Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Debenhams launches Nine by Savannah Miller ‘Athleisure’ range

: Debenhams launches Nine by Savannah Miller ‘Athleisure’ range

London, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Introducing Debenhams first ‘Athleisure’ range, January 2017 sees the launch of the Nine by Savannah Miller ‘Athleisure’ range available exclusively at Debenhams.

Taking inspiration from classic ballet shapes and colour palettes the Nine by Savannah Miller collection celebrates Savannah’s bohemian style. From flowing fluid silhouettes to full body catsuits, featuring distinctive detailing with flattering fits, each item is made to provide ultimate comfort and style perfect to take from Pilates to lounge wear.

This contemporary on trend collection boasts breathable panels in supportive durable fabrications and lightweight styles in a muted colour palette with abstract designs in peppery greys and blush tones. Ideal to take from gym to coffee with the girls, this range is sure to make every gym bunny feel able to take on every challenge, without the designer price tag.

Available from mid- January at www.debenhams.com

Prices start from £18

Debenhams is a leading international, multi-channel brand with a proud British heritage which trades out of more than 240 stores across 27 countries. Debenhams gives its customers around the world a unique, differentiated and exclusive mix of own brands, international brands and concessions.

In the UK, Debenhams has a top three market position in womenswear and menswear and a top ten share in childrenswear. It holds the number two market position in premium health and beauty.

Debenhams has been investing in British design for 21 years through its exclusive Designers at Debenhams portfolio of brands. Current designers include Abigail Ahern, Savannah Miller, Ted Baker, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, FrostFrench, Patrick Grant, Henry Holland, Ben de Lisi, Todd Lynn, Julien Macdonald, Jenny Packham, Preen, Giles Deacon, Aliza Reger, John Rocha, Ashley Thomas and Matthew Williamson.

CONTACTS:
Shona Matthews
Shona.Matthews@debenhams.com

Source: Debenhams

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Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

New Look appoints Richard Collyer as Chief Financial Officer

LONDON, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Board of New Look is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Collyer as Chief Financial Officer with immediate effect.

Richard was formerly Group Finance Director and has been performing the CFO role on an interim basis since March 2016.

Richard joined New Look in 2008 and has performed a series of senior financial roles. After a period as Executive Assistant to the CEO, Richard was promoted to Group Finance Director in 2014. Prior to joining New Look, Richard spent 13 years with PwC in audit and transactional roles.

Anders Kristiansen, CEO of New Look, commented: “We are delighted to appoint Richard as our new CFO. Richard has a wealth of experience in New Look and I am very pleased to be able to promote from within our leadership team.”

Richard Collyer commented: “I am very excited by the opportunities in this role. I look forward to working with Anders and the New Look team to continue to achieve our strategic aims and growth plans.”

About New Look

New Look is an international multichannel retail brand, offering exciting, on-trend, value-fashion for women, men and teenage girls, and is the UK’s No. 1 retailer for women under 35*.

Our long term business strategy comprises of initiatives spanning Brand, Multichannel, International Expansion, Product Development and Menswear.

We have 850 stores, comprising 584 in the UK and a further 266 globally. We also have a fast-growing e-commerce offering, serving over 120 countries worldwide, supported by convenient delivery options.

Our flexible fast-fashion business is built on an agile global supply chain with the ability to respond quickly to trends. We focus on delivering value for money and ‘newness’, with hundreds of new lines landing every week. Our ranges of apparel, footwear and accessories are designed with broad age appeal and global relevance. They are delivered by our great people in stores and support centres, who ensure we deliver great service – wherever, whenever and however customers choose to engage with us.

* Based on Kantar Worldpanel published data 24 weeks to 25 September 2016 (by value)

Enquiries:
Headland
Lucy Legh
Rose Beynon
Rob Walker
+44 (0)20 3805 4822
newlook@headlandconsultancy.com

Source: New Look

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

SPAR further expands in Croatia with the acquisition of 62 BILLA stores from Rewe

Croatia, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — SPAR continues to expand in Croatia – acquiring 62 BILLA stores as well as the BILLA logistics centre in Sv. Helena from Rewe.

The deal on the acquisition was agreed on 15 December 2016; the definite transfer will be after the closing in spring of 2017. The deal still needs to be approved by the antitrust authorities. There will be no disclosure of purchase price which it has been agreed to keep confidential.

Rudolf Staudinger, Director of the Board for SPAR Austria’s international operations, stated at the time of disclosing the acquisition: “We have been operating in Croatia since 2005 and see great potential in this country. We therefore want to expand our market position and look forward to the opportunity to expand and take over the stores.”

