Daily Archives: January 17, 2017

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Nordstrom launches exclusive capsule collection by designer Léa Peckre

SEATTLE , 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Nordstrom, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of an exclusive capsule collection by designer Léa Peckre. Known for designs that balance a street edge with the texture and refinement of classics, Peckre created her first capsule collection exclusively for the retailers in-store boutique, SPACE, curated by Olivia Kim, Vice President of Creative Projects.

The eight-piece collection launches Monday, January 16 and will be available in eight SPACE boutique locations and online. Incorporating a variety of fabrics and cuts, the collection focuses on transparency, dark colors and romance. Prices start at $195 for a two-layered transparent top, and range to $1,195 for a ruffled, long-sleeve dress.

“I think my customers are looking for creativity and elegance,” said Peckre. “For this capsule collection, I developed a complex combination of ruffles and smocking in the pieces. Together, they have an artfully restrained take on femininity that is graceful, self-aware and quietly confident.”

The Paris-based Designer worked with Jean-Paul Gaultier, Isabel Marant and the house of Givenchy before stepping out on her own in 2012. She launched her own brand with her FW 2013-2014 collection. She then designed a unique ready-to-wear clothing line for the 130th anniversary of the lingerie brand Maison Lejaby, and for SS 2015 she opened Paris Fashion Week for the first time. Her FW 2015 collection featured a shoe collaboration with fellow French designer Amelie Pichard, and in July 2015 the brand was awarded with the prestigious ANDAM First Collection Prize. More recently, Peckre showed her SS 2016 collection during Paris Fashion Week.

Introduced in fall 2015 by Olivia Kim, SPACE features collections from emerging and advanced designers such as Simone Rocha, Vetements, Comme des Garçons Collection, Koché, Undercover, Ellery, Colovos, Phelan, Molly Goddard and more. The shop lives as a standalone boutique within the store’s designer department, and houses cross-category collections of apparel, shoes, handbags, accessories, home goods and fragrance.

The Léa Peckre Capsule Collection can be found in eight space locations and online at Nordstrom.com/SPACE:

  • Downtown Seattle, WA
  • Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
  • Pacific Centre, Vancouver, BC
  • San Francisco Centre, CA
  • The Mall at Green Hills, Nashville, TN
  • The Grove, Los Angeles, CA
  • Eaton Centre, Toronto, ON
  • Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto, ON

ABOUT NORDSTROM
Nordstrom, Inc. is a leading fashion specialty retailer based in the U.S. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 349 stores in 40 states, including 123 full-line stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico; 215 Nordstrom Rack stores; two Jeffrey boutiques; and two clearance stores. Additionally, customers are served online through Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com and HauteLook. The company also owns Trunk Club, a personalized clothing service serving customers online at TrunkClub.com and its seven clubhouses. Nordstrom, Inc.’s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

ABOUT OLIVIA KIM
Olivia Kim joined Nordstrom in February 2013, and currently serves as the Vice President of Creative Projects. In her role, Kim focuses on creating energy, excitement, and inspiration throughout the retailer’s locations through curated partnerships, the Pop-In @Nordstrom series of pop-up shops, an in-store boutique SPACE, a concept shop in collaboration with Nike titled Nordstrom x Nike, and a concept shop at the Seattle flagship store titled Nordstrom Welcomes Hermès. Additionally, in 2016, Kim took on the role of creative director for company’s brand campaigns. The Spring 2016 campaign under her direction was Nordstrom’s first brand campaign in 15 years.

Kim and the Creative Projects team aims to create new, interesting and unique experiences for customers and introduce them to the best up-and-coming brands and new talent. A prominent figure in the fashion industry, prior to joining Nordstrom Olivia was a founding member of and Vice President of Creative at Opening Ceremony where she was responsible for the retailer’s leadership in merchandising and store planning, art direction, and collaborative projects. Kim is a long-time champion of emerging designers, which is evident in her brand selections in SPACE and Pop-In shops (where you might find Brother Vellies sitting next to Rodarte). In 2015, Kim was selected to join the prestigious ANDAM jury, which supports young designers, and has also played an essential role in launching emerging designers such as CFDA nominated brands as Suno, Pamela Love, and Patrik Ervell.

Contact:

NordstromPR@Nordstrom.com
1-877-746-6228

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Nordstrom launches exclusive capsule collection by designer Léa Peckre

 

Source:  Nordstrom, Inc.

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Nordstrom launches an exclusive Valentine’s Day jewelry capsule collection for SPACE

SEATTLE, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Nordstrom, Inc. is launching an exclusive Valentine’s Day jewelry capsule collection for SPACE, its boutique for emerging and advanced designers curated by Olivia Kim, Vice President of Creative Projects. The collection hits stores Monday, January 16.

Showcasing green gemstones that align with Pantone’s 2017 hue of the year, the collection includes emerald, peridot, tsavorite and tourmaline and offers an assortment of exclusive and one-of-a-kind pieces from WWAKE, Daniela Villegas, Meadowlark, MOCIUN and Anna Sheffield. The collection starts at $99 for a pair of Meadowlark hoop earrings, and ranges to $5,000 for a pair of Anna Sheffield diamond earrings.

NYC-based WWAKE, known for bringing new perspectives to traditional jewelry, used emerald for the first time to design three exclusive, solid gold pieces for the collection: an earring, a necklace and a ring. Other exclusives include the Happy Caterpillar Necklace by Designer Daniela Villegas, made with the one-of-a-kind, tourmaline stone.

Pieces from the Meadowlark Bloom Collection are making their first stop in the United States with the launch. Made exclusively for Nordstrom, the brand also designed the Peridot Star Hoop Earrings, incorporating the peridot stone made from a gem variety of the mineral Olivine.

Caitlin Mociun of MOCIUN designed an exclusive, one-of-a-kind assortment that represents a romantic and sweet color palette, shedding light on a more delicate version of her signature stone cluster compositions and designs.

Designer Anna Sheffield focused most of her energy on ear jewelry for this collection. She used emerald to design a variety of hoops and ear climbers, made with a silver, blackened metal finish to make the green emeralds pop.

Introduced in fall 2015 by Olivia Kim, SPACE features collections from emerging and advanced designers such as Simone Rocha, Vetements, Comme des Garçons Collection, Koché, Undercover, Ellery, Colovos, Phelan, Molly Goddard and more. The shop lives as a standalone boutique within the store’s designer department, and houses cross-category collections of apparel, shoes, handbags, accessories, home goods and fragrance.

SPACE is found in the following Nordstrom stores and online:

  • Downtown Seattle, WA
  • Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
  • Pacific Centre, Vancouver, BC
  • San Francisco Centre, CA
  • The Mall at Green Hills, Nashville, TN
  • The Grove, Los Angeles, CA
  • Eaton Centre, Toronto, ON
  • Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto, ON
  • Nordstrom.com/SPACE

ABOUT NORDSTROM

Nordstrom, Inc. is a leading fashion specialty retailer based in the U.S. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 349 stores in 40 states, including 123 full-line stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico; 215 Nordstrom Rack stores; two Jeffrey boutiques; and two clearance stores. Additionally, customers are served online through Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com and HauteLook. The company also owns Trunk Club, a personalized clothing service serving customers online at TrunkClub.com and its seven clubhouses. Nordstrom, Inc.’s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

ABOUT OLIVIA KIM

Olivia Kim joined Nordstrom in February 2013, and currently serves as the Vice President of Creative Projects. In her role, Kim focuses on creating energy, excitement, and inspiration throughout the retailer’s locations through curated partnerships, the Pop-In@Nordstrom series of pop-up shops, an in-store boutique SPACE, a concept shop in collaboration with Nike titled Nordstrom x Nike, and a concept shop at the Seattle flagship store titled Nordstrom Welcomes Hermès. Additionally, in 2016, Kim took on the role of creative director for company’s brand campaigns. The Spring 2016 campaign under her direction was Nordstrom’s first brand campaign in 15 years.

Kim and the Creative Projects team aims to create new, interesting and unique experiences for customers and introduce them to the best up-and-coming brands and new talent. A prominent figure in the fashion industry, prior to joining Nordstrom Olivia was a founding member of and Vice President of Creative at Opening Ceremony where she was responsible for the retailer’s leadership in merchandising and store planning, art direction, and collaborative projects. Kim is a long-time champion of emerging designers, which is evident in her brand selections in SPACE and Pop-In shops (where you might find Brother Vellies sitting next to Rodarte). In 2015, Kim was selected to join the prestigious ANDAM jury, which supports young designers, and has also played an essential role in launching emerging designers such as CFDA nominated brands as Suno, Pamela Love, and Patrik Ervell.

Contact:

NordstromPR@Nordstrom.com
1-877-746-6228

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Nordstrom launches an exclusive Valentine’s Day jewelry capsule collection for SPACE

 

Source: Nordstrom, Inc.

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Kesko Group announces 17.5% sales increase in December 2016

Helsinki, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Kesko Group’s sales in December 2016 totalled €918.5 million and were up 17.5%. In comparable terms, sales in local currencies decreased by 3.7%, excluding the impact of business arrangements. There was one delivery day less than in the previous year.

“Kesko’s sales increased in December thanks to acquisitions. The sales performance of the grocery trade and the building and technical trade was weakened by the fact that there was one delivery day less than in the previous year,” says Kesko’s President and CEO Mikko Helander.

The sales of the grocery trade in December were €515.0 million and increased by 6.6%. Suomen Lähikauppa excluded, the sales of the grocery trade in Finland were €450.8 million, representing a comparable change of -4.0%.

