Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Carrefour Spain introduces payment via smartphone in its petrol stations

: Carrefour Spain introduces payment via smartphone in its petrol stations

SPAIN, 2016-Aug-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Carrefour Spain has 122 service stations and introduced the new payment system in July. It’s based on an app called My Carrefour, which can be downloaded for free from Apple Store or Google Play.

The service is restricted to Pass card holders, who have to register via a safe and easy form in the app. Once registered with the service, customers can pay for their fuel without having to leave their cars.
The app uses geolocation to identify the service station visited by the customer. The customer then has to select the pump, product and amount before refuelling as normal. If the customer is in a non-Carrefour service station, the My Carrefour app shows the nearest Carrefour fuelling point.

Fuel purchases for food savings
The My Carrefour app also allows customers to personalize their fuel purchases each time they use the app and register their preferences to make future fuel purchases easier and quicker, reducing the time they spend in their refuelling stops.

Customers can also use their discount coupons and save 8% on their fuel purchases in Carrefour service stations using their Pass or Club Carrefour cards, which are totally free. The saving accumulates on the customer’s Chequeahorro account, which offers savings in purchases made in hypermarkets, Market supermarkets and Carrefour.es.

An App that makes shopping easier
Smartphone fuel payments are one of the latest features available with the My Carrefour app. The retailer launched the app last year to incorporate new digital services in the daily lives of its consumers. The app makes consumers’ lives easier by allowing them to virtually book their turn in hypermarket fresh produce counters, create shopping lists with voice commands and receive digital shopping receipts to check for refunds and changes.

For all request about the Carrefour Group (sales, financial results, governance, international,…), please contact the Carrefour Group media relations office:

. By phone:

Switchboard: +33 (0)1 41 04 26 00

For journalists: +33 (0)1 41 04 26 17

. By e-mail: presse_groupe@carrefour.com

Source: Carrefour

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Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Amazon announces brand-new Original Kids Series, The Stinky & Dirty Show to premiere on September 2 on Prime Video

SEATTLE, 2016-Aug-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Amazon today (Aug. 10, 2016) announced its brand-new Amazon Original Kids Series, The Stinky & Dirty Show, is scheduled to premiere on Friday, September 2 on Prime Video in the US and UK, and in Germany, Austria and Japan later this year. Based on the “I Stink!” book series by Kate and Jim McMullan, The Stinky & Dirty Show follows the adventures and mishaps faced by best friends and unlikely heroes, Stinky the garbage truck and Dirty, the backhoe loader.

The series is written and developed by Guy Toubes (The Adventures of Chuck & Friends, Littlest Pet Shop, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi) and animated by Brown Bag Films, Ltd (Peter Rabbit, Octonauts, Doc McStuffins). The Stinky & Dirty Show features original music from acclaimed folk singer and songwriter Dan Bern and celebrity voice talent, including Whoopi Goldberg (The View), Jane Lynch (Glee), Andy Richter (Arrested Development), Joan Cusack (Shameless) and Wallace Shawn (Toy Story).

The newest original preschool series to foster lifelong creative learning, the series’ curriculum was developed by Dr. Alice Wilder and Jessica Lahey, author of the New York Times best-seller The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed, on which the curriculum is based.

The pilot episode, rated 4.8 stars by customers with 86% 5-star reviews, is available to stream and download today, with nine additional episodes to debut on September 2 exclusively for Prime members via the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices including Fire TV, mobile devices and online—Prime members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing.

In The Stinky & Dirty Show, whether it’s rescuing their pal Mighty the tugboat, or moving a giant boulder blocking the highway in their town of Go City, Stinky and Dirty are a dynamic duo of resourcefulness who learn when things don’t go as expected, asking “what if” can lead to success. They don’t always do things the way you’d expect—like reusing trash as makeshift tools and materials—and for them, hilariously failing turns out to be one of the most fun paths to success.

“The popular books have laid the groundwork for a beautifully inspiring television series for preschoolers that instills one of the most important life skills—resourcefulness,” Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios. “We are thrilled to bring to our customers, who embraced the pilot, a full season of The Stinky & Dirty Show and are proud be collaborating with Kate, Jim, Guy and Jessica as well as Dan Bern and a very recognizable celebrity voice cast on this upbeat and empowering show.”

The Stinky & Dirty Show also features voice talent from Jaden Betts (Doc McStuffins) as Stinky and Jacob Guenther (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) as Dirty. The series is directed by David McCamley (Peter Rabbit) and produced by Gillian Higgins (Doc McStuffins). The 20-song soundtrack for the series, composed and performed by Bern, will also be released on September 2, exclusively streaming on Prime Music.

The Stinky & Dirty Show was part of Amazon’s kids pilot season last year, a unique development process that gives all customers an opportunity to stream and review pilots in order to help choose the next Amazon Original Series that are then available to Prime members. Below are what customers have said about the pilot:

“My grandchildren (4 year old boy/5 year old girl) LOVE this. They want to watch it over and over! I like the fact that Stinky and Dirty show how they problem solve and how they don’t give up.”
“I like the values and mindset in the show. Stinky and Dirty are kind to one another and work hard trying and trying until they figure it out.”
“As an electrical/firmware design engineer and former Lego robotics teacher, I think this show does a fantastic job of demonstrating how to approach creative problem solving. The characters start with a problem, and try a series of different ideas for solving it, learning from each failed attempt. That, my friends, is iterative engineering design in a nutshell, presented on a very simple, easy-to-understand level with entertaining characters.”
“The relationships are positive. Stinky and Dirty work together: they collaborate, and they support each other’s ideas, no matter how ridiculous. They congratulate each other for good ideas. (‘That’s a great idea!’ ‘I can totally see what you mean!’). In short, they encourage the kinds of relationships I want my kids to model in The Real World.”
“He may love this show more than his family (family if reading this please don’t be offended, it really is THAT good).”

The first season of The Stinky & Dirty Show will be available for Prime members to stream and enjoy using the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices including Amazon Fire TV, and mobile devices, or online at Amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Customers who are not already a Prime member can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream. The Stinky & Dirty Show will also be available as part of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the all-you-can-eat subscription service designed from the ground up for kids. FreeTime Unlimited is available exclusively on Amazon devices including Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, and a year-long subscription is included with every Fire Kids Edition.

About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV episodes, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, kids series Tumble Leaf, and Love & Friendship, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership
Add-on Subscriptions: Dozens of subscriptions to networks like SHOWTIME, STARZ and more, available to Amazon Prime members as add-ons to their membership
Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers
Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.
Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items across all categories, more than one million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, early access to select Lightning Deals all year long, free secure, unlimited photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive with Prime Photos, access to borrow books with the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon 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.

Contact:
Media Hotline:

206-266-7180
www.amazon.com/pr

Source: Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Rummage, a poetry collection by Ife-Chudeni A. Oputa — winner of Amazon Publishing’s Little A Poetry Contest

NEW YORK, 2016-Aug-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (Aug. 10, 2016), Amazon Publishing announced the winner of the Little A Poetry Contest, dedicated to the discovery of emerging poets. Judges Jericho Brown, Cornelius Eady and Kimiko Hahn selected Rummage, a poetry collection by Ife-Chudeni A. Oputa, as the winner. Oputa received $5,000 in prize money and a publishing contract featuring a $2,000 advance with Little A, Amazon Publishing’s literary imprint. Little A will publish Oputa’s debut collection, Rummage, in 2017.

“Rummage is an extraordinary debut, full of startling honesty and relentless investigation into what it means to be alive,” said David Blum, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Little A. “We were incredibly impressed and excited by the talented emerging poets that submitted to our contest, and we are thrilled to publish Rummage. Ife-Chudeni A. Oputa’s poetry exemplifies the urgent, emotional and moving poetry that Little A will continue to champion.”

“I am floored,” said winner Ife-Chudeni A. Oputa. “I am thankful to Little A and the judges for creating this contest and for Little A’s continued support of poetry. Having the judges and Morgan Parker see and advocate for my work is such an honor, and I am humbled by the opportunity to share this book with the world.”

Ife-Chudeni A. Oputa is a Cave Canem, Callaloo, and Lambda Literary fellow. Her poetry and prose have appeared or are forthcoming in Matter, Some Call it Ballin, Gabby, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and elsewhere. She is a native of Fresno, CA.

“I was most taken with Rummage’s commitment to risk and emotion,” said Jericho Brown, Little A Poetry Contest judge and acclaimed poet and winner of the American Book Award. “The poems stood out as original and musical. With every line, we get a new sense of arriving, and each poem opens in such a way that compels me to read the rest of the poem.”

Rummage explores the eternal themes of the human condition—nature, origin, memory, shame, identity, desire, mortality—with sensitivity and specificity. The book is centered on the speaker’s path toward understanding herself, but also speaks to a relatable experience of navigating connection, isolation, and the space in between. Rummage will be published by Little A in 2017 in paperback and eBook. Little A Editor and Pushcart Prize-winning poet Morgan Parker will edit the book.

Rummage will be the first collection of poetry to be published by Little A. Also forthcoming from Little A in 2017 is the poetry collection I Wore My Blackest Hair by Carlina Duan.

For more information on the Little A Poetry Contest and the finalists, please visit www.amazon.com/LittleAPoetry. Amazon Publishing is a brand used by Amazon Content Services LLC and Amazon Media EU Sarl.

About Amazon Publishing
Amazon Publishing is the publishing arm of Amazon.com. The Amazon Publishing family has 14 imprints: 47North, AmazonCrossing, AmazonEncore, Amazon Publishing, Grand Harbor Press, Jet City Comics, Lake Union, Little A, Montlake Romance, Skyscape, StoryFront, Thomas & Mercer, Two Lions, and Waterfall Press.

