Daily Archives: March 15, 2017

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The Prada Group to host “Shaping a Creative Future” conference focusing on interplay between sustainability and innovation

MILAN, Italy, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Prada Group will launch “Shaping a Creative Future” on Monday 20th  nd Tuesday 21st March in Milan, a conference in partnership with Yale School of Management and Politecnico di Milano School of Management.

The event will focus on the interplay between sustainability and innovation, and feature a series of stimulating conversations, debates and discussions with leading international academic, creative and business figures, moderated by the two universities.

The first day, hosted at Fondazione Prada, will see representatives from leading businesses meet with Yale School of Management and Politecnico di Milano School of Management professors and alumni for discussions on sustainability and innovation.

On the second day, a plenary conference will be hosted at Prada’s headquarters, where reflections from the first day will form the basis of all debate. Professors will moderate a series of panels with business leaders and representatives of international organizations, who will debate the topics and add their inspiring insights and experience to the conversation. Students from both universities will contribute their research and theses on the topics to the event.

SOURCE: PRADA spa

MEDIA CONTACT

PRADA spa
via Antonio Fogazzaro, 28
20135 Milano
tel +39.02.550281

ufficio.stampa@prada.com
pressoffice@miumiu.com
pressoffice.church@church-footwear.com
pressoffice.carshoe@carshoe.com
press@pasticceriamarchesi.com

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Rakuten and AirMap teams up to provide Unmanned Traffic Management solutions to drone operators and airspace managers in Japan

Rakuten AirMap, Inc. will open the skies for Japan’s growing drone ecosystem

Tokyo, Japan, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Rakuten, Inc., a leader in internet services and global innovation headquartered in Japan, and AirMap, the world’s leading airspace management platform for drones, today announced the launch of a joint venture, Rakuten AirMap, Inc. The joint venture will provide Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) solutions to drone operators and airspace managers in Japan. The partnership follows Rakuten’s participation in AirMap’s recent Series B investment round in February 2017.

Drones have the potential to benefit practically every sector of the Japanese economy. Already, drones are being used in a variety of commercial applications, including drone delivery, construction, inspection, agriculture, and security. According to PwC, commercial drones will deliver up to $127.3 billion in global economic impact in the coming years. As millions of drones take flight, they will need to access and exchange safety-critical information with others in the airspace. Technology to manage drone traffic in low-altitude airspace – like Rakuten AirMap’s – will be critical to enable safe and efficient operations of drones.

Rakuten entered the commercial drone field with the launch of the Sora Raku Rakuten Drone delivery service in April 2016. Through the Sora Raku service and its collaboration with domestic partners on several ground-breaking test flights, the company has developed a deep understanding of the commercial drone market and regulatory environment in Japan.

AirMap is the global leader in airspace management for drones, utilized by the vast majority of drones world-wide, delivering solutions for situational awareness, flight planning, geofencing, drone cybersecurity, and more. Millions of drones rely on the AirMap platform to access and share the data they need to fly safely in low-altitude airspace, thanks to integrations with hundreds of leading drone manufacturers and developers.

AirMap has also emerged as a leader in worldwide efforts to build technologies for Unmanned Traffic Management, the technological framework that will facilitate data exchange and air traffic control for drones. Today, more than 125 airports and other airspace stakeholders use AirMap’s airspace management dashboard to open surrounding airspace to drones, view past and current drone flights, accept digital flight notices, and communicate with drone operators.

Through the joint venture, the two companies will leverage their knowledge and experience to bring airspace management solutions to the Japanese market and support the development of the commercial drone industry in Japan.

Rakuten AirMap’s UTM platform will provide situational awareness for airspace managers (such as airports and municipal governments) and allow drone operators to fly safely and stay informed during their flight. Through the platform, airspace managers can view drone flight notices in real time within their jurisdiction, automate authorization for drone flights and communicate directly with drone operators via SMS or phone. The platform also allows drone operators to understand the rules in their flight area, create flight plans, and share them with nearby airports and authorities. By connecting drone operators and airspace managers, the Rakuten AirMap platform opens low-altitude airspace for intelligent drone flight.

“Drone technologies have the potential to revolutionize industries, and the growing number of drone-based commercial services is a testament to this,” said Takashi Toraishi, president of the New Services Development Company of Rakuten, Inc. and responsible for the Sora Raku Rakuten Drone service. “We are very happy to be partnering with AirMap, the leader in airspace management services, as we make our first step into UTM services in Japan and work to create a safe and viable future for the drone ecosystem in the country.”

“We’re tremendously excited to partner with Rakuten to bring Unmanned Traffic Management capabilities to Japan,” said Ben Marcus, CEO of AirMap. “Rakuten AirMap’s UTM solutions will connect airspace managers with drones and their operators – setting the stage for Japan’s commercial drone ecosystem to thrive.”

About Rakuten AirMap Inc.
Business outline:                  To develop and provide UTM solutions for drone operators and airspace managers in Japan
Date established:                  March 2017
Investment Ratio:                  Rakuten, Inc. 51%; AirMap 49%
Head office:                            Rakuten Crimson House 1-14-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative Directors:    Representative Director and CEO: Hideaki Mukai (Rakuten, Inc.)
Representative Director:      Ben Marcus (AirMap, Inc.)
For more information:           https://soraraku.rakuten.co.jp/airmap/en/

About AirMap
AirMap is the world’s leading airspace management platform for drones, supporting more than 100,000 drone flights per day. Millions of drones, hundreds of drone manufacturers and developers, and hundreds of airspace managers and stakeholders rely on AirMap’s airspace intelligence and services to fly safely and communicate with others in low-altitude airspace. With solutions for Unmanned Traffic Management, geofencing, remote identification, deconfliction, and more, AirMap is helping to create the next frontier of flight.
Learn more about AirMap at www.airmap.com.

SOURCE: Rakuten, Inc.

