance Period” means the period during which Performance Goals must be achieved in connection with an Award granted under the Plan.

 

“Performance Share” means a right to receive a fixed number of shares of Common Stock, or the cash equivalent, which is contingent on the achievement of certain Performance Goals during a Performance Period.

 

“Performance Unit” means a right to receive a designated dollar value, or shares of Common Stock of the equivalent value, which is contingent on the achievement of Performance Goals during a Performance Period.

 

“Person” shall mean any person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity or any group (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a Parent or subsidiary of the Company.

 

“Plan” means this Maison Solutions Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.

 

“Prospective Employee” means any individual who has committed to become an employee or independent contractor of the Company within sixty (60) days from the date an Award is granted to such individual.

 

“Restricted Stock” means Common Stock subject to certain restrictions, as determined by the Committee, and granted pursuant to Section 8 hereunder.

 

“Restricted Stock Unit” means a right, granted under this Plan, to receive Common Stock upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, or if later, at the end of a specified deferral period following the satisfaction of such conditions.

 

“Section 424 Employee” means an employee of Maison Solutions or any “subsidiary corporation” or “parent corporation” as such terms are defined in and in accordance with Code Section 424. The term “Section 424 Employee” also includes employees of a corporation issuing or assuming any Options in a transaction to which Code Section 424(a) applies.

 

“Stock Appreciation Right” means the right to receive all or some portion of the increase in value of a fixed number of shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 7 hereunder.

 

“Transfer” means, as a noun, any direct or indirect, voluntary or involuntary, exchange, sale, bequeath, pledge, mortgage, hypothecation, encumbrance, distribution, transfer, gift, assignment or other disposition or attempted disposition of, and, as a verb, directly or indirectly, voluntarily or involuntarily, to exchange, sell, bequeath, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, encumber, distribute, transfer, give, assign or in any other manner whatsoever dispose or attempt to dispose of.

 

 

Annex A-3

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

FORM OF
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of ____, 2023, is by and between Maison Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and [NAME OF DIRECTOR/OFFICER] (the “Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director and/or an officer of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk of litigation and other claims being asserted against directors and officers of public companies;

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that enhancing the ability of the Company to retain and attract as directors and officers the most capable persons is in the best interests of the Company and that the Company therefore should seek to assure such persons that indemnification and insurance coverage is available; and

 

WHEREAS, in recognition of the need to provide Indemnitee with substantial protection against personal liability, in order to procure Indemnitee’s continued service as a director and/or an officer of the Company and to enhance Indemnitee’s ability to serve the Company in an effective manner, and in order to provide such protection pursuant to express contract rights (intended to be enforceable irrespective of, among other things, any amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws (collectively, the “Constituent Documents”), any change in the composition of the Board or any change in control or business combination transaction relating to the Company), the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of, and the advancement of Expenses (as defined in Section 1(f) below) to, Indemnitee as set forth in this Agreement and to the extent insurance is maintained for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the Indemnitee’s agreement to continue to provide services to the Company, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to the term “beneficial owner” in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

(b) “Change in Control” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

(i) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, unless the change in relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

 

 

 

 

(ii) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, unless immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, all of the Beneficial Owners of the Voting Securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the entity resulting from such transaction;

 

(iii) during any period of two consecutive years, not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (including for this purpose any new directors whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

(c) “Claim” means:

 

(i) any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, investigative or other, and whether made pursuant to federal, state or other law; or (ii) any inquiry, hearing or investigation that the Indemnitee determines might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

 

(d) “Delaware Court” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9(e) below.

 

(e) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Claim in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(f) “Expenses” means any and all expenses, including attorneys’ and experts’ fees, court costs, transcript costs, travel expenses, duplicating, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, and all other costs and expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in, any Claim. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Claim, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 5 only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.

 

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(g) “Expense Advance” means any payment of Expenses advanced to Indemnitee by the Company pursuant to Section 4 or Section 5 hereof.

 

(h) “Indemnifiable Event” means any event or occurrence, whether occurring before, on or after the date of this Agreement, related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise (collectively with the Company, “Enterprise”) or by reason of an action or inaction by Indemnitee in any such capacity (whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement).

 

(i) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently performs, nor in the past five (5) years has performed, services for either: (i) the Company or Indemnitee (other than in connection with matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar agreements) or (ii) any other party to the Claim giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(j) “Losses” means any and all Expenses, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties (whether civil, criminal or other), ERISA excise taxes, amounts paid or payable in settlement, including any interest, assessments, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement and all other charges paid or payable in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in, any Claim.

 

(k) “Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity and includes the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(l) “Standard of Conduct Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9(b) below.

 

(m) “Voting Securities” means any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors.

 

2. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to continue to serve as a director and/or officer of the Company for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is no longer serving in such capacity. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment agreement between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that his or her employment with and/or service to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Enterprise is at will, and the Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment agreement between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, by the Company’s Constituent Documents or Delaware law.

 

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3. Indemnification. Subject to Section 9 and Section 10 of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware in effect on the date hereof, or as such laws may from time to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of such permitted indemnification, against any and all Losses if Indemnitee was or is or becomes a party to or participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or participant in, any Claim by reason of or arising in part out of an Indemnifiable Event, including, without limitation, Claims brought by or in the right of the Company, Claims brought by third parties, and Claims in which the Indemnitee is solely a witness.

 

4. Advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company, prior to the final disposition of any Claim by final adjudication to which there are no further rights of appeal, of any and all Expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Claim arising out of an Indemnifiable Event. Indemnitee’s right to such advancement is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct. Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, within thirty (30) days after any request by Indemnitee, the Company shall, in accordance with such request, (a) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (c) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses. In connection with any request for Expense Advances, Indemnitee shall not be required to provide any documentation or information to the extent that the provision thereof would undermine or otherwise jeopardize attorney-client privilege. In connection with any request for Expense Advances, Indemnitee shall execute and deliver to the Company an undertaking (which shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expense Advances) to repay any amounts paid, advanced, or reimbursed by the Company for such Expenses to the extent that it is ultimately determined, following the final disposition of such Claim, that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder. Indemnitee’s obligation to reimburse the Company for Expense Advances shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.

 

5. Indemnification for Expenses in Enforcing Rights. To the fullest extent allowable under applicable law, the Company shall also indemnify against, and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall advance to Indemnitee subject to and in accordance with Section 4, any Expenses actually and reasonably paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action or proceeding by Indemnitee for (a) indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under any provision of this Agreement, or under any other agreement or provision of the Constituent Documents now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims relating to Indemnifiable Events, and/or (b) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company. However, in the event that Indemnitee is ultimately determined not to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be, then all amounts advanced under this Section 5 shall be repaid.

 

6. Partial Indemnity. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of any Losses in respect of a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event but not for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

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7. Notification and Defense of Claims.

 

(a) Notification of Claims. Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing as soon as practicable of any Claim which could relate to an Indemnifiable Event or for which Indemnitee could seek Expense Advances, including a brief description (based upon information then available to Indemnitee) of the nature of, and the facts underlying, such Claim. The failure by Indemnitee to timely notify the Company hereunder shall not relieve the Company from any liability hereunder. If at the time of the receipt of such notice, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect under which coverage for Claims related to Indemnifiable Events is potentially available, the Company shall give prompt written notice to the applicable insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies. The Company shall provide to Indemnitee a copy of such notice delivered to the applicable insurers, and copies of all subsequent correspondence between the Company and such insurers regarding the Claim, in each case substantially concurrently with the delivery or receipt thereof by the Company.

 

(b) Defense of Claims. The Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any such Claim, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently directly incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s defense of such Claim other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ its own legal counsel in such Claim, but all Expenses related to such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at Indemnitee’s own expense; provided, however, that if (i) Indemnitee’s employment of its own legal counsel has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the defense of such Claim, (iii) after a Change in Control, Indemnitee’s employment of its own counsel has been approved by the Independent Counsel or (iv) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Claim, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain its own separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any such Claim) and all Expenses related to such separate counsel shall be borne by the Company.

 

8. Procedure upon Application for Indemnification. In order to obtain indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, including in such request such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of the Claim, provided that documentation and information need not be so provided to the extent that the provision thereof would undermine or otherwise jeopardize attorney-client privilege. Indemnification shall be made insofar as the Company determines Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification in accordance with Section 9 below.

 

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9. Determination of Right to Indemnification.

 

(a) Mandatory Indemnification; Indemnification as a Witness.

 

(i) To the extent that Indemnitee shall have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event or any portion thereof or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including without limitation dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Losses relating to such Claim in accordance with Section 3 to the fullest extent allowable by law, and no Standard of Conduct Determination (as defined in Section 9(b)) shall be required.

 

(ii) To the extent that Indemnitee’s involvement in a Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event is to prepare to serve and serve as a witness, and not as a party, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Losses incurred in connection therewith to the fullest extent allowable by law and no Standard of Conduct Determination (as defined in Section 9(b)) shall be required.

 

(b) Standard of Conduct. To the extent that the provisions of Section 9(a) are inapplicable to a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event that shall have been finally disposed of, any determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of conduct under Delaware law that is a legally required condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against Losses relating to such Claim and any determination that Expense Advances must be repaid to the Company (a “Standard of Conduct Determination”) shall be made as follows:

 

(i) if no Change in Control has occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum or (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; and (ii) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, (A) if the Indemnitee so requests in writing, by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board or (B) otherwise, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee.

 

The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within thirty (30) days of such request, any and all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in cooperating with the person or persons making such Standard of Conduct Determination.

 

(c) Making the Standard of Conduct Determination. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any Standard of Conduct Determination required under Section 9(b) to be made as promptly as practicable. If the person or persons designated to make the Standard of Conduct Determination under Section 9(b) shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after the later of (A) receipt by the Company of a written request from Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 8 (the date of such receipt being the “Notification Date”) and (B) the selection of an Independent Counsel, if such determination is to be made by Independent Counsel, then Indemnitee shall be deemed to have satisfied the applicable standard of conduct; provided that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person or persons making such determination in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate information relating thereto. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of any Claim.

 

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(d) Payment of Indemnification. If, in regard to any Losses:

 

(i) Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 9(a);

 

(ii) no Standard Conduct Determination is legally required as a condition to indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder; or (iii) Indemnitee has been determined or deemed pursuant to Section 9(b) or Section 9(c) to have satisfied the Standard of Conduct Determination, then the Company shall pay to Indemnitee, within thirty (30) days after the later of (A) the Notification Date or (B) the earliest date on which the applicable criterion specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) is satisfied, an amount equal to such Losses.

 

(e) Selection of Independent Counsel for Standard of Conduct Determination. If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(i), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Standard of Conduct Determination is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(ii), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either case, Indemnitee or the Company, as applicable, may, within ten (10) business days after receiving written notice of selection from the other, deliver to the other a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not satisfy the criteria set forth in the definition of “Independent Counsel” in Section 1(i), and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person or firm so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is properly and timely made and substantiated, (i) the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit; and (ii) the non-objecting party may, at its option, select an alternative Independent Counsel and give written notice to the other party advising such other party of the identity of the alternative Independent Counsel so selected, in which case the provisions of the two immediately preceding sentences, the introductory clause of this sentence and numbered clause (i) of this sentence shall apply to such subsequent selection and notice. If applicable, the provisions of clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to successive alternative selections. If no Independent Counsel that is permitted under the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(e) to make the Standard of Conduct Determination shall have been selected within sixty (60) days after the Company gives its initial notice pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 9(e) or Indemnitee gives its initial notice pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 9(e), as the case may be, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (“Delaware Court”) to resolve any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or to appoint as Independent Counsel a person to be selected by the Court or such other person as the Court shall designate, and the person or firm with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person or firm so appointed will act as Independent Counsel. In all events, the Company shall pay all of the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel incurred in connection with the Independent Counsel’s determination pursuant to Section 9(b).

 

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(f) Presumptions and Defenses.

 

(i) Indemnitee’s Entitlement to Indemnification. In making any Standard of Conduct Determination, the person or persons making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct and is entitled to indemnification, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption and establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled. Any Standard of Conduct Determination that is adverse to Indemnitee may be challenged by the Indemnitee in the Delaware Court. No determination by the Company (including by its directors or any Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable standard of conduct may be used as a defense to any legal proceedings brought by Indemnitee to secure indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct.

 

(ii) Reliance as a Safe Harbor. For purposes of this Agreement, and without creating any presumption as to a lack of good faith if the following circumstances do not exist, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company if Indemnitee’s actions or omissions to act are taken in good faith reliance upon the records of the Company, including its financial statements, or upon information, opinions, reports or statements furnished to Indemnitee by the officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the course of their duties, or by committees of the Board or by any other Person (including legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors) as to matters Indemnitee reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failures to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnity hereunder.

 

(iii) No Other Presumptions. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any applicable standard of conduct or have any particular belief, or that indemnification hereunder is otherwise not permitted.

 

(iv) Defense to Indemnification and Burden of Proof. It shall be a defense to any action brought by Indemnitee against the Company to enforce this Agreement (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for Losses incurred in defending against a Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event in advance of its final disposition) that it is not permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed. In connection with any such action or any related Standard of Conduct Determination, the burden of proving such a defense or that the Indemnitee did not satisfy the applicable standard of conduct shall be on the Company.

 

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(v) Resolution of Claims. The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful on the merits or otherwise for purposes of Section 9.1(a)(i) if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with our without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise for purposes of Section 9.1(a)(i). The Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome this presumption.

 

10. Exclusions from Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to:

 

(a) indemnify or advance funds to Indemnitee for Expenses or Losses with respect to proceedings initiated by Indemnitee, including any proceedings against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees and not by way of defense, except:

 

(i) proceedings referenced in Section 5 above (unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous); or (ii) where the Company has joined in or the Board has consented to the initiation of such proceedings.

 

(b) indemnify Indemnitee if a final decision by a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law.

 

(c) indemnify Indemnitee for the disgorgement of profits arising from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or any similar successor statute.

 

(d) indemnify or advance funds to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s reimbursement to the Company of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation previously received by Indemnitee or payment of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in connection with an accounting restatement of the Company or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).

 

11. Settlement of Claims. The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any threatened or pending Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that if a Change in Control has occurred, the Company shall be liable for indemnification of the Indemnitee for amounts paid in settlement if an Independent Counsel has approved the settlement. The Company shall not settle any Claim related to an Indemnifiable Event in any manner that would impose any Losses on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

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12. Duration. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company (or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, trustee or agent of another Enterprise) and shall continue thereafter (i) so long as Indemnitee may be subject to any possible Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event (including any rights of appeal thereto) and (ii) throughout the pendency of any proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto) commenced by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret his or her rights under this Agreement, even if, in either case, he or she may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any such Claim or proceeding.

 

13. Non-Exclusivity. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder will be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Constituent Documents, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, any other contract or otherwise (collectively, “Other Indemnity Provisions”); provided, however, that (a) to the extent that Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification under any Other Indemnity Provision, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder and (b) to the extent that any change is made to any Other Indemnity Provision which permits any greater right to indemnification than that provided under this Agreement as of the date hereof, Indemnitee will be deemed to have such greater right hereunder.

 

14. Liability Insurance. For the duration of Indemnitee’s service as a director and/or officer of the Company, and thereafter for so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any pending Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the scope and amount of coverage available relative to the cost thereof) to continue to maintain in effect policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage that is at least substantially comparable in scope and amount to that provided by the Company’s current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. In all policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are provided to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director, or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is an officer (and not a director) by such policy. Upon request, the Company will provide to Indemnitee copies of all directors’ and officers’ liability insurance applications, binders, policies, declarations, endorsements and other related materials.

 

15. No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment to Indemnitee in respect of any Losses to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise received payment under any insurance policy, the Constituent Documents, Other Indemnity Provisions or otherwise of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable by the Company hereunder.

 

16. Subrogation. In the event of payment to Indemnitee under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

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17. Amendments. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding unless in the form of a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall operate as a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided herein, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall constitute a waiver thereof.

 

18. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs and personal and legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substances satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

19. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any portion thereof) are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

20. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, by email, or mailed, by postage prepaid, certified or registered mail:

 

(a) if to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

 

(b) if to the Company, to:

 

Maison Solutions Inc.

127 N Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, California 91754

Attention: John Xu, President and Chief Executive Officer

Email: john.xu@maisonsolutionsinc.com

 

Notice of change of address shall be effective only when given in accordance with this Section. All notices complying with this Section shall be deemed to have been received on the date of hand delivery or on the third business day after mailing.

 

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21. Governing Law and Forum. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state without giving effect to its principles of conflicts of laws. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (c) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, consent to service of process by delivery thereof in accordance with Section 20 hereof, which will have the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or make, any claim that the Delaware Court lacks venue or that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

22. Headings. The headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction or interpretation thereof.

 

23. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.:
   
  By:            
  Name:  
  Title:  
   
  INDEMNITEE:
   
  Name:  
  Address:  
  Email:  

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

__________________________, a Delaware corporation, located at ________________________, (hereinafter referred to as “Company”), and JOHN XU, residing at __________________________________, (hereinafter referred to as “Executive”), in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1. EMPLOYMENT

 

Agreement Subject to Termination

 

Section 1.01. Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be for an unspecified term, on an “at-will” basis. If Executive is in violation of this Agreement, Company may terminate employment without notice and with one-month salary as compensation to Executive. The compensation paid under this Agreement shall be the Executive’s exclusive remedy.

 

ARTICLE 2. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE

 

Employment as Chief Executive Officer

 

Section 2.01. Executive is hereby hired to perform services for Company as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).

 

Time and Attention

 

Section 2.02. Executive agrees to devote all of Executive’s time, attention, and energy to the performance of Executive’s duties as a CEO, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors of Company. Executive will represent the local management team of Company.

 

Competitive Activities

 

Section 2.03. During the term of this contract Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an employee, executive, consultant, agent, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer, director, or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever with the business of the Company.

 

Non-Compete Following Sale of Company

 

Section 2.04. Upon sale of all of his ownership interest in the Company, Executive agrees to refrain from carrying on a similar business within ____ mile radius of the location of the Company, for a period of ____ years.

 

Duties

 

Section 2.05. Executive shall perform all duties of marketing and safety, including, but not limited to, forecasting and prospecting, visiting current and prospective clients, preparing quotations, preparing invoices, and assisting with delivery and collection of invoices.

 

 

 

 

Adherence to Rules

 

Section 2.06. Executive at all times during the performance of this Agreement shall strictly adhere to and obey all the rules and regulations as set forth by the Board of Directors of Company. Executive will report to the Board of Directors of Company. Executive understands that Company strictly disallows any unlawful practice and Executive is personally responsible for any such violation(s).

 

Satisfactory Performance of Duties

 

Section 2.07. The employment of Executive shall continue only as long as the services rendered by Executive are satisfactory to Company, notwithstanding any other provision contained in this agreement. Company shall be the sole judge as to whether the services of Executive are satisfactory. Executive agrees to obtain written permission from the Board of Directors before any major changes or any financial arrangement prior to implementation.

 

ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE

 

Compensation

 

Section 3.01. Executive will be paid a salary of $________________ per ________, which is the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of Company.

 

ARTICLE 4. PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES

 

Confidentiality

 

Section 4.01. Executive recognizes that Company has and will have information regarding the following: products, samples, prices, costs, discounts, future plans, business affairs, trade secrets, technical matters, customers’ lists, customer account numbers, customer access codes, customer billing information, and other vital information (collectively “Information”) which is valuable, special and unique properties of Company or customer. Executive agrees that Executive will not at any time (even after Executive ceases to be employed by Company) or in any matter, either directly or indirectly, divulge, disclose, or communicate in any manner any Information to any third party without prior written consent of the Company. Executive will protect the Information and treat it as strictly confidential even if Executive is no longer employed by Company. A violation by Executive of this paragraph shall be a material violation of this Agreement and will justify legal and/or equitable relief. Any attorney’s fees incurred by Company due to Executive’s violation of this section shall be at the expense of the Executive. All samples provided to Executive shall remain the property of Company.

 

Soliciting Customers After Termination of Employment

 

Section 4.02. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the names and addresses of Company’s customers constitute trade secrets of Company and that the sale of unauthorized use or disclosure of any of Company’s trade secrets obtained by Executive during Executive’s employment with Company, either directly or indirectly (1) make known to any person, firm, or corporation the names or addresses of any of Company’s customers or any other information pertaining to them; or (2) call on, solicit, or take away, or attempt to call on, solicit, or take away any of Company’s customers on whom Executive called or with whom Executive became acquainted during Executive’s employment with Company, either on Executive’s behalf or that of other person, firm, or corporation.

 

- 2 -

 

 

Ownership of Customer Records

 

Section 4.03. All records of the accounts of customers and any other records and books relating in any manner whatsoever to the customers of Company, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise, shall be the exclusive property of Company regardless of who actually purchased the original book or record.

 

ARTICLE 5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Term and Termination

 

Section 5.01. The term of this Agreement shall begin on October ___, 2021, and shall continue for a period of three (3) years (Initial Term). The term of this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive three (3) years period unless otherwise terminated as provided in this Agreement. Either party may request that this Agreement be renegotiated by giving written notice to the other party at least (90) day calendar days prior to the end of the initial term or any renewal thereof.

 

Return of Property

 

Section 5.02. Upon termination of this Agreement, Executive shall deliver all property (including keys, records, notes, data, memoranda, models, customer files and equipment) that is in Executive’s possession or under Executive’s control that is Company’s property or related to Company’s business.

 

ARTICLE 6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Notices

 

Section 6.01. Any notices to be given by either party to the other may be effected either by personal delivery in writing or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested. Mailed notices shall be addressed to the parties at the addresses appearing in the introductory paragraph of this agreement, but each party may change address by written notice in accordance with this paragraph. Notices delivered personally shall be deemed communicated as of actual receipt; mailed notices shall be deemed communicated as of the date of mailing.

 

Arbitration

 

Section 6.02. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration with a neutral arbitrator, and judgment on the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

 

Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

 

Section 6.03. If any legal action is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which the prevailing party may be entitled. This provision shall be construed as applicable to the entire contract.

 

- 3 -

 

 

Entire Agreement

 

Section 6.04. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the employment of Executive by Company and contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to that employment in any manner whatsoever. Each party to this agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this agreement shall be valid or biding. Any modification of this agreement will be effective only if it is in writing signed by the party to be charged.

 

Partial Invalidity

 

Section 6.05. If any provision in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way.

 

Law Governing Agreement

 

Section 6.06. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Executed on __________________, at _____________________ ,_______________.

 

  EMPLOYER, __________________________INC.
   
  By                                                                     
  _______________________________, PRESIDENT
   
  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
   
   
  JOHN XU

 

 

- 4 -

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

__________________________, a Delaware corporation, located at ________________________, (hereinafter referred to as “Employer”), and ALEXANDRIA LOPEZ, residing at __________________________________, (hereinafter referred to as “Executive”), in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1. EMPLOYMENT

 

Agreement Subject to Termination

 

Section 1.01. Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be for an unspecified term, on an “at-will” basis. If Executive is in violation of this Agreement, Employer may terminate employment without notice and with one-month salary as compensation to Executive. The compensation paid under this Agreement shall be the Executive’s exclusive remedy.

 

ARTICLE 2. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE

 

Employment as Chief Final Officer

 

Section 2.01. Executive is hereby hired to perform services for Employer as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).

 

Time and Attention

 

Section 2.02. Executive agrees to devote all of Executive’s time, attention, and energy to the performance of Executive’s duties as CFO, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors of Employer. Executive will represent the local management team of Employer.

 

Competitive Activities

 

Section 2.03. During the term of this contract Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an employee, executive, consultant, agent, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer, director, or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever with the business of the Employer.

 

Non-Compete Following Sale of Company

 

Section 2.04. Upon sale of all of his ownership interest in the Company, Executive agrees to refrain from carrying on a similar business within ____ mile radius of the location of the Company, for a period of ____ years.

 

Duties

 

Section 2.05. Executive shall perform all duties of marketing and safety, including, but not limited to, forecasting and prospecting, visiting current and prospective clients, preparing quotations, preparing invoices, and assisting with delivery and collection of invoices.

 

 

 

 

Adherence to Rules

 

Section 2.06. Executive at all times during the performance of this Agreement shall strictly adhere to and obey all the rules and regulations as set forth by the Board of Directors of Employer. Executive will report to the Board of Directors of Employer. Executive understands that Employer strictly disallows any unlawful practice and Executive is personally responsible for any such violation(s).

 

Satisfactory Performance of Duties

 

Section 2.07. The employment of Executive shall continue only as long as the services rendered by Executive are satisfactory to Employer, notwithstanding any other provision contained in this agreement. Employer shall be the sole judge as to whether the services of Executive are satisfactory. Executive agrees to obtain written permission from the Board of Directors before any major changes or any financial arrangement prior to implementation.

 

ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE

 

Compensation

 

Section 3.01. Executive will be paid a salary of $________________ per ________, which is the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of Employer.

 

ARTICLE 4. PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES

 

Confidentiality

 

Section 4.01. Executive recognizes that Employer has and will have information regarding the following: products, samples, prices, costs, discounts, future plans, business affairs, trade secrets, technical matters, customers’ lists, customer account numbers, customer access codes, customer billing information, and other vital information (collectively “Information”) which is valuable, special and unique properties of Employer or customer. Executive agrees that Executive will not at any time (even after Executive ceases to be employed by Employer) or in any matter, either directly or indirectly, divulge, disclose, or communicate in any manner any Information to any third party without prior written consent of the Employer. Executive will protect the Information and treat it as strictly confidential even if Executive is no longer employed by Employer. A violation by Executive of this paragraph shall be a material violation of this Agreement and will justify legal and/or equitable relief. Any attorney’s fees incurred by Employer due to Executive’s violation of this section shall be at the expense of the Executive.

 

Soliciting Customers After Termination of Employment

 

Section 4.02. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the names and addresses of Employer’s customers constitute trade secrets of Employer and that the sale of unauthorized use or disclosure of any of Employer’s trade secrets obtained by Executive during Executive’s employment with Employer, either directly or indirectly (1) make known to any person, firm, or corporation the names or addresses of any of Employer’s customers or any other information pertaining to them; or (2) call on, solicit, or take away, or attempt to call on, solicit, or take away any of Employer’s customers on whom Executive called or with whom Executive became acquainted during Executive’s employment with Employer, either on Executive’s behalf or that of other person, firm, or corporation.

 

- 2 -

 

 

Ownership of Customer Records

 

Section 4.03. All records of the accounts of customers and any other records and books relating in any manner whatsoever to the customers of Employer, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise, shall be the exclusive property of Employer regardless of who actually purchased the original book or record.

 

ARTICLE 5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Term and Termination

 

Section 5.01. The term of this Agreement shall begin on October ___, 2021, and shall continue for a period of one (1) year (Initial Term). The term of this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year periods unless otherwise terminated as provided in this Agreement. Either party may request that this Agreement be renegotiated or terminated by giving written notice to the other party at least (90) day calendar days prior to the end of the initial term or any renewal thereof.

 

Return of Property

 

Section 5.02. Upon termination of this Agreement, Executive shall deliver all property (including keys, records, notes, data, memoranda, models, customer files and equipment) that is in Executive’s possession or under Executive’s control that is Employer’s property or related to Employer’s business.

 

ARTICLE 6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Notices

 

Section 6.01. Any notices to be given by either party to the other may be effected either by personal delivery in writing or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested. Mailed notices shall be addressed to the parties at the addresses appearing in the introductory paragraph of this agreement, but each party may change address by written notice in accordance with this paragraph. Notices delivered personally shall be deemed communicated as of actual receipt; mailed notices shall be deemed communicated as of the date of mailing.

 

Arbitration

 

Section 6.02. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration with a neutral arbitrator, and judgment on the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

 

Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

 

Section 6.03. If any legal action is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which the prevailing party may be entitled. This provision shall be construed as applicable to the entire contract.

 

- 3 -

 

 

Entire Agreement

 

Section 6.04. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the employment of Executive by Employer and contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to that employment in any manner whatsoever. Each party to this agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this agreement shall be valid or biding. Any modification of this agreement will be effective only if it is in writing signed by the party to be charged.

 

Partial Invalidity

 

Section 6.05. If any provision in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way.

 

Law Governing Agreement

 

Section 6.06. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Executed on __________________, at _____________________ , ______________.

 

  EMPLOYER, __________________________INC.
   
  By                                                                     
  _______________________________, PRESIDENT
   
  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
   
   
  ALEXANDRIA LOPEZ

 

 

- 4 -

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

__________________________, a Delaware corporation, located at ________________________, (hereinafter referred to as “Employer”), and TAO HAN, residing at __________________________________, (hereinafter referred to as “Executive”), in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, agree as follows:

  

ARTICLE 1. EMPLOYMENT

 

Agreement Subject to Termination

 

Section 1.01. Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be for an unspecified term, on an “at-will” basis. If Executive is in violation of this Agreement, Employer may terminate employment without notice and with one-month salary as compensation to Executive. The compensation paid under this Agreement shall be the Executive’s exclusive remedy.

 

ARTICLE 2. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE

 

Employment as Chief Final Officer

 

Section 2.01. Executive is hereby hired to perform services for Employer as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”).

 

Time and Attention

 

Section 2.02. Executive agrees to devote all of Executive’s time, attention, and energy to the performance of Executive’s duties as COO, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors of Employer. Executive will represent the local management team of Employer.

 

Competitive Activities

 

Section 2.03. During the term of this contract Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an employee, executive, consultant, agent, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer, director, or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever with the business of the Employer.

 

Non-Compete Following Sale of Company

 

Section 2.04. Upon sale of all of his ownership interest in the Company, Executive agrees to refrain from carrying on a similar business within ____ mile radius of the location of the Company, for a period of ____ years.

 

Duties

 

Section 2.05. Executive shall perform all duties of marketing and safety, including, but not limited to, forecasting and prospecting, visiting current and prospective clients, preparing quotations, preparing invoices, and assisting with delivery and collection of invoices.

 

 

 

 

Adherence to Rules

 

Section 2.06. Executive at all times during the performance of this Agreement shall strictly adhere to and obey all the rules and regulations as set forth by the Board of Directors of Employer. Executive will report to the Board of Directors of Employer. Executive understands that Employer strictly disallows any unlawful practice and Executive is personally responsible for any such violation(s).

