Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

GALERIA Kaufhof Group provided an overview of its plans following the acquisition by Hudson’s Bay Company

Under the Leadership of CEO Olivier Van den Bossche,
GALERIA Kaufhof Group to Benefit from HBC’s Relationships with the World’s Best Brands, Successful Strategies in Key Merchandise Categories and Expertise in All-Channel Retailing
New Strategies Build from GALERIA Kaufhof Group’s Strong Heritage and Great Loyalty in the German and Belgian Markets; will be introduced as soon as the First Half of 2016

COLOGNE, Germany & TORONTO, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — GALERIA Kaufhof Group (“the Company”) today announced the closing of its successful acquisition by Hudson’s Bay Company (“HBC”) (TSX:HBC) and provided an overview of the plans in place to build on its strong heritage and important role in the German and Belgian retail marketplace. The plans center on working with HBC to invest in the GALERIA Kaufhof Group banners being GALERIA Kaufhof, Galeria INNO, along with DINEA and Sportarena to substantially enhance the customer experience across all channels and drive growth now and into the future.

“On behalf of everyone at HBC, I want to welcome GALERIA Kaufhof Group, all banners and all 21,500 Associates, to our family of exceptional department stores,” said Richard Baker, Governor and Executive Chairman of HBC. “Our experience since we began working with Olivier Van den Bossche and the leadership team has reaffirmed for us thatGALERIA Kaufhof Group has a strong platform in place, highly motivated Associates, great loyalty among customers, outstanding locations and substantial potential for growth.”

Jerry Storch, HBC’s CEO, said, “Our teams are off to a strong start working together in developing plans that build fromGALERIA Kaufhof Group’s distinctive appeal in the German market while bringing to bear the strategies that have enabled us to drive substantial growth at our department store banners in North America, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Lord & Taylor and Hudson’s Bay. We strongly believe in the great future ahead for GALERIA Kaufhof Group and look forward to seeing our plans come alive across all channels.”

With the addition of GALERIA Kaufhof Group, the HBC portfolio includes more than 464 stores in four countries with eight banners and expected sales in the range of C$14.5-C$15.5 billion in fiscal 20161.

New Strategies to Dramatically Enhance the Customer Experience

Beginning in the first half of 2016 and through 2017, GALERIA Kaufhof Group plans to introduce the following strategies in Germany and Belgium, with additional plans to be announced over time:

Leveraging HBC’s global footprint and deep brand relationships, GALERIA Kaufhof Group expects to attract a wider range of world-class brands, including in important women’s categories. The Company expects to accelerate its introduction of new brands that are highly sought after by German and Belgian customers.
Substantially enhancing GALERIA Kaufhof Group’s beauty, shoes and handbag offerings to differentiate them across the German marketplace and make them premier destinations for customers. Each of these departments will be substantially enlarged with new designs, brands and enhanced service.
Expanding GALERIA Kaufhof Group’s digital capabilities and offerings in order to develop Germany’s best consumer-facing network, incorporating stores, the internet, mobile and social media, building on the successful digital merchandising and marketing strategies HBC has employed in North America. In connection with this, GALERIA Kaufhof Group will invest in assortment expansions as well as fulfillment capabilities to increase efficiency and ease of ordering and delivery.
Expanding the offering for customers by growing store selling space, by making use of previously unproductive office and storage areas.

Additionally, HBC plans to introduce its Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH banners to the German market over time.

Putting Plans Into Action

Don Watros, President of HBC International, will work closely with Olivier Van den Bossche and the GALERIA Kaufhof Group team to oversee and support execution of the plans for the business going forward.

“Olivier has a true passion for retail and is a renowned expert in the strategic development of department stores,” saidMr. Watros. “I look forward to collaborating with him and his first-rate team, combining the experience and philosophy of HBC with the expertise and continuity guaranteed by the existing management team at GALERIA Kaufhof Group. We are thrilled to start putting our plans into action and making the banners even better places to visit, shop and work.”

HBC plans to honor all commitments it has made under GALERIA Kaufhof Group’s Social Charter and expects to expand the Associate base over time as new strategies create demand for personnel in stores and in connection with digital strategies. The Company will remain headquartered in Cologne, Germany.

Olivier Van den Bossche, CEO of GALERIA Kaufhof Group, said, “HBC strongly believes in the future of department stores and has a proven track record of driving strong performance at well-known retail banners by enhancing the customer experience through all channels. Our team is enormously excited about the plans we have developed to start a new chapter for GALERIA Kaufhof Group and to drive the growth and success of our business.”

Looking to the Christmas Season and the Future

Mr. Van den Bossche added, “Even as we look to the future, we are focused on delivering an enjoyable, exciting and convenient Christmas shopping experience for our customers, including greater investment in marketing to highlight our offering and service in our stores and online fulfillment. And we look forward with great anticipation to bringing our new plans to life for our customers starting in the new year.”

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About GALERIA Kaufhof Group
GALERIA Kaufhof Group, with its headquarters in Cologne, Germany, is a leading European department store company. With its innovative and successful Galeria concept, the Company offers a modern shopping experience.GALERIA Kaufhof Group, with 21,500 employees, currently operates 102 GALERIA Kaufhof department stores, 60 DINEA restaurants, and 16 Sportarena stores in Germany as well as 16 Galeria INNO department stores in Belgium. Since October 1, 2015, GALERIA Kaufhof Group is part of the premier global department store retailer Hudson’s Bay Company (TSX: HBC). More Information is available under: galeria-kaufhof.de.

About Hudson’s Bay Company
Hudson’s Bay Company (TSX: HBC) is one of the fastest-growing department store retailers in the world, based on its successful formula of driving the performance of high quality stores and their all-channel offerings, unlocking the value of real estate holdings and growing through acquisitions. Founded in 1670, HBC is the oldest company in North America. With the recent completion of its acquisition of GALERIA Kaufhof Group, HBC’s portfolio today includes eight banners, in formats ranging from luxury to better department stores to off price, with more than 460 stores and 65,000 employees around the world.

In North America, HBC’s leading banners include Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH, along with Home Outfitters. In Europe, its banners include GALERIA Kaufhof, the largest department store group inGermany, Belgium’s only department store group Galeria INNO, as well as Sportarena.

HBC has significant investments in real estate joint ventures. It has partnered with Simon Property Group Inc. in HBS Global Properties Joint Venture, which owns properties in the United States and Germany. In Canada, it has partnered with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust in the RioCan-HBC Joint Venture.

Forward-Looking Statements – Hudson’s Bay Company

Certain statements made in this news release, including, but not limited to, the benefits that are expected to result from the acquisition of GALERIA, growth strategies and opportunities for GALERIA as a result of contemplated strategic initiatives, HBC’s prospect for future European growth opportunities, and earnings guidance in respect of Sales for fiscal 2016, and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking. Often but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “estimate”, “plan”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “outlook”, “forecast”, “anticipate”, “foresee”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology.

Implicit in forward-looking statements in respect of Sales for fiscal 2016, are certain current assumptions, including, among others, HBC achieving low single digit same store sales growth on a constant currency basis in fiscal 2016, HBC opening new stores and assumptions regarding currency exchange rates for fiscal 2016. Specifically, we have assumed the following exchange rates for fiscal 2016: € 1 = C$1.50; US$1 = C$1.32. These current assumptions, although considered reasonable by HBC at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned that actual future operating results and economic performance of HBC, including with respect to our anticipated Sales for fiscal 2016, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things described below, general economic, market and business conditions, changes in foreign currency rates from those assumed, the risk that HBC may not achieve same store sales growth on a constant currency basis, and could differ materially from what is currently expected as set out above.

Although HBC believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are based on information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are by their nature subject to a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons. Some of the factors – many of which are beyond HBC’s control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict – include, among others: (a) the risk that the anticipated benefits and growth opportunities from the GALERIA acquisition cannot be realized; (b) the ability of HBC to retain and attract key GALERIA personnel and for GALERIA to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners; (c) credit, market, currency, operational, liquidity and funding risks generally, including changes in economic conditions, interest rates or tax rates; and (d) risks and uncertainties relating to information management, technology, supply chain, product safety, changes in law, competition, seasonality, commodity price and business.