The sales of the building and technical trade in December were €336.2 million, up 42.8%. Excluding Onninen, the sales of the building and technical trade were €224.1 million, down 4.0% in local currencies. In Finland, sales excluding Onninen were down by 1.5%. Outside Finland, sales in local currencies excluding Onninen decreased by 6.5%. The sales of the building and home improvement trade decreased by 0.7% in local currencies. The sales of the leisure trade increased by 5.3% in Finland and the sales of the agricultural and machinery trade were down by 13.5%.

The sales of the car trade in December were €67.0 million, up 7.2% from the previous year. AutoCarrera excluded, the sales of the car trade were €62.6 million and the comparable change was +0.2%

Change, %, indicates the change compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Comparable change, %, indicates the change compared to the corresponding period of the previous year in local currencies and excluding the impact of acquisitions and disposals.

In December 2016, the number of selling days in Kesko’s wholesale in Finland was 20, which was one less than in the previous year. The total number of selling days in January-December was one more than in the previous year.

Kesko releases advance information on the K-Group’s retail sales quarterly, in connection with interim reports.

Due to change of release categories, effective as of 10 January 2017, Kesko will in the future release its monthly sales figures as a press release instead of a stock exchange release.

Further information:
Eva Kaukinen
Vice President
Group Controller
tel. +358 105 322 338.

Source: Kesko Corporation

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Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche features Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota’s woven art installations from January 14 to February 18

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche features Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota’s woven art installations from January 14 to February 18

 

Paris, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Known for her site-specific installations woven in yarn, Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is featured at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche from January 14 to February 18, 2017. The artist has created a wave above which 150 boats float through the department store.

Following exhibitions of her work at MIMOCA, the Marugame Museum of Contemporary Art in Japan and the 56th Venice Biennale, Chiharu Shiota brings her installation to Le Bon Marché. Entitled “Where are we going?”, the exhibition creates a dreamlike experience for visitors to the department store. After studying painting and drawing in Japan and Germany, Chiharu Shiota found two-dimensional canvas too limiting and turned to thread and yarn as medium to draw in space. In addition to the work exhibited in Le Bon Marché, the artist and her team spent two weeks prior to the opening weaving creations in the store’s ten display windows.

Inspired by weaving, the dreamlike three-dimensional work represents 150 boats of every size and from different cultures, their empty hulls suspended under the central glass canopies of Le Bon Marché. All the boats face the same skyward direction, symbolizing hope and the future.  Below this large-scale ephemeral installation Chiharu Shiota has woven a spectacular wave called “Memory of the Ocean” that visitors walk through as if they were under the sea.

The title of the exhibition evokes a fresh start, a journey with an unknown destination. Through her work, Chiharu Shiota explores the different connections we weave each day as human beings and individuals. Memories, actions and interactions, thoughts and dreams join together to form a unique, ephemeral web.

Contact:

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

Source: LVMH

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Maxima Grupė acquires Barbora the largest e-commerce company in Lithuania

Vilnius, Lithuania, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Maxima Grupė that manages retail chains in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Poland, has acquired the largest e-commerce company for food and other products in Lithuania – Barbora. This grown-up and developed start-up, delivering Maxima goods in Vilnius, will be integrated with other Maxima Grupė’s e-commerce companies in Latvia and Estonia.

This deal will not affect Barbora’s quality of service, assortment of products or price. Successful management team will continue to lead the company.

“Barbora is a leader in its field. It has developed justifying business model, loyal customers’ base and high consumer trust.  Generally, we believe that e-commerce business is up-and-coming. We see this in Latvia and Estonia where e-commerce channel is consistently growing,” says Alvydas  Šustikas, Maxima Grupė’s Chairman of the Board and CEO.

“Experience of Barbora demonstrates that separately developed e-commerce field grows faster. Thus, Barbora will operate as a separate business unit in Maxima Grupė and we want to continue strengthening it. We are going not only to expand into other cities in Lithuania, but also integrate into Barbora’s activities already working e-Maxima’s companies in Latvia and Estonia,” says A. Šustikas.

According to A. Šustikas, Barbora and Maxima LT have formed a strategic partnership so acquisition of former company is logical solution helping to achieve greater synergy in business.

“Approximately 90% of all startups fail because of self-destruction. This means that the biggest part of startups goes bankrupt not because of market conditions or lack of success, but because of their developers’ lack of preparedness, bad business decisions and improper assessment of the risks. Also, very important factor is proper evaluation of the startup development phase,” – one of the Barbora’s founders Ignas Staškevičius explains decision to sell the company.

“Barbora’s increase over the past few years is impressive. This is a great example of how to develop a small, dynamic company and refine its business model. Currently, Barbora covers only Vilnius area, but it is clear that quality of new development stage has been reached and now there is a need to expand the company’s business geography. At this stage of expansion we need to reach scale effect and for that we need greater capital and full backing. Therefore, the decision to sell the company has been made“, I. Staškevičius says.

Maxima Grupė acquired 100% shares of JSC Radas controlling 100% of company Barbora. These shares were sold for the market price set by independent asset valuation by Nerijus Numavičius controlling JSC Tema Holdings and Ignas Staškevičius, controlling JSC Kalpa. 95% and 5% of shares were owned by the shareholders accordingly.

The value of the transaction is 1.4 million EUR.

Media relations:
Jaunius Špakauskas
Head of Corporate Affairs
T: + 370 5 219 6207
M:  +370 659 01995
E: jaunius.spakauskas@maximagrupe.eu

Source: Maxima Group

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Maxima LT announces the appointment of Kristina Meidė as new CEO

Vilnius, Lithuania, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Board of Maxima LT has appointed Kristina Meidė as new CEO of the company. Starting 9th of January K. Meidė will replace Žydrūnas Valkeris, who left Vilniaus prekyba group. K. Meidė will also join Maxima LT Board. Before taking the position K. Meidė lead Euroapotheca, another Vilniaus prekyba company, as CEO and Chairwoman of the Board.

‘Quality and pace of changes in the company has not been sufficient. In the face of altering business and competitive environment, we must change faster and be a step ahead in order to continue to lead. We expect that the experience of Kristina Meidė will benefit to further business success and transformation that has been initiated.

By renewing corporate governance structure and strengthening management team we seek to ensure further successful operation of the company and execute changes that have been launched more rapidly’, Raimonda Kižienė, Chairwoman of the Board at Maxima LT said.

‘I appreciate the trust that has been demonstrated, I firmly know that our top priority – the needs of our customer. We will aspire together with the team that customer at Maxima would be always able to get the best price and assortment’, Kristina Meidė, newly appointed CEO and member of the Board at Maxima LT said.

Media relations:
Jaunius Špakauskas
Head of Corporate Affairs
T: + 370 5 219 6207
M:  +370 659 01995
E: jaunius.spakauskas@maximagrupe.eu

Source: Maxima LT

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NRF Foundation Gala raised $2 million to support student scholarships and educational experiences in retail

Washington, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — The third annual NRF Foundation Gala took place Sunday, January 15, at Pier Sixty in New York City, featuring an exhilarating dinner and awards program that included both silent and live auctions. The event raised $2 million to support the NRF Foundation’s student scholarships and educational experiences for students, professors and people in retail.

“The Gala surpassed any of our expectations, which is a testament to the support and commitment of the individuals who make up this dynamic industry,” NRF Foundation Executive Director Ellen Davis said. “We are extremely thankful for the contributions of our supporters and guests, including the esteemed members of our host and executive committees and board members. We look forward to bringing these leaders together in 2018 to once again celebrate the imagination, inspiration and innovation in the retail industry.”

The sold-out Gala was attended by nearly 780 retail CEOs and senior executives, industry insiders, celebrities, students and scholarship recipients who came together to support the Next Generation of retail talent and to celebrate The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future. In addition, five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant presented NRF’s “The Visionary” award to Nike Chairman, President and CEO Mark Parker, a new honor for an inspiring leader with a long record of spearheading change in the industry.

At the Gala, the NRF Foundation also announced the recipients of its Student Challenge and Next Generation scholarships. Kaley Suero, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, is the top recipient of the 2017 Next Generation Scholarship. Suero, one of five finalists, was awarded a $25,000 scholarship. Runner-up Makaela Hill, a junior at Indiana University, was awarded a $15,000 scholarship. In addition, the NRF Foundation named Jeffrey Licciardello, William Campbell, Alexis Montano and Kelsey Wertz from Georgia Southern University as the top team in the Student Challenge competition, sponsored by KPMG LLP; each was awarded a $5,000 scholarship.

In addition to members of the National Retail Federation’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors and the NRF Foundation’s Board of Directors, other notable guests included Daymond John, co-star on “Shark Tank,” Miss America 2017 Savvy Fields and Wé McDonald, finalist on “The Voice,” as well as host committee members Alexis Glick, CEO of GENYOUth, Michael Clinton, president, marketing and publishing director of Hearst Magazines, and Randi Zuckerberg, CEO of Zuckerberg Media and executive producer of DOT.

The Gala capped off the first day of Retail’s BIG Show, welcoming almost 35,000 retailers and their business partners from around the world at the Javits Center to New York City, January 15-17, 2017.

About NRF
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.

About NRF Foundation
The NRF Foundation shapes retail’s future by building awareness of the industry through statistics and stories; developing talent through education, experiences and scholarships; and fostering career growth among people who work in retail. The NRF Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Retail Federation and is funded in part by generous donations from retail industry supporters. NRF.com/Foundation.