With this acquisition, the network of SPAR Croatia will be increased to over 100 stores. Importantly, all 1,900 BILLA employees will be retained by SPAR.

The acquired supermarkets are located throughout Croatia – from Istria to Dalmatia, Slavonia to the capital Zagreb, the sales areas of the stores range from 500m2 to 1,500 m². After approval by the antitrust authorities, the stores will be converted to operate under the SPAR Brand.

SPAR Hrvatska d.o.o. is a 100% subsidiary of SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels-AG. In 2015 17 INTERSPAR hypermarkets and 35 SPAR supermarkets generated gross sales of €365 million. At the end of 2015, 2,773 employees worked in SPAR Croatia.

Contact:

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

Source: Spar International

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

SPAR Hungary celebrates its 25th anniversary with renewal of 20 supermarkets and opening of new stores across the country

Hungary, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — SPAR Hungary ends the year on a high note with the celebration of its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone year, a lot of investment has been put into the modernisation of SPAR stores, with the renewal of 20 supermarkets across the country, as well as the opening of new stores.

The largest investment went into the renovation of the Pesterzsébet INTERSPAR in Budapest. Originally opened in 1998, the hypermarket has been renewed inside and out, and offers customers a wide range of new products and services.

Natural materials were used for the new interior, which was designed in collaboration with international experts. The result is an inviting and innovative layout, providing customers with a pleasant shopping experience. There is a market-like fruit and vegetable section at the entrance to the store, an instore bakery department, a health and wellness area and a SPAR-to-Go restaurant, where top quality dishes are on offer.

The modernisation of Pesterzsébet INTERSPAR included introducing sustainable solutions to reduce the store’s energy consumption. In addition to high performance, environmentally friendly refrigeration systems, cost-efficient LED lighting has been installed throughout the store.

In Budapest, a completely new SPAR Supermarket has opened on the ground floor of an office building, creating 21 new jobs.

The new store is 600m2 and has been designed according to the latest SPAR branding and design principles. There is a deli counter, bakery and fresh produce section and special attention was given to the implementation of energy-efficient equipment such as LED lighting and efficient heating and cooling systems.

In addition to fresh goods and the popular A-brand products, the new store also offers a good range of SPAR Own Brand products of excellent quality and at favourable prices.

Since entering Hungary 25 years ago, SPAR has worked hard to develop its retail network. There are currently 345 SPAR Supermarkets, 32 INTERSPAR Hypermarkets and 108 SPAR stores in the country, providing jobs for more than 13, 000 people

Contact:

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

Source: Spar International

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Schnucks: In addition to bell ringers, support The Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign thru Scan and Give coupons

Customers can donate to bell ringers or by using Scan and Give coupons at checkout

St. Louis, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — With only a few days left until Christmas, The Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign continues at 100 Schnucks locations across the Midwest.

In addition to bell ringers outside the store, Schnucks is offering customers the opportunity to donate to The Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign while inside the store. Scan and Give coupons in amounts of $1, $5 and $10 can be found at checkout and the desired amount can simply be added to customers’ grocery bills.

Since the Scan & Give began in November, Schnucks customers have given more than $62,000 to the Tree of Lights Campaign with more than $36,000 coming from the St. Louis metropolitan area and directly benefitting The Salvation Army Midland Division. These amounts are more than three times what was raised in last year’s Scan and Give campaign at Schnucks!

Both the bell ringers and Scan & Give promotion can be found at all Schnucks store through December 24.

All monies raised during the Tree of Lights campaign stays local and 86 cents of every dollar goes directly into local programs and services. After funding holiday meals, gifts and programs for those in need, Tree of Lights donations help provide food, shelter, child care, job training and many other services throughout the year. The Tree of Lights campaign represents a substantial portion of The Salvation Army’s year-round operating budget.

Each year The Salvation Army assists thousands of families in Missouri and Southern Illinois. To help, donations can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or online to the Tree of Lights Campaign at: stlsalvationarmy.org or text GIVEHOPE TO 41444.

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless

and opportunities for underprivileged children. 86 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

About Schnucks:

Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned grocery/pharmacy retailer committed to nourishing people’s lives. The company takes pride in its community partnerships and gives more than $13 million dollars annually in food to food pantries and more than $1.8 million to not-for-profit organizations through the company’s My Schnucks Card program. Schnucks currently operates 100 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. Privately held, Schnucks employs more than 14,000 teammates and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Follow Schnucks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/schnucks.

Media Contacts:
Paul Simon
Schnucks
314-994-4603
psimon@schnucks.com

Jack Wang
The Salvation Army
314-646-3017
Jack_Wang@usc.salvationarmy.org

Source: Schnucks

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Bartell Drugs offers convenient and affordable flu vaccination

SEATTLE, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The holiday season brings together family and friends, but it also increases the chances of contracting the flu.

