Costa Coffee announced the finalists of its short story award 2015

LONDON, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ —

NIALL BOURKE

Gerardo Dreams of Chillies

Gerardo smoked as the truck hurtled towards the outskirts of Puebla. He dreamed as he smoked. He dreamed of chillies.

Niall Bourke is 34 and originally from Kilkenny in Ireland. He now lives in London, where he teaches English at St Michael’s College, Bermondsey. He recently completed an MA in creative writing and teaching at Goldsmiths. He writes both poetry and short fiction, and has been published in a number of journals and magazines in both the UK and Ireland including The Galway Review, Prole, Southbank Poetry, Roadside Fiction, Holdfast Magazine and The Irish Literary Times. In 2015 he was longlisted for The Short Story competition and shortlisted for The Over The Edge New Writer Of The Year Award in both the poetry and prose categories. He’s currently working on his first novel.

ANNALISA CRAWFORD

Watching the Storms Roll InWe watch the storm coming in, you and I; the bubbling black clouds and the faint growl of thunder.

Annalisa Crawford lives in Saltash in Cornwall and is a part-time gym instructor. She is the author of novellas Cat and the Dreamer and Our Beautiful Child which are published by Vagabondage Press, and a short story collection, That Sadie Thing. Her new collection You. I. Us. will be published in June by Vine Leaves Press.

DANNY MURPHY

RogeyOur lives unfold in stories, their meaning revealed at the last, in their endings. And Rogey’s story? And me?
Danny Murphy gave up teaching and headteaching in 2010 to concentrate on his writing but, after a spell as a volunteer Adviser in the Cambodian Ministry of Education, he got sidetracked into publishing three books on education to help with training teachers and headteachers: Dealing with Dilemmas (2013), Schooling Scotland (2014) and Everyone’s Future (2015). Having got these off his chest and off his desk, he’s now spending more time on his creative writing, with a book of interlinked short stories and a psychological thriller under way. He lives in Stirling and works part-time in Moray House School of Education at the University of Edinburgh.

PEGGY RILEY
The Night Office

All days are broken into prayers, and the Night Office is the darkest. One nun looks for light.

Peggy Riley is an author and playwright. Her first novel, Amity & Sorrow, was published by Headline/Tinder Press and was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice. Her short fiction has won prizes at the Bridport Festival and inMsLexia, and has appeared in print for magazines and newspapers including the Wall Street Journal, Sunday Expressand Elle. As a playwright, her work has been produced off-West End, on the fringe, and at festivals/on tour throughout the UK. Recently she completed a residency at Yaddo and was a recipient of an Arts Council England Grant for the Arts. She has been a bookseller, a festival producer and writer-in-residence at a young offender prison.www.peggyriley.com

ERIN SOROS

FallenA logging accident takes a man’s arm. The only woman living in camp gathers with the loggers to mark the loss.

Erin Soros has published fiction and non-fiction in international journals and anthologies, and her stories have been aired on the CBC and BBC as recipients of the CBC Literary Award, the Commonwealth Prize for the Short Story, and as a finalist for the BBC Short Story Award. She has twice been longlisted for the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award and her story, “Still Water, BC”, was a finalist for the 2013 Costa Short Story Award. She was the Charles Pick Fellow at the University of East Anglia and, most recently, was the Harper-Wood Fellow at St John’s College, Cambridge—a position that funded travel to research Inuvialuit oral history in the Canadian Arctic.

RUPERT THOMSON

To William Burroughs, from His Wife Cult writer William Burroughs shot his wife Joan Vollmer in Mexico City in September 1951. This is her story.

Rupert Thomson is the author of ten critically-acclaimed novels, including The Insult, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and chosen by David Bowie as one of his Top 100 Must-Read books of all time; and Death of a Murderer, which was shortlisted for the 2007 Costa Novel Award. His memoir, This Party’s Got to Stop, won the Writers’ Guild Non-Fiction Book of the Year. His most recent novel, Katherine Carlyle, described by Philip Pullman as “a masterpiece”, was published in November 2015. He lives in London.

Founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, Costa is the UK’s favourite coffee shop, having been awarded “Best Branded Coffee Shop Chain in the UK and Ireland” by Allegra Strategies for six years running (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & December 2015).

With over 2,000 coffee shops in the UK and more than 1,880 shops in 30 overseas markets, Costa has diversified into both the at-home and gourmet self-serve markets. There are now more than 4,275 Costa Express self-serve machines in the UK.

In the UK Costa employs over 16,000 people and creates around 1,500 jobs each year.

Costa is committed to looking after coffee-growers. That’s why we’ve established The Costa Foundation, a registered charity. The Costa Foundation’s aims are to relieve poverty, advance education and the health and environment of coffee-growing communities around the world. So far, The Costa Foundation has funded the building of 46 schools and improved the social and economic welfare of coffee-growing communities.
PRIMARY CONTACT: For media enquiries only
CostaTeam@OneGreenBean.com
0207 017 1015
Media enquiries for Costa Coffee

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Zalando posts 30-31 per cent revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2015

  • Strong continued growth with Q4 revenues at EUR 865-872 million (30-31 per cent growth)
  • Adjusted EBIT of EUR 61-78 million (7-9 per cent margin), in line with prior management guidance
  • Full year revenues at EUR 2,955-2,962 million, clearly profitable with 3.3-3.9 per cent adjusted EBIT margin

BERLIN, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Zalando SE, Europe’s leading online platform for fashion, grew group revenues in the fourth quarter of 2015 to EUR 865-872 million or by 30-31 per cent (Q4 2014: 666 million), according to preliminary figures. Zalando expects to achieve an adjusted EBIT of EUR 61-78 million, corresponding to an adjusted EBIT margin of 7-9 per cent (Q4 2014: EUR 66 million or 9.9 per cent). All cost lines developed according to internal plan.

Rubin Ritter, member of the Management Board, said: “We have finished the year on a high note. Our strong growth and EBIT margin performance in the fourth quarter, which was in line with our prior guidance, demonstrates the strength of our business even in challenging market conditions.”

In the financial year 2015 Zalando achieved overall group revenues of EUR 2,955-2,962 million and a growth rate of 33.5-33.8 per cent (FY 2014: 2,214 million). The company remains clearly profitable with an adjusted EBIT of EUR 96-114 million, or an adjusted margin of around 3.3-3.9 per cent (FY 2014: 81.9 million, 3.7 per cent). Zalando thereby confirms full year results within its guided target corridor of 33-35 per cent revenue growth and an adjusted EBIT margin of 3-4 per cent.

“2015 has been a fantastic year for us. In our first year as a public company, we have significantly accelerated growth, made important long-term investments and remained clearly profitable. We will continue on this path,” Rubin Ritter said.

All figures reported herein are preliminary and unaudited. Full financial disclosure for the fourth quarter and financial year 2015, together with the management guidance for the financial year 2016, will be published on March 1, 2016.

