Daily Archives: April 4, 2017

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CANADA: Giant Tiger to open its newest location in Nova Scotia on October 21, 2017

OTTAWA, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Giant Tiger Stores Limited is pleased to announce the opening of its newest location in Nova Scotia. This new store in Bedford will be located at 1658 Bedford Highway and will occupy approximately 23,500 square feet of retail space. It is scheduled to open on October 21, 2017.

“We are thrilled to be bringing another Giant Tiger to Nova Scotia,” says Thomas Haig, President and COO of Giant Tiger Stores Limited. “We are confident that we have answered the needs of the community and that our unique shopping experience with friendly customer service will continue to make Giant Tiger the one-stop shop for everyone in this area.”

Giant Tiger is proud to make a difference in the communities we call home by building lasting relationships with local organizations to benefit causes that directly affect customers and communities. Giant Tiger Stores Limited donates more than $2 million annually to more than 700 community associations and charities across Canada. Giving back is deeply rooted in the corporate culture and makes Giant Tiger a community-proud retailer.

As the Canadian discount retailer of choice, Giant Tiger is committed to saving Canadians time and money through everyday low prices, an incredible flyer program, ad match guarantee and a focus on exceptional customer service. For you. For less.

A grand opening and community event will be planned to celebrate this new location.  To keep up to date on the new store development, follow us on Facebook at:
facebook.com/GTBedford

For a complete listing of communities where Giant Tiger is soon to open, visit NEW STORES

About Giant Tiger
Giant Tiger is the leading Canadian-owned family discount store, committed to providing on-trend family fashions, groceries and everyday household needs. Known as Canada’s best-kept secret, the privately held company has over 225 locations across Canada and employs over 8,000 team members. You can also shop online at gianttiger.com.  All Giant Tiger locations are locally owned or operated by a team member who knows the community. The friendly stores with the iconic yellow logo are not only where Canadians shop more and spend less, but also are proud to be known as retailer of choice. #foryouforless #GTcommunityproud #GTCanadaproud

Join the conversation and keep up to date on all Giant Tiger news:
Like us on Facebook: Giant Tiger
Follow us on Instagram: @Gianttigerstore
Follow us on Twitter: @GTBoutique
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Giant Tiger Store
Visit our website: gianttiger.com

Media inquiries contact:
Alison Scarlett
Manager
Brand Communications
email: ascarlett@gianttiger.com

SOURCE: Giant Tiger Stores Limited

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CANADA: Giant Tiger to open second location in Mississauga on November 4, 2017

CANADA: Giant Tiger to open second location in Mississauga on November 4, 2017

 

OTTAWA, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Giant Tiger Stores Limited is pleased to announce the opening of a second location in Mississauga. This new store will be located at 1131 Dundas Street West and will occupy approximately 27,300 square feet of retail space. It is scheduled to open on November 4, 2017.

“We are very excited to be expanding in Mississauga,” says Thomas Haig, President and COO of Giant Tiger Stores Limited. “The City of Mississauga has shown Giant Tiger much support throughout the years and having a second location will be a great complement to the Giant Tiger family of stores.”

Giant Tiger is proud to make a difference in the communities we call home by building lasting relationships with local organizations to benefit causes that directly affect customers and communities. Giant Tiger Stores Limited donates more than $2 million annually to more than 700 community associations and charities across Canada. Giving back is deeply rooted in the corporate culture and makes Giant Tiger a community-proud retailer.

As the Canadian discount retailer of choice, Giant Tiger is committed to saving Canadians time and money through everyday low prices, an incredible flyer program, ad match guarantee and a focus on exceptional customer service. For you. For less.

A grand opening and community event will be planned to celebrate this new location.  To keep up to date on the new store development, follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/GTMississauga

For a complete listing of communities where Giant Tiger is soon to open, visit NEW STORES

About Giant Tiger
Giant Tiger is the leading Canadian-owned family discount store, committed to providing on-trend family fashions, groceries and everyday household needs. Known as Canada’s best-kept secret, the privately held company has over 225 locations across Canada and employs over 8,000 team members. You can also shop online at gianttiger.com.  All Giant Tiger locations are locally owned or operated by a team member who knows the community. The friendly stores with the iconic yellow logo are not only where Canadians shop more and spend less, but also are proud to be known as retailer of choice. #foryouforless #GTcommunityproud #GTCanadaproud

Join the conversation and keep up to date on all Giant Tiger news:
Like us on Facebook: Giant Tiger
Follow us on Instagram: @Gianttigerstore
Follow us on Twitter: @GTBoutique
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Giant Tiger Store
Visit our website: gianttiger.com

Media inquiries contact:
Alison Scarlett
Manager
Brand Communications
email: ascarlett@gianttiger.com

SOURCE: Giant Tiger Stores Limited

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RONA recalls UBERHAUS ceiling fans model SW52-SN-R5W1 or product number 89325003

Boucherville (Québec), 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — RONA inc., wholly owned subsidiary of Lowe’s in Canada, is issuing a voluntary recall on UBERHAUS ceiling fans model SW52-SN-R5W1 or product number 89325003.

This product was sold and merchandised between January 2011, and March 2017 in Réno-Dépôt, Marcil and Coupal stores in Quebec and in RONA stores across Canada. These products may be affected by a manufacturing quality defect that may cause injuries or material damages.

Anyone who is using or who has these products in their possession should immediately stop using them and return them to a RONA, Réno-Dépôt or Marcil store. For more information, contact the customer service centre at 1-866-283-2239 toll-free.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2015 sales of $59.1 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,355 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 285,000 employees. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA, inc., operates over 535 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 24,000 employees, as well as more than 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
Lowe’s Canada – RONA
Tel 514.626.6976
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Canada introduces on-demand virtual reality skills clinic — Holoroom How To

Preliminary studies by Lowe’s Innovation Labs reveal multi-sensory virtual reality can increase engagement and retention in home improvement education

Boucherville (Québec), 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Canada is proud to introduce Holoroom How To, an on-demand virtual reality skills clinic and the latest iteration of Lowe’s Innovation Labs’ Holoroom experience, their immersive design and visualization tool. Debuting this month in a Lowe’s store in Burlington, Ontario, and in a few weeks in a RONA store in Beloeil, Québec, the simulated experience explores the relationship between virtual reality technology, engagement and retention in learning. The Holoroom How To proof-of-concept made its first appearance at a Lowe’s store in Framingham, Massachusetts (in the Boston area). Lowe’s is the first retailer to apply augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology beyond design assistance to address the evolution of home improvement learning and skills.

