Daily Archives: November 14, 2016

Posted on by

Evine partners with Paula Deen to launch weekly television and web series

“Sweet Home Savannah” premieres November 15 and broadcasts on Evine and evine.com every Tuesday at 6 pm ET from Paula Deen’s Savannah, Georgia home

MINNEAPOLIS, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Evine Live Inc. (“Evine”) (NASDAQ:EVLV), a multiplatform video commerce company (evine.com), has partnered with Paula Deen to launch a first-of-its-kind weekly television and web series on November 15th. The series, which will air live every Tuesday from Paula Deen’s Savannah, Georgia home, will give fans an intimate look at Paula’s personal sense of style, Southern charm and iconic recipes. “Sweet Home Savannah” debuts almost two years after Paula first joined Evine, where she’s since built a successful lifestyle brand that started with a kitchen and pantry line and quickly expanded to include home and fashion collections.

“This is a truly unique opportunity and a game-changer for our space,” said Bob Rosenblatt, Chief Executive Officer of Evine. “No other retailer has yet to host a weekly show on location. Paula’s ‘Sweet Home Savannah’ show broadcasting live from her Savannah home gives Evine’s viewers an opportunity to be transported to a different place and experience how she lives. Paula will get to be Paula – something our customers love – on a weekly basis, in her home and surrounded by her family and friends. Getting a live peek into Paula’s daily life is something that no other network has been able to do until now.”

Debuting November 15th, “Sweet Home Savannah” will be the first destination show of its kind. Airing every Tuesday evening at 6 pm ET, the weekly television and web show will broadcast live from Dogwood, Paula’s original home in Savannah, Georgia, where she started her very first cooking show in 2002. The new program on Evine will be highly interactive and an entertaining blend of Paula’s Southern charm and unique, Evine-exclusive product offering. Viewers will be able to simultaneously purchase the items she is using on the show across all of its digital channels.

Each week, the show will shift focus to a different collection within Paula’s lifestyle brand. Viewers will get a glimpse into how Paula lives as she presents her fashion line from her closet, her home line from her bedroom and her cooking line from her iconic kitchen. In addition to getting a behind the scenes look at the Queen of Southern Cuisine’s home, viewers will also meet close family and friends, as they make regular appearances as guests on the show.

“I couldn’t be happier to invite y’all into my home and give you the grand tour on Evine. I’m so excited to talk about what I love best – my kitchen, my bedroom and my closet! I simply love entertaining guests and what better way to do that than to invite each of you to join me on Evine every week. It’ll be a fun time, y’all!”

In addition to the live television show, Evine will leverage its multiple social channels to complement the television programming. Future shows will include a variety of social and interactive elements, including social chats and a Facebook Live show dubbed “Beyond Backstage,” currently planned for November 22nd. Going completely off-script, “Beyond Backstage” will be a fun, candid conversation with Paula and include a special offer to Facebook fans.

Viewers are invited to watch “Sweet Home Savannah” via cable and satellite, mobile apps and live streaming online at www.evine.com. Evine airs on DIRECTV channels 73 and 316, DISH Network channels 134 and 228, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, select Samsung Smart TVs, YouTube and on the nation’s top cable providers. Find Evine in your area: bit.ly/1CNa450.

For more information on Sweet Home Savannah, visit www.evine.com/PaulaDeen. For more information on Evine, visit www.evine.com.

About Evine Live Inc.
Evine Live Inc. (NASDAQ:EVLV) operates Evine, a digital commerce company that offers a compelling mix of proprietary and name brands directly to consumers in an engaging and informative shopping experience via television, online and on mobile. Evine reaches approximately 87 million cable and satellite television homes 24 hours a day with entertaining content in a comprehensive digital shopping experience.

Please visit www.evine.com/ir for more investor information.

About Paula Deen
Paula Deen has sold over 11 million copies of her 14 cookbooks. Deen’s first live tour, “Paula Deen Live!” commenced in June 2014, and featured cooking demonstrations, games, and stories with Paula and her fans. In September 2014, Paula Deen Ventures launched the “Paula Deen Network,” a subscriber-based interactive digital experience that broadcasts a variety of exclusive content featuring Paula anytime, anywhere. She showcases her signature Southern dishes and simple, healthy meals in a fun, unscripted format on a daily basis with all-new recipes, episodes and cooking tools. The Lady & Sons, the Savannah, Georgia restaurant Paula founded with her sons, Jamie and Bobby Deen, remains one of the country’s most popular regional restaurants. In 2015, Paula launched her first free mobile game, Paula Deen’s Recipe Quest, in addition to her podcast, What’s Cooking with Paula Deen, and radio show, Get Cooking with Paula Deen. That same year, Paula opened her new restaurant, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, in Pigeon Forge, TN and premiered her first show on EVINE Live. Paula’s latest cookbook, “Paula Deen Cuts The Fat: 250 Favorite Recipes All Lightened Up,” made The New York Times Best Sellers List in under a week. Paula also launched a pet food line with Hugs called Paula Deen Hugs Premium Select Pet Food. She competed in the twenty-first season of ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars, and successfully made it halfway through the competition. Most recently, Paula launched her new syndicated cooking and lifestyle show, Positively Paula. Deen’s robust social media following includes Facebook (4,582,864 likes), Twitter (1.44 million followers) and Pinterest (281,800 followers). Paula Deen Ventures is headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, with offices in New York.

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.

CONTACTS

Media:
Dawn Zaremba
Evine Live Inc.
press@evine.com
(952) 943-6043

Amanda Zerbib
ALISON BROD PUBLIC RELATIONS
amandaz@alisonbrodpr.com
(212) 230-1800

Jaret Keller
Key Group Worldwide – Paula Deen
jkeller@keygroup.tv
(212) 988-7701

Investors:
Michael Porter
Evine Live Inc.
mporter@evine.com
(952) 943-6517

###

Evine partners with Paula Deen to launch weekly television and web series
Evine partners with Paula Deen to launch weekly television and web series

 

Source: Evine Live Inc./globenewswire

Posted on by

RUSSIA: Lenta announces the opening of its first hypermarket in Ekaterinburg

With this opening, Lenta expands its network in the Urals to 16 hypermarkets in 8 cities

St. Petersburg, Russia, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lenta, (LSE, MOEX: LNTA) one of the largest retail chains in Russia, is pleased to announce the opening of its first hypermarket in Ekaterinburg.

The new store is a Lenta standard format hypermarket located at 19/1 Sibirskiy highway, Ekaterinburg. The store has a total area of 12,365 sq.m with 7,018 sq.m of selling space and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A broad product assortment of 26,000 SKUs has been selected specifically for residents of Ekaterinburg and includes Lenta’s private labels and federal product ranges alongside local produce. The store has 540 parking spaces and 40 cash registers. The property is owned by Lenta.