Contact:
Media Hotline:

206-266-7180
www.amazon.com/pr

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

EROSKI forma en alimentación saludable a más de 8.600 escolares navarros en las Aulas Rojillas de la Fundación Osasuna

: EROSKI forma en alimentación saludable a más de 8.600 escolares navarros en las Aulas Rojillas de la Fundación Osasuna

PAMPLONA, España, 2016-Aug-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — EROSKI ha formado en alimentación saludable a más de 8.600 escolares navarros durante las tres últimas ediciones del programa “Aulas Rojillas” de la Fundación Osasuna. El apoyo de la cooperativa a este programa es una de las principales contribuciones de EROSKI en el marco del convenio de colaboración que mantiene con la Fundación Osasuna. Este programa se dirige a los escolares de primaria de Navarra con el objetivo de fomentar valores sociales, deportivos y humanos, así como criterios para una alimentación equilibrada que son impartidos por la Fundación EROSKI.

Promover una alimentación saludable forma parte de la misión de EROSKI como cooperativa de consumo. Este compromiso con la salud está presente en su marca propia, en su especialización en frescos, en la amplitud de elección para una alimentación más variada y en la labor desarrollada por la Fundación EROSKI.

A través de contenidos informativos tan importantes como la pirámide nutricional explicada de manera educativa, que EROSKI divulga en las publicaciones que Fundación Osasuna distribuye a todos los escolares dentro de este programa, los participantes en las “Aulas Rojillas” han ampliado sus conocimientos sobre la importancia de saber compaginar una variada y rica alimentación con el ejercicio físico y los hábitos de vida saludables.

El presidente del C.A. Osasuna y de su Fundación, Luis Sabalza, ha manifestado “la satisfacción que, tanto desde el Club Atlético Osasuna como desde su Fundación, sienten con la positiva evolución año tras año de las Aulas Rojillas y la alta involucración de jóvenes navarros en sus actividades. Para nosotros es fundamental que empresas como EROSKI confíen en nuestro proyecto y compartan los mismos valores que nosotros defendemos para los chavales. Es decir, que crezcan y se desarrollen como personas manteniendo una vida saludable a través del deporte y una correcta alimentación”.

“Desde EROSKI y la Fundación EROSKI desarrollamos numerosas iniciativas en favor de la práctica de una alimentación equilibrada y todos los expertos indican que la clave está en los hábitos que se adquieren en la infancia. El programa Aulas Rojillas es una plataforma idónea porque aúna los valores del deporte, el ocio activo y la alimentación saludable” ha declarado la responsable de hipermercados EROSKI en Navarra, Anabel Zariquiegui.

Uno de los problemas de salud pública más importantes que afrontamos hoy es la obesidad infantil, derivada de hábitos más sedentarios y de la banalización de la comida. Según el último Estudio sobre Hábitos Alimentarios y Estado Nutricional de la Población Española publicado por Fundación EROSKI, los grupos sociales que se alimentan mejor son aquellos que otorgan un mayor valor a la comida, comen en familia o con amigos como un acto social y tienen una cultura gastronómica más amplia. Según este informe elaborado por Fundación EROSKI, estos grupos sociales se alimentan de forma más variada y equilibrada, su estado de salud es significativamente mejor y muestran un mejor tono vital y optimismo general ante la vida.

“Desde EROSKI impulsamos una alimentación variada, donde el consumidor tenga una gran libertad de elección para constituir su propia dieta, y otorgamos para ello un gran protagonismo a los frescos y productos locales porque comer variado es comer más sano” concluye Zariquiegui.

EROSKI en Navarra
EROSKI mantiene acuerdos de colaboración con 431 proveedores navarros, de los cuales 50 son fabricantes de marcas propias. Durante los últimos cinco años, la cooperativa ha superado los 1.000 millones de euros en compras a proveedores navarros, convirtiendo a EROSKI en un socio fundamental para la sostenibilidad del sector agroalimentario de Navarra. La cooperativa colabora asimismo con el Instituto Navarro de Tecnologías e Infraestructuras Agroalimentarias (INTIA) para la promoción de los productos regionales navarros bajo la marca Reyno Gourmet.

130 establecimientos componen la red comercial de EROSKI en Navarra. 83 supermercados, 2 hipermercados, 17 oficinas de viajes, 4 gasolineras, 1 óptica, 2 tiendas FORUM SPORT y 21 Perfumerías iF, además del supermercadoonline, con servicio a domicilio en el 100% del territorio.

EROSKI cuenta en Navarra con 1.922 trabajadores, de los que 1.077 son socios. La comunidad foral cuenta con un peso muy importante dentro de la estructura cooperativa, siendo navarro una de cada ocho socios de la cooperativa matriz.

Datos de contacto con el Departamento de Comunicación:

944 158 642
comunicacion@eroski.es

Source: Eroski

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Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

IKEA reaches construction milestone on its future Memphis store due to open Fall 2016

MEMPHIS, TN , 2016-Aug-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that steel framing has progressed far enough that installation of the iconic blue composite panels has begun on its future Memphis store. Installing the blue panels is a construction milestone that keeps the store on track to open Fall 2016, and it reflects the unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide.

The 271,000 square-foot future IKEA Memphis store, including approximately 800 parking spaces, is being built on 35 acres in the Wolfchase Corridor along the southwestern side of Interstate-40 near the Germantown Parkway exit. Until Fall 2016, Memphis-area customers can shop at the closest IKEA stores: Atlanta, GA; Frisco, TX; or St. Louis, MO; or online at IKEA-USA.com.

“With IKEA Memphis taking shape and the blue paneling now going up, we continue to be on track for a grand opening this Fall,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. “We hope to be enclosed fully within several months, and cannot wait to begin transforming the building’s interior to look like an IKEA store as well. We know there are many customers in the area who are excited for us to open, including more than 50,000 who currently are driving great distances to shop at our stores.”IKEA Memphis will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. IKEA also is evaluating potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. goal of a renewable energy presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations.

IKEA Memphis will provide annual sales and property tax revenue for local governments and schools. And – in addition to 500 jobs expected during construction – 225 coworkers will join the IKEA family when the store opens. Opportunities will be available in the spring for candidates interested in working at this employer of choice in home furnishings sales, interior decoration, customer service, safety and security, cashiers, maintenance, goods flow, receiving, warehouse and stock replenishment. Also, setting itself apart, IKEA Memphis will offer nearly 60 food service opportunities in its Restaurant, Swedish Food Market, Café Bistro and coworker cafeteria.

Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 380 IKEA stores in 48 countries, including 41 in the U.S. IKEA has been included in rankings of “Best Companies to Work For” and, as further investment in its coworkers, has raised its own minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.

Contact:

Joseph Roth
Expansion Public Affairs
(610) 834-0180, x 6500

Source: IKEA

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

IKEA progresses on the construction of its future Columbus store due to open at Summer 2017

COLUMBUS, OH, 2016-Aug-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that steel framing has progressed far enough that installation of the iconic blue composite panels has begun on its future Columbus store. Installing the blue panels is a construction milestone keeps the store on track to open Summer 2017 and reflects the unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide.

The 354,000-square-foot future IKEA Columbus and its 1,200 parking spaces is being built on 33 acres at the northeastern corner of Interstate-71 and Gemini Place in the Polaris Centers of Commerce development, approximately 15 miles north of downtown Columbus. Until the store opens, local customers can shop at the closest IKEA stores in: West Chester, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; and Canton, MI; or online at IKEA-USA.com.

“With IKEA Columbus taking shape and the blue paneling now going up, we continue to be on track for a grand opening next Summer,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. “We hope to be enclosed before the New Year, and cannot wait to begin transforming the building’s interior to look like an IKEA store as well. We know there are many customers in the area who are excited for us to open, including those who are driving great distances to shop at our other stores as well those who have yet to experience the unique IKEA shopping experience.”IKEA Columbus will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 450-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. IKEA also will evaluate potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. goal of a renewable energy presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations.

IKEA Columbus will provide annual sales and property tax revenue for local governments and schools. And – in addition to 500 jobs expected during construction – 300 coworkers will join the IKEA family when the store opens. Opportunities will be available in the spring for candidates interested in working at this employer of choice in home furnishings sales, interior decoration, customer service, safety and security, cashiers, maintenance, goods flow, receiving, warehouse and stock replenishment. Also, setting itself apart, IKEA Columbus will offer nearly 60 food service opportunities in its Restaurant, Swedish Food Market, Exit Bistro and coworker cafeteria.

Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 380 IKEA stores in 48 countries, including 42 in the U.S. IKEA has been included in rankings of “Best Companies to Work For” and, as further investment in its coworkers, has raised its own minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.

Contact:

Joseph Roth
Expansion Public Affairs
(610) 834-0180, x 6500

Source: IKEA

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

ALDI introduces Little Journey line of baby products at prices that will save parents up to 50% on their grocery bills

Batavia, Ill., 2016-Aug-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — ALDI knows parenting can be hectic, but grocery shopping shouldn’t be. As one of America’s favorite grocery stores*, ALDI is helping busy moms and dads with Little Journey, the first full line of baby products hitting ALDI store shelves nationwide next week. The new line features award-winning** baby changing and feeding essentials, including organic puree pouches in a dozen varieties, at prices that will save parents up to 50 percent*** on their grocery bills. In honor of Little Journey supporting parents and little ones alike, ALDI also pledged more than $350,000 in the form of funds and baby changing essentials to the March of Dimes’ Give them tomorrow Campaign**** and Feeding America®.

“With the introduction of Little Journey, we’re thrilled to now provide parents with an easier, more affordable way to shop for quality baby essentials,” said Liz Ruggles, director of marketing, ALDI, and a mom. “Additionally, through our work with March of Dimes and Feeding America, we’re excited to be able to give back to our communities and further support parents and babies around the country.”

Passionate about saving shoppers time and money on weekly must-have items, Little Journey is another way ALDI is evolving to meet the varying needs of ALDI shoppers – and their growing families. ALDI is known for its simple, efficient approach to grocery shopping, and now that experience includes shopping for baby products. Little Journey helps parents save time and money in the grocery store, so they can spend more of both with the ones they love.