We are excited to be a partner of Lowe’s Innovation Labs and to make the Holoroom How To experience available to our Canadian customers, as it clearly illustrates how innovation can enable us to go one step further in supporting and inspiring our customers in their renovation projects,” mentioned Claire Bara, vice-president, Strategy and Business Insights for Lowe’s Canada. “The Canadian market represents a great platform for the Lowe’s Innovation Labs to test some exciting new projects. With its diverse portfolio of brands and store formats, Lowe’s Canada offers many varied opportunities for learning,” said Claire Bara.

“During the past three years, we have been exploring real-life applications of augmented and virtual reality experiences to directly help our customers solve everyday problems,” said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs, the company’s disruptive innovation hub. “Our experience has shown that customers are embracing AR/VR as part of their home improvement journey, and now, we are using immersive VR to help our customers learn the required skills to complete challenging home improvement projects.”

The Holoroom How To experience provides a more effective training tool so customers can learn DIY on their own terms. When users put on the virtual reality headset and hold the controller in each hand, they will be immersed in a DIY project — such as tiling a shower — and given step-by-step instructions to complete the task. From mixing the mortar to laying the pattern, the simulation walks the user through each step of the process. Haptic feedback, such as feeling the vibration of a drill through the controller, adds to the life-like experience, without the waste or mess of testing a DIY project in the real world. Initial testing of the technology has not only proven an increase in recall, but also that training through VR using Holoroom How To boosts customer confidence and enhances motivation to take on DIY projects.

Over the course of several months, Lowe’s will evaluate customer response to this experience, gauging how this technology impacts customer learning and confidence. From this pilot, Lowe’s will learn how innovations like Holoroom How To will enable instantaneous learning moments and massively scalable training opportunities that empower both customers and employees around the world.Download photos and video here.

More About Lowe’s Innovation Labs

Lowe’s Innovation Labs (LIL) uses story as a strategic tool to map out the future, then builds technology to bring those stories to life in the real world. By leveraging stores as living labs, LIL rapidly tests the prototypes they build, continually learning while technology evolves. Holoroom, a VR home improvement design and visualization tool, was the first proof-of-concept LIL developed, available in Canada in 2014. Several years of testing customer response to this technology uncovered the power of AR/VR as a tool for teaching and learning, resulting in the creation of Holoroom How To.

Other recent LIL projects include LoweBot, a retail service robot that walks the aisles of Lowe’s stores to help customers find what they’re looking for and provides employees with real-time inventory monitoring, and a partnership with Made in Space to launch the first commercial 3D printer to space.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2015 sales of $59.1 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,355 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 285,000 employees. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA, inc., operates over 535 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 24,000 employees, as well as more than 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
Lowe’s Canada – RONA
Tel 514.626.6976
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Metro Inc.’s 2017 2Q financial results to be released on April 25th, 2017

Montreal, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Metro Inc. will be releasing its financial results for the Second Quarter of 2017 on April 25th, 2017. This release will be followed by a conference call at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

Mr. Eric R. La Flèche, President & CEO and Mr. François Thibault, Executive Vice President & CFO will hold the conference call intended for investors and financial analysts to review the financial results. This conference call will be followed by a question and answer period and is expected to last approximately 60 minutes.

The analysts and institutional investors are invited to access the conference call, by dialing 647.427.7450 or 1.888.231.8191 (access code 99384094) or via the website by clicking here. The journalists as well as the public may access this conference via a listen mode only. A replay will be available approximately one hour after the call at 1.855.859.2056 (access code 99384094) or via the website by clicking here, until 23:59 EDT on May 25th, 2017.

Metro inc.
With annual sales of over $12 billion and over 65,000 employees, METRO INC. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical distribution in Quebec and Ontario, where it operates a network of more than 600 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as over 250 drugstores under the Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.

For further information:

Roberto Sbrugnera
Vice President, Treasury, Risks and Investor Relations
Metro inc.
514 643-1000

Source: Metro inc.

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McDonald’s USA to serve fresh beef, prepared when ordered, in all Quarter Pounder burgers by mid-2018

Latest Step in Building a Better McDonald’s Will Bring Fresh Beef, Made-to-Order Quarter Pounder burgers by mid-2018

OAK BROOK, IL, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — McDonald’s USA (NYSE: MCD) today (Mar 30, 2017) announced that by mid-2018, it will serve fresh beef, prepared when ordered, in all Quarter Pounder burgers across the majority of its restaurants. The fresh beef burgers, cooked right when ordered, are the latest step the company has made to meet customers’ changing expectations. All McDonald’s burgers use 100 percent pure beef with absolutely no fillers, additives or preservatives.

“Over the past two years, we’ve made a series of bold, tangible changes for our customers,” said McDonald’s President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook. “Serving All-Day Breakfast, moving to cage-free eggs and testing delivery are all proof of our commitment to building a better McDonald’s. And we are committed to transforming more aspects of our business, including offering a more modern and enjoyable dining experience, adding new levels of convenience and technology, and making more positive changes to the food we serve.”

Delivering fresh beef, cooked right when ordered, in Quarter Pounder burgers is one of the company’s latest customer-led initiatives that builds on several other recent milestones, including:

  • In 2015, the company announced a number of changes to how it serves and sources its food by offering All-Day Breakfast, committing to only sourcing cage-free eggs by 2025, and committing to only serve chicken not treated with antibiotics important to human medicine* that was completed nearly a year ahead of schedule in 2016.
  • Last year, the company removed artificial preservatives from several menu items, including Chicken McNuggets and eliminated high fructose corn syrup from the buns used on Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Filet-O-Fish and McChicken sandwiches.

“Today’s announcement is part of a continuing food journey for McDonald’s,” said McDonald’s USA President Chris Kempczinski. “Over the last two years, we have accelerated the pace of change around how we source and serve our food. Delivering fresh beef that’s prepared when our customers order their food is just another example of how we are raising the bar. We’re just getting started, and can’t wait to show you what’s next.”

“This represents a strong partnership between McDonald’s, Lopez Foods and their other beef suppliers to support this initiative and deliver McDonald’s quality standards,” said Ed Sanchez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lopez Foods. “It was exciting to be part of the test and we look forward to bringing fresh beef to more McDonald’s customers in 2018.”

Quarter Pounder burgers using fresh beef, cooked right when ordered, were initially tested in 325 restaurants across the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area and 77 restaurants in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Quarter Pounder burgers include the Quarter Pounder, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe and Signature Crafted Recipe burgers.

“We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers and employees and we’re proud to have been part of a test that is creating a watershed moment for McDonald’s,” said McDonald’s Dallas/Fort Worth Franchisee Joe Jasper. “This test was driven by the Franchisees, our region and insights from what our customers are asking for when they visit McDonald’s.”

