National Retail Federation announces the development of new Digital Council to enhance e-commerce initiatives within the retail industry

Washington, DC, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — The National Retail Federation today announced the development of a new Digital Council, powered by NRF’s digital division Shop.org, which was created to enhance the strategic value of NRF and the e-commerce, mobile and innovative initiatives that exist within the retail industry today. The members-only council will support and promote collaboration in efforts like the exchange of information on digital retail trends and strategies, the development of original research, and educational events and advocacy opportunities in Washington, D.C..

The council will be comprised of senior digital industry experts, many of whom have been instrumental in the success of Shop.org. Michael Burgess, special advisor to the chairman and ceo of Hudson’s Bay Company and most recently president of HBC Digital for Hudson’s Bay Company will serve as chair of the Council, and Sucharita Mulpuru, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research will serve as vice chair.

“As the voice for thousands of retail brands around the world and with the guidance of the Shop.org digital community, NRF is in a unique position to serve as a leader in a space that continues to evolve, revolutionizing the way consumers interact, connect and shop with their favorite brands,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “We are excited to launch this council with our experienced retailers and partners, and look forward to years of thought-provoking discussions and learning opportunities.”

The Digital Council adds to NRF’s existing portfolio of important business-centered communities including the invite-only CIO, CMO and loss prevention groups, as well as the broader membership-based Association for Retail Technology Standards and Shop.org division. These groups often partner to develop comprehensive research, put on events and connect industry peers.

The council held its first official meeting at NRF’s Shop.org Digital Summit in Philadelphia on October 5, 2015.

Learn more about the council and the Shop.org Digital Summit.

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. NRF.com

Kathy Grannis Allen
(202) 783-7971
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

Scottish Retail Consortium sets key priorities of the retail industry ahead of 2016 Scottish Parliament election

LONDON, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today, the Scottish Retail Consortium is launching the second of four policy papers setting out the key priorities of the retail industry for each of the political parties ahead of the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.

The retail industry has played a leading role in driving resource efficiency and helping to mitigate and adapt to the environmental challenges of climate change through a wide range of measures as set out in the publication including, reducing carbon emissions from stores by 30%, phasing out HFC refrigerants by the end of 2015 and reducing the proportion of waste sent to landfill to 7% with a view to reducing this to less than 1% by 2020.

In order to build further on the progress already made by the industry, retailers have set out 8 key environmental priorities for each of the political parties ranging from reform of business rates to incentivise and support positive environmental and energy efficiency investment to supporting a harmonised local authority recycling collection scheme and making it easier to shift freight from road to rail.

The industry has also outlined its opposition to the suggested new nation-wide deposit return scheme, which would disproportionately penalise the disadvantaged consumer, undermine existing kerbside recycling, increase carbon emissions through extra consumer journeys and retailer haulage operations and place significant costs on business.

Commenting on the launch of the manifesto paper David Martin, Head of Policy & External Affairs said:

“The retail industry has a massive footprint and direct involvement in communities right across Scotland. With this comes a responsibility to operate in a sustainable way that ensures retailers can continue to serve those communities in the most efficient way possible.

“We are therefore delighted to be launching this paper which establishes the retail industry in Scotland amongst the most climate-conscious industries and as a true global leader in reducing the environmental impacts of both their own direct operations and supporting change right along the supply chain.

“We hope that each of the political parties will consider and support in their manifestos each of the policy priorities we have outlined and which are crucial in supporting the retail industry to go even further in creating a better retailing climate.”

Ends

Notes to editors:
1. The paper which summarises key achievements of the retail industry and sets out 8 key policy priorities can be accessed here

For media enquiries please contact David Martin, Head of Policy & External Affairs, on 07880 039 743 or email david.martin@brc.org.uk

British Retail Consortium, 21 Dartmouth Street, Westminster, London, SW1H 9BP. 020 7854 8900. info@brc.org.uk.

BRC Director Dickinson: September saw significant prices drops in both food and non-food goods

  • Overall shop prices reported deflation of 1.9% in September from a 1.4% decline in August.
  • Food reported annual deflation of 0.5% from a 0.2% rise in August.
  • On a 12-month average basis, the Shop Price Index reported deflation of 1.7%.
  • Non-food deflation accelerated further to 2.9% from 2.4% in August.

LONDON, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — BRC Director General, Helen Dickinson, said: “September saw significant prices drops in both food and non-food goods marking the 29th consecutive month of falling shop prices.

“The temporary fluctuation of annual food price rises has come to an end with food returning to deflationary territory. Prices fell by 0.5 per cent with fresh food falling deeper than last month – by 1.5 per cent – while ambient prices rose by 0.8 per cent.

“Overall, shop prices fell by 1.9 per cent this month, largely driven by competition and great deals across a large number of categories. Non-food prices fell even faster than the previous month, reporting drops from 2.4 per cent in August to 2.9 per cent in September. Heavy discounting could be seen in electricals, books, stationery and home entertainment. It was a particularly good month to hunt for bargains in clothing and footwear with prices falling by 6 per cent in this category.

“While consumer confidence slowed slightly the fortuitous mix of near flat inflation and falling prices in both food and non-food will help to maintain retailers confidence for the foreseeable future.”

Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer and Business Insight, Nielsen, said: “It`s good news for shoppers that shop prices are again lower than a year ago in supermarkets and this will help stimulate spending in the important last quarter of the year. This will allow shoppers to plan with more confidence when juggling the household budget. Within food retailing, there is still downward pressure on prices and this is expected to continue as supermarkets battle for the wallets of the Christmas shopper, whilst on the high street, many non-food retailers are using strong, seasonal promotions to drive sales growth.”

British Retail Consortium, 21 Dartmouth Street, Westminster, London, SW1H 9BP. 020 7854 8900. info@brc.org.uk.

 

The Seton Save-On-Foods store in Calgary wins the Grocer of the Year Award by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers

The store was presented with the award at the country’s grocery innovations tradeshow in Toronto

Vancouver, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Seton Save-On-Foods store in Calgary is this year’s winner of the Grocer of the Year Award, one of the most coveted award in the grocery industry.

The award is presented by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) to recognize the most outstanding grocery retailers in the country in large, medium and small store format categories.

The Seton Save-On-Foods won the top prize for large surface store in the Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut region.

Each grocer who applies for the award is visited by a retail management expert who evaluates the store based on retail excellence, innovation, store team performance, customer service, space utilization, freshness, and cleanliness.

Seton Save-On-Foods store manager James Inglis accepted the award on behalf of his team at a gala that ended the Grocery Innovations Conference in Toronto on Sept. 29. More than 500 leaders in the grocery industry attended the gala, including Save-On-Foods President Darrell Jones and Senior Vice President of Retail Operations Jamie Nelson, who accepted the award with him.

“We are so honoured to have been recognized by our peers in the grocery industry as being the Grocer of the Year for 2015,” store manager James Inglis said. “My thanks goes to my hardworking team and to our loyal customers for supporting our store and making this accomplishment possible.”

-END-

Save-On-Foods is committed to Going the Extra Mile for customers in every community served, every day. Known for its unique approach in customizing each store to best suit the needs of the neighbourhood and sourcing local products wherever possible, the company has been innovating and putting customers first for over 100 years.

For more information, contact:
Media Relations
604 888 2079, extension 2200
mediarelations@owfg.com

Gap VP Sonia Syngal on TPP negotiations: International trade is vital to the global competitiveness of Gap Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today applauded the successful conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

“International trade is vital to the global competitiveness of Gap Inc.,” said Sonia Syngal, Executive Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Product Operations, Gap Inc. “We employ tens of thousands of Americans who work in a variety of positions and professions across our company, and trade helps to sustain these jobs. We applaud the work of United States Trade Representative Mike Froman and other negotiators to conclude the TPP, which will create new opportunities for trade and investment for Gap Inc. and the retail industry.”

“We look forward to supporting an agreement that will bring significant value for American families, provide meaningful benefits for our industry and our workers, raise labor and environmental standards for millions of people across the Asia-Pacific region, and begin to level the playing field with our international competitors,” Syngal added.