  

Satisfactory Performance of Duties

 

Section 2.07. The employment of Executive shall continue only as long as the services rendered by Executive are satisfactory to Employer, notwithstanding any other provision contained in this agreement. Employer shall be the sole judge as to whether the services of Executive are satisfactory. Executive agrees to obtain written permission from the Board of Directors before any major changes or any financial arrangement prior to implementation.

 

ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE

 

Compensation

 

Section 3.01. Executive will be paid a salary of $________________ per ________, which is the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of Employer.

  

ARTICLE 4. PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES

 

Confidentiality

 

Section 4.01. Executive recognizes that Employer has and will have information regarding the following: products, samples, prices, costs, discounts, future plans, business affairs, trade secrets, technical matters, customers’ lists, customer account numbers, customer access codes, customer billing information, and other vital information (collectively “Information”) which is valuable, special and unique properties of Employer or customer. Executive agrees that Executive will not at any time (even after Executive ceases to be employed by Employer) or in any matter, either directly or indirectly, divulge, disclose, or communicate in any manner any Information to any third party without prior written consent of the Employer. Executive will protect the Information and treat it as strictly confidential even if Executive is no longer employed by Employer. A violation by Executive of this paragraph shall be a material violation of this Agreement and will justify legal and/or equitable relief. Any attorney’s fees incurred by Employer due to Executive’s violation of this section shall be at the expense of the Executive.

 

Soliciting Customers After Termination of Employment

 

Section 4.02. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the names and addresses of Employer’s customers constitute trade secrets of Employer and that the sale of unauthorized use or disclosure of any of Employer’s trade secrets obtained by Executive during Executive’s employment with Employer, either directly or indirectly (1) make known to any person, firm, or corporation the names or addresses of any of Employer’s customers or any other information pertaining to them; or (2) call on, solicit, or take away, or attempt to call on, solicit, or take away any of Employer’s customers on whom Executive called or with whom Executive became acquainted during Executive’s employment with Employer, either on Executive’s behalf or that of other person, firm, or corporation.

 

- 2 -

 

 

Ownership of Customer Records

 

Section 4.03. All records of the accounts of customers and any other records and books relating in any manner whatsoever to the customers of Employer, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise, shall be the exclusive property of Employer regardless of who actually purchased the original book or record.

  

ARTICLE 5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Term and Termination

 

Section 5.01. The term of this Agreement shall begin on October ___, 2021, and shall continue for a period of one (1) year (Initial Term). The term of this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year periods unless otherwise terminated as provided in this Agreement. Either party may request that this Agreement be renegotiated or terminated by giving written notice to the other party at least (90) day calendar days prior to the end of the initial term or any renewal thereof.

 

Return of Property

 

Section 5.02. Upon termination of this Agreement, Executive shall deliver all property (including keys, records, notes, data, memoranda, models, customer files and equipment) that is in Executive’s possession or under Executive’s control that is Employer’s property or related to Employer’s business.

  

ARTICLE 6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Notices

 

Section 6.01. Any notices to be given by either party to the other may be effected either by personal delivery in writing or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested. Mailed notices shall be addressed to the parties at the addresses appearing in the introductory paragraph of this agreement, but each party may change address by written notice in accordance with this paragraph. Notices delivered personally shall be deemed communicated as of actual receipt; mailed notices shall be deemed communicated as of the date of mailing.

 

Arbitration

 

Section 6.02. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration with a neutral arbitrator, and judgment on the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

 

Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

 

Section 6.03. If any legal action is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which the prevailing party may be entitled. This provision shall be construed as applicable to the entire contract.

 

- 3 -

 

 

Entire Agreement

 

Section 6.04. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the employment of Executive by Employer and contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to that employment in any manner whatsoever. Each party to this agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this agreement shall be valid or biding. Any modification of this agreement will be effective only if it is in writing signed by the party to be charged.

 

Partial Invalidity

 

Section 6.05. If any provision in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way.

 

Law Governing Agreement

 

Section 6.06. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Executed on __________________, at _____________________ , ______________.

  

  EMPLOYER, __________________________INC.
   
  By                                                                     
  _______________________________, PRESIDENT
   
  CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
   
   
  TAO HAN

 

 

- 4 -

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

SBA Loan #7239127805   Application #3600752542

 

LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT (LA&A)

 

A PROPERLY SIGNED DOCUMENT IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY DISBURSEMENT

 

CAREFULLY READ THE LA&A:

 

This document describes the terms and conditions of your loan. It is your responsibility to comply with ALL the terms and conditions of your loan. 

 

SIGNING THE LA&A:

 

All borrowers must sign the LA&A.

 

Sign your name exactly as it appears on the LA&A. If typed incorrectly, you should sign with the correct spelling.

 

If your middle initial appears on the signature line, sign with your middle initial.

 

If a suffix appears on the signature line, such as Sr. or Jr., sign with your suffix.

 

Corporate Signatories: Authorized representatives should sign the signature page.

 

Your signature represents your agreement to comply

with the terms and conditions of the loan. 

 

Ref 50 30

 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

 

LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT

 

Date: 06.03.2020 (Effective Date)

 

On the above date, this Administration (SBA) authorized (under Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, as amended) a Loan (SBA Loan #7239127805) to Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP (Borrower) of 137 S SAN GABRIEL BLVD SAN GABRIEL California 91776 in the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($150,000.00), upon the following conditions:

 

PAYMENT

 

Installment payments, including principal and interest, of $731.00 Monthly, will begin Twelve (12) months from the date of the promissory Note. The balance of principal and interest will be payable Thirty (30) years from the date of the promissory Note.

 

INTEREST

 

Interest will accrue at the rate of 3.75% per annum and will accrue only on funds actually advanced from the date(s) of each advance.

 

PAYMENT TERMS

 

Each payment will be applied first to interest accrued to the date of receipt of each payment, and the balance, if any, will be applied to principal.

 

Each payment will be made when due even if at that time the full amount of the Loan has not yet been advanced or the authorized amount of the Loan has been reduced.

 

COLLATERAL

 

For loan amounts of greater than $25,000, Borrower hereby grants to SBA, the secured party hereunder, a continuing security interest in and to any and all “Collateral” as described herein to secure payment and performance of all debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower to SBA hereunder without limitation, including but not limited to all interest, other fees and expenses (all hereinafter called “Obligations”). The Collateral includes the following property that Borrower now owns or shall acquire or create immediately upon the acquisition or creation thereof: all tangible and intangible personal property, including, but not limited to: (a) inventory, (b) equipment, (c) instruments, including promissory notes (d) chattel paper, including tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper, (e) documents, (f) letter of credit rights, (g) accounts, including health-care insurance receivables and credit card receivables, (h) deposit accounts, (i) commercial tort claims, (j) general intangibles, including payment intangibles and software and (k) as-extracted collateral as such terms may from time to time be defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest Borrower grants includes all accessions, attachments, accessories, parts, supplies and replacements for the Collateral, all products, proceeds and collections thereof and all records and data relating thereto.

 

For loan amounts of $25,000 or less, SBA is not taking a security interest in any collateral.

 

Page 2 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

REQUIREMENTS RELATIVE TO COLLATERAL

 

Borrower will not sell or transfer any collateral (except normal inventory turnover in the ordinary course of business) described in the “Collateral” paragraph hereof without the prior written consent of SBA.

 

Borrower will neither seek nor accept future advances under any superior liens on the collateral securing this Loan without the prior written consent of SBA.

 

USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS

 

Borrower will use all the proceeds of this Loan solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by disaster occurring in the month of January 31, 2020 and continuing thereafter and to pay Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien filing fees and a third-party UCC handling charge of $100 which will be deducted from the

Loan amount stated above.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS AND RECEIPTS

 

Borrower will obtain and itemize receipts (paid receipts, paid invoices or cancelled checks) and contracts for all Loan funds spent and retain these receipts for 3 years from the date of the final disbursement. Prior to each subsequent disbursement (if any) and whenever requested by SBA, Borrower will submit to SBA such itemization together with copies of the receipts.

 

Borrower will not use, directly or indirectly, any portion of the proceeds of this Loan to relocate without the prior written permission of SBA. The law prohibits the use of any portion of the proceeds of this Loan for voluntary relocation from the business area in which the disaster occurred. To request SBA’s prior written permission to relocate, Borrower will present to SBA the reasons therefore and a description or address of the relocation site. Determinations of (1) whether a relocation is voluntary or otherwise, and (2) whether any site other than the disaster-affected location is within the business area in which the disaster occurred, will be made solely by SBA.

 

Borrower will, to the extent feasible, purchase only American-made equipment and products with the proceeds of this Loan.

 

Borrower will make any request for a loan increase for additional disaster-related damages as soon as possible after the need for a loan increase is discovered. The SBA will not consider a request for a loan increase received more than two (2) years from the date of loan approval unless, in the sole discretion of the SBA, there are extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the borrower.

 

DEADLINE FOR RETURN OF LOAN CLOSING DOCUMENTS

 

Borrower will sign and return the loan closing documents to SBA within 2 months of the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement. By notifying the Borrower in writing, SBA may cancel this Loan if the Borrower fails to meet this requirement. The Borrower may submit and the SBA may, in its sole discretion, accept documents after 2 months of the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement.

 

COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES

 

Eligibility for this disaster Loan is limited to disaster losses that are not compensated by other sources. Other sources include but are not limited to: (1) proceeds of policies of insurance or other indemnifications, (2) grants or other reimbursement (including loans) from government agencies or private organizations, (3) claims for civil liability against other individuals, organizations or governmental entities, and (4) salvage (including any sale or re-use) of items of damaged property.

 

Page 3 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

Borrower will promptly notify SBA of the existence and status of any claim or application for such other compensation, and of the receipt of any such compensation, and Borrower will promptly submit the proceeds of same (not exceeding the outstanding balance of this Loan) to SBA.

 

Borrower hereby assigns to SBA the proceeds of any such compensation from other sources and authorizes the payor of same to deliver said proceeds to SBA at such time and place as SBA shall designate.

 

SBA will in its sole discretion determine whether any such compensation from other sources is a duplication of benefits. SBA will use the proceeds of any such duplication to reduce the outstanding balance of this Loan, and Borrower agrees that such proceeds will not be applied in lieu of scheduled payments.

 

DUTY TO MAINTAIN HAZARD INSURANCE

 

Within 12 months from the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement the Borrower will provide proof of an active and in effect hazard insurance policy including fire, lightning, and extended coverage on all items used to secure this loan to at least 80% of the insurable value. Borrower will not cancel such coverage and will maintain such coverage throughout the entire term of this Loan. BORROWER MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER ANY FUTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE OR SBA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THIS INSURANCE IS NOT MAINTAINED AS STIPULATED HEREIN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERM OF THIS LOAN. Please submit proof of insurance to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

Borrower will maintain current and proper books of account in a manner satisfactory to SBA for the most recent 5 years until 3 years after the date of maturity, including extensions, or the date this Loan is paid in full, whichever occurs first. Such books will include Borrower’s financial and operating statements, insurance policies, tax returns and related filings, records of earnings distributed and dividends paid and records of compensation to officers, directors, holders of 10% or more of Borrower’s capital stock, members, partners and proprietors.

 

Borrower authorizes SBA to make or cause to be made, at Borrower’s expense and in such a manner and at such times as SBA may require: (1) inspections and audits of any books, records and paper in the custody or control of Borrower or others relating to Borrower’s financial or business conditions, including the making of copies thereof and extracts therefrom, and (2) inspections and appraisals of any of Borrower’s assets.

 

Borrower will furnish to SBA, not later than 3 months following the expiration of Borrower’s fiscal year and in such form as SBA may require, Borrower’s financial statements.

 

Upon written request of SBA, Borrower will accompany such statements with an ‘Accountant’s Review Report’ prepared by an independent public accountant at Borrower’s expense.

 

Borrower authorizes all Federal, State and municipal authorities to furnish reports of examination, records and other information relating to the conditions and affairs of Borrower and any desired information from such reports, returns, files, and records of such authorities upon request of SBA.

 

Page 4 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

LIMITS ON DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

 

Borrower will not, without the prior written consent of SBA, make any distribution of Borrower’s assets, or give any preferential treatment, make any advance, directly or indirectly, by way of loan, gift, bonus, or otherwise, to any owner or partner or any of its employees, or to any company directly or indirectly controlling or affiliated with or controlled by Borrower, or any other company.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY REQUIREMENT

 

If Borrower has or intends to have employees, Borrower will post SBA Form 722, Equal Opportunity Poster (copy attached), in Borrower’s place of business where it will be clearly visible to employees, applicants for employment, and the general public.

 

DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

 

Borrower agrees to the attached Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities

 

BORROWER’S CERTIFICATIONS

 

Borrower certifies that:

 

There has been no substantial adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition (and organization, in case of a business borrower) since the date of the application for this Loan. (Adverse changes include, but are not limited to: judgment liens, tax liens, mechanic’s liens, bankruptcy, financial reverses, arrest or conviction of felony, etc.)

 

No fees have been paid, directly or indirectly, to any representative (attorney, accountant, etc.) for services provided or to be provided in connection with applying for or closing this Loan, other than those reported on SBA Form 5 Business Disaster Loan Application’; SBA Form 3501 COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application; or SBA Form 159, ’Compensation Agreement’. All fees not approved by SBA are prohibited.

 

All representations in the Borrower’s Loan application (including all supplementary submissions) are true, correct and complete and are offered to induce SBA to make this Loan.

 

No claim or application for any other compensation for disaster losses has been submitted to or requested of any source, and no such other compensation has been received, other than that which Borrower has fully disclosed to SBA.

 

Neither the Borrower nor, if the Borrower is a business, any principal who owns at least 50% of the Borrower, is delinquent more than 60 days under the terms of any: (a) administrative order; (b) court order; or (c) repayment agreement that requires payment of child support.

 

Borrower certifies that no fees have been paid, directly or indirectly, to any representative (attorney, accountant, etc.) for services provided or to be provided in connection with applying for or closing this Loan, other than those reported on the Loan Application. All fees not approved by SBA are prohibited. If an Applicant chooses to employ an Agent, the compensation an Agent charges to and that is paid by the Applicant must bear a necessary and reasonable relationship to the services actually performed and must be comparable to those charged by other Agents in the geographical area. Compensation cannot be contingent on loan approval. In addition, compensation must not include any expenses which are deemed by SBA to be unreasonable for services actually performed or expenses actually incurred. Compensation must not include charges prohibited in 13 CFR 103 or SOP 50-30, Appendix 1.

   
  If the compensation exceeds $500 for a disaster home loan or $2,500 for a disaster business loan, Borrower must fill out the Compensation Agreement Form 159D which will be provided for Borrower upon request or can be found on the SBA website.

 

Page 5 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

Borrower certifies, to the best of its, his or her knowledge and belief, that the certifications and representations in the attached Certification Regarding Lobbying are true, correct and complete and are offered to induce SBA to make this Loan.

 

CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES

 

Whoever wrongfully misapplies the proceeds of an SBA disaster loan shall be civilly liable to the Administrator in an amount equal to one-and-one half times the original principal amount of the loan under 15 U.S.C. 636(b). In addition, any false statement or misrepresentation to SBA may result in criminal, civil or administrative sanctions including, but not limited to: 1) fines, imprisonment or both, under 15 U.S.C. 645, 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1014, 18 U.S.C. 1040, 18 U.S.C. 3571, and any other applicable laws; 2) treble damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729; 3) double damages and civil penalties under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3802; and 4) suspension and/or debarment from all Federal procurement and non-procurement transactions. Statutory fines may increase if amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.

 

RESULT OF VIOLATION OF THIS LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT

 

If Borrower violates any of the terms or conditions of this Loan Authorization and Agreement, the Loan will be in default and SBA may declare all or any part of the indebtedness immediately due and payable. SBA’s failure to exercise its rights under this paragraph will not constitute a waiver.

 

A default (or any violation of any of the terms and conditions) of any SBA Loan(s) to Borrower and/or its affiliates will be considered a default of all such Loan(s).

 

DISBURSEMENT OF THE LOAN

 

Disbursements will be made by and at the discretion of SBA Counsel, in accordance with this Loan Authorization and Agreement and the general requirements of SBA.

 

Disbursements may be made in increments as needed.

 

Other conditions may be imposed by SBA pursuant to general requirements of SBA.

 

Disbursement may be withheld if, in SBA’s sole discretion, there has been an adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition or in any other material fact represented in the Loan application, or if Borrower fails to meet any of the terms or conditions of this Loan Authorization and Agreement.

 

NO DISBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE LATER THAN 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THIS LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT UNLESS SBA, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, EXTENDS THIS DISBURSEMENT PERIOD.

 

Page 6 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

PARTIES AFFECTED

 

This Loan Authorization and Agreement will be binding upon Borrower and Borrower’s successors and assigns and will inure to the benefit of SBA and its successors and assigns.

 

RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Borrower shall, within 180 days of receiving any disbursement of this Loan, submit the appropriate SBA Certificate and/or Resolution to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

ENFORCEABILITY

 

This Loan Authorization and Agreement is legally binding, enforceable and approved upon Borrower’s signature, the SBA’s approval and the Loan Proceeds being issued to Borrower by a government issued check or by electronic debit of the Loan Proceeds to Borrower’ banking account provided by Borrower in application for this Loan.

 

  /s/ James E. Rivera
  James E. Rivera
  Associate Administrator
  U.S. Small Business Administration

 

The undersigned agree(s) to be bound by the terms and conditions herein during the term of this Loan, and further agree(s) that no provision stated herein will be waived without prior written consent of SBA. Under penalty of perjury of the United States of America, I hereby certify that I am authorized to apply for and obtain a disaster loan on behalf of Borrower, in connection with the effects of the COVID-19 emergency.

 

  Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP  
       
  /s/ John Jun Xu   Date: 06.03.2020
  John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer    

  

Note: Corporate Borrowers must execute Loan Authorization and Agreement in corporate name, by a duly authorized officer. Partnership Borrowers must execute in firm name, together with signature of a general partner. Limited Liability entities must execute in the entity name by the signature of the authorized managing person.

 

Page 7 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING

 

For loans over $150,000, Congress requires recipients to agree to the following:

 

1.Appropriated funds may NOT be used for lobbying.

 

2.Payment of non-federal funds for lobbying must be reported on Form SF-LLL.

 

3.Language of this certification must be incorporated into all contracts and subcontracts exceeding $100,000.

 

4.All contractors and subcontractors with contracts exceeding $100,000 are required to certify and disclose accordingly.

 

Page 8 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)

 

 

CERTIFICATION REGARDING

LOBBYING

 

Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements

 

Borrower and all Guarantors (if any) certify, to the best of its, his or her knowledge and belief, that:

 

(1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

 

(2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal loan, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions.

 

(3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all sub-awards at all tiers (including subcontracts, sub-grants, and contracts under grants, loans, and co-operative agreements) and that all sub-recipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

 

This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by Section 1352, Title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000.00 and not more than $100,000.00 for each such failure.

 

Page 9 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)

 

 

This Statement of Policy is Posted

In Accordance with Regulations of the

Small Business Administration
This Organization Practices
Equal Employment Opportunity

 

 

We do not discriminate on the ground of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin in the hiring, retention, or promotion of employees; nor in determining their rank, or the compensation or fringe benefits paid them.

 

This Organization Practices

 

Equal Treatment of Clients

 

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, disability, age or national origin in services or accommodations offered or provided to our employees, clients or guests.

 

These policies and this notice comply with regulations of the

United States Government.

 

Please report violations of this policy to:

 

  Administrator
  Small Business Administration
  Washington, D.C. 20416

 

In order for the public and your employees to know their rights under 13 C.F.R Parts 112, 113, and 117, Small Business Administration Regulations, and to conform with the directions of the Administrator of SBA, this poster must be displayed where it is clearly visible to employees, applicants for employment, and the public.

 

Failure to display the poster as required in accordance with SBA Regulations may be considered evidence of noncompliance and subject you to the penalties contained in those Regulations.

 

Page 10 of 11

SBA FORM 722 (10-02) REF: SOP 9030 PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETEU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1994 0- 153-346

This form was electronically produced by Elite Federal Inc.

 

 

 

Esta Declaración De Principios Se Publica

De Acuerdo Con Los Reglamentos De La

Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa

Esta Organización Practica

Igual Oportunidad De Empleo

 

 

No discriminamos por razón de raza, color, religión, sexo, edad, discapacidad o nacionalidad en el empleo, retención o ascenso de personal ni en la determinación de sus posiciones, salarios o beneficios marginales.

 

Esta Organización Practica

 

Igualdad En El Trato A Su Clientela

 

No discriminamos por razón de raza, color, religión, sexo, estado civil, edad, discapacidad o nacionalidad en los servicios o facilidades provistos para nuestros empleados, clientes o visitantes.

 

Estos principios y este aviso cumplen con los reglamentos del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos de América.

 

Favor de informar violaciones a lo aquí indicado a: 

 

  Administrador
  Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la
Pequeña Empresa
  Washington, D.C. 20416

  

A fin de que el público y sus empleados conozcan sus derechos según lo expresado en las Secciones 112, 113 y 117 del Código de Regulaciaones Federales No. 13, de los Reglamentos de la Agencja Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa y de acuerdo con las instrucciones del Administrador de dicha agencia, esta notificación debe fijarse en un lugar claramente visible para los empleados, solicitantes de empleo y público en general. No fijar esta notificación según lo requerido por los reglamentos de la Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa, puede ser interpretado como evidencia de falta de cumplimiento de los mismos y conllevará la ejecución de los castigos impuestos en estos reglamentos.

 

Page 11 of 11

SBA FORM 722 (10-02) REF: SOP 9030 PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETEU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1994 0- 153-346

This form was electronically produced by Elite Federal Inc.

 

 

 

NOTE

 

A PROPERLY SIGNED NOTE IS

REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY

DISBURSEMENT

 

CAREFULLY READ THE NOTE: It is your promise to repay the loan.

 

The Note is pre-dated. DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE OF THE NOTE.

 

LOAN PAYMENTS will be due as stated in the Note.

 

ANY CORRECTIONS OR UNAUTHORIZED MARKS MAY VOID THIS DOCUMENT.

 

 

SIGNING THE NOTE: All borrowers must sign the Note.

 

Sign your name exactly as it appears on the Note. If typed incorrectly, you should sign with the correct spelling.

 

If your middle initial appears on the signature line, sign with your middle initial.

 

If a suffix appears on the signature line, such as Sr. or Jr., sign with your suffix.

 

Corporate Signatories: Authorized representatives should sign the signature page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

NOTE

SECURED DISASTER LOANS

Date: 06.03.2020

 

Loan Amount: $150,000.00

 

Annual Interest Rate: 3.75%

  

SBA Loan # 7239127805 Application #3600752542

 

1.PROMISE TO PAY: In return for a loan, Borrower promises to pay to the order of SBA the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($150,000.00), interest on the unpaid principal balance, and all other amounts required by this Note.

 

2.DEFINITIONS: A) “Collateral” means any property taken as security for payment of this Note or any guarantee of this Note. B) “Guarantor” means each person or entity that signs a guarantee of payment of this Note. C) “Loan Documents” means the documents related to this loan signed by Borrower, any Guarantor, or anyone who pledges collateral.

 

3.PAYMENT TERMS: Borrower must make all payments at the place SBA designates. Borrower may prepay this Note in part or in full at any time, without notice or penalty. Borrower must pay principal and interest payments of $731.00 every month beginning Twelve (12) months from the date of the Note. SBA will apply each installment payment first to pay interest accrued to the day SBA receives the payment and will then apply any remaining balance to reduce principal. All remaining principal and accrued interest is due and payable Thirty (30) years from the date of the Note.

 

4.DEFAULT: Borrower is in default under this Note if Borrower does not make a payment when due under this Note, or if Borrower: A) Fails to comply with any provision of this Note, the Loan Authorization and Agreement, or other Loan Documents; B) Defaults on any other SBA loan; C) Sells or otherwise transfers, or does not preserve or account to SBA’s satisfaction for, any of the Collateral or its proceeds; D) Does not disclose, or anyone acting on their behalf does not disclose, any material fact to SBA; E) Makes, or anyone acting on their behalf makes, a materially false or misleading representation to SBA; F) Defaults on any loan or agreement with another creditor, if SBA believes the default may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay this Note; G) Fails to pay any taxes when due; H) Becomes the subject of a proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law; I) Has a receiver or liquidator appointed for any part of their business or property; J) Makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; K) Has any adverse change in financial condition or business operation that SBA believes may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay this Note; L) Dies; M) Reorganizes, merges, consolidates, or otherwise changes ownership or business structure without SBA’s prior written consent; or, N) Becomes the subject of a civil or criminal action that SBA believes may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay this Note.

 

5.SBA’S RIGHTS IF THERE IS A DEFAULT: Without notice or demand and without giving up any of its rights, SBA may: A) Require immediate payment of all amounts owing under this Note; B) Have recourse to collect all amounts owing from any Borrower or Guarantor (if any); C) File suit and obtain judgment; D) Take possession of any Collateral; or E) Sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of, any Collateral at public or private sale, with or without advertisement.

 

6.SBA’S GENERAL POWERS: Without notice and without Borrower’s consent, SBA may: A) Bid on or buy the Collateral at its sale or the sale of another lienholder, at any price it chooses; B) Collect amounts due under this Note, enforce the terms of this Note or any other Loan Document, and preserve or dispose of the Collateral. Among other things, the expenses may include payments for property taxes, prior liens, insurance, appraisals, environmental remediation costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If SBA incurs such expenses, it may demand immediate reimbursement from Borrower or add the expenses to the principal balance; C) Release anyone obligated to pay this Note; D) Compromise, release, renew, extend or substitute any of the Collateral; and E) Take any action necessary to protect the Collateral or collect amounts owing on this Note.

 

Page 2 of 3
SBA FORM 147 B (5-00)

 

 

7.FEDERAL LAW APPLIES: When SBA is the holder, this Note will be interpreted and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, foreclosing liens, and other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax, or liability. As to this Note, Borrower may not claim or assert against SBA any local or state law to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.

 

8.GENERAL PROVISIONS: A) All individuals and entities signing this Note are jointly and severally liable. B) Borrower waives all suretyship defenses. C) Borrower must sign all documents required at any time to comply with the Loan Documents and to enable SBA to acquire, perfect, or maintain SBA’s liens on Collateral. D) SBA may exercise any of its rights separately or together, as many times and in any order it chooses. SBA may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights without giving up any of them. E) Borrower may not use an oral statement of SBA to contradict or alter the written terms of this Note. F) If any part of this Note is unenforceable, all other parts remain in effect. G) To the extent allowed by law, Borrower waives all demands and notices in connection with this Note, including presentment, demand, protest, and notice of dishonor. Borrower also waives any defenses based upon any claim that SBA did not obtain any guarantee; did not obtain, perfect, or maintain a lien upon Collateral; impaired Collateral; or did not obtain the fair market value of Collateral at a sale. H) SBA may sell or otherwise transfer this Note.

 

9.MISUSE OF LOAN FUNDS: Anyone who wrongfully misapplies any proceeds of the loan will be civilly liable to SBA for one and one- half times the proceeds disbursed, in addition to other remedies allowed by law.

 

10.BORROWER’S NAME(S) AND SIGNATURE(S): By signing below, each individual or entity acknowledges and accepts personal obligation and full liability under the Note as Borrower.

 

  Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP
   
  /s/ John Jun Xu
  John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer

 

Page 3 of 3
SBA FORM 147 B (5-00)

 

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Read this document carefully. It grants the SBA a security interest (lien) in all the property described in paragraph 4.

 

This document is predated. DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE ON THIS DOCUMENT.

 

 

 

 

     
 

U.S. Small Business Administration 

Security Agreement

 
     

 

SBA Loan #: 7239127805
Borrower: Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP
Secured Party: The Small Business Administration, an Agency of the U.S. Government
Date: 06.03.2020
Note Amount: $150,000.00

 

1.DEFINITIONS.

 

Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to them under the Official Text of the Uniform Commercial Code, as it may be amended from time to time, (“UCC”). “SBA” means the Small Business Administration, an Agency of the U.S. Government.

 

2.GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.

 

For value received, the Borrower grants to the Secured Party a security interest in the property described below in paragraph 4 (the “Collateral”).

 

3.OBLIGATIONS SECURED.

 

This Agreement secures the payment and performance of: (a) all obligations under a Note dated 06.03.2020, made by Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP , made payable to Secured Lender, in the amount of $150,000.00 (“Note”), including all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), incurred by Secured Party in the disbursement, administration and collection of the loan evidenced by the Note; (b) all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), incurred by Secured Party in the protection, maintenance and enforcement of the security interest hereby granted; (c) all obligations of the Borrower in any other agreement relating to the Note; and (d) any modifications, renewals, refinancings, or extensions of the foregoing obligations.

 

Page 2 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

4.COLLATERAL DESCRIPTION.

 

The Collateral in which this security interest is granted includes the following property that Borrower now owns or shall acquire or create immediately upon the acquisition or creation thereof: all tangible and intangible personal property, including, but not limited to: (a) inventory, (b) equipment, (c) instruments, including promissory notes (d) chattel paper, including tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper, (e) documents, (f) letter of credit rights, (g) accounts, including health-care insurance receivables and credit card receivables, (h) deposit accounts, (i) commercial tort claims, (j) general intangibles, including payment intangibles and software and (k) as-extracted collateral as such terms may from time to time be defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest Borrower grants includes all accessions, attachments, accessories, parts, supplies and replacements for the Collateral, all products, proceeds and collections thereof and all records and data relating thereto.

 

5.RESTRICTIONS ON COLLATERAL TRANSFER.

 

Borrower will not sell, lease, license or otherwise transfer (including by granting security interests, liens, or other encumbrances in) all or any part of the Collateral or Borrower’s interest in the Collateral without Secured Party’s written or electronically communicated approval, except that Borrower may sell inventory in the ordinary course of business on customary terms. Borrower may collect and use amounts due on accounts and other rights to payment arising or created in the ordinary course of business, until notified otherwise by Secured Party in writing or by electronic communication.

