Daily Archives: October 5, 2016

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JusTransact Opens Online Bazaar for Indian POS Sector

Chennai, India, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — After its successful launch of India’s first E-commerce online market place for Point of Sale (POS) technology – JusTransact.com, Millennium India has added yet another ‘first’ to its credit by unveiling country’s only online B2B portal for POS brands and distributors who can converge at one place to transact simultaneously.

Aimed at cutting down the huge supply chain losses faced by thousands of hardware and software POS products vendors across India and improve sales volume of Brands, JusTransact’s Partner Zone also aimed at ‘empowering’ small, medium and large enterprises across the nation by automating their business with affordable, scalable and world-class POS technology.

bhaskar-4

Bhaskar Venkatraman, Founder and CEO, JusTransact.com

Commenting on the launch of JusTransact’s Partner Network (http://partner.justransact.com/), Bhaskar Venkatraman, Founder and CEO of jusTransact.com said: “JusTransact’s partner network throws open a unique opportunity for both POS brands and resellers who can communicate directly on a single platform, thereby cutting the supply chain losses in terms of time and money. Resellers can directly get POS products from manufacturers at much lower price and can hence pass on the cost benefit to their customers, who are predominantly small and medium retail businesses. For brands, they can find all buyers in one place and hence get great traction and growth. In short, it is a win-win condition for both brands and vendors.”

For partner network, jusTransact plays a pivotal role in connecting both POS brands across India and local vendors who can be either main/region-wise distributors, vendors, stockists, software service providers, or stores selling POS products to retail businesses.

Further listing the advantages of partner portal, Bhaskar, who is also one of the pioneers in introducing POS technology in India, said: “POS Manufacturers need not have to look for distributors for their products, but can simply register with us and sell their products. Their products can be seen only by registered vendors, who can order POS products with appropriate quantity instantly. To facilitate fast and reliable goods movement, we offer free logistics service. We pick, pack and ship to buyer’s address wherever they are.”

To make it attractive, jusTransact has kept registration ‘free’ for partners and also introduced JusMoney wallet where points are credited for every purchase which can be adjusted against the purchase value.

JusTransact currently deals with over 1000 POS products of more than 40 top brands including Epson, Honeywell, Toshiba, Posiflex, Godex, TVSE, Opticon, Casio, Bixolon, Zebra, Essae, to name a few.

Bhaskar expects that more POS brands will make use of Partner Network Zone and offer their products such as POS terminals, barcode scanners, barcode printers, automatic cash drawers, receipt printers, mobile POS, hand held terminals, etc at attractive prices to vendors, who otherwise get them from local distributors at much higher price. “The partner network will also help to speed up the automation process of India’s retail sector where more than one million traders are still following traditional transactional practices,” he said.

The Justransact partner network for POS will also create a level playing field as every vendor – from main distributors to local stockists – across India will get their goods at same price thereby avoiding unethical business practices, opined Bhaskar.

About JusTransact.com

Justransact.com is an e-commerce venture of Millennium Retech Ventures India Pvt. Ltd promoted by Millennium India Group. JusTransact.com was launched with a sole motive of providing reliable, affordable and scalable POS solutions to the fast growing retail sector in India, which is estimated to worth one trillion USD by 2020. POS technology facilitates small, medium and large businesses automate their activities, enhance customer experience and also make them competitive with established peers.

The portal has made world-class cutting-edge POS Hardware, Software and Knowledge accessible to retailers. Headquartered in Chennai and having branches in major cities in India, Justransact.com offers one-stop solution for all kinds of POS needs to both retail and non-retail business applications.

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Tesco customers saved over 1.5 billion carrier bags in England since Government bag charge introduction

Tesco customers saved over 1.5 billion carrier bags in England since Government bag charge introduction
Tesco customers saved over 1.5 billion carrier bags in England since Government bag charge introduction

 

CHESHUNT, England, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tesco has revealed over 1.5 billion single-use carrier bags have been saved by Tesco customers in England since the introduction of the Government bag charge a year ago.

The figures represent an incredible 72% fall in the use of single-use plastic bags being used in Tesco stores.

Tesco customers shopping on tesco.com have also dramatically reduced the number of bags they use, with 57% of online shoppers selecting ‘bagless’ deliveries.

The Government’s 5p plastic bag charge was introduced in England on 5 October last year with the aim of cutting the number of plastic bags given out in shops and improving the environment.

Over the last year, the money raised by Tesco customers has been used to help fund 1170 community projects as part of Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative. The programme sees charities and community groups awarded grants ranging from £8,000 to £12,000, with Tesco customers able to choose which projects receive the most funding.

George Gordon, UK & ROI Communications Director at Tesco said: “We’re encouraging our customers to use fewer single-use bags, so these figures are really encouraging.

“Also the money raised from our customers buying bags is making a big difference to local communities across the country.

“Thanks to Bags of Help, nearly £12 million has been spent so far on local environmental improvement projects like parks, sports facilities, school playgrounds and community gardens – projects that have all been chosen by our customers.

“Going forward, we will help customers do even more for their communities by bringing together more projects for them to vote on every month.”

Tesco is working with the environmental improvement charity, Groundwork, to help deliver its Bags of Help scheme.

Groundwork’s national Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “Bags of Help is giving our communities both the funding and the support to create better, healthier and greener places for everyone to enjoy.

“We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding, ranging from outdoor classrooms, sports facilities, community gardens, play areas and everything in-between.

“They’re all fantastic projects that make a real difference in our neighbourhoods.”

