Posted on June 9, 2014 by EPR Retail News

U.S.-based convenience store chain Rutter’s won the 2014 NACS Insight International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award

LONDON, 2014-6-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — U.S.-based convenience store chain Rutter’s (York, Pennsylvania) has won the 2014 NACS Insight International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by Imperial Tobacco. The award was presented during the 2014 NACS Insight Convenience Summit – Europe in London on June 4.

Judges said Rutter’s delivered a world-class convenience store through its focus on people, technology, rewards and food.

“Rutter’s clearly recognizes people make all the difference. Building on its heritage, it lives and breathes this every day throughout every aspect of the business,” said Ramon Kuijpers, international key accounts manager at Imperial Tobacco. “Rutter’s perfectly blends traditional values with modern marketing solutions, putting shopper needs first. Given its successful and sustainable sales track record, customers clearly acknowledge this.”

Joe Bona, president, retail division, CBX, was equally impressed. “The QSR modeled food format and quality ingredients combined with world class operations and best in class social and mobile technology make Rutter’s a real standout in the competitive field of convenience retailing,” he said.

“Proprietary initiatives like their ‘Remember me’ ordering technology that tracks your previous 12 purchases helps to improve speed of service and facilitates the ordering process. The company’s green initiatives and industry recognition for customer service and mobile technology make them an ideal best practice retailer,” added Bona.

Fellow award nominee, BP M&S Simply Food was also highly commended for the revitalization of its BP M&S Simply Food offer with a new, customer-led proposition. “The fresh range is of high quality and provides extensive meal solutions throughout all day parts,” said judges, adding, “The warmth and authentic use of textured materials make Wild Bean Café a featured and complementary department for busy customers on the go and, having a separate till, provides even greater convenience for customers.”

The NACS Insight International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award was launched in 2009. The award recognizes excellence in convenience and forecourt retailing on an international stage and celebrates the best convenience retail formats from around the world.

Note to editors: Images available upon request.

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About Insight Research
Insight Research (insightresearch.co.uk) is a U.K.-based strategy, publishing and events business specializing in the international convenience and fuel retailing industry. It offers international retailers strategic advice in developing effective and profitable convenience retail concepts and new store formats, based upon international benchmarking. Insight Research also publishes Global Convenience Store Focus, a monthly industry newsletter, and broadcasts television programs on the sector through its Retail Vision video platform (retailvision.tv).

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Founded in 1961 as the National Association of Convenience Stores, NACS (nacsonline.com) is the international association for convenience and fuel retailing. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 151,000 stores across the country, posted $696 billion in total sales in 2013, of which $491 billion were motor fuels sales. NACS has 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier member companies, which do business in nearly 50 countries.

Posted on June 9, 2014 by EPR Retail News

Kate Walsh of Herlihy’s Centra Fermoy in Ireland won 2014 NACS Insight International Store Manager of the Year Award

LONDON, 2014-6-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — Kate Walsh, store manager of Herlihy’s Centra Fermoy in Ireland, has won the 2014 NACS Insight International Store Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by TCC. The awards was presented during the 2014 NACS Insight Convenience Summit – Europe in London on June 4.

Walsh has worked at the Herlihy Group for more than seven years and has progressed through the ranks as grocery manager to assistant manager, and then from fresh food manager to her current role, which she assumed in April 2013.

She studied food business and completed a trainee management program with Musgrave as part of a work placement opportunity. A diploma in human resources, meanwhile, has provided insight into people management and the skills to motivate and lead a team.

Judges found that Walsh’s knowledge and training in the fresh food arena has given her the key skills to develop the business.

In addition, award nominee Serena Guihen was highly commended for her performance at Centra Moycullen, Ireland. Guihen was appointed store manager in February 2009 on a three-month trial after eight years in the supermarket business. During her tenure store sales have grown by 43% and Guihen has turned around a loss making business, transforming an unhappy workplace into an enthusiastic, energetic and willing team.

Commenting on the entries for the 2014 Store Manager of the Year Award, David Ringer, regional director, TCC Global, said: “Retail is a people business and what unites all of these entries is the fantastic, positive impact that these managers have upon their colleagues, their communities and their store. All managers are facing pressure on margins, increased competition and less loyal shoppers. What differentiates this year’s nominees is their ability to tackle these issues and achieve so much more by bringing together their teams to fulfill their local community’s needs.”

Note to editors: Images available upon request.