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, Athleta, and Intermix brands. Fiscal year 2014 net sales were $16.4 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in more than 90 countries worldwide through about 3,300 company-operated stores, over 400 franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

General Growth Properties to participate in panel discussion titled “RETAIL – WHERE ARE THE NEXT OPPORTUNITIES?” at Evercore ISI 2015 Real Estate Conference

CHICAGO, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — General Growth Properties, Inc. (NYSE:GGP, the “Company”) today announced that Sandeep Mathrani, Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a panel discussion titled “RETAIL – WHERE ARE THE NEXT OPPORTUNITIES?” at the Evercore ISI 2015 Real Estate Conference in New York on Thursday, October 8, 2015, at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time.

Event: General Growth Properties to Participate in Panel Discussion at Evercore ISI 2015 Real Estate Conference

When: 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, October 8, 2015

Live Webcast: RETAIL – WHERE ARE THE NEXT OPPORTUNITIES? under the Investors section of the Company’s website at http://investor.ggp.com.

An online replay will be available for one month after the event.

About General Growth Properties, Inc.
General Growth Properties, Inc. is an S&P 500 company focused exclusively on owning, managing, leasing, and redeveloping high-quality retail properties throughout the United States. GGP is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol GGP.

CONTACT:

General Growth Properties, Inc.
Kevin Berry, 312-960-5529
VP Investor Relations
kevin.berry@ggp.com

ATM Marketplace / Wincor Nixdorf white paper: One-size-fits-all approach to banking services no longer applies in the omnichannel banking era

PADERBORN, Germany, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Digital technologies are providing alternative customer access channels, which means that the branch – the oldest delivery channel – must evolve and transform if it is to remain a core component of the banking mix

ATM Marketplace, a preeminent banking and finance publication, and Wincor Nixdorf, a global leader in advanced retail and banking IT solutions, today released a white paper. It reveals that the one-size-fits-all approach to banking services no longer applies in the omnichannel banking era. Entitled “The Customer’s Journey – Transforming the Branch Network,” the white paper explains how the way people interact with financial institutions is evolving with every new generation and offers insights into how to best serve each of them. Digital technologies are providing alternative customer access channels, forcing the branch to evolve and transform in order to remain a core component of the banking mix.

“Financial institutions need to view branch transformation not only from the perspective of specific consumer segments’ requirements and preferences, but also in the context of digital banking channels,” says Robin Arnfield, a contributing writer at ATM Marketplace. “This white paper stresses the need for FIs to focus on the end user’s perspective.”

The white paper highlights that, in an omnichannel environment, branches remain highly relevant as a place where customers can have high-value, one-on-one talks with financial advisors and get assistance with complex self-service transactions.

“Financial institutions are looking at how they need to adapt to their customers. Today’s new digital environment and the heterogeneous way customers embrace bricks-and-mortar, online and mobile channels are changing the role of the branch. Even as banks move increasingly toward digital channels and products, the branch still remains a vital customer touchpoint, and an essential way for banks to differentiate themselves from the digital competitors entering in the marketplace. That is why retail banks must connect with and embrace the needs of the different customer segments,” says Jordi Perez, Head of Strategic Business Development at Wincor Nixdorf

Download a complimentary copy of the white paper: “The Customer’s Journey – Transforming the Branch Network.

Press Contact

Press/Financial Press

Andreas Bruck
Head of Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 5251 693 5200
E-Mail: andreas.bruck@wincor-nixdorf.com

Press/Trade Press

Dr. Thomas Daubenbüchel
Head of Press and Editorial Office
Phone: +49 5251 693 5212
E-Mail: thomas.daubenbuechel@wincor-nixdorf.com
Ulrich Nolte
Phone: +49 5251 693 5211
E-Mail: ulrich.nolte@wincor-nixdorf.com

Trade Press

Claudia Wendorff-Goerge
Phone: +49 5251 693 5203
E-Mail: claudia.wendorff-goerge@wincor-nixdorf.com

REWE Group steigert Anzahl der Auszubildenden um 1,3 Prozent auf 8.000

Köln, Germany, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Laut Statistischem Bundesamt hat Deutschland mit einer Quote von 7,7 Prozent (2014) EU-weit die geringste Jugenderwerbslosenquote. Zum Vergleich: In der Europäischen Union liegt die Quote erwerbsloser Menschen zwischen 15 und 24 Jahren bei 22,2 Prozent. Als einer der größten Ausbildungsbetriebe übernimmt die REWE Group gezielt Verantwortung für den Berufsstart junger Menschen. Der Handels- und Touristikkonzern steigerte die Anzahl der Auszubildenden in Deutschland um 1,3 Prozent von 7.901 (30.09.2014) auf 8.000 (30.09.2015). Im Laufe des Jahres begannen 3.486 Berufseinsteiger ihre Ausbildung bei der REWE Group. Mit 5.769 (+1,2%) ist das Vollsortiment National innerhalb der Unternehmensgruppe der größte Ausbilder; es folgen PENNY mit 943 (+0,1%), toom Baumarkt mit 678 (+17,7%) und die Touristik der REWE Group mit 426 Auszubildenden.

Die REWE Group bietet über 25 unterschiedliche Ausbildungsberufe an. Mehr unter:www.rewe-group.com/de/karriere/ausbildung

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 online mit Abhol- und Lieferservice). 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

###

REWE Group steigert Anzahl der Auszubildenden um 1,3 Prozent auf 8.000

REWE Group steigert Anzahl der Auszubildenden um 1,3 Prozent auf 8.000

Österreich: BILLA setzt neue Standards im Lebensmittel-Onlinehandel

Wiener Neudorf, Österreich, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Als Österreichs Supermarkt Nummer 1 setzt BILLA laufend neue Trends im heimischen Lebensmittelhandel. 2015 geht BILLA mit seinem Onlineshop noch einen großen Schritt weiter als bisher und erleichtert einmal mehr den virtuellen Lebensmitteleinkauf für die Kunden. Nicht nur ein neues Design erwartet die BILLA Kunden im Onlineshop, sie können ab sofort auch Vorteils-Club Angebote online einlösen und regionale Produkte online beziehen. Damit behauptet BILLA abermals seine Rolle als Innovationsführer unter den österreichischen Lebensmittelhändlern und bestärkt überdies mit dem Onlineshop sein Bekenntnis zur Wertschöpfung in Österreich.

„Wir haben in unserem Unternehmen einige weitreichende Transformationen vorgenommen, die es uns ermöglichen, unseren Kunden Österreichs modernsten Lebensmittel-Onlineshop zu bieten“, leitet BILLA Vorstandssprecher Volker Hornsteiner die diesjährige Pressekonferenz ein. Deshalb hat BILLA bereits 2012 eine eigene eCommerce Abteilung eingerichtet, die den Onlinehandel mit Lebensmittel als ganzheitliche Strategie umsetzt. Mit Julia Stone, Head of eCommerce, wurde außerdem eine erfahrene und international tätige Expertin ins Unternehmen geholt. Mittlerweile zählt die Abteilung beinahe zehn Mitarbeiter, die an der Umgestaltung, der laufenden Optimierung und Programmierung des Onlineshops arbeiten. Darüber hinaus kann BILLA auf ein enormes Know-How der REWE Group in Deutschland mit dem Geschäftsbereich REWE Digital zurückgreifen, mit dem die REWE International AG in Österreich in ständigem Austausch steht. Für Creation und Programmierung zeichnet sich die Agentur diamond:dogs verantwortlich, die Kampagne wurde von DDFG umgesetzt. Mit dem neuen Onlineshop gelingt es BILLA weiterhin, Standards im heimischen Onlinehandel mit Lebensmitteln zu setzen.

