Daily Archives: November 23, 2016

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Dunkin’ Donuts offers medium hot or iced espresso beverage for special price of $1.99 all day today, November 23

Dunkin’ Donuts offer medium hot or iced espresso beverage for special price of $1.99 all day today, November 23

Dunkin’ Donuts offers medium hot or iced espresso beverage for special price of $1.99 all day today, November 23

Exclusive new Elf on a Shelf ornament highlights Dunkin’ Donuts’ selection of stocking stuffers for holiday shopping season

CANTON, MA, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today is National Espresso Day, and Dunkin’ Donuts is welcoming the holiday with a wonderful way to enjoy an espresso beverage. All day today, participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants throughout the country will offer any medium hot or iced espresso beverage for the special price of $1.99. On one of the busiest travel days of the year, Dunkin’ Donuts guests can get energized while on-the-go with the brand’s Hot and Iced Macchiatos, Hot and Iced Lattes, and Cappuccinos, all made with 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ espresso and sourced from the finest, high-quality Arabica beans.

With the height of holiday shopping season upon us, Dunkin’ Donuts is also offering a variety of affordable gifts and stocking stuffers for friends, family and co-workers:

  • Dunkin’ Donuts packaged coffee or K-Cup® pods make for a perfect stocking stuffer for coffee lovers, with flavors including Original Blend, Dunkin’ Decaf®, French Vanilla, Hazelnut and Rainforest Alliance Certified Dark Roast Coffee. With a Regular Refills® subscription, Dunkin’ Donuts fans will never run out of Dunkin’ packaged coffee or K-Cup pods. Simply pick your favorites and preferred delivery frequency, and Dunkin’ Donuts will do the rest. For more information, visit here.
  • The Elf on a Shelf runs on Dunkin’. New for this year, Dunkin’ Donuts is selling a special ornament featuring the famous Elf on a Shelf watching over with a box of the brand’s beloved donuts. This collectible is available for the suggested retail price of $9.99. Dunkin’ Donuts also has other ornaments in store, including a snow globe featuring a Dunkin’ coffee cup and glitter sprinkles.
  • DIY with a personalized mug. Dunkin’ Donuts’ new Make-A-Mug allows any coffee drinker the chance to create their own unique, personalized mug. The Make-A-Mug kit includes an 11-ounce mug, one stencil and three markers, available for the suggested retail price of $12.99.
  • Dunkin’ Beanie hats are the perfect accessory when enjoying Dunkin’ Donuts’ hot beverages on a chilly day. Available in a variety of prints and colors with a faux leather debossed DD patch, the knit fitted beanies are available for the suggested retail price of $5.99.
  • A new Dunkin’ Donuts thermos features a removable bottom compartment to store sugar, creamer and/or tea bags, with two cups built into the top lid. Perfect for all hot and iced beverage outings, the thermos is available for the suggested retail price of $18.99.
  • Dunkin’ Donuts Cards can help any coffee beverage lover running through the holidays and well into the New Year, and are available in a variety of holiday and winter themed designs. Dunkin’ Donuts Cards can be purchased at any participating Dunkin’ Donuts locations in amounts from $2 to $100, as well as online at www.DunkinDonuts.com and at many grocery, pharmacy, and big box retailers. Dunkin’ Donuts Cards can also be sent digitally via text, email or Facebook Connect, through the Dunkin’ Mobile® App or DunkinDonuts.com, and always have no fees and no expiration date.

All merchandise and Dunkin’ Donuts coffee items are available exclusively at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide and/or online at www.DunkinDonuts.com.

Finally, many Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants will be open until 2:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving. All Dunkin’ Donuts locations throughout the country will be open on “Black Friday,” November 25, with some opening earlier than 5:00 a.m. to help guests get a great start to their day of holiday shopping.

To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts), Instagram (www.instagram.com/DunkinDonuts) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts).

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About Dunkin’ Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 10 years running. The company has more than 12,000 restaurants in 45 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

SOURCE: Dunkin’ Donuts

MEDIA CONTACT

Heather McIntyre
Phone: 781-737-5200
Email: heather.mcintyre@dunkinbrands.com

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Kmart set to achieve major milestone of raising $100 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

As the No. 1 supporter of St. Jude, retailer is set to achieve major milestone

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — #GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back, and this year Kmart is striving to hit a ridiculously awesome milestone – raising $100 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“I am so excited that we are about to hit the $100 million mark in donations to St. Jude,” said Kelly Cook, Kmart’s chief marketing officer. “St. Jude’s mission to help find a cure for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases is one that is very near and dear to our hearts. We hope everyone can head out to Kmart stores this Giving Tuesday to give back to St. Jude and help us achieve this incredible milestone in our effort to help sick children beat cancer.”

Over the past 10 years, with the help of Kmart shoppers and associates, the retailer has shattered donation records as St. Jude’s No. 1 corporate partner. Kmart’s contributions aided the quest to help ensure that patients at St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food so that families can focus on helping their child live.

“St. Jude is so grateful for the generosity and support of our friends at Kmart, who have fully embraced our lifesaving mission unlike any other,” said Richard Shadyac, Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Kmart and their incredibly compassionate shoppers and associates have reached a remarkable milestone – raising $100 million– more funds than any other St. Jude partner. Kmart’s contributions have helped fund the St. Jude mission for the past decade, and the company’s dedication to the patients and families of St. Jude is unsurpassed.”

To support #GivingTuesday, shoppers are encouraged to head to Kmart or Kmart.com to purchase from the suite of St. Jude gifts, including the popular “Giving Hat,” which is embroidered with the inspiring message of #LOVE. Another way shoppers can show their support this holiday season is by purchasing a piece of St. Jude bear jewelry, which is inscribed with encouraging messages like “you are somebody’s reason to smile.” Shoppers can also donate at checkout to help achieve the awesome goal of raising $100 million in donations to help the great kids at St. Jude.

For more information on Kmart’s partnership with St. Jude visit Kmart.com/StJude. And of course, all Kmart members are asked to show their support for St. Jude by posting on their social media channels what #LOVE means to them.  Simply tag #Kmart #StJude #TheGivingHat and #LOVE and be part of this amazing milestone for Kmart and St. Jude.

About Kmart
Kmart is making shopping fun again. The retailer, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is bringing back the iconic Bluelight Specials, hosting Freebie Saturdays and in-store family events for its Shop Your Way members and customers. Kmart offers customers thrilling deals and amazing finds on quality products and exclusive brands including Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org or following St. Jude on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.

Media Contacts:

Hallie Herrmann
Zeno for Kmart
312-527-2SHC (2742)
Hallie.Herrmann@zenogroup.com

Tricia Perrotti
Kmart
551-226-0488
Tricia.Perrotti@searshc.com

SOURCE: Kmart

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NRF welcomes judge’s ruling on preventing DOL’s changes to federal overtime rules from taking effect on Dec 1

WASHINGTON, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The National Retail Federation welcomed a judge’s ruling today that will prevent the Labor Department’s changes to federal overtime rules from taking effect as scheduled on December 1. U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant issued a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit brought by NRF, attorneys general from 21 states and dozens of business groups arguing that the changes are unlawful. The ruling effectively pauses implementation of the rules until the courts reach a final decision on their legality.

“The Labor Department’s overtime changes are a reckless and aggressive overreach of executive power, and retailers are pleased with the judge’s decision,” NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said. “The rules are just plain bad public policy, and we are pleased that the judge is allowing time for the case to go forward before they can go into effect. We hope the judge ultimately finds in our favor, and in the meantime this timeout gives Congress a chance to take another look at the impact of these rules.”

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office recently reported that canceling the overtime changes would benefit consumers by avoiding price increases that would come if companies had to pay their workers more. Real family income would be $2.1 billion higher without the changes in 2017 alone, and even families that would have had an increase in overtime earnings would have a net gain. While CBO estimated that the new rules would extend overtime eligibility to an additional 3.9 million workers, it found that only about 900,000 of those employees currently work enough hours to actually receive overtime pay, or 0.6 percent of the U.S. workforce. And those workers would make only an extra $650 a year, the CBO found.

Research conducted for NRF by Oxford Economics found that the new overtime regulations would force employers to limit hours or cut base pay in order to make up for added payroll costs, leaving most workers with no increase in take-home pay despite added administrative costs. A separate survey found that the majority of retail managers and assistant managers the regulations are supposed to help oppose the plan, citing losses in schedule flexibility, benefits and professional development opportunities that would come with switching from salaried to hourly positions.

The lawsuit brought by NRF and more than 50 business organizations argues that both the $47,476 annual minimum salary for workers to be exempt from overtime set by the new overtime rules – more than double the current level – and the automatic increase in that amount every three years exceed the Labor Department’s statutory authority under the Fair Labor Standards Act and are in violation of the intent of Congress.

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.

Contact:

Robin Roberts
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

Source: NRF

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The National Council of Chain Restaurants applauded the postpone of U.S. Labor Department’s misguided overtime regulations

WASHINGTON, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The National Council of Chain Restaurants’ Executive Director Rob Green applauded today’s (November 22, 2016) decision by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant to grant a preliminary injunction to postpone the U.S. Labor Department’s misguided overtime regulations.

“Today, Judge Mazzant agreed with what NCCR and our coalition allies have been saying all along: that the Labor Department’s ill-conceived overtime regulation is a dramatic government overreach causing significant harm to small businesses and their employees around the country,” Green said. “The regulatory ‘timeout’ imposed by Judge Mazzant should allow Congress to vote to stop the regulation once and for all and would also let the incoming Trump administration create a more realistic and workable overtime solution based on sound economic considerations.”

NCCR is the leading trade association exclusively representing chain restaurant companies. For more than 40 years, NCCR has worked to advance sound public policy that best serves the interests of restaurant businesses and the millions of people they employ. NCCR members include the country’s most-respected quick-service and table-service chains. NCCR is a division of the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade group.

Contact:

Treacy Reynolds
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

Source: NRF

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NRF: We’re glad to see Visa has recognized that they have crossed the line

WASHINGTON, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The National Retail Federation welcomed Visa’s announcement today (November 22, 2016) that it will no longer use EMV technology and rules to improperly steer debit card transactions to its own processing network following an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission and a ruling by the Federal Reserve.

“We’re glad to see Visa has recognized that they have crossed the line,” NRF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Mallory Duncan said. “It’s a shame it took two federal agencies to make that clear. Now the real question is whether Visa will do the right thing by cleaning up the mess they’ve created.”

Visa said today it would no longer require that consumers using a debit card in Europay MasterCard Visa chip card readers be presented with a screen forcing them to select either “Visa Debit” or “U.S. Debit.” For those who choose Visa Debit, the transaction is routed over an expensive network owned by Visa and the consumer is usually required to use an easily forged signature to approve the transaction. When U.S. Debit is chosen, the transaction goes over the retailer’s choice from up to a dozen competing networks that charge merchants less but provide more protection by allowing the use of a secret, secure Personal Identification Number, or PIN.

NRF and other retail groups wrote to Visa last week, asking the company to stop the practice. NRF contends that the screen steers transactions toward the Visa network, and that the higher fees charged by Visa must be built into the cost of merchandise, ultimately contributing to higher prices paid by consumers.