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James Avery announces the opening of its new store at Tomball Marketplace in Tomball, Texas

Enter drawing for a chance to win a James Avery Gift Card

KERRVILLE, TEXAS, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — James Avery, a Texas based family-owned jewelry retailer, announces the opening of its new store today in Tomball, Texas at Tomball Marketplace. To celebrate the grand opening, visitors may enter a drawing for a chance to win one of thirty James Avery gift cards valued at $50, $100, or $500.

John McCullough, COO at James Avery Jewelry, comments: “Everyone is invited to visit the new store and attend the grand opening celebration on Saturday, March 25th. Commemorate life’s special moments with keepsake charms, inspiring faith designs, and casually elegant jewelry that’s been a Texas tradition for more than 60 years.”

The new location is under the direction of Store Manager, Valerie Cavenaugh. Store hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The new store is located at 28431 State Highway 249, at the southwest corner of SH 249 and FM 2920 near Panera Bread.

About James Avery Jewelry® — James Avery Jewelry is a vertically integrated, family-owned company located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. We offer finely crafted jewelry designs for men and women in sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold, gemstones, and leather wallets – designed by our own skilled artisans in Kerrville, Texas. We are a multi-channel retailer with 74 James Avery stores in 5 states. Our jewelry is also available in 200 Dillard’s stores in Texas and in 27 additional states; and nationwide through JamesAvery.com. James Avery crafts jewelry in four Texas workshops— one each in Comfort, Fredericksburg, Hondo and Kerrville. For additional information, visit JamesAvery.com or Facebook facebook.com/JamesAvery.

About the Drawing — Odds of winning depend on total number of entries received. Thirty James Avery gift cards will be awarded: twenty-four $50 gift cards, three $100 gift cards, and three $500 gift cards. Entries accepted March 15 through March 25, 2017. Hourly drawings on March 25 between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the Grand Opening celebration at the James Avery Jewelry store located at Tomball Marketplace. No purchase necessary. Must be at least 13 years old to enter. Only one entry per person per day. Winners not eligible to win a subsequent gift card in the same promotion. Winners need not be present to win. Employees and immediate family members not eligible for this gift card promotion.

SOURCE: James Avery Craftsman Inc.

MEDIA CONTACT

JAMES AVERY MEDIA RELATIONS
Media.Inquiry@JamesAvery.com

P.O. Box 291367
Kerrville, Texas 78029

 

 

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QATAR: Al Meera opens its third branch in Al Wakra

QATAR: Al Meera opens its third branch in Al Wakra

DOHA, Qatar, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — As part of the Company’s ambitious expansion strategy being implemented to reach customers across all regions of the country, along with providing its exceptional services to various segments of society, Al Meera Consumer Goods Company (Q.S.C) has opened its new branch in Al Wakra (East), making it the third Al Meera branch to open its doors to consumers in Al Wakra.

The opening of the new shopping center comes in the framework of Al Meera’s Corporate Social Responsibility, in terms of providing the highest quality products to the communities in which it operates at affordable prices, as well as keep pace with the urban and population boom Qatar is witnessing, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The new Al Wakra (East) shopping center is located in the Al Jabal Area, with the branch entailing a total 2267 m2, of which around 1500 m2 is the supermarket area. The branch provides sections for vegetables, fruits and delicatessen, along with self-service stations for chicken and meat; in addition to a number of shops and restaurants, which will begin providing its services to the shopping centers’ visitors at the soonest.

The shopping center was built in accordance with the highest international standards and has been furnished with modern interior designs and lighting systems that ensure a distinctive shopping experience. The center feature a supermarket equipped with world-class technologies and facilities, in addition to a large outdoor parking space, further fulfilling the Company’s vision of becoming consumers’ ‘Favorite Neighborhood Retailer’.

The opening ceremony was inaugurated by Dr. Saif Said Al Sowaidi, Vice Chairman of Al Meera, in the presence of Al Meera management. For this occasion, Dr. Saif Said Al Sowaidi said:

“We are committed to providing the best services to all citizens and residents in the State of Qatar, especially for the city dwellers that witnessed a great population growth. Hence the opening of the Al Wakra (East) branch comes as a result of the massive growth witnessed by Al Wakra, whose rise in residents required another branch to meet their needs.”

He continued: “Al Meera continuously seeks to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 in the nation’s plans for urbanization development. We are very pleased to be serving yet another segment of the Qatari community and look forward to the opening of our upcoming branches. We also commend the efforts of all Al Meera’s employees, and to all those that contributed to the development of its services and to achieve our long-term goals.”

Community shopping centers represent an important element in the growth and development strategy that Al Meera is pursuing, as it serves Al Meera’s expansion plan which aims to reach all segments of society, across all regions in the State of Qatar.

The current expansion phase of the 5 stores that was put in motion, which is set to add a total of 9,709 m2 Supermarket Area to the Company’s presence in Qatar, is part of Al Meera’s ‘14 shopping centers’ expansion plan that was announced in 2015. With the opening of the Leaibab 2 branch, set to be launched during the beginning of Q2 2017, Al Meera will have brought the Company’s expansion phase to fruition.

Along with the aforementioned, there are 6 stores that are currently under construction that began during the second half of 2016, which will include branches in Rawdat Aba El Heran, Azghawa, Leaibab, Umm Qarn, Al Khor and Sailiya. These state-of-the-art stores will bring the expansion plan to a total of 11 out of 14 branches, in line with Al Meera’s vision to provide consumers from various regions across the country their shopping needs under one roof, synonymous with its motto of being everyone’s ‘Favorite Neighborhood Retailer’.

SOURCE: Al Meera

CONTACTS

Tel: 40119111 – 40119112
Fax: +974 40119186
Email: admin@almeera.com.qa

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USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service shares food safety tips for winter storm impacted northeast states

WASHINGTON, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — As a winter storm impacts northeast states, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service shares food safety tips to keep in mind when preparing for a weather emergency.

During Snow and Ice Storms:

  • During a snowstorm, do not place perishable food out in the snow. Outside temperatures can vary and food can be exposed to unsanitary conditions and animals. Instead, make ice by filling buckets or cans with water and leave them outside to freeze. Use this ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers.