The opening in Ekaterinburg is Lenta’s twenty second hypermarket opening in 2016 and brings the total number of Lenta stores to 161 hypermarkets in 75 cities across Russia and 43 supermarkets in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

About Lenta
Lenta is the largest hypermarket chain in Russia (in terms of selling space) and the country’s fifth largest retail chain (in terms of 2015 sales). The Company was founded in 1993 in St. Petersburg. Lenta operates 161 hypermarkets in 75 cities across Russia and 43 supermarkets in Moscow and St. Petersburg, with a total of approximately 997,460 sq.m of selling space. The average Lenta hypermarket store has selling space of approximately 5,900 sq.m. The average Lenta supermarket store has selling space of approximately 1,000 sq.m. The Company operates six owned hypermarket distribution centres.

The Company’s price-led hypermarket formats are differentiated in terms of their promotion and pricing strategies as well as their local product assortment. The Company employed approximately 34,134 people as of 30 June 20161.

The Company’s management team combines a mix of local knowledge and international expertise coupled with extensive operational experience in Russia. Lenta’s largest shareholders include TPG Capital and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, both of which are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. Lenta is listed on the London Stock Exchange and on the Moscow Exchange and trades under the ticker: ‘LNTA’.

A brief video summary on Lenta’s business and its Big Data initiative can be seen here.

For further information please visit www.lentainvestor.com, or contact:

Lenta
Anna Meleshina,
Public Relations & Government Affairs Director
Tel: +7 812 363 28 53
E-mail: anna.meleshina@lenta.com

Anastasia Kuznetsova,
Corporate Communications Manager
Тel:+7 (812) 336 39 97
E-mail: a.kuznetsova@lenta.com

Citigate
International Media:
David Westover
Тel: +44 207 282 2886
E-mail: lentateam@citigatedr.co.uk

FTI Consulting
Russian Media:
Anton Karpov & Victoria Afonina
Тel:+7 495 795 06 23
E-mail: lenta@FTIconsulting.com

Source: Lenta

Posted on by

Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen kicks off the holiday season with Cajun Style Turkeys

ATLANTA, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen kicks off the holiday season with one of its longest running and most flavorful traditions, Cajun Style Turkeys. Infused with a special blend of Louisiana spices and seasonings, Popeyes Cajun Style Turkeys are flash fried to seal in the unique flavor creating a delicious coating.

“Everyone enjoys celebrating the holidays with family gatherings and Popeyes Cajun Style Turkeys have become an institution for families around the country during the holiday season,” said Hector A. Muñoz, Chief Marketing Officer – US, Popeyes. “We’re once again bringing our signature Louisiana flavor to holiday meals and this year more Popeyes restaurants than ever are offering Cajun Style Turkeys. So come down and get yours before they’re gone!”

Along with Popeyes Cajun Style Turkeys, guests can also bring home a variety of Signature Sides from Popeyes to complete their perfect holiday get together, including Mashed Potatoes with Cajun Gravy, Red Beans and Rice and mouthwatering Buttermilk Biscuits.

Cajun Style Turkeys also make great gifts for friends, family members or employees. This once-a-year limited time offer is available at participating restaurants through December, or until supplies last. For more information or to find participating restaurants, 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. For more information, visit the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Web site at www.popeyes.com.

Media Contact:
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

Posted on by

Wincor Nixdorf announces joint venture agreement with Aisino Corporation in China

Agreement re-establishes competitive presence in China with leading IT services provider

NORTH CANTON, Ohio and PADERBORN, Germany, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Wincor Nixdorf AG today (Nov. 11, 2016) announced it recently finalized a previously announced joint venture agreement with the Aisino Corporation in China. This agreement allows the newly combined Diebold Nixdorf to develop, produce and market an extensive range of hardware, software and services for banks and retailers in China, in accordance with Chinese regulations.

Following closing of the transaction, Diebold Nixdorf will hold a 43.6 percent minority interest in the joint venture, first announced by Wincor Nixdorf on June 22, 2016.

About Diebold Nixdorf
Diebold Nixdorf is a world leader in enabling connected commerce for millions of consumers each day across the financial and retail industries. Its software-defined solutions bridge the physical and digital worlds of cash and consumer transactions conveniently, securely and efficiently. As an innovation partner for nearly all of the world’s top 100 financial institutions and a majority of the top 25 global retailers, Diebold Nixdorf delivers unparalleled services and technology that are essential to evolve in an ‘always on’ and changing consumer landscape.

Diebold Nixdorf has a presence in more than 130 countries with approximately 25,000 employees worldwide. The organization maintains corporate offices in North Canton, Ohio, USA and Paderborn, Germany. Shares are traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol ‘DBD’. Visit www.DieboldNixdorf.com for more information.

Contact:

U.S. Media Relations:
Mike Jacobsen
+1-330-490-37976
michael.jacobsen@dieboldnixdorf.com

Investor Relations:
Steve Virostek
+1-330-490-6319
steve.virostek@dieboldnixdorf.com;

Germany Media Relations:
Andreas Bruck
+49 151 1512 3018
andreas.bruck@dieboldnixdorf.com

SOURCE: Diebold Nixdorf

Posted on by

Diebold Nixdorf re-establishes presence in China with Inspur Group joint venture agreement

Re-establishes competitive presence in key market with leading IT company

NORTH CANTON, Ohio and PADERBORN, Germany, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Diebold, Incorporated today (11 November 2016) announced it has finalized its previously announced joint venture agreement with the Inspur Group. This agreement allows the newly combined Diebold Nixdorf to better provide a complete range of self-service solutions within the China market, including automated teller machines (ATMs), non-cash terminals and kiosks, in accordance with Chinese regulations. Also, Diebold Nixdorf will serve as the exclusive distributor outside of China for all products developed by the new joint venture, which will be sold under the Diebold Nixdorf brand.

Following closing of the transaction, Diebold Nixdorf will hold a 40 percent minority interest in the joint venture, initially announced by Diebold, Incorporated on Dec. 18, 2015.

About Diebold Nixdorf
Diebold Nixdorf is a world leader in enabling connected commerce for millions of consumers each day across the financial and retail industries. Its software-defined solutions bridge the physical and digital worlds of cash and consumer transactions conveniently, securely and efficiently. As an innovation partner for nearly all of the world’s top 100 financial institutions and a majority of the top 25 global retailers, Diebold Nixdorf delivers unparalleled services and technology that are essential to evolve in an ‘always on’ and changing consumer landscape.

Diebold Nixdorf has a presence in more than 130 countries with approximately 25,000 employees worldwide. The organization maintains corporate offices in North Canton, Ohio, USA and Paderborn, Germany. Shares are traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol ‘DBD’. Visit www.DieboldNixdorf.com for more information.