The next customer vote will take place 31 October to 13 November in all of our stores and £12.5 million is up for grabs. The size of the grants available range from £8,000 to £12,000.

Tesco and Groundwork are always calling out for nominations from community groups and customers – find out more at www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp

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

Source: Tesco

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Meijer’s top 10 list of this holiday season’s hottest toys

Meijer's top 10 list of this holiday season’s hottest toys
Meijer’s top 10 list of this holiday season’s hottest toys

 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — This holiday season’s hottest toys aim to give each child a unique experience. Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer Meijer is giving customers an early glimpse at those toys that will soon be on wish lists across the Midwest.

“This year’s toy trends focus on allowing children to customize the toy to their liking through voice commands and artistic designs, while also learning through interaction,” said Dan Myers, divisional merchandise manager of toys for Meijer.

“We know our customers appreciate getting an early look into the hottest toys on Meijer shelves, and we believe our assortment of national brands will continue to make Meijer a toy destination this holiday season.”

Myers said about 50 percent of the retailer’s toy business is conducted in November and December.

The Top 10 toys include:

  • Build-A-Bear Stuff Me Station that allows children to build their own bear at home and customize its birth certificate and clothes; no batteries required.
  • Peppa Pig’s Deluxe House comes with three figures and 15 play pieces, including a refrigerator, bathtub and bunk beds.
  • Paw Patrol Zooming Marshall does more than 80 interactive missions and tricks with more than 150 paw Patrol sounds. Paw Patrol is the retailer’s No. 1 preschool brand.
  • Brightlings is an interactive toy that features more than 100 phrases activated by the way the child holds the toy. It records any sound and plays it back in a unique voice, and also sings six different styles of music, including opera, jazz, beat box and rock.
  • Hatchimals are interactive, magical creatures that hatch themselves from inside an egg through the child’s communication and nurturing. The child raises the toy through the baby, toddler and kid stages.
  • Furreal Friends Torch My Blazin’ Dragon can breathe flame-colored mist that can change colors when fed. Torch responds to touch with more than 50 sound and motion combinations, and can even roast toy marshmallows.
  • Syma Sky Thunder Drone D550W performs 360-degree stunts, live streams HD video and photos, and can hover automatically. This drone does not require registration with the FAA.
  • Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Playset features four intersecting tracks and feeder ramp for extra action. There are also crash zones and motorized boosters.
  • Nerf Modulus Tri Strike Blaster features three different ways to blast that can be used separately or combined for custom configurations. Expand the customizing options with Nerf Modulus Upgrade Kits. Nerf is the retailer’s overall top toy brand.
  • Pie Face Showdown is a hilarious follow-up to the original Pie Face game that debuted last year. It’s full of fun and suspense where someone eventually gets splatted in the face with whipped cream.

A b-roll package for media use is available on the Meijer Newsroom at http://newsroom.meijer.com/broll-footage.

About Meijer:

Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 230 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As a pioneer of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, garden centers and electronics offerings. Additional information on Meijer can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

Contact:
Christina Fecher
christina.fecher@meijer.com
616-540-6108

Source: Meijer

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Beauty Enthusiast: Walgreens launches a new beauty club within its Balance® Rewards loyalty program

DEERFIELD, Ill., 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Walgreens today (October 04, 2016) announced the launch of Beauty Enthusiast, a new beauty club within its Balance® Rewards loyalty program, which provides cardholders who register for Beauty Enthusiast with additional rewards on beauty and personal care items, as well as other benefits.

Sign up is free, and Beauty Enthusiast members will receive 5,000 Balance Rewards points for every $50 spent on cosmetics, skin care, hair care, oral care, grooming, sun care, fragrance and bath product purchases*. Beauty Enthusiast members will have opportunities to receive free samples and will get exclusive promotions and coupons, as well as special beauty offers, new product information and expert tips throughout the year. In addition, members will receive a one-time digital coupon for 20 times everyday points on any beauty purchase to welcome them to the club.

Existing Balance Rewards members can join by simply confirming or adding their email address at checkout; at Walgreens.com/beautyenthusiast; on the Walgreens mobile app; or by calling the Walgreens Customer Care Center at (855) 225-0400.

“Walgreens is continually looking for ways to enhance our customers’ beauty shopping experience and to provide greater value for our Balance Rewards members,” said Linda Filler, president of retail products and chief merchandising and marketing officer for Walgreens. “Beauty Enthusiast was created for our customer who enjoys our beauty and personal care offering and looks to us for additional benefits, product offers and recommendations. This natural extension of our loyalty program offers easy enrollment, more points and additional rewards to make feeling good easier.”

Walgreens Balance Rewards program provides customers with the opportunity to earn points on retail and pharmacy purchases, in addition to special pricing on select products. Customers have the ability to redeem rewards at stores or through Walgreens.com. Walgreens has more than 85 million active Balance® Rewards members. For full details see Walgreens.com/balance.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com), one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,173 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens omni-channel business includes Walgreens.com and VisionDirect.com. More than 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.

* Every qualifying purchase adds up to the $50 spend requirement. A qualifying beauty purchase includes products from the following categories: fragrances, cosmetics, skin care, hair care, oral care and grooming products. Excludes prescriptions, baby hair care, baby skin care and baby oral care products. The qualifying beauty spend total is calculated before taxes and after discounts, redemption dollars and store credit have been applied. Complete details at walgreens.com/beautyenthusiast.