Even More to Love!
Starting this month, ALDI will be stocking its shelves with affordably priced, high-quality Little Journey diapers, snacks and wipes to help keep babies (and their parents’ wallets) happy. With many products in the line awarded the prestigious Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval™, parents can trust their children are getting the best.

 Cozy Changes: Little Journey’s award-winning changing essentials have children and parents covered with gentle cleansing wipes, diapers in six sizes for growing little ones and training pants for on-the-go toddlers. For more information about Little Journey changing essentials, please visit: http://bit.ly/2bf7pHG

 Friendly Feedings: ALDI understands every child’s feeding journey is unique. To help, the Little Journey range of powder formulas features four infant formulas, including sensitive and soybased, as well as one toddler formula to give tiny tummies the expert-recommended nutrition they need. For more information about Little Journey formulas, please visit: http://bit.ly/2b8fEIk

 Sensible Snacking: As your child grows, so does Little Journey. The line’s award-winning infantto-toddler snacks are easy for little ones to chew and just the right size for little fingers to manage. Clearly labeled for every stage of a child’s development and with products including organic puree pouches, baked whole grain corn snacks, Yogurt Bites and more, Little Journey snacks are tasty treats little ones will love, made from ingredients parents will feel good about. For more information about Little Journey pouches and snacks, please visit: http://bit.ly/2aLzk2v

The Special Delivery Celebration
ALDI values every customer – especially the little ones. The grocer pledged a $100,000 donation to the March of Dimes in support of the nonprofit’s Give them tomorrow Campaign. Through the donation, ALDI will help the March of Dimes with its mission to improve the health and wellness of moms and babies across the US through healthy pregnancy and prenatal care programs.

Dedicated to giving back to its communities, ALDI also partnered with Feeding America to distribute more than $200,000 worth of changing essentials to Feeding America member food banks around the country. Each ALDI store will work with its local Feeding America chapter to help bring these high-quality products to babies and parents in ALDI markets. In addition, ALDI made a $50,000 gift to Feeding America to support hunger-relief efforts.

And the celebration doesn’t end there. This month, ALDI kicks off a multifaceted marketing campaign featuring TV spots, radio commercials, online banner ads and a mobile marketing tour. From August through November, Little Journey will hit the road with the Little Journey Little Ones Rest Stop, a mobile ‘pop-up’ changing and feeding station. The roaming rest stop will visit festivals, celebrations and events across the country to hand out product samples and provide a safe, clean place for event-going parents to change and feed little ones.

About ALDI Inc.
A leader in the grocery retailing industry, ALDI operates more than 1,500 US stores in 34 states. More than 32 million customers each month save up to 50 percent*** on their grocery bills, benefiting from the ALDI simple and streamlined approach to retailing. ALDI sells the most frequently purchased grocery and household items, primarily under its exclusive brands, which must meet or exceed the national name brands on taste and quality. ALDI is so confident in the quality of its products, the company offers a Double Guarantee: If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with any ALDI food product, ALDI will gladly replace the product and refund the purchase price. ALDI was honored with the 2015 Supermarket News Retail Achievement Award, recognizing the company for its ongoing business expansion and product evolution. For more information about ALDI, visit aldi.us.

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About Feeding America Feeding
America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

*According to a survey of US consumers conducted in 2016 by Market Force Information.
**To see a complete list of Little Journey products that have been awarded the 2016 Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval visit http://ptpa.com/winners/.
***Based upon a price comparison of comparable products sold at leading national retail grocery stores.
****The March of Dimes does not endorse specific products or brands.

Contacts:

Kim Morrison
(312) 988-2244
kmorrison@webershandwick.com

Jodie Kehoe
(312) 988-2230
jkehoe@webershandwick.com

Source: ALDI

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Chipotle Mexican Grill and Guild Education partnership to give employees opportunity to earn college credits or complete a degree

: Chipotle Mexican Grill and Guild Education partnership to give employees opportunity to earn college credits or complete a degree

DENVER, 2016-Aug-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced a new partnership with Guild Education to give Chipotle employees an opportunity to earn college credits and pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees. Between Chipotle’s existing tuition reimbursement program (which offers up to $5,250 per year) and an additional $5,815 in available federal grants for those who qualify, Chipotle employees can pay as little as $250 per year to go to college.

Through the program with Guild Education, Chipotle employees can pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees, take college courses or attend graduate school at little to no cost, earn a GED, or study English as a second language. Employees have access of up to $5,250 annually in tuition reimbursement from Chipotle, and an additional$5,815 in federal grants for qualified applicants in undergraduate programs. Through these programs and the discounted tuition offered to Chipotle employees by Guild Education, many participants can complete their degree for as little as $250 per year.

“Attracting and retaining teams of top performers is one of the key drivers of our business, and we are always looking for ways to enhance the benefits we offer to help us do that,” said Monty Moran, co-CEO at Chipotle. “We’ve seen a lot of success and participation with our existing tuition reimbursement program, and through this new partnership with Guild Education, we can offer our employees even more assistance and opportunities to pursue their education.”

Guild Education offers a variety of online classes, programs and more than 30 degrees from top-ranked universities, including Colorado State University’s Global Campus, Bellevue University and Western Governors University. Chipotle employees can complete courses while also continuing to work at Chipotle.

The programs help Chipotle employees gain credit for their past college coursework and up to 44 transfer credit hours for on-the-job training in crew, kitchen manager, service manager and apprentice manager positions. Participants complete their classes online, allowing them to work at their own pace and with the support of a Guild Education personal college and career adviser who will support them throughout their program.

In addition to its tuition reimbursement program, which was expanded to include hourly employees in 2015, Chipotle offers other competitive benefits including paid sick leave and vacation for all employees, including hourly workers; health, dental and vision insurance; a 401(k) matching program; employee stock purchase program; and the opportunity for twice-annual merit increases and an annual bonus.

Chipotle employs more than 60,000 people and is constantly looking for top performers to join its team. Interested applicants can visit careers.chipotle.com for more career information.

ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that — where possible — are sustainably grown and raised responsibly, with respect for the animals, the land and the farmers who produce the food. In order to achieve this vision, we focus on building a special people culture that is centered on creating teams of top performers empowered to achieve high standards. This people culture not only leads to a better dining experience for our customers, it also allows us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and operates more than 2,000 restaurants, including 20 Chipotle restaurants outside the U.S. and 15 ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants, and is an investor in an entity that owns and operates three Pizzeria Locale restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.

ABOUT GUILD EDUCATION
Guild Education works with organizations to offer Education as a Strategic Benefit to their employees, with an end-to-end solution to reshape tuition reimbursement policies to aligning business goals with affordable education programs that employees love. Education as a Strategic Benefit is designed to support the goals and aspirations of employees for higher education advancement and degree completion, while improving organizations’ corporate recruitment and retention efforts. Guild works with non-profit universities and learning providers to offer a consortium of classes, programs and college degrees, including Bellevue University, Western Governors University and Colorado State University’s Global Campus. To learn more, visit www.GuildEducation.com.

Contact:
Chris Arnold
303-222-5912
carnold@chipotle.com

Source: Chipotle

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Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

NACS survey: Only 44% of Americans are optimistic about the economy, down 3 points from last month

ALEXANDRIA, Va, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Despite declining prices at the pump and a prevailing expectation that lower prices will continue, a majority of U.S. fuel consumers remain pessimistic about the overall state of the American economy, according to the latest national consumer survey released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).

Only 44% of Americans say they are “very optimistic” or “somewhat optimistic” about the economy, down 3 points from last month. Economic optimism is also down compared to this time last year, when nearly half (49%) reported feeling optimistic about the state of the economy.
Consumers in the Northeast are least optimistic (37%) and consumers ages 18-34 are most optimistic (51%).

U.S. fuel consumers report a median gas price of $2.10 per gallon, a 16-cent drop from July, and a total decline of 28 cents since June 2016’s summer high of $2.38.

As gas prices continue to drop, more drivers are noticing the trend. Nearly two in five (42%) fuel consumers say gas prices have declined in their area over the past 30 days, compared to 31% who said so in July when gas prices began to fall nationally.

Americans have noticed this trend in declining prices, and a majority expect low prices to continue. When asked whether they think gas prices 30 days from now will be higher or lower, nearly three in five (59%) say they expect prices next month to be the same or lower.

As has been the case throughout 2016, gas prices remain significantly lower than they have been in recent years. This month’s median gas price of $2.10 is 54 cents lower than August 2015’s median gas price of $2.64 and $1.40 per gallon lower than August 2014’s median price of $3.50.

It may be that, as gas prices drop, economic optimism becomes less dependent on the price of gas. Just one in five (22%) of U.S fuel consumers say that gas prices have a “great impact” on their feelings on the economy. This ties last month (July 2016) for the lowest number since NACS began its monthly consumer surveys in January 2013.

Consumers say their vehicle’s average fuel efficiency is 24.5 miles per gallon and average miles per dollar—a calculation that examines gas prices related to vehicle fuel efficiency—rose to 11.7 miles per dollar, the highest level since April.

“Consumer optimism has decoupled from gas price changes for only the second time in three years—and in both cases the news was dominated by politics. It’s likely that the recent political conventions pushed down optimism and the rancor of the campaigns is taking its toll on consumer optimism,” said Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives.

NACS, which represents the convenience store industry that sells 80% of the gas in the United States, conducts monthly consumer surveys to gauge how gas prices affect broader economic trends. The survey was conducted online by Penn Schoen Berland; 1,149 U.S. adults who purchase fuel for a vehicle such as a car, truck or van at least once per month were surveyed August 2-5, 2016. Summary results are available at nacsonline.com/fuelssurvey.

Founded in 1961 as the National Association of Convenience Stores, NACS (nacsonline.com) is the international association for convenience and fuel retailing. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 154,000 stores across the country, conducts 160 million transactions a day, sells 80% of the fuel purchased in the country and had total sales of $575 billion in 2015. NACS has 2,100 retail and 1,700 supplier member companies, which do business in nearly 50 countries.