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

For more information, please visit www.hotoffthegrillatmcdonalds.com

* Farmers still use ionophores, a class of antibiotics that are not prescribed to people, to keep chickens healthy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Media:
Becca Hary
630-623-7293

Investors:
Mike Flores
630-623-3519

Source:  McDonald’s USA

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AmRest to become Restaurant Partner Polska’s majority shareholder

Wroclaw, Poland, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — April 1st, 2017, AmRest Holdings SE („AmRest”, “the Company”) (WSE: EAT), the largest publicly listed restaurant operator in Central Europe, announces signing on March 31st, 2017 the Investment Agreement (the “IA”) with Delivery Hero GmbH, based in Berlin, Germany (“Delivery Hero”) and Restaurant Partner Polska Sp. z o.o., based in Łódź, Poland („RPP”). As a result of the, IA AmRest will acquire from Delivery Hero the newly issued shares in RPP and become its majority shareholder, holding 51% of total number of RPP shares. The outstanding 49% will remain in the possession of Delivery Hero,

Delivery Hero is the global leader in online food-ordering segment with more than 20 million orders processed monthly. RPP operates PizzaPortal.pl platform in Poland – an aggregator offering meals from 2,500+ different restaurants in ca. 400 cities in Poland. Convenient 3- step ordering process, wide selection of cuisines, online payment and quick delivery are key advantages for the PizzaPortal.pl users.

According to the IA, AmRest also intends to start partnerships within food-ordering marketplace through Delivery Hero’s subsidiaries in Czech Republic and Hungary – DameJidlo.cz and NetPincér.hu. Both platforms are the market leaders in online food ordering industry.

Intention of the parties is to finalize the transaction within next couple of weeks, which is a subject to condition precedents defined in IA.

Online food ordering is one of the fastest growing trends in restaurant industry. The importance and impact of new technologies in consumer foodservice sector is expected to gain ground. Following that trend, investment in Digital and food-ordering marketplace has become one of AmRest’s strategic priorities for the nearest future. The cooperation with Delivery Hero is expected to be advantageous for both parties and – most importantly – aimed at fulfilling the consumers’ expectations. The parties mutually agree that combination of AmRest’s operational excellence and unique brand portfolio with Delivery Hero’s broad expertise in online food ordering segment will significantly elevate customer’s experience. Superior quality of meals, best in class customer service and fast delivery will be the key success factors behind the partnership.

“This exciting partnership is a key component of our AmRest Digital Strategy. Effectively, we are combining AmRest’s restaurant operational muscle and powerhouse brands like KFC and Pizza Hut with the technical know-how and digital operational capability of Delivery Hero’s PizzaPortal.pl to instantly become the leader in the restaurant home delivery segment in Poland. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a restaurant operator and a delivery aggregator have teamed up anywhere in the world, and the winner is clearly going to be the customer. We anticipate creating bold new ventures in this sector to ensure quality, variety, speed, and value to a level not seen before in the European restaurant delivery business.” – said Drew O’Malley, Chief Digital and Operations Officer at AmRest.

Niklas Östberg, CEO of Delivery Hero, said: “With AmRest we gain a strong and wellestablished partner to drive forward our business in Poland and across Central and Eastern Europe. This is an ideal opportunity for us to gain an even stronger foothold in this key region as we continue to execute our strategy of achieving market leadership in the markets we operate in.”

The transaction also fits within AmRest’s accelerated development of delivery channel, started by roll-out of delivery service in KFC Poland few years ago.

PizzaPortal.pl, DameJidlo.cz and NetPincér.hu platforms are expected to significantly enhance the operation of food delivery segment within AmRest.

The Management Board of AmRest believes that the partnership with Delivery Hero will make the offer of Company’s operated brands more accessible to new customers and substantially increase AmRest’s market share in delivery segment.

Contact:

Dorota Surowiec
IR Manager
+48 71 386 1235
dorota.surowiec@amrest.eu

Source: AmRest

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Amazon and SOUQ.com share the same DNA – Amazon Senior VP Russ Grandinetti

SEATTLE, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Amazon (Nasdaq:AMZN) today (Mar. 28, 2017) announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire SOUQ.com, an e-commerce leader in the Middle East. Joining the Amazon family will enable SOUQ.com to continue growing while working with Amazon to bring even more products and offerings to customers worldwide.

“Amazon and SOUQ.com share the same DNA – we’re both driven by customers, invention, and long-term thinking,” said Russ Grandinetti, Amazon Senior Vice President, International Consumer. “SOUQ.com pioneered e-commerce in the Middle East, creating a great shopping experience for their customers. We’re looking forward to both learning from and supporting them with Amazon technology and global resources. And together, we’ll work hard to provide the best possible service for millions of customers in the Middle East.”

“We are guided by many of the same principles as Amazon, and this acquisition is a critical next step in growing our e-commerce presence on behalf of customers across the region,” said SOUQ.com CEO and Co-Founder Ronaldo Mouchawar. “By becoming part of the Amazon family, we’ll be able to vastly expand our delivery capabilities and customer selection much faster, as well as continue Amazon’s great track record of empowering sellers.”

Subject to closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in 2017.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

About SOUQ.com

SOUQ.com is the largest online retail and marketplace platform in the Arab world, featuring more than 8.4 million products across 31 categories such as consumer electronics, fashion, health and beauty, household goods, and baby. Today, SOUQ.com attracts over 45 million visits per month, with localized operations in the KSA, UAE and Egypt.

SOUQ.com offers a convenient and safe online shopping experience with secure online payments, option to pay cash on delivery and free returns. For more information, visit www.Souq.com.

Media Hotline:

206-266-7180
Amazon-pr@amazon.com
www.amazon.com/pr

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

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Walgreens Boots Alliance and Prime Therapeutics closed transaction to form AllianceRx Walgreens Prime

DEERFIELD, Ill., 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) today (3 April 2017 ) announced that Walgreens and pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime) have closed their transaction to form a combined central specialty pharmacy and mail services company, as part of the strategic alliance first announced last August. The company, AllianceRx Walgreens Prime, is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

Active work to unite mail services and central specialty operations will begin immediately. Joel Wright, formerly divisional vice president for Walgreens specialty solutions, will lead AllianceRx Walgreens Prime as its CEO after holding numerous leadership roles within Walgreens over the past 25 years.

AllianceRx Walgreens Prime will manage several consolidated mail service and central specialty pharmacy operations. Its workforce of approximately 3,000 employees nationally will be comprised of current Walgreens and Prime employees, including those currently working at the existing Prime location in Orlando.

