The Calmer Co. Expands Strategic Footprint – Lease Secured in Fiji and Coles Sales Surge - Building a Kava Lifestyle Story.
- Noel Ong
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Announcement
The Calmer Co. International Limited (ASX: CCO) has capped off an eventful week with two significant developments that speak directly to the company’s dual focus on operational resilience and market expansion.
On one front, it has secured long-term control of its manufacturing base in Fiji through an expanded lease arrangement, ensuring uninterrupted production capacity and creating a platform for future scalability. On the other hand, it has reported record-breaking sales growth within the Coles retail network in Australia, underscoring the strong consumer appetite for its kava-based products and the company’s ability to capitalise on growing demand for natural wellness and alcohol alternatives.
Together, these announcements highlight a business strengthening its foundations while accelerating its retail momentum, both domestically and in preparation for international market entry.
Expanded Lease in Navua, Fiji – Kava Growth Platform Secured
The company has finalised a three-year lease extension for its Navua manufacturing facility in Fiji, with an option to extend until 2031. This move locks in long-term operational control, a critical step as CCO scales production and advances toward breakeven.
Originally planning to acquire the property, unforeseen compliance issues prompted a strategic shift. The lease model not only ensures uninterrupted operations but also frees up capital for immediate growth initiatives, including new product launches into the US market.
Key Terms:
Lease Start: 1 September 2025 – Initial 3-year term, with a 3-year renewal option.
Staged Expansion: Over 2,000 sqm operational space by mid-2026, including expanded packing, freezer, admin, and lab facilities.
Initial Rent: FJD $14,800/month, rising to $17,850/month in July 2026.
Right of First Refusal: Option to purchase if offered during term.
Infrastructure Upgrade: Company to install 750KVA transformer for expanded capacity.
The staged lease expansion will provide over 2,000 sqm of operational space, with new packing, storage, and office areas available by January 2026, followed by a laboratory by June 2026, enabling the relocation of the company’s core processing, packing, and administrative operations.
Founder & CEO Zane Yoshida commented,
"This agreement ensures the stability of our manufacturing operations through 2031. The staged lease expansion gives us the flexibility to expand as needed and supports our plans for growth, especially as we enter the US market."
Coles Retail Sales Hit Record – July Up 81%
ASX Release: 6 August, 2025 Coles Retail Sales Up 81% in July
In a separate update, CCO reported an 81% jump in Coles retail sales for July 2025, reaching $344,000 – up from $190,000 in June. This represents the company’s best monthly result in Coles to date, well above its materiality threshold.
Growth has been driven by an expanded footprint and strong sell-through:
Taki Mai Kava Shot 50mL now stocked in 797 stores (+59% from launch)
Fiji Kava Instant Kava 150g now ranged in 801 stores (+170% from launch)
Targeted in-store promotions and consumer demand for natural alcohol alternatives have reinforced CCO’s positioning as a category leader.
The Calmer Co. is prioritising faster sales growth in major national retailers and boosting consumer engagement for its FijiKava® and Taki Mai® brands, with the Australian retail market remaining central to its plan for sustainable growth and category leadership in the relaxation and wellness sector.
Zane Yoshida, Founder & CEO of The Calmer Co, commented
“July marks a new high point in our partnership with Coles and serves as a strong validation of the growing consumer appeal for our products in the mainstream Australian market. The rapid expansion of our retail footprint, coupled with accelerating sales, underscores the strength of our national distribution platform and the increasing relevance of kava as a natural alternative to alcohol. These results reaffirm our strategy to build a profitable and scalable business, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this emerging category as we continue to grow."
Samso Concluding Comments
The Calmer Co.’s strategic lease in Fiji secures the backbone of its manufacturing and supply chain, avoiding operational disruption while freeing capital for growth. Coupled with a record retail performance in Coles, the company is executing on both operational resilience and sales acceleration.
For investors, the combination of long-term production certainty, expanding distribution, and category leadership in natural wellness products points to a business aligning its infrastructure with market demand. As the US rollout progresses, CCO’s capacity to leverage its farm-to-shelf model could well define the next phase of its growth story.
The Samso Way – Seek the Research
The Calmer Co.’s updates highlight the value of strategic execution — securing a long-term, flexible lease in Fiji to preserve capital while ensuring production stability, and delivering record sales growth in Coles as proof of strong consumer demand. For investors, the lesson is to look beyond the headlines and see how operational control and market penetration work together to create sustainable growth.
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