UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Fiscal year ended December 31, 20162019

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _________ to __________

 

Commission File Number 333-207889

 

GROWGENERATION CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Colorado 46-5008129
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
   

1000 W Mississippi Ave

Denver, Colorado

 8023380223
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(800) 935-8420

(Registrant'sRegistrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Title of each classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per shareGRWGThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of class

Not Applicable

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☒ No    No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrantRegistrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a 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 filerAccelerated filer                         
Non-accelerated filerSmaller 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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐  No ☒

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of June 30, 2016: $3,289,000.2019: $90,776,147.

 

As of March 31, 2017,26, 2020, the Company had 12,546,40638,135,408 shares of its common stock issued and outstanding, par value $0.001 per share.

Document Incorporated by Reference

 

Portions of a definitive proxy relating to the registrant’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, are incorporated into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Page
 PART I
Item 1.Business1
Item 1A.Risk Factors56
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments129
Item 2.Properties129
Item 3.Legal Proceedings129
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures129
   
 PART II 
   
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities1310
Item 6.Selected Financial Data1511
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1612
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk20
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary DataF-1
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure21
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures21
Item 9B.Other Information21
   
 PART III 
   
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance22
Item 11.Executive Compensation24
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management   and Related Stockholder Matters2824
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence2924
Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services2924
   
 PART IV 
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules3025
Signatures29

 

i

 

 

PART I

Forward-Looking Information

 

This Annual Report of GrowGeneration Corp.  on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements, particularly those identified with the words, “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “objectives,” and similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s best judgment based on factors known at the time of such statements. The reader may find discussions containing such forward-looking statements in the material set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Plan of Operations,” generally, and specifically therein under the captions “Liquidity and Capital Resources” as well as elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed herein. The forward-looking statements specified in the following information have been compiled by our management on the basis of assumptions made by management and considered by management to be reasonable. Our future operating results, however, are impossible to predict and no representation, guaranty, or warranty is to be inferred from those forward-looking statements. The assumptions used for purposes of the forward-looking statements specified in the following information represent estimates of future events and are subject to uncertainty as to possible changes in economic, legislative, industry, and other circumstances. As a result, the identification and interpretation of data and other information and their use in developing and selecting assumptions from and among reasonable alternatives require the exercise of judgment. To the extent that the assumed events do not occur, the outcome may vary substantially from anticipated or projected results, and, accordingly, no opinion is expressed on the achievability of those forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that any of the assumptions relating to the forward-looking statements specified in the following information are accurate, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we”, “our”, “ours” “us” and “GrowGeneration”, refer to GrowGeneration Corp. and its subsidiaries, including GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp, GrowGeneration California Corp., Grow Generation Nevada Corp., GrowGeneration Washington Corp., GrowGeneration Rhode Island Corp., GrowGeneration Michigan Corp, GrowGeneration Oklahoma Corp, GrowGeneration New England Corp, GrowGeneration Canada Corp, GrowGeneration HG Corp, GrowGeneration Hemp Corp, GGen Distribution Corp., GrowGeneration Management Corp., and GrowGeneration Florida Corp., on a combined basis.

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

Background

 

GrowGeneration Corp. (together with all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively “GrowGeneration” the “Company”) was incorporated in Colorado in 2014, and is the largest chain of hydroponic garden centers in order to acquire 4 existingNorth America and is a leading marketer and distributor of nutrients, growing media, advanced indoor and greenhouse lighting, ventilation systems and accessories for hydroponic supply stores. Ingardening. As of March 27, 2020, the past year, we have grown intoCompany owns and operates a chain of twelve (12)twenty seven (27) retail and commercial hydroponic/gardening stores,centers, with ten (10)five (5) located in the state of Colorado, four (4) in the state of California, four (4) in the state of Michigan, two (2) in the state of Nevada, one (1) in the state of California andWashington, one (1) in the state of Nevada. TheOregon, four (4) in the State of Oklahoma, one (1) in the state of Rhode Island, three (3) in Maine, (1) in Florida, one (1) distribution center in California and an online e-commerce store, GrowGen.Pro. Our plan is to acquire, open and operate hydroponic/gardening industry is fragmented, in which typical retail stores are small family ownedcenters and related businesses usually consisting of a single location. This is particularly true in Colorado, Californiathroughout the United States and Nevada where we currently operate. We intend to open or acquire additional retail stores and increase and expand our footprint in these states.

Canada.

 

Today, our 27 centers operate in 10 states, each state considered an operating region.


Products

 

GrowGeneration stores offer essentialis the largest retailers of hydroponic products in the United States and is engaged in the business of marketing and distributing horticultural, organics, lighting and hydroponics products, including lighting fixtures, nutrients, seeds and growing media systems, trays, fans, filters, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, timers, instruments, water pumps, irrigation supplies to the hydroponic and gardening industry, including medium (i.e., farming soil), industry-leading hydroponic equipment, power-efficient lighting, plant nutrients, and thousands of additional products used by professional growers and specialty cultivation operations. We offer our products through our retail stores. hand tools.

GrowGeneration is also actively seeking the establishment ofdeveloping a brandline of private labeled products, which willwould be sold through GrowGeneration outlets.garden centers under brands owned or controlled by the Company. In this regard, the Company acquired a variety of trademarks in March 2019 to bolsters its ability to supply branded ‘house’ products to our customers.  From trellis netting, to plastic pots, to organic nutrients, GrowGeneration introduced its first private-labeled products in the first quarter of 2020, expects to roll out a complete line of private labeled products to offer our customers at great prices, which is expected to have a positive impact on margins and profitability in the near term.

A list of the product trademarks the Company acquired are listed as follows: Blueprint,Carbide, DuraBreeze, Elemental Solutions, GrowXcess, GaurdenWare, Harvester’s Edge, Hydro Thrive, Ion, MixSure +, OptiLUME, Pioneer, Predator Lighting, Smart Support, Sunleaves Garden, Sunspot, Super Starter, Utopian Systems, VitaLUME, and VitaPlant.

 

Markets

Our stores sell thousands of products, that include nutrients, growing media, advanced indoor and greenhouse lighting, ventilation systems and accessories for hydroponic gardening and other products needed to grow indoors and outdoors. Our strategy is to target two distinct groups of customers, namely commercial growers and smaller growers that require a local store to fulfill their daily and weekly growing needs. Our supply chain includes over 10,000 sku’s across 12 product departments. We can deliver directly to the grower’s facility, and they can pick up the products at one of our stores or order online.

 

GrowGeneration serves a new, yet sophisticated community of commercial and urban cultivators growing specialty crops including organics, greens and plant-based medicines. Unlike the traditional agricultural industry, these cultivators use innovative indoor and outdoor growing techniques to produce specialty crops in highly controlled environments. This enables them to produce crops at higher yields without having to compromise quality, regardless of the season or weather and drought conditions.

 

Our target market segments include home growers of organic vegetable and fruit Growers (small farms, home garden growers, restaurants growers, farmer markets), the Do-it Yourselfers (home flower and plant growers/ mass market andcommercial growers in the plant-based medicine market, the home grower and businesses and individuals who grow organically grown herbs and leafy green vegetables. The landscape for hydroponic retail stores is very fragmented, with numerous single stores which we consider very ripe for our roll up strategy. Further, the products we sell are in demand due to the ever-increasing legalization of pant-based medicines, primarily cannabis related market (Dispensaries, Cultivators, Caregivers).and hemp, and the number of licensed cultivation facilities in both the US and Canada. Total sales for the hydroponic equipment industry were well over $8 billion in 2019.

1

 

Indoor growing techniques have primarily been used to cultivate plant-based medicines. Plant-based medicines often require high-degree of regulation and controls including government compliance, security, and crop consistency, making indoor growing techniques a preferred method. Cultivators of plant-based medicines often make a significant investment to design and build-out their facilities. They look to work with companies such as GrowGeneration that understand their specific needs and can help mitigate risks that could jeopardize their crops. Plant-based medicines are believed to be among the fastest-growing market in the U.S. and several industry pundits believe that plant-based medicines may even displace prescription pain medication by providing patients with a safer, more affordable alternative.

 

Indoor growing techniques, however, are not limited to plant-based medicines. Vertical farms producing organic fruits and vegetables are beginning to emerge in the market due to a rising shortage of farmland, and environmental vulnerabilities including drought, other severe weather conditions and insect pests. Indoor growing techniques enable cultivators to grow crops all-year-round in urban areas and take up less ground while minimizing environmental risks. Indoor growing techniques typically require a more significant upfront investment to design and build-out these facilities than traditional farmlands. If new innovations lower the costs for indoor growing, and the costs to operate traditional farmlands continue to rise, then indoor growing techniques may be a compelling alternative for the broader agricultural industry.

 

Research and Development 

 

The companyCompany has not incurred any research and development expenses during the period covered by this report.


Customers and Suppliers

 

Our key customers vary by state and are expected to be more defined as the companyCompany moves from its retail walk-in purchasing sales strategy to serving cultivation facilities directly and under predictable purchasing activity. Currently, none of our customers accounted for more than 5% of our sales.sales in 2019 or 2018.

 

Our key suppliers include several manufacturers and distributors such as HydroFarm, BWGSFoxFarm Fertilizer, Canna, USA Mills Nutrients, Hawthorne Garden Supply, Hydrofarm, and Sunlight Supply to product specific suppliers such as Emerald Harvest, General Hydroponics and Can Fan USA.others. All the products purchased and resoldsold are applicable to indoor and outdoor growing for organics, greens, and plant-based medicines. As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, two suppliers represent 51% and 56%, respectively of our purchases. The Company is of the opinion that the loss of either supplier would not have a material adverse impact on our business, because both suppliers provide the same products and the Company maintains direct manufacturing agreements with vendors.

 

Demand for Products

 

Demand for indoor and outdoor growing equipment is currently high due to legalization of plant-based medicines, primarily Cannabis,cannabis and hemp, which is mainly due torequires equipment purchases for build-out and repeat purchases of consumable nutrients needed during the growing period. This demand is projected to continue to growincrease as a result of the supporting stateapproval of a comprehensive, publicly available medical marijuana/cannabis programs laws in 2833 states and 11 states for adult-use plus the District of Columbia.Columbia as of the date thereof. Continued innovation and more efficient build-out technologies along with larger and consolidated cultivation facilities isare expected to further expand market demand for GrowGeneration products and services. We expect the market to continue to segment into urban farmers serving groups of individuals, community cultivators, and large-scale cultivation facilities across the states. Each segment will be optimized to different distribution channels that GrowGeneration currently provides. We are of the opinion that as our volume increases, we will obtain volume discounts on purchasing that should allow us to maximize both our revenues and expand gross profit margins.

 

E-Commerce Strategy

 

The Company is developinghas developed its e-commerce website and portal,www.growgeneration.comwww.GrowGen.Pro. The site plans to offer which offers for sale hydroponic, specialty and organic gardening products. Online shoppers are able to shop from product departments, from nutrients to lighting to hydroponic and greenhouse equipment, delivering an easy and quick method to find the products that they want to purchase. Our e-commerce site has beenis designed to appeal to both the professional grower, as well as the home gardener/hobbyist.growers. Each product listed on the site contains product descriptions, product reviews and a picture so the consumercustomers can make an informed and educated purchase. Our product filters allow the consumercustomers to search by brand, manufacturer, or by function such as wattage. Designed as an information portal as well as an e-commerce store, the consumercustomers will find videos, articles, blogs and other relevant content, all generated by Grow Generation’sGrowGeneration’s internal staff, which we call our “Grow Pros”. The GrowGeneration shopper will becustomers are able to shop and order online 24/7 and, if they choose order online andto receive products delivered directly to their grow operationoperations, or home, order online andfor pick up at one of the GrowGeneration retail stores, orstores. In addition, customers may simply use our site as a resource and shop with our Grow Pros at one of our retail locations. Google advertising, social media and in store advertising are the primary advertising tools we will use to drive traffic to www.growgeneration.comwww.GrowGen.Pro.

 

2

Goals and StrategyAcquisitions

 

Our goal isSubsequent to becomeyear end, on February 26, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Florida Corp, to purchase the assets of Healthy & Harvest, LLC, with one location in Pembroke Pines, FL. In connection with the purchase of the nation's largest providers of equipmentassets, the Company also entered a three-year commercial lease for warehouse space, effective February 26, 2020 and supplies for growing organics, herbs and greens and plant-based medicines. We intend to achieve our goal by implementingsubleased the following strategies:store space whose current lease expires July 31, 2020.

 

1. EngageOn December 18, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Washington Corp, to purchase the assets of GrowWorld with cultivation facilitiesone location in Portland, OR. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into an assignment of lease, effective December 18, 2019, to rent the premises in Portland, OR. The lease terminates on December 31, 2026.

On September 3, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Michigan Corp, to purchase the assets of Grand Rapids Hydroponics with one location in Grand Rapids, MI. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a ten-year commercial lease agreement, effective from September 9, 2019, to rent the premises in Grand Rapids, MI.


On April 23, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Rhode Island Corp., to purchase the assets of GreenLife Garden Supply Corp., with two store locations in Maine and secure exclusive supplier contracts;one in New Hampshire. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into five-year commercial lease agreements, effective from May 9, 2019 and July 1, 2019, respectively, to rent the premises in York and Biddeford, Maine where store assets are located.

2. Own, operate

On January 26, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration California Corp., to purchase the assets from Palm Springs Hydroponics, Inc. located in Palm Springs, California. The acquisition was completed on February 7, 2019. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a commercial lease agreement with a term of five years and expand regionalthree months, effective from February 7, 2019 to April 30, 2024, to rent the premises where the assets were located to open a new store.

On January 26, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Nevada Corp., to purchase the assets from Reno Hydroponics, Inc. located in Reno, Nevada. The acquisition was completed on February 11, 2019. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a one-year commercial lease agreement, effective from February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020, to rent the premises where the assets were located to open a new store. The Company has since entered into a new lease expiring March 31, 2021.

On November 28, 2018, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp., to purchase the assets of Chlorophyll, Inc., located in Denver, Colorado. The acquisition was completed on January 21, 2019. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a five-year commercial lease agreement, effective from January 21, 2019, to rent the premises where the assets are located to open a new store

On August 30, 2018, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement, amended on September 14, 2018, with Virgus, Inc. d/b/a/ Heavy Gardens, an online store of hydroponic and garden supplies (“Heavy Gardens”), to purchase the assets of Heavy Gardens through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration HG Corp. The closing of the asset purchase took place on September 14, 2018.

On June 28, 2018, the Company entered into a restated and amended asset purchase agreement to purchase the assets of a retail hydroponic store, Santa Rosa Hydroponics & Grower Supply Inc., located in Santa Rosa, California. On July 13, 2018, the parties entered into an amendment to the purchase agreement and conducted the closing of the asset purchase. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a commercial lease agreement, effective from July 14, 2018 to July 13, 2023, to rent the premises where the assets were located to open the new store.

On April 12, 2018, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Michigan Corp., to purchase substantially all of the assets of Superior Growers Supply, Inc.’s business located in Michigan. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a commercial lease, effective from April 12, 2018 to April 11, 2023, to rent the premises where a part of the assets are located. The Company entered into two additional leases. Following this acquisition, the Company opened three stores in the state of Michigan.

Seasonality

Our business is subject to servicesome seasonal influences. Generally, our highest volume of sales occurs in our second and supportthird fiscal quarter, and the operations of professional and home growers;

3. Develop and growlower volume occurs during our e-commerce platform;

4. Establish a national sales team;

5. Establish a brand of “house”first or white-labeled products which we would sell exclusively;

6. Assemble the most knowledgeable staff and leadership team; and

7. Acquire additional products and services that are essential to our customers and deliver high-margins.fourth fiscal quarter. 

 

Competition

 

The markets in which we sell our products are highly competitive. Our key competitors include many local and national vendors of gardening supplies, local product resellers of hydroponic and other specialty growing equipment, as well as online product resellers and large online marketplaces such as Amazon.com and EBay.eBay. Our industry generally referred to “Hydroponic Gardening Stores”, is a highly fragmented industry with over 1,000 retail outlets throughout the U.S. The industry is highly competitive. We compete with companies that have greater capital resources, facilities and diversity of product lines. Additionally, if demand for our hydroponic growing equipment continues to grow and if the cannabis industry continues to develop, we expect many new competitors to enter the market, as there are no significant barriers to retail sales of hydroponic growing equipment. More established hydroponic companies with much greater financial resources which do not currently compete with us may be able to easily adapt their existing operations to sales of hydroponic growing equipment. Increased competition may lead to reduced prices and/or margins for products we sell. Our competitors may also introduce new hydroponic growing equipment, manufacturers may sell equipment direct to consumers, and our distributers could cease sales of product to us.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, we do believe that our pricing, inventory and product availability and overall customer service provide us with the ability to compete in this marketplace. In addition, as we increase our number of stores and inventory per store, we expect to be able to purchase larger amounts of inventory at lower volume sale prices, which we expect will enable us to price competitively and deliver the products that our customers are seeking. We also believe, thatcompete on supply chain competency, field sales support, in-store sales support, the consistencystrength of a national brandour relationships with major manufacturers, distributors and operating in multiple states, will give our customers confidence to shop with us.advertising.

 

Based on our knowledge and communication with our suppliers, we do not believe our suppliers sell directly to the retail market or our customers.

 

Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights

 

Our intellectual property consists of our brands and their related trademarks, domain names and websites, customer lists and affiliations, product know-how and technology, and marketing intangibles. We also hold rights to website addresses related to our business including websites that are actively used in our day-to-day business such as www.GrowGeneration.com. We own the federally registered trademark for “GrowGeneration”. We also own a federal register trademark“GrowGeneration®” “Where the Pros Go to Grow”.

We have a policy of entering into confidentialityGrow®” and non-disclosure agreements with our employees and some of our vendors and customersGrowGen.Pro. In addition, we own several registered trademarks acquired March 2019 as necessary.detailed previously under the caption Products.

 

Government Regulation

 

While there is no governmental regulation relating toWe sell products, including hydroponic gardening products, that end users may purchase for use in new and emerging industries or segments, including the sale of hydroponic equipment or soil and nutrients that we sell, there are laws and regulations governing the cultivation and salegrowing of cannabis and related products. Currently, there are over 28 states plushemp, that may not grow or achieve market acceptance in a manner that we can predict. The demand for these products depends on the Districtuncertain growth of Columbiathese industries or segments. 

In addition, we sell products that have laws and/end users may purchase for use in industries or regulation that recognize in one form or another legitimate medical uses forsegments, including the growing of cannabis and hemp, that are subject to varying, inconsistent, and rapidly changing laws, regulations, administrative practices, enforcement approaches, judicial interpretations, and consumer use of cannabis in connection with medical treatment. About a dozen otherperceptions.  For example, certain countries and 33 U.S. states are considering legislation to similar effect. As ofhave adopted frameworks that authorize, regulate, and tax the date of this report, the policy and regulations of the Federal government and its agencies is that cannabis has no medical benefit and a range of activities including cultivation, processing, sale, and use of cannabis for personalmedicinal and/or non-medicinal use, while the U.S. Controlled Substances Act and the laws of other U.S. states prohibit growing cannabis. In addition, with the passage of the Farm Bill in December 2018, hemp cultivation is prohibitednow broadly permitted. The Farm Bill explicitly allows the transfer of hemp-derived products across state lines for commercial or other purposes. It also puts no restrictions on the basissale, transport, or possession of federal law and may or may not be permitted onhemp-derived products, so long as those items are produced in a manner consistent with the basis of state law. Active enforcementWe believe the recent passage of the current federal regulatory position on cannabis on a regional or national basis may directly and adversely affect2018 Farm Bill will allow the willingness of customers of GrowGenerationCompany to invest in or buy products from GrowGeneration. Active enforcement of the current federal regulatory position on cannabis may thus directly or indirectly adversely affect GrowGeneration operations.expand its marketplace opportunities.

 

Our gardening products, including our hydroponic gardening products, are multi-purpose products designed and intended for growing a wide range of plants and are purchased by cultivators who may grow any variety of plants, including cannabis and hemp.  Although the demand for our products may be negatively impacted depending on how laws, regulations, administrative practices, enforcement approaches, judicial interpretations, and consumer perceptions develop, we cannot reasonably predict the nature of such developments or the effect, if any, that such developments could have on our business.

3

 

Employees

 

As of the date of this report,December 31, 2019, we have 36had 184 full time employees and 721 part-time employees. We planNo employees are subject to add sales representatives in all states that we operate a retail store.collective bargaining agreements.

 

Principal Offices

 

Our principal offices are located at 1000 W Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 80233. We lease ten (10) stores in the state80223. As of Colorado, one (1)December 31, 2019, we leased six (6) facilities in the State of Colorado, eight (8) in the State of California, and one (1) in the State of Nevada, one (1) in the State of Washington, one (1) in the State of Oregon, one (1) in the State of Rhode Island, four (4) in the State of Oklahoma, four (4) in the State of Michigan, three (3) in the State of Maine, two (2) in the State of Florida, all for our corporate and retail operations. Information relating to our stores is set forth inIn total the table below:Company leases approximately 350,000 square feet of space, which consists primarily of 3,000 feet of corporate office space, 100,000 square feet of warehouse space and 247,000 square feet of store space.

 

  Store 1 Store 2  Store 3 Store 4 Store 5  Store 6  Store 7 Store 8 Store 9 Store 10 Store 11 Store 12
  Pueblo West Pueblo Downtown  Pueblo Southside Canon City Trinidad  Conifer  Colorado Springs Santa Rosa Denver North Castle Rock Las Vegas Denver South
Street 609 Enterprise, Unit 150  109, 111 & 113 W 4th Street  2704 S. Prairie Ave, Suite C 1811 Fremont Dr.  2012 Freedom Road   26591 Main Street  310-H/I South 8th Street 3535 Industrial Drive  4731 Lipan Ave 1011 Caprice Street 5885 S. Valley View Blvd 1000 W. Mississippi
                               
City Pueblo West  Pueblo  Pueblo Canon City  Trinidad   Conifer  Colorado Springs Santa Rosa Denver Castle Rock Las Vegas Denver
                               
State & Zip CO, 81007  CO, 81003  CO, 81005 CO, 81212  CO, 81082   CO, 80433  CO, 80904 CA, 95403 CO, 80211 CO 80104 NV 89118 CO, 80223
                               
Beginning 5/27/2014  3/1/2015  10/1/2014 10/15/2016  3/1/2017   6/11/2014  9/1/2015 3/1/2017 3/1/2016 10/1/2016 11/15/2016 2/1/2017
                               
Ending 4/30/2020  2/28/2018  9/30/2017 10/14/2022  2/28/2022   4/30/2019  12/31/2020 2/28/2022 3/1/2019 9/30/2019 2/28/2022 1/31/2022
                               
Renewal Option none  month-to-month  agreed upon terms 6 years with renewal option  5 years   month-to-month  64 months 5 years with renewal option 2 years with renew option 2 periods of 3 years none 5 years with renew option
                               
Square Footage 3300  3300  1800 4427  7383   3000  3360 8000 4500 1500 8880 12837
                               
Monthly rent1 $2,100 $1,500  $950 $3,689 $3,169  $2,400  $3,780 $6,400 $3,650 $1,775 $5,720 $5,616

Some of our leases have increases during the term of the lease. Our Pueblo West rent increases to $2,300 per month in May 2016; our Pueblo Downtown and Pueblo Southside rent does not increase; our Canon City rent started at $3,689.17 and will increase to $4,276.75 in the sixth year; our Trinidad rent started at $3,169.41 for the first year and will increase to $3,636.97 in the fifth year; our Conifer rent increases to $2,500 per month in May 2016; our Colorado Springs rent increases to $2,940 per month in November 2017, to $3,080 in November 2018 and to $3,220 in November 2019; our Santa Rosa rent started at $6,400 and will be adjusted upward annually; our Denver North rent started at $3,650 and will increase to $3,873 in the third year; our Castle Rock rent will increase to $1,980 per month in October 2017 and $2,138 per month in October 2018; our Las Vegas rent will increase from $5,720 in December 2016 to $6,886 per month in February 2022; and our Denver South rent started at $5,616.19 and will increase to $6,685.94 in the fifth year.