Contact:

U.S. Media Relations:
Mike Jacobsen
+1-330-490-37976
michael.jacobsen@dieboldnixdorf.com

Investor Relations:
Steve Virostek
+1-330-490-6319
steve.virostek@dieboldnixdorf.com;

Germany Media Relations:
Andreas Bruck
+49 151 1512 3018
andreas.bruck@dieboldnixdorf.com

SOURCE: Diebold Nixdorf

Posted on by

t0’s blockchain-based asset trading platform to be presented at Global FinTech Hackcelerator in Singapore

  • t0 will demonstrate blockchain-based securities trading platform at Singapore’s Global FinTech Hackcelerator
  • Overstock.com CEO Patrick M. Byrne to present the t0 software

SINGAPORE, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK) CEO Patrick M. Byrne will present the blockchain-based asset trading platform developed by the company’s financial technology subsidiary, t0.com, Inc. The software demo will take place at the prestigious Global FinTech Hackcelerator, organized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. t0 is one of just 19 firms, selected from a competitive pool of 655 applicants worldwide, to participate in the competition.

“Singapore has demonstrated, over and over, that it wants to be at the epicenter of the unfolding blockchain revolution, and the active support offered by the Monetary Authority of Singapore makes me think it’s likely to succeed,” said Byrne. “The opportunity to demonstrate the power and efficiency of the t0 platform before such an impressive body is a privilege.”The presentation will take place at the Red Dot Design Museum on Nov. 15 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Singapore time (UTC +8).

As a presenting company, t0 receives a stipend of S$20,000, the guidance of an industry veteran and the opportunity to demonstrate the company’s trading platform before an audience of potential customers and investors.

Byrne will be available to media immediately after his demonstration of the t0 platform on Nov. 15 through Nov. 18.

Distributed ledger technology expert Raj Karkara, COO of t0, will also be present at the event and able to answer any questions about t0’s range of solutions servicing all asset classes at all stages of the trade lifecycle. Karkara will be on hand at the t0 exhibit booth, #309, for the duration of the event, and can be reached at raj.karkara@t0.com.

About Medici Ventures
Launched in 2014, Medici Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Overstock.com, Inc., created to manage and oversee the company’s investments in firms building solutions leveraging and servicing blockchain technologies. Medici project investments include: t0, PeerNova, Bitt.com and Identity Mind.

About t0
t0 (pronounced tee-zero) is a majority owned subsidiary of Overstock.com, focusing on the development and commercialization of financial technology (FinTech) based on cryptographically-secured, decentralized ledgers – more commonly known as blockchain technologies. Since its inception in October of 2014, t0 has pioneered the effort to bring greater efficiency and transparency to capital markets through the integration of blockchain technology. More information is available at t0.com.

About Overstock.com
Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK) is an online retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah that sells a broad range of products at low prices, including furniture, rugs, bedding, electronics, clothing, and jewelry. Additional stores within Overstock include Worldstock.com, dedicated to selling artisan-crafted products to help developing nations around the world and Main Street Revolution, supporting small-scale entrepreneurs in the U.S. by providing them with a national customer base. Other community-focused initiatives include Farmers Market and pet adoptions.  Forbes ranked Overstock in its list of the Top 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in 2014. Overstock sells internationally under the name O.co and regularly posts information about the company and other related matters under Investor Relations on its website.

O, Overstock.com, O.com, O.co, Club O, Main Street Revolution, Worldstock and OVillage are registered trademarks of Overstock.com, Inc.  O.biz and Space Shift are also trademarks of Overstock.com, Inc.  Other service marks, trademarks and trade names which may be referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact.  Additional information regarding factors that could materially affect results and the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained herein may be found in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, which was filed with the SEC on November 3, 2016, and any subsequent filings with the SEC.

Media Contact:

Judd Bagley
Medici Ventures, Inc.
+1 (801) 947-5352
jbagley@t0.com

Source: Overstock.com, Inc./globenewswire

Posted on by

Schnucks Kitchen recalls Butter Garlic Grilled Marinated Chicken Breasts that may be undercooked

ST. LOUIS, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Schnucks Kitchen, an O’Fallon, Mo. establishment, is recalling 72 Butter Garlic Grilled Marinated Chicken Breasts from 26 of the company’s retail locations (see list below) because the product may be undercooked.

Customers who purchased the affected product from the DELI/CHEF’S EXPRESS department of one of the 26 affected stores on Wednesday, Nov. 9 or Thursday, Nov. 10 are encouraged to return it to the store of purchase for a full refund. Consuming raw or undercooked poultry may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.

The issue was discovered by an internal investigation after the company received a consumer contact regarding the purchase of an undercooked chicken breast.

Customers with questions regarding the recall should contact the Schnucks Consumer Affairs department at 314-994-4400, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST. Media with questions regarding the recall can contact Paul Simon, Schnucks senior communications specialist, at 314-994-4603.

This recall affects the DELI/CHEF’S EXPRESS departments at the following 26 Schnucks locations:

Missouri:

Mid Rivers     577 Mid Rivers Mall Drive     St. Peters, MO 63376

Cottleville     6083 Mid Rivers Mall Drive     Cottleville, MO 63304

Harvester     48 Plaza 94 Drive     St. Peters, MO 63376

Mason     12756 Olive Blvd.     Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Twin Oaks     1393 Big Bend Blvd.     Twin Oaks, MO 63021

Kehrs Mill     2511 Kehrs Mill Road     Ballwin, MO 63017

Richmond Center     6600 Clayton Road     Richmond Heights, MO 63117

Lindell     4171 Lindell Blvd.     St. Louis, MO 63108

Culinaria     315 North 9th Street     St. Louis, MO 63101

Hampton & Gravois     7450 Hampton Ave.     St. Louis, MO 63109

Arsenal     5055 Arsenal     St. Louis, MO 63139

Eureka     245 East 5th Street     Eureka, MO 63025

Richardson Crossing     3900 Vogel Road     Arnold, MO 63010

Farmington     942 Valley Creek Drive     Farmington, MO 63640

Washington     2073 Washington Crossing     Washington, MO 63090

Columbia     1400 Forum Blvd.     Columbia, MO 65203

Illinois:

Granite City     3100 Madison Ave.     Granite City, IL 62040

Collinsville     501 Belt Line Road     Collinsville, IL 62234

Edwardsville     2222 Troy Road     Edwardsville, IL 62025

Pekin     1001 Court Street     Pekin, IL 61554

Centralia     1129 West Broadway     Centralia, IL 62801

Carbondale     915 West Main Street     Carbondale, IL 62901

Loves Park     1810 Harlem Road     Loves Park, IL 61111

Mulford     2601 North Mulford     Rockford, IL 61114

Indiana:

Evansville North     3700 First Ave.     Evansville, IN 47710

Green River     3501 North Green River Road     Evansville, IN 47715

Media Contact:

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

Source: Schnuck

Posted on by

Kroger announces contribution of $3.1 million to USO in 2016 through its Honoring Our Heroes campaign

CINCINNATI, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today (Nov. 11, 2016) proudly announced a total contribution to the USO of nearly $3.1 million for 2016. This total includes a company contribution of $1 million in funds.