Contact:
Ana Serafin Smith
(202) 626-8189
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

Source: NRF

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MIGROS: NEUES TAKE-AWAY-GESCHIRR ZUM ZURÜCKBRINGEN

MIGROS: NEUES TAKE-AWAY-GESCHIRR ZUM ZURÜCKBRINGEN

 

Zurich, Switzerland, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Als erste grosse Schweizer Detailhändlerin bietet die Migros in ihren Restaurants und Take-Aways Mehrweggeschirr an. Der Umwelt zuliebe können Migros-Kunden ab sofort auf Wegwerfgeschirr verzichten.

Jede Woche essen rund 1.2 Millionen Menschen in Migros-Restaurants und -Take-Aways. Rund ein Drittel der Kunden nehmen ihr Gericht mit und essen im Park oder unterwegs. Dafür nutzen sie Einweggeschirr aus Plastik. Neu bietet die Migros in der Mehrheit der Migros-Restaurants und Take-Aways eine umweltfreundliche Alternative an. Gegen ein Depot von fünf Franken erhalten Kunden ihr Essen in stabilen Mehrwegschalen. Diese können nachher in jedem teilnehmenden Migros-Restaurants oder Take-Away ungewaschen wieder abgegeben werden. Die Kunden können so Wegwerfverpackungen vermeiden.

Ein Test in Zürich hat gezeigt, dass bei Kundinnen und Kunden ein Bedürfnis nach umweltfreundlichem Take-Away-Geschirr besteht. “Wir freuen uns, dass unsere Initiative gut ankommt”, sagt Sandro Bedin, Leiter Gastronomie beim Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund. “Nun führen wir das Mehrweggeschirr an 174 Standorten in der ganzen Schweiz ein und leisten mit unseren Kunden einen wichtigen Beitrag zum Umweltschutz.”

Die grünen Take-Away-Schalen wurden vom Schweizer Start-up Recircle entworfen und in Einsiedeln produziert.

Mehr Informationen zu den Standorten:
migros.ch/mehrweg

Contact:
Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund
Christine Gaillet
Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund
Mediensprecherin Migros
TEL: 044 277 22 81
E-MAIL: christine.gaillet@mgb.ch

Source: Migros

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Co-op Community Spaces in search to fund great community projects in Western Canada

Saskatoon, SK, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary with up to $150,000 for your community project through Co-op Community Spaces.

Co-op Community Spaces supports projects in Western Canada dedicated to recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture with funding between $25,000 and $150,000, up from $100,000 in 2016. Co-op will increase total funding to $2 million in 2017, up from $1.5 million last year.

“The need to support community-led initiatives remains high in light of the economic slowdown in Western Canada,” said Vic Huard, Executive Vice-President of Strategy at Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL). “Co-op will continue to give back and invest in our communities. Co-op Community Spaces provides the opportunity to celebrate Western Canadian communities and the efforts of the people behind important local projects.”

The program was launched in 2015 to help protect, beautify and improve local spaces. Since then, it has provided $2.5 million to 37 projects, including as parks, greenhouses and sports fields. Administered by FCL on behalf of the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS), registered non-profit organizations, registered charities or community service co-operatives are invited to apply online between Feb. 1 and March 1, 2017.

Share & win

Co-op is looking to fund great community projects in Western Canada and you can help. Tell your friends and local community groups about Co-op Community Spaces by Feb. 15 for a chance to win a $500 CO-OP® Gift Card.

To learn more about Community Spaces, apply for funding or enter the contest, please visit communityspaces.ca.

Contact:
PHONE: 306.244.3311
FAX: 306.244.3403

Source: Co-op

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Toys“R”Us®’s campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation raised $5.4 million and collected 550,000 toys

Annual Fundraiser Guaranteed a Visit from Santa for Millions of Children in Need this Holiday Season

Wayne, NJ, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Toys“R”Us® today announced that its nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation raised more than $5.4 million and collected a record-breaking 550,000 toys – ensuring a very Merry Christmas for millions of kids around the U.S. The partnership, now in its thirteenth year has raised more than $53 million and collected approximately 4.5 million toys.

Click to Tweet: We’ve got that #GivingIsAwesome feeling! @Toysrus raised $5.4 million for @ToysforTots_USA in 2016.

In addition to donating $1 to Toys for Tots for every new Wish List created on the Toys“R”Us website between Thursday, October 27 and Saturday, November 19, the company kicked off the season of giving with a massive toy donation to the charity – more than $1 million worth of must-have Shopkins toys. Once again, Toys“R”Us also called in the big guns in the form of NBA superstar, Shaquille O’Neal to help spread the word about the campaign.

“There are 15.5 million children in the U.S. living in poverty and in jeopardy of feeling forgotten, particularly at Christmas,” said Amy von Walter, President, Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund. “Our brand is responsible for bringing joy to kids’ faces – regardless of their economic situation – and for more than a decade, we’ve been fortunate to have generous customers who share our wish for all kids to feel that joy during the holidays.”

“Toys“R”Us plays a tremendous role in helping Toys for Tots during the season of giving,” said LtGen Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “The company has been a champion of our giving efforts. Thanks to their generosity and hard work, we’ve been able to deliver gifts to millions and millions of children over the years.”

About the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund
For the past 24 years, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., has provided more than $125 million in financial support and partnership to countless children’s charities that share the Fund’s mission to keep kids safe and help them in times of need. Together with Toys“R”Us, Inc., the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund continues to work with organizations to bring awareness to causes and further programs that positively impact the lives of children and families nationwide.

Charitable Giving at Toys“R”Us
The philanthropic mission of Toys“R”Us, Inc. and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund is to keep children safe and help them in times of need. Since 1992, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., has contributed more than $125 million to various children’s organizations, including those providing disaster relief to victims of large-scale crises, as well as those supporting America’s military families. The Fund also provides grants to leading special needs organizations, furthering the company’s commitment to children of all abilities. In addition to financial support and product donations, Toys“R”Us, Inc. hosts in-store and online fundraising campaigns annually that raise millions of dollars for the company’s signature philanthropic partners.

Media Relations:

1 (973) 617-5900
Press@toysrus.com

Source: Toys“R”Us

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Babies“R”Us hosts its popular Great Trade-In: Gear and Furniture Event through February 20

WAYNE, NJ, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — January 16, 2017 by Jessica Offerjost. I have one toddler. And for that one toddler, we’ve amassed SEVEN car seats, SIX strollers and FOUR play yards to be exact. Am I a hoarder? Maybe. But there’s my car, my husband’s, our house, the grandparents’ cars and homes…and so you see how we’ve come to this tally.

From the moment my daughter arrived, family members flooded us with words of great wisdom and century-old traditions – as well as their rusty old baby gear. Knowing some of these incredibly thoughtful garbage hand-me-downs were purchased 30+ years ago when I WAS BABY made us slightly apprehensive. My husband and I agreed that safety was our first priority and bought all-new gear to help ensure our daughter would be as safe as possible on-the-go and at home.

Two years later, my daughter is ready for a convertible car seat (FOUR OF THEM?!), a toddler bed and perhaps a double-stroller (come to think of it, that one can wait…). Here’s where our “collection” of old baby stuff pays off – literally – and so can yours!

Babies“R”Us is hosting its popular Great Trade-In: Gear and Furniture Event. Now through February 20, families can exchange any old baby gear and furniture for a 25% off discount on a new, qualifying item (i.e., car seats, strollers, high chairs, play yards, bassinets, infant swings, bouncers, walkers, entertainers, cribs and toddler/twin beds).

“When it comes to children’s products you  can’t put a price on safety. Purchasing second hand products and accepting hand me downs to fill some childcare needs may seem like a good idea but it could put your family at risk. There are options in every product category to meet the needs of all consumers, so whenever possible, buying new is your safest option, especially when it comes to cribs, play yards, bassinets and car seats.”

Kelly Mariotti, Executive Director, JPMA

After falling into the first-time-parent trap of reading every safety article on the world wide web, we actually found it helpful to chat with our local Babies“R”Us personal registry partner (like, in person). We found out that it’s really important to toss old or second-hand gear (especially car seats) because even though they may LOOK fine, there might be a missing, cracked or broken piece that can jeopardize your child’s safety (think car accidents, crib sides that drop when pressure is applied, play yard gates that can pinch fingers!). Also – did you know car seats have expiration dates?

Moral of the story, my weekend will include taking down that 20-year-old crib currently taking up real estate in my future “yoga room” – a room where I wear yoga pants and watch Netflix.

Babies“R”Us Great Trade-In: Gear and Furniture Event begins Friday, January 20 through Monday, February 20. Rewards“R”Us loyalty members will have early access to this highly-anticipated event on Tuesday, January 17.

Customers who use their “R”Us Credit Card while checking out are eligible to receive a 30% discount. Nothing to trade in? No problem. Visit your local Babies“R”Us  any time before February 20th to get 15% off gear and furniture on select items. Learn more at Babiesrus.com/GreatTradeIn.

About Jessica Offerjost: Between juggling a tenacious toddler and an exciting career with Toys“R”Us, Jessica is a kid-at-heart who loves recreating moments of play from her childhood with her two-year old daughter. From Barbie dolls and Star Wars characters to Play-Doh and Mr. Potato Head, this spokesmom has provided her insight into the toys and games that bring smiles to the faces of children through various live and taped interviews across the country.

Media Relations:

1 (973) 617-5900
Press@toysrus.com

Source: Toys“R”Us

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Intershop customer Bakker to present at Webwinkel Vakdagen, 18 and 19 January at Jaarbeurs Utrecht

Utrecht, Netherlands, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Intershop customer Bakker will present at this year’s Webwinkel Vakdagen, which takes place on 18 and 19 January at Jaarbeurs Utrecht. Paul Geraeds, CEO at Bakker.com, will share how plant and gardening supply specialist Bakker transformed itself from a traditional mail order company into a successful multi-channel enterprise. Following the implementation of its new web shop based on Intershop, the company handles up to 35,000 orders a day from customers in nineteen different countries.