AllianceRx Walgreens Prime will be consolidated by Walgreens Boots Alliance, parent company of Walgreens, in its financial statements.  Walgreens Boots Alliance does not expect the transaction will have a material impact on its fiscal 2017 adjusted earnings per share.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:  All statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to the timing and effectiveness of transition and integration plans, the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the alliance, and the ability to realize anticipated operating and purchasing efficiencies and achieve anticipated financial and operating results in the amounts and at the times anticipated, as well as those described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending 31 August 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference, and in other documents that we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any duty or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Notes to Editors:

About Walgreens Boots Alliance

Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) is the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise.

The company was created through the combination of Walgreens and Alliance Boots in December 2014, bringing together two leading companies with iconic brands, complementary geographic footprints, shared values and a heritage of trusted health care services through pharmaceutical wholesaling and community pharmacy care, dating back more than 100 years.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is the largest retail pharmacy, health and daily living destination across the USA and Europe. Walgreens Boots Alliance and the companies in which it has equity method investments together have a presence in more than 25* countries and employ more than 400,000* people. The company is a global leader in pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing retail and, together with the companies in which it has equity method investments, has over 13,200* stores in 11* countries as well as one of the largest global pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution networks, with over 390* distribution centers delivering to more than 230,000** pharmacies, doctors, health centers and hospitals each year in more than 20* countries. In addition, Walgreens Boots Alliance is one of the world’s largest purchasers of prescription drugs and many other health and wellbeing products.

The company’s portfolio of retail and business brands includes Walgreens, Duane Reade, Boots and Alliance Healthcare, as well as increasingly global health and beauty product brands, such as No7, Botanics, Liz Earle and Soap & Glory.

In October 2016 Walgreens Boots Alliance received the United Nations Foundation Global Leadership Award for its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The company also ranks No. 1 in the Food and Drug Stores industry of Fortune magazine’s 2017 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies.

* As of 31 August 2016, using publicly available information for AmerisourceBergen.
** For 12 months ending 31 August 2016, using publicly available information for AmerisourceBergen.

Contact:
Media Relations:
USA
Michael Polzin
+1 847 315 2935

International
Laura Vergani
+44 (0)207 980 8585

Investor Relations:
Gerald Gradwell and Ashish Kohli
+1 847 315 2922

Source:  Walgreens Boots Alliance

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CVS Health Foundation supports Free and Charitable Clinics with more than $1 million in grants

WOONSOCKET, R.I., 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — The CVS Health Foundation today (April 3, 2017) announced more than $1 million in grants to 33 Free and Charitable Clinics as part of a multi-year grant program with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC). Over the past four years, the Foundation has donated nearly $5 million to NAFC to increase access to quality care and support the management of chronic disease.

“As a pharmacy innovation company, we are committed to helping people on their path to better health in the communities where we live and work,” said Eileen Howard Boone, president of the CVS Health Foundation. “Our support for the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics has yielded significant results over the past four years that demonstrate how increased access to quality care and innovative approaches to chronic disease management can affect the lives of the most vulnerable Americans.”

New results released today by the CVS Health Foundation demonstrate how the support of previous grant recipients is making a meaningful impact on their goals of improving care coordination, managing chronic conditions and increasing access to care. Critical results from the past year include:

  • SLO Noor Foundation (San Luis Obispo, CA) offered one extra day of services per week, providing care to an additional 241 patients that would otherwise not have been able to receive such necessary care in 2016.
  • Through their smoking cessation classes, 70% of participants at the Miami Rescue Mission (Miami, FL) reported either quitting or significantly cutting back the use of tobacco.
  • Good News Clinics (Gainesville, GA) recruited 22 additional physicians to expand availability of services for Health Access patients surpassing their goal of 10 and thereby lessening the wait time for patients requiring specialty care.

“The NAFC is extremely grateful for the support our members receive from the CVS Health Foundation and their recognition of the life saving work Free and Charitable Clinics provide to the medically underserved throughout this country,” said Nicole Lamoureux, NAFC CEO. “Their unwavering commitment and investment over the years has allowed our Free and Charitable Clinics to expand health care access, coordinate health care efforts and build healthier communities.”

As the need for access to affordable care and improved health outcomes continue to weigh on the U.S. health care system, the CVS Health Foundation will be providing grants, ranging from $20,000 to $35,000, this year to the following NAFC recipients in support of chronic disease management and prevention for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and asthma, improved care coordination and increased access to care programs:

  • Arlington Free Clinic (Arlington, VA) – $35,000
  • Cape Volunteers in Medicine, Inc. (Cape May Court House, NJ) – $30,000
  • Catherine’s Health Center (Grand Rapids, MI) – $35,000
  • Center for Family Health & Education, Inc. (Panorama City, CA) – $35,000
  • Clearwater Free Clinic, Inc. (Clearwater, FL) – $35,000
  • Community Care Clinic (Boone, NC) – $35,000
  • Community Care Clinic of Rowan County (Salisbury, NC) – $20,000
  • Community Health Center of West Palm Beach (West Palm Beach, FL) – $30,000
  • CommunityHealth (Chicago, IL) – $35,000
  • Cornerstone Assistance Network (Fort Worth, TX) – $35,000
  • Free Clinic of Central Virginia (Lynchburg, VA) – $35,000
  • Free Clinic of Meridian, Inc. (Meridian, MS) – $35,000
  • Good News Clinics (Gainesville, GA) – $35,000
  • Health Brigade (Richmond, VA) – $35,000
  • Helping Hands Health and Wellness Center (Columbus, OH) – $35,000
  • Hope Health Clinic (La Grange, KY) – $35,000
  • Johnstown Free Medical Clinic (Johnstown, PA) – $25,000
  • Lake Norman Community Health Clinic (Huntersville, NC) – $35,000
  • Malta House of Care, Inc. (Hartford, CT) – $35,000
  • Martin Luther King Health Center & Pharmacy (Shreveport, LA) – $30,000
  • Northern Neck Middlesex Free Health Clinic (Kilmarnock, VA) – $35,000
  • NovaScripts Central, Inc. (Falls Church, VA) – $35,000
  • Ohio Association of Free Clinics (Columbus, OH) – $35,000
  • People’s Health Clinic (Park City, UT) – $20,000
  • Shelter Health Services (Charlotte, NC) – $25,000
  • St. Martin’s Healthcare, Inc. (Garrett, IN) – $35,000
  • St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy (Cincinnati, OH) – $35,000
  • St. Vincent de Paul Virginia G. Piper Medical & Dental Clinic (Phoenix, AZ) – $35,000
  • The Free Medical Clinic, Inc. (Columbia, SC) – $25,000
  • The Night Ministry (Chicago, IL) – $35,000
  • The Olympia Free Clinic (Olympia, WA) – $20,000
  • TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries (Tomball, TX) – $35,000
  • Volunteers in Medicine, Chattanooga, Inc. (Chattanooga, TN) – $35,000

For more information on how the Free and Charitable Clinics will be utilizing their grants to improve community health, please visit www.cvshealth.com/NAFC.