The remaining support was raised through the support of partners like Wrigley’s and Coca Cola, and the generosity of customers and associates who contributed at check stands, purchased special gift cards to be delivered to USO centers, or donated online throughout Kroger’s year-long Honoring Our Heroes campaign.

Through the program, Kroger’s family of stores has donated nearly $18 million since 2010 to help support USO programs, which represents the largest cumulative gift to the USO in its 75-year history.

“On Veteran’s Day, and every day, the Kroger family of stores is honored to employ and to serve our nation’s veterans and their family members,” said Jessica Adelman, Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs.

In support of Veteran’s Day, the company is currently inviting customers to Salute Their Service by sending words of gratitude to our men and women in uniform by visiting http://www.honoringourheroes.com. And throughout the month of November, for each pack of Wrigley’s Extra gum purchased at Kroger’s family of stores, a pack will be donated to a service member.

About the USO

The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.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 2,781 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 2,240 pharmacies, 785 convenience stores, 323 fine jewelry stores, 1,423 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.

SOURCE: The Kroger Co.

Posted on by

Taco Bell opens new location on the Las Vegas Strip; unveils first logo refresh in over 25 years

Unveils Flagship Restaurant in Las Vegas, New Logo, and the Taco Bell Experience of the Future

Irvine, Calif., 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Taco Bell makes its debut on the Las Vegas Strip today, becoming the brand’s 7,000th restaurant and first flagship destination.

Alongside its opening, Taco Bell revealed its first logo refresh in over 25 years and follows the recent unveiling of new restaurant design concepts. These latest developments represent the brand’s evolution and growth plan to become a $15 billion brand by 2022 while adding 2,000 new restaurants globally and 100,000 new jobs in the U.S.

“If you’re going to throw a party to celebrate the growth and evolution of your brand, there’s no better place to hold it than Las Vegas,” said Taco Bell CMO, Marisa Thalberg. “This flagship restaurant is our ultimate expression of the Taco Bell brand, and lifestyle.”

A Flagship Experience
Las Vegas becomes the fourth Taco Bell Cantina restaurant to open, following Wicker Park Chicago, SOMA San Francisco and Austin, and the first of its kind to offer 24-hour service. The flagship restaurant is centrally-located on the Las Vegas Strip on Harmon Corner, directly across from CityCenter and The Cosmopolitan Hotel.

The restaurant will offer a dining atmosphere fit for the lifestyle of the Vegas Strip, inclusive of experiences unique to Taco Bell Cantinas:

• Retail: The Taco Bell retail experience is the latest example of how the brand looks to create new cultural ground. For the first time, customers can now purchase exclusive Taco Bell merchandise and memorabilia in the restaurant. Selections include limited edition Las Vegas branded retail and newly designed brand merchandise, ranging from hats, shirts and bags to bikinis, rings and sweatshirts. Select branded merchandise will also be available online in Taco Bell’s Taco Shop.
• Freeze Wall: Eight Freeze drink taps line the back wall. Equipped with eight base flavors (Margarita, Cola, Pina Colada, Lemonade, Orange, Baja Blast, Cherry and Blue Raspberry), customers can add alcohol (Tequila, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey and Spiced Rum) and additional flavors for customized concoctions. Both Freezes and Twisted Freezes (those including alcohol) will be served in 16 or 32oz. souvenir cups.
• Technology: The flagship restaurant will feature digital menu boards and digital ques to monitor your order process, in addition to portable ordering tablets to reduce wait times. The 16 screens lining the interior wall will feature entertainment, live-stream video, sports and social media conversation.
• Transparency: An open kitchen design and food served in open-faced baskets gives customers a look inside Taco Bell’s quality ingredients.
• Shareables: Cantina restaurants feature a tapas-style menu of shareable appetizers – including nachos, quesadillas and chicken fingers, in addition to the full craveable and affordable Taco Bell Menu.
• Vegas Touches: Dedicated space for DJ entertainment, Wall of Taps, outdoor misters and heaters, community style seating, VIP lounges and unique custom artwork will also be featured. The two story building is faced with a wall of glass, an upstairs mezzanine and lounge overlooking the action and an outdoor patio right in the middle of it all on Harmon Corner and the Vegas Strip.

Brand Evolution – 25 Years in the Making
While Taco Bell restaurants have seen continuous evolution, the logo has remained unchanged. In fact, the previous logo made its debut back in 1995.

In what the brand terms an “evolution, not revolution,” the new logo mirrors the new restaurant strategy: one size doesn’t fit all. In this modern take, color makes a splash and allows customization through patterns and textures, giving usage flexibility while maintaining its iconic framework.

Digital rollout of the logo refresh takes place today, while physical assets like restaurant design, packaging and impacted retail partners will roll out more gradually, depending on development and refresh timelines.

The refreshed logo was created is partnership with the leading creative consultancy Lippincott and Taco Bell’s internal design group, TBD.

Brand Growth
In 2015, Taco Bell opened over 275 new restaurants, remodeled about 600 more, and is currently on pace to exceed both numbers in 2016. Of the 2,000 restaurants planned to be built by 2022, 200 will be urban locations – a typically underrepresented geographic area for the brand.

“Building new restaurants is a key component to the overall growth and evolution of Taco Bell,” said Brian Niccol, Chief Executive Officer at Taco Bell Corp. “Great design, great food and great economics are at the heart of our growth.”

Urban concept restaurants have five things in common that differentiate them from standard Taco Bell restaurants: décor, local artwork, open kitchen layout, open plating and shareable menus. In 2015, Taco Bell also opened up the first of its two Cantina restaurants in San Francisco and Chicago. Cantina restaurants may also serve alcoholic beverages, which can include beer, wine, sangria and twisted Freezes.

Future Urban and Cantina locations are currently in development in Cincinnati, Berkeley, Fayetteville, San Antonio and Cleveland, while numerous cities across the U.S. are under consideration for future locations.

ABOUT TACO BELL® CORPORATION

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation’s leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant. Taco Bell serves made to order and customizable tacos, burritos, and specialties such as the exclusive Doritos® Locos Tacos, gourmet-inspired Cantina Power® Menu, lower calorie Fresco options and is the first QSR restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified menu items. Taco Bell Breakfast offers portable, classic items such as the A.M. Crunchwrap, Biscuit Taco and signature breakfast burritos. The company encourages customers to “Live Más,” both through its food and in ways such as its Feed The Beat® music program and its nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell® Foundation™. Taco Bell and its more than 350 franchise organizations have nearly 6,000 restaurants across the United States that proudly serve more than 40 million customers every week.

