Daily Archives: January 16, 2016

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Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program donates $2 million to The Fred Rogers Company to support production of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on PBS KIDS

New Funding to Support Production of Award-Winning Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on PBS KIDS

Camp Hill, Pa, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program announced today a $2 million donation to The Fred Rogers Company, a non-profit company that specializes in creating quality children’s programming for public television. The donation will be used to support production of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the Emmy-nominated hit children’s series that airs daily on PBS KIDS.

In recognition of the donation, Rite Aid CEO of stores and President of Rite Aid Corporation Ken Martindale, who also serves as president of The Rite Aid Foundation, and The Fred Rogers Company President William Isler, will host a press conference at the Heinz History Center today at 10:30 a.m. Martindale and Isler will be joined by the star of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger.

“The mission of The Fred Rogers Company perfectly aligns with The Rite Aid Foundation’s goal of supporting the health and wellbeing of children in the ‘neighborhoods’ we serve,” said Martindale. “A beloved part of households nationwide, every day, Daniel Tiger and his friends are teaching young viewers important life lessons and social skills, helping them grow and learn. The Rite Aid Foundation is proud to partner with The Fred Rogers Company and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and join them in their efforts to promote positive childhood development in the most formative years.”

“We are so grateful to The Rite Aid Foundation for its invaluable support, which will allow us to continue to positively reach and connect with millions of young children and their families throughout the U.S.,” said Isler. “Just as The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program serves communities from coast-to-coast, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a close and trusted friend to preschoolers and their moms, dads, and caregivers in communities nationwide, and we look forward to serving many more families in the years to come with the help of this generous donation.”

As part of the partnership, a special Rite Aid Foundation underwriting spot will air before and after every episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, beginning next month. Underwriting credits will also be included on digital platforms, building awareness about The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program among fans of the series.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood follows the adventures of 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and uses musical strategies grounded in Fred Rogers’ landmark social-emotional curriculum. Through imagination, creativity, and music, Daniel and his friends learn the key social skills necessary for success in school and in life. The popular animated series was created by some of today’s preeminent innovators of quality children’s media. Creator Angela Santomero, from lead production partner Out of the Blue Enterprises, is co-executive producer, along with Kevin Morrison of The Fred Rogers Company and Vince Commisso of the award-winning animation studio, 9 Story Entertainment.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood has garnered a host of prestigious awards, and most recently was nominated for a 2015 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program. This recognition follows a string of additional honors, including a 2015 Parents’ Choice Gold Award and 2014 Prix Jeunesse International Selection as well as the 2013 Kidscreen Award for Best Animated Series in the Preschool Category, and 2013 Cynopsis: Kids! Imagination Award for Preschool Series.

KidCents was developed by The Rite Aid Foundation to provide Rite Aid customers an opportunity to do even more to help the kids in the communities Rite Aid serves. Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid’s wellness+ with Plenti program can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and give their change to one of more than 300 nonprofit organizations focused on improving the health and wellbeing of children.

Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded nearly $21 million to non-profit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $75 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2015 annual revenues of $26.5 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.

The Fred Rogers Company was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional and behavioral health and supporting parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in their work with children. The Fred Rogers Company continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media, and engaging new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly rated, award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat and Odd Squad. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org.

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Contact:

Media: Ashley Flower 717-975-5718

SOURCE: Rite Aid Corp.

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Dunbar Armored and Wincor Nixdorf to deliver CM2900 the first coin and currency recycling smart safe

Paderborn, GERMANY, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — CM2900 Smart Safe, Offering Low-Cost Recycling for Retailers, to be First Dunbar Cash Office Product Unveiled at National Retail Federation BIG Show 2016

Dunbar Armored, America’s largest independent, full-service security organization, today announced that it has partnered with Wincor Nixdorf, a leading retail cash management solutions provider, to deliver coin and currency recycling to customers via Dunbar Cash Office, a new Dunbar Cash Manager Safe product line. Dunbar will unveil CM2900, the first coin and currency recycling smart safe within Dunbar Cash Office, at the National Retail Federation (NRF) BIG Show on January 17-19, 2016 in New York City.

Dunbar Cash Office is designed to reduce the cost of point of sale (POS) till management in the retail store environment. Unlike other recycling offerings in the marketplace, the product line can profitably support small stores. Beginning with the CM2900 smart safe, Dunbar Cash Office provides easy-to-use, turnkey retail cash management automation for stores accepting up to $25,000 cash per week. The new Cash Office product line focus is to decrease cash handling costs, increase cash control and improve cash flow. The new CM2900 is optimized for customers managing locations with 3 to 5 POS terminals and will automate and manage a store’s entire coin and currency needs through an affordable, all-inclusive service package.