 

6.MAINTENANCE AND LOCATION OF COLLATERAL; INSPECTION; INSURANCE.

 

Borrower must promptly notify Secured Party by written or electronic communication of any change in location of the Collateral, specifying the new location. Borrower hereby grants to Secured Party the right to inspect the Collateral at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice. Borrower must: (a) maintain the Collateral in good condition; (b) pay promptly all taxes, judgments, or charges of any kind levied or assessed thereon; (c) keep current all rent or mortgage payments due, if any, on premises where the Collateral is located; and (d) maintain hazard insurance on the Collateral, with an insurance company and in an amount approved by Secured Party (but in no event less than the replacement cost of that Collateral), and including such terms as Secured Party may require including a Lender’s Loss Payable Clause in favor of Secured Party. Borrower hereby assigns to Secured Party any proceeds of such policies and all unearned premiums thereon and authorizes and empowers Secured Party to collect such sums and to execute and endorse in Borrower’s name all proofs of loss, drafts, checks and any other documents necessary for Secured Party to obtain such payments.

 

7.CHANGES TO BORROWER’S LEGAL STRUCTURE, PLACE OF BUSINESS, JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION, OR NAME.

 

Borrower must notify Secured Party by written or electronic communication not less than 30 days before taking any of the following actions: (a) changing or reorganizing the type of organization or form under which it does business; (b) moving, changing its place of business or adding a place of business; (c) changing its jurisdiction of organization; or (d) changing its name. Borrower will pay for the preparation and filing of all documents Secured Party deems necessary to maintain, perfect and continue the perfection of Secured Party’s security interest in the event of any such change.

 

8.PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST.

 

Borrower consents, without further notice, to Secured Party’s filing or recording of any documents necessary to perfect, continue, amend or terminate its security interest. Upon request of Secured Party, Borrower must sign or otherwise authenticate all documents that Secured Party deems necessary at any time to allow Secured Party to acquire, perfect, continue or amend its security interest in the Collateral. Borrower will pay the filing and recording costs of any documents relating to Secured Party’s security interest. Borrower ratifies all previous filings and recordings, including financing statements and notations on certificates of title. Borrower will cooperate with Secured Party in obtaining a Control Agreement satisfactory to Secured Party with respect to any Deposit Accounts or Investment Property, or in otherwise obtaining control or possession of that or any other Collateral.

 

Page 3 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

9.DEFAULT.

 

Borrower is in default under this Agreement if: (a) Borrower fails to pay, perform or otherwise comply with any provision of this Agreement; (b) Borrower makes any materially false representation, warranty or certification in, or in connection with, this Agreement, the Note, or any other agreement related to the Note or this Agreement; (c) another secured party or judgment creditor exercises its rights against the Collateral; or (d) an event defined as a “default” under the Obligations occurs. In the event of default and if Secured Party requests, Borrower must assemble and make available all Collateral at a place and time designated by Secured Party. Upon default and at any time thereafter, Secured Party may declare all Obligations secured hereby immediately due and payable, and, in its sole discretion, may proceed to enforce payment of same and exercise any of the rights and remedies available to a secured party by law including those available to it under Article 9 of the UCC that is in effect in the jurisdiction where Borrower or the Collateral is located. Unless otherwise required under applicable law, Secured Party has no obligation to clean or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale or other disposition and Borrower waives any right it may have to require Secured Party to enforce the security interest or payment or performance of the Obligations against any other person.

 

10.FEDERAL RIGHTS.

 

When SBA is the holder of the Note, this Agreement will be construed and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. Secured Party or SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, enforcing security interests or liens, and for any other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax or liability. As to this Agreement, Borrower may not claim or assert any local or state law against SBA to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.

 

11.GOVERNING LAW.

 

Unless SBA is the holder of the Note, in which case federal law will govern, Borrower and Secured Party agree that this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where the Borrower is located, including the UCC as in effect in such jurisdiction and without reference to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

12.SECURED PARTY RIGHTS.

 

All rights conferred in this Agreement on Secured Party are in addition to those granted to it by law, and all rights are cumulative and may be exercised simultaneously. Failure of Secured Party to enforce any rights or remedies will not constitute an estoppel or waiver of Secured Party’s ability to exercise such rights or remedies. Unless otherwise required under applicable law, Secured Party is not liable for any loss or damage to Collateral in its possession or under its control, nor will such loss or damage reduce or discharge the Obligations that are due, even if Secured Party’s actions or inactions caused or in any way contributed to such loss or damage.

 

13.SEVERABILITY.

 

If any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable, all other provisions remain in effect.

 

Page 4 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

14.BORROWER CERTIFICATIONS.

 

Borrower certifies that: (a) its Name (or Names) as stated above is correct; (b) all Collateral is owned or titled in the Borrower’s name and not in the name of any other organization or individual; (c) Borrower has the legal authority to grant the security interest in the Collateral; (d) Borrower’s ownership in or title to the Collateral is free of all adverse claims, liens, or security interests (unless expressly permitted by Secured Party); (e) none of the Obligations are or will be primarily for personal, family or household purposes; (f) none of the Collateral is or will be used, or has been or will be bought primarily for personal, family or household purposes; (g) Borrower has read and understands the meaning and effect of all terms of this Agreement.

 

15.BORROWER NAME(S) AND SIGNATURE(S).

 

By signing or otherwise authenticating below, each individual and each organization becomes jointly and severally obligated as a Borrower under this Agreement.

 

  Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP  
       
  /s/ John Jun Xu   Date: 06.03.2020
  John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer    

 

Page 5 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

Exhibit 10.7

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

AMENDED LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT (LA&A)

 

A PROPERLY SIGNED DOCUMENT IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY DISBURSEMENT

 

CAREFULLY READ THE LA&A:

 

This document describes the terms and conditions of your loan. It is your responsibility to comply with ALL the terms and conditions of your loan.

 

SIGNING THE LA&A:

 

All borrowers must sign the LA&A.

 

Sign your name exactly as it appears on the LA&A. If typed incorrectly, you should sign with the correct spelling.

 

If your middle initial appears on the signature line, sign with your middle initial.

 

If a suffix appears on the signature line, such as Sr. or Jr., sign with your suffix.

 

Corporate Signatories: Authorized representatives should sign the signature page.

 

Your signature represents your agreement to comply

with the terms and conditions of the loan.

 

 

Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

 

AMENDED LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT

 

Date: 06.03.2020, 01.12.2022 (Effective Date)

 

On the above date, this Administration (SBA) authorized (under Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, as amended) a Loan or Loan Modification (SBA Loan #7239127805) to Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP (Borrower) of 137 S SAN GABRIEL BLVD SAN GABRIEL California 91776 in the amount of two million and 00/100 Dollars ($2,000,000.00), upon the following conditions:

 

PAYMENT

 

Installment payments, including principal and interest, of $9,799.00 Monthly, will begin Twenty-four (24) months from the date of the Original Note. The balance of principal and interest will be payable Thirty (30) years from the date of the Original Note.

 

INTEREST

 

Interest will accrue at the rate of 3.75% per annum and will accrue only on funds actually advanced from the date(s) of each advance.

 

PAYMENT TERMS

 

Each payment will be applied first to interest accrued to the date of receipt of each payment, and the balance, if any, will be applied to principal.

 

Each payment will be made when due even if at that time the full amount of the Loan has not yet been advanced or the authorized amount of the Loan has been reduced.

 

COLLATERAL

 

For loan amounts of greater than $25,000, Borrower hereby grants to SBA, the secured party hereunder, a continuing security interest in and to any and all “Collateral” as described herein to secure payment and performance of all debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower to SBA hereunder without limitation, including but not limited to all interest, other fees and expenses (all hereinafter called “Obligations”). The Collateral includes the following property that Borrower now owns or shall acquire or create immediately upon the acquisition or creation thereof: all tangible and intangible personal property, including, but not limited to: (a) inventory, (b) equipment, (c) instruments, including promissory notes (d) chattel paper, including tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper, (e) documents, (f) letter of credit rights, (g) accounts, including health-care insurance receivables and credit card receivables, (h) deposit accounts, (i) commercial tort claims, (j) general intangibles, including payment intangibles and software and (k) as-extracted collateral as such terms may from time to time be defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest Borrower grants includes all accessions, attachments, accessories, parts, supplies and replacements for the Collateral, all products, proceeds and collections thereof and all records and data relating thereto.

 

For loan amounts greater than $500,000, Borrower agrees to also provide a Deed of Trust/Mortgage on the business real property, if available, prior to any new or additional disbursement of loan funds. Borrower is not required to provide a Deed of Trust/Mortgage on any business real property that is Borrower’s primary residence, but must provide other real property collateral if available. Real property collateral is in addition to the business assets collateral requirement stated above.

 

For loan amounts of $25,000 or less, SBA is not taking a security interest in any collateral.

 

Page 2 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

GUARANTEE

 

Borrower will provide the following guarantee(s):

 

Guarantee on SBA Form 2128 of: John Jun Xu (1325 WINSTON AVE, SAN MARINO, CA)

 

REQUIREMENTS ,RELATIVE TO COLLATERAL

 

Borrower will not sell or transfer any collateral (except normal inventory turnover in the ordinary course of business) described in the "Collateral" paragraph hereof without the prior written consent of SBA.

 

USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS

 

Borrower will use all the proceeds of this Loan solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by disaster occurring in the month of January 31, 2020 and continuing thereafter and for loans of more than $25,000 to pay Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien filing fees and a third-party UCC handling charge of $100 which will be deducted from the Loan amount stated above.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS AND RECEIPTS

 

Borrower will obtain and itemize receipts (paid receipts, paid invoices or cancelled checks) and contracts for all Loan funds spent and retain these receipts for 3 years from the date of the final disbursement. Prior to each subsequent disbursement (if any) and whenever requested by SBA, Borrower will submit to SBA such itemization together with copies of the receipts.

 

Borrower will not use, directly or indirectly, any portion of the proceeds of this Loan to relocate without the prior written permission of SBA. The law prohibits the use of any portion of the proceeds of this Loan for voluntary relocation from the business area in which the disaster occurred. To request SBA's prior written permission to relocate, Borrower will present to SBA the reasons therefore and a description or address of the relocation site. Determinations of (1) whether a relocation is voluntary or otherwise, and (2) whether any site other than the disaster-affected location is within the business area in which the disaster occurred, will be made solely by SBA.

 

Borrower will, to the extent feasible, purchase only American-made equipment and products with the proceeds of this Loan.

 

Borrower will make any request for a loan increase for additional disaster-related damages as soon as possible after the need for a loan increase is discovered. The SBA will not consider a request for a loan increase received more than two (2) years from the date of loan approval unless, in the sole discretion of the SBA, there are extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the borrower.

 

DEADLINE FOR RETURN OF LOAN CLOSING DOCUMENTS

 

Borrower will sign and return the loan closing documents to SBA within 2 months of the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement. By notifying the Borrower in writing, SBA may cancel this Loan if the Borrower fails to meet this requirement. The Borrower may submit and the SBA may, in its sole discretion, accept documents after 2 months of the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement.

 

COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES

 

Eligibility for this disaster Loan is limited to disaster losses that are not compensated by other sources. Other sources include but are not limited to: (1) proceeds of policies of insurance or other indemnifications, (2) grants or other reimbursement (including loans) from government agencies or private organizations, (3) claims for civil liability against other individuals, organizations or governmental entities, and (4) salvage (including any sale or re-use) of items of damaged property.

 

Page 3 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

Borrower will promptly notify SBA of the existence and status of any claim or application for such other compensation, and of the receipt of any such compensation, and Borrower will promptly submit the proceeds of same (not exceeding the outstanding balance of this Loan) to SBA.

 

Borrower hereby assigns to SBA the proceeds of any such compensation from other sources and authorizes the payor of same to deliver said proceeds to SBA at such time and place as SBA shall designate.

 

SBA will in its sole discretion determine whether any such compensation from other sources is a duplication of benefits. SBA will use the proceeds of any such duplication to reduce the outstanding balance of this Loan, and Borrower agrees that such proceeds will not be applied in lieu of scheduled payments.

 

DUTY TO MAINTAIN HAZARD INSURANCE

 

For loan amounts of greater than $25,000, within 12 months from the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement the Borrower will provide proof of an active and in effect hazard insurance policy including fire, lightning, and extended coverage on all items used to secure this loan to at least 80% of the insurable value. Borrower will not cancel such coverage and will maintain such coverage throughout the entire term of this Loan. BORROWER MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER ANY FUTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE OR SBA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THIS INSURANCE IS NOT MAINTAINED AS STIPULATED HEREIN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERM OF THIS LOAN. Please submit proof of insurance to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

For loan amounts greater than $500,000 and when Real Estate property is taken as collateral to secure this loan, in addition to the coverage required above, Borrower will also provide proof of an active and in effect hazard insurance policy including fire, lightning, and extended coverage on any real estate used to secure this loan to at least 80% of the insurable value. Borrower will not cancel such coverage and will maintain such coverage throughout the entire term of this Loan. BORROWER MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER ANY FUTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE OR SBA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THIS INSURANCE IS NOT MAINTAINED AS STIPULATED HEREIN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERM OF THIS LOAN. Please submit proof of insurance to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

DUTY TO MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE

 

For loan amounts greater than $500,000 and if the collateral real property being used to secure this loan is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), Borrower will purchase (make application and pay the initial premium for) National Flood Insurance, or equivalent coverage for all insurable real property (including any manufactured housing) and contents in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of this Loan, the maximum coverage available, or the fair market value of the property. Borrower will provide proof of an active and in effect Flood Insurance policy to SBA prior to any new or additional disbursement of loan funds.

 

Borrower will not cancel such coverage and will maintain such coverage throughout the entire term of this Loan. For any of the properties that are also specified as collateral for this Loan, the SBA will be named as mortgagee or loss payee. BORROWER MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER ANY FUTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE OR SBA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THIS FLOOD INSURANCE IS NOT MAINTAINED AS STIPULATED HEREIN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERM OF THIS LOAN.

 

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

Borrower will maintain current and proper books of account in a manner satisfactory to SBA for the most recent 5 years until 3 years after the date of maturity, including extensions, or the date this Loan is paid in full, whichever occurs first. Such books will include Borrower's financial and operating statements, insurance policies, tax returns and related filings, records of earnings distributed and dividends paid and records of compensation to officers, directors, holders of 10% or more of Borrower's capital stock, members, partners and proprietors.

 

Borrower authorizes SBA to make or cause to be made, at Borrower's expense and in such a manner and at such times as SBA may require: (1) inspections and audits of any books, records and paper in the custody or control of Borrower or others relating to Borrower's financial or business conditions, including the making of copies thereof and extracts therefrom, and (2) inspections and appraisals of any of Borrower's assets.

 

Page 4 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

Borrower will furnish to SBA, not later than 3 months following the expiration of Borrower's fiscal year and in such form as SBA may require, Borrower's financial statements.

 

Upon written request of SBA, Borrower will accompany such statements with an 'Accountant's Review Report' prepared by an independent public accountant at Borrower's expense.

 

Borrower authorizes all Federal, State and municipal authorities to furnish reports of examination, records and other information relating to the conditions and affairs of Borrower and any desired information from such reports, returns, files, and records of such authorities upon request of SBA.

 

LIMITS ON DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

 

Borrower will not, without the prior written consent of SBA, make any distribution of Borrower’s assets, or give any preferential treatment, make any advance, directly or indirectly, by way of loan, gift, bonus, or otherwise, to any owner or partner or any of its employees, or to any company directly or indirectly controlling or affiliated with or controlled by Borrower, or any other company.

 

LIMIT TO FUND RAISING THROUGH SECURITY OFFERINGS

 

Borrower agrees that in the event any funds are raised through a securities offering (either a public offering or private placement of common or preferred stock, or long term debt with an equity feature), SBA will have the immediate right to require full payment of the Loan balance or require that a portion of proceeds be applied to reduce the outstanding balance of this Loan, and Borrower agrees that such proceeds will not be applied in lieu of scheduled payments.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY REQUIREMENT

 

If Borrower has or intends to have employees, Borrower will post SBA Form 722, Equal Opportunity Poster (copy attached), in Borrower's place of business where it will be clearly visible to employees, applicants for employment, and the general public.

 

DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

 

Borrower agrees to the attached Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities

 

BORROWER’S CERTIFICATIONS

 

Borrower certifies that:

 

For loan amounts greater than $500,000 and when collateral real estate property is being used to secure this loan, Borrower certifies that they are the owner(s) of and hold legal title to any real estate being secured by this loan. Said premises are in their possession, and the title thereto has never been disputed or questioned as to any part thereof. Said premises are free of all mortgages, taxes, assessments, liens, encumbrances, and claims, or interest of any other party, except as disclosed. There are no actions pending affecting said real property.

 

There has been no substantial adverse change in Borrower's financial condition (and organization, in case of a business borrower) since the date of the application for this Loan. (Adverse changes include, but are not limited to: judgment liens, tax liens, mechanic's liens, bankruptcy, financial reverses, arrest or conviction of felony, etc.)

 

No fees have been paid, directly or indirectly, to any representative (attorney, accountant, etc.) for services provided or to be provided in connection with applying for or closing this Loan, other than those reported on SBA Form 5 Business Disaster Loan Application'; SBA Form 3501 COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application; or SBA Form 159, 'Compensation Agreement'. All fees not approved by SBA are prohibited.

 

All representations in the Borrower's Loan application (including all supplementary submissions) are true, correct and complete and are offered to induce SBA to make this Loan.

 

Page 5 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

No claim or application for any other compensation for disaster losses has been submitted to or requested of any source, and no such other compensation has been received, other than that which Borrower has fully disclosed to SBA.

 

Neither the Borrower nor, if the Borrower is a business, any principal who owns at least 50% of the Borrower, is delinquent more than 60 days under the terms of any: (a) administrative order; (b) court order; or (c) repayment agreement that requires payment of child support.

 

Borrower certifies that no fees have been paid, directly or indirectly, to any representative (attorney, accountant, etc.) for services provided or to be provided in connection with applying for or closing this Loan, other than those reported on the Loan Application.

 

All fees not approved by SBA are prohibited. If an Applicant chooses to employ an Agent, the compensation an Agent charges to and that is paid by the Applicant must bear a necessary and reasonable relationship to the services actually performed and must be comparable to those charged by other Agents in the geographical area. Compensation cannot be contingent on loan approval. In addition, compensation must not include any expenses which are deemed by SBA to be unreasonable for services actually performed or expenses actually incurred. Compensation must not include charges prohibited in 13 CFR 103 or SOP 50-30, Appendix 1. If the compensation exceeds $500 for a disaster home loan or $2,500 for a disaster business loan, Borrower must fill out the Compensation Agreement Form 159D which will be provided for Borrower upon request or can be found on the SBA website.

 

Borrower certifies, to the best of its, his or her knowledge and belief, that the certifications and representations in the attached Certification Regarding Lobbying are true, correct and complete and are offered to induce SBA to make this Loan.

 

CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES

 

Whoever wrongfully misapplies the proceeds of an SBA disaster loan shall be civilly liable to the Administrator in an amount equal to one-and-one half times the original principal amount of the loan under 15 U.S.C. 636(b). In addition, any false statement or misrepresentation to SBA may result in criminal, civil or administrative sanctions including, but not limited to: 1) fines, imprisonment or both, under 15 U.S.C. 645, 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1014, 18 U.S.C. 1040, 18 U.S.C. 3571, and any other applicable laws; 2) treble damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729; 3) double damages and civil penalties under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3802; and 4) suspension and/or debarment from all Federal procurement and non-procurement transactions. Statutory fines may increase if amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.

 

RESULT OF VIOLATION OF THIS LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT

 

If Borrower violates any of the terms or conditions of this Loan Authorization and Agreement, the Loan will be in default and SBA may declare all or any part of the indebtedness immediately due and payable. SBA's failure to exercise its rights under this paragraph will not constitute a waiver.

 

A default (or any violation of any of the terms and conditions) of any SBA Loan(s) to Borrower and/or its affiliates will be considered a default of all such Loan(s).

 

DISBURSEMENT OF THE LOAN

 

Disbursements will be made by and at the discretion of SBA Counsel, in accordance with this Loan Authorization and Agreement and the general requirements of SBA.

 

Disbursements may be made in increments as needed.

 

Other conditions may be imposed by SBA pursuant to general requirements of SBA.

 

Page 6 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

Disbursement may be withheld if, in SBA's sole discretion, there has been an adverse change in Borrower's financial condition or in any other material fact represented in the Loan application, or if Borrower fails to meet any of the terms or conditions of this Loan Authorization and Agreement.

 

NO DISBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE LATER THAN 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THIS LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT UNLESS SBA, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, EXTENDS THIS DISBURSEMENT PERIOD.

 

PARTIES AFFECTED

 

This Loan Authorization and Agreement will be binding upon Borrower and Borrower's successors and assigns and will inure to the benefit of SBA and its successors and assigns.

 

RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Borrower and any business entity guarantor shall, within 180 days of receiving any disbursement of this Loan, submit the appropriate SBA Certificate and/or Resolution to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

ENFORCEABILITY

 

This Loan Authorization and Agreement is legally binding, enforceable and approved upon Borrower’s signature, the SBA’s approval and the Loan Proceeds being issued to Borrower by a government issued check or by electronic debit of the Loan Proceeds to Borrower’ banking account provided by Borrower in application for this Loan.

 

 /s/ James E. Rivera
James E. Rivera
 Associate Administrator
U.S. Small Business Administration

 

The undersigned agree(s) to be bound by the terms and conditions herein during the term of this Loan, and further agree(s) that no provision stated herein will be waived without prior written consent of SBA. Under penalty of perjury of the United States of America, I hereby certify that I am authorized to apply for and obtain a disaster loan on behalf of Borrower, in connection with the effects of the COVID-19 emergency.

 

Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP  
      
/s/ John Jun Xu   Date: 01.12.2022
John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer    

 

Note: Corporate Borrowers must execute Loan Authorization and Agreement in corporate name, by a duly authorized officer. Partnership Borrowers must execute in firm name, together with signature of a general partner. Limited Liability entities must execute in the entity name by the signature of the authorized managing person.

 

Page 7 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING

 

For loans over $150,000, Congress requires recipients to agree to the following:

 

1.Appropriated funds may NOT be used for lobbying.

 

2.Payment of non-federal funds for lobbying must be reported on Form SF-LLL.

 

3.Language of this certification must be incorporated into all contracts and subcontracts exceeding $100,000.

 

4.All contractors and subcontractors with contracts exceeding $100,000 are required to certify and disclose accordingly.

 

Page 8 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00) 

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING

 

Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements

 

Borrower and all Guarantors certify, to the best of its, his or her knowledge and belief, that:

 

(1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

 

(2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal loan, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.

 

(3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all sub-awards at all tiers (including subcontracts, sub-grants, and contracts under grants, loans, and co-operative agreements) and that all sub-recipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

 

This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by Section 1352, Title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000.00 and not more than $100,000.00 for each such failure.

 

Page 9 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00) 

 

 

This Statement of Policy is Posted

In Accordance with Regulations of the

Small Business Administration

This Organization Practices

Equal Employment Opportunity

 

We do not discriminate on the ground of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin in the hiring, retention, or promotion of employees; nor in determining their rank, or the compensation or fringe benefits paid them.

 

This Organization Practices

 

Equal Treatment of Clients

 

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, disability, age or national origin in services or accommodations offered or provided to our employees, clients or guests.

 

These policies and this notice comply with regulations of the

United States Government.

 

Please report violations of this policy to:

 

  Administrator
  Small Business Administration
Washington, D.C. 20416

 

In order for the public and your employees to know their rights under 13 C.F.R Parts 112, 113, and 117, Small Business Administration Regulations, and to conform with the directions of the Administrator of SBA, this poster must be displayed where it is clearly visible to employees, applicants for employment, and the public.

 

Failure to display the poster as required in accordance with SBA Regulations may be considered evidence of noncompliance and subject you to the penalties contained in those Regulations.

 

Page 10 of 11

SBA FORM 722 (10-02) REF: SOP 9030 PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETEU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1994 0- 153-346

This form was electronically produced by Elite Federal Inc.

 

 

 

Esta Declaración De Principios Se Publica

De Acuerdo Con Los Reglamentos De La

Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa
Esta Organización Practica
Igual Oportunidad De Empleo

 

 

No discriminamos por razón de raza, color, religión, sexo, edad, discapacidad o acionalidad en el empleo, retención o ascenso de personal ni en la determinación de sus posiciones, salarios o beneficios marginales.

 

Esta Organización Practica

 

Igualdad En El Trato A Su Clientela

 

No discriminamos por razón de raza, color, religión, sexo, estado civil, edad, discapacidad o nacionalidad en los servicios o facilidades provistos para nuestros empleados, clientes o visitantes.

 

Estos principios y este aviso cumplen con los reglamentos del Gobierno

de los Estados Unidos de América.

 

Favor de informar violaciones a lo aquí indicado a:

 

Administrador
Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la
Pequeña Empresa
Washington, D.C. 20416

 

A fin de que el público y sus empleados conozcan sus derechos según lo expresado en las Secciones 112, 113 y 117 del Código de Regulaciaones Federales No. 13, de los Reglamentos de la Agencja Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa y de acuerdo con las instrucciones del Administrador de dicha agencia, esta notificación debe fijarse en un lugar claramente visible para los empleados, solicitantes de empleo y público en general. No fijar esta notificación según lo requerido por los reglamentos de la Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa, puede ser interpretado como evidencia de falta de cumplimiento de los mismos y conllevará la ejecución de los castigos impuestos en estos reglamentos.

 

Page 11 of 11

SBA FORM 722 (10-02) REF: SOP 9030 PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETEU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1994 0- 153-346

This form was electronically produced by Elite Federal Inc.

 

 

 

MODIFICATION OF NOTE

 

Read this document carefully. This is your written promise to repay the loan. This Modification of Note reflects the changes to your loan.

 

Loan payments will be due as stated in the second paragraph.

 

This document is pre-dated. DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE OF THIS DOCUMENT.

 

Sign your name(s) EXACTLY as it appears. If there is an error in the spelling of your name, please notify this office. Sign on the back or bottom only, as indicated by the signature line.

 

Return the signed original document to SBA.

 

Make no corrections to this document. Call the SBA office if you find an error.

 

 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

1st Modification of Note

 

(SECURED DISASTER LOANS)

Date: January 12, 2022

 

Loan Amount: $2,000,000.00

 

Annual Interest Rate: 3.750%

 

Application #3600752542 Loan #7239127805

 

1.NOTE: The “Note” is the SBA note signed by Borrower, dated June 3, 2020 in the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand and 00/100 Dollars, payable to SBA. This 1st Modification of Note modifies certain terms of the Note. The current modifications and any prior modifications to the Note, are disclosed below in Paragraphs 2 and 4.

 

2.CURRENT PAYMENT TERMS: Including terms modified by this agreement, the current payment terms of the 1st Modified Note are: The loan amount is two million and 00/100 Dollars. The interest rate is 3.750% per year. Payments of $9,799.00 are due every MONTH beginning Twenty-four (24) months from the date of the Original Note. All remaining principal and accrued interest is due and payable Thirty (30) years from the date of Original Note.

 

3.ADDITIONAL BORROWER: N/A

 

4.PREVIOUS NOTE AND MODIFICATIONS, IF ANY, AND CURRENT MODIFICATION TERMS SUMMARY: The chart attached hereto and incorporated by reference as Addendum A is a summary of your original Note terms, any previous modifications thereto and this current modification:

 

5.EFFECT OF THIS MODIFICATION: All terms of the Note remain unchanged by this agreement except terms that are expressly modified. This Modification of Note becomes a part of the original Note and has the same effect as if its terms were in the original Note when it was signed.

 

6.DEFINITIONS: A) “Collateral” means any property taken as security for payment of the Note or any guarantee of the Note. B) “Guarantor” means each person or entity that signs a guarantee of payment of the Note. C) “Loan Documents” means the documents related to this loan signed by Borrower, any Guarantor, or anyone who pledges collateral.

 

7.DEFAULT: Borrower is in default under the Note or any modification to the Note, if Borrower does not make a payment when due under the Note, or if Borrower: A) Fails to comply with any provision of the Note, the Loan Authorization and Agreement, or other Loan Documents; B) Defaults on any other SBA loan; C) Sells or otherwise transfers, or does not preserve or account to SBA’s satisfaction for, any of the Collateral or its proceeds; D) Does not disclose, or anyone acting on their behalf does not disclose, any material fact to SBA; E) Makes, or anyone acting on their behalf makes, a materially false or misleading representation to SBA; F) Defaults on any loan or agreement with another creditor, if SBA believes the default may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay the Note; G) Fails to pay any taxes when due; H) Becomes the subject of a proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law; I) Has a receiver or liquidator appointed for any part of their business or property; J) Makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; K) Has any adverse change in financial condition or business operation that SBA believes may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay the Note; L) Dies; M) Reorganizes, merges, consolidates, or otherwise changes ownership or business structure without SBA’s prior written consent; or, N) Becomes the subject of a civil or criminal action that SBA believes may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay the Note.

 

Page 2 of 4
SBA FORM 2131 (5-00)

 

 

3600752542 / 7239127805 

 

8.SBA’S RIGHTS IF THERE IS A DEFAULT: Without notice or demand and without giving up any of its rights, SBA may: A) Require immediate payment of all amounts owing under the Note; B) Collect all amounts owing from any Borrower or Guarantor; C) File suit and obtain judgment; D) Take possession of any Collateral; or, E) Sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of, any Collateral at public or private sale, with or without advertisement.

 

9.SBA’S GENERAL POWERS: Without notice and without Borrower’s consent, SBA may: A) Bid on or buy the Collateral at its sale or the sale of another lienholder, at any price it chooses; B) Incur expenses to collect amounts due under the Note, enforce the terms of the Note or any other Loan Document, and preserve or dispose of the Collateral. Among other things, the expenses may include payments for property taxes, prior liens, insurance, appraisals, environmental remediation costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If SBA incurs such expenses, it may demand immediate reimbursement from Borrower or add the expenses to the principal balance; C) Release anyone obligated to pay the Note; D) Compromise, release, renew, extend or substitute any of the Collateral; and E) Take any action necessary to protect the Collateral or collect amounts owing on the Note.