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Posted on June 9, 2014 by EPR Retail News

Gap Inc. and USAID to provide growth and economic opportunities for women in Burma

As first American retailer in Burma, Gap Inc. invests in women’s advancement program

Rangoon, Burma, 2014-6-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today at a signing ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador to Burma, Derek J. Mitchell, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Burma Mission Director, Chris Milligan, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) announced that the company is partnering with USAID to invest in the social and economic growth of Burma. By producing its products from two factories in Rangoon, Gap Inc. becomes the first American retailer to enter the Burma market. The company’s partnership with USAID will help lay the foundation for Gap Inc. to provide growth and economic opportunities for women in the country.

The garment industry stands poised to become a significant source of jobs, exports and opportunity for the people of Burma. Similar to its entry into other new markets over the past few decades, Gap Inc. is applying industry-leading best practices, which include audits by a well-respected non-governmental organization, to ensure that internationally recognized human rights and labor standards are upheld in the factories from which the company is sourcing.

As part of this commitment, Gap Inc. will partner with CARE International in Burma to deliver its award-winning women’s advancement program, P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement), in the factories in which it does business by the end of this year, and in select communities where CARE is involved. Started in 2007, P.A.C.E. aims to promote the advancement of female garment workers by providing life skills education and technical training to help them become more successful both personally and professionally.

Through its partnership with USAID, Gap Inc. will work with Indiana University and Hewlett-Packard (HP) to further expand the P.A.C.E. Community Program. By leveraging their shared knowledge and expertise, the partnership will recruit and engage participants in HP LIFE Centers in multiple communities throughout the country.

“USAID is pleased to partner with Gap Inc., one of America’s leading corporations, to improve the economic well-being of the people of Burma. Through partnerships, such as this one today, we are working together to ensure that communities benefit from an economy reentering the international marketplace. Through this effort and other initiatives, we are encouraging responsible investment to improve the welfare of all people of this country,” said Chris Milligan, USAID/Burma Mission Director.

These efforts are consistent with Gap Inc.’s efforts to improve working conditions and build local capacity in garment factories around the world.

“This is a historic moment for Burma and we are committed to working with the U.S. government and local government alongside local and international NGOs, to help create the economic opportunities that the citizens of Burma so richly deserve. By entering Burma, we hope to help accelerate economic and social growth in the country, and build on our track record of improving working conditions and building local capacity in garment factories around the world,” said Wilma Wallace, Vice President, Global Responsibility, Business and Human Rights, Gap Inc.

Gap Inc.’s decision to source garments from Burma was taken after a rigorous due diligence process which saw the company engaging extensively with US government officials, industry and union representatives and international and local NGOs in Burma in order to better understand the opportunities and challenges of doing business in the country.

As part of the company’s commitment to transparency, Gap Inc. will voluntarily disclose and publish information about its practices in Burma consistent with the United States Government’s reporting procedures. Gap Inc.’s vendors in Burma will be bound by the company’s Code of Vendor Conduct.

Gap Inc. clothing made in Burma will be available in stores this summer.

About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta, and Intermix brands. Fiscal year 2013 net sales were $16.1 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in more than 90 countries worldwide through about 3,100 company-operated stores, over 350 franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

About P.A.C.E.
Launched in 2007, Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. program creates opportunities for women to advance in their careers and personal lives. The garment industry is one of the world’s largest employers of low-skilled women workers. Despite their large numbers in the workforce, relatively few female garment workers advance to management positions, as many do not have access to the education and training that will propel their professional advancement. Research shows that P.A.C.E. graduates have lower rates of absenteeism, advance faster in the workplace and are more productive than factory workers who do not participate in the program. Not only do the women participating benefit from the program, but the factories also benefit by developing a more skilled and reliable workforce.

P.A.C.E. was designed and developed in partnership with Swasti Health Resources and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). CARE International is a key implementing partner. To date, more than 25,000 female garment workers have participated in the program in 7 countries.

For more information on Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. program and other community investments, please visit www.gapinc.com/socialresponsibility.

Download hi res images of our P.A.C.E. participants from around the world.

About USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.

Posted on June 9, 2014 by EPR Retail News

Meijer opened 190,000-square-foot supercenter in Bowling Green, Kentucky

190,000-square-foot store features fresh produce delivered daily, a free prescription program and pharmacy services promoting family health

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2014-6-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — Meijer opened a supercenter today in Bowling Green, Ky., marking its southernmost location, Co-Chairman Hank Meijer announced. The 190,000 square-foot store at 1676 Westpark Dr. has created more than 270 new jobs and will provide local residents with fresh produce delivered daily, affordable, high-quality merchandise and a full-service pharmacy that makes family health care a priority.