ABOUT ZALANDO
Zalando (https://corporate.zalando.com) is Europe’s leading online fashion platform for women, men and children. We offer our customers a one-stop, convenient shopping experience with an extensive selection of fashion articles including shoes, apparel and accessories, with free delivery and returns. Our assortment of over 1,500 international brands ranges from popular global brands, fast fashion and local brands, and is complemented by our private label products. Our localized offering addresses the distinct preferences of our customers in each of the 15 European markets we serve: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland and the United Kingdom. Our logistics network with three centrally located fulfillment centers in Germany allows us to efficiently serve our customers throughout Europe. We believe that our integration of fashion, operations and online technology give us the capability to deliver a compelling value proposition to both our customers and fashion brand partners. Zalando’s shops attract over 131 million visits per month. In the third quarter of 2015, around 59 per cent of traffic came from mobile devices, resulting in close to 17.2 million active customers by the end of the quarter.

CONTACT ZALANDO
René Gribnitz
Vice President Communications
rene.gribnitz@zalando.de
+49 30 20968 2022

 

SOURCE: ZALANDO

Die Migros hat den Zuckergehalt im Farmer-Croc-Schokoladenmüesli verringert

Trotz Herausforderungen ist das Versprechen auf Kurs.

Zürich, SWITZERLAND, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Vielleicht ist es einigen Käufern aufgefallen: das Farmer-Croc-Schokoladenmüesli ist in der Konsistenz etwas härter. Dies ist neu und liegt daran, dass die Migros den Zuckergehalt um 3 Gramm pro 100 Gramm verringert hat. Die Migros-Betriebe arbeiten aber daran, trotz geringerem Zuckergehalt die bisherige Konsistenz wiederherzustellen.

Rezepturanpassungen auf Kurs

Wir versprechen Lieke, ab 2019 über 150 Produkte mit weniger Zucker, Salz und Fett, aber mehr Nahrungsfasern herzustellen. Das Versprechen ist auf Kurs und wird Schritt um Schritt umgesetzt. Obwohl dies mit Herausforderungen verbunden ist, wie das Beispiel des Schokoladenmüeslis zeigt, wurden bereits bei rund 100 Produkten die Rezepturen verändert.

Alles über unsere Versprechen:

Alles über ausgewogene und gesunde Ernährung:

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Die Migros hat den Zuckergehalt im Farmer-Croc-Schokoladenmüesli verringert

Migros Magazine

The Lindex launches spring collection

Gothenburg, Sweden, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Lindex spring collection presents clean color combinations, with blue playing hero, sustainable denim and a new take on that 70s’ feeling.

“This spring is all about creating a feminine yet clean look. The jumper is the season’s calm foundation to which statement pieces are added. We love flirting with the 70s’ fabrics and silhouettes, and are inspired by Françoise Hardy, Lauren Hutton and Brigit Bardot – strong women who are fashion icons of the age and pioneers of the style”, says Camilla Schmidt, Concept Designer at Lindex.

The spring collection core pieces and silhouettes include the loose leg, the wide skirt, the goddess blouse, the set and the jumper. Sustainable denim is also an important fabric, which will be in focus throughout the spring.

CD: Duncan Woods, Wednesday Agency
Photographer: Alexander Dahl
Model: Carolin Sunderhauf, Elite
Styling: Tereza Ortiz
Make up: Josefina Zarmén
Hair: Karolina Liedberg

For more information, please contact:

Filippa Tarras-Wahlberg
PR/Press, Lindex
Tel: 46 31 739 53 13
E-mail: filippa.tarras-wahlberg@lindex.com

 

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The Lindex launches spring collection

The Lindex launches spring collection

Defense Commissary Agency becomes the first U.S. retailer to create an omnicommerce experience with NCR Retail ONE

New NCR commerce hub unites an open ecosystem of retail applications and data with an omnichannel software platform

NEW YORK, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, today announced that the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) will be the first U.S. retailer to create an omnicommerce experience with NCR Retail ONE. Later this year, NCR will begin implementation of its commerce hub at DeCA, creating an open ecosystem of retail applications and data in order to help create a frictionless patron experience for DeCA’s worldwide chain of commissaries.

With NCR Retail ONE, DeCA’s next generation store and sales channel software will run on the same platform as its back office software, such as master data management, inventory management and store replenishment. Through Retail ONE’s enterprise service bus, these NCR applications also will be able to work in concert with non-NCR applications, such as DeCA’s Commissary Rewards program provided by Inmar.

“NCR Retail ONE will help DeCA create amazing experiences for its patrons, while helping the agency streamline its operations and data,” said Stan Ratcliffe, President, NCR Government Systems, LLC. “Through a single commerce hub, DeCA will be able to redefine its shopping experience and will have the flexibility to adapt to new future technologies and to the Internet of Things in retailing.”

With the worldwide IoT market expected to grow 19 percent in 2015, according to IDC, the trend is clear. Sixty percent of retailers surveyed by IDC last year said they were actively pursuing IoT technology-based initiatives, and 10.5 percent of the average retail IT budget is currently being allocated to IoT initiatives.

The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. DeCA helps support military families and is a valued part of military pay and benefits – saving authorized military patrons an average of 30 percent over commercial prices at retail grocers.

NCR Retail ONE offers a cost-effective, gradual transition by integrating and leveraging existing hardware and software assets to increase the efficiency of retail operations. Retailers are able to choose applications from a portfolio that is customized to meet their unique business needs and provides the agility and adaptability that they demand. This approach to applications also reduces time to market as retailers deploy new services for their customers.

In 2015, NCR began the deployment of back-office applications to improve DeCA’s supply chain management, including:

About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables nearly 550 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Web site: www.ncr.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: NCR Corp.
LinkedIn: NCR Corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

News Media Contact

Jeff Dudash
NCR Corporation
770-212-5091
jeff.dudash@ncr.com

SOURCE: NCR

Honeywell and NCR Corporation announces strategic partnership at the NRF’s Big Show in New York

Collaboration to deliver technology solutions to retail, supply chain and government customers

FORT MILL, S.C., 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) to form a global strategic alliance to develop new service solutions combining the core competencies of both firms in support of the retail, supply chain and government sectors.

Customers will benefit from future hardware and software solutions resulting from the collaboration of the two firm’s capabilities, intellectual property and resources.

The alliance will focus on delivering technology solutions to customers in key sectors, including: retail point-of-sale, supply chain distribution, public sector and federal government information services. With this partnership, Honeywell and NCR will collaborate in markets in North America and Europe and will also evaluate opportunities in high growth regions such as India.

“This alliance brings together two global firms with complementary service offerings in the retail market,” said John Waldron, president, Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions. “Our customers need new technology solutions to become more efficient and deliver a better in-store shopping experience to boost profitability. Honeywell has a long history of working with NCR, and I am pleased to strengthen our strategic relationship globally.”

“We are looking forward to working with Honeywell as we continue to help retailers navigate from omni-channel to omni-commerce and prepare for the Internet of Things,” said Michael Bayer, president, Retail Solutions, NCR. “We will continue to drive a frictionless customer experience across all consumer touchpoints and the retail supply chain.”