Contact:

Emily Hartwig
Phone: 847-315-3316
emily.hartwig@walgreens.com
http://news.walgreens.com
@WalgreensNews
facebook.com/Walgreens

Source: Walgreens

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Walgreens recognizes the important role of its more than 27,000 pharmacists this October

DEERFIELD, Ill., 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — In celebration of American Pharmacists Month, Walgreens is recognizing its more than 27,000 community pharmacists for their dedication to patient care, and the growing and important role they continue to play in health care today (Oct. 4, 2016).

“In communities across the country, our pharmacists have become an integral part of the health care landscape and a trusted provider to millions of patients every day,” said Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of pharmacy and retail operations. “Being customer- and patient-led in everything that we do starts with our pharmacists and other clinicians on the frontlines, providing personalized care and service. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to the profession, and to Walgreens customers and the communities we serve.”

Walgreens pharmacists are interacting with and counseling patients in more ways than ever before through greater collaboration with other providers and an expanding scope of services. Walgreens pharmacist-led programs are driving better medication adherence and patient outcomes, and lowering overall health care costs.  Walgreens studies over the past 12 months also continue to demonstrate wider-ranging benefits across the health care spectrum as a result of the work pharmacists do, including fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits.[1][2]

In addition, Walgreens pharmacists are playing an integral role in the ongoing fight against prescription drug abuse, with the ability to dispense the lifesaving opioid antidote naloxone without a prescription at its pharmacies in 20 states.

Walgreens also recognizes its pharmacy technicians, with National Pharmacy Technician Day on Oct. 18;  and its Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as they are honored during National Physician Assistant Week (Oct. 6-12) and National Nurse Practitioner Week (Nov. 6–12).

“Walgreens Healthcare Clinic and pharmacy team members are the most accessible providers in the community, and providers that our patients know and trust,” Ashworth said.  “As we continue to offer more preventive health care services, work collaboratively with other providers and advocate for all of our clinicians to practice at the top of the licensure and training, we thank our nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacy technicians for delivering extraordinary care and support.”

About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com), one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,173 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens omnichannel business includes Walgreens.com and VisionDirect.com. More than 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.

Media Relations:

Email: media@walgreens.com
Tel: 847-315-2921

Source: Walgreens

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UTAH: Macey’s and Lin’s deploy DUMAC’s POS software system to increase operational efficiency and customer engagement

Syracuse, NY, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Macey’s and Lin’s, two of Utah’s premiere community grocery stores, recently installed DUMAC’s RORCv6 point-of-sale (POS) software system, which is specifically designed for the independent grocer. Both retailers, which are members of Associated Food Stores, have increased the efficiency and effectiveness of their business operations and customer engagement through this system upgrade.

Although adding the new software meant retraining staff, Ashlee K. Johnstun, manager, Associated Food Stores, said the process was quick, easy and user friendly.

“Training was great and everybody was able to catch on right away,” said Johnstun. “The system’s intuitive design means we spend less time on training for our POS system and more time developing employees in other areas.”

One area where RORCv6 has benefited Macey’s and Lin’s is at checkout. The system enables the stores to go from cashier accountability to lane accountability, making shift changeover quick and efficient, without any disruption to guest service. Cash and sales information are accounted for via the RORCv6 system at each checkout lane. This streamlined approach reduces the time required when changing shifts by 50 percent and virtually eliminates counting errors. Lanes are now counted only once a day, by a trained manager, versus multiple times a day by cashiers. Efficiency and accuracy are further improved because bookkeepers no longer have to enter drawer amounts by hand.

In keeping with their belief in creating a great shopping experience and adjusting to their customers’ needs, Macey’s and Lin’s provide their customers with the option to shop for groceries online. Macey’s and Lin’s integrated Rosie’s eCommerce platform into the RORCv6 system. All retailers using RORCv6 software have access to Rosie’s eCommerce suite, which includes web and mobile shopping apps for consumers, order fulfillment tools, digital marketing services and data analytics.

“Our partnership with the Rosie app from day one has just been awesome,” said Troy Marchant, assistant store director, Lin’s. “The Rosie app truly does make it very simple to offer online shopping and it’s been a perfect fit.”

To further serve their customers, Lin’s and Macey’s recently added a loyalty program. With the RORCv6 system, DUMAC was able to seamlessly integrate the third-party loyalty program, helping to engage customers and encourage customer loyalty.

“The biggest thing we like is that whenever we ask DUMAC for new features and capabilities, they’re easy to add,” noted Johnstun. “Whether our customers are shopping in-store or online, RORCv6 has helped improve the customer experience, both at Macey’s and Lin’s, which keeps our customers coming back.”

According to Phil McCarthy, vice president, DUMAC Business Services, customer service is key to their business. “It’s really important to us that independent grocers have all of the capabilities that big chains have and then some,” said McCarthy. “What makes independent retailers stand out is their creativity, so it’s really important that we listen to their ideas and respond with the features that make them come to life.”

ABOUT DUMAC BUSINESS SYSTEMS
Headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y., since 1952, DUMAC has been in the grocery business for more than 40 years. More than a thousand independently owned supermarkets across the U.S. use POS solutions from DUMAC. DUMAC also sells POS hardware to the hospitality and restaurant markets.

ABOUT MACEY’S
In 1947, Walt Macey and Dale A. Jones started the “Save-A-Nickel-Market” in Rosepark, Utah. Macey’s grew from a small store into a multi-store chain by providing personalized old-fashioned service. Known for their famous doughnuts and Kong Kones, Macey’s grocery stores offer a made-from-scratch in-store bakery, delicatessen, full-service grocery, meat, produce and a non-foods department and above all, friendly service. For more information, visit maceys.com.