Bartell Drugs is here as your convenient and affordable place to get that flu vaccination for you and your entire family.

Flu season is starting to take hold across the country, and U.S. health officials are urging everyone who hasn’t gotten a flu shot yet to get one now.

According to epidemiologists with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national flu levels are currently low and scattered, yet evidence points to an increase in outbreaks, including here in the Pacific Northwest.

Most of the virus out there is influenza H3N2 with H1N1 still circulating. H3N2 is a strain that is part of this year’s flu vaccine, according to the CDC. The vaccine supply is good this year, with more than 131 million doses available.

The range of hospitalization is still low, but as with most H3N2 seasons, the highest rate right now is in the elderly.

The overall rate of hospitalizations for flu is about 2 out of every 100,000 cases. In the elderly, it’s 7 per every 100,000.

Flu activity will increase, says Christina Ree, Bartell’s Clinical Programs Manager. “We don’t know how severe the season is going to be, so it’s important to get vaccinated before flu activity picks up. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself,” she said.

In a typical flu season, flu complications—including pneumonia —send more than 200,000 Americans to the hospital. Death rates linked to flu vary annually, but have gone as high as 49,000 in a year, according to the CDC.

Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and March but can last as late as May.

How effective a vaccine is depends on how good a match it is to the strains of flu virus circulating that year. Most years, the vaccine is between 40 percent and 60 percent effective, according to the CDC.

Getting your flu shot soon is important because it can take several weeks to produce enough antibodies to give you maximum protection, officials noted.

More information

For more on flu, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/complications.htm

About Bartell Drugs:
Family-owned since 1890, Seattle-based Bartell Drugs is proud of its more than 126-year history based here in the Northwest. Four generations of the Bartell family have continuously focused on the future — and how the drugstore chain can better serve its customers. With exceptional customer service, locally made products and a focus on your overall wellbeing, Bartell Drugs is here to help. Operating 65 locations in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, it is the nation’s oldest family-owned drugstore chain. For more information on Bartell Drugs, visit www.bartelldrugs.com.

Media Contact:

Ric Brewer
Senior Communications Manager
Bartell Drugs
206-933-9416
ric.brewer@bartelldrugs.com

Source: Bartell Drugs

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Overstock.com to open new Customer Care call center in Grays Harbor County, Washington

Grays Harbor location will bring at least 150 jobs

SALT LAKE CITY, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK) has finalized plans to open a new Customer Care call center in Grays Harbor County, Washington, bringing at least 150 jobs to the region by May of 2017. The lease, which was approved Wednesday in a special meeting of the Port of Grays Harbor Commission, will encompass 20,000 square feet of space in a building housed inside the Satsop Business Park in Elma, Washington.

“Overstock is excited to become a part of the Grays Harbor community with our newest Customer Care center,” said Overstock.com Senior Vice President Carter Lee. “It’s a win-win situation. Overstock is bringing jobs to the region while at the same time increasing our ability to provide the award-winning customer support that is synonymous with our brand.”

The online retailer selected the Grays Harbor site to help boost economic recovery in the region, which has unemployment levels higher than state and national averages. Once the location for the new facility was decided upon, Overstock worked closely with state and local officials to find a site that could provide the required high-speed telecommunication and flexible tech office space needed.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Grays Harbor community and an ideal place for Overstock to expand its operations,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “The addition of 150 jobs will provide a significant boost to the local economy. We’re all looking forward to Overstock investing in Washington, and in Elma.”

Overstock will be taking over an entire floor of a state-of-the-art office building built on the site of a former, never activated nuclear power plant. The company will almost immediately begin upgrading the facility and individual workstations in preparation for the May opening.

Local hiring will begin in February, and will encompass both entry-level and leadership positions. Initially the location will house only a Customer Care call center, however Overstock anticipates creating satellite teams with other functions.

According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, Grays Harbor County’s unemployment rate as of October 2016 was 8.5 percent. That figure is more than 3 percent higher than the state’s overall unemployment rate, and nearly 4 percent higher than the country’s unemployment rate, as cited by the state’s monthly employment report for November 2016. The unemployment rate is the ratio of the estimated number of unemployed divided by the civilian labor force.