 

10.WHEN FEDERAL LAW APPLIES: When SBA is the holder, the Note will be interpreted and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, foreclosing liens, and other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax, or liability. As to the Note, Borrower may not claim or assert against SBA any local or state law to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.

 

11.GENERAL PROVISIONS: A) All individuals and entities signing the Note, including this Modification, are jointly and severally liable. B) Borrower waives all suretyship defenses. C) Borrower must sign all documents required at any time to comply with the Loan Documents and to enable SBA to acquire, perfect, or maintain SBA’s liens on Collateral. D) SBA may exercise any of its rights separately or together, as many times and in any order it chooses. SBA may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights without giving up any of them. E) Borrower may not use an oral statement of SBA to contradict or alter the written terms of the Note. F) If any part of the Note is unenforceable, all other parts remain in effect. G) To the extent allowed by law, Borrower waives all demands and notices in connection with the Note, including presentment, demand, protest, and notice of dishonor. Borrower also waives any defenses based upon any claim that SBA did not obtain any guarantee; did not obtain, perfect, or maintain a lien upon Collateral; impaired Collateral; or did not obtain the fair market value of Collateral at a sale. H) SBA may sell or otherwise transfer the Note.

 

12.MISUSE OF LOAN FUNDS: Anyone who wrongfully misapplies any proceeds of the loan will be civilly liable to SBA for one and one half times the proceeds disbursed, in addition to other remedies allowed by law.

 

13.BORROWER'S NAME(S) AND SIGNATURE(S): By signing below, each individual or entity acknowledges and accepts personal obligation and full liability under the Note as Borrower.

 

Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP
  
 /s/ John Jun Xu
John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer

 

Page 3 of 4
SBA FORM 2131 (5-00)

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

Addendum A

 

   Date  Note Amount   Interest Rate   Periodic Payment
Amounts
   Maturity Date
Original Note  June 3, 2020  $150,000.00    3.750%  $731.00   June 15, 2050
1st Modification  January 12, 2022  $2,000,000.00    3.750%  $9,799.00   June 15, 2050

 

Page 4 of 4

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

AMENDED SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Read this document carefully. It grants the SBA a security interest (lien) in all the property described in paragraph 4.

 

This document is predated. DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE ON THIS DOCUMENT.

 

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration
AMENDED SECURITY
AGREEMENT

 

SBA Loan #: 7239127805
Borrower: Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP
Secured Party: The Small Business Administration, an Agency of the U.S. Government
Date: 01.12.2022

Note Amount:

$2,000,000.00

 

1.DEFINITIONS.

 

Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to them under the Official Text of the Uniform Commercial Code, as it may be amended from time to time, (“UCC”). “SBA” means the Small Business Administration, an Agency of the U.S. Government.

 

2.GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.

 

For value received, the Borrower grants to the Secured Party a security interest in the property described below in paragraph 4 (the “Collateral”).

 

3.OBLIGATIONS SECURED.

 

This Agreement secures the payment and performance of: (a) all obligations under a Note dated 06.03.2020 and all amendments and modifications thereto, made by Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP , made payable to Secured Lender, in the total principal amount of $2,000,000.00 (“Note”), including all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), incurred by Secured Party in the disbursement, administration and collection of the loan evidenced by the Note; (b) all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), incurred by Secured Party in the protection, maintenance and enforcement of the security interest hereby granted; (c) all obligations of the Borrower in any other agreement relating to the Note; and (d) any modifications, renewals, refinancings, or extensions of the foregoing obligations.

 

4.COLLATERAL DESCRIPTION.

 

The Collateral in which this security interest is granted includes the following property that Borrower now owns or shall acquire or create immediately upon the acquisition or creation thereof: all tangible and intangible personal property, including, but not limited to: (a) inventory, (b) equipment, (c) instruments, including promissory notes (d) chattel paper, including tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper, (e) documents, (f) letter of credit rights, (g) accounts, including health-care insurance receivables and credit card receivables, (h) deposit accounts, (i) commercial tort claims, (j) general intangibles, including payment intangibles and software and (k) as-extracted collateral as such terms may from time to time be defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest Borrower grants includes all accessions, attachments, accessories, parts, supplies and replacements for the Collateral, all products, proceeds and collections thereof and all records and data relating thereto.

 

Page 2 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

5.RESTRICTIONS ON COLLATERAL TRANSFER.

 

Borrower will not sell, lease, license or otherwise transfer (including by granting security interests, liens, or other encumbrances in) all or any part of the Collateral or Borrower’s interest in the Collateral without Secured Party’s written or electronically communicated approval, except that Borrower may sell inventory in the ordinary course of business on customary terms. Borrower may collect and use amounts due on accounts and other rights to payment arising or created in the ordinary course of business, until notified otherwise by Secured Party in writing or by electronic communication.

 

6.MAINTENANCE AND LOCATION OF COLLATERAL; INSPECTION; INSURANCE.

 

Borrower must promptly notify Secured Party by written or electronic communication of any change in location of the Collateral, specifying the new location. Borrower hereby grants to Secured Party the right to inspect the Collateral at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice. Borrower must: (a) maintain the Collateral in good condition; (b) pay promptly all taxes, judgments, or charges of any kind levied or assessed thereon; (c) keep current all rent or mortgage payments due, if any, on premises where the Collateral is located; and (d) maintain hazard insurance on the Collateral, with an insurance company and in an amount approved by Secured Party (but in no event less than the replacement cost of that Collateral), and including such terms as Secured Party may require including a Lender’s Loss Payable Clause in favor of Secured Party. Borrower hereby assigns to Secured Party any proceeds of such policies and all unearned premiums thereon and authorizes and empowers Secured Party to collect such sums and to execute and endorse in Borrower’s name all proofs of loss, drafts, checks and any other documents necessary for Secured Party to obtain such payments.

 

7.CHANGES TO BORROWER’S LEGAL STRUCTURE, PLACE OF BUSINESS, JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION, OR NAME.

 

Borrower must notify Secured Party by written or electronic communication not less than 30 days before taking any of the following actions: (a) changing or reorganizing the type of organization or form under which it does business; (b) moving, changing its place of business or adding a place of business; (c) changing its jurisdiction of organization; or (d) changing its name. Borrower will pay for the preparation and filing of all documents Secured Party deems necessary to maintain, perfect and continue the perfection of Secured Party’s security interest in the event of any such change.

 

8.PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST.

 

Borrower consents, without further notice, to Secured Party’s filing or recording of any documents necessary to perfect, continue, amend or terminate its security interest. Upon request of Secured Party, Borrower must sign or otherwise authenticate all documents that Secured Party deems necessary at any time to allow Secured Party to acquire, perfect, continue or amend its security interest in the Collateral. Borrower will pay the filing and recording costs of any documents relating to Secured Party’s security interest. Borrower ratifies all previous filings and recordings, including financing statements and notations on certificates of title. Borrower will cooperate with Secured Party in obtaining a Control Agreement satisfactory to Secured Party with respect to any Deposit Accounts or Investment Property, or in otherwise obtaining control or possession of that or any other Collateral.

 

Page 3 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

9.DEFAULT.

 

Borrower is in default under this Agreement if: (a) Borrower fails to pay, perform or otherwise comply with any provision of this Agreement; (b) Borrower makes any materially false representation, warranty or certification in, or in connection with, this Agreement, the Note, or any other agreement related to the Note or this Agreement; (c) another secured party or judgment creditor exercises its rights against the Collateral; or (d) an event defined as a “default” under the Obligations occurs. In the event of default and if Secured Party requests, Borrower must assemble and make available all Collateral at a place and time designated by Secured Party.

 

Upon default and at any time thereafter, Secured Party may declare all Obligations secured hereby immediately due and payable, and, in its sole discretion, may proceed to enforce payment of same and exercise any of the rights and remedies available to a secured party by law including those available to it under Article 9 of the UCC that is in effect in the jurisdiction where Borrower or the Collateral is located. Unless otherwise required under applicable law, Secured Party has no obligation to clean or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale or other disposition and Borrower waives any right it may have to require Secured Party to enforce the security interest or payment or performance of the Obligations against any other person.

 

10.FEDERAL RIGHTS.

 

When SBA is the holder of the Note, this Agreement will be construed and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. Secured Party or SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, enforcing security interests or liens, and for any other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax or liability. As to this Agreement, Borrower may not claim or assert any local or state law against SBA to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.

 

11.GOVERNING LAW.

 

Unless SBA is the holder of the Note, in which case federal law will govern, Borrower and Secured Party agree that this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where the Borrower is located, including the UCC as in effect in such jurisdiction and without reference to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

12.SECURED PARTY RIGHTS.

 

All rights conferred in this Agreement on Secured Party are in addition to those granted to it by law, and all rights are cumulative and may be exercised simultaneously. Failure of Secured Party to enforce any rights or remedies will not constitute an estoppel or waiver of Secured Party’s ability to exercise such rights or remedies. Unless otherwise required under applicable law, Secured Party is not liable for any loss or damage to Collateral in its possession or under its control, nor will such loss or damage reduce or discharge the Obligations that are due, even if Secured Party’s actions or inactions caused or in any way contributed to such loss or damage.

 

13.SEVERABILITY.

 

If any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable, all other provisions remain in effect.

 

Page 4 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

14.BORROWER CERTIFICATIONS.

 

Borrower certifies that: (a) its Name (or Names) as stated above is correct; (b) all Collateral is owned or titled in the Borrower’s name and not in the name of any other organization or individual; (c) Borrower has the legal authority to grant the security interest in the Collateral; (d) Borrower’s ownership in or title to the Collateral is free of all adverse claims, liens, or security interests (unless expressly permitted by Secured Party); (e) none of the Obligations are or will be primarily for personal, family or household purposes; (f) none of the Collateral is or will be used, or has been or will be bought primarily for personal, family or household purposes; (g) Borrower has read and understands the meaning and effect of all terms of this Agreement.

 

15.BORROWER NAME(S) AND SIGNATURE(S).

 

By signing or otherwise authenticating below, each individual and each organization becomes jointly and severally obligated as a Borrower under this Agreement.

 

Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP  
     
/s/ John Jun Xu  Date: 01.12.2022
John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer  

 

Page 5 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

GUARANTEE

 

The Guarantee is to be signed by the person(s) who is to guarantee your loan.

 

This document is pre-dated. DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE ON THIS DOCUMENT.

 

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

 

 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration
UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE
(DISASTER LOANS)

 

 

 

SBA Loan # 7239127805
Application # 3600752542
Guarantor(s) John Jun Xu
Borrower Good Fortune Supermarket of San Gabriel LP
Date 01.12.2022
Note Amount $2,000,000.00

 

1.GUARANTEE.

 

Guarantor(s) unconditionally guarantee(s) payment to SBA of all amounts owing under the Note and any modifications of the Note. This Guarantee remains in effect until the Note and any modifications of the Note is paid in full. Guarantor(s) must pay all amounts due under the Note and any modifications of the Note when SBA makes written demand upon Guarantor(s). SBA is not required to seek payment from any other source before demanding payment from Guarantor(s).

 

2.NOTE.

 

The “Note” is the promissory note dated 06.03.2020 and any modifications thereto in the total principal amount of two million and 00/100 Dollars ($2,000,000.00,) from Borrower to SBA. It includes any assumption, renewal, substitution, modifications or replacement of the Note.

 

3.DEFINITIONS.

 

“Collateral” means property, if any, taken as security for payment of the Note and any modifications of the Note or any guarantee of the Note.

 

“Loan” means the loan evidenced by the Note and any modifications of the Note.

 

“Loan Documents” means the documents related to the Loan signed by Borrower, Guarantor(s) or any other guarantor, or anyone who pledges Collateral.

 

“SBA” means the Small Business Administration, an Agency of the United States of America.

 

Page 2 of 5
SBA FORM 2128

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

4.SBA’S GENERAL POWERS.

 

SBA may take any of the following actions at any time, without notice, without Guarantor(s)’ consent, and without making demand upon Guarantor(s):

 

A.Modify the terms of the Note or any other Loan Document except to increase the amounts due under the Note and any modifications of the Note;

 

B.Refrain from taking any action on the Note and any modifications of the Note, the Collateral, or any guarantee;

 

C.Release any Borrower or any guarantor of the Note and any modifications of the Note;

 

D.Compromise or settle with the Borrower or any guarantor of the Note and any modifications of the Note;

 

E.Substitute or release any of the Collateral, whether or not SBA receives anything in return;

 

F.Foreclose upon or otherwise obtain, and dispose of, any Collateral at public or private sale, with or without advertisement;

 

G.Bid or buy at any sale of Collateral by SBA or any other lienholder, at any price SBA chooses; and

 

H.Exercise any rights it has, including those in the Note and any modifications of the Note and other Loan Documents.

 

These actions will not release or reduce the obligations of Guarantor(s) or create any rights or claims against SBA.

 

5.FEDERAL LAW.

 

When SBA is the holder, the Note and any modifications of the Note and this Guarantee will be construed and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, foreclosing liens, and other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax, or liability. As to this Guarantee, Guarantor(s) may not claim or assert any local or state law against SBA to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.

 

6.RIGHTS, NOTICES, AND DEFENSES THAT GUARANTOR(S) WAIVE(S).

 

To the extent permitted by law,

 

I.Guarantor(s) waive(s) all rights to:

 

1)Require presentment, protest, or demand upon Borrower;

 

2)Redeem any Collateral before or after SBA disposes of it;

 

3)Have any disposition of Collateral advertised; and

 

4)Require a valuation of Collateral before or after SBA disposes of it.

 

J.Guarantor(s) waive(s) any notice of:

 

1)Any default under the Note and/or any modifications of the Note;

 

2)Presentment, dishonor, protest, or demand;

 

3)Execution of the Note and/or any modifications of the Note;

 

4)Any action or inaction on the Note and/or any modifications of the Note or Collateral, such as disbursements, payment, nonpayment, acceleration, intent to accelerate, assignment, collection activity, and incurring enforcement expenses;

 

5)Any change in the financial condition or business operations of Borrower or any guarantor(s);

 

6)Any changes in the terms of the Note and/or any modifications of the Note or other Loan Documents, except increases in the amounts due under the Note and/or any modifications of the Note; and

 

7)The time or place of any sale or other disposition of Collateral.

 

K.Guarantor(s) waive(s) defenses based upon any claim that

 

1)SBA failed to obtain any guarantee;

 

2)SBA failed to obtain, perfect, or maintain a security interest in any property offered or taken as Collateral;

 

3)SBA or others improperly valued or inspected the Collateral;

 

4)The Collateral changed in value, or was neglected, lost, destroyed, or underinsured;

 

Page 3 of 5
SBA FORM 2128

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

5)SBA impaired the Collateral;

 

6)SBA did not dispose of any of the Collateral;

 

7)SBA did not conduct a commercially reasonable sale;

 

8)SBA did not obtain the fair market value of the Collateral;

 

9)SBA did not make or perfect a claim upon the death or disability of Borrower or any guarantor of the Note;

 

10)The financial condition of Borrower or any guarantor was overstated or has adversely changed;

 

11)SBA made errors or omissions in Loan Documents or administration of the Loan;

 

12)SBA did not seek payment from the Borrower, any other guarantor(s), or any Collateral before demanding payment from Guarantor(s);

 

13)SBA impaired Guarantor(s)’ suretyship rights;

 

14)SBA modified the Note terms, other than to increase amounts due under the Note and/or any modifications of the Note. If SBA modifies the Note to increase the amounts due under the Note without Guarantor(s)’ consent, Guarantor(s) will not be liable for the increased amounts and related interest and expenses, but remains liable for all other amounts;

 

15)Borrower has avoided liability on the Note and/or any modifications of the Note; or

 

16)SBA has taken an action allowed under the Note and/or any modifications of the Note, this Guarantee, or other Loan Documents.

 

7.DUTIES AS TO COLLATERAL.

 

Guarantor(s) will preserve the Collateral, if any, pledged by Guarantor(s) to secure this Guarantee. SBA has no duty to preserve or dispose of any Collateral.

 

8.SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

 

Under this Guarantee, Guarantor(s) include(s) successors, and SBA includes successors and assigns.

 

9.GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 

L.ENFORCEMENT EXPENSES. Guarantor(s) promise(s) to pay all expenses SBA incurs to enforce this Guarantee, including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees and costs.

 

M.SUBROGRATION RIGHT. Guarantor(s) has/have no subrogation rights as to the Note or the Collateral until the Note or any modifications of the Note is/are paid in full.

 

N.JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY. All individuals and entities signing as Guarantor(s) is/are jointly and severally liable.

 

O.DOCUMENT SIGNING. Guarantor(s) must sign all documents necessary at any time to comply with the Loan Documents and to enable SBA to acquire, perfect, or maintain SBA’s liens on Collateral.

 

P.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Guarantor(s) must give SBA financial statements as SBA requires.

 

Q.SBA’S RIGHTS CUMULATIVE, NOT WAIVED. SBA may exercise any of its rights separately or together, as many times as it chooses. SBA may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights without losing or impairing any of them.

 

R.ORAL STATEMENTS NOT BINDING. Guarantor(s) may not use an oral statement to contradict or alter the written terms of the Note and/or any modifications of the Note or this Guarantee, or to raise a defense to this Guarantee.

 

S.SEVERABILITY. If any part of this Guarantee is found to be unenforceable, all other parts will remain in effect.

 

Page 4 of 5
SBA FORM 2128

 

 

SBA Loan #7239127805Application #3600752542

 

T.CONSIDERATION. The consideration for this Guarantee is the Loan or any accommodation by SBA as to the Loan.

 

10.GUARANTOR(S) ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TERMS.

 

Guarantor(s) acknowledge(s) that Guarantor(s) has/have read and understands the significance of all terms of the Loan Authorization Agreement, Note and/or any modifications of the Note, this Guarantee, including all waivers, and certifies, to the best of its, his or her knowledge and belief, that the certifications and representations in the attached Certification Regarding Lobbying are true, correct and complete and are offered to induce SBA to make this Loan.

 

11.GUARANTOR(S) NAME(S) AND SIGNATURE(S).

 

By signing below, each individual or entity becomes obligated as Guarantor under this Guarantee.

 

GUARANTOR:
  
 /s/ John Jun Xu
John Jun Xu, individually

 

Page 5 of 5
SBA FORM 2128

Exhibit 10.8

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

AMENDED LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT (LA&A)

 

A PROPERLY SIGNED DOCUMENT IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY DISBURSEMENT

 

CAREFULLY READ THE LA&A:

 

This document describes the terms and conditions of your loan. It is your responsibility to comply with ALL the terms and conditions of your loan.

 

SIGNING THE LA&A:

 

All borrowers must sign the LA&A.

 

Sign your name exactly as it appears on the LA&A. If typed incorrectly, you should sign with the correct spelling.

 

If your middle initial appears on the signature line, sign with your middle initial.

 

If a suffix appears on the signature line, such as Sr. or Jr., sign with your suffix.

 

Corporate Signatories: Authorized representatives should sign the signature page.

 

Your signature represents your agreement to comply

with the terms and conditions of the loan.

 

Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

 

AMENDED LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT

 

Date: 06.03.2020, 01.06.2022 (Effective Date)

 

On the above date, this Administration (SBA) authorized (under Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, as amended) a Loan or Loan Modification (SBA Loan #7244867809) to Super HK of El Monte Inc (Borrower) of 11850 Valley Blvd EL MONTE California 91732 in the amount of five hundred thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($500,000.00), upon the following conditions:

 

PAYMENT

 

Installment payments, including principal and interest, of $2,480.00 Monthly, will begin Twenty-four (24) months from the date of the Original Note. The balance of principal and interest will be payable Thirty (30) years from the date of the Original Note.

 

INTEREST

 

Interest will accrue at the rate of 3.75% per annum and will accrue only on funds actually advanced from the date(s) of each advance.

 

PAYMENT TERMS

 

Each payment will be applied first to interest accrued to the date of receipt of each payment, and the balance, if any, will be applied to principal.

 

Each payment will be made when due even if at that time the full amount of the Loan has not yet been advanced or the authorized amount of the Loan has been reduced.

 

COLLATERAL

 

For loan amounts of greater than $25,000, Borrower hereby grants to SBA, the secured party hereunder, a continuing security interest in and to any and all “Collateral” as described herein to secure payment and performance of all debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower to SBA hereunder without limitation, including but not limited to all interest, other fees and expenses (all hereinafter called “Obligations”). The Collateral includes the following property that Borrower now owns or shall acquire or create immediately upon the acquisition or creation thereof: all tangible and intangible personal property, including, but not limited to: (a) inventory, (b) equipment, (c) instruments, including promissory notes (d) chattel paper, including tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper, (e) documents, (f) letter of credit rights, (g) accounts, including health-care insurance receivables and credit card receivables, (h) deposit accounts, (i) commercial tort claims, (j) general intangibles, including payment intangibles and software and (k) as-extracted collateral as such terms may from time to time be defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest Borrower grants includes all accessions, attachments, accessories, parts, supplies and replacements for the Collateral, all products, proceeds and collections thereof and all records and data relating thereto.

 

For loan amounts greater than $500,000, Borrower agrees to also provide a Deed of Trust/Mortgage on the business real property, if available, prior to any new or additional disbursement of loan funds. Borrower is not required to provide a Deed of Trust/Mortgage on any business real property that is Borrower’s primary residence, but must provide other real property collateral if available. Real property collateral is in addition to the business assets collateral requirement stated above.

 

For loan amounts of $25,000 or less, SBA is not taking a security interest in any collateral.

 

Page 2 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

GUARANTEE

 

Borrower will provide the following guarantee(s):

 

Guarantee on SBA Form 2128 of: John Jun Xu (1325 WINSTON AVE, SAN MARINO, CA)

 

REQUIREMENTS RELATIVE TO COLLATERAL

 

Borrower will not sell or transfer any collateral (except normal inventory turnover in the ordinary course of business) described in the “Collateral” paragraph hereof without the prior written consent of SBA.

 

USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS

 

Borrower will use all the proceeds of this Loan solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by disaster occurring in the month of January 31, 2020 and continuing thereafter and for loans of more than $25,000 to pay Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien filing fees and a third-party UCC handling charge of $100 which will be deducted from the Loan amount stated above.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS AND RECEIPTS

 

Borrower will obtain and itemize receipts (paid receipts, paid invoices or cancelled checks) and contracts for all Loan funds spent and retain these receipts for 3 years from the date of the final disbursement. Prior to each subsequent disbursement (if any) and whenever requested by SBA, Borrower will submit to SBA such itemization together with copies of the receipts.

 

Borrower will not use, directly or indirectly, any portion of the proceeds of this Loan to relocate without the prior written permission of SBA. The law prohibits the use of any portion of the proceeds of this Loan for voluntary relocation from the business area in which the disaster occurred. To request SBA’s prior written permission to relocate, Borrower will present to SBA the reasons therefore and a description or address of the relocation site. Determinations of (1) whether a relocation is voluntary or otherwise, and (2) whether any site other than the disaster-affected location is within the business area in which the disaster occurred, will be made solely by SBA.

 

Borrower will, to the extent feasible, purchase only American-made equipment and products with the proceeds of this Loan.

 

Borrower will make any request for a loan increase for additional disaster-related damages as soon as possible after the need for a loan increase is discovered. The SBA will not consider a request for a loan increase received more than two (2) years from the date of loan approval unless, in the sole discretion of the SBA, there are extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the borrower.

 

DEADLINE FOR RETURN OF LOAN CLOSING DOCUMENTS

 

Borrower will sign and return the loan closing documents to SBA within 2 months of the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement. By notifying the Borrower in writing, SBA may cancel this Loan if the Borrower fails to meet this requirement. The Borrower may submit and the SBA may, in its sole discretion, accept documents after 2 months of the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement.

 

COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES

 

Eligibility for this disaster Loan is limited to disaster losses that are not compensated by other sources. Other sources include but are not limited to: (1) proceeds of policies of insurance or other indemnifications, (2) grants or other reimbursement (including loans) from government agencies or private organizations, (3) claims for civil liability against other individuals, organizations or governmental entities, and (4) salvage (including any sale or re-use) of items of damaged property.

 

Page 3 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

Borrower will promptly notify SBA of the existence and status of any claim or application for such other compensation, and of the receipt of any such compensation, and Borrower will promptly submit the proceeds of same (not exceeding the outstanding balance of this Loan) to SBA.

 

Borrower hereby assigns to SBA the proceeds of any such compensation from other sources and authorizes the payor of same to deliver said proceeds to SBA at such time and place as SBA shall designate.

 

SBA will in its sole discretion determine whether any such compensation from other sources is a duplication of benefits. SBA will use the proceeds of any such duplication to reduce the outstanding balance of this Loan, and Borrower agrees that such proceeds will not be applied in lieu of scheduled payments.

 

DUTY TO MAINTAIN HAZARD INSURANCE

 

For loan amounts of greater than $25,000, within 12 months from the date of this Loan Authorization and Agreement the Borrower will provide proof of an active and in effect hazard insurance policy including fire, lightning, and extended coverage on all items used to secure this loan to at least 80% of the insurable value. Borrower will not cancel such coverage and will maintain such coverage throughout the entire term of this Loan. BORROWER MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER ANY FUTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE OR SBA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THIS INSURANCE IS NOT MAINTAINED AS STIPULATED HEREIN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERM OF THIS LOAN. Please submit proof of insurance to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

For loan amounts greater than $500,000 and when Real Estate property is taken as collateral to secure this loan, in addition to the coverage required above, Borrower will also provide proof of an active and in effect hazard insurance policy including fire, lightning, and extended coverage on any real estate used to secure this loan to at least 80% of the insurable value. Borrower will not cancel such coverage and will maintain such coverage throughout the entire term of this Loan. BORROWER MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER ANY FUTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE OR SBA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THIS INSURANCE IS NOT MAINTAINED AS STIPULATED HEREIN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERM OF THIS LOAN. Please submit proof of insurance to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

DUTY TO MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE

 

For loan amounts greater than $500,000 and if the collateral real property being used to secure this loan is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), Borrower will purchase (make application and pay the initial premium for) National Flood Insurance, or equivalent coverage for all insurable real property (including any manufactured housing) and contents in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of this Loan, the maximum coverage available, or the fair market value of the property. Borrower will provide proof of an active and in effect Flood Insurance policy to SBA prior to any new or additional disbursement of loan funds.

 

Borrower will not cancel such coverage and will maintain such coverage throughout the entire term of this Loan. For any of the properties that are also specified as collateral for this Loan, the SBA will be named as mortgagee or loss payee. BORROWER MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER ANY FUTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE OR SBA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THIS FLOOD INSURANCE IS NOT MAINTAINED AS STIPULATED HEREIN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERM OF THIS LOAN.

 

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

Borrower will maintain current and proper books of account in a manner satisfactory to SBA for the most recent 5 years until 3 years after the date of maturity, including extensions, or the date this Loan is paid in full, whichever occurs first. Such books will include Borrower’s financial and operating statements, insurance policies, tax returns and related filings, records of earnings distributed and dividends paid and records of compensation to officers, directors, holders of 10% or more of Borrower’s capital stock, members, partners and proprietors.

 

Borrower authorizes SBA to make or cause to be made, at Borrower’s expense and in such a manner and at such times as SBA may require: (1) inspections and audits of any books, records and paper in the custody or control of Borrower or others relating to Borrower’s financial or business conditions, including the making of copies thereof and extracts therefrom, and (2) inspections and appraisals of any of Borrower’s assets.

 

Page 4 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

Borrower will furnish to SBA, not later than 3 months following the expiration of Borrower’s fiscal year and in such form as SBA may require, Borrower’s financial statements.

 

Upon written request of SBA, Borrower will accompany such statements with an ‘Accountant’s Review Report’ prepared by an independent public accountant at Borrower’s expense.

 

Borrower authorizes all Federal, State and municipal authorities to furnish reports of examination, records and other information relating to the conditions and affairs of Borrower and any desired information from such reports, returns, files, and records of such authorities upon request of SBA.

 

LIMITS ON DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

 

Borrower will not, without the prior written consent of SBA, make any distribution of Borrower’s assets, or give any preferential treatment, make any advance, directly or indirectly, by way of loan, gift, bonus, or otherwise, to any owner or partner or any of its employees, or to any company directly or indirectly controlling or affiliated with or controlled by Borrower, or any other company.

 

LIMIT TO FUND RAISING THROUGH SECURITY OFFERINGS

 

Borrower agrees that in the event any funds are raised through a securities offering (either a public offering or private placement of common or preferred stock, or long term debt with an equity feature), SBA will have the immediate right to require full payment of the Loan balance or require that a portion of proceeds be applied to reduce the outstanding balance of this Loan, and Borrower agrees that such proceeds will not be applied in lieu of scheduled payments.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY REQUIREMENT

 

If Borrower has or intends to have employees, Borrower will post SBA Form 722, Equal Opportunity Poster (copy attached), in Borrower’s place of business where it will be clearly visible to employees, applicants for employment, and the general public.

 

DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

 

Borrower agrees to the attached Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities

 

BORROWER’S CERTIFICATIONS

 

Borrower certifies that:

 

For loan amounts greater than $500,000 and when collateral real estate property is being used to secure this loan, Borrower certifies that they are the owner(s) of and hold legal title to any real estate being secured by this loan. Said premises are in their possession, and the title thereto has never been disputed or questioned as to any part thereof. Said premises are free of all mortgages, taxes, assessments, liens, encumbrances, and claims, or interest of any other party, except as disclosed. There are no actions pending affecting said real property.

 

There has been no substantial adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition (and organization, in case of a business borrower) since the date of the application for this Loan. (Adverse changes include, but are not limited to: judgment liens, tax liens, mechanic’s liens, bankruptcy, financial reverses, arrest or conviction of felony, etc.)

 

No fees have been paid, directly or indirectly, to any representative (attorney, accountant, etc.) for services provided or to be provided in connection with applying for or closing this Loan, other than those reported on SBA Form 5 Business Disaster Loan Application’; SBA Form 3501 COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application; or SBA Form 159, ‘Compensation Agreement’. All fees not approved by SBA are prohibited.