  • Wednesday, January 18, 10:15 – 10:45, Keynote B
  • Thursday, January 19, 16:15 – 16:45, Room 6

Intershop and its partners, inRiver and Target2Sell, will be exhibiting at booth # 26. They will be available to discuss how to create, implement and optimize impactful commerce strategies, how to unleash the power of true customer centricity, and how to achieve higher conversion rates through a better customer experience.

Further Intershop Partners exhibiting at the show include DeNieuweZaak (booth # 199), Incentro (booth # 242), and WeProvide (booth # 261).

Webwinkel Vakdagen is the premier tradeshow in the Benelux region to specifically focus on digital commerce. This year’s key conference topics include content, branding and engagement, customer experience, B2B, and cross border. For more information, visit http://www.intershop.nl/webwinkel.

About Intershop
Intershop Communications AG (founded in Germany 1992; Prime Standard: ISH2) is the leading independent provider of omni-channel commerce solutions. Intershop offers high-performance packaged software for internet sales, complemented by all necessary services. Intershop also acts as a business process outsourcing provider, covering all aspects of online retailing up to fulfillment. Around the globe more than 300 enterprise customers, including HP, BMW, Würth, and Deutsche Telekom run Intershop solutions. Intershop is headquartered in Jena, Germany, and has offices in the United States, Europe, Australia, and China. More information about Intershop can be found online at www.intershop.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial and operational performance of Intershop. Actual events or performance may differ materially from those contained or implied in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that could lead to such difference could include, among other things: Intershop’s limited operating history, the unpredictability of future revenues and expenses and potential fluctuations in revenues and operating results, significant dependence on large single customer deals, consumer trends, the level of competition, seasonality, risks related to electronic security, possible governmental regulation, and general economic conditions.

Contact:

Intershop Public Relations
HEIDE RAUSCH
Head of Corporate Communication
Phone: +49 3641 50-1000
Fax: +49 3641 50-1309

Source: Intershop Communications AG

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Albert Heijn organiseert Code Camp voor 150 medewerkers

Zaandam, Netherlands, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Albert Heijn organiseert volgende maand een Code Camp, een bijeenkomst waar 150 medewerkers uit de winkels en de distributiecentra kunnen leren programmeren.

Tijdens de Code Camp leren medewerkers in één dag de basis van het programmeren. Zij krijgen te zien zien wat je allemaal kunt met coderen en programmeren en welke talen er zijn. Vervolgens gaan ze met behulp van opdrachten zelf aan de slag, bijvoorbeeld met het maken van een game. In de maand na de Code Camp krijgen de medewerkers toegang tot een online omgeving waar ze verder kunnen oefenen en nog meer kunnen leren over coderen en de verschillende toepassingen.

Code Camp is een mooie manier om te kijken wat medewerkers van coderen vinden, of ze enthousiast zijn en geïnspireerd raken en zich misschien wel verder willen ontwikkelen. De digitale wereld ontwikkelt zich razendsnel, medewerkers met kennis over en ervaring met coderen zijn onmisbaar nu en in de toekomst.

De Code Camp is geïnitieerd door de Gerrit-JanHeijn Foundation, een stichting die zich inzet voor de belangen van Albert Heijn-medewerkers en hun gezinnen en wordt georganiseerd in samenwerking met Code Avengers (https://www.codeavengers.com/)

Afdeling mediarelaties:

pers@ah.nl
088 6590 2020

Source: Albert Heijn

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The Andersons, Inc. to exit retail business and close its remaining four stores in 2017

MAUMEE, Ohio, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq:ANDE) announces today (Jan 15, 2017) its plans to exit the retail business and close its remaining four retail stores in the second quarter of 2017. The retail closings will have no impact on the Company’s grain, ethanol, plant nutrient and rail operations.

“The decision to close The Andersons stores was not easy for anyone involved,” says CEO Pat Bowe. “Choosing to cease a business that has spanned 65 years and employs about 1,050 people is tremendously difficult.”

The closing will eliminate approximately 650 positions in the Toledo area and 400 positions in Columbus, of which approximately 75 percent are part-time positions. The Company will provide employees with severance packages and outplacement services to assist them in their career transitioning.

During the past eight years the Retail Group has incurred pre-tax losses, including previous asset impairments, in excess of $20 million and closed three stores.

The full financial impact of this closure has not been determined. The Company expects to record pre-tax impairment charges on long-lived assets related to the Retail segment of approximately $6.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The Company expects to record a pre-tax charge in the range of $9 to $14 million in the first half of 2017 for severance costs and other costs associated with the closure. The Company also anticipates that the full carrying value of its inventory may not be recoverable during the store liquidation process. Gains or losses are anticipated on individual properties upon sale, however the Company is uncertain of the timing and amount of those sales.

Subsequent to the impairment charges noted above, the Retail Group’s assets at their December 31, 2016 carrying values include:

Inventory and other assets       $21.0 million
Long-lived assets                     $9.8 million

About The Andersons, Inc.

Founded in Maumee, Ohio, in 1947, The Andersons is a diversified company rooted in agriculture conducting business across North America in the grain, ethanol, plant nutrient and rail sectors. For more information, visit The Andersons online at www.andersonsinc.com.

The Andersons Stores Facts:

  • Original Warehouse Market opened in Maumee in 1952
  • Stores average 140,000 square feet
  • Stores average 125,000 different SKUs

For further information:

Jim Burmeister
VP
Finance & Treasurer
Phone: 419-891-5848
E-mail: jim_burmeister@andersonsinc.com

SOURCE: The Andersons, Inc.

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Prada unveils Fall/Winter 2017 Men’s and Women’s collection at Via Fogazzaro fashion show in Milan

Milan, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — On January 15th, 2017, Prada unveils its Fall/Winter 2017 Men’s and Women’s collection in the Via Fogazzaro fashion show space in Milan.

In the current moment – when issues of simplicity and essentiality are becoming increasingly relevant – AMO and PRADA felt the need to go back to basics, to abandon the construction of hyper-realistic and fully immersive sets in favor of a modest and domestic design, in which the experience of the audience is triggered more by the relationship with the physical space than by visual impact. They also advocate a return to reality and to the possibility of an intimate, unmediated experience between audience and fashion.

For the Prada Men’s and Women’s Fall/Winter 2017 show, AMO stages the bare simplicity of everyday life.

A continuous wooden partition divides the space into a series of consecutive sceneries. This ideal boiserie traces sinuously along the perimeter of the rooms giving an intimate scale to the set. The sense of domesticity is amplified by the combination of the wood with ordinary materials: terrazzo, tiles and formica. Together, with the use of beds and benches, they define a rhythm for the overall composition.

The audience is accommodated along the seating structure. The layout provides each guest with a unique perspective that manifests once one is immersed into the space. The partitions, with their limited height, act as a screen between the different rooms, providing an individual perspective to each observer, while still allowing views of the models behind the boiserie. All the guests share the same personal yet collective experience.

The sharp contrast between the meticulous sequence of scenes with the roughness of the existing venue expresses a sense of bold essentiality.

Contact:
Prada Press Office
Tel. +39.02.541921
e-mail: ufficio.stampa@prada.com

Source: Prada

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Shop Direct delivered its fifth consecutive record-breaking Christmas sales performance during 2016 holiday period

Liverpool,UK, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Shop Direct, which operates digital department stores Very.co.uk, Littlewoods.com and VeryExclusive.co.uk, delivered its fifth consecutive record-breaking Christmas sales performance during the seven weeks to 23 December 2016.

As shoppers reached for their smartphones, the UK’s second largest pureplay etailer increased group sales by 9% year-on-year – putting the company on track to deliver another year of record sales and profits in 2016/17.

Sales via mobile devices comprised 68% of Shop Direct’s online sales, with the company’s performance underpinned by its largest and fastest growing retail brand, Very.co.uk. The digital department store delivered sales growth of 19% year-on-year.

Another record Christmas for Shop Direct

Sales for the seven-week period were up 9% year-on-year (2015: 6%)

  • Very.co.uk, Shop Direct’s growth engine, grew sales by 19% year-on-year
  • Shop Direct trading highlights include:
    • 97m site visits, up 20% year-on-year
    • Over 410,000 new customers, up 16% year-on-year
    • Fashion was the standout category with 16% sales growth, supported by:
      • Shop Direct’s recently launched (September 2016) own-brand label V by Very, which proved a hit with customers and is on track to become a £200m brand
      • Popularity of athleisure products, with ladies sportswear alone growing by 83%
    • Smart technology, growing 261% year-on-year and buoyed by:
      • 511% boom in smart home products
      • 268% growth in wearable technology
    • Another record-breaking Black Friday week, with year-on-year sales up by 4%

Delivered by sticking to our winning formula

Customers loved the special Christmas we delivered – bringing famous brands within reach through a variety of easy ways to pay

  • We offered over 1,300 famous brands across our digital department stores during the festive period – with thoughtful, planned promotions which our customers loved
    • Among the top 10 Christmas gifts were:
      • Apple watches
      • Fragrances
      • Hasbro’s Pie Face game
  • 94% of purchases were made using options to spread the cost – illustrating how much consumers value our offer
  • We delivered 6.9m parcels and more customers were satisfied with the delivery service they received from our partners Yodel, Arrow XL and Royal Mail
    • Over a quarter (1.8m) of the total parcels delivered were picked up from Collect+ locations throughout the UK – a 20% year-on-year increase in click-and-collect

Shoppers now expect a mobile-first, personalised experience – and we’re leading the way