ABOUT LIN’S
Lin’s has been a community favorite since 1955 when Lin and Reva Orton opened their first store in Cedar City, Utah. Focused on first-rate customer service and fresh, quality products, Lin’s offers guests a one-stop shopping destination with each of their seven locations in Overton, Nevada, Santa Clara, St. George, Hurricane, Cedar City, Richfield and Price, Utah. Lin’s is locally owned and operated by Associated Food Stores. For more information about Lin’s, visit linsgrocery.com.

Lin’s Media Contact:
Rachael Wabel
rmwabel@afstores.com
801-978-8913

Macey’s Media Contact:
Sarah Pettit
scpettit@afstores.com
801-978-8948

DUMAC Media Contact:
Allie Friedman
afriedman@mower.com
(716) 880-1445

Source: Associated Food Stores

 

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PetSmart announces that it has opened 11 new stores in the U.S. and Canada in Q2 2016

Phoenix, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — PetSmart, Inc. today (Oct. 4, 2016) announced that it has opened 11 new stores in the U.S. and Canada for the quarter ending August 1, 2016. This adds to the 12 new stores opened in the first quarter of the year, bringing the total for the year to 23. PetSmart will open nearly 60 new stores by the end of the year to achieve its goal of 80 net new stores in 2016.

New stores were opened in the second quarter in the following locations:

  • Fresno, Calif.
  • Oak Creek, Wis.
  • Victoria, British Columbia
  • Naples, Fla.
  • Baytown, Texas
  • Pompano Beach, Fla.
  • Billings, Mont.
  • Orange, Calif.
  • Katy, Texas
  • Trexlertown, Pa.
  • Taylor, Mich.

The new stores average around 14,000 square feet with service offerings such as grooming and pet training.

“We continue to identify opportunities for growth in North America,” said Brian Amkraut, senior vice president of real estate, strategy and initiatives, PetSmart. “New store locations provide us with the ability to increase customer convenience and improve our competitive position.”

PetSmart operates 1,477 stores in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and 203 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities.

About PetSmart®

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ approximately 53,000 associates, operate 1,477 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and 203 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp day care services and pet adoption services in-store. Our portfolio of digital resources for pet parents – including PetSmart.com, PetFoodDirect.com, Pet360.com and petMD.com – offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in the U.S. Through our in-store pet adoption partnership with independent nonprofit organizations, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, PetSmart helps to save the lives of more than 500,000 homeless pets each year pets each year and just hit a major milestone, its 7 millionth pet adoption since beginning the in-store adoptions in 1994.

Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart
Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmart
See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart

Contacts:
Melissa Wenzel
PetSmart
623-587-2177
mwenzel@petsmart.com

Source: PetSmart

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Kum & Go to raise fund to support United Way of Central Iowa this October

WEST DES MOINES, IA, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Throughout the month of October, Kum & Go associates will encourage customers to add $1 with each transaction to be donated to United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign. Approximately 50 stores in Polk, Dallas and Warren counties will participate. This year’s theme is “& TOGETHER WE DO MORE.”

In addition to the in-store campaign, associates at the Store Support Center headquarters from Kum & Go, Solar Transport and Des Moines Menace Soccer will participate in activities that will raise money the last week of the month, along with pledges for ongoing support via paycheck contributions. Fundraising got an early start mid-September before the University of Iowa vs. Iowa State University football game. Associates could donate funds to be able to wear their school’s gear for the day. $2,075 was raised in 24 hours!

Last year, Kum & Go, together with its customers and associates, generously donated more than $345,000. This year’s goal is $365,000. All of the donations and funds raised will be given to United Way of Central Iowa to support its work to improve community conditions in Education, Income and Health – the building blocks for a good quality of life. The proceeds benefit children, youth and families in Central Iowa. http://www.unitedwaydm.org/

Kum & Go is committed to being a good neighbor and giving back by donating 10% of its profits to the communities it serves.

About Kum & Go, L.C.

For nearly 60 years, Kum & Go has been dedicated to the communities it serves, sharing 10 percent of its profits with charitable causes. For four generations the family-owned convenience store chain has focused on providing exceptional service and delivering more than customers expect. Established in Hampton, Iowa, in 1959, the chain has since grown to employ more than 5,000 associates in more than 400 stores in 11 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kristie Bell
Director of Communications
Kum & Go
kristie.bell@kumandgo.com

Source: Kum & Go

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New breast cancer study funded by Avon Foundation for Women shows higher mortality rate among Black women in the U.S.

NEW YORK, NY, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (October 3, 2016 ), the Avon Foundation for Women released a new study on the Black:White disparities in breast cancer mortality in the 50 largest cities in the United States between 2005 and 2014, which was conducted by Sinai Urban Health Institute in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and funded by the Avon Foundation for Women.

This new study is the most comprehensive longitudinal analysis of the direction and magnitude of disparities in breast cancer mortality among Black and White women by city. The study revealed that Black women continue to die from breast cancer at a higher rate than their White counterparts in the United States, and that the Black:White disparity increased across the country as a whole.

“Avon Foundation recognized early on that there was a significant need to understand these racial disparities in order to focus efforts and resources where they are most needed,” said Cheryl Heinonen, President of the Avon Foundation for Women. “As the company for women, Avon puts women at the center of everything we do. This is part of our DNA, our history and our legacy to empower women and improve the quality of life of women. And this requires collaboration at all levels.”

Between 2010 and 2014, the breast cancer mortality rate for Black women was 30.7 deaths per 100,000 women and for White women it was 21.4 deaths per 100,000 women. Nationally, Black women were 43 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than their White counterparts.

