Daily Archives: July 18, 2016

Posted on by

Lowe’s launches new series The Weekender on Lowe’s TV app now available on Apple TV

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — DIY and home expert Monica Mangin will star in the new Lowe’s series The Weekender premiering Thursday, July 14, 2016, on the Lowe’s TV app now available on Apple TV.

Monica is a mother of four kids and author behind the popular DIY and design blog East Coast Creative. She is known for her ability to create Pinterest-worthy spaces on affordable budgets. Monica approaches every space with fearless creativity and is relentless in her effort to help others DIY their house into a home that fits their individual style.

The 10 episode original series will follow Monica as she helps homeowners tackle five DIY projects in one weekend to turn lackluster spaces into inspired, functional rooms that leave homeowners brimming with pride.

“The Weekender will inspire and help DIYers feel confident, get creative and take a step in their home improvement journey, making their home a place they truly enjoy and are proud to showcase,” said Marci Grebstein, Lowe’s Chief Marketing Officer. “This series marks Lowe’s first episodic venture onto streaming devices where consumers are looking to be entertained and educated about home improvement, while allowing our brand to engage on their terms.”

In the premiere episode, Monica helps a young family living in the heart of Manhattan tackle their tired and unused concrete patio. Monica shows the homeowners how quick and easy home décor ideas like a cinderblock planter and DIY lattice fence help transform the space into a family-friendly oasis.

“Homeowners often list time and money as the reason why they don’t start a home renovation project,” said Monica. “I come alongside them with simple, affordable DIY projects to transform their houses into homes they love.”

The Weekender series will be released on Amazon Fire TV and on the Roku® platforms this August. It will also be available on the Lowe’s YouTube channel.

For more information, visit Lowes.com/weekender.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2015 sales of $59.1 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,355 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 285,000 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.

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

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Posted on by

The H&M group’s sales increased by 8 percent in June 2016 compared to same month the previous year

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — The H&M group’s sales including VAT increased by 8 percent in local currencies in June 2016 compared to the same month the previous year.

The total number of stores amounted to 4,095 on 30 June 2016 compared to 3,642 on 30 June 2015.

Percentage sales development for the month of July will be published on 15 August 2016 at 08.00 (CET).

Karl-Johan Persson, CEO

The information in this press release is that which H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (publ) is required to disclose under the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014 /EU). The information was submitted for publication by the above mentioned person at 08.00 CET on 15 July 2016. This press release, along with additional information about H&M, is available at www.hm.com.

Contact:
Nils Vinge
Head of IR
+46 8 796 5250

Source: H&M Group

Posted on by

Luxottica Group to announce 1H 2016 results via audio webcast on Monday, July 25, 2016

Milan, Italy, 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — Luxottica Group S.p.A. (NYSE: LUX; MTA: LUX), a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of fashion, luxury and sports eyewear, today announced that its 1H 2016 results will be available via audio webcast on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 12:30PM EDT (4:30PM GMT, 6:30PM CEST).

The audio webcast will be available to the financial community and the media from Luxottica Group’s corporate website at http://www.luxottica.com/en/investors/results-and presentations/webcasts.

Please note that a slide presentation will be available for download from Luxottica Group’s Investor Relations website at http://www.luxottica.com/en/investors/results-and-presentations shortly before the start of the audio webcast.

Luxottica Group will issue its 1H 2016 results on July 25, 2016, prior to the beginning of the audio webcast.

Certain financial and statistical information included in the audio webcast, as well as information required by Regulation G, will be available at the time of the webcast in the notes to the press release which will be available on Luxottica Group’s website at http://www.luxottica.com/en in the Press Releases section.

Contacts

Alessandra Senici
Group Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Director
Tel.: +39 (02) 8633 4870
Email: InvestorRelations@luxottica.com
http://www.luxottica.com/en/investors/contacts

Source: Luxottica Group

Posted on by

Ahold and Delhaize Group to divest 86 stores in U.S.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — Delhaize Group and Ahold today announced that their United States subsidiaries have reached agreements with buyers to divest a total of 86 stores in a limited number of locations in which the companies’ U.S. subsidiaries both operate. These divestments are being made in connection with the United States Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) pending review of the proposed merger between the two companies. The divested stores are being sold to well-established supermarket operators.

All of the purchase agreements are subject to FTC approval. The agreements are also subject to FTC clearance and formal completion of the Delhaize Group and Ahold merger, which the companies continue to expect before the end of July.