“Until now, recycling of coins and currency was found exclusively in big cash rooms, but Dunbar Cash Office products will deliver that same efficiency to retailers of all sizes. The CM2900 is the first smart safe of its kind to bring the benefits of recycling to the small retail market,” said Brian Stang, Senior Vice President, Cash Manager Services of Dunbar Armored.

“We are excited about the Dunbar Armored partnership,“ said Bart Penris, Wincor Nixdorf’s North American Retail General Manager. “Retailers will benefit from the simplicity, cost savings and improved cash flow provided by combining Wincor Nixdorf cash management technology with Dunbar services.“

Dunbar Cash Office extends Dunbar’s existing Cash Manager Safe offerings, which simplify deposits by reducing labor costs, shortening checkouts and mitigating risks of theft and loss for retail customers. All Cash Manager Safes feature cellular connectivity, enabling customers to reconcile deposits with their banks and providing them with daily advanced access to store deposit credit.

“Deposit automation has been widely adopted by Dunbar Cash Manager Safes customers because it reduces their cost of cash handling. The new Cash Office product line will further lower cash management expenditures, especially for small retailers, by recycling and automating the counting of coins and currency,” added Stang.

To learn more about Dunbar Cash Office and the new CM2900, visit the Dunbar Armored booth (#1219) at the NRF BIG Show 2016.

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

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Moody’s Investors Service upgrades Citycon’s credit rating to Baa1

Helsinki, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded Citycon’s investment grade level long-term corporate credit rating to Baa1. The outlook is stable. The previous rating was Baa2 with a stable outlook.

The rating was upgraded mainly due to Citycon’s improved business profile following the acquisition and integration of Norwegian Sektor Gruppen that increased the scale, improved the geographical diversification and reduced the tenant concentration risk of the company.

Moody’s press release is attached to this release.

SOURCE: CITYCON OYJ

For further information, please contact:
Eero Sihvonen, Executive Vice President and CFO
Tel. +358 20 766 4459 or +358 50 557 9137
eero.sihvonen@citycon.com

Citycon Oyj (Nasdaq Helsinki: CTY1S) is a leading owner, developer and manager of urban grocery-anchored shopping centres in the Nordic and Baltic regions, managing assets that total close to EUR 5 billion and with market capitalisation of approximately EUR 2 billion. For more information about Citycon, please visit www.citycon.com

For further information, please contact:
Eero Sihvonen, Executive Vice President and CFO
Tel. +358 20 766 4459 or +358 50 557 9137
eero.sihvonen@citycon.comCitycon Oyj (Nasdaq Helsinki: CTY1S) is a leading owner, developer and manager of urban grocery-anchored shopping centres in the Nordic and Baltic regions, managing assets that total close to EUR 5 billion and with market capitalisation of approximately EUR 2 billion. For more information about Citycon, please visit www.citycon.com

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Kroger declares quarterly dividend of 10.5¢ per share to be paid on March 1, 2016

CINCINNATI, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ —  The Kroger Co.’s (NYSE: KR) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of 10.5¢ per share to be paid on March 1, 2016 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2016.

Kroger has delivered double-digit compound growth in its dividend since it was reinstated in 2006. The company continues to expect an increasing dividend over time.

Kroger, one of the world’s largest retailers, employs more than 422,000 associates who serve customers in 2,774 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 35 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, Mariano’s, Pick ‘n Save, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The company also operates 786 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,360 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.

This press release contains a forward-looking statement, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about the future performance of the company. This statement is based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statement is indicated by the word “expect.”  Our ability to continue to increase our dividend over time, will be affected by our inability to generate free cash flow at the levels anticipated and our failure to generate expected operating results.  This forward-looking statement is subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. We assume no obligation to update the information contained herein. Please refer to Kroger’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties.

Media Contacts
Kroger Family of Stores Media Contacts
The Kroger Co. – General Office

Keith Dailey
Director, Media Relations/Corporate Communications
Office: 513-762-1304
Cell: 513-257-4955
Email: keith.dailey@kroger.com

SOURCE The Kroger Co.

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7‑Eleven launches its second Operation: Take Command campaign to give away franchise fee-free store to Military Vet

DALLAS, TX, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — If you have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, are looking to open a franchise and be your own boss, 7‑Eleven, Inc.has something in store for you.