2 We opened a retail store in Fairplay, Colorado on August 1, 2016 and we paid a monthly rental payment of $1,085. Effective as of December 31, 2016, the lease agreement we entered into on July 19, 2016 for the Fairplay retail store was terminated, and all the operations and business in the Fairplay store have been consolidated into the Conifer store. 

4

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

We have a limited operating history on which to evaluateThe risks and uncertainties described below could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. You should read these Risk Factors in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 and our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes in Item 8. There also may be other factors that we cannot anticipate or base an investment decision.that are not described in this report generally because we do not currently perceive them to be material. Those factors could cause results to differ materially from our expectations.

Actual or threatened epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks, or other public health crises may adversely affect our customers’ financial condition and the operations of our business.

Our business prospects are difficultcould be materially and adversely affected by the risks, or the public perception of the risks, related to predict becausean epidemic, pandemic, outbreak, or other public health crisis, such as the recent outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The risk of a pandemic, or public perception of the risk, could cause customers to avoid public places, including retail properties, and could cause temporary or long-term disruptions in our supply chains and/or delays in the delivery of our limited operating historyinventory. Further, such risks could also adversely affect our customers’ financial condition, resulting in reduced spending for the products we sell. Moreover, an epidemic, pandemic, outbreak or other public health crisis, such as COVID-19, could cause employees to avoid our properties, which could adversely affect our ability to adequately staff and unproven business strategy. We acquired 4manage our businesses. Risks related to an epidemic, pandemic or other health crisis, such as COVID-19, could also lead to the complete or partial closure of one or more of our stores, called “Pueblo Organics and Hydroponics” in 2014 and openedfacilities or operations of our Conifer, Trinidad and Colorado Springs, and our Santa Rosa, California stores in 2015 and opened our Denver, Fairplay, Castle Rock and Las Vegas stores in 2016. Accordingly, our operationsourcing partners. The ultimate extent of these stores has been limited. If we are unable to manage these stores as well as others that we openthe impact of any epidemic, pandemic or acquire,other health crisis on our business, is unlikelyfinancial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity of such epidemic, pandemic or other health crisis and actions taken to succeed. Ourcontain or prevent their further spread, among others. These and other potential impacts of an epidemic, pandemic or other health crisis, such as COVID-19, could therefore materially and adversely affect our business, should be viewed in lightfinancial condition and results of these risks, challenges and uncertainties.operations.

 

We face intense competition that could prohibit us from developing or increasing our customer base and generating revenue.base.

 

The industry within which we compete is highly competitive. We compete with companies that have greater capital resources, facilities and diversity of product lines. We compete in the specialty gardening industry, selling hydroponic and organic nutrients, soils and other gardening related products. Additionally, if demand for our hydroponic growing equipment and products continues to grow, we expect many new competitors to enter the market, as there are no significant barriers to retail sales of hydroponic growing equipment and related gardening products. More established gardening companies with much greater financial resources which do not currently compete with us may be able to easily adapt their existing operations to sales of hydroponic growing equipment. Due to this competition, there is no assurance that we will not encounter difficulties in generating or increasing revenues and capturingmaintaining and/or increasing market share. In addition, increased competition may lead to reduced prices and/or margins for products we sell. Our competitors may also introduce new hydroponic growing equipment, manufacturers may sell equipment direct to consumers, and our distributers could cease sales of product to us.

 

If we need additional capital to fund our operations, we may not be able to obtain sufficient capital and may be forced to limit the scope of our operations.

 

If adequate additional financing is not available on reasonable terms, we may not be able to expand our retail or online operations and we may be forced to modify our business plans accordingly. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available to us. In connection with our growth strategies, we may experience increased capital needs and accordingly, we may not have sufficient capital to fund our future operations without additional capital investments. OurThere can be no assurance that additional capital needs will depend on numerous factors, including (i) our profitability; (ii) the release of competitive products by our competition; (iii) the level of our investment in sales and marketing; and (iv) new store openings and or acquisitions. We cannot assure you that we will be ableavailable to obtain capital in the future to meet our needs.us. If we cannot obtain additional funding,sufficient capital to fund our operations, we may be required to: (i)forced to limit our expansion; (ii) limit our marketing efforts; and (iii) decrease or eliminate capital expenditures. Such reductions could materially adversely affect our business and our ability to compete. Moreover, even if we do find a source of additional capital, we may not be able to negotiate terms and conditions for receiving the additional capital that are favorable to us. Any future capital investments could dilute or otherwise materially and adversely affect the holdings or rightsscope of our existing shareholders. We cannot give you any assurance that any additional financing will be available to us, or if available, will be on terms favorable to us.expansion.

 

Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our executive officers and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.

 

Our future success depends substantially on the continued services of our executive officers, especially our Chief Executive Officer, Darren Lampert, our President, Michael Salaman, our Chief Financial Officer, Monty Lamirato, and our Chief Operating Officer, Jason Dawson.Tony Sullivan. We do not maintain key man life insurance on any of our executive officers and directors. If one or more of our executive officers are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them readily, if at all. Therefore, our business may be severely disrupted, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit and retain new officers.

 

Irwin Lampert, our current Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director, has indicated his intention to retire from all officer positions and as a director of the Company during 2017. We are currently actively seeking a new Chief Financial Officer and Secretary to fill the officer positions; we do not intend to appoint another director to replace Mr. Lampert at this time.

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If we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy.

 

Our ability to compete in the highly competitive hydroponics and gardening industry depends in large part upon our ability to attract highly qualified managerial and sales personnel. In order to induce valuable employees to come and work for us or to remain with us, we intend to provide employees with stock options that vest over time. TheHowever, the value to employees of stock options that vest over time will be significantly affected by movements in our stock price that we will not be able to control and may at any time be insufficient to counteract more lucrative offers from other companies. Our success also depends on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled junior, mid-level, and senior personnel.

 

In order to increase our sales and marketing infrastructure, we will need to grow the size of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth.

 

As we continue to work to open and/or acquire additional retail store locations, we will need to expand the size of our employee base for managerial, operational, sales, marketing, financial and other resources. Future growth would impose significant added responsibilities on members of management, including the need to identify, recruit, maintain, motivate and integrate additional employees. In addition, our management may have to divert a disproportionate amount of its attention away from our day-to-day activities and devote a substantial amount of time to managing these growth activities. Our future financial performance and our ability to continue to grow our operation and compete in the hydroponics industry effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to effectively manage any future growth.

 

Litigation may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

From time to time in the normal course of our business operations, we may become subject to litigation that may result in liability material to our financial statements as a whole or may negatively affect our operating results if changes to our business operation are required. The cost to defend such litigation may be significant and may require a diversion of our resources. There also may be adverse publicity associated with litigation that could negatively affect customer perception of our business, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable. As a result, litigation may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may not obtain insurance coverage to adequately cover all significant risk exposures.

We will be exposed to liabilities that are unique to the products we provide. We currently maintain only premises insurance and there can be no assurance that we will acquire or maintain insurance for certain risks, that the amountSome of our insurance coverage will be adequatecustomers are cannabis growers. Disruption to cover all claims or liabilities, or that we will not be forced to bear substantial costs resulting from risks and uncertainties of business. It is also not possible to obtain insurance to protect against all operational risks and liabilities. The failure to obtain adequate insurance coverage on terms favorable to us, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Federal practices could change with respect to providers of equipment potentially usable by participants in the medical cannabis industry, which could adversely impact us.

Cannabis growers utilize various products that we offer for sale. While we are not aware of any threatened or current federal or state law enforcement actions against any retailer of hydroponic equipment that might be used for cannabis growing or use we have heard that a number of years ago, law enforcement authorities did initiate raids at some retail stores where operators evidently knew they were selling hydroponic equipment directly to customers who indicated they intended to use it for the cultivation of recreational cannabis. Those raids took place in a different legal landscape, well before the legalization of medical or recreational cannabis by any state. We are unaware of any threatened or actual law enforcement activity, ever, against manufacturers or retailers of supplies marketed for usage by participants in the emerging cannabis industry.

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A theoretical risk exists that our activities could be deemed to be facilitating the selling or distribution of cannabis in violation of the Federal Controlled Substances Act, or to constitute aiding or abetting, or being an accessory to, a violation of that Act. We believe, however, that such a risk is relatively low. Federal authorities have not focused their resources on such tangential or secondary violations of the Act, nor have they threatened to do so, with respect to the sale of equipment that might be used by cannabis gardeners, or with respect to any supplies marketed to participants in the emerging medical cannabis industry. We are unaware of such a broad application of the Controlled Substances Act by federal authorities, and we believe that such an attempted application would be unprecedented.

If the federal government were to change its practices, or were to expend its resources attacking providers of equipment that could be usable by participants in the medical or recreational cannabis industry, such action could have a materially adverse effect on our operations, our customers, or the sales of our products.

Continued federal intervention in certain segments of the cannabis industry is disruptive to the industry, and maycould have a negative impact on us.our revenue.

 

Our products are sold to growers of various crops including cannabis, and we expect the numbersome of gardeners or cannabis users buying our products to remain relatively unaffected despite federal interference in some segments of themay be utilized by cannabis industry. Although we expect minimal impact on the Company from any federal government crackdown on cannabis providers, the disruptiongrowers. Disruption to the cannabis industry could cause some current and/or potential customers to be more reluctant to invest in growing equipment, including equipment we sell. Moreover, the federal government’s tactics may change or have unforeseen effects, which could be detrimental to our business.

There can be no assurance that our intended operations will not violate state or federal law.

We have not requested or obtained any opinion of counsel or ruling from any authority to determine if our intended operations are in compliance with or violate any state or federal laws or whether we are assisting others to violate a state or federal law. In the event that our intended operations are deemed to violate any laws or if we are deemed to be others to violate a state or federal law, we could have liability that could cause us to modify or cease our operations.

Our 2014, 2015 and 2016 Private Placements were made pursuant to an exemption from registration.

Our 2014, 2015 and 2016 Private Placements were made in reliance upon the so-called "private placement" exemption from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) provided by Sections 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Securities Act, by Regulation D, Rule 506 adopted there under, and the exemptions from registration provided by the Blue Sky laws of states in which our securities are offered. However, reliance upon these exemptions is highly technical and should not be viewed as a guarantee that such exemptions are indeed available. If for any reason the private placement exemption is not available for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Private Placements and no other exemption from registration is found to be available, the sale of the securities in such Private Placements would be deemed to have been made in violation of the applicable laws, thus requiring registration of those securities. As a remedy for such a violation, each investor would have the right to rescind its purchase and to have its full investment returned. If an investor requests return of its investment, it is possible that funds would not be available to us for that purpose, and that liquidation of us may be required. Any refunds made would reduce funds available to us for our operations. A significant number of requests for rescission would probably leave us without funds sufficient to respond to such requests or to proceed successfully with its activities.

 

There are a significant number of shares of common stock eligible for sale, which could depress the market price of such shares.

 

Our Registration Statement on Form S-1 has registered a total of 8,011,4301,242,756 shares of our common stock which includes 4,655,715 shares of common stock being sold by our shareholders and 3,355,715 shares of common stock underlying the warrants with an exercise price of $0.70 per share, available for sale in the public market. The availability of such a large number of shares of common stock for sale in the public market could harm the market price of the stock. Further, additional shares may be offered from time to time in the open market pursuant to Rule 144, and these sales may have a depressive effect as well.

 

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If our existing stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or if the public perceives that such sales could occur, this could have an adverse impact on the market price of our common stock, even if there is no relationship between such sales and the performance of our business.

If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities.

 

We face a potential risk of product liability as a result of any of the products that we offer for sale. For example, we may be sued if any product we sell allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities. Even successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

 decreased demand for products that we may offer for sale;
 injury to our reputation;
 costs to defend the related litigation;
 a diversion of management'smanagement’s time and our resources;
 substantial monetary awards to trial participants or patients;
 product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions; and
 a decline in our stock price. 

 

We do not maintain any product liability insurance. Our inability to obtain and retain sufficient product liability insurance at an acceptable cost to protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of products we develop. We do not maintain any product liability insurance.developed. Even if we obtain product liability insurance in the future, we may have to pay amounts awarded by a court or negotiated in a settlement that exceed our coverage limitations or that are not covered by our insurance, and we may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient capital to pay such amounts.

We may acquire businesses or products, or form strategic alliances, in the future, and we may not realize the benefits of such acquisitions.

 

We may acquire additional businesses or products, form strategic alliances or create joint ventures with third parties that we believe will complement or augment our existing business. If we acquire businesses with promising markets or products, we may not be able to realize the benefit of acquiring such businesses if we are unable to successfully integrate them with our existing operations and company culture. We may encounter numerous difficulties in developing, manufacturing and/or marketing any new products resulting from a strategic alliance or acquisition that delay or prevent us from realizing their expected benefits or enhancing our business. We cannot assure you that, following any such acquisition, we will achieve the expected synergies to justify the transaction.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Our officers and directors will control our company for the foreseeable future,There are risks, including the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval.

Our founders, officers and directors collectively beneficially own approximately 39.20% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock on a primary basis and 59.80% of our outstanding sharesstock market volatility, inherent in Common Stock if they exercise all their options and warrants, in which case they would own a majority of our Common Stock. As a result, such individuals will have the ability, acting together, to control the election of our directors and the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, such as: (i) a merger or a sale of our company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and (iii) amendments to our articles of incorporation and bylaws. This concentration of voting power and control could have a significant effect in delaying, deferring or preventing an action that might otherwise be beneficial to our other stockholders and be disadvantageous to our stockholders with interests different from those entities and individuals. Certain of these individuals also have significant control over our business, policies and affairs as officers or directors of our company. Therefore, you should not invest in reliance on your ability to have any control over our company.

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An investment in our company should be considered illiquid.

An investment in our company requires a long-term commitment, with no certainty of return. Currently there is no liquid market forowning our common stock and we cannot guarantee that such liquid market for our common stock would develop in the near future. Moreover, we do not expect security analysts of brokerage firms to provide coverage of our company in the near future. In addition, investment banks may be less likely to agree to underwrite primary or secondary offerings on behalf of our company or its stockholders in the future than they would if we were to become a public reporting company by means of an initial public offering of common stock. If all or any of the foregoing risks occur, it would have a material adverse effect on our company.

Limited public market for our common stock currently exists, and an active trading market may not develop or be sustained.

As we are in our early stages, an investment in our company will likely require a long-term commitment, with no certainty of return. The Company was recently approved to start trading its Common Stock on the OTCQB Marketplace as of October 19, 2016, and commenced trading on November 11, 2016. There is currently is a limited public market for our Common Stock and there is no guarantee that any sustained trading market will develop in the near future or at all. In the absence of an active trading market:

investors may have difficulty buying and selling or obtaining market quotations;
market visibility for shares of our common stock may be limited; and
a lack of visibility for shares of our common stock may have a depressive effect on the market price for shares of our common stock. 

The OTCQB Marketplace is a relatively unorganized, inter-dealer, over-the-counter market that provides significantly less liquidity than NASDAQ or the NYSE MKT (formerly known as the NYSE AMEX). The market for our Common Stock may be illiquid and you may be unable to dispose of your shares of Common Stock at desirable prices or at all. Moreover, there is a risk that our Common Stock could be delisted from the OTCQB Marketplace, in which case it might be listed on the so called “Pink Sheets”, which is even more illiquid than the OTCQB Marketplace.

The lack of an active market impairs your ability to sell your shares at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable. The lack of an active market may also reduce the fair market value of your shares. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire additional intellectual property assets by using our shares as consideration.

The market price of our common stock may be significantly volatile.

 

The market price for our common stock may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;
changes in financial or operational estimates or projections;
conditions in markets generally;
changes in the economic performance or market valuations of companies similar to ours; and
general economic or political conditions in the United States or elsewhere. 

The securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock.

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Our common stock is considered a “penny stock,” and thereby is subject to additional sale and trading regulations that may make it more difficult to sell.

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). The OTCBB and OTCQB Market do not meet such requirements and since the price of our common stock is less than $5.00,have been, and may continue to be, subject to significant fluctuations. These fluctuations may arise from general stock market conditions, the impact of risk factors described in this Item 1A on our common stock is deemed penny stocks. The penny stock rules requireresults of operations and financial position, or a broker-dealer, prior to a transactionchange in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activityopinion in the secondary market forregarding our common stock, and therefore stock holders may have difficulty selling their shares.

FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit your ability to buy and sell our common stock, which could depress the pricebusiness prospects or other factors, many of our shares.

FINRA rules require broker-dealers to have reasonable grounds for believing that an investment is suitable for a customer before recommending that investment to the customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status and investment objectives, among other things. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability such speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. Thus, FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sellbe outside our shares, have an adverse effect on the market for our shares, and thereby depress our share price.immediate control.

Our shareholders may face significant restrictions on the resale of their shares due to state “blue sky” laws.

Each state has its own securities laws, often called “blue sky” laws, which (1) limit sales of securities to a state’s residents unless the securities are registered in that state or qualify for an exemption from registration, and (2) govern the reporting requirements for broker-dealers doing business directly or indirectly in the state. Before a security is sold in a state, there must be a registration in place to cover the transaction, or it must be exempt from registration. The applicable broker-dealer must also be registered in that state.

We do not know whether our securities will be registered or exempt from registration under the laws of any state. A determination regarding registration will be made by those broker-dealers, if any, who agree to serve as market makers for our common stock. There may be significant state blue sky law restrictions on the ability of investors to sell, and on purchasers to buy, our securities. The resale market for our common stock could be limited, as the holders of our common stock may be unable to resell their shares without the significant expense of state registration or qualification.


The shares of our common stock may experience substantial dilution by exercises of outstanding warrants and options.

 

As of the date of this report,hereof, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 3,167,1573,387,701 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $.70$2.96 per share, and options to purchase an aggregate of 1,872,0002,109,170 shares of our common stock at an exercise price(out of $.60 per share (the first $100,000which 1,210,837 are vested as of options granted to each of our officers and directors may be deemed to be incentive stock options and are exercisablethis date) at a priceweighted average exercise prices of $.66$2.97 per share; the balance of the options owned by such persons may be deemed to be non-qualified options and are exercisable at a price of $.60 per share).share. The exercise of such outstanding options and warrants will result in substantial dilution of your investment. In addition, our shareholders’ investment.shareholders may experience additional dilution if we issue common stock in the future. Any of such dilution may have adverse effect on the price of our common stock. 

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We are an “emerging growth company,” and will be able take advantage of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies,” which could make our common stock less attractive to investors.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act, and, for as long as we continue to be an “emerging growth company,” we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

We incurred significantly increased costs and devote substantial management time as a result of operating as a public company, particularly after we are no longer deemed an “emerging growth company.”

As a public company, we incurred significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. For example, we are required to comply with certain of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and changes in corporate governance practices. Compliance with these requirements will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time consuming and costly. In addition, our management and other personnel need to divert attention from operational and other business matters to devote substantial time to these public company requirements. In particular, we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We are just beginning the process of compiling the system and processing documentation needed to comply with such requirements.  We may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. In that regard, we currently do not have an internal audit function, and we will need to hire additional accounting and financial staff with appropriate public company experience and technical accounting knowledge.

However, for as long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We intend to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.”

Under the JOBS Act, “emerging growth companies” can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

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After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur additional management time and cost to comply with the more stringent reporting requirements applicable to companies that are deemed accelerated filers or large accelerated filers, including complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

There may be limitations on the effectiveness of our internal controls, and a failure of our control systems to prevent error or fraud may materially harm our company.

Proper systems of internal controls over financial accounting and disclosure are critical to the operation of a public company. As we are a start-up company, we are at the very early stages of establishing, and we may be unable to effectively establish such systems, especially in light of the fact that we expect to operate as a publicly reporting company. This would leave us without the ability to reliably assimilate and compile financial information about our company and significantly impair our ability to prevent error and detect fraud, all of which would have a negative impact on our company from many perspectives.

Moreover, we do not expect that disclosure controls or internal control over financial reporting, even if established, will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Failure of our control systems to prevent error or fraud could materially adversely impact us.

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, and consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Consequently, investors must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investments. There is no guarantee that shares of our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our stockholders have purchased their shares.

Upon dissolution of our company, you may not recoup all or any portion of your investment.

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the proceeds and/or assets of our company remaining after giving effect to such transaction, and the payment of all of our debts and liabilities will be distributed to the stockholders of common stock on a pro rata basis. There can be no assurance that we will have available assets to pay to the holders of common stock, or any amounts, upon such a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our Company. In this event, you could lose some or all of your investment.

  

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

Description of Property

 

Our principal offices are located at 1000 W Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 80233. We currently pay a monthly rent80223. As of $5,616.19 for such office. Wethe date of this report, we lease ten (10) stores in the state of Colorado, one (1)six (6) facilities in the State of Colorado, eight (8) in the State of California, and one (1) in the State of Nevada, one (1) in the State of Washington, one (1) in the State of Rhode Island, one (1) in the State of Oregon, two (2) in the State of Florida, four (4) in the State of Oklahoma, four (4) in the State of Michigan and three (3) in the State of Maine for our retail operations. Information relating to our stores is set forth in the table below:

  Number of Locations Square feet Lease Expiration Dates
Colorado 6 2,000-12,500 January 2021 to April 2024
California 8 2,625-59,000 May 2020 to April 2024
Nevada 1 8,800 February 2022
Washington 1 3,200 April 2020
Rhode Island 1 9,000 January 2023
Michigan 4 5,300-11,000 March 2023 to August 2029
Maine 3 23,500 February 2023-June 2024
Oklahoma 4 9,800-40,000 September 2023 to February 2026
Oregon 1 15,000 December 2026
Florida 2 5,000 – 10,000 July 2020 to February 2023

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

There are no current, past, pending or threatened legal proceedings or administrative actions either by or against the issuer that could have a material effect on the issuer’s business, financial condition, or operations.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'SREGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

MARKET INFORMATION

 

We received approval fromThe Company commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 2, 2019 under the symbol “GRWG”. Prior to that date, our stock traded on the OTCQB Best Market since October 10, 2017, prior to which it was traded on the OTCQB Market to trade our common stock under the ticker symbol of “GRWG” as of October 19, 2016, and commenced trading onsince November 11, 2016. There is currently limited trading volume

The following table sets forth, for each quarter for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the reported high and low bid prices of our common stock and there is no guarantee that any sustained trading market will develop in the future.Common Stock.