The Federal Reserve ruled earlier this month that the practice violates a 2010 debit card reform law that says retailers must be allowed to choose between at least two unaffiliated networks to process debit transactions. In addition, Visa disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that the issue has been under investigation by the FTC since July.

While NRF welcomed today’s move to end the practice, Duncan said Visa should work with merchants and equipment providers to ensure that removal of the screens is not done in a way that voids the certification of retailers’ EMV systems. Under rules unilaterally imposed by the card industry last year, retailers who do not have certified chip card readers are subject to increased liability for fraud if a chip card turns out to be counterfeit, unnecessarily exposing merchants to huge losses.

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF.com

Contact:
J. Craig Shearman
(202) 626-8134
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

Source: NRF

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RILA: We welcome today’s ruling blocking the implementation of new U.S. DOL overtime regulations

Arlington , VA, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement in response to an injunction issued late today by a federal judge blocking the implementation of new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) overtime regulations.

“We welcome today’s ruling. As RILA has argued since the final rule was announced earlier this year, the DOL over reached beyond their authority increasing the threshold too much, too fast,” said Evan Armstrong, vice president for government affairs. “We will continue to monitor the appeal process with a focus on ensuring that employees are able to maintain the flexibility and upward mobility that they value.”

RILA detailed its objections to the proposed rule in comments submitted to DOL last year.

RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

Contact:

Brian Dodge
Executive Vice President, Communications and Strategic Initiatives
Phone: 703-600-2017
Email: brian.dodge@rila.org

Source: RILA

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Retailers: state anti-surcharge laws are not consumer-protection legislation

Arlington , VA, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (11/22/2016) the Retail Litigation Center (RLC) joined by the Retail Council of New York State, Florida Retail Federation and the Food Marketing Institute filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Expressions Hair Designs vs. Schneiderman. The case takes up the issue of whether state no-surcharge laws unconstitutionally restrict retailers from encouraging customers to use cash or credit cards with lower processing fees.

“Due to lack of competition among card brands, the costs associated with credit card acceptance have skyrocketed so that consumers and retailers now pay billions of dollars in fees to the card companies,” said RLC president Deborah White. “The Supreme Court should recognize that the First Amendment allows retailers to truthfully inform their customers about these costs and let customers decide what is best for their convenience and budget.”

Credit card “swipe fees” add an average of around three percentage points on each sale. For many merchants, swipe fees are among their highest costs of doing business. Without any competition among credit card brands, the brief argues that laws that restrict merchants from communicating the cost of acceptance to customers which “impermissibly impinge” on merchants’ right to speak.

According to the brief:

Simply put, state anti-surcharge laws are not consumer-protection legislation.  They are, instead, anticompetitive, anti-consumer provisions that simply tend to increase card-company profits at the expense of merchants and their customers downstream.  Indeed, laws that prohibit steering consumers away from expensive payment methods are special-interest legislation at its very worst—a giveaway to the card companies that protects an already highly concentrated and highly profitable industry from even the most basic levels of healthy competition.

The full amicus brief can be found here.

RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

Contact:

Brian Dodge
Executive Vice President, Communications and Strategic Initiatives
Phone: 703-600-2017
Email: brian.dodge@rila.org

Source: RILA

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NACS survey: economic optimism up, gas prices down, election over, Americans intend to travel and spend more over the holidays

ALEXANDRIA, Va, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — More Americans today (11/22/2016) are optimistic about the economy than they have been in the nearly four years of tracking consumer sentiment—and they say that they intend to drive and spend more over the coming month, according to the results of a national consumer survey released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).

Nearly three in five (59%) U.S. fuel consumers report feeling optimistic about the economy, a 13-point jump over the prior month, and the highest level of economic optimism reported since NACS began tracking this metric in 2013. This increase in optimism was noticeable across all demographics and regions and was a stark reversal from each of the past seven months when a majority of American fuel consumers have been pessimistic about the economy.

While the U.S. election results no doubt caught the attention of the nation, Americans also took notice of declining gas prices. U.S. gasoline consumers report a median gas price of $2.15 per gallon, a five-cent drop from October. Three in four Americans (75%) say that gas prices impact their feelings about the economy.

With optimism up, gas prices down and the election over, Americans say that they will travel and spend more over the holiday season. Nearly three in ten (a record 28%) consumers say that they will drive more this coming month, a sharp increase from the 20% said so this time last year. In addition, 30% of consumers say that they will increase their overall spending this coming month, another record for this time of year.

Some of this extra driving and spending will occur over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. More than one in three (37%) fuel consumers say they “always” or “sometimes” go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, commonly known as Black Friday.

Thinking about the overall economy, consumers say that lower gas prices will likely mean they will do more holiday shopping this year: 24% say they will do more holiday shopping compared to 6% who say they will do less holiday shopping. And consumers say others will be joining them at stores because of low gas prices: 45% predict that Americans will shop more this holiday season compared to only 7% who predict that Americans will shop less this holiday season.

“The positive mood of the country is welcome news for convenience stores, with the increased likelihood of more food and drink sales from happy consumers on the roads over the coming week and into the holiday season,” said Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives.

The huge upswing in economic sentiment goes beyond partisan lines, noted Lenard. “Economic optimism likely surged thanks to a combination of factors: relief over the conclusion of the election, and a more certain political outlook, which in turns has helped the stock market. And there is no question that the elevated mood of the nation has been enhanced by the sustained period of lower gas prices.”

Consumers also say their vehicle’s average fuel efficiency increased to 24.0 miles per gallon, which is about 1% higher that self-reported mileage a year ago. Average miles per dollar—a calculation that examines gas prices related to vehicle fuel efficiency—increased this month to 11.2 miles per dollar as gas prices remained constant and fuel efficiency increased.

NACS, which represents the convenience store industry that sells 80% of the gas in the United States, conducts monthly consumer surveys to gauge how gas prices affect broader economic trends. The survey was conducted online by Penn Schoen Berland; 1,135 U.S. adults who purchase fuel for a vehicle such as a car, truck or van at least once per month were surveyed November 15-18, 2016. The monthly survey was pushed back one week later than usual in November minimize a post-election bias in the findings. Summary results are available at nacsonline.com/fuelssurvey.

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

Source: NACS

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Dunkin’ Donuts to develop six restaurants in Greenville and three restaurants in Raleigh-Durham, N.C. with franchise group Safari Foods Inc.

LEADING COFFEE AND BAKERY BRAND SEEKS FRANCHISEE CANDIDATES IN THE JACKSONVILLE/SNEADS FERRY AND BURLINGTON/MEBANE AREAS

CANTON, MA, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, announced today (Nov. 14, 2016) the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with franchise group Safari Foods Inc. to develop six restaurants in Greenville and three new restaurants in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina over the next several years. The first restaurant is planned to open in Greenville in 2017.

William “Bill” Daughtridge owns Safari Foods Inc. and his son, Gray, will lead the day-to-day operations for each restaurant. This group has more than 80 years of experience in the gas, convenience and quick service restaurant (QSR) industries. Safari Foods Inc. is a division of Daughtridge Gas and Oil Company, a oil company founded by Bill’s grandfather in 1929. Daughtridge Gas and Oil Company provides propane and oil for customers across eastern North Carolina and operates retail stores in the auto care and convenience markets. This group joined the Dunkin’ Donuts brand in 2007 and currently owns and operates five Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Halifax, Greenville, Rock Mount and Wilson.

“We are thrilled to continue to expand the brand’s presence in North Carolina and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit these communities,” said Gray Daughtridge, President at Safari Foods Inc. “We have a passion and loyalty for the Dunkin’ Donuts brand and look forward to opening our restaurants in the years to come.”

Currently, there are over 300 Dunkin’ Donuts located throughout North Carolina, and the company is continuing to recruit franchisees in the Jacksonville/Sneads Ferry and Burlington/Mebane areas. To help fuel growth in North Carolina, special development incentives are available, which include reduced royalty fees for three years and up to $5,000 in local store marketing support for timely openings.*

“Our enthusiastic and dedicated franchisees contribute to our brand’s growth, which has helped solidify our position as one of the fastest growing companies by unit count in the quick-service restaurant industry,” said Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of global franchising and business development, Dunkin’ Brands. “We are thrilled that these existing franchisees have chosen to expand their presence in the North Carolina market, and know these new restaurants will satisfy a growing consumer demand in the Greenville and Raleigh-Durham communities they serve.”

In an effort to keep the brand fresh and competitive, Dunkin’ Donuts offers flexible concepts for any real estate format including free-standing restaurants, end caps, in-line sites, gas and convenience, travel plazas, universities, as well as other retail environments.

Dunkin’ Donuts offerings include hot coffee, iced coffee, flavored coffees, lattes, macchiato, espresso, cappuccino, Dunkin’ Donuts K-Cup® pods, Coolatta® frozen drinks, donuts, muffins, bagels, breakfast and bakery sandwiches, and a DDSMART® menu featuring better-for-you items.

To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com. Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts).

About Dunkin’ Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 10 years running. The company has more than 12,000 restaurants in 45 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

*Details available in the Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Disclosure Document

Contact:
Name: Jenna Kantrowitz
Phone: 954-893-9150
Email: jkantrowitz@fish-consulting.com

Name: Rachel Tabacnic
Phone: 954-893-9150
Email: rtabacnic@fish-consulting.com

Source: Dunkin’ Donuts

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The Co-op launches an ambition to have 80% of all its packaging recyclable by 2020

MANCHESTER, England, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Two thirds of all plastic packaging used for consumer products in the UK is being sent to landfill or incineration with only one third being recycled, according to figures from the Co-op.

Only half a million of the 1.5 million tonnes of recyclable plastic waste created every year is being reused as intended. The problems lie with a lack of knowledge about which packaging can be recycled along with local authorities lacking the facilities to deal with it.

The Co-op has launched an ambition to have 80% of all its packaging recyclable by 2020 and is calling on other retailers to follow its lead on developing new packaging and working with local authorities to improve recycling levels.

Iain Ferguson, Co-op Environment Manager, said:
“It is shocking that such a small percentage of plastic packaging is being recycled, especially materials that are already easy to recycle like plastic bottles.  We are concerned that so much still goes to landfill every year.

“We need to stop thinking about this plastic as a waste and start to use it as a resource.  What is needed is a co-ordinated response to the problem.  This should start with retailers and major brands listening to recyclers and developing packaging that is better for recycling.

“Our long term ambition is for ALL packaging to be recycled where it can be, and we are making a bold start by setting a target that, by 2020, 80% of our products will have packaging that is easy to recycle.”

Lee Marshall, Chief Executive Officer at the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) said:
“Packaging plays an important part in protecting products and preventing waste but when it has served its purpose we need to be able to recycle as much as possible. Having more consistent packaging makes it easier for local authorities to put in place the systems to collect it and to communicate with their residents. The sort of ambition being shown by the Co-op is great to see and we hope it acts as catalyst for the whole industry.”

The Co-op has already re-designed and simplified plastic packaging to make it easier for consumers to recycle and the business is working with local authorities to share best practice. It is calling on other retailers to follow suit by developing new packaging to improve recyclability.  The Plastics Industry Recycling Action Plan (PIRAP) is an ideal forum for this work, and the Co-op is urging other retailers to follow its lead in signing up to support this initiative.