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

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

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

Media Contact:
Mark Delcorps
Overstock.com, Inc.
+1 (801) 947-3564
pr@overstock.com

Investor Contact:
Mark Harden
Overstock.com, Inc.
+1 (801) 947-5409
ir@overstock.com

Source: Overstock.com, Inc./globenewswire

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Walgreens installs its drug take-back kiosks at 16 Walgreens drugstores in New Jersey

Governor Chris Christie joins Walgreens at today’s launch to help fight prescription drug abuse

DEERFIELD, Ill., 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Walgreens today (December 22, 2016) is launching its safe medication disposal kiosk program in New Jersey with the installation of drug take-back kiosks at 16 Walgreens drugstores in New Jersey. The launch is part of Walgreens effort, announced earlier this year, to install safe medication disposal kiosks at more than 500 of its drugstores around the country.

Walgreens will be joined today by Governor Chris Christie at an East Brunswick store to kick off the drug take-back program in New Jersey.

“Many times, the disease of addiction begins at home in a person’s medicine cabinet, in New Jersey I have made it a priority to target this source by implementing, expanding and promoting programs such as Project Medicine Drop and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program,” said Governor Chris Christie. “Misuse of prescription drugs is a major pathway to addiction, and this safe disposal program will go a long way to eliminating adults’ and children’s accessibility to these dangerous unused drugs.”

The kiosks provide a safe and convenient way year-round to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, and over-the-counter medications at no cost.

“By making safe medication disposal kiosks available in select New Jersey stores, as we have done in other states this year, Walgreens is taking an important first step to reduce the misuse of medications throughout the country and curb the rise in overdose deaths,” said Kim Treece, Walgreens regional vice president in New Jersey. “Everyone has a role to play in minimizing prescription drug abuse, and we are committed to being part of a comprehensive solution to reverse this epidemic.”

Safe medication disposal kiosks are currently available in more than 500 Walgreens pharmacies across 43 states and Washington D.C. The kiosks are available during regular pharmacy hours (24 hours a day at most kiosk locations) and offer one of the best ways to ensure medications are not accidentally used or intentionally misused by someone else.

Drug abuse continues to be a public health and safety risk. More Americans die every day from drug overdoses than from motor vehicle crashes, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 19 million Americans misused a prescription drug in 20151.

In addition to offering a year-round solution for individuals to dispose of their medications, all of Walgreens New Jersey pharmacies can dispense naloxone, a life-saving opioid antidote, without requiring a prescription in accordance with state regulations.

To learn more about Walgreens efforts to combat drug abuse visit Walgreens.com/CombatDrugAbuse.

Select New Jersey Walgreens with Safe Medication Disposal Kiosks:

Carlstadt – 637 Hoboken Road
East Brunswick – 421 Ryders Lane
East Orange – 508 Main St.
Elizabeth – 600 Newark Ave.
Elmwood Park – 100 Broadway
Hamilton – 1096 Highway 33
Jersey City – 110 Newark Ave.
Millville – 1111 N. High St.
Neptune – 1905 State Route 33
Parsippany – 200 Baldwin Road, Ste. 200
Pennsauken* – 4601 Westfield Ave.
Perth Amboy – 520 Convery Blvd.
Somerville – 129 Somerset St.
Toms River – 1311 Route 37 W
Union – 2148 Morris Ave.
Waldwick – 72 Crescent Ave.

*Installation complete by December 30, 2016.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com), one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 10 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,175 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens omnichannel business includes Walgreens.com and VisionDirect.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.

1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR2-2015/NSDUH-FFR2-2015.htm

Contact:
Walgreens
Phil Caruso
Phone: 847-315-2962
philip.caruso@walgreens.com
http://news.walgreens.com
@WalgreensNews
facebook.com/Walgreens

Source: Walgreens

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Citycon divests retail property Länken in Umeå, Sweden

Helsinki, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Citycon has signed an agreement to sell its share in the retail property Länken in Umeå to a Swedish real estate company. Citycon’s proceeds from the transaction are approximately EUR 24 million and subject to closing adjustments related to the ongoing (re)development in the property. The purchase price is in line with the asset’s latest IFRS fair value. The transaction is estimated to close in Q1 2017.

“This divestment reflects Citycon’s strategy to focus on urban, grocery-anchored shopping centres in the Nordics and Baltics. Following this divestment all of Citycon’s investments in Sweden are shopping centres in the Stockholm and Gothenburg areas”, says Marcel Kokkeel, Chief Executive Officer at Citycon.

Citycon Oyj (Nasdaq Helsinki: CTY1S) is a leading owner, developer and manager of urban grocery-anchored shopping centres in the Nordic and Baltic regions, managing assets that total EUR 5 billion and with market capitalisation of over EUR 2 billion. For more information about Citycon, please visit www.citycon.com

Contact:
Marcel Kokkeel
CEO
Tel. +358 20 766 4521 or +358 40 154 6760
marcel.kokkeel@citycon.com

Source: Citycon Oyj

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Citycon decided an equity repayment of EUR 0.0375 per share

Helsinki, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Board of Directors of Citycon Oyj has today (December 20, 2016) decided that an equity repayment of EUR 0.0375 per share be distributed from the invested unrestricted equity fund of the company. The equity repayment will be paid to a shareholder registered in the company’s shareholders’ register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd on the record date for the equity repayment December 22, 2016. The equity repayment will be paid on December 30, 2016.

