Daily Archives: September 5, 2016

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Rakuten acquires 100% stake in Fablic, inc. provider of consumer-to-consumer marketplace mobile app FRIL

Tokyo, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Rakuten, Inc. (TSE: 4755) announced that it has acquired a 100% stake in Fablic, inc., provider of FRIL, a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace mobile app and has made the company a wholly-owned subsidiary. The acquisition price is undisclosed.

The C2C e-commerce market continues to shift toward mobile services that make buying and selling simpler. Japan is also seeing an increase in popularity in C2C marketplace platforms that make it possible to buy and sell speedily and at predetermined prices, as well as a transition away from auction services that involve a bidding process. FRIL was launched as Japan’s first C2C marketplace mobile app in July 2012, and since then has been steadily growing its user base, with cumulative downloads of the app now exceeding 5 million. In November 2014, Rakuten also launched Rakuma, a C2C marketplace app for use mainly on smartphones, and this is also seeing a rapid expansion in gross merchandise sales (GMS).

“With our leading position in e-commerce in Japan, the addition of Fablic to the Rakuten Group will accelerate the already dynamic development of C2C services in Japan and the Rakuten ecosystem,” commented Hiroshi Mikitani, Chairman and CEO, Rakuten, Inc.

The combined monthly GMS of the two companies’ services already exceed several billion yen, as at the end of July 2016.

FRIL has focused on the fashion and beauty product genres since launch, building a large user following among women, particularly in the late teens to 20s segments. Rakuma enjoys a broad user base spread uniformly across diverse product genres.

Rakuten is currently planning to allow users to use their Rakuten member ID to log into FRIL, and implement point campaigns utilizing Rakuten Super Points. These features are already integral to the Rakuma platform. This will contribute to enhanced convenience for FRIL users and broaden Rakuten Group’s overall user base, thus leading to the expansion of the Rakuten Ecosystem.

“By leveraging Rakuten’s expertise and user base and our unique resources as a key player in the development of Japan’s dynamic C2C market, we aim to improve the FRIL service offering for both new and existing users,” said Shota Horii, CEO of Fablic. “We are already exploring ways to collaborate that will enable us to draw on the customer bases and respective strengths of both Fablic and the Rakuten ecosystem, enhancing usability and convenience for all users.”

About Rakuten
Rakuten, Inc. (TSE: 4755) is one of the world’s leading Internet services companies, offering a wide variety of services for consumers and businesses with a focus on e-commerce, finance, and digital content. Since 2012, Rakuten has been ranked among the world’s ‘Top 20 Most Innovative Companies’ in Forbes magazine’s annual list. Rakuten is expanding worldwide and currently operates throughout Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. Founded in 1997, Rakuten is headquartered in Tokyo, with over 13,000 employees worldwide.

For more information, visit: http://global.rakuten.com/corp/

About Fablic, inc.
Fablic, inc., established in April 2012, is a provider of FRIL, a C2C flea market app focused on the fashion and beauty product genres, and RIDE, a motorcycle flea market app. Fablic enjoys a strong reputation from various platforms as a smartphone app developer. It has a track record of being selected for the yearly Google Play Awards on the Google Play Store, and was the first*1 Japanese app developer to be selected by Google for the Android Developer Story series*2.

For more information, visit: https://fablic.co.jp/company
*1 The first app developer in Japan to be selected for a non-game app
*2 The Android Developer Story selection video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZqzvs-AXYA

Source: Rakuten, Inc.

 

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The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. enhances its omni-channel capabilities with company-wide launch of “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” service

MILWAUKEE, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:BONT), which operates Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Bergner’s, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers stores, announced that is has launched a “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” service for its customers.  Shoppers on the company’s seven websites can now see in-store availability of all merchandise and select which items they wish to pick up in-store and which ones they wish to have shipped directly them.   Customers can then conveniently pick up selected items at their preferred store location, taking advantage of our dedicated service centers for no additional fee.  The service is available in all product categories, including apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics and soft and hard home goods.

To ensure exceptional service to customers, Bon-Ton tested the program for several months in its Milwaukee market before launching “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” company-wide.

“We continue to enhance our company’s omni-channel capabilities to better serve our customers,” said Kathryn Bufano, president and CEO for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store, will make shopping easier and more convenient for our customers.”

After placing an order, customers receive an email, or optional text, confirming the order is ready for pick-up.  With Bon-Ton’s four-hour processing standard, shoppers can enjoy the flexibility of placing an order in the morning and having it ready to pick-up over the lunch hour, after work or between errands. “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” furthers the company’s omni-channel strategy by offering customers another convenient shopping alternative.

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 267 stores, which includes 9 furniture galleries and four clearance centers, in 26 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Bergner’s, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates.  The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings.  The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. is an active and positive participant in the communities it serves.

For store locations and information visit bonton.com. Join the conversation and be inspired by following Bon-Ton on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and the fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog, #LoveStyle.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Christine Hojnacki
414-347-5329
christine.hojnacki@bonton.com

Source: The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc./GLOBE NEWSWIRE

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Ross Stores to present at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference on September 7-8, 2016

DUBLIN, Calif., 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) announced today (Sept. 1, 2016) that it will participate in the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference to be held in New York on September 7-8, 2016.

Management’s presentation is scheduled at approximately 11:20 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, September 8, 2016. A live audio webcast will be available at www.rossstores.com. To access the webcast, go to the Investors section, click on the icon, and follow the instructions. A replay will be available after the presentation at the same website address.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding expected sales, earnings levels and other financial results in future periods that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. The words “plan,” “expect,” “target,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “projected,” “guidance,” “looking ahead” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Dress for Less® (“Ross”) and dd’s DISCOUNTS® include without limitation, competitive pressures in the apparel or home-related merchandise retailing industry; changes in the level of consumer spending on or preferences for apparel or home-related merchandise; market availability, quantity, and quality of attractive brand name merchandise at desirable discounts and our buyers’ ability to purchase merchandise that enables us to offer customers a wide assortment of merchandise at competitive prices; impacts from the macro-economic environment, financial and credit markets, and geopolitical conditions that affect consumer confidence and consumer disposable income; our ability to continually attract, train and retain associates to execute our off-price strategies; unseasonable weather trends; potential data security breaches, including cyber-attacks on our transaction processing and computer information systems, which could result in theft or unauthorized disclosure of customer, credit card, employee, or other private and valuable information that we handle in the ordinary course of our business – such breaches of our data security, or our failure or delay in detecting and mitigating a loss of personal or business information, could result in damage to our reputation, loss of customer confidence, violation (or alleged violation) of applicable laws, and could expose us to civil claims, litigation and regulatory action, and to unanticipated costs and disruption of our operations; potential disruptions in our supply chain or information systems; issues involving the quality, safety, or authenticity of products we sell; our ability to effectively manage our inventories, markdowns, and inventory shortage to achieve planned gross margin; volatility in revenues and earnings; an adverse outcome in various legal, regulatory, or tax matters; natural or man-made disaster in California or in another region where we have a concentration of stores or a distribution center; increase in our labor costs; unexpected issues or costs from expanding in existing markets and entering new geographic markets; obtaining acceptable new store sites with favorable demographics; damage to our corporate reputation or brands; issues from importing merchandise from other countries; and maintaining sufficient liquidity to support our continuing operations, new store and distribution center growth plans, and stock repurchase and dividend programs. Other risk factors are set forth in our SEC filings including without limitation, the Form 10-K for fiscal 2015 and Form 10-Q and 8-Ks for fiscal 2016.  The factors underlying our forecasts are dynamic and subject to change.  As a result, our forecasts speak only as of the date they are given and do not necessarily reflect our outlook at any other point in time.  We do not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

Ross Stores, Inc. is an S&P 500, Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Dublin, California, with fiscal 2015 revenues of $11.9 billion.  The Company operates Ross Dress for Less® (“Ross”), the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States with 1,317 locations in 34 states, the District of Columbia and Guam as of July 30, 2016. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 60% off department and specialty store regular prices every day. The Company also operates 184 dd’s DISCOUNTS® in 14 states as of July 30, 2016 that feature a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 70% off moderate department and discount store regular prices every day. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.

Contact:

Michael Hartshorn
Group Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(925) 965-4503

Connie Kao
Vice President, Investor Relations
(925) 965-4668
connie.kao@ros.com

SOURCE: Ross Stores, Inc.

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Kroger releases new video ‘Journey of the Roses’ to mark its 29th year of providing Kentucky Derby’s annual Garland of Roses

CINCINNATI, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — In celebration of The Kroger Co.’s (NYSE: KR) 29-year history of providing the Kentucky Derby’s annual Garland of Roses, the company released a new video that showcases the ‘Journey of the Roses’ – from a Rainforest Alliance-certified grower in Bogota, Columbia to the Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs– and highlights the humanity and passion embedded in every step along the way.

Click here to watch the Journey of the Roses.

“We are committed to conscientiously driving sustainability and innovation into our supply chain,” said Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, Kroger’s director of sustainability. “We are honored to support the Kentucky Derby, and our partnerships with the Rainforest Alliance and Passion Growers ensure that the flowers used to create the iconic Garland of Roses are produced responsibly.”

Kroger supplier Passion Growers produces the “Freedom” roses featured in the garland on their farm in Bogota, Columbia. The roses – which are Rainforest Alliance certified based on Passion Growers’ ongoing commitment to their employees and a sustainable environment – are transported directly to Louisville, where a team of master florists stands ready at a local Kroger store to hand-sew more than 400 roses onto the garland. This annual process, which takes place on the eve of the Kentucky Derby, can last up to 12 hours and is open for the public to watch.