  • Customers opted for mobile convenience this Christmas:
    • Mobile traffic to Shop Direct’s sites increased by 30% year-on-year
    • Sales via mobile devices (smartphone and tablet) made up 70% of Very.co.uk’s online sales and increased 29% year-on-year
    • Sales via smartphone made up 55% of online sales on Very.co.uk and increased by 45% year-on-year – making smartphone by far the most dominant and fastest growing channel
  • Growth was fuelled by Shop Direct’s mobile-first strategy and focus on personalisation, with highlights including:
    • The launch of Very Assistant – Very.co.uk’s in-app conversational user interface (CUI) – in November 2016, which made Shop Direct the first UK-based retailer to offer a WhatsApp-style CUI platform for customer service
    • Littlewoods’ iOS app, which launched in early November, and is already five-star rated
    • During Black Friday week we personalised our homepage, displaying individual customers’ favourite product categories based on their browsing and purchasing histories
    • Cyber Fortnight deals offered to existing and new customers via social media, using our proprietary knowledge and supplemented by Canvas – Facebook’s immersive mobile ad technology

In 2017, artificial intelligence (AI) will super-charge personalisation

Our investments in AI will create one of the most personalised online shopping experiences

  • Working with IBM Watson, we’ll introduce an AI-fuelled CUI platform, building on the success of Very Assistant – allowing customers to ask questions in their own words within a chat environment, with the AI technology providing the answers they are looking for
  • Our fully automated customer management engine will draw on the power of AI and machine learning to automatically intervene in individual customer journeys at the right time, in the right way, with the right offer – whether it be via email, push notification or on-site communication
  • We are also applying AI to our credit decisioning capabilities, meaning even faster, more personalised outcomes for our customers, and even better credit decisions and risk discipline for our business

Alex Baldock, CEO at Shop Direct, said:

“We helped millions of families afford the brands they wanted this Christmas. It’s what makes us special and gave us another record festive period.

“Shoppers chose convenience; being able to shop via smartphone was top of their Christmas lists. Most of the growth in retail is coming from online, and the growth in online is coming from mobile. We continue to put mobile first – and it paid off this Christmas.

“Our customers don’t want to feel like one of the crowd; they expect a unique experience. It’s what we gave them before, during and after they shopped this Christmas. Now, we’re using the power of AI to take personalisation to the next level.

“Personal shoppers shouldn’t be the preserve of just a few, or for just special occasions. Over the coming year, we intend to start democratising this service, like we have with famous brands through our credit offering.

“Etailers have already overtaken stores when it comes to convenience. Now AI-fuelled technology like chatbots and virtual reality has the potential to leave bricks and mortar behind in offering the best personal service. We believe it’s the next big shift in retail and financial services, and we plan to be at the vanguard.

“We know the market will be tough in 2017; we’ve still got a lot of work to do and we’re nowhere near the full potential of this business. But we’re confident that by continuing to invest in what makes us special, we’ll deliver another record year of sales and profit in 2017.”

ABOUT SHOP DIRECT

Shop Direct is the UK’s second largest pureplay digital retailer, with annual sales in the last financial year of almost £1.9 billion. Our digital department store brands are Very.co.uk, Littlewoods.com, VeryExclusive.co.uk and LittlewoodsIreland.ie. In the last financial year, we received an average of more than 1.2 million website visits every day, with 62% of online sales completed on mobile devices.

We exist to make good things easily accessible to more people. With our department store range of famous brands, market-leading ecommerce and technology capabilities and unique financial services products offering flexible ways to pay, we’re well placed to deliver on that promise.

We sell more than 1,300 famous brands, including big name labels and our own exclusive brands. We have four million customers and deliver 49 million products every year. Our free click and collect service, Collect+, delivers to 5,800 stores across the country, increasing ease and convenience for customers.

For more information on Shop Direct, visit www.shopdirect.com or follow us on Twitter at @ShopDirect.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Shop Direct
Lauren Young
07919 228 622

Dave Lafferty
07552 283 266

Brunswick
Eilis Murphy
0207 404 5959

Cerith Evans
0207 404 5959

Source: Shop Direct

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GameStop’s initial allotment of Nintendo Switch systems completely reserved

Company working with Nintendo to get more for its customers as soon as possible

GRAPEVINE, Texas, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — GameStop, a family of specialty retail brands that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple, has reserved all of its first allotment of Nintendo Switch systems.

On Friday, the retailer began taking reservations for the Nintendo Switch online and in its more than 3,900 stores nationwide.

“The fact that this initial allotment has been completely reserved in a matter of a few days demonstrates gamers desire for this fun and revolutionary gaming system,” said Bob Puzon, senior vice president of merchandising at GameStop. “We’re working closely with Nintendo to get additional Nintendo Switch units, and will let our customers know when they become available. We encourage customers to visit www.gamestop.com/switch and sign up to be get updates about the product and availability.”

Meanwhile, sixteen games for the Nintendo Switch platform are still available for reserve now at GameStop. Players can look forward to games available at launch such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ($59.99) and 1-2-Switch ($49.99) from Nintendo, Just Dance 2017 ($59.99) from Ubisoft, and Has-Been Heroes ($19.99) from GameTrust, available exclusively at GameStop. Additional games coming this spring, and available now for pre-order at GameStop, include ARMS, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and LEGO City Undercover ($59.99). Coming Holiday 2017 is Super Mario Odyssey ($59.99), also available now for pre-order at GameStop.

Select Nintendo Switch accessories are also available for pre-order in GameStop stores and on www.GameStop.com. These include the Joy-Con (L/R) Gray/Gray, Joy-Con (L/R) Neon Blue/Neon Blue, Joy-Con (L/R) Neon Red/Neon Red, and a Nintendo Switch Carrying Case and Screen Protector.

Only at GameStop, customers can make their Nintendo Switch purchases more affordable and trade games, consoles and electronics for credit to apply towards their purchases of Nintendo Switch products.

The $299.99 Nintendo Switch will ship and be available for pick-up on its March 3 launch day.

About GameStop Corp.

GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 7,500 stores across 14 countries. The company’s consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the world’s leading print and digital video game publication; and ThinkGeek, www.thinkgeek.com, the premier retailer for the global geek community featuring exclusive and unique video game and pop culture products. In addition, our Technology Brands segment includes Simply Mac and Spring Mobile stores. Simply Mac, www.simplymac.com, operates 70 stores, selling the full line of Apple products, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones and offering Apple certified warranty and repair services. Spring Mobile, www.springmobile.com, sells all of AT&T’s products and services, including DIRECTV through its 1,429 AT&T branded stores and offers pre-paid wireless services, devices and related accessories through its 70 Cricket branded stores in select markets in the U.S.

General information about GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company’s corporate website. Follow @GameStop on Twitter and find GameStop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GameStop.

Contact:

Jackie Smith
GameStop Corp.
817-722-7520
JackieSmith@GameStop.com

Source: Gamestop Corporation/globenewswire

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Kurt Salmon, part of Accenture Strategy, and NRF launch 2017 Store Tours app showcasing some of the most innovative retail stores in New York

NRF 2017 Store Tours app provides NRF Retail’s BIG Show attendees with unique look at New York retail stores

NEW YORK, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Kurt Salmon, part of Accenture Strategy, and the National Retail Federation (NRF) today (JANUARY 15, 2017) launched a new app that showcases some of the most innovative retail stores in New York. The NRF 2017 Store Tours app highlights the locations of stores, including the NBA Store, Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, Uniqlo and Zara, and provides NRF Retail’s BIG Show attendees with a guided tour of each one.

“As an organization dedicated to delivering next-generation customer experiences, we are thrilled to support NRF – the largest retail advocacy organization – in designing an exciting experience for its attendees,” said Eric Shea, managing director, Kurt Salmon, part of Accenture Strategy. “NRF Retail’s BIG Show brings together some of the world’s top retail industry executives, and we look forward to providing them with a unique look at innovative stores in New York via the app.”

Heading to #NRF17? Download the NRF 2017 Store Tours app brought to you by @KSRetail, part of @AccentureStrat

The mobile app provides industry professionals attending NRF Retail’s BIG Show with the opportunity to go on guided tours of a selection of innovative retail stores around New York. Each tour is built around the themes of ‘omnichannel’, ‘fashion and luxury’, and ‘food’, and will feature up to twenty retailers in each category.

“New York is the shopping capital of the world and we wanted to make it as easy as possible for NRF Retail’s BIG Show attendees to see some of the most sophisticated stores the city has to offer,” said Susan Newman, Senior Vice President of Conferences and Marketing, NRF. “We thank Kurt Salmon, part of Accenture Strategy, for its retail and technical prowess in developing this app, and can’t wait for our attendees to try it out next week.”

Users can download the NRF 2017 Store Tours free app by visiting the Apple app store, Google Play, or the Microsoft app store. To learn more about the app, please visit: https://nrf2017.kurtsalmondigital.com

About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 394,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture Strategy operates at the intersection of business and technology. We bring together our capabilities in business, technology, operations and function strategy to help our clients envision and execute industry-specific strategies that support enterprise wide transformation. Our focus on issues related to digital disruption, competitiveness, global operating models, talent and leadership help drive both efficiencies and growth. For more information, follow @AccentureStrat or visit www.accenture.com/strategy.

Contacts:
Lucy Davies
Accenture
+ 44 777 3044 808
lucy.d.davies@accenture.com

Source: Accenture

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IHL Group and NCR Corporation survey: Retailers who invest in technologies are more likely to enjoy high sales growth

Report found three key strategic areas of attention: seamless shopping experience, personalization and store transformation

DULUTH, Ga, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Retailers who spend more on technology are more likely to enjoy high sales growth, according to a recent survey that IHL Group and NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), a global leader in omni-channel solutions, today (January 14, 2017) revealed.