Honeywell brings to the alliance its core competencies in data capture technologies, distributed smart printing solutions, and wireless mobility computing platforms, while NCR leverages its software and hardware expertise in consumer transaction technologies. NCR’s solutions enable more than 550 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology and small business.

The strategic arrangement between the two companies was announced at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in New York City’s Javits Center.

Supporting Resources

About Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions
Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions (S&PS) is a global leader providing custom-engineered sensors, switches and controls, and productivity solutions built around our high performance data collection hardware including rugged mobile computers, voice-enabled software, bar code scanners, radio frequency identification (RFID) and workflow printing solutions.

Our solutions serve customers in aerospace, automotive, field service, healthcare, industrial, manufacturing, medical, retail, supply chain, test and measurement, and transportation and logistics markets. We provide unparalleled precision and durability that improves efficiency, increases operational productivity and enhances customer service capabilities.

For more information on Honeywell sensing products, visit http://sensing.honeywell.com and on Honeywell productivity solutions visit http://www.honeywellaidc.com.

About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables nearly 550 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

News Media Contact

Eric Krantz
Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions
803-835-8230
eric.krantz@honeywell.com

Jeff Dudash
NCR Corporation
770-212-5091
jeff.dudash@ncr.com

SOURCE: NCR

NCR Corporation introduces two new POS models at the NRF Big Show in New York

Grocery chain Big Y one-of-the-first to deploy XR8 point-of-sale terminals, bringing new configurations and performance options for checkout environments

NEW YORK, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, today introduced at the NRF Big Show in New York two new point-of-sale (POS) models that bring more configuration options and choice for retailers, while retaining the reliability and performance expected from NCR RealPOS™ solutions.

“Our new hardware solutions help round out our RealPOS family, giving retailers a wide variety of choices in POS configurations and designs that blend seamlessly into any retail environment,” said Gary Dalton, product director, NCR Retail Solutions.

NCR RealPOS XR8
The NCR RealPOS XR8 is powered by the latest 6th-generation Intel® Core™ processor technology in one of the smallest form factors in its class. The XR8’s compact design will fit into nearly any retail environment, including under a counter, on top of a counter or with a peripheral integration tray. It features a unique new design that allows front or rear peripheral connectivity, which simplifies cabling and service accessibility. In addition, all input/output is behind a locking door to help secure connections. NCR’s image recovery button lets store associates easily restore a corrupt POS system within seconds.

Supermarket chain Big Y, which serves customers in southern New England, will be one of the first grocers to deploy the new RealPOS XR8. Big Y will replace non-NCR POS units at more than 1,000 lanes in 61 stores with the new terminals.

“Big Y recognizes the necessity of staying at the forefront in technology and for that reason we selected NCR’s RealPOS XR8 Point of Sale solution,” said Michael Tami, VP of Information Resources and Technologies for Big Y Foods. “The XR8 hit all our marks on performance and will allow us to expand as technology solutions change. Another important factor was the innovative design that will save us time in the field with serviceability.”

NCR RealPOS XR5
The NCR RealPOS XR5 is an energy-efficient, fan-less, multi-touch POS terminal packaged in the NCR X-Series all-in-one design. With a sleek design that can be deployed on a countertop stand, a floor-standing pedestal or hanging on a wall or pole, the XR5 provides flexible installation options to meet the needs of many different store formats.

The XR5 is powered by the latest Quad core Intel® Celeron® system-on-chip (SoC) technology to give retailers high energy efficiency, lower operating temperature, and uncompromised performance. On-board “odometers” proactively capture vital health and usage statistics to prevent downtime. The projective capacitive display provides multi-touch and gesture support to boost associate productivity and to let them interact in a way that is familiar to them.

About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables nearly 550 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Web site: www.ncr.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: NCR Corp.
LinkedIn: NCR Corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

News Media Contact

Jeff Dudash
NCR Corporation
770-212-5091
jeff.dudash@ncr.com

SOURCE: NCR

Ethical Trading Initiative grants full membership to Bonmarché

Wakefield, England, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Bonmarché joined the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) as a Foundation Stage Member in July 2013 and has now been confirmed as a Full Member.

The ETI promotes respect for workers’ rights around the globe.

Full membership was granted because of Bonmarché’s commitment to ethical practice within its core business, for supporting suppliers to improve working conditions and for the company’s collaboration with other brands seeking to drive positive change in the work environment.

Speaking about this achievement, Wiebke Flach, ETI Head of Membership said, “When companies join ETI they are effectively making a statement that they are serious about ethical trade and that they want to be part of a leading community of socially conscious brands. Since it joined us, Bonmarché has engaged fully with working groups. By awarding full membership we recognise their clear commitment to ethical trade and to driving year-on-year improvements to working conditions.”

Ian Leader, Quality and Sourcing Manager at Bonmarché said, “This is an important milestone of recognition in how we operate as a business. Bonmarché takes great pride in ensuring our products are safe for customers and manufactured under safe, fair and humane working conditions. We look forward to working with the organisation to fulfil the commitments that ETI membership entails.”

– Ends –

For further information regarding Bonmarché, please call:

FTI Consulting – Communications adviser
Jonathon Brill, Josephine Corbett
+44 (0)20 3727 1109

Notes to Editors:
Bonmarché is one of the UK’s largest women’s value retailers, focused on selling stylish, affordable, premium quality clothing and accessories in a wide range of sizes for women over 50 years old, via its own store portfolio, website, mail order catalogues and through the Ideal World TV shopping channel. Established in 1982, Bonmarché has more than 30 years of experience in this growing market segment, operating across the UK.

About the ETI:
The ETI is an alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations with a commitment to ethical trade, who adopt the ETI base code, widely acknowledged as a model code of labour practice derived from the Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) that they expect all their suppliers to work towards. Since 1998, the ETI has been working in partnership with its members to improve the lives of workers in global supply chains. In addition to adopting the base code, members of the ETI must also agree to adopt the ETI’s Principles of Implementation.

SOURCE: Bonmarché

Staples and Office Depot intend to waive the merger agreement termination date to May 16, 2016

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and BOCA RATON, Fla., 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) and Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ: ODP) today announced that the Board of Directors of both companies intend to waive the merger agreement termination date of February 4, 2016, and extend it to May 16, 2016.  The extension allows for the completion of ongoing federal district court litigation with the Federal Trade Commission. The companies are working to extend financing terms for the transaction, and expect to execute the merger extension agreement once financing terms are finalized.

“This merger creates an unparalleled opportunity to better serve our customers and to deliver shareholder value,” said Ron Sargent, Chief Executive Officer of Staples. “We are committed to completing this transaction and look forward to a full and impartial judicial review.”

On February 4, 2015, Staples and Office Depot entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine as a single company.  The combined company will be better positioned to provide value to customers, and compete against a large and diverse set of competitors.  The company expects to deliver more than $1 billion of annualized synergies net of investments to provide increased value to customers by the third full fiscal year post-closing.  The combined company will be better equipped to optimize its retail footprint, minimize redundancy, and reduce costs.

About Staples, Inc.
Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online or on mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

About Office Depot, Inc.
Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an office, home, school or car.

Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials.

The company has annual sales of approximately $16 billion, employs approximately 56,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 59 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, Grand & Toy, and Viking. The company’s portfolio of exclusive product brands include TUL, Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.

Office Depot, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In connection with the proposed merger, Staples has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a proxy statement of Office Depot that also constitutes a prospectus of Staples. Staples filed the final proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC on May 18, 2015. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 15, 2015. Office Depot mailed the definitive proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders of Office Depot on or about May 19, 2015, and the stockholders approved the transaction on June 19, 2015. The registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus contain important information about Staples, Office Depot, the transaction and related matters. Investors and security holders are urged to read the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto) carefully.

Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Staples and Office Depot through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the registration statement and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus from Staples by contacting Staples’ Investor Relations Department at 800-468-7751 or from Office Depot by contacting Office Depot’s Investor Relations Department at 561-438-7878.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this document regarding the proposed transaction between Staples and Office Depot, the expected timetable for satisfying conditions to the merger, including receiving regulatory approvals, and completing the transaction, future financial and operating results, benefits and synergies of the transaction, future opportunities for the combined company and any other statements about Staples or Office Depot managements’ future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements, including: the ability to consummate the transaction; the risk that regulatory approvals required for the merger are not obtained or are obtained after delays or subject to conditions that are not anticipated; the risk that the financing required to fund the transaction is not obtained; the risk that the other conditions to the closing of the merger are not satisfied; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the merger; uncertainties as to the timing of the merger; competitive responses to the proposed merger; response by activist shareholders to the merger; uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the combined company following completion of the proposed transaction; the ability to successfully integrate Staples’ and Office Depot’s operations and employees; the ability to realize anticipated synergies and cost savings; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the merger; litigation relating to the merger; the outcome of pending or potential litigation or governmental investigations; the inability to retain key personnel; any changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; and the other factors described in Staples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2015 and Office Depot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2014 and their most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q each filed with the SEC. Staples and Office Depot disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document.

Media Contacts:
Staples: Kirk Saville
508-253-8530

Office Depot: Karen Denning
630-438-7445

Investor Contacts:
Staples: Chris Powers
508-253-4632

Office Depot: Rich Leland
561-438-3796

SOURCE: Office DEPOT® | OfficeMax®

Ralphs Grocery Company keeps its commitment of giving; donated more than $6 million to communities and charitable causes in 2015

Company also Donates 3.4 Million Pounds of Fresh Food to Feeding America Partner Agencies

LOS ANGELES, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Ralphs Grocery Company believes in giving back to the communities its store serve. In keeping with its commitment of giving, the supermarket company today announced that it contributed more than $6 million to local communities and charitable causes in Southern California, as well as 3.4 million pounds of fresh food to its Feeding America partner agencies.

These donations – which include donations made by Ralphs, the company’s charitable foundation, associates and through in-store fundraising – provided much-needed financial support to thousands of local schools, hunger relief agencies and non-profit organizations in Southern California communities where the company operates stores.

“Ralphs recognizes the importance of investing in the communities where our associates and customers live and work,” said Donna Giordano, president of Ralphs. “Giving back to our communities is an important part of Ralphs culture and social responsibility in Southern California.”Ralphs focuses its charitable giving in five key areas: hunger relief; K-12 education; advancement of women and minorities; women’s health; and grassroots opportunities. Among the charitable programs that Ralphs supported last year:

  • Fundraising for schools and local organizations – Ralphs donated $2.5 million to local schools and charitable organizations through our Community Contribution Program, which provides Ralphs Rewards Cardholders with the opportunity to have a percentage of their purchases donated to the non-profit of their choice.
  • Hunger relief – More than $400,000 and over 3.4 million pounds of fresh product were donated to local Feeding America-affiliated hunger organizations.
  • Breast Cancer Research – More than $240,000 was contributed to local breast cancer awareness programs.
  • Children’s Hospitals – Ralphs supported six children’s hospitals in Southern California.
  • Military Veterans Organizations – Proudly supporting the USO throughout Southern California.
  • Ralphs Volunteers – Ralphs’ charitable efforts were supported by more than 1,000 of its associates, who volunteered more than 2,500 hours to make our communities better.

About Ralphs
Ralphs Grocery Company was founded in 1873 and currently operates 204 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 world’s largest retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more about Ralphs, please visit our web site at www.ralphs.com.SOURCE Ralphs Grocery Company

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

Colruyt Group lowers impact on climate change with liquid ice containers to transport fresh products to the stores

Liquid ice cooling has a 58% lower impact on climate change

Halle, Belgium, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Colruyt Group has recently started using a new type of refrigerated container to transport fresh products to the stores. This ‘liquid ice container’ was developed by in-house engineers and uses liquid ice, a first in the sector. The container has an impact on climate change that is 58 % lower than a classic refrigerated container. This is because the liquid ice is made using locally generated green power and is constantly being recycled. Moreover, the refrigerated containers can stay at the same temperature for 48 hours, which makes the logistics more flexible and efficient. Currently, there are more than 600 containers in use, and within approximately three years, all the old refrigerated containers will have been replaced.

Fewer greenhouse emissions

The use of liquid ice containers generates less than half the climate change* impact of regular refrigerated containers. Liquid ice is a frozen but liquid mix of water and ethanol. The coolant is produced at the distribution centre in Halle, using locally generated green wind and solar energy. The mix is pumped into specially designed refrigerated containers, which then reach the desired temperature within half an hour. They can then be stocked with fresh products and leave for the stores in normal lorries. Upon their return, the mix is pumped from the container, cooled again, and reused.

“Moreover, when necessary we can inject a maximum amount of liquid ice into the containers to keep them at temperature for up to 48 hours”, says engineer Benjamin De Cooman. “This greater autonomy affords us more leeway in the logistics chain. The new container also has a larger volume, which means we need fewer containers and can transport more goods during fewer trips. In short, we can have a more flexible and efficient transportation planning, which saves transportation kilometres and greenhouse gas emissions.”

The choice for liquid ice is the next step in Colruyt Group’s realisation of its CO2 reduction plan. By 2020, the group wants to reduce the relative greenhouse gas emissions by 20% as compared to 2008.

In-house research and development

Colruyt Group is the first retailer in the world to use liquid ice for the transportation of refrigerated products. The new containers were developed by engineers in the Energy, Environment, and Special techniques department. “We research new techniques that are more efficient and cost-reducing, and that simultaneously reduce our impact on the environment”, says Benjamin De Cooman. “For instance, we’re also researching the application of liquid ice in our freezer transportation.” Colruyt Group has been using cooling containers for the transportation of fresh and frozen products rather than regular refrigerated lorries for decades. This means that different types of products can be combined in one load, which once again saves a lot of transportation kilometres.

*Impact on climate change (greenhouse gas emission) calculated according to the Product Environmental Footprint methodology of the European Commission.