The Rainforest Alliance’s widely-regarded, third-party certification process helps ensure millions of acres of working forests and farms are managed according to rigorous sustainability standards. Many items in the Kroger family of stores feature the green frog seal, such as Private Selection Coffees, Private Selection Roses, and Home Sense tissues and other rolled tissue products. Earlier this year, Kroger was honored to receive the Rainforest Alliance’s first-ever Supply Chain Partnership Award for developing a responsible sourcing program for its Home Sense tissue products.

Kroger has been the official florist of the famous garland since 1987. The Kentucky Derby, also referred to as the “Run for the Roses”, is the most famous horse race in America. Filled with history and tradition, the race attracts over 150,000 spectators annually. The Garland of Roses, which is presented to the derby winner, is one of the world’s most-recognized floral arrangements.

Read more about Kroger’s efforts to ensure a responsible and sustainable supply chain in the company’s sustainability report at sustainability.kroger.com.

About Passion Growers
Passion Growers, founded in 2001, is a family-oriented company dedicated to growing and providing the most beautiful and highest-quality roses. Passion Growers’ 200 varieties of roses can be found in more than 5,000 retail and grocery stores around the country, and online under the brand name PassionRoses. Passion Growers support the communities where they live and work through education, donations, community outreach, and provide continuing educational efforts for its employees. Passion Growers farms were voted a Great Place to Work® in Colombia, and it shows in every rose. For more information on PassionRoses visit www.PassionRoses.com.

About Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travellers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

About Kroger
Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 431,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,778 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in addition to our 2,231 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 323 fine jewelry stores, 1,387 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America’s most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

Contacts:
Media:
Keith Dailey
1-513-762-1304

Investors:
Kate Ward
1-513-762-4969

Source: Kroger Co.

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Starbucks adds mobile trucks to three additional campuses this fall

Seattle, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Starbucks is helping college students gear up and fuel up this fall with more mobile trucks on campuses and a collection of coffee and tea merchandise.

Starbucks mobile trucks are rolling to three additional campuses: Rutgers University in New Jersey; Stony Brook University in New York; and Sacramento State in California. The Starbucks mobile trucks first arrived at colleges two years ago to campuses at Arizona State University, James Madison University in Virginia and East Carolina University in North Carolina. A Starbucks mobile truck also serves travelers at the Molly Pitcher rest area on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury, New Jersey.

Related: Starbucks stores perfect for hitting the books

The truck offers a menu of drinks and food nearly identical to what customers would find in their neighborhood Starbucks® stores. The truck can move to various locations on campus throughout the day, making it convenient for students and faculty to grab a snack or beverage. Although hours will vary on each campus, trucks are able to adjust business hours to suit the needs of their customers, in some cases staying open later than a dining hall.

“Between classes, homework, extracurricular activities, jobs and socializing with friends, college students are always on the go,” said Michelle Burns from Starbucks Branded Solutions. “The Starbucks mobile truck is a perfect opportunity to increase the convenience of our offerings and help meet students wherever they are in their busy days.”

Gear Up for Back to School at Starbucks
Send a college student off to campus with coffee and tea gear from Starbucks and Teavana.

School’s in. And so is this sweet new Starbucks Card featuring a cool owl design. At participating stores with a minimum load of $5.

For dorm living, Starbucks VIA® is the fastest, simplest way to make a good cup of coffee or a refreshing iced beverage. Starbucks VIA® Instant Coffee is made with Starbucks 100 percent arabica beans and Starbucks VIA Instant Refreshers™ are made with green, unroasted coffee beans for a delicious energy boost. There’s no equipment required. All that’s needed is hot or cold water, a cup and a spoon or stir stick. Available in Starbucks stores, online, and in grocery stores.

This easy-to-use brewing system regulates flow to allow for the full extraction of coffee flavors with every cup. Available in participating Starbucks stores and online for $9.95. Add a package of Melitta® #2 paper filters, a mug and a pound of coffee as a send-off gift.

Brew the perfect cup of loose-leaf tea every time with the Teavana® Perfectea Maker. Featuring a patented system for straining loose-leaf tea, this sturdy, BPA-free plastic tea maker fits 3.5-inch diameter cups and brews 16 ounces of tea. Available in select Starbucks stores, Teavana stores, and online for $19.95.

Keep beverages hot or cold during a full day of classes with an insulated S’well bottle. This Teavana-exclusive design patterned after old-school composition notebooks and is composed of non-leaching stainless steel. It keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. Available in select Teavana stores.

The Acrylic Travel Coffee Press by Bodum® is an all-in-one coffee maker and travel mug. It is an ingenious solution for brewing coffee or tea on the go, and it’s insulated to keep beverages hot or cold. To use, simply add 3-4 tablespoons of coarse ground coffee, hot water and milk or sweetener. Stir, place the lid with the plunger up, and go. After four minutes, press the plunger down and enjoy. Available online for $19.95.

Media contact:

Global
Phone: 206 318 7100
Email: press@starbucks.com

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Starbucks adds mobile trucks to three additional campuses this fall
Starbucks adds mobile trucks to three additional campuses this fall

 

Source: Starbucks

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Tesco expands its Scan as you Shop service to further 20 stores

Tesco expands its Scan as you Shop service to further 20 stores
Tesco expands its Scan as you Shop service to further 20 stores

 

CHESHUNT, England, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tesco is rolling out its Scan as you Shop service to a further 20 stores in a bid to help customers save time at the checkout.

The Scan as You Shop service allows customers to scan products as they walk round the store, and keep a tally of how much they’re spending.

The trial, which will see Scan as You Shop available at self-service checkouts as well as manned checkouts, will mean the service is now available in nearly 350 stores across the UK – more than any other retailer.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to shop with us. Scan as You Shop is already used by over 600,000 customers every week, and not only saves time at the checkout, it enables customers to track their spend as they go too.

“This new trial will mean more customers than ever before can benefit from the service and check out in a matter of seconds.”

To drive awareness of the scheme, Tesco has introduced a new TV advert about the service.

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

For more information please contact the Tesco Press Office on 01707 918 701

Source: Tesco

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METRO to celebrate inaugural Own Business Day on 11 October 2016

Düsseldorf, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Whether it is the cosy café, the family run bed and breakfast or the hairdresser around the corner – small, privately owned businesses, visited by millions of people every single day, play a crucial role in local communities. To pay tribute to their enduring dedication and recognize their accomplishments, METRO is celebrating a special day worldwide. The inaugural Own Business Day is due to be celebrated in all countries in which the company is active on 11 October 2016 and will draw attention to a great number of small businesses who will launch special offers for the public.

“Every day, millions of independent business owners around the world make our lives more colourful and connected through their essential services and enduring passion. They are one of the key social and economic players in our communities and help sustain the meaningful interaction between us,” said Pieter Boone, CEO of METRO Cash & Carry and member of the Management Board of METRO AG. “METRO strives to be the champion for independent businesses, and we want to express our admiration for these business owners with this special day.”

The inaugural Own Business Day will take place on 11 October 2016 in all countries in which METRO operates, targeting all small businesses including 21 million METRO professional customers. The company intends to establish the day as an annual global event scheduled for every second Tuesday of October. The event strives to provide own businesses with the attention and recognition they deserve and support them in building strong networks with others who share their passion. Leading up to 11 October, the activities surrounding Own Business Day will present a variety of special deals and offers, created by all participating businesses on a dedicated online platform that is open to the public in each country.

“We are convinced that with this global campaign and its diversified activities, an even broader recognition of independent businesses will be promoted and the emotional and operational link between these businesses and the public will be further enhanced,” said Philippe Palazzi, Chief Marketing Officer and Operating Partner of METRO Cash & Carry. In preparation for the event, METRO will provide participating business owners with comprehensive support. The online platform at www.own-business-day.com features the most up-to-date information and a growing number of special offers for the local public. Customized marketing support measures vary from country to country to benefit the participants. In some countries, for example, registered business owners will be able to order merchandising material free of charge, provided by the local METRO subsidiaries, to support their own marketing activities. In others, participants will even have access to regular updates on special deals, workshops and promotion material, including supplier and media cooperation.

During the final month leading up to 11 October, a number of promotional campaigns will be intensively carried out across all countries to stimulate more attention among the targeted business owners and the general public. For example, a series of so-called “pop-up shops” are due to be launched in seven selected cities across Europe and Asia. Here, one restaurant owner will set up a provisional but eye-catching spot at a busy downtown location using the banner of Own Business Day and will promote the upcoming event through tasty food and attention-grabbing activities

METRO employees around the world will be engaged as of the beginning of September in a global “#ownie” campaign, in which they will visit small businesses in their neighbourhood and take a selfie-style picture with the owner to show acknowledgement of the owner’s efforts and achievements. This event underscores the company’s culture of staying in touch with its independent business customers and understanding their needs and challenges.

METRO Cash & Carry is represented in 25 countries with over 750 self-service wholesale stores. With a headcount of about 110,000 employees worldwide, the wholesale company achieved sales of around €30 billion in financial year 2014/15. METRO Cash & Carry is a sales line of METRO GROUP. METRO GROUP is one of the largest and most important international retail companies. In financial year 2014/15, it generated sales of around €59 billion. The company operates over 2,000 stores in 29 countries and has a headcount of more than 220,000 employees. The performance of METRO GROUP is based on the strength of its sales brands that operate independently in their respective market segments: METRO/MAKRO Cash & Carry – the international leader in self-service wholesale; Media Markt and Saturn – the European market leader in consumer electronics retailing; and Real hypermarkets.