BILLA Vorteils-Club auch online verfügbar
„Der Relaunch des BILLA Onlineshops unterstreicht unsere Vorreiterrolle im heimischen eCommerce und soll den Online-Lebensmitteleinkauf für unsere Kunden noch angenehmer gestalten“, erklärt Hornsteiner. Mit dem Relaunch erstrahlt der BILLA Onlineshop nicht nur in neuem Design, sondern bietet den Kunden ab sofort viele neue Features, die das virtuelle Einkaufserlebnis von Lebensmitteln mit nur wenigen Klicks ermöglichen. Neben einer verbesserten Usability, punktet der neue Onlineshop vor allem mit der Integration des BILLA Vorteils-Clubs. Somit können Kunden in Zukunft auch online auf die vielfältige BILLA Aktionswelt zugreifen. Aktionspreise, Bons und Rabattsammler sowie das Sammeln und Einlösen von Treuepunkten wird damit auch im virtuellen Einkaufsladen möglich.

Zustellung auch von regionalen Produkten
Auch das Sortiment des Onlineshops, das laufend erweitert wird und mittlerweile rund 8.000 Artikel beinhaltet, wurde mit dem Relaunch erweitert. So stellt der neue Onlineshop den Kunden künftig beispielsweise Brot und Milch aus ihrer Region zur Verfügung. Mit der Angabe des Lieferortes anhand der PLZ wird das Sortiment je nach Standort angepasst und bietet den Kunden relevante und regional-spezifische Artikel zur Auswahl an. Wer bis 10:00 Uhr bestellt, kann durch den Same Day Delivery Service noch am selben Tag seine Bestellung in Empfang nehmen. Der Mindestbestellwert beträgt dabei EUR 30,-. Als Liefergebühren werden – unabhängig von der Größe der Bestellung – regulär EUR 4,99,- in Rechnung gestellt, wer jedoch bis 04.11. online bestellt, darf sich über eine Gratiszustellung freuen. Neben dem Lieferservice können Kunden ihre Online-Bestellung auch unkompliziert direkt in einer der Click & Collect Filialen, für nur einen Euro Servicegebühren, abholen. Wird bis 12:00 Uhr mittags bestellt, steht die kompakte Abholkiste zwischen 17:00 und 19:30 Uhr in ausgewählten Filialen für die Kunden zur Abholung bereit.

Bester Service für hohe Kundenansprüche
Um die höchste Kompetenz im Lebensmittelhandel auch online demonstrieren zu können, setzt BILLA neben einer großzügigen Sortimentsauswahl auch auf geschultes Personal. „Unsere Mitarbeiter sind unser Aushängeschild, weil sie ja direkt mit unseren Kunden in Kontakt treten. Mit einer fundierten Ausbildung können wir unsere Mitarbeiter unterstützen, Kundenwünsche nach höchsten Standards zu erfüllen“, erzählt BILLA Vorstand Josef Siess. Deshalb lernen BILLA Mitarbeiter, die ausschließlich für den Onlinehandel zuständig sind, die Ware sorgsam zu kommissionieren. Das bedeutet, dass die ausgelieferte Ware per Hand selektiert und dann verpackt wird. Auch die Zustellung wird von BILLA über eigens geschulte Lieferanten durchgeführt, die die Bestellung in gebrandeten BILLA Bussen ausliefern. Damit wird gewährleistet, dass die Kühlkette optimal eingehalten wird und die Lebensmittel frisch und in einwandfreier Qualität bei den Kunden ankommen.

Online-Shopping statt Filialbesuch?
„Der BILLA Onlineshop soll als Komplementärkanal verstanden werden und bietet den Kunden eine bequeme Ergänzung zum Einkauf in der Filiale – ohne den stationären Lebensmittelhandel dabei ersetzen zu können“, weiß Siess. Der BILLA Onlineshop soll etwa berufstätigen Menschen, die oft erst nach Ladenschluss nach Hause kommen, oder Familien mit Kleinkindern den Lebensmitteleinkauf erleichtern. Auch für ältere Kunden und immobile Menschen stellt der BILLA Onlineshop eine ideale Möglichkeit dar, den Einkauf bequem von zu Hause aus zu erledigen.

Bildtext zum übermittelten Bildmaterial:
Bild (1) v.l.n.r.: Volker Hornsteiner (Vorstandssprecher der BILLA AG), Julia Stone (Head of eCommerce) und Josef Siess (Vorstand der BILLA AG)
Credits: BILLA AG/ Fröschl-Roßboth, Abdruck zu PR-Zwecken honorarfrei

Über BILLA
BILLA und Österreich verbindet seit mehr als 60 Jahren eine einzigartige Erfolgsgeschichte: Als Pionier im heimischen Lebensmittelhandel sorgt BILLA dafür, dass in ganz Österreich täglich Lebensmittel und Produkte zu einem fairen Preis verfügbar sind. BILLA deckt damit als Nahversorger mit Hausverstand die ganze Range an Produkten ab: Das Angebot reicht von einer breiten Palette an Markenartikeln bis zu den erfolgreichen Eigenmarken, darunter die Ja! Natürlich Bio-Produkte, qualitativ hochwertige Produkte der BILLA Eigenmarke, bis hin zur Diskontlinie clever®. BILLA arbeitet ständig am Produktsortiment und Serviceangebot, um so den Bedürfnissen der Menschen in Österreich gerecht zu werden und diesen tagtäglich ein kulinarisches Erlebnis zu bieten.

BILLA gehört zur REWE International AG und ist Teil von einem der größten Lebensmittelhändler Europas. Nachhaltigkeit hat BILLA in seiner Unternehmensstrategie umfassend verankert: Heute sind rund 350 der mehr als 1.000 BILLA-Filialen in Österreich energieeffizient. Weitere zentrale Themen der BILLA-Unternehmensstrategie sind Gesundheit und die Förderung von verstärktem Ernährungsbewusstsein der Österreicherinnen und Österreicher. Der Verantwortung gegenüber seinen treuen Kunden, rund 18.400 Mitarbeitern und langjährigen Partnern wird BILLA auf vielfache Art und Weise gerecht.

»Wer nicht von gestern sein will, beschäftigt sich mit morgen«, sagt der Hausverstand

Mehr Infos unter: www.billa.at oder www.billashop.at Besuchen Sie uns auch auf Facebook unter https://www.facebook.com/billa.at

New Zealand: New World supermarket opens at ‘The Landing’ development at Wigram Skies

Wigram, New Zealand, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Twenty years to the month after the Wigram Air Base had its formal closure parade in 1995, a new family owned-and-operated New World supermarket is set to take off in its place, officially opening on 30 September at ‘The Landing’ development at Wigram Skies.

Wigram New World owners James and Karen Backhouse have plenty of experience when it comes to running supermarkets, having been the former owners of New World Northside in Oamaru, and Four Square in Wanaka.

“We absolutely love supermarkets, having worked in the business throughout the South Island together for over eight years. We’re really passionate about providing fresh produce and quality products to our customers – that’s really important to us.

“My Cantabrian wife Karen grew up in Darfield, so we’re looking forward to putting down our family roots and have our two children grow up in the wonderful Wigram community. Our kids love to play shop, and our nine-year-old daughter even has her own checkout uniform to dress up in!” says James Backhouse.

The customer shopping experience has always remained top of mind for the husband-wife team, from placing items in logical areas, double-height ceilings to enhance the sense of space, to a barista in the entranceway, enabling shoppers to enjoy a hot coffee as they browse the aisles.

Roger Davidson, General Manager Property and Retail Development, Foodstuffs South Island says that the latest 2,600m2 New World supermarket in the South-West of Christchurch will create more than 100 new jobs for Cantabrians in the community.

“New World Wigram has many environmentally-friendly features, such as LED lighting, CO2 refrigeration, natural light panels in the ceiling and Foodstuff’s new recyclable plastic meat trays in the butchery. We’re proud of our commitment to reducing our stores’ carbon footprint, and this has been considered since the initial design process,” says Mr Davidson.

The opening of Wigram New World supermarket is part of the first stage of the Ngai Tahu Property Ltd development called The Landing.