These store locations represent 4.1% of the Ahold and Delhaize Group companies’ total combined U.S. store count and 3.2% of combined U.S. 2015 net sales.

“Selling stores is a difficult part of any merger process, given the impact on our associates, customers and communities in which we operate,” said Frans Muller, President and Chief Executive Officer, Delhaize Group. “We believe we have made every effort to identify strong buyers for these locations, and we want to thank our loyal associates and customers who have shopped our stores and supported us for so many years. Upon the completion of the merger, we will continue to maintain our local Food Lion and Hannaford brands; however, our new company scale will enable us to accelerate our local market strategies to better serve our customers with nearly 2,000 stores along the East Coast in the United States.”

The buyers of the 86 stores being divested are:

  • New Albertson’s, Inc. (part of Albertsons Companies based in Idaho), purchasing 1 Giant Food store in Salisbury, Maryland;
  • Big Y (based in Massachusetts), purchasing 8 Hannaford stores in eastern Massachusetts;
  • Publix (based in Florida), purchasing 10 MARTIN’S stores in Richmond, Virginia;
  • Saubel’s Markets (based in Pennsylvania), purchasing 1 Food Lion store in York, Pennsylvania
  • Supervalu (based in Minnesota), purchasing 22 Food Lion stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia;
  • Tops Markets (based in New York), purchasing 1 Stop & Shop store in Massachusetts as well as  3 Stop & Shop  stores and 2 Hannaford stores in New York; and
  • Weis Markets (based in Pennsylvania), purchasing 38 Food Lion stores in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

The divested stores are expected to be converted by the buyers to their new banners and re-opened as supermarkets after any remodeling planned by the buyers.

A full list of the locations being sold by both companies as part of this process is attached as an annex to this press release.

On June 24, 2015, Delhaize Group and Ahold announced their intention to merge. The shareholders’ meetings of both companies approved the merger in March 2016. The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) granted its conditional approval for the merger in March 2016.  FTC clearance is the remaining regulatory approval requirement for the Ahold and Delhaize Group merger.

Please visit www.delhaizegroup.com, www.ahold.com, or www.adcombined.com for more information.

Delhaize Group 
Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in seven countries on three continents. On March 31, 2016, Delhaize Group’s sales network consisted of 3,524 stores. In 2015, Delhaize Group posted €24.4 billion ($27.1 billion) in revenues and €366 million ($407 million) in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2015, Delhaize Group employed approximately 154,000 people. Delhaize Group’s stock is listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEG).

This press release is available in English, French and Dutch. You can also find it on the website http://www.delhaizegroup.com. Questions can be sent to investor @delhaizegroup.com.

Contacts

Investor Relations: + 32 2 412 2151
Media Relations: + 32 2 412 8669
U.S. Media: Christy Phillips-Brown
+1-704-310-2221
Cphillips-brown@foodlion.com

Source: Delhaize Group

Posted on by

Publix Super Markets to purchase 10 Virginia stores from Ahold USA Inc.’s affiliate, GIANT/MARTIN’S

LAKELAND, Fla., 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today Publix Super Markets Inc. announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase 10 Virginia stores from Ahold USA Inc.’s affiliate, GIANT/MARTIN’S. The purchase is contingent on the Federal Trade Commission’s approval and clearance of the merger between Ahold and Delhaize Group.

The locations include:

Address City
3107 Boulevard Colonial Heights
9645 West Broad Street Glen Allen
10150 Brook Road Glen Allen
10250 Staples Mill Road Glen Allen
2250 John Rolfe Parkway Henrico
3460 Pump Road Henrico
13700 Hull Street Road Midlothian
3522 West Cary Street Richmond
4591 South Laburnum Avenue Richmond
7035 Three Chopt Road Richmond

Publix CEO & President Todd Jones commented on the purchase, “Acquiring these 10 locations aligns with Publix’s aggressive growth plan for the commonwealth of Virginia. We are looking forward to providing Virginians with the high-quality service and products our customers have come to expect and have earned us recognition throughout the industry.”

The 10 MARTIN’s locations will continue to operate until the Publix permitting process is completed. Grand opening dates for all locations will depend on the scope of the remodels and completion of the stores’ construction.

Publix will hold job fairs closer to grand opening dates and encourages impacted MARTIN’S employees to apply for employment.

Contact:
800-242-1227

Source: Publix Super Markets Inc.