HBC cautions that the foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause HBC’s actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of HBC’s Annual Information Form dated April 30, 2015, HBC’s second quarter Management Discussion & Analysis dated September 10, 2015, as well as HBC’s other public filings, available at www.sedar.com and at www.hbc.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe HBC’s expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable Canadian securities laws, HBC does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

1 See Forward Looking Statements for additional information.

FOR GALERIA KAUFHOF GROUP

MEDIA RELATIONS:
Gerd Koslowski, +49 (0)221 223-5595
Head of Corporate Communications
gerd.koslowski@kaufhof.de
or

FOR HBC
MEDIA RELATIONS:
Tiffany Bourré, (905) 595-7184
Director, External Communications
tiffany.bourre@hbc.com
or

Hering Schuppener
Dirk von Manikowsky, +49 (0)211 43079-265
dvonmanikowsky@heringschuppener.com
or

INVESTOR RELATIONS:, (416) 256-6745
investorrelations@hbc.com

Source: Hudson’s Bay Company

News Provided by Acquire Media

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Taco Bell the first QSR to offer menu items certified by the American Vegetarian Association

Expands on Food for All promise with menu certified by the American Vegetarian Association and millions of customizable veggie combinations

IRVINE, Calif., 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Taco Bell® is now the first QSR to offer menu items certified by the American Vegetarian Association (AVA), the industry’s recognized standard in vegetarian labeling. With more than 6,000 restaurants across the U.S. and a new vegetarian menu category launching today on its mobile ordering app and ta.co – the brand’s new web site – Taco Bell is leading the way when it comes providing easy, accessible vegetarian menu items that don’t compromise on variety or taste.

The latest in Taco Bell’s Food for All journey – focused on providing customers with choice, transparency and simplicity – the new AVA-certified menu takes its commitment to choice a step further, meeting the evolving needs of vegetarians and flexitarians. With roughly a quarter of consumers eating more vegetarian now than in 2013, Taco Bell recognized the opportunity to make access to vegetarian options easier than before.

“At Taco Bell, vegetarians are not an afterthought. We sell more than 350 million vegetarian menu items each year, but until now haven’t been vocal about it,” said Brian Niccol, CEO, Taco Bell Corp. “The recent launch of ta.co which makes customization easy made this the perfect time to move our vegetarian menu from the background to the forefront to further illustrate our commitment to delivering food that fits our customers’ evolving lifestyles.”

Taco Bell’s Vegetarian menu offers 13 AVA-certified menu items – like the 7-Layer Burrito and Cantina Power Veggie Bowl. Customers can also hack the menu with any of the 35 AVA certified vegetarian ingredients (26 of which are also vegan) and substitute beans for meat to create one of millions of different possible veggie-friendly combinations. Just launched this week, the new ta.co allows customers to personalize each order, so ordering meat-free has never been easier or more fun.

“We get it – being a vegetarian can be tough when you go out to eat,” said Niccol. “ We’re proud to treat meat lovers and vegetarians equally – equally delicious, equally craveable and equally affordable.”

Taco Bell continues to evolve the QSR experience with a fresh perspective on menu innovation – food that’s customizable and fits people’s lifestyles, without compromise on taste. In May, Taco Bell announced a commitment to simplifying its food with the removal of all artificial flavors and colors, as well as added trans fat, high fructose corn syrup and unsustainable palm oil bythe end of 2015. Taco Bell also answered customer demand for transparency by updating its website with user-friendly ingredient statements and a new nutrition calculator.

Check out Taco Bell’s social channels to stay up to date on the latest Taco Bell news: Facebook.com/tacobell (Facebook), YouTube.com/tacobell(YouTube), @TacoBell (Twitter), tacobell (Instagram) and @tacobell (Periscope).

MEDIA RELATIONS
Public relations inquiries please call 949-863-3915 or e-mail at media@tacobell.com

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

GALERIA Kaufhof GmbH’s Supervisory Board elected Donald W. (Don) Watros, President of HBC International, as its Chairman

HBC’s Don Watros and Supervisory Board Members to Work Closely with GALERIA Kaufhof GmbH CEO Olivier Van den Bossche and his Leadership Team to Dramatically Enhance the Customer Experience and Drive Growth across the GALERIA Kaufhof GmbH Banners

COLOGNE, GERMANY, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Supervisory Board of GALERIA Kaufhof GmbH (“GALERIA Kaufhof Group” or “the Company”), including the banners GALERIA Kaufhof, Galeria INNO and Sportarena, along with DINEA, today announced that it has elected Donald W. (Don) Watros, President of HBC International, as its Chairman, effective immediately. The successful completion of Hudson’s Bay Company’s (TSX: HBC) acquisition of GALERIA Kaufhof Group from METRO GROUP was announced yesterday. The Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board is Uwe Hoepfel, Head of the Joint Workers Council of GALERIA Kaufhof.

Mr. Watros said, “We are delighted to officially welcome our new colleagues at GALERIA Kaufhof Group into the HBC family. We have great respect for the Company’s heritage in the German and Belgian markets and enormous confidence in its successful future. I look forward to working with the highly talented leadership team, led by Olivier Van den Bossche, to execute on our plans and take the GALERIA Kaufhof Group banners to a new level of growth and success.”

In addition to Mr. Watros, nine additional representatives of HBC were elected to the Supervisory Board, replacing the former METRO GROUP representatives. They join the ten GALERIA Kaufhof Group employee representatives on the Supervisory Board.

About Donald W. Watros
Donald W. Watros has spent his entire career in finance and operations within the retail space. He has served in senior leadership roles on both the private equity side as well as within retail companies themselves.

He currently serves as President of Hudson’s Bay Company’s international unit. Hudson’s Bay Company is one of North America’s most extensive retail networks. Prior to this, he was President of Hudson’s Bay Company. Donald joined Hudson’s Bay Company in 2008 as Chief Operating Officer after serving for several years as the Managing Director of Retail Operations for NRDC Equity Partners. During his tenure at NRDC, he participated in the acquisitions of Lord and Taylor and Hudson’s Bay Company. Donald was also involved on streamlining the operations of the Company.

Donald began his retail career at the May Company in Merchandise Planning for the Hecht’s division based in Arlington, VA. He served in various financial posts in multiple divisions of the May Company, leaving his final post in 1994 as the Director of Financial Planning at Hecht’s to join Saks Fifth Avenue’s corporate offices. He was promoted through the financial and operational ranks of Saks and left the company in 2005 as Chief Administrative Officer. Since then, and during the time he was Chief Operating Officer of Hudson’s Bay Company, Donald participated in the successful acquisition of Saks Incorporated.

Mr. Watros holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, majoring in Applied Economics and Business Management and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from SUNY Binghamton.

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About GALERIA Kaufhof Group
GALERIA Kaufhof Group, with its headquarters in Cologne, Germany, is a leading European department store company. With its innovative and successful Galeria concept, the Company offers a modern shopping experience. GALERIA Kaufhof Group, with 21,500 employees, currently operates 102 GALERIA Kaufhof department stores, 60 DINEA restaurants, and 16 Sportarena stores in Germany as well as 16 Galeria INNO department stores in Belgium. Since October 1, 2015, GALERIA Kaufhof Group is part of the premier global department store retailer Hudson’s Bay Company (TSX: HBC). More Information is available under: galeria-kaufhof.de.

In North America, HBC’s leading banners include Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH, along with Home Outfitters. In Europe, its banners include GALERIA Kaufhof, the largest department store group in Germany, Belgium’s only department store group Galeria INNO, as well as Sportarena.

Media/Investor Contacts:

FOR GALERIA Kaufhof Group
MEDIA RELATIONS:
Gerd Koslowski
Head of Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 (0)221 223-5595
Email: gerd.koslowski@kaufhof.de

FOR HBC
MEDIA RELATIONS:
Tiffany Bourré
Director, External Communications
Phone: (905) 595-7184
Email: tiffany.bourre@hbc.com

Hering Schuppener
Dirk von Manikowsky
Phone : +49 (0)211 43079-265
Email: dvonmanikowsky@heringschuppener.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Phone: (416) 256-6745
Email: investorrelations@hbc.com

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Shopify merchants can now sell products directly on Twitter

Shopify merchants can now enable buy buttons on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Shopify Inc. (“Shopify”) (NYSE: SHOP, TSX: SH), a leading cloud-based, multichannel commerce platform, today launched a partnership with Twitter to allow Shopify merchants to sell products directly on Twitter. Twitter’s “Buy Now” buttons will be available to U.S.-based Shopify merchants, at no additional cost, making it easier for them to get their products into their followers’ hands.

“Many of our 175,000+ merchants already use Twitter to engage with their audience and now they can sell directly to them in real-time, ” said Satish Kanwar, Director of Product, Shopify. “Today’s partnership means Shopify merchants are now among the first to use buy buttons on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.”

Shopify merchants can start selling their products on Twitter by adding the Twitter sales channel so that any product tweeted from a merchant’s store will automatically include a buy button. Shoppers can buy products directly within their timeline on desktop, iPhone and Android. All Twitter orders, as well as product and customer details, will automatically be synchronized with Shopify.

To learn more about Shopify’s Twitter offering and to sign up, visit: shopify.com/twitter

Recently, Shopify announced a partnership with Facebook to introduce the Shop Section on Facebook Pages and the Facebook “Buy” call-to-action button. In June, Shopify announced that its merchants can sell on Pinterest using Buyable Pins. For more information, visit:press.shopify.com/releases.