Steps to follow if the power goes out:

  • Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if the door is kept closed. A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).
  • Place meat and poultry to one side of the freezer or on a tray to prevent cross contamination of thawing juices.
  • Use dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible during an extended power outage. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep a fully-stocked 18-cubic-feet freezer cold for two days.  

Steps to follow after a weather emergency:

  • Check the temperature inside of your refrigerator and freezer. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.
  • Check each item separately. Throw out any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture or feels warm to the touch.
  • Check frozen food for ice crystals. The food in your freezer that partially or completely thawed may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 40°F or below.
  • Never taste a food to decide if it’s safe.
  • When in doubt, throw it out.

FSIS’ YouTube video “Food Safety During Power Outages” has instructions for keeping frozen and refrigerated food safe. The publication “Preparing for a Weather Emergency” can be downloaded and printed for reference during an emergency. FSIS also has an infographic covering what to do before, during and after a power outage.

If you have questions about food safety during severe weather, or any other food safety topics, can call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at 1-888MPHotline or chat live with a food safety specialist at AskKaren.gov. These services are available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, in English and Spanish. Answers to frequently asked question can also be found 24/7 at AskKaren.gov.

SOURCE: USDA FSIS

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

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Lindex launches Spring 2017 Collection

Lindex Spring Campaign 2017

Göteborg, Sweden, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lindex meets spring with an urban collection of new colour combinations, exciting prints and clean feminine details – in a campaign shot on the vibrant streets of Cape Town, South Africa.

”This spring it’s time to update the wardrobe with comfortable sets, crisp woven tops and a lot of bold color. Khaki green, orange, black and different shades of blue are the base for the collection, seasoned with expressive African graphics and statement animal prints”, says Annika Hedin, Head of Design at Lindex.

The campaign film, in which the models are lip-syncing to Diana Ross’ “I’m coming out”, embodies Lindex feel good-attitude towards fashion. The campaign is filled with positive energy and self confidence, fronted by 7 models of which Swedish Sabina Karlsson is one of them.

”The campaign is very uplifting and has such great energy. It’s inspiring that Lindex focuses on showing different women in their campaign, no matter size or ethnicity. Shooting this campaign was a lot of fun”, says Sabina Karlsson.

Lindex Spring Collection is being launched in all Lindex stores and at lindex.com on March 23.

Agency: Wednesday London
Photographer: Pamela Hanson
Director: Steven Brahms
Styling: Jessica Pousette
Make-up: Gemma Smith-Edhouse
Hair: Paolo Soffiati

SOURCE: Lindex

PRESS CONTACT

Miriam Tjernström, Press Relations Manager
E-mail: press@lindex.com
Phone: +46 31 739 50 60

 

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ITALY: DESPAR Maiora announces winners of its three-month-long online competition, Click and Win

DESPAR Maiora’S Click and Win competition as advertised on Facebook

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — SPAR Italy Partner, DESPAR Maiora, has revealed the winners of its three-month-long online competition, Click and Win. The fun and innovative campaign was run by SPAR in Southern and Central Italy.

The competition was hosted on DESPAR Maiora’s Facebook page and customers could play once a day to stand the chance of winning. 25,000 prizes and 100 shopping vouchers were available to win, including a grand prize valued at €3,000.

The game was simple and the chances of winning were high, making the Click and Win competition extremely popular with thousands of people participating. Upon liking Maiora’s MyDESPAR competition page on Facebook, users could view posts with instructions on how to play.

The competition had various objectives, as President and Managing Director of DESPAR Maiora, Pippo Cannillo, explained: “At DESPAR we really want to lead  –  not only with our supermarkets, which are developed in a way that is respectful of the environment – but also through innovative marketing initiatives. We are investing in social media in order to deepen our relationship with customers. We want to draw them in by making shopping with us fun.”

The competition consisted of two types of games: An Instant Win game and a photo competition.

Instant Win competition: Users reached a special landing page via a dedicated link. After clicking on the “participate now” button, a registration page to the competition launched. By selecting images showing different SPAR Brands, users could immediately see if they had won something. Among the 25,000 different prizes up for grabs, there were four televisions, 10 tablets and 30 coffee machines.

Photography competition: This game was also very easy and intuitive but the prizes were much higher in value. Participants received a single instruction: to take a photograph (including selfies) with a SPAR-branded item and upload it to social media. Once the photo was approved by DESPAR, users could invite their friends to vote for their photo.

Each registered user could vote only once. The two participants to receive the most votes won the top prize of either a holiday voucher worth €1,500 or shopping vouchers of the same value, redeemable at one of Maiora’s EUROSPAR Supermarkets. Both winners opted to receive a SPAR shopping voucher.

SOURCE: SPAR International

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

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SPAR fundraising initiative raised more than €18,000 for Children’s Cancer Aid Switzerland

Presentation of the cheque for Children’s Cancer Aid Switzerland

For 15 years, SPAR has been a reliable partner of Children’s Cancer Aid Switzerland, providing support to affected families through fundraising campaigns.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Every year “Gleam of Hope” shopping bags go on sale instore for a limited period of time as a way of raising money for the charity. For every bag sold, 10 cents is donated to Children’s Cancer Aid Switzerland. This year, more than €18,000 was collected, making a great contribution to the organisation.

“We are delighted that SPAR customers have supported our campaign again and we would also like to thank our employees who ensured that the entire campaign ran smoothly,” said Karin Locher, Advertising and Communications Manager at SPAR Switzerland, when presenting the cheque to a representative of Children’s Cancer Aid.

SOURCE: SPAR International

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

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Kroger EVP and CFO Mike Schlotman to address investors at the TAG’s 9th Annual Spring Consumer Conference

CINCINNATI, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Mike Schlotman, Kroger’s executive vice president and CFO, will address investors at the TAG’s 9th Annual Spring Consumer Conference on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 10:55 a.m. (ET).

The presentation will be broadcast online at ir.kroger.com.  Click on “Events, Presentations & Webcasts” to access the event. The presentation will be available in an archived format for one week following the conference.

Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 443,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in addition to our 2,255 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 319 fine jewelry stores, 1,445 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America’s most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.

MEDIA CONTACT

Keith Dailey
Director, Media Relations/Corporate Communications
Office: 513-762-1304
Cell: 513-257-4955
Email: keith.dailey@kroger.com

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Carrefour Belgium launches Android Pay

BELGIUM, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Carrefour Belgium is proud to be the first major retailer in the country to take payments by smartphone[1] using the Android Pay app that Google launched in Belgium on 7 March. Android Pay can now be used in nearly 600 Carrefour stores (45 Carrefour hypermarkets, most Market stores, Easy stores and Express stores). This makes life easier for customers as they pass even faster and more simply through the checkouts.

Carrefour therefore immediately embraced the advantages that Android Pay provides for customers and enthusiastically adopted this modern and practical means of payment.

If Carrefour has once again been able to be among the first retailers to introduce a new technology for its customers, it’s because all tills in Carrefour Hypermarket have been NFC-enabled (Near Field Communications) since 2010. Market, Easy and Express store tills have had this technology since the end of 2015. That in itself was also a major first for retail at the time.

Speed, comfort, security
Smartphones already provide numerous services and we always have them with us. We use them for browsing our shopping lists, scanning barcodes… and now to pay for our shopping.

Customers simply need to download the Android Pay app from the Google Play Store, register one or several credit cards (soon they’ll be able to add debit cards) that they want to use with the app, and then unlock their phone when they arrive at the checkout. When the cashier tells them how much they have to pay for their shopping (the amount will be shown on the payment terminal screen), they just have to move their smartphone close to the device and the payment goes through! Payment confirmation appears on the terminal screen, the cashier gives them their receipt and the transaction is complete. All that in just a few seconds. They no longer have to fumble around for their wallet, take out their bank card… they don’t even have to interact with the payment terminal.

And shopping is made even more pleasant. Obviously, customers can still get all their usual Carrefour benefits (Bonus Points, discounts etc.).
The app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store.
[1] Android Pay works with Android smartphones (KitKat 4.4+) that are NFC-enabled (Near Field Communication).

SOURCE: Carrefour

PRESS CONTACT

Switchboard: +33 (0)1 41 04 26 00
For journalists: +33 (0)1 41 04 26 17
By e-mail: presse_groupe@carrefour.com

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Starbucks Coffee Company to develop a visitor center on its wholly owned coffee farm, Hacienda Alsacia

Starbucks Coffee Company to develop a visitor center on its wholly owned coffee farm, Hacienda Alsacia

  • Slated to open in 2018, the immersive coffee farm and café experience will complement the company’s new premium retail spaces by providing customers opportunity to learn about coffee at origin
  • Investment in Coffee Farming Research and Development Center will showcase impact of Starbucks $100 Million in Ethical Sourcing Commitments

SEATTLE, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today, Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) announced that it will be developing a visitor center on the grounds of its wholly owned coffee farm, Hacienda Alsacia. Purchased almost four years ago, Hacienda Alsacia is located in Costa Rica on the slopes of the Poas volcano and serves as a global Research and Development facility and working farm for Starbucks. The new visitor center will soon allow visitors from around the world to get a first-hand understanding of the agronomy work the company has been supporting and investing in for two decades.

“Our Roastery in Seattle, Washington offer’s one of today’s most immersive retail experiences, where the theater of coffee craft is on full display. We have a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate what happens on coffee farms so that our customers understand the humanity and care that goes into each cup of our coffee,” said Cliff Burrows, group president Siren Retail and Global Coffee, Starbucks. “This visitor center allows us to create a connection between the people that grow the coffee, the role our farm plays in helping to ensure their economic stability, and the stores that roast and brew it for our customers every day.”

The Hacienda Alsacia Visitor Center will be a 46,000-square-foot area located on the Starbucks farm, that allows people to explore the journey of coffee from seedling to coffee field, the wet milling process, the drying patio and all the way to roasting and a café. Designed by members of its in-house design team who helped pioneer the company’s first Starbucks Reserve® Roastery in Seattle, this locally relevant, sustainable ecosystem will pay homage to the more than 1 million coffee farmers and workers that Starbucks help to support around the world.

Since purchasing the 600-acre (240 hectares) farm in March 2013, Starbucks has maintained it as a typical working farm to learn more about the resources necessary to grow high-quality arabica coffee.  In doing so, it has helped to inform its multi-million-dollar investment in ethical sourcing resources for coffee farmers including:

  • A firsthand understanding of the company’s Coffee and Farming Equity practice (C.A.F.E.) sourcing standards, developed with Conservation International, in maintaining healthy coffee trees which resulted in a nearly 50% increase in yield on the farm since 2013.
  • The development of hybrid coffee tree seedlings at the farm’s nursery in collaboration with industry experts to directly address the impact climate change is having on the coffee industry including the increased incidences of coffee leaf rust or “roya” in parts of Latin America. In 2015, Starbucks donated thousands of seedlings from five different coffee tree hybrids developed through its research to the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE).
  • Establishing and verifying best practices for coffee farming which is disseminated throughout the coffee producing world by housing global agronomy summits and the company’s nine Farmer Support Centers and supplier network.

As part of this construction project, the company anticipates that it will create dozens of short-term jobs as well as provide new opportunities for long-term employment on the farm when the visitor center opens.  Starbucks has been offering coffee from Costa Rica since the company opened its doors in 1971; its first Farmer Support Center opened in Costa Rica in 2004 and has since moved to the coffee farm. Starbucks has 11 stores in Costa Rica that are operated by its licensing partner Premium Restaurants of America. Starbucks Costa Rica recently launched a special edition single-origin packaged coffee sourced from Hacienda Alsacia for customers to enjoy in market.

For more information on this news release, contact us

SOURCE: Starbucks Corporation

MEDIA CONTACT

Global
Phone: 206 318 7100
Email: press@starbucks.com

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Starbucks named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies according to the Ethisphere Institute

SEATTLE, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — For the 11th consecutive year, Starbucks has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies according to the Ethisphere Institute.