Quarter Ended High Bid  Low Bid 
       
December 31, 2019 $5.06  $3.45 
September 30, 2019 $5.75  $3.10 
June 30, 2019 $3.79  $2.53 
March 31, 2019 $3.62  $2.18 
December 31, 2018 $4.05  $2.05 
September 30, 2018 $5.07  $3.41 
June 30, 2018 $5.49  $3.10 
March 31, 2018 $9.94  $3.00 

 

Future sales of substantial amounts of our shares in the public market could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity securities.

 

HOLDERS

 

The approximate number of stockholders of record as of December 31, 2016 is 59.2019 was 140.  The number of stockholders of record does not include beneficial owners of our common stock,Common Stock, whose shares are held in the names of various dealers, clearing agencies, banks, brokers and other fiduciaries.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock.Common Stock. We anticipate that we will retain funds and future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit financings may preclude us from paying dividends.

 


RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

From March 2014 to the date of this report, the Company made sales of the following unregistered securities:

Original Issuances of Stock2019 Private Placement

 

FormationOn June 26, 2019, the Company completed a private placement of GrowGeneration Corp.

In connection with our formation in March 2014, we sold an aggregatea total of 5,000,000 shares4,123,257 units of our common stock to our founders Darren Lampert, Michael Salaman and Irwin Lampert, for an aggregatethe Company’s securities at the price of $50,000 ($0.001$3.10 per share). All of such issuances were believed to be exempt from registrationunit pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of 1933, as amended.

2014 Private Placement

In March 2014, we raised $600,000 fromRegulation D promulgated under the sale of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to seventeen (17) accredited investors, at a price of $.60 per share. All securities sold in the 2014 Private Placement were arranged by officers and directors and no commissions or other remuneration was paid to any person in connection with such sales. Proceeds from this sale were utilized to effect the acquisition of the assets of Southern Colorado Garden Supply Corp. (d/b/a Pueblo Hydroponics), which we completed on May 29, 2014, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp., a Colorado corporation. The purchase price was $499,976, consisting of $243,000 in goodwill and $273,000 in inventory, $35,000 in fixed assets, $5,286 in accounts receivable and $1,320 in prepaid expenses offset by $57,275 in accounts payable and $355 in customer deposits.

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2015 Private Placements

In April 2015, we raised $180,000 from the sale of 300,000 shares of our common stock to four (4) accredited investors, at a price of $.60 per share. All securities sold in this private placement were arranged by officers and directors and no commissions or other remuneration was paid to any person in connection with such sales. We used the proceeds raised in this offering for inventory purchases and working capital.

On March 12, 2015 we entered into an agreement with Cavu Securities LLC, a FINRA Member broker dealer (“Cavu”), pursuant to which we engaged Cavu on a non-exclusive basis to act as our lead placement agent for the sale of up to $4,200,000 of our units. Each unit was offered at a price of $.70 per unit.Act. Each unit consisted of (i) one share of our common stockCommon Stock and (ii) one 5 year3-year warrant, each entitling the holder to purchase one half share of Common Stock, at a price of $3.50 per share. The Company raised a total of $12,782,099 from 19 accredited investors.

2018 Private Placement

On January 17, 2018, the Company completed a private placement of a total of 36 units of its securities at the price of $250,000 per unit. Each unit consists of (i) a .1% unsecured convertible promissory note of the principal amount of $250,000, and (ii) a 3-year warrant entitling the holder to purchase 37,500 shares of Common Stock, at a price of $.01 per share or through cashless exercise. The Company raised gross proceeds of $9,000,000 from 23 accredited investors in the offering. 

On May 9, 2018, the Company completed a private placement of a total of 33.33 units of its securities at a price of $300,000 per unit to 3 accredited investors. Each unit consists of (i) 100,000 share of the Company’s Common Stock and (ii) 50,000 3-year warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.70 per share. The units were offered and sold on a “best-effort” basis. On October 30, 2015, we closed the private placement with a total of 2,465,001 units sold and realized gross proceeds of $1,725,501. We paid Cavu total compensation for its services of (i) $73,295 in commissions; (ii) five-year warrants to purchase 142,800 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price equal to $0.70 per share; and (iii) 77,833 shares of our common stock.

2016 Private Placements

On April 29, 2016, the Company closed on a private placement to which it sold 890,714 units to 10 accredited investors at a price of $.70 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $.70 per share. The warrants have a five year life for gross proceeds of $623,500. We paid Cavu, our placement agent, a total compensation for its services of (i) five-year warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price equal to $0.70 per share; and (ii) 50,000 shares of our common stock.

On October 6, 2016, the Company closed a private placement of a total of 1,000,000 units of its securities sold to 8 accredited investors at a price of $0.70 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one 5 year warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $0.70$.35 per share. The Company raised an aggregate of $700,000$10,000,000 gross proceeds in the offering. The Company agreed to pay Cavu a cash fee of $22,050 and five-year warrants to purchase 31,500 shares of common stock, at an exercise price equal to $0.70 per share, on proceeds of $315,000 raised by Cavu in connection with this offering.

 

2017 Private PlacementPlacements

 

On March 10, 2017, the Company closedcompleted a private placement of a total of 825,000 units of its securities to 4 accredited investors. Each unit consists of (i) one share of the Company’s common stockCommon Stock and (ii) one 5 year5-year warrant to purchase one share of common stockCommon Stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share. The Company raised an aggregate of $1,650,000 gross proceeds in the offering.

 

On May 16, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of a total of 1,000,000 units of its securities to 27 accredited investors through GVC Capital LLC (“GVC Capital”) as its placement agent. Each unit consists of (i) one share of the Company’s Common Stock and (ii) one 5-year warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share. The Company raised an aggregate of $2,000,000 gross proceeds in the offering. The Company paid GVC Capital total compensation for its services, (i) for a price of $100, 5-year warrants to purchase 75,000 shares at $2.00 per share and 5-year warrants to purchase 75,000 shares at $2.75 per share, (ii) a cash fee of $150,000, (iii) a non-accountable expense allowance of $60,000, and (iv) a warrant exercise fee equal to 3% of all sums received by the Company from the exercise of 750,000 warrants (not including 250,000 warrants issued to one investor) when they are exercised.

Stock Options and Stock Awards

 

Since ourThe Company has a 2014 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2014 Plan”) and an Amended and Restated 2018 Equity Compensation Plan (which is pending shareholder approval) (the “2018 Plan”).

From inception to December 31, 2019, we have granted stock options under our 2014 Equity Compensation Plan to purchase an aggregate of 1,872,0002,273,500 shares at exercise prices ranging from $0.60 to $.66$5.11 per share.

Securities Act Exemptions

We deemed all Of the total options granted as of the above offers, salesDecember 31, 2019, 1,778,333 have been exercised and issuances159,667 have been forfeited, resulting in 335,500 options outstanding. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, 375,000 stock awards have been issued under our shares of common stock and warrants to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, including Regulation D and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, relative to transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. All purchasers of securities in transactions exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation D represented to us that they were accredited investors and were acquiring the shares for investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof and that they could bear the risks of the investment and could hold the securities for an indefinite period of time. The purchasers received written disclosures that the securities had not been registered under the Securities Act and that any resale must be made pursuant to a registration statement or an available exemption from such registration.

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We deemed the grants of stock options and issuances of common stock upon exercise of such options described above under “Stock Options” to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Rule 701 of the Securities Act as offers and sales of securities under compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation in compliance with Rule 701. Each of the recipients of securities in any transaction exempt from registration either received or had adequate access, through employment, business or other relationships, to information about us.2014 Plan.

 

PENNY STOCK REGULATION

SharesFrom inception to December 31, 2019, we have granted stock options under our 2018 Plan to purchase an aggregate of our common stock is subject1,661,500 shares at exercise prices ranging from $2.25 to rules adopted$4.45 per share. As of December 31, 2019, 7,500 options have been exercised and 11,667 forfeited under the SEC that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in “penny stocks.”  Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in those securities is provided by the exchange or system).  The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, which contains the following:

a description of the nature and level of risk in the market for penny stocks in both public offerings and secondary trading;
a description of the broker’s or dealer’s duties to the customer and of the rights and remedies available to the customer with respect to violation to such duties or other requirements of securities’ laws; 
a brief, clear, narrative description of a dealer market, including “bid” and “ask” prices for penny stocks and the significance of the spread between the “bid” and “ask” price;
a toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary actions;
definitions of significant terms in the disclosure document or in the conduct of  trading in penny stocks; and
such other information and is in such form (including language, type, size and format), as the SEC shall require by rule or regulation. 

Prior to effecting any transaction in penny stock, the broker-dealer also must provide the customer the following:

the bid and offer quotations for the penny stock;
the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction;
the number of shares to which such bid and ask prices apply, or other comparable information relating to the depth and liquidity of the market for such stock; and
monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. 

2018 Plan. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, 69,750 stock awards have been issued under our 2018 Plan. On February 7, 2020, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules,Board approved the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaseramendment and receive the purchaser’s written acknowledgmentrestatement of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement2018 Plan to transactions involving penny stocks, and a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement.  These disclosure requirements may haveincrease the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny stock rules.  Holdersnumber of shares of our common stock may have difficulty selling those shares because our common stock will probably be subjectissuable thereunder from 2,500,000 to the penny stock rules.5,000,000, which amendment is pending shareholder approval.

  

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'SMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our financial statements and the related notes and the other financial information included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly those under "Risk“Risk Factors." Dollars in tabular format are presented in thousands, except per share data, or otherwise indicated.

 

OVERVIEW

 

GrowGeneration’s missionGrowGeneration Corp. (“GrowGeneration, together with all of its wholly- subsidiaries or the “Company”) was incorporated in Colorado in 2014 to build a national chain of hydroponic equipment and supply garden centers in the U.S. GrowGeneration is to become one of the largest retailand fastest growing chain of hydroponic and organic specialty gardening retail outletsgarden centers in the industry.North America. Today, GrowGeneration is a service provider of a wide selection of supplies and equipment for commercial and home growers and a leading marketer and distributor of nutrients, growing media, advanced indoor garden, lighting and ventilation systems and accessories for hydroponic gardening. As of March 27, 2020, the Company owns and operates a chain of twelve (12)twenty seven (27) retail hydroponic/gardening stores,centers, with ten (10)five (5) located in the state of Colorado, four (4) in the state of California, four (4) in the state of Michigan, two (2) in the state of Nevada, one (1) in the state of California andWashington, one (1) in the state of Nevada.Oregon, four (4) in the State of Oklahoma, one (1) in the state of Rhode Island, three (3) in Maine, (1) in Florida , one (1) distribution facility in California and an online e-commerce store, GrowGen.Pro. Our plan is to acquire, open and operate hydroponic/gardening stores and related businesses throughout the United States.States and Canada. The Florida location was acquired in February 2020 and the fourth Oklahoma store was open in March 2020.

 

In 2019, we added Tony Sullivan, an experienced and proven multi-store operator, as our Chief Operating Officer. His initiatives include, but not be limited to, providing unwavering support to the 27 GrowGeneration Stores, adding new locations, integrating our e-commerce and store supply channels and leveraging synergies amongst interconnected departments, working to drive more cost efficiencies across all areas of our company.

We saw triple-digit growth in revenue in Colorado, Michigan and Nevada and double-digit growth in all other markets. Our stores sell thousandsonline business has risen over 100% for the same period year over year. GrowGeneration Management Corp, our commercial division, is now approaching sales of $5.0 million per quarter, and we added hundreds of new commercial accounts in 2019. With our success in Oklahoma, we opened our fourth location in the state, located in Tulsa, OK, a 40,000 Sq. ft. super garden center, the largest hydroponic garden center in the US. Our private label program, under the Sunleaves brand, began to be stocked on our shelves and online in the fourth quarter of 2019. Our initial private label lineup includes a one- part micro and macro nutrient+ Cal mag powder line, for both cannabis and hemp farmers, a silica+ micronutrient booster and a root stimulant, all additives that can be used with any nutrient regimen. Additional private level products such as organic nutrientsthat will be on shelf in second quarter of 2020 include, rope rachets for hoisting lighting, breathable fabric pots and soils, advanced lighting technology, stateT5 florescent lights for indoor gardens.

We improved the financial performance of the art hydroponicCompany in all areas in 2019. Revenue was up 175% year over year, at $79.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA, for 2019 was slightly over $6,600,000, a positive $.20 per share. Our same store sales were up approximately 36% year over year. Gross profit margins increased to 28.3%, an increase of 610 basis points year over year. We believe our strategies to increase margins are working, by purchasing in larger volumes and aquaponic equipment,buying more efficiently. We saw significant revenue increases in all key markets. Colorado was up 114%, California 70%, Nevada 126 %, Michigan 200%, and other products needed to grow indoors and outdoors.Rhode Island 79% Our strategy is to target two distinct verticals; namely (i) commercial growers, and (ii) smaller growers who require a local store to fulfill their daily and weekly growing needs.

GrowGeneration serves a new, yet sophisticated community of commercial and urban cultivators growing specialty crops including organics, greens and plant-based medicines. Unlike the traditional agricultural industry, these cultivators use innovative indoor and outdoor growing techniques to produce specialty crops in highly controlled environments. This enables them to produce crops at higher yields without having to compromise quality, regardless of the season or weather and drought conditions.

Our target market segments include the commercial growers in the cannabis market (Dispensaries, Cultivators, Caregivers), the home cannabis grower and to businesses and individuals who grow organically grown herbs and leafy green vegetables.

Sales at our GrowGeneration stores have grown since we organized the business. Our growth has been fueled by frequent and higher dollar transactions from commercial growers, individual home growers and gardeners who grow their own organic foods. We expect to continue to experience significant growth over the next few years, primarily from existing and new stores that we open or acquire. Our growth is likely to come from four distinct channels: establishing new stores in high-valueOklahoma contributed $11.8 million in revenue and our stores in Maine added $6.2 million. Our e-commerce store, GrowGen.Pro added approximately $4.8 million in revenue. Our commercial division generated approximately $17 million in revenue all of which is reflected in store revenues. With our significant top and bottom-line growth, we reduced our store operating expenses to 12.7% of revenues in 2019 compared to 18% in 2018 and our corporate overhead to 8.5% as a percentage of our revenue, not including non-cash expenditures. The Company has successfully completed the implementation of our Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) platform, designed to lower costs, integrate our online and store sales and supply channels, improve departmental productivity, and provides forecasting and reporting tools.

Management focuses on a variety of key indicators and operating metrics to monitor the financial condition and performance of the continuing operations of our business. These metrics include consumer purchases (point-of-sale data), market share, category growth, net sales, gross profit margins, income from operations, net income and earnings per share. We also focus on measures to optimize cash flow and return on invested capital, including the management of working capital and capital expenditures.


In 2019, the Company continued focusing its efforts on increasing its distributions through acquisitions and opening of new locations. We increased our store footprint from 21 to 26 locations in 2019, which included three store closing/consolidations. Sales increased 175% between 2018 and 2019. The Company’s acquired e-commerce operation, HeavyGarden.com, rebranded as GrowGen.Pro, is the basis for an omni-channel strategy that is being developed now to enable e-commerce at all of the GrowGeneration locations. We expect this omni-channel rollout to commence in the second quarter of 2020. We formed wholly-owned subsidiaries GrowGeneration Canada Corp and GrowGeneration Hemp Corp in order to develop supply chain and sales strategies for both of these high value markets, internal growths at existing stores, acquiring existing stores with strong customer basesin the U.S and strong operating historiesCanada. Furthermore, the Company completed its implementation of an ERP system in all its operations, which is business process management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage the business and automate many back office functions related to technology, services and human resources.

Capital raised in 2019 included a $12.8 million raise from 19 accredited investors. Capital raised in 2018 totaled $19 million, which was raised primarily from the creation of a business to business e-commerce portal at www.GrowGeneration.com.three largest private equity firms, Gotham Green Partners, Navy Capital and Merida Capital Partners.

 

On February 15, 2015, we opened our first non-acquired GrowGeneration store in Trinidad, Colorado. This store is 3,000 square feet andDecember 2, 2019, the Company was initially stocked with $100,000 in inventory. Our lease obligation for this store was $1,000 per month for 3 years.approved to commence trading its Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol of “GRWG”. Prior to that date, the Company’s stock traded on the OTCQX Best Market since October 10, 2017, prior to which it traded on the OTCQB Market since November 11, 2016.

 

Subsequent to December 31, 2019, on February 26, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Florida Corp, to purchase the assets of Healthy & Harvest, LLC with one location in Pembroke Pines, FL. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered a three-year commercial lease for warehouse space, effective February 26, 2020 and subleased the store space whose current lease expires July 31, 2020.

On December 18, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Washington Corp, to purchase the assets of GrowWorld with one location in Portland, OR. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into an assignment of lease, effective December 18, 2019, to rent the premises in Portland, OR. The lease terminates on December 31, 2026.

On September 3, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Michigan Corp, to purchase the assets of Grand Rapids Hydroponics with one location in Grand Rapids, MI. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a ten-year commercial lease agreement, effective from September 9, 2019, to rent the premises in Grand Rapids, MI.

On April 2015, we acquired approximately $30,00023, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Rhode Island Corp., to purchase the assets of inventory at costGreenLife Garden Supply Corp., with two store locations in Maine and one in New Hampshire. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into five-year commercial lease agreements, effective from Green Growers,May 9, 2019 and July 1, 2019, respectively, to rent the premises in York and Biddeford, Maine where store assets are located.

On January 26, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration California Corp., to purchase the assets from Palm Springs Hydroponics, Inc. located in Palm Springs, California. The acquisition was completed on February 7, 2019. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a commercial lease agreement with a term of five years and three months, effective from February 7, 2019 to April 30, 2024, to rent the premises where the assets were located to open a new store.

On January 26, 2019, the Company entered into another asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Nevada Corp., to purchase the assets from Reno Hydroponics, Inc. located in Reno, Nevada. The acquisition was completed on February 11, 2019. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a retailone-year commercial lease agreement, effective from February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020, to rent the premises where the assets were located to open a new store. The Company has since entered into a new lease expiring March 31, 2021.

In March 2019, the Companyconsolidated its store located in Canon City, Colorado. In connection therewith, we engaged the CEO of Green Growers, Inc. as a sales consultant for a period of two years. We pay this individual a base fee of $1,200 per month during the first year and $600 per month during the second year of his consulting agreement, togetherCO with incentive compensation for any new business he generates, in an amount equal to 25% of the gross profit on all such business. We also issued this consultant 10,000 three (3) year options, exercisable at a price of $.60 per share, as additional compensation under his consulting agreement.its Pueblo West, CO store.

 

In June 2015, weEffective January 1, 2019 our two Santa Rosa, CA stores were consolidated into a single store at our Santa Rosa Moorland location acquired approximately $68,000 of inventory at cost from Happy Grow Lucky, Inc., a retail store located in Conifer, Colorado. In connection therewith, we engaged the 2 principals as sales consultants for a period of one year. We will pay each sales consultant $420 per month, together with incentive compensation for any new business they generate, in an amount equal to 25% of the gross profit of such business. In addition, we executed a new 3 year lease for the premises in Conifer, Colorado. at a rate of $2,400 per month.July 2018.

 

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On SeptemberDecember 1, 2015, we signed a 5 year lease, at a rate of $3,780 to open our Colorado Springs, Colorado store.

On October 28, 2015, we purchase approximately $169,000 of inventory, at cost, from Sweet Leaf Hydroponics Inc., a retail store located in Santa Rosa, California. In connection therewith, we also acquired some equipment from the seller for $25,000. We have entered into a one-year agreement with one of the principals to act as a sales consultant for us for a period of one year, at a cost of $1,000 per month. We executed a two year lease with the landlord of Sweet Leaf Hydroponics Inc. for $5,300 per month through December 2017. We also issued this consultant 25,000 three (3) year options, exercisable at a price of $.60 per share, as additional compensation under his consulting agreement.

On November 28, 2015, the Company acquired $35,000 of inventory of Greenhouse Tech Inc., a retail store located in Colorado. The Company engaged the principal of Greenhouse Tech as a sales consultant for 1 year, at $13 per hour and 20% of the gross profits on all sales generated by sales consultant.

On March 1, 2016, we signed a 3 year lease, at a rate of $3,650 for the first year, 4,498 square feet, located in Denver, Colorado.

On July 15, 2016,2018, the Company entered into a new lease agreement forthrough its Canon City, Colorado location. The Canon City Store completed its move to its new location on July 25, 2016. The new store is approximately 4,427 square feet.

On July 19, 2016 the Company entered into a 2 year lease agreement for its tenth retail store in Fairplay, Colorado. The store began operations in Fairplay, Colorado on August 1, 2016. In December 2016, the Company consolidated all the operations and business of the store in Fairplay, Colorado into the store in Conifer, Colorado. Effective as of December 31, 2016, the lease agreement for the retail store in Fairplay, Colorado was terminated.

On September 27, 2016, the Company entered into a commercial leasewholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Rhode Island, Corp., to rent certain premises located in Castle Rock, Colorado,Brewer, Maine, to be effective from OctoberDecember 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019. The lease requires monthly payments of $1,775 through September 30, 2017; $1,980 through September 30, 2018 and $2,138 through September 30, 2019. This eleventh store of the Company began operations on October 1, 2016.

On October 6, 2016, the Company closed on the 2106 private placement, pursuant to which it sold 1,000,000 units to 8 accredited investors at a price of $.70 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $.70 per share. The warrants have a five year life for gross proceeds of $700,000.

Effective as of October 19, 2016, the Company has been approved to start trading its common stock on the OTCQB Marketplace under the ticker symbol of “GRWG”.

The lease of the Company store in Las Vegas, Nevada commenced on November 15, 2016 and continues through February 28, 2022 and requires monthly payments of $6,776 through February 28, 2018, with annual increases of 4% for the balance of the term of the lease.

On January 30, 2017, the Company entered into a commercial lease to rent certain premises located in Trinidad, Colorado, to be effective from March 1, 2017 to February 28, 2022.2023. This 7,383 square feet premises iswill be used by the Company to open a new store to replace and consolidate its existing 3,000 square feet store in Trinidad as part of the Company’s expansion plan.store.

 

On February 1, 2017,November 28, 2018, the Company entered into a commercial lease to rent certain 12,837 square feet premises located in Denver, Colorado, to be effective from February 1, 2017 to February 1, 2022. The premises is used by the Company to open a new store and as the Company’s principal offices.

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On February 1, 2017, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration California Corp. (“GrowGeneration California”) entered into an asset purchase agreement (“Asset Purchase Agreement”) with an individualthrough its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp., to purchase certainthe assets from the sellerof Chlorophyll, Inc., located in Denver, Colorado. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a retailfive-year commercial lease agreement, effective from January 21, 2019, to rent the premises where the assets are located to open a new store.