The Co-op has also called for the introduction of clear labelling to differentiate items that recyclers can’t use to make it easier for consumers and recyclers.

Further Information:

Iain Ferguson, Co-op Environment Manager also holds the following positions:

  • Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM) of which the Packaging Society is part
  • Chair of the Rationalisation of Packaging working group, part of the work on Greater Consistency of Household Collections
  • A trustee at RECOUP
  • Represents Co-op at the Plastics Industry Recycling Action Plan (PIRAP) meetings
  • Through the IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining), Iain is a Chartered Environmentalist and an Accredited Packaging Professional.

Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC)

Formed in 1985, LARAC represents local government recycling officers and aims to be the leading voice for local authorities on recycling, waste and resource management. It is run by an Executive of 20 local authority waste management officers which gives it the authority and credibility to represent local authority views in waste and recycling issues.

For any non-media enquiries please contact our main switchboard on 0161 834 1212. If you’re a customer with an enquiry, please call 0800 068 6727 or email us your enquiry

Source: Coop

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Lagardère Travel Retail wins contract to operate Duty Free and Specialty at Cairns Airport

Australia, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Following their success in a competitive tender process, Lagardère Travel Retail has been awarded 10 year concessions to operate Duty Free and Specialty at Cairns Airport.

This win signals a strong and successful partnership with Cairns Airport and reinforces Lagardère Travel Retail’s strategic plan of providing retail solutions to their partners through operating their 3 business units in one location – Travel Essentials, Food Services and Duty Free.

“We are delighted to be awarded this concession, it’s a significant milestone for us”, says Matthieu Mercier, CEO for the Pacific region. “Cairns Airport has been a key partner of ours for 25 years starting with our Travel Essentials business, launching our Food Services business in 2012 and more recently bringing mono brand luxury stores as firsts to the Cairns market. Together, we are well versed in operating in this unique environment.”

Opening in both arrivals and departures in March 2017, a number of new brands and product categories will be introduced to the North Queensland market. With a great understanding of both the terminal and travelling passengers, the needs of the travellers will be met through a constantly evolving offer, award winning customer service and the ability to adapt quickly to an ever changing environment.

Cairns Airport GM Commercial, Fiona Ward, said her team were delighted to receive bids from world leading Duty Free operators.

“The decision to award Lagardère Travel Retail this exciting new opportunity at Cairns Airport was made after a robust evaluation process.” Ms Ward said.

“We look forward to furthering the already strong partnership between our businesses and working with Lagardère Travel Retail as they deliver a unique duty free offer to our customers that brings together exceptional value and accessible indulgence.”

Lagardère Travel Retail operate core Duty Free concessions in the Pacific region, in Noumea, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Townsville, Queenstown, Dunedin and Auckland. Within Cairns Airport, they currently operate 16 stores across the 3 business lines, and these new stores will benefit from the local regional network experience, local support functions and the company’s global experience.

Lagardère Travel Retail are delighted to continue their strong and successful partnership with Cairns Airport, and look forward delivering a world class retail experience.

ABOUT LAGARDERE TRAVEL RETAIL:

With 4 billion euros 100% managed sales in 2015 and a presence in 31 countries, 220 airports and 700 train stations in EMEA, North America and ASPAC, Lagardère Travel Retail is a pioneering and leading travel retail player with global reach. Operating stores in travel essentials, duty free and luxury and foodservice, Lagardère Travel Retail offers a complete range of products and services to satisfy each and every traveller all along his journey. As a multi- specialist retailer, beyond the expertise within its 3 business lines, Lagardère Travel Retail creates value-added opportunities in each location.

In Asia Pacific, Lagardère Travel Retail operates over 300 outlets in 16 airports, supported by professional local teams in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and India.

PRESS CONTACT:
Matthieu Mercier
CEO
+61 2 8218 1105
m.mercier@lagardere-traspac.com
www.lagardere-traspac.com

Janette Doolan
Communications Manager
+61 2 8218 1142
j.doolan@lagardere-traspac.com
www.lagardere-traspac.com

Source: Lagardère Travel Retail

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Dollar Tree, Inc. announces financial results for 3Q FY2016

  • Sales Increased 1.1% to $5.00 Billion and Same-Store Sales Increased 1.7% ~
  • Diluted Earnings per Share Increased 105.7% to $0.72 ~
  • Earnings Include Expenses of $0.09 per Share for Debt Refinancing

CHESAPEAKE, Va, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), North America’s leading operator of discount variety stores, today (November 22, 2016) reported results for its third fiscal quarter ended October 29, 2016. For the quarter, the Company earned $171.6 million, or $0.72 per diluted share.

Bob Sasser, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “I am proud of our team’s achievements in our third quarter. Our results demonstrated a solid performance in our Dollar Tree segment, continued meaningful progress in our integration of Family Dollar, and our ability to refinance and pre-pay a portion of our outstanding debt in order to reduce future interest costs. After adding back $0.09 per share of expenses related to our debt refinancing, our operating performance of $0.81 per diluted share was near the top end of our third quarter EPS guidance range of $0.76 to $0.82.”

Third Quarter Results

Net sales increased 1.1% to $5.00 billion from $4.95 billion in the prior year’s third quarter. The prior year’s quarter included sales from 325 Family Dollar stores that were divested following the third quarter of 2015. Same-store sales increased 1.7%, on a constant currency basis, compared to a 2.1% increase in the prior-year period. Adjusted for the impact of Canadian currency fluctuations, the same-store sales increase was 1.8%. The same-store sales growth, representing the Company’s 35th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales, was driven by increases in comparable customer count and average ticket.

Gross profit increased 8.6% to $1.52 billion in the quarter compared to $1.40 billion in the prior year’s third quarter. As a percent of sales, gross margin increased to 30.4% compared to 28.3% in the prior year. The improvement was driven primarily by lower merchandise and freight costs. The prior year’s third quarter included $13.0 million of markdown expense for Family Dollar related to product assortment rationalization and planned liquidations, and $38.4 million for Family Dollar related to the amortization of the stepped-up inventory basis.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 23.6% of sales compared to 23.8% of sales in the prior year’s third quarter. Excluding $11.8 million of acquisition-related costs from the prior year’s period, selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of sales, remained consistent at 23.6%. Increases in store hourly payroll, as a percent of sales, were offset by lower professional fees and lower depreciation expense, as a percent of sales.

Operating income increased 53.1% to $342.4 million compared with $223.7 million in the same period last year. Operating income margin increased to 6.8% in the current quarter from 4.5% in last year’s quarter. This increase in operating income is the result of a $61.2 million increase of operating income in the Dollar Tree segment, and a $57.5 million increase in operating income in the Family Dollar segment.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the quarter was 25.5% compared to 34.3% in the prior year period. The lower tax rate included an expected one-time tax benefit of $21.4 million, or $0.09 per share, related to a state reduction in corporate tax rate.

Net income compared to the prior year’s third quarter increased $89.7 million, or 109.5%, to $171.6 million, and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.72.

During the quarter, the Company opened 153 stores, expanded or relocated 39 stores, and closed 10 stores. Additionally, as part of its re-banner initiative, the Company opened 42 former Family Dollar store locations as new Dollar Tree stores. Retail selling square footage at the end of the quarter was approximately 112.0 million square feet.

First Nine Months Results

Consolidated net sales increased 48.9% to $15.08 billion from $10.13 billion in the first nine months of 2015. The $4.95 billion increase was the result of $4.36 billion in incremental net sales from Family Dollar stores, sales from new Dollar Tree stores, and a 1.7% same-store sales increase, on a constant currency basis. Adjusted for the impact of Canadian currency fluctuations, the same-store sales increase was 1.6%.

Gross profit increased $1.58 billion, or 52.7%, to $4.59 billion from $3.00 billion in the first nine months of 2015. As a percent of sales, gross margin increased by 80 basis points to 30.4% compared to the prior year period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 23.0% of sales compared to 23.9% of sales in the first nine months of 2015.

Net income increased $521.0 million, to $574.4 million, compared to the prior year’s first nine months, resulting in net income of $2.43 per diluted share.

Company Outlook

The Company estimates consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 to range from $5.59 billion to $5.69 billion, based on low single-digit increases in same-store sales for the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar segments. Diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $1.24 to $1.33, an increase from the prior implied guidance of $1.21 to $1.30.

Consolidated net sales for full-year 2016 are now expected to range between $20.67 billion and $20.77 billion compared to the Company’s previously expected range of $20.69 billion to $20.87 billion. This estimate is based on a low single-digit increase in same-store sales, and 3.9% square footage growth. The Company now anticipates net income per diluted share for full-year 2016 will range between $3.67 and $3.76. This compares to its previous EPS guidance range of $3.67 to $3.82, which did not include the $0.09 per diluted share of expenses related to our debt refinancing incurred in the third quarter of 2016.

Sasser added, “I am encouraged by our continued progress in building the foundation for a larger, stronger and more profitable Family Dollar business. The stores are cleaner, the values are greater and our customer feedback scores regarding merchandise assortments and in-stocks have improved. As a combined organization, we are uniquely positioned to efficiently grow our businesses to better serve more customers in more markets. We are well-positioned and prepared for the upcoming fourth quarter and holiday selling season.”

Conference Call Information

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The telephone number for the call is 888-215-7015. A recorded version of the call will be available until midnight Monday, November 28, 2016 and may be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112. The access code is 8794832. A webcast of the call is accessible through Dollar Tree’s website, and will remain online through Monday, November 28, 2016.

Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 14,284 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of October 29, 2016. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Our press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address future events, developments or results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, or estimate. For example, our forward-looking statements include statements regarding fourth quarter 2016 and full-year 2016 net sales and same-store sales, fourth quarter 2016 and full-year 2016 diluted earnings per share, square footage growth, the benefits, results, and effects of the merger with Family Dollar, including integration plans and synergies, and future financial and operating results and shareholder value. For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you should carefully review the “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 28, 2016 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any forward- looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not expect us to do so.

Contact:
Randy Guiler
757-321-5284
Vice President, Investor Relations
www.DollarTree.com

Source: Dollar Tree, Inc.

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Commissaries offer great promotions to save on holiday groceries

FORT LEE, Va., 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Special in-store promotions and your Rewards Card make the commissary the place to go to save on holiday groceries, according to the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales.

“Our commissaries are full of great promotions for the holidays,” said Tracie Russ, DeCA sales director. “Customers will be able to save quite a bit of money for their holiday entertainment and meal needs, thanks to our industry partners.”

Throughout the holiday season stateside commissaries will feature Deals of the Week, while overseas commissaries may have substitute events for certain promotional programs. Customers should check with their local commissary for details on dates and times for their promotions.

Although Thanksgiving has come and gone, one of the commissary’s largest worldwide promotions, the Free Turkey Coupon Booklet, continues through Dec. 31 allowing patrons to save on their holiday turkey dinners.