Dallas-based 7‑Eleven is recruiting qualified men and women who have been honorably discharged to enlist in the company’s secondOperation: Take Command competition. One deserving and lucky veteran will be awarded a 7‑Eleven® fee-free franchise, a value of up to $190,000.

The winner can choose any of the company’s 7‑Eleven convenience stores available in the continental U.S. at the contest’s culmination. Interested veterans can enter online at www.VeteransFranchiseGiveaway.com now through Feb. 26, 2016. The winner will be announced in June.

“More than 6,000 ex-military men and women applied last year, and 1,700 were vetted in our first Operation: Take Command campaign,” said Greg Franks, 7‑Eleven vice president of franchise systems. “The finalists were outstanding, and many who didn’t win, still took command of their careers and moved forward through our normal qualification process to own their own 7‑Eleven franchise.”

The Operation: Take Command initiative is a multi-phased competition that includes meeting 7‑Eleven’s franchising qualifications and successful interviews. The top 25 will be invited to submit a video on why they deserve a 7‑Eleven franchise. Up to seven will be selected from this pool for the semi- final competition.

Through votes on 7‑Eleven’s Facebook page, the public will select three finalists to be interviewed by 7‑Eleven’s franchise department management and narrowed to one winner.

To qualify for Operation: Take Command, an entrant must be age 21 or older, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an honorably discharged veteran, have excellent credit and at least three years of leadership, retail or restaurant experience. Contestants will go through the same qualification process as all 7‑Eleven franchise applicants including credit evaluation, a leadership test, business plan development, budget, and store location preferences.

Last year’s winners in 7‑Eleven’s inaugural Operation: Take Command are now in business for themselves in stores of their choice. Mark Anthony Page, a Navy veteran, franchises a 7‑Eleven store in Burleson, Texas. Salil Gautam, formerly with the U.S. Army, operates his store in Norfolk, Va., and Army reservist Robert Kemna recently took the reins of his new 7‑Eleven store in Miami.

7‑Eleven already offers qualified veterans who have left the military within the past five years a discount of 20 percent on the franchise fee for their first 7‑Eleven store, a value of up to $50,000, along with preferred interest rates and special financing. Those who have been out of the military longer, receive a 10 percent franchise fee discount.

Multiple veterans organizations continue to recognize 7‑Eleven for its military-friendly business opportunities, hiring practices and philanthropic support for military families. This year marks 7‑Eleven’s 52nd year of franchising. Today, franchisees operate approximately 85 percent of 7‑Eleven, Inc.’s nearly 8,000 U.S. stores. An interactive map atwww.franchise.7‑Eleven.com indicates stores available for franchising.

The Fine Print: The contest is not open to eligible veterans who are legal residents of Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota and where prohibited. All participants must read and agree to the official rules at veteransfranchisegiveaway.com. This is not an offer to sell a franchise, which will be made by us only in a state if 7‑Eleven, Inc. is first registered, filed, exempted or otherwise qualified to offer franchises in that state, and only if 7‑Eleven provides an appropriate Franchise Disclosure Document. A credit of up to $190,000 toward the initial franchise fee will be awarded. The winner will be required to pay any portion of the initial franchise fee over $190,000 for the store they select, along with other initial fees, including but not limited to a $29,000 down payment on inventory, cost of all licenses and permits, expenses to attend training and other fees described in our Franchise Disclosure Document. The 20-percent franchise fee discount for veterans is for qualified applicants and only on the first store franchised.

About 7‑Eleven, Inc.
7‑Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas,

7‑Eleven operates, franchises and licenses more than 10,700 7‑Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are some 57,900 7‑Eleven stores in 17 countries. 7‑Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations. Accolades include #1 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2014 Top Global Franchise list; #7 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2016; #1 on “Best Retail Franchises” list for April 2015 by FranchiseRankings.com; #3 on Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start; and is among GI Jobs magazine’s Top 100 Military Friendly Employers for 2016. 7‑Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7‑Eleven.com.

CONTACT:  Margaret Chabris

                        7‑Eleven, Inc.
                        972-828-7285
                        margaret.chabris@7-11.com

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7‑Eleven granted franchise fee-free stores to three U.S. military veterans in the company’s inaugural Operation: Take Command competition in 2015. They and their franchise store locations are, from left are, Mark Anthony Page in Burleson, Texas; Robert Kemna, Miami, and Salil Gautam in Norfolk, Va.