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@cvshealth.com
401-770-9811

SOURCE: CVS Health Foundation

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CVS Health Charity Classic expands its 2017 Event Series with Crave RI food festival

CVS Health Charity Classic expands its 2017 Event Series with Crave RI food festival

 

WOONSOCKET, R.I., 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — The CVS Health Charity Classic announced today (April 3, 2017) it has added a two-day family friendly, food festival that will kick off the Charity Classic event series. The inaugural event, appropriately named, Crave RI, will take place the evenings of Thursday, June 15th and Friday, June 16th at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in downtown Providence.

Hosting the event in the heart of downtown Providence, families and foodies alike will be able to experience the Charity Classic in a new, fun and filling way.

“The CVS Health Charity Classic has been a staple in the Southeastern New England area for the last 18 years, bringing together non-profits, professional golfers and the local community,” said Eileen Howard Boone, Tournament Chairwoman, CVS Health Charity Classic. “By adding Crave RI to the event series, even more individuals and families can take part in this great event by enjoying the Rhode Island culinary culture and helping to give back to those in need locally.”

This year’s Crave RI event will support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to help reduce food insecurity in the state. According to the USDA, 12 percent of households in Rhode Island struggle to meet their basic food needs, leading to an increased risk for health problems.

Over the two-day event, more than 80 of Rhode Island’s top restaurants and 100 beer and wine profiles will sample their products each night, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The event will run Thursday and Friday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. preceding the golf portion of the CVS Health Charity Classic.

Crave RI will feature premier restaurants and brands from the region including Gracie’s, Sam Adams, Matunuck Oyster Bar, Newport Vineyards, Milk Money, Duck and Bunny, Narragansett Brewing Co. and many more. Additional restaurant, brewery, and vineyard announcements will follow.

“We’re excited to be a part of the CVS Health Charity Classic event series,” said Perry Raso, owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar, Matunuck Oyster Farm and Matunuck Vegetable Farm. “We feel as though Crave RI is a great opportunity for us to showcase Matunuck Oyster Bar’s Pond to Plate concept while continuing to build on our connection with the local community and charities alike.”

Daily tickets to Crave RI are $20 each, plus applicable fees, and can be purchased online (www.ticketmaster.com/CharityClassic), by phone (1.800.745.3000) or at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office. Each ticket provides access to food and beverage samples from participating restaurants, breweries and wineries, and demonstrations from chefs. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 5th.

The CVS Health Charity Classic has donated more than $20 million to area non-profits since 1999. For more information, please visit www.cvshealthcharityclassic.com.

About CVS Health Charity Classic

The CVS Health Charity Classic is one of Rhode Island’s largest charitable event series, including a golf tournament featuring some of the world’s top professional golfers and a two-day food festival highlighting local restaurants, breweries, and vineyards. Since its inception in 1999, the Charity Classic has raised more than $20 million for Southern New England nonprofit organizations that provide vital funding to a range of programs serving children and families. For additional information on the CVS Health Charity Classic, please visit www.cvshealthcharityclassic.com. Follow the Charity Classic on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates on the event as they happen.

About Dunkin’ Donuts Center

Dunkin’ Donuts Center, a 14,000 seat entertainment venue, is managed by SMG. Celebrating its 40th anniversary and founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 230 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, amphitheaters, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming; construction and design consulting; and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s NRG Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering companies, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide. For more information visit www.smgworld.com.

Contact:

Jordan Borrosh
Account Executive
Octagon
Jordan.borrosh@octagon.com
401-835-4482

SOURCE: CVS Health Charity Classic

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Price Rite Supermarkets opens store at the South Side of Syracuse, NY

Syracuse, NY, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Price Rite Supermarkets on Sunday opened its new 35,000-square-foot store at 611 South Ave. — a long awaited addition to the South Side of Syracuse.

Price Rite’s shopper-friendly format features a wide selection of fresh produce, natural and organic products and a variety of private label and national grocery brands – at about half the cost of a traditional supermarket. The much-anticipated store brings 100 jobs to the community and a service oriented supermarket featuring a wide selection of fresh groceries and perishable products to an area with limited access to fresh food.

In celebration of its official grand opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony with Price Rite executives and local community leaders took place Sunday. Price Rite of South Ave also donated $3,000 to the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility Inc., in the name of the Southwest Community Center, a nonprofit multipurpose neighborhood center.

“We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Syracuse store on South Avenue, and we are privileged to be part of this community and all the great new development that is happening along the southwest corridor,” said Neil Duffy, president of Price Rite. “Local residents have been waiting for a supermarket for a long time, and we look forward to becoming a vital part of the community and being a good neighbor while providing local shoppers with the outstanding customer service, variety, value and low prices that Price Rite is known for. Our operation is driven by the philosophy that customers should not have to sacrifice quality to save on price, and we are excited to deliver on that promise.”

Price Rite has worked closely with Jubilee Homes of Syracuse Inc., a local nonprofit, and its Executive Director, Walter Dixie, as well as city, county and state officials to bring the new store to an area designated as a food desert, providing a service oriented supermarket and serving as a retail anchor tenant along the South Avenue corridor.

The day before the store’s opening, Price Rite hosted a pep rally and pizza party for the store’s new associates.

Price Rite of South Avenue relies on a convenient format featuring a broad selection of groceries containing both private label items and national brands, including daily deliveries of fresh produce and a wide variety of ethnic products to cater to Price Rite’s diverse customer base.

The new store also features packaged meats, including a selection of organic and natural items, grass-fed offerings, Grade A poultry and USDA Choice cuts; baked goods; and dairy and frozen food, along with organic and natural including the new Wholesome Pantry Line, a private label line of free-from and organic products void of 110 ingredients and containing no artificial additives, flavors or preservatives. Price Rite of South Ave. will also feature some of the industry’s leading “green technologies,” including glass doors on dairy cases and energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration throughout the entire store.

For added convenience, the store will offer My Price Rite, a free service that allows customers to receive special offers and savings on their personal mobile device (iOS or Android), and customers can also take advantage of Price Rite’s partnership with Ibotta, a free mobile shopping app that offers users cash back on everyday purchases, allowing them to earn cash rewards, bonuses and store extras as they shop.