The distribution is based on the authorisation by Citycon Oyj’s Annual General Meeting held on March 16, 2016. Following the equity repayment on December 30, 2016, Citycon Oyj has distributed a total dividend and equity repayment of EUR 0.15 per share during the year 2016 and the Board of Directors has fully exercised the asset distribution authorisation granted by the Annual General Meeting.

Media Contacts:

Marcel Kokkeel
CEO
Tel. +358 20 766 4521 or +358 40 154 6760
marcel.kokkeel@citycon.com

Eero Sihvonen
Executive Vice President and CFO
Tel. +358 20 766 4459 or +358 40 557 9137
eero.sihvonen@citycon.com

Source: Citycon Oyj

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Panera Bread to initiate an industry-wide effort to improve the welfare of broiler chickens by 2024

Announces Effort to Lead Industry Relative to Broiler Chickens and Continued Progress on Animal Welfare

St. Louis, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Panera Bread (NASDAQ: PNRA) today (Dec. 20, 2016) announced its intention to initiate an industry-wide effort to improve the welfare of broiler chickens by 2024. The company is also proud to share its continued progress on animal welfare issues and the reduced use of antibiotics across its U.S. Panera Bread® and St. Louis Bread Co.® bakery-cafe menus.

Effort to Lead Industry on Broiler Chicken Welfare

Today, Panera is announcing its intention to lead the industry to align its broiler chicken policy with the Global Animal Partnership’s Broiler Chicken Standard. Going forward, we will work with animal welfare experts, growers, suppliers, competitors and other market participants to identify cost-effective solutions for our industry. With help of other market participants, we hope to achieve the following across the restaurant industry by 2024:

 Use new broiler breeds recognized as having higher welfare outcomes
 Provide birds more space (reduced stocking density)
 Offer improved environments, including litter, lighting and enrichment
 Ensure birds are rendered unconscious using multi-step controlled atmospheric stunning

CEO comment
“We started 13 years ago with chicken raised without antibiotics because we believed that a national restaurant company could use size and scale to affect change in the marketplace,” said Ron Shaich, CEO and founder of Panera Bread. “Our journey to reduce antibiotics has taught us that truly transformational change requires moves by many stakeholders. It is our hope that leadership by companies like Panera will continue to be a catalyst for animal welfare across the industry.”

Sara Burnett, Director of Wellness and Food Policy
“As a restaurant serving more than 10 million people a week, we have the platform and purchasing power to encourage positive changes in animal welfare practices. We also have a responsibility to the farmers and ranchers who care for these animals. They have been essential partners over the years and we respect the investments they will need to make as we work together to find economically viable and sustainable models that lead to higher welfare birds,” said Sara Burnett, Director of Wellness and Food Policy at Panera.

2016 Update on Animal Welfare Progress

Poultry: 2016 – 100% of poultry on sandwiches and salads now raised without antibiotics
 With the introduction of RWA deli turkey in September 2016, 100% of the chicken and turkey on our sandwiches and salads is now raised without antibiotics and vegetarian fed. This means 86% of our poultry supply, or approximately 34 million pounds, met these standards.

Pork: 2016 – 100% of bacon, breakfast sausage and ham served on sandwiches and salad was raised without antibiotics and was gestation crate free

 All bacon, breakfast sausage and ham served on sandwiches and salads at Panera – or approximately 7.7 million pounds – were raised without antibiotics and gestation crates for pregnant sows. This represents more than 93% of our total pork supply.

Beef Cattle: 2016 – 95% of beef was grass fed, free range

 In 2016, 95% was of our beef – or approximately 4 million pounds – was grass-fed, free range – up from 89% in 2015.

Laying Hens (Eggs): 2016 – 16% of all eggs system-wide were cage free

 In 2016, 28% of the 70 million shell eggs used on sandwiches and salads were cage-free, up from 21% in 2015. System-wide, 16% of all 120 million eggs used across the menu were cagefree.

Panera has also extended the commitment to be cage-free to all Canadian bakery-cafe food menus by 2025.