Through the Turkey Coupon Booklet promotion, the following industry partners have combined their efforts to help patrons earn a free fresh or frozen whole turkey when they buy items for their holiday meal: Kraft Heinz Company, Kellogg’s, General Mills, P&G, Heinz, Nabisco, Hefty/Reynolds Wrap, Fresh Express, Johnsonville, Ocean Spray, Pepperidge Farms, Chinet, Quaker, Del Monte, College Inn, Persil, French’s, Entemann’s, Nexium, Kimberly-Clark and Frito Lay. This coupon booklet also includes preparation tips and holiday recipes.

Commissary patrons will see another holiday promotion, “Celebrate the Holidays with General Mills – Time to cook and bake!,” supported by store displays throughout December highlighting deeply discounted items with high value, in-store coupons.

And patrons with a Commissary Rewards Card will have a special deal: With any purchase of four Campbell’s Chunky soup or chili can items, they can enter for a chance to win a $100 NFL Gift Card when they use their rewards card. This worldwide promotion runs through Jan. 3. Patrons also can receive a chance to win one of seven Apple iPad Pro 9.7 inch up for grabs when you use their rewards card now through Dec. 9. Simply purchase any two qualifying items from Folgers, Smucker’s or JIF to automatically be entered to win.

“The Defense Commissary Agency wishes you and your family, here and abroad, a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday season,” Russ said. “Your commissary is worth the trip for all your holiday needs!”

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

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

Source: Defense Commissary Agency

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Kering Foundation hosted a special screening of award-winning film Sonita as part of its annual White Ribbon for Women campaign

As part of its annual White Ribbon for Women campaign, to break the silence on violence against women, the Kering Foundation welcomed over 200 personalities from the film, luxury and fashion industries and women’s rights organizations to a special screening of the award-winning film Sonita at BAFTA.

London, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — On Monday 21 November, François-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek Pinault and Stella McCartney welcomed over 200 guests to a special screening of award-winning Sonita at BAFTA in London. The screening was part of the Kering Foundation’s annual White Ribbon for Womencampaign, running from 18 to 27 November 2016 to break the silence on violence against women.

Sonita, directed by Iranian Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami and distributed by Wave Films, recounts the true story of 14-year-old undocumented refugee and women’s rights activist Sonita Alizadeh. Tracing her journey from Afghanistan to her newfound home in the US, the film sheds light on the reality of forced marriage through the eyes of a young girl who dreams of becoming a famous rapper despite her family’s predefined plan for her future – to sell her into marriage. The film notably won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2016 Sundance Festival.

Among some 200 personalities present at the screening were prominent figures from the film, music and fashion industries such as the film’s director Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami, Bianca Jagger, Eva Herzigová, Fares & Tania Fares, Bel Powley, James McCartney, Lucie de la Falaise and Tiphaine de Lussy. Representing the artistic directors and top management of Kering’s Maisons were Sarah Burton, Creative director of Alexander McQueen, Emmanuel Gintzburger, CEO of Alexander McQueen and Frederick Lukoff, CEO of Stella McCartney.

In parallel to the screening, this year’s White Ribbon for Women campaign hosted online via #BeHerVoice, features well-known male ambassadors including the French footballer Antoine Griezmann, American surfer and founder of menswear brand Outerknown Kelly Slater, and Chinese actor Yang Yang, who have lent their voices to the Kering Foundation’s campaign, to highlight the fact that violence against women is not just a women’s issue. A series of portraits diffused online between 18 and 25 November see the ambassadors recount the true stories of women who have experienced violence and subsequently received support from the Kering Foundation.

About Kering
A global Luxury group, Kering develops an ensemble of luxury houses in fashion, leather goods, jewellery and watches: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier, Boucheron, Dodo, Girard-Perregaux, Pomellato, Qeelin and Ulysse Nardin. Kering is also developing the Sport & Lifestyle brands Puma, Volcom and Cobra. By ‘empowering imagination’, Kering encourages its brands to reach their potential, in the most sustainable manner.
The Group generated revenues of more than €11.5 billion in 2015 and had more than 38,000 employees at year end. The Kering share is listed on Euronext Paris (FR 0000121485, KER.PA, KER.FP).

About the Kering Foundation
Launched in 2009, the Kering Corporate Foundation combats Violence Against Women. To enhance its global impact, the Foundation focuses on one cause in each of the following three regions:
–   Sexual Violence in the Americas
–  Harmful Traditional Practices in Western Europe (France, Italy, United-Kingdom)
–  Domestic Violence in Asia
The Kering Foundation supports NGOs’ projects, social entrepreneurs and awareness campaigns while involving the Group’s 38,000 employees.

Press contacts:
Emer Hallahan
emer.hallahan@kering.com
+33 (0)1 45 64 63 70

Astrid Wernert
astrid.wernert@kering.com
+33 (0)1 45 64 61 57

Source: Kering

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Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen and Coca-Cola® unveil 2016 Holiday Collector Cups

ATLANTA, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen today (Nov 21, 2016) announced that for the 5th consecutive year, it has partnered with Coca-Cola® to create this year’s Holiday Collector Cups. Artists at Coca-Cola, together with Popeyes, catch the spirit of the holidays with four new designs featuring festive scenes with iconic characters to celebrate the season.

The famed Sundblom Santa, which helped shape the modern view of Santa Claus, makes an appearance on two of the new designs, stuffing stockings with snack boxes full of Popeyes favorites and getting ready to go down a chimney in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

The Coca-Cola Polar Bears are also featured in a new design playing Zydeco music, bringing the sounds of Louisiana to their native habitat. A fourth design shows Santa relaxing on the beach getting ready to watch the sunset and anticipating viewing the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, which airs December 23rd at 1 pm ET on ESPN.

“Sharing the joy of the season with our guests through our beautiful collector cups has become one of our traditions at Popeyes,” said Hector A. Muñoz, Chief Marketing Officer – US, Popeyes. “Once again artists have captured the spirit of Louisiana and Popeyes, along with the holiday season, by using some of the most recognized and beloved images including the classic Sundblom Santa and Coca-Cola Polar Bears. We look forward to our guests collecting all four exciting designs before they are gone.”

Popeyes Holiday Collector Cups are available in participating restaurants through Dec. 31st while supplies last.

A collage of this year’s Holiday Collector Cups designs is available for download here. For more information 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 October 2, 2016, Popeyes had 2,631 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 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

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JAPAN: Rakuten, ACSL and NTT DOCOMO carried out demonstration experiment of drone-based delivery system utilizing LTE

Tokyo, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Rakuten, Inc., Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory Ltd. (ACSL) and NTT DOCOMO, INC. today (November 22, 2016) announced that the three companies have successfully carried out a demonstration experiment of a drone-based delivery system utilizing LTE in the National Strategic Special Zone of Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture.

In the latest experiment, the delivery of cargo using a drone was carried out at the Inage Seaside Park in Chiba City and adjacent sea area. The experiment, carried out as a pre-cursor to future long-distance delivery by drones, demonstrated that an order placed from a smartphone was correctly received by the drone-based delivery system, and that remote control via the LTE network can be conducted in a stable manner.

Based on the experience gained from the “Sora Raku” drone-based delivery service launched in April 2016, Rakuten has made further improvements to the product ordering app for users and the drone dashboard for controlling the drone. With these improvements combined with the new model of Rakuten’s “Tenku” delivery drone, which features a number of performance enhancements including water-resistance, Rakuten has been able to develop a more advanced drone-based delivery solution.

ACSL has newly developed the platform airframe, known as the “PF1,” which is capable of long-distance flight with fully autonomous control. The “PF1” has been designed with future flight over the sea and populated areas in mind, and as such has been equipped with a parachute to slow the speed of the fall in an emergency, offering a greater level of safety than conventional drones. The “PF1” served as the base of the new “Tenku” drone.

NTT DOCOMO has been carrying out various demonstration experiments with its Cellular Drone™  which utilizes the cell phone LTE network as part of its “DOCOMO Drone Project.” Utilizing its knowledge and mobile technologies, NTT DOCOMO mapped out flight routes that enable stable communication and also monitored the impact of airborne cell phones on the cell phone network at the ground level.

Going forward, the three companies aim to realize a drone-based delivery system for use in urban areas through their work with the Chiba City Drone Delivery Subcommittee.

*Cellular Drone is a trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC.

Source: Rakuten, Inc.

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Barnes & Noble promises a series of incredible offers during its Black Friday Weekend

  • Return of Black Friday Signed Editions with Over a Half-Million Books Signed by More Than 100 Acclaimed Authors
  • Introducing NOOK Tablet® 7”: The Most Affordable NOOK Ever at Just $49.99
  • Buy 1, Get 1 50% off Offer on Over a Thousand Educational Toys & Games

New York, New York, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the nation’s largest retail bookseller and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today (November 21, 2016) announced that it is kicking off Black Friday Weekend (November 25-27) with a series of  incredible offers* at its stores nationwide.  Barnes & Noble is bringing back its popular Black Friday Signed Editions offering, with over a half-million books signed by more than 100 acclaimed authors.  Also available at Barnes & Noble stores starting on Black Friday is the new NOOK Tablet 7”, the most affordable NOOK ever at just $49.99. Plus, all Barnes & Noble stores will feature a special buy 1, get 1 50% off promotion on over a thousand educational toys and games in stores and online throughout Black Friday Weekend. The entire lineup of Black Friday Weekend offers available at Barnes & Noble includes:

Third Annual Signed Editions Offering with Over a Half-Million Books Signed by More Than 100 Acclaimed AuthorsBarnes & Noble is bringing back its popular Black Friday Signed Editions offering this year, featuring a selection of autographed copies of books by more than 100 highly acclaimed authors available at all Barnes & Noble stores nationwide (in-store only) beginning on Black Friday, November 25. More than a half-million books were signed for Barnes & Noble customers by authors across many genres and interests for readers of all ages, including David Baldacci, Tony Bennett, Kelly Clarkson, Andy Cohen, James Dashner, Ina Garten, Taraji P. Henson, Megyn Kelly, Rick Riordan, Brandon Sanderson and Colson Whitehead. Signed Editions will be featured on a special front-of-store display when customers walk through the doors of their local Barnes & Noble on Black Friday.  For more information, customers should visit www.BN.com/SignedEditions or contact their local Barnes & Noble store.

Amazing NOOK Deals Including the NOOK Tablet 7”: The Most Affordable NOOK Ever at Just $49.99

Starting on Black Friday, the new NOOK Tablet 7”, the most affordable NOOK ever at just $49.99, will be available at Barnes & Noble stores and online at BN.com. The sleek and lightweight new 7-inch device is a full-featured Android tablet with access to millions of NOOK Books®, thousands of NOOK Audiobooks®, magazines and newspapers through the NOOK Store®, as well as full access to the Google Play Store. NOOK Tablet 7” also features front and rear-facing cameras, expandable storage up to 128GB through a microSD card (sold separately), Bluetooth connectivity and a quad-core processor, all for $49.99, making it the perfect gift for everyone in the family this holiday season.

Plus, throughout Black Friday Weekend at Barnes & Noble, the NOOK GlowLight Plus™, the Company’s first waterproof and dustproof** device for worry-free reading anywhere – including the bath and the beach – will be available at the amazing price of only $99.99 both in stores and online at BN.com (regularly $129.99).