Price Rite is an American company whose mission is to provide customers with a clean, fresh and friendly shopping experience while offering the same quality foods as traditional supermarkets at a bargain price, providing customers with the convenience of warehouse club-style shopping without the membership fees or bulk-buying requirements. The supermarket chain takes a variety of different approaches to help keep costs down and pass along those savings to customers, including spending less on advertising and store décor than conventional stores, encouraging customers to bring their own bags or purchase a reusable bag for 10 cents and fine-tuning product assortments while maintaining diversity within each category by providing a choice of private label and national brand selection. By streamlining operating costs, Price Rite can focus on providing great buys in-store. Price Rite regularly features specials and amazing values on food and non-food items alike.

The new Price Rite of South Ave. will be open Sunday 8:00am – 8:00pm and Monday through Saturday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm. For more information, please visit www.PriceRiteSupermarkets.com.

About Price Rite
Price Rite operates 63 stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland and Virginia. Price Rite stores offer customers an expanded produce department and quality food products at savings up to 50 percent less than traditional supermarkets. The typical Price Rite store is about 35,000 to 40,000 square feet in size and employs anywhere from 75 to 150 associates. The first Price Rite opened in West Springfield, MA in 1995. For more information, please visit www.priceritesupermarkets.com.

Contact:

Karen O’Shea
Phone: 732-906-5932
Communications Specialist

Maureen Gillespie
Phone: 732-906-5295
Manager

Source: Price Rite

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Coop schickt SBB-Lok auf eine einjährige Reise durch die Schweiz

BASEL, SWITZERLAND, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Pro Montagna steht seit zehn Jahren für authentische Produkte aus den Schweizer Bergen und gehört zu den beliebtesten Coop-Eigenmarken. Und Pro Montagna ist einzigartig: Dank des Verkaufs der Produkte hilft Coop mit, bestehende Arbeitsplätze in den Bergen zu erhalten und neue zu schaffen. Von anfänglich rund 50 Produkten wurde das Sortiment laufend ausgebaut und umfasst heute 240 Spezialitäten, bei denen nicht nur die Rohstoffe aus den Schweizer Bergen stammen, sondern auch die Verarbeitung dort stattfindet. Anlässlich des Jubiläums dieser erfolgreichen und beliebten Eigenmarke schickt Coop ab heute eine SBB-Lokomotive im Pro-Montagna-Look auf eine 365-tägige Tour durch die ganze Schweiz.

Durch den Verkauf der Pro-Montagna-Produkte aus den Schweizer Bergen sorgt Coop für den Erhalt und den Aufbau von Arbeitsplätzen. Exemplarisch lässt sich das etwa an der Bio-Bergkäserei Goms zeigen. Der Bergkäse gehört zu den ersten Produkten, die unter Pro Montagna in den Coop-Supermärkten verkauft wurden. Seit der Lancierung hat Coop über 600 Tonnen des beliebten Bergkäses verkauft. Damit hat Coop nicht nur zum Erhalt der Stellen in der Käserei, sondern auch in den elf beteiligten landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben beigetragen.

Unterstützung durch Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete
Einzigartig bei Pro Montagna ist die Verknüpfung mit der selbständigen Non-Profit-Organisation Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete, die bereits ihr 75-jähriges Bestehen feiert: Mit dem Verkauf von jedem Pro-Montagna-Produkt fliesst ein Betrag an die Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete, welche sich für bessere Lebens- und Arbeitsbedingungen der Schweizer Bergbevölkerung einsetzt. Seit 2006 sind damit über 8,3 Millionen Franken zusammengekommen, mit welchen diverse Projekte unterstützt werden konnten, unter anderem auch der Umbau der Käserei in Gluringen. Mehr Informationen unter: www.coop.ch/patenschaft.

Pro-Montagna-Lokomotive: Reise durch die ganze Schweiz
Heute wurde zusammen mit Andreas Meyer, CEO der SBB, Irene Kaufmann, Verwaltungsratspräsidentin der Coop Patenschaft für Berggebiete und Joos Sutter, dem Vorsitzenden der Geschäftsleitung von Coop, im Bahnhof Basel SBB eine Pro-Montagna-Lokomotive in feierlichem Rahmen eingeweiht und auf eine einjährige Reise durch die ganze Schweiz geschickt. Ein Video des Umbrandings kann unter folgendem Link heruntergeladen werden: Medienkonferenzen.

Kontakt:

Urs Meier
Leiter Medienstelle
Tel. +41 61 336 71 10

Ramón Gander
Mediensprecher
Tel. +41 61 336 71 67

Andrea Bergmann
Mediensprecherin
Tel. +41 61 336 67 37

Angela Wimmer
Mediensprecherin
Tel. +41 61 336 71 87

Source: Coop

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Chipotle launches “Spot the Imposter” game in celebration of becoming the only restaurant brand without additives and preservatives in its food

Chipotle launches “Spot the Imposter” game in celebration of becoming the only restaurant brand without additives and preservatives in its food

 

Players search for “imposter” ingredients hidden among the company’s 51 real ingredients

DENVER, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today (Apr. 3, 2017) launched “Spot the Imposter,” an online game designed to support its milestone achievement of becoming the only national restaurant brand without added colors, flavors or preservatives – artificial or natural – in any of the ingredients it uses to prepare its food (except for lemon and lime juice which can be used as preservatives, though the company uses them only for taste).

To play the game, users search through Chipotle’s 51 real ingredients hunting for commonly used industrial additives — including added flavors, colors, preservatives, gluten and gums — masquerading as real ingredients. Successful players are rewarded with a mobile offer good for a free order of chips and guacamole, with purchase of an entrée, at any Chipotle in the U.S., and a chance to enter the sweepstakes to win other food prizes.

“At Chipotle, our real ingredients have nothing to hide,” said Mark Crumpacker, chief marketing and development officer at Chipotle. “Other restaurants are trying to make their ingredients sound better by switching artificial colors, flavors and preservatives for friendlier sounding additives that serve the same purpose. Our food is made entirely with real ingredients that consumers easily recognize – the kinds of ingredients you can buy yourself at a farmers’ market or grocery store. This new game encourages customers to learn about what’s real in their food and what’s not, while reinforcing our commitment to high-quality ingredients.”