Contact:

(703) 684-3600 (phone)
(703) 836-4564 (fax)

Source: NACS

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Wegmans Food Markets announces leadership team for its Owings Mills, MD store opening Sept. 18

OWINGS MILLS, MD, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Wegmans Food Markets today ( 08/09/2016 ) announced the leadership team spearheading the management of its Owings Mills store, opening Sept. 18 at Foundry Row on the intersection of Reisterstown (Route 140) and Painters Mill Roads. The Owings Mills leadership team consists of the store manager, executive chef, pharmacy area manager, and three area managers who each supervise several departments.

Hiring and training are ongoing for part-time culinary positions such as line cooks and customer service in prepared foods. Those interested in applying can visit www.wegmans.com/careers for more information.

Store Manager Matt LePore
Matt LePore was raised in Wegmans’ hometown of Rochester, N.Y. and began his career with the company as a part-time cashier and helping hand (parking lot attendant) while still in high school. A recipient of the Wegmans Employee Scholarship Program, LePore graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York College at Brockport before moving to Virginia to work at the Dulles store. There he rose through the ranks as a service team leader, front end manager, and perishable area manager before moving to the Frederick, Md. location where he ultimately became the store manager. LePore and his family moved to Westminster in 2015 to begin building and developing his team of 475 in preparation for the Owings Mills store opening.

Executive Chef Tom Schwarzweller
Tom Schwarzweller began cooking at age five and went on to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America. A former executive chef at the Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys in Baltimore, he joined Wegmans in 2005 as executive chef at the chain’s first Maryland location, in Hunt Valley. He then led the kitchen at the Columbia store before settling into his new role at Owings Mills where he will oversee an exceptional culinary team of 105. This group will provide the restaurant-quality prepared foods Wegmans is known for, with mix and match self-serve food bars, subs, hot soup, fresh sushi, The Burger Bar, and more – all for in-store dining or takeout. Chef Schwarzweller is an avid gardener and lives in Reisterstown.

Pharmacy Area Manager Karen Bernardi, Pharm D.
Karen Bernardi, Pharm D., joined Wegmans in 2004 as a part-time cashier in Rochester, N.Y. There she honed her customer service skills and later worked in the floral department and service desk before becoming a pharmacy technician and intern while attending pharmacy school at the State University of New York at Buffalo. After graduation, Bernardi moved to Baltimore, Md. and became a Wegmans pharmacist at the Columbia store. As pharmacy area manager, she will now lead the Owings Mills pharmacy and its staff, helping employees and customers live healthier, better lives. Pharmacy services include immunizations, auto-refill of prescriptions, free home shipping, pet medications, and competitively low prices on select generic prescriptions.

Perishable Area Manager Rob Pearce
Rob Pearce began working at Wegmans in 2000 and has experience in a variety of positions, including customer service on the front end and bulk foods, service team leader, front end manager, bakery manager, and service area manager. As perishable area manager in Owings Mills, he will oversee product quality, sales, and employee development for the produce, floral, bakery, seafood, meat, cheese, and deli departments. Pearce will ensure Wegmans’ high standards for the freshest ingredients are met and employees are prepared to share in-depth food knowledge with Wegmans customers. He completed his undergraduate degree at Ithaca College and earned his MBA from Strayer University. Pearce resides in Millersville.

Merchandising Area Manager Natalie Ray
Natalie Ray is a graduate of the University of Maryland and has been with Wegmans since 2011. A Mt. Airy resident, she previously served as a front end coordinator, service team leader, general merchandise manager, and grocery manager. In her role at the Owings Mills store, she’ll supervise employee development, merchandising and sales for a variety of departments, such as grocery, dairy, frozen foods, Nature’s Marketplace and General Merchandise. With an eye for design, Ray will work collaboratively across the store to ensure that products are well stocked and beautifully displayed to make grocery shopping outstanding for Wegmans customers.

Service Area Manager Jared McLaughlin
Jared McLaughlin resides in Baltimore City and has been a Wegmans employee since 2009. A graduate of the State University of New York College at Brockport, he started with Wegmans as a service team leader and front end manager before taking on various special assignments within Wegmans’ Maryland division. In his new role as service area manager at Owings Mills, he will lead the front end, service desk, helping hands and accounting office. McLaughlin will ensure incredible customer service is delivered every day, which is a point of distinction at Wegmans. He will also oversee local community giving, carrying out Wegmans’ commitment to make a difference in every community it serves.

Wegmans Owings Mills is a 109,000 square-foot supermarket that includes a Market Café with indoor and outdoor seating for nearly 300, as well as The Burger Bar, an in-store restaurant counter that serves delicious burgers, fresh salads, flavorful sandwiches, specialty milkshakes, soups and sides.

Visit www.wegmans.com/owingsmills for store details, Wegmans Shoppers Club sign up, directions, and a countdown to the grand opening.

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 90-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The family-owned company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for 19 consecutive years, ranking #4 in 2016.

Contact Information:

Valerie Fox
Wegmans media relations coordinator
585-720-5713

Source: Wegmans

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts announces return of Football Doughnuts to kick-off the football season

: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts announces return of Football Doughnuts to kick-off the football season

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Kick-off the football season with the ultimate game-day treat! Krispy Kreme Doughnuts today announced it will once again offer Football Doughnuts in participating U.S. shops starting Aug. 11.

The Football Doughnut is Kreme™ filled and dipped in chocolate icing before being finished with white icing football laces. These doughnuts will be available on weekends throughout the entire football season.

“Fans are always looking for the perfect sweet treat for their weekend games, whether it is a high school football, college football or professional football game,” said Jackie Woodward, Chief Marketing Officer at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. “We think our Football Doughnuts will be the perfect tailgating treat all season long.”

Connect with other football fans and show off your football dozens using #KrispyKreme all season long.

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:

Sarah Roof
Corporate Communications Coordinator
336-726-8878
sroof@krispykreme.com

Source: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.

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Posted on August 12, 2016 by Justransact

Goods and Service Tax (GST) can Alter Economic Prospects of India: Industry Experts

Chennai, India, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — The long awaited Goods and Service Tax (GST) has passed the last mile hurdle with country’s upper house of Parliament clearing the Bill on Wednesday, after much deliberations and amendments to appease the strong opposition. How does this tax reform going to benefit the retail sector which has been making a strident growth and become one of the fastest growing sectors? JusTransact.com asked a few industry veterans about the pros and cons of GST implementation. Excerpts…

Baskaramoorthy, VP Sales, Posiflex India: “End users might end up paying additional taxes if percentage of taxes under GST regime is increased from the current VAT level. However, it will help traders and manufacturers to leverage business across India with effective supply chain and distribution of products. The biggest relief is that GST will do away with the current C-form and interstate forms which are presently collected at the end of each year.”

Bhaskar Venkatraman, Director, Millennium India, a veteran in Point of Sale technology in India: “GST in the present format is going to benefit the economy, businesses and consumers alike. As it is going to replace 17 indirect taxes, tax procedures will be more simple and transparent. Apart from pushing up tax revenues, the corruption at check posts and slow-movement of trucks will become the things of the past. Since calculation of tax is going to be uniform across all states, finance people will heave a sigh of relief as they no longer muddle with complex forms while dealing with inter-state goods movements.”

C Anton Jabadurai, Country Head, Bixolon India: “GST will facilitate the possibility of automation in tax calculation and goods processing, which will increase the requirement of POS hardware across India. Apart from smoothening the supply chain management, GST implementation will create a transparent tax regime across all states which will benefit both traders and end-customers. In the long run, the frequent price rise due to high transportation and warehousing cost will come down drastically.”

Anuj Puri – Chairman & Country Head, JLL India: “The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is the most essential taxation reform which is going to alter India’s economic prospects. Single taxation, covering all goods and services, is a welcome change. GST will eliminate cascading effect of taxes, and will boost tax collection while reducing overall taxation levels. However, post GST, the results will be evident only after two-three years from now.”

Slated to increase the country’s GDP by one point, the GST era, which is going to unfurl from April 2017, will surely be the new chapter in India’s tax history post Independence. How far it will benefit the country and common man, one has to wait and see.

Media Contact:

K Ramanathan,

India

+91 09384612789

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Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

X5 Retail Group N.V. announces the offering of its RUB 5 billion BO-07 series ruble-denominated bonds

Moscow, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — X5 Retail Group N.V. (“X5” or “the Company”), a leading Russian food retailer (LSE ticker: “FIVE”), announces the offering of its RUB 5 billion BO-07 series ruble-denominated bonds, issued by LLC X5 Finance.

The coupon rate on the bonds, which have a put option after 2.5 years, is set at 9.75% p.a. The Company plans to use the proceeds from the issue to finance its current operations, including for debt refinancing in order to improve its loan portfolio structure.

The offering was arranged by VTB Capital, Raiffeisenbank, UniCredit Bank, and BK REGION.

Note to Editors:
X5 Retail Group N.V. (LSE: FIVE, Fitch – ‘BB’, Moody’s – ‘Ba3’, S&P – ‘BB-’) is a leading Russian food retailer. The Company operates several retail formats: the chain of proximity stores under the Pyaterochka brand, the supermarket chain under the Perekrestok brand, the hypermarket chain under the Karusel brand and Express convenience stores under various brands.

As of 30 June 2016, X5 had 7,936 Company-operated stores. It has the leading market position in both Moscow and St. Petersburg and a significant presence in the European part of Russia. Its store base includes 7,164 Pyaterochka proximity stores, 493 Perekrestok supermarkets, 89 Karusel hypermarkets and 190 convenience stores. The Company operates 35 DCs and 1,469 Company-owned trucks across the Russian Federation.

For the full year 2015, revenue totalled RUB 808,818 mln (USD 13,268 mln), Adjusted EBITDA reached RUB 59,413 mln (USD 975 mln), and net profit for the period amounted to RUB 14,174 mln (USD 233 mln). In Q1 2016, revenue totalled RUB 231,611 mln (USD 3,104 mln), EBITDA reached RUB 16,493 mln (USD 221 mln), and net profit amounted to RUB 5,054 mln (USD 68 mln).