For more information, visit www.metrogroup.de

Contact:
METRO AG
Corporate Communications
Metro-Straße 1
40235 Düsseldorf

Phone +49 (0) 211 68 86-42 52
Fax +49 (0) 211 68 86-20 01

www.metrogroup.de
presse@metro.de
@Metro_Comms

Source: Metro Group

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J Sainsbury plc successfully completed acquisition of Argos and Habitat owner, Home Retail Group plc

London, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — J Sainsbury plc today (02 September 2016) announces that is has successfully completed its acquisition of Home Retail Group plc – the owner of Argos and Habitat.

Mike Coupe, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “We are delighted our acquisition of Home Retail Group is now complete. The combination of Sainsbury’s and Home Retail Group creates one of the UK’s largest food and non–food retailers, offering customers over 90,000 products in over 2,000 stores and across market leading digital channels, employing 195,000 colleagues across the UK and Ireland. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues and customers from Monday and our focus, as always, is on delivering excellent customer service.”

John Rogers, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s Argos, added: “The way people shop is changing – customers expect choice, convenience, flexibility, fast delivery and to shop whenever and wherever they want. I am excited about leading the newly formed Sainsburys Argos management team. Our customers will benefit from great quality products and services and fast delivery networks, so whether customers want home delivery, Click & Collect or to visit our stores, we will make it easy and convenient for them.”

Press Enquiries please contact: press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 020 7695 7295.

Source: Sainsbury

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Sainsbury’s launches new women’s clothing collection – Tu Premium

Sainsbury’s launches new women’s clothing collection - Tu Premium
Sainsbury’s launches new women’s clothing collection – Tu Premium

 

LONDON, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — On 6 September, Sainsbury’s launches a new women’s clothing collection – Tu Premium. The quality and styling of the collection will rival Hobbs, L.K. Bennett and Whistles but with a key difference – significantly lower prices that start at £12 rising to £50 for a wool blend wrap coat.

  • Sainsbury’s launches TU PREMIUM clothing range for women – in stores and available online Tuesday 6 September
  • Part of the retailer’s strategy to grow its non-food business, maximize retail space and offer customers more choice across quality products that are great value
  • 65% of people in the UK buy clothes in supermarkets

Shopping for clothes in supermarkets has become firmly established.   Last year, over 35 million Sainsbury’s baskets contained clothing, helping the retailer become the UK’s sixth largest clothing retailer by volume (Kantar),  selling more clothing than John Lewis, H&M, New Look and Debenhams.

The UK clothing market is worth £35.7bn, and 65% of people now buy clothes in supermarkets.  In fact, £1 in every £10 spent on clothing, footwear or accessories is in a supermarket (Kantar).  Sainsbury’s clothing turnover is approaching £1bn and it is one of the company’s biggest areas of growth.

The Tu Premium collection takes its inspiration from the catwalk, but with significantly lower prices.  The range includes daywear, outerwear and footwear, and ‘Hero’ pieces include Wool blend wrap coat £50; silk shirt £30; leather ankle boots £50.  It will be available in 160 stores across the UK and online.

Sainsbury’s Director of non-food trading, James Brown, said, “Shopping for clothing in supermarkets has become firmly established, and our strategy of offering customers high street style at supermarket prices in an attractive, department store-style setting has helped us to increase our market share.  Our customers recognize quality and great value and they want to buy clothes with classic styling and upgraded fabrics from us.”

Press Enquiries please contact: press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 020 7695 7295.

Source: Sainsbury

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Lowe’s to webcast presentation by Robert Niblock and Bob Hull at the Goldman Sachs 23rd Annual Global Retailing Conference

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) announces that Robert A. Niblock, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, and Robert F. Hull, Jr., chief financial officer, will present at the Goldman Sachs 23rd Annual Global Retailing Conference in New York, NY.

What: Presentation by Robert Niblock and Bob Hull at the Goldman Sachs 23rd Annual Global Retailing Conference in New York, NY

When: 1:40 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, September 8, 2016

Where: http://www.Lowes.com/investor

Click on Webcasts and then Lowe’s Companies, Inc. at Goldman Sachs 2016 Global Retailing Conference

How: Live over the internet – the archived webcast will be available until December 7, 2016

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2015 sales of $59.1 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,355 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 285,000 employees. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

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

For customer inquiries: 1-800-445-6937

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Morrisons announces price cut on essential meat and poultry products

Bradford, England, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — This week, Morrisons will cut the price of essential meat and poultry products by 12 per cent, to help families bring meat back to the dinner table this autumn.

  • Price cuts on ham and other cooked meats will also help families whose children will be returning to school with packed lunches this week.
  • The reductions in meat prices come as new research shows that families are eating more roasts mid-week. i The cuts are aimed at helping them eat meat more affordably.
  • The prices of nearly 130 top selling cooked meat, fresh meat and poultry products are being reduced along with more than 30 fruit & veg lines.
  • Andy Atkinson, Morrisons Customer and Marketing Director, said: “Meat is one of the priciest items in families’ shopping baskets and as kids go back to school the cost of packed lunches is an added cost. “We’re a British company, making our own ham and buying our own cattle here in Britain. By doing this efficiently ourselves we can pass much-needed savings on to customers.”
  • Example price cuts per product

The cuts form part of Morrisons latest ‘Price Crunch’, a rolling programme of lower prices, typically lasting a minimum of three months. To date this year, the grocer has reduced the prices of over 4,435 products.

For all media enquiries call: 0845 611 5111

Source: Morrisons Group

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SM Investments Corporation named one of the best managed companies by Hong Kong-based magazine Alpha Southeast Asia

SM Investments Corporation named one of the best managed companies by Hong Kong-based magazine Alpha Southeast Asia
SM Investments Corporation named one of the best managed companies by Hong Kong-based magazine Alpha Southeast Asia

 

Pasay City, Philippines, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Hong Kong-based magazine Alpha Southeast Asia named SM Investments Corporation (SM) as one of the best managed companies in the country in a recent poll among investors and analysts in Southeast Asia.

SM bagged a total of four awards including Best Chief Finance Officer for SM Executive Vice President and CFO Jose T. Sio for the fifth consecutive year.

SM also clinched Most Organised Investor Relations for the sixth straight year and Best Senior Management IR Support for the fourth consecutive year. SM was cited for Strongest Adherence to Corporate Governance.

The awards were gathered from an annual poll conducted between February and June 2016 among 507 investors, pension funds, hedge funds, equity and fixed income brokers and analysts with investment interests in the Southeast Asia region. Listed-companies in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia were ranked according to investors’ perceptions of their performance in financial management, corporate governance, integrated reporting/ corporate social responsibility and investor relations’ strategy.

The awards presentation for the Philippine winners was held on September 1, 2016 at the Conrad Centennial Singapore.

Alpha Southeast Asia is a monthly magazine primarily written for institutional investors, asset and fund management companies in Hong Kong, Singapore, other parts of Asia, US, Europe and the Middle East. The magazine also has a strong following among the region’s largest local corporates.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Corazon P. Guidote
Senior Vice President for Investor Relations
SM Investments Corporation
E-mail: cora.guidote@sminvestments.com
Tel. No. (632) 857-0117
www.sminvestments.com

Source: SM Investments Corporation

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Defense Commissary Agency observes Food Safety Month with food safety tips from experts

FORT LEE, Va., 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — When it comes to food safety, a few simple precautions at home could prevent a trip to the emergency room, Defense Commissary Agency officials say.

“Commissary patrons have just as important a role to play in protecting themselves from foodborne illnesses as our food safety inspectors,” said Chris Wicker, a public health advisor at DeCA headquarters. “Simple actions can go far at home, whether it’s keeping your hands and food preparation surfaces clean or not leaving food out unrefrigerated after the meal is over.”

In observance of Food Safety Month, DeCA is reminding its patrons to use the “Be Food Safe” guidelines when they handle their groceries from the store to their kitchen table.

The consequences of ignoring food safety at home can be potentially fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000 die of foodborne illnesses each year.

“You cannot take a day off when it comes to food safety,” Wicker said. “We formally track proper food handling techniques from the farm to the supplier and on to the store. But once they leave the store, consumers must be vigilant, too.”

The “Be Food Safe” message is simple: clean, separate, cook and chill. The Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Food Safety Inspection Service recommend the following safe handling techniques:

Clean

  • Wash hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat, poultry or seafood.
  • Wash utensils, cutting boards, dishes and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to prepare the next item.
  • Food contact surfaces can be sanitized with a freshly made solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water.

Separate

  • Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods in your grocery shopping cart and in your refrigerator.
  • If possible, use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry and seafood.
  • Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.

Cook

  • Cook poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 F as measured with a food thermometer.

Chill

  • Chill food promptly and properly. Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods and leftovers within two hours (or one hour if temperatures are above 90 F).

Wicker said cross contamination along with failure to maintain proper temperatures of foods are leading causes of food borne illness – even on the trip home from the commissary.

“It’s always important to keep different perishable foods separate and that means paying attention to where they are in the car,” he said. “It also means bringing along a cooler if you’re transporting groceries that could spoil during a long trip.”