“We are very excited to finally bring the Meijer experience to our neighbors in Bowling Green and the surrounding communities,” Hank Meijer said. “This supercenter reinforces our commitment to meeting the needs of families by providing positive solutions to everyday problems. As our 10th store in Kentucky, it represents continued growth and investment in the Midwest.”

Meijer kicked off its opening celebration with a ribbon-cutting event inside the store, followed by remarks from Meijer officials and local dignitaries, and the presentation of a $25,000 check to help fund Warren County Public School’s new Synergy Center.

As a pioneer of one-stop shopping, the Grand Rapids-based retailer opened its first store in 1934 and has grown steadily by continuing to focus on fresh grocery options and on community partnership. Each year, Meijer donates more than 6 percent of its net profit to charitable organizations and works with local food pantries and banks to help fight hunger in local communities. Since 2008, its Simply Give program has donated more than $9 million to stock the shelves of food pantries in the communities it serves.

The new Bowling Green store is built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and features more than 600 high quality varieties of fresh produce, a meat department offering neighborhood butcher shop service with custom cuts and a bakery carrying fresh bread baked four times daily.

In addition to the retailer’s traditional grocery and merchandise offerings and garden center, the new pharmacy will offer the company’s free prescription program, as well as clinical services and immunizations designed to promote family health. The prescription program includes leading oral generic antibiotics with a special focus on prescriptions most often filled for children, prenatal vitamins and medications for those with diabetes and high cholesterol. Since its inception in 2006, the Meijer free prescription program has filled more than 19 million free prescriptions, saving Meijer customers more than $284 million.

“Our team has worked very hard to get this store ready and we’re excited to bring one of our stores to Bowling Green,” said Bill Thompson, store director of the Bowling Green Meijer. “We always strive to offer variety to our customers and look forward to bringing our fresh offerings to the Bowling Green area. Whether you’re looking for fruits and vegetables delivered daily, getting your yard ready for summer or seeking answers about a nagging health concern, we look forward to providing value to anyone who steps through our door.”

About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 208 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As the inventor of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. For more information on Meijer please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/meijer and @twitter.com/meijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

Contact: Joe Hirschmugl, 616-791-3943, joseph.hirschmugl@meijer.com

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Meijer opened 190,000-square-foot supercenter in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Posted on June 9, 2014 by EPR Retail News

SM Supermalls wins the Platinum Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Award for the Shopping Mall category in the Philippines for 2014

Pasay City, Philippines, 2014-6-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — SM Supermalls clinched, for the second year, the Platinum Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Award for the Shopping Mall category in the Philippines for 2014. As the ultimate seal of consumer approval, the Trusted Brand Award reflects SM Supermalls’ commitment to trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value, understanding of customer needs, innovation and social responsibility.

SM Supermalls adheres to basic tenets of shopping center management rooted in providing the highest level of service to its shoppers which include well-curated local and global fashion brands through partnerships with the world’s best retailers; a well-planned mix of food tenants giving the market a taste of the best in the local and global scene; a wide array of entertainment options; architectural eco-friendly designs and a warm and welcoming ambience that allows shoppers from all walks of life to feel safe, comfortable and happy.

Winning this award reaffirms SM Supermalls’ commitment to constant innovation and responsible mall development. The company’s duty goes beyond serving its customers inside the malls as it is also implements sustainability programs benefitting the communities where an SM mall is located. This award motivates SM Supermalls to work even harder in order to maintain the trust and bond with its customers have given the brand. And one important reason why SM Supermalls is the Filipinos’ most trusted mall brand is perhaps because it’s never veered away from what it’s been known for through the years – quality, affordable luxury and a shopping experience second to none. This is what SM Supermalls is all about.

In just over five decades, SM Supermalls became the Philippines’ most patronized chain of malls, rapidly growing from just one store into 49 malls in the country, three of which (SM North EDSA, SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia) are among the biggest malls in the world. SM Supermalls also owns and operates five malls in China.

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For further information, please contact:

Ms. Patricia Mendoza
Sr. Marketing Manager
SM Supermalls
+63917 809 06 53

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SM Supermalls received the Platinum in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Award 2014 for the Shopping Mall category last June 4, 2014 at Crowne Plaza Manila. (L-R) Sue Carney, Editor-in-Chief, Readers Digest Asia Pacific with the SM Supermalls team, Steven Tan, Senior Vice-President for Operations, Annie Garcia, President, Grace Magno, Vice-President for Advertising and Sheron White, Group Advertising Director, Readers Digest Asia Pacific.