X5’s Shareholder structure is as follows: Alfa Group – 47.86%, founders of Pyaterochka – 14.43%, X5 Directors – 0.06%, treasury shares – 0.01%, free float – 37.64%.

Forward looking statements:
This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not only relate to historical or current events. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “anticipate”, “target”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “expected”, “plan”, “goal”, “believe”, or other words of similar meaning.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances, a number of which are beyond X5 Retail Group N.V.’s control. As a result, actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in these forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of X5 Retail Group N.V. speak only as at the date of this announcement. Save as required by any applicable laws or regulations, X5 Retail Group N.V. undertakes no obligation publicly to release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements in this document that may occur due to any change in its expectations or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.

For further details please contact:

Maxim Novikov
Head of Investor Relations
Tel.: +7 (495) 502-9783
e-mail: Maxim.Novikov@x5.ru

Andrey Vasin
Investor Relations Officer
Tel.:+7 (495) 662-8888 ext. 21-456
e-mail: Andrey.Vasin@x5.ru

Source: X5 Retail Group

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

SUPERVALU announces Save-A-Lot, Inc. filed Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 in connection with its possible spin-off into separate, publicly traded company

MINNEAPOLIS, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — SUPERVALU INC. (NYSE: SVU) today announced that Save-A-Lot, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has filed Amendment No. 2 to its Form 10 Registration Statement (Form 10) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the possible spin-off of Save-A-Lot into a separate, publicly traded company. Among other changes, the amendment includes Save-A-Lot’s recent financial results.

With the filing of Amendment No. 2 to the Form 10, SUPERVALU is continuing to pursue a spin-off of Save-A-Lot as it also evaluates a possible sale of Save-A-Lot. At this time there can be no assurance that a separation of Save-A-Lot will be completed or that any other change in the Company’s overall structure or business model will occur.

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 3,342 stores composed of 1,773 stores operated by wholesale customers serviced primarily by the Company’s food distribution business; 1,368 Save-A-Lot stores, of which 896 are operated by licensee owners; and 201 traditional retail grocery stores (store counts as of June 18, 2016). Headquartered inMinnesota, SUPERVALU has approximately 40,000 employees. For more information about SUPERVALU visit www.supervalu.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995.

Except for the historical and factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, particularly those pertaining to SUPERVALU’s expectations, guidance, or future operating results, and other statements identified by words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including uncertainties as to the terms, timing or structure of any separation transaction and whether one will be consummated at all, the impact of any separation transaction on the businesses of SUPERVALU and the Save-A-Lot business on a standalone basis if the separation were to be completed, whether the operational and strategic benefits of a separation can be achieved and whether the costs and expenses of the separation can be controlled within expectations. Other factors include competition, ability to execute operations and initiatives, ability to realize benefits from acquisitions and dispositions, reliance on wholesale customers and licensees ability to grow or maintain identical store sales, ability to maintain or increase margins, substantial indebtedness, labor relations issues, escalating costs of providing employee benefits, relationships with Albertson’s LLC, New Albertson’s, Inc. and Haggen, intrusions to and disruption of information technology systems, impact of economic conditions, commodity pricing, governmental regulation, food and drug safety issues, legal proceedings, pharmacy reimbursement and health care financing, intellectual property protection, severe weather, natural disasters and adverse climate changes, disruption to supply chain and distribution network, changes in military business, adequacy of insurance, volatility in fuel and energy costs, asset impairment charges, fluctuations in our common stock price and other risk factors relating to our business or industry as detailed from time to time inSUPERVALU’s reports filed with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Unless legally required, SUPERVALU undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:

Steve Bloomquist
952-828-4144
Steve.bloomquist@supervalu.com

For Media:
Jeff Swanson
952-903-1645
Jeffrey.Swanson@supervalu.com

Source: SUPERVALU INC.

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Publix Super Markets: City of Lakeland, the Detroit Tigers and the Lakeland Flying Tigers sponsor the naming rights of Tigertown field

LAKELAND, Fla, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Publix Super Markets is pleased to announce support of the City of Lakeland, the Detroit Tigers and the Lakeland Flying Tigers by sponsoring the naming rights of Tigertown field. The $3 million sponsorship is payable over the next 15 years. On Feb. 9, 2017 — first day of the 2017 Major League Baseball spring training season — the stadium will be renamed Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The naming rights will continue through 2036.

“Lakeland is where our roots are, and we are proud of our long-standing relationship with the City of Lakeland and Tigertown,” said Brian West, Publix Lakeland media and community relations manager. “We are honored to have an opportunity to help keep America’s pastime alive and well in this great city.”

The Publix sponsorship will assist with the redesign and updates to the complex, which include

A 72,000-square foot player development facility to house Major and Minor League clubhouses (largest in the Grapefruit League)
A new state-of-the-art High Definition video scoreboard will sit atop the enhanced Berm in left field
The “new Berm” will feature a unique food and beverage destination
Improved and realigned seating areas, including additional shading
A 360-degree walk around design offering fans great sightlines and a constant view of the game
Upgraded concessions and new vending areas offering a variety of menu items
New artificial field surface in the Minor League complex and
Improvements throughout the complex to assist in player development and rehabilitation.

“This is a great day and we are very excited to have Publix Super Markets as the naming sponsor for what will now be Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Publix Super Markets is synonymous with Lakeland and we can’t wait to see their name in the outfield,” said Mayor Howard Wiggs. “We have a dedicated team overseeing construction of the stadium and once the project is complete, we will have one of the finest Spring Training facilities in all of Major League Baseball.”

Bob Donahay, Director of Parks & Recreation said, “The construction and design team has been working day and night on the Tigertown complex so it will be ready for the opening day of Spring Training. The partnership with Publix Super Markets will allow us to complete the vision and we look forward to showcasing Lakeland’s very own field of dreams.”

“The Detroit Tigers thank Publix, the City of Lakeland, Polk County and the State of Florida for sharing our vision and commitment to provide a first-class entertainment experience and a point of destination for Tigers and all baseball fans to enjoy,” said Duane McLean, Tigers’ Executive Vice President of Business Operations. “The history both the Tigers and Publix have in Lakeland is historic and unique. Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium will symbolize how deeply rooted and invested both the Tigers and Publix are within the Lakeland community for many years to come.”

Named in honor of the late Joker Marchant, a former Lakeland Parks and Recreation Director, Joker Marchant Stadium was used by the Detroit Tigers for Spring Training for the first time in 1966.

Contact:

Phone: 800-242-1227

Source: Publix

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

CBRE announces the appointment of Eiji Sakaguchi President and CEO for Japan

Los Angeles, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — CBRE announced today that Eiji Sakaguchi has been appointed President and CEO of CBRE’s business in Japan, effective October 3. In this role, Mr. Sakaguchi will oversee all of CBRE’s Japan operations, encompassing 10 offices and 1,200 employees. He will report to Ben Duncan, North Asia President of CBRE, who has also been serving as CEO for Japan.

Mr. Sakaguchi is a seasoned industry veteran with over 26 years of real estate experience and an extensive financial background. He is widely recognized as one of the most prominent real estate professionals in Japan.

He joins CBRE from Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities where he was managing director and head of Real Estate. While there, Mr. Sakaguchi oversaw a range of successful asset transactions, as well as private and public capital market activities. Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2001, he spent 11 years at Mitsui Fudosan, where he held key roles in asset and property management, leasing, investment and development activity. Mr. Sakaguchi is a graduate of Hitotsubashi University with a Bachelor’s degree in law.

“Sakaguchi-san is a passionate leader who has outstanding business acumen and understands and appreciates the culture of our business,” said Ben Duncan, North Asia President of CBRE. “I’m very excited to have Sakaguchi-san lead the next phase of our development across Japan drawing on his decades of experience and the breadth of his relationships.”

About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2015 revenue). The Company has more than 70,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate investors and occupiers through more than 400 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers a broad range of integrated services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

Official Twitter account for Japan: @cbrejapan

MEDIA CONTACT:
Robert McGrath
Senior Director, Global Media Relations
+1 212 9848267

Source: CBRE

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

PENNY-Kunden greifen verstärkt zu Naturgut Bio-Helden

Köln, Deutschland, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Gut 100 Tage nach Markteinführung fällt die Bilanz der Naturgut Bio-Helden durchweg positiv aus: Im Vergleich zum Vorjahreszeitraum stieg die verkaufte Menge – auch aufgrund intensiven Marketings – um insgesamt mehr als 12 Prozent. Absolute Lieblinge der Kunden sind Bio-Cherry-Tomaten (+66%) gefolgt von Bio-Gurken (+60%), Bio-Paprika (+54%). Und schließlich Bio-Rispen-Tomaten (+46%).

Seit April vermarktet PENNY deutschlandweit Bio-Obst und -Gemüse der Eigenmarke Naturgut, das äußerlich nicht immer makellos ist. Die kleinen Schönheitsfehler beeinträchtigen aber weder die Haltbarkeit oder den Geschmack – die Naturgut Bio-Helden haben auch weiterhin beste Bio-Qualität.

„Wir sind mit der ersten Bilanz unserer Naturgut Bio-Helden sehr zufrieden. Die gestiegene Absatzmenge zeigt deutlich, dass unsere Kunden auch Obst und Gemüse mit Schönheitsfehlern kaufen. Mehr noch, unsere Lieferanten sagen uns, dass dadurch mehr Produkte über unsere Filialen vermarktet werden und nicht – zu teilweise deutlich schlechteren Preisen – in die industrielle Weiterverarbeitung oder thermische Verwertung gehen. Damit ist das Konzept ein voller Erfolg“, fasst Jan Kunath REWE Group Vorstand und Vorsitzender der Geschäftsleitung PENNY National, die ersten rund 100 Tage Naturgut Bio-Helden zusammen.

