Maison Solutions Inc
For the period ended Jan 31, 2024. Filed Mar 18, 2024.
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Jan 31, 2024 · Filed Mar 18, 2024
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Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1. Organization
Maison Solutions Inc. (“Maison”, the “Company”, and formerly known as “Maison International Inc.”) was founded on July 24, 2019 as an Illinois corporation with its principal place of business in California. In September 2021, the Company was redomiciled in the State of Delaware as a corporation registered under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Immediately upon formation, the Company acquired three retail Asian supermarkets with two brands (Good Fortune and Hong Kong Supermarkets) in Los Angeles, California and rebranded them as “HK Good Fortune Supermarkets.” Upon completion of these acquisitions, these entities became controlled subsidiaries of the Company (hereafter collectively referred to as “Maison Group”).
| ● | In July 2019, the Company purchased 91% of the equity interests in Good Fortune Supermarket San Gabriel, LP (“Maison San Gabriel”) and 85.25% of the equity interests in Good Fortune Supermarket of Monrovia, LP (“Maison Monrovia”), each of which owns a Good Fortune Supermarket. |
| ● | In October 2019, the Company purchased 91.67% of the equity interests in Super HK of El Monte, Inc. (“Maison El Monte”), which owns a Hong Kong Supermarket. |
| ● | On June 30, 2022, the Company purchased 100% equity interest in GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. (“Maison Monterey Park”), the legal entity holding a supermarket in Monterey Park. |
The Company, through its four subsidiaries, engages in the specialty grocery retailer business. The Company is a fast-growing specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise to U.S. consumers, in particular to Asian-American communities.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
The interim consolidated financial information as of January 31, 2024 and for the three and nine months periods ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures, which are normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The interim consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, previously filed with the SEC on August 1, 2023..
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include all significant normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s interim consolidated financial position as of January 31, 2024, its interim consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, as applicable, have been made. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and, when applicable, entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Noncontrolling interests
The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation,” governing the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCI be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability, that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially-owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to noncontrolling interests even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance.
The net income attributed to NCI was separately designated in the accompanying statements of operations. Losses attributable to NCI in a subsidiary may exceed a NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to NCI is attributed to those interests. NCIs shall continue to be attributed their share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCIs balance.
As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, the Company had NCIs of $359,573 and $267,947, respectively, which represent 9% of the equity interest of Maison San Gabriel,14.75% of the equity interest of Maison Monrovia and 8.33% of the equity interest of Maison El Monte. For the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had net income of $13,398 and $217,997, respectively, that were attributable to NCIs. For the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had net income of $91,626 and $307,655, respectively, that were attributable to NCIs.
Liquidity
As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company had accumulated deficit of $39,718 at January 31, 2024. The Company had net loss attributable to the Company of $548,954 and net income of $988,474 for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company had net loss attributable to the Company of $562,428 and net income of $920,626 for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The management plans to increase its revenue by strengthening its sales force, providing attractive sales incentive programs, recruiting experienced industry-related managerial personnel, and increasing marketing and promotion activities. Management also intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering, or by obtaining loans from banks or others.
The Company had $9.4 million cash on hand and working capital of $8.04 million at January 31, 2024. The Company has historically funded its working capital needs primarily from operations. The working capital requirements are affected by the efficiency of operations and depend on the Company’s ability to increase its revenue. The Company believes that its cash on hand and operating cash flows will be sufficient to fund its operations over at least the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these financial statements. However, the Company may need additional cash resources in the future if the Company experiences changed business conditions or other developments and may also need additional cash resources in the future if the Company wishes to pursue opportunities for investment, acquisition, strategic cooperation or other similar actions. If it is determined that the cash requirements exceed the Company’s amounts of cash on hand, the Company may seek to issue debt or equity securities or obtain a credit facility.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Significant accounting estimates are used for, but not limited to, useful lives of property and equipment, commitments and contingencies, inventory reserve, allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts receivable and other receivables, impairment of long-lived assets, contract liabilities and valuation of deferred tax assets.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cash investments that are highly liquid in nature and have original maturities when purchased of three months or less. The Company’s cash is maintained at financial institutions in the United States of America. Deposits in these financial institutions may, from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)’s federally insured limits. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. The bank deposits exceeding the standard insurance amount will not be covered. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, cash balances held in the banks, exceeding the standard insurance amount, are $8,656,626 and $1,819,766, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in accounts held in these financial institutions and believes it is not exposed to any risks on its cash held in these financial institutions.
Cash from operating, investing and financing activities of the consolidated statement of cash flows are net of assets and liabilities acquired of Maison Monterey Park.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash is an amount of cash deposited with banks in conjunction with borrowings from banks. Restriction on the use of such cash and the interest earned thereon is imposed by the banks and remains effective throughout the terms of the bank borrowings and notes payable. Restricted cash is classified as non-current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, as all the balances are not expected to be released to cash within the next 12 months. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, the Company had restricted cash of $1,101 and $1,101, respectively.
Accounts receivable
The Company’s accounts receivable arises from product sales. The Company does not adjust its receivables for the effects of a significant financing component at contract inception if it expects to collect the receivables in one year or less from the time of sale. The Company does not expect to collect receivables greater than one year from the time of sale.
The Company’s policy is to maintain an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, there was no allowance for the doubtful accounts.
Accounts receivable — related parties
Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables from related parties on 30-day credit terms and are presented net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company periodically assesses its accounts receivable for collectability on a specific identification basis. If collectability of an account becomes unlikely, an allowance is recorded for that doubtful account. Once collection efforts have been exhausted, the accounts receivable is written off against the allowance. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, there was no allowance for the doubtful accounts.
Inventories, net
Inventories consisting of products available for sale are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires the Company to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. The Company records inventory shrinkage based on the historical data and management’s estimates and provides a reserve for inventory shrinkage for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.
Prepayments
Prepayments are mainly comprised of cash deposited and advanced to suppliers for future inventory purchases and services to be performed. This amount is refundable and bears no interest. For any prepayments that management determines will not be in receipts of inventories, services, or refundable, the Company recognizes an allowance account to reserve such balances. Management reviews its prepayments on a regular basis to determine if the allowance is adequate and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written-off against allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, the Company had made prepayments to its vendors of $20,000 and $1,547,243, respectively. The Company’s management continues to evaluate the reasonableness of the allowance policy and update it if necessary.