Buy 1, Get 1 50% off Offer on Over a Thousand Educational Toys & Games

Barnes & Noble has all the hottest, must-have, high-quality educational toys and games of the season perfect for kids of all ages and interests, making it an unmatched resource for gifts to help children learn and grow. This incredible buy 1, get 1 50% off offer*** applies to over a thousand educational toys and games in Barnes & Noble’s leading selection, and is available in stores and online at BN.com.

50% off Offer on Visually Stunning Gift Books

Customers can visit their local Barnes & Noble or go online at BN.com and enjoy a spectacular 50% off offer on a wide selection of visually stunning gift books for readers of all ages and interests, including the Barnes & Noble Collectible Edition of Jane Austen: Seven Novels, as well as Guinness World Records 2017, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (50th anniversary edition with CD), The Godfather Notebook by Francis Ford Coppola, plus so much more.

30% off All Print Magazines

Customers will receive 30% off all print magazines at Barnes & Noble stores nationwide, in stores only, starting on Black Friday. This fantastic offer applies to thousands of titles, including O, The Oprah Magazine, National Geographic, Car and Driver, and so much more. The offer excludes digital magazines.

 Buy 1, Get 1 50% off Offer on Specialty Games & Puzzles

Customers will enjoy an amazing buy 1, get 1 50% off promotion*** on Barnes & Noble’s expertly curated selection of hundreds of specialty games & puzzles, including many customer-favorites.

Buy 1, Get 1 50% off Offer on Art Supplies

Barnes & Noble’s fantastic selection of bestselling art supplies will be available at an incredible buy 1, get 1 50% off offer***, including Barnes & Noble Exclusive items like the Complete Artists Studio Set, the Watercolor Set in a Tin Box, the 79-piece Color Pencil Set, and items to promote creative fun for kids including the 24-piece Stampables Scented Markers Set and the 36-piece Seriously Fine Felt Tip Markers Set, plus so much more.

 30% off DVDs & Blu-ray™

Barnes & Noble’s huge selection of DVDs and Blu-ray will be available at 30% off at Barnes & Noble stores nationwide, in stores only, featuring leading properties such as Harry Potter (complete 8-Film collection), Downton Abbey (complete collection), Star Trek Beyond, and so many others. Exclusions apply.

$100 off the da Vinci Jr. 1.0© WiFi 3D Printer from XYZprinting

Customers will be able to receive an incredible $100 off the da Vinci Jr. 1.0 WiFi 3D Printer from XYZprinting, which will be available at the amazing price of only $299.95 (regularly $399.95). The affordable printer is a simple plug-and-play 3D printer featuring wireless capabilities perfect for new Makers getting into the world of 3D printing.

Turntables from Audio-Technica Available at Incredible Prices

Select turntables from Audio-Technica will be available at incredible prices at Barnes & Noble during Black Friday Weekend. The Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable in Gunmetal will be available for the incredible price of only $79 (regularly $119.95), and it will help customers rediscover their classic 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records at an affordable price and with a fully automatic belt-drive workhorse. Plus, the Bluetooth® Belt-Drive Turntable in Navy will be available for only $129 (regularly $179.95), and it will give customers all the great features of the popular AT-LP60 fully automatic belt-drive stereo turntable but with the added convenience of Bluetooth® wireless connectivity.

The Garmin Vívofit® 3 Available for Only $59.99

The Garmin Vívofit 3 will be available at $40 off for only $59.99. Whether customers are walking around the office or going for a jog, the Vívofit 3 can automatically detect their activity using Garmin Move IQ™ and display it on Garmin Connect™.

Customers who shop at Barnes & Noble during Black Friday Weekend can take advantage of Barnes & Noble’s special Gift Card offer: a free $10 Reward Card with the purchase of $50 or more of Barnes & Noble Gift Cards. The $10 Reward Card can be redeemed between December 26, 2016, and March 31, 2017. And, as always, Members receive an extra 10% off almost everything in stores every day****.

In addition, customers who purchase any three books at Barnes & Noble stores during Black Friday Weekend can purchase a Snowy Days Tote, available in four photographic prints, for the amazing price of only $10 (regularly $24.95).

And customers who visit the Barnes & Noble Café at their local Barnes & Noble store on Black Friday will receive a complimentary tall hot coffee from the Café until 10 AM*****, in addition to a fantastic buy 1, get 1 50% off offer on Holiday & Classic Gold Gift Boxes from Godiva®  (offer valid throughout Black Friday Weekend).

Customers are invited to visit Barnes & Noble’s 638 stores nationwide or shop online at BN.com/blackfriday to discover more special offers.

** IP67 certified. Waterproof in fresh water for up to 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 1 meter (3.28 feet). Avoid immersion in saltwater or other liquids. USB port must be completely dry before use.

*** Applies to items of equal or lesser value, exclusions apply.

**** Select items excluded. See Terms & Conditions.

***** No purchase necessary. Limit 1 per customer. Offer applies to drip coffee only (regular or decaf).

About Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is a Fortune 500 company, the nation’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products.  The Company operates 638 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com).  The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store features more than 4.5 million digital books in the US (www.nook.com), plus periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained by visiting the Company’s corporate website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Barnes & Noble®, Barnes & Noble Booksellers® and Barnes & Noble.com® are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. or its affiliates. NOOK® and the NOOK logos are trademarks of Nook Digital, LLC or its affiliates.

For more information on Barnes & Noble, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr, and like us on Facebook. For more information on NOOK, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Contacts:

Mary Ellen Keating
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
(212) 633-3323
mkeating@bn.com

Alan McNamara
Senior Director
Corporate Communications
(212) 633-3379
amcnamara@bn.com

Source: Barnes & Noble

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Barnes & Noble announces the appointment of Demos Parneros as Chief Operating Officer

New York, NY, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the nation’s largest retail bookseller and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today (November 21, 2016) announced that Demos Parneros has been named Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Parneros, whose appointment is effective immediately, will report to Len Riggio, Chairman and CEO of Barnes & Noble.  In his new role as COO, he will work closely with Mr. Riggio on all aspects of Company operations including stores, merchandising, e-Commerce, systems and real estate.

Mr. Parneros joins Barnes & Noble from Staples, Inc., where he was President, North American Stores & Online. He has 30 years of leadership experience in all aspects of retail management, including operations, human resources, merchandising, e-commerce, marketing and real estate. Mr. Parneros started his career at Staples as General Manager of its first New York City store in 1987. He worked his way up the ranks through multiple management positions, including SVP Mid-Atlantic Operations, President, US Stores, President, US Retail, and President North American Stores & Online, where he was responsible for a team of 50,000 associates, across 1,800 stores, and Staples’ online business.“We couldn’t be happier to have Demos join Barnes & Noble, given his wealth of experience in specialty retail,” said Len Riggio, Chairman and CEO of Barnes & Noble. “We believe his enviable track record will lend itself well to our priorities to grow our business and to bring value to our shareholders. Demos has been a strong leader throughout his career and we believe he will be successful in adapting to the bookselling industry.”

Mr. Parneros is a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He is currently a member of Keycorp’s board of directors and member of the board of advisors of Modell’s Sporting Goods. He is married and has 2 children, and currently resides in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

About Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is a Fortune 500 company, the nation’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products.  The Company operates 638 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com).  The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store features more than 4.5 million digital books in the US (www.nook.com), plus periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.

General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained by visiting the Company’s corporate website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Barnes & Noble®, Barnes & Noble Booksellers® and Barnes & Noble.com® are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. or its affiliates. NOOK® and the NOOK logos are trademarks of Nook Digital, LLC or its affiliates.

For more information on Barnes & Noble, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr, and like us on Facebook. For more information on NOOK, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Contacts:

Mary Ellen Keating
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
(212) 633-3323
mkeating@bn.com

Andy Milevoj
Vice President
Investor Relations
(212) 633-3489
amilevoj@bn.com

Source:  Barnes & Noble, Inc.

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ascena retail group, inc. to release its Fiscal 2017 1Q financial results on Thursday, December 1, 2016

MAHWAH, N.J., 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — ascena retail group, inc. (NASDAQ – ASNA) today (Nov. 21, 2016) announces the release of its Fiscal 2017 first quarter financial results will take place on Thursday, December 1, 2016. Results will be released over Business Wire at approximately 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The company will also host a conference call at 4:30 PM Eastern Time to review its results, which will include comments by David Jaffe, President & CEO, and Robb Giammatteo, Executive Vice President & CFO, followed by a question and answer session.

Parties interested in participating in this call should dial in at (877) 930-8316 for domestic calls or (253) 336-8869 for international calls prior to the start time. The conference ID is 16154932. The call will also be simultaneously broadcast at www.ascenaretail.com. A recording of the call will be available shortly after its conclusion and until December 8, 2016 by dialing (855) 859-2056 for domestic calls or (404) 537-3406 for international calls. The replay ID is 16154932.

About ascena retail group, inc.

ascena retail group, inc. (NASDAQ: ASNA) is a leading national specialty retailer offering apparel, shoes, and accessories for women under the Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, Lane Bryant, maurices, dressbarn and Catherines brands, and for tween girls under the Justice brand. ascena retail group, inc. operates ecommerce websites and approximately 4,900 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information about ascena retail group, inc., visit: ascenaretail.com, AnnTaylor.com, LOFT.com, louandgrey.com, lanebryant.com, cacique.com, maurices.com, dressbarn.com, Catherines.com and shopjustice.com.

Investors Contact:
ascena retail group, inc.
Stacy Turnof
551-777-6928
Vice President of Investor Relations
stacy.turnof@ascenaretail.com

ICR, Inc.
James Palczynski
203-682-8229
Partner
jp@icrinc.com

For Media Contact:
ascena retail group, inc.
Sue Ross
218-491-2110
Executive Vice President, ascena Corporate Affairs
sue.ross@ascenaretail.com

Source: ascena retail group, inc.

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London & Cambridge Properties annual strategic report reveals increase in turnover, pre-tax profits and investments

London, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — London & Cambridge Properties (LCP), one of the UK’s largest private owners of retail, industrial and office property to let, has posted an “exceptional year” of results, with an increase in turnover, pre-tax profits and investments.

The company’s annual strategic report for the financial year ending March 31, 2016, reveals that the group’s turnover was £98.430 million – up from £93.147 million the previous year – with pre-tax profits of £70.1 million, up £9.484 million from 2014/2015.

Investments across the group’s UK portfolio have also risen by more than £107 million over the past 12 months, with stock valued at £979.841 million. In continental Europe, its investment portfolio was valued at £183.281 million by March 31, 2016 – an increase of £45.338 million.

The strategic report also reveals that the revaluation of the group’s investment properties at March 31, 2016 resulted in a revaluation uplift of £31.2 million – an improvement of 3.1%.

James Buchanan, LCP’s investment director, said the 12-month period saw the company focus its acquisitions on neighbourhood shopping parades in the UK, acquiring properties to the value of £76.1 million. This included the £36.65 million Navigation portfolio of 19 sites that stretch from North Lanarkshire to West Sussex.

Nick Burgess, managing director of LCP, whose headquarters is based in Kingswinford, West Midlands, said: “This has been another exceptional year for LCP as we have continued our bold strategic plans to acquire properties that provide us with the maximum opportunities for investment and added value

“We remain committed to investing further in both retail and industrial portfolios across the UK and are in a strong position to do so. Our strategy is to improve returns and achieve asset growth through intensive management and development of our properties.