Die Bewertung teilen auch Erzeuger wie Franz Westhues, Geschäftsführer der Marktgenossenschaft der Naturland-Bauern: „Mit den Naturgut Bio-Helden kommen wir dem Ziel, ganzjährig heimische Bio-Kartoffeln vermarkten zu können, einen großen Schritt näher. Immer wieder bildet sich während der Lagerung Silberschorf. Der ist zwar gesundheitlich völlig unbedenklich, führte aber in der Vergangenheit dazu, dass Ware aussortiert werden musste.“ Auch die Möhre profitiere von dem erweiterten Vermarktungsspielraum.

Sein spanischer Kollege, Jose Tienda von Campina Verde schätzt, dass rund zehn Prozent mehr Zitrusfrüchte vermarktet werden. „Vor allem Freilandware und die Verna-Zitrone, eine Sommersorte, profitiert deutlich von dem Konzept. Wir können mehr und länger vermarkten.“

„Ich schätze, dass wir auf Sicht bis zu 20 Prozent mehr Äpfel über PENNY vermarkten können. Durch Frost während der Blütezeit wird in diesem Jahr der Anteil an Obst mit optischen Mängeln deutlich höher sein als in den vorherigen Jahren. Das Konzept der Naturgut Bio-Helden wird dann seine volle Wirkung entfalten“, blickt Stephan Jehle von Obst vom Bodensee auf die kommende Saison.

„Wir verpacken die Naturgut Bio-Helden weder gesondert, noch bieten wir sie günstiger an. Wir haben in den vergangenen Wochen viel investiert, um unsere Kunden über unsere Naturgut Bio-Helden aufzuklären. Mit großem Erfolg. Unsere Kunden unterstützen uns mit ihrer Kaufentscheidung auf dem Weg, so viel Obst und Gemüse als Lebensmittel zu vermarkten. Das ist klasse und zeigt, dass die Wertschätzung von Lebensmittel steigt“, sagt Jochen Baab, Geschäftsführer REWE Group Buying und Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung PENNY National.

Übersicht der Naturgut Bio-Helden (Stand August 2016):

Orangen
Zitronen
Kiwi
Äpfel
Bananen
Mini Wassermelonen
Speisekartoffeln
Zwiebeln
Karotten
Gurken
Rispentomaten
Cherry-Tomaten
Paprika, rot
Paprika Mix

Alle Daten und Fakten rund um die Naturgut Bio-Helden finden Sie auf einen Blick in diesem Dokument.

PENNY erzielte 2015 allein in Deutschland mit 2.150 Filialen und 26.000 Mitarbeitern einen Umsatz von über sieben Milliarden Euro.

Ansprechpartner:
Andreas Krämer
Pressesprecher PENNY
Tel: +49 221 149 1050
Mail: presse@rewe-group.com

###

: PENNY-Kunden greifen verstärkt zu Naturgut Bio-Helden

Source: REWE group

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Albert Heijn vernieuwt ontbijtschap

: Albert Heijn vernieuwt ontbijtschap

Zaandam, the Netherlands, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Vanaf vandaag vind je heel veel nieuwe broodvervangers in het schap bij Albert Heijn. Zo hebben klanten nog meer keuze in o.a. rijstwafels, crackers en knäckebröd. Het ontbijtassortiment wordt uitgebreid met 13 nieuwe Albert Heijn-huismerkproducten en 27 nieuwe A-merkproducten, waaronder crackers op spelt- en roggebasis.

Steeds meer klanten ontbijten bewust gezonder. Een boterham met kaas staat niet langer centraal op de ontbijttafel en maakt plaats voor meer variatie en diverse broodvervangers. Daarom introduceren we vandaag 13 nieuwe Albert Heijn-producten en voegen we 27 nieuwe A-merkproducten aan het schap toe. Van ‘goed koopjes’ tot meer luxe producten met oergranen. Nieuw is de toplijn van knäckebröd die ‘de granen van toen’ heet. Met deze crackers van rogge, spelt en haver is Albert Heijn de eerste supermarkt die deze varianten onder het eigen merk aanbiedt.Veel andere nieuwe producten in het schap zijn exclusief verkrijgbaar bij Albert Heijn zoals ‘Leksands Knäcke’, de nummer 1 knäckebröd uit Zweden.

Gemak in het ontbijtvak
Grote verpakkingen rijstwafels en knäckebröd zijn lastig om mee te nemen voor onderweg. Om klanten te voorzien van meer gemak, zijn er vanaf nu twee nieuwe Albert Heijn-portieverpakkingen met rijstwafels (op maïsbasis en met rogge) verkrijgbaar. Deze kleine verpakkingen zijn makkelijk om mee te nemen naar het werk of naar school.

Source: Albert Heijn

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Harris Teeter to welcome shoppers to its Flats 8300 in Bethesda, MD on August 24, 2016

: Harris Teeter to welcome shoppers to its Flats 8300 in Bethesda, MD on August 24, 2016

Matthews. NC, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Harris Teeter is proud to welcome shoppers to its Flats 8300 location on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 8 a.m. as the company celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and weeklong, in-store sampling.

In each of its stores, Harris Teeter strives to offer customers an excellent shopping experience, which begins with customer service and features high-quality products, variety and selection. Harris Teeter also works to be a true community partner by supporting local schools and youth sports organizations, among other non-profit organizations.

Fast Facts

Store Address	Flats 8300 4805 Battery Lane Bethesda, MD 20814
Grand Opening Date	Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Grand Opening Time	8 a.m., ribbon cutting, store open immediately following
Store Hours	24 hours/7 days a week
Pharmacy Hours	Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Check-Out Lanes	8 checkouts and 4 express checkouts

Store Features and Departments
Full-service Butchers Market with Rancher Beef, HT Reserve Angus Beef and HT Naturals Beef • USDA Choice Certified Very Tender and Very Tender Dry Aged Beef • Expanded Service meat • Fresh store-made sausage and burgers •Full-service Fishermans Market • Shrimp Party Trays • Fresh Lobster Rolls Made Daily • Fish Friday Events • Farmers Market Produce • Full-Service Floral and Custom Floral Arrangements • Produce Party Trays • Fresh Fruit Bar • Salad Bar • Trail Mix Bar • Expanded Organic and Specialty Produce • Full-service Fresh Foods Market Deli/Bakery • Sushi • Self-Serve Olives • International Cheeses • Custom Cakes • American Hot Foods Bar • Asian Hot Foods Bar • Sub Shop • Made to Order Sandwich Program • Chef Prepared Food To Go • Artisan Breads • Boar’s Head Meats and Cheeses • Fresh Made Salads • Fresh Made Pizza • Home Meal Replacements • Organic and Natural Foods • International Foods • Bulk Candy • Granola Bar • Peanut Butter Grinders • Pharmacy • Free Blood Pressure Testing • Private, Professional Consultations • Drug Interaction/ Allergy Screening • Double Coupons • Club 60 Discount • Carryout Service • Parcel Pick-up • USCAN • Western Union • Coinstar • Rug Doctor • Express Lane Online Shopping • Red Box DVD Rental Kiosk • ATM • Starbucks • Sit-down eating area

Source: Harris Teeter

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Harris Teeter seeks 3,000 qualified applicants to fill new positions companywide

Matthews. NC, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (8/8/2016) Harris Teeter announced it is seeking nearly 3,000 qualified applicants to fill new positions throughout the company’s store locations.

Available positions range from part-time cashiers and department clerks to full-time department heads and assistant store managers. Interested candidates are invited to visit the company’s online job listings at hiring.harristeeter.jobs to apply.

“We’re looking for qualified candidates who desire a growing, service-oriented working environment,” said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Harris Teeter. “Not only do we anticipate opening 10 new stores in 2016, but we are also seeing an increased need for dedicated associates specifically in our deli and bakery departments. We are expanding customer conveniences such as Starbucks and fresh in-store made pizza, as well as increasing our selection of hot-and-ready dinner options.”

Individuals interested in a position with Harris Teeter can expect:

Weekly paychecks
Flexible schedules
Fun, fast-paced environment
Profit Sharing – paid two times a year
Tuition Assistance*
* Offered based on eligibility

Over the last year alone, Harris Teeter has created more than 1,050 new jobs throughout the markets where it operates stores – North & South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.

Harris Teeter is hosting a hiring event for the company’s newest Charlotte, N.C. location at the Steele Croft Harris Teeter located at 13000 S. Tryon Street on August 18, 2016.

“We owe our company’s success to our valued associates,” said Robinson. “We are growing, and we invite full-time and part-time job seekers to grow with us as we expand Harris Teeter’s footprint, creating jobs throughout new and existing markets.”

Source: Harris Teeter

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. to hold its quarterly earnings conference call on August 30, 2016

New Albany, Ohio, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) will be holding its quarterly earnings conference call for all interested parties on August 30, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. EDT. A press release detailing the company’s second quarter results is expected to be issued shortly after 7:30 a.m. EDT.

What: Abercrombie & Fitch Second Quarter Fiscal 2016 Earnings Call
When: 8:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Where: http://www.abercrombie.com
How: Live over the internet: Log on to the web at the above address, select the Investors page and click on Events; or call: Domestic Dial-In Number: 1-888-438-5493, ask for the Abercrombie & Fitch
Quarterly Call. Domestic Replay Number: 1-888-203-1112, conference ID number 9489764
International Dial-In Number: 1-719-325-2309, ask for the Abercrombie & Fitch
Quarterly Call. International Replay Number: 1-719-457-0820, conference ID number 9489764

The call will be archived and can be accessed for two weeks following the reporting date by calling either of the replay numbers listed above; or for 12 months by visiting the company’s website www.abercrombie.com.

An investor presentation of second quarter results will be available in the “Investors” section of the company’s website at www.abercrombie.com at approximately 8:00 AM, EDT on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.

For further information, call:

Investor Contact:
Brian Logan
Abercrombie & Fitch
(614) 283-6877
Investor_Relations@abercrombie.com

Media Contact:
Michael Scheiner
Abercrombie & Fitch
(614) 283-6192
Public_Relations@abercrombie.com

Source: Abercrombie & Fitch

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

O’KEY Group S.A announces the opening of its 72nd hypermarket in Moscow

MOSCOW, Russia, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — O’KEY Group S.A (LSE: OKEY), one of the largest food retailers in Russia, announces the opening of a new hypermarket in Moscow, the Group’s 72 d hypermarket in Russia and 158th store in the total Group portfolio.