Other receivables and other current assets
Other receivables and other current assets primarily include non-interest-bearing loans of the other business entities. Management regularly reviews the aging of receivables and changes in payment trends and records allowances when management believes collection of amounts due are at risk. Accounts considered uncollectable are written off against allowances after exhaustive efforts at collection are made. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, the Company did not have any bad debt allowance for other receivables.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets.
The following table includes the estimated useful lives of certain of our asset classes:
| Furniture & fixtures | 5 – 10 years |
|---|---|
| Leasehold improvements | Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the assets |
| Equipment | 5 –10 years |
| Automobiles | 5 years |
The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred, while additions, renewals and betterments, which are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment, intangible assets with finite lives, and operating lease right-of-use assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is generally determined using the asset’s expected future discounted cash flows or market value, if readily determinable.
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company conducts its long-lived asset impairment analyses in accordance with ASC 360-10-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” ASC 360-10-15 requires the Company to group assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities and evaluate the asset group against the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows. If the undiscounted cash flows do not indicate the carrying amount of the asset is recoverable, an impairment charge is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group asset group exceeds its fair value based on discounted cash flow analysis or appraisals. There was no impairment of long-lived assets for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.
Security deposits
Security deposits primarily include deposits made to the Company’s landlord for its supermarkets and office facilities. These deposits are refundable upon expiration of the lease.
Long-term investment
Cost method investment
The Company accounts for investments with less than 20% of the voting shares and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee using the cost method. The Company elects the measurements alternative and records investment in equity securities at the historical cost in its consolidated financial statements and subsequently records any dividends received from the net accumulated earrings of the investee as income. Dividends received in excess of earnings are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reduction in the cost of the investments.
In May 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Inc., a grocery trading company, for $162,665 from DC Holding CA, Inc. DC Holding CA, Inc. is 100% owned by John Xu, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President of the Company. See Note 12 — “Related party balances and transactions”.
In December 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc, the legal entity holding the store for $40,775 from Ms. Grace Xu, the sole shareholder of HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. and a related party as the spouse of Mr. John Xu, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President of the Company. See Note 12 — “Related party balances and transactions”.
Effective on December 14, 2023, the Company purchased 10% equity interest in TMA Liquor Inc., a liquor wholesale company, for $100,000. The Company paid $75,000 as of January 31, 2024.
Equity method investment
On June 27, 2023, the Company invested $1,440,000 for 40% equity interest in HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC (“HKGF Arcadia”). On December 6, 2023, the Company invested additional $360,000 for another 10% equity interest in HKGF Arcadia, which resulted in a total of 50% equity interest in HKGF Arcadia by Maison. See Note 7 — “Equity method investment”. The Company has determined that HKGF Arcadia is not a VIE and has evaluated its consolidation analysis under the voting interest model. Because the Company does not own greater than 50% of the outstanding voting shares, either directly or indirectly, it has accounted for its investment in HKGF Arcadia under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the investor (“Maison”) recognizes its share of the profits and losses of the investee (“HKGF Arcadia”) in the periods when these profits and losses are also reflected in the accounts of the investee. Any profit or loss recognized by the investor appears in its income statement, any recognized profit increases the investment recorded by the investor, while a recognized loss decreases the investment.
Investment in equity securities is evaluated for impairment when facts or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the long-term investments is less than its carrying value. An impairment is recognized when a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not limited to, the: (i) nature of the investment; (ii) cause and duration of the impairment; (iii) extent to which fair value is less than cost; (iv) financial condition and near-term prospects of the investments; and (v) ability to hold the security for a period sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. No event had occurred and indicated that other-than-temporary impairment existed and therefore the Company did not record any impairment charges for its investments for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment, annually or more frequently when circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Impairment testing is performed at a reporting unit level.
Generally, the Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If factors indicate that this is the case, the Company then estimates the fair value of the related reporting unit determined using discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the DCF analysis to forecast operating cash flows, including the discount rate, the internal rate of return and projections of realizations and costs to produce. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the fair values of its reporting units are estimated.
If the fair value is less than the carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is determined to be impaired and the Company will record an impairment equal to the excess of the carrying value over its fair value. The Company did not record any impairment loss during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.
Leases
On May 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Lease (FASB ASC Topic 842). The adoption of ASC Topic 842 resulted in the presentation of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 13 — “Leases” for additional information.
The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract under ASC Topic 842. At the commencement of each lease, management determines its classification as an operating or finance lease. For leases that qualify as operating leases, ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of any remaining lease payments over the lease term. For this purpose, the Company considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of its leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU assets include adjustments for accrued lease payments. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to commencement and is recorded net of any lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options.
A short-term lease is defined as a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. When determining whether a lease qualifies as a short-term lease, the Company evaluates the lease term and the purchase option. Hence, the Company does not recognize any operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities for short-term leases.
The Company evaluates the carrying value of ROU assets if there are indicators of impairment and review the recoverability of the related asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group is determined to not be recoverable and is in excess of the estimated fair value, the Company will record an impairment loss in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company also subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rent from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income collected from sub-lease tenants recognized as rental income and deducted occupancy cost. Occupancy cost mainly consists of rents and common area maintenance fees.
Fair value measurements
The Company records its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
| Level 1: | Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. |
| Level 2: | Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. |
| Level 3: | Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. |
Fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of intangible assets and long-lived assets.
Financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at cost, which approximate fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rates of interest.
Revenue recognition
The Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC Topic 606”), from May 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective transition approach to all contracts that did not have an impact on the beginning retained earnings on May 1, 2020. The Group’s revenue recognition policies effective on the adoption date of ASC Topic 606 are presented as below.
In accordance with ASC Topic 606, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied upon the transfer of goods to the customer, which occurs at the point of sale. Revenues are recorded net of discounts, sales taxes, and returns and allowances.
The Company sells Company gift cards to customers. There are no administrative fees on unused gift cards, and the gift cards do not have an expiration date. Gift card sales are recorded as contract liability when sold and are recognized as revenue when either the gift card is redeemed or the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed is remote (“gift card breakage”). The Company’s gift card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns, and it recognizes breakage revenue utilizing the redemption recognition method. The Company also offers discounts on the gift cards sold to its customers. The discounts are recorded as sales discount when gift card been redeemed. The Company’s contract liability related to gift cards was $308,326 and $449,334 as of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, respectively.