About Shopify
Shopify is a leading cloud-based, multichannel commerce platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Merchants can use the software to design, set up and manage their stores across multiple sales channels, including web, mobile, social media such as Pinterest and Facebook, brick-and-mortar locations, and pop-up shops. The platform also provides a merchant with a powerful back-office and a single view of their business. The Shopify platform was engineered for reliability and scale, using enterprise-level technology made available to businesses of all sizes. Shopify currently powers over 175,000 businesses in approximately 150 countries, including: Tesla Motors, Budweiser, Wikipedia, LA Lakers, the New York Stock Exchange, GoldieBlox, and many more.

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Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

METRO GROUP sells Galeria Kaufhof including all locations in Germany and Belgium to the Canadian Hudson’s Bay Company for EUR 2.825 billion

Closing date of transaction 30 September 2015
Transaction value: €2.825 billion
Net cash inflow of €1.75 billion for (today’s) end of METRO AG’s financial year as at 30.09.2015
Rating-relevant net debt reduced by €2.85 billion

Düsseldorf, Germany, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — METRO GROUP successfully concludes the sale of Galeria Kaufhof including all locations in Germany and Belgium to the Canadian Hudson’s Bay Company as of 30 September 2015, as planned.

“With the disposal of Galeria Kaufhof, we are continuing with the transformation process and debt reduction at METRO GROUP and are able to focus on the METRO Cash & Carry, Media-Saturn and Real sales lines. We know that Galeria Kaufhof is in good hands and wish all employees the very best,” commented Olaf Koch, Chairman of the Management Board of METRO AG. “We will also use a part of the proceeds for acquisitions in order to strengthen and supplement our METRO Cash & Carry and Media-Saturn sales lines. The recently acquired companies Classic Fine Foods and RTS are prime examples.”

The agreed transaction value is €2.825 billion including various liabilities. In this context, METRO GROUP refers to the joint press release of the parties as of signing of the transaction as well as the latest quarterly earnings release of HBC (Second Quarter Events in the MD&A). The net cash inflow amounts to around €1.75 billion and is above previous forecasts. “With this agreement, we are on the right track to reducing our net debt to below €3.2 billion as of 30 September 2015 and to further improving our rating-relevant key figures”, added Mark Frese, CFO of METRO AG.

In the annual financial statements for 2014/15, which will be published on 15 December 2015, METRO GROUP forecasts a positive EBIT effect of some €750 million from the disposal of Galeria Kaufhof which will be reported as a special item. The divested operations of Galeria Kaufhof with around 17,000 employees and 134 locations generated sales of €3.1 billion in financial year 2013/14.

METRO GROUP is one of the largest and most important international retailing companies. In the financial year 2013/14 it generated sales of around €63 billion. The company operates around 2,200 stores in 30 countries and has a headcount of around 250,000 employees. The performance of METRO GROUP is based on the strength of its sales brands that operate independently in their respective market segments: METRO/MAKRO Cash & Carry – the international leader in self-service wholesale – Media Markt and Saturn – the European market leader in consumer electronics retailing and Real hypermarkets.

SOURCE: METRO Group

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Starbucks Mobile Order & Pay now available in UK

LONDON, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Starbucks is launching Mobile Order & Pay in the UK, allowing customers to pre-order their favourite drinks and food in over 150 London stores* and save time in the queue.

Rolling out from 1st of October, the new feature, available exclusively within the Starbucks App, offers customers greater convenience and the ability to customise their drink and food orders as well as time savings of up to 10-15 minutes*.

Using the App allows customers to order ahead from the Starbucks menu. Following confirmation, orders are immediately sent to the chosen local Starbucks store where baristas begin preparing the order and an approximate collection time is sent to the customer to pick up their order directly from their barista – skipping the queue.

Users of the App are also rewarded with exclusive opportunities to earn Stars with the My Starbucks Rewards loyalty programme.

The App has received a very positive response from customers in the United States where it has been available since December 2014. According to customer feedback, the App typically saves commuters and working people 10-15 minutes in their day; parents with young children find it easier to order ahead than stand in line, while speech- and hearing-impaired customers have hailed the App as a “game changer” in helping them to get their correct order, fast.

“We Brits are famous for queuing, but in an age of such sophisticated technology ‘why wait?’. With more people leading busier lifestyles than ever, saving minutes can really help, so we are excited to be bringing Mobile Order & Pay to our London customers – the first to have this feature outside of the US,” said Ian Cranna, vice president Marketing & Category for Starbucks EMEA. “We think the easy-to-use feature will meet our customers’ needs for convenience and customisation at any time of the day.”

Mobile Order & Pay is initially available on iOS in 150 stores in London for the first trial phase of the technology. The launch of the UK trial follows a successful pilot in the US where Mobile Order & Pay surpassed all expectations and has just extended to over 7,000 stores nationwide as well as to the Android platform.

*Based on feedback from morning commuter customers in the United States.

About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup.To share in the experience; please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.co.uk

For more information on this news release, contact us.

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Starbucks Mobile Order & Pay now available in UK

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Starbucks Foundation contributes $300,000 to support Seeds for Progress Foundation’s Digital Seeds program in Nicaragua

Nicaragua, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — As she travels through Nicaraguan communities where coffee farmers are focused on the annual coffee crop, Rosa Rivas thinks years ahead. The harvest she contemplates extends beyond the region’s essential crop to include more and more schools populated by growing numbers of healthy and proficient students.

Rivas is executive director of the Seeds for Progress Foundation in Nicaragua, a non-profit that concentrates on education, health and infrastructure. Seeds for Progress was established in 2013 as a social-responsibility offshoot of the Mercon Coffee Group, a leading coffee trading company with a strong commitment to the farming communities it serves.

As part of its deep commitment to coffee-producing communities, the Starbucks Foundation is contributing $300,000 over a three-year period to support Seeds for Progress’ Digital Seeds program. The funds are directed to eight schools to improve reading, writing and math skills for 2,700 students through the use of technology and innovative academic practices. Seeds for Progress also operates the Healthy Seeds Program, which provides health-care services to remote Nicaraguan regions.

‘We don’t want to just build a classroom. We want to build capacities and leadership’

“Starbucks has a long history of supporting pathways to opportunity for young people in the global communities we serve,” said Corey duBrowa, Starbucks senior vice president of Global Communications.

DuBrowa, who spent a week volunteering at a local comprehensive school in Las Colinas earlier this year, met with Rivas and many students.

“Starbucks has been sourcing coffee from Nicaragua for more than a decade. It’s gratifying to see firsthand our investments in these coffee communities supporting farmers and their families to ensure they can thrive for generations to come,” he said. “The work that Seeds for Progress is doing in Nicaragua is vital to this effort. We are proud to partner with leaders like Rosa, who are working so tirelessly for the children and their parents.”

Rivas is also mindful of future generations.

“We have some communities where we have been working for 10 or 12 years in the same school. It’s a long-term commitment,” she said. “We don’t want to just build a classroom. We want to build capacities and leadership in the communities. You can see economic returns in coffee production during the harvest. But in terms of education, we need at least five years of investment in a community to really see the difference.”

‘Education is fundamental for the coffee industry’

Bringing together non-government organizations with the public and private sectors to address the needs of the Nicaraguan people has been Rivas’s focus since she finished school. Raised in Managua, her nation’s capital and largest city, she credits her Jesuit education there with shaping an enduring social conscience. After studying business administration and marketing in college, Rivas married and moved north to the central northern mountain city of Matagalpa. She joined the Mercon Coffee Group as a coordinator in its Corporate Social Responsibility department in 2005.

“Back then, this was one of the first foundations promoting this type of partnership between the public sector and the private sector,” she said.

Rivas splits her time between Managua, Matagalpa and far-flung villages where she checks in with facilitators who work with teachers, parents and students on a day-to-day basis. The travel can be demanding, but there’s no question the work she and her cohorts engage in is critical to the communities they serve.

“Coffee is one of the main sources of income, not only for the coffee regions, but for the country. We see now, in terms of the coffee industry, there are a lot of challenges related to climate change and the weather, and related to the educational level of the producers,” Rivas said. “We still have farmers who don’t write or read, so they rely on their families or kids who are now in school. Education is fundamental for the coffee industry. We need producers with better education to produce coffee in a more sustainable way. It’s important to the challenges that we’re facing today.”

For more information on this news release, contact the Starbucks Newsroom.

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Starbucks Foundation contributes $300,000 to support Seeds for Progress Foundation’s Digital Seeds program in Nicaragua

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Fendi and Pucci celebrated women with an accent on seduction at Women’s Fashion Week in Milan

MILAN, ITALY, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Before hitting the Parisian runways, Women’s Fashion Week took place in Milan, where Italian designers showcased their Spring/Summer 2016 collections. Each in their own way, Fendi and Pucci celebrated women with an accent on seduction.

