Miniso Canada

Miniso Canada, the Canadian-based retailer of Miniso, a global retail brand ("Miniso Global"), obtained protection under the CCAA on July 11. Launched in 2017, the Canadian company has grown to 67 stores across the country, operating under a license agreement with Miniso Global. A dispute arose in the fall of 2018 over the quantum of debt owed to Miniso Global which led to Miniso Global demanding repayment and filing a bankruptcy application against its Canadian partner. A forbearance agreement was ultimately reached in January 2019 between the parties that required Miniso Canada to, among other things, enter into good faith negotiations for the sale of the Canadian operations to Miniso Global. A transaction never transpired, and when the forbearance agreement expired on June 25, repayment was again demanded. Rather than appointing a receiver, Miniso Global elected to make an application for CCAA protection for the Canadian company so as to maintain enterprise value. Alvarez & Marsal was appointed monitor and has been given enhanced powers to manage the Canadian operations during the proceedings while a restructuring transaction is pursued. Counsel is Fasken for Miniso Global, McMillan for Miniso Canada and Dentons for the monitor.