The following table summarizes disaggregated revenue from contracts with customers by product group: perishable and non-perishable goods. Perishable product categories include meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit. Non-perishable product categories include grocery, liquor, cigarettes, lottery, newspaper, reusable bag, non-food, and health products.
| Three Months ended January 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Perishables | $7,243,469 | $8,701,876 |
| Non-perishables | 6,355,010 | 6,935,219 |
| Total revenues | $13,598,479 | $15,637,095 |
| Nine Months ended January 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Perishables | $22,438,157 | $23,069,855 |
| Non-perishables | 18,678,841 | 18,145,400 |
| Total revenues | $41,116,998 | $41,215,255 |
Cost of sales
Cost of sales includes the rental expense, depreciation, the direct costs of purchased merchandise, shrinkage costs, store supplies, and inbound shipping costs. The cost of sales is a net of vendor’s rebates and discounts.
The Company subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rents from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income collected from sub-lease tenants are recognized as rental income and deducted rental expense.
Selling expenses
Selling expenses mainly consist of advertising costs, promotion expenses, and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in selling and marketing activities. Advertising expenses, which consist primarily of online and offline advertisements, are expensed when the services are performed. The Company’s advertising expenses were $44,052 and $11,232 for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s advertising expenses were $78,558 and $16,070 for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively Starting from August 2023, the Company leased out certain spaces in the supermarket for people doing banner advertisement, and the Company recorded $19,200 and $48,000 advertising income from banner advertisement for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses mainly consist of payroll and related costs for employees involved in general corporate functions, professional fees and other general corporate expenses, as well as expenses associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, such as rental and depreciation expenses.
Concentrations of risks
(a) Major customers
For each of the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any customers that accounted for more than 10% of consolidated total net sales.
(b) Major vendors
The following table sets forth information as to the Company’s suppliers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total purchases for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Three Months Ended January 31, 2024 | Three Months Ended January 31, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier | Percentage of Total Purchases | Supplier | Percentage of Total Purchases |
| A | 16% | A | 27% |
| B | 6% | B | 25% |
| C | 25% | C | 46% |
The following table sets forth information as to the Company’s suppliers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total purchases for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Nine Months Ended January 31, 2024 | Nine Months Ended January 31, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier | Percentage of Total Purchases | Supplier | Percentage of Total Purchases |
| A | 18% | A | 20% |
| B | 9% | B | 18% |
| C | 30% | C | 18% |
(c) Credit risks
Financial instruments that are potentially subject to credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and derived from products sold to customers and are thereby exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes the concentration of credit risk in its accounts receivable is substantially mitigated by its ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its accounts receivable.
The Company also has loan receivables to its centralized vendors occasionally. The loan receivables are typically unsecured and exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes that the loan receivables amount to its centralized vendor is managed by its finance department and these centralized vendors are still providing products monthly to the Company. The Company does not generally require collateral from the vendors. The Company also evaluates the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts based on upon factors surrounding the credit risks. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its loan receivables and all loan receivables been collected in subsequent period.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management reviews both positive and negative evidence, including current and historical results of operations, future income projections, and the overall prospects of our business. Realization of the deferred tax assets is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income offset by deferred tax liabilities. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the judgment occurs.
The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating its tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments, and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. The Company includes interest and penalties related to its tax contingencies in income tax expense.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law, intended to provide economic relief to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions addressing the carryback of net operating losses for specific periods, temporary modifications to the limitations placed on the tax deductibility of net interest expenses, and technical amendments for qualified improvement property (“QIP”). The impacts of the CARES Act are recorded as components within the Company’s deferred income tax liabilities and income tax receivable on the Company’s balance sheets.
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common stock outstanding and of potential common stock (e.g., convertible securities, options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common stock that has an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) is excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no dilutive potential common stock.
Related Parties
The Company identifies related parties, accounts for, and discloses related party transactions in accordance with ASC Topic 850 “Related Party Disclosures” and other relevant ASC standards. Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all significant related party transactions in Note 12 — “Related party balances and transactions”.
Segment Information
The Company’s chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by different product types for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company and its subsidiaries offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy, fuel and other items and services in its stores. The Company’s supermarket stores are geographically based, have similar economic characteristics, and similar expected long-term financial performance. The Company’s operating segments and reporting units are its four stores, which are reported in one reportable segment. There are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results, and plans for levels or components below the consolidated unit level. Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria established by ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. Management periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.
In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-01, Lease (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements, which clarifies the accounting for leasehold improvements associated with leases between entities under common control (hereinafter referred to as common control lease). ASU 2023-01 requires entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control lease over the useful life to the common control group (regardless of the lease term) as long as the lessee controls the use of the underlying asset through a lease, and to account for any remaining leasehold improvements as a transfer between entities under common control through an adjustment to equity when the lessee no longer controls the underlying asset. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been made available for issuance. An entity may apply ASU 2023-01 either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2023-01 will have on our consolidated financial statement presentations and disclosures.
No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
3. Inventories, net
A summary of inventories, net was as follows:
| January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Perishables | $405,158 | $487,912 |
| Non-perishables | 2,656,725 | 2,533,824 |
| Reserve for inventory shrinkage | (41,663) | (42,750) |
| Inventories, net | $3,020,220 | $2,978,986 |
Movements of reserve for inventory shrinkage were as follows:
| Nine Months Ended January 31, 2024 | Nine Months Ended January 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning balance | $42,750 | $135,122 |
| GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. inventory shrinkage reserve at July 1, 2022 | — | 37,684 |
| Provision for (reversal of) inventory shrinkage reserve | (1,087) | 29,479 |
| Ending Balance | $41,663 | $202,285 |
4. Prepayments
| January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prepayment for inventory purchases | $20,000 | $1,547,243 |
| Total prepayments | $20,000 | $1,547,243 |
As of January 31, 2024, the prepayment mainly consisted of $20,000 paid to GF Distribution, Inc., one of the Company’s major vendor. As of April 30, 2023, the prepayment mainly consisted of $1,527,243 paid to XHJC Holding Inc., which is the Company’s new centralized vendor and $20,000 paid to GF Distribution, Inc., the Company’s major vendor.