Companies are evaluated in several categories: Reputation, Leadership and Innovation; Ethics and Compliance Program; Governance; Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility; Culture of Ethics.

Only 124 companies were chosen from thousands of nominations worldwide, and Starbucks is one of only 13 companies to have earned the honor all 11 years that Ethisphere has published its rankings. The company is also the only winner in the Specialty Eateries category.

“World’s Most Ethical Companies honors our partners (employees) and their commitment to integrity in the work they do every day. It is the connection between our culture and the values and behaviors of our people that leads to receiving this recognition. We are very proud to be an honoree for the eleventh consecutive year,” said Matthew Swaya, Starbucks senior vice president, deputy general counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer.”

For more information on this news release, contact the Starbucks Newsroom

SOURCE: Starbucks Corporation

MEDIA CONTACT

Global
Phone: 206 318 7100
Email: press@starbucks.com

 

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Tesco launches online ‘food waste hotline’ to help suppliers and growers identify food waste hotspots

Tesco launches online ‘food waste hotline’ to help suppliers and growers identify food waste hotspots

CHESHUNT, England, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tesco has launched an innovative, online ‘food waste hotline’, to help make it easier for suppliers and growers to pinpoint ongoing food waste hotspots, and work with the retailer in tackling them.

The ‘hotline’ is accessible to all Tesco suppliers via the retailer’s online Supplier Network, a resource used by over 5,000 Tesco partners regularly. The ‘hotline’ will serve as a new link between these businesses and Tesco Product teams, and will enable them to alert Tesco to potential supply chain food waste and work together to take action.

Supply chain food waste accounts for a significant proportion of UK food waste. Tesco is committed to helping halve all UK food waste by 2025 and currently works closely with suppliers to reduce food waste where it occurs.

For instance, last summer’s weather meant a warmer period than forecast and as a result the strawberry crop all ripened at the same time. Tesco’s response was to take the whole crop and introduce large boxes of strawberries to stores at a market leading price – helping customers and avoiding food waste on farm. |

The ‘hotline’ will provide another way for this to continue, while enabling Tesco to work directly with suppliers to identify emerging as well as the more long term food waste issues they face.

Matt Simister, Commercial Director, Fresh Food and Commodities at Tesco, said:
“At Tesco, we have no time for waste, and we are committed to reducing food waste wherever it occurs, from farm to fork.

The ‘food waste hotline’ is another little help we are making to achieve this with our suppliers. It helps our suppliers gain direct, easy access to our Product teams, and this will enable us to identify food waste hotspots and systemic issues and work in partnership to tackle them.”

Notes to editors
• The ‘food waste hotline’ another part of Tesco’s ongoing work to tackle food waste under its No time for waste campaign and commitments. For more information go to www.tescoplc.com/foodwaste.

• Tesco has made a commitment that no surplus food will be wasted in its UK operations by the end of 2017. For more information on Tesco’s commitment to tackling food waste, visit www.tesco.com/foodwaste

• Tesco CEO Dave Lewis chairs Champions 12.3, a coalition of leaders from government, business, research and civil society. This group is dedicated to accelerating progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Target 12.3. – to halve per capita global food waste at retail and consumer level, and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.

 

About the Supplier Network
The Supplier Network is Tesco’s online community for all Tesco teams, suppliers and producers from around the world. The network enables members to share knowledge, build a more sustainable supply chain and innovate together.

Contact:
Tesco Press Office
01707 918 701

Source: Tesco

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TAG Heuer unveils the second generation of its connected watch, the TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45

© TAG Heuer

Designed, developed and assembled in Switzerland at the TAG Heuer watch manufacture in Chaux-de-Fonds, the Connected Modular 45 is the first luxury connected watch to bear the prestigious “Swiss Made” label. Developed in collaboration with Intel and Google, the watch features an impressive array of features and infinite customization options. 

PARIS, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — After launching the TAG Heuer Connected in 2015, TAG Heuer unveiled the second generation of its connected watch, the TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45, on March 14. Designed and engineered in the pure tradition of Swiss watchmaking, this luxury timepiece benefits from TAG Heuer’s more than 150 years of expertise and savoir-faire, earning it the prestigious “Swiss Made” label, the guarantee of the highest standards of Swiss quality.

The watch is equally exceptional in its unlimited customization options, with countless choices of materials, colors and combinations. In particular the connected module is interchangeable with a mechanical module (three hands or Chronograph Tourbillon COSC certified). The lugs, strap, buckle and case can all be customized to make each model unique.

Developed in partnership with Intel and Google, the TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 redefines the possibilities of a luxury connected watch. Powered by an Intel® processor, it integrates GPS, an NFC sensor for payments, a stunning AMOLED high-definition screen and digital TAG Heuer dials that can be personalized and interchanged with a swipe of the finger. Compatible with Android 4.3+ or iOS 9+, the watch is recharged using a contact charger and offers over a complete active day of autonomy.

The watch was launched in the heart of Switzerland at Brunnen by Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer and President of the LVMH Watch Division, who said: “This innovative, unique and distinctive watch is at the forefront of the latest technologies available in Silicon Valley and, at the same time, a genuine Swiss watch, bearing the Swiss Made label.” He was joined at the launch event by Josh Walden, Senior Vice President and General Manager, New Technology Group, Intel and David Singleton, Vice President of Android Engineering at Google.

SOURCE: LVMH

LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton

22, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris – France
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 22
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 23

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Fondation Louis Vuitton announces record-breaking attendance figures for “Icons of Modern Art – the Shchukin Collection”

© Fondation Louis Vuitton

Fondation Louis Vuitton reveals record-breaking visitor numbers for its modern art exhibition : over 1.2 million visitors for “Icons of Modern Art – the Shchukin Collection” (22 October 2016 to 5 March 2017), hailed as most successful art show in France for 50 years.