The Pucci catwalk was an eagerly anticipated event that marked the young designer Massimo Giorgetti’s debut collection as creative director, following his appointment in March 2015. The show paid homage to Emilio Pucci’s summers in his favorite city, Capri. A subtle range of blues and layers of pearls and metallicized materials gave Pucci’s silhouettes the look of urban mermaids. Pieces were asymmetrical, split, pleated and layered, subtly revealing a spirit of liberty and boldness.

Karl Lagerfeld celebrated 50 years of collaboration with Fendi with a show spotlighting his unique approach to leather, the material that made the Roman brand’s reputation. Materials were graphic, geometrical, pleated, braided and voluminous. The collection played with a range of chic reds, notably a coral leather bloomer playsuit, one of the show’s outstanding pieces.

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Pucci

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

CVS Health partners with startup accelerator MassChallenge and digital health venture fund Rock Health

WOONSOCKET, R.I., 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced that it was partnering with top startup accelerator MassChallenge and digital health venture fund Rock Health to drive faster innovation and expand areas of focus for connected health solutions. On the heels of the opening of its Digital Innovation Lab in June, these new collaborative relationships further demonstrate CVS Health’s commitment to driving rapid and impactful innovation in digital health solutions.

“We know that some of the best digital health innovations are already being developed, so we’ve made partnering a key part of our digital efforts,” said Brian Tilzer, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer for CVS Health. “We have broad scale and resources; MassChallenge offers a competitive startup accelerator program and Rock Health has an impressive portfolio of market-leading companies. By working collaboratively with each, we can rapidly design and test new ideas ultimately bringing solutions to our customers that will dramatically impact the way they manage their health.”

As part of its digital strategy, CVS Health is focusing on innovation areas including mobile, personalization, connected health and digital therapeutics complements to the work that many of the portfolio companies are already exploring. By forging new relationships in key markets — Boston, for healthcare and San Francisco, for technology– CVS Health aims to collaborate with the most advanced and capable organizations to develop future-looking health care solutions that help its 100 million customers proactively and better manage their healthcare needs.

Continued Momentum in Boston with MassChallenge

By entering into a relationship with MassChallenge, CVS Health furthers its connections in the Boston technology community, where it opened up a Digital Innovation Lab earlier this summer. MassChallenge runs startup accelerators in Boston, Israel and the U.K., designed to connect high-impact startups with the resources they need to launch and succeed. Through the partnership, high-potential startups will have access to CVS Health’s breadth and resources to help facilitate the development of the next generation of customer-centric products.

“We’ve seen steady growth in the number of digital health startups that are seeking entrepreneurial resources,” said Scott Bailey, Managing Director of MassChallenge Boston. “We hope that by working with CVS Health, these startups will gain access to an even greater network of resources, helping them to develop their products, make new discoveries and rapidly grow their businesses.”

Making New Connections in California through Rock Health

CVS Health is also entering a relationship with California-based Rock Health, the first venture fund dedicated to digital health. The sponsorship will enable Rock Health’s impressive portfolio to engage directly with CVS Health, providing opportunities to deepen relationships with key stakeholders that share the goal of solving today’s health care challenges.

“With its unparalleled consumer reach, CVS Health is in a unique position to deeply impact the future of healthcare in the U.S. and we’re honored they’ve chosen to work alongside Rock Health,” said Malay Gandhi, Managing Director of Rock Health. “Working with the most forward-thinking companies in the industry is a major pillar of how we provide meaningful support to our portfolio companies.”

About MassChallenge
MassChallenge runs startup accelerators designed to catalyze a global renaissance by connecting high-impact startups with the resources they need to launch and succeed. Anyone can apply to MassChallenge, with any early-stage startup, in any industry, from anywhere in the world. MassChallenge does not take equity or place any restrictions on the startups it supports.

With programs in Boston, Israel and the UK, MassChallenge provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, office space, education, access to a vast network, and other resources during four months of acceleration. MassChallenge awards over $2 million in non-dilutive grants to the startups demonstrating the highest impact and highest potential. A nonprofit organization, MassChallenge is funded by corporate, public and foundation partners. To date, the 617 MassChallenge alumni have raised over $947 million in funding, generated$485 million in revenue and created 5,105 jobs. For more information, visitwww.masschallenge.org.

About Rock Health
Rock Health is the first venture fund dedicated to digital health. Rock Health partners include AARP, Abbott, Blue Shield of California, Boehringer Ingelheim, Brigham and Women’s, CVS Health, Deloitte, Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, Qualcomm Life, UCSF, and the VA Center for Innovation. For more information, visit www.rockhealth.com.

About CVS Health
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its 7,800 retail drugstores, nearly 1,000 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 70 million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health atwww.cvshealth.com.

Press Contacts
Erin Pensa
CVS/pharmacy
T: 401.770.4786
E:Erin.Pensa@CVSHealth.com

Shannon Sullivan
MassChallenge Boston
T: + 888.782.7820 x 726
E: shannon@masschallenge.org

Lauren White
Rock Health
T: 202.320.8677
E: lauren@rockhealth.org

SOURCE: CVS Health

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

US Foods announced certification to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Chain of Custody Standard

Every US Foods Distribution Center is now certified to the global MSC Standard for sustainable, wild-caught seafood

Rosemont, Ill., 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — US Foods, one of the country’s most innovative food companies and leading distributors today announced certification to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Chain of Custody Standard. The MSC is recognized as the world’s leading certification program for sustainable, wild-caught seafood.

MSC Chain of Custody certification assures that in every step of the chain – from the fisherman, to the processor, to the distributor and the end user – MSC certified seafood is not mixed with or substituted for non-certified seafood. MSC Chain of Custody certification ensures that seafood products that carry the blue MSC ecolabel can be traced back to a fishery that has been certified as sustainable and well-managed against the global, science-based MSC Standard.

“Ensuring the integrity of the seafood we deliver is important to US Foods and to our customers,” said Steve Guberman, chief merchandising officer, US Foods. “We are pleased to be the first nationwide foodservice distributor to certify all our locations to the MSC Chain of Custody Standard. This certification is just another way to show our commitment to becoming a leader of sustainable foods in the industry.”

The MSC Chain of Custody certification underscores the company’s commitment to customers, to strengthening communities and helping to safeguard the environment. By offering certified sustainable foods and supplies with integrity, US Foods is helping customers to make easier and more sustainable menu choices. This certification along with additional internal programs is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“The MSC congratulates US Foods, one of the leading foodservice distributors in North America, on the achievement of attaining MSC certification and offering sustainable, wild-caught seafood to consumers nationwide,” said Geoff Bolan, MSC’s U.S. Program Director. “Their commitment to sustainable seafood demonstrates US Foods’ leadership in the food service industry.”

About US Foods
As one of America’s great food companies and leading distributors, US Foods is Keeping Kitchens Cooking™ and making life easier for customers, including independent and multi-unit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. With approximately $22 billion in annual revenue, the company offers more than 350,000 products, including high-quality, exclusive brands such as the innovative Chef’s Line®, a time-saving, chef-inspired line of scratch-quality products, and Rykoff Sexton®, a premium line of specialty ingredients sourced from around the world. The company proudly employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by affiliates of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.

Contact

Lisa Lecas, Manager
Corporate Communications, US Foods
Office: 847-720-8243
Lisa.Lecas@usfoods.com

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Macerich Live Webcast On October 1, 2015

SANTA MONICA, Calif., 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Macerich® (NYSE: MAC) invites investors and the general public to a live webcast of management Q & A following the Macerich Investor tour of Tysons Corner Center and mixed-use development on Thursday, October 1, 2015.

The live audio-only webcast will be available from approximately 11:00 am to noon Eastern Time in the Investing Section of the Company’s website at www.macerich.com. An online replay will be available at the same location for six months after the event.

Alternatively, investors may dial into the webcast in listen only mode. Please dial toll free 877-730-9524, or International 530-379-4678, conference code 513503337.

The Company will post an investor presentation to the Investing Section of the Company’s website at www.macerich.com. The presentation will be accessible at 11:00 am Eastern time Thursday, October 1, 2015 and will be archived for at least 90 days.

ABOUT MACERICH: Macerich, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States.

Macerich currently owns 55 million square feet of real estate consisting primarily of interests in 51 regional shopping centers. Macerichspecializes in successful retail properties in many of the country’s most attractive, densely populated markets with significant presence in thePacific Rim, Arizona, Chicago and the Metro New York to Washington, DC corridor. Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company’s website at www.macerich.com.