In November 2018, the Company signed a commercial lease to open a 9,600 Sq. Ft. warehouse and product showroom in Tulsa to service the emerging legal cannabis cultivators in the State of Oklahoma. The lease is effective from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2024. The Company opened this store for business on February 1, 2019.

In October 2018, the Companyconsolidated its store located in Boulder, CO with our Denver, CO store.

On August 30, 2018, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement, amended on September 14, 2018, with Virgus, Inc. d/b/a/ Heavy Gardens, an online store of hydroponic and garden supply business located in Santa Rosa, CA. Thesupplies (“Heavy Gardens”) to purchase the assets subject to the sale under the Asset Purchase Agreement included inventories, fixed assets, tangible personal property, intangible personal property, receivables and a custom list. In addition to the cash consideration for the purchase of such assets,Heavy Gardens through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration California also agreed to make certain cash payments and 25,000 shares of common stock of the Company to the seller contingent on the achievement of revenue goals by the business in 2017, 2018 and 2019.HG Corp. The closing of the asset purchase took place on February 8, 2017.September 14, 2018.

 

On August 23, 2018, the Company signed a commercial lease to open a 10,000 Sq. Ft. warehouse and product showroom in Oklahoma City to service the emerging legal cannabis cultivators in the State of Oklahoma. The lease is effective from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2023. The Company opened this store for business on October 1, 2018.

On June 28, 2018, the Company entered into a restated and amended asset purchase agreement to purchase the assets of a retail hydroponic store, Santa Rosa Hydroponics & Grower Supply Inc., located in Santa Rosa, California. On July 13, 2018, the parties entered into an amendment to the purchase agreement and conducted the closing of the asset purchase. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a commercial lease agreement, effective from July 14, 2018 to July 13, 2023, to rent the premises where the assets were located.

In May 2018, the Companyconsolidated its store located in Colorado Springs, CO with our Denver, CO store and in April 2018, consolidated its store located in Pueblo West with its Pueblo Downtown store.

On May 9, 2018, GrowGeneration CaliforniaCorp. (the “Company”) completed a private placement (the “Offering”) of a total of 33.33 units (the “Units”) of the Company’s securities at the price of $300,000 per Unit pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. Each Unit consists of (i) 100,000 shares of the Company’s $.001 par value common stock (the “Shares”) and (ii) 50,000 3-year warrants (the “Warrants”), each entitling the holder to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock, at a price of $.35 per share or through cashless exercise. The Company raised a total of $10,000,000 from three accredited investors.

On April 12, 2018, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration Michigan Corp., to purchase substantially all of the assets of Superior Growers Supply, Inc.’s business located in Michigan. In connection with the purchase of the assets, the Company also entered into a commercial lease, effective from March 1, 2017April 12, 2018 to February 28, 2022,April 11, 2023, to rent the premises where a part of the former business wasassets are located. In connection therewith, we closed our existing storeThe Company entered into two additional leases. Following this acquisition, the Company opened three stores in Santa Rosa and consolidated those operations with the GrowGeneration California operations opened at the new location.

state of Michigan.

 

On March 10, 2017, the Company closed a private placement of a total of 825,000 units of the Company’s securities to 4 accredited investors. Each unit consists of (i) one share of the Company’s common stock and (ii) one 5 year warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share. The Company raised an aggregate of $1,650,000 gross proceeds in the offering.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table sets forth information from our statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

  For the Year Ended
December 31
  Year to Year Comparison 
  2016  2015  Increase/ (decrease)  Percentage Change 
             
Sales $7,980,471  $3,455,146   4,525,325   131%
Cost of Sales  5,776,194   2,351,836   3,424,358   146%
                 
Gross profit (loss)  2,204,277   1,103,310   1,100,967   100%
                 
General and administrative expenses  2,630,070   1,617,930   1,012,320   63%
Total operating expenses  2,630,070   1,617,930   1,012,320   63%
                 
Loss from operations  (425,993)  (514,620)  (88,627)  (17%)
                 
Net loss  (431,244)  (528,756)  (97,512)  (18%)

  For the Year Ended  Year to Year Comparison 
  December 31,  Increase/  Percentage 
  2019  2018  (decrease)  Change 
             
Sales $79,733,568  $29,000,730  $50,732,838   174.9%
Cost of Sales  57,171,721   22,556,172   34,615,549   153.5%
Gross profit  22,561,847   6,444,558   16,117,289   250.1%
Operating expenses  20,421,726   10,700,206   9,721,520   90.9%
Income (loss) from operations  2,140,121   (4,255,648)  6,395,769   298.8%
Other income (expense)  (261,317)  (818,107)  556,790     
Net Income (loss) $1,878,804  $(5,073,755) $6,952,559   370.1%

 

Revenue

 

Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $4,525,325 to $7,980,471, as2019 were approximately $79.7 million, compared to $3,455,146approximately $29 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.2018, an increase of $50.7 million, or 175%. The increase wasin revenues is due to revenuethe addition of 10 new retail stores opened or acquired during 2019 for which there were no sales for these retail stores for the year ended December 31, 2018, and 8 stores and the e-commerce site opened or acquired at various times during 2018 that were open for all of 2019. Sales in the 10 new stores opened or acquired in 2019 were $26 million. Sales from the retaile-commerce site and the 8 stores that we acquiredopened in 2018 were approximately $38.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company also had store closures and opened during that periodconsolidations in 2019 and 2018. Sales of the closed and consolidated stores was approximately $909,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 and approximately $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

While the Company continues to focus on the 9 markets noted below and the growth opportunities that exist in each market, we also are focusing on new store acquisitions, proprietary products, and developing our online sales with GrowGen.Pro and Amazon sales.

  Sales by Market 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  Variance 
Colorado market $15,490,021  $6,665,197  $8,824,824 
California market  15,570,418   5,964,080   9,606,338 
Rhode Island market  8,395,123   4,700,102   3,695,021 
Michigan market  9,268,460   3,086,693   6,181,767 
Maine market  6,203,649   -   6,203,649 
Nevada market  4,360,013   1,924,025   2,435,988 
Washington market  1,283,169   939,231   343,938 
Oklahoma market  11,793,303   463,264   11,330,039 
Oregon market  153,856   -   153,856 
Closed/consolidated locations  908,642   4,473,222   (3,564,580)
Hemp market  1,583,176   -   1,583,176 
E-commerce site  4,763,738   784,916   3,978,822 
Total revenues $79,773,568  $29,000,730  $50,772,838 

Overall sales in the Colorado market increased approximately $8.8 million or 132%, as noted above, comparing the year ended December 31, 2019 to the year ended December 31, 2018, with a majority of that increase, $6 million, attributable to the acquisition of our new Denver north store location in January 2019. The remaining Colorado stores saw an increase of approximately $2.8 million from 2018 to 2019. We continue to focus selling efforts in building growth in this market primarily the commercial market.


Our sales in the California market have seen growth of approximately $9.6 million or 161% primarily from the addition of 5 new stores through acquisitions during 2018, these 5 stores contributed revenue of $15.6 million in 2019, compared to $6 million in 2018, The California market experienced slower growth in 2018 as a result of a change in the regulatory environment, and the implementation of new rules and regulations which slowed the issuance of new licenses. However, the Company positioned itself well in 2018 with its acquisitions to take advantage of the new licenses issued.

Revenues in the Rhode Island and Michigan markets are the result of new acquisitions in 2018 and one acquisition in Michigan in 2019. Rhode Island sales increased $3.7 million from 2018 to 2019, an increase of 79% and sales in Michigan increased $6.2 million or 200% from 2018 to 2019. In both Rhode Island and Michigan increases in commercial sales are primarily responsible for the overall increase.

Maine was a new market in 2019 as a result of us opening a new store in February 2019 and the acquisition of two stores in May 2019.

Our revenue in the Nevada market increased by approximately $2.4 million, comparing the year ended December 31, 2019 to year ended December 31, 2018, primarily because of the acquisition of our existing stores.Reno location in February 2019 that contributed $2.1 million in revenues in 2019. The Las Vegas store saw an increase of $329,000 or 17% from 2018 to 2019. The Company continues to focus on adding commercial customers in the Nevada market.

Revenues in the Washington market increased $344,000 or 37% from 2018 to 2019, as the Company continues to focus on adding commercial customers in this location.

Oregon was a new market in 2019, with an acquisition of a new store in December 2019.

The Company opened its first store in Oklahoma in October 2018, followed by new store openings in February 2019 and November 2019. Oklahoma has been a significant new market for the Company contributing sales of $11.8 million in 2019 compared to $463,000 in 2018. The Company has a very strong presence in this market and opened its fourth location in March 2020. Oklahoma has generated strong sales in both commercial and non-commercial customers.

The Company had the same 6 stores (four in Colorado, one in Washington and one in Nevada) opened for the entire year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. These same stores generated $13 million in sales for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $9.5 million in sales for the same period ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 36.4%. The increase in revenues in these six same store sales was primarily an increase in the commercial sales.

  6 Same Stores 
  Year ended  Year ended    
  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
  Variance 
Net revenue $12,995,795  $9,528,453  $3,467,342 

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

Cost of salesgoods sold for the year ended December 31, 20162019 increased by $3,424,358approximately $34.6 million or 153.5%, to $5,776,194, as$57.2 million, compared to $2,351,836$22.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.2018. The increase in cost of goods sold was due to anthe 174.9% increase in revenues, comparing the year ended December 31, 2018 to 2019 primarily due to the increase in the company’s revenue.number of stores between 2018 and 2019 as noted in more detail above.

 

Gross profit was $2,204,277$22.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, as compared to $1,103,310$6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The2018, an increase of $1,100,967approximately $16.1 million or 250.1%. Gross profit as a percentage of sales was due to an increase in the company’s revenue.

18

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses28.3% for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $1,012,340 to $2,630,270, as2019, compared to $1,617,93022.2% for the year ended December 31, 2015.2018. The increase in the gross profit margin percentage in 2019 was mainly due to increased payroll expenses, rent expense, professional fees, broker commissions, travel expense(1) reduced pricing from vendors as a result of our increasing purchases from those vendors, and (2) the sale of product acquired in a large bulk purchase in the first quarter of 2019 at a substantial discount. The increase in the gross profit percentage was also due to the slight decrease in non-cash expenses.inventory valuation adjustments of approximately $870,000 in 2018, compared to $809,000 in 2019. The inventory valuation adjustments consist of a reserve for obsolete inventory as well as the write down of inventory resulting from physical inventory counts and to its current fair market value where that is lower than cost.


Operating Expenses

 

Non-cash generalOperating expenses are comprised of store operations, primarily payroll, rent and administrative expensesutilities, and corporate overhead. Store operating costs were approximately $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $47,946 to $304,123, as2019, compared to $256,177approximately $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.2018, an increase of approximately $4.9 million or 94%. The increase in store operating costs was mainly due to increasethe addition of 10 new stores in bad debt, depreciation expense2019 and an increase in stock and stock option expense totaling $304,123, with (i) depreciation9 new stores 2018. Revenues increased 174.9%, but store operating costs increased only 94%. Store operating costs as a percentage of $52,962, (ii) stock and stock option compensation, broker commissions of $184,333, and (iii) bad debt expense of $66,828.

Net Income

Net losssales were 12.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased by $97,512 to $(431,246), as2019, compared to $(528,750)18% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease was mainly2018, a 41% improvement. Store operating costs were positively impacted by the acquisitions of new stores in 2018 and 2019 which have a lower percentage of operating costs to revenues due to an increasetheir larger size and higher volume. The net impact, as noted above, resulted in sales and less non-cash expenses.lower store operating costs as a percentage of revenues. 

 

ForCorporate overhead is comprised of, share-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, general and administrative costs and corporate salaries and related expenses and were approximately $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had a total of 5 stores, opened more than a year, that generated net revenue of $2,917,188, as2019, compared to net revenue of $4,355,786,approximately $5.5 million for the Company's 5 sameyear ended December 31, 2018. Corporate overhead costs were 13% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019, compare to 18.9% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in salaries and related expense from 2018 to 2019 was due to the increase in corporate staff, primarily, accounting and finance, inventory management, sales and information technology, store operations, to support both current and future operations and to increase stores commercial sales. Corporate salaries as a percentage of sales were 4.5% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 5.7% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in this percentage is because corporate staff costs do not rise directly commensurate with the increase in revenues. Current corporate staff levels will not rise commensurate with increase in revenues in the future and the percentage of salaries to sales will decline. General and administrative expenses, comprised mainly of advertising and promotions, travel & entertainment, professional fees and insurance, was approximately $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and approximately $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 with a majority of 2016.the increase in advertising and promotion and travel and entertainment. General and administrative costs as a percentage of revenue was 4% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to 5.5% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in this percentage once again is because the general and administrative costs do not rise commensurate with the increase in revenues.

 

ForCorporate overhead includes non-cash expenses, consisting primarily of depreciation and share-based compensation, which was approximately $3.5 million for the fourth quarteryear ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Net Income (Loss)

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was approximately $1.9 million, compared to a loss of 2016,approximately $5.1 million for the Company had 6 same stores which generated net revenueyear ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $1,476,963, as$6.9 million. Net income for 2019 compared to the same storesnet loss for 2018 was primarily due to a 174.9% increase in 2015 which generatedrevenues with only a 153.5% increase in cost of goods sold thereby increasing margin % and margin dollars by $16.1 million in 2019. Store operating costs increased only $4.9 million in 2019 compared to 2018, so the store operations contributed $11.6 million more in profit in 2019 than in 2018. As noted previously, corporate overhead increased $4.9 million over 2018 resulting in net revenueincome of $1,020,348.

In 2015, the Company opened 3 new stores that generated net revenue$1.9 million for 2019, compared to a loss of $514,429. These same 3 stores generated net revenue of $2,427,542 in 2016.$5.1 million for 2018.

In 2016, the Company opened 2 new stores that generated net revenue of $1,197,143.

  5 Same Stores Open for a Year  5 New Stores 
  Year Ended 2015  Year Ended 2016  $ Variance  Year Ended 2016 
Net revenue $2,197,188  $4,355,786  $1,438,598  $3,624,685 

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $335,268 to $1,470,907, as2019 was approximately $3.3 million, compared to $1,135,639$1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.2018, an increase of approximately $1.8 million. Cash provided by operating activities is driven by our net income (loss) and adjusted by non-cash items as well as changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash adjustments primarily include depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, share based compensation expense and changes in valuation allowances. Non-cash adjustment totaled approximately $4.4 million and approximately $3.4 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, so non-cash adjustments had a greater impact on net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 than the same period in 2018. Despite net income of $1.9 million and non-cash adjustments of $4.4 million for 2019, these positive adjustments were offset by increases in inventory of $10.5 million, increases in trade receivable of $3.8 million and increases in other current assets of $2.1 million offset by increases in trade accounts payable of $4.2 million, customer deposits of $2 million and other current liabilities of $500,000. For the year ended December 31, 2018 the net loss of $5.1 million was offset by non-cash adjustments totaling $3.4 million and the increases in current assets of $1.2 million were offset the increase in current liabilities of $1.3 million, so the net cash used in operating activities in 2018 was primarily related to the net loss.


Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $11.8 for the year ended December 31, 2019 and approximately $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in 2019 was mainly due to an increase in inventory, accounts receivablesthe multiple asset acquisitions throughout 2019 and accounts payable.the purchase of vehicles and store equipment to support new store operations. During 2019, we opened or acquired 10 new stores and as such we incurred expenditures for store racking and displays, vehicles and other store furniture and fixtures. During 2018, we opened or acquired 9 new stores and as such we incurred expenditures for store racking and displays, vehicles and other store furniture and fixtures.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was approximately $13 million and represented proceeds from the sale of Common Stock and exercise of warrants, net of offering costs, of $13.9 million offset by payments of long-term debt of $460,000. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $21.3 million and was comprised of primarily from proceeds from the sales of Common Stock and exercise of warrants, net of offering costs of $12.9 million and proceeds from convertible debt of $8.9 million, net of payments of long-term debt of $455,000.

 

LiquidityUse of Non-GAAP Financial Information

The Company believes that the presentation of results excluding certain items in “Adjusted EBITDA,” such as non-cash equity compensation charges, provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and Capital Resourcesinvestors, facilitating the evaluation of performance across reporting periods. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures for internal planning and reporting purposes. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or net income per share prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss):

  Year ended 
  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
Net Income (loss) $1,878,804  $(5,073,755)
Interest  45,191   23,565 
Depreciation and Amortization  1,044,553   351,070 
EBITDA  2,968,548   (4,699,120)
Lease termination fees  -   35,000 
Audit fees related to business combinations  -   85,200 
Non-cash operating lease expense  16,375   - 
Inventory valuation adjustments  809,286   870,257 
Amortization of debt discount  356,306   989,601 
Share based compensation (option comp, warrant comp, stock issued for services)  2,490,535   1,895,219 
         
Adjusted EBITDA $6,641,050  $(823,843)
         
Adjusted EBITDA per share, basic $.20  $(.04)
Adjusted EBITDA per share, diluted $.17  $(.04)


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of the date of this report, the Company had cash of approximately $1,200,000. As of the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company2019, we had net working capital of approximately $2,764,655, which consists$30.6 million, compared to working capital of $606,644approximately $21.6 million as of December 31, 2018, an increase of approximately $9 million. The increase in working capital from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019 was due primarily to the proceeds from the sale of Common Stock, proceeds for a convertible debt offering and exercise of warrants totaling approximately $13.9 million. At December 31, 2019, we had cash $391,235 in accounts receivables and $2,574,438 in inventory.cash equivalents of approximately $13 million. We believe that existing cash and cash equivalents are sufficient to fund existing operations for the next twelve months.

 

We anticipate that we will need to obtain additional financing in the future to continue to acquire and open new stores. WeTo date we have financed our operations through the issuance of the sale of Common Stock, warrants and convertible debentures.

Financing Activities

2019 Offerings

On June 26, 2019, the Company completed a private placement of a total of 4,123,257 units of the Company’s securities at the price of $3.10 per unit pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. Each unit consisted of (i) one share of Common Stock and (ii) one 3-year warrant, each entitling the holder to purchase one half share of Common Stock, at a price of $3.50 per share. The Company raised a total of $12,782,099 from 19 accredited investors.

2018 Offerings

On January 17, 2018, the Company completed a private placement of a total of 36 units of its securities at the price of $250,000 per unit. Each unit consists of (i) a .1% unsecured convertible promissory note of the principal amount of $250,000, and (ii) a 3-year warrant entitling the holder to purchase 37,500 shares of Common Stock, at a price of $.01 per share or through cashless exercise. The Company raised gross proceeds of $9,000,000 from 23 accredited investors in the offering.

On May 9, 2018, (the Company completed a private placement of a total of 33.33 units of the Company’s securities at the price of $300,000 per unit pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Each unit consists of (i) 100,000 shares of the Company’s $.001 par value common stock and warrant exercises.

The following table sets forth a summary(ii) 50,000 3-year warrants, each entitling the holder to purchase one share of our approximate cash flows for the periods indicated: 

  

Year Ended

December 31,
2016

  

Year Ended

December 31,
2015

 
Net cash (used in) operating activities $(1,470,907) $(1,135,639)
Net cash used in investing activities $(331,580) $(253,717)
Net cash provided by financing activities $1,709,714  $1,978,214 

Net cash used in operating activities was $1,470,907 for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $1,135,639 provided by operating activities for 2015. The increase in cash used in operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily caused by an increase in inventory of $1,256,799 and the increase of accounts receivables of $395,208 for operating activities.

19

Net cash used in investing activities was $331,580 for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $253,717 provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to the purchasing of capital assets.

Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $1,709,714 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $1,978,214 provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease of $268,500 net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal year 2016 is primarily due to the decrease ofCompany’s common stock, issuances.

at a price of $.35 per share or through cashless exercise. The Company raised a total of $10,000,000 from three accredited investors.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

During the first quarter of 2019, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02,Leases(ASC 842), which introduces the balance sheet recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. The Company has adopted the new lease standard using the new transition option issued under the amendments in ASU 2018-11,Leases, which allowed the Company to continue to apply the legacy guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 840,Leases, in the comparative periods presented in the year of adoption. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification. The Company made an accounting policy election to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the balance sheet. The Company will recognize those lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The impact of the adoption was an increase to the Company’s operating lease assets and liabilities on January 1, 2019 of $3.2 million.


On January 1, 2019, the Company also adopted ASU 2018-07, “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU 2018-07 more closely aligns the accounting for employee and nonemployee share-based payments. The amendment is effective commencing in 2019 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our Financial Statements.

In May 2016, accounting guidance was issuedAugust 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to clarifycertain disclosure requirements in Securities Act Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification. These amendments eliminate, modify, or integrate into other SEC requirements certain disclosure rules. Among the not yet effective revenue recognition guidance issuedamendments is the requirement to present an analysis of changes in May 2014. This additional guidance does not changestockholders’ equity in the core principle of the revenue recognition guidance issuedinterim financial statements included in May 2014, rather, it provides clarification of accounting for collections of sales taxesQuarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The analysis, which can be presented as well as recognition of revenue (i) associated with contract modifications, (ii) for noncash consideration, and (iii) based on the collectability of the consideration from the customer. The guidance also specifies when a contract should be considered “completed” for purposes of applying the transition guidance. The effective date and transition requirements for this guidance are the same as the effective date and transition requirementsfootnote or separate statement, is required for the guidance previously issued in 2014, which iscurrent and comparative quarter and year-to-date interim periods. The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginningall filings made on or after December 15, 2017.November 5, 2018. The Company has not yet determinedadopted these amendments in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.quarter ended September 30, 2019.

 

In MarchJanuary 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements2016-01,Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires that (i) all equity investments, other than equity-method investments, in unconsolidated entities generally be measured at fair value through earnings and (ii) when the fair value option has been elected for financial liabilities, changes in fair value due to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.instrument-specific credit risk will be recognized separately in other comprehensive income. Additionally, the ASU 2016-01 changes the disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The new standard was effective for the Company starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this standard on January 1, 2019 did not have any effect on the consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosure.

On August 28, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging,” which better aligns risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in this update change existing guidance related toexpand and refine hedge accounting for employee share-based payments affectingboth nonfinancial and financial risk components and in some situations better align the income tax consequencesrecognition and presentation of awards, classificationthe effects of awardsthe hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The new standard was effective for the Company as equity or liabilities,of January 1, 2019. The adoption of this new standard on January 1, 2019 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements and classificationfootnote disclosures.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – Pending Adoption

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13,Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the statementimpairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade receivables and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking expected loss model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of cash flows. ASU 2016-09allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than as reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016,2019, including interim periods within those annual periods,years, with early adoption permitted.permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard.guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

 

In February 2016,August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases2018-13,Fair Value Measurement (Topic 842)820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liabilityguidance modifies the disclosure requirements on the consolidated balance sheetfair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 are effective for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the consolidated income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effectiveentities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, includingfiscal years, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this update revise the accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30). This guidance is to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by recognizing a debt liability in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from that debt liability consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years.2019. The Company has adopted this standard anddoes not anticipate that the adoption did notof ASU 2018-13 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable) and to provide related footnote disclosures. The ASU provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures that are commonly provided by organizations today in the financial statement footnotes. The ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, which for the Company is April 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The amendments also clarify that the guidance in Topic 275, Risks and Uncertainties, is applicable to entities that have not commenced planned principal operations. The central feature of the guidance on disclosure requirements is that required disclosures are limited to matters significant to a particular entity. The disclosures focus primarily on risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the amounts reported in the financial statements in the near term or the near-term functioning of the reporting entity.