A few more tips for handling food safely can be found at HomeFoodSafety:

  • Use hand sanitizer to wipe hands and the handle of the shopping cart.
  • Clean hands before sampling food. Either bring moist towelettes or carry a bottle of hand sanitizer to use before you taste.
  • If you use reusable grocery bags, wash them often.
  • Check food packages for holes, tears or openings. Frozen foods should be solid with no signs of thawing.
  • Check for a loose lid on jars whose seals seem tampered with or damaged. Report a defective cap to the store manager.
  • Avoid buying cans that are deeply dented, bulging, rusting or have a dent on either the top or side seam.
  • Use plastic bags to separate raw meat, poultry and seafood before placing them in your cart to avoid contaminating ready-to-eat foods like bread or produce.
  • When shopping, select perishable foods last before checkout and group them together.
  • Take groceries home immediately and store them right away. If on an extended trip, bring a cooler with chill packs for perishable foods. Perishable foods must be refrigerated within two hours and only one hour if it is over 90 F outside.
  • Keep perishable foods out of the hot trunk in summer and place in the air-conditioned car instead.

For more food safety information, visit the Food Recalls page. You can also visit the Links page to see a list of websites on the latest health and safety reports and information from other agencies.

To find the latest food safety alerts and product recalls affecting military commissaries, visit http://www.commissaries.com and click on the “Food & Product Recalls” box on the front page.

For more food handling techniques, go to Food Safety – Start at the Store.

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit and make no profit on the sale of merchandise. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. By shopping regularly in the commissary, patrons save thousands of dollars annually. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.

Media Contact:
Kevin L. Robinson
(804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773
kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Source: Commissary

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Chick-fil-A® thanks Chick-fil-A One™ mobile app users with free breakfast reward this month

Chick-fil-A® thanks Chick-fil-A One™ mobile app users with free breakfast reward this month
Chick-fil-A® thanks Chick-fil-A One™ mobile app users with free breakfast reward this month

 

ATLANTA , 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — To thank users for making the new Chick-fil-A One™ mobile app one of the top downloaded apps following its June launch and help ease customers into the ”back to school” season, Chick-fil-A® is offering app users a free breakfast reward this month. Through Sept. 10, Chick-fil-A customers who already have a Chick-fil-A One account or download the app and create a new account will receive a free breakfast item. Options available are a Chicken Biscuit, three-count Chick-n-Minis or Chick-fil-A’s new grilled chicken breakfast sandwich, the Egg White Grill. Guests will have until Sept. 30 to redeem the offer.

“We know our customers are busy, and life gets even busier for families when kids head back to school,” said Michael Lage, senior manager of digital experience for Chick-fil-A. “Chick-fil-A One is all about making our customers’ experience even faster, more convenient and more personal than ever before. The best part is that through Chick-fil-A One, we’re able to say ‘thank you’ by surprising guests with their choice of a free breakfast when they’re in a hurry, and they can choose from one of our classic menu favorites like a Chicken Biscuit, or try something new on us.”

According to a recent survey, more than three-quarters of millennial parents (77 percent), including more than four-fifths of dads (82 percent), said they are often on the run.[1]  Three in five millennial parents (60 percent) said if they had an extra 15 minutes in a day, they would spend that time with family.

“Chick-fil-A One allows busy customers to get some time back in their day, by allowing them to customize and place a mobile order before arriving at the restaurant, then bypass the line inside the restaurant to pick up the order,” said Lage.

Chick-fil-A One launched on June 1, 2016, and was downloaded more than two million times in the first three days, ranking it as the No. 1 free app in the Apple App Store during that time, ahead of Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. As of July 2, Chick-fil-A One had reached more than five million downloads.

Starting this month, Chick-fil-A is now offering a few new ways to pay electronically. Customers may wirelessly tap and pay from their phones to use Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay independent of the Chick-fil-A One app. Within the app, Apple Pay and Android Pay can be used to add funds to a Chick-fil-A One Card.

Chick-fil-A launched the first version of its app in 2012. The company began piloting mobile ordering in 2013. All Chick-fil-A One users also have access to nutrition and allergen information and a restaurant locator.

[1] Survey was commissioned by Chick-fil-A and conducted by research firm, Russell Research.

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

Chick-fil-A system sales exceeded $6 billion in 2015, which marks 48 consecutive years of sales growth. Chick-fil-A earned a top spot in the 2016 Customer Service Hall of Fame for the third year in a row and is the only quick service restaurant to make the top five of the Customer Service Hall of Fame. The company was also the only restaurant brand named to the Top 10 “Best Companies to Work For” by 24/7 Wall Street. More information on Chick-fil-A is available on the chain’s website located at www.chick-fil-a.com.

Contact:

Chick-fil-A, Inc. Media Relations
Hotline: (800) 404-7196
Email: cfapressroom@chick-fil-a.com
Twitter: @ChickfilANews

Source: Chick-fil-A

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Harris Teeter kicks-off Hunger Action Month with Titan Farms’ fourth annual Peaches with a Purpose program

Harris Teeter kicks-off Hunger Action Month with Titan Farms’ fourth annual Peaches with a Purpose program
Harris Teeter kicks-off Hunger Action Month with Titan Farms’ fourth annual Peaches with a Purpose program

 

Mathews. NC,, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — To kick-off Hunger Action Month, Harris Teeter and Titan Farms donated approximately 36,000 pounds of peaches to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. This donation was made possible thanks to Titan Farms’ fourth annual Peaches with a Purpose program.

Titan Farms, the largest peach grower on the east coast, created Peaches with a Purpose to help feed the under-served while bringing attention to the problem of food insecurity. At the end of the program which took place in August throughout all North Carolina Harris Teeter locations, the company along with Titan Farms donated a percentage of all peaches purchased to the two food banks.

“On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of children, seniors and families who struggle daily with hunger in our region, we want to thank Harris Teeter and Titan Farms for their commitment to help end hunger,” said Kay Carter, chief executive officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. “Produce is an item that those living in poverty can least afford but need as part of a healthy diet.  We are very grateful for this support.”

“We know that many people seeking food assistance from our network are struggling with health issues,” said Clyde Fitzgerald, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC. “This fact makes donations like this one from Titan Farms and Harris Teeter all the more important. Together, we’re doing more than providing calories. We’re supporting healthy communities. We’re grateful to both companies for their on-going support and this exciting launch to Hunger Action Month.”

“We want to thank Titan Farms for supporting local hunger relief efforts and for allowing us to consistently be a part of this program,” said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Harris Teeter. “Fresh produce is scarce in food banks across the country, and we are happy to be able to contribute nutritious items to those in need.”

“As leaders in the produce industry, we at Titan Farms feel a responsibility to get fresh produce into the hands of those in need,” said Chalmers Carr, president of Titan Farms. “We are proud to collaborate with Harris Teeter for a fourth year in providing North Carolina families with our fresh peaches.”

The food banks began distributing these peaches to schools and other populations immediately following the donations.

Harris Teeter and Titan Farms would like to offer a special thanks to Salem Produce, LLC for helping transport the donated product.

About Titan Farms
Based in Ridge Spring, South Carolina, Titan Farms is the premier grower, packer and shipper of over 3 million boxes of fresh peaches, broccoli and bell peppers annually. Titan Farms recognizes the importance of sustainable agriculture practices, and uses them to benefit America’s consumers and to protect our country’s precious natural resources. The team at Titan Farms has an extraordinary commitment to providing only the safest, highest-quality produce for their customers. Titan Farms brings modern farming and old fashion values together to put the highest-quality fruits and vegetables on your table.

Source: Harris Teeter

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IFC teams up with Levi Strauss & Co to develop global program aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability

Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has partnered with Levi Strauss & Co (LS&Co), a leading jeans wear manufacturer, to develop a global program aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability.

The program will be built on the extensive experience of IFC’s Bangladesh Partnership for Cleaner Textile (PaCT) program focusing on offering advice on how to organize cleaner production practices in more than 165 textile factories in Bangladesh. This will be the first time that the IFC PaCT program will be implemented outside of Bangladesh.

Initially, a pilot is planned in six facilities in four countries comprising Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

“We are pleased to be the first IFC partner to pilot its PaCT program in additional countries. Our goal is to scale the practices globally to achieve greater reductions in water, energy and chemical use across our supply chain,” said Michael Kobori, vice president of sustainability, LS&Co.

The global textile sector faces critical environmental challenges associated with water, energy and chemical uses that leave a large footprint in the world’s ecosystem. The implementation of cleaner production measures can reduce the use of natural resources, mitigate threats to humans and the environment, and promote greater overall efficiency through improved production practices.

Simple and low-cost measures could reduce water use by up to 20% in the factories and lead to savings in future infrastructure and operational expenditure for the factories.

Mohan Seneviratne, IFC Program Manager for PaCT, said, “The global textiles sector makes strong contributions to the economies of several countries, creates jobs, especially for women, and has pioneered implementing climate-friendly environmental sustainable practices. In Bangladesh, IFC is providing both investment and advisory support and working along with other stakeholders, to help the garments sector become globally competitive and safe for its employees. We are delighted that IFC’s PaCT program focused on implementing water- and energy-efficiency best practices, is partnering with Levi Strauss & Co, to develop this global environmental sustainability program.”

PaCT aims to help LS&Co. reach this goal through Cleaner Production Assessments and PaCT Advantage, a web-based diagnostic process to develop a roadmap for continuous improvement by suppliers. The results of the PaCT Advantage diagnostics can then be benchmarked across sites and countries.

IFC promotes sustainable growth and private sector development in Bangladesh by investing in critical infrastructure; boosting financial inclusion; enhancing textiles competitiveness and supporting reforms to make doing business easier for private sector. IFC committed $635 m in Bangladesh, in own and mobilized funds across 13 projects, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. IFC’s committed portfolio in Bangladesh as of that date was about $1 billion in 47 projects.

About Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in jeans-wear. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and a global footprint of approximately 2,800 retail stores and shop-in-shops. Levi Strauss & Co.’s reported fiscal 2015 net revenues were $4.5 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com.

About Bangladesh PaCT
Bangladesh PaCT is playing a leading role in driving the long-term competitiveness and environmental sustainability of the textile wet processing sector, by addressing high water, energy, and chemical use through the adoption of best practices in the textile sector. For more: http://www.textilepact.net/aboutus/what-is-pact.html

About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our six decades of experience to create opportunity where it’s needed most. In FY16, our long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $19 billion, leveraging our capital, expertise and influence to help the private sector end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

Stay Connected:
www.ifc.org/southasia
www.facebook.com/IFCsouthasia
www.twitter.com/IFC_SouthAsia
www.facebook.com/IFCwbg www.twitter.com/IFC_org
www.youtube.com/IFCvideocasts
www.ifc.org/SocialMediaIndex
www.instagram.com\ifc_org

Contact:

In New Delhi:
Minakshi Seth
Phone: +91 11 4111 1000
E-mail: MSeth@ifc.org

In Dhaka:
Towheed Feroze
Phone: +88 028833755
E-mail: Tferoze@ifc.org

Source: IFC

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Rakuten Card introduces Rakuten Gold Card

Rakuten Card introduces Rakuten Gold Card
Rakuten Card introduces Rakuten Gold Card

 

Tokyo, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Rakuten Card Co., Ltd. today (September 1, 2016) announced that it will begin accepting applications for and issuing the Rakuten Gold Card, a gold card with an accessibly-priced 2,000 yen (excluding tax) annual membership fee, starting September 1, 2016.

When the Rakuten Gold Card is used for purchases on Rakuten Ichiba*1, cardholders will be awarded five times the amount of Rakuten Super Points (normally one point per 100 yen). Additionally, the Gold Card also allows cardholders to use airport lounges at 28 major domestic airports and two airports overseas*2 free of charge.

Among Rakuten Ichiba users who find points appealing and make frequent purchases to accumulate large quantities of Rakuten Super Points (Platinum members and Gold members), 34% did not own a Rakuten Card*3. Furthermore, 37.4% of users said their motivation for getting a credit card was that they “want to use the lounge services at airports.” This led Rakuten Card to issue a gold card with an accessibly-priced annual membership fee that also comes with a high Rakuten Super Points reward rate and access to lounge services at major domestic airports and two airports overseas.

In the future, Rakuten Card will also seek to further enhance customer satisfaction by meeting users’ needs and ensuring that all users can use credit cards safely and with peace of mind.

*1 The Super Point Up Program is currently being held on Rakuten Ichiba (as of September 1, 2016).
In addition to the normal allocation of points (one point per 100 yen), an additional three times the amount of Rakuten Super Points can be earned by using a Rakuten Card, an additional single allocation of points can be earned by using a Rakuten Gold Card or Rakuten Premium Card, an additional single allocation of points can be earned by shopping via the Rakuten Ichiba app, and an additional single allocation of points can be earned by using Rakuten Mobile. Thus, if all the services are combined, up to seven times the usual amount of points can be earned.

*2 Honolulu International Airport (Hawaii, U.S.); Incheon International Airport (Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea)

*3 Reference: FY2016 First Quarter Consolidated Financial Results
For member rank details, see: https://point.rakuten.co.jp/guidance/rankkeep/

・Name: Rakuten Gold Card

・URL: http://www.rakuten-card.co.jp/card/rakuten-gold-card/

・Application / issuance date: September 1, 2016

・Eligible age for applying: 20 years old and above *Based on the Rakuten Gold Card’s independent screening criteria

・Issuance features: A gold card with a 2,000 yen (excluding tax) annual membership fee. Five times the amount of normal Rakuten Super Points (one point per 100 yen) will be awarded on Rakuten Ichiba purchases*1. Additionally, cardholders will be able to use the airport lounges at major domestic airports, Honolulu International Airport (Hawaii), and Incheon International Airport (South Korea), free of charge.

Source: Rakuten

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The Arcadian hosts late summer festival weekends throughout September

Birmingham, United Kingdom, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Arcadian is hosting late summer festival weekends throughout September, with a host of DJ’s playing at the leading Birmingham leisure venue.

The festival will see DJs, including Jamie George, Pete Graham, and Marc Spence – who regularly play in the city, take to the decks in the central piazza each Saturday from 3 pm until September 24.

As part of the festival, participating centre’s clubs, bars and restaurants will have special offers for revellers, including two-for-one cocktails.

Lina Higuita, centre manager at The Arcadian, which is owned and managed by London & Cambridge Properties (LCP), said: “We’re hanging on to the summer vibe throughout September with our festival. Many of the centre’s leisure venues are taking part with tempting offers and events every Saturday.

“The Arcadian is always a vibrant venue in the city centre and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone throughout September.”

Contact:

Tel: 020 7233 5255
Fax: 020 7233 5266

Source: London & Cambridge Properties

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InvenTrust Properties Corp. acquires Windward Commons a Kroger-anchored retail center in Alpharetta, GA

OAK BROOK, Ill., 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — InvenTrust Properties Corp. (“InvenTrust or “the Company”) today (09/01/2016) announced that it has acquired Windward Commons, a 99% occupied, 117,234 square foot Kroger-anchored retail center in Alpharetta, GA, for $27.65 million.

“We are excited to announce the acquisition of Windward Commons, a premier retail center in one of the nation’s fastest-growing MSAs, anchored by the nation’s largest grocer,” said Michael E. Podboy, Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer of InvenTrust. “Windward Commons represents an attractive opportunity for InvenTrust to increase its presence in an affluent submarket location with favorable job, population and income demographics.”

Christopher Covey, Senior Vice President of Transactions, added, “Windward Commons is located at one of the area’s busiest intersections on a main thoroughfare connecting downtown Atlanta with the northern suburbs. A stable tenant base and long average tenant duration are added benefits of this property. The acquisition of Windward Commons is an exciting opportunity that we anticipate will drive long term value for our investors.”

Windward Commons is located approximately 29 miles north of Atlanta’s central business district. The retail center is anchored by Kroger with other tenants including Hallmark, Roasters and Ippolito’s Italian Restaurant.

ABOUT INVENTRUST PROPERTIES CORP.
InvenTrust Properties Corp. is a pure-play retail company with a focus on acquiring open-air centers with a disciplined approach, in key growth markets with favorable demographics. This acquisition strategy, along with our innovative and collaborative property management approach, ensures the success of both our tenants and business partners and drives net operating income growth for the Company. InvenTrust became a self-managed real estate investment trust in 2014 and, as of June 30, 2016, is an owner and manager of 91 multi-tenant retail properties, comprising 15.7 million square feet of retail space.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
Forward-looking statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, including statements regarding management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations, representation, plans or predictions of the future and are typically identified by words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, our ability to integrate and successfully operate acquired properties and the risks associated with such properties. For further discussion of factors that could materially affect the outcome of our forward-looking statements and our future results and financial condition, see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as may be required by applicable law. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Contact:
Dan Lombardo
630-570-0605
dan.lombardo@InvenTrustProperties.com

Source: InvenTrust Properties Corp.

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NCR Corporation recognized by the Industrial Designers Society of America for the 2016 Industrial Design Excellence Awards

DULUTH, Ga., 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), a global leader in omni-channel solutions, today (September 1, 2016) announced that its products have been recognized by the Industrial Designers Society of America for the 2016 Industrial Design Excellence Awards.

NCR’s self-service product designs were honored as finalists in the Commercial and Industrial Products category and the Computer Equipment category. The International Design Excellence Awards—also known as IDEA®—is a premier international design competition sponsored annually by the Industrial Designers Society of America and judged by renowned design experts from around the world.

“Being selected as a finalist demonstrates NCR’s continued focus on innovation, design-thinking and the user experience,” said Bob Ciminera, SVP of Hardware Product Operations, NCR. “NCR competed against other industry leaders in product design in all global sectors and being recognized by this prestigious organization shows that our strategies and commitment to design provide our customers with further value and differentiation.”

NCR has been redesigning its products to enable a better user experience. Gone are the grey plastics traditionally used, to be replaced with black glass and other sleek materials. NCR’s growing omni-channel offerings include innovative products that provide reliable, secure, easy-to-use, and cost-effective solutions that are industry hardened to create competitive advantages and personalized user experiences consistent across multiple channels from financial services and retail to hospitality and travel.

NCR’s hardware solutions are driven by powerful software and services offerings that facilitate digital transformation and omni-channel consumer interactions.

NCR recently launched its Innovation Lab, a brand new research and development hub, which will focus on cross-functional research, innovation, and design-thinking. The NCR Innovation Lab will bring together NCR’s R&D teams with its global innovation labs to drive a unified omni-channel focus and build upon NCR’s position as a leader in the digitally connected economy.

About the Awards:
The judging criteria is based on the following for design excellence and a winning design meets most of these criteria in a positive manner: Design Innovation; Benefit to the User; Benefit to the Client; Benefit to Society and; Appropriate Aesthetics.

Founded in 1965, the nonprofit Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is one of the oldest and largest membership associations for industrial design professionals. IDSA has thousands of members in dozens of Student Chapters, Professional Chapters and Special Interest Sections in the United States and internationally.