7‑Eleven granted franchise fee-free stores to three U.S. military veterans in the company’s inaugural Operation: Take Command competition in 2015. They and their franchise store locations are, from left are, Mark Anthony Page in Burleson, Texas; Robert Kemna, Miami, and Salil Gautam in Norfolk, Va.

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Tesco PLC welcomes Alison Platt and Simon Patterson to its Board as independent Non-Executive Directors

CHESHUNT, England, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tesco PLC is pleased to announce that Alison Platt and Simon Patterson will join the Board as additional independent Non-Executive Directors with effect from 1 April 2016. In addition, from that date, Alison Platt will join the Remuneration Committee, and Simon Patterson will join the Audit Committee.

Alison Platt is the Chief Executive of Countrywide plc, the UK’s largest property services group, and has a wealth of relevant experience of the property sector and customer service delivery. She also has significant business to business and international commercial experience. Alison was previously Managing Director at Bupa, responsible for International Development Markets, and has held a range of senior posts including Chief Operating Officer of the UK private hospitals business at Bupa and a number of senior positions in British Airways. She is a non-executive director of Cable & Wireless Communications plc, and was previously chair of ‘Opportunity Now’, which seeks to accelerate change for women in the workplace. Alison was also a non-executive director of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office between 2005 and 2010.

Simon Patterson is a Managing Director of Silver Lake Partners, a leading global technology investment firm, having joined the firm in 2005. He is currently a board member of Dell and Intelsat, and previously served on the boards of Skype, MultiPlan and Gerson Lehrman Group. Prior to joining Silver Lake, he was a member of the founding management team of the logistics software company GF-X (acquired by Descartes) and worked in various management roles at the Financial Times. He is a Trustee of the Natural History Museum in London, a Non-Executive Director of N Brown Group plc, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Prince’s Trust. Mr. Patterson holds an M.A. from King’s College, Cambridge University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar and received the Alexander Robichek Award for Finance.

John Allan, Chairman, commented:

“I am delighted to welcome Alison and Simon to the Board and I know that their broad range of skills and experience will be a real asset to the Company. The Board and I very much look forward to working with them over the coming years.”

There are no additional matters that would require disclosure under LR 9.6.13 R (1) to (6) in respect of Alison Platt and Simon Patterson.

We are a team of 480,000 in 11 markets dedicated to serving shoppers a little better every day.

Enquiries:

Company Secretary:
Paul Moore:01707 913 005

Media:
Steve Milton:01707 918 701

Investors:
Chris Griffith:01707 912 900

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John Lewis announces the appointment of James Prince as branch head at its department store in Leeds

LONDON, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — John Lewis has today announced that James Prince will become head of branch at its department store in Leeds, set to open autumn 2016. John Lewis will invest £37 million in the 255,000 sq ft department store, which will be one of the largest outside London.

James will lead the team of 550 Partners (staff) at Leeds, the recruitment of which will begin in the next few months. He is currently head of branch at John Lewis Sheffield, but has lived in Leeds for the past four years. He started his John Lewis career eight years ago as an operations manager at John Lewis Liverpool, and prior to his current role he opened the first John Lewis at home shop in Poole as the Branch Manager.

James has been head of branch at John Lewis Sheffield for the past four years. Over the last two years James has also been Chair of the Sheffield BID Board and will remain in post until a Chair of the newly elected BID Board has been selected.

The retailer will be the anchor tenant of the Victoria Gate development* in Leeds’ Victoria Quarter. The department store frames the scheme and is a major entrance to Leeds’ retail core from the eastern side. Unique to John Lewis Leeds, the striking design of the shop heralds a future architectural classic for the city.

James said: ‘I’m delighted to be taking on this new challenge and look forward to establishing our shop in the centre of Leeds and in the heart of the local community.

‘I have enjoyed my time in Sheffield, particularly working with the team based here who are a credit to the store. I have also valued being involved in city initiatives such as the Sheffield BID.

‘Leeds is my home and I’m incredibly passionate about this city. I can’t wait to recruit a new team of Partners and reveal the shop to our customers in the autumn of 2016.’

John Lewis Leeds will be the third John Lewis to open in Yorkshire. Featuring more than 350,000 products across fashion, home and technology, the shop will be a fantastic addition to Leeds’s retail offer.