Contact
Jan Derom
press@colruytgroup.com
+32 (0)2 363 55 45
+32 (0)473 92 45 10

SOURCE: Colruyt Group

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Colruyt Group lowers impact on climate change with liquid ice containers to transport fresh products to the stores

Colruyt Group lowers impact on climate change with liquid ice containers to transport fresh products to the stores

Starbucks Coffee Company launches new digital music experience with Spotify

  • Over 7,500 Starbucks U.S Company-Operated Stores Integrated with Leading Streaming Service Spotify Through World-Class Starbucks App, Connects Customers to New Digital Music Experience
  • 10 Million Member My Starbucks Rewards® Loyalty Program and Spotify Users Can Now Discover, Save and Take Starbucks Curated Content with Them
  • Weekly Feature to Highlight New Artists, Albums and Freshly Curated Starbucks Playlists

SEATTLE, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (January 19, 2015), Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq: SBUX) launched a new digital music experience with leading streaming music service Spotify, allowing Starbucks Mobile App customers to immediately discover music playing overhead in Starbucks® stores, save Starbucks-curated songs to a playlist on Spotify and listen to Starbucks music anywhere they go on Spotify.[1] This first-of-its-kind music experience reaches customers at more than 7,500 Starbucks company-operated stores in the U.S., 10 million My Starbucks Rewards loyalty members, and U.S. Spotify users.

“Music has played a pivotal role in our stores for over 40 years and we have been at the forefront of how to integrate it into a retail environment,” said Howard Schultz, chairman and ceo of Starbucks. “Today is the next era in that experience. We are merging the physical and digital, providing new access points for Spotify as they continue to grow globally, placing more control into our customers’ hands and giving artists the world’s largest stage for them to share their talent.”

The new Starbucks music platform is available to both iPhone and Android users within Starbucks Mobile App, offering customers the personalized experience they have come to expect from both companies.  In addition to being able to discover music playing overhead at a participating Starbucks store, Starbucks Mobile App users will now be able to view recently played songs, save songs to a personal playlist on Spotify, “Love” songs to influence future Starbucks playlists as well as share these songs on social networks and “Play on Spotify.” Spotify users can also find new playlists from Starbucks as well as Starbucks most popular music from the past 20 years on Spotify. These features are accessible on Spotify’s Free and Premium services.

“Starbucks shares our passion for music and desire to create the best, personalized experience for users and customers,” said Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify. “Together with Starbucks, we’re creating a unique new digital music experience that offers Starbucks customers and Spotify users the ability to discover even more music at Starbucks and enjoy that same music and more on Spotify, whenever they want and wherever they are.”

Starting in January, Starbucks will also begin a new weekly feature in the Starbucks app highlighting both established and emerging artists, as well as curated playlists giving musicians a new way to reach millions of customers across the U.S.  Starbucks partners have also begun influencing the music played in their stores by choosing from a variety of Starbucks-curated playlists and creating “Store Favorites” playlist. This is made possible via a mobile app powered by a new PlayNetwork CURIO hardware device that delivers branded entertainment and media to retail stores.

For more than four decades, Starbucks has built a differentiated third-place experience with music at the heart of its coffeehouse culture. In 1994, a dedicated entertainment team began selecting original CDs spanning a diversity of musical genres and geographies. This program has spotlighted the extraordinary careers of legendary artists such as John Lennon, Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt, among many others. Bob Dylan, Yo-Yo Ma, the Rolling Stones and Ray Charles are among the legends who identified their favorite recordings for Starbucks® Artist Choice series.  Starbucks seasonal CDs have celebrated moments ranging from Valentine’s Day to summer road trips to holiday festivities. Starbucks has also become a champion of once emerging artists such as John Legend, Madeleine Peyroux and Fleet Foxes, introducing customers to these musicians at an early point in their careers.

[1] Data connection may be required

About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 23,000 stores around the globe, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit our stores or online at news.starbucks.com and Starbucks.com.

About Spotify
Spotify is an award-winning digital music service that gives you on-demand access to over 30 million tracks. Our dream is to make all the world’s music available instantly to everyone, wherever and whenever you want it.  Spotify makes it easier than ever to discover, manage and share music with your friends, while making sure that artists get a fair deal. Spotify is now available in 58 markets globally with more than 75 million active users, and over 20 million paying subscribers.

For more information on this news release, contact us.

SOURCE: Starbucks Corporation

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Starbucks Coffee Company launches new digital music experience with Spotify

Starbucks Coffee Company launches new digital music experience with Spotify

Amazon announces available Dash Replenishment devices

  • Brother, GE Appliances, and Gmate devices now integrate Dash Replenishment to automatically order everyday essentials from Amazon
  • Purell and Whirlpool Smart Dishwasher join Dash Replenishment program
  • Dash Replenishment APIs now broadly available for device makers from hobbyists to large manufacturers

SEATTLE, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon today announced the first devices available with Amazon Dash Replenishment, including select Brother printers, a GE washer, and the Gmate SMART blood glucose monitor. Dash Replenishment Service enables connected devices to automatically order physical goods from Amazon when supplies are running low—for example, a Brother printer that will order toner or ink when it’s needed. Customers who already own a compatible Brother printer can start taking advantage of Dash Replenishment immediately, and the General Electric washer and Gmate device will be ready by the end of the month—there is no need to buy a new device—just sign up to activate Amazon Dash Replenishment.

Additionally, new brands and devices have joined the Dash Replenishment program, including Purell soap and hand sanitizer and the Whirlpool Smart Dishwasher. Brands that want to incorporate Dash Replenishment Service into their connected devices can now easily access the APIs to start an integration.

“With Amazon Dash Replenishment, we want to make customers’ lives even easier so they won’t run out of items like laundry detergent, pet food or printer ink again—customers simply activate Dash Replenishment when they are setting up their connected device and then rely onAmazon to automatically deliver those everyday essentials,” said Daniel Rausch, Director, Amazon Devices. “It’s exciting to make Dash Replenishment a reality—customers can start taking advantage of the service today and we will continue to launch and add new devices to the program this year.”

Devices available with Dash Replenishment include compatible Brother connected printers that measure toner or ink levels. Dash Replenishment enables automatic ordering so that customers always have the supplies they need to print. Customers can sign up for Dash Replenishment via Brother’s website when setting up their compatible printers.

“We are excited to work with the Amazon Dash Replenishment Service, and be a part of its official launch,” said Don Cummins, SVP Marketing, Brother. “Brother has over 45 models immediately compatible with Amazon Dash Replenishment, making it easy for our users to automatically have their ink or toner replenished when they need it.”

GE’s washer with Smart Dispense technology stores detergent and automatically dispenses the right amount for each load so customers don’t have to worry about it. With Dash Replenishment, customers use the associated app to set their preferred preorder level and Amazondelivers detergent when supply is running low.

Gmate’s SMART Blood Glucose Meter is a device that connects to a smartphone to make testing blood sugar easy and convenient. With Dash Replenishment, testing strips and lancets are automatically ordered when needed so customers always have the critical supplies they need to stay in good health.