PARIS, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris has announced record-breaking attendance figures for “Icons of Modern Art – the Shchukin Collection”, which closed its doors on Sunday 5 March 2017.  The exhibition, featuring the collection of 250 paintings amassed by Russian collector Sergei Shchukin, is recognised as one of the world’s greatest collections of modern art.

A total of 1,205,063 visitors attended the show in the space of four and a half months, amounting to an average of 9,800 visitors per day since its opening. This sets a new attendance record for an art exhibition in France, making it the country’s most popular art show in 50 years.

In view of this success and in agreement with Fondation Louis Vuitton’s partners the Hermitage Museum, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and the Tretyakov State Gallery, the exhibition was extended by two weeks until 5 March 2017.

From Monday 27 February to Sunday 5 March, the Fondation Louis Vuitton extended its openings hours, allowing entry from 7am to 11pm every day of the week, and until 1am on Saturday 4 March. For the last weekend of the exhibition, the Fondation Louis Vuitton welcomed nearly 35,000 visitors.

Further highlights:

  • The catalogue of the exhibition, produced in co-edition with Gallimard, sold at 50,000 copies
  • The mobile application of the exhibition were downloaded 273,674 times
  • The website dedicated to the exhibition was visited 1,040,974 times a month, which totalled more than 4 million visits over the whole duration of the exhibition
  • The video of the Lil Buck performance in the exhibition spaces, produced in collaboration with Nowness, was viewed 8,965,326 times
  • The video offering a 360-degree virtual reality visit of the exhibition, made by Pierre Zandrowicz and broadcast on the Arte Creative platform, was viewed 1,200,000 times

 

General curator of the exhibition, director of the catalogue: Anne Baldassari

Scientific advisors: André-Marc Delocque-Fourcaud, Natasha Semenova

SOURCE: LVMH

LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton

22, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris – France
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 22
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 23

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Grupo EROSKI y Grupo DIA refuerzan su alianza abriendo nuevos ejes de colaboración

ELORRIO (BIZKAIA), España, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Grupo EROSKI y Grupo DIA han firmado un acuerdo de intenciones para la implementación de un nuevo proyecto focalizado en el desarrollo de sus productos de marca propia para maximizar la relación calidad-precio ofrecida al consumidor.

El acuerdo consiste en una nueva colaboración entre ambas compañías que permitirá poder mejorar la competitividad de su oferta de marca propia, así como en la adquisición de otros materiales y suministros necesarios para su actividad. Quedan totalmente excluidos de este acuerdo los productos frescos perecederos, así como aceite, leche y huevos.

Tanto EROSKI como DIA mantendrán políticas comerciales totalmente independientes en sus marcas propias, focalizándose el acuerdo en mejorar su eficiencia.

Ambas compañías, que desarrollarán este nuevo proyecto de forma paritaria con una relación de igual a igual, están convencidas de que gracias a esta cooperación lograrán nuevas eficiencias que puedan repercutir en una mejor relación calidad-precio en beneficio del consumidor.

Este acuerdo da continuidad a la relación de cooperación entre ambos Grupos. Dentro de su política de alianzas, Grupo EROSKI forma parte también de la Alianza Internacional Europea ALIDIS presente en ocho países europeos.

Sobre EROSKI

EROSKI es el primer grupo de distribución de carácter cooperativo de España y operador de referencia en las regiones de Galicia, País Vasco, Navarra, Cataluña y Baleares. Cuenta con una red comercial de 1.877 establecimientos, entre supermercados hipermercados y cash&carry, además de gasolineras, ópticas, oficinas de viajes, perfumerías y tiendas de equipamiento deportivo. Cuenta con más de 7 millones de Socios Clientes y 33.870 socios cooperativistas y trabajadores.

SOURCE: EROSKI

Datos de contacto con el Departamento de Comunicación:
944 158 642

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EROSKI extiende a Álava el servicio ‘click & drive’ de recogida de los pedidos online con el coche

EROSKI extiende a Álava el servicio ‘click & drive’ de recogida de los pedidos online con el coche

  • El servicio gratuito que ofrece en el hipermercado EROSKI Boulevard ha supuesto una inversión de 40.000 € y la creación de dos puestos de trabajo
  • Click & Drive combina la facilidad de la compra online con la recogida del pedido sin salir del coche en el aparcamiento del hipermercado tan solo cuatro horas después de realizar el pedido
  • El servicio de recogida de compras online de EROSKI registra un crecimiento del 200%, tanto en ventas como en paso de clientes

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, España, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — EROSKI extiende su servicio de recogida de pedidos sin salir del coche Click & Drive a su hipermercado Boulevard en Vitoria-Gasteiz, dentro de su apuesta multicanal y su continua búsqueda de fórmulas para adaptarse y atender al consumidor actual. El servicio se ofrece desde hoy en el aparcamiento superior del complejo comercial Boulevard. El nuevo servicio gratuito combina la facilidad de la compra online, a cualquier hora y en cualquier lugar, con la recogida, tan solo cuatro horas después de realizar el pedido, sin salir del coche en el puesto de entrega rápida instalado en el aparcamiento del hipermercado. Personal responsable del servicio carga el pedido directamente en el maletero del cliente en menos de cinco minutos y sin esperas.

Con esta apertura se consolida la apuesta de EROSKI por la recogida en tienda de los pedidos online, que está ya presente en el País Vasco, Navarra, Galicia y en Cataluña con la enseña Caprabo. Más del 60% de los clientes de EROSKI Club tienen un punto de recogida a menos de 15 minutos de su domicilio. La puesta en marcha del servicio Click & Drive en la capital alavesa ha supuesto una inversión cercana a los 40.000 euros y la generación de dos puestos de trabajo para reforzar el equipo de preparación de los pedidos online y la consolidación de la recogida en tienda en Vitoria-Gasteiz  donde ya estaba en marcha el servicio Click & Collect en los supermercados EROSKI en Salburua, Avenida Gasteiz y Ariznavarra.