SOURCE Macerich

Thomas O’Hern, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 310-394-6000; John Perry, Senior Vice President-Investor Relations, 424-229-3345; Jean Wood, Vice President-Investor Relations, 424-229-3366

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Macerich to form joint ventures to which Macerich will contribute interests in 8 assets with expected $2.3b cash proceeds to Macerich

SANTA MONICA, Calif., 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Macerich Company (NYSE Symbol: MAC) today announced it has reached agreement to form joint ventures to which Macerich will contribute interests in eight assets with expected cash proceeds to Macerich totaling $2.3 billion. GIC will have a 40% interest in five assets and Heitman will have a 49% interest in three assets. The transactions are subject to usual and customary closing conditions and are expected to close in phases starting in October 2015 and concluding in the first quarter of 2016. The joint venture assets are:

Property	Location	6/30/2015 Sales PSF	6/30/2015 Occupancy	Partner % Interest

Arrowhead Towne Center	Glendale, AZ	$710	96.5%	40.0%
Deptford Mall	Deptford, NJ	$595	93.6%	49.0%
FlatIron Crossing	Broomfield, CO	$545	92.5%	49.0%
Lakewood Center	Lakewood, CA	$456	96.6%	40.0%
Los Cerritos Center	Cerritos, CA	$764	98.5%	40.0%
South Plains Mall	Lubbock, TX	$460	93.2%	40.0%
Twenty Ninth Street	Boulder, CO	$620	99.3%	49.0%
		$584	95.7%

Washington Square	Portland, OR	$1,118	97.7%	40.0%

Total		$653	96.0%

Concurrent with or prior to the joint venture closings, the Company is planning to put financing on South Plains Mall and Twenty Ninth Streetcenter and will refinance the debt on Washington Square, Los Cerritos Center and Arrowhead Towne Center. Included in the total cash proceeds, mentioned above, is Macerich’s share of the excess financing proceeds which is estimated to be $1.14 billion.

Use of the proceeds is expected to include share repurchases under the Company’s just announced $1.2 billion share repurchase program, a pay down of the line of credit debt balance and for a special dividend in the range of $3.50 to $4.50 per share.

Arthur Coppola chairman and chief executive officer of Macerich stated, “We are pleased to have entered into these transactions with two very well-regarded investment partners on this cross-section of assets from the Macerich portfolio. The expansion of our long-standing relationship with leading real estate investment management specialist Heitman and the beginning of a new one with GIC, one of the world’s premier global investment funds, validates the strength of the Macerich operating platform and demonstrates the demand for high-quality regional mall assets, while also providing the Company with significant capital to create additional shareholder value. These transactions highlight the significant differential between the private and public markets valuation of our assets. Liquidity from these transactions will be used to bridge that gap.”

Lee Kok Sun, Regional Head for Americas, GIC Real Estate, said, “We expect these high-quality assets to continue generating steady income streams and are confident of their growth moving forward. As a long-term value investor, we look forward to partnering with Macerich, one of the premier owners and operators of shopping centres in the US, as they share our core investment belief of being long-term.”

Maury R. Tognarelli, Chief Executive Officer of Heitman stated, “We are pleased to expand our relationship with Macerich, one of North America’s preeminent owners of shopping centers and a trusted partner we have been working alongside to successfully accomplish our mutual objectives for over twenty-five years.”

Macerich, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States.

Macerich currently owns 55 million square feet of real estate consisting primarily of interests in 51 regional shopping centers. Macerichspecializes in successful retail properties in many of the country’s most attractive, densely populated markets with significant presence in thePacific Rim, Arizona, Chicago, and the New York Metro area to Washington DC corridor. Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company’s website at www.macerich.com.

GIC is a leading global investment firm with well over US$100 billion in assets under management. Established in 1981, the firm managesSingapore’s foreign reserves and is uniquely positioned for long-term and flexible investments across a wide range of asset classes, including real estate, private equity, equities and fixed income. GIC has investments in over 40 countries and has been investing in emerging markets for more than two decades. Headquartered in Singapore, GIC employs over 1,200 people across 10 offices in key financial cities worldwide. For more information on GIC, please visit www.gic.com.sg.

Founded in 1966, Heitman LLC is a global real estate investment management firm with over $34.5 billion in assets. Heitman invests in commercial real estate directly or in publicly traded real estate securities. Heitman serves a global client base with clients from North American, European, Middle Eastern, and Asia-Pacific institutions, pension plans, foundations and corporations, and individual investors. Headquartered inChicago, with offices in Los Angeles, London, Luxembourg, Dusseldorf, Munich, Warsaw, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Melbourne. Additional information about Heitman can be obtained from their website at www.heitman.com.

Eastdil Secured/Wells Fargo acted as exclusive advisor to Macerich in arranging these transactions.

Note: This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements which can be identified by the use of words, such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “assumes,” “projects,” “estimated” and “scheduled” and similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. Stockholders are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to vary materially from those anticipated, expected or projected. Such factors include, among others, general industry, as well as national, regional and local economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect demand for retail space or retail goods, availability and creditworthiness of current and prospective tenants, anchor or tenant bankruptcies, closures, mergers or consolidations, lease rates, terms and payments, interest rate fluctuations, availability, terms and cost of financing and operating expenses; adverse changes in the real estate markets including, among other things, competition from other companies, retail formats and technology, risks of real estate development and redevelopment, acquisitions and dispositions; the liquidity of real estate investments, governmental actions and initiatives (including legislative and regulatory changes); environmental and safety requirements; and terrorist activities or other acts of violence which could adversely affect all of the above factors. The reader is directed to the Company’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, for a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference. The Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events unless required by law to do so.

SOURCE The Macerich Company

Thomas O’Hern, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,310-394-6000

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Macerich to repurchase of up to $1.2 billion of its outstanding common shares over the next 24 months

SANTA MONICA, Calif., 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Macerich Company (NYSE Symbol: MAC) today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $1.2 billion of its outstanding common shares over the next 24 months as market conditions warrant. Repurchases may be made through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, structured or derivative transactions, including accelerated stock repurchase transactions, or other methods of acquiring shares and pursuant to Rule 10b5-1, from time to time as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.

SOURCE The Macerich Company

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Julie Vickaryous and Heather Whyte speak about their experience with breast cancer in video as part of Co-op’s Drink Pink campaign in October

Saskatoon, SK, Canada, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Julie Vickaryous and Heather Whyte’s friendship began at a very unlikely place – at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre.

It’s been more than a year since Julie, 21, and Heather, 40, were diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite their initial shock at the diagnosis, they’re now speaking about their experience in a video as part of Co-op’s Drink Pink campaign in October.

“It’s like having your life put on hold for a year and everything has changed,” Heather said. “How your treatment goes and what they end up offering you for treatment changes a lot depending on how early you catch it.”

Drink Pink is a partnership between the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS) – comprised of FCL and over 200 independent retail co-ops across Western Canada – and Van Houtte Coffee Services Inc. that has raised $505,000 since 2010. The partnership donates 10 cents to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) for every cup of coffee sold in October at participating Co-op Gas Bars and Food Store delis. Co-op will also donate a portion of proceeds from special merchandise offers, such as travel mugs, available throughout the promotion.

“We continue to aid in the pursuit of creating a future without breast cancer,” said Vic Huard, Executive Vice-President of Strategy at Federated Co-operatives Limited. “Working with retail co-ops, we’re taking action by engaging Co-op members and customers and supporting the scientific research that will benefit people like Julie and Heather as well as many other families here in Western Canada.”

“Van Houtte Coffee Services is proud to again partner with Co-op on this great event,” said Lori Empey, Regional Account Manager at Van Houtte Coffee Services. “The success of this event over the last five years has been wonderful. Together, we are committed to finding a cure and ending breast cancer.”

In addition to Drink Pink, the CRS supports breast cancer research with a three-year $1.5 million donation made in 2014 and regional sponsorship of CIBC’s Run for the Cure. On Oct. 4, the CRS will donate bananas, oranges and granola bars for more than 30,000 Run for the Cure participants at 10 race locations.

“Since 2010, Federated Co-operative Limited and Van Houtte Coffee Services have made it possible for Canadians to make a positive impact on the breast cancer cause with a simple cup of coffee,” said Liz Viccars, Executive Director for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region.

“The $505,000 raised through the Drink Pink program over the past five years has enabled the Foundation to continue to invest in the best and brightest minds in breast cancer research across the Prairie provinces. The research projects we invest in are driving scientific advances and bring us closer to our vision of creating a future without breast cancer. We are very appreciative of the support of Federated Co-operatives Limited, Van Houtte Coffee Services and their generous customers who give so much every October. We are all in this together!”

Watch Julie and Heather share their stories at www.drinkpink.coop.

