GURU Organic Energy Expands U.S. Direct Store Delivery Network With Buffalo Market, DPI Specialty Foods and Pint Size Hawaii

MONTREAL, March 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GURU Organic Energy Corp. (TSX: GURU) (“GURU” or the “Company”), Canada’s leading organic energy drink brand, announces that it has retained three DSD distributors, namely Buffalo Market, DPI Specialty Foods and Pint Size Hawaii, since the start of 2022.

“Strengthening our DSD network in the Western U.S. market by partnering with leading regional players will enable GURU to reinforce and grow its relationships with leading and specialty grocery, drug, natural and independent retail chains, while also supporting growth in a cost-effective manner,” said Carl Goyette, President and CEO of GURU. “Beneficial to both retailers and GURU, this distribution model will bring improved control over in-store fulfillment and product placement, in addition to improving delivery rates and increasing distribution volume.”

“As a leading food and beverage distributor of mission-driven brands, we are delighted to have GURU’s organic, plant-based energy drinks as part of our portfolio,” said Adam Olejniczak, CEO at Buffalo Market. “Buffalo Market continues to experience stellar growth due to the outstanding service we provide to our clients and we look forward to getting more Americans acquainted with GURU as it continues to grow its presence in the U.S.”

“GURU continues to work actively to increase U.S. product listings, as demonstrated by our recent announcement of 1,500 new doors by the late spring, primarily in California, an achievement which was supported by our growing DSD network. We will continue to invest methodically in the U.S. to build on our momentum in this market, while also dedicating the required capital and resources towards the execution of our ambitious pan-Canadian growth strategy, which is now in full swing,” added Mr. Goyette.

Direct to store delivery and merchandising services are increasingly sought-after by U.S. retailers seeking a turnkey service, which includes increased in-store presence, order taking, delivery, order tracking and customer service. This model can also provide brands with improved in-store fulfillment, increased product placement, improved velocity rates, increased distribution volume and reduced costs.

GURU also has distribution agreements in place with key partners and major distributors in the U.S., such as UNFI and KeHE, and is pursuing discussions with other potential DSD service providers, primarily in its target market of California.

About GURU Products
All GURU energy drinks are plant-based, high in natural caffeine, free of artificial sweeteners, artificial colours and flavours, and have no preservatives. In addition, all drinks are organic, vegan and gluten free – and the best thing is their amazing taste.

About GURU
GURU Organic Energy Corp. (TSX: GURU) is a dynamic, fast-growing beverage company launched in 1999, when it pioneered the world’s first natural, plant-based energy drink. The Company markets organic energy drinks in Canada and the United States through an estimated distribution network of over 25,000 points of sale, and through guruenergy.com and Amazon. GURU has built an inspiring brand with a clean list of organic plant-based ingredients. Its drinks offer consumers good energy that never comes at the expense of their health. The Company is committed to achieving its mission of cleaning the energy drink industry in Canada and the United States. For more information, go to www.guruenergy.com or follow us @guruenergydrink on Instagram and @guruenergy on Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, information with respect to our objectives and the strategies for achieving those objectives, as well as information with respect to our beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of words such as “may”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “foresee”, “believe”, or “continue”, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of assisting the reader in understanding the Company and its business, operations, prospects, and risks at a point in time in the context of historical and possible future developments, and the reader is therefore cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include the following, which are discussed in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended October 31, 2021, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com: management of growth; reliance on key personnel; changes in consumer preferences; significant changes in government regulation; criticism of energy drink products and/or the energy drink market; economic downturn and continued uncertainty in the financial markets and other adverse changes in general economic or political conditions, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic or other major macroeconomic phenomena; global or regional catastrophic events; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; net revenues derived entirely from energy drinks; increased competition; relationships with co-packers and distributors and/or their ability to manufacture and/or distribute GURU’s products; relationships with existing customers; changing retail landscape; increases in costs and/or shortages of raw materials and/or ingredients and/or fuel and/or costs of co-packing; failure to accurately estimate demand for its products; history of negative cash flow and no assurance of continued profitability or positive EBITDA; intellectual property rights; maintenance of brand image or product quality; retention of the full-time services of senior management; climate change; litigation; information technology systems; fluctuation of quarterly operating results; risks associated with the PepsiCo distribution agreement; no assurance of continued profitability or positive EBITDA; and conflicts of interest. Certain assumptions were made in preparing the forward-looking statements concerning availability of capital resources, business performance, market conditions and consumer demand. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements, and there can be no guarantee that the results or developments that we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or effects on our business, financial condition, or results of operation. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking statements contained herein are provided as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake to update or amend such forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

For further information, please contact:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b8c609b6-bd0c-4ab0-b15f-ef5d0e988a1b