For each of the cities examined, the study provided the breast cancer mortality rates for White and Black women, along with a ranking of the cities based on their racial disparities. Atlanta experienced the largest increase in the Black:White disparity over the study period. However, there was a statistically significant decrease in the disparity in Memphis, Philadelphia, and Boston.

“Examining mortality and disparities data at the city level is imperative in the ongoing challenge to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity,” said Bijou Hunt, an epidemiologist and co-author of the study at the Sinai Urban Health Institute, who has been spearheading research on disparities in breast cancer mortality rates among African Americans and Hispanics. “These types of data inform local health officials who, given their unique understanding of their respective cities’ available and potential resources, are in ideal positions to develop and implement strategies for improvement.”

More research is needed to understand why this disparity is growing, though causes could include a lack of early detection, late stage diagnosis, and delayed treatment. Overall the study concluded that there is a critical need to increase access to breast cancer screening and treatment services for African American women.

“It was important to note that some individual cities have shown a decreasing disparity and there is much we can learn from those that are doing well,” said Dr. Marc S. Hurlbert of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and former Executive Director of the Avon Foundation for Women. “However, the Black:White disparity in breast cancer mortality still exists and needs to be addressed as a public health problem.”

Breast cancer continues to be the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, with an estimated 40,450 deaths expected to occur in 20161. Local-level data like these are not readily available, but can be extremely useful for public health officials seeking to understand trends and improve health outcomes in their local jurisdictions. This research is a promising step toward better understanding of the disparities and ways to overcome barriers to care and improve access to breast cancer prevention screenings, diagnostics and treatment.

The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade which launched in 1992, has placed Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer. Today, Avon is the leading corporate supporter of the cause globally, donating more than $800 million to breast cancer programs for research and advancing access to care, regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

Sources:

[1] American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2016. In. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2016.

About the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade
Since 1992, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has been working to improve breast cancer outcomes and reduce disparities in survival rates. The Crusade’s strategic grant making reflects: a holistic and place-based approach in high-need areas throughout the United States; a commitment to enabling access to medical advances and support services for breast cancer patients, particularly those from vulnerable populations; and a commitment to investing in research on the prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of breast cancer. In the U.S., Avon Breast Cancer Crusade manages the Avon Foundation for Women’s breast cancer programs. The Avon Foundation for Women partners with affiliate Avon Foundations and Avon markets around the world for additional programming. In total, Avon and the Foundation have contributed more than $800 million to breast cancer programs around the world through 2015. To learn more, visit: www.avonfoundation.org.

About Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women 
Avon is a global corporate leader in philanthropy focused on causes that matter most to women. Through 2015, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have contributed over $1 billion in over 50 countries. Avon’s funding is focused on breast cancer research and advancing access to quality care through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. The company’s global markets sell special products to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer and domestic violence, conduct hundreds of events for these causes, and educate women around the world through its global network of nearly six million Avon Representatives.

About Sinai Urban Health Institute
Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI) is a diverse group of epidemiologists, research assistants, and community health educators who are involved in social epidemiology, program implementation and evaluation, teaching, and consulting. Founded in 2000 as part of Sinai Health System, SUHI’s mission is grounded in the belief that in order to serve our constituents well, we need to understand not just the patients who enter our doors but the community at-large. A major component of SUHI’s work involves examining the impact of social issues, such as poverty, on health. In addition to research, SUHI does teaching through formal courses, grand round lectures, and other seminars and presentations.

About Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is dedicated to being the end of breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research. Founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, BCRF-funded investigators have been deeply involved in every major breakthrough in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. This year, BCRF has awarded $57 million in grants to support the work of more than 250 scientists at leading medical and academic institutions across 14 countries, making BCRF the largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide. By committing 91 cents of every dollar directly to its mission, BCRF is one of the nation’s most fiscally responsible nonprofits. BCRF is the only breast cancer organization in the US to hold both an “A+” from CharityWatch as well as the top four-star rating from Charity Navigator. Visit www.bcrfcure.org to learn more.

Media Contacts:

Liz Micci
The Glover Park Group
+1 (646) 495-2700
emicci@gpg.com

Kristina Jorge
Avon Corporate Communications
+1 (212) 282-5852
Kristina.Jorge@avonusa.com

Source: Avon

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Popeyes® announces $4 Wicked Good Deal this October

ATLANTA, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Popeyes® $4 Wicked Good Deal comes to guests just in time to celebrate this wonderfully wicked time of year! Everything about this deal is wicked good – the twisted, thin strips of premium chicken, the choice of one of Popeyes famous Signature Sides, a mouthwateringly delicious Buttermilk Biscuit and dipping sauce all for a wicked good price of just $4!

“Popeyes is cooking up a fan favorite, Wicked Chicken, and bringing our guests Popeyes signature flavor all for just $4,” said Hector A. Muñoz, Popeyes Chief Marketing Officer – U.S. “Friends and family alike will come together around this wicked good deal that’s both fun to look at and fun to dip in one of our signature sauces.”

Wicked Chicken is juicy all white meat chicken breast, cut into wickedly shaped strips and marinated in authentic Louisiana seasonings, hand-battered, and breaded in Popeyes Southern-style crispy coating and fried up fresh where they twist into the most interesting, wicked shapes.

The $4 Wicked Good Deal is served with the guests’ choice of one of Popeyes Signature Sides, a Buttermilk Biscuit and their choice of Signature dipping sauce all for $4.

Get this Wicked Good Deal while it lasts, only for the month of October! For more information or to find a Popeyes near you, please visit us at www.popeyes.com.

About Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes is a leader in the New Orleans segment of the foodservice industry and is the world’s second largest quick-service chicken concept based on the number of units. As of July 10, 2016, Popeyes had 2,594 operating restaurants in the United States, the District of Columbia, three territories, and 26 foreign countries. For more information, visit the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Web site at www.popeyes.com.

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

Coltrin & Associates (on behalf of Popeyes)
Jennifer Webb
212-221-1616
Jennifer_webb@coltrin.com

Source: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc

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The Sunday Times ranks bathstore in its Top Track 250

Watford, United Kingdom, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Yesterday (2nd October 2016), The Sunday Times revealed its highly anticipated Top Track 250 of private mid-market companies amongst which bathstore was ranked. Included amongst the likes of Skyscanner, Nandos and winner Virgin Active, it’s a testament to the brand’s incredible growth since its acquisition from Wolseley in 2012.

The only bathroom retailer featured in the list, bathstore delivered sales of £124M last year an 11 per cent growth year on year. The Welwyn Garden City based company has achieved consistent double-digit growth for the past four years, through a number of initiatives leading to increased sales and share of market. In 2012 bathstore introduced a fully accredited installation service, which since its launch, has gone from strength to strength, offering customers a complete bathroom solution from conception to final fit.

More recently the business invested in their Home Design Service, whereby store colleagues will visit a customer’s home to assist  with the design and overall project, offering a truly personal experience. The entire store estate has also undergone an extensive refresh programme, with new store formats being rolled out in key locations.

Offering a truly omnichannel experience, bathstore has also invested heavily in its market leading website. bathstore.com is designed intuitively to support customers at every step of the journey, and mirror the in-depth expert service they would receive in store. A series of tools have been built specifically such as a new online bathroom design planner, the bathroom genie which uses a quiz format to pull together the perfect fixtures for your taste and investment, and extensive buyers guides, that all help make a complex purchase simple.

Gary Favell, CEO at bathstore, said: “In the last few years, we have placed a huge emphasis in growing the business through a number of initiatives to create a broader service offering to meet the demand we know exists within the market.

“By offering a complete bathroom solution both instore and online, along with quality products, training our colleagues to the highest level and offering an exceptional installation service, we know we’re offering the best value and service in the sector.  We’re delighted to have been recognized as one of the fastest growing businesses in the UK – it’s testiament to the hard work, commitment and passion of our colleagues to deliver a best in class service.”

Contact:

Laura Dilnot
bathstore@frankpr.it
0207 693 6999

Source: Bathstore

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RIMOWA to become the first German Maison of the LVMH Group

RIMOWA to become the first German Maison of the LVMH Group

RIMOWA to become the first German Maison of the LVMH Group

PARIS, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Dieter Morszeck, grandson of the founder of RIMOWA, has chosen to partner with the LVMH Group with a view to preserving the spirit of excellence and the long-term vision that have inspired his family and the company’s employees for over a century.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dieter Morszeck will sell a majority stake to the LVMH Group while continuing to hold equity in the business and maintaining his leadership functions.

RIMOWA will then become the first German Maison of the LVMH Group.

Upon completion of the transaction, Alexandre Arnault will be appointed co-CEO of RIMOWA.

Founded in Cologne in 1898, luggage and leather goods maker RIMOWA has become one of the quintessential houses for innovative, high-quality luggage over the course of the twentieth century. The business has built its reputation designing lightweight and easy to use luggage and RIMOWA suitcases today serve as the industry benchmark for German quality.

Since its creation by Paul Morszeck, innovation has been at the heart of RIMOWA’s strategy. In 1937, his son Richard launched the first aluminium suitcase available on the market. The aluminium structure comprising parallel grooves makes the luggage instantly recognisable and has played its part in building the reputation of RIMOWA among a sophisticated international clientele.  His son Dieter designed the first waterproof metal case in 1976, since which time RIMOWA suitcases have become the travelling companion of choice for the greatest filmmakers, photographers and journalists.

RIMOWA revolutionised the industry when it launched the first polycarbonate suitcase in 2000. A patented system of ball bearings ensures optimum stability. Since 2014, RIMOWA has also been developing its exclusive “Bossa Nova” range which combines lightweight polycarbonate with the elegance of leather. This suitcase is a tribute to the English artist and botanist Margaret Mee who devoted her life to painting and protecting plants from the Amazon. RIMOWA donates a portion of its sales to the Association Saúde e Alegria which supports social projects in the Amazon.

More recently, in partnership with Lufthansa, RIMOWA has launched the RIMOWA Electronic Tag. This innovative feature simplifies baggage check-in by matching, with the use of a smartphone, the boarding card with a Bluetooth electronic tag integrated only within RIMOWA suitcases.

For over 60 years, RIMOWA suitcases have been inspired by the remarkable story of commercial aviation and the fuselage of the first metallic plane, the Junkers F-13. Thanks to the financial support and pioneering spirit of RIMOWA, a seven year project made it possible to reconstruct this legendary aircraft. The inaugural flight took place on September 15, 2016, nearly a century after its first commercial use in 1919. This revival embodies the exceptional heritage of the House.

Dieter Morszeck said: “My grandfather founded RIMOWA more than a century ago and I joined the company 44 years ago. By entrusting this family venture to the LVMH Group, we are guaranteeing a promising future to all RIMOWA employees. Over the past two years I have had the opportunity to establish close ties with the Arnault family, and in particular with Alexandre. Alexandre and I have discussed at length the attractive development prospects available to us and the common values that we share. I am delighted that he is joining RIMOWA and I have full confidence in his ability to accelerate the development of the business by my side.”