SOURCE: Federated Co-operatives Limited

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Julie Vickaryous, left, and Heather Whyte are sharing their stories as part of Co-op’s Drink Pink campaign in October.

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

New dinner kit for time-starved customers launched at a Square One Markets convenience store in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

BETHLEHEM, PA, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — A pilot test for new dinner kit that allows time-starved customers to quickly prepare nourishing family meals in less than 30 minutes was launched today at a Square One Markets convenience store in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The all-in-one kits provide healthy options to consumers and eliminate three significant downsides to many popular meal-delivery kits: cost, packaging waste and the need to plan a day or more in advance to order them.

Square One Markets is selling The Six O’Clock Scramble Fresh & Fast Family Dinner Kits™, developed by The Six O’Clock Scramble, a company dedicated to sharing fresh and fast family dinner solutions. The dinner kits provide all-in-one meal ingredients and recipe cards that contain everything time-stressed families need to prepare a fast, fresh meal. They sell for around $20 and are designed to feed a family of four. At $5 per person, the dinner kits are less than half the price of meal-delivery services — and without the packaging waste and carbon footprint from shipping. The kits also will feature some locally grown and produced ingredients from the Bethlehem area.

Square One Markets and The Six O’Clock Scramble worked with the Project on Nutrition & Wellness (PNW) and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) to develop the family dinner kits.

The September 30 launch at the Square One Markets store on 1125 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem, features cooking demonstrations and recipe sampling from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm featuring the creator of the dinner kits, renowned cookbook author, Today show contributor and The Six O’Clock Scramble CEO Aviva Goldfarb.

Square One Markets will offer the dinner meal solutions for the next 10 weeks as part of the pilot test. A new meal will be offered each week to customers and the groups will survey customers to determine which meals worked best — and why.

“Our customers are excited to be part of this pilot test and look forward to redefining convenience with these meal solutions,” said Square One Markets CEO Lisa Dell’Alba. “It makes so much sense to create this program for drivers already fueling up.”

“The evening hours are when families stress about dinner preparation plans. This evening rush is also the most popular time to buy gasoline. This is a great way to combine two trips into one,” said Jeff Lenard, vice president of strategic industry initiatives for the National Association of Convenience Stores. Convenience stores sell an estimated 80% of the gasoline purchased in the United States, an estimated 32 million fill-ups every day.

“Square One Markets, with nine convenience stores selling fuel in and around Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a perfect test for the national concept, especially with its full-service fueling and curbside delivery service at select stores,” added Julie Garel, director of the Project on Nutrition & Wellness.

Only 50% of families have dinner together at least five nights a week, and one in three American children is obese. The Six O’Clock Scramble Fresh & Fast Family Dinner Kit™ allows families to recapture family dinners and do it in a nutritious fashion. For the past 12 years, The Six O’Clock Scramble has sought to remove many of the barriers that prevent families from having a healthy, delicious dinner together, such as indecision, exhaustion and lack of time. Through a website and cookbooks, the company provides simple, healthy meal plans that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.

“As more families have two working parents and busy schedules, it can be a challenge to plan for healthy meals, let alone make an extra stop to purchase the ingredients. The Six O’Clock Scramble Fresh & Fast Dinner Kits™ provide a convenient and affordable solution for busy families, and gets them on their way quickly to a healthy family meal,” said Aviva Goldfarb, CEO of The Six O’Clock Scramble.

Families that want to cook more meals together but can’t say that the main reasons are busy schedules (43%) and they are too tired after school or work (31%), according to a new NACS consumer study conducted by Penn Schoen Berland. This dinner kit addresses both obstacles.

Meanwhile, demand for meal kits is there. More than three in four consumers (77%) say that they would be interested in purchasing an all-in-one meal kit from a store. Convenience store customers are especially receptive: 85% of weekly convenience store customers would purchase a dinner meal kit, according to survey results.

Note to reporters: Please contact Jeff Lenard at NACS to arrange for interviews, obtain details about the event or acquire photos and images of the dinner kits (703/518-4272; cell 703/608-5922; jlenard@nacsonline.com).

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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 152,700 stores across the country, posted $696.1 billion in total sales in 2014, of which $482.6 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 October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Shiseido’s new perfume Ever Bloom available at International Duty Free shops

Diegem, Belgium, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Shiseido has created a new perfume endowed with the marvelous power of revealing the inner feminity and beauty of the woman wearing it.

The musk and floral notes (orange flower and gardenia) fashion a new, sensuous airiness, leaving a precious imprint and intoxicating floral wake on the skin.

It stems from the magical hands of its creator, Aurélien Guichard. It is not exactly a perfume but more of an impression, a gracious aura made of light and grace, a floral scent suggesting a new feminity: softer, more incarnated and more authentic.

Ever Bloom is nothing less than your aura. Your presence. Your new scent.

Take advantage of your passage in our perfume shops to discover this magical fragrance.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL DUTY FREE

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Shiseido’s new perfume Ever Bloom available at International Duty Free shops

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Toys“R”Us® unveiled four trends anticipated to impact toy-buying decisions this holiday season

The World’s Greatest Toy Store™ Identifies Trends Expected to Influence Holiday Toy Purchases Including, “Age of the Dinosaurs,” “Full STEAM Ahead,” “Lil’ Sous Chefs in Training” and “Pets with Personality”

WAYNE, NJ, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — After a year of tracking toy purchases across the globe, the team of experts at Toys“R”Us® has named four trends anticipated to impact toy-buying decisions this holiday season. This year’s trends reflect popular themes seen across screens both big and small, as well as a movement to encourage exploration and creative thinking – proving smart is the new cool. Influenced by pop-culture and cultural shifts, these trends are indicative of the types of toys kids will hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

Click to Tweet: Trend Alert: STEAM, Dinos, Pets and Lil’ Chefs! @ToysRUs predicts top toy trends for Holiday 2015! #TRUHotToyList http://toysr.us/PressRoom

“As the world’s leading dedicated toy retailer, Toys“R”Us leverages industry insights, monitors purchase patterns and observes culturally relevant themes to understand what parents and kids gravitate towards each year,” said Richard Barry, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Merchandise Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “Whether it’s cooking up fun pretending to be a chef, caring for a technologically savvy pet or promoting curiosity and learning through play, these trends include some of the hottest new items for the 2015 holiday season.”

The following are the Toys“R”Us Top Trends, as well as select toys exemplifying each category, all of which can be found in stores nationwide and online at www.Toysrus.com:

Age of the Dinosaurs
Inspired by new, hit movies, including the blockbuster, Jurassic World, and the highly anticipated release of The Good Dinosaur, as well as dinosaur-themed shows such as DINOTRUX, it is Mesozoic mania on toy shelves this holiday season. Kids of all ages will have a roaring good time with dynamic dinosaurs ranging from futuristic prehistoric pals and classic plush to giant multi-playthings and pint-sized dinos. The following creatures are extinct no more:

DINOTRUX Mega Chompin’™ Ty Rux from Mattel®
Imaginext® Ultra T-Rex from Fisher-Price®
Jurassic World Hero Mashers Ultimate TRex from Hasbro®
Zoomer™ Chomplingz from Spin Master™
Zoomer™ Dino Jurassic World Indominus Rex from Spin Master™

Full STEAM Ahead
Play has always stimulated a child’s imagination, but recently toys that inspire interest in STEAM have emerged as one of the most popular trends among parents wanting to introduce the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math to children as part of playtime. These unique playthings are dedicated to advancing inquisitiveness while helping to spur strategic and creative thinking:

Anki OVERDRIVE Starter Kit from Anki™
Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo from Fisher-Price®
Meccanoid GKS from Spin Master™
Project Mc2 Dolls from MGA Entertainment
Smart Toy Bear from Fisher-Price®

Lil’ Sous Chefs in Training
Cooking, baking, grilling, oh my! From pictures on social media to an entire network of celebrity chefs, the kitchen is the popular place to be. Whether emulating the culinary adventures of their moms and dads or pretending to be a cuisine connoisseur, kids can’t wait to tie on an apron and create their own lil’ bites. These crafty, delicious toys help spark imagination while creating personalized playtime experiences – not to mention satisfying a sweet (or salty!) tooth:

Candy Craft Chocolate Pen from Skyrocket™
Play-Doh® Cookout Creations from Hasbro®
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Oven from Wicked Cool Toys
The Real Cotton Candy Maker from Cra-Z-Art®
Yummy Nummies Mini Kitchen Party Sets from Blip

Pets with Personality
Kids have always found a friend in their favorite stuffed animal and now they are gravitating towards play pets that can interact with them. This year, an abundance of cuddly companions comes equipped with realistic movements and offers all the fun of traditional pets, minus the mess. The following toys are just a few of the playthings kids will be clamoring to adopt into their playroom:

Chubbie Puppies Mega Set from Spin Master™
Clever Keet from Moose Toys™
FurReal Friends JJ, My Jumpin’ Pug from Hasbro®
Little Live Pets Lil’ Mouse Deluxe Play Trail from Moose Toys™
Zoomer Whiskers from Spin Master™

Those eager to shop items corresponding to these trends, or any of the 36 playthings named to the Toys“R”Us 2015 #TRUHotToyList, can check out Toysrus.com/HotToys for all their gift-giving needs. In addition, the company’s online Gift Finder allows shoppers to browse a vast array of toys grouped by age, toy category, current promotions and more. Toys“R”Us is THE destination for all the trending toys and for unique services like free shipping of online orders with a minimum purchase of $19, Price Match Guarantee and Free Layaway, as well as its Rewards“R”Us loyalty program.