 

All representations in the Borrower’s Loan application (including all supplementary submissions) are true, correct and complete and are offered to induce SBA to make this Loan.

 

Page 5 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

No claim or application for any other compensation for disaster losses has been submitted to or requested of any source, and no such other compensation has been received, other than that which Borrower has fully disclosed to SBA.

 

Neither the Borrower nor, if the Borrower is a business, any principal who owns at least 50% of the Borrower, is delinquent more than 60 days under the terms of any: (a) administrative order; (b) court order; or (c) repayment agreement that requires payment of child support.

 

Borrower certifies that no fees have been paid, directly or indirectly, to any representative (attorney, accountant, etc.) for services provided or to be provided in connection with applying for or closing this Loan, other than those reported on the Loan Application.

 

All fees not approved by SBA are prohibited. If an Applicant chooses to employ an Agent, the compensation an Agent charges to and that is paid by the Applicant must bear a necessary and reasonable relationship to the services actually performed and must be comparable to those charged by other Agents in the geographical area. Compensation cannot be contingent on loan approval. In addition, compensation must not include any expenses which are deemed by SBA to be unreasonable for services actually performed or expenses actually incurred. Compensation must not include charges prohibited in 13 CFR 103 or SOP 50-30, Appendix 1. If the compensation exceeds $500 for a disaster home loan or $2,500 for a disaster business loan, Borrower must fill out the Compensation Agreement Form 159D which will be provided for Borrower upon request or can be found on the SBA website.

 

Borrower certifies, to the best of its, his or her knowledge and belief, that the certifications and representations in the attached Certification Regarding Lobbying are true, correct and complete and are offered to induce SBA to make this Loan.

 

CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES

 

Whoever wrongfully misapplies the proceeds of an SBA disaster loan shall be civilly liable to the Administrator in an amount equal to one-and-one half times the original principal amount of the loan under 15 U.S.C. 636(b). In addition, any false statement or misrepresentation to SBA may result in criminal, civil or administrative sanctions including, but not limited to: 1) fines, imprisonment or both, under 15 U.S.C. 645, 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1014, 18 U.S.C. 1040, 18 U.S.C. 3571, and any other applicable laws; 2) treble damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729; 3) double damages and civil penalties under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3802; and 4) suspension and/or debarment from all Federal procurement and non-procurement transactions. Statutory fines may increase if amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.

 

RESULT OF VIOLATION OF THIS LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT

 

If Borrower violates any of the terms or conditions of this Loan Authorization and Agreement, the Loan will be in default and SBA may declare all or any part of the indebtedness immediately due and payable. SBA’s failure to exercise its rights under this paragraph will not constitute a waiver.

 

A default (or any violation of any of the terms and conditions) of any SBA Loan(s) to Borrower and/or its affiliates will be considered a default of all such Loan(s).

 

DISBURSEMENT OF THE LOAN

 

Disbursements will be made by and at the discretion of SBA Counsel, in accordance with this Loan Authorization and Agreement and the general requirements of SBA.

 

Disbursements may be made in increments as needed.

 

Other conditions may be imposed by SBA pursuant to general requirements of SBA.

 

Page 6 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

Disbursement may be withheld if, in SBA’s sole discretion, there has been an adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition or in any other material fact represented in the Loan application, or if Borrower fails to meet any of the terms or conditions of this Loan Authorization and Agreement.

 

NO DISBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE LATER THAN 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THIS LOAN AUTHORIZATION AND AGREEMENT UNLESS SBA, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, EXTENDS THIS DISBURSEMENT PERIOD.

 

PARTIES AFFECTED

 

This Loan Authorization and Agreement will be binding upon Borrower and Borrower’s successors and assigns and will inure to the benefit of SBA and its successors and assigns.

 

RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Borrower and any business entity guarantor shall, within 180 days of receiving any disbursement of this Loan, submit the appropriate SBA Certificate and/or Resolution to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

ENFORCEABILITY

 

This Loan Authorization and Agreement is legally binding, enforceable and approved upon Borrower’s signature, the SBA’s approval and the Loan Proceeds being issued to Borrower by a government issued check or by electronic debit of the Loan Proceeds to Borrower’ banking account provided by Borrower in application for this Loan.

 

  /s/ James E. Rivera
  James E. Rivera
  Associate Administrator
  U.S. Small Business Administration

 

The undersigned agree(s) to be bound by the terms and conditions herein during the term of this Loan, and further agree(s) that no provision stated herein will be waived without prior written consent of SBA. Under penalty of perjury of the United States of America, I hereby certify that I am authorized to apply for and obtain a disaster loan on behalf of Borrower, in connection with the effects of the COVID-19 emergency.

 

Super HK of El Monte Inc      
    Date: 01.06.2022
/s/ John Jun Xu      
John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer      

 

Note: Corporate Borrowers must execute Loan Authorization and Agreement in corporate name, by a duly authorized officer. Partnership Borrowers must execute in firm name, together with signature of a general partner. Limited Liability entities must execute in the entity name by the signature of the authorized managing person.

 

Page 7 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)Ref 50 30

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING

 

For loans over $150,000, Congress requires recipients to agree to the following:

 

1.Appropriated funds may NOT be used for lobbying.

 

2.Payment of non-federal funds for lobbying must be reported on Form SF-LLL.

 

3.Language of this certification must be incorporated into all contracts and subcontracts exceeding $100,000.

 

4.All contractors and subcontractors with contracts exceeding $100,000 are required to certify and disclose accordingly.

 

Page 8 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING

 

Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements

 

Borrower and all Guarantors certify, to the best of its, his or her knowledge and belief, that:

 

(1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

 

(2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal loan, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions.

 

(3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all sub-awards at all tiers (including subcontracts, sub-grants, and contracts under grants, loans, and co-operative agreements) and that all sub-recipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

 

This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by Section 1352, Title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000.00 and not more than $100,000.00 for each such failure.

 

Page 9 of 11

SBA Form 1391 (5-00)

 

 

This Statement of Policy is Posted
In Accordance with Regulations of the
Small Business Administration
This Organization Practices
Equal Employment Opportunity
 

 

We do not discriminate on the ground of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin in the hiring, retention, or promotion of employees; nor in determining their rank, or the compensation or fringe benefits paid them.

 

This Organization Practices

 

Equal Treatment of Clients

 

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, disability, age or national origin in services or accommodations offered or provided to our employees, clients or guests.

 

These policies and this notice comply with regulations of the

United States Government.

 

Please report violations of this policy to:

 

  Administrator
  Small Business Administration
  Washington, D.C. 20416

 

In order for the public and your employees to know their rights under 13 C.F.R Parts 112, 113, and 117, Small Business Administration Regulations, and to conform with the directions of the Administrator of SBA, this poster must be displayed where it is clearly visible to employees, applicants for employment, and the public.

 

Failure to display the poster as required in accordance with SBA Regulations may be considered evidence of noncompliance and subject you to the penalties contained in those Regulations.

 

Page 10 of 11

SBA FORM 722 (10-02) REF: SOP 9030 PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETEU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1994 0- 153-346

This form was electronically produced by Elite Federal Inc.

 

 

 

Esta Declaración De Principios Se Publica
De Acuerdo Con Los Reglamentos De La
Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa
Esta Organización Practica
Igual Oportunidad De Empleo
 

 

No discriminamos por razón de raza, color, religión, sexo, edad, discapacidad o nacionalidad en el empleo, retención o ascenso de personal ni en la determinación de sus posiciones, salarios o beneficios marginales.

 

Esta Organización Practica

 

Igualdad En El Trato A Su Clientela

 

No discriminamos por razón de raza, color, religión, sexo, estado civil, edad, discapacidad o nacionalidad en los servicios o facilidades provistos para nuestros empleados, clientes o visitantes.

 

Estos principios y este aviso cumplen con los reglamentos del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos de América.

 

Favor de informar violaciones a lo aquí indicado a:

 

  Administrador
  Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la
  Pequeña Empresa
  Washington, D.C. 20416

 

A fin de que el público y sus empleados conozcan sus derechos según lo expresado en las Secciones 112, 113 y 117 del Código de Regulaciaones Federales No. 13, de los Reglamentos de la Agencja Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa y de acuerdo con las instrucciones del Administrador de dicha agencia, esta notificación debe fijarse en un lugar claramente visible para los empleados, solicitantes de empleo y público en general. No fijar esta notificación según lo requerido por los reglamentos de la Agencia Federal Para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa, puede ser interpretado como evidencia de falta de cumplimiento de los mismos y conllevará la ejecución de los castigos impuestos en estos reglamentos.

 

Page 11 of 11

SBA FORM 722 (10-02) REF: SOP 9030 PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETEU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1994 0- 153-346

This form was electronically produced by Elite Federal Inc.

 

 

 

MODIFICATION OF NOTE

 

Read this document carefully. This is your written promise to repay the loan. This Modification of Note reflects the changes to your loan.

 

Loan payments will be due as stated in the second paragraph.

 

This document is pre-dated. DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE OF THIS DOCUMENT.

 

Sign your name(s) EXACTLY as it appears. If there is an error in the spelling of your name, please notify this office. Sign on the back or bottom only, as indicated by the signature line.

 

Return the signed original document to SBA.

 

Make no corrections to this document. Call the SBA office if you find an error.

 

 

 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

1st Modification of Note

 

(SECURED DISASTER LOANS)

Date: January 6, 2022

 

Loan Amount: $500,000.00

 

Annual Interest Rate: 3.750%

 

Application #3600758778 Loan #7244867809

 

1.NOTE: The “Note” is the SBA note signed by Borrower, dated June 3, 2020 in the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand and 00/100 Dollars, payable to SBA. This 1st Modification of Note modifies certain terms of the Note. The current modifications and any prior modifications to the Note, are disclosed below in Paragraphs 2 and 4.

 

2.CURRENT PAYMENT TERMS: Including terms modified by this agreement, the current payment terms of the 1st Modified Note are: The loan amount is five hundred thousand and 00/100 Dollars. The interest rate is 3.750% per year. Payments of $2,480.00 are due every MONTH beginning Twenty-four (24) months from the date of the Original Note. All remaining principal and accrued interest is due and payable Thirty (30) years from the date of Original Note.

 

3.ADDITIONAL BORROWER: N/A

 

4.PREVIOUS NOTE AND MODIFICATIONS, IF ANY, AND CURRENT MODIFICATION TERMS SUMMARY: The chart attached hereto and incorporated by reference as Addendum A is a summary of your original Note terms, any previous modifications thereto and this current modification:

 

5.EFFECT OF THIS MODIFICATION: All terms of the Note remain unchanged by this agreement except terms that are expressly modified. This Modification of Note becomes a part of the original Note and has the same effect as if its terms were in the original Note when it was signed.

 

6.DEFINITIONS: A) “Collateral” means any property taken as security for payment of the Note or any guarantee of the Note. B) “Guarantor” means each person or entity that signs a guarantee of payment of the Note. C) “Loan Documents” means the documents related to this loan signed by Borrower, any Guarantor, or anyone who pledges collateral.

 

7.DEFAULT: Borrower is in default under the Note or any modification to the Note, if Borrower does not make a payment when due under the Note, or if Borrower: A) Fails to comply with any provision of the Note, the Loan Authorization and Agreement, or other Loan Documents; B) Defaults on any other SBA loan; C) Sells or otherwise transfers, or does not preserve or account to SBA’s satisfaction for, any of the Collateral or its proceeds; D) Does not disclose, or anyone acting on their behalf does not disclose, any material fact to SBA; E) Makes, or anyone acting on their behalf makes, a materially false or misleading representation to SBA; F) Defaults on any loan or agreement with another creditor, if SBA believes the default may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay the Note; G) Fails to pay any taxes when due; H) Becomes the subject of a proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law; I) Has a receiver or liquidator appointed for any part of their business or property; J) Makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; K) Has any adverse change in financial condition or business operation that SBA believes may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay the Note; L) Dies; M) Reorganizes, merges, consolidates, or otherwise changes ownership or business structure without SBA’s prior written consent; or, N) Becomes the subject of a civil or criminal action that SBA believes may materially affect Borrower’s ability to pay the Note.

 

Page 2 of 4
SBA FORM 2131 (5-00)

 

 

3600758778 / 7244867809

 

8.SBA’S RIGHTS IF THERE IS A DEFAULT: Without notice or demand and without giving up any of its rights, SBA may: A) Require immediate payment of all amounts owing under the Note; B) Collect all amounts owing from any Borrower or Guarantor; C) File suit and obtain judgment; D) Take possession of any Collateral; or, E) Sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of, any Collateral at public or private sale, with or without advertisement.

 

9.SBA’S GENERAL POWERS: Without notice and without Borrower’s consent, SBA may: A) Bid on or buy the Collateral at its sale or the sale of another lienholder, at any price it chooses; B) Incur expenses to collect amounts due under the Note, enforce the terms of the Note or any other Loan Document, and preserve or dispose of the Collateral. Among other things, the expenses may include payments for property taxes, prior liens, insurance, appraisals, environmental remediation costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If SBA incurs such expenses, it may demand immediate reimbursement from Borrower or add the expenses to the principal balance; C) Release anyone obligated to pay the Note; D) Compromise, release, renew, extend or substitute any of the Collateral; and E) Take any action necessary to protect the Collateral or collect amounts owing on the Note.

 

10.WHEN FEDERAL LAW APPLIES: When SBA is the holder, the Note will be interpreted and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, foreclosing liens, and other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax, or liability. As to the Note, Borrower may not claim or assert against SBA any local or state law to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.

 

11.GENERAL PROVISIONS: A) All individuals and entities signing the Note, including this Modification, are jointly and severally liable. B) Borrower waives all suretyship defenses. C) Borrower must sign all documents required at any time to comply with the Loan Documents and to enable SBA to acquire, perfect, or maintain SBA’s liens on Collateral. D) SBA may exercise any of its rights separately or together, as many times and in any order it chooses. SBA may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights without giving up any of them. E) Borrower may not use an oral statement of SBA to contradict or alter the written terms of the Note. F) If any part of the Note is unenforceable, all other parts remain in effect. G) To the extent allowed by law, Borrower waives all demands and notices in connection with the Note, including presentment, demand, protest, and notice of dishonor. Borrower also waives any defenses based upon any claim that SBA did not obtain any guarantee; did not obtain, perfect, or maintain a lien upon Collateral; impaired Collateral; or did not obtain the fair market value of Collateral at a sale. H) SBA may sell or otherwise transfer the Note.

 

12.MISUSE OF LOAN FUNDS: Anyone who wrongfully misapplies any proceeds of the loan will be civilly liable to SBA for one and one half times the proceeds disbursed, in addition to other remedies allowed by law.

 

13.BORROWER’S NAME(S) AND SIGNATURE(S): By signing below, each individual or entity acknowledges and accepts personal obligation and full liability under the Note as Borrower.

 

  Super HK of El Monte Inc
   
  /s/ John Jun Xu
  John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer

 

Page 3 of 4
SBA FORM 2131 (5-00)

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

Addendum A

 

   Date  Note Amount   Interest Rate   Periodic Payment Amounts   Maturity Date
Original Note  June 3, 2020  $150,000.00    3.750%  $731.00   June 15, 2050
1st Modification  January 6, 2022  $500,000.00    3.750%  $2,480.00   June 15, 2050

 

Page 4 of 4

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

AMENDED SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Read this document carefully. It grants the SBA a security interest (lien) in all the property described in paragraph 4.

 

This document is predated. DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE ON THIS DOCUMENT.

 

 

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration
AMENDED SECURITY
AGREEMENT

 

 

 

SBA Loan #: 7244867809
   
Borrower: Super HK of El Monte Inc
   
Secured Party: The Small Business Administration, an Agency of the U.S. Government
   
Date: 01.06.2022
   
Note Amount:   $500,000.00

 

1.DEFINITIONS.

 

Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to them under the Official Text of the Uniform Commercial Code, as it may be amended from time to time, (“UCC”). “SBA” means the Small Business Administration, an Agency of the U.S. Government.

 

2.GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.

 

For value received, the Borrower grants to the Secured Party a security interest in the property described below in paragraph 4 (the “Collateral”).

 

3.OBLIGATIONS SECURED.

 

This Agreement secures the payment and performance of: (a) all obligations under a Note dated 06.03.2020 and all amendments and modifications thereto, made by Super HK of El Monte Inc , made payable to Secured Lender, in the total principal amount of $500,000.00 (“Note”), including all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), incurred by Secured Party in the disbursement, administration and collection of the loan evidenced by the Note; (b) all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), incurred by Secured Party in the protection, maintenance and enforcement of the security interest hereby granted; (c) all obligations of the Borrower in any other agreement relating to the Note; and (d) any modifications, renewals, refinancings, or extensions of the foregoing obligations.

 

4.COLLATERAL DESCRIPTION.

 

The Collateral in which this security interest is granted includes the following property that Borrower now owns or shall acquire or create immediately upon the acquisition or creation thereof: all tangible and intangible personal property, including, but not limited to: (a) inventory, (b) equipment, (c) instruments, including promissory notes (d) chattel paper, including tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper, (e) documents, (f) letter of credit rights, (g) accounts, including health-care insurance receivables and credit card receivables, (h) deposit accounts, (i) commercial tort claims, (j) general intangibles, including payment intangibles and software and (k) as-extracted collateral as such terms may from time to time be defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest Borrower grants includes all accessions, attachments, accessories, parts, supplies and replacements for the Collateral, all products, proceeds and collections thereof and all records and data relating thereto.

 

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SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

5.RESTRICTIONS ON COLLATERAL TRANSFER.

 

Borrower will not sell, lease, license or otherwise transfer (including by granting security interests, liens, or other encumbrances in) all or any part of the Collateral or Borrower’s interest in the Collateral without Secured Party’s written or electronically communicated approval, except that Borrower may sell inventory in the ordinary course of business on customary terms. Borrower may collect and use amounts due on accounts and other rights to payment arising or created in the ordinary course of business, until notified otherwise by Secured Party in writing or by electronic communication.

 

6.MAINTENANCE AND LOCATION OF COLLATERAL; INSPECTION; INSURANCE.

 

Borrower must promptly notify Secured Party by written or electronic communication of any change in location of the Collateral, specifying the new location. Borrower hereby grants to Secured Party the right to inspect the Collateral at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice. Borrower must: (a) maintain the Collateral in good condition; (b) pay promptly all taxes, judgments, or charges of any kind levied or assessed thereon; (c) keep current all rent or mortgage payments due, if any, on premises where the Collateral is located; and (d) maintain hazard insurance on the Collateral, with an insurance company and in an amount approved by Secured Party (but in no event less than the replacement cost of that Collateral), and including such terms as Secured Party may require including a Lender’s Loss Payable Clause in favor of Secured Party. Borrower hereby assigns to Secured Party any proceeds of such policies and all unearned premiums thereon and authorizes and empowers Secured Party to collect such sums and to execute and endorse in Borrower’s name all proofs of loss, drafts, checks and any other documents necessary for Secured Party to obtain such payments.

 

7.CHANGES TO BORROWER’S LEGAL STRUCTURE, PLACE OF BUSINESS, JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION, OR NAME.

 

Borrower must notify Secured Party by written or electronic communication not less than 30 days before taking any of the following actions: (a) changing or reorganizing the type of organization or form under which it does business; (b) moving, changing its place of business or adding a place of business; (c) changing its jurisdiction of organization; or (d) changing its name. Borrower will pay for the preparation and filing of all documents Secured Party deems necessary to maintain, perfect and continue the perfection of Secured Party’s security interest in the event of any such change.

 

8.PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST.

 

Borrower consents, without further notice, to Secured Party’s filing or recording of any documents necessary to perfect, continue, amend or terminate its security interest. Upon request of Secured Party, Borrower must sign or otherwise authenticate all documents that Secured Party deems necessary at any time to allow Secured Party to acquire, perfect, continue or amend its security interest in the Collateral. Borrower will pay the filing and recording costs of any documents relating to Secured Party’s security interest. Borrower ratifies all previous filings and recordings, including financing statements and notations on certificates of title. Borrower will cooperate with Secured Party in obtaining a Control Agreement satisfactory to Secured Party with respect to any Deposit Accounts or Investment Property, or in otherwise obtaining control or possession of that or any other Collateral.

 

Page 3 of 5
SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

9.DEFAULT.

 

Borrower is in default under this Agreement if: (a) Borrower fails to pay, perform or otherwise comply with any provision of this Agreement; (b) Borrower makes any materially false representation, warranty or certification in, or in connection with, this Agreement, the Note, or any other agreement related to the Note or this Agreement; (c) another secured party or judgment creditor exercises its rights against the Collateral; or (d) an event defined as a “default” under the Obligations occurs. In the event of default and if Secured Party requests, Borrower must assemble and make available all Collateral at a place and time designated by Secured Party. Upon default and at any time thereafter, Secured Party may declare all Obligations secured hereby immediately due and payable, and, in its sole discretion, may proceed to enforce payment of same and exercise any of the rights and remedies available to a secured party by law including those available to it under Article 9 of the UCC that is in effect in the jurisdiction where Borrower or the Collateral is located. Unless otherwise required under applicable law, Secured Party has no obligation to clean or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale or other disposition and Borrower waives any right it may have to require Secured Party to enforce the security interest or payment or performance of the Obligations against any other person.

 

10.FEDERAL RIGHTS.

 

When SBA is the holder of the Note, this Agreement will be construed and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. Secured Party or SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, enforcing security interests or liens, and for any other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax or liability. As to this Agreement, Borrower may not claim or assert any local or state law against SBA to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.

 

11.GOVERNING LAW.

 

Unless SBA is the holder of the Note, in which case federal law will govern, Borrower and Secured Party agree that this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where the Borrower is located, including the UCC as in effect in such jurisdiction and without reference to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

12.SECURED PARTY RIGHTS.

 

All rights conferred in this Agreement on Secured Party are in addition to those granted to it by law, and all rights are cumulative and may be exercised simultaneously. Failure of Secured Party to enforce any rights or remedies will not constitute an estoppel or waiver of Secured Party’s ability to exercise such rights or remedies. Unless otherwise required under applicable law, Secured Party is not liable for any loss or damage to Collateral in its possession or under its control, nor will such loss or damage reduce or discharge the Obligations that are due, even if Secured Party’s actions or inactions caused or in any way contributed to such loss or damage.

 

13.SEVERABILITY.

 

If any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable, all other provisions remain in effect.

 

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SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

14.BORROWER CERTIFICATIONS.

 

Borrower certifies that: (a) its Name (or Names) as stated above is correct; (b) all Collateral is owned or titled in the Borrower’s name and not in the name of any other organization or individual; (c) Borrower has the legal authority to grant the security interest in the Collateral; (d) Borrower’s ownership in or title to the Collateral is free of all adverse claims, liens, or security interests (unless expressly permitted by Secured Party); (e) none of the Obligations are or will be primarily for personal, family or household purposes; (f) none of the Collateral is or will be used, or has been or will be bought primarily for personal, family or household purposes; (g) Borrower has read and understands the meaning and effect of all terms of this Agreement.

 

15.BORROWER NAME(S) AND SIGNATURE(S).

 

By signing or otherwise authenticating below, each individual and each organization becomes jointly and severally obligated as a Borrower under this Agreement.

 

Super HK of El Monte Inc      
    Date: 01.06.2022
/s/ John Jun Xu  
John Jun Xu, Owner/Officer      

 

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SBA Form 1059 (09-19) Previous Editions are obsolete.

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

GUARANTEE

 

The Guarantee is to be signed by the person(s) who is to guarantee your loan.

 

This document is pre-dated. DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE ON THIS DOCUMENT.

 

 

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration
UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE
(DISASTER LOANS)

 

 

 

SBA Loan #: 7244867809
   
Application # 3600758778
   
Guarantor(s) John Jun Xu
   
Borrower Super HK of El Monte Inc
   
Date: 01.06.2022
   
Note Amount:   $500,000.00

 

1GUARANTEE.

 

Guarantor(s) unconditionally guarantee(s) payment to SBA of all amounts owing under the Note and any modifications of the Note. This Guarantee remains in effect until the Note and any modifications of the Note is paid in full. Guarantor(s) must pay all amounts due under the Note and any modifications of the Note when SBA makes written demand upon Guarantor(s). SBA is not required to seek payment from any other source before demanding payment from Guarantor(s).

 

2.NOTE.

 

The “Note” is the promissory note dated 06.03.2020 and any modifications thereto in the total principal amount of five hundred thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($500,000.00,) from Borrower to SBA. It includes any assumption, renewal, substitution, modifications or replacement of the Note.

 

3.DEFINITIONS.

 

“Collateral” means property, if any, taken as security for payment of the Note and any modifications of the Note or any guarantee of the Note.

 

“Loan” means the loan evidenced by the Note and any modifications of the Note.

 

“Loan Documents” means the documents related to the Loan signed by Borrower, Guarantor(s) or any other guarantor, or anyone who pledges Collateral.

 

“SBA” means the Small Business Administration, an Agency of the United States of America.

 

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SBA FORM 2128

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

4.SBA’S GENERAL POWERS.

 

SBA may take any of the following actions at any time, without notice, without Guarantor(s)’ consent, and without making demand upon Guarantor(s):

 

A.Modify the terms of the Note or any other Loan Document except to increase the amounts due under the Note and any modifications of the Note;

 

B.Refrain from taking any action on the Note and any modifications of the Note, the Collateral, or any guarantee;

 

C.Release any Borrower or any guarantor of the Note and any modifications of the Note;

 

D.Compromise or settle with the Borrower or any guarantor of the Note and any modifications of the Note;

 

E.Substitute or release any of the Collateral, whether or not SBA receives anything in return;

 

F.Foreclose upon or otherwise obtain, and dispose of, any Collateral at public or private sale, with or without advertisement;

 

G.Bid or buy at any sale of Collateral by SBA or any other lienholder, at any price SBA chooses; and

 

H.Exercise any rights it has, including those in the Note and any modifications of the Note and other Loan Documents.

 

These actions will not release or reduce the obligations of Guarantor(s) or create any rights or claims against SBA.

 

5.FEDERAL LAW.

 

When SBA is the holder, the Note and any modifications of the Note and this Guarantee will be construed and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, foreclosing liens, and other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax, or liability. As to this Guarantee, Guarantor(s) may not claim or assert any local or state law against SBA to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.

 

6.RIGHTS, NOTICES, AND DEFENSES THAT GUARANTOR(S) WAIVE(S).

 

To the extent permitted by law,

 

I.Guarantor(s) waive(s) all rights to:

 

1)Require presentment, protest, or demand upon Borrower;

 

2)Redeem any Collateral before or after SBA disposes of it;

 

3)Have any disposition of Collateral advertised; and

 

4)Require a valuation of Collateral before or after SBA disposes of it.

 

J.Guarantor(s) waive(s) any notice of:

 

1)Any default under the Note and/or any modifications of the Note;

 

2)Presentment, dishonor, protest, or demand;

 

3)Execution of the Note and/or any modifications of the Note;

 

4)Any action or inaction on the Note and/or any modifications of the Note or Collateral, such as disbursements, payment, nonpayment, acceleration, intent to accelerate, assignment, collection activity, and incurring enforcement expenses;

 

5)Any change in the financial condition or business operations of Borrower or any guarantor(s);

 

6)Any changes in the terms of the Note and/or any modifications of the Note or other Loan Documents, except increases in the amounts due under the Note and/or any modifications of the Note; and

 

7)The time or place of any sale or other disposition of Collateral.

 

K.Guarantor(s) waive(s) defenses based upon any claim that

 

1)SBA failed to obtain any guarantee;

 

2)SBA failed to obtain, perfect, or maintain a security interest in any property offered or taken as Collateral;

Page 3 of 5
SBA FORM 2128

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

3)SBA or others improperly valued or inspected the Collateral;

 

4)The Collateral changed in value, or was neglected, lost, destroyed, or underinsured;

 

5)SBA impaired the Collateral;

 

6)SBA did not dispose of any of the Collateral;

 

7)SBA did not conduct a commercially reasonable sale;

 

8)SBA did not obtain the fair market value of the Collateral;

 

9)SBA did not make or perfect a claim upon the death or disability of Borrower or any guarantor of the Note;

 

10)The financial condition of Borrower or any guarantor was overstated or has adversely changed;

 

11)SBA made errors or omissions in Loan Documents or administration of the Loan;

 

12)SBA did not seek payment from the Borrower, any other guarantor(s), or any Collateral before demanding payment from Guarantor(s);

 

13)SBA impaired Guarantor(s)’ suretyship rights;

 

14)SBA modified the Note terms, other than to increase amounts due under the Note and/or any modifications of the Note. If SBA modifies the Note to increase the amounts due under the Note without Guarantor(s)’ consent, Guarantor(s) will not be liable for the increased amounts and related interest and expenses, but remains liable for all other amounts;

 

15)Borrower has avoided liability on the Note and/or any modifications of the Note; or

 

16)SBA has taken an action allowed under the Note and/or any modifications of the Note, this Guarantee, or other Loan Documents.

 

7.DUTIES AS TO COLLATERAL.

 

Guarantor(s) will preserve the Collateral, if any, pledged by Guarantor(s) to secure this Guarantee. SBA has no duty to preserve or dispose of any Collateral.

 

8.SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

 

Under this Guarantee, Guarantor(s) include(s) successors, and SBA includes successors and assigns.

 

9.GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 

L.ENFORCEMENT EXPENSES. Guarantor(s) promise(s) to pay all expenses SBA incurs to enforce this Guarantee, including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees and costs.

 

M.SUBROGRATION RIGHT. Guarantor(s) has/have no subrogation rights as to the Note or the Collateral until the Note or any modifications of the Note is/are paid in full.

 

N.JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY. All individuals and entities signing as Guarantor(s) is/are jointly and severally liable.

 

O.DOCUMENT SIGNING. Guarantor(s) must sign all documents necessary at any time to comply with the Loan Documents and to enable SBA to acquire, perfect, or maintain SBA’s liens on Collateral.

 

P.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Guarantor(s) must give SBA financial statements as SBA requires.

 

Q.SBA’S RIGHTS CUMULATIVE, NOT WAIVED. SBA may exercise any of its rights separately or together, as many times as it chooses. SBA may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights without losing or impairing any of them.