Other Accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to itsrelated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows orstatement disclosures.

  

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

20

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20162019 and 20152018F-3
  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for years endedthe Years Ended December 31, 20162019 and 20152018F-4
  
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity as offor the Years Ended December 31, 20162019 and 2018F-5
  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for years endedYears Ended December 31, 20162019 and 20152018F-6
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-7 to F-22

 

F-1


  

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Stockholders of GrowGeneration Corp.Corp

503 N. Main Street – Suite 740

Pueblo, Colorado 81003Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GrowGeneration Corp and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’stockholder s’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended. in the two-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the 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 December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidatedthe 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 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The companyCompany is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. OurAs part of our audits, included considerationwe are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining,

Ouraudits included performing procedures to assesstherisks of material misstatement of the financialstatements, whether dueto error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures includedexamining,on a testatest basis,evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An auditfinancialstatements.Our audits also includes assessing the accountingincluded evaluatingtheaccounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.wellasevaluating theoverall presentation of thefinancialstatements. We believe that our auditsthatouraudits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of GrowGeneration Corp and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Connolly Grady & Cha, P.C

 

Certified Public Accountants

We haveservedas the Company'sauditorsince2014

Philadelphia,Springfield, Pennsylvania

  

March 27, 2017

Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,

Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants2020

 


1608 Walnut Street, Suite 1703, Philadelphia, PA 19103    (215) 732-4580  ●   Fax (215) 735-4584  ●  www.cgcpc.com

F-2

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

  December 31, 
  2016  2015 
Assets      
Current Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $606,644  $699,417 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $47,829 and $6,500, respectively  391,235   37,554 
Employee advances  10,678   2,950 
Inventory  2,574,438   1,311,639 
Prepaid expenses  24,578   17,036 
Total Current Assets  3,607,573   2,068,596 
         
Property and Equipment, Net  549,854   271,236 
         
Other Assets        
Security deposits  42,526   27,230 
Goodwill  243,000   243,000 
Total Other Assets  285,526   270,230 
         
Total Assets $4,442,953  $2,610,062 
         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity        
         
Current Liabilities        
Current maturities of long-term debt $23,443  $5,866 
Accounts payable  535,913   292,078 
Short term borrowings  107,880   56,184 
Customer deposits  51,672   18,410 
Payroll and payroll tax liabilities  77,068   43,925 
Sales taxes payable  46,942   22,093 
Total Current Liabilities  842,918   438,556 
         
Long-Term Debt – net of current portion  41,726   18,133 
         
Total Liabilities  884,644   456,689 
         
Stockholders’ Equity        
Common stock $.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized: 11,742,834 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 8,967,834 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015  11,743   8,968 
Additional paid in capital  4,696,221   2,862,816 
Accumulated (deficit)  (1,149,655)  (718,411)
Total Stockholders’ Equity $3,558,309  $2,153,373 
         
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $4,442,953  $2,610,062 
  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
       
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash $12,979,444  $14,639,981 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $291,372 and $133,288 at December 31, 2019 and 2018  4,455,209   862,397 
Inventory  22,659,357   8,869,469 
Prepaids and other current assets  2,549,559   606,037 
Total current assets  42,643,569   24,977,884 
         
Property and equipment, net  3,340,616   1,820,821 
Operating leases right-of-use assets, net  7,628,591   - 
Intangible assets, net  233,280   114,155 
Goodwill  17,798,932   8,752,909 
Other assets  377,364   227,205 
TOTAL ASSETS $72,022,352  $35,892,974 
         
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $6,024,750  $1,819,411 
Accrued liabilities  -   40,151 
Payroll and payroll tax liabilities  1,072,142   410,345 
Customer deposits  2,503,785   516,038 
Sales tax payable  533,656   191,958 
Current maturities of right-of-use assets  1,836,700   - 
Current portion of long-term debt  110,231   436,813 
Total current liabilities  12,081,264   3,414,716 
         
Long-term convertible debt, net of debt discount and debt issuance costs  -   2,044,113 
Operating leases right-of-use assets, net of current maturities  5,807,266   - 
Long-term debt, net of current portion  242,079   375,626 
Total liabilities  18,130,609   5,834,455 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Stockholders’ Equity:        
Common stock; $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 36,876,305 and 27,948,609 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively  36,876   27,949 
Additional paid-in capital  60,742,055   38,796,562 
Accumulated deficit  (6,887,188)  (8,765,992)
Total stockholders’ equity  53,891,743   30,058,519 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $72,022,352  $35,892,974 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2016  2015 
Revenues      
Sales $7,980,471  $3,455,146 
Cost of sales  (5,776,194)  (2,351,836)
Gross profit  2,204,277   1,103,310 
         
Expenses        
Advertising and promotion  107,744   51,332 
Alarm and security  4,677   3,087 
Automobile expenses  32,466   14,915 
Bad debt  66,828   9,791 
Bank service charges  25,167   8,004 
Credit card fees  47,286   27,819 
Computer and internet expenses  19,452   7,417 
Depreciation expense  52,962   16,436 
Insurance expense  23,441   10,715 
Investor and public relations  8,773     
License and permits  8,053   904 
Meals and entertainment  42,771   20,839 
Office supplies  33,838   15,154 
Officers salaries  344,050   252,500 
Payroll, payroll tax and benefits  993,024   491,372 
Postage and delivery  9,790   1,782 
Professional fees  76,226   233,769 
Rent expense  306,115   105,269 
Repairs and maintenance  16,079   4,520 
Stock compensation  98,000   141,983 
Stock option compensation  86,333   87,967 
Supplies  24,210   10,747 
Telephone expense  31,278   13,498 
Travel expense  114,512   54,676 
Utilities  57,195   33,434 
Total Expense  2,630,270   1,617,930 
         
Net (loss) from operations  (425,993)  (514,620)
         
Other (Expenses)        
Start up costs      (11,220)
Interest  (5,251)  (2,916)
Total other (expenses)  (5,251)  (14,136)
         
Net (Loss) before income tax  (431,244)  (528,756)
         
Income Tax  -0-   -0- 
         
Net Loss ($431,244) ($528,756)
         
Loss per common share        
Basic $(.05) $(.08)
Diluted $(.05) $(.08)
Average shares outstanding        
Basic  

9,153,053

   

6,563,271

 
Diluted  

9,153,053

   

6,563,271

 
  For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
  2019  2018 
       
Sales $79,733,568  $29,000,730 
Cost of sales  57,171,721   22,556,172 
Gross profit  22,561,847   6,444,558 
         
Operating expenses:        
Store operations  10,095,422   5,202,330 
General and administrative  3,172,019   1,603,421 
Share based compensation  2,490,535   1,895,219 
Depreciation and amortization  1,044,553   351,070 
Salaries and related expenses  3,619,197   1,648,166 
Total operating expenses  20,421,726   10,700,206 
         
Net income (loss) from operations  2,140,121   (4,255,648)
         
Other income (expense):        
Miscellaneous income (expense)  (4,545)  115,875 
Interest income  144,725   79,184 
Interest expense  (45,191)  (23,565)
Amortization of debt discount  (356,306)  (989,601)
Total non-operating income (expense), net  (261,317)  (818,107)
         
Net income (loss) $1,878,804  $(5,073,755)
         
Net income (loss) per share, basic $.06  $(.22)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted $.05  $(.22)
         
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic  32,833,594   23,492,650 
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted  39,228,696   23,492,650 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS'STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended DecemberFOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20162019 and 20152018

 

       

Additional

       

Total

 
   

      Common Stock

   

  Paid-In

   

Accumulated

   

 Stockholders’

 
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

(Deficit)

   

Equity

 
Balances, December 31, 2014  6,000,000  $6,000  $730,333  $(189,655) $546,678 
                     
Issuance of common stock at $.60 per share  300,000   300   179,700       180,000 
                     
Issuance of common stock at $.70 per share  2,465,001   2,465   1,550,486       1,552,951 
                     
Warrants issued at $.07 per share          172,550       172,550 
                     
Stock option expense          87,967       87,967 
                     
Stock compensation at $.70 per share  202,833   203   141,780       141,983 
                     
Net (loss)              (528,756)  (528,756)
                     
Balances, December 31, 2015  8,967,834  $8,968  $2,862,816  $(718,411) $2,153,373 
                     
Issuance of common stock at $.70 per share  1,890,714   1,891   996,606       998,497 
                     
Warrants issued at $.07 per share          132,350       132,350 
                     
Stock option expense          86,333       86,333 
                     
Stock compensation at $.70 per share  140,000   140   97,860       98,000 
                     
Warrants converted at $.70 per share  694,286   694   485,306       486,000 
                     
Stock issued for services  50,000   50   34,950       35,000 
                     
Net (loss)              (431,244)  (431,244)
                     
Balances, December 31, 2016  11,742,834  $11,743  $4,696,221  $(1,149,655) $3,558,309 
     Additional     Total 
  Common Stock  Paid-In  Accumulated  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  (Deficit)  Equity 
Balances, December 31, 2017  16,846,835  $16,846  $11,254,212  $(3,692,237) $7,578,821 
                     
Sale of Common stock and warrants, net of fees  3,333,333   3,333   9,956,544   -   9,959,877 
Warrants issued for services  -   -   456,807   -   456,807 
Stock option expense  -   -   546,370   -   546,370 
Common stock issued upon warrant exercise  3,076,461   3,077   2,590,617   -   2,593,694 
Common stock issued upon exercise of options  995,186   995   320,706   -   321,701 
Common stock issued in connection with business combinations  1,550,000   1,550   5,303,600   -   5,305,150 
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible debt  2,013,294   2,014   3,619,917   -   3,621,931 
Warrants issued with convertible debt  -   -   4,239,000   -   4,239,000 
Common stock issued for services  107,500   108   400,395   -   400,503 
Common stock issued for accrued share-based compensation  26,000   26   108,394   -   108,420 
Net loss              (5,073,755)  (5,073,755)
Balances, December 31, 2018  27,948,609  $27,949   38,796,562  $(8,765,992) $30,058,519 
                     
Sale of Common stock and warrants, net of fees  4,123,254   4,123   12,639,510   -   12,643,633 
Share based compensation          1,215,273       1,215,273 
Common stock issued upon warrant exercise  1,757,913   1,758   1,298,141       1,299,899 
Common stock issued upon exercise of options  10,000   10   5,990       6,000 
Common stock issued upon cashless exercise of options  505,868   506   (506)      - 
Common stock issued in connection with business combinations  969,553   969   3,624,411   -   3,625,380 
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible debt  1,258,608   1,259   2,404,010       2,405,269 
Common stock issued for services  202,500   202   548,564       548,766 
Common stock issued for accrued share-based compensation  100,000   100   210,100       210,200 
Net income              1,878,804   1,878,804 
Balances, December 31, 2019  36,876,305  $36,876  $60,742,055  $(6,887,188) $53,891,743 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of theses audited consolidated financial statements.

F-5

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2016  2015 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:      
Net (loss) $(431,244) $(528,756)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) to net        
cash (used in) operating activities:        
Depreciation  52,962   16,436 
Bad debt expense  41,526   9,791 
Inventory market value reserve  (6,000)  38,500 
Stock issued for services  35,000     
Stock compensation  184,333   229,950 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
(Increase) decrease in:        
Accounts receivable  (395,208)  (38,647)
Employee advances  (7,728)  (2,950)
Inventory  (1,256,799)  (1,003,855)
Prepaid expenses  (7,542)  (11,166)
Security deposits  (15,296)  (19,140)
Increase (decrease) in:        
Accounts payable  243,835   124,313 
Customer deposits  33,262   10,160 
Payroll and payroll tax liabilities  33,143   26,918 
Sales taxes payable  24,849   12,807 
Net Cash (Used In) Operating Activities  (1,470,907)  (1,135,639)
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Acquisition of furniture and equipment  (331,580)  (253,717)
Net Cash (Used In) Investing Activities  (331,580)  (253,717)
         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:        
Net proceeds on short term borrowing  51,696   48,714 
Net proceeds from long-term debt, net  41,171   23,999 
Issuance of common stock  1,616,847   1,905,501 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  1,709,714   

1,978,214

 
        
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents  (92,773)  588,858 
         
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period  699,417   110,559 
         
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $606,644  $699,417 
         
Supplemental Information:        
Interest paid during the period $5,251  $2,916 
Taxes paid during the period $-0-  $-0-  
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:      
Net income (loss) $1,878,804  $(5,073,755)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  1,044,553   351,069 
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable  172,135   35,459 
Inventory valuation reserve  429,126   153,397 
Amortization of debt discount  356,306   989,601 
Stock based compensation  2,490,535   1,895,219 
Noncash operating lease expense  15,375   - 
Other  (66,536)  - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
(Increase) decrease in:        
Accounts receivable  (3,764,947)  (244,288)
Inventory  (10,482,014)  (792,575)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (2,061,701)  (182,616)
Increase (decrease) in:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  4,165,188   514,154 
Customer deposits  1,987,747   423,688 
Payroll and payroll tax liabilities  154,471   270,878 
Sales taxes payable  341,698   118,738 
Net Cash (Used In) Operating Activities  (3,339,260)  (1,541,031)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Assets acquired in business combinations  (9,458,743)  (5,680,409)
Purchase of property and equipment  (2,232,812)  (625,379)
Purchase of goodwill and other intangibles  (119,125)  (61,523)
Net Cash (Used In) Investing Activities  (11,810,680)  (6,367,311)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:        
Principal payments on long term debt  (460,129)  (454,979)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debt, net of expenses  -   8,912,765 
Proceeds from the sales of common stock and exercise of warrants and options, net of expenses  13,949,532   12,875,272 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  13,489,403   21,333,058 
         
Net Increase(decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents  (1,660,537)  13,424,716 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of year  14,639,981   1,215,265 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of year $12,979,444  $14,639,981 
         
Supplemental Information:        
Common stock and warrants issued for prepaid services $96,000  $45,000 
Common stock issued for accrued payroll liability  210,200   - 
Debt converted to Equity  2,310,832   3,621,931 
Assets acquired by issuance of stock  3,625,380   5,305,150 
Warrants issued for debt discount  -   4,239,000 
Acquisition of vehicles with debt financing  -   56,174 
Interest paid during the period $45,191  $23,565 
Acquisition of assets with seller financing  -   1,087,000 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

F-6

GrowGeneration Corp. and SubsidiariesGROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20162019 and 20152018

  

1.NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

GrowGeneration Corp (the “Company”) was incorporated on March 6, 2014 in Colorado under the name of Easylife Corp and changed its name to GrowGeneration Corp. It maintains its principal office in Denver, Colorado.

 

GrowGeneration Corp is engagedthe largest chain of hydroponic garden centers in North America and is a leading marketer and distributor of nutrients, growing media, advanced indoor and greenhouse lighting, ventilation systems and accessories for hydroponic gardening. As of March 27, 2020, the Company owns and operates a chain of twenty seven (27) retail hydroponic/gardening stores, with five (5) located in the businessstate of operating retail hydroponicColorado, four (4) in the state of California, four (4) in the state of Michigan, two (2) in the state of Nevada, one (1) in the state of Washington, one (1) in the state of Oregon, four (4) in the State of Oklahoma, one (1) in the state of Rhode Island, three (3) in Maine, (1) in Florida, one (1) distribution center in California and an online e-commerce store, GrowGen.Pro. In addition, we operate a warehouse out of Sacramento, CA. Our plan is to acquire, open and operate hydroponic/gardening stores and related businesses throughout the United States and Canada.

The Company engages in its business through its wholly owned subsidiaries, GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp, GrowGeneration California Corp, Grow Generation Nevada Corp, GrowGeneration Washington Corp, GrowGeneration Rhode Island Corp, GrowGeneration Oklahoma Corp, GrowGeneration Canada, GrowGeneration HG Corp, GrowGeneration Hemp Corp, GGen Distribution Corp, GrowGeneration Michigan Corp, GrowGeneration New England Corp, GrowGeneration Florida Corp and Ggen DistributionGrowGeneration Management Corp. The company commenced operations with the purchase of 4 retail hydroponic stores in Pueblo and Canon City, Colorado on May 30, 2014. The Company, currently owns and operates a total of 12 stores and is actively engaged in seeking to acquire additional hydroponic retail stores.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to December 31, 2016, for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements. The evaluation was conducted through March 27, 2017, the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.

 

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The Company’s financial statements are prepared onunder the accrual method of accounting. TheFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 105-10,Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, in accordance with accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform withprinciples generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)in the U.S. (“GAAP”).

The consolidated financial statements ofinclude the Company include the accounts of GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp, Grow Generation California Corp, Grow Generation Nevada Corp, and Ggen Distribution Corp. Intercompanyits wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported consolidated net income (loss).

Use of Estimates

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could vary from the estimates that were used.

Segment Reporting

Management makes significant operating decisions based upon the analysis of the entire Company and financial performance is evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, the various products sold are aggregated into one reportable operating segment as under guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC or codification”) Topic 280 for segment reporting.

 


Use of Estimates

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could vary from the estimates that were used.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue on product sales is recognized upon delivery or shipment. Customer deposits/layaway sales are not reported as income unit final payment is received and the merchandise is delivered.

F-7

GrowGeneration Corp. and SubsidiariesGROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20162019 and 20152018

 

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue, net of estimated returns and sales tax, at the time the customer takes possession of merchandise or receives services. When the Company receives payment from customers before the customer has taken possession of the merchandise or the service has been performed, the amount received is recorded as Deferred Revenue in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets until the sale or service is complete.

Vendor Allowances

Vendor allowances primarily consist of volume rebates that are earned as a result of attaining certain purchase levels. These vendor allowances are accrued as earned, with those allowances received as a result of attaining certain purchase levels accrued over the incentive period based on estimates of purchases.

Volume rebates, when earned, are recorded as a reduction in Cost of Sales.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash equivalents are carried at fair market value and consist primarily of money market funds.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount the Company expects to collect from balances outstanding at year-end. Basedyear-end, based on the Company'sCompany’s assessment of the credit history with customers having outstanding balances and current relationships with them. A reserve for uncollectable receivables is established when collection of amounts due is deemed improbable. Indicators of improbable collection include client bankruptcy, client litigation, client cash flow difficulties or ongoing service or billing disputes. Credit is generally extended on a short-term basis thus receivables do not bear interest. At December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, the Company established an allowance for doubtful accounts of $47,829$291,372 and $6,500,$133,288, respectively.

Inventory

Inventory consists primarily of gardening supplies and materials and is recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. The company periodically reviews the value of items in inventory and provides write-downs or write-offs of inventory based on its assessment of market conditions. Write-downs and write-offs are charged to cost of goods sold.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Expenditures for maintenanceProperty and repairsequipment are charged against operations.carried at cost. Leasehold Improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the original term of the lease or the useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. Renewals and betterment that materially extend the life of the asset are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged against operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes at rates based on the following estimated useful lives:

 

  Estimated Lives
VehicleVehicle5 years
Furniture and fixtures5-7 years
Computers and equipment3-5 years
Leasehold improvements10 years not to exceed lease term


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

For federal income tax purposes, depreciationLeases

We assess whether an arrangement is computed usinga lease at inception. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the accelerated cost recovery systembalance sheet. We have elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all assets. Operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities are calculated based on the modified accelerated cost recovery system.present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the lease start date. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease start date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease asset is increased by any lease payments made at or before the lease start date and reduced by lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. The lease term includes options to renew or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The depreciable life of lease assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the lease term. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of certain of our financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid assets, employee advances, accounts payable, customer deposits, payroll and payroll tax liabilities, sales tax payable and notes payable approximate their carrying amounts because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires the recognition of deferred income taxes for differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes. The differences relate principally to depreciation of property and equipment, reserve for obsolete inventory and bad debt. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax consequence for those differences, which will either be deductible or taxable when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred taxes are also recognized for operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

F-8

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2015

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10-25, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. FASB ASC 740-10-25 also provides guidance on de-recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions. The Company’s tax returns are subject to tax examinations by U.S. federal and state authorities until respective statute of limitation. Currently, the 2016, 2015,2018, 2017, and 20142016 tax years are open and subject to examination by taxing authorities. However, the Company is not currently under audit nor has the Company been contacted by any of the taxing authorities. The Company does not have any accruals for uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2016.2019. It is not anticipated that unrecognized tax benefits would significantly increase or decrease within 12 months of the reporting date.

Presentation of Sales Taxes

The Company is required to collect sales tax for the State of Colorado, State of California, City of Pueblo, City of Canon City, City of Colorado Springs, Pueblo County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, El Paso County, City & County of Denver, and City of Santa Rosa; ranging from 3.9% to 8.25% on the Company's sales to nonexempt customers. The Company collects that sales tax from customers and remits the entire amount to the corresponding taxing authorities. The Company's accounting policy is to exclude the tax collected and remitted from revenue and cost of sales.

Advertising

The Company expenses all advertising and promotional costs when incurred. Advertising and promotional expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $107,744 and $51,332, respectively.

Freight and Shipping

It is the Company's policy to classify freight and shipping costs as part of cost of sales. Total freight and shipping costs for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $66,856 and $35,836, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all unrestricted highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Concentration of Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially expose us to concentrations of risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, which are generally not collateralized. Our policy is to place our cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions, in order to limit the amount of credit exposure. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), up to $250,000. At December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, the Company had $8,332$11,229,444 and $-0-,$12,962,958, respectively, in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. The Company generally does not require collateral from its customers, but its credit extension and collection policies include analyzing the financial condition of potential customers, establishing credit limits, monitoring payments, and aggressively pursuing delinquent accounts. The Company maintains allowance for potential credit losses. A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are derived from the sales of products to the purveyors of cannabis products and services.

F-9

GrowGeneration Corp. and SubsidiariesGROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20162019 and 20152018

 

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising and promotional costs when incurred. Advertising and promotional expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $736,656 and $269,550, respectively.

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costspurchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in connection with an acquisition.assets. The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-02, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Accounting for Goodwill. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350 for Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for potential impairment on an annual basis, or if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment, at the reporting unit level. The Company’s review for impairment includes an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than itsits´ carrying value, including goodwill. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than itsits´ carrying value, including goodwill, the first step of the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed, which compares the fair value of the reporting unit with itsits´ carrying amounts, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds itsits´ carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. However, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an additional procedures must be performed. That additional procedure compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. An impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. The carrying value of goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.

Inventory

Inventory consists primarily of gardening supplies and materials and is recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.

  

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

The Company computes net earnings (loss) per share under Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 260-10, “Earnings Per Share” (“ASC 260-10”). Basic earnings or loss per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average of all potentially dilutive shares of common stock that were outstanding during the periods presented. 