Like: Facebook.com/tacobell
Follow: @TacoBell (Twitter) and tacobell (Instagram)
Subscribe: YouTube.com/tacobell

MEDIA RELATIONS:

Public relations inquiries please call:
949-863-3915
e-mail: media@tacobell.com

Source: Taco Bell Corp.

Posted on by

Migros: DIE NEUE SÄNTISPARK-RUTSCHENWELT IST ERÖFFNET

Migros: DIE NEUE SÄNTISPARK-RUTSCHENWELT IST ERÖFFNET
Migros: DIE NEUE SÄNTISPARK-RUTSCHENWELT IST ERÖFFNET

 

Gossau, Switzerland, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Nach einer rund eineinhalb Jahre dauernden Bauzeit hat der Säntispark in Abtwil bei St.Gallen eine komplett neue Rutschenwelt eröffnet. Mit acht grossen Rutschbahnen und der Bespielung des Innenbereichs mit Licht- und Toneffekten setzt der Migros-Betrieb neue Massstäbe für Erlebnisbäder in der Schweiz.

Man muss noch nicht einmal gerutscht sein, und findet in der neuen Säntispark-Rutschenwelt bereits allerhand Faszinierendes. Wer in den „Berg“, wie der neuste Teil der Bäderwelt heisst, eintritt, wird umspielt von farbigen Lichteffekten und packender Musik. Ein grosser Bergkristall funkelt in der Mitte dieser Erlebniswelt. Beim Erklimmen der Treppen zur Startebene kann man beobachten, wie andere Besucher auf den Rutschbahnen in die Tiefe flitzen. Ein ähnliches Rutscherlebnis findet man in der Schweiz und im angrenzenden Europa nirgends. „Vor 30 Jahren haben wir mit der Eröffnung des Säntisparks und der Kombination von Einkaufs- und Freizeitzentrum die Schweiz zum Staunen gebracht. Das möchten wir mit der neuen Rutschenwelt wieder tun“, sagt Peter Diethelm, Geschäftsleiter der Migros Ostschweiz. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, haben die Verantwortlichen der Thematisierung in der neuen Rutschenwelt grosse Beachtung geschenkt. „Bei uns können die Gäste nicht nur rutschen, sondern in eine Erlebniswelt eintauchen“, sagt Roland Schürpf, Leiter der Direktion Klubschule/ Freizeitanlagen der Migros Ostschweiz. Er ergänzt: „Dank der Lichteffekte können wir immer wieder neue Erlebnisse bieten.“

Rutschbahnen für Action-Suchende und Familien
„Der Berg“ ist die Heimat von acht abwechslungsreichen Rutschbahnen für Action-Suchende und Familien. Besonders hervor sticht dabei die Säntis-Pipe, auf der man mit einem Reifen auf eine sechs Meter hohe Steilwand zurutscht. Eine ähnliche Rutschbahn findet man in der Schweiz und im angrenzenden Ausland nirgends. Für viel Adrenalin sorgt auch der Sturzflug, bei dem auf Knopfdruck der Boden unter den Füssen verschwindet, worauf man wie im freien Fall ins Abenteuer stürzt. Catherine Zimpfer, Leiterin Säntispark Freizeit, freut sich über den Wildbach: „Es ist die wildeste unserer Rutschbahnen. In einem Teil rutscht man sogar aufwärts.“ Wer ein Gemeinschaftserlebnis sucht, wählt den Eiskanal, in dem man auf Zweier- oder Dreier-Reifen in Richtung Landebecken saust. Sportliche treten in den zwei parallelen Röhren des Super-G gegeneinander an. Der Sternrausch mit dunklen Abschnitten und der Wirbelwind, in dem man die Zentrifugalkraft vertikal und horizontal zu spüren bekommt, komplettieren das vielfältige Angebot. Am Samstag, 12. November 2016, ist die neue Säntispark-Rutschenwelt exklusiv für Gäste des ****Hotels Säntispark und Wettbewerbsgewinner des Migros-Familienclubs Famigros geöffnet. Ab dem 13. November 2016 ist sie für die breite Öffentlichkeit zugänglich.

Neuer Glanz zum 30. Geburtstag
Mit der Eröffnung der neuen Rutschenwelt schliesst die Migros Ostschweiz eine umfassende Modernisierung und Erweiterung des Säntisparks ab. Diese wurde Anfang 2015 gestartet und beinhaltete auch die Erneuerung der Kinderbadewelt, die Modernisierung der Saunawelt, den Einbau eines Beizlis im Bad sowie die Neugestaltung von Eingangsbereich und Garderoben. Die Migros Ostschweiz hat rund 46 Millionen Franken investiert, damit der Säntispark zu seinem 30-jährigen Bestehen wieder in neuem Glanz erscheint.

Check für den Verein Windrädli
Im Rahmen der Eröffnungsfeier für Behörden und Projektbeteiligte am Abend des 11. Novembers 2016 überreichen Peter Diethelm und Roland Schürpf einen Check im Wert von 5000 Franken für eine gemeinnützige Organisation an Boris Tschirky, Gemeindepräsident von Gaiserwald. Die Gemeinde hat sich entschieden, den Betrag dem Verein Windrädli in Engelburg zukommen zu lassen.

Säntispark Shuttle: Direktbus ab St.Gallen Bahnhof
Die Migros Ostschweiz ist darauf bedacht, dass die Anreise zum Säntispark für die Gäste möglichst bequem ist. Aus diesen Gründen fährt ab dem 19. November jeweils samstags sowie vom 24. Dezember bis 2. Januar täglich der Säntispark Shuttle im 20-Minuten-Takt von der Lagerstrasse beim Bahnhof St.Gallen (Haltestelle bei der FHS) über die Kreuzbleiche in den Säntispark. Der Säntispark Shuttle wird in der Wintersaison bis Ende April angeboten und ist kostenlos. Für alle Linienbusse gilt der Ostwindtarif (Zonen 210 und 211). Die genauen Abfahrtszeiten sind auf www.saentispark-freizeit.ch zu finden.

Öffnungszeiten:
Bäder- und Saunawelt: Montag bis Freitag 9.00 bis 22.00 Uhr, Samstag und Sonntag 8.00 bis 22.00 Uhr

Rutschenwelt: Montag bis Freitag 13.00 bis 22.00 Uhr, Samstag und Sonntag 8.00 bis 22.00 Uhr, Ferien- und Feiertage 9.00 bis 22.00 Uhr

Contact:

Genossenschaft Migros Ostschweiz
Frau Natalie Brägger
Kommunikation / Kulturprozent / Sponsoring
Industriestrasse 47
9201 Gossau
TEL: 071 493 24 46
FAX: 071 493 27 89
E-MAIL: natalie.braegger@gmos.ch

Source: Migros

###

Posted on by

TRAGTASCHEN-WETTBEWERB: «MIGROS-EXPRESS» GEWINNT

TRAGTASCHEN-WETTBEWERB: «MIGROS-EXPRESS» GEWINNT
TRAGTASCHEN-WETTBEWERB: «MIGROS-EXPRESS» GEWINNT

 

Gossau, Switzerland, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Dierikon – Esther Odermatt aus Stans heisst die Gewinnerin des Tragtaschen-Wettbewerbes zum 75-Jahr-Jubiläum der Migros Luzern. Ihr Sujet – die Migros-Variante des italienischen Kultfahrzeuges «Ape» von Piaggio – hat Kundinnen und Kunden der Migros Luzern überzeugt.