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

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with over 30,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Web Site: www.ncr.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

Contacts:
NCR Corporation
Public Relations:
Erin Farrell Talbot
917-232-9309
erin.farrell-talbot@ncr.com

Source: NCR Corporation

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USDA FSIS issues food safety tips for areas impacted by Hurricane Hermine

WASHINGTON, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing food safety recommendations for those who may be impacted by Hurricane Hermine.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Watch for Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina as Hermine churns in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

These types of weather forecasts present the possibility of power outages that could compromise the safety of stored food. Residents in the region should pay close attention to the forecast through the weekend. Be aware that flooding from heavy rain, damaging winds, and tidal flooding is possible.

FSIS recommends that consumers take the following steps to reduce the risk of foodborne illness during severe weather events.

Steps to follow in advance of losing power:

  • Keep appliance thermometers in both the refrigerator and the freezer to ensure temperatures remain food safe during a power outage. Safe temperatures are 40°F or lower in the refrigerator, 0°F or lower in the freezer.
  • Freeze water in one-quart plastic storage bags or small containers prior to a storm. These containers are small enough to fit around the food in the refrigerator and freezer to help keep food cold. Remember, water expands when it freezes so don’t overfill the containers.
  • Freeze refrigerated items, such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately—this helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
  • Know where you can get dry ice or block ice.
  • Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours.
  • Group foods together in the freezer—this ‘igloo’ effect helps the food stay cold longer.
  • Keep a few days’ worth of ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or cooling.

Steps to follow if the power goes out:

  • Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if the door is kept closed. A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).
  • Place meat and poultry to one side of the freezer or on a tray to prevent cross contamination of thawing juices.
  • Use dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible during an extended power outage. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep a fully-stocked 18-cubic-feet freezer cold for two days.

Steps to follow after a weather emergency:

  • Check the temperature inside of your refrigerator and freezer. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.
  • Check each item separately. Throw out any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture or feels warm to the touch.
  • Check frozen food for ice crystals. The food in your freezer that partially or completely thawed may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 40°F or below.
  • Never taste a food to decide if it’s safe.
  • When in doubt, throw it out.

Food Safety After a Flood

  • Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water – this would include raw fruits and vegetables, cartons of milk or eggs.
  • Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. Food containers that are not waterproof include those packaged in plastic wrap or cardboard, or those with screw‐caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps. Flood waters can enter into any of these containers and contaminate the food inside. Also, discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home canned foods if they have come in contact with flood water, because they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
  • Inspect canned foods and discard any food in damaged cans. Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting, or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel‐type can opener.

At FoodSafety.gov, you will find a list of foods that should be discarded if a refrigerator has been held at a temperature above 40 °F for more than two hours:

Refrigerated perishable foods that should be discarded:

  • Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy meat substitutes
  • Thawing meat or poultry
  • Salads: Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, or egg salad
  • Gravy, stuffing, broth
  • Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef
  • Pizza – with any topping
  • Canned hams labeled “Keep Refrigerated”
  • Canned meats and fish, opened
  • Casseroles, soups, stews
  • Soft Cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey
  • Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso fresco
  • Shredded Cheeses
  • Low-fat Cheeses
  • Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milk
  • Baby formula, opened
  • Fresh eggs, hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products
  • Custards and puddings, quiche
  • Fresh fruits, cut
  • Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish (discard if above 50 °F (10 °C) for over 8 hours)
  • Fish sauces, oyster sauce
  • Opened creamy-based dressings
  • Spaghetti sauce, opened jar
  • Refrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie dough
  • Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes
  • Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette
  • Fresh pasta
  • Cheesecake
  • Pastries, cream filled
  • Pies – custard, cheese filled, or chiffon; quiche
  • Vegetables: Greens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packaged
  • Vegetables, cooked; tofu
  • Vegetable juice, opened
  • Baked potatoes
  • Commercial garlic in oil
  • Potato salad
  • Casseroles, soups, stews

FSIS will provide relevant food safety information as the storm progresses from its Twitter feed @USDAFoodSafety and on Facebook at Facebook.com/FoodSafety.gov.

FSIS’ YouTube video “Food Safety During Power Outages” has instructions for keeping frozen and refrigerated food safe. The publication “A Consumer’s Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes” can be downloaded and printed for reference during a power outage. FSIS also has an infographic covering what to do before, during and after a power outage.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov or m.AskKaren.gov on a smartphone. The mobile Ask Karen can also be downloaded from the iTunes and Google Play app stores. Consumers can e-mail, chat with a live representative or call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline directly from the app. To use these features from Mobile Ask Karen, simply choose “Contact Us” from the menu. The live chat option and the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), are available on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET in English and Spanish.

Contact:
Food Safety Education Staff
Press Inquiries:  (202) 720-9113
Consumer Inquiries:  (888) 674-6854

Source: USDA

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Atherstone Foods recalls chicken wrap products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens

WASHINGTON, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Atherstone Foods, a Richmond, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 422 pounds of chicken wrap products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today (Sept. 1, 2016). The product contains soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

The southwestern style white chicken wrap items were produced on August 29, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels(PDF only)]

  • 31.2 oz. packages containing 3 packages of 10.4 oz. “Greens & Grains Southwestern Style White Chicken Wrap with chimichurri sauce” with “Use By” date of 090616.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-34221” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in California.

The problem was discovered by the firm during routine label verification.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Tom Atherstone, President/Owner, at (510) 236-3500.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.

USDA Recall Classifications
Class I This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
Class II This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.
Class III This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.

Contact:
Congressional and Public Affairs
Allie Ryan
Press@fsis.usda.gov
(202) 720-9113

Source: USDA

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Snyder’s-Lance recalls Diamond of California Macadamia Nuts due to a possible Salmonella contamination

St. Louis, MO, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. is initiating a recall of Diamond of California Macadamia Nuts due to a possible Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. There have been no reported illnesses to date.

Schnucks customers are urged to check for:

Diamond of California Macadamia Halves & Pieces

2.25 oz.

UPC: 7045074391

Best before: 16 NOV 2017 and 07 DEC 2017

Customers may return any affected product to their nearest store for a full refund or exchange. Those with questions may call the company at 503-364-0399 or the Schnucks Consumer Affairs department at 314-994-4400 or 1-800-264-4400.

Media Contact:

Paul Simon
314-994-4603
psimon@schnucks.com

Source: Schnucks

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ERWEITERUNG MIGROS-LOGISTIKPLATTFORM: ÖFFENTLICHE AUFLAGE AB 7. SEPTEMBER

ERWEITERUNG MIGROS-LOGISTIKPLATTFORM ÖFFENTLICHE AUFLAGE AB 7. SEPTEMBER
ERWEITERUNG MIGROS-LOGISTIKPLATTFORM ÖFFENTLICHE AUFLAGE AB 7. SEPTEMBER

 

Moosseedorf, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Die Pläne zur Erweiterung der Migros-Logistikplattform in Schönbühl/Moosseedorf gehen in die nächste Runde: Vom 7. September bis am 7. Oktober 2016 liegt das Projekt öffentlich auf. Am 15. September findet ein weiterer öffentlicher Informationsabend statt. Voraussichtlich am 10. Dezember 2016 werden die Stimmberechtigten von Moosseedorf an der Gemeindeversammlung über die nötigen planungsrechtlichen Anpassungen befinden können. Besonderes Augenmerk wird bei der Projektüberarbeitung auf Verkehrsfragen bei der Anlieferung gelegt. Dieses Thema hatte in der Mitwirkung zu Eingaben aus der Nachbarschaft geführt.

Das Verteilzentrum der Genossenschaft Migros Aare in Schönbühl (Gemeinde Moosseedorf) stösst an seine Kapazitätsgrenzen. Deshalb prüft die Migros Möglichkeiten, wie sich die Infrastrukturanlagen erweitern liessen. Eine Machbarkeitsstudie ergab, dass eine Erweiterung am heutigen Standort machbar ist. Allerdings bedingt dies Zonenplan- und Baureglementsänderungen. Die Gemeinde Moosseedorf hat gemeinsam mit der Migros die entsprechenden planerischen Schritte in die Wege geleitet. Nach der Mitwirkung im Frühling erfolgt jetzt die öffentliche Planauflage, ehe das Geschäft am 10. Dezember 2016 der Gemeindeversammlung vorgelegt wird.

Drei Planungsgebiete – eine Neueinzonung
Die vorgesehenen Erweiterungen des Verteilzentrums betreffen drei unterschiedliche Planungsgebiete. Für zwei davon (Moosmatt und Moosbühl) bestehen rechtskräftige Überbauungsordnungen, die jedoch angepasst werden müssen. Es handelt sich einerseits um die bereits heute von der Migros für Verkauf und Logistik genutzten Flächen (u.a. Shoppyland), andererseits um das Gebiet jenseits der Autobahn A6 (Areale Schaerer, Peugeot, südlicher Teil Obi-Fachmarkt). Beim dritten Gebiet (Moosmatt Süd) geht es um eine knapp 1 Hektare grosse Parzelle südlich der Bahnlinie, die heute landwirtschaftlich genutzt wird und deshalb einer Einzonung bedarf.

Problemzone Verkehr
Wie die Mitwirkung gezeigt hat, ist der Erweiterungsbedarf der Migros weitgehend unbestritten. Die fünf Mitwirkungseingaben drehten sich in erster Line um Verkehrsfragen. Um das Verkehrsaufkommen auf eine verlässliche Basis abstützen zu können, hat die Gemeinde eine Verkehrserhebung in Auftrag gegeben. Diese weist auf der Moosbühlkreuzung täglich rund 32‘000 Fahrzeuge aus, davon 2700 Lastwagen. Nur rund 200 dieser LKW-Fahrten stehen in Zusammenhang mit der Migros. Anhand dieser Analysen kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass die Mehrbelastung der Moosbühlkreuzung durch das Erweiterungsprojekt während der Stosszeiten ein bis zwei Prozent betragen wird. Zwischen der Gemeinde und der Migros wird derzeit ein Infrastrukturvertrag ausgehandelt, der die Anzahl LKW-Fahrten tagsüber und nachts reglementiert.