5. Property and equipment, net
| January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture & Fixtures | $3,027,321 | $3,025,516 |
| Equipment | 1,019,185 | 1,011,333 |
| Leasehold Improvement | 794,071 | 486,644 |
| Automobile | 37,672 | 37,672 |
| Total property and equipment | 4,878,249 | 4,561,165 |
| Accumulated depreciation | (4,088,312) | (3,889,702) |
| Property and equipment, net | $789,937 | $671,463 |
Depreciation expenses included in the general and administrative expenses for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 were $7,607 and $5,339, respectively. Depreciation expenses included in the cost of sales for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 were $70,601 and $53,387, respectively.
Depreciation expenses included in the general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 were $18,056 and $26,502, respectively. Depreciation expense included in the cost of sales for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 were $180,553 and $265,019, respectively.
6. Intangible assets
| January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid License | $17,482 | $17,482 |
| Software system | 2,950,000 | — |
| Trademark | 194,000 | 194,000 |
| Total intangible asset | 3,161,482 | 211,482 |
| Accumulated amortization | 90,019 | 14,153 |
| Intangible asset, net | $3,071,463 | $197,329 |
Intangible assets mainly consisted of a trademark acquired through the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park on June 30, 2022. The fair value of the trademark at acquisition date was $194,000, to be amortized over 15 years.
In addition, on October 30, 2023, the Company entered a System Purchase and Implementation Consulting Agreement with Drem Consulting Pte. Ltd. for purchasing a merchandise display planning and management system for $1.5 million. The system uses advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things), client computing, etc. to optimize shelf display and planning, inventory control and customer services. The system will be amortized over 10 years.
On November 22, 2023, the Company entered a Supply Chain Management System Purchase Agreement with WSYQR Limited to purchase a supply chain management system for $1.45 million. The system has the necessary software and hardware that was specifically designed for supermarkets application for the key units of 1) data synchronization across the entire supply chain, 2) centralized order processing and fulfillment, 3) refund and return processing, 4) customer complaints handling, and 5) distribution and delivery management and optimization. The system will be amortized over 10 years.
The amortization expense for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 was $68,816 and $8,593, respectively. The amortization expense for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 was $75,866 and $20,051, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years at January 31, 2024 is as follows: $309,099, $309,099, $309,099, $309,099 and $309,066.
7. Equity method investment
On June 27, 2023, the Company invested $1,440,000 for 40% interest in HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC (“HKGF Arcadia”). On December 6, 2023, the Company invested additional $360,000 for another 10% equity interest in HKGF Arcadia, which resulted in a total of 50% equity interest in HKGF Arcadia by Maison. The Company recorded $51,204 investment income and $63,982 investment loss for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024, respectively. As of January 31, 2024, the Company had investment of $1,736,018 into HKGF Arcadia.
As of January 31, 2024, the Company had net accounts receivable of $69,107 from JC Business Guys, Inc. (“JCBG”), who is the 50% owner of HKGF Arcadia. For the three months ended January 31,2024 and 2023, total sales to JCBG was $0 and $0, respectively. For the nine months ended January 31,2024 and 2023, total sales to JCBG was $0 and $133,738, respectively.
The following table shows the condensed balance sheet of HKGF Arcadia as of January 31, 2024.
| January 31, 2024 (Unaudited) | |
|---|---|
| ASSETS | |
| Current Assets | |
| Cash and equivalents | $— |
| Accounts receivable | 37,256 |
| Inventories, net | 625,719 |
| Other receivables | 1,292 |
| Total Current Assets | 664,267 |
| Property and equipment, net | 635,102 |
| Intangible asset, net | 27,731 |
| Goodwill | 1,680,000 |
| Security deposits | 163,618 |
| Total Assets | $3,170,718 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | |
| Current Liabilities | |
| Accounts payable | $1,418,461 |
| Other payable | 100,000 |
| Bank overdraft | 94,822 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 1,613,283 |
| Total Liabilities | 1,613,283 |
| Stockholders’ Equity | |
| Paid in Capital | 3,600,000 |
| Subscription receivable | (1,200,000) |
| Accumulated deficit | (842,565) |
| Total Stockholders’ Equity | 1,557,435 |
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $3,170,718 |
The following table shows the condensed statement of operations of HKGF Arcadia for the period from July 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
| Net Revenues | |
|---|---|
| Supermarket | $3,905,301 |
| Total Revenues, Net | 3,905,301 |
| Cost of Revenues | |
| Supermarket | 2,475,812 |
| Total Cost of Revenues | 2,475,812 |
| Gross Profit | 1,429,489 |
| Operating Expenses | 1,553,857 |
| Total Operating Expenses | 1,553,857 |
| Loss from Operations | (124,368) |
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | (124,368) |
| Income Tax Provisions | — |
| Net Loss | (124,368) |
| Net Loss Attributable to Maison Solutions Inc. | $(63,982) |
8. Goodwill
Goodwill represented the excess fair value of the assets under the fair value of the identifiable assets owned at the closing of the acquisition of Maison Monetary Park, including an assembled workforce, which cannot be sold or transferred separately from the other assets in the business. See Note 18 — “Acquisition of subsidiary” for additional information. As of January 31, 2024, the Company had goodwill of $2,222,211. The Company did not record any impairment to the goodwill for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2024.
9. Accrued expenses and other payables
| January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrued payroll | $284,323 | $301,527 |
| Accrued interest expense | 136,388 | 127,638 |
| Accrued loss for legal matter | 237,000 | 237,000 |
| Other payables | 17,243 | 26,878 |
| Due to third parties | 139,189 | 145,775 |
| Sales tax payable | 44,199 | 28,978 |
| Total accrued expenses and other payables | $858,342 | $867,796 |
10. Note payable
As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, the Company had an outstanding note payable of$0 and $150,000 to a third-party individual with annual interest rate of 10%, payable upon demand. The note had accrued interest of $30,000 and $21,500 as of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, respectively. On November 7, 2023, the Company repaid the principle of $150,000. As of January 31, 2024, the Company had accrued interest of $30,000 on this note, to be paid upon demand from the lender.