“Across the UK, our occupancy levels remained constant at 93%, although there was a 1.3% improvement in retail occupancy levels, which again reflects the success of our management approach to our portfolio.”

He added that any impact on the company from the result of the EU referendum will be assessed once economic data becomes available in the next six months.

Media Enquiries:

If you have any media enquiries please email kyates@lcpproperties.co.uk

Source: London and Cambridge Properties

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HUI Research’s The Christmas Gift of the Year 2016: The VR glasses

HUI Research’s The Christmas Gift of the Year 2016: The VR glasses
HUI Research’s The Christmas Gift of the Year 2016: The VR glasses

 

Stockholm Sweden, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — We live in a digital era with constantly new technique and products as well as in a society where we demand reinforced experiences i every situation. The Christmas Gift of the Year 2016 is The VR glasses.

Virtual reality is described by some as the greatest technical development in modern times. Even if the VR revolution is not here quite yet, 2016 is the year of the VR breakthrough. Games are dominating the assortment, films are coming strong. Other possible areas are a visit to a museum or a lecture, entertainment with concerts and theatres or just socializing with family and friends. With a keystroke we can move ourselves out of the living room and directly into the game, the film or the concert.

Also companies can take advantage of the VR technique. Consumers equipped with VR glasses can experience new products or services in a new manner. The elderly care can be more fun, city planning and the construction industry with large and costly projects can test their ideas before realizing them.

The VR glasses fulfill all the three criteria to become christmas gift of the year:

The VR glasses are a novelty

This year, we’ve seen the breakthrough for virtual reality, even if this is only the beginning. Now the technique is in place and several well-known game and entertainment companies launch their VR products this year.

The VR glasses represent the times we live in

We live in a digital era with constantly new technique and products as well as in a society where we demand reinforced experiences i every situation. With VR glasses we can experience the virtual world in a totally new way. Games and films attract many, both children and adults, and with this new tool we’re able to reinforce our experience.

There is an increasing demand for the VR glasses

VR glasses where you use the mobile phone are available for a couple of hundreds. In the other end we find VR glasses for five thousand and more, used with game consols and hand devices for a remarkable VR experience. Increased demand during the year means empty store shelves here and there. It seems to work as a gift for the entire family, both children and adults participate. The market is relatively young and software suppliers are a bit behind. The demand is likely to explode when the assortment grows.

About the Christmas Gift of the Year Award

In order for a product to be assigned Christmas Gift of the Year one or more of the following criteria must be met:

  • The product has to be new or have raised new interest that year
  • The product needs a high sales value or have a great number of sold units
  • The product has to represent something typical of that year

Nordiska museet, The Museum of Scandinavian Culture, begun in 2011 an ongoing documentation about HUI Research’s The Christmas Gift of the Year Award. HUI Research donate one item of each Christmas Gift of the Year to the museum.

Contact:

Lena Larsson
VD: +46 8 762 72 89
lena.larsson@hui.se

Michael Cronholm
Konsultchef: +46 8 762 72 81
michael.cronholm@hui.se

Martin Karlsson
Senior konsult: +46 31- 759 50 02
martin.karlsson@hui.se

###

Source: HUI

###

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Alibaba Cloud announces the opening of four new data centers in the Middle East, Europe, Australia and Japan

New facilities in the Middle East, Europe, Australia and Japan will provide comprehensive cloud service offerings, enabling business innovation globally

Hangzhou, China, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, today (November 21, 2016) announced the opening of four new data centers by the end of 2016 in the Middle East (Dubai), Europe, Australia and Japan. As a major milestone of Alibaba Cloud’s global expansion, the new centers will boost its data center network to 14 locations, covering key economic centers around the world. The data center in the Middle East, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, commenced initial operations today.

Alibaba Cloud’s expansion will provide customers worldwide with improved latency and greater access to its diverse offerings, including data storage and analytics services, enterprise-level middleware, and cloud security services. Strengthening Alibaba Cloud’s position as a major global cloud provider, the new data centers will support Alibaba Cloud’s growing client base beyond the current 2.3 million.

Through a stronger network of facilities and strategic partnerships, Alibaba Cloud also plans to drive a globalization of innovation. The enhanced cloud capabilities make breakthrough innovation a real possibility with artificial intelligence, deep learning and data analytics.

“Alibaba Cloud has contributed significantly to China’s technology advancement, establishing critical commerce infrastructure to enable cross-border businesses, online marketplaces, payments, logistics, cloud computing and big data to work together seamlessly. We want to establish cloud computing as the digital foundation for the new global economy using the opportunities of cloud computing to empower businesses of all sizes across all markets,” said Simon Hu, President of Alibaba Cloud.

Evidence of the potential of Alibaba Cloud can be seen during the recently completed 2016 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, where Alibaba Cloud technology supported all of Alibaba’s online marketplaces and facilitated a record-breaking 175,000 transactions per second during peak traffic spikes. The festival showcased the capabilities not only of the cloud, but also a number of other areas, such as virtual reality, thus helping to redefine technological boundaries.

“The four new data centers will further expand Alibaba Cloud’s global ecosystem and footprint, allowing us to meet the increasing demand for secure and scalable cloud computing services from businesses and industries worldwide. The true potential of data-driven digital transformation will be seen through globalization and the opportunities brought by the new global economy will become a reality,” said Ethan Yu, Vice President of Alibaba Group and General Manager of Alibaba Cloud Global.

Since its launch, Alibaba Cloud’s technologies have enabled all types of businesses globally, ranging from start-ups to multi-national companies, to benefit from the greater operational and cost efficiency that cloud computing can provide. The new facilities are based in four strategically important trading and economic centers to enable the ambitions to make it easy to do business anywhere. Each of the four will add significant value to the global network and expand horizons.

Middle East

Alibaba Cloud will be the first major global public cloud services provider to offer cloud services from a local data center in the Middle East. The opening of the Dubai Data Center is held in conjunction with YVOLV, a joint venture of Alibaba Cloud and Meraas Holdings, a Dubai-based holding company with a portfolio spanning across key economic sectors in the United Arab Emirates. YVOLV will support and drive Dubai’s Smart City vision by leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s sophisticated cloud computing technologies to create new applications and big-data tools for customers in the region.

Europe

To support enterprises in Europe, Alibaba Cloud will partner with Vodafone Germany to open its first data center in Europe. The center is co-located in Vodafone’s data facilities in Frankfurt, Germany, one of the leading technology hubs in Europe with a highly developed infrastructure supporting technological innovation. The facility is well positioned to meet the increasing demand for sophisticated cloud computing services as the region seeks to accelerate the upgrade of its digital infrastructure.

Australia

Extending its global footprint in the Asia-Pacific, Alibaba Cloud will open a new data center in Sydney, Australia by the end of 2016. Alibaba Cloud will bring its most popular cloud services in data storage and processing services, enterprise-level middleware, and cloud security services to the Australian market. A dedicated team will be based in Australia, and build up a cloud ecosystem with local technology partners to drive cloud and big-data business in the region.

Japan

The Japan Data Center, hosted by SB Cloud Corporation, a joint venture between Softbank and Alibaba Group, will provide Japanese enterprises with competitive and enhanced public cloud computing services from Alibaba Cloud. With the joint venture, Alibaba Cloud will further expand its cloud computing service platform by leveraging SoftBank’s extensive enterprise customer base in Japan.

About Alibaba Cloud

Established in September 2009, Alibaba Cloud (intl.aliyun.com), Alibaba Group’s cloud computing arm, develops highly scalable platforms for cloud computing and data management. It provides a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services to support growing enterprises worldwide, including sellers and other third-party customers and businesses participating in Alibaba Group’s online and mobile commerce ecosystem. Alibaba Cloud is a business of Alibaba Group.

Media Contacts:

Sindy Shi
Alibaba Group
+86 150 2192 5635
ruoyun.sry@alibaba-inc.com

Rachel Chan
Alibaba Group
+852 9400 0979
rachelchan@hk.alibaba-inc.com

Source: Alibaba Group

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SkyBus rollS out self-serve ticketing on its Melbourne routes with NCR Corporation

Fast-growing airport transfer service chooses NCR’s omni-channel self-serve solution

Melbourne, Australia, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — SkyBus, operators of Melbourne’s express CBD to airport transport service, has rolled out self-serve ticketing on its Melbourne routes with NCR Corporation, the global leader in omni-channel solutions.

The roll out has enabled SkyBus to offer omni-channel and round-the-clock ticketing to its 3.5 million annual customers travelling on any of its three Melbourne Airport routes: CBD Express, St Kilda Express and the Frankston service.

Since installing the NCR Self-Serve 90 kiosk, this ‘at stop’ purchasing option has proved successful, with SkyBus seeing significant uptake, with more than 70,000 tickets purchased in the first six months.

“It was a crucial part of our expansion plans to be able to offer an omni-channel ticketing solution, enabling customers easy and simple access to tickets whilst offering a consistent and streamlined service,” commented Michael Sewards, Co-CEO, at SkyBus.

“It was vitally important that we chose a solution that was proven in the travel sector and robust with exceptional reliability. We found this in NCR. The NCR Self-Serve 90 offered exactly what we were looking for, from streamlined, sleek units with all-in-one capability to industry-leading technology. We’re delighted with how the project has gone so far,” Sewards added.

SkyBus is steadily expanding in Melbourne, with new services to St Kilda and Frankston launched in the past five months. Its express CBD to Melbourne Airport service operates 24/7, with departures leaving Southern Cross Station every 5 minutes during peak periods.

Dennis Davidson, general manager, NCR Travel and Entertainment, commented: “Travel providers are looking for more ways to modernise their customer experience by transforming physical and digital channels. Our self-service ticketing solutions seamlessly integrate physical and digital channels, giving SkyBus more ways to interact and deliver a better experience to their fast growing customer base.”

To find out more about NCR’s extensive hardware, software and services offer for the travel industry, visit www.ncr.com

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

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with over 30,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. The company encourages investors to visit its web site which is updated regularly with financial and other important information about NCR.

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

About SkyBus
SkyBus has been providing safe, convenient airport transport in Melbourne for more than 38 years. Its iconic red vehicles run seven days a week, transferring over three and a half million passengers each year between the CBD and Melbourne Airport on the most affordable airport transport service in Australia, when measured by cost/kilometres travelled. SkyBus pairs affordability with superior service, offering customers free Wi-Fi, luggage racks, reliable running times, and online, mobile and kiosk ticketing options.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @skybusmelbourne

Media Contact:
Tim Henschel
NCR Corporation
770.299.5100
tim.henschel@ncr.com

Source: NCR Corporation

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Currys PC World kicks off its biggest ever 10-day Black Tag deals event

  • Over 3,500 products on offer for 10-day event
  • Top brands to include Samsung, Dyson, Hotpoint, HP, Sony, GoPro and Bose across large domestic appliances, TVs, computing and smart tech
  • Lowest ever prices on 100s of products, plus breakthrough pricing deals on host of top brands
  • UK’s largest electrical retailer gears up for 141 orders per minute across 10-day period
  • Mobile traffic set to be greater than desktop for first year ever

London, UK, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (21 Nov 2016), Currys PC World kicks off its biggest ever 10-day Black Tag deals event, across online, in-store and click and collect services with thousands of products on offer ahead of the festive season.