The new hypermarket with the total area of over 10,000 sq.m. and sales area of 6,500 sq.m. opened in Kosino Park mall at 1a, Svyatoozerskaya street. It will target the inhabitants of the fast-growing Kosino-Ukhtomskiy district and the transit traffic towards Lubertsy. Part of the mall where the hypermarket is located is owned by the Group.

New store is a typical example of a “compact/сity hypermarket”. Good transport infrastructure within this area and a parking lot for 900 cars make it easily accessible for customers coming in cars to do their weekly shopping. And the store is located within walking distance from residential buildings, making it convenient for daily shopping. The store is also equipped with a pick-up point for deliveries made at our online store www.okeydostavka.ru.

Mr. Heigo Kera, the Chairman of the Board and the CEO of the Group, commented,
“The Moscow market with its strong growth potential is strategically important for the Group. We are growing our footprint in the region both in hypermarket/supermarket format and in the discounter format under the DA! brand. In the new store at Svyatoozerskaya street we have for the first time introduced in the Moscow market the renewed approach to zoning and design of the selling space in hypermarkets. We are catering to the needs of modern, rational сonsumers who want the stores to be convenient and well-organized. New zoning and easier in-store navigation enable customers to easily find the products they need and spend less time on shopping, while this approach also allows us to use selling space in a more efficient way.”

COMPANY OVERVIEW

O’KEY is one of the largest retail chains in Russia. Its primary retail format is the modern Western European style hypermarket under the “O’KEY” brand reinforced by O’KEY supermarket. The Group is developing the innovative discounter format under the “DA!” brand. O’KEY is the first among Russian food retailers to launch e-commerce operations in St. Petersburg and Moscow based on hypermarket assortment.

The Group opened its first hypermarket in St. Petersburg in 2002 and has demonstrated continuous growth ever since. As of 10 August 2016, O’KEY operates 158 stores across Russia: 72 hypermarkets, 37 supermarkets and 49 discounters.

For further information please contact:
Nikolai Minashin
Head of Investor Relations Ph.
+7(495)663-6677, ext. 127
e-mail: Nikolay.Minashin@okmarket.ru www.okeyinvestors.ru

Source: O’KEY

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. announces schedule for 2Q2016 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast

ATLANTA, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLKI), the franchisor and operator of Popeyes® restaurants, today announced that its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its second quarter 2016, which ended July 10, 2016, will be filed on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, after market close. The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review results.

A live listen-only webcast of the conference call will be available on the PLKI website at www.popeyes.com/investors. The conference call can also be accessed live over the phone by dialing (855) 427-4392 or for international callers by dialing (484) 756-4257. A replay will be available after the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or for international callers by dialing (404) 537-3406; the conference ID is 41416512. The replay will be available until Wednesday, August 31, 2016. A replay of the conference call will also be available for 90 days on the Company’s website.

Corporate Profile
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of Popeyes® restaurants, the world’s second-largest Quick-Service Restaurant (“QSR”) chicken concept based on number of units. As of July 10, 2016, Popeyes had 2,594 operating restaurants in the United States, three territories, and 26 foreign countries. The Company’s primary objective is to deliver sales and profits by offering excellent investment opportunities in its Popeyes brand and providing exceptional franchisee support systems and services to its owners. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. can be found at www.popeyes.com.

Contacts:

Investor inquiries:
ICR
Dara Dierks
404-459-4584
Investor Relations
investor.relations@popeyes.com

Media inquiries:
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.
Renee Kopkowski
404-459-4630
Vice President, Brand Communications
renee.kopkowski@popeyes.com

Source: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

“A New Tokyo in Soho”: Japanese apparel retailer UNIQLO to unveil new store in Soho on September 2

TOKYO, JAPAN, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — “A New Tokyo in Soho” is the theme of the new UNIQLO store that will be unveiled on September 2 in Soho. Japanese apparel retailer UNIQLO opened its first global flagship store in 2006 with the concept “From Tokyo to Soho,” and after ten years, renews its engagement with one of New York’s most vibrant local communities. Through the re-modeled store, UNIQLO will once again bring the very latest in Tokyo creativity, innovation and shopping experiences to Soho.

“Introducing the UNIQLO brand in the U.S. and opening the very first global flagship store in Soho in 2006 were important milestones in the company’s plans to expand internationally. During the past ten years, Soho has evolved as an important hub of design, creativity and art, and UNIQLO too has grown in the community. ‘A New Tokyo in Soho’ symbolizes a celebration of our first ten years and our commitment to deepen our roots in the community over many years to come. By engaging with the neighborhood in new and exciting ways, we wish to contribute to the next phase of Soho’s growth,” said Hiroshi Taki, UNIQLO U.S.A. CEO.

A New Tokyo in Soho
The renovated store will feature multiple shop-in-shop areas, each telling a story that highlights UNIQLO LifeWear and the company’s passion for innovation. The shop promoting performance items such as Ultra Light Down and Jogger Pants will focus on functionality, while another will celebrate the art of design, emphasizing the care and attention UNIQLO dedicates to fabrics like cashmere and the patterns of flannel. A new shop will bring Japanese urban style together with Soho street style, through classic items like denim and oxford shirts. In addition, this shop will present the best of Japanese styling through a special partnership with Popeye magazine, Japan’s iconic men’s fashion and lifestyle print publication.

In honor of Soho’s rich artistic history, UNIQLO will engage with its neighborhood through regular events around cultural moments. The store’s mezzanine level will work as an exhibition space, evoking images of a Soho artist’s loft and featuring products like SPRZ NY (Surprise New York), a collaboration between UNIQLO and MoMA that gives access to iconic artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

UNIQLO Soho will also partner with local stores and restaurants, and the company will extend its relationships with local non-profit organizations such Free Arts NYC and municipal agencies, including the NYC Department of Homeless Services. UNIQLO already collaborates with the NYC Department of Homeless Services throughout the city by donating winter clothes to underprivileged youth as part of A Warm Gesture program, in addition to providing other clothing donations, art and job-experience workshops.

Renovation work at UNIQLO Soho began in July and will continue through the end of August. The store will close from August 22 and will re-open to customers on September 2.

To learn more about “A New Tokyo in Soho,” visit http://www.uniqlo.com/us/uniqlo-soho.

UNIQLO in New York City:

•In addition to Soho, UNIQLO occupies a prominent location on 5th Avenue and 53rd Street, and on 34th Street. The 5th Avenue and 34th Street stores opened in October 2011.

•In May 2013, UNIQLO became a multi-year, corporate sponsor of MoMA, home to one of the world’s greatest collections of modern and contemporary art. At that time, UNIQLO began its sponsorship of the Friday night free admission program, which is known as “UNIQLO Free Friday Nights.” Since the start of the partnership, over one million visitors have enjoyed free admission at MoMA.

•In March 2014, UNIQLO launched SPRZ NY (Surprise New York), a new global project featuring a collection of modern art-inspired fashion products that are intended to surprise New York and the world. In partnership with MoMA, the second floor of the Fifth Avenue store was remodeled to resemble a museum, with special areas for each artist and framed displays of T-shirts and other items. In another first, Starbucks opened an outlet at the location, creating a space to drink coffee and enjoy art. The products resulting from the partnership are today available at UNIQLO stores worldwide.

•In September 2014, UNIQLO began its quarterly T-shirt making workshop in partnership with Free Arts NYC and the NYC Department of Homeless Services. For these workshops, UNIQLO invites up to 50 children who are living in the city’s homeless shelters to the Fifth Avenue store to learn about the lives and works of artists who are featured in the SPRZ NY collection. At the same time, children create their own works of art on T-shirts, guided by professional art educators from Free Arts NYC and assisted by UNIQLO volunteers.

Source: Uniqlo

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Express, Inc. announces the appointment of Karen Leever to its Board of Directors

COLUMBUS, Ohio, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Express, Inc. (NYSE:EXPR), a specialty retail fashion brand operating approximately 650 stores, announced that Karen Leever has been appointed to its Board of Directors as a Class III director, effective today. Ms. Leever is Executive Vice President and General Manager, Digital Media, of Discovery Communications, a role she has held since October 2015. With this appointment, the size of the Board has been expanded from six to seven directors.

Throughout her career, Ms. Leever has held a variety of leadership positions across digital media, marketing, product development, direct sales and operations in media and retail. Prior to joining Discovery Communications, she spent ten years with DIRECTV, and held several roles including Senior Vice President, Digital and Direct Sales from 2013 to 2015, Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing and Media in 2012, and Senior Vice President of directv.com and Customer Communications in 2011. Additionally, Ms. Leever served as Vice President, Marketing at Kmart Corporation during 2005 and as Divisional Vice President, eCommerce from 2004 until 2005. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade in electronic television retailing at HSN and QVC, overseeing website design, messaging, pricing and programming strategies.

“Karen’s digital and marketing expertise as well as her deep experience in connecting brands with consumers through technology, including in the media and retail sectors, will be a tremendous asset to the Board,” said Mylle Mangum, Chairman of the Board.

“We are delighted to have Karen join our Board,” said David Kornberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Express. “She brings unique and notable experience that will support our ongoing strategic objectives, particularly those focused on connecting with our customers in new and innovative ways.”

About Express, Inc.:
Express is a specialty apparel and accessories retailer of women’s and men’s merchandise, targeting the 20 to 30-year-old customer. Express has more than 35 years of experience offering a distinct combination of fashion and quality for multiple lifestyle occasions at an attractive value addressing fashion needs across work, casual, jeanswear, and going-out occasions. The company currently operates approximately 650 retail and factory outlet stores, located primarily in high-traffic shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and street locations across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Express merchandise is also available at franchise locations in the Middle East, Latin America, and South Africa. Express also markets and sells its products through its e-commerce website, www.express.com, as well as on its mobile app.