Posted on by

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts launches new internationally-inspired treats available through Aug. 28

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — Be a world traveler with just one bite! Krispy Kreme Doughnuts today announced new menu items, including the Crème Brûleé doughnut, the Tiramisu doughnut, the Churro doughnut and the Frozen Dulce de Leche drink. These internationally-inspired treats are available now through Aug. 28 at participating shops in the U.S. and Canada.

“With a presence in 27 countries around the world, Krispy Kreme is truly a global brand, and we take inspiration from the flavors found in those countries,” said Jackie Woodward, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts’ Chief Marketing Officer. “We’ve put a creative twist on those classic flavors found abroad and are excited to bring those delicacies to our fans in the U.S.”

The new Crème Brûleé doughnut is filled with vanilla bean custard, dipped in dark caramel icing and topped with Crème Brûleé flakes.

The new Tiramisu doughnut is a classic Krispy Kreme shell filled with Tiramisu Kreme™ and dipped in dark chocolate Tiramisu icing. The doughnut is then topped off with dark chocolate drizzle, sprinkled with chocolate cake crumbs and topped off with a chocolate coffee bean.

The Churro doughnut is a sweet twist on a classic favorite. A cake doughnut is rolled in a delicious cinnamon and sugar blend.

The Frozen Dulce de Leche features creamy vanilla and Ghirardelli caramel blended with ice and is sure to cool you down on a hot day.

You can take a trip around the world without ever leaving your local Krispy Kreme shop. Share your favorite international treat using #KrispyKreme.

About Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., is a global retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed® doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is proud of its Fundraising program, which for decades has helped non-profit organizations raise millions of dollars in needed funds. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts can be found in approximately 12,000 grocery, convenience and mass merchant stores in the U.S. The Company has more than 1,000 retail shops in 27 countries. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at www.KrispyKreme.com, or on one its many social media channels, including www.Facebook.com/KrispyKreme, and www.Twitter.com/KrispyKreme.

Contact:

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.
Sarah Roof, 336-726-8878
Corporate Communications Coordinator
sroof@krispykreme.com

###

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts launches new internationally-inspired treats available through Aug. 28
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts launches new internationally-inspired treats available through Aug. 28

Source: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.

Posted on by

SUPERVALU to hold its fiscal 2017 first quarter conference call on Wednesday July 27, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS, 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — SUPERVALU INC. (NYSE: SVU) will hold its fiscal 2017 first quarter conference call on Wednesday July 27, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. Central time. The call will be webcast live online at www.supervaluinvestors.com (click on microphone icon).

A replay of the conference call will be archived on SUPERVALU’s website under “Investors, Presentations and Webcasts.”

About SUPERVALU INC.
SUPERVALU INC. is one of the largest grocery wholesalers and retailers in the U.S. with annual sales of approximately $18 billion. SUPERVALU serves customers across the United States through a network of 3,588 stores composed of 1,796 independent stores serviced primarily by the Company’s food distribution business; 1,360 Save-A-Lot stores, of which 897 are operated by licensee owners; and 200 traditional retail grocery stores (store counts as of February 27, 2016). Headquartered in Minnesota,SUPERVALU has approximately 40,000 employees.

Investor Contact:
Steve Bloomquist, 952-828-4144
steve.j.bloomquist@supervalu.com

Media Contact:
Jeff Swanson, 952-903-1645
jeffrey.s.swanson@supervalu.com

Source: SUPERVALU INC.

Posted on by

Lin’s, Dan’s, Dick’s and Fresh Market raised more than $30,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Salt Lake City, UT, 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — Thanks to the generosity of their guests, Lin’s, Dan’s, Dick’s and Fresh Market donated more than $30,000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The funds were raised during an icon drive held June 3-27, 2016 at the 31 locations across Utah. Guests were invited to donate $1.00 to the foundation during checkout to further research for the genetic disease. This is the second year the locally-owned grocery stores have partnered with the Foundation for the drive. Great guest support made the drive a success and this year’s donation is nearly double what the stores donated in 2015.

“We are grateful for the generosity of Lin’s, Dan’s, Dick’s and Fresh Market’s guests,” said Laura Hadley, executive director of the Utah Idaho Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chapter. “This donation not only allows us to continue our research, but also create new tomorrows for those individuals, including children, living with Cystic Fibrosis.”

The money raised during the drive will be used to fund cystic fibrosis research for new medications and treatment options. Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. It is estimated that more than 30,000 people in the United States alone live with cystic fibrosis and many of these cases are children. For more information about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, visit www.cff.org.

Participating in the drive is part of Lin’s, Dan’s, Dick’s Market and Fresh Market’s commitment to serving and giving back to the communities they serve.