Amazon has already announced dozens of other connected devices that will also integrate Dash Replenishment Service, including devices from Samsung, Brita, Whirlpool, August, Oster, Obe, Petnet, Clever Pet, Sutro, Thync, and Sealed Air. Today, the program has added the following new brands/devices:

  • Purell—GOJO, the inventors of PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer, is launching a development project to connect its innovative touch-free dispensing systems equipped with GOJO SMARTLINK Technology with Amazon Dash Replenishment Service. The GOJO SMARTLINK Technology in GOJO Soap and PURELL Hand Sanitizer Dispensers tracks the supply level of the soap and hand sanitizer refills and automatically orders a new supply when refills are low through Amazon.
  • Whirlpool—Whirlpool, which recently announced integration with its Whirlpool Smart Top Load Washer and Dryer, also plans to use Dash Replenishment in the kitchen with its Whirlpool Smart Dishwasher.

“Amazon has been great to work with—together we’ll help ensure customers always have the right supplies on hand when needed. For Whirlpool, this collaboration is all about taking steps out and keeping life simple,” said Brett Dibkey, Vice President, Integrated Business Units, Whirlpool Corporation.

For device makers and developers, the limited private beta has ended and Dash Replenishment Service APIs are now broadly available for integration into any device that can connect to the Internet, either directly or through a proxy. Developers can visit www.amazon.com/dashreplenishmentservice to start an integration today with as few as 10 lines of code using simple HTML containers and REST API calls. Whether large corporations or hobbyists, device makers can use Dash Replenishment Service to place orders on behalf of their customers without having to build the back-end infrastructure to fulfill orders—Amazon does this work for them, leveraging its authentication and payment systems, customer service, and fulfillment network.

Information about Amazon Dash Replenishment can be found at www.amazon.com/dashreplenishmentservice, including a video highlighting why device makers are integrating Dash Replenishment in their connected devices.

About Amazon
Amazon.com opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

Amazon.com, Inc.
Media Hotline, 206-266-7180
Amazon-pr@amazon.com
www.amazon.com/pr

Macy’s: Bloomingdale’s to open store in Kuwait in 2017 as part of its partnership with Al Tayer Group LLC

CINCINNATI, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) today announced that a Bloomingdale’s store is planned to open in spring 2017 in Kuwait as part of a strategic partnership with Al Tayer Group LLC, a leading UAE-based company with diversified business. This will be Bloomingdale’s second international location (the first opened in Dubai in 2010) and ahead of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi in 2018 – all in partnership with Al Tayer.

The 93,000-square-foot Bloomingdale’s store on three levels will be constructed to anchor 360 Mall in Al Zahra, one of the most upscale and successful commercial and residential areas of Kuwait. It will offer contemporary and designer women’s fashions, handbags, footwear and beauty products, as well as a restaurant and personalized shopping and concierge services. Construction begins in February 2016.

The store will offer an edited merchandise assortment, ambience and customer service similar to Bloomingdale’s shopping experience in the United States, while also being responsive to local preferences and customers. The store will be managed and operated by Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group, under a license agreement with Macy’s, Inc. 360 Mall was developed and is owned by Tamdeen Group.

“Bloomingdale’s in Kuwait is another step forward in our strategy for capitalizing on the international potential of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, both of which are well-known retail brands around the world,” said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. “We are continuing to learn how best to translate these outstanding brands for our international customers, and we expect the new store in Kuwait to build on Bloomingdale’s experience and success in Dubai.”

“Kuwait is one of the world’s most sophisticated and upscale fashion markets, and Bloomingdale’s is excited to serve new and existing customers from Kuwait. We believe we will bring a new dimension in fashion and style for which Bloomingdale’s is known worldwide,” said Tony Spring, Bloomingdale’s chairman and chief executive officer. “This project also represents our latest step forward in an outstanding relationship with Al Tayer Group, which shares our dedication to quality and service. Together, we have made Bloomingdale’s Dubai location one of our most productive stores. We have similar high expectations for Kuwait.”

“Having launched the first international Bloomingdale’s store in Dubai almost six years ago, we are delighted to further extend our successful partnership with Macy’s Inc. with the launch of this new location in Kuwait. The 360 Mall in Kuwait provides us with the perfect location for this landmark introduction,” said Khalid Al Tayer, CEO – Retail,Al Tayer Group. “We will bring a proposition that is uniquely tailored to the needs of the market, with concepts and innovations that we are certain will delight the customers in Kuwait.”

Macy’s, Inc., with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York, is one of the nation’s premier retailers, with fiscal 2014 sales of $28.015 billion. The company operates about 900 stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guamand Puerto Rico under the names of Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bloomingdale’s Outlet, Macy’s Backstage and Bluemercury, as well as the macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com websites. Bloomingdale’s inDubai is operated by Al Tayer Group LLC under a license agreement.

All statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Macy’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this release because of a variety of factors, including conditions to, or changes in the timing of, proposed transactions, prevailing interest rates and non-recurring charges, competitive pressures from specialty stores, general merchandise stores, off-price and discount stores, manufacturers’ outlets, the Internet, mail-order catalogs and television shopping and general consumer spending levels, including the impact of the availability and level of consumer debt, the effect of weather and other factors identified in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(Note: additional information on Macy’s, Inc., including past news releases, is available at www.macysinc.com/pressroom).

Source: Macy’s, Inc.

Macy’s, Inc.
Media
Jim Sluzewski, 513-579-7764
or
Investors
Matt Stautberg, 513-579-7780

Waitrose launches Pick Your Own Offers its first TV advertising campaign to highlight its money-saving scheme

LONDON, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — From this week, Waitrose will launch its first TV advertising campaign to highlight its money-saving scheme Pick Your Own Offers.

Pick Your Own Offers gives customers the power to choose their own savings, as customers can select which ten products from over 1,000 they’d like to save 20 per cent on every time they shop. The scheme has been a success since its launch last year as a million customers now use the ground-breaking scheme to save money.

The new 40 second advert airing from 20 January on ITV1 during the National Television Awards, will highlight the key benefits of Pick Your Own Offers by showing that there are some products customers love to pick again and again. This is demonstrated by how people use their favourite products in different ways throughout the year and showcases some of the most popular products picked since launch including chicken, salmon and toilet tissue.

Rupert Thomas, Marketing Director, Waitrose, says:

‘The idea of saving regularly really appeals to shoppers, with many choosing items that they usually buy every week to generate on-going savings. Along with Brand Price Match and our other promotions, Pick Your Own Offers shows we offer exceptional value for great quality products’.

The campaign also aims to demonstrate the wide choice of products available in Pick Your Own Offers. Customers can choose ten products from a list of hundreds to tailor savings to their needs. Customers will also have the option to change their picks from this week so they can make the most of the new products and change their choices for the season.

Set to the soundtrack of ‘Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (I Love You)’ by Betty Driver which was recorded in 1949, the advert follows a similar style to the Christmas and Autumn adverts made for Waitrose by creative agency adam&eveDDB.

A full print and digital campaign will follow the TV advert and Waitrose has also created a Pick Your Own Offers app which has been updated to enable customers to edit their picks more easily.