Contacts:

Media
Express, Inc.
Robin Hoffman
614-474-4834
Director of Communications

Investors
ICR, Inc.
Allison Malkin
203-682-8225

Source: Express, Inc.

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

GameStop invites gaming fans to experience the future of gaming at the 2016 GameStop Expo at Anaheim Convention Center on September 14

GRAPEVINE, TX, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — GameStop, (NYSE: GME) a family of specialty retail brands that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple, will be rocking the Anaheim Convention Center on September 14 by inviting gaming fans to experience the future of gaming during its annual GameStop Expo. From playing the new Sony PlayStation VR, to many of the soon-to-be released titles, gaming fans of all ages will get first-hand access to game demos, activities, and more than 100 exhibitors.

This year, leading companies from the video gaming, virtual reality, collectibles, and mobile electronics industries will have a presence at the 2016 GameStop EXPO, including:


	Activision \| Blizzard		PDP
	Astro Gaming		Razer
	Bathesda		Sony PlayStation®
	Bandai Namco		Square Enix
	Capcom		2K
	EA		Turtle Beach
	Elgato		Ubisoft
	Mad Catz		Valve
	Microsoft Xbox		WB Games
	Nintendo

Attendees of the show will have the opportunity to demo virtual reality on PlayStation®VR before the product is released. Fans will also have the opportunity to explore the EXPO’s 300,000 square foot show floor, and meet top game developers, publishers, special guests, and internet celebrities.

Specifically, fans will be able to:

Discover a new world of unexpected gaming experiences and redefine expectations of immersion in gaming with moments so intense intuition takes over. Step into incredible virtual worlds and overcome new challenges in extraordinary ways with PSVR before it launches on October 13.
Experience the future of motorsports by playing on the PlayStation 4, Gran Turismo Sport, the definitive motor racing experience.
Play the hottest titles coming exclusively to Xbox One and Windows PC such as Gears of War 4, and Forza Horizon 3.
Survive the zombie outbreak by playing upcoming Xbox One exclusive, Dead Rising 4.
Get an early look at all of the new Xbox One and Designed for Xbox products prior to their release.
Visit the Activision booth to play the recently-revealed multiplayer mode of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. The game is scheduled for worldwide release on November 4th on PlayStation® 4 system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PC. Playable stations of Destiny: Rise of Iron, releasing on September 20th, will also be featured in addition to a photo op with the Destiny Sparrow.
Get hands-on with Titan fall 2, winner of the official E3 2016 Game Critics award for Best Online Multiplayer. Delivering its signature Pilot and Titan gameplay, experience the fast, fluid multiplayer that is sure to push the genre forward.
Experience the dawn of all-out war in Battlefield 1, with varied weapons and vehicles, the new intuitive destruction and dynamic weather systems, and multiplayer action on an epic scale.
Play all of the biggest games coming from EA SPORTS with Madden NFL 17, FIFA 17 and NHL 17.
Stop by the Capcom booth for the perfect blend of fun and terror! Resident Evil 7 Biohazard is ready to scare fans while delivering a deep, immersive game experience. Attendees can also join the Monster Hunter Generations party to work together to take down some of the biggest and baddest monsters ever seen.
Be one of the first to play Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Tekken 7, Sword Art Online Hollow Realization and more.

Additionally, GameStop will be hosting a live broadcast, powered by Razer, on Twitch, the world’s leading social video platform and community for gamers at www.Twitch.tv/GameStop. The show will be hosted by Kinda Funny, live from the 2016 GameStop EXPO show floor on Wednesday, September 14. More details, including the full schedule will be available in September.

Registration for GameStop EXPO 2016 is now open, with options including:

General admission passes for $40*
A limited number of VIP** passes for $110, which includes:
- Early access to the show floor
- VIP lounge access to recharge your body and devices
- Exclusive swag bag of gaming goodies
Student passes for $20, available on-site only starting at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Tickets can be purchased using PowerUp Rewards™ points or by credit card online at www.GameStop.com/EXPO and at your local GameStop store.

* Attendees must be 17 years of age or older or accompanied by an adult. Some activities or games may feature mature content. Exhibitors reserve the right to censor content for guests under the age of 17 even when a consenting parent or guardian is present.

** Adults who purchase VIP tickets do NOT have to purchase a VIP ticket for their children under the age of 17. Purchase a general admission ticket for your child and he/she will be allowed to accompany you to all VIP events. With this option General Admission children will not receive VIP swag bag.

About GameStop Corp.
GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, omnichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 7,000 stores across 14 countries. The company’s consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the world’s leading print and digital video game publication; and ThinkGeek, www.thinkgeek.com, the premier retailer for the global geek community featuring exclusive and unique video game and pop culture products. In addition, our Technology Brands segment includes Simply Mac and Spring Mobile stores. Simply Mac, www.simplymac.com, operates 74 stores, selling the full line of Apple products, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones and offering Apple certified warranty and repair services. Spring Mobile, www.springmobile.com, sells all of AT&T’s products and services, including DIRECTV through its 1,421 AT&T branded stores and offers pre-paid wireless services, devices and related accessories through its 70 Cricket branded stores in select markets in the U.S.

General information about GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company’s corporate website. Follow GameStop on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GameStop and find GameStop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GameStop.

Contact:
Kyle Stephenson
Public Relations
GameStop
817-722-7735
KyleStephenson@GameStop.com

Source: GameStop Corporation

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

GameStop Corp. to report 2Q2016 earning results on Thursday, August 25, 2016

GRAPEVINE, TX, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), today (08/04/16) announced that the company will report earnings results after the market closes on Thursday, August 25, 2016 for its second quarter ended July 30, 2016.

The company will host an investor conference call at 5:00 PM EST on the same day to review the company’s financial results and operations. This call can be accessed at GameStop Corp.’s investor relations home page at http://investor.gamestop.com. The call will be archived for two months on GameStop Corp.’swebsite.

About GameStop
GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, omnichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 7,000 stores across 14 countries. The company’s consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the world’s leading print and digital video game publication; and ThinkGeek, www.thinkgeek.com, the premier retailer for the global geek community featuring exclusive and unique video game and pop culture products. In addition, our Technology Brands segment includes Simply Mac and Spring Mobile stores. Simply Mac, www.simplymac.com, operates 74 stores, selling the full line of Apple products, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones and offering Apple certified warranty and repair services. Spring Mobile, www.springmobile.com, sells all of AT&T’s products and services, including DIRECTV through its 1,421 AT&T branded stores and offers pre-paid wireless services, devices and related accessories through its 70 Cricket branded stores in select markets in the U.S.

Contact:
Matt Hodges
Vice President
Corporate Communications
GameStop Corp.
(817) 424-2130

Source: GameStop Corporation

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Retail News Editor

KIND Healthy Snacks publishes added sugar content of 60+ snacks across its portfolio

: KIND Healthy Snacks publishes added sugar content of 60+ snacks across its portfolio

NEW YORK, 2016-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (August 9, 2016) KIND Healthy Snacks (KIND®) published the added sugar content of the 60+ snacks across its portfolio, furthering its commitment to transparency surrounding its products and their nutritionals. The announcement comes two years in advance of the deadline recently set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food companies to break out the added sugar content in their products.

“Our approach at KIND is to provide consumers with straightforward information about what they’re putting into their bodies, so for us, publishing the added sugar content in our snacks is a natural next step in our ongoing commitment to transparency,” said Daniel Lubetzky, Founder and CEO of KIND.

KIND shared the information on its newly launched web page, KIND Promises, which for the first time, publicly outlines the overarching health and nutrition principles that guide the company’s innovation.

“Always using a nutrient-dense food like nuts, whole grains or fruit as our first ingredient and striving to make products that are low glycemic are among the standards that guide our product innovation,” said Stephanie Perruzza, MS, RD, CDN and Health and Wellness Specialist at KIND. “As we look to the future, we’ll continue to stand by these principles when creating new snacks made with wholesome, recognizable ingredients.”

Over the years, the company has taken significant steps to use as little sugar as possible in its snacks without compromising taste or adding artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. These include:

Last year, KIND announced an effort to reduce the sugar in seven of its Fruit & Nut bars to contain between 14 and 56 percent less added sugar compared to prior recipes. The rollout of the new bars, which began earlier this year, will be completed next year.

Once the reformulated bars become available, all KIND snacks will have approximately ½ to 2 ½ teaspoons of added sugar per serving. Put into context, the USDA recommends individuals limit their daily intake of added sugars to no more than 12 teaspoons per day.[1]

Made with only fruit & chia or fruit & veggies, KIND’s newly launched Pressed by KIND™ bars contain no added sugar and provide two full servings of fruit, equivalent to 1 cup per the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines, which suggests an intake of 1 to 2 cups of fruit per day.

With 5g of sugar or less, all of the bars in KIND’s best-selling Nuts & Spices line contain 50 to 60 percent less total sugar compared to the average nutrition bar.

About KIND Healthy Snacks
Since its founding in 2004, KIND® has been on a mission to make the world a little kinder one snack and one act at a time. KIND was born out of its founder’s desire to create a snack that was healthy and tasty, wholesome and convenient. What began as a line of premium Fruit & Nut bars sparked the creation of an entirely new healthier snacking category. Today, KIND has a family of snacks that offer solutions for a variety of different occasions.

Its recipes include nutrient-dense, simple and premium ingredients like whole nuts, seeds, whole grains, and pieces of fruit. All of its snacks are gluten free and do not contain genetically engineered ingredients.

Since day one, kindness has been at the core of its business. KIND was founded with a social mission, called the KIND Movement, which celebrates and inspires kindness through acts big and small. Today, the Movement is brought to life through both the brand and The KIND Foundation. To learn more about KIND and to join our Movement, visit kindsnacks.com.

Contact:
Kristi Kleila
KIND Healthy Snacks
O: (212) 616-3006, ext. 115
C: (516) 241-3705
kkleila@kindsnacks.com

Source: KIND Healthy Snacks

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