Alexandre Arnault said: “RIMOWA is a superb business which I have followed as a loyal customer for many years. RIMOWA has revolutionised the luggage industry for over a century, its suitcases are renowned for their unique performance, quality and design. I am honored to join RIMOWA and to be working alongside Dieter.”

Bernard Arnault said:  “RIMOWA is a brand with a unique heritage. We share with Dieter Morszeck the same passion for innovation and a common desire to offer very high-quality products derived from a European tradition of craftsmanship. What’s more, it brings me great pleasure that RIMOWA will be the first German house to join the LVMH Group. Germany is recognised all over the world for the vitality of its family businesses and for the quality of their products. I am glad that LVMH will now have an opportunity to be part of this thanks to RIMOWA.”

While working on this transaction, Dieter Morszeck has also created the RIMOWA Dieter Morszeck Foundation to which a substantial part of the sale proceeds will be donated. The RIMOWA Dieter Morszeck Foundation aims to support projects in scientific research, public health, education and humanitarian aid both in Germany and internationally.

The transaction, subject to the approval of the competition authorities, relates to 80% of the shares for a value of 640 million euros and is due to complete in January 2017. RIMOWA revenue for 2016 are expected to exceed 400 million euros.

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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Innovation to lead the way at the 22nd edition of MAPIC, 16 – 18 November, Cannes

Paris, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Innovation will lead the way at MAPIC this year, with a host of new exhibitors, pitching formats and conferences shining a spotlight on how retailers and developers can respond to today’s connected consumers.

Organized by Reed MIDEM, the 22nd edition of MAPIC – the International Retail Property Market – will be held in Cannes from 16 to 18 November.

“Looking at the line-up of innovative companies due to take in part in MAPIC this year, I am astounded at the level of talent and creativity that will be showcased. Without question, those retailers and real estate players coming to MAPIC will see for themselves innovative solutions that are up-and-coming, never-before seen and in some cases, truly revolutionary,” says Nathalie Depetro, Director of MAPIC.

Pepper the Humanoid Robot
Softbank Robotics will be attending MAPIC for the first time this year with a very unique guest. Launched in June 2014, Pepper is the first social humanoid robot capable of understanding and reacting to human emotions. Pepper is well equipped with features and a high level interface for communicating with those around him. He can analyse expressions and voice tones using the latest advances in voice and emotion recognition. In a retail context, Pepper can welcome customers, drive traffic, give information about products and services and even collect data – in short he is redefining the customer experience.

Jet-Propulsion Underwear
Innovative French underwear brand Undiz has developed Undiz Machine; a revolutionary point of sale that provides customers with interactive devices allowing them to view and access all the offers in-store, regardless of the location of the products. Once a product is selected, it is sent in a reserve capsule by jet propulsion and once received, the customer can pay instantly. This is a true example of phygital shopping and MAPIC attendees will be able to see a live demonstration of the Undiz Machine on site. “The jet-propulsion system allows us to manage 600 to 900 capsules per day in store, with a peak of 150 per hour.  In our flagship Undiz Machine store, the figures indicate that a capsule is sent every six minutes. And after six months since opening, the digital terminals were used over a million times,” explains Sebastien Bismuth, Director General of Undiz.

Trends HQ
New to MAPIC this year is the MAPIC Trends Hub: a 1,000 m² space dedicated to showcasing the latest trends in the industry. Over 70 companies will be exhibiting in the Innovation Forum (housed in the MAPIC Trends Hub) and will be providing an entire range of innovative solutions to retailers and shopping mall developers, including digital signage (Samsung Electronics, ClearChannel, VIADIRECT); digital transformation (Symag); indoor mapping (VISIOGLOBE); data and analytics (Retency, ESRI, Coniq); shop fitting (SITOUR, POPAI FRANCE); as well as body scanning technology for retail (SIZZY).

Press Start for Innovation
Startups with solutions for shopping centres and point of sales will be pitching their solutions, services and technologies in the new MAPIC Startup Lounge (located in the Trends Hub). Over 30 startups will be alternating over the 3-day event in a series of pitching sessions. Diakse, Huntertainment and Skyboy are 3 exhibiting startups that propose virtual reality technology which can be used to greatly enhance shopping experiences, such as having a famous designer or stylist appear in front of a point of sales to provide shopping advice, or to have a celebrity welcome people to the store as part of a savvy marketing strategy.

Another solution that will be well-represented in the Startup Lounge is that of connected shopping and payments. From unique payment bracelet systems proposed by PayinTech, to mobile commerce payment systems developed by HEXAPAY. Another startup operating in the connected shopping sector is Think&Go, whose connected screens allow consumers to engage, interact and exchange information between images and phones, or watches, in less than a second. This solution can be used for marketing, service distribution, or direct payment on screen, paving the way for street e-commerce.

Let’s Get Phygital
Rapidly shifting consumer behaviour has placed online-to-offline (O2O) at the top of retailers’ agendas – with O2O being selected as the theme for MAPIC 2016.Two major changes are currently being observed in the industry: on one side, pure players are opening physical stores (the O2O phenomenon) and on the other, consumers are adopting a hybrid customer experience that combines online and traditional sales. Indeed, according to research commissioned by MAPIC, 70% of consumers search the web before concluding a purchase in store and conversely, 68% of consumers are researching in store before buying online.

For the first time at MAPIC, the conference programme (comprising over 25 sessions and 200 speakers) will have a dedicated O2O track, giving attendees a 360 degree view of the way the online meets offline in different markets and retail environments.