Gemeindeversammlung im Dezember
Die Vorprüfung durch den Kanton, deren Ergebnis der Gemeinde Anfang August zugestellt wurde, fällt grundsätzlich positiv aus. Der Kanton verlangt noch Detailklärungen bei bestehenden oder vorgesehenen Gewässerflächen. Noch vertieft nachzuweisen ist, dass die Strassengeometrie für die Zufahrt mit LKWs tatsächlich ausreichend ist. Nach der öffentlichen Auflage wird der Gemeinderat den Stimmberechtigten die Anpassungen des bestehenden Überbauungsplans, der Überbauungsvorschriften und des Baureglements an der Gemeindeversammlung vom 10. Dezember zur Abstimmung vorlegen.

Info-Abend am 15. September
Am 15. September 2016, 20.00 Uhr, Kirchgemeindehaus Moosstrasse 4, Moosseedorf, laden die Gemeinde Moosseedorf und die Migros zu einem weiteren Informationsabend ein.

Alle Dokumente zur öffentlichen Auflage sind abrufbar unter: www.moosseedorf.ch

Medienkontakt:

Andrea Bauer
Mediensprecherin Migros Aare
058 565 87 08
andrea.bauer@gmaare.migros.ch

Source: Migros

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Starbucks opens its first store in Medellín, Colombia

Starbucks opens its first store in Medellín, Colombia
Starbucks opens its first store in Medellín, Colombia

 

Seattle, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — High in Colombia’s Andes Mountains is the city of Medellín. It’s one of South America’s most beautiful cities, known as the City of the Eternal Spring for its temperate climate and green landscape. The city offers a vibrant mix of old and new, where bold modern architecture stands alongside Romanesque cathedrals and brightly painted homes line cobblestone streets in shades of turquoise, red and yellow. Coffee is grown along its rich hillsides and is both a favorite morning beverage and the final course to a large meal.

Starbucks has opened its first store in the dynamic city, marking its 1,000th store in Latin America since entering Mexico in 2002. The new store, located in Medellín’s Milla de Oro on Poblado Avenue, is designed to honor Colombia’s rich coffee heritage while celebrating the city’s eclectic vibe.

“Starbucks has a deep history with Colombia and its spectacular coffee landscape going back more than four decades,” said Ricardo Rico, vice president for Starbucks operations across Latin America and the Caribbean. “We have since proudly shared Colombia’s finest coffee with billions of people around the world and are truly honored to do the same with customers here in Colombia.”

Since opening its first store Colombia in the capital city of Bogotá in 2014, Starbucks stores in the country have served 100 percent locally sourced and roasted coffee for in-store beverages to honor the country’s coffee heritage and the company’s 45-year history of sourcing premium arabica coffee from the region. Customers can explore different varieties of Colombian coffees including Starbucks single-origin Colombia Nariño, Colombia Espresso, Colombia Espresso Decaf and the medium-roast Colombia coffee.

To mark this historic moment for the brand, Starbucks store design team created an inviting destination for customers with an open, airy and welcoming layout that includes community tables and an outdoor patio.

Hand-painted graphics on columns, by Colombian artist Natalia Penagos, depict the Starbucks Farmer Support Center in Manizales, Colombia, which helps provide local farmers with resources and expertise that can help lower their cost of production, improve coffee quality and increase the yield of premium coffees. The Farmer Support Center is home to agronomists and quality experts who work directly with farmers to provide support in growing high-quality arabica coffee.

Starbucks also worked with a range of local designers to capture the artistic, creative and modern spirit of Medellin. Local furniture company Perceptual designed and manufactured all the furniture in the store while Epifita created a living green wall. Colombian illustrator and artist Catalina Estrada, known for her bold interpretations of nature and Latin American folklore, created a playful custom mural inspired by Medellin’s nickname.

Starbucks Poised for Continued Growth in Colombia
Starbucks expansion to Medellin marks a milestone for the company in Colombia with Alsea, its long-time strategic business partner, which now owns and operates all Starbucks stores in Colombia, Mexico, Chile and Argentina. Starbucks now has 11 stores in Colombia, with plans to grow to 50 stores and 1,000 partners (employees) by 2019.

“With Medellín rapidly emerging as a popular international destination, cafés are becoming a place to work, conduct business or simply connect with one another,” said German Ramirez, managing director for Alsea’s operations in Colombia, including Starbucks. “Our new store in the heart of the city will offer customers a unique Starbucks Experience that fits their lifestyle while honoring the region’s rich coffee heritage and culture.”

In addition to its partnership with Alsea, Starbucks is working with Grupo Nutresa and Colcafe to offer Colombian customers locally sourced and roasted espresso, drip and packaged coffee at Starbucks® stores in Colombia. Grupo Nutresa is one the largest food company in Latin America in terms of market cap and is the leader of the processed foods industry in Colombia, employing more than 37,000 people.

As the largest single purchaser of premium Colombian arabica coffee, Starbucks is committed to the livelihoods of the country’s coffee farmers. In addition to its Farmer Support Center in Manizales, which has benefited more than 70,000 producers in the region, Starbucks is engaged in a public-private partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that is investing $3 million to increase Colombian coffee yields and to enhance economic opportunities for Colombian farmers. The partnership has enabled the Manizales Farmer Support Center to positively impact more than 18,000 coffee farmers in the region. Starbucks also expanded this collaborative program to the Tolima and Antioquia growing regions to benefit up to 10,000 more coffee farmers. Additionally, in the North Cauca region, agronomists at the Farmer Support Center have expanded their work to help more than 1,200 indigenous coffee growers.

The cornerstone of Starbucks approach to sourcing coffee in Colombia and around the world is Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices, one of the coffee industry’s first set of sustainability standards, verified by third-party experts. Developed in collaboration with Conservation International, C.A.F.E. Practices has helped Starbucks create a long-term supply of high-quality coffee and positively impact the lives and livelihoods of coffee farmers and their communities. As a result, more than 99 percent of the coffee Starbucks purchases globally is now verified ethically sourced. Starbucks is the largest coffee retailer to achieve this milestone.

Media contact:

Global
Phone: 206 318 7100
Email: press@starbucks.com

Source: Starbucks

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Starbucks announces return of fall favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte and launch of the new Chile Mocha

Starbucks announces return of fall favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte and launch of the new Chile Mocha
Starbucks announces return of fall favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte and launch of the new Chile Mocha

 

Seattle, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — With the cooler weather setting in soon, Starbucks spices up this autumn with Pumpkin Spice Latte and the new Chile Mocha.

Making its 13th consecutive seasonal debut, Pumpkin Spice Latte (affectionately known as “PSL”) is Starbucks most popular seasonal beverage of all time. The fall favorite is made with pumpkin spice sauce with real pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, clove and nutmeg. It’s handcrafted with espresso and steamed milk, and topped off with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie topping. PSL can also be enjoyed served over ice or as a Frappuccino® blended beverage. And, new this fall, Starbucks customers can try PSL with almondmilk in select U.S. markets.

Although the official fall launch at Starbucks is September 6, PSL fans will be able to order the drink beginning today (September 1). Customers can choose to get an early access code from @TheRealPSL or just stop by a Starbucks store.

Now a global phenomenon, PSL will be available at stores throughout the Northern Hemisphere, in more than 50 countries throughout the Americas and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) regions.

PSL will be joined by the new Chile Mocha, bringing a little heat to the fall spice mix.

Michelle Sundquist, Starbucks senior product developer, was part of the team that created the new fall beverage.

“When we think about fall, often people think about warmth and spice, like cinnamon and apple pie,” Sundquist said. “We decided to take that idea in a new direction with chocolate and a bit of heat.”

The team was inspired by other sweet and spicy flavors such as mole, horchata and a thick Mexican drink called champurrado. In addition, they explored a variety of chile peppers along the heat scale and settled on ancho, a heart-shaped pepper with mild heat and a sweet fruity flavor, and a touch of cayenne.

“We found that the ancho chile and cayenne perfectly complemented chocolate,” she said. “It has a sweet touch to it, with an approachable amount of heat.”

The new Chile Mocha, available in participating stores in the U.S. and Canada starting September 6, is made with espresso and steamed milk infused with a cocoa and cinnamon powder, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and finished with a sprinkle of Chile Mocha topping consisting of ancho and cayenne chile pepper, cinnamon, paprika, sugar and a touch of sea salt. It’s also delicious as a Frappuccino blended beverage or even coffee-free as hot chocolate.

“The first sip should be warm and chocolatey, quickly followed by the creaminess of the whip and just a kiss of sweet and savory heat all at once,” said Sundquist.

Media contact:

Global
Phone: 206 318 7100
Email: press@starbucks.com

Source: Starbucks

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Berluti announces the appointment of Haider Ackermann as Creative DirectorBerluti announces the appointment of Haider Ackermann as Creative Director

Berluti announces the appointment of Haider Ackermann as Creative Director
Berluti announces the appointment of Haider Ackermann as Creative Director

 

Paris, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Berluti is pleased to announce the appointment of Haider Ackermann as Creative Director.  The appointment is effective immediately and the designer will present his first collection during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January 2017.