The Unified Commerce Landscape Report from NCR, in partnership with research and analyst firm IHL Group, found that retailers who invest in technologies designed to create seamless shopping experiences, personalization and store transformation enjoy sales boosts of up to 100 percent and more.

The report split retailers into two categories according to their sales growth, and correlated these groups with adoption of 30 different unified commerce functionalities. The research found that retailers using these technologies enjoyed a huge sales boost over rival retailers that did not use the commerce functionalities. These include:

  • Store transformation: retailers that provide mobile sales tools for staff saw 77 percent higher sales growth, those that deployed mobile POS saw 92 percent higher sales, while stores that offer in-store Wi-Fi saw a mammoth 663 percent increase in sales compared to those that do not
  • Personalization: 110 percent higher sales growth for retailers that actively market their cross-channel services; 107 percent higher average increase for those using customer preference across channels, and 84 percent more sales growth for retailers who employ loyalty programs in real time
  • Seamless experience: 102 percent higher sales growth for those using cross-channel demand planning, and 18 percent more for retailers that use order management systems – the foundation of Unified Commerce

90 large retail chains in the USA and UK were surveyed across two main categories: general merchandisers, such as department stores, specialty hard and soft goods, and food, drug, convenience, and mass merchants. The most successful general merchandisers also focused on an additional area, providing actionable analytics for store associates. More than half (56 percent) in this category are using analytics to empower in-store staff to make the best decision at the point of customer interaction.

“The last few years has seen brick & mortar retailers fighting back against the online giants, as retailers realize that bricks-and-mortar shops can provide a unique experience that you can’t get on the web,” Mark Benjamin, president and COO, NCR Corporation. “Our research shows the enormous value that can be gained from striking the right balance of investment in technologies that create a seamless shopping experience – whether online or in store – and thus, increased customer loyalty.”

Retail leaders spend on average 69 percent more on IT than other respondents in the survey, but the secret in not just in the total spent: “Successful retailers understand that they need to focus on every area simultaneously, and align these systems in a balanced and strategic way, if they are to unlock all the transformational benefits that technology can bring,” said Benjamin.

“Retailers can no longer view IT as only a cost center but a strategic resource to grow the business.  The IT spending commitment from retail leaders is having a dramatic impact on their ability to balance the top strategic priorities: creating a seamless shopping experience, creating a ‘WOW’ in-store experience, and improving customer loyalty,” said Greg Buzek, President of IHL Group. “Without the relevant budget available, others simply cannot keep up and are at most at risk.”

More information on the report can be found at: www.ncr.com/howgreenisyourgrass

NCR is leading transformational change across the entire retail ecosystem through its omni-channel software platform, channel integration & transformation and digital enablement. See its portfolios at the National Retail Federation Show (NRF) January 15-17, 2017, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City Booth #3405.

About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a leader in omni-channel solutions, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 550 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier. NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Ga., USA, with over 30,000 employees and does business in 180 countries.

Global website: www.ncr.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/ncrgroup
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

Media Contact:
Ortrud Wenzel
NCR Corporation
+49 821 4058191
ortrud.wenzel@ncr.com

Tim Henschel
NCR Corporation
770.299.5100
tim.henschel@ncr.com

Source: NCR Corporation

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Olymel S.E.C./ L.P. recalls pork ribs products that were repacked and distributed without the benefit of federal inspection

WASHINGTON, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Olymel S.E.C./ L.P., a Boucherville, Quebec, Canada establishment, is recalling approximately 1,124 pounds of pork ribs products because the products were repacked and distributed without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today (Jan. 14, 2017 ).

The pork ribs items were repacked and produced from Jan. 10 to Jan. 13, 2017. The following products are subject to recall: 

  • 10-lb. cardboard box of pork rib tips with a packaging date of Jan. 10-13, 2017.
  • 30-lb. cardboard box of pork rib tips with a packaging date of Jan. 10-13, 2017.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “Est. 8951” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to restaurants in Michigan.

The problem was discovered on Jan. 13, 2017 by FSIS while conducting routine failure to present monitoring activities. FSIS discovered that a shipment of pork spare ribs entered the United States from Canada on or about 1/08/2017, crossing the border in Michigan. The products were then processed and repacked at a federal establishment and further distributed.

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

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

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Richard Vigneault, Public Relations Agent, at (514) 497-1385.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.

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

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

Source: USDA

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Chipotle partners with Compassion in World Farming USA and The Humane Society of the United States to Improve Treatment of Chickens

Restaurant Chain Partners with CIWF and HSUS to Improve Treatment of Chickens

DENVER, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced the latest evolution in its longstanding commitment to animal welfare — an initiative that represents a key component of the company’s mission.

Together with Compassion in World Farming USA and The Humane Society of the United States, Chipotle has been working to address growing concerns about how chickens are raised and processed. With Chipotle purchasing roughly 140 million pounds of chicken annually, this initiative represents a major undertaking for the company and its chicken suppliers.

The most critical issues are: welfare outcomes resulting from fast-growing chickens, environments in the facilities that house chickens, the space allotted to each chicken, and the manner in which chickens are slaughtered. To address each of these issues, using standards aligned with the new requirements of the Global Animal Partnership’s standard for broiler chickens, Chipotle will work to achieve the following goals by 2024 or sooner:

a) Improved breeding. Transition to strains of birds bred for measurably improved welfare outcomes.
b) Providing more space. Provide animals with more space by reducing maximum stocking density to 6 lbs. per square foot.
c) Living conditions. Provide chickens with housing that includes improved lighting, litter and floor enrichments that allow chickens to express natural behaviors.
d) Slaughter. Process chickens in a manner that utilizes a multi-step controlled-atmosphere processing system.

Suppliers will also be required to demonstrate compliance with these standards via audits by Chipotle’s internal Animal Welfare team as well as third party auditors.

“This is one more step forward for Chipotle, and one giant leap for chickens,” said Humane Society of the U.S. Senior Food PolicyDirector, Matthew Prescott.

“Chipotle is continuing to walk the talk on animal welfare. We applaud the company and their chicken suppliers for leading the way in a commitment that will improve the lives of more farmed animals than any other food business to date,” said Leah Garces, Compassion in World Farming USA Executive Director.

“Chipotle has long been at the forefront of animal welfare issues and enlightened sourcing for our restaurants, and we’re proud of our commitment to the evolution of our already high standards for chicken,” added Joshua Brau, Food with Integrity Program Manager at Chipotle.

Additional information about Chipotle’s chicken protocols is available at Chipotle.com/chicken-welfare.

ABOUT CHIPOTLE

Steve Ells, Founder, Chairman and CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in an interactive style allowing people to get exactly what they want. Chipotle seeks out extraordinary ingredients that are not only fresh, but that are raised responsibly, with respect for the animals, land, and people who produce them. Chipotle prepares its food using whole, unprocessed ingredients and without the use of added colors, flavors or other additives typically found in fast food. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in Denver in 1993 and now operates more than 2,200 restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.

Contact:
Chris Arnold
303-222-5912
chris.arnold@chipotle.com

Source: Chipotle Mexican Grill

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Physio-Control notifies LIFEPAK 1000 defibrillator customers of an issue that may affect the readiness of the device

Redmond, WA, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Physio-Control announced today (January 13, 2017) that the company is launching a voluntary field action for the LIFEPAK 1000 defibrillator due to reported instances where the device has shut down unexpectedly during patient treatment.

The company is notifying LIFEPAK 1000 customers of an issue that may affect the readiness of the device. The company has received 34 reports where customers have attempted to use their LIFEPAK 1000 defibrillator and the device has shut down unexpectedly due to an intermittent connection between the battery and device electrical contacts. A defibrillator in this scenario may not be able to deliver therapy during a resuscitation attempt, which may expose patients to the risk of serious harm or death. The company is aware of 8 adverse events related to this issue.

The company has determined that this intermittent connection is a result of wear and subsequent oxidation formation between the battery and device electrical contacts. This condition can occur over time in LIFEPAK 1000 devices that are exposed to vibration and have a battery installed for long periods of time. This issue can potentially affect any LIFEPAK 1000 device, however customers with non-rechargeable batteries who do not routinely remove the battery for inspection, as indicated in the LIFEPAK 1000 Defibrillator Operating Instructions, are more susceptible to this issue.

The company is contacting customers and advising them to immediately remove and reinstall the battery from their device(s). Customers are also being advised to implement a weekly schedule of battery removal and reinstallation for all LIFEPAK 1000 devices. The removal and reinstallation of the battery will clean the contacts of oxidation and will reduce the likelihood of this issue from occurring. Physio-Control will be initiating a hardware device correction for all affected LIFEPAK 1000 devices and the company will contact customers to schedule device corrections once the hardware correction is ready for implementation. The company will provide customers with updated information regarding the timing for this device correction at the website URL shown below, when it is available.

Information about this notice is available at: www.physio-control.com/lifepak1000-274. Affected customers will be notified by letter. Customers with questions regarding this notification, please contact Physio-Control by calling 1-866-231-1220, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Pacific) Monday – Friday, or by email to rsrecalls@physio-control.com or fax to 1-866-448-9567.

In addition to contacting Physio-Control, any potential quality problems or adverse reactions or events associated with the use of a Physio-Control product may be reported to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program online at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm, by phone 1-800-332-1088 or fax 1-800-FDA-0178.