Notes to editors

About John Lewis
John Lewis operates 46 John Lewis shops across the UK (32 department stores, 12 John Lewis at home and shops at St Pancras International and Heathrow Terminal 2) as well as johnlewis.com. It is part of the John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s largest example of worker co-ownership and all 30,000 John Lewis staff are Partners in the business. ‘Best Clothing Retailer 2015′, Best Electricals Retailer 2015’ and ‘Best Homewares Retailer 2015’¹, typically stocks more than 350,000 separate lines in its department stores across fashion, home and technology. Johnlewis.com stocks over 280,000 products, and is consistently ranked one of the top online shopping destinations in the UK. John Lewis Insurance offers a range of comprehensive insurance products – home, car, wedding and event, travel and pet insurance and life cover – delivering the values of expertise, trust and customer service expected from the John Lewis brand.

¹ Verdict Consumer Satisfaction Awards 2015

About Victoria Gate
Work started in April 2014 on the new £150 million Victoria Gate retail development, which is due to open in late 2016. The development will house one of the largest John Lewis stores outside of London. The detailed designs also include a casino, a multi-storey car park for up to 800 cars, Victoria Gate arcade with 30 stores, restaurants, cafes and leisure space. The first phase will also deliver up to 1,000 retail and hospitality jobs and up to 1,000 construction employment opportunities on site during the construction phases of the scheme. Project developer, Hammerson, is working with construction contractor Sir Robert McAlpine and key partner Leeds City Council to deliver the scheme.

Enquiries

For further information please contact:

Jack Gorman, Communications Officer, John Lewis
Telephone: 020 7798 3994
Email: jack.gorman@johnlewis.co.uk

SOURCE: John Lewis

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IKEA Foundation has contributed $97.7M to Save the Children and UNICEF since 2003; benefitted over 12 M children in over 46 countries

Conshohocken, PA, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — More than 12 million children in over 46 countries have better schools, teachers and learning materials, thanks to a 13 year partnership between the IKEA Foundation, Save the Children and UNICEF.

Since 2003, the IKEA Foundation’s ‘Soft Toys for Education’ campaign has contributed $97.7 million (€88 million) * to Save the Children and UNICEF, helping to increase school attendance for some of the world’s most marginalized and vulnerable children. Funds have also helped train teachers, provide educational materials and improve child protection systems in schools and communities.

This year’s campaign, which ran November 1 through December 26, 2015, the U.S. alone raised over $1.4 million through soft toys, IKEA FAMILY children’s books and card games sales.

“Education is the most solid road leading out of poverty. All children have the right to an education but still too many are left behind. Partnering with UNICEF and Save the Children for 13 years has allowed us to address this issue strategically and invest in improving the quality of education in some of the world’s poorest communities—and we’re incredibly grateful to the IKEA customers and co-workers who have worked so hard to make that right a reality for over 12 million children,” said Per Heggenes, CEO IKEA Foundation

In Ethiopia, funds from the IKEA Foundation have helped UNICEF reach children in rural farming communities with basic education. The flexible schooling model has been so successful that the Ethiopian government has rolled it out nationally.

“Over the last 13 years, the incredible support of the IKEA Foundation and IKEA employees and customers has been invaluable in helping UNICEF transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children through education,” said Caryl M. Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Thanks to this partnership, millions of children around the world will have the opportunity to receive a quality education and build a better and brighter future for themselves and their communities.”

In China, IKEA Foundation funding helped develop early-childhood development centers for disadvantaged children living in selected rural communities. The impact of these centers on children’s lives contributed to the Government of China’s decision to universalize preschool education.

With the support of the IKEA Foundation, Save the Children has worked in 17 countries in Asia and Europe to provide educational opportunities for previously out-of-school children, to improve the learning environment and to train teachers on child-centered, nonviolent, and inclusive teaching methodology.

“With the help of the ‘Soft Toys for Education’ campaign, Save the Children is creating a better and brighter future for children – giving the most vulnerable kids access to learning, and teachers the tools to provide a better quality education,” said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children. “We are extremely thankful for our partnership with the IKEA Foundation, and all the support we’ve received from IKEA employees and customers the past 13 years. Together we have made an enormous difference in the lives of children.”

In Bangladesh, the Philippines and Vietnam, Save the Children has, together with education authorities and civil society organizations, supported policy reform and practices to ensure that children from minority groups learn in a language they understand.

Although the Soft Toys for Education campaign has ended its successful run, the IKEA Foundation will continue its commitment to UNICEF and Save the Children through ongoing grants in Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia in the areas of education, early-childhood care and development, child protection, adolescence and humanitarian response.

Through the IKEA IWitness program, IKEA co-workers get to see first-hand how the campaigns they support create a better everyday life for children and their families in developing countries.