 

F-10

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2015

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

The treasury stock method is used in calculating diluted EPS for potentially dilutive stock options and share purchase warrants, which assumes that any proceeds received from the exercise of in-the-money stock options and share purchase warrants, would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price for the period.

 

Stock Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts forrecords stock-based compensation issued to employees, and where appropriate, non-employees, at fair value. Under fair value provisions, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based onin accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718,Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the award andBlack-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of stock options granted is recognized as an expense over the appropriate vesting periodrequisite service period. Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards are recognized using the straight-line single-option method.

The amountBlack-Scholes option pricing model requires subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values. The expected term of stock-based compensation recognized atoptions granted is derived from historical data on employee exercises and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The risk-free rate selected to value any date must at least equalparticular grant is based on the portionU.S. Treasury rate that corresponds to the expected life of the grant date fair valueeffective as of the award that is vested at that date and as a result it may be necessary to recognize the expense using a ratable method. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the date of grant requires judgment, including estimating the grant. The expected term ofvolatility is based on the stock options and the expectedhistorical volatility of the Company’s stock. In addition, judgment is requiredstock price. These factors could change in estimating the amountfuture, affecting the determination of stock-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates or different key assumptions were used, it could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.compensation expense in future periods.


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

 

3.RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In May 2016,From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies issue new accounting pronouncements. Updates to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification are communicated through issuance of an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”). We have implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may impact our financial statements. We have evaluated recently issued accounting pronouncements and determined that there is no material impact on our financial position or results of operations. 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

During the first quarter of 2019, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02,Leases(ASC 842), which introduces the balance sheet recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. The Company has adopted the new lease standard using the new transition option issued under the amendments in ASU 2018-11,Leases, which allowed the Company to continue to apply the legacy guidance was issuedin Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 840,Leases, in the comparative periods presented in the year of adoption. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed the Company to clarifycarry forward the not yet effective revenue recognition guidance issued in May 2014. This additional guidance does not changehistorical lease classification. The Company made an accounting policy election to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the core principlebalance sheet. The Company will recognize those lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The impact of the revenue recognition guidance issued in May 2014, rather, it provides clarificationadoption was an increase to the Company’s operating lease assets and liabilities on January 1, 2019 of $3.2 million.

On January 1, 2019, the Company also adopted ASU 2018-07, “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU 2018-07 more closely aligns the accounting for collectionsemployee and nonemployee share-based payments. The amendment is effective commencing in 2019 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of sales taxesthis new guidance did not have a material impact on our Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements in Securities Act Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification. These amendments eliminate, modify, or integrate into other SEC requirements certain disclosure rules. Among the amendments is the requirement to present an analysis of changes in stockholders’ equity in the interim financial statements included in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The analysis, which can be presented as well as recognition of revenue (i) associated with contract modifications, (ii) for noncash consideration, and (iii) based on the collectability of the consideration from the customer. The guidance also specifies when a contract should be considered “completed” for purposes of applying the transition guidance. The effective date and transition requirements for this guidance are the same as the effective date and transition requirementsfootnote or separate statement, is required for the guidance previously issued in 2014, which iscurrent and comparative quarter and year-to-date interim periods. The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginningall filings made on or after December 15, 2017.November 5, 2018. The Company has not yet determinedadopted these amendments in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.quarter ended September 30, 2019.

 

In MarchJanuary 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements2016-01,Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires that (i) all equity investments, other than equity-method investments, in unconsolidated entities generally be measured at fair value through earnings and (ii) when the fair value option has been elected for financial liabilities, changes in fair value due to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.instrument-specific credit risk will be recognized separately in other comprehensive income. Additionally, the ASU 2016-01 changes the disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The new standard was effective for the Company starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this standard on January 1, 2019 did not have any effect on the consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosure.

On August 28, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging,” which better aligns risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in this update change existing guidance related toexpand and refine hedge accounting for employee share-based payments affectingboth nonfinancial and financial risk components and in some situations better align the income tax consequencesrecognition and presentation of awards, classificationthe effects of awardsthe hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The new standard was effective for the Company as equity or liabilities,of January 1, 2019. The adoption of this new standard on January 1, 2019 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements and classificationfootnote disclosures.


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

3.RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS, Continued

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – Pending Adoption

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13,Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the statementimpairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade receivables and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking expected loss model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of cash flows. ASU 2016-09allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than as reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016,2019, including interim periods within those annual periods,years, with early adoption permitted.permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard.guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

 

F-11

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2015

3.RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Continued)

In February 2016,August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases2018-13,Fair Value Measurement (Topic 842)820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liabilityguidance modifies the disclosure requirements on the consolidated balance sheetfair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 are effective for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the consolidated income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effectiveentities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, includingfiscal years, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this update revise the accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30). This guidance is to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by recognizing a debt liability in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from that debt liability consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years.2019. The Company has adopted this standard anddoes not anticipate that the adoption did notof ASU 2018-13 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that theconsolidated financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable) and to provideor related footnote disclosures. The ASU provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures that are commonly provided by organizations today in the financial statement footnotes. The ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, which for the Company is April 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The amendments also clarify that the guidance in Topic 275, Risks and Uncertainties, is applicable to entities that have not commenced planned principal operations. The central feature of the guidance on disclosure requirements is that required disclosures are limited to matters significant to a particular entity. The disclosures focus primarily on risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the amounts reported in the financial statements in the near term or the near-term functioning of the reporting entity.

F-12

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2015disclosures.

 

3.RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Continued)

Other Accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

4.PREMISESPROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

PremisesProperty and equipment at December 31, 20162019 and 20152018 consists of the following:

   December 31, 
   2016  2015 
 Vehicle $102,014  $32,191 
 Leasehold improvements  131,411   55,297 
 Furniture, fixtures and equipment  389.396   203,753 
    622,821   291,241 
 Accumulated depreciation  (72,967)  (20,005) 
          
   $549,854  $271,236 
  December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Vehicle $1,148,993  $535,857 
Leasehold improvements  884,685   441,725 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  2,858,777   1,417,061 
   4,892,455   2,394,643 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (1,551,839)  (573,822)
         
Property and equipment, net $3,340,616  $1,820,821 

 

Depreciation expense amounted to $52,962was $1,046,328 and $16,436$350,415 for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and 2015.2018, respectively.

 

F-13

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2015

5.INCOME TAXES

  

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. President signed into law H.R.1, formerly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Legislation”). The Tax Legislation significantly revised the U.S. tax code by, (i) lowering the U.S federal statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21%, (ii) implementing a territorial tax system, (iii) imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries (“Transition Tax”), (iv) requiring a current inclusion of global intangible low taxed income (“GILTI”) of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations in U.S. federal taxable income, (v) creating the base erosion anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) regime, (vi) implementing bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property, and (vii) limiting deductibility of interest and executive compensation expense, among other changes. The Company is subjecthas computed its 2018 current tax benefit using the U.S. federal statutory rates of 21% while it has computed its deferred tax expense using the new statutory rate effective on January 1, 2018 of 21%.

Other provisions of the new legislation that were not applicable to federalthe Company until the year ended December 31, 2018 include, but are not limited to, limiting deductibility of interest and stateexecutive compensation expense. These additional items have been considered in our income taxes.tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the impact was not material to the overall financial statements.

 

The Company and subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company’s consolidated provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and 2015 consists2018 consisted of the following:

  Year Ended  Year Ended 
  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
Income Tax Expense (benefit)      
Current federal tax expense      
Federal $479,000  $-0- 
State  -0-   -0- 
Deferred tax (benefit)        
Federal $(479,000) $-0- 
State  -0-   -0- 
Total $-0-  $-0- 


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

 

   Year Ended  Year Ended 
   December 31, 2016  December 31, 2015 
 Income Tax Expense (benefit)      
 Current federal tax expense      
 Federal $-0-  $-0- 
 State  -0-   -0- 
 Deferred tax (benefit)        
 Federal $-0-  $-0- 
 State  -0-   -0- 
 Total $-0-  $-0- 

The consolidated provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 differs from that computed by applying federal statutory rates to income before federal income tax expense, as indicated in the following analysis:


   Year Ended  Year 
   December 31,
2016
  December 31,
2015
 
        
 Expected federal taxprovision (benefit) at 35% rate $(150,935) $(185,065)
 Surtax exemption  21,562   26,438 
 Meals and entertainment  6,416   2,724 
 Valuation allowance  (19,967)  171,493 
 State income tax  142,924   (15,590)
 Total income tax $-0-  $-0- 
          
 Effective tax rate  0.0%  0.0%
5.INCOME TAXES, Continued

 

A summary of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 20162019 and 20152018 is as follows:

  

   Year Ended  Year Ended 
   December 31, 2016  December 31, 2015 
 Deferred tax assets:        
 Reserve for inventory obsolescence $15,930  $18,008 
 Reserve for bad debt  16,563   2,251 
 Stock option compensation  172,797   108,963 
 Federal tax loss carryforward  258,219   135,562 
 State tax loss carryforward  39,852   20,923 
 Less valuation allowance  (398,676)  (235,543)
          
 Total Deferred Tax Asset  104,685   50,164 

F-14

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2015

5.INCOME TAXES (Continued)

   Year Ended  Year Ended 
   December 31,
2016
  December 31,
2015
 
 Deferred tax liabilities:      
 Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (104,685)  (50,164)
 Total deferred tax liabilities  (104,685)  (50,164)
          
 NET DEFERRED TAX $-0-  $-0- 
  Year Ended  Year Ended 
  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
Deferred tax assets:      
Net operating losses  1,033,300  $2,165,100 
Deferred right to use lease liabilities  1,671,700   - 
Stock based compensation  354,800   663,300 
Amortization of debt discount  -   346,400 
Accruals, reserves and other  160,200   66,100 
   3,220,000   3,240,900 
Deferred tax liabilities:        
Deferred right to use lease assets  1,678,300   - 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization $360,000  $358,000 
   2,038,300   358,000 
Gross deferred tax asset  1,181,700   2,882,900 
Valuation Allowance  (1,181,700)  (2,882,900)
Deferred tax asset (liability), net $0  $-0 

  

As of December 31, 2016,2019, the Company had $860,730 federal and state netapproximately $4.7 million of operating loss carryforwards, which results in a Federal and State deferred tax asset of $298,071,approximately $1.03 million, expiring in 2034, 2035 and 2036.2037 through 2038.

 

Management assesses the available positiveWe recorded a valuation allowance against all of our deferred tax assets as of both December 31, 2019, and negativeDecember 31, 2018. We intend to continue maintaining a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to estimate ifsupport the reversal of all or some portion of these allowances. However, given our current earnings and anticipated future earnings, we believe that there is a reasonable possibility that within the next 12 months, sufficient future taxable incomepositive evidence may become available to allow us to reach a conclusion that a significant portion of the valuation allowance will no longer be generated to useneeded. Release of the existingvaluation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets. A significant pieceassets and a decrease to income tax expense for the period the release is recorded. However, the exact timing and amount of objective negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred since inception. Such objective evidence limits the abilityvaluation allowance release are subject to consider other subjective evidence such as our projections for future growth.

Onchange on the basis of this evaluation,the level of profitability that we are able to actually achieve

The differences between the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate were as offollows for the years ended December 31, 2016, a valuation allowance of $398,676 has been recorded to record only the portion of the deferred tax asset that is more likely than not to be realized. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present2019 and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.2018:

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Federal statutory tax rate  21%  21%
State and local income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)  -   - 
   21%  21 
Valuation allowance  (21)  (21)
   0%  0%


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

 

6.LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt is as follows:

  December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Long term debt is as follows:      
Hitachi Capital, interest at 8.0% per annum, payable in monthly installments of $631.13 beginning September 2015 through August 2019, secured by delivery equipment with a book value of $24,910  -   3,211 
         
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, interest at 3.5% per annum, payable in monthly installments of $518.96 beginning April 2016 through March 2021, secured by warehouse equipment with a book value of $25,437  7,109   12,976 
         
Notes payable issued in connection with seller financing of assets acquired, interest at 1%, payable in 24 installments of $24,996, due February 2020  24,997   350,000 
         
Notes payable issued in connection with seller financing of assets acquired, interest at 1%, payable in 12 installments of $6,003, due September 2019  -   54,000 
         
Notes payable issued in connection with seller financing of assets acquired, interest at 8.125%, payable in 60 installments of $8,440, due August 2023  320,204   392,252 
  $352,310  $812,439 
Less Current Maturities  (110,231)  (436,813)
Total Long-Term Debt $242,079  $375,626 

  

   December 31,
2016
 
 8.0%, Hitachi Capital, payable $631.13 monthly beginning September 2015 through August 2019, secured by delivery equipment with a book value of $26,059 $18,133 
      
 3.5%, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, payable $518.96 monthly beginning April 2016 through March 2021, secured by warehouse equipment with a book value of $26,150  24,559 
      
 10.926%, RMT Equipment, payable $1,154.79 monthly beginning June 2016 through October 2018, secured by delivery equipment with a book value of $33,076  22,477 
   $65,169 
      
 Less Current Maturities  (23,443)
 Total Long-Term Debt $41,726 
Debt maturities as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:   
2020 $110,231 
2021  84,714 
2022  91,860 
2023  65,505 
  $352,310 

 

F-15

GrowGeneration Corp. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2015

6.LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)

Future Debt Maturities – A schedule of expected debt payments and the portion allocated to principal follows:

  Total  Allocated to 
 Year EndingDecember 31 Payment  Principal 
 2017 $27,779  $23,443 
 2018  24,634   23,369 
 2019  11,277   10,750 
 2020  6,228   6,058 
 2021  1,558   1,549 
   $71,476  $65,169 

Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and 20152018 was $5,251$45,191 and $2,916,$23,565, respectively.

 

7.LEASES

We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. Our material operating leases consist of retail and warehouse locations as well as office space. Our leases generally have remaining terms of 1- 5 years, most of which include options to extend the leases for additional 3 to 5 year periods. Generally, the lease term is the minimum of the noncancelable period of the lease or the lease term inclusive of reasonably certain renewal periods.

Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of lease payments not yet paid. Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepayments or accrued lease payments, initial direct costs, lease incentives, and impairment of operating lease assets. To determine the present value of lease payments not yet paid, we estimate incremental secured borrowing rates corresponding to the maturities of the leases. Our leases typically contain rent escalations over the lease term. We recognize expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We elected this expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for our entire population of operating lease assets.


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

7.LEASES, Continued

We have elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all applicable classes of underlying assets. Short-term disclosures include only those leases with a term greater than one month and 12 months or less, and expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, that do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that we are reasonably certain to exercise, are not recorded on the balance sheet.

  December 31, 
  2019 
Right to use assets, operating lease assets $7,628,591 
     
Current lease liability $1,836,700 
Non-current lease liability  5,807,266 
  $7,643,966 

  December 31, 
  2019 
Weighted average remaining lease term  3.9 years 
Weighted average discount rate  7.6%
     
Operating lease assets obtained for operating lease liabilities $3,050,164 

Maturities of lease liabilities   
2020 $2,496,070 
2021  2,525,468 
2022  2,078,123 
2023  1,596,229, 
2024  813,984 
2025  654,160 
2026  352,955 
2027  152,637 
Total lease payments  10,669,626 
Less: Imputed interest  (3,025,660)
Lease Liability at December 31, 2019 $7,643,966 


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

8.CONVERTIBLE DEBT

On January 12, 2018, the Company completed a private placement of a total of 36 units of the Company’s securities at the price of $250,000 per unit pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Each unit consisted of (i) a .1% unsecured convertible promissory note of the principal amount of $250,000, and (ii) a 3-year warrant entitling the holder to purchase 37,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, at a price of $.01 per share or through cashless exercise.

The convertible debt has a maturity date of January 12, 2021 and the principal balance and any accrued interest is convertible by the holder at any time into Common Stock of the Company at conversion price of $3.00 a share.  Principal due and interest accrued on the notes will automatically convert into shares of Common Stock, at the conversion price, if at any time during the term of the notes, commencing twelve (12) months from the date of issuance, the Common Stock trades minimum daily volume of at least 50,000 shares for twenty (20) consecutive days with a volume weighted average price of at least $4.00 per share.

In relation to this transaction, the Company recorded a debt discount of $4,239,000 related to the fair market value of warrants issued as noted above. The debt discount, which was based on an imputed interest rate, is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the convertible debt.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, convertible debt and accrued interest of $2,405,269, net of unamortized debt discount of $674,581, was converted into 1,258,608 shares of common stock at the conversion rate of $3.00 per share.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, convertible debt and accrued interest of $5,927,677, net of unamortized debt discount of $2,305,746, was converted into 2,013,294 shares of common stock at the conversion rate of $3.00 per share.

  December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Convertible debt $-  $3,075,000 
Remaining unamortized debt discount and debt issue costs  -   (1,030,887 
Convertible debt, net of debt discount and debt issue costs $-  $2,044,113 

Amortization of debt discount for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $356,306 and $998,601, respectively.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018 there were 131,250 and 536,250 warrants outstanding, respectively, related to the issuance of convertible debt.

9.SHARE BASED PAYMENTS AND STOCK OPTIONS

 

On March 6, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved the 2014 Equity Incentive stock planPlan (“2014 Plan) pursuant to which the Company may grant incentive, and non-statutory options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other stock or cash awards to employees, nonemployee members of theour Board, consultants and other independent advisors who provide services to the Corporation.Company. The maximum shares of common stock which may be issued over the term of the plan shall not exceed 2,500,000 shares. Awards under this plan are made by the Board or a committee ofdesignated by the Board. Options under the plan are to be issued at the market price of the stock on the day of the grant except to those issued to holders of 10% or more of the Company’s common stock which is required to be issued at a price not less than 110% of the fair market value on the day of the grant. Each option is exercisable at such time or times, during such period and for such numbers of shares shall be determined by the Plan Administrator. However, noplan administrator. No option shall havemay be exercisable for more than ten years (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a term in excess of 5 years10% stockholder) from the date of grant.

 

On March 6, 2014, the Company issued 650,000 options to its CEO, Darren Lampert, issued 400,000 options to its CFO, Irwin Lampert, issued 400,000 options to its President, Michael Salaman and issued 200,000 options to its COO, Jason Dawson exercisable at prices between $.60 and $.66 per share. On May 12, 2014, the Company issued 50,000 options to its director, Jody Kane and on May 14, 2014, the Company issued 50,000 options to its director, Steve Aiello, exercisable at prices between $.60 and $.66 per share. On July 7, 2014, the Company issued 100,000 options to 8 of its employees, exercisable at prices between $.60 and $.66 per share. On April 15, 2015 the Company issued 10,000 options to sales consultant, Duane Nunez and on October 8, 2015 it issued 25,000 options to sales consultant Troy Sower. The options vest 1/3 immediately, 1/3 one year after date of issuance and 1/3 two years after date of issuance. The options vest over a three year period. Compensation expense recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $86,333.

F-16

GrowGeneration Corp. and SubsidiariesGROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20162019 and 20152018

 

7.9.SHARE BASED PAYMENTS AND STOCK OPTIONS, (Continued)Continued

 

EachOn January 7, 2018, the Board adopted the 2018 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2018 Plan”) and on April 20, 2018, the shareholders approved the 2018 Plan. On February 7, 2020, the Board approved the amendment and restatement of the 2018 Plan to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder from 2,500,000 to 5,000,000, which amendment is pending shareholder approval. The 2018 Plan will be administered by the Board. The Board may grant options to purchase shares of Common Stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted or unrestricted shares of Common Stock, performance shares, performance units, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. The Board also has broad authority to determine the terms and conditions of each option or other kind of equity award, is estimatedadopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the 2018 Plan and amend or modify outstanding options, grants and awards.

No options, stock purchase rights or awards may be made under the 2018 Plan on or after the ten-year anniversary of the adoption of the 2018 Plan by the Board, but the 2018 Plan will continue thereafter while previously granted options, stock appreciation rights or awards remain subject to the 2018 Plan. The maximum shares of Common Stock which may be issued over the term of the plan, as amended shall not exceed 5,000,000 shares. Options granted under the 2018 Plan may be either “incentive stock options” that are intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or “nonstatutory stock options” that do not meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Board will determine the exercise price of options granted under the 2018 Plan. The exercise price of stock options may not be less than the fair market value, on the date of grant, using a Black-Scholes Merton option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the table below. To address the lackper share of historical volatility data for the Company, expected volatility is based on the volatilities of peer companies. The risk-free rate for the expected termour Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the option is based on(or 110% of fair market value in the U.S. Treasury yield curvecase of incentive options granted to a ten-percent stockholder). No option may be exercisable for more than ten years (five years in effect at the timecase of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder) from the date of grant.

 

Awards issued under the 2014 Plan as of December 31, 2019 are summarized below:2019
Total Shares available for issuance pursuant to the 2014 Plan2,500,000
Options outstanding, December 31 2019(995,500)
Total options exercised under 2014 Plan(1,118,333)
Total shares issued pursuant to the 2014 Plan(375,000)
Awards available for issuance under the 2014 Plan, December 31, 201911,167

As

Awards issued under the 2018 Plan as of December 31, 2016, there were 1,872,000 options issued and outstanding under the plan.2019 are summarized below:

 

 Expected volatility2019
Total Shares available for issuance pursuant to the 2018 Plan, prior to amendment  141.262,500,000%
Expected dividendsOptions outstanding, December 31 2019  -0-(281,500)
Expected termTotal options exercised under 2018 Plan  3 years- 
Risk-free rateTotal shares issued pursuant to the 2018 Plan  2.0(9,500%)
Awards available for issuance under the 2018 Plan, December 31, 20192,209,000

  2019  2018 
Expected volatility  87.8%-92.7%  72.91%-90.81%
Expected dividends  None   None 
Expected term  2-5 years   2.5 years 
Risk-free rate  1.64%  1.64%

A summary of option activity as of December 31, 2016:

 

 Options Shares  Weighted-Average Exercise Price  Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
          
 Outstanding at January 1, 2016  1,885,000  $    .62  3 years
 Granted  -0-   -0-   
 Exercised  -0-   -0-   
 Forfeited or expired  (13,000)  -0-   
 Outstanding at December 31, 2016  1,872,000   .62  3 years

F-17

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested shares as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the period then ended is presented below:

      Weighted-Average 
      Grant Date 
 Nonvested shares Shares  Fair Value 
        
 Nonvested at January 1, 2015  1,233,333   0.14 
 Granted  35,000   0.14 
 Vested  (628,334)  0.14 
 Forfeited  -0-   -0- 
          
 Nonvested at January 1, 2016  639,999   0.14 
 Granted  -0-   -0- 
 Vested  (626,999)  0.14 
 Forfeited  (13,000)  -0- 
          
 Nonvested at December 31, 2016  -0-   0.14 

F-17

 

GrowGeneration Corp. and SubsidiariesGROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20162019 and 20152018

 

8.9.SHARE BASED PAYMENTS AND STOCK OPTIONS, Continued

The table below summarizes all the options granted by the Company during years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Options Shares  Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price
  Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted-
Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
            
Outstanding at January 1, 2018  2,622,000  $.99    $.32 
Granted  386,500  $3.21    $1.91 
Exercised  (1,068,333) $.67    $.12 
Forfeited or expired  (124,667) $.76    $.16 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018  1,815,500  $1.66  2.65 years $.78 
Vested and exercisable at December 31 2018  1,393,831  $1.39  2.22 years    
               
Outstanding at January 1, 2019  1,815,500  $1.66  2.65 years $.78 
Granted  1,380,000  $3.25    $2.18 
Exercised  (667,500) $.72    $.16 
Forfeited or expired  (11,667) $3.05    $1.63 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019  2,516,333  $2.78  3.81 years $1.71 
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2019  1,346,333  $2.35  3.25 years $1.32 

Share-based payment expense to officers, directors and employees and the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $2,223,100 and $901,900, respectively.