Top Ten Picks Since Launch
(January 2016)
1. essential Waitrose bathroom tissue, white
2. Waitrose Blacktail free range eggs , large (x6)
3. Waitrose cherry vine tomatoes
4. essential Waitrose British chicken breast fillets
5. Waitrose Scottish Salmon fillets
6. Lurpak spreadable slightly salted
7. essential Waitrose  British small whole chicken
8. Waitrose Hereford Beef Mince Lean 10% fat
9. essential Waitrose mini chicken breast fillets
10. Waitrose Blacktail free range eggs (x9)

 

Pick Your Own Offers is part of the range of benefits Waitrose offers through the myWaitrose scheme which now has over five million members, with 70% of Waitrose sales made using a myWaitrose card.

Waitrose already offers a high number of promotions giving customers value through quality and price. This includes its Brand Price Match Scheme where Waitrose prices on more than 8000 branded grocery products are identical to Tesco’s, excluding promotions. Waitrose has also lowered the price on hundreds of own label lines and increased promotional participation and depth of promotions offered.

Notes to editors

Waitrose – the Nation’s Favourite Supermarket¹ and winner of the Best Supermarket² and Best Food and Grocery Retailer³ awards – currently has 346 shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 62 convenience branches, and another 28 shops at Welcome Break locations. It combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop – dedicated to offering quality food that has been responsibly sourced, combined with high standards of customer service.  Waitrose also exports its products to 58 countries worldwide and has seven shops which operate under licence in the Middle East. Waitrose’s omnichannel business includes the online grocery serviceWaitrose.com, as well as direct services websites including a specialist wine website (waitrosecellar.com)

¹ Which? Best Supermarket, 2015
² Good Housekeeping Best Supermarket 2015
³ Verdict Best Food and Grocery Retailer 2015

Enquiries

For further information please contact:

Hannah Chance, Communications Manager, Corporate
Email: hannah.chance@waitrose.co.uk
Telephone: 01344 826804

Waitrose to reduce sugar in its range of breakfast cereals in 2016

Waitrose takes 25 tonnes of sugar out of popular own label products

LONDON, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Waitrose has today announced plans to reduce sugar in its range of breakfast cereals during 2016 by stripping out more than 7.5 million calories or nearly two tonnes in the coming year.

The commitment will involve a 15 per cent sugar reduction in cornflakes, one of Waitrose’s top selling lines, and significant sugar reduction in other popular products, including honey and nut cornflakes and choco pops.

The changes to breakfast cereals will mean that by the end of this year Waitrose has removed nearly 25 tonnes of sugar from its own label products across a variety of products categories.

The work builds on the supermarket’s success in reducing sugar during the last year. To date a total of seven tonnes of sugar have been removed from chilled juices, and 14.6 tonnes removed from own label yoghurts.

In addition the retailer has reduced the sugar content of undiluted juices, cordials and squashes by between five and 15 per cent without the use of sweeteners and by between 10 and 30 per cent for fizzy drinks.

Waitrose Nutrition Manager, Moira Howie, says: ‘Breakfast is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle so Waitrose will continue to focus attention on cereals and other popular breakfast choices such as sweet pastries, smoothies, yoghurts and juices in the coming year, so we really can help customers make a healthier choice.

‘We have already made significant progress in reducing sugar across everyday items like drinks and yoghurts. However, it is not simply a question of removing sugar we are also adding healthier ingredients which have nutritional benefits into our own label range, such as wholegrains, vegetables and fruit.’

Notes to editors

Waitrose – the Nation’s Favourite Supermarket¹ and winner of the Best Supermarket² and Best Food and Grocery Retailer³ awards – currently has 346 shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 62 convenience branches, and another 28 shops at Welcome Break locations. It combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop – dedicated to offering quality food that has been responsibly sourced, combined with high standards of customer service.  Waitrose also exports its products to 58 countries worldwide and has seven shops which operate under licence in the Middle East. Waitrose’s omnichannel business includes the online grocery service Waitrose.com, as well as direct services websites including a specialist wine website (waitrosecellar.com)

¹ Which? Best Supermarket, 2015
² Good Housekeeping Best Supermarket 2015
³ Verdict Best Food and Grocery Retailer 2015

Find out more on the Waitrose Press Area (waitrose.pressarea.com)

Enquiries

For further information please contact:

Hannah Chance, Communications Manager, Corporate
Email: hannah.chance@waitrose.co.uk
Telephone: 01344 826804

Lowe’s to exit the joint venture with Woolworths Limited in Australia

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today announced it has provided notification to Woolworths Limited, its joint venture partner in Australia, of its intent to begin the process of exiting its investment in the joint venture, which operates Masters Home Improvement stores and Home Timber and Hardware Group’s retail stores and wholesale distribution in Australia. Woolworth’s owns two-thirds of the joint venture, and Lowe’s owns one-third.

Richard D. Maltsbarger, Lowe’s chief development officer and president of international, commented, “While Australia offers an attractive home improvement market and the joint venture has made progress, we have decided, following a comprehensive strategic analysis, to focus our resources on areas of our business where we see greater potential return on our investment.  We have enjoyed partnering with Woolworths’ management and are committed to working closely with them as we transition out of this investment.”

Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Lowe’s has an option to exercise its right to exit the agreement following its notice to Woolworths. This notification was sent on Jan. 15, 2016 and triggers a process for determining the purchase price of Lowe’s portion of the joint venture, which will be based on the fair market value as of the date of the receipt of the notice. Lowe’s expects to record, in its fourth quarter ending Jan. 29, 2016, a non-cash impairment charge, subject to adjustment based on the outcome of the valuation process.  Lowe’s net investment in the joint venture to date is approximately $930 million. In the interim period, from now until the option is exercised, Lowe’s is no longer required to make capital contributions to the business.

The joint venture agreement was signed in 2009, and the first Masters stores were opened in the second half of 2011 and now exceed 60 stores. Revenues for the joint venture, including both the Masters stores and the Home Timber and Hardware Group, were A$1.9 billion (US$1.6 billion) in its latest fiscal year ended June 28, 2015.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customers a week in the United States, Canada andMexico through its stores and online at Lowes.com, Lowes.ca and Lowes.com.mx. With fiscal year 2014 sales of $56.2 billion, Lowe’s has more than 1,845 home improvement and hardware stores and 265,000 employees. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Statements of the company’s expectations for exiting its investment in the Australian joint venture, exercise of the option to exit the joint venture, incurrence of an impairment charge related to the planned divestment, making no further capital contributions to the joint venture, valuation of the joint venture and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing, constitute “forward-looking statements” under the Act.   Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections, and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the valuation of the joint venture and changes in general economic conditions, such as the  rate of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, higher fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, and other factors which can negatively affect our customers. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read the “Risk Factors” and “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the description of material changes therein or updated version thereof, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf about any of the matters covered in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and the “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K to the SEC and the description of material changes, if any, therein included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, change in circumstances, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Contact

If you’re a journalist working on a story about Lowe’s:
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@lowes.com

CVS Health announces partnerships with the National Black Nurses Association and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses

New alliances with National Black Nurses Association & National Association of Hispanic Nurses to strengthen company’s diverse nursing workforce populations

WOONSOCKET, R.I., 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — As part of an ongoing commitment to develop a diverse workforce that reflects the patients and communities it serves, CVS Health today announced strategic partnerships with two leading national organizations whose mission is to advance the multicultural nursing populations in the United States: the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN).