Shoppers will be able to snap up early offers on top brands including Samsung, Dyson, Hotpoint, HP Sony, GoPro and Bose across large domestic appliances, TVs, computing and smart tech. Currys PC World will also carry out thousands of extra deliveries to ensure products gets to customers safely and securely, with 40% more staff in team Knowhow available to assist.

On top of this, the retailer will then release a fresh new set of best-ever deals on Black Friday itself, with selected deals going online from midnight, all deals available online from 6am and in stores from 8am across the country*, giving customers the opportunity to shop for great deals on top quality brands over a 10-day period.

This is also the first year the UK’s leading electrical retailer is predicting that mobile traffic will be greater than desktop, with almost two thirds (62%) of visitors to the website coming from mobile devices (43% mobiles; 19% tablets), compared to 38% coming from desktop. The retailer is gearing up for 141 orders per minute online and in stores across the 10-day period, and is going into Black Friday with more stock than ever before.

Black Tag deals include:

  • Super-sized TVs featuring the latest 4K technology are set to be a big hit this Christmas. The Samsung 50” 50KU6020 4K TV is on offer at £449, its lowest ever price with a saving of £200 (was price £649). For customers after smaller TVs there will also be an awesome JVC Smart DVD 32” TV at only £189.99 (was £249.99)
  • Whether it’s for a Christmas present or a gift for yourself there will also be large savings to be had on laptops, with £200 off on selected HP laptops. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 128GB & Typecover Bundle is only £729, down from £958 – a saving of £229
  • Smart toys continue to grow in popularity and are a great option for kids and grown-up kids alike. The popular Star Wars Sphero BB8 will have a saving of £30
  • For those looking to invest in large kitchen appliances so they are ready for the big day, now’s the time to buy with great deals on more than a thousand products including the lowest ever prices on American-style freezers and latest heat pump tumble dryers. Plus, customers can save up to £200 on Samsung washing machines and there’s up to £200 off our range of Dyson cordless and upright vacuum cleaners
  • For the gamers there’s great prices on the Xbox One and Playstation consoles plus customers can save £80 on the Logitech Steering Wheel
  • Finally, for a perfect stocking filler pick up the PNY Curve Power banks for half price or better, charging a smart phone up to five times, or the Fresh 12,000mAh Power Bank for half price, down from £49.99 to £24.99, charging a smart phone up to six times

Stuart Ramage, E-commerce Director, Dixons Carphone: “We know that it’s a key time for our customers so we’ll be offering some of our best-ever deals across the 10-day period kicking off with Black Tag. We’ve also increased our stock again this year, adding significantly to what we had in 2015, so that shoppers won’t be disappointed.

He continues: “We’re predicting that this Black Friday will be the biggest we’ve ever seen at Currys PC World and as the largest electrical retailer in the UK, we’ve been working hard to negotiate great deals and prices, so our customers can pick up a great deal across a range of big-name brands that we know they love.”

Currys PC World’s Price Promise will also be applicable for Black Friday, with the retailer promising to match or beat any prices from AO.com, Argos, Asda, John Lewis and Tesco – and shoppers can make the most of the retailer’s Your Plan – the brand new flexible, personalised credit plan designed to make the purchase of big-ticket items much more affordable.

Notes to Editors

Deals correct as of 18th November 2016, available for a 10-day period from 21st November, or while stocks last.
*Please check local store information for specific store opening times

About Dixons Carphone

Dixons Carphone plc is Europe’s leading specialist electrical and telecommunications retailer and services company, employing over 42,000 people in eleven countries.

Focused on helping customers navigate the connected world, Dixons Carphone offers a comprehensive range of electrical and mobile products, connectivity and expert after-sales services from the Geek Squad and Knowhow.

Dixons Carphone’s primary brands include Carphone Warehouse and CurrysPCWorld in the UK & Ireland, Elkjøp, Elkjøp Phonehouse, Elgiganten, Elgiganten Phonehouse, Gigantti and Lefdal in the Nordic countries, Kotsovolos in Greece, Dixons Travel in a number of UK & Ireland airports and Phone House in Spain. Our key service brands include Knowhow in the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, and Geek Squad in the UK, Ireland and Spain.

Business-to-business (B2B) services are provided through Connected World Services, PC World Business and Carphone Warehouse Business. Connected World Services aims to leverage the Group’s existing expertise, operating processes and technology to provide a range of services to businesses.

Dixons Carphone was voted ‘Retailer of the Year’ at the Retail Week Awards 2016

For further information, please contact the Currys PC World press office at M&C Saatchi PR:curryspcworld@mcsaatchi.com

Source: Dixons Carphone

 

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Carphone Warehouse kicks off its 10 day ‘Black Tag’ extravaganza

  • Save £200 on Samsung S7; no up-front cost at £24 p/m
  • Save £200 on iPhone 6s; £59.99 up-front at £28 p/m
  • Save up to £100 on a range of SIM Free handsets
  • Up to 50% off a range of mobile accessories

London, UK, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — With only a few days to go until what’s predicted to be the biggest ever Black Friday, Carphone Warehouse has kicked off its 10 day ‘Black Tag’ extravaganza, with hundreds of deals available online and in store.1 Carphone Warehouse will also be running incredible time limited deals with more savings than ever before and won’t be beaten on price, if customers think they’ve found a better deal our Price Promise still applies throughout this period.

Running from 21st November – 30th November inclusively, the event will feature significant savings on the latest mobile phones, including a fantastic £200 saving on the popular Samsung S7. Customers can pick up the phone for no up-front cost, with a £24 per month contract on Vodafone. This is alongside a brilliant saving of £200 on the iPhone 6s (32GB), available for £59.99 at £28 per month, and the Sony XZ, which will be offered at no up-front cost for just £28 per month.

What’s more, the latest Google Pixel (32GB) handset can be snapped up for just £29.99 on a pay monthly contract of £35.99 – that’s a saving of £150!

Carphone Warehouse offers a wide range of mobile accessories with many exclusives just for Carphone Warehouse customers, and this year the focus will be on the great range of VR devices that are topping Christmas lists across the country. The universal Goji VR headset can be used with all smartphones and will be available for just £12.49 (50% off) perfect for those VR beginners. Whilst there’s a wealth of content available for VR beginners, customers can now create their very own VR content, and what better way to get started than with the Samsung Gear 360 with £100 off. The new Gear 360 is a camera which allows users to shoot, edit and share unmissable moments all in 360 video and then viewed in your very own VR headset.

There are savings of up to £100 on several SIM free handsets too – the Huawei P9 Lite is now available for £149.99, down from £249.99, and the Sony XA handset has been reduced to £129.99.

Get started with Christmas stocking fillers early with 50% off all Kate Spade phones cases and 25% off all Mophie Power Stations.

Carphone Warehouse is expecting more than 1million visitors’ in-store and over 5million online over the 10-day period, with the peak set to be on Black Friday.

Jeremy Fennell, Managing Director at Carphone Warehouse, says: “Black Friday 2015 was the biggest ever trading day in Carphone Warehouse history, this year we’ve got 50% more deals and we expect this year to be bigger than ever. We’re the UK’s biggest mobile retailer and we’ve got a range of amazing deals across the board, with up to half price off the latest mobile accessories and hundreds of pounds off selected handsets. We don’t think we should start or end with Black Friday, which is why we’re bringing back Black Tag and extending our unbeatable offers for ten days without the 24-hour rush.”

The pick of Carphone Warehouse’s Black Tag deals includes:

* MOBILE *

Product Upfront Cost Monthly Package Data SAVE Network
Samsung S7 No up-front cost £24.00 500MB £200 Vodafone
iPhone 6S 32GB £59.99 £28.00 500MB £200 Vodafone
Samsung S6 Edge* £59.99 £19.00 500MB £200 Vodafone
Samsung A3 No up-front cost £12.50 500MB £100 iD
Sony XZ No up-front cost £28.00 500MB £200 Vodafone
Google Pixel 32GB £29.99 £35.99 2GB £150 EE
Google Pixel XL 32GB £129.99 £35.99 2GB £150 EE
Samsung S7 Edge £79.99 £33.49 1GB £150 EE

* PAY AS YOU GO *

PRODUCT WAS NOW SAVE SAVE % Network
Huawei P9 Lite £249.99 £149.99 £100 40% Various
Sony XA £189.99 £129.99 £60 32% Various
Huawei Y6 II Compact £119.99 £69.99 £50 42% Various

* ACCESSORIES *

PRODUCT WAS NOW SAVE SAVE %
Goji Universal VR Headset  £24.99 £12.49 £13 50%
PNY 10,400 mAh Powerbank £24.99 £12.49 £13 50%
Goji Car Wireless Charger £24.99 £12.49 £13 50%
Sandstrom Charging Dock £49.99 £24.99 £25 50%
Samsung Gear 360 £349.99 £249.99 £100 30%
Goji Wireless Over Ear Headphones £29.99 £19.99 £10 30%
Goji InEar Headphones £34.99 £24.99 £10 30%
Jabra Storm £59.99 £39.99 £20 30%
Samsung Gear2 £249.99 £219.99 £30 10%
Samsung Gear2 Classic £299.99 £269.99 £30 10%

For more information on the Carphone Warehouse Black Tag event and other deals available visit www.carphonewarehouse.com

1Deals correct as of 21st November 2016, available for a 10-day period, or while stocks last.

About Dixons Carphone

Dixons Carphone plc is Europe’s leading specialist electrical and telecommunications retailer and services company, employing over 42,000 people in eleven countries.

Focused on helping customers navigate the connected world, Dixons Carphone offers a comprehensive range of electrical and mobile products, connectivity and expert after-sales services from the Geek Squad and Knowhow.

Dixons Carphone’s primary brands include Carphone Warehouse and CurrysPCWorld in the UK & Ireland, Elkjøp, Elkjøp Phonehouse, Elgiganten, Elgiganten Phonehouse, Gigantti and Lefdal in the Nordic countries, Kotsovolos in Greece, Dixons Travel in a number of UK & Ireland airports and Phone House in Spain. Our key service brands include Knowhow in the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, and Geek Squad in the UK, Ireland and Spain.

Business-to-business (B2B) services are provided through Connected World Services, PC World Business and Carphone Warehouse Business. Connected World Services aims to leverage the Group’s existing expertise, operating processes and technology to provide a range of services to businesses.

Dixons Carphone was voted ‘Retailer of the Year’ at the Retail Week Awards 2016For more information about Dixons Carphone plc, please visit www.dixonscarphonegroup.com

Follow us on Twitter: @DixonsCarphone

Contact:

Please contact Carphone Warehouse Press Office at M&C Saatchi PR for further information:

Press Office: carphonewarehouse@mcsaatchi.com

Source: Dixons Carphone

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USDA FSIS offers tips for a food safe Thanksgiving

WASHINGTON, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — This week millions of Americans will gather family and friends around the dinner table to give thanks. But for those preparing the meal, it can be a stressful time. Not to mention, for many it is the largest meal they have cooked all year, leaving plenty of room for mistakes that could cause foodborne illness.