Haider Ackermann enrolled at the Royal Academy of fine Arts in Antwerp in 1994 and started his own label in 2003. He presented his first menswear collection in June 2013 in Paris.

“I am very happy to welcome Haider at Berluti, his talent and creative commitment make him the perfect choice for this position. I am sure that his vision will bring a unique opportunity to Berluti”, said Antoine Arnault, Chief Executive Officer of Berluti.

“I am very honored to join Berluti. This house stands for the essence of luxury menswear and embracing this new adventure inspires me.” Haider Ackermann declared.

Berluti was established in Paris in 1895 and has been built by four generations of shoemakers. In 2005 fine leather goods were introduced and, in 2011, a complete clothing collection. A unique bespoke service from head to toe is now available through Berluti’s workshops in rue Marbeuf and rue de Sèvres. Berluti now has over 45 stores worldwide.

Contact:

LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton
22, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris – France
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 22
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 23

Source: LVMH

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The Fondation Louis Vuitton celebrates Sergei Shchukin this fall

The Fondation Louis Vuitton celebrates Sergei Shchukin this fall
The Fondation Louis Vuitton celebrates Sergei Shchukin this fall

 

Paris, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Fondation Louis Vuitton has announced its fall program, which begins with a tribute to Sergei Shchukin, a leading patron of the arts of the early 20th century. His collection, which includes emblematic works by prominent artists from the period, will be displayed from October 22 within the scope of the France-Russia Year of Cultural Tourism.

Monet, Cézanne, Gauguin, Renoir, Picasso, Van Gogh… The collection constituted by Sergei Shchukin includes works by the most renowned impressionist, post-impressionist and modernist masters. The Moscow industrialist was a visionary in his taste for modern French art, leading him to begin forming an exceptional collection from 1898, representing the most radical trends in art from the era.  Nationalized during the Russian revolution, the paintings in the collection have been displayed at separate locations in Saint Petersburg and Moscow.

For the first time since they were divided, the 135 works in the collection will be brought together for an exceptional retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. The fruit of a long-term collaboration with the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg and the Pushkin State Museum in Moscow, the exhibition retraces the genesis of the collection from 1890 to 1914 and proposes a comparison between the works by these modern French masters and those by Russian avant-garde painters.

The exhibition, which runs from October 22, 2016 to February 20, 2017, will span the entire Foundation Louis Vuitton and be accompanied by a program of music and dance events, as well as conferences.

The Foundation Louis Vuiton has launched advance ticket sales via its website: http://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en/expositions/icones-de-l-art-moderne.html

Contact:

LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton
22, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris – France
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 22
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 23

Source: LVMH

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The Home Depot Foundation increases its commitment to veteran-related causes to help address continued veteran challenges

ATLANTA, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ —  Today (Sept. 1, 2016), The Home Depot Foundation announces it will grow its commitment to veteran-related causes to a quarter of a billion dollars by 2020.

The Home Depot Foundation has focused on U.S. military veteran support since 2011. Today’s increased commitment will help address continued veteran challenges, including:

More than 39,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. More than one million veterans are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks and subpar living conditions.

  • More than 39,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. More than one million veterans are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks and subpar living conditions.
  • More than 3.8 million veterans have a service-connected disability.
  • There has been a 60% increase in veterans with service-connected disabilities since 1990
  • More than 9.4 million veterans are age 65 and older. Many of these veterans need home modifications so they can age-in-place safely.

“We consider it a duty and honor to give back to our veterans,” said The Home Depot Foundation board member and chair Giles Bowman. “We know they experience many challenges when they return from service and their home shouldn’t be one of them. This increased commitment demonstrates our dedication to serving our nation’s heroes.”

The announcement kicks off The Home Depot Foundation’s sixth annual Celebration of Service. Celebration of Service is a two-month-long campaign focused on improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families. From September 1 through Veterans Day, Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, will work with local and national nonprofit organizations to complete projects for aging, combat-wounded and homeless veterans.

During the campaign, The Home Depot Foundation will partner with nonprofit organizations like the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to help create modified homes for combat-wounded veterans.

“Team Depot is a tremendous group of hard workers that stretch from coast to coast,” said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “We can count on The Home Depot Foundation to help restore independence and dignity to veterans. We’re proud to partner with such a generous, impactful company and organization.”

How to Get Involved
Throughout the campaign, Team Depot is inviting consumers to ‘celebrate service’ on social media using #ServiceSelfie. For each #ServiceSelfie shared during Celebration of Service, The Home Depot Foundation will donate $1 up to $500,000 to organizations that help veterans including: Meals on Wheels America, Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Volunteers of America, Student Veterans of America and Team Rubicon.

To learn more about participation, please visit thd.co/givingback and visit Team Depot on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

About Giving Back at The Home Depot
Since the first The Home Depot store opened in 1979, giving back has been a core value for the Company and a passion for its associates. Today, The Home Depot, in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, focuses its philanthropic efforts on improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families and aiding communities affected by natural disasters. Through Team Depot, the Company’s associate-led volunteer force, thousands of associates dedicate their time and talents to these efforts in the communities where they live and work.

Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $160 million to provide housing to veterans, and along with the help of Team Depot volunteers, has impacted more than 26,700 homes for veterans. To learn more and see Team Depot in action, visit www.homedepot.com/teamdepot.

Digital Press Kit Available at:
https://corporate.homedepot.com/celebration-of-service-press-kit

For more information, contact:
Christina Glowacki-Cornell
The Home Depot Foundation
770-384-3075
christina_cornell@homedepot.com

Chris Glazier, MSLGROUP
Chris.glazier@mslgroup.com

SOURCE: The Home Depot

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Marks & Spencer completes consultation and reaches agreement with its national employee representative group on pay, premiums and pension

LONDON, 2016-Sep-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Marks & Spencer today (02 Sep 2016) announces that it has completed a thorough consultation with its national employee representative group (Business Involvement Group) on proposed changes to pay, premiums and pension and reached an agreement on a number of key issues.

Sacha Berendji, Marks & Spencer Retail Director said: “We’ve listened to our colleagues, acted on their feedback and are pleased that we’ve reached an outcome that gives enhanced support for our colleagues as well as making necessary changes to our business. From April 2017 our people will be amongst the highest paid in UK retail and receive one of the best benefits packages. The changes will reward our people in a fair and consistent way, simplify and modernize our business and help us attract and retain the best talent so we can continue to provide great service for our customers.”

John Dorrington, Chair of the Business Involvement Group, said: “On behalf of the Business Involvement Group, our elected employee representative body, we are satisfied that we have concluded a period of robust collective consultation where all views from across M&S have been strongly represented. In our view the business has listened carefully to all views and suggestions and as a result has made a number of key changes to the original proposals.”

Pay and premiums
The proposed pay increases and premium changes will go ahead. Customer Assistants will get a 14.7 per cent rise to £8.50 an hour (£9.65 in Greater London) from April 2017 and there will also be pay rises for Section Co-Ordinators and Section Managers. The Customer Assistant rate is significantly above the National Living Wage (£7.20) and above the wage campaigned for by the Living Wage Foundation (£8.25 outside London and £9.40 in London).

Premium payments will be simplified and made consistent across our UK retail employees, including removing premium payments for Sunday working and moving to one standard payment for Bank Holidays.

The vast majority of colleagues will receive higher pay as a result of the changes to pay and premiums, however a significantly improved additional offer means that all colleagues will either receive higher pay or have the opportunity to maintain their current pay level.

For two years, pay will be topped up to 2015/16 levels for any colleague that would receive lower total pay as a result of the premium changes. In 2019/20, any colleague that would still receive lower total pay compared to 2015/16 levels will receive an additional top up payment of 50% of their reduction in total pay and be offered guaranteed extra hours to make up the remaining 50%. The additional hours are optional and would be no more than three hours a week. The vast majority of colleagues in this group would only need to work an additional 45 minutes a week to make up their pay to 2015/16 levels.

In subsequent years an additional top up payment and guaranteed hours will be offered annually until a colleague’s pay reaches 2015/16 levels as a result of other potential changes to a colleague’s pay.

Pension
The proposed pension changes will also go ahead with active members of the M&S Defined Benefit scheme no longer earning new benefits in that scheme from April 2017 and being offered the chance to join the company’s Defined Contribution plan.

As part of the pension changes the company has agreed to extend the cash supplement support (offered as part of the proposals) for affected colleagues from two to three years. It will also maintain the death-in-service benefit at four times salary for members of the Defined Benefit scheme that choose not to enroll in the Defined Contribution plan. Additionally, after discussion with the company’s pension trustees, early retirement factors for all deferred members of the Defined Benefit scheme will be improved.

The outcome has been announced to colleagues today. There will be a series of briefings and the company will write directly to colleagues with details of the improved offer and what it means to them. Colleagues will only be eligible for the transition support if they agree to the changes.

The outcome of the three month consultation process has been approved by the Marks and Spencer Group plc Board and the changes will take effect from April 2017.

As referenced in M&S’s Prelims statement on the 25 May 2016, these changes are not expected to significantly impact on underlying costs in this or the next year financial year. However, there will be a non-underlying charge in the current financial year in the range of c.£100 m to £150 m. This non-underlying charge is largely driven by the Defined Benefit pension changes because when current active members become deferred members, the annual increase in their pensionable salary is linked to CPI as opposed to being capped at 1%.

For further information, please contact:

Corporate Press Office: 0208 718 1919
corporate.press@marks-and-spencer.com

Source: Marks & Spencer