11. Loan payables
A summary of the Company’s loans was listed as follows:
| Lender | Due date | January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| American First National Bank | March 2, 2024 | $57,369 | $307,798 |
| U.S. Small Business Administration | June 15, 2050 | 2,577,247 | 2,624,329 |
| Total loan payables | 2,634,616 | 2,932,127 | |
| Current portion of loan payables | (121,942) | (370,828) | |
| Non-current loan payables | $2,512,674 | $2,561,299 |
American First National Bank — a National Banking Association
On March 2, 2017, Maison Monrovia entered into a $1.0 million Business Loan Agreement with American First National Bank, a National Banking Association (“American First National Bank”), at a 4.5% annual interest rate with a maturity date on March 2, 2024 (the “Monrovia AFNB Loan”). On March 2, 2017, Maison San Gabriel, entered into a $1.0 million Business Loan Agreement with American First National Bank at a 4.5% annual interest rate with a maturity date on March 2, 2024 (the “San Gabriel AFNB Loan,” and, together with the Monrovia AFNB Loan, the “AFNB Loans”). The covenant of the AFNB Loans required that, so long as the loan agreements remains in effect, borrower will maintain a ratio of debt service coverage within 1.300 to 1.000. This coverage ratio was evaluated as of the end of each fiscal year. The interest rate for the AFNB Loans is subject to change from time to time based on changes in an independent index which is the Wall Street Journal US prime as published in the Wall Street Journal Money Rate Section. The annual interest rate for the AFNB Loans was ranging from 4.5% to 7.75% for thenine months ended January 31, 2023, and was 7.75% for the nine months ended January 31, 2024.
The collateral for the AFNB Loans is personally guaranteed by Mr. Wu, who is the prior owner and applicant for the bank loan, and each store’s assets including inventory, fixture, equipment, etc. At the same time, the Company maintained a minimum of $1.0 million in general liability insurance to cover the collateral business assets located at 935 W. Duarte Dr. Monrovia, CA 91016. As of April 30, 2022, the coverage ratio for Maison Monrovia was 1.01 and the coverage ratio for Maison San Gabriel was 2.00. The Company reported this situation to American First National Bank and there was no change on the term up to the date the Company issued these consolidated financial statements. The interest expense for the loan was $2,229 and $10,146 for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The interest expense for the loan was $11,361 and $22,708 for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”)
| Borrower | Due date | January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maison Monrovia | June 15, 2050 | $145,957 | $148,574 |
| Maison San Gabriel | June 15, 2050 | 1,945,371 | 1,980,725 |
| Maison El Monte | June 15, 2050 | 485,919 | 495,030 |
| Total SBA loan payables | $2,577,247 | $2,624,329 |
On June 15, 2020, Maison Monrovia entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with the SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050. On June 15, 2020, Maison San Gabriel entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with the SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050. On June 15, 2020, Maison El Monte entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050.
On January 12, 2022, Maison San Gabriel entered into an additional $1,850,000 Business Loan Agreement with the SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050.
On January 6, 2022, Maison El Monte, Inc. entered into an additional $350,000 Business Loan Agreement with the SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050.
Per the SBA loan agreement, all interest payments on these three loans were deferred to December 2022. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, the Company’s aggregate balance on the three SBA loans was $2,577,247 and $2,624,329, respectively. Interest expenses were $23,210 and $23,709 for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Interest expenses were $70,008 and $71,494 for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the nine months ended January 31, 2024, the Company made repayment of $117,090 (which includes principal of $47,082 and interest expense of $70,008). During the nine months ended January 31, 2023, the Company made repayment of $13,010 (which includes principal of $5,107 and interest expense of $7,903).
As of January 31, 2024, the future minimum principal amount of loan payments to be paid by year were as follows:
| Year Ending January 31, | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $64,573 |
| 2026 | 66,699 |
| 2027 | 68,906 |
| 2028 | 71,197 |
| 2029 | 73,576 |
| Thereafter | 2,232,296 |
| Total | $2,577,247 |
12. Related party balances and transactions
Related party transactions
Sales to related parties
| Name of Related Party | Nature | Relationship | Three Months ended January 31, 2024 | Three Months ended January 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The United Food LLC | Supermarket product sales | John Xu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President, is one of the United Food LLC’s shareholders | $988 | $16,473 |
| HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC | Supermarket product sales | Maison owns 50% equity interest | 18,620 | — |
| HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. | Supermarket product sales | Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, controls this entity with 90% ownership, Maison owns the remaining 10% | 35,088 | 200,168 |
| Total | $54,696 | $216,641 | ||
| Name of Related Party | Nature | Relationship | Nine Months ended January 31, 2024 | Nine Months ended January 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The United Food LLC | Supermarket product sales | John Xu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President, is one of the United Food LLC’s shareholders | $6,129 | $22,270 |
| HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC | Supermarket product sales | Maison owns 50% equity interest | 85,656 | — |
| HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. | Supermarket product sales | Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, controls this entity with 90% ownership, Maison owns the remaining 10% | 160,538 | 569,432 |
| Total | $252,323 | $591,702 | ||
Purchases from related parties
| Name of Related Party | Nature | Relationship | Three Months Ended January 31, 2024 | Three Months ended January 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The United Food, LLC | Supermarket product sales | John Xu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President, is one of the United Food LLC’s shareholders | $— | $21,214 |
| HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC | Supermarket product sales | Maison owns 50% equity interest | 13,160 | — |
| Dai Cheong Trading Co Inc. | Import and wholesales of groceries | John Xu, controls this entity with 90% ownership through DC Holding CA, Inc., Maison owns the remaining 10% | 41,184 | 42,082 |
| HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. | Supermarket product sales | Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, controls this entity with 90% ownership, Maison owns the remaining 10% | 866 | 4,510 |
| Total | $55,210 | $67,806 | ||
| Name of Related Party | Nature | Relationship | Nine Months Ended January 31, 2024 | Nine Months Ended January 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The United Food, LLC | Supermarket product sales | John Xu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President, is one of the United Food LLC’s shareholders | $4,408 | $87,061 |
| HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC | Supermarket product sales | Maison owns 50% equity interest | 24,250 | — |
| GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. | Supermarket product sales | Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, was the major shareholder with 49% ownership, sold this entity to Maison on June 30, 2022 | — | 4,257 |
| Dai Cheong Trading Co Inc. | Import and wholesales of groceries | John Xu, controls this entity with 90% ownership through DC Holding CA, Inc., Maison owns the remaining 10% | 146,709 | 137,821 |
| HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. | Supermarket product sales | Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, controls this entity with 90% ownership, Maison owns the remaining 10% | 3,066 | 7,184 |
| Total | $178,433 | $236,323 | ||
Investment in equity purchased from related parties
| Name of Investment Company | Nature of Operation | Investment percentage | Relationship | As of January 31, 2024 | As of April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dai Cheong Trading Co Inc. | Import and wholesales of groceries | 10% | John Xu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President, controls this entity with 90% ownership through DC Holding CA, Inc., Maison owns the remaining 10% | $162,665 | $162,665 |
| HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. | Supermarket product sales | 10% | Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, controls this entity with 90% ownership, Maison owns the remaining 10% | 40,775 | 40,775 |
| Total | $203,440 | $203,440 | |||
In May 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Inc., a grocery trading company, for $162,665 from DC Holding CA, Inc. DC Holding CA, Inc. is owned by John Xu, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Presidentof the Company.