Through these newly formed alliances, CVS Health, the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, will establish workforce development programs and strategies that facilitate multicultural talent acquisition to further develop the company’s own diverse nursing populations through education, training and colleague engagement. With a unique continuum of health care products and services, CVS Health supports a broad nursing workforce that includes: Nurse Practitioners who see patients through the company’s MinuteClinic network; Nurse Patient Care Specialists who serve the company’s specialty patients; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Nurses who provide in-home education and infused medication therapies; and Patient Education Nurses who deliver disease education and case management to patients over the phone.

Additionally, these partnerships will enable CVS Health to increase the number of internships and scholarships that the company extends to multicultural candidates.

“At CVS Health, we recognize the strong connection between a culturally diverse nursing workforce and the ability to provide quality, culturally competent patient care,” said David Casey, Vice President, Workforce Strategies, and Chief Diversity Officer at CVS Health. “We value the multicultural communities, customers and patients we serve and we look forward to working closely with NBNA and NAHN, as we continue to help bridge the current nursing shortage in the United States and enhance access to quality care to underserved populations.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more than one million open positions for registered nurses across the country by 2022. Moreover, while U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that ethnic minority groups account for 37 percent of the U.S. population, industry research shows that nurses from minority backgrounds represent only 19 percent of the RN workforce, with African-American and Hispanic nurses representing 6 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

“CVS Health and NBNA share the common goal of supporting the development of African American nurses which is reflective of our nation’s diversity,” said Eric J. Williams, DNP, RN, CNE, President, NBNA. “This new partnership will allow our two organizations to work collaboratively to increase access to care and improve the health of the communities we serve.”

“We’re grateful to CVS Health for partnering with NAHN to help achieve our mission of improving the quality of health care for Hispanic consumers,” said Celia Besore, Executive Director, NAHN. “We look forward to working together to provide equal access to educational, professional and economic opportunities for Hispanic nurses in our country.”

As one of the largest employers of pharmacists and nurse practitioners, CVS Health is committed to helping advance the education of talented students pursuing careers in the field.  The CVS Health Foundation has provided scholarships to pharmacy students for many years and, in 2016, the Foundation will begin awarding funding to nursing and physician assistants schools to support the pipeline of much-needed nurse practitioners in local communities across the country.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,500 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 70 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contact:

Mary Alfieri
Mary.Alfieri@CVSCaremark.com
410-770-9811

SOURCE: CVS Health

Golub Corporation announces the appointment of Scott Grimmett as its chief executive officer

Accomplished Executive to Lead Family-Owned Company

SCHENECTADY, NY, 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Golub family today announced that Scott Grimmett has been named chief executive officer (CEO), of the Schenectady, NY based Golub Corporation, parent company of Price Chopper, Market Bistro and Market 32. Grimmett, who will also carry the title of president, has been a part of the family-owned company’s succession plan since joining the company in January 2012 as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Grimmett has led the effort to reposition the Price Chopper brand for continued success. His vision in spearheading development of the brand architecture that is foundational to the Market 32 experience has already achieved strong results and has been so well received by customers that it has become the basis for the chain’s next generation of stores.

“This is an exciting time for our company,” said Neil Golub, chairman of the board. “While international conglomerates and Wall St. continue to consolidate our industry, we are investing in our future as a strong, American-owned, family-built regional chain. The design work that we invested in Market Bistro (circa 2010-2014), coupled with the brand-defining innovation that has given rise to our first few Market 32 concept stores has not only laid the groundwork for our continued growth, but also fueled the acceleration of our plans to modernize our stores under the Market 32 banner.”

“Scott possesses unique skills and perspectives that have helped us significantly elevate how we approach our business. I am confident that in this new role he will continue to lead us to new heights,” said Jerry Golub, who has been appointed vice chairman of the board and will lead a new board finance committee focused on accelerating the conversion of Price Chopper stores to the new Market 32 banner.

Prior to joining the Golub Corporation, Grimmett’s storied career spanned 37 years at Safeway. Starting as a bagger, he worked his way up the company ladder to become a store manager, district manager and vice president of retail operations. He also served as president for several divisions of the company, the last of which was Safeway’s successful Denver division, which consisted of 141 stores in a five-state operating area.

Grimmett will have responsibility for the overall day-to-day operations of Price Chopper Supermarkets/Market 32. In his new role, he will also influence the strategic direction of the company and report to the board of directors through Neil Golub, who remains chairman of the board.

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About The Golub Corporation: Based in Schenectady, NY, the Golub Corporation owns and operates 136 Price Chopper and Market 32 grocery stores in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The American owned, family-managed company prides itself on longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising, leadership in community service, and cooperative employee relations. Golub’s 22,000 teammates collectively own more than 47% of the company’s privately held stock, making it one of the nation’s largest privately held corporations that is predominantly employee-owned. For additional information, visit www.pricechopper.com

SOURCE: The Golub Corporation

Contact:
Mona Golub
Price Chopper
518.379.1480
or
Jonathan Pierce, APR
Pierce Communications
518.221.1186

ascena retail group names Duane Holloway as Senior Vice President and General Counsel

MAHWAH, N.J., 2016-Jan-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — ascena retail group, inc. (NASDAQ:ASNA) (the “Company”), today announced the appointment of Duane Holloway as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective immediately. Mr. Holloway will serve on the Company’s leadership team and report to David Jaffe, President and CEO. He will be responsible for overseeing all legal matters for the Company.

Mr. Holloway joins the Company from CoreLogic, a real estate data, analytics and services provider where he was Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and led the U.S. legal department. Before joining CoreLogic, Mr. Holloway spent several years in executive positions with Caesars Entertainment Corporation, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Operations & Litigation. Prior to his tenure at Caesars Entertainment Corporation, he practiced corporate law with the international law firm of Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells).

Commenting on today’s announcement David Jaffe, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to welcome Duane to our executive leadership team. Duane is a results-based strategist who has demonstrated success in building high-achieving teams and finding solutions to complex issues. We look forward to Duane being an integral part of the continued success of ascena.”

Mr. Holloway holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

About ascena retail group, inc.
ascena retail group, inc. (NASDAQ: ASNA) is a leading national specialty retailer offering clothing, shoes, and accessories for missy and plus-size women under the Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, Lane Bryant, Cacique, maurices, dressbarn, andCatherines brands, and for tween girls under the Justice brand. ascena retail group, inc. operates, through its 100% owned subsidiaries, ecommerce operations and approximately 5,000 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information about ascena retail group, visit ascenaretail.com, AnnTaylor.com, LOFT.com, louandgrey.com, lanebryant.com, cacique.com, maurices.com, dressbarn.com, catherines.com, and shopjustice.com.

Source: ascena retail group, inc.

ascena
Investor Relations
551-777-6895
asc-ascenainvestorrelations@ascenaretail.com