For company news and updates throughout the season, please visit “R” Holiday Press Room.

About Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 864 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in more than 730 international stores and over 240 licensed stores in 38 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys at FAO.com. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys“R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 66,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys“R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus, Twitter.com/Babiesrus and Twitter.com/FAOSchwarz.

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Media Contacts:
Toys“R”Us, U.S.
Samantha Xenis
973-617-5306/646-366-8826
Samantha.Xenis@toysrus.com

Cheryl O’Brien
973-617-4380/646-366-8825
Cheryl.Obrien@toysrus.com

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Whole Foods Market among the most reputable companies for CSR in US according to US CSR RepTrak® list

US CSR RepTrak® examines America’s most reputable companies on workplace, governance, and citizenship

AUSTIN, Texas, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Whole Foods Market has been named among the most reputable companies for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the United States, according to the US CSR RepTrak® list released today by Reputation Institute. The US CSR RepTrak® rankings measure the public’s perception of companies based on three dimensions: workplace, governance, and citizenship.

“For decades Whole Foods Market has stayed true to its mission by putting a clear set of core values into practice that actively help make our planet a healthier, more prosperous, and more sustainable place,” said A.C. Gallo, president and chief operating officer of Whole Foods Market. “We are pleased Reputation Institute has ranked our business as being an American leader in corporate social responsibility because we’ve long been a driving force for the adoption of sustainable agriculture and animal welfare standards. We are also proud to have launched the Whole Planet, Whole Cities, and Whole Kids foundations, which partner with communities in the U.S. and around the world to alleviate poverty through microcredit, expand access to fresh, nutritious foods in underserved communities, and educate children so that they can make healthier food choices.”

Reputation Institute’s RepTrak® model is considered a gold standard for reputation measurement, providing a one-of-a-kind measurement of how the public views the world’s best-known companies. The RepTrak® database is normative, examining 15 stakeholder groups in more than 25 industries and more than 50 countries for more than 7,000 companies. The 2015 US CSR RepTrak® examines perceptions of companies by the US general public based on over 55,000 interviews.

Whole Foods Market placed No. 25 on the 2015 list of companies with the best CSR reputations among the U.S. public, which is compiled annually by Reputation Institute, a leading research and advisory firm focused solely on corporate reputations.

“The top U.S. companies proactively manage their reputations by investing as much in corporate dimensions like governance, citizenship and workplace as they do in their products and services,” says Brad Hecht, Chief Research Officer at Reputation Institute. “Companies with high CSR reputation scores have a demonstrated track record of ethical behavior and leadership that makes consumers want to engage with them and provides a buffer of goodwill during a crisis.”

In June, Reputation Institute ranked Whole Foods Market America’s third most reputable company in the retail industry and the third-strongest retail brand in America.

Other accolades the company has received in 2015 include:

• Fortune magazine ranked Whole Foods Market No. 30 on its list of 50 companies that “Change the World” by being at the forefront of food consciousness, noting the company’s role in creating the market for natural, healthy food.
• Greenpeace named Whole Foods Market the top retailer for seafood sustainability in the nonprofit’s annual ranking of U.S. supermarkets. Whole Foods Market has topped the seafood sustainability list for three consecutive years.
• Compassion in World Farming recognized Whole Foods Market with a Good Sow Commendation and Global Good Egg Award for the company’s animal welfare efforts.
• The Better World Shopping Guide awarded Whole Foods Market an “A” rating in its latest edition.

The complete ranking of the US CSR RepTrak® companies can be found at
http://www.reputationinstitute.com/research/CSR-RepTrak.

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Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Healthy check stand featuring fresh produce and healthy snacks to open at Fresh Market in Ogden on Oct 2

Ogden UT, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Healthy Check Stand to Open In Fresh Market Ogden

WHAT: A healthy check stand featuring fresh produce and healthy snacks will officially open to the public October 2 at Fresh Market in Ogden in partnership with the Weber-Morgan Health Department. A ribbon cutting ceremony and remarks will be made by Weber-Morgan Health Department’s Health Officer, Brian Bennion, Fresh Market’s store director, Brandon Allred, and Fresh Market’s nutritionist, Ron Beckstrom.

WHEN: Friday, October 2, 10:30 a.m.

WHY: In an effort to help promote a healthy lifestyle, Weber-Morgan Health Department and Fresh Market have partnered to create a healthy check stand—offering fresh produce and healthy snacks to guests as they checkout. According to Weber-Morgan Health Department’s 2014 Center for Health Data, Weber-Morgan has an overweight and obese population of 62.3 percent. 26.8 percent of the Weber-Morgan population has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and 8.9 percent with diabetes (vs. Utah’s 24.4 percent and 7.6 percent).

WHERE: Fresh Market

5691 Harrison Blvd
Ogden UT 84403

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Media Contact:
Sarah Pettit
Public Relations Manager
801.916.1070

Scpettit@afstores.com

PIO WMHD
Lori Buttars
801.399.7114
lbuttars@co.weber.ut.us

Resources:

For more information about Weber-Morgan Health Department’s health statistics, please visit:http://ibis/health.utah.gov

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Morrisons Carrier Bag Charge expected to raise an estimated £5m windfall for good causes

Bradford, England, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Morrisons Foundation predicts an increase in the number of grants awarded following the introduction of the Single Use Carrier Bag charge on Monday 5th October. The charge in Morrisons stores is expected to raise an estimated £5m windfall for good causes when it is introduced next week.

The carrier bag legislation requires the retailer to charge customers 5p for every single use carrier bag used during a shop. Morrisons has committed to donating income from the charge to its charitable foundation which will offer grants to local charities across the country.

In the run-up to the introduction of the charge, Morrisons has helped customers prepare by:

* Displaying information in stores to remind customers.
* Checkout staff have also been telling customers about the charge.
* Introducing measures to encourage customers to switch from single use carrier bags to reusable bags including reducing the price of its Bags for Life from 12p to 10p.
* Launching a new range of reusable bags including classic woven bags, durable cotton bags, a convenient packable bag and insulated options ideal for chilled or frozen products.

In Scotland and Wales, where a similar charge is already in force, Morrisons has seen around an 80% reduction in the use of single use carrier bags.

Morrisons Group Corporate Services Director, Martyn Jones said: “This is a big change for customers and we are working hard to make our shoppers aware of the charge and provide them with a choice of reusable bags. However, the charge will be a boost for local charities across the country and help them to deliver projects that will make a real difference in their communities.”

The Morrisons Foundation was established earlier this year to provide grants to both local and national charities carrying out projects that improve people’s lives. To date the Foundation has awarded over 100 grants totalling around £650,000. In addition, some proceeds generated from the single use carrier bag charge will be donated to Morrisons curent charity partner, Sue Ryder.

Funds raised from Morrisons online deliveries will support a recycling initiative which will reprocess used online delivery bags into new carriers.

Media contact

For all media enquiries call
0845 611 5111
Available 24 hours

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Innovation Awards by Decathlon 2015 takes place in Lille’s Zénith arena, France on October 8

Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Every year since 2005, the Innovation Awards by Decathlon have been showcasing the Passion Brands’ most innovative products. Rendezvous October 8th to enjoy this fantastic event and vote for your favourite innovation.

Spotlight innovation

With innovation at the heart of Decathlon’s strategies, the Innovation Awards have become a must-see event for all company employees, customers, industrial partners, and of course for all sports enthusiasts. They showcase the most innovative products developed by the Passion Brands, which are pitched on stage directly by the product managers, engineers and teams who dreamt them up and designed them.

Ten competing innovations

Quechua’s 2 Seconds tent, Tribord’s Easybreath snorkelling mask andOxelo’s B1 scooter are all past winners. But which of the ten competing innovations will take the plaudits this year?

Follow the event online

Taking place in France, in Lille’s Zénith arena, the ceremony is also broadcast live online to enable everyone, all around the world, to enjoy the event, and more importantly, to vote for the Decathlon innovation of the year.