In ihrem Jubiläumsjahr hat die Genossenschaft Migros Luzern kreative Köpfe gesucht, die ein Sujet für eine Migros-Papiertragtasche kreieren. Über 300 Kunstwerke sind eingegangen. Zehn standen in Form eines Online-Votings zur Wahl. Migros-Kundinnen und -Kunden haben sich entschieden: Esther Odermatt aus Stans gewann mit ihrem «Migros-Express» den Wettbewerb.

«Ich bin ein Fan von Italien und die kultigen Fahrzeuge wie die ‚Ape‘ von Piaggio haben es mir angetan. Ein Migros-Fahrzeug in diesem Stil zu gestalten empfand ich als originelle Idee und als Hommage an die Migros-Verkaufsbusse», so Esther Odermatt. Die leidenschaftliche Hobby-Malerin durfte an der Vernissage ihrer Tragtasche den Siegerpreis, eine Migros-Geschenkkarte im Wert von 500 Franken, entgegennehmen.

Die Tragtaschen zum 75-Jahr-Jubiläum der Migros Luzern, gestaltet von Esther Odermatt aus Stans, sind vom 14. bis 26. November in allen Supermarktfilialen der Migros Luzern erhältlich.

«Die gerahmte Tragtasche wird einen Ehrenplatz in meinem Atelier erhalten», so Esther Odermatt.

Contact:
Genossenschaft Migros Luzern
Claudius Bachmann
Unternehmenskommunikation
Industriestrasse 2
6036 Dierikon
TEL: 041 455 73 46
E-MAIL: claudius.bachmann@migrosluzern.ch

Source: Migros

###

Posted on by

Belk unveils 2016 Charity Bear designed by 9-year-old contest winner; $5 of the proceeds from the sale to be donated to United Way

CHARLOTTE, N.C., 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — A 9-year-old from South Carolina won the 2016 Belkie Bear design contest held at Belk’s SantaFest event last year. The bear was unveiled at Belk’s SantaFest today ( Nov. 12, 2016). Elizabeth’s design was selected from hundreds of applicants.

As the grand prize winner of last year’s contest, Elizabeth’s design was used in creating a new Belkie Charity Bear, with $5 of the proceeds from the sale of the bear going to the United Way to create lasting change. This charity was chosen by the winner’s response to the contest question, “I want my Belkie Bear to help…” Elizabeth filled in the blank with “families who do not have very much money.”

Based on the judges’ selection, Elizabeth received 10 custom Belkie Charity Bears created based on her design, along with a $500 Belk shopping spree. A Belkie Bear and $500 Belk shopping spree were also awarded to finalist winners in each of the three age categories:  4 – 6; 7 – 9 and 10 – 11.

The new 2016 Charity Bear will be available in most stores and online at www.belk.com.

About Belk, Inc.
Belk, Inc., a private department store company based in Charlotte, N.C., is the home of Modern. Southern. Style. located in 16 Southern states and a growing digital presence. Belk is a portfolio company of Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York. Belk and www.belk.com offer a wide assortment of national brands and private label fashion apparel, shoes and accessories for the entire family along with top name cosmetics, a wedding registry and a large selection of quality merchandise for the home.

Belk offers many ways to connect via digital and social media, including Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Google Plus, and provides exclusive offers, fashion updates, sales notifications and coupons via email or mobile phone text messages. Customers can also download the latest Belk mobile apps for the iPad, iPhone or Android.

For further information:

Jessica Graham
vice president
communications and community relations
704-426-8333
Jessica_graham@belk.com

SOURCE: Belk, Inc.

Posted on by

M&S features Mrs Claus in its 2016 Christmas campaign

LONDON, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tonight (11 Nov 2016), M&S launches its 2016 Christmas campaign, with the release of its much anticipated Christmas advert Christmas with Love. Christmas with Love is its most customer-centric campaign to date, with input from thousands of its 32 million customers across the UK to develop the star of their Christmas ad – Mrs Claus.

The ad will premiere tonight, Friday 11th November, at 9pm. It is also M&S’s most socially immersive campaign to date, launching in the first ad break of Gogglebox to more than three million viewers, alongside landing on YouTube, M&S’s website and to its five million Sparks members.

It tells the story of Jake, who’s spent the last year squabbling with his sister Anna. As Christmas approaches, Jake decides he wants to do something special for her. So he writes to Mrs Claus (played by British actor Janet McTeer) who helps him give the perfect present with love to Anna – red, glittery trainers. And Mrs Claus helps out in her own stylish way, flying from Lapland across London in her helicopter to get Anna’s present to her on Christmas morning. As she departs, it magically begins to snow, delivering a white Christmas for all to enjoy.

Created by RKCR/ Y&R, the ad was directed by Oscar-winning British director Tom Hooper and has an original cinematic score composed by talented British composer Rachel Portman.

Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, Executive Director of Customer, Marketing & M&S.com said: “Our Christmas with Love campaign is a brand new approach for M&S this year, one that has been created with our customers and for our customers, with their feedback at the heart of our strategy. Our ambition is for M&S’s customers across the nation to experience something special this festive season.

“Mrs Claus is the result of thousands of conversations that we had with our customers to understand what they want from M&S – which is warmth, empathy and a touch of humour presented in a modern and contemporary way. She epitomises the huge efforts our customers put in to making the festive season special and represents the love and togetherness that customers want to feel and see in abundance at Christmas.

“That’s why we’ve brought Mrs Claus and her world to life outside the ad in our most immersive and mobile Christmas experience yet. Across social, in store, mobile and online she’ll be there to help our customers with the build up to the big day by taking over our communication channels and surprising customers as they shop, ensuring that everyone will #LoveMrsClaus this year.”

Mrs Claus will be helping M&S make every moment special for its customers this Christmas. Living beyond the ad, she’ll open her world and point of view outside the TV ad – from social media takeovers featuring her own emoji and hashtag #LoveMrsClaus to offering outfit and gift inspiration on in store décor. M&S’s store teams will be getting involved by carrying out 15,000 acts of Mrs Claus kindness for customers, from free coffee for a Café regular to a party makeover for a customer in need of a pick-me-up.