About Physio-Control
Physio-Control is the world’s leading provider of professional emergency medical response solutions that predict or intervene in life-threatening emergencies. The company’s products include LIFEPAK® monitor/defibrillators and automated external defibrillators (AED), LUCAS® Chest Compression Systems, the LIFENET® System, HeartSine® AEDs and more. Learn more at www.physio-control.com, or connect on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.

Consumers Contact:

Physio-Control
rsrecalls@physio-control.com
1-866-231-1220

Media Contact:

Matt Fikse
matt.fikse@physio-control.com
425-867-4208

Source: FDA

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Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc., recalls HOT Thin & Crispy Potato Chips with Specific Product Code Lot 364 5 or 365 5

Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc., recalls HOT Thin & Crispy Potato Chips with Specific Product Code Lot 364 5 or 365 5

 

Birmingham, AL, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc., is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of 5 oz. HOT Thin & Crispy Potato Chips with a “Best if Used By” date APR 1417 and Specific Product Code Lot 364 5 or 365 5  (See below).

This Specific Product Code Lot 364 5 or 365 5  is being recalled because it may contain milk and other dairy ingredients not declared on the label.  People who are allergic to milk run the risk of serious or life -threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

Consumers are urged NOT to eat this Specific Product Code Lot 364 5 or 365 5. Consumers who purchased this product may return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund or exchange, or they may simply discard the product.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED ILLNESSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE VOLUNTARILY RECALLED PRODUCT.

Product Description Size Item UPC “Best If Used By” and Specific Product
Code Lot
Golden Flake
HOT Thin & Crispy
Potato Chips		 5.0 ounce 0-72080-00240-3 APR1417 364 5
APR1417 365 5

NO OTHER GOLDEN FLAKE SNACK FOODS, INC., PRODUCTS ARE BEING RECALLED.

Please see the below photos of the package and location of the “Best If Used By” dates and Specific Product
Code Lot 364 5 or 365 5affected by this recall.

For more information please contact Joe Elliott, Director, Technical Services, Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc., (205) 323-6161, Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:00pm CST.

Consumers Contact:

Joe Elliott
(205)323-6161

Source: FDA

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Grange Co-op recalls certain Rogue All Purpose Rabbit Pellets that may contain higher than acceptable levels of vitamin D

Medford, Oregon, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Grange Co-op is initiating a recall of Rogue All Purpose Rabbit Pellets in 25# (25RP) 50# (50RP), 1,500# Tote (RP) no lot codes – purchased between March 1, 2016 and January 12, 2017 in Southern Oregon / Northern California from any Grange Co-op Retail Store or Wholesale Dealer. The recall is being initiated because samples tested by the Oregon Department of Agriculture discovered these products may contain higher than acceptable levels of vitamin D.

Rabbits consuming this product would be at risk for developing clinical hypercalcemia when fed diets containing very high levels of vitamin D, as a sole source of nutrition. Clinical signs of hypercalcemia include such things as increased thirst, increased urination, weakness, decreased appetite, and possibly death.

For any purchases of Rogue All Purpose Rabbit Pellets during these dates, please return the unused portion to any Grange Co-op location for a full refund. Any questions regarding this recall may be directed to Brian Wilkerson, Director of Agricultural Operations, at (541) 664-1121 or productrecall@grangecoop.com.

Founded in 1934, Grange Co-op offers high-quality agricultural supplies, farm products, consumer goods, petroleum products, pet supplies, lawn and garden supplies, apparel, footwear and hardware. Grange Co-op works hard to consistently provide quality products and exceptional customer service. It has grown steadily over the last eight decades to include eight retail stores, soon to be nine in spring, ecommerce, a grain elevator, agronomy center and nationwide membership in Cardlock Fueling Network (CFN). For more information about Grange Co-op, or to shop online, please visit the website at www.grangecoop.com.

Consumers Contact:

Brian Wilkerson
Director of Ag Operations
productrecall@grangecoop.com
541-664-1121

Source: FDA

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EROSKI apoya a la D.O. Euskal Sagardoa y se compromete a comercializar la nueva sidra con calidad certificada

EROSKI apoya a la D.O. Euskal Sagardoa y se compromete a comercializar la nueva sidra con calidad certificada

 

  • Maider Unda y Ramón Roteta han abierto el “txotx” en EROSKI junto a la nueva D.O. Euskal Sagardoa, representantes de la Fundación Hazi y algunas de las casas sidreras con mayor arraigo en Euskadi
  • La cooperativa comercializará sidra con los dos sellos de calidad públicos en el mercado, Euskal Sagardoa y Gorenak, cuya calidad estará garantizada en ambos casos por la Fundación Hazi

ELORRIO,España, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — EROSKI ha inaugurado esta mañana la temporada de sidra en el hipermercado del Centro Comercial Urbil de Usurbil, capital de la sidra guipuzcoana junto a Hernani y Astigarraga. La apertura del “txotx” ha contado con dos padrinos de lujo: la exdeportista y productora de queso D.O. Idiazabal, Maider Unda, y el cocinero y escultor Ramón Roteta. Junto a ellos, han estado presentes en el acto el coordinador de la nueva D.O. Euskal Sagardoa,  Unai Agirre; el director de la Fundación HAZI, Asier Arrese, y representantes de algunas de las casas sidreras con mayor arraigo en Euskadi como Bereziartua, Gurutzeta, Isastegi, Saizar, Zapiain, Egi-Luze, Begiristain, Petritegi y Zelaia.

Durante el acto, EROSKI y la nueva D.O. Euskal Sagardoa han expresado su voluntad de colaboración para impulsar la comercialización en el País Vasco y fuera de la Comunidad Autónoma de la nueva sidra con calidad certificada y elaborada solamente con manzana cultivada en Euskadi. Esta comercialización arrancará en primavera y contará con un logotipo identificativo de la nueva sidra con Denominación de Origen, comenzando a introducirse desde un inicio en una gran parte de la red de tiendas EROSKI. Actualmente, la cooperativa comercializa en torno a 1 millón de botellas de sidra natural elaborada en el País Vasco, lo que supone casi el 10% de la producción total.

“Hemos seguido muy de cerca en EROSKI los nuevos retos estratégicos que se ha planteado el sector de la sidra en Euskadi, desde un inicio les hemos animado a constituirse como una Denominación de Origen, y nos comprometemos a impulsar proactivamente la comercialización de esta nueva sidra con calidad certificada” ha señalado la directora comercial de Producto Local de EROSKI, Asun Bastida.

“La denominación de origen es el fruto de años de trabajo colaborativo, y supone una fuerte apuesta del sector de cara al futuro. Una apuesta conjunta que han apoyado e impulsado todas las asociaciones de sidra natural y manzana sidrera de Álava, Bizkaia y Gipuzkoa. Recogemos el testigo de la sidra Eusko Label y arrancamos un ambicioso proyecto con la mirada puesta al consumidor del siglo XXI que sigue apreciando una sidra elaborada de manera tradicional a partir de manzana 100% autóctona”, ha destacado el coordinador de la nueva D.O. Euskal Sagardoa,  Unai Agirre.

A partir de esta temporada serán dos los sellos de calidad que convivan en el mercado: “D.O. Euskal Sagardoa”, una sidra de calidad certificada elaborada exclusivamente con manzana del País Vasco, y “Gorenak”, una sidra igualmente de calidad certificada y elaborada en las sidrerías vascas con manzana de distinto origen. “La Fundación HAZI certificará todo el proceso para garantizar la calidad de ambos sellos. Además, ambas marcas tendrán que superar el panel de cata del Laboratorio Fraisoro, el único laboratorio certificado por ENAC para las catas organolépticas y análisis físico-químicos de sidra y que está situado en Zizurkil (Gipuzkoa)” ha subrayado el director de HAZI, Asier Arrese, quien ha añadido “que el Gobierno Vasco, a través de HAZI, certifique estas dos marcas oficiales es una garantía y proporciona seguridad a aquellos consumidores que apuestan por los productos de calidad de producción local”.

Datos de contacto con el Departamento de Comunicación:
944 158 642
comunicacion@eroski.es

Source: Eroski

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Benchmark enables retailers to compare their in-store merchandising practices to those of their peers

In-depth, quantitative analysis of retail organizations reveals the common merchandising practices of high-performing retailers

BOSTON, 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail New/ — One Door, the leading provider of cloud-based merchandising execution software for retail, today announced the establishment of the first-ever Merchandising Execution Maturity Benchmark. Based on research guided by One Door, the Benchmark enables retailers to compare their in-store merchandising practices to those of their peers.

“To attract new and repeat customers retailers must improve in-store experience, including introducing products and promotions more quickly, delivering localized experiences, and ensuring that products are easy to discover and buy,” said E.Y. Snowden, CEO of One Door. “As retailers look to improve their merchandising processes to achieve this, our Merchandising Execution Maturity Benchmark provides a first of its kind tool for identifying their alignment to industry best-practices.”

To create the Benchmark, One Door surveyed the in-store merchandising execution of 250 retailers across multiple industry segments and geographies. From these results, One Door was able to identify 5 levels of merchandising execution maturity, with the majority (53%) of responding organizations executing at a Level 3 maturity, 21% at Level 4, and only 6% at Level 5 (highest).

One Door research revealed interesting common themes among Level 4 and 5 respondents, including:

  • Merchandisable store space is captured digitally, frequently updated, and centrally maintained;
  • Merchandising strategies and product assortments are highly localized with placement decisions driven by data;
  • Stores can order merchandising materials and submit feedback to headquarters directly through digital applications;
  • Headquarters sends merchandising directives more frequently;
  • Merchandising directives are assigned to a specific person or group within the store and task compliance is tracked as a key performance indicator;
  • Employees are confident in their knowledge of merchandising policies and processes, earning bonuses as incentives for successful merchandising

The full survey report can be found here: http://info.onedoor.com/MX-Survey-Brief.html

Retailers are invited to take the assessment and determine their Benchmark level by visiting: http://merchandisingmatters.com. Participating retailers will be given their assessment and comparison to the surveyed group averages upon completion.