 

R.ORAL STATEMENTS NOT BINDING. Guarantor(s) may not use an oral statement to contradict or alter the written terms of the Note and/or any modifications of the Note or this Guarantee, or to raise a defense to this Guarantee.

 

S.SEVERABILITY. If any part of this Guarantee is found to be unenforceable, all other parts will remain in effect.

 

T.CONSIDERATION. The consideration for this Guarantee is the Loan or any accommodation by SBA as to the Loan.

 

Page 4 of 5
SBA FORM 2128

 

 

SBA Loan #7244867809   Application #3600758778

 

10.GUARANTOR(S) ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TERMS.

 

Guarantor(s) acknowledge(s) that Guarantor(s) has/have read and understands the significance of all terms of the Loan Authorization Agreement, Note and/or any modifications of the Note, this Guarantee, including all waivers, and certifies, to the best of its, his or her knowledge and belief, that the certifications and representations in the attached Certification Regarding Lobbying are true, correct and complete and are offered to induce SBA to make this Loan.

 

11.GUARANTOR(S) NAME(S) AND SIGNATURE(S).

 

By signing below, each individual or entity becomes obligated as Guarantor under this Guarantee.

 

  GUARANTOR:
   
  /s/ John Jun Xu
  John Jun Xu, individually

 

Page 5 of 5
SBA FORM 2128

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

Collaboration Agreement

 

Introduction

 

JD E-commerce America Limited (“JD”) is the developer of certain proprietary retail technology solutions, including the Platform.

 

Maison International, Inc. (“Client”) wishes to engage JD to: (1) provide consultancy services with respect to the configuration and implementation of the Platform for use by Client; (2) provide the Platform for Client to use at the Stores; and (3) provide services supporting Client’s use of the Platform.

 

This Collaboration Agreement (this “Agreement”) consists of:

 

1.these key terms (the “Key Terms”);

 

2.the attached terms and conditions (the “Terms and Conditions”); and

 

3.the attached schedules (each, a “Schedule”).

 

The Parties have separately entered into an intellectual property license agreement of even date (the “Intellectual Property License Agreement”) concerning the Parties respective use of each other’s trade marks.

 

Key Terms

 

Effective Date April 19, 2021
   
Parties 1) JD E-commerce America Limited, a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business at 19900 MacArthur Blvd Suite 660, Irvine, CA 92612 (“JD”); and
   
  2) Maison International, Inc., a company incorporated in Illinois which will do business in California as Maison Chicago Management Inc., whose registered office is at 19745 Colima Rd #1-616, Rowland Heights Ca 91748 (“Client”).
   
Initial Term 10 years, from the Effective Date
   
Renewal Term As may be agreed by the Parties
   
Services JD shall provide the following services to the Client, as further detailed and set out under each SOW for each stage:
 
    1)  Stage 0 – the Consultancy Services including: (1) consideration and assessment Client’s business nature; (2) information and standards, and, analysis and study of feasibility of omni channel retailing of the Client; and (3) preparation and delivery of feasibility plan of omni channel retailing of the Stores;
     
    2) Stage 1 – the Initialization Services, including initializing the feasibility plan, digitalization of Store, delivery of online retailing and e-commerce business and operational solutions for the Stores with omni channels;
     
    3) Stage 2 – the Implementation Services, including product and merchandize supply chain configuration, staff training for operation and management of the digital solutions, installation and configuration of hardware, customization of software, concept design and implementation;
     
    4) Stage 3 – the Platform Services, including providing actual operation and management of the Store upon delivery and necessary support services.

 

 

 

- 1 -

 

 

Stores The physical store located at 300 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801 (the “First Store”) and other store(s) agreed to by both Parties in writing from time to time. Subject to amendments to this Agreement in respect of additional Stores agreed from time to time, the “Store” or “Stores” in Schedule 2 shall refer only to the First Store.
   
Consultancy and Initialization Fee

US$220,000, to be paid as follows:

40% payable within 3 days from the Effective Date;

40% payable within 3 days from the completion and delivery of the Initialization Services;

20% payable within 3 days from the completion and delivery of the Implementation Services .

 

The Consultancy and Initialization Fee includes the Consultancy Services and Initialization Services, described in the KEY TERMS, for the following three stores: 

 

    The First Store  
   
    A store to be opened in Chino Hills area in California, USA
   
    A store to be opened in Rowland Heights in California, USA

 

 

The exact location of the Chino Hills store and the Rowland Heights store will be determined based on the respective signed lease. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if within five (5) years from the Effective Date, Client has not invested substantial time, money and effort into the preparing the launch of the second and third stores set forth above or has not requested the said services by notice in writing, JD shall have no obligation to provide the Consultancy Services and Initialization Services to Client and the Consultancy and Initialization Fee shall not be refunded. The statement of works, timeline and applicable fees for the second and third stores set forth above shall be agreed to by both Parties in writing within a reasonable time after Client requests JD to provide the Consultancy Services and Initialization Services in accordance with this paragraph.

 

For each additional Store requiring the Consultancy Services and Initialization Services of JD, an additional US$50,000 shall be charged for preparing the feasibility plan for such additional Store.  

   
Customized Software & Interface Development Fee   Such Fee and the payment schedule shall be agreed to by both Parties in writing during the period of Stage 1.
   
Store Hardware & Equipment Fee Such Fee and the payment schedule shall be agreed to by both Parties in writing during the period of Stage 1.  
   
IT Equipment & Hardware Implementation Fee Such Fee and the payment schedule shall be agreed to by both Parties in writing during the period of Stage 1.      
   
Royalty Fee 1.2% of Gross Merchandise Value. Royalty Fee for the relevant calendar month is payable on the 15th day of following calendar month.  

 

Notices (refer to Clause 24)

JD:

Name: Vicky Jia Zhuang

Email: zhuangjia@jd.com  

Client:

Name: John Jun Xu

Email: john@jcintlgroup.com

Telephone: +1 626-827-1488

 

 

- 2 -

 

 

Agreed and accepted:

 

For and on behalf of JD   For and on behalf of Client
     
/s/ Jia Zhuang   /s/ John Jun Xu
Name: Jia Zhuang   Name: John Jun Xu
Position: Authorized Signature   Position: President

 

 

- 3 -

 

 

Terms and Conditions

 

1.Definitions and Interpretation

 

1.1Schedule 1 (Definitions and Interpretation) sets out defined terms and principles of interpretation for this Agreement.

 

2.Initial Term and Renewal Terms

 

2.1This Agreement takes effect from the Effective Date and will continue, unless terminated earlier in accordance with Clause 18, for the Initial Term, following which it will terminate automatically without notice unless, no later than six (6) months before the end of the Initial Term (or any Renewal Term agreed under this Clause), the Parties agree in writing that the term of this Agreement will be extended for three (3) years) (a “Renewal Term”).

 

2.2Unless this Agreement is further extended under this Clause 2 or terminated earlier in accordance with Clause 18, this Agreement will terminate automatically without notice at the end of a Renewal Term.

 

3.The Services

 

3.1JD will provide the following services (collectively, the “Services”) to the Client:

 

(a)the Consultancy Services;

 

(b)the Initialization Services;

 

(c)the Implementation Services;

 

(d)the Platform Services; and

 

(e)such other services as may be agreed between the Parties from time to time.

 

3.2JD grants to Client a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sub licensable right during the Term to enable the Authorised Users to access and use the Platform solely for the Client’s internal business operations in respect of the Stores in accordance with this Agreement.

 

3.3Client will only use and permit access to and/or use of the Platform as expressly provided under this Agreement.

 

3.4Client will provide JD with an up-to-date list of Authorised Users promptly following any request by JD to do so.

 

3.5Client will and will procure that:

 

(a)Authorised Users only access the Platform using a unique log-in and password (“Platform Credentials”) assigned to them for this purpose; and

 

(b)Authorised Users keep their Platform Credentials secure and confidential and do not provide them to any other person.

 

3.6Client will promptly notify JD if at any time Client knows or suspects that unauthorised access may have been made in respect of the Platform or any Platform Credentials.

 

 

- 4 -

 

 

3.7Client agrees and acknowledges that JD may, in its discretion, develop and evolve the Platform and the Services over time and may:

 

(a)change, update, upgrade, suspend or discontinue features, functions or components of the Platform and/or the Services; and/or

 

(b)impose limits or restrictions on certain features, functions or components of the Platform or the Services.

 

4.Consultancy, Initialization and Implementation Services

 

4.1JD will provide the Consultancy Services, the Initialization Services and the Implementation Services to Client in accordance with this Agreement.

 

4.2Without limiting the generality of Clause 7.1(a), Client will provide JD with all such information and assistance as JD may reasonably require in order to enable JD to provide the Consultancy Services and Implementation Services, including, as reasonably necessary, access to the Client’s personnel, systems, premises and facilities.

 

5.Statements of Work

 

5.1The SOWs shall describe the specifications and other requirements for any Deliverables to a reasonable level of detail. The parties shall perform their respective obligations as specified under each SOW.

 

5.2Either party (the “Requesting Party”) may request changes to any SOW (including the specifications for any Deliverables) by written notice delivered to the other party (the “Receiving Party”), specifying in detail the proposed change (each a “Change Request”).

 

5.3As part of or in response to each Change Request, JD shall provide details of any expected impact of the change on the work scope and timeframes and any proposal to increase or apply fees to the Deliverables and/or increase or apply recoverable expenses as a consequence of the Change Request. The following details shall be included in each Change Request:

 

(a)the description of impacted Deliverables and each party’s obligations under the SOW;

 

(b)any impact to requirements, timeframes, Fees and expenses;

 

(c)impacts on team resources and personnel; and

 

(d)any requirement for additional information and materials.

 

5.4The Receiving Party shall respond to a draft Change Request within three (3) Business Days of any request by the Requesting Party to do so or within such other period as reasonably agreed between the parties.

 

5.5If both parties agree on the changes, the Change Request shall be signed by the Manager of each party and authorized signatories for final approval. The parties shall evidence the agreement of each approved Change Request in writing and such Change Request shall not become binding upon the parties until it is signed by the duly authorized signatories of the parties.

 

6.JD Obligations

 

6.1JD will:

 

(a)provide the Platform and the Services:

 

(i)using reasonable care and skill; and

 

 

- 5 -

 

 

(ii)substantially in accordance with any applicable Specifications; and

 

(b)be responsible for compliance with all Applicable Laws applicable to JD in its role as service provider to Client in relation to the provision of the Platform and the Services to Client.

 

6.2The obligations in Clause 6.1 will not apply to the extent of any non-conformance which is caused by use of the Platform or the Services contrary to JD’s instructions, or by any modification or alteration of the Platform or the Services by any person other than JD or JD’s duly authorised contractors or agents. If JD does not comply with its obligations under Clause 6.1, JD will, at its expense, use all reasonable commercial endeavours to correct any such non-conformance promptly as soon as reasonably practicable. Such correction constitutes Client’s sole and exclusive remedy for any breach of the obligations set out in Clause 6.1.

 

7.Client Obligations

 

7.1Client will:

 

(a)provide JD with: (1) all necessary co-operation and assistance in relation to this Agreement and each applicable SOW; and (2) all necessary information, documentation and details as may be required by JD, in order to provide the Services;

 

(b)without affecting its other obligations under this Agreement and each applicable SOW, comply with all Applicable Laws and JD Policies with respect to its activities under or in connection with this Agreement, including with respect to its operation and management of the Store (including any Client Content submitted or uploaded therein) and its use and enjoyment of the Platform and the Services;

 

(c)carry out all other Client responsibilities set out in this Agreement and each applicable SOW in a timely and efficient manner. In the event of any delays in the Client’s provision of such assistance as agreed by the Parties, JD may adjust any agreed timetable or delivery schedule as reasonably necessary;

 

(d)ensure that the Authorised Users use the Platform and the Services in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement each applicable SOW and procure that Authorised Users comply with any instructions issued by JD;

 

(e)use best endeavours to prevent any unauthorised access to, or use of, the Platform and/or the Services and, in the event of any such unauthorised access or use, promptly notify JD;

 

(f)ensure that the Client Systems comply with the relevant specifications provided by JD from time to time; and

 

(g)be, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, solely responsible for procuring, maintaining and securing its network connections and telecommunications links from the Client Systems to JD’s Systems, and all problems, conditions, delays, delivery failures and all other loss or damage arising from or relating to Client’s network connections or telecommunications links or caused by the internet.

 

 

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7.2In connection with its operation and management of the Stores and its use of the Platform and the Services, Client will not:

 

(a)post, list, upload or distribute any content (including any Client Content) or otherwise make any communications that are false, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory or libellous;

 

(b)promote, offer for sale or sell any Restricted Items, stolen or counterfeit items or items that infringe or make unauthorized use of the Intellectual Property Rights of any person;

 

(c)breach any Applicable Laws, third party rights or JD’s Policies;

 

(d)enable or distribute Viruses that may harm JD or any other person;

 

(e)distribute or post any spam, unsolicited communications and/or any communications that may be in breach of Applicable Laws; or

 

(f)infringe JD’s Intellectual Property Rights or any third party Intellectual Property Rights.

 

7.3JD reserves the right, without prejudice to its other rights to JD, to disable and/or suspend Client’s access to the Platform and/or the Services (or any part thereof) for any breach of Client of the obligations set out in Clauses 7.1, 7.2 or its obligations to pay the Fees in accordance with Clause 8. For the avoidance of doubt, this Clause 7.3 will not affect any obligation of JD to disable and/or suspend Client’s access to the Platform in accordance with any Applicable Laws or direction or order from any court of Regulatory Authority.

 

7.4Client acknowledges and agrees that it is solely responsible for:

 

(a)the acts and omissions of Authorised Users with respect to the access and/or use of the Platform and the Services;

 

(b)the accuracy, content and legality of any Client Content posted, listed, uploaded or otherwise made available on the Platform;

 

(c)any and all interactions, including any communications and transactions through or on the Platform; and

 

(d)any and all contracts for the sale, purchase and shipment of goods and products concluded through or at the Store.

 

7.5Client acknowledges and agrees that JD has not provided it with and will not provide it with any legal advice concerning the operation and management of the Stores.

 

8.Fees

 

8.1Client will pay all the Fees specified in Schedule 4 (Fees).

 

8.2JD will submit to Client valid and accurate invoices for all Fees on or after the relevant dates set out in Schedule 4 (Fees).

 

8.3Unless stated otherwise in this Agreement, Client will make payment of the Fees without deduction, set-off or counterclaim in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 4 (Fees).

 

8.4If Client disputes any invoice or other statement of monies due, Client will notify JD in writing. Client will provide all such evidence as may be reasonably necessary to verify the disputed invoice or request for payment and the Parties will negotiate in good faith to attempt to resolve the dispute as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

 

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8.5Without limit to its other rights and remedies under this Agreement, if Client fails to pay any amount due under this Agreement, JD may charge interest on the overdue amount, from the due date up to the date of actual payment, as well as before judgment, accruing on a daily basis, at the rate of 5% per annum above the Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate (HIBOR). The Parties acknowledge and agree that the interest charged in this Clause represents a substantial remedy.

 

9.Service Management

 

9.1Each Party will appoint a suitably senior and qualified employee to serve as its primary contact with respect to this Agreement (each, a “Manager”).

 

9.2The Parties will agree to convene regular meetings between the Parties’ respective Managers from time to time as reasonably necessary for the performance of each Party’s respective obligations in respect of the relevant Services.

 

9.3Neither Party will replace their respective Manager without providing reasonable prior written notice to the other Party.

 

10.Confidentiality

 

10.1Each Party:

 

(a)will hold all Confidential Information of the other Party in trust and confidence and will restrict access to the Confidential Information to the Party’s directors, employees, agents, Affiliates, subcontractors and consultants on a need-to-know basis;

 

(b)undertakes to ensure that the persons referred to in Clause 10.1(a) are made aware prior to the disclosure of any Confidential Information that they owe a duty of confidence to the other Party; and

 

(c)agrees to notify the other Party immediately if it becomes aware of any breach of confidence by any person to whom it divulges any Confidential Information and to give the other Party all reasonable assistance in connection with any proceedings which the other Party may institute against such person for breach of confidence.

 

10.2The obligations in this Clause 10 will not apply to any Confidential Information that:

 

(a)is required to be disclosed:

 

(i)by Applicable Laws; or

 

(ii)at the request or recommendation of any Regulatory Authorities having authority over the Party making the disclosure,

 

provided, in each case, that to the extent legally permissible, the disclosing Party promptly notifies the other Party of its requirement to disclose, and cooperates with the other Party’s reasonable requests in avoiding or limiting the disclosure;

 

(b)was already in the possession of the Party making the disclosure without an obligation of confidentiality when it was received from the other Party;

 

(c)was already in the public domain at the time of disclosure, except as a result of a breach of this Agreement;

 

(d)was independently developed without access to the other Party’s Confidential Information; or

 

(e)is disclosed for the purpose of any arbitral or judicial proceedings arising out of this Agreement or any other document entered into pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

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11.Client Data

 

11.1Client will have sole responsibility for the legality, reliability, integrity, accuracy and quality of the Client Data.

 

11.2Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Client will be responsible for ensuring that:

 

(a)the means by which it acquires Client Data;

 

(b)its, JD’s and Authorized User’s use of Client Data in connection with the Platform and the Services; and

 

(c)any transfers of Client Data to JD in connection with this Agreement,

 

comply with Applicable Laws (including in relation to the provision of any requisite notifications and obtaining of any relevant consents in accordance with applicable Data Protection Laws).

 

11.3Client grants JD a royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide right and licence to host, copy, use, transmit, and display Client Data (including any statistical or other analysis, information, or data based on or derived from Client Data), each as appropriate for:

 

(a)JD to operate the Platform and enable Client’s use of the Platform and/or the Services;

 

(b)JD to provide the Services and perform its other obligations under this Agreement;

 

(c)JD to comply with Applicable Laws or any directions of any Regulatory Authority; and

 

(d)such other purposes as may be agreed between the Parties in writing from time to time.

 

11.4JD may sub-license its rights under Clause 11.3 to its Affiliates, contractors, sub-contractors and service providers from time to time.

 

12.Data Protection

 

12.1Each Party will comply at all times with the Data Protection Laws in respect of any Personal Data Processed by it pursuant to this Agreement.

 

12.2JD will:

 

(a)Process Personal Data forming part of the Client Data solely for the purpose of performing its obligations under this Agreement (and, where permitted by Applicable Laws, the purposes set out in Clause 11.3);

 

(b)implement and maintain appropriate technical and organisational measures for the purpose of protecting such Personal Data against unauthorised or accidental access, processing, erasure, loss or use; and

 

(c)securely return or erase such Personal Data in accordance with Client’s instructions upon the termination or expiry of this Agreement.

 

 

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13.Intellectual Property

 

13.1Except as expressly provided, nothing in this Agreement will affect the ownership of any Intellectual Property Rights by either Party (or its Affiliates) or transfer, assign, license or grant to the other Party any other right, title or interest in or to a Party’s (or its Affiliates’) Intellectual Property Rights.

 

13.2JD Materials

 

(a)All Intellectual Property Rights in the JD Materials will remain vested in and be the property of JD or its licensors. Client acknowledges that it has no rights of ownership in the JD Materials.

 

(b)JD grants Client a limited, non-exclusive, revocable, non-transferable and non-sub-licensable licence for the Term to use the JD Materials to the extent necessary to enable Client’s use of the Platform and receipt of the Services.

 

(c)The licence granted in Clauses 13.2(b) will terminate automatically upon termination or expiry of this Agreement, or (if earlier) when the JD Materials cease to be required for Client’s use of the JD Materials and receipt of the Services or similar services.

 

13.3The Platform

 

(a)Title and full ownership rights to the Platform and the Services (including all Intellectual Property Rights therein) will remain with JD (and/or its third party licensors, where applicable), and this Agreement does not operate to transfer title to Client of any Intellectual Property Rights in them.

 

(b)Client will not:

 

(i)attempt to copy, modify, duplicate, create derivative works from, frame, mirror, republish, download, display, transmit, or distribute all or any portion of the Platform or the Services in any form or media or by any means;

 

(ii)attempt to de-compile, reverse compile, disassemble, reverse engineer or otherwise reduce to human-perceivable form all or any part of the Platform or the Services;

 

(iii)access all or any part of the Platform or the Services in order to build a product or service which competes with the Platform or the Services;

 

(iv)use the Platform or the Services to provide services to third parties; or

 

(v)attempt to obtain, or assist third parties in obtaining, access to the Platform or the Services, other than as provided under this Clause.

 

(c)If Client provides or makes available suggestions, comments, ideas or potential improvements to the Platform and/or the Services, JD will be free to use, disclose, modify, license and otherwise exploit such suggestions, comments, ideas or improvements without any obligation to Client.

 

14.Reporting and Records

 

14.1JD may, from time to time, audit and review Client’s books and records of the Stores and

 

Client’s use of the Platform and the Services for the purposes of:

 

(a)assessing Client’s compliance with its obligations under this Agreement; and

 

(b)calculating the Fees payable under this Agreement in accordance with Schedule 4 (Fees).

 

 

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14.2JD will use reasonable endeavours to enable Client to generate information relating to Client’s Gross Merchandise Value through the Platform for Client to calculate its Gross Merchandise Value, subject to the Platform’s capabilities and functionalities.

 

15.Representations, Warranties and Disclaimers

 

15.1 Each Party represents, warrants and undertakes to the other Party that:

 

(a)it is a duly organised, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation or other entity under the Applicable Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or other organisation;

 

(b)it has and will maintain throughout the Term the full right, power, and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder;

 

(c)the execution of this Agreement by its representative whose signature is set out at the end of this Agreement has been duly authorised by all necessary corporate or organisational action of such Party; and

 

(d)when executed and delivered by both Parties, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms.

 

15.2 JD:

 

(a)does not warrant that:

 

(i)Client’s access to or use of the Platform or the Services will be uninterrupted, secure or error-free;

 

(ii)the Platform or the Services and/or the functionality provided through the Platform and/or the Services will meet Client’s requirements (including in respect of any sales or transactions);

 

(iii)any reports produced through the Platform in accordance with Clause 14.2 will be error-free; or

 

(iv)the Platform or the Services will be free from Viruses; and

 

(b)will not be responsible for any failures or interruptions to the use of the Platform and/or Services that may affect the receipt, processing, acceptance, completion and/or settlement of transactions using the Platform and/or the Services;

 

(c)will not be responsible for any delays, delivery failures, or any other loss or damage (including the loss or damage to data) resulting from the transfer of data over communications networks and facilities, including the internet, and Client acknowledges that the Services may be subject to limitations, delays and other problems inherent in the use of such communications facilities.

 

15.3Client acknowledges and agrees that it is solely responsible for assessing the suitability of the Platform and the Services for its business purposes. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement:

 

(a)Client assumes sole responsibility for results and/or reports obtained from the use of the Platform and the Services and for communications made through such use, transactions entered into through such use and/or conclusions drawn from such use;

 

 

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(b)all warranties, representations, conditions and all other terms of any kind whatsoever implied by statute or common law are, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws, excluded from this Agreement (including any implied warranty or condition of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement); and

 

(c)the Platform and the Services are provided to Client on an “as is” basis.

 

16.Indemnity

 

16.1Client will defend, indemnify and hold harmless JD, its Affiliates and each of their respective directors, employees, agents, subcontractors and other representatives against claims, actions, proceedings, losses, damages, expenses and costs (including court costs and legal fees) arising out of or in connection with Client’s and/or Authorised Users’ use of the Platform, the Store and/or Services, including any claim:

 

(a)that the Client Content infringes the Intellectual Property Rights of any person or is in breach of Applicable Laws; or

 

(b)by any person concerning the purchase or sale of products or merchandise through the Store or any other dispute between Client and its customers.

 

16.2JD will defend Client, its officers, directors and employees against any claim that the Client’s use of the Platform or Services in accordance with this Agreement infringes the Intellectual Property Rights of any person, provided that:

 

(a)JD is given prompt written notice of any such claim;

 

(b)Client provides reasonable co-operation to JD in the defence and settlement of such claim, at JD’s expense; and

 

(c)JD is given sole authority to defend or settle the claim.

 

16.3In the defence or settlement of any claim in connection with Clause 16.2, JD may procure the right for Client to continue using the Platform or the Services, replace or modify the Platform or the Services so that they become non-infringing or, if such remedies are not reasonably available, terminate this Agreement on 5 Business Days’ notice to Client without any additional liability or obligation to pay other additional costs to Client.

 

16.4In no event will JD, its employees, agents and sub-contractors be liable to Client to the extent that the alleged infringement is based on:

 

(a)modification of the Platform or the Services by anyone other than JD;

 

(b)Client’s use of the Platform or the Services in a manner contrary to the instructions given to Client by JD; or

 

(c)Client’s use of the Platform or the Services after notice of the alleged or actual infringement from JD or any appropriate authority.

 

16.5The foregoing states Client’s sole and exclusive rights and remedies, and JD’s (including JD’s employees’, agents’ and sub-contractors’) entire obligations and liability, for infringement of any Intellectual Property Rights.

 

 

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17.Limitation of Liability

 

17.1Nothing in this Agreement will limit or exclude either Party’s liability for any losses, damages, expenses and costs (including without limitation court costs and reasonable legal fees) arising from:

 

(a)death or personal injury caused by negligence;

 

(b)fraudulent misrepresentation or fraud; or

 

(c)any other liability to the extent it cannot be limited or excluded under Applicable Laws.

 

17.2Subject to Clause 17.1:

 

(a)JD will not be liable whether in tort (including for negligence or breach of statutory duty), contract, misrepresentation, restitution or otherwise, arising under or in connection with this Agreement for:

 

(i)loss of profits, sales, business, agreements, contracts or anticipated savings;

 

(ii)loss of or damage to goodwill;

 

(iii)loss of use or corruption of software, data or information; or

 

(iv)any indirect or consequential loss; and

 

(b)JD’s total aggregate liability in contract (including in respect of the indemnity in Clause 16.2), tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty), misrepresentation, restitution or otherwise, arising in connection with the performance or contemplated performance of this Agreement will be limited to the total Fees paid by Client during the three (3) months immediately preceding the date on which the most recent claim arose.

 

18.Termination

 

18.1Either Party will be entitled to terminate this Agreement by giving notice in writing to the other Party if:

 

(a)the other Party commits a material breach of this Agreement which is irremediable or which it has failed to remedy within 20 Business Days of receiving notice from the other Party to do so; or

 

(b)the other Party suffers an Insolvency Event.

 

18.2Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, JD may terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by giving written notice to the Client if:

 

(a)the Client fails to pay any amount due under this Agreement on the due date for payment and remains in default not less than twenty (20) Business Days after being notified by JD in writing to make such payment;

 

(b)the Client suspends or ceases carrying on all, or a substantial part of its business;

 

(c)there is a change of Control of the Client; or

 

(d)the Client or any of its Affiliates challenge the validity of any portion of any Intellectual Property Rights of JD, or misuses or misappropriates any portion of the Intellectual Property Rights of JD.

 

 

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18.3It is a material breach by the Client of this Agreement if the Client or any Representative of the Client violates or acts inconsistent with any laws, regulations or policies of the PRC mainland, which may cause material losses (including loss of goodwill) to JD or JD’s Affiliates. Upon occurrence of such breach, JD shall have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice to the Client, and the Client shall refund all payment made by JD (if any) under this Agreement, and shall indemnity and hold JD and/or its Representatives harmless from and against any and all losses in connection with or arising out of such breach.

 

For the purpose of this paragraph, “Representative” means, in relation to a Party, any of its Affiliates and any director, shareholder, partner, officer, employee, consultant, agent or advisor of such Party or its Affiliates.

 

19.Consequences of Termination Or Expiry

 

19.1Termination or expiry of this Agreement in whole or in part will not prejudice either Party’s rights and remedies which have accrued as at termination or expiry.

 

19.2Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement in whole or in part for whatever reason:

 

(a)Client will immediately pay to JD all of JD’s outstanding unpaid invoices and interest and, in respect of the Services supplied but for which no invoice has been submitted. JD may submit an invoice, which will be payable immediately on receipt;

 

(b)subject to the continuing rights, licences and obligations of either Party under this Agreement, all licences granted hereunder will immediately terminate and the respective Parties will cease all activities concerning, including the case of Client, all use of the Services, the Platform and the Store, and in the case of JD, the Client Data and Client Marks; and

 

(c)each Party will promptly:

 

(i)return to the other Party all equipment, materials and property belonging to the other Party that the other Party had supplied to it in connection with this Agreement;

 

(ii)return to the other Party all documents and materials (and any copies) containing the other Party’s Confidential Information; and

 

(iii)erase all the other Party’s Confidential Information from its respective computer systems (to the extent possible).

 

19.3This Agreement shall terminate with immediate effect upon the termination of the Intellectual Property License Agreement.

 

19.4Provisions which either expressly or by implication are to survive termination or expiry will continue to have effect after the termination or expiry of this Agreement in whole or in part, including Clauses 1, 8 (for unpaid sums due and payable at expiry or termination), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21.1(a), 23, 24, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.7, 26 and Schedule 1.

 

 

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20.Force Majeure

 

20.1JD will have no liability to Client under this Agreement if it is prevented from or delayed in performing its obligations under this Agreement, or from carrying on its business, by acts, events, omissions or accidents beyond its reasonable control, including strikes, lock-outs or other industrial disputes (whether involving the workforce of JD or any other person), failure of a utility service or transport or telecommunications network, act of God, epidemic, pandemic, outbreak of contagious disease, health emergencies, government action, war, riot, civil commotion, civil disorder, malicious damage, compliance with any Applicable Laws, accident, breakdown of plant or machinery, fire, flood or storm (each a “Force Majeure Event”), provided that Client is notified of such an event and, where practicable, its expected duration.

 

20.2No Force Majeure Event will modify or excuse Client’s obligations to pay the Fees in accordance with Clause 8 or Schedule 4 (Fees).

 

21.Announcements

 

21.1Either Party may make or authorise any public announcement or communication concerning this Agreement, the Services or their relationship with the other Party or refer to or use any business name, logo or trade marks whether registered or not of the other Party in any promotional communications, provided that:

 

(a)the Party has consulted with and obtained the written consent of the other Party prior to making such announcement or communication; and

 

(b)such announcement or communication does not include or refer to any Confidential Information of either Party and/or any commercial or financial terms and conditions under this Agreement (including the Term and/or the Fees).