*For every soft toy, children’s book and card game sold, the IKEA Foundation donated one euro ($1.11)* to UNICEF and Save the Children to train teachers, improve child-protection systems, provide educational materials, and increase school attendance in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Notes to editors
Behind these figures are the individual stories of teachers and children like May Yoi Ching Marma in Bangladesh, Naima in the Philippines, Nokolunga in South Africa and Jan Sankoh in Sierra Leone.

Save the Children
The story of Naima in Mindanao, the Philippines
savethechildren.net/save-children-ikea-foundation-collaboration-case-study-philippines
The story of May Yoi Ching in Bangladesh
savethechildren.net/save-children-ikea-foundation-collaboration-case-study-bangladesh

UNICEF
The story of Nokulunga in South Africa
unicef.org/esaro/5440_south-africa_day-of-the-girl-child.html
Studying despite the Ebola outbreak Sierra Leone
unicef.org/infobycountry/sierraleone_81528.html

IKEA U.S.
Mona Astra Liss, US Corporate PR Director
610.834.0180, ext. 5852
Mona.Liss@IKEA.com

Save the Children
Jeremy Soulliere
Manager, Media & Communications
203-295-5842
Jsoulliere@savechildren.org

UNICEF
Andrea Sioris
Deputy Director, Public Relations
(212) 880-9136
asioris@unicefusa.org

About IKEA Group
The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. There are currently 329 IKEA Group stores in 27 countries. There are 41 IKEA stores in the US. In FY 15, IKEA Group had 716 million visitors to the stores and 1.9 billion visitors to IKEA.com. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, please visit www.IKEA-USA.com, facebook.com/IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA, http://pinterest.com/IKEAUSA/, http://www.youtube.com/IKEAUSA, IKEA-USA.com/sharespace

About IKEA Foundation
The IKEA Foundation (Stichting IKEA Foundation) is the philanthropic arm of INGKA Foundation, the owner of the IKEA Group of companies. We aim to improve opportunities for children and youth in some of the world’s poorest communities by funding holistic, long-term programs that can create substantial, lasting change. The IKEA Foundation works with strong strategic partners applying innovative approaches to achieve large-scale results in four fundamental areas of a child’s life: a place to call home; a healthy start in life; a quality education; and a sustainable family income, while helping these communities fight and cope with climate change. Learn more at www.ikeafoundation.org and www.facebook.com/IKEAfoundation.

About Save the Children
Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We invest in childhood — every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE: Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
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IKEA recalls LATTJO Tongue Drums and LATTJO Drumsticks

IKEA urges customers who have LATTJO Tongue Drums or LATTJO Drumsticks to immediately remove them from children and return them to any IKEA store where they will receive a full refund.

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA, 2016-Jan-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — IKEA has received six reports of the rubber ball on the end of the drumsticks detaching or being unscrewed. These reports were from staff in IKEA stores in Germany, Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands. No incidents or injuries have been reported in the United States.

Despite approved tests we are therefore precautionary recalling LATTJO Tongue Drum LATTJO Drumsticks to avoid any incidents.

LATTJO drumsticks and LATTJO tongue drum have been sold on all IKEA markets from November 2015 to December 2015.

The LATTJO Tongue Drum is a solid birch rectangular-shaped drum with a turquoise-dot print on the front and two solid red circles on top. The drum measures about 8 inches long by 2-3/4 inches wide by 2-3/4 inches deep. The drum comes with a seven inch mallet with a turquoise painted handle and black rubber ball on the end. IKEA and LATTJO are printed on a label on the bottom of the drum.

The LATTJO Drumstick set includes two solid birch drumsticks, two brushes and two mallet-type drumsticks with black rubber balls on the ends. The set was sold in a turquoise polyester roll-up pouch with a red and white striped fabric panel in the center. The pouch measures about 15 inches long by 10 inches wide. IKEA and LATTJO was printed on a label attached to the pouch.

Proof of purchase (receipt) is not required for a full refund. For more information, please visit www.IKEA-usa.com or contact IKEA toll-free (888) 966-4532.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/IKEA-Recalls-Toy-Drums-and-Drumstick-Sets

Press Contact Information

USA CORPORATE PUBLIC RELATIONS
Mona Astra Liss
1-610-834-0180 x 5852

USA PRODUCT PUBLIC RELATIONS
Janice Simonsen
1-610-834-0180 x 6349

USA EXPANSION
Joseph Roth
1-610-834-0180 x 6500

SOURCE: Inter IKEA Systems B.V.

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IKEA recalls LATTJO Tongue Drums and LATTJO Drumsticks