To get involved in the atmosphere of the big event alongside Decathlon teams and vote for your favourite innovation, rendezvous October 8that 8.45pm (Paris time) on the Innovation Awards by Decathlon website or on social networks using #IAD2015.

All the videos of the event will be available for replay from October 9th.

SOURCE: Décathlon

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Dialogforum in Berlin: Perspektiven eines nachhaltigeren Konsums in Deutschland

Ab morgen im Netz: Neuer Nachhaltigkeitsbericht der REWE Group

Köln, Germany, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Über 300 Teilnehmer aus Politik, Wissenschaft, Industrie und von Nichtregierungsorganisationen (NGOs) sowie Medienvertreter diskutieren morgen, 1. Oktober 2015, im STATION Berlin beim Dialogforum der REWE Group über die Perspektiven eines nachhaltigeren Konsums in Deutschland. Zugleich präsentiert das Unternehmen seinen neuen Nachhaltigkeitsbericht, der erstmals in ausschließlich digitaler Form unter dem Titel „Wir sind mittendrin“ veröffentlicht wird.

REWE Group-Vorstandsvorsitzender Alain Caparros begrüßt morgen (01.10.) über 300 Gäste beim Dialogforum des Kölner Handels- und Touristikunternehmen in Berlin. Zum Auftakt der eintägigen Veranstaltung moderiert ZDF-Journalistin Dunja Hayali eine Diskussion mit der verbraucher- und tierschutzpolitischen Sprecherin von Bündnis 90/Die Grünen im Deutschen Bundestag, Nicole Maisch und dem Wirtschaftsjournalisten und Publizisten Caspar Dohmen, Autor des Buches „Otto Moralverbraucher – Vom Sinn und Unsinn engagierten Konsumierens“. Dabei gehen Hayali, Maisch und Dohmen der Frage nach, was die „Hindernisse und Schrittbeschleuniger“ auf dem Weg zu einem nachhaltigeren Konsum in Deutschland sind.

Wie nie zuvor steht dieses Jahr der direkte Austausch zwischen Stakeholdern und Mitarbeitern der REWE Group im Fokus des Dialogforums. Neue interaktive Formate, wie Speed Datings oder Marktbesichtigungen mit insgesamt 75 Dialogpartnern des Unternehmens – Vorstände, Führungskräfte und Experten – bieten kurzweilige Möglichkeiten, Fragen zu stellen und neue Impulse mitzunehmen.

Nachhaltigkeitsbericht 2013/14 jetzt online

Zugleich präsentiert die REWE Group am morgigen 1. Oktober ihren neuen Nachhaltigkeitsbericht unter dem Titel „Wir sind mittendrin“. Erstmals wird dieser Bericht, der das nachhaltige Engagement der REWE Group in den Jahren 2013 und 2014 dokumentiert, in ausschließlich digitaler Form im Internet erscheinen. Für alle Interessierten ist der Bericht ab morgen online unterwww.rewe-group-nachhaltigkeitsbericht.de/2014 zu finden. Der Bericht entspricht den Anforderungen des neuen Berichtsstandards G4 der Global Reporting Initiative. Zur Sicherung von Qualität und Glaubwürdigkeit hat die REWE Group freiwillig zentrale Managementprozesse, Nachhaltigkeitsprojekte und -daten durch die Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft PricewaterhouseCoopers verifizieren lassen.

Nachhaltigkeitswochen der REWE Group

Die Vertriebslinien der REWE Group veranstalten auch in diesem Jahr Aktionswochen mit den jeweiligen Schwerpunkten „Schutz der Artenvielfalt“, „Umweltschutz“ und „Soziale Verantwortung“. Mit dem Ziel, ihre wöchentlich rund 47 Millionen Kunden für Nachhaltigkeit zu begeistern, werden nachhaltigere Produkte – unter anderem mit dem PRO PLANET-Label der REWE Group und nachhaltigere Produkte namhafter Markenartikler – in den Vordergrund gestellt. Das unabhängige CSCP (UNEP/Wuppertal Institute Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production GmbH) in Wuppertal hat die REWE Group beraten und den nachhaltigen Beitrag der Produkte bewertet.

Rund 7.000 nachhaltigere Produkte bei REWE, PENNY und toom Baumarkt

Bereits heute sind zusammen rund 7.000 nachhaltigere Produkte im Sortiment von REWE, PENNY und toom Baumarkt. Dazu zählen Produkte, die gekennzeichnet sind mit PRO PLANET, Bio, MSC, Fairtrade, FSC, PEFC, Rainforest Alliance, EU Eco-Label, Blauer Engel oder UTZ Certified.

REWE Group Verbraucherpreis

Seit 2011 verleiht die REWE Group im Rahmen des Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitspreises den “Hallo Erde!”-Verbraucherpreis. Dieser Preis, bei dem die Sieger über eine Konsumentenbefragung ermittelt werden, wird in diesem Jahr erstmalig unter dem Namen “Deutschlands nachhaltigste Produkte (REWE Group-Verbrauchervoting 2015)” vergeben. Vom 7. bis 21. November können Verbraucher im Internet auf www.verbraucherpreis2015.de ihre Stimme abgeben. Die Gewinner werden im Rahmen der Gala des Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitspreises am 27. November feierlich ausgezeichnet.

Die genossenschaftliche REWE Group ist einer der führenden Handels- und Touristikkonzerne in Deutschland und Europa. Im Jahr 2014 erzielte das Unternehmen einen Gesamtaußenumsatz von über 51 Milliarden Euro. Die 1927 gegründete REWE Group ist mit ihren 330.000 Beschäftigten und 15.000 Märkten in 12 europäischen Ländern präsent. In Deutschland erwirtschafteten im Jahr 2014 rund 228.000 Mitarbeiter in rund 10.000 Märkten einen Umsatz von 37 Milliarden Euro.

Zu den Vertriebslinien zählen Super- und Verbrauchermärkte der Marken REWE, REWE CENTER, REWE CITY und BILLA, der Discounter PENNY sowie die Baumärkte von toom Baumarkt und B1 Discount Baumarkt. Hinzu kommen die Bio-Supermärkte (TEMMA), innovative Convenience-Märkte (REWE To Go), das Gastrokonzept „Oh Angie!“ und E-Commerce-Aktivitäten REWE Lieferservice sowie Zooroyal und Weinfreunde. Zur Touristik gehören unter dem Dach der DER Touristik die Veranstalter ITS, Jahn Reisen und Travelix sowie Dertour, Meier’s Weltreisen und ADAC Reisen sowie die Geschäftsreisesparte FCm Travel Solutions und über 2.100 Reisebüros (u.a. DER Reisebüro, DERPART), die Hotelketten lti hotels, Club Calimera und PrimaSol Hotels und der Direktveranstalter clevertours.com.

Ansprechpartner:
REWE Group-Unternehmenskommunikation
Tel.: +49 221 149 1050
Mail: presse@rewe-group.com

Posted on October 1, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

Albert Heijn: Vanaf eind deze week staat ons Sinterklaas-assortiment weer op de winkelvloer

Zaandam, Netherlands, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Vanaf eind deze week staat ons Sinterklaas-assortiment weer op de winkelvloer. Als leverancier van Sinterklaasplezier vindt Albert Heijn dat schoen zetten, pakjesavond, samen liedjes zingen en typische Sinterklaaslekkernijen bij dit kinderfeest centraal moeten staan. Zwarte Piet is – hoe je het wendt of keert – onderdeel van deze Sinterklaascultuur en je treft ‘m daarom vanaf vandaag in verschillende verschijningsvormen bij ons aan. Uiteraard kan er ook gekozen worden voor producten zonder de afbeelding van Piet. Er is voor ieder wat wils.

Ieder feest op eigen wijze
Of het nu Pasen is of Kerst, Albert Heijn koestert alle dagen waarop we feestelijk bij elkaar kunnen zijn. We hechten veel waarde aan de gezellige momenten van saamhorigheid, waar onder het genot van eten en drinken tradities op eigen wijze worden gevierd. Dat culturele gebruiken rondom het geliefde Sinterklaasfeest ook kwetsend kunnen zijn vinden we oprecht vervelend. Want ondanks ons motto – Iedereen is welkom bij Albert Heijn – kunnen we het nu helaas niet voor iedereen goed doen. Zoals je van ‘een goede buur’ mag verwachten houden we uiteraard, waar mogelijk, rekening met lokale voorkeuren.

Op naar het heerlijk avondje
Op welke wijze Albert Heijn campagnematig toeleeft naar 5 december verklappen we nog niet, dat zullen onze klanten straks vanzelf zien. Maar één ding kunnen we met zekerheid zeggen: wij zijn in gesprek met de allerbelangrijkste doelgroep van Sinterklaas, namelijk de kinderen, om er ook dit jaar weer een fantastisch feest van te maken.

SOURCE: Albert Heijn