Along with its media agency Mindshare, M&S has created an exclusive partnership with Channel 4 to launch the campaign. Following a week of co-branded teaser activity across the Channel 4 network and in social media, Mrs Claus will appear in a special ad break where she will officially kick off the festive season on the channel. A specially created spot narrated by David Mitchell will see Mrs Claus give seasonal style tips to Dawn O’Porter, Christmas decoration suggestions for Kirsty and Phil and festive food inspiration to Jimmy Doherty. This spot will launch as part of a break takeover alongside the M&S Christmas ad tonight, with more content to be released in the run up to Christmas on air and in social media

To create a campaign that is warmer and more special than ever before, M&S has listened to thousands of customers to ensure that Christmas with Love is highlighting the most relevant products at the right time throughout the festive season. The campaign will be aligned with customers’ personal Christmas calendars as they work towards the big day, from the search for a great Christmas jumper in early December, to the last minute dash for cream on Christmas Eve. For Food, this means the continuation of their mouth-watering ‘Adventures In’ TV ads, under the title ‘Tis the Season,’ with a festive twist to the iconic Clean Bandit track that complements the ads. For Clothing, it means targeted advertisements across multiple press, outdoor and digital channels. M&S’s top stores will have seasonal gift highlight areas at the front featuring all the products from the ads, ensuring these advertised lines are easy for customers to find.

The sentiments behind the campaign will also be reflected in how customers experience the brand in-store and online. From the redeveloped Christmas Food to Order website which is now easier to shop, with more choice and more collection-slots, to their best ever range of innovative and special festive food and gifts, to the warmth of their 70,000 store colleagues. This season M&S will truly make every moment special for customers, with a magical Mrs Claus touch.

Notes to Editors 

  • Mrs Claus was created by Alice Burton & Psembi Kinstan from RKCR/Y&R working with Smuggler (Tom Hooper). Editing by the Quarry, Post Production by The Mill and Sound Design by Wave.
  • There are four versions of the advert (3m, 2m, 60” and 30”) to be played on Television, Social and M&S’s own channels.
  • The track composed by Rachel Portman will be available to buy and stream through Universal from Friday 11th November, it will also be played on Bill Turnbill’s Classic FM morning show
  • All products featured in the advert are available in selected M&S stores and online, including Anna’s glittery trainers

For further information, please contact:

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

Source: Marks & Spencer

Posted on by

American Cancer Society and CVS Health Foundation initiative support college and university campuses go smoke- and tobacco-free

ATLANTA, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — The American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation today awarded grants to 20 U.S. colleges and universities as part of their Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative (TFGCI), a $3.6 million multi-year program intended to accelerate and expand the adoption and implementation of 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. The announcement coincides this week with the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7963951-cvs-health-tobacco-free-campus

The Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative is part of Be The First, CVS Health’s five-year, $50 million initiative that supports education, advocacy, tobacco control, and healthy behavior programming to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation. CVS Health has set actionable and measurable goals for Be The First, including a doubling of the number of tobacco-free college and university campuses in the United States.

“With our partners at CVS Health, we are excited to support the efforts of many dedicated students, faculty and staff to make their campuses smoke- and tobacco-free using proven strategies that will also reduce tobacco use among students,” said Gary M. Reedy, Chief Executive Officer for the American Cancer Society. “To be successful in creating a tobacco-free generation, it is important that we prevent and eliminate lethal and addictive tobacco use among college students.”

The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout will take place on Thursday, November 17. The annual intervention effort encourages smokers to quit for a day, quit for good, or make a plan to quit, and raises awareness around the many tools and resources they can use to help them quit.

Grant Recipients from Coast to Coast

Over the next three years, the Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative will award grants to a total of 125 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. with the greatest need for stronger tobacco prevention and control. The grants will help schools successfully advocate for, adopt and implement 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. Campuses will also receive technical assistance and resources to support their efforts with education, communications, cessation, and evaluation.

The University of Pennsylvania is one of the first 20 grant recipients, and is working towards becoming the first Ivy League institution to adopt a 100 percent tobacco-free campus policy.

“We are grateful to be among the recipients of the American Cancer Society/CVS Health Foundation tobacco control grant as it recognizes and supports Penn’scommitment to a tobacco-free campus,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann. “Under the leadership of Penn pulmonologist Frank Leone, we have developed an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to smoking cessation that has yielded unprecedented success in just two years. Frank Leone and his colleagues understand the complexity of the problem of tobacco dependence and the need to take a long-term view to change tobacco behaviors. This generous grant will greatly aid the University’s ongoing efforts to effectively address this major public health epidemic.”

Other grant recipients include: Bowling Green State University (Ohio), California State University San Marcos, Davenport University (Mich.), East Carolina University (N.C.), El Paso Community College (Texas), Indiana University Bloomington, Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.), Merritt College (Calif.), Montclair State University (N.J.), Oakland University (Mich.), Penn State University (Pa.), Piedmont Community College (N.C.), Saint Mary’s College of California, Springfield College (Mass.), St. Xavier University(Ill.), Texas Christian University, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College (Ohio) and University of Michigan.

Public Support for Tobacco Control on Campus

TFGCI grants are intended to address a critical, unmet need by supporting efforts to advocate for, establish and institute smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. The U.S. Department of Education reports there are approximately 4,700 institutions of higher education in the United States. According to the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, only 1,427 campuses are 100-percent smoke- and tobacco-free. That reflects major progress over earlier years, but much remains to be done.

According to a new national Morning Consult poll of 2,202 registered voters commissioned by CVS Health on October 12-18 2016, there is strong public support for addressing the continued impact of tobacco use on college and university campuses. Among the key poll findings:

  • Seventy-six-percent of Americans think youth smoking and/or tobacco use is a problem. Similarly, 69% of Americans think college student smoking and/or tobacco use is a problem.
  • More than half of Americans (56%) think the number of tobacco-free campuses is too low. This is similar among U.S. college students where the combined percentage is 54 percent.
  • Three-quarters (75%) of Americans support policies that prohibit smoking and other tobacco use on college campuses.
  • Fifty-two percent of Americans think whether or not a campus is tobacco-free is an important consideration when applying to, and potentially attending, a college/university, ranking behind academic quality (86%) and quality of housing (79%), but ahead of how competitive athletic teams are (38%).

“We’re at a critical moment in our nation’s efforts to end the epidemic of smoking and tobacco use, and expanding the number of tobacco-free college and university campuses is an important step in our efforts,” said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H., and Chief Medical Officer for CVS Health. “We’re confident our strategy will drive a significant decline in the number of new college-age smokers, and contribute to the progress being made where a tobacco-free generation in the U.S. seems possible.”

Accepting Applications for New Grants

In partnership with the CVS Health Foundation, the American Cancer Society will begin accepting online applications for the next round of Tobacco-Free Generation Initiative (TFGCI) grants. The fall grant cycle will run through February 28, 2017 with the names of grant recipients to be announced in May 2017.