About Associated Retail Operations
Associated Retail Operations consists of five local grocery stores owned by Associated Food Stores, an independent, retailer-owned grocery wholesaler based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The stores operate under five different banners, Macey’s, Lin’s, Dan’s, Dick’s Market and Fresh Market. For more information, visit their websites at:

Lin’s—www.linsgrocery.com
Dan’s—www.dansfoods.com
Dick’s Market—www.dicksmarket.com
Fresh Market—www.freshmarketstores.com

About Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more cystic fibrosis research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible in part through Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, go to www.cff.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachael Wabel
rmwabel@afstores.com
801-978-8913

Source: AFS

Posted on by

Chick-fil-A launches new protein-packed breakfast sandwich — The new Egg White Grill

ATLANTA, 2016-Jul-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — With American consumers eating breakfast away from home more frequently, Chick-fil-A today launches a new breakfast sandwich to meet the demands of those seeking a healthy breakfast on-the-go. The new Egg White Grill, a protein-packed breakfast sandwich, is the first new breakfast entree for the national quick-service restaurant chain since 2010.

The Egg White Grill is a lower-calorie menu option made with a breakfast-sized portion of grilled chicken breast, freshly grilled egg whites and American cheese served on a toasted multigrain English muffin. The sandwich has 300 calories and 25 grams of protein and is intended to keep customers’ hunger satisfied throughout their busy morning routines. The sandwich starts at $3.35.

“At Chick-fil-A, we’re constantly looking for innovative – and delicious – ways to meet the needs of our guests,” said David Farmer, vice president of menu strategy and development. “We understand the importance of breakfast and the impact it has throughout the day. We tested the Egg White Grill in select markets across the country, including our busiest restaurants in Manhattan, and our customers gave us great feedback. The Egg White Grill is the perfect solution for our health-conscious customers looking for a grab-and-go breakfast.”

Industry-wide, the breakfast day part has grown more than 60 percent in the past five years[1]. The Egg White Grill makes Chick-fil-A one of the first fast food restaurants to offer grilled chicken as a breakfast option, a move consistent with the company’s efforts to offer a menu of choice that accommodates individual dietary preferences.

Chick-fil-A added breakfast to the menu in 1986, with the Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit. The chain has since added variety to the breakfast menu, including Chick-n-Minis, a Breakfast Burrito, the Greek Yogurt Parfait and a fresh fruit cup, which was a first for the industry when it was added to the menu in 2004.

As part of further changes to its breakfast menu, Chick-fil-A today increased the size of its Greek Yogurt Parfait, which originally launched in 2015, from 3.5 oz. to 5.5 oz. The resized Greek Yogurt Parfait is 180 calories, 12 grams of protein and starts at $2.95.

Beyond breakfast, today Chick-fil-A also adds a new Sweet & Spicy Sriracha dipping sauce and three new and improved sauce flavors — Smokehouse BBQ, Garlic & Herb Ranch and Zesty Buffalo – to its lunch and dinner line-up. The new and improved sauces were developed in a continued effort to meet changing customer tastes and flavor trends.

Throughout Chick-fil-A’s history, the company has been on a journey to serve not only delicious food with a warm smile, but also offer a menu customers feel great about eating. Chick-fil-A removed trans fats from the entire menu in 2008 and removed high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors from dressings and sauces in 2015. The company is also committed to serving chicken raised with “No Antibiotics Ever” by the end of 2019.

[1] Research commissioned by Chick-fil-A and conducted by Prophet Brand and Marketing Consultancy

About Chick-fil-A, Inc. 
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1964 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,000 restaurants in 43 states and Washington, D.C.

Chick-fil-A system sales exceeded $6 billion in 2015, which marks 48 consecutive years of sales growth. Chick-fil-A earned a top spot in the 2015 Customer Service Hall of Fame for the second year in a row and is the only quick service restaurant to make the Customer Service Hall of Fame. The company was also the only restaurant brand named to the Top 10 “Best Companies to Work For” by 24/7 Wall Street. More information on Chick-fil-A is available on the chain’s website located at www.chick-fil-a.com.

Chick-fil-A, Inc. Media Relations:

1 (800) 404-7196
cfapressroom@chick-fil-a.com
@ChickfilANews

###

Chick-fil-A launches new protein-packed breakfast sandwich — The new Egg White Grill
Chick-fil-A launches new protein-packed breakfast sandwich — The new Egg White Grill

Source: Chick-fil-A