Details for the opening of New World Wigram on Wednesday 30 September are:

8.30am

Welcome Speech from Roger Davidson, GM Property & Retail Development
Response from James and Karen Backhouse, Owner-Operators
Speech from Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck
Cutting of the Ribbon – James, Karen and Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck

9.00am

Supermarket opens to customers

###

New Zealand: New World supermarket opens at ‘The Landing’ development at Wigram Skies

New Zealand: New World supermarket opens at ‘The Landing’ development at Wigram Skies

SM and BDO support the Forbes Global CEO Conference to be held for the first time in the Philippines, October 12-14, 2015

Manila, Philippines, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — SM Investments Corporation (SM) and BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) are jointly supporting the Forbes Global CEO Conference to be held for the first time in the Philippines from October 12-14, 2015.

SM and BDO, represented by its Vice Chair and Chairperson respectively, Teresita Sy-Coson, will be in attendance as one of the speakers during the three-day conference, joining 49 other prominent global business leaders and entrepreneurs.

“We look forward to the discussions to be generated from the forum which will provide fresh perspectives on the evolving global business environment and the kinds of leadership that can potentially emerge under such a dynamic landscape,” SM Vice Chair and BDO Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson said.

The conference theme, “Toward a Winning Vision”, focuses on visionary leadership and looks into how companies can best conceive and articulate a winning vision to drive their businesses forward, one that is based on their core competencies, values and purpose. The discussions aim to gather insights on topics such as the world economy, investment strategies, energy, technology and innovation, emerging markets, leadership, succession and philanthropy.

Aside from SM and BDO, the 15th annual Forbes Global CEO Conference is co-hosted by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and San Miguel Corporation. Corporate Sponsors include Berjaya Corporation, Vista Land, Biomax Technologies, FICOFI and Weber Shandwick Worldwide.

# # #

About SM Investments
SM Investments Corporation (SM) is one of the leading conglomerates in the Philippines with highly synergistic businesses in retail, banking and property development. SM has evolved into one of the most highly respected companies in the country owing to its progressive approach in business and its comprehensive sustainability programs for its host communities through SM Foundation and SM Cares.

SM’s retail operations enjoy a strong brand franchise consisting of THE SM STORE and its food retail chains namely SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, Savemore and WalterMart stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is among the largest integrated property developers in the Philippines with interests in mall, residential, commercial and tourism development. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO), the country’s largest, and in China Banking Corporation (China Bank), the fifth largest private bank. Combined, these two banks have a network of over 1,000 branches nationwide.

About BDO
BDO is a full-service universal bank which provides a wide range of corporate, commercial and retail banking services. These services include traditional loan and deposit products, as well as treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, insurance, retail cash cards and credit card services.

It has one of the largest distribution networks in the Philippines, with over 900 operating branches and over 2,700 ATMs nationwide. It also has a branch in Hong Kong as well as 27 overseas remittance and representative offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits, and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of June 30, 2015. For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph.

20,000 dogs and cats found forever homes through PetSmart’s National Adoption Week initiative in September

Annual Adoption Effort up 12 Percent, On Track to Help Find Forever Homes for Nearly Half a Million Pets in 2015

PHOENIX, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Through its National Adoption Week initiatives in 2015, PetSmart said it is expecting to help save the lives of nearly 500,000 pets in 2015 and that its Sept. week-long event resulted in more than 20,000 dogs and cats finding their forever homes.

Pet adoption is fun, enriching and most importantly, lifesaving. Each year about seven million pets enter shelters across North America and some three million healthy, adoptable pets are euthanized. To help, PetSmart teams up with PetSmart Charities and thousands of local animal welfare organizations and shelters to run National Adoption Weeks, which have proven to be one of the most effective ways to save pets’ lives. With a combined focus on adoption, six million pets have found homes since 1994.

“Together with PetSmart Charities, we are proud to collaborate with shelter partners in communities throughout North America in our mission to end pet homelessness,” said Eran Cohen, chief customer experience officer, PetSmart. “We are thrilled by the ongoing success of our National Adoption Week events and are tremendously proud of our role in this important
cause — for every minute a PetSmart store is open, a pet is adopted, with more than 1,000 pets adopted per day through our store chain.”

PetSmart also helps pet parents in the transition when adopting a new pet by offering its free Adoption Starter Kit. The kit is a gift to pet parents who adopt because they have given a great gift as well – a home to a homeless pet. The kit is offered every day at stores to people who have adopted a pet whether at PetSmart or elsewhere. New pet parents simply show their adoption papers to receive the Adoption Starter Kit, which features tips for caring for a new cat or dog and a range of coupons valued at $400 in savings. The coupons cover everything a new pet parent needs including items like beds, bowls, collars and leashes, as well as free one-time services such as a veterinarian visit, training, PetsHotel® boarding and Doggie Day Camp™ and a free bag of dog or cat food under the brands Simply Nourish™, Authority® or Good Natured™. These pet food brands also give back by donating more than 200 tons of food every year to help pets in need.

About PetSmart®
PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilled lives. This mission impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates, and how we give back to our communities. We employ approximately 53,000 associates, operate approximately 1,433 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and approximately 202 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding,PetSmart Doggie Day Camp day care services and pet adoption services in-store. Our portfolio of digital resources for pet parents – includingPetSmart.com, PetFoodDirect.com, Pet360.com, OnlyNaturalPet.com andpetMD.com – offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in the U.S. Through our in-store pet adoption partnership with independent nonprofit organizations, PetSmart Charities™ and PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, PetSmart helps to save the lives of more than 450,000 homeless pets each year. In addition, PetSmart supports organizations that make communities a better place to call home through our philanthropy program, PetSmart Gives Back™. By giving back to the communities where we live and work, PetSmart not only celebrates the power of pets to enrich people’s lives—we live it.

About PetSmart Charities™
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that helps save the lives of homeless pets. More than 450,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through our adoption program in all PetSmart® stores and our sponsored adoption events. The nonprofit also funds spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. Averaging about $30 million each year, PetSmart Charities grants more money to directly help pets in need than any other animal welfare group in North America.  PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, independent from PetSmart, Inc.

Contacts:

Golin for PetSmart
Danielle Bickelmann
dbickelmann@golin.com
972-341-2503

Golin for PetSmart Charities:
Jennifer Kepler
jkepler@golin.com
972-341-2552

PetSmart Media Line:
623-587-2177

Harris Teeter launches in-store donation card campaign to support those affected by flooding throughout the Carolinas

Matthews, N.C., 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today, Harris Teeter announced it will launch an in-store donation card campaign to support those affected by flooding throughout the Carolinas. Shoppers and associates in North and South Carolina will be offered the opportunity to donate $1, $3 or $5 at checkout to benefit the American Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Fund.

“We are heartbroken for the families and individuals affected by this devastating flood,” said Danna Robinson, Harris Teeter’s communication manager. “Harris Teeter was born in the Carolinas and our commitment to these states is extremely strong. When a natural disaster such as this occurs, it is hard to know how to help, which is why we are proud to offer our shoppers and valued associates the opportunity to assist their neighbors.”

Shoppers and associates can donate both in-store and through Harris Teeter’s online shopping tool, ExpressLane now through October 31, 2015.

In addition to the donation card campaign, Harris Teeter has donated a truckload of bottled water to victims in Columbia, S.C. and provided transportation of donated product to affected areas for various community collection efforts. The company is also working through its own charitable foundation, Hugh Ashcraft Foundation, to assist Harris Teeter associates who were displaced or affected by the flooding in Charleston, S.C. The Hugh Ashcraft Foundation provides financial support to Harris Teeter associates who experience financial hardships as a result of sudden and unforeseen circumstances.

Harris Teeter would like to thank WBTV, the company’s official media partner for this campaign.  WBTV has a long legacy of community service, it’s part of their mission to be On Your Side.

For questions about Harris Teeter’s giving programs, please click here.

Debenhams launches #GetBackToYou campaign during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month

LONDON, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — For more than 14 years Debenhams, the leading international multichannel retailer, has been supporting breast cancer charities- raising over £4 million.  Which is why during October 2015, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Debenhams has worked with charity partner, Breast Cancer Now to create a fresh campaign that resonates through the business and cuts through during the busy fundraising month.