In December 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc, the legal entity holding the Alhambra store for $40,775 from Ms. Grace Xu, a related party as the spouse of Mr. John Xu, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Presidentof the Company.
Related party balances
Accounts receivable — sales to related parties
| Name of Related Party | Nature | Relationship | January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC | Supermarket product sales | Maison owns 50% equity interest | $88,243 | $— |
| HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. | Supermarket product sales | Grace Xu, spouse of John Xu, controls this entity with 90% ownership, Maison owns the remaining 10% | 112,492 | 283,005 |
| United Food LLC. | Supermarket product sales | John Xu, is one of the United Food LLC’s shareholders | 206,711 | 6,610 |
| Total | $407,446 | $289,615 | ||
Accounts payable — purchase from related parties
| Name of Related Party | Nature | Relationship | January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Supermarket of Monterey Park, Ltd | Due on demand, non-interest bearing | John Xu, controls this entity | $440,166 | $438,725 |
| Dai Cheong Trading Co Inc. | Import and wholesales of groceries | John Xu, controls this entity with 100% ownership through DC Holding CA, Inc. prior to the 10% equity interest acquisition by Maison | 52,314 | 26,585 |
| Total | $492,480 | $465,310 | ||
Other receivables — related parties
| Name of Related Party | Nature | Relationship | January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal Investment | Due on demand, non-interest bearing | John Xu, has majority ownership of this entity | 3,995 | 3,995 |
| Ideal City Capital | Due on demand, non-interest bearing | John Xu, has majority ownership of this entity | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| Total | $33,995 | $33,995 | ||
Other payables — related parties
| Name of Related Party | Nature | Relationship | January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Xu | due on demand, non-interest bearing | The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President | $200,810 | $200,810 |
| Grace Xu | due on demand, non-interest bearing | Spouse of John Xu | 40,775 | 40,775 |
| Total | $241,585 | $241,585 | ||
13. Leases
The Company accounted for leases in accordance with ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) for all periods presented. The Company leases certain supermarkets and office facilities from third parties. Some of the Company’s leases include one or more options to renew, which are typically at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company evaluates the renewal options, and when it is reasonably certain of exercise, it will include the renewal period in its lease term. New lease modifications result in re-measurement of the right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities. Operating ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Since the implicit rate for the Company’s leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment and over a similar term.
The Company’s leases mainly consist of store rent and copier rent. The store lease detail information is listed below:
| Store | Lease Term Due |
|---|---|
| Maison Monrovia * | August 31, 2055 (with extension) |
| Maison San Gabriel | November 30, 2030 |
| Maison El Monte | July 14, 2028 |
| Maison Monterey Park | May 1, 2028 |
| * | On April 1, 2023, the Company renewed lease of Maison Monrovia for additional five years with new monthly based rent of $40,000 for first year and 3% increase for each of the next four years. On July 6, 2023, the Company and the lessor entered an amendment to lease, pursuant to which the lessor will provide monthly basic rent abatement of $5,000 from August 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024, $2,500 from April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025, and $1,000 from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. As a result of increased monthly base rent, the Company remeasured the lease and determined the ROU and lease liability of this lease increased by $3.62 million for each. |
|---|
As of January 31, 2024, the average remaining term of the supermarkets’ store lease was 9.47 years.
In June and November 2022, the Company entered three leases for three copiers with terms of 63 months for each. As of January 31, 2024, the average remaining term of the copier lease was 3.78 years.
The copier lease detail information was listed below:
| Store | Lease Term Due |
|---|---|
| Maison Monrovia | January 1, 2028 |
| Maison San Gabriel | January 1, 2028 |
| Maison Monterey Park | August 1, 2027 |
The Company’s total lease expenses under ASC 842 are $0.85 million and $0.76 million for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s total lease expenses under ASC 842 are $2.33 million and $1.99 million for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 , respectively. The Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized using an effective interest rate of range from 4.5% to 6.25%, which was determined using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.
The Company’s operating ROU assets and lease liabilities were as follows:
| January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating ROU: | ||
| ROU assets – supermarket leases | $20,980,731 | $22,517,925 |
| ROU assets – copier leases | 24,033 | 27,265 |
| Total operating ROU assets | $21,004,764 | $22,545,190 |
| January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating lease obligations: | ||
| Current operating lease liabilities | $1,850,310 | $1,761,182 |
| Non-current operating lease liabilities | 21,309,934 | 22,711,760 |
| Total lease liabilities | $23,160,244 | $24,472,942 |
As of January 31, 2024, the five-year maturity of the Company’s operating lease liabilities was as follow:
| Twelve Months Ended January 31, | Operating lease liabilities |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,835,070 |
| 2026 | 2,897,055 |
| 2027 | 2,955,250 |
| 2028 | 3,002,423 |
| 2020 | 2,029,711 |
| Thereafter | 23,549,256 |
| Total future undiscounted lease payments | 37,268,765 |
| Less: interest | (14,108,521) |
| Present value of lease liabilities | $23,160,244 |
14. Stockholder’s equity
Common stock
Maison was initially authorized to issue 500,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On September 8, 2021, the total number of authorized shares of all classes of stock was increased to 100,000,000 by way of a 200-for-1 stock split, among which, the authorized shares were divided into (i)95,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share (the “common stock”) of which (a)92,000,000 shares shall be a series designated as Class A common stock (the “Class A common stock”), and (b)3,000,000 shares shall be a series designated as Class B common stock (the “Class B common stock”), and (ii)5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “preferred stock”). For the Class A common stock and Class B common stock, the rights of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting and conversion rights. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled toone (1) vote. Each share of Class B common stock is entitled toten (10) votes and is convertible at any time intoone share of Class A common stock. As of January 31, 2024, John Xu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President, holds all of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock. All shares and per share amounts used herein and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect (i) the increase of share capital as if the change of share numbers became effective as of the beginning of the first period presented for Maison Group and (ii) the reclassification of all outstanding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Golden Tree USA Inc. into Class B common stock, which are collectively referred to as the “Reclassification.”