Panera’s Animal Welfare Beliefs
Panera also shared an expanded position on animal welfare practices, based on the UK Farm Animal Welfare Committee’s Five Freedoms. Panera’s Animal Welfare Beliefs are rooted in a definition of raised humanely put forth by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Committee’s Five Freedoms: freedom from hunger or thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury or diseases; freedom from distress; and freedom to express normal behavior.

For more information on Panera’s animal welfare journey, visit panerabread.com/animal-welfare.

Stakeholder Perspectives
“When it comes to chickens, Panera is leading the pack—not only are they doing the right thing for their business, they’re doing the right thing for animals. We commend this commitment, which is a signal to the entire restaurant sector that demand for higher welfare is not going away and now is the time to take action. Panera is the first national restaurant company to step up, and we are confident that others will soon follow their example,” Leah Garces, US Executive Director, Compassion in World Farming.

“Panera’s monumental announcement will vastly improve the lives of broiler chickens in the company’s supply chain. We applaud the company for moving forward on this issue that’s quickly gaining importance within the food industry and among consumers,” Josh Balk, VP of Farm Animal Protection at the Humane Society of the United States.

“The ASPCA applauds Panera’s holistic new broiler chicken welfare standards and Five Freedoms policy. Together, they represent a landmark commitment to improving chickens’ welfare and further demonstrate Panera’s dedication to creating a responsible and transparent supply chain. Panera has shown outstanding leadership with this move and we hope other food companies follow suit to bring about much-needed improvements in the lives of the billions of chickens raised in the U.S. each year,” Nancy Roulston, Director of Corporate Engagement, ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare Program.

“World Animal Protection applauds Panera Bread for committing to give chickens better lives,” Priscilla Ma, U.S. Executive Director at World Animal Protection. “Panera’s dedication to improving the animal welfare standards for the millions of chickens in its supply chain, and to transparently report on its progress, sets an encouraging precedent for the food industry to follow worldwide. The public has already shown that the caging of egg-laying hens is unacceptable, and it’s now time for the wider food industry to join Panera’s call to implement much-needed changes for broiler chickens.”

“We’re excited to partner with Panera on this industry-leading initiative. This ground-breaking commitment will improve the lives of countless chickens and sets a precedent that we fully expect the rest of their industry will follow,” David Coman-Hidy, Executive Director of The Humane League.

About Panera Bread
30 years ago, at a time when quick service meant low quality, Panera set out to challenge this expectation. We believed that food that was good and that you could feel good about, served in a warm and welcoming environment by people who cared, could bring out the best in all of us. To us, that is food as it should be and that is why we exist.

So we began with a simple commitment: to bake fresh bread every day in our bakery-cafes. No short cuts, just bakers with simple ingredients and hot ovens. Each night, any unsold bread and baked goods were shared with neighbors in need.

These traditions carry on today, as we have continued to find ways to be an ally to our guests. That means crafting a menu of soups, salads and sandwiches that we are proud to feed our families. Like chicken and turkey raised without antibiotics on our salads and sandwiches. A commitment to transparency and options that empower our guests to eat the way they want. Seasonal flavors and whole grains. And commitment to removing artificial additives (flavors, sweeteners, preservatives and colors from artificial sources) from the food in our bakery-cafes and our Panera at Home grocery products. Why? Because we think that simpler is better and we believe in serving food as it should be. Because when you don’t have to compromise to eat well, all that is left is the joy of eating.

We’re also focused on improving quality and convenience. With investments in technology and operations, we now offer new ways to enjoy your Panera favorites – like mobile ordering and Rapid PickUp for to-go orders – all designed to make things easier for our guests. As of September 27, 2016, there were 2,024 bakery-cafes in 46 states and in Ontario, Canada operating under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co. ® or Paradise Bakery & Cafe® names. For more information, visit panerabread.com or find us on Twitter (@panerabread), Facebook (facebook.com/panerabread) or Instagram (@panerabread).

Matters discussed in this news release and in our public disclosures, whether written or oral, relating to future events, including any discussion, express or implied, regarding our intentions to improve the welfare of our broiler chickens and statements made therein, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27Aof the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are often identified by the words “believe,” “positioned,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “goal,” “assumption,” “continue,” “intend,” “expect,” “future,” “anticipate,” and other similar expressions, whether in the negative or the affirmative, that are not statements of historical fact. These forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our actual results and timing of certain events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10- K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2014 and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements and the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations included in this release are made only as of the date of this release and may change. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Media Contact:

Jonathan Yohannan
jonathan.yohannan@panerabread.com

Source: Panera Bread

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

SSP opens new Roland bar at Bremen Airport

: SSP opens new Roland bar at Bremen Airport

LONDON, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — SSP Group plc, a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide has opened a new bar as part of a redevelopment at Bremen Airport (BRE), Europe’s fastest departure airport. The bar, situated at the airport’s new Smart Departure Gate, offers travellers an authentic taste of the region.