#GetBackToYou is a campaign created using the insight that women affected by breast cancer whilst on the journey to recovery crave to return to find a release from the regime of medical appointments.  The campaign aims to inspire women on the little things they can do to make them feel good and find time for themselves.

To launch the campaign an in-store performance by the cast of West End theatre show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical was held in Oxford Street where customers were entertained with a performance by The Shirelles and donated funds to charity.

Throughout the month of October, Debenhams will be supporting Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, with the sale of 30 exclusive products across Womenswear, Lingerie, Women’s Accessories and Home carrying donations between 10 and 25 per cent of the sale price.  Instore collateral to promote the fundraising activity is in situ, email promoting the fundraising product lines and offering tickets to win a VIP trip to London to watch the Beautiful: The Carole King musical is also taking place.
A new post-surgery bra range, Spirit has been launched featuring Breast Cancer Now ambassador, Wendy Watson as the face of the campaign, appearing on all packaging and point of sale for the collection. To date over 60, 000 views of a video featuring Wendy and the Spirit range have been delivered on social media.

Debenhams cafes throughout the month of October will open their doors to Breast Cancer Now support groups offering free hot drinks and also retailing a ‘Pink Heart’ cake, carrying a 30p donation per slice to the charity.

Designers at Debenhams are also supporting the campaign by conducting style make-overs for Breast Cancer Now ambassadors.  Designers involved include Henry Holland, Aliza Reger and Ben De Lisi.

Richard Cristofoli, Debenhams Marketing Director said: “Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a key part of our annual charity plan which sees us raise over £1m for our charity partners each year. It is vital that we find new, innovative ways to engage our customers and raise awareness and funds to fight this disease which affects so many women.  #GetBackToYou aims to create noise across all channels whilst delivering a clear point of view on how women fighting this can feel supported.”

“Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is built into our trading calendar and it is important that we find new, innovative ways to engage our customers raise awareness and funds to fight the disease that affects so many women.  #GetBackToYou aims to create noise across all channels whilst delivering a point of view on how women can feel supported through the month.”

Through the #GetBackToYou Debenhams hopes to raise £200,000 and encourage dialogue amongst customers and Breast Cancer Now ambassadors on how small things can provide a mental lift and a greater feeling of wellbeing.  Breast Cancer Now is a Debenhams charity partner and via funds raised through The Debenhams Foundation, they share the ambition to stop women dying from breast cancer by 2050.

Notes to Editors • The Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, in-store performance took place at the Debenhams Oxford Street store on Saturday October 3rd, 2015 • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women. In the UK, over 50,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year – that’s around 138 a day. About Debenhams • Debenhams is a leading international, multi-channel brand with a proud British heritage which trades out of more than 240 stores across 27 countries. • Debenhams gives its customers around the world a unique, differentiated and exclusive mix of own brands, international brands and concessions. • In the UK, Debenhams has a top five market position in womenswear and menswear and a top ten share in children’s-wear. It holds the number two market position in premium health and beauty. • Debenhams has been investing in British design for over 20 years through its exclusive Designers at Debenhams portfolio of brands. • Current designers include Abigail Ahern, Ted Baker, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, FrostFrench, Patrick Grant, Henry Holland, Betty Jackson, Ben de Lisi, Todd Lynn, Julien Macdonald, Jenny Packham, Pearce Fionda, Stephen Jones, Preen, Janet Reger, John Rocha, Giles Deacon, Savannah Miller, Laura Oakes, Ashley Thomas, Eric Van Peterson and Matthew Williamson. About Breast Cancer Now • Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity. • Breast Cancer Now’s ambition is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live. The charity is determined to stop women dying from the disease, working in a new, collaborative way and bringing together all those affected by the disease to fund research, share knowledge and find answers. • Breast Cancer Now’s world class research is focused entirely on breast cancer. The charity supports nearly 450 of the world’s brightest researchers at more than 20 locations across the UK and Ireland. Together, they’re working to discover how to prevent breast cancer, how to detect it earlier and how to treat it effectively at every stage so we can stop the disease taking lives. • Breast cancer is still the most common cancer in the UK. Nearly 700,000 people living in the UK have experienced a diagnosis and one in eight women will face it in their lifetime. This year alone, more than 50,000 women will be told they have the disease. • The UK still has one of the lowest breast cancer survival rates in Western Europe and this year alone nearly 12,000 women will lose their lives. It’s time to act. • Breast Cancer Now launched in June 2015, created by the merger of leading research charities Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. • For more information on Breast Cancer Now’s work, visit breastcancernow.org or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

CONTACTS
For further images and information please contact:
Alice Cottingham: 020 3549 6423 / alice.cottingham@debenhams.com

###

Debenhams launches #GetBackToYou campaign during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Debenhams launches #GetBackToYou campaign during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Debenhams / Breast Cancer Awareness month: Special in-store performance by the cast of West End theatre show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

LONDON, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Debenhams, the leading international multichannel retailer, kicked-off the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month in style with a special in-store performance by the cast of West End theatre show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Vivien Carter, who plays Carole King in the award winning musical, was joined by The Shirelles, and performed a set on a grand piano at Debenhams Oxford Street store, wowing Saturday shoppers with classic chart-topping tunes. The in-store event marks the launch of the retailer’s campaign #GetBackToYou which aims to support women going through breast cancer.

Debenhams has supported breast cancer charities for more than 14 years and in this time has raised more than £4 million.  Every year over 50,000 women are diagnosed with this disease. Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, is the retailer’s corporate charity partner and via funds raised through The Debenhams Foundation, they share the ambition to stop women dying from breast cancer by 2050.

Nikki Zamblera, Debenhams HR Director and Chair of the Debenhams Foundation said:
“Breast Cancer Now is a charity that really matters to Debenhams colleagues and customers.  We have raised funds to help to find a cure for Breast Cancer for over 14 years now and through the Debenhams Foundation we are determined to continue with our support.”

The retailer hopes to raise £200,000 through the sale of specially selected products that carry a donation to the charity and via staff fundraising activity in stores. Earlier this year, Debenhams launched a new post-surgery bra range, Spirit. Breast Cancer Now Ambassador Wendy Watson is the face of the campaign appearing on all packaging for the collection.

Meanwhile, during October Debenhams has invited Breast Cancer Now supporter groups to its cafes to hold meetings and social events while they enjoy tea and coffee, and taste the limited edition ‘Pink Heart’ cake, with a 30p donation per slice to the charity.

The campaign #GetBacktoYou  has been created with the aim to help not only women that have been affected by breast cancer, but also to inspire all of  Debenhams’ customers with the little things that they can do to make them feel good. The retailer will be generating conversation across its social platforms throughout the month using the hash tag and has activity planned including a Twitter party.

Designers at Debenhams are also supporting the campaign and will be conducting
make-overs for Breast Cancer Now ambassadors, who will be given a new wardrobe.  Designers involved include Henry Holland, Aliza Reger and Ben De Lisi.

Jen Dougan, Director of Fundraising & Engagement at Breast Cancer Now said: “We are incredibly proud to be working with Debenhams on the #GetBackToYou campaign. We have a long-standing partnership with Debenhams, which has raised such a huge amount towards our life-saving research so it’s great to see so much activity taking place this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“This year, 12,000 women will lose their lives to this devastating disease. The money raised by Debenhams will help fund the world’s brightest researchers who are looking into the prevention of breast cancer, how to detect it earlier and how to treat it effectively at every stage so we can stop the disease taking lives.”

The exclusive range of products can be found in in Womenswear, Lingerie, Women’s Accessories and in Home you will find a collection designed by Aliza Reger. Products are available online and in-store from October 1st and a donation between 10 and 25 per cent from every product in the range will be donated to Breast Cancer Now.