Expense related to issuance of shares, options and warrants to consultants for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $267,400 and $501,800, respectively.

10.STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS

As of December 31, 2016, the Company granted 2,585,000 warrants to investors in a private placement of common shares. 50,000 warrants were issued to “Placement Agents” for private placement of common stock. These warrants are exercisable for a period of five years with an exercise price of $.70.

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s outstanding stock warrants as of December 31, 20162019 is as follows:

 

   Weighted  Shares Exercise 
   Average  Price 
 Outstanding January 1, 2016  2,607,801  $.70 
 Granted  2,635,000   .70 
 Exercised  (1,357,072)  .70 
 Forfeited  -0-   -0- 
 Outstanding December 31, 2016  3,885,729  $.70 
     Weighted Average 
     Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding January 1, 2018  3,605,728  $1.84 
Granted/issued  1,916,500  $1.01 
Exercised  (2,242,728) $1.16 
Forfeited  -     
Outstanding December 31, 2018  3,279,500  $1.94 
Granted/issued  2,061,629  $3.50 
Exercised  (1,643,610) $.79 
Forfeited  -     
Outstanding December 31, 2019  3,697,519  $3.25 

 


As of March 27, 2017, there were a total of 3,167,157 warrants issuedGROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 and outstanding.2017

 

9.11.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Common Stock

 

The Company’s current Certificate of Incorporation authorizes it to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of December 31, 2016,2019, and 2018, there were 11,742,834 shares of common stock outstanding. The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016 does not include (i) 3,885,729 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants; (ii) shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of 1,872,000 outstanding stock options.

As of March 27, 2017, there were a total of 12,561,40636,876,305 and 27,948,609 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.outstanding, respectively.

2019

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company sold 4,123,254 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $12,643,634.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 1,757,913 shares of common stock upon exercise of warrants resulting in proceeds to the Company of $1,299,899.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 515,868 shares of common stock upon exercise of 667,500 options resulting in proceeds to the Company of $6,000. Of the total options exercised, 657,500 options we exercised in a cashless option exercise.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 1,258,608 shares of common stock upon conversion of convertible debt and accrued interest. (See Note 7)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 969,553 shares of common stock in connection with business combinations. (See Note 14)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 152,500 shares of common stock to employees valued at $452,766, issued 100,000 shares of common stock to employees for accrued employee awards valued at $210,200 and 50,000 shares of common stock to consultants valued at $96,000.

2018

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company sold 3,333,333 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $9,959,877.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 3,076,461 shares of common stock upon exercise of 3,056,478 warrants resulting in proceeds to the Company of $2,593,694.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 995,186 shares of common stock upon exercise of 1,068,333 options resulting in proceeds to the Company of $321,701.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 2,013,294 shares of common stock upon conversion of convertible debt and accrued interest. (See Note 7)

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 1,550,000 shares of common stock in connection with business combinations. (See Note 14)

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 123,500 shares of common stock to employees valued at $463,922 and issued 10,000 shares of common stock to consultants valued at $45,001.


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

 

10.12.EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation when their effect would be antidilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2018 all potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the diluted share calculations as they were anti-dilutive as a result of the net loss incurred. Accordingly, basic shares equal diluted shares for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Potentially dilutive securities were comprised of the following:

  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
Warrants  3,697,519   3,279,500 
Convertible debt warrants  131,250   536,250 
Options  2,516,333   1,815,500 
Total  6,345,102   5,631,250 

 

The following table sets forth the composition of the weighted average shares (denominator) used in the basic and dilutive earnings per share computation for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and 2015.2018.

 

  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
       
Net income (loss) $1,878,804  $(5,073,755)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic  32,883,594   23,492,650 
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents  6,345,102   - 
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding, dilutive  39,228,696   23,492,650 
Basic net income (loss) per share $.06  $(.22)
Dilutive net income (loss) per share $.05  $(.22)

   Year Ended  Year Ended 
   December 31,
2016
  December 31, 2015 
        
 Net (Loss) $(431,244) $(528,756)
          
 Weighted average share outstanding basic  9,153,053   6,563,271 
 Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding – dilutive
  9,153,053   6,563,271 
 Basic (loss) per share $(.05) $(.08)
 Dilutive (loss) per share $(.05) $(.08)
13.VENDOR CONCENTRATIONS

 

The effect of 1,872,000 stock options and 3,885,729 of warrants outstanding asAs of December 31, 2016 is antidilutive2019, and therefore2018, two suppliers represent 51% and 56% of our purchases, respectively. Although the Company expects to maintain relationships with these vendors, the loss of either supplier would not presented inhave a material adverse impact on our business, because both suppliers provide the above table.same products.


GROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018

   

11.LEASE COMMITMENTS14.ACQUISITIONS

 

The Company leases its store facilities under operating leases ranging from $900accounts for acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations.” Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at their estimated fair values, as of the acquisition date. For all acquisitions, the preliminary allocation of the purchase price was based upon a preliminary valuation, and the Company’s estimates and assumptions are subject to $5,600 per month. change within the measurement period as valuations are finalized. The Company has not made any adjustments to the preliminary valuations. The table below represents the allocation of the preliminary purchase price to the acquired net assets during the year ended December 31, 2019.

  Grow
World
LLC
  Grand
Rapids
Hydro
  Green
Life
Garden
  Chlorophyll  Reno
Hydroponics
  Palm
Springs
Hydroponics
  Total 
Inventory $553,900  $1,453,100  $1,038,600  $1,441,000  $238,000  $465,500  $5,190,100 
Prepaids and other current assets  -       14,100   22,000   -       36,100 
Furniture and equipment  35,000   50,000   100,000   100,000   25,000   25,000   335,000 
Goodwill  696,900   2,376,900   2,305,900   2,596,100   516,300   554,000   9,046,100 
Total $1,285,800  $3,880,000  $3,458,600  $4,159,100  $779,300  $1,044,500  $14,607,300 

The table below represents the consideration paid for the net assets acquired in business combinations.

  Grow
World
LLC
  Grand
Rapids
Hydro
  Green
Life
Garden
  Chlorophyll  Reno
Hydroponics
  Palm
Springs
Hydroponics
  Total 
Cash $1,000,000  $2,350,000  $2,647,700  $3,659,100  $525,000  $800,000  $10,981,800 
Common stock  285,800   1,530,000   810,900   500,000   254,300   244,500   3,625,500 
Total $1,285,800  $3,880,000  $3,458,600  $4,159,100  $779,300  $1,044,500  $14,607,300 

The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments required undertable discloses the termsdate of the operating leases asacquisitions noted above and the revenue and earnings included in the consolidated income statement from the date of acquisition to the period ended December 31, 2016:2019.

 

 Year Ending December 31 Amount 
 2017 $476,182 
 2018  479,089 
 2019  437,745 
 2020  369,841 
 2021  332,937 
 Thereafter  81,162 
   $2,176,956 

  Grow
World
LLC
  Grand
Rapids
Hydro
  Green
Life
Garden
  Chlorophyll  Reno
Hydroponics
  Palm
Springs
Hydroponics
  Total 
Acquisition date 12/16/19  9/3/2019  5/14/2019  1/21/2019  2/11/2019  2/7/2019    
Revenue $153,900  $2,412,700  $4,829,800  $6,030,500  $2,106,900  $3,075,300  $18,609,100 
Earnings $6,400  $444,500  $998,700  $936,600  $366,742  $651,400  $3,404,342 

 

Rent expense under all operating leasesThe following represents the unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement as if the acquisitions had been included in the consolidated results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 20162018. These unaudited pro forma results are presented for information purposes only and 2015 was $306,115 and $105,269, respectively.are not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations of the combined company would have been if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor are they indicative of future results of operations.

  

12.OTHER COMMITMENTS

In May 2014, the Company entered into employment agreements with its CEO and President of the Company. The agreements require payment of monthly wages and benefits. These agreements expire May 2017.

  December 31,
2018
 
Revenue $59,650,900 
Earnings $(2,087,900)

 

F-18

GrowGeneration Corp. and SubsidiariesGROWGENERATION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20162019 and 20152018

 

13.15.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

  

On January 30, 2017,February 26, 2020 the Company entered into a commercial lease to rent certain premises located in Trinidad, Colorado, to be effective from March 1, 2017 to February 28, 2022. This 7,383 square feet premises is used by the Company to open a new store to replace and consolidate its existing 3,000 square feet store in Trinidad as part of the Company’s expansion plan.

On February 1, 2017, the Company entered into a commercial lease to rent certain 12,837 square feet premises located in Denver, Colorado, to be effective from February 1, 2017 to February 1, 2022. The premises is used by the Company to open a new store and as the Company’s principal offices.

On February 1, 2017, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowGeneration California Corp. (“GrowGeneration California”) entered into an asset purchase agreement (“Asset Purchase Agreement”) with an individual to purchase certain assets from the seller in connection with a retail hydroponic and garden supply business located in Santa Rosa, CA. The assets subject to the sale under the Asset Purchase Agreement included inventories, fixed assets, tangible personal property, intangible personal property, receivables and a custom list. In addition to the cash consideration for the purchase of such assets, GrowGeneration California also agreed to make certain cash payments and 25,000 shares of common stock of the Company to the seller contingent on the achievement of revenue goals by the business in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The closing of the asset purchase took place on February 8, 2017. In connection with the purchase ofpurchased the assets GrowGeneration California also entered into a commercial lease, to be effective from March 1, 2017 to February 28, 2022, to rent the premises where the business is located. We closed our existing store in Santa Rosaof Healthy Harvest LLC for $1,750,000 and consolidated it with a new store we opened in the new location.

On March 10, 2017, the Company closed a private placement of a total of 825,000 units of its securities to 4 accredited investors. Each unit consists of (i) one share250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1,102,500. Healthy Harvest has been in business since 2011 and (ii) one 5 year warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share. The Company raised an aggregate of $1,650,000 gross proceedsis the largest hydroponic operation in the offering.Southeast region.

 

On February 7, 2020, the Board approved the amendment and restatement of the 2018 Plan to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder from 2,500,000 to 5,000,000, which amendment is pending shareholder approval.

F-19

 


ITEM 9. CHANGES AND DISAGREEMENT WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

  

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to be effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute assurance of achieving the desired objectives. Also, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls is based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our chief executive officer and principalchief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 20162019 to cause the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods prescribed by SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Management'sManagement’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

 

This annual report does not include a reportAs required by the SEC rules and regulations for the implementation of management’s assessment regardingSection 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

In making the assessments on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessments and those criteria, management determined that we maintained effective internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.

This Report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm dueregarding internal control over financial reporting. As an emerging growth company, management’s report is not subject to a transition period establishedattestation by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for newlyour registered public companies.accounting firm.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2016,most recent fiscal quarter, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information.

 

None.None

 

21

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Other than provided below, the information required by Items 401, 405, 406 and 407 (c)(3); (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K is incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed within 120 days following December 31, 2019.

All directors of the Company hold office for one-year terms until the election and qualification of their successors. Officers are appointed by our board of directorsBoard and serve at the discretion of the board, subject to applicable employment agreements. The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and the members of our board of directors.Board.  

 

Name Age Position
Darren Lampert 5659 Chief Executive Officer and Director
Michael Salaman 5457 President and Director
Irwin LampertTony Sullivan 8555Chief Operating Officer, Executive VP
Monty Lamirato64 Chief Financial Officer Secretary and Director
Jason Dawson39Chief Operating OfficerSecretary
Stephen Aiello 5659 Director
Jody KanePeter Rosenberg 3657Director
Sean Stiefel32 Director

 

Darren Lampert has been our Chief Executive Officer and a Director since our inception in 2014. Mr. Lampert began his career in 1986 as a founding member of the law firm of Lampert and Lampert (1986-1999), where he concentrated on securities litigation, NASD (now FINRA) compliance and arbitration and corporate finance matters. Mr. Lampert has represented clients in actions and investigations brought before government agencies and self-regulatory bodies. Mr. Lampert has spent the past 15 years working as a portfolio manager and proprietary trader at Schonfeld Securities (1999-2005), Schottenfeld Group (2007) and Incremental Capital (2008-2010). From 2010 to 2014, Mr. Lampert was a private investor. Mr. Lampert graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Ithaca College. Mr. Lampert received a JD from Bridgeport University School of Law in 1985. Mr. Lampert was admitted to practice law in New York in 1986 and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

 

Michael Salaman has been our President and a Director since our inception. MichaelMr. Salaman served as the Chairman of Skinny Nutritional Corp. sincefrom January 2002 to March 2014 and as Chief Executive Officer and President of Skinny Nutritional Corp. sincefrom June 2010.2010 to March 2014. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Skinny Nutritional Corp. Skinny Nutritional Corp. filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2013 and the assets were sold to a private equity firm in March 2014. Mr. Salaman has over 20 years’ experience in the area of start-ups, new product development, distribution and marketing. Mr. Salaman began his business career as Vice President of Business Development for National Media Corp., an infomercial marketing company in the United States from 1985-1993. From 1995-2001, Mr. Salaman started ana Digital Media company called American Interactive Media, Inc., a developer of Web TV set-top boxes and ISP services. In 2002, Mr. Salaman became the principal officer of that entity and directed its operations as a marketing and distribution company and in 2005 focused its efforts in the enhanced water business. Mr. Salaman received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in business from Temple University in 1986.

 

Irwin LampertTony Sullivan has been our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and a Director since our inception. Mr. Lampert has been retired for over ten years. Mr. Lampert is a certified public accountant and attorney. He received a B.S. in Accounting from Brooklyn College and LLB from Brooklyn Law School. Irwin Lampert is the father of Darren Lampert. Mr. Lampert has indicated his intention to retire from all officer positions and as a director ofjoined the Company as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President in 2017. We are currently actively seekingNovember 2019. From 2017 to recently, Mr. Sullivan served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Forman Mills,new$300 million Private Equity sponsored business. From 2015 to 2017, he was Senior Vice President Operations for Dollar Express, a $500 million carve-out of 330 Family Dollar stores in 36 states, Private Equity sponsored business. From 2006 to 2015, he was employed at Anna’s Linens for 9+ years where he served in several operating roles, most recently as SVP, Chief Operating Officer. Previously Mr. Sullivan served for 20+ years at Foot Locker Inc. leading 2100 + stores, 3 Divisions (Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker and Foot Action) over $2.5B in sales as VP Store Operations. Mr. Sullivan is known and respected for his expertise in wide-range governance, hypergrowth, and macro-level strategic management methodologies, with an emphasis on identifying and addressing business infrastructure to position organizations for expansion and profitability. He has achieved outstanding success scaling businesses for rapid profits and market dominance in start-ups, private, PE-backed, and public companies with revenues up to $2.5 billion.


Monty Lamiratojoined the Company as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary in May 2017. From March 2009 to fill thejust prior to joining GrowGen, Mr. Lamirato worked as an independent consultant providing chief financial officer positions. We do not currently intendand financial reporting consulting services to appointcompanies of various sizes in a new directorvariety of industries. In this capacity, he prepared and reviewed SEC filings and GAAP-compliant financial statements, provided technical accounting assistance, designed and developed inventory and logistics systems for inventory management, developed scalable accounting and reporting systems, internal accounting controls and annual budgets and evaluated short-term investment alternatives for idle cash. From March 2013 until November 2016, Mr. Lamirato served as Chief Financial Officer of Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources, Inc., a publicly traded holding company that provides a wide range of environmental, renewable fuels and industrial waste stream management services, where he was responsible for all SEC filings, prepared all GAAP and SEC compliant financial statements and developed financial and operating metrics and other key performance indicators for evaluation of business results by management. Mr. Lamirato has also served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of ARC Group Worldwide, Inc. from June 2001 to replace the vacancy that will be created byMarch 2009, Vice President of Finance at GS2.net, LLC from November 2000 to May 2001, and also Vice President of Finance for PlanetOutdoors.com, Inc. from June 1999 to October 2000. He began his career as an audit staff member with Coopers & Lybrand in 1977, where he remained until he served as an Audit Manager and Audit Partner with Mitchell Finley and Company, P.C. from 1986 to 1993. Mr. Lampert’s retirement.Lamirato received a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, from Regis College in Denver and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Jason Dawson has been our Chief Operating Office since June 2014. Mr. Dawson is the founder of Pueblo Hydroponics, which he was the President of from 2008-2014. From 2003-2008, Mr. Dawson was Head of International Sales for Gualala Robotics, Inc. a lighting manufacturer. Mr. Dawson has over 15 years of experience in the gardening and hydroponic industries.

Steven Stephen Aiello has been a Director of the Company since May 2014. Mr. Aiello was a partner at Jones and Company from 2004-2008. From 2001-2003, he worked at 033 Asset Management. From 1986-2001, he was a partner at Montgomery Securities. Mr. Aiello received a B.A. in Psychology from Ithaca College and an MBA from Fordham University. Since 2010, Mr. Aiello has been a private investor and owner of real estate properties.

 

Jody KanePeter Rosenberg has been a Director of the Company since July 2017. He has about 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, specifically in leveraged finance, capital markets, strategic advisory, private equity and asset management. Throughout his career, he has executed capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring transactions. Mr. Rosenberg was previously with Duff & Phelps as a Managing Director in the Consumer and Retail Merger and Acquisitions Group. Prior to Duff & Phelps, Mr. Rosenberg was a Managing Director with Wells Fargo Securities, where he was responsible for sourcing and executing financing and mergers and acquisitions transactions for independent and financial sponsor-backed middle market companies. Previously, Mr. Rosenberg established and managed the San Francisco office for Barrington Associates, a boutique mergers and acquisitions advisory firm. At Barrington, he completed divestiture and recapitalization transactions in the consumer, retail, industrial and business services sectors and was responsible for coverage of middle market private equity firms. Prior to Barrington, Mr. Rosenberg was a Director at Salomon Smith Barney, focusing on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions transactions for West Coast consumer product, specialty retail, financial services and industrial companies. Mr. Rosenberg has also held positions at Richard C. Blum & Associates (now BLUM Capital) and Comann, Howard & Flamen. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado with a B.S. degree in Business and Administration and was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma academic honor society. Mr. Rosenberg holds Series 7, 24, and 63 securities industry registrations.

Sean Stiefel has been a Director of the Company since May 2014.January 2018. Mr. KaneStiefel founded Navy Capital LLC in 2014, where he is currently a Portfolio Manager and is responsible for all aspects of stock selection, investment due diligence and portfolio construction. Mr. Stiefel launched the Navy Capital Green Fund, LP in 2017 as a global public equity focused cannabis dedicated fund. Navy Capital has been involved in cannabis related investing since early 2016. Prior to founding Navy Capital, Mr. Stiefel was a Managing Partner at Diamond Bridgeresearch analyst and trader for Northwoods Capital from February 2009 through the date of this report and from 2005-2009, Mr. Kane was an analyst at Sidoti & Company LLCMr. Kane graduated from Troy University,Management Partners, a global equity fund with a B.S. in Finance in 2001.

22

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedingsfundamental value and special situations investment strategy. Mr. Stiefel had previously served as an associate within an equity long/short fund at Millennium Partners, and he began his career as an equities trading analyst for Barclays Capital. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Marshall school of Business.

 

To our knowledge, during the past ten years, none of our directors, executive officers, promoters, control persons, or nominees other than Michael Salaman (see biographical information of Michael Salaman above regarding the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection filed by Skinny Nutritional Corp. in 2013) has:

been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;

been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;

been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

Board Committees

The Company does not currently maintain a board of directors that is composed of a majority of “independent” directors. The Company does not expect to initially appoint an audit committee, nominating committee and/or compensation committee, or to adopt charters relative to each such committees.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have not adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. We have adopted an Insider Trading Policy which sets forth the procedure regarding trading by insiders in securities of the Company.

Limitation of Directors Liability and Indemnification

The Colorado Business Corporations Act authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate, subject to certain conditions, the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties.

23

We do not have director and officer liability insurance to cover liabilities our directors and officers may incur in connection with their services to us, including matters arising under the Securities Act, although we intend to acquire such insurance. Colorado law and our bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers who, by reason of the fact that he or she is one of our officers or directors, is involved in a legal proceeding of any nature.

There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees or agents in which indemnification will be required or permitted. We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for such indemnification.

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide for indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines and penalties actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnitee in connection with threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or other proceedings, subject to certain limitations. The indemnification agreements also provide for the advancement of expenses in connection with a proceeding prior to a final, nonappealable judgment or other adjudication, provided that the indemnitee provides an undertaking to repay to us any amounts advanced if the indemnitee is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification by us. The indemnification agreements set forth procedures for making and responding to a request for indemnification or advancement of expenses, as well as dispute resolution procedures that will apply to any dispute between us and an indemnitee arising under the indemnification agreements.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

The following table presents information regardingrequired by Item 402 of Regulation S-K is incorporated into this Annual Report Form 10-K by reference to the total compensation awardedDefinitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to earned by, or paid to our chief executive officer and the three most highly-compensated executive officers (other than the chief executive officer) who were serving as executive officers as of March 31, 2017 for services rendered in all capacities to us for the years endedbe filed within 120 days following December 31, 2016 and 2015.2019.

Name and Principal Position(1)  Year  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Option Awards
($)
   Non-equity 
incentive plan compensation
($)
  Change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings 
($)
  All Other Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 
Darren Lampert  2016   125,500   0   0   0   0   0   125,500 
Chief Executive Officer  2015   88,000   0   0   0   0   0   88,000 
                                 
Michael Salaman  2016   125,500   0   0   0   0   0   125,500 
President and Secretary  2015   88,000   0   0   0   0   0   88,000 
                                 
Jason Dawson  2016   92,050   0   0   0   0   0   92,050 
Chief Operating Officer  2015   83,125   0   0   0   0   0   83,125 
                                 
Irwin Lampert  2016   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary  2015   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 

(1)Darren Lampert and Michael Salaman began receiving salary in August 2015.  

24

Employment and Consulting Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with Darren Lampert and Michael Salaman, who have each agreed to devote their full time and attention to our business. We have no employment agreement with Irwin Lampert, who has agreed to devote such time to the Company’s business as he deems necessary in his sole discretion. Darren Lampert and Michael Salaman each receive compensation of $120,000 per annum for their full time employment. Additionally, each member of Management may receive a year-end cash bonus and options as determined by our Board of Directors. In February 2015, we  entered into a three year employment agreement with Jason Dawson, our Chief Operating Officer, pursuant to which we pay Mr. Dawson compensation of $84,000 per annum, subject to a 10% increase each January 1 during the term of the agreement. Mr. Dawson will also be entitled to receive 100,000 common shares per year, on each of the anniversary dates of his employment agreement.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

The following table summarizes, for each of the named executive officers, the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding stock options held as of March 31, 2017.