The O2O Experience – Welcome to my Phygital World (16 November), will be the key conference session on O2O and will discuss questions such as: What are the best digital solutions to increase traffic, business and revenues? Are pure players dead? How to integrate physical commerce into your 360° strategy? How do brands and pure players create the best physical experience to enchant their customers’ journey? Speakers include François Loviton, Director of Retail France at Google France, Wojciech Grendzinski, Vice President and Sales Director of IMS and Brian Kean, Head of Communications & Chief International Officer of Ulmart.

USA – Click to Bricks & Innovative Retail: Be Connected to the New American Dream! (16 November) will look at O2O from the US market perspective. Patrick McIntyre, Director of Global Retail at MARS and Darren Williams, Country Director of T2 Tea will feature on the panel.

For more information on the 2016 MAPIC, visit our pressroom.

About Reed MIDEM:
Founded in 1963, Reed MIDEM is an organiser of professional, international markets that are essential business platforms for key players in the sectors concerned. These sectors are MIPTV, MIPDOC, MIPCOM, MIP CANCUN and MIPJUNIOR for the television and digital content industries, MIDEM for music professionals, MIPIM, MIPIM Asia, MIPIM UK, and MIPIM Japan for the real estate industry and MAPIC, Retail Real Estate Market brought by MAPIC in Shanghai and MAPIC Italy in Milan for the retail real estate sector.

About Reed Exhibitions
Reed MIDEM is a division of Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading event organiser, with over 500 events in 43 countries. In 2015 Reed brought together over seven million active professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully-staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of the RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. www.reedexpo.com

For more information, please contact:

My-Lan CAO
Press Director
Tel.: +33 (0)1 79 71 95 44
mylan.cao@reedmidem.com 

Jessica Whyte
Press Manager
Tel: +33 (0) 1 79 71 95 46
jessica.whyte@reedmidem.com

###

innovation-to-lead-the-way-at-the-22nd-edition-of-mapic-16-18-november-cannes
innovation-to-lead-the-way-at-the-22nd-edition-of-mapic-16-18-november-cannes

 

Source: Mapic

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RioCan to release its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 on November 3, 2016

TORONTO, ONTARIO, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (“RioCan”) (TSX:REI.UN) today (Oct. 3, 2016) announced that it is scheduled to release its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 prior to the market open on Thursday, November 3, 2016.

Interested parties are invited to participate in a conference call with management on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. eastern time. You will be required to identify yourself and the organization on whose behalf you are participating.

In order to participate, please dial 416-340-2216 or 1-866-223-7781. If you cannot participate in the live mode, a replay will be available until December 1, 2016. To access the replay, please dial 905-694-9451 or 1-800-408-3053 and enter passcode 5706428#.

Scheduled speakers include Edward Sonshine, O.Ont., Q.C., Chief Executive Officer, Rags Davloor, President and Chief Operating Officer and Cynthia Devine, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Management’s presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. To ask a question, press “star 1” on a touch-tone phone. The conference call operator will be notified of all requests in the order in which they are made, and will introduce each questioner.

Alternatively, to access the simultaneous webcast, go to the following link on RioCan’s website: http://investor.riocan.com/investor-relations/events-and-presentations/events/default.aspx and click on the link for the webcast. The webcast will be archived 24 hours after the end of the conference call and can be accessed for 120 days.

About RioCan

RioCan is Canada’s largest real estate investment trust with a total enterprise value of approximately $15 billion as at June 30, 2016. RioCan owns and manages Canada’s largest portfolio of shopping centres with ownership interests in a portfolio of 302 Canadian retail and mixed use properties, including 15 properties under development, containing an aggregate net leasable area of 45 million square feet. For further information, please refer to RioCan’s website
at www.riocan.com.

Contact Information:
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust
Christian Green
AVP, Investor Relations & Compliance
Tel: 416-864-6483
www.riocan.com

Source: RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

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Daily’s Premium Meats recalls ready-to-eat bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes

WASHINGTON, 2016-Oct-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Daily’s Premium Meats, LLC, a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling approximately 170 pounds of ready-to-eat bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today ( Oct. 3, 2016).

The “Regular Ends Precooked Bacon” items were produced on September 22, 2016. The following products are subject to recall:

  • 17 CASES of 2-5 lbs.  PACKAGES IN CARDBOARD BOXES, CONTAINING “48108 REGULAR ENDS PRECOOKED BACON NET WT. 10 lbs. 2/5 lbs.” with a packaging date of “9/22/16” and use by date of “6/19/17.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 6133” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to Associated Foods retail locations in Idaho and Utah.

The problem was discovered during the company’s routine internal third party testing when a product sample collected tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).  There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.

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. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

FSIS advises all consumers to reheat ready-to-eat product until steaming hot.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Barry VanderVeur, Vice President of Operations at (801)-707-6145. Media with questions regarding the recall can contact David Eaheart, Director of Communications and Marketing at (913)-302-9885.

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.

PREPARING PRODUCT FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit
www.fsis.usda.govWash hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw meat and poultry for at least 20 seconds. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna or other deli meats unless reheated until steaming hot.

Do not eat refrigerated pate, meat spreads from a meat counter or smoked seafood found in the refrigerated section of the store. Foods that do not need refrigeration, like canned tuna and canned salmon, are safe to eat. Refrigerate after opening.

Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them.

Do not eat salads made in the store, such as ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad or seafood salad.

Do not eat soft cheeses, such as Feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, Brie, Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses and Panela, unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk.

Use precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as you can. L. monocytogenes can grow in the refrigerator. The refrigerator should be 40º F or cooler and the freezer 0º F or colder Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator.
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
Nina Anand
(202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

Source: USDA