El servicio Click & Collect, también gratuito, está pensado para un cliente más urbano, a quien se le ofrece la posibilidad de recoger en tienda las compras realizadas en Internet. Con este servicio, una vez realizada la compra, el pedido puede estar listo en dos horas en la tienda EROSKI, sin colas ni esperas ya que se ha habilitado un espacio específico para la entrega, ya embolsada, de las compras online.

Los servicios de recogida online de EROSKI crecen un 200%

Cada vez son más los clientes que se decantan por pasar a recoger sus compras online, el servicio de EROSKI registra unas cifras de crecimiento del 200%, tanto en ventas como en paso de clientes. “Los consumidores valoran sobre todo la posibilidad de hacer pedidos y recogerlos el mismo día de forma gratuita. Más del 80% de nuestros pedidos online incluye frescos, una cifra muy destacable en el sector que demuestra la confianza que les aporta la marca EROSKI a la hora de comprar alimentos frescos”, destaca la directora de Negocio Online de EROSKI, Mari Mar Escrig.

En el  País Vasco EROSKI cuenta con ocho hipermercados con servicio de Click & Drive, uno en Álava, cinco en Vizcaya y dos en Guipúzcoa. Además, diez supermercados urbanos disponen de recogida Click & Collect, tres en Álava, cinco en Vizcaya y dos en Guipúzcoa.

SOURCE: EROSKI

Datos de contacto con el Departamento de Comunicación:
944 158 642

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H&M recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the world’s most ethical companies

H&M has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the world’s most ethical companies for the seventh year in a row.

Stockholm, SWEDEN, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — It’s a great honour for H&M to be named one of the world’s most ethical companies. Our commitment to be ethical throughout our operations is firmly rooted in our values and key for our work to lead the change towards a sustainable fashion future”, said Karl-Johan Persson, CEO at H&M.

Each year Ethisphere honours companies who recognize their role in society to influence and drive positive change and use their values and culture as an underpinning to the decisions they make every day.

“The fact that this is the seventh time H&M is recognised as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies proves its commitment to set ethical standards and practices in the fashion industry. Their way of working is a proof of ethical and sustainable values are a prerequisite for business success. Congratulations to everyone at H&M”, said Timothy Erblich, CEO at Ethisphere.

The full list of the 2017 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees/.

SOURCE: H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB

Head of Media Relations
Camilla Emilsson Falk
+46 8 796 39 95

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Marks & Spencer teams up with Ruby Wax to launch Frazzled Cafe in M&S stores

The number one bestselling author, comedian and leading mental health campaigner announces tie-up at London Book Fair

LONDON, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Marks & Spencer has joined forces with number one bestselling author, comedian and leading mental health awareness campaigner Ruby Wax to launch Frazzled Cafe in M&S stores.

Announced today at London Book Fair, M&S Cafés will host fortnightly ‘talk-in’ sessions where people who are feeling ‘frazzled’ can meet to talk and share their personal stories in a safe, anonymous and non-judgmental environment.

11 M&S stores will be hosting Frazzled Cafe meetings over the next few months – with three in London alongside Brighton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cambridge, Nottingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Canterbury and Norwich – and more locations are set to be added throughout the year.

Taking place in M&S Cafés after hours and led by trained volunteer facilitators, Frazzled Cafe meetings are designed not just for the one-in-four Britons who will suffer a mental illness at some point, but for the four-in-four who are feeling frazzled and overwhelmed by the stresses of modern life.

Frazzled Cafe was successfully trialled in M&S offices and stores last year with the support of M&S as part of its Plan A eco and ethical initiative. The meetings are not therapy, their purpose is to provide a space where people can talk openly with others who understand how they are feeling – ‘a place where it’s ok, to not be ok’.

With the economic cost of mental health problems in the UK estimated at roughly £105 billion per year1 – equal to the entire National Health budget – and the UK rated the 7th highest nation in the Western world for prescribing antidepressants (four million annually)2 , there is a pressing need for both identifying ways to help people cope with overwhelming stress and reducing the stigma that is attached to discussing mental health. Studies3 have proven that one of the best ways to beat stress is to share your feelings and research4 has also shown that peer-support groups can yield significant improvement in psychiatric symptoms, resulting in decreased hospitalisation, larger social support networks and enhanced self-esteem. Ruby Wax herself has come across thousands of people who wanted to talk and feel connected during her sell-out book tours and theatre shows for A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled and Sane New World over the past five years. This is what inspired her to create Frazzled Cafe.

Ruby Wax, who announced the launch today at London Book Fair, said: “We live in a time where to have a life crammed to the hilt is considered a success story. But with all this pressure, so many of us have nowhere to go to meet and talk about it. Frazzled Cafe is about people coming together to share their stories, calmly sitting together, stating their case and feeling validated as a result. Feeling heard, to me, has always been half the cure.”

“It’s special to get a company like M&S on-board. I’m grateful for the set-up support they’ve given us and access to their café network is a huge boost.”

Sacha Berendji, Retail Director at Marks & Spencer, said: “Ruby’s Frazzled Cafe is a simple, pressure-free way of tackling what can be a taboo subject – feeling stressed. We hope that by providing free and calm venues after the café has closed, we can help any members of the community who simply need to talk about things and what’s happening in their lives.”

Frazzled Cafe is a not for profit and soon to be registered charity created by Ruby Wax and run by Elizabeth Morrison and Anna D’Onofrio. Its name is inspired by Ruby’s number one bestselling book A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled which is now available in paperback.

To sign-up to the Frazzled Cafe mailing list and find out more about the roll-out schedule or to register to attend a Frazzled Cafe please visit www.frazzledcafe.org.