 

21.2To the extent either Party is required by Applicable Laws, any governmental or regulatory authority (including, without limitation, any relevant securities exchange), any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to make or authorised any public announcement or communication concerning this Agreement, the Services or their relationship with the other Party, that Party will, to the extent legally permissible, consult with the other Party prior to making such announcement or communication.

 

22.Dispute Resolution

 

22.1JD and Client will negotiate in good faith with a view to resolving any question or difference which may arise concerning the construction, meaning or performance of this Agreement and any dispute arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement (a “Dispute”).

 

22.2If a Dispute arises out of or in connection with this Agreement or the performance, validity or enforceability of it then the Parties will follow the dispute resolution procedure set out in this Clause 22.2(a):

 

(a)either Party will give to the other written notice of the Dispute, setting out its nature and full particulars (“Dispute Notice”), together with relevant supporting documents. On service of the Dispute Notice, a representative for JD and representative for Client will attempt in good faith to resolve the Dispute;

 

(b)if the Parties’ representatives set out in Clause 22.2(a) are for any reason unable to resolve the Dispute within 30 days of service of the Dispute Notice, the Dispute will be referred to the business director of JD and CEO of Client who will attempt in good faith to resolve it.

 

22.3No Party may commence arbitration in relation to any dispute which arises under or in connection with this Agreement until the Parties have attempted in good faith to resolve such dispute in accordance with the dispute resolution procedure under this Clause 2222.2(a).

 

 

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23.Assignment and Sub-contracting

 

23.1JD may, at any time, assign, delegate, transfer, subcontract, charge or otherwise dispose of all or any of its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement, provided that it gives prior written notice to Client of any assignment or transfer of this Agreement.

 

23.2Without limiting the foregoing, Client agrees and acknowledges that JD may:

 

(a)subcontract the performance of the Services to any person (including JD’s Affiliates); and/or

 

(b)perform the Services (in whole or in part) from any location other than Hong Kong.

 

23.3Client will not assign, delegate, transfer, charge or otherwise dispose of all or any of its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement including by operation of law without Client’s prior written consent.

 

24.Notices

 

24.1Any notice or written communication provided for pursuant to this Agreement by a Party to the other Party will be made in English by personal delivery, email or courier service (if delivered internationally, by internationally recognised courier company).

 

24.2The date of receipt of notice or written communication hereunder will be deemed to be the time of delivery if delivered personally, the date when such notice or written communication is delivered to the receiving Party by the courier and evidenced by the confirmation of delivery from the courier company or the date when the email is sent with no non-delivery notification.

 

24.3All notices and communications will be sent to the appropriate address or email set out in the Key Terms, until the same is changed by notice given in writing to the other Party.

 

25.General Terms

 

25.1Costs

 

(a)Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Party will bear its own costs, taxes and expenses of performance of and compliance with its obligations under this Agreement, and drafting, negotiation and execution of this Agreement.

 

25.2Severability

 

(a)If any provision of this Agreement is held or deemed to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or will be revised following a decision by a national or international authority, the Parties will endeavour to amend the invalid or unenforceable provision as to make it valid and enforceable whilst reflecting as closely as possible the commercial purpose and intent of said provision.

 

(b)Any such invalidity or unenforceability will not adversely affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any provisions of this Agreement.

 

25.3No Waiver

 

(a)No delay or omission by either Party to exercise any right or power under this Agreement will be construed to be a waiver of such right or power.

 

(b)If any Party explicitly waives any right or power under this Agreement such waiver will not be construed to be a waiver of any further rights or powers under this Agreement.

 

 

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25.4Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement, together with the Intellectual Property License Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the Parties concerning their subject matter. There are no representations, understandings or agreements, written or oral, relative to this Agreement which are not fully expressed in this Agreement.

 

25.5Variation

 

Any variation of this Agreement will only be in writing duly signed by the representatives of each Party.

 

25.6Relationship of the Parties

 

(a)Nothing in this Agreement will constitute a partnership, a joint venture or any other corporation between the Parties.

 

(b)Unless set out otherwise in this Agreement none of the Parties will have the right to act on behalf of the other Party or bind the other Party in any way.

 

25.7Rights of Third Parties

 

(a)A person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap.623) to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement.

 

(b)The rights of the Parties to terminate, rescind or agree any variation, waiver or settlement under this Agreement are not subject to the consent of any other third person.

 

25.8Counterparts

 

25.9This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by each Party on separate counterparts. Each counterpart is an original, but all counterparts will together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a counterpart of this Agreement by e-mail attachment or telecopy will be an effective mode of delivery.

 

25.10In relation to each counterpart, upon confirmation by or on behalf of a Party that such Party authorises the attachment of its counterpart signature page to the final text of this Agreement, such counterpart signature page will take effect, together with such final text, as a complete authoritative counterpart.

 

25.11Successors and Assigns

 

This Agreement will be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, each of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

26.Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

26.1This Agreement, and all matters arising out of or related to this Agreement, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, without reference to the choice of law or conflicts of law principles which would apply the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

26.2The Parties agree that any dispute under this Agreement shall be referred to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) located in Hong Kong for arbitration in accordance with the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules in effect at the time of applying for arbitration, as may be amended by this Clause. The arbitral tribunal shall be made up of three (3) arbitrators. The seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the Parties.

 

 

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Schedule 1

 

Definitions and Interpretation

 

1.Definitions

 

1.1As used in this Agreement, the following terms and expressions will have the following meanings set out below:

 

Affiliate” of an entity means any company or other entity which directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with that entity;

 

Applicable Laws” means all laws, statutes, orders, rules, regulations, directives, rules and guidelines which, in each case, have legal effect, whether local, national, international or otherwise existing from time to time, including all Regulatory Authority’s regulations, rules, instructions, requirements, standards, guidelines and directions, as applicable to such Party’s business that are either binding or expected by a Regulatory Authority to be complied with. For the purposes of this definition, “applicable” means as applicable: (a) to the relevant Party and/or any of its Affiliates; or (b) as applicable to the relevant Party’s obligations under this Agreement;

 

Authorised Users” means the employees, agents, independent contractors and Merchants who are authorised by Client from time to time to use the Platform;

 

Business Day” means a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in the PRC Mainland , when banks in are open for business;

 

Client Content” means any content, work, modifications, service programmes, contractual documentation and any and all documents, materials, data or information in whatever form provided by Client to JD or uploaded to the Platform (whether by Client or by any Authorised User), including the Client Data, but excluding any JD Materials incorporated (whether in whole or in part) into any of the foregoing;

 

Client Data” means the data (including any Personal Data) inputted by Client, Authorised Users, Merchants, JD on Client’s behalf, or generated through the use of the Platform (including any transactional data for the purpose of using the Platform or the Services or facilitating Client’s use of the Platform or Services;

 

Client Systems” means the information technology infrastructure, including the computers, software, databases, electronic systems (including database management systems), and networks, of Client;

 

Commercial Launch” means the launch of the Store, where the Store is made available to the public in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

Commercial Launch Date” means the date on which the Commercial Launch takes place;

 

Confidential Information” means any information obtained by a Party from the other, or disclosed to the Party by any other source, relating to the other Party, which is expressly marked as confidential or which is manifestly of a confidential nature, including information relating to a Party’s operations, processes, plans, product information, know-how, designs, trade secrets, software, market opportunities, its suppliers and customers and, in the case of Client, includes the Client Data;

 

Consultancy Services” has the meaning given in Schedule 2 (Services and Statement of Work);

 

 

- 18 -

 

 

Control” means the ownership of more than 50% of the issued share capital or other equity interest or the legal power to direct or cause the direction of the general management and policies of an entity;

 

Data Protection Laws” means any Applicable Laws relating to the use and processing of Personal Data, as applicable to JD, Client and/or the Services;

 

Dispute” has the meaning given in Clause 22.1;

 

Dollars”, “$” or “US$” means United States Dollars;

 

Effective Date” has the meaning set out in the Key Terms;

 

Fees” means the charges, fees and other amounts payable by Client to JD in relation to the implementation of the Platform and its receipt of the Services, as set out in Schedule 4 (Fees) and as calculated and payable in accordance with Schedule 4 (Fees);

 

Gross Merchandise Value” means the total gross revenue of all the products and goods sold at the Stores;

 

Hong Kong” means Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC;

 

Implementation Services” has the meaning given in Schedule 2 (Services and Statement of Work);

 

Initial Term” has the meaning given in the Key Terms;

 

Insolvency Event” means that a person: (a) is unable to pay its debts or becomes insolvent or bankrupt or ceases to trade; (b) is the subject of an order made or a resolution passed for the administration, winding-up or dissolution (otherwise than for the purpose of a solvent amalgamation or reconstruction, which does not materially reduce that entity’s assets); (c) has an administrative or other receiver, manager, trustee, liquidator, administrator, or similar officer appointed over all or any substantial part of its assets; (d) enters into or proposes any composition or arrangement with its creditors generally (otherwise than for the purpose of a financing or solvent amalgamation or reconstruction, which does not materially reduce the entities’ assets); or (e) is the subject of any events or circumstances analogous to any of the foregoing in any applicable jurisdiction;

 

Intellectual Property Rights” means any and all registered and unregistered rights granted, applied for, or otherwise now or hereafter in existence under or related to any patent, utility model, copyright, trademark, trade secret, right in confidential information or other intellectual property rights, and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world;

 

JD Materials” means documents, methods, processes, agreements, guidelines, training materials and other materials that are proprietary to JD and/or its Affiliates and provided or used by JD and/or its Affiliates in connection with this Agreement;

 

JD Policies” means policies, procedures, standard and guidelines adopted by JD and/or its Affiliates, as each may be amended, superseded or replaced from time to time;

 

Key Terms” means the key terms set out in the cover sheet of this Agreement;

 

Personal Data” means any information that does or can identify a specific individual or by or from which a specific individual may be identified, contacted or located and those similar definitions under relevant Data Protection Laws;

 

 

- 19 -

 

 

Personnel” means employees, staff, agents and consultants engaged in provision of the Services from time to time;

 

Platform” means JD omni-channel retail software application(s) and any third-party applications, systems, services and facilities, including any and all updates to and versions of any of the foregoing, that JD makes available to the Client from time to time under this Agreement;

 

Platform Services” has the meaning given in Schedule 2 (Services and Statement of Work);

 

PRC Mainland” means the mainland of People’s Republic of China, excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan;

 

Process” means to perform any operation or set of operations on any data, information, material, work, expression, or other content, including to: (a) create, generate, collect, receive, input, upload, download, record, reproduce, store, host, organise, combine, log, catalog, cross-reference, manage, maintain, copy, adapt, alter, translate, or make other improvements or derivative works from; (b) process, retrieve, output, consult, use, disseminate, transmit, submit, post, transfer, disclose, or otherwise provide or make available; or (c) block, erase, or destroy. “Processing” and “Processed” have equivalent meanings;

 

Regulatory Authority” means any regulatory, governmental and/or judicial authority (including any public prosecution service) or any self-regulatory organisation established under Applicable Laws or under the supervision of the legislative body of the country, securities exchange, securities association or agency charged with enforcing Applicable Laws, in each case, under or in respect of Applicable Laws, privacy and/or data protection;

 

Renewal Term” has the meaning given in Clause 2.1;

 

Restricted Items” means: (1) alcohol, animals or animal-related products, drugs or drugs paraphernalia, explosives, weapons or ammunition, financial services or insurance, gambling or lotteries, hazardous materials, human parts or burial artefacts, pharmaceuticals, medicines or medical devices, pesticides, recycled products, tobacco or tobacco-related products; and (2) such other items which JD may notify to the Client from time to time;

 

Scheduled Downtime” means any scheduled outages of the Platform Services in whole or in part;

 

Service Level” means the (a) the Availability Requirements; (b) the service levels specified under the relevant SOWs; and (c) any other service levels agreed between the Parties from time to time;

 

Services” has the meaning given in Clause 3.1;

 

Statement of Work” or “SOW” means the statement of works for each stage of the Services as set out in Schedule 2 (Services and Statement of Work);

 

Specification” means the specifications for the Services (including any functional requirements) as agreed between the Parties and made available to Client (as may be updated or amended from to time);

 

Stores” means Client’s physical Stores in California, the United States of America, details of which are set out in the Key Terms;

 

 

- 20 -

 

 

“Support Services” has the meaning given in Schedule 2 (Services and Statement of Work);

 

“Term” means the Initial Term together with any Renewal Term(s); and

 

“Virus” means any thing or device (including any software, code, file or programme) which may:

 

a)prevent, impair or otherwise adversely affect the operation of any computer software, hardware or network, any telecommunications service, equipment or network or any other service or device;

 

b)prevent, impair or otherwise adversely affect access to or the operation of any programme or data, including the reliability of any programme or data (whether by re-arranging, altering or erasing the programme or data in whole or part or otherwise); or

 

c)adversely affect the user experience, including worms, trojan horses, viruses and other similar things or devices.

 

2.Interpretation

 

2.1The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and will not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.2References to “Clause” and “Schedule” are to Clauses of and schedules to this Agreement.

 

2.3The words “includes” and “including” are to be construed without limitation, including with respect to any examples or listed matters that may follow.

 

2.4References to a law or regulation include:

 

(a)that law or regulation as from time to time modified, re-enacted or consolidated whether before or after the date of this Agreement;

 

(b)any past law or regulation (as from time to time modified, re-enacted or consolidated) which that law or regulation has directly or indirectly replaced; and

 

(c)any subordinate legislation made from time to time under that law or regulation.

 

2.5References to a “Party” includes its successors and permitted assigns.

 

2.6References to a Regulatory Authority will include any successor to that Regulatory Authority.

 

2.7Unless otherwise expressly provided in a Schedule, in the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of the Main Body (together with the Key Terms) and the terms and conditions of a Schedule, the terms and conditions of the Main Body (together with the Key Terms) will prevail. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of a Schedule, the terms and conditions of the Schedule will prevail.

 

2.8The Key Terms and Schedules are incorporated into and form part of this Agreement.

 

 

- 21 -

 

 

Schedule 2

 

Statements of Work

 

Consultancy Services (Stage 0)

 

Statement of Work

 

1.Consultancy Services

 

1.1Service Description

 

(a)JD will provide consultancy services (the “Consultancy Services”) to Client, including: (1) consideration and assessment of the nature of the Client’s business and initialization of the main data processed in connection with Client’s business; (2) information and standards, and, analysis and study of feasibility of omni channel retailing of the Client; and (3) preparation and delivery of feasibility plan of omni channel retailing of the Stores.

 

1.2Functional Requirements

 

(a)As part of the Consultancy Services, JD will work with Client to develop and implement the functional requirements set out as follows, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties:

 

(1)Delivery of a brand positioning report of omni channel retailing of the Stores along with a list of services to be provided under this Agreement, merchandise space planning for the Store, initial grid layout of the physical Store as well as projected profit and loss of the Store.

 

(2)Delivery of a report detailing the discrepancies between core functions of Client’s existing system and core functions of JD’s Platform.

 

(3)Delivery of a feasibility plan of omni channel retailing of the Stores.

 

1.3Service Levels

 

(a)JD will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Consultancy Services in a diligent, workmanlike manner in accordance with industry standards applicable to the performance of such services.

 

1.4Project Timeline

 

JD will provide the Consultancy Services set out as follows, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties:

 

Conditional on the Client providing all necessary information and materials agreed to by both Parties from time to time in a timely manner, JD will deliver the deliverables set forth in Section 1.2 (a) of this SOW within approximately ten (10) weeks from the Effective Date.

 

1.5Fees

 

(a)The Consultancy Services are included in the Fees, and JD will not levy any additional Fees, costs or charges for such Consultancy Services.

 

 

- 22 -

 

 

Initialization Services (Stage 1)

 

Statement of Work

 

2.Initialization Services

 

2.1Service Description

 

(a)JD will provide initialization services (the “Initialization Services”) to Client, including initializing the feasibility plan, digitalization of Store, delivery of online retailing and e-commerce business and operational solutions for the Stores with omni channels.

 

2.2Functional Requirements

 

(a)As part of the Initialization Services, JD will work with Client to develop and implement the functional requirements set out as follows, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties:

 

(1)Prepare a solution for the IT system, core process, omni channels retail formats position, product category role as well as pricing and promotion, including delivering (i) a category structure sheet, a category space allocation sheet, a profit and loss model and a grid layout of the physical Store; (ii) an optimized solution for core processing and IT system structure; (iii) an optimized solution for Client’s product sourcing and supply chain functions; (iv) a structure of SaaS solution for the middle platform of the Platform; and (v) a structure of a Could implementation of the Platform (collectively, the “Retail Format Planning and Data Initialization”).

 

(2)Prepare an online retailing solution including the design of the App for Stores, operational rules and methods, customized promotion tools, a data indication system, and an operation model for the Stores, as well as deliver a research report on the tread for online consumer shopping and the App for Stores, a user experience design for the App and an operational plan for the App of the Stores (collectively, the “Online Sales Solutions”).

 

(3)Prepare and deliver customized modular product designs of the Platform as well as a list of equipment necessary for the operation of the Stores along with the prices (collectively, the “Digitalization of the Stores”).

 

(4)Prepare solutions for the software and hardware in connection with omni channels retail for the Store, and deliver a solution for the main data of the middle platform of the Platform and the budget, a solution for the App of the Stores and the budget, a solution for the digitalization of the Stores by taking into account the required software and hardware and the budget, a plan for the interface development and the budget, and a solution for the Could implementation of the Platform and the SaaS solution for the middle platform of the Platform along with the budget (collectively, the “Omni Channel Software and Hardware Solutions”). For the avoidance of doubt, the budget is part of the Fees under this Agreement.

 

(5)Initial the discussion about the co-brand, prepare the grid layout of the physical Store, and deliver the layout of the Stores as well as frameworks of co-brand, brand system and consumer communication system (collectively, the “Brand Planning and Consumer Communication”).

 

 

- 23 -

 

 

2.3Service Levels

 

(a)JD will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Initialization Services in a diligent, workmanlike manner in accordance with industry standards applicable to the performance of such services.

 

2.4Project Timeline

 

JD will provide the Initialization Services in accordance with the Project Timeline set out as follows, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties:

 

Conditioned on Client providing all necessary information and materials agreed to by both Parties from time to time in a timely manner, JD will:

 

(a)complete and deliver the Retail Format Planning and Data Initialization, Online Sales Solutions and Digitalization of the Stores within approximately ten (10) weeks following the Effective Date.

 

(b)complete and deliver the Omni Channel Software and Hardware Solutions as well as Brand Planning and Consumer Communication within approximately ten (10) weeks following the Effective Date.

 

2.5Fees

 

(a)The Initialization Services are included in the Fees, and JD will not levy any additional Fees, costs or charges for such Initialization Services.

 

Implementation Services (Stage 2)

 

Statement of Work

 

3.Implementation Services

 

3.1Service Description

 

(a)JD will provide implementation, integration and configuration services to Client in relation to the implementation, integration and configuration of the Stores, including the implementation of the functional requirements set out in relevant SOWs (the “Implementation Services”).

 

(b)Each Party will perform its respective obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the applicable Project Timeline or as otherwise mutually agreed between the Parties.

 

(c)Following the completion of UAT in accordance with this SOW, Commercial Launch will occur within seven (7) days of completion of the UAT.

 

3.2Specification

 

(a)The Specifications for the Implementation Services shall be in accordance as follows:

 

JD will provide the Implementation Services to have the Platform Services and related services available for access by the Client with the specifications stated in the work products generated from Stage 1 and Stage 2.

 

 

- 24 -

 

 

3.3Project Timeline

 

(a)JD will provide the Implementation Services in accordance with the Project Timeline set out as follows, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties:

 

Conditioned on Client providing all necessary information and materials agreed to by both Parties from time to time as well as purchases all necessary equipment and hardware in a timely manner, JD will provide and complete the Implementation Services within approximately thirty-two (32) weeks following the completion and delivery of the Consultancy Services and Initialization Services, and the timeline for the development of certain products and functions stated in the work products generated from Stage 1 and Stage 2 will be completed in accordance with the timeline set forth therein.

 

3.4Functional Requirements

 

(a)As part of the Implementation Services, JD will work with Client to develop and implement the functional requirements set out as follows, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties:

 

(1)Develop and implement user modules and deliver user acquisition strategy and implementation solutions.

 

(2)Develop and implement products and supply chain modules and deliver supply chain and main data implementation solutions.

 

(3)Implement all software and hardware for the IT system of the Platform Services.

 

(4)Develop a training program for the Client’s personnel and prepare a operation manual for the Store.

 

3.5Testing and Acceptance

 

(a)Where agreed between the Parties, upon completion of each deliverable in accordance with this Schedule (“Deliverable”), JD will submit a copy to Client and, upon Client’s request, demonstrate its functionality to Client.

 

(b)Client is responsible for reviewing and testing of Deliverables in accordance with the test plans mutually agreed between the Parties.

 

(c)Client must notify JD within 10 Business Days if Client believes the Deliverable fails to meet the agreed acceptance criteria, and will specify the deficiencies in details.

 

(d)Any new requirements that are out of scope of this Schedule may be agreed between the Parties from time to time and will be subject to an additional charge and agreed completion schedule.

 

(e)JD will rectify any deficiencies before resubmission of the Deliverable for testing, if the resubmitted Deliverable fails to meet the agreed acceptance criteria, Client can claim any additional man-days used for further testing until the agreed acceptance criteria has been met;

 

 

- 25 -

 

 

(f)Upon completion of the joint user acceptance test (“UAT”), the set up of the Store will be deemed to be completed and accepted by Client.

 

(g)Notwithstanding the completion of the UAT, if any follow-up issues are identified during the UAT, the Parties will agree on the schedule for handling of such issues which will not affect the schedule for handover and Commercial Launch.

 

(h)The handover of the Store and Commercial Launch will occur within seven (7) days of completion of the UAT. In any event, Commercial Launch will be deemed to have occurred no later than seven (7) days after completion of the UAT for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

3.6Fees

 

(a)The Implementation Fee (as defined in Schedule 4 (Fees) will be calculated and payable by Client in accordance with Schedule 4 (Fees).

 

Platform Services (Stage 3)

 

Statement of Work

 

4.Platform Services (Stage 3)

 

4.1Service Description

 

(a)JD will provide a platform-as-a-service to enable Client to manage and operate the Store (the “Platform Services”).

 

4.2Functional Requirements

 

(a)As part of the Platform Services, JD will work with Client to develop and implement the functional requirements set out as follows, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties:

 

Continuous provision of Platform Services, training, and support services.

 

4.3Service Levels

 

(a)The Platform Services Service Levels set out in Schedule 3 (Service Levels) apply in respect of the Platform Services.

 

4.4Fees

 

(a)The Platform Services are included in the Fees, and JD will not levy any additional Fees, costs or charges for such Platform Services.

 

 

- 26 -

 

 

Schedule 3

 

Service Levels

 

1.Platform Services

 

1.1Availability

 

(a)JD will use reasonable efforts to make the Platform Services Available, excluding the time the Platform Services are not Available as a result of any Scheduled Downtime or factors outside of JD’s reasonable control such as unpredictable and unforeseeable events that could not have been avoided even if reasonable care had been exercised (“Availability Requirements”).

 

1.2Scheduled Downtime

 

(a)JD will notify Client at least 24 hours in advance of all Scheduled Downtime. All such scheduled outages will:

 

(i)be scheduled between the hours of 0 am to 4 am, Pacific Standard Time ; and

 

(ii)occur no more frequently than once per week, provided that JD may request Client’s approval for extensions of Scheduled Downtime above one hour, which approval may be granted at Client’s sole discretion.

 

 

- 27 -

 

 

Schedule 4

 

Fees

 

1.Fees

 

1.1Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the following fees are payable by Client in consideration of the provision of the Services by JD:

 

(a)the Consultancy and Initialization Fee, as set out in paragraph 2;

 

(b)the Customized Software & Interface Development Fee, as set out in paragraph 3

 

(c)the Store Hardware & Equipment Fee, as set out in paragraph 4;

 

(d)IT Equipment & Hardware Implementation Fee, as set out in paragraph 5;

 

(e)Other Implementation Fee, as set out in paragraph 6; and

 

(f)the Royalty Fees, as set out paragraph 7; together, the “Fees”, in accordance with the terms of this Schedule.

 

2.Consultancy and Initialization Fee

 

2.1The Client shall pay the amount of US$220,000 in respect of the Consultancy Services and Initialization Services (the “Consultancy and Initialization Fee”) set forth in Schedule 2.

 

2.2The Consultancy and Initialization Fee shall be paid as follows:

 

(a)60% of the Consultancy and Initialization Fee will be payable within 3 days from the Effective Date;

 

(b)40% of the Consultancy and Initialization Fee payable within 3 days from the completion and delivery of the Initialization Services;

 

(c)20% of the Implementation Fee will be payable within 3 days from the completion and delivery of the Implementation Services.

 

(d)For each additional Store requiring the Services of JD, an additional US$50,000 shall be charged for the Consultancy and Initialization Services for such additional Store.

 

3.Customized Software & Interface Development Fee

 

The Customized Software & Interface Development Fee in connection with the Implementation Services and the applicable payment schedule shall be agreed to by both Parties in writing during Stage 1.

 

4.Store Hardware & Equipment Fee

 

The Store Hardware & Equipment Fee in connection with the Implementation Services and the applicable payment schedule shall be agreed to by both Parties in writing during Stage 1.

 

 

- 28 -

 

 

5.IT Equipment & Hardware Implementation Fee

 

The IT Equipment & Hardware Implementation Fee in connection with the Implementation Services and the applicable payment schedule shall be agreed to by both Parties in writing during the period of Stage 1.

 

6.Other Implementation Fees

 

Both Parties may agree upon other Fees in connection with the Implementation Services in addition to the Fees set forth from paragraph 3 to paragraph 4 in writing during the period of Stage 1.

 

7.Royalty Fees

 

7.1Client will pay the royalty fees from the Commercial Launch Date for the Platform Services in accordance with the terms set out below (the “Royalty Fees”).

 

7.2Definitions

 

Royalty Fee Rate” means the percentage at which the Royalty Fee will be payable as set out below.

 

7.3Royalty Fee

 

The Royalty Fee Rate shall be 1.2% of the Gross Merchandise Value.

 

7.4Royalty Fees Payment Terms

 

The Royalty Fee for the relevant calendar month shall be paid by the Client on 15th day of the following calendar month.

 

7.5Reports

 

(a)Client will:

 

(i)no later than seven (7) days after the end of each calendar month, prepare and provide to JD a report (in a form to be mutually agreed between the Parties) relating to the Client’s Gross Merchandise Value for the preceding month based in the information generated by the Platform; and

 

(ii)no later than fourteen (14) days after the end of each calendar month, prepare and provide to JD a monthly financial statement (in a form to be mutually agreed between the Parties) showing Client’s Gross Merchandise Value for the preceding month.

 

(b)No later than one (1) month after the end of the twelve (12)-month period after the Commercial Launch Date and each twelve (12)-month period thereafter, Client will prepare and provide to JD a financial statement (in a form to be mutually agreed between the Parties), certified by Client’s independent auditor, showing the Gross Merchandise Value for each month during the preceding twelve (12)-month period.

 

(c)Client will provide JD with supporting details and information (including any supporting calculations) reasonably requested by JD in respect of the financial statements set out in paragraph 7.5(b).

 

(d)To the extent that Client’s Gross Merchandise Value shown in any report or financial statement provided above is greater than Gross Merchandise Value declared by Client, Client will pay the outstanding difference in the payable Royalty Fees within one month of JD’s written request.

 

8.Review of Fees

 

The Parties may discuss and agree any new requirements or services (including any customisation or support requirements or services) that are out of scope of this Agreement (whether before or after the Commercial Launch Date from time to time. The Parties acknowledge and agree that such new requirements or services will be subject to additional charges, to be agreed between the Parties.

 

 

 

 

- 29 -

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INtellectual PRoperty License Agreement

 

 

Between

 

 

JD E-COMMERCE AMERICA LIMITED

 

AND

 

Maison International, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hogan Lovells

 

 

 

- i -

 

Contents

 

Clauses

 

1.Definitions and Interpretation 1
2.Grant Of License 4
3.Title, goodwill and registrations 5
4.Quality control 6
5.Marketing, advertising and promotion 7
6.Confidentiality 7
7.Registration of license 9
8.Protection of the Licensed IPR 9
9.Liability 10
10.Additional GFM obligations 10
11.Assignment and other dealings 11
12.Term and termination 11
13.Consequences of termination 12
14.Waiver 12
15.Entire agreement 12
16.Variation 12
17.Severability 12
18.Counterparts 13
19.Force majeure 13
20.Notices 13
21.Rights of Third Parties 14
22.Successors and Assigns 14
23.Governing law and dispute resolution 14
    
Schedules    
     
Schedule 1 JD MARKS 16
     
Schedule 2 GFM MARKS 17

 

Hogan Lovells

 

 

 

Page 1 of 17

 

This Intellectual Property License Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 19,2021 (“Effective Date”) by and between:

 

Parties

 

(1)JD E-commerce America Limited (“JD”), a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business at 19900 MacArthur Blvd Suite 660, Irvine, CA 92612; and

 

(2)Maison International, Inc. (“GFM”), a company incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Illinois, the United States of America, which will do business in California as Maison Chicago Management Inc., whose registered business address is 19745 Colima Rd #1-616, Rowland Heights Ca 91748 .

 

JD and GFM may be referred to herein individually as a “Party” and together as the “Parties”.

 

Whereas:

 

(A)JD and GFM are parties to a certain Collaboration Agreement dated April 19,2021 (the “Collaboration Agreement”), which governs the collaboration between the Parties in respect of certain retail supermarket operations.

 

(B)JD and GFM have agreed to enter into this Agreement to set out the terms and conditions on which certain trademarks, logos and designs and other intellectual property rights now and hereafter owned by JD or its Affiliates will be licensed to GFM for use in connection with such retail supermarket operations.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual provisions set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows.