“Spot the Imposter” can be played starting April 3rd and ending April 7th. Spotting the hidden imposter ingredient earns the player the mobile offer while supplies last. Successful players are also entered to win Burritos for a Year or Dinner for 10. As an added element, a new hidden imposter ingredient will be released at 9 a.m. EDT each day of the contest so users can come back each day to find the new hidden imposter ingredient. Each day the customer plays and spots the imposter, they can receive an additional sweeps entry. Up to five sweepstakes entries (one per day) will be allowed per person with sweeps winners getting free Burritos for a Year or Dinner for 10. There is a limit of one free chips and guac offer, with entrée purchase, per person, per mobile number, with all offers expiring April 30, 2017.

To play the game and enter the sweepstakes, visit http://www.chipotle.com/real. For more information and rules on the sweepstakes, visit http://www.chipotle.com/spottheimposter-faq. For official rules, visit http://www.chipotle.com/spottheimposter-rules.

Chipotle defines “national restaurant brand” as any restaurant brand included in the Nation’s Restaurant News top 200 list (August 2016) having more than 100 total U.S. locations. The company’s statements that it uses no added colors, flavors or preservatives apply only to Chipotle branded restaurants operating within the U.S., and only to the ingredients used to prepare food and not to ingredients used in the beverages sold at Chipotle.

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 ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in an interactive style allowing people to get exactly what they want. Chipotle seeks out the finest 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 without the use of added colors, flavors or preservatives 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
carnold@chipotle.com

Source: Chipotle Mexican Grill

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BRC Global Standards and Rentokil Initial partnership to drive best practice and Standards in the food safety industry

London, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — BRC Global Standards and Rentokil Initial are delighted to announce a strategic partnership that sees both organisations continuous commitment to help its customers mitigate their risks throughout the food industry.

BRC Global Standards strategic focus is to continually innovate and demonstrate best practice for customers and partners whilst maintaining its position as the largest GFSI approved food safety Standards certification scheme.

The strategic partnership enables the ongoing collaboration and development of new initiatives aimed at supporting the goals of BRC Global Standards and Rentokil Initial through the creation and adoption of new products, services, industry best practice and Standards.

Mark Proctor CEO at BRC Global Standards, said: “We are very pleased to announce this strategic partnership with Rentokil. We see a significant opportunity to help our respective customers adopt best practice and benefit from two of the best solutions providers in the food safety industry. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership presents to help drive best practice and continual improvement for our customers”.

Notes to Editors

About BRC Global Standards

BRC Global Standards is a leading brand and consumer protection organisation, used by over 25,000 suppliers in over 130 countries, with certification issued through a global network of accredited certification bodies. BRC Global Standards’ guarantee the standardisation of quality, safety and operational criteria and ensure that manufacturers fulfil their legal obligations and provide protection for the end consumer. BRC Global Standards are now often a fundamental requirement of leading retailers, manufacturers and food service organisations.

The BRC Global Standards certification scheme offers comprehensive support to help new and established businesses to achieve and maintain their quality and safety aims.

For more information, please visit www.brcglobalstandards.com

Media Contact:

+44 (0)20 7854 8980

Source: BRC Global Standards

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NACS welcomes Jeff McQuilkin as exhibit sales and services manager

​ALEXANDRIA, VA, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Jeff McQuilkin has joined NACS as exhibit sales and services manager, with a primary focus on the NACS Show, the premier event for the convenience and fuel retailing industry.

He will be responsible for booth sales and logistics as well as developing relationships with technology, facility operations and foodservice exhibiting suppliers for the NACS Show, which annually attracts more than 20,000 attendees from 60-plus countries, and features four days of general sessions, more than 60 education sessions and more than 1,200 exhibiting companies in a roughly 400,000 net-square-foot expo.

McQuilkin comes to NACS after having worked at various national tradeshows with Nielsen Expositions. Most recently, McQuilkin worked at two Top 100 tradeshows: InfoComm and Solar Power International.

McQuilkin obtained his undergraduate degree in economics from The College of William & Mary.

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

Contact:

(703) 684-3600 (phone)
(703) 836-4564 (fax)

Source: NACS

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NACS survey: strong sales at convenience stores to continue into the second quarter of 2017

​ALEXANDRIA, Va., 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — A combination of low gas prices, strong consumer confidence and warmer weather is expected to continue the year’s already strong sales at convenience stores into the second quarter of 2017, according to the results of a survey of convenience store owners conducted by NACS.

A sizable percentage of retailers surveyed say that low gas prices have grown sales in 2017: 47% say that low gas prices helped grow in-store sales and 42% say that low gas prices grew fuel sales over the first three months of the year. Convenience stores sell 80% of the fuel purchased in the United States.

A full 80% of convenience retailers expect in-store sales to increase this summer compared to last year, and 57% expect their fuel sales to increase compared to last summer.

“Low gas prices will encourage increased traffic on the roads and in our stores,” said Terry Handley with Casey’s General Stores (Ankeny, IA).

Other factors also point to stronger sales at convenience stores. John Clark at Alpine Mart (Stowe, VT) expects sales to increase because of strong consumer confidence and the warmer weather. And strong employment numbers also will be good for sales, said Marc Strauch at Cameron Park Petroleum (Folsom, CA).

Approximately three in four retailers are optimistic about the economy (76%), the convenience store industry (73%) and their own business prospects (73%) over the next three months. This retailer optimism mirrors consumer optimism. A record 61% of consumers said they were optimistic about the economy, according to the March 2017 NACS Consumer Fuels Survey.

An increasing percentage of retailers are optimistic about food sales: 53% of all retailers optimistic about their business prospects cite food sales as the reason. Overall, 57% of retailers say that sandwiches and meals will grow their sales, with 35% citing healthy packaged snacks and 28% citing fruits and vegetables.

The move toward selling more food ties into consumer trends. Consumers are increasingly selecting locations to fuel based on the quality of the food inside the store, according to the findings from a NACS national survey of consumers.

Convenience stores also sell more beverages as the weather heats up, and retailers are expecting the same to happen this quarter: 63% say packaged beverage sales (soda, bottled water, teas) will increase, and 43% say that fountain drinks (both cold and frozen) will increase.

In addition, retailers are adding new food and beverage offerings in stores to help further increase expected sales. Big T Mini Mart (Alhambra, CA) is adding beer and wine while Nisqullay Markets (Olympia, WA) is adding grab-and-go food for time-pressed drivers.

“We want to change the customer mindset from a location of fuel with food products to a food and beverage destination with fuel products,” said Scott Blank with Bi-State Oil Co. (Cape Girardeau, MO).