Initial Public Offering
On October 4, 2023, the Company entered into an Underwriting Agreement with Joseph Stone Capital, LLC (the “Underwriter”) in connection with the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 2,500,000 shares of Class A common stock, at a price of $4.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
The IPO closed on October 10, 2023, and the Company received net proceeds of approximately $8.72 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated IPO offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the IPO primarily for new store acquisitions and expansion, including opening new stores and the acquisition of businesses and supermarkets that complement the Company’s business, to pay off loans, research and develop its operating systems with JD.com, make upgrades and renovations to existing stores, and to develop its online business.
On October 10, 2023, the Company issued Underwriter non-redeemable warrants to purchase an amount equal to five (5%) percent of the shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering (125,000 warrants, which is exclusive of the over-allotment option) pursuant to the Underwriter’s Warrant Agreement. The Underwriter Warrants will be exercisable commencing one hundred eighty (180) days after the commencement of sales of the Offering (April 1, 2024) and until the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the Offering (April 1, 2029). The Company accounted for the warrants issued based on the FV method under FASB ASC Topic 505, and the FV of the warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes model under the following assumptions: life of 5 years, volatility of 100%, risk-free interest rate of 4.26% and dividend yield of 0%. The FV of the warrants issued at the grant date was $382,484. The warrants issued in this financing were classified as equity instruments.
Following is a summary of the activities of warrants for the period ended January 31, 2024:
| Number of Warrants | Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding as of April 30, 2023 | — | $— | — |
| Exercisable as of April 30, 2023 | — | $— | — |
| Granted | 125,000 | 4.80 | 5.00 |
| Exercised | — | — | — |
| Forfeited | — | — | — |
| Expired | — | — | — |
| Outstanding as of January 31, 2024 | 125,000 | $4.80 | 5.00 |
| Exercisable as of January 31, 2024 | — | $— | — |
PIPE Offering
On November 22, 2023, the Company entered into certain securities purchase agreements with certain investors. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreements, the Company sold an aggregate of 1,190,476 shares (the “PIPE Shares”) of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, to the Investors at a per share purchase price of $4.20 (the “PIPE Offering”).
The PIPE Offering closed on November 22, 2023. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $4.60 million, after deducting investment banker’s discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company.
15. Income taxes
Maison Solutions is a Delaware holding company that is subject to the U.S. income tax. Maison Monrovia and Maison San Gabriel are pass through entities whose income or losses flow through Maison Solution’s income tax return.
The provision for income taxes provisions consisted of the following components:
| Three Months ended January 31, 2024 | Three Months ended January 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Current: | ||
| Federal income tax expense | $117,066 | $51,442 |
| State income tax expense | 44,058 | 37,346 |
| Deferred: | ||
| Federal income tax expense (benefit) | (1,852) | 7,716 |
| State income tax expense (benefit) | (616) | 2,566 |
| Total | $158,656 | $99,070 |
| Nine Months ended January 31, 2024 | Nine Months ended January 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Current: | ||
| Federal income tax expense | $314,714 | $126,185 |
| State income tax expense | 116,143 | 71,195 |
| Deferred: | ||
| Federal income tax benefit | (4,604) | (6,175) |
| State income tax benefit | (1,531) | (2,054) |
| Total | $424,722 | $189,151 |
The following is a reconciliation of the difference between the actual (benefit) provision for income taxes and the (benefit) provision computed by applying the federal statutory rate on income (loss) before income taxes:
| Three Months ended January 31, 2024 | Three Months ended January 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal statutory rate expense (benefit) | (79,149) | 274,164 |
| State statutory rate, net of effect of state income tax deductible to federal income tax | (25,658) | 92,473 |
| Permanent difference – penalties, interest, and others | 73,945 | 29,348 |
| Utilization of net operating losses (“NOL”) | — | (244,859) |
| Changes in valuation allowance | 189,518 | (52,056) |
| Tax expense per financial statements | 158,656 | 99,070 |
| Nine Months ended January 31, 2024 | Nine Months ended January 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal statutory rate expense (benefit) | (9,676) | 297,661 |
| State statutory rate, net of effect of state income tax deductible to federal income tax | (1,249) | 100,952 |
| Permanent difference – penalties, interest, and others | 86,085 | 54,845 |
| Utilization of NOL | (24,138) | (300,508) |
| Change in valuation allowance | 373,700 | 36,201 |
| Tax expense per financial statements | 424,722 | 189,151 |
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred taxes were comprised of the following:
| January 31, 2024 | April 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Deferred tax assets: | ||
| Bad debt expense | $54,206 | $70,929 |
| Inventory impairment loss | 39,642 | — |
| Investment loss on equity method investment | 17,902 | — |
| Lease liabilities, net of ROU | 603,181 | 441,997 |
| NOL | 451,006 | 583,490 |
| Valuation allowance | (1,151,652) | (1,085,551) |
| Deferred tax assets, net | $14,285 | $10,865 |
| Deferred tax liability: | ||
| Trademark acquired at acquisition of Maison Monterey Park | 48,558 | 51,273 |
| Deferred tax liability, net of deferred tax assets | $34,273 | $40,408 |
As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, Maison and Maison El Monte had approximately $1.52 million and $2.25 million, respectively, of U.S. federal NOL carryovers available to offset future taxable income which do not expire but are limited to 80% of income until utilized. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, Maison and Maison El Monte had approximately $1.89 million and $1.58 million, respectively, of California state net operating loss which can be carried forward up to 20 years to offset future taxable income. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the Company’s future generation of taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance.
The Company recorded $6,421 and $17,871of interest and penalties related to understated income tax payments for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company recorded $10,985 and $38,243 of interest and penalties related to understated income tax payments for the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2023, the Company had significant uncertain tax positions of $114,267 and $103,282, respectively.
As of January 31, 2024, the Company’s U.S. income tax returns filed for the year ending on December 31, 2020 and thereafter are subject to examination by the relevant taxation authorities.
16. Other income
For the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, other income mainly consists of $nil and $1.32 million employee retention credit (“ERC”) received. For the nine months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, other income mainly consists of $0.38 million and $1.32 million employee retention credit (“ERC”) received. The ERC is a tax credit for businesses that continued to pay employees while shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic or had significant declines in gross receipts from March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
17. Commitments and contingencies
Contingencies
The Company is otherwise periodically involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of its business, including, but not limited to, employment discrimination claims, customer injury claims, and investigations. When the potential liability from a matter can be estimated and the loss is considered probable, the Company records the estimated loss. Due to uncertainties related to the resolution of lawsuits, investigations, and claims, the ultimate outcome may differ from the estimates. Although the Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of any lawsuits, investigations, and claims asserted against it, management does not believe any currently pending legal proceeding to which the Company is a party will have a material adverse effect on its financial statements.