At compact airports such as Bremen, distances are shorter and processing times quicker, allowing passengers more time to linger and relax. SSP’s new Roland bar provides a great location for travellers to do just that. With warm shades, quality materials such as solid timber, leather and copper, and a nod to traditional brewing, the bar offers an authentic local experience.

Beer is most certainly the star of the show. Guests at Roland can look forward enjoying not only to the local brew Beck’s, but also to a variety of craft beers, served up with regional snacks Franzbroetchen or international options such as panini.

New COO for SSP Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Dr Jan Henrik Andersson comments; ‘As a long-standing partner of Bremen Airport, we wanted to offer a new, forward-looking and urbane gastronomy experience, whilst still very much reflecting the traditions of the region. Guests at Roland can enjoy their favourite international beer, or, alternatively, a regional speciality, as well as hearty snacks and bar food, all in a comfortable setting. We’re confident that travellers will visit time and time again.’

After the modernisation, Florian Kruse, Chief Commercial Officer of Flughafen Bremen GmbH, also sees the improved service and experience as an opportunity to further boost the positive image of Bremen Airport.

He commented; ‘The Smart Departure Gate opening is another moment to be celebrated following the conversion work and the introduction of our new brand image. It is our way of taking into account the airport’s continued growth and its significance as a pillar of the regional economy. We are now offering passengers an airside area in which they can feel at home before a flight to one of 20 international destinations. We are especially delighted to have SSP as a long-standing, reliable partner and foodservice specialist who admirably reconciles international expertise with a local grounding and who understands our vision for the future. With its Roland beer bar, SSP offers travellers authentic Bremen hospitality combined with international flair.’

SSP already operates bakery concept Kamps Backstube and a bar called Time Out at the airport.

With a presence in airports in over 30 countries globally, SSP is able to offer innovative restaurant and bar concepts in both major airports and smaller regional airports such as Bremen that reflect the best of the region’s culture and cuisine.

As the former CSO of Metro Cash & Carry Eastern Europe at Metro AG, Andersson is a food industry expert and says he is delighted to be utilising his knowledge and experience in the fast-growing travel sector.

If you are a journalist and have a press enquiry, please call:
Templemere Public Relations
+44 (0) 1306 735574
press.office@ssp-intl.com

Source: SSP Group

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Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Taco Bell introduces new $1 Double Stacked Tacos

Packed with flavor, Taco Bell’s $1 Double Stacked Tacos arrive just in time for the holidays

Irvine, Calif., 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Twice the flavor is twice as intriguing, and that’s what Taco Bell delivers with its new $1 Double Stacked Tacos, available nationwide on December 22. With both a hard shell and a soft tortilla, and available in three flavors – Cool Habanero, Spicy Sweet and Nacho Crunch – this taco will inspire serious order envy.

Taco Bell is on a mission to elevate the consumer experience, and the $1 Double Stacked Tacos not only elevate fan’s cravings, but do so at a price point that’s becoming harder to find in the industry. Just in time for the holidays when wallets may be hurting and spirits may need lifting, the new $1 Double Stacked Tacos continue to give fans the craveable items Taco Bell is known for, at an undeniable price point.

Along with the $1 Double Stacked Tacos, Taco Bell is introducing two new sauces, Habanero for the Cool Habanero taco and both Cool Habanero and Sweet Chili for the Spicy Sweet taco. These sauces further showcase the brand’s continued product innovation and bring the flavor of the tacos to a new level, punching up the heat with bold, spicy ingredients.

• Habanero Sauce for the Cool Habanero Taco provides heat from the flavors of habanero pepper, guajillo peppers, garlic, ancho chili pepper and paprika, paired with tangy notes from lime and vinegar

• Sweet Chili Sauce for the Spicy Sweet Taco is sweet with heat to complement our seasoned beef, made with a blend of chilies, red bell peppers, garlic and spice

Fans can grab the $1 Double Stacked Tacos in participating restaurants for a limited time, and at this price point, why not try all three flavors?

ABOUT TACO BELL® CORPORATION

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

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

Contact:

949-863-3915
e-mail: media@tacobell.com

Source: Taco Bell Corp.

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Taco Bell’s milestones in 2016

IRVINE, Calif., 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — It was a big year at Taco Bell – the Quesalupa was born and gave new meaning to the phrase “cheese-pull,” our Cinco de Mayo taco face filter shattered records, we counted 5,700,000 million ways to eat vegetarian at our restaurants, and then we topped it all off by debuting the Taco Bell Flagship restaurant – smack dab on the Vegas Strip.