“Unsafe handling and undercooking of food can lead to serious foodborne illness,” said Al Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Turkeys may contain Salmonella and Campylobacter, harmful pathogens that are only destroyed by properly preparing and cooking the turkey. Similarly, leaving leftovers out for too long, or not taking care to properly clean cooking and serving surfaces, can lead to other types of illness. We want to be sure that all consumers know the steps they can take and resources that are available to them to help prepare a safe and enjoyable holiday meal. ”

To avoid making everyone at the table sick, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) offers five tips for a food safe Thanksgiving:

Tip 1: Don’t Wash That Turkey.

According to the most recent Food Safety Survey, conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, 68 percent of the public washes whole turkey before cooking it. USDA does not recommend washing raw meat and poultry before cooking. Washing raw meat and poultry can cause bacteria to spread up to three feet away. Cooking (baking, broiling, boiling, frying or grilling) meat and poultry to the right temperature kills any bacteria that may be present, so washing meat and poultry is not necessary.

Tip 2: Use the refrigerator, the cold-water method or the microwave to defrost a frozen turkey.

There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water and in the microwave oven. Thawing food in the refrigerator is the safest method because the turkey will defrost at a consistent, safe temperature. It will take 24 hours for every 5 pounds of weight for a turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. To thaw in cold water, submerge the bird in its original wrapper in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. For instructions on microwave defrosting, refer to your microwave’s owner’s manual. Cold water and microwave thawing can also be used if your bird did not entirely defrost in the refrigerator.

Tip 3: Use a meat thermometer.

The only way to determine if a turkey (or any meat, poultry or seafood) is cooked is to check its internal temperature with a food thermometer. A whole turkey should be checked in three locations: the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing and the thickest part of the breast. Your thermometer should register 165°F in all three of these places. The juices rarely run clear at this temperature, and when they do the bird is often overcooked. Using the food thermometer is the best way to ensure your turkey is cooked, but not overdone.

Tip 4: Don’t store food outside, even if it’s cold.

Storing food outside is not food safe for two reasons. The first is that animals, both wild and domesticated, can get into food stored outside, consuming it or contaminating it. The second is temperature variation. Just like your car gets warm in the summer, a plastic food storage container in the sun can heat up and climb into the danger zone (above 40°F). The best way to keep that extra Thanksgiving food at a safe temperature (below 40°F) is in a cooler with ice.

Tip 5: Leftovers are good in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Cut the turkey off the bone and refrigerate it as soon as you can, within 2 hours of the turkey coming out of the oven. Leftovers will last for four days in the refrigerator, so if you know you won’t use them right away, pack them into freezer bags or airtight containers and freeze. For best quality, use your leftover turkey within four months. After that, the leftovers will still be safe, but can dry out or lose flavor.

Want additional food safety tips?

If you have questions about your Thanksgiving dinner, you can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) to talk to a food safety expert. Last November they answered more than 3,000 calls about Thanksgiving dinner. You can also chat live with a food safety expert at AskKaren.gov, available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, in English and Spanish.

If you need help on Thanksgiving Day, the Meat and Poultry Hotline is available from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.

Consumers with food safety questions can visit FoodSafety.gov to learn more about how to safely select, thaw and prepare a turkey. For more Thanksgiving food safety tips, follow FSIS on Twitter, @USDAFoodSafety, or on Facebook, at Facebook.com/FoodSafety.gov

Contact:

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

Source: USDA

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Office Depot makes it easier than ever to find thoughtful and practical gifts for everyone

BOCA RATON, Fla., 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ: ODP), a leading global provider of office products, services, and solutions, through its Office Depot and OfficeMax brands, is making it easier than ever to find thoughtful and practical gifts for even the toughest names on holiday shopping lists. From CEOs looking to embrace the latest tech, to friends with finicky tastes, to co-workers who seemingly have everything, Office Depot has gifts to stuff in everyone’s stocking.

Between trying to decipher hobbies, interests and needs of family, friends and co-workers, searching for the perfect gift for everyone can be stressful for shoppers during the holiday season. Returning this year is the award-winning Co-Worker Collection, a curated shopping experience tailored to co-workers’ quirks and idiosyncrasies.

Shoppers can avoid giving another generic, boring gift with these ideas to make their loved ones’ every day special:

For the Boss Who Still Asks for Printed Copies: They may have the vision and all the right skills, but not all of the right gear. Upgrade the CEO in your life with a new Lexar® JumpDrive® USB 2.0 flash drive or high-tech Samsung Galaxy Tab™ E Lite 7.0″, 8GB, Android™ 4.4 KitKat tablet to bring their presentations into the 21st century.

For the Do-er: They go to the gym every morning before work, have a neatly organized to-do list and nail every presentation. They’re an organized go-getter. Fuel their ambition with the TUL Note-taking System. This fully customizable notebook can be tailored to fit any note-taking style, scheduling and organization needs. It holds all notes, deliverables and color-coded line items in one place to keep their drive strong in the New Year.

For the Kid at Heart: They enjoy life’s little moments and can always be found in the break room or with their hand in a cookie jar. Even though they are full grown, they still think snack time is the best time. Indulge their youthful spirit this holiday season with an assortment of candy and snacks, such as a tin of Walker Shortbread cookies or a box of delicious Godiva chocolates found at Office Depot.

For the Parent Who Makes It Look Easy: Between juggling three kids, client deliverables and deadlines, they make never-ending days look like a breeze. Help them power through their never-ending to-do list with a variety of K-Cup coffee!

For the Creative Minded Co-worker: They are full of unique ideas and out-of-the-box thinking, which conveniently end up all over their desk in a clutter. Co-workers like this need the See Jane Work faux leather portfolio to avoid the mess and keep their creative energy where they can find it.

Skip the headache this year and keep the holidays festive and fun with the Co-Worker Collection, and other exciting gifts, at an Office Depot or an OfficeMax retail store near you.

About Office Depot, Inc.

Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an office, home, school or car.

Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials.

The company has annual sales of approximately $14 billion, employs approximately 49,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 59 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, Grand & Toy, and Viking. The company’s portfolio of exclusive product brands include TUL, Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.

Office Depot, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.

Contact:
Sarah England
561-438-1448
sarah.england@officedepot.com

Source: Office Depot, Inc.

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Office Depot recognized twenty-two organizations for their leadership in greener purchasing

BOCA RATON, Fla., 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ: ODP), a leading global provider of office products, services and solutions and parent company of Office Depot and OfficeMax, today (November 21, 2016) announced that it recently recognized twenty-two organizations for their leadership in greener purchasing, including:

  • Accurate Personnel
  • Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
  • Best Buy
  • City Of San Antonio
  • City Of San Bernardino
  • County Of Berks
  • Dysart Unified School District
  • Eastman
  • General Motors
  • Spokane VA Medical Center
  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • University of Redlands
  • Viacom
  • Washington State, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)

In addition, Eastman received the Office Depot Special Recognition for Innovations in Supply Chain Award.

“Office Depot congratulates the winners of our Ninth Annual Leadership in Greener Purchasing Awards,” said Dave Trudnowski, senior vice president of adjacency, sustainability and public sector strategy for Office Depot. “We are pleased to honor these organizations from across the country that have implemented and are actively pursuing increased sustainability through their purchasing decisions.”

Award winners were selected from among Office Depot’s largest 1,000 customers based on their high green spend percentage compared to others in their sector. Office Depot calculates green spend percentage by comparing a customer’s expenditure on products with eco-attributes such as recycled content, energy-efficiency, non-toxicity, etc., and/or ecolabels such as FSC, EPEAT, GREENGUARD, GreenSeal and EcoLogo. Customer purchases with the highest level of meaningful eco-attributes and ecolabels were given extra weight in the selection process.

“One of the unique ways Office Depot sells greener is by celebrating our customers who buy greener,” said Molly Ray, senior manager of sustainability for Office Depot. “By recognizing our customers for achieving their sustainability goals, they’ll continue to make greener purchasing decisions in the future and we believe that other organizations will follow.”

About Office Depot, Inc.

Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an office, home, school or car.

Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials.

The company has annual sales of approximately $14 billion, employs approximately 49,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 59 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, Grand & Toy, and Viking. The company’s portfolio of exclusive product brands include TUL, Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.

Office Depot, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.

Contact:
Rebecca Rakitin
561-438-1450
Rebecca.Rakitin@officedepot.com

Source: Office Depot, Inc.

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SPAR UK’s Luxury Mince Pies endorsed by women’s magazine, Good Housekeeping Institute

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands,, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — SPAR UK’s multi award-winning Luxury Mince Pies have been endorsed by the popular women’s magazine, Good Housekeeping Institute.

The December issue of the magazine, on sale from November, highlights the great taste and fantastic quality of SPAR’s Luxury Mince Pies: “The richly spiced mincemeat is moist and juicy. It generously fills the buttery, crisp casing. A moreish Christmassy pie,” it says.

The endorsement includes an image of the product and details of local SPAR stores.

This is the second time this year that a SPAR UK Own Brand product has been endorsed by the prestigious Institute. SPAR Brand’s Luxury Soft White Tissue was recognised in March for its great quality and design.

Cath McIlwham, SPAR UK Head of Brand, said: “We are delighted to have been endorsed once again by the well-respected Good Housekeeping Institute.

“The Institute independently assesses hundreds of products for their Christmas taste test, and we are really proud that our SPAR Luxury Mince Pies made the grade!

“As Christmas approaches, we can offer our customers great-tasting quality products that our retailers can be really confident in,” she said.

SPAR UK’s Luxury Mince Pies also won one of the standout accolades at this year’s Wholesale Quality Awards, the Gold Christmas Q award.

Contact:

SPAR International
Email: info@spar-international.com
Tel: +3120 626 6749

Source: Spar International

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SpartanNash Company declares quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per common share

Byron Center, MI, 2016-Nov-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — SpartanNash Company (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SPTN) today (Nov 21, 2016) announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per common share. The dividend will be paid on December 30, 2016 to shareholders of record as of December 9, 2016. As of November 18, 2016, there were 37,481,575 common shares outstanding.

SpartanNash (Nasdaq: SPTN) is a Fortune 400 company whose core businesses include distributing grocery products to independent grocery retailers, national accounts, its corporate owned retail stores, and U.S. military commissaries. SpartanNash serves customer locations in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahrain and Egypt. SpartanNash currently operates 159 supermarkets, primarily under the banners of Family Fare Supermarkets, Family Fresh Market, D&W Fresh Market and SunMart. Through its MDV military division, SpartanNash is the leading distributor of grocery products to military commissaries in the United States.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “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. Although SpartanNash expects to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend, adoption of a dividend policy does not commit the Board of Directors to declare future dividends. Each future dividend will be considered and declared by the Board of Directors at its discretion. The ability of the Board of Directors to continue to declare dividends will depend on a number of factors, including SpartanNash’s future financial condition and profitability and compliance with the terms of its credit facilities.

Investor Contact:
Chris Meyers
Executive Vice President & CFO
(616) 878-8023

Media Contact:
Meredith Gremel
Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communications
(616) 878-2830

Source: SpartanNash Company