¹As reported by the independent Mental Health Taskforce to the NHS in England, 2016
²The Health and Social Care Information Centre
³“Are You Feeling What I’m Feeling? Emotional Similarity Buffers Stress”: Social Psychological and Personality Science, vol. 5, 5: pp. 526-533, First Published December 17, 2013.
4Mental Health Foundation

Ends

For further information, please contact:
Fiona McMorrough and Annabel Robinson, Frazzled Cafe press office,
020 7405 7422
fionam@fmcm.co.uk  / annabelr@fmcm.co.uk
Daniel Himsworth, Marks & Spencer press office, 0208 718 1618
daniel.himsworth@marks-and-spencer.com

About Ruby Wax
Ruby has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness about mental health issues, including speaking at Downing Street to raise money for neuroscience research. In 2013, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford University to increase her understanding of the brain and used this knowledge as the basis for her books Sane New World: Taming the Mind and A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled both of which became Sunday Times number one bestsellers on publication. She was awarded an OBE for her services to mental health in the Honorary British Awards to Foreign Nationals in 2015.

She has become a leading speaker on mental issues including appearances at The Home Office, MI5, Apple, Goldman Sachs, KPMG, Merril Lynch, Bank of America, Downing Street, the House of Lords, Google, The Cabinet-Director Generals and TEDGlobal 2012, plus various UK National Health Trusts and charities.

The paperback edition of Ruby’s Sunday Times bestselling book, A Mindfulness Guide for the FRAZZLED, also a number one bestseller is out now priced at £8.99

Ruby Wax: Frazzled, her sell-out one-woman show, will be at Leicester Square Theatre in London for a month from 30th May-24th June 2017.  For further details visit www.rubywax.net/tour

Follow Ruby on twitter @RubyWax #Frazzled

About Plan A
Plan A is Marks & Spencer’s eco and ethical programme that tackles both today’s and tomorrow’s sustainable retail challenges. Launched in 2007, the plan has helped M&S send no waste to landfill, become carbon neutral and win over 200 industry awards. To find out more please visit the Plan A website – www.marksandspencer.com/plana.

SOURCE: Marks and Spencer plc

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CVS Health launches second year of its five year commitment to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation

WOONSOCKET, R.I., 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, today announced it will fund $10 million in new and expanded partnerships and programs to launch the second year of Be The First, the company’s five year, $50 million commitment to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation. The partnerships and programs will roll out throughout 2017 and build upon the success of the first year in the areas of anti-smoking education, tobacco-control advocacy, and healthy behavior programming.

“Tobacco continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, yet 2,100 youth and young adults still become daily cigarette smokers,” said Troyen Brennan, M.D., M.P.H., and Chief Medical Officer for CVS Health. “CVS Health recognizes that by bringing together experts in the public health community and aggressively implementing strategies to reduce tobacco use, we have the opportunity to deliver the first tobacco-free generation.”

Be The First was introduced in March 2016 and is directed at youth and young adults who currently smoke or are at risk of becoming regular tobacco users; the country’s 3 million elementary school children who, without early tobacco education, may become future tobacco users; and adult smokers who expose children to tobacco use. Since launching the initiative, CVS Health has reached nearly 5 million young people with anti-smoking programming and has helped 20 colleges and universities pursue 100% smoke-and tobacco-free campus policies.

“In the year since we introduced Be The First, we’ve seen very good progress, but we know there is much more to be done in schools, on college campuses and in our communities,” said Eileen Howard Boone, president of the CVS Health Foundation. “We’re pleased to sustain this momentum by expanding partnerships with best-in-class organizations and identifying new partners that will bring the expertise needed to move us one step closer to the first tobacco-free generation.”

Helping Our Kids “Kick Butts”

As part of the CVS Health Foundation’s five year, $5 million commitment to support the efforts of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the CVS Health Foundation is funding a new online training program with courses to train youth and adults to become tobacco prevention ambassadors. These courses are focused on how tobacco affects youth, including the growing availability of candy-flavored e-cigarettes and cigars, and ways for people to advocate for tobacco-free communities. The announcement of this new resource coincides this week with Kick Butts Day on March 15, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids’ national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and mobilize their communities in fighting tobacco use.

“CVS Health has shown tremendous leadership in helping people lead tobacco-free lives by bringing the public health and private sector communities together to work on this public health crisis,” said Matthew L. Myers, president, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and member of CVS Health’s Be The First national advisory council. “We look forward to continuing to work with CVS Health to improve the lives of America’s children and young adults and win the fight against tobacco for good.”

Promoting Tobacco-Free College Campuses

As part of Be The First, CVS Health set actionable and measurable goals, including a doubling of the number of tobacco-free educational institutions in the United States. In 2017, the CVS Health Foundation and American Cancer Society will continue to help accelerate the number of colleges and universities that advocate for, adopt and implement a 100% smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy by supporting more than 50 new schools in their tobacco control efforts. Interested schools can apply online at www.cancer.org/tfgci.

This spring, the CVS Health Foundation and Truth Initiative, the national public health organization that leads truth, the nation’s largest youth tobacco prevention campaign, will announce an expanded partnership to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities and community colleges across the country adopt 100% tobacco-free policies. This effort is especially relevant because African-American and low-income communities have been the target of tobacco industry marketing for decades.

Raising Awareness Across Communities

To increase awareness and advocacy in the communities it serves, CVS Health and the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE are teaming up in the fight against tobacco to win the battle against lung cancer. The campaign, which will launch in May, will give customers an easy way to spread tobacco-free messaging in their communities and take advantage of tobacco-free resources for their towns, schools and public areas.

Delivering Smoking Cessation Services to Cancer Patients

CVS Health is also continuing its focus on supporting community-based cessation programs for adult smokers, who cause damage to their own health, as well as expose children to tobacco use and secondhand smoke. Later this year, Later this year, the CVS Health Foundation, through a partnership with the National Cancer Institute, will invest nearly $1 million to address smoking cessation in the oncology setting across several of the nation’s leading cancer hospitals.

Be The First is funded through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation, and comprises comprehensive anti-smoking education, tobacco control advocacy and healthy behavior programming in partnership with organizations uniquely positioned to tackle this public health challenge. For more program information, visit www.cvshealth.com/bethefirst.

About CVS Health
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

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

Media Contact: Mary Alfieri, mary.alfieri@cvscaremark.com, 401-770-9811

SOURCE CVS Health