Ends

Notes to Editors • The Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, in-store performance took place at the Debenhams Oxford Street store on Saturday October 3rd, 2015 • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women. In the UK, over 50,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year – that’s around 138 a day. About Debenhams • Debenhams is a leading international, multi-channel brand with a proud British heritage which trades out of more than 240 stores across 27 countries. • Debenhams gives its customers around the world a unique, differentiated and exclusive mix of own brands, international brands and concessions. • In the UK, Debenhams has a top five market position in womenswear and menswear and a top ten share in children’s-wear. It holds the number two market position in premium health and beauty. • Debenhams has been investing in British design for over 20 years through its exclusive Designers at Debenhams portfolio of brands. • Current designers include Abigail Ahern, Ted Baker, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, FrostFrench, Patrick Grant, Henry Holland, Betty Jackson, Ben de Lisi, Todd Lynn, Julien Macdonald, Jenny Packham, Pearce Fionda, Stephen Jones, Preen, Janet Reger, John Rocha, Giles Deacon, Savannah Miller, Laura Oakes, Ashley Thomas, Eric Van Peterson and Matthew Williamson. About Breast Cancer Now  Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity. • Breast Cancer Now’s ambition is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live. The charity is determined to stop women dying from the disease, working in a new, collaborative way and bringing together all those affected by the disease to fund research, share knowledge and find answers. • Breast Cancer Now’s world class research is focused entirely on breast cancer. The charity supports nearly 450 of the world’s brightest researchers at more than 20 locations across the UK and Ireland. Together, they’re working to discover how to prevent breast cancer, how to detect it earlier and how to treat it effectively at every stage so we can stop the disease taking lives. • Breast cancer is still the most common cancer in the UK. Nearly 700,000 people living in the UK have experienced a diagnosis and one in eight women will face it in their lifetime. This year alone, more than 50,000 women will be told they have the disease. • The UK still has one of the lowest breast cancer survival rates in Western Europe and this year alone nearly 12,000 women will lose their lives. It’s time to act. • Breast Cancer Now launched in June 2015, created by the merger of leading research charities Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. • For more information on Breast Cancer Now’s work, visit breastcancernow.org or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

CONTACTS
For further images and information please contact:
Alice Cottingham: 020 3549 6423 / alice.cottingham@debenhams.com

###

Debenhams / Breast Cancer Awareness month: Special in-store performance by the cast of West End theatre show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Debenhams / Breast Cancer Awareness month: Special in-store performance by the cast of West End theatre show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Walmart Canada’s Grab & Go Locker network expands in six GTA 7-Eleven stores

Mississauga, ON, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Walmart Canada and 7-Eleven Canada Inc. today announced the expansion of Walmart Canada’s  Grab & Go Locker network in six GTA 7-Eleven stores. The announcement marks the first time in Canada two retailers are teaming up to offer a Grab & Go Locker service.  The service offers customers using Walmart.ca a convenient free shipping option where they can pick up their order, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost. Today’s announcement expands on Walmart Canada’s current Grab & Go Locker service which offers free shipping to 45 Grab & Go Lockers in the GTA.

“Partnering with 7-Eleven to expand our Grab & Go Locker service was a natural fit. Our goal is simple – we want to provide our customers with an online shopping experience that is easy and convenient,” said Simon Rodrigue, senior vice president, ecommerce, Walmart Canada. “What better partner to help us achieve this than the world’s largest convenience retailer. We know our customers already use 7-Eleven stores in their daily routine. Now they can fuel up their car at their local 7-Eleven and pick up their Walmart.ca order in one easy stop, any day, any time, without paying shipping fees.”

“The Walmart Grab & Go Locker service is a natural extension of our quality convenience offering,” says Raj Kapoor, vice president and general manager, 7-Eleven Canada. “We know that our customers look to us to give them a one-stop shopping experience, so we’re pleased to be able to offer them this additional service. We’ll continue to listen to our customers and will evaluate the success of this pilot on an ongoing basis.”

Walmart Canada’s Grab & Go Locker service allows customers to order goods online and ship for free to a Grab & Go locker. Once the item is placed in the locker the customer is sent an email with a 6-digit PIN code. Customers then have 7 days to retrieve their items from the locker. Walmart’s Grab & Go Lockers are currently offered in select GTA Walmart stores, Walmart Canada Home Office, and Kapuskasing, Ontario.

Walmart Canada and 7-Eleven Canada Inc. have agreed to a six-month pilot of the project to evaluate customer response and usage. With today’s announcement, the following 7-Eleven locations will offer Walmart.ca Grab & Go Lockers:

  • Brampton – 131 Kennedy Road
  • Burlington – 735 Guelph Line
  • Toronto – 3355 Dundas Street West
  • Toronto – 680 Yonge Street
  • Mississauga – 2330 Battleford Road
  • Vaughan – 2067 Rutherford Road

About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 395 stores nationwide serving more than 1.2 million customers each day. Walmart Canada’s flagship online store, www.walmart.ca, is visited by 450,000 customers daily. With more than 90,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada’s largest employers and is ranked one of the country’s top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada’s extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart has raised and donated more than $230 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.cafacebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/walmartcanada

About 7 Eleven, Inc.
7‑Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7‑Eleven operates, franchises or licenses nearly 10,500 7‑Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 56,200 7‑Eleven stores in 16 countries. To find out about 7-Eleven Canada Inc., visit www.7elevenstores.ca orwww.facebook.com/7ElevenCanada.

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For further information please contact:

Anika Malik, Manager Corporate Affairs, Walmart Canada
anika.malik@walmart.com or 416-562-8193

Laurie Smith, Communications Manager 7-Eleven Canada Inc.
604-586-0711 or
Clare Hamilton, Peak Communicators
604-689-5559

Raley’s Family of Fine stores launch new program to provide field trips for young students to local farms

Fair Oaks, CA, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Raley’s Family of Fine stores has launched a new program to provide field trips for young students to local livestock cattle ranches and farms. Where Your Foods Grows & Grazes Program strives to create hands-on learning activities in agricultural education, conservation, nutrition, and healthy life styles. In partnership with California Rangeland Trust, Raley’s Where Your Food Grows & Grazes program will bring Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork movement to life for the next generation.

“When children have a respect for where their food grows and grazes, they are both inspired and empowered to make healthier choices,” said Chelsea Minor, Raley’s Director of Public Relations & Public Affairs. “Many students lack a basic understanding of where fresh food comes from, and even fewer have ever stepped foot onto a farm or ranch. Raley’s is committed to helping our customers understand the connection our communities have with food production.”

This program will connect students with fresh, healthy and local food. Children who experience a farm or ranch will have an enriched understanding of where food comes from.

“The reception from both local schools and ranchers has been overwhelming,” said Randy Gustavus, Corporate and Community Relations Director for California Rangeland Trust.The ranchers also love that we are bringing students out to learn more about their industry in hopes that they may pursue a career in agriculture.”

The day long, all-inclusive field trips will include the following components:

  • Transport participants from local school by bus to a nearby local livestock cattle ranch.
  • Introduction to the ranchers and how a cattle ranch operates.
  • Knowledge of healthy, local foods.
  • A walk through the grasslands to learn about pastures, flowers, wildlife and how they benefit from sound good ranch management practices.
  • A healthy lunch and refreshments.
  • Visit to a local Raley’s location to learn about fresh food in the grocery store.

The program roll-out will begin in Sacramento & Yolo Counties, benefiting students in the Washington Unified School District, San Juan School District and Sacramento City School District. The program will host six fieldtrips to local California Rangeland properties throughout the fall semester.

“When students from the Culinary Arts and Farm-to-Fork Education program visit a ranch, they will gain an entirely new perspective on the agricultural and food industries,” said Renee Collins, Director of Career and Technical Education, Washington Unified School District.  “Being able to meet and interact with industry workers in their work environment is key. We hope students learn about jobs and career paths that they may not have otherwise considered. “

This is the first iteration of our program. Raley’s hopes to continue to work with the California Rangeland Trust and other partners to bring the food production experience to life for youth. The program is expected to expand to other regions Raley’s serves. For more information, please see www.raleys.com/give.

For information about our stores, please contact Chelsea Minor, Director of PR and Public Affairs at CMinor1@raleys.com.