On January 2, 2024, the Company and our executive officers and directors, as well as Joseph Stone Capital LLC, and AC Sunshine Securities LLC, the underwriters in the Company’s initial public offering (together, the “Defendants”), were named in a class action complaint filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York alleging violations of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Ilsan Kim v. Maison Solutions Inc., et. al, Index No. 150024/2024). As relief, the plaintiffs are seeking, among other things, compensatory damages.
On January 4, 2024, the Defendants were named in a class action complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging violations of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as well as violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Rick Green and Evgenia Nikitina v. Maison Solutions Inc., et. al., Case No. 2:24-cv-00063). As relief, the plaintiffs are seeking, among other things, compensatory damages.
The Company and Defendants believe the allegations in both complaints are without merit and intend to defend each suit vigorously.
In May 2020, Maison El Monte was named as a co-defendant in a complaint filed by a consumer advocacy group alleging violations of a California health and safety regulation. The case is pending in the Superior Court of the State of California, and as such, the Company has not made any accruals of possible loss for the year ended April 30, 2023 and for the period ended January 31, 2024 related to this case.
In June 2022, Maison San Gabriel entered into a confidential settlement agreement with the plaintiff in connection with a California employment law case whereby Maison San Gabriel agreed to pay $98,500 to plaintiff in full settlement of all claims in the case. As a result of the settlement agreement, the Company accrued $98,500 as a loss relating to the case for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. During the year ended April 30, 2023, the Company accrued additional $40,000 litigation loss.
Commitments
On April 19, 2021, JD E-commerce America Limited (“JD US”) and the Company entered into a Collaboration Agreement (the “Collaboration Agreement”) pursuant to which JD.com will provide services to Maison focused on updating in store technology through the development of a new mobile app, the updating of new in-store technology, and revising store layouts to promote efficiency. The Collaboration Agreement provided for a consultancy and initialization fee of $220,000,40% of which was payable within three (3) days of effectiveness,40% of which is due within three (3) days of the completion and delivery of initialization services (including initializing of a feasibility plan, store digitalization, delivery of online retailing and e-commerce business and operational solutions for the Stores) as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement, and the remaining 20% is payable within three (3) days of the completion and delivery of the implementation services (including product and merchandise supply chain configuration, staff training for operation and management of the digital solutions, installation and configuration of hardware, customization of software, concept design and implementation), as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement. The Collaboration Agreement also included certain additional storage and implementation fees to be determined by the parties and royalty fees, following the commercial launch of the platform developed by JD US, of 1.2% of gross merchandise value based on information generated by the platform. For each additional store requiring Consultancy and Initialization service, an additional $50,000 will be charged for preparing the feasibility plan for such additional store. The Collaboration Agreement has an initial term of 10 years and customary termination and indemnification provisions. Simultaneously with the effectiveness of the Collaboration Agreement, JD US and Maison entered into an Intellectual Property License Agreement (the “IP Agreement”) outlining certain trademarks, logos and designs, and other intellectual property rights used in connection with the retail supermarket operations outlined in the Collaboration Agreement, which includes an initial term of 10 years and customary termination provisions. There are no additional licensing fees or costs associated with the IP Agreement. As of the date of this report, there is no new progress on the collaboration agreement with JD US.** **
18. Acquisition of subsidiary
On June 30, 2022, the Company purchased 100% equity interest in GF Supermarket of MP, Inc. (“Maison Monterey Park”), the legal entity holding a supermarket in Monterey Park. Mrs. Grace Xu (spouse of Mr. John Xu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President) was a selling shareholder of GF Supermarket of MP Inc. with 49% ownership percentage. Another selling shareholder of GF Supermarket of MP Inc. was DNL Management Inc. with 51% ownership percentage, who is not a related party of the Company. The purchase consideration was $1.5 million. On February 21, 2023, the Company and such selling shareholders renegotiated and entered into an Amended Stock Purchase Agreement with an effective date on October 31, 2022, to amend the purchase price to $2.5 million, which both parties believed reflected the true fair value of Maison Monterey Park.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. Goodwill as a result of the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park is calculated as follows:
| Total purchase considerations | $2,500,000 |
|---|---|
| Fair value of tangible assets acquired: | |
| Accounts receivable | 79,651 |
| Due from related party | 25,000 |
| Property and equipment | 448,932 |
| Security deposit | 161,945 |
| Inventory | 872,084 |
| Deferred tax asset | 10,545 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 4,680,216 |
| Intangible assets (trademark) acquired | 194,000 |
| Total identifiable assets acquired | 6,472,373 |
| Fair value of liabilities assumed: | |
| Bank overdraft | (281,940) |
| Accounts payable | (865,769) |
| Contract liabilities | (10,369) |
| Income tax payable | (183,262) |
| Accrued liability and other payable | (85,789) |
| Tenant Security deposit | (32,200) |
| Operating lease liabilities | (4,680,967) |
| Deferred tax liability | (54,288) |
| Total liabilities assumed | (6,194,584) |
| Net identifiable assets acquired | 277,789 |
| Goodwill as a result of the acquisition | $2,222,211 |
The following condensed unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the Company for the nine months ended January 31, 2023 present the results of operations of the Company and Maison Monterey Park as if the acquisitions occurred on May 1, 2022, respectively.
The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been completed as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results.
| (Unaudited) | |
|---|---|
| Revenue | $44,038,436 |
| Operating costs and expenses | 43,633,975 |
| Income from operations | 404,461 |
| Other income | 1,337,288 |
| Income tax expense | (286,445) |
| Net income | $1,455,304 |
19. Subsequent Event
The Company follows the guidance in FASB ASC 855-10 for the disclosure of subsequent events. The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and determined the Company has the following major subsequent events that need to be disclosed: On August 22, 2023, the Company entered a Letter of Intent for acquiring 100% ownership of Lee Lee Oriental Supermart (“Lee Lee”) for approximately $22.4 million. Lee Lee is engaged in supermarket business in Arizona. The acquisition is in the final stage of closing.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.