  Option Awards   
Name Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
exercisable
  Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
unexercisable
  Option
exercise
price ($)1
  Option
expiration
date
Darren Lampert  650,000   0  $.66/$.60  March 16, 2019
as to 400,000 
options and May 12,
2019 as to 
250,000 options
Michael Salaman  400,000   0  $.66/$.60  March 6, 2019
Jason Dawson  200,000   0  $.66/$.60  March 30, 2019
Irwin Lampert  400,000   0  $.66/$.60  March 16, 2019

The first $100,000 of options granted to each of the above persons may be deemed to be incentive stock options and are exercisable at a price of $.66 per share. The balance of the options owned by such persons may be deemed to be non-qualified options and are exercisable at a price of $.60 per share.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN

General

On March 6, 2014 our Board of Directors adopted an Equity Compensation Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan was approved by the stockholders on March 6, 2014.

The general purpose of the 2014 Plan is to provide an incentive to our employees, directors, consultants and advisors by enabling them to share in the future growth of our business. Our Board of Directors believes that the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards and similar kinds of equity-based compensation promotes continuity of management and increases incentive and personal interest in the welfare of our Company by those who are primarily responsible for shaping and carrying out our long range plans and securing our growth and financial success.

Our Board of Directors believes that the 2014 Plan will advance our interests by enhancing our ability to (a) attract and retain employees, consultants, directors and advisors who are in a position to make significant contributions to our success; (b) reward our employees, consultants, directors and advisors for these contributions; and (c) encourage employees, consultants, directors and advisors to take into account our long-term interests through ownership of our shares.

25

Description of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan

The following description of the principal terms of the 2014 Plan is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2014 Plan, which was attached as Exhibit 10.5 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on November 9, 2015.

AdministrationThe 2014 Plan will be administered by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors may grant options to purchase shares of our common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted or unrestricted shares of our common stock, performance shares, performance units, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. The Board of Directors also has broad authority to determine the terms and conditions of each option or other kind of equity award, adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the 2014 Plan and amend or modify outstanding options, grants and awards. The Board of Directors may delegate authority to the chief executive officer and/or other executive officers to grant options and other awards to employees (other than themselves), subject to applicable law and the 2014 Plan. No options, stock purchase rights or awards may be made under the Plan on or after the ten year anniversary of the adoption of the 2014 Plan by our Board of Directors, but the 2014 Plan will continue thereafter while previously granted options, stock appreciation rights or awards remain subject to the 2014 Plan.

EligibilityPersons eligible to receive options, stock appreciation rights or other awards under the 2014 Plan are those employees, consultants, advisors and directors of our Company and our subsidiaries who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are in a position to contribute to our success.

Shares Subject to the 2014 PlanThe aggregate number of shares of common stock available for issuance in connection with options and awards granted under the 2014 Plan is 2,500,000, subject to customary adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the 2014 Plan with respect to all of those shares. If any option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2014 Plan terminates without having been exercised in full or if any award is forfeited, or if shares of common stock are withheld to cover withholding taxes on options or other awards, the number of shares of common stock as to which such option or award was forfeited, or which were withheld, will be available for future grants under the 2014 Plan. No employee, consultant, advisor or director may receive options or stock appreciation rights relating to more than 1,000,000 shares of our common stock in the aggregate in any calendar year.

Terms and Conditions of OptionsOptions granted under the 2014 Plan may be either “incentive stock options” that are intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or “nonstatutory stock options” that do not meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Board of Directors will determine the exercise price of options granted under the 204 Plan. The exercise price of stock options may not be less than the fair market value, on the date of grant, per share of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the option (or 110% of fair market value in the case of incentive options granted to a ten-percent stockholder).

If on the date of grant the common stock is listed on a stock exchange or is quoted on the automated quotation system of Nasdaq, the fair market value shall generally be the closing sale price on the last trading day before the date of grant. If no such prices are available, the fair market value shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors based on the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method.

26

No option may be exercisable for more than ten years (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a ten-percent stockholder) from the date of grant. Options granted under the 2014 Plan will be exercisable at such time or times as the Board of Directors prescribes at the time of grant. No employee may receive incentive stock options that first become exercisable in any calendar year in an amount exceeding $100,000. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, permit a holder of an option to exercise the option before it has otherwise become exercisable, in which case the shares of our common stock issued to the recipient will continue to be subject to the vesting requirements that applied to the option before exercise.

Generally, the option price may be paid (a) in cash or by certified bank check, (b) through delivery of shares of our common stock having a fair market value equal to the purchase price, or (c) a combination of these methods. The Board of Directors is also authorized to establish a cashless exercise program and to permit the exercise price (or tax withholding obligations) to be satisfied by reducing from the shares otherwise issuable upon exercise a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the exercise price.

No option may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during a recipient’s lifetime an option may be exercised only by the recipient. However, the Board of Directors may permit the holder of an option, stock appreciation right or other award to transfer the option, right or other award to immediate family members or a family trust for estate planning purposes. The Board of Directors will determine the extent to which a holder of a stock option may exercise the option following termination of service with us.

Stock Appreciation Rights. The Board of Directors may grant stock appreciation rights independent of or in connection with an option. The Board of Directors will determine the other terms applicable to stock appreciation rights. The exercise price per share of a stock appreciation right will be determined by the Board of Directors, but will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board of Directors. The maximum term of any SAR granted under the 2014 Plan is ten years from the date of grant. Generally, each SAR stock appreciation right will entitle a participant upon exercise to an amount equal to:

the excess of the fair market value on the exercise date of one share of our common stock over the exercise price, multiplied by
the number of shares of common stock covered by the stock appreciation right.

Payment may be made in shares of our common stock, in cash, or partly in common stock and partly in cash, all as determined by the Board of Directors.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock UnitsThe Board of Directors may award restricted common stock and/or restricted stock units under the 2014 Plan. Restricted stock awards consist of shares of stock that are transferred to a participant subject to restrictions that may result in forfeiture if specified conditions are not satisfied. Restricted stock units confer the right to receive shares of our common stock, cash, or a combination of shares and cash, at a future date upon or following the attainment of certain conditions specified by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each award of restricted stock or restricted stock units, which may include performance-based conditions. Dividends with respect to restricted stock may be paid to the holder of the shares as and when dividends are paid to stockholders or at the time that the restricted stock vests, as determined by the Board of Directors. Dividend equivalent amounts may be paid with respect to restricted stock units either when cash dividends are paid to stockholders or when the units vest. Unless the Board of Directors determines otherwise, holders of restricted stock will have the right to vote the shares.

Performance Shares and Performance UnitsThe Board of Directors may award performance shares and/or performance units under the 2014 Plan. Performance shares and performance units are awards, denominated in either shares or U.S. dollars, which are earned during a specified performance period subject to the attainment of performance criteria, as established by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each award of performance shares and performance units.

Effect of Certain Corporate TransactionsThe Board of Directors may, at the time of the grant of an award, provide for the effect of a change in control (as defined in the 2014 Plan) on any award, including (i) accelerating or extending the time periods for exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from any award, (ii) eliminating or modifying the performance or other conditions of an award, or (iii) providing for the cash settlement of an award for an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion and without the need for the consent of any recipient of an award, also take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of a change in control: (a) cause any or all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights to become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part; (b) cause any other awards to become non-forfeitable, in whole or in part; (c) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for a substitute option; (d) cancel any award of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares or performance units in exchange for a similar award of the capital stock of any successor corporation; (e) redeem any restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance share or performance unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted share of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (f) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration based on the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control , and cancel any option or stock appreciation right without any payment if its exercise price exceeds the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control; or (g) make such other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding awards as the Board of Directors deems necessary or appropriate.

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Amendment, Termination. The Board of Directors may amend the terms of awards in any manner not inconsistent with the 2014 Plan, provided that no amendment shall adversely affect the rights of a participant with respect to an outstanding award without the participant’s consent. In addition, our board of directors may at any time amend, suspend, or terminate the 2014 Plan, provided that (i) no such amendment, suspension or termination shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant under any outstanding award without the consent of such participant and (ii) to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable law or stock exchange rule, the 2014 Plan requires us to obtain stockholder consent. Stockholder approval is required for any plan amendment that increases the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2014 Plan or changes the persons or classes of persons eligible to receive awards.

Tax Withholding

As and when appropriate, we shall have the right to require each optionee purchasing shares of common stock and each grantee receiving an award of shares of common stock under the 2014 Plan to pay any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld.

Option Grants and Stock Awards

The grant of options and other awards under the 2014 Plan is discretionary, and we cannot determine now the specific number or type of options or awards to be granted in the future to any particular person or group.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The following table sets forth the numberinformation required by Item 201(d) and Item 403 of shares of common stock beneficially owned as of March 31, 2017 by:

each of our stockholders who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our common stock;
each of our executive officers;
each of our directors; and
all of our directors and current executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownershipRegulation S-K is determined based on the rules and regulations of the Commission. A person has beneficial ownership of shares if such individual has the power to vote and/or dispose of shares. This power may be sole or shared and direct or indirect. Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on the total of 12,561,406 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2017. In computing the number of shares beneficially ownedincorporated into this Annual Report Form 10-K by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock that are subject to options or warrants held by that person and exercisable as of, or within 60 days of, March 31, 2017. These shares, however, are not counted as outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person(s). Except as may be indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and dispositive power with respectreference to the sharesDefinitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of common stock set forth opposite that person’s name. Unless indicated below, the address of each individual listed below is c/o GrowGeneration Corp., 1000 W Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 80233.

Name of Beneficial Owner Number of  Shares  Beneficially Owned  Percentage of Shares  Beneficially Owned 
Michael Salaman  2,400,0001  19.11%
Darren Lampert  2,400,0001  19.11%
Irwin Lampert  1,650,0001  13.14%
Jason Dawson  400,0001  3.18%
Jody Kane  60,0001 2 4  * 
Stephen Aiello  200,0001 2 3  1.59%
All Officers and Directors (6)  7,110,000   56.60%

* Less than 1%

Includes 400,000 options issued to Michael Salaman, 650,000 options issued to Darren Lampert, 400,000 options issued to Irwin Lampert; 200,000 options issued to Jason Dawson, 50,000 options issued to Stephen Aiello and 50,000 options issued to Jody Kane under our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan. The first $100,000 of options issued to each of the above persons are intendedShareholders to be ISOs and are exercisable at a price of $.66 per share. The balance of the options are NSOs and are exercisable at a price of $.60 per share.

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Represents 50,000 shares of common stock purchased in the Company’s 2014 Private Placement at $.60 per share.

Represents 50,000 shares of common stock and 50,000 shares of common stock underlying warrants purchased in the Company’s 2016 Private Placement at $.70 per share.

4 Duringfiled within 120 days following December 2016, Jody Kane sold a total of 40,000 shares of common stock on the open market.31, 2019.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Unless described below, since March 5, 2014 (inception), there are no transactions or seriesThe information required by Items 404 and 407(a) of similar transactionsRegulation S-K is incorporated into this Annual Report Form 10-K by reference to which we were a party or willthe Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be a party, in which:filed within 120 days following December 31, 2019.

the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and
any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Connolly Grady & Cha served as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2016 and 2015.  The following table shows the fees that were billed for the audit and other services providedinformation required by Item 9(e) of Schedule 14A is incorporated into this firm for 2016 and 2015.

  2016  2015 
Audit Fees $35,000  $35,000 
Audit-Related Fees $-0-  $-0- 
Tax Fees $-0-  $-0- 
All Other Fees $5,000  $5,000 
Total $40,000  $40,000 

Audit Fees — This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports onAnnual Report Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided10-K by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial statements.

Audit-Related Fees — This category consists of assurance and related services by the independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably relatedreference to the performanceDefinitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees.” The services for the fees disclosed under this category include consultation regarding our correspondence with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other accounting consulting.Shareholders to be filed within 120 days following December 31, 2019. 


Tax Fees — This category consists of professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance and tax advice. The services for the fees disclosed under this category include tax return preparation and technical tax advice.

All Other Fees — This category consists of fees for other miscellaneous items.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a procedure for pre-approval of all fees charged by our independent registered public accounting firm.  Under the procedure, the Board approves the engagement letter with respect to audit, tax and review services.  Other fees are subject to pre-approval by the Board, or, in the period between meetings, by a designated member of Board.  Any such approval by the designated member is disclosed to the entire Board at the next meeting.  The audit and tax fees paid to the auditors with respect to 2016 were pre-approved by the entire Board of Directors.

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

Exhibit No.Description
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of GrowGeneration Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
   
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of GrowGeneration Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.23(ii) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as8-K filed on November 9, 2015)March 11, 2020
   
4.1 Form of Investor Warrant for private placement in March 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.199.2 to the Registration StatementCurrent Report on Form S-18-K as filed on November 9, 2015)  March 16, 2017)
   
4.2 Form of Investor Warrant for second 2017 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on May 19, 2017)
4.3Form of Placement Agent Warrant issued to Cavu Securities LLC($2.75 Per Share) for second 2017 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.299.4 to the Registration StatementCurrent Report on Form S-18-K as filed on November 9, 2015)May 19, 2017)
4.4Form of .1% Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note for private placement in January 2018 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on January 12, 2018)
4.5Form of Warrant for private placement in January 2018 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on January 12, 2018)
4.6Form of Promissory Note issued to Santa Rosa Hydroponics & Grower Supply, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on July 16, 2018)
   
10.1 Placement Agency Agreement, dated March 12, 2015, between of GrowGeneration Corp. and Cavu Securities LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.2Form of Subscription Agreement for GrowGeneration Corp.’s 2014 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.3Form of Subscription Agreement for GrowGeneration Corp.’s 2015 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.4Form of Subscription Agreement for GrowGeneration Corp.’s second 2015 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.5GrowGeneration Corp. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)

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10.610.2 Form of GrowGeneration Corp. Stock Option Agreement in connection with the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.3GrowGeneration Corp. Amended and Restated 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (Filed herewith)
10.4Form of GrowGeneration Corp. Stock Option Agreement in connection with the Amended and Restated 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (Filed herewith)


10.5Form of Securities Purchase Agreement for first 2017 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on March 16, 2017)
10.6Form of Subscription Agreement for second 2017 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on May 19, 2017)
   
10.7 EmploymentForm of Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 12, 2014 between of GrowGeneration Corp. and Darren Lampertfor 2018 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.799.1 to the Registration StatementCurrent Report on Form S-18-K as filed on November 9, 2015)January 12, 2018)
   
10.8 EmploymentForm of Supplement to Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 12, 2104, between of GrowGeneration Corp. and Michael Salamanfor 2018 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.899.2 to the Registration StatementCurrent Report on Form S-18-K as filed on November 9, 2015)January 12, 2018)
   
10.9 EmploymentForm of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 23, 2015, between ofApril 12, 2018, by and among GrowGeneration, Corp., GrowGeneration Michigan Corp. and Jason Dawson (IncorporatedSuperior Growers Supply, Inc.(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.999.1 to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration StatementCurrent Report on Form S-18-K as filed on May 11, 2016)April 16, 2018)
   
10.10 Form of Securities Purchase Agreement for second 2018 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on May 9, 2018)
10.11Form of Side Letter by and between GrowGeneration Corp. and Gotham Green Fund 1, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on May 9, 2018)
10.12Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on May 9, 2018)
10.13Form of Indemnification Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.11Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 14, 2014 between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Southern Colorado Garden Supply Corp. (d/b/a Pueblo Hydroponics) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on June 15, 2016)
10.12Inventory Purchase Agreement dated May 10, 2015 between Grow Generation Pueblo Corp. and Happy Grow Lucky, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on May 11, 2016)
10.13Inventory Purchase Agreement dated April 10, 2015 between Grow Generation Pueblo Corp. and Green Growers Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on May 11, 2016)
   
10.14 Inventory Purchase Agreement dated October 28, 2015 between GrowGeneration California Corp. and Sweet Leaf Hydroponics, Inc. dba Mad Max Hydroponics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on May 11, 2016)
10.15Lease, effective as of June 1, 2014, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Sunshine Properties. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.16Lease, effective as of May 27, 2014, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Joe and Renee Prutch. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.17Lease, effective as of June 1, 2014, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Jannie Coyne. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.18Lease, effective as of May 27, 2014, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Larry Schreder. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.19Lease, effective as of June 11, 2015 by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Bill and Bonnie Holland. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.20Lease, effective as of August 7, 2105, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Colorado Place Center (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)

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10.21Lease, effective as of December 1, 2014, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and PurRecycling Corporation dba Terra Firma Recycling/Fund. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.22Lease, effective as of February 1, 2016, by and between GrowGeneration California Corp. and David Cates (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on May 11, 2016)
10.23Consulting Agreement with Merida Capital Partners, LP, dated April 10, 2015 by and between GrowGeneration Corp. and Duane Nunez (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.24Consulting Agreement dated May 10, 2015 by and between Grow Generation Pueblo Corp. and Lindsay Schmitt and Cody Schmitt (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.25Consulting Agreement dated October 28, 2105 by and between GrowGeneration California Corp. and Troy Sowers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)
10.26Lease, dated as of January 25, 2016, by and between GrowGeneration Corp. and The Henry Fund LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on May 11, 2016)
10.27Inventory Purchase Agreement dated November 28, 2015 between Grow Generation Pueblo Corp. and Greenhouse Tech Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on May 11, 2016)
10.28Form of Subscription Agreement for GrowGeneration Corp.’s 201 6 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on May 11, 2016)
10.29Commercial Lease, dated July 16, 2016, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Sierra Services Group LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on July 27, 2016)
10.30Commercial Lease, dated July 19, 2016, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Platt River Drive, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on July 27, 2016)
10.31Commercial Lease, dated  September 27, 2016, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Claudine L. Williams, Trustee for the Harlan H. Williams Trust (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on October 5, 2016)
10.32Commercial Lease, dated November 14, 2016, by and between GrowGeneration Nevada Corp. and Middlefork Holdings LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 22, 2016)
10.33Commercial Lease, dated January 30, 2017, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and D.F. Nickerson LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on February 1, 2017)
10.34Commercial Lease, dated February 1, 2017, by and between GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Manchester Commercial Holdings, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on February 1, 2017)
10.35Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 1, 2017, by and among GrowGeneration Corp., GrowGeneration California Corp., and Morgan Pagenkopf (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on February 14, 2017)

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10.36Commercial Lease, dated February 1, 2017, by and between GrowGeneration California Corp. and Andrew Brown (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on February 14, 2017)
10.37Form of Securities Purchase Agreement for GrowGeneration Corp.’s private placement in March3, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on March 16,April 5, 2017)
   
10.3810.15 Form of Warrant for GrowGeneration Corp.’s private placement in MarchSeparation and Release Agreement with Jason Dawson, dated April 10, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on MarchApril 14, 2017)


10.16Form of Revised Asset Purchase Agreement, dated June 28, 2018, by and among GrowGeneration Corp., Santa Rosa Hydroponics & Grower Supply Inc., Rick Barretta and Jason Barretta(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on July 16, 2017)2018)
   
10.17Form of Amendment to Revised Asset Purchase Agreement, dated July 13, 2018(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on July 16, 2018)
10.18Form of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 30, 2018, by and among GrowGeneration Corp., GrowGeneration HG Corp. and Virgus, Inc. d/b/a/ Heavy Gardens (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on September 20, 2018)
10.19Form of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 28, 2018, by and among GrowGeneration Corp., GrowGeneration Pueblo Corp. and Chlorophyll, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on January 22, 2019)
10.20Form of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 26, 2019, by and among GrowGeneration Corp., GrowGeneration California Corp. and Palm Springs Hydroponics, Inc.(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on February 12, 2019)
10.21Form of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated January 26, 2019, by and among GrowGeneration Corp., GrowGeneration Nevada Corp. and Reno Hydroponics, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on February 12, 2019)
10.22Form of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated April 23, 2019, by and among GrowGeneration Corp., GrowGeneration Rhode Island Corp. and GreenLife Garden Supply Corp (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on May 14, 2019)
10.23Form of Subscription Agreement for 2019 private placement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on June 26, 2019)
10.24Form of Subscription Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on June 26, 2019)
10.25Employment Agreement dated November 4, 2019 between GrowGeneration Corp and Tony Sullivan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 10-Q as filed on November 12, 2019)
10.26

Form of Employment Agreement dated November 5, 2019 between GrowGeneration Corp and Monty Lamirato (Filed herewith)

10.27Form of Employment Agreement dated March 23, 2020 between GrowGeneration Corp and Darren Lampert (Filed herewith)
10.28Form of Employment Agreement dated March 23, 2020 between GrowGeneration Corp and Michael Salaman (Filed herewith)
14.1Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Officers, Directors and Employees (Filed herewith)


21.1 List of Subsidiaries of GrowGeneration Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on November 9, 2015)(Filed herewith)
23.1Consent of Connolly Grady & Cha, P.C. (Filed herewith)
99.1Charter of Audit Committee (Filed herewith)
99.2Charter of Compensation Committee (Filed herewith)
99.3Charter of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Filed herewith)
   
101.INS XBRL Instance Document (Filed herewith.)
   
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (Filed herewith.)
   
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (Filed herewith.)
   
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (Filed herewith.)
   
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (Filed herewith.)
   
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Definition (Filed herewith.)
   
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of ChiefPrincipal Executive Officer (Filed herewith.)
   
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer (Filed herewith.)
   
32.1 Section 1350 Certification of ChiefPrincipal Executive Officer (Filed herewith.)
   
32.2 Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer (Filed herewith.)

  

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on March 31, 2017.27, 2020.

 

 GROWGENERATION CORP.
  
 By:/s/ Darren Lampert
  Name:Darren Lampert
  Title: Chief Executive Officer (Principal
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
 By:/s/ Irwin LampertMonty Lamirato
  Name: Irwin LampertMonty Lamirato
  Title: Chief Financial Officer (Principal
(Principal Financial Officer)

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that we, the undersigned officers and directors GrowGeneration Corp., a Colorado corporation (the “Registrant”), do hereby constitute and appoint Darren Lampert and Irwin Lampert,Monty Lamirato, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Person Capacity Date
     
/s/ Darren Lampert Chief Executive Officer and Director March 31, 201727, 2020
Darren Lampert (Principal Executive Officer)  
     
/s/ Irwin LampertMonty Lamirato Chief Financial Officer March 31, 201727, 2020
Irwin LampertMonty Lamirato (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)  
     
/s/ Michael Salaman President and Director March 31, 201727, 2020
Michael Salaman    
     
/s/ Stephen Aiello Director March 31, 201727, 2020
Stephen Aiello    
     
/s/ Jody KanePeter Rosenberg Director March 31, 201727, 2020
Jody KanePeter Rosenberg
/s/ Sean StiefelDirectorMarch 27, 2020
Sean Stiefel    

 

 

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