About One Door

One Door is the leading provider of cloud-based merchandising software, optimizing merchandising execution at each store for the world’s leading brands. One Door is privately held, based in Boston, and led by an experienced team of retail and technology visionaries.

Merchandising Cloud is the only application that combines product and promotional merchandising with store information, providing each store with a unique, unified, and interactive merchandising plan.

SOURCE: One Door

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Whole Foods Market is looking for local growers and producers for its new Riverdale Park Station store

Retailer looking for producers across categories, including grocery, specialty items, produce, meat, seafood, body care and lifestyle products

ROCKVILLE, Md., 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Whole Foods Market is looking for unique products from local growers and producers to feature in the new Riverdale Park Station store (6621 Washington Baltimore Blvd.), scheduled to open in late spring 2017. Interested local suppliers should ensure they meet Whole Foods Market’s quality standards and submit product information online at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/malocal. The submission deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Whole Foods Market defines local products as grown or produced within 100 miles of a store or within the same state as a store. Whole Foods Market Riverdale is seeking a variety of products across categories, including grocery and specialty items, produce, meat and seafood, as well as body care and lifestyle goods. Across the U.S., Whole Foods Market stores source from more than 11,000 local suppliers.

“Each Whole Foods Market is a direct reflection of the local community – from the way the store is built to the team members who staff the store and especially the products we offer our customers,” said Matt Ray, vice president of purchasing for Whole Foods Market’s mid-Atlantic region. “All of our local producers adhere to the same quality standards that we apply throughout the store, which ensures these items are free from artificial colors, flavors, hydrogenated fats and preservatives. I’m very excited to help curate the innovative products coming from Prince George’s County and the surrounding community.”

Please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/malocal before Wednesday, Feb. 1 to submit local product information for consideration.

Contact:
MAPR@wholefoods.com
Annie Cull
301.998.6872

Source: Whole Foods Market

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Rite Aid Foundation welcomes 219 new nonprofit organizations into its KidCents program

Camp Hill, Pa., 2017-Jan-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Rite Aid Foundation is welcoming 219 new nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health and wellness of children into its KidCents program. Selected by Rite Aid associates and representative of the communities served by Rite Aid, each new charity will receive a $5,000 KidCents grant in recognition of their efforts and participation in the KidCents program, totaling more than $1 million.

“Thanks to the generosity of our customers, for over three years, our KidCents program has been able to provide critical funding for a variety of programs ranging from equine and aquatic therapy services to after school enrichment to counseling and crisis services for at risk youth,” said President of The Rite Aid Foundation Ken Martindale, who also serves as Rite Aid CEO of stores and president of Rite Aid Corporation. “There’s no question these organizations are making a real difference in the lives of children, and The Rite Aid Foundation looks forward to working with our new class of KidCents charities to do even more in the coming year to help kids in the communities we serve have a chance at a brighter future.”

The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program, which now includes more than 430 charities, has offered nonprofits located in communities served by Rite Aid a unique way to fund raise in support of those they serve. Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid’s wellness+with Plenti program can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and donate their change to the general KidCents fund. They can also designate where their change goes by choosing a specific KidCents charity to support.

To participate, Rite Aid customers can sign into their wellness+with Plentiaccount at www.kidcents.com and review the profiles of approved KidCents charities they can choose to support. Each charity profile features information about the organization and the services it provides as well as stories of those helped by the organization. Once a charity is selected, the next time the customer shops at Rite Aid, their purchase will be rounded up to the nearest dollar and their change will be designated to their selected charity.

Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more than $27 million to non-profit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $75 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2016 annual revenues of $30.7 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.

The 219 charities joining The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program include:
Alabama
 
Alabama CASA Network
Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center
Common Ground Montgomery
Glenwood Inc.
SAYNO

California

A Place Called Home
Ability First Sports
Agape Villages Foster Family Agency
Along Comes Hope
Blind Children’s Center
Boys & Girls Club of Fontana
Boys & Girls Club of Ventura County
Boys & Girls Club of Whittier
Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
Boys & Girls Clubs of La Habra
CASA of San Bernardino County
Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families
Children’s Home Society of California
Children’s Lifesaving Foundation
Coachella Valley Autism Society
Coastal Performing Arts Foundation
Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County
Culinary Arts Kids Eat
Family Support Network
Junior Achievement of Sacramento
Kern Partnership for Children and Families
Long Beach BLAST – Better Learning After School Today
Operation SafeHouse
Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center
Para Los Niño’s
Promises2Kids Foundation
Richstone Family Center
River Oak Center for Children
Samaritan House
The Raise Foundation
Tulare Youth Service Bureau, Inc.
Valley Achievement Center
Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert
Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services
Voices for Children
Watts Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club

Colorado

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
Tennyson Center for Children

Connecticut

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury
Waterbury Youth Service System, Inc.

Georgia

Camp Sunshine Inc.
ConnectAbility
Extra Special People
Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
Gwinnett Sexual Assault Center
Lindsey’s Place Camp
Never Too Late
Our House
Special Olympics Georgia

Indiana

Kidds Society Inc.

Kentucky

CASA of Bracken, Fleming & Mason Counties
Children’s Advocacy Center of the Green River District
New Pathways For Children
Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky
Silverleaf Sexual Trauma Recovery Services

Louisiana

Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana
Brave Heart Children in Need
Girls on the Run New Orleans
Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Youth Enrichment Program

Maine

Families and Children Together
My Place Teen Center

Maryland

Center for Children, Inc.
Girls Inc. of Washington County
Hearing and Speech Agency
Inner County Outreach
The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Massachusetts

America SCORES Boston
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Inc.
Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest
Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County
James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn

Michigan

Beyond Basics
Boys & Girls Club of Troy
Boys & Girls Clubs of Great Lakes Bay Region
CASA-The Voice for Clinton County’s Children
Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County
Child Safe Michigan
En Gedi
Gratiot County Child Advocacy Association
Kalamazoo County Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Council
Never Down For The Count Youth Services
Offering Alternative Therapy With Smiles
Vista Maria
Weiss Child Advocacy Center

Mississippi

Palmer Home for Children

New Hampshire

Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley
Carriage Barn Equestrian Center Therapeutic Riding Program Inc.
Friends Program Inc.
The Chase Home for Children

New Jersey

American Children’s Society Inc.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County
CASA for Children of Essex County Inc.
Emmanuel Cancer Foundation
Harbor House
Pinwheel Place
Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund
Woodbury Child Development Center

New York

A Free Bird
ACDS
Adaptive Sports Foundation
AutismUp
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region
Boys & Girls Club of Eden
Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, Inc.
Camp Good Days & Special Times
Charity for Children
Crossroads Center for Children
CURE Childhood Cancer Association
Daystar For Medically Fragile Children
EPIC – Every Person Influences Children
Fresh Youth Initiatives
Gateway Longview
Girls Incorporated of the Greater Capital Region
Little Flower Children & Family Services of New York
Motivational Recovery Environments
QSAC, Inc.
Quest Youth Organization, Inc.
S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc.
South Bronx United
The Children’s Village
The House of the Good Shepherd
The New York Center for Children
Things of My Very Own Inc.
Tioga County Boys and Girls Club
Tomorrow’s Leaders NYC
Uniqkid, Inc.

North Carolina

Bit of Hope Ranch 
Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth & Families
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region
Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County
Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program
Council for Children’s Rights
Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of NC
Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas
SafeChild

Ohio

Achievement Center for Children
Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio
Children’s Rights Collaborative of Northwest Ohio
Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo
Kids In Need Foundation
Making Kids Count
Orville Area Boys & Girls Club

Oregon

Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley
Chelsea Hicks Foundation
Family Solutions
Integral Youth Services
Oregon Children’s Foundation – SMART

Pennsylvania

Be Proud Foundation
Boys & Girls Club of Potter County
Caitlin’s Smiles
Camp Dreamcatcher
Child Development, Inc.
Cradles to Crayons
Elwyn
George Junior Republic
Gwen’s Girls
Holding Hope
Joshua Group
Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center
Marley’s Mission
Minding Your Mind
Peter’s Place
Reflections of Grace Foundation
Seton Hill Child Services, Inc.
Special People in Northeast Inc.
The Goofy Gators
The Vista School
The Woodlands
Turning Points for Children
Westmoreland Children First
Youth Service, Inc.

Rhode Island

Camp Surefire Foundation
Special Olympics Rhode Island

South Carolina

Carolina Children’s Charity
Children’s Chance
Collins Children’s Home
WINGS for Kids

Tennessee

Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County
Child Advocacy Center of the Ninth Judicial District of TN
F.I.N.D. Design
Haley’s Heart Foundation
STARS

Utah

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake
The Family Support Center

Vermont

Windham County Safe Place Child Advocacy Center

Virginia

Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
Children’s Health Investment Program
CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation
Comfort Zone Camp
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates
Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater
One Child Center for Autism
Prevent Child Abuse Virginia
Virginia Beach Court Appointed Special Advocates

Washington

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County
Boys and Girls Clubs of Skagit County
Children’s Developmental Center
Children’s Home Society of Washington
Hand in Hand
HopeSparks
Northeast Youth Center
Special Olympics Washington
Treehouse
Youth Advocacy Center of Lewis County
YouthCare

West Virginia

John W. Hereford Boys & Girls Club of Huntington
West Virginia Child Advocacy Network

Contact:
Ashley Flower
717-975-5718

Source: Rite Aid