In addition to grants, colleges and universities will receive technical assistance throughout the tobacco-free policy planning and implementation process. Technical assistance will be provided through webinars, online resources and limited one-on-one consultations.

To learn more about the Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative (TFGCI), U.S. colleges and universities are encouraged to visit www.CVSHealth.com/tobaccofreecampus. To apply for a TFGCI grant, visit www.cancer.org/tfgci.

About The American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 23 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About the CVS Health Foundation
The CVS Health Foundation is a private charitable organization created by CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) that works to build healthier communities, enabling people of all ages to lead healthy, productive lives. The Foundation provides strategic investments to nonprofit partners throughout the U.S. who help increase community-based access to health care for underserved populations, create innovative approaches to chronic disease management and provide tobacco cessation and youth prevention programming. We also invest in scholarship programs that open the pathways to careers in pharmacy to support the academic aspirations of the best and brightest talent in the industry. Our philanthropy also extends to supporting our colleagues’ spirit of volunteerism through Volunteer Challenge grants to nonprofits where they donate their time and fundraising efforts. To learn more about the CVS Health Foundation and its giving, visit www.cvshealth.com/social-responsibility.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
American Cancer Society:
Charaighn Sesock
559.972.4877
charaighn.sesock@cancer.org

CVS Health:
Joe Goode
401.770.9820
jlgoode@cvs.com

SOURCE: CVS Health

Posted on by

Foodstuffs announces status of New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square stores in Wellington and Canterbury regions post earthquake

Auckland, New Zealand, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — We would like to advise customers that outside of the affected area’s all New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square stores are open and operational as normal. Stores have plenty of product on the shelf and it is business as usual – we encourage customers to shop as normal which will help ensure the business can focus on the affected areas and helping stores that are currently closed clean up and re-open.

14 November 5.00 pm

Store closure status is;

  • Wellington region
    • New World Railway – opening details to be provided tomorrow morning (Tuesday 15 November)
    • New World Porirua – will be open as normal tomorrow (Tuesday 15 November)
  • Canterbury region
    • New World Kaikoura (closed)
    • Four Square Kaikoura (closed)
    • Henry’s Kaikoura (closed)
    • Four Square Cheviot (due to open tomorrow Tuesday 15 November)

14 November 9:00 am

Our thoughts are with all those affected by last night’s earthquake and our priority at this time is ensuring our staff are safe and affected stores are supported.

Stores that are currently closed for clean up or engineering assessment are;

  • Wellington region
    • New World Railway
    • New World Porirua
  • Canterbury region
    • New World Kaikoura
    • Four Square Kaikoura
    • Henry’s Kaikoura
    • Four Square Cheviot
    • Four Square Culverton (due to open at midday)

Contact:

Tel: +64 4 472 6435
Fax: +64 4 472 6412

Source: Foodstuff NZ

Posted on by

Biometric Security for Retail: ImageWare Debuts First Ever Multimodal Biometric Authentication Solution for the Microsoft Ecosystem

Cloud-based Solution Seamlessly Integrates and is Backward Compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10 

SAN DIEGO, Calif., 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ —ImageWare Systems, Inc. (ImageWare) (OTCQB: IWSY), a leader in mobile and cloud-based, multi-modal biometric identity management solutions, today introduced GoVerifyID® Enterprise Suite, an innovative, multi-modal, multi-factor biometric authentication solution for the enterprise market. An algorithm-agnostic solution, GoVerify ID Enterprise Suite is the first ever end-to-end biometric platform that seamlessly integrates with an enterprise’s existing Microsoft infrastructure, offering businesses a turnkey biometric solution for quick deployment in an afternoon or less.

“Last year nearly 80 percent of businesses reported a data breach. As the digital workforce expands, with data extended to external stakeholders and across numerous types of devices and systems, the need for high-assurance, enterprise-wide protection has intensified,” said Jim Miller, chairman & CEO of ImageWare. “The traditional security perimeters have changed and executives are being held accountable for safeguarding data against potentially devastating breaches that can tarnish a brand’s reputation. Armed with GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite, corporations have access to a scalable and affordable solution that works with their existing Microsoft infrastructure and gives them the ultimate peace of mind.”

Working across the entire enterprise ecosystem, GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite offers a consistent user experience and centralized administration with the highest level of security, flexibility, and usability. Specific benefits include:

  • Mobile-workforce friendly—With GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite user authentication logins are possible for a tablet or laptop even when disconnected from the corporate network. Additionally, GoVerifyID Enterprise offers a consistent user authentication experience across all login environments.
  • Hybrid cloud—GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite is linked from the cloud to an enterprise’s Microsoft infrastructure and is backward compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10. Additionally, because the solution is SaaS-based it can easily scale to process hundreds of millions of transactions and store just as many biometrics.
  • Seamless integration—GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite is a snap-in to the Microsoft Management console and can be centrally managed at the server. Additionally, the solution allows for seamless movement as it integrates with Active Directory using an organization’s existing Microsoft security infrastructure.
  • Ultimate freedom—ImageWare has extensive relationships with leading biometric algorithm vendors, its Biometric Engine is specifically designed to easily add and support new biometric algorithms, future proofing a corporation’s investment in GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite.

A pioneer and innovator in biometrics for decades, ImageWare reinvented the biometrics field with its algorithm-agnostic, real-time and ultra-scalable Biometric Engine®, which was granted the “Product Innovation of the Year Award” by Frost & Sullivan. Additionally, the company’s GoMobile Interactive® product was recognized by CTIA, the Wireless Association, receiving First Place Award for Emerging Technology (E-Tech) in the Mobile Money, Payments, Banking & Commerce category. Together, the Biometric Engine and GoMobile Interactive form the basis of the GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite cloud component.

About ImageWare Systems, Inc.

ImageWare Systems, Inc. is a leading developer of mobile and cloud-based identity management solutions, providing biometric authentication solutions for the enterprise. The company delivers next-generation biometrics as an interactive and scalable cloud-based solution. ImageWare brings together cloud and mobile technology to offer multi-factor authentication for smartphone users, mobile clients, and desktop devices.

ImageWare’s products support multi-modal biometric authentication including, but not limited to, face, voice, fingerprint, eye, DNA, and more. All can be combined alongside other authentication and access control facilities, including tokens, digital certificates, passwords, and PINS, to provide the ultimate level of assurance and accountability for corporate networks, web applications, mobile devices, and PC desktop environments. ImageWare is headquartered in San Diego, Calif., with offices in Portland, OR, Ottawa, Ontario, and Mexico. To learn more about ImageWare, visit http://iwsinc.com follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook

Media Relations:

Havas Formula

Ryan Maguir

619-234-0345

imageware@havasformula.com

Investor Relations:

Liolios

Cody Slach

Tel 1-949-574-3860

IWSY@liolios.com