SOURCE: Raley’s Family of Fine Stores

Ralphs Grocery Company to carry new line of corporate brand products — HemisFares Brand

LOS ANGELES, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Ralphs Grocery Company is pleased to announce that its stores will carry a new line of corporate brand products, imported directly from the most food-rich regions of the world.

Ralphs parent company, The Kroger Co, developed the new brand called HemisFares™.  HemisFares is a guided tour of the best-of-the-best tastes the planet has to offer – found exclusively at the Kroger family of stores, including Ralphs stores in Southern California.

Kroger introduced the brand with 27 authentic Italian products currently on shelves in Ralphs stores and plans to add more products and countries soon.

“Just like American barbeque can mean many different flavors: spicy, smoky, more of a vinegar base, Italian food changes considerably as you travel across the country,” said Gil Phipps, Kroger vice president of Corporate Brands. “Imagine landing in Italy and getting an in-depth, guided tour from village to village, experiencing the single best example of the most beloved foods from each region. Our goal with HemisFares is to bring only the best food finds to our customers.”

Kroger is working side-by-side with the best food connoisseurs, some with decades of experience, to identify the most delectable, regional culinary treasures from around the world. Kroger’s Corporate Brands team travels to those regions, diving into what makes each edible treasure and locality unique. Gelato, for example, originated in Sicily. HemisFares Sicilian Gelato is made from grass-fed cows who roam the Sicilian countryside. These cows are milked daily and provide the fresh cream used to make the rich and creamy HemisFares Sicilian Gelato that is sold on Kroger shelves.

The packaging on each product is also unique, as it tells the story of the food find. It takes customers on a journey, explaining precisely where it came from and what makes that product the best-of-the-best. Each HemisFares item has a “find number” on the packaging to direct customers to other similar products in the HemisFares brand that they may enjoy.

Customers can expect additional HemisFares products over the next year, from regions including Spain, Japan and others.

“Whether you’re epi-curious or just like eating and sharing incredibly tasty food, when you see our HemisFares brand, you can trust the product within is the best this planet has to offer – bar none,” said Phipps. “We’re sure customers will enjoy them as much as we enjoy finding them. So, join us on ‘A Journey of Epicurean Proportions.'”

About Ralphs
Ralphs Grocery Company was founded in 1873 and currently operates 209 supermarkets from its headquarters in Los Angeles. Last year, Ralphs contributed more than $6 million to support education, hunger relief, women’s health and local nonprofit organizations in the communities served by the company’s stores. Ralphs is a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest food retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more about Ralphs, please visit our web site at www.ralphs.com.

About Kroger
Kroger, one of the world’s largest retailers, employs nearly 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,623 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.  The company also operates 781 convenience stores, 327 fine jewelry stores, 1,350 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S.  Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and community organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber’s Million Dollar Club.

SOURCE: Ralphs Grocery Company

BJ’s Restaurants honored with gold medals for two of its proprietary craft beers at the Great American Beer Festival

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ —BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.(NASDAQ:BJRI) today announced that it received gold medals for two of the Company’s proprietary craft beers at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, Colorado. Each year, GABF brings together brewers and diverse beers that make the U.S. the world’s greatest brewing nation. It represents the largest collection of U.S. beer served in a public tasting event.

The winning beers are:

  • BJ’s Magnolia’s Peach®, which won in the Fruit Wheat Beer category
  • BJ’s LightSwitch® Lager, which won in the Session Beer category

This year’s competition was the largest to date, with 6,647 beer entries judged in 92 categories. Only 91 gold medals were awarded. These two awards bring BJ’s gold medal count at the GABF to 16 and total GABF medals to 32 since first participating in this prestigious festival in 1996. To date, BJ’s has won over 150 medals at various festivals and competitions since it opened its first brewery location back in 1996 in Brea, California.

“The medal-winning BJ’s LightSwitch® Lager was brewed in our new Temple, Texas brewery,” saidAlex Puchner, BJ’s Senior Vice President of Brewery Operations. “We couldn’t be more proud of our Temple brewing team for earning gold at their first Great American Beer Festival. Our second gold medal was for BJ’s Magnolia’s Peach® which was brewed at our Chandler, Arizona brewery, where we have quite a track record of brewing award-winning beers. With the addition of our two newest GABF gold medals, I am more confident than ever in our ability to create unique, handcrafted beers for guests to enjoy in our restaurants. We appreciate the opportunity to participate at the GABF each year and look forward to delighting our guests with award-winning beers like BJ’s Magnolia’s Peach® and BJ’s LightSwitch® Lager.”

BJ’s has been committed to formulating and serving award-winning, carefully crafted beers since 1996. We believe that high-quality beer can make the world a better place. BJ’s Magnolia’s Peach® is a seasonal beer that will be back on tap in spring 2016. BJ’s LightSwitch® Lager is part of our signature lineup and is on tap year round.

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. currently owns and operates 169 casual dining restaurants under the BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery®, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse®, BJ’s Pizza & Grill® and BJ’s Grill® brand names. BJ’s Restaurants offer an innovative and broad menu featuring award-winning, signature deep dish pizza complemented with generously portioned salads, appetizers, sandwiches, soups, pastas, entrees and desserts, including the Pizookie® dessert. The Company operates several microbrewery restaurants in addition to using independent third-party brewers to produce and distribute BJ’s critically acclaimed craft beers. The Company’s restaurants are located in the 22 states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas,Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Visit BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. on the Web at http://www.bjsrestaurants.com.

Certain statements in the preceding paragraphs and all other statements that are not purely historical constitute “forward-looking” statements for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. The “forward-looking” statements contained in this press release are based on current assumptions and expectations and BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or alter its “forward-looking” statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.

For further information, please contact Greg Levin of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. at (714) 500-2400 or JCIR at (212) 835-8500 or at bjri@jcir.com.

SOURCE: BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.

Coop hilft mit Schweizer Holz

Coop Bau+Hobby unterstützt Lawinenschutzprojekt in Engelberg

BASEL, SWITZERLAND, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ —  Der Schutzwald oberhalb des beliebten Ski- und Wandergebiets Brunni bei Engelberg muss dringend erweitert und mit Lawinensicherungen versehen werden. Die nötigen finanziellen Mittel aber fehlen. Nun hat sich die Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete spontan entschlossen, das Lawinenschutzprojekt mit einem namhaften Betrag zu unterstützen. Möglich wird dies dank den Kundinnen und Kunden von Coop Bau+Hobby: Bis Ende Dezember fliessen pro verkauftes Produkt aus Schweizer Holz 15 Rappen an die Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete.

Coop liegt eine verantwortungsvolle und nachhaltige Nutzung der Wälder am Herzen. Bei Coop Bau+Hobby ist man darum stolz auf sein Holzsortiment. 75 % davon ist FSC-zertifiziert. Und bei einem grossen Teil aller Holzprodukte stammt das Holz aus Schweizer Wäldern. Kein anderer Baumarkt verkauft so viel Schweizer Holz wie Coop Bau+Hobby – ganz egal ob Bauholz oder Brennholz, Holzstiele von Werkzeugen, Harassen, Regale oder Gartenholz.

Schweizer Holz im Fokus
Von jedem verkauften Produkt aus Schweizer Holz spendet Coop Bau+Hobby bis Ende Jahr 15 Rappen an die Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete. Der Gesamterlös wird zu 100 % für die Realisierung des Lawinenschutz- und Aufforstungsprojektes Sitenwald in Engelberg eingesetzt. Mit dem Engagement von Coop Bau+Hobby wird die Fläche des Schutzwaldes, der zur Sicherheit des unterliegenden Gebietes beiträgt, um einen wichtigen Teil erweitert.

Für eine bessere Zukunft in den Schweizer Berggebieten
Die Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete unterstützt jährlich über 188 Selbsthilfeprojekte, die dazu beitragen, die Zukunft vieler Bergbauernfamilien zu verbessern und die Bergregionen zu stärken. Die Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete hat 2014 rund 6,4 Millionen Franken für Projekte zur Selbsthilfe eingesetzt.