As the year comes to an end, we look back at the memories that really made us proud. Without further ado, let’s recap the best Taco Bell moments of 2016. We’re sure you’ll be proud of us, too:

FOOD

1. We were one of the first national QSR brands to source only whole cage-free eggs for our breakfast menu in all U.S. restaurants. Our eggs are now American Humane Certified, and approximately 500,000 hens each year will benefit from this change.

2. We announced that all the chicken served in our U.S. restaurants will be free of antibiotics important to human medicine by the end of Q1 2017. This commitment was several years in the making, and we’re excited to have found a path forward with our partners and suppliers.

PEOPLE

3. We launched a first-of-its-kind scholarship, the Live Más Scholarship, specifically for the creators, dreamers, and innovators of the next generation. In 2016, we exceeded our $1MM goal and awarded $1.275MM to 270 young adults who didn’t fit the mold for traditional academic and athletic scholarships, including 50 of our own restaurant employees.
• We even showed up at this year’s Social Good Summit to talk about the need to support the passions and dreams of today’s youth on a global stage.

RESTAURANTS

4. We introduced new store designs that not only better reflect their local community, but also help us leave a cleaner footprint. They’re Blueline certified and, on average, use about 35% less energy, 20% less water and reclaimed building materials; and capture run-off water and the sun’s energy on-site.

5. We opened six new Taco Bell urban concept restaurants – two in New York, three near college campuses (Loyola, Atlanta and Ausitn) and one in Las Vegas. These restaurants provide a unique experience – different from a standard Taco Bell restaurant – with distinctive décor, localized artwork, open kitchen layout, open plating and shareable menus. Additionally, the Vegas and Austin urban concept restaurants serve alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, sangria and twisted Freezes. Taco Bell has plans to open more urban concept restaurants in 2017 and beyond.

6. Investments in our stores don’t stop with the new ones. We’ve also updated nearly 1,000 existing Taco Bells in the US with more energy and water efficient measures:
• All our dining rooms now use LED lights, with more than 25,000 fixtures installed so far.
• Remodeled stores boast new air conditioning that results in 20% or better reduction in energy consumption.

7. Our industry-leading operational excellence ensures we minimize our food waste as much as possible; we go a step further by recycling our used cooking oil into valuable biodiesel and animal feed. In 2016, we put our energy into reimagining our packaging, using 100% United States manufactured paper bags made from 100% recyclable and sustainable raw material sources, and switching to more commonly recycled and reusable plastic sides containers.

So there you have it – our seven-pack combo of accomplishments we are most proud of in 2016. It’s been an amazing year, but don’t worry – we’re not stopping here. We’re even more excited about what we’re cooking up for 2017: Year of the Chicken (yes, that means Naked Chicken Chalupas, but also so much more).

ABOUT TACO BELL® CORPORATION

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

Contact:

949-863-3915
e-mail: media@tacobell.com

Source: Taco Bell Corp.

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Retail News Editor

Migros: NEUE BIKE-WELT IM KESSELHAUS

Gossau, Switzerland, 2016-Dec-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Die Migros Ostschweiz zieht mit einem neuen Format ins Kesselhaus Winterthur ein. Die Eröffnung der „Bike World“ von SportXX soll im Frühling 2017 erfolgen.

Velobegeisterte aus Winterthur und Umgebung profitieren demnächst von einem neuen Angebot. Mit der „Bike World“ im Kesselhaus an der Zürcherstrasse 1 in Winterthur baut die Migros Ostschweiz ihre Kompetenz im Bereich Velo aus. Nach Eingang der definitiven Baubewilligung für den Mieterausbau und nach Abschluss der planerischen Vorarbeiten haben die Bauarbeiten im Kesselhaus nun begonnen.

Auf zwei Stockwerken mit einer Verkaufsfläche von insgesamt rund 1200 m2 wird die Bike World Winterthur eine grosse Sortimentskompetenz im Bereich Velo bieten. Nähere Angaben zum neuen Format werden zum Zeitpunkt der Eröffnung bekannt gegeben.

Die Migros Ostschweiz wird im Kesselhaus acht Mitarbeitende beschäftigen. Bei planmässigem Bauverlauf öffnet die Bike World Winterthur im Frühling 2017 ihre Türen für Kundinnen und Kunden.

Contact:
Genossenschaft Migros Ostschweiz
Herr Andreas Bühler
Leiter Kommunikation / Kulturprozent / Sponsoring
Industriestrasse 47
9201 Gossau
TEL: 071 493 24 57
FAX: 071 493 27 89
E-MAIL: andreas.buehler@gmos.ch

Source: Migros