 

Agreed Terms

 

1.Definitions And Interpretation

 

The definitions and rules of interpretation in this Clause apply in this Agreement.

 

1.1Definitions

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to a person, any entity that directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with that person.

 

“Business” means the operation and promotion of the Stores and the products and goods and the related services offered and sold by GFM in the Stores.

 

“Business Day” means any day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a public holiday in either the Territory or the PRC.

 

“Co-Brand” means the brand consisting of a combination of the JD Marks and the GFM Marks in such forms as may be further determined and agreed upon by mutual written consent of the Parties.

 

Hogan Lovells

 

 

 

Page 2 of 17

 

“Co-Brand Content” means any design or embodiment of the brand image or visual identity by which the Co-Brand will be known to the public as may be developed by JD or its Affiliates, independently or jointly with GFM, and provided by JD to GFM for use in conjunction with the Co-Brand for the Business, including any design of store layout, signage, advertising and marketing materials, consumer communications, artworks, webpages, mobile app content, and other such materials that JD may provide to GFM in connection with this Agreement.

 

“Control”, “Controlled”, and “Controlling” in relation to any entity means any of:

 

(a) the right to exercise more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes of equity holders in that entity; or

 

(b) the contractual right to designate more than half of the members of that entity’s board of directors or similar governing body; or

 

(c) the power to control, directly or indirectly, the direction of the management or policies of such entity, whether such power is effected through ownership of shares or other securities, by contract, by proxy or otherwise.

 

“Effective Date” has the meaning as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

“Financial Year” means a period of twelve (12) months commencing on January 1st of any year and ending on December 31st of the same year.

 

“GFM Marks” means the trademarks, logos and designs listed on Schedule 2 of this Agreement.

 

“Improvements” has the meaning as set forth in Clause 3.3 of this Agreement.

 

Insolvency Event” means that a person: (a) is unable to pay its debts or becomes insolvent or bankrupt or ceases to trade; (b) is the subject of an order made or a resolution passed for the administration, winding-up or dissolution (otherwise than for the purpose of a solvent amalgamation or reconstruction, which does not materially reduce that entity’s assets); (c) has an administrative or other receiver, manager, trustee, liquidator, administrator, or similar officer appointed over all or any substantial part of its assets; (d) enters into or proposes any composition or arrangement with its creditors generally (otherwise than for the purpose of a financing or solvent amalgamation or reconstruction, which does not materially reduce the entities’ assets); or (e) is the subject of any events or circumstances analogous to any of the foregoing in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

“Intellectual Property Rights” means all intellectual property and other similar proprietary rights in any jurisdictions, whether registered or not, including such rights in and to:

 

(a) any trademark, service mark, collective mark, trade name, business name, brand name, slogan, logo, trade dress, Internet domain names, and all other indicia of origin together with all goodwill associated therewith, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals for any of the foregoing;

 

(b) any copyright and any type of work of authorship or work-made-for-hire (whether or not copyrightable) including in all database rights, website content and software, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewal for any of the foregoing; (d) any design, design patent registration and all registrations, applications for registration and renewals of any of the foregoing;

 

 

 

Page 3 of 17

 

(c) any patent (including all invention patents, design patents and utility model patents, and reissues, divisionals, provisionals, continuations, continuations in-part, re-examinations, renewals, substitutions and extensions thereof), patent application, patent disclosure and other patent rights, invention disclosures (regardless of whether or not the disclosed invention is patentable and regardless of whether or not a patent application is filed that is related to the disclosed invention), plant variety rights, integrated circuit topographies and any governmental authority-issued or recognized indicia of invention ownership; and

 

(d) any trade secrets and rights in any confidential information arising under contract or any applicable law.

 

“JD Branding Guidelines” means the guidelines prescribing the permitted form and manner in which the Co-Brand and the JD Brand Content may be used, including but not limited to indications regarding size, color, position, proportions of the Co-Brand and the location where the Co-Brand may be used in the Stores and the related materials, as may be provided, published, updated or amended by JD and notified to GFM from time to time.

 

“JD Marks” means the trademarks, logos and designs listed on Schedule 1 of this Agreement, as may be updated by JD and notified to GFM from time to time.

 

“Licensed IPR” means (a) the Co-Brand, (b) the JD Marks as incorporated into the Co- Brand, (c) copyright and trade dress rights now or hereafter owned by JD and its Affiliates in the Co-Brand Content, in all cases (a) to (c) only to the extent as licensed under Clause 2 of this Agreement.

 

“PRC” means the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this Agreement, the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, and Taiwan.

 

Stores” means retail supermarket stores of GFM in the Territory as specifically approved

by JD in writing.

 

“Term” has the meaning as set forth in Clause 12.1 of this Agreement.

 

“Territory” means the State of California of the United States of America unless otherwise agreed upon between the Parties.

 

1.2Interpretation

 

The Schedules form part of this Agreement and shall have effect as if set out in full in the body of this Agreement. Any reference to this Agreement includes the Schedules to this Agreement.

 

The headings of any Clause (or clause) or paragraph of, or Schedule to, this Agreement shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Any obligation on a Party not to do something includes an obligation not to allow that thing to be done by a Party under its Control.

 

 

 

Page 4 of 17

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this Agreement:

 

(a)a reference to a “Clause” (or “clause”) or “Schedule” is, unless stated otherwise, a reference to a clause of, or schedule to, this Agreement.

 

(b)a reference to a “person” includes any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, voluntary association, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, or any other entity whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity, and reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include the Person’s successors and assigns;

 

(c)a reference to a “company” includes any company, corporation or other body corporate, wherever and however incorporated or established;

 

(d)a reference to “including”, “include” or “includes” or any similar expression shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation” and shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the scope of the meaning of the words preceding those terms;

 

(e)a reference to “in writing” or “written” includes e-mail sent in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(f)the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”;

 

(g)the word “any” shall mean “any and all” unless otherwise clearly indicated by context;

 

(h)the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof;

 

(i)words in the singular include the plural and in the plural include the singular, and the definitions of the terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined;

 

(j)any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or therein); and

 

(k)any reference to any applicable law herein shall be construed as referring to such applicable law as from time to time enacted, repealed or amended.

 

2.Grant Of License

 

2.1Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, JD hereby grants and agrees to grant to GFM, and GFM hereby accepts and agrees to accept, a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license during the Term and in the Territory to (a) use the Co-Brand, (b) use the JD Marks but only as incorporated into the Co-Brand, (c) use, copy and distribute the Co-Brand Content, in all cases (a) to (c) solely in connection with the Business.

 

 

 

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2.2The license granted under Clause 2.1 of this Agreement is subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)GFM shall use the Licensed IPR in accordance with all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the JD Branding Guidelines, or other standards or directions as may be communicated by JD to GFM from time to time;

 

(b)GFM shall not make any use of the JD Marks except only to the extent as they form a part of the Co-Brand and only to the extent as expressly permitted under this Agreement;

 

(c)GFM shall not, directly or indirectly, without the express consent of JD:

 

(i)use the Licensed IPR on any products or goods, or display or distribute any products or goods bearing or incorporating the Licensed IPR;

 

(ii)use the Licensed IPR on any services except only to the extent as expressly permitted under this Agreement;

 

(iii)use any Intellectual Property Rights of JD or its Affiliates except only to the extent as expressly permitted under this Agreement; and

 

(iv)use any trademarks, logos or designs other than the Co-Brand in connection with the Business.

 

(d)GFM shall comply and remain in compliance with its obligations under the Collaboration Agreement to pay Royalty Fees (as defined in the Collaboration Agreement), which include, in part, the royalty fees contemplated by the Parties for the license granted under this Agreement.

 

2.3JD shall not be responsible for the adaptation of the Licensed IPR to any local laws, regulations or customs in the Territory, and GFM accepts, and shall use, the Licensed IPR “as is” and without any representations or warranties of any kind whatsoever, express or implied, at law or in equity, including any representations or warranties of merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose or use, accuracy of information, title or non-infringement.

 

3.Title, Goodwill And Registrations

 

3.1All Intellectual Property Rights in the JD Marks shall remain vested in and be the exclusive property of JD and its Affiliates. GFM acknowledges that it has no rights of ownership in the JD Marks and any goodwill and other benefits derived from the use by GFM of the JD Marks shall accrue to the benefit of JD and its Affiliates.

 

3.2All Intellectual Property Rights in the GFM Marks shall remain vested in and be the exclusive property of GFM. JD acknowledges that it has no rights of ownership in the GFM Marks, and any goodwill and other benefits derived from the use by GFM of the GFM Marks shall accrue to the benefit of GFM.

 

3.3All Intellectual Property Rights in (a) the Co-Brand Content and (b) the Co-Brand, excluding the GFM Marks by themselves, and all goodwill and other benefits derived from the use of the Co-Brand, shall vest and remained vested in and be the exclusive property of JD and its Affiliates. JD hereby undertakes that it shall not, and shall take reasonable efforts to cause its Affiliates not to, license any third party the right to use, or transfer to any third party the ownership of, the Co-Brand Content and the Co-Brand without GFM’s prior written consent.

 

 

 

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3.4Unless otherwise provided under this Agreement, GFM shall not, during the Term and thereafter, register or use any of the JD Marks or the Co-Brand in any domain names, e- commerce platform or social media accounts, or register or use any domain names, e- commerce platform or social media accounts using or incorporating any word or combination of letters or characters similar to any of the JD Marks or the Co-Brand, without the prior written consent of JD.

 

3.5Improvements, modifications, enhancements, translations, additions, revisions, extensions, upgrades, updates, changes or derivatives (“Improvements”) to any Licensed IPR shall vest and remain vested in and be the exclusive property of JD and its Affiliates. GFM hereby undertakes to (a) promptly disclose any such Improvements within a reasonable time after the discovery or creation thereof to JD in sufficient detail to enable JD’s use thereof, and (b) immediately and automatically assign all remaining rights, title and interest that GFM may have in any such Improvements (and all Intellectual Property Rights therein or thereto) to JD or its Affiliates, or, to the extent that any such Improvements is not assignable, waive all claims or and causes of action of any kind it may have against JD or its Affiliates with respect to such rights, in perpetuity and throughout the world.

 

3.6GFM shall not apply for, or obtain registration or another type of legal protection of any portion of the Licensed IPR or Improvements in any jurisdiction, including the registration of any Intellectual Property Rights thereof or any trademark similar to the JD Marks or the Co-Brand (except for the GFM Marks) or otherwise infringes on or misappropriates any portion of the Intellectual Property Rights of JD or its Affiliates.

 

3.7GFM shall not do or permit to be done, any act that will or is reasonably likely to, in JD’s reasonable and good faith opinion, weaken, damage, invalidate, misappropriate, or be detrimental to the Licensed IPR or the reputation or goodwill associated with the Licensed IPR, or otherwise bring JD or its Affiliates into disrepute.

 

3.8The Parties hereby agree that they shall immediately execute any additional forms or agreements necessary to give full legal effect to any of the provisions of this Clause 3.

 

4.Quality Control

 

4.1GFM shall comply with the standards and directions relating to the use and affixation of Co- Brand, as notified in writing by JD from time to time.

 

4.2GFM shall, in exercising its rights under the Licensed IPR under this Agreement, comply with, and shall ensure that each of the products and services provided by GFM in connection with the Business is compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, permit requirements, industry standards and binding codes of practice in the Territory. Should an event occur with respect to any substandard product or service branded with the Co-Brand which may be reasonably expected to damage or denigrate the Co-Brand or the JD Marks, then JD may require GDM to take immediate measures, including, but not limited to a market withdrawal, stock recovery and/or recall of any such product or issuance of a statement in relation to such services.

 

 

 

Page 7 of 17

 

4.3GFM shall promptly provide JD with copies of all communications relating to GFM’s use of the Licensed IPR with any regulatory, industry, trade association, or other government authority in the Territory.

 

4.4GFM shall permit, upon reasonable prior written notice by JD and shall use commercially reasonable endeavors to obtain permission for, JD during normal business hours to enter GFM’s premises in the Territory, to inspect the methods used as well as the standards of care and service; provided that JD shall conduct such inspection in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with GFM’s normal course of business and any such inspection shall be subject to GFM’s reasonable security requirements and any other reasonable requirements applicable to persons present on GFM’s premises.

 

4.5GFM shall provide in writing to JD all details of any complaints GFM has received or become aware of relating the products and services provided within the scope of the Business and/or relating to any portion of the Licensed IPR, JD’s Confidential Information, JD, or this Agreement, together with reports on the manner in which such complaints are being, or have been, dealt with and shall comply with any reasonable directions given by JD in respect thereof.

 

5.Marketing, Advertising And Promotion

 

5.1GFM shall use the Co-Brands in a clearly visible way in connection with the Business in compliance with the JD Branding Guideline.

 

5.2GFM shall use its commercially reasonable endeavors to promote, at its own expense, the Co-Brand in the Territory on a reasonable scale and shall provide such advertising and publicity as may reasonably be expected to bring the Co-Brand to the attention of a reasonable share of customers and potential customers in the Territory.

 

5.3GFM undertakes to ensure that its advertising, marketing and promotion of the products and services provided within the scope of the Business and its use the Co-Brand shall be in strict compliance with the JD Branding Guidelines.

 

5.4During the Term, GFM shall, upon its own initiative or upon JD’s reasonable written request but no more than three times per Quarterly Period, send to JD the text and layout of all proposed advertisements and marketing and promotional material for the products and services using or displaying the Co-Brand for JD to review and approve whether such use or display of the Co-Brand is in compliance with the JD Branding Guidelines. GFM shall not use any advertisements and marketing and promotional material carrying the Co-Brand without such prior written approval by JD. GFM shall not use an influencer or celebrity to endorse or promote the Co-Brand or the Business unless and until it obtains approval in writing from JD.

 

5.5GFM shall bear the costs of all advertising, marketing and promotion for the products and services provided within the scope of the Business.

 

6.Confidentiality

 

6.1The Parties acknowledge that it will be necessary for them to disclose or make available to each other information and materials that are confidential or proprietary or contain valuable trade secrets relating to their respective businesses (specifically labeled or identified as “confidential” or reasonably construed as confidential given the circumstances of disclosure, the contents or availability) (collectively the “Confidential Information”), which could be presented in any form or medium, that relates to the Licensed IPR, the Business, products, services and/or research and development of any of the Parties hereto and/or any of their Affiliates, suppliers, distributors, clients, independent contractors and/or other business relations.

 

 

 

Page 8 of 17

  

6.2Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, the following: (i) internal business information (including historical and projected financial information and budgets and information relating to strategic and staffing plans and practices, business, training, marketing, employee salary and other employee information, promotional, offering development, and sales plans and practices, cost, rate and pricing structures and accounting and business methods); (ii) identities of, individual requirements of, specific contractual arrangements with, and information about or from, employees, consultants, partners, suppliers, distributors, clients, independent contractors or other business relations and their confidential information; (iii) trade secrets, source code, use of open source software, software tools, data security and privacy protection measures, and methods of operation relating to each product or service of the Parties hereto or any of their business, know-how, compilations of data and analyses, techniques, systems, formulae, research, records, reports, manuals, documentation, models, data and data bases relating thereto; and (iv) ideas, proprietary information, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable). The Party receiving the Confidential Information (“Receiving Party”) shall maintain in confidence the Confidential Information of the other Party (“Disclosing Party”) using not less than the efforts such Receiving Party uses to maintain in confidence its own Confidential Information of similar nature or sensitivity (but in no event less than reasonable care under the circumstances). In addition, the Receiving Party will not use or disclose any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party to any other Person without the consent of the Disclosing Party, except: (a) for purposes of performing its obligations under this Agreement, (b) to any employees, consultants and contractors of the Receiving Party (i) that have a need to know such Confidential Information for the Receiving Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) who are bound by a written confidentiality agreement with confidentiality provisions no less stringent than those contained in this Agreement, or (c) as otherwise provided herein.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions as to use and disclosure set out above shall not apply:

 

(a)to the extent necessary for any Party to exercise or enforce its rights under this Agreement;

 

(b)to the extent required by applicable securities laws, including requirements to file a copy of this Agreement (redacted to the extent reasonably permitted by applicable law) or to disclose information regarding the provisions of this Agreement or performance under this Agreement to applicable regulatory authorities;

 

(c)in the event that either Party is required by deposition, interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand, or similar process to disclose any of the Confidential Information of another Party, such compelled Party may disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information of the other Party that such Party is legally required to disclose. If legally permitted, a Party shall first provide notice to the other Party of any such process requiring such disclosure upon receipt thereof in order to provide the other Party with the opportunity to petition the court or administrative body to prevent such disclosure;

 

 

 

Page 9 of 17

 

 

(d)to Confidential Information disclosed in confidence (which requires that the person receiving Confidential Information has at least an obligation via contract or otherwise to maintain the confidentiality of any such Confidential Information) to legal counsel, accountants, auditors and professional advisors; or

 

(e)to Confidential Information to the extent that it: (i) is already, or otherwise becomes, publicly known by third parties other than as a result of an act or omission of the Receiving Party; (ii) is lawfully received, after disclosure hereunder, from a third party having the right to disseminate the information to the Receiving Party and without restriction on disclosure; (iii) is furnished to others by the Disclosing Party without restriction on disclosure; or (iv) can be shown by the Receiving Party to have been independently developed by such Receiving Party without use of or reference to the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party.

 

6.3Each Party’s obligation under this Clause shall continue for a period of five (5) years from the date of termination or expiration of this Agreement, with the exception of trade secrets so long as such information remains a trade secret under applicable law. Upon request by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party will promptly return or destroy (as may be reasonably requested by the Disclosing Party) all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party that it has in its possession (including materials stored on electronic media or its computing environment).

 

7.Registration Of License

 

7.1JD may, at its sole discretion, and at GFM’s reasonable request and expense, register the license of the Licensed IPR granted under this Agreement with the relevant registries.

 

8.Protection Of The Licensed Ipr

 

8.1GFM shall immediately notify JD in writing giving full particulars if to GFM’s knowledge any of the following matters occurring in the Territory come to its attention:

 

(a)any actual, suspected or threatened infringement, misuse, violation, or misappropriation of the Licensed IPR or the JD Marks;

 

(b)any actual or threatened claim that the Licensed IPR or the JD Marks are invalid;

 

(c)any actual or threatened opposition or cancellation procedures, or other challenges by any third party regarding the Licensed IPR or the JD Marks;

 

(d)any claim made or threatened that use of the Licensed IPR or the JD Marks infringes, violates or misappropriates the rights of any third party;

 

(e)any person applies for, or is granted, a registered trademark or a registered copyright by reason of which that person may be, or has been, granted rights which conflict with any of the rights granted to GFM under this Agreement; or

 

(f)any other form of opposition, unenforceability, invalidation claim, charge or claim to which the Licensed IPR or the JD Marks may be subject.

 

 

 

Page 10 of 17

 

8.2In respect of any of the matters listed in Clause 8.1:

 

(a)JD shall, in its absolute discretion, decide what action, if any, to take;

 

(b)JD shall have exclusive control over, and conduct of, all claims and proceedings; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, GFM shall have the right, where commercially and strategically reasonable, to participate, at its sole expense, in all claims and proceedings, provided that it gives JD prior written notice of its intentions;

 

(c)GFM shall not make any admissions other than to JD and shall provide JD with all assistance that it may reasonably require in the conduct of any claims or proceedings (including acting as a (co-)claimant or (co-) defendant when requested to do so by JD in writing) at JD’s sole cost and expense; and

 

(d)subject to Clause 8.2 (b) above, JD shall bear the cost of any proceedings and shall be entitled to retain all sums recovered in any action for its own account.

 

8.3Nothing in this Agreement shall constitute any representation or warranty by JD that:

 

(a)any portion of the Licensed IPR or the JD Marks is valid and does not infringe any third party rights; or

 

(b)any portion of the Licensed IPR or the JD Marks (if still at application stage) shall proceed to grant or, if granted, shall be valid, or be maintained.

 

9.Liability

 

9.1Except as otherwise explicitly set forth in this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, JD and its Affiliates shall not be liable to GFM, and GFM agrees not to claim against JD or its Affiliates, for any costs, expenses, loss or damage (whether direct, indirect or consequential, and whether economic or other) arising from GFM’s exercise of the rights granted to it under this Agreement, whether in respect to any infringement or misappropriation of third party rights or otherwise.

 

9.2Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, JD shall have no liability to GFM, its customers or any third parties with respect to any of the products or services offered under or in connection with the Co-Brand by GFM, its agents, contractors or sub- contractors.

 

10.Additional Gfm Obligations

 

10.1GFM shall:

 

(a)obtain at its own expense all licenses, permits, regulatory approvals, and consents necessary for the use of the Licensed IPR in the Territory;

 

(b)perform its obligations in connection with the Business all due skill, care and diligence including good industry practice in the Territory;

 

(c)only make use of the Licensed IPR for the purposes authorized in this Agreement or otherwise agreed to in writing in advance by JD;

 

(d)comply with all regulations and commercially reasonable industry practices in force or use in the Territory to safeguard JD’s rights in the Licensed IPR.

 

 

 

Page 11 of 17

 

10.2GFM acknowledges and agrees that the exercise of the license granted to GFM under this Agreement is subject to all applicable laws, enactments, regulations, accepted industry standards, and other similar instruments in the Territory, and GFM understands and agrees that except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, it shall at all times be solely liable and responsible for such due observance and performance.

 

11.Assignment And Other Dealings

 

11.1Each Party shall not assign, transfer, mortgage, charge, or deal in any other manner with any or all of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, provided that such consent shall not be required if (i) JD transfers or assigns its rights or obligations under this Agreement to an entity that is Controlled directly or indirectly by it, or (ii) the proposed assignment or transfer forms a part of a general reorganization, divestment, sales of activities or branch or merger or acquisition of JD.

 

11.2JD may subcontract or delegate in any manner any or all of its obligations under this Agreement to any third party.

 

12.Term And Termination

 

12.1This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue, unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Clause, for a period of 10 years as may be extended by written mutual consent of the Parties (“Term”).

 

12.2Either Party will be entitled to terminate this Agreement by giving notice in writing to the other Party if:

 

(a)the other Party commits a material breach of this Agreement which is irremediable or which it has failed to remedy within twenty (20) Business Days of receiving notice from the other Party to do so; or

 

(b)the other Party suffers an Insolvency Event.

 

12.3Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, JD may terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by giving written notice to GFM if:

 

(a)GFM fails to pay any amount due under this Agreement on the due date for payment and remains in default not less than twenty (20) Business Days after being notified by JD in writing to make such payment;

 

(b)GFM suspends or ceases carrying on all, or a substantial part of the Business;

 

(c)there is a change of Control of GFM;

 

(d)GFM or any of its Affiliates challenge the validity of any portion of the Licensees IPR or the JD Marks, or misuses or misappropriates any portion of the Licensed IPR or the JD Marks; or

 

(e)the Collaboration Agreement between the Parties expires or is terminated.

 

 

 

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13.Consequences Of Termination

 

13.1Upon expiry or termination of this Agreement for any reason and subject to any express provisions set out in this Agreement:

 

(a)all outstanding sums payable by GFM to JD shall immediately become due and payable;

 

(b)all rights and licenses granted pursuant to this Agreement shall immediately cease, and GFM shall promptly stop using any of the Licensed IPR and transfer to JD (or its designated person) any domain names, e-commerce platform accounts or social media accounts using the Licensed IPR or similar signs;

 

(c)GFM shall execute all documents and do all acts and things as may be reasonably necessary to effect cancellations of any registration of the license registered pursuant to Clause 7 of this Agreement at its own expense;

 

(d)GFM shall promptly return to JD, at GFM’s expense, all records and copies of documents or materials incorporating the Licensed IPR, and other promotional material in its possession that includes the Licensed IPR, and any information of a confidential nature communicated to it by JD.

 

14.Waiver

 

14.1No failure or delay by a Party to exercise any right or remedy provided under this Agreement or by law shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.

 

15.Entire Agreement

 

15.1This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any previous agreements, promises, assurances, warranties, representations, understandings or arrangements between the Parties, whether written or oral, relating to such subject matter.

 

16.Variation

 

No variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the Parties or their authorized representatives.

 

17.Severability

 

17.1If any provision or part-provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to or deletion of a provision or part-provision under this Clause shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of this Agreement.

 

 

 

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18.Counterparts

 

18.1This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed shall constitute a duplicate original, but all the counterparts shall together constitute the one agreement. Signatures that are emailed, scanned or faxed shall be valid and binding. Transmission of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by email (in PDF, JPEG or other agreed format) may take effect as delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

18.2No counterpart shall be effective until each Party has executed and delivered at least one counterpart.

 

19.Force Majeure

 

Neither Party shall be in breach of this Agreement nor liable for delay in performing, or failure to perform, any of its obligations under this Agreement if such delay or failure result from unforeseeable events, circumstances or causes that are beyond its reasonable control. In such circumstances the affected Party shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of the time for performing such obligations and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the effect of such unforeseeable event, circumstance or cause. If the period of delay or non-performance continues for forty (40) Business Days, the Party not affected may terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by written notice to the other Party.

 

20.Notices

 

20.1Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be given in writing pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been duly given for all purposes if sent by a recognized international courier service, hand delivered or sent by e-mail as follows:

 

(a)If to GFM, to:

 

17700 Castleton St, Suite 128,

City of Industry, CA 91748

Attention: John Jun Xu

Email: john@jcintlgroup.com

 

(b)If to JD, to:

 

19900 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 660,

Irvine, CA 92612

Attention: Vicky Jia Zhuang

Email: zhuangjia@jd.com

 

or at such other address as any Party may specify by notice given to other Party in accordance with this Clause. The date of giving of any such notice shall be three Business Days after mailing using a recognized international courier service, or the date of delivery in the case of hand delivery or e-mail.

 

 

 

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21.Rights of Third Parties

 

(a)A person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap.623) to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement.

 

(b)The rights of the Parties to terminate, rescind or agree any variation, waiver or settlement under this Agreement are not subject to the consent of any other third person.

 

22.Successors and Assigns

 

22.1This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, each of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

23.Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

 

23.1This Agreement, and all matters arising out of or related to this Agreement, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, without reference to the choice of law or conflicts of law principles which would apply the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

23.2The Parties agree that any dispute under this Agreement shall be referred to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) located in Hong Kong for arbitration in accordance with the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules in effect at the time of applying for arbitration, as may be amended by this Clause. The arbitral tribunal shall be made up of three (3) arbitrators. The seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the Parties.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed on the date and year first above written.

 

JD E-COMMERCE AMERICA LIMITED  
   
By: /s/ Jia Zhuang  
Name:  Jia Zhuang  
Title: Authorized Signature  
   
MAISON INTERNATIONAL, INC  
   
By: /s/ John Jun Xu  
Name: John Jun Xu  
Title: President  

 

 

 

Page 16 of 17

 

Schedule 1 JD Marks

 

 

 

1.
  
2.powered by JD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 17 of 17

 

Schedule 2 GFM Marks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 16.1

 

May 4, 2023

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

 

Commissioners:

 

We have read amendment No. 2 to the registration statements on Form S-1, dated May 4, 2023 of Maison Solutions Inc. (‘registrant”) and are in agree with the statements contained under the section “Change in registrant’s certifying Accountant” section as it pertains to our firm; we are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements of Masion Solutions Inc. contained therein.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Friedman LLP

 

Friedman LLP 

Exhibit 21.1 

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

Name   Jurisdiction of Organization
Good Fortune Supermarket San Gabriel, LP   California
Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP   California
Super HK of El Monte, Inc.   California
GF Supermarket of MP, Inc.   California

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the inclusion in this the Registration Statement of Maison Solutions Inc. on Form S-1 of our report dated December 22, 2022 with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Maison Solutions Inc. as of April 30, 2022 and 2021 and for the years then ended, which report is included in this Form S-1 of Maison Solutions Inc. for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

We were dismissed as auditors on January 14, 2023 and, accordingly, we have not performed any audit or review procedures with respect to any financial statements included in this Registration Statement for the periods after April 30, 2022.

 

/s/ Friedman LLP

 

Friedman LLP

New York, NY

May 22, 2023

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Consent of INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

 

In connection with the filing by Maison Solutions Inc. (the “Company”) of its Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto.

 

Dated: May 22, 2023

 

/s/ Mark Willis  
Mark Willis  

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Consent of INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

 

In connection with the filing by Maison Solutions Inc. (the “Company”) of its Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto.

 

Dated: May 22, 2023

 

/s/ Bin Wang  
Bin Wang  

Exhibit 99.3

 

Consent of INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

 

In connection with the filing by Maison Solutions Inc. (the “Company”) of its Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto.

 

Dated: May 22, 2023

 

/s/ Xiaoxia Zhang  
Xiaoxia Zhang  

Exhibit 107

 

Calculation of Filing Fee Table

 

Form S-1

(Form Type)

 

Maison Solutions Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Newly Registered Securities

 

   Security
Type
  Security
Class Title
  Fee
Calculation
Rule
  Amount
Registered
(1)
   Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
   Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
   Fee Rate   Amount of
Registration
Fee
 
Fees to Be Paid  Equity  Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share  Rule
457(o)(2)
   3,450,000   $4.00   $13,800,000    0.00011020   $1,520.76 
   Other  Underwriter Warrants  Rule
457(g) (3)
                         
Fees to Be Paid     Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Underwriter Warrants(4)  Rule
457(o)(2)
   172,500   $4.00   $690,000    0.00011020   $76.04 
Total Offering Amounts        $14,490,000        $1,596.80 
Total Fees Previously Paid                   - 
Total Fee Offsets                   - 
Net Fee Due                  $1,596.80 

 

(1)Includes 450,000 shares of Class A common stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

(2)Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the securities registered hereunder.

 

(3)Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(g) of the Securities Act because the shares of Class A common stock the Underwriter Warrants are registered hereby, no separate registration fee is required with respect to the Underwriter Warrants registered hereby.

 

(4)The registrant has agreed to issue, upon the closing of this offering, underwriter warrant to the underwriters, entitling them to purchase a number of Class A common stock equal to 5% of the aggregate shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering (including any shares sold pursuant to the over-allotment option). The exercise price of the underwriter warrant will be equal to 120% of the public offering price of the Class A common stock offered hereby.