Coop engagiert sich vielfältig für den Schutz der Wälder:

Tat Nr. 80: FSC-Holz: Unser Sortiment wächst nachhaltig
www.taten-statt-worte.ch/80

Tat Nr. 220: Unser Engagement für nachhaltiges Holz und Papier ist kein Papiertiger
www.taten-statt-worte.ch/220

Mehr zum Nachhaltigkeitsengagement von Coop:
www.taten-statt-worte.ch

Bilder zum Download

Kontaktpersonen

Denise Stadler, Leiterin Medienstelle
Tel. +41 61 336 71 10

Ramón Gander, Mediensprecher
Tel. +41 61 336 71 67

Urs Meier, Mediensprecher
Tel. +41 61 336 71 39

Nadja Ruch, Mediensprecherin
Tel. +41 61 336 71 87

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Coop hilft mit Schweizer Holz

Coop hilft mit Schweizer Holz

SSP America’s chairman Les Cappetta elected vice chairman of the Airports Council International North America World Business Partners/Associates Board

Lansdowne, VA, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, is pleased to announce that its chairman, Les Cappetta has been elected to serve as vice chairman of the Airports Council International North America (ACI-NA) World Business Partners/Associates Board (WBP) for the Board’s 2015-2016 term.

ACI-NA’s members represent a wide variety of private industry, nonprofit and educational entities that provide products, equipment and services to airports and the aviation industry. Through their membership, the 380 ACI-NA WBP members work with ACI-NA airport members to address industry issues and discuss new technologies and innovative ideas.

Les Cappetta, who has held the positions of ACI-NA WBA vice chair and chairman in the past, commented on the election by saying, “The WBP Board is an extremely important leadership group for airports around the world. WBP works on critically important initiatives such as: Congressional funding of airports, standards for airport contracting and creating an interface between airport clients and providers. I look forward to working collaboratively with the WBP board and my industry peers to ensure we address meaningful issues and opportunities in the airport industry.”

Results for Board elections for the three-year terms were announced at the ACI-NA WBP breakfast during the 2015 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition held in Long Beach, California October 4-7, 2015.

If you have a press enquiry, please call Clare Williams at Templemere Public Relations on +44 (0) 1483 243 546 or press.office@ssp-intl.com

SOURCE: SSP Group plc

Hispanic Heritage Month: Partners from Starbucks Hora del Café joined Casimiro Global Foundation (CGF) to conduct the “BizNovator” Challenge One-Day Workshop

Florida, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — It happens millions of times each day. A Starbucks barista hands a cup of coffee to a customer. Though usually a brief exchange, that moment of connection is at the heart of the Starbucks experience.

For Laura Hajduk, a Starbucks store manager in southwest Florida, those connections go beyond the store environment to the community where she’s among those helping improve the lives of Hispanic teens. Hajduk is a board member for the Casimiro Global Foundation (CGF), an organization dedicated to empowering young people to become business leaders and entrepreneurs. She is also part of Starbucks Hora del Café Partner Network, an affinity group that builds awareness and celebrates Hispanic culture.

“Hora del Café looks for ways to make positive change,” she said. “As co-chair of the network and a CGF board member, I was able to connect the two organizations. The Casimiro Global Foundation engaged the network with open arms.”

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, partners from Starbucks Hora del Café joined CGF to conduct the “BizNovator” Challenge One-Day Workshop on October 2. During the workshop, high school Florida teens learned presentation skills, created business plans and developed financial and marketing strategies. Hajduk and other Hora del Café members coached and judged participants and selected one team of students to receive seed capital to start their own business.

“It was so exciting to see the teens apply what they learned during the workshop and pitch their business plans,” said Hajduk.

The one-day workshop was modeled after BizNovator camps that CGF conducts for either one or two weeks each year. Young people from local communities and from underdeveloped locations around the world are invited to participate.

“Casimiro Global Foundation was started due to a major loss in my life – the passing of my dad,” said founder Juan Casimiro. “This event inspired me to reflect and think closely of certain life lessons he taught me during my upbringing. In his honor, I created Casimiro Global Foundation with the simple mission to formalize and put lessons learned into action.”

Fifteen years later, the foundation has inspired thousands of young people, and Casimiro hopes to eventually reach one million youth around the world.

“Today we have impacted more than 150,000 youth in more than 20 countries through our mission to create and empower young entrepreneurs, social innovators and global leaders,” he said.

Eli Ruiz met Casimiro when he was a 16 year-old high school student with a love of technology and talent for website coding. He had thought about turning his interests into a business, but needed encouragement to get started. “The BizNovator camp helped me turn an idea into a plan,” said Ruiz. “I learned how to structure a business and present myself in front of people. With seed money I received from participation in the camp, I started my own business called Zaawaa Tech Solutions.”

Also a BizNovator participant, Magda Gelves became an intern for CGF and is now the camp director.

“BizNovator changed my life entirely by leading me to a group of people who want to make an impact in the world,” she said. “I wanted to learn about camp creation and operations, but never expected to be running the entire program. Every year, the camps get better and I see how many lives they impact.”

Gelves plans to go to college and pursue a degree in public relations and education. Beyond college, she would like to graduate from law school and eventually become a politician.

“Through the BizNovator camp and working with CGF, I am confident in who I am. I take risks and see problems as opportunities for a solution,” she said. “Senator Gelves, that’s my dream. In the future, I see myself as a major political leader who will impact the masses.”

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a Celebrando Starbucks eGift Card, available at Starbucks.com.

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

 

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Hispanic Heritage Month: Partners from Starbucks Hora del Café joined Casimiro Global Foundation (CGF) to conduct the "BizNovator" Challenge One-Day Workshop

Hispanic Heritage Month: Partners from Starbucks Hora del Café joined Casimiro Global Foundation (CGF) to conduct the “BizNovator” Challenge One-Day Workshop

Carrefour Italy (Milan) among the winners of the sixth edition of the “Good Energy Award 2015”

MILAN, ITALY, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — The first Italian award dedicated to virtuous businesses in the fields of renewable energy and energy savings, created by Bernoni Grant Thornton, is now celebrating its sixth year of existence.

Carrefour Italy (Milan) for the category Tertiary, Melinda (Cles – Trento) for the category Industry, the Municipality of Vigodarzere (Padua) for the category Public Administration and Public Utilities and Sinapsi Tech (Bastia Umbra – Perugia) for the category Start-up are the winners of the sixth edition of the “Good Energy Award 2015.” This was the verdict handed down by the Prize Jury created by Bernoni Grant Thornton, which was the first in Italy to propose the recognition by award of those companies that have had the courage to invest in an innovative, non-traditional market, in a manner that shows responsibility for the environment, the economy and the region.

Among the more than 50 companies, the Jury identified three finalists for each . Carrefour Italy won the prize in the category Tertiary.

The Carrefour Italy Group is a major retailer in Italy. The company is present in 19 regions of Italy with a total of 1,136 stores (as of 6/30/2015) and more than 20,000 employees. The Group demonstrates its commitment to energy conservation and sustainability. Reducing the environmental impact of business activities and raising the awareness of customers and employees about the rational use of energy resources are at the heart of Carrefour’s approach to sustainable development. The Group has set an objective for itself to reduce its energy consumption per square meter by 30% compared to 2005 and to reduce its CO2 emissions by 40% compared to 2009 – by 2020. Electricity consumption accounts for over 90% of its stores’ energy consumption, and is therefore a priority to work on to achieve its objectives.

Carrefour has presented in particular a project that describes the innovative technologies installed in the Carrefour Market at Siena Square in Milan, aimed not only at energy efficiency, but above all at sustainability in terms of reducing CO2. There are two types of technologies employed at Siena Square: the use of non-chemical, but natural gas for refrigerated displays, which mean the impact on the environment is decreased by 3800 volts compared to using chemical gas in traditional systems. Using full LED lighting instead of traditional fluorescent lights, which ensures a reduction in electricity consumption of 70% and has a strong impact in terms of the environment.

The awards ceremony was held at the headquarters of “Il Sole 24 Ore” an Italian national daily business newspaper at Via Monte Rosa 91 in Milan.

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