Beyond products, retailers also are putting an emphasis on store operations. “I expect our growth to come from our efforts to improve our customers’ experience through brighter lighting, a clean bright store and friendly service,” said Mark Speaks with Git ‘n Run Mobil (Gilbert, AZ). In Bigfork, MT, Ferndale Market is focusing more on local customers rather than tourists, with an emphasis on sandwiches and fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Planning is the key. We expanded our fueling locations to help drive traffic inside the store to our new healthier choices in our foodservice area like fresh fruit smoothies and salads on demand. Couple that with strong consumer confidence and we expect to have a great second quarter!” said Dennis McCartney with Landhope Farms (Kennett Square, PA).

The quarterly NACS Retailer Sentiment Survey tracks retailer sentiment related to their businesses, the industry and the economy as a whole. A total of 79 member companies, representing a cumulative 3,281 stores, participated in the March 2017 survey.

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

Contact:

(703) 684-3600 (phone)
(703) 836-4564 (fax)

Source: NACS

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Conagra Brands recalls certain Hunt’s Chili Kits due to the potential presence of Salmonella

Conagra Brands recalls certain Hunt’s Chili Kits due to the potential presence of Salmonella

 

Chicago, Illinois, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Conagra Brands, Inc., announced today (April 2, 2017) it is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Hunt’s Chili Kits due to the potential presence of Salmonella in the chili seasoning packet contained in the kit. The chili seasoning used in the packet originated from a supplier who informed the company of the potential presence of Salmonella in a raw material used in the chili seasoning. Although no Salmonella was found in the finished product supplied to Conagra Brands, the company has decided out of an abundance of caution to recall the product.

There have been no reports of adverse reactions or injuries due to consumption of this product to date. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most individuals recover without treatment. In some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

The product covered by this recall was distributed in retail stores, military commissaries and online nationwide in the U.S.; the specific product information is listed below. The product code information is stated on the bottom of the kit below the barcode. No other Hunt’s products or Conagra Brands’ products are impacted by this recall.

Item Description UPC MFG/Lot Code Best By Date
HUNT’S CHILI KIT 44.8OZ 20-0-27000-42063-2 3534619500 Apr 04, 2018
HUNT’S CHILI KIT 44.8OZ 20-0-27000-42063-2 3534622200 May 01, 2018
HUNT’S CHILI KIT 44.8OZ 20-0-27000-42063-2 3534619600 Apr 05, 2018

Consumers who have purchased this item are advised not to consume it and return it to the store where originally purchased. Conagra Brands is cooperating with the FDA on this recall and is working with customers to ensure the packages are removed from store shelves and are no longer distributed. Consumers with questions should call our Consumer Affairs hotline at 1-800-921-7404, open 9 am through 5 pm CDT, Monday through Friday.

Consumers Contact:

Consumer Affairs Hotline
1-800-921-7404

Media Contact:

Kristine Mulford
kristine.mulford@conagra.com
312-549-5522

Source: FDA

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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts + Ghirardelli = ultimate OMG moment

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts + Ghirardelli = ultimate OMG moment

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Two of the world’s most indulgent treat creators – Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Ghirardelli – are combining the indulgence of premium Ghirardelli chocolate with the deliciously satisfying taste of Krispy Kremedoughnuts. The result is the ultimate OMG moment – “OMGhirardelli,” that is.

Beginning April 3, Krispy Kreme’s new Mint Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramel doughnuts inspired by Ghirardelli’s popular chocolate Squares will be available for a limited time only at participating Krispy Kreme shops in the United States and Canada.

“Uniting premium chocolate enthusiasts and our beloved doughnut fans, these doughnuts offer an OMG-worthy reward any time of day – whether you’re celebrating life’s everyday moments or in search of a delightful afternoon indulgence,” said Jackie Woodward, Chief Marketing Officer of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Designed to deliver a treat experience unlike any other, these limited-time doughnuts mean Krispy Kreme guests no longer have to choose between sweet or salty, chocolate or pastry.

  • For the savory-sweet eater, Krispy Kreme’s new Sea Salt Caramel Doughnut Made with Ghirardelli offers a crave-worthy flavor experience inspired by Ghirardelli Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Squares. The doughnut is filled with salted caramel filling, dipped in decadent chocolate icing, drizzled with both the chocolate and caramel icings and topped with a blend of amber sugar, salt sprinkle, and Ghirardelli mini chocolate chips. Both the caramel filling and chocolate icing are made with premium Ghirardelli ingredients.
  • A cooler combination, Krispy Kreme ’s Mint Chocolate Doughnut Made with Ghirardelli features a doughnut filled with White Mint Kreme™ filling inspired by Ghirardelli Chocolate Mint Squares, dipped in chocolate icing, decorated with green colored icing and topped with Ghirardelli mini chocolate chips dusted in powdered sugar. Again, the chocolate icing is made with premium Ghirardelli ingredients.

Go to www.krispykreme.com/ghirardelli to find a participating Krispy Kreme shop near you. Share your OMGhirardelli moments using #OhSoFancy and #KrispyKreme.

About Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation is a global retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed® doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is proud of its Fundraising program, which for decades has helped non-profit organizations raise millions of dollars in needed funds. Krispy Kreme doughnuts can be found in approximately 12,000 grocery, convenience and mass merchant stores in the U.S. The Company has more than 1,300 retail shops in 31 countries. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at www.KrispyKreme.com, or on one of its many social media channels, including www.Facebook.com/KrispyKreme, and www.Twitter.com/KrispyKreme.

Contact:
Sarah Roof
336-726-8878
Corporate Communications Coordinator
sroof@krispykreme.com

Source: Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation

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Toys“R”Us® kicks off its fundraising campaign to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

Wayne, NJ, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Toys“R”Us® today (April 3, 2017) announced the start of its fundraising campaign in stores and online through June 12 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. This is the first of a three-year partnership with St. Jude, in which Toys“R”Us and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund have committed to raising $7 million to ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

“Toys“R”Us was built on the idea of delivering joy to children and with our customers’ support, we will be doing just that for the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Dave Brandon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “St. Jude is a beacon of hope for children and families in communities everywhere and we are honored to join in its mission.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Toys“R”Us to the St. Jude family,” said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Their focus on kids and families, makes this partnership a perfect fit. And the funds raised by this campaign will help fuel the pioneering research and care that leads to cures for children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases in communities everywhere.”

It is easy to support St. Jude, customers can donate at any Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us location across the U.S. or online at Toysrus.com/GivingIsAwesome. Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation.

#GivingisAwesome and Super Easy
However customers choose to shop, whether online or at one of the 883 Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us stores across the U.S., donating is easy. Just $3 can have an impact by providing necessities such as pediatric isolation masks to help protect St. Jude’s young patients with compromised immune systems. Have a few more dollars to spare? For just $7, help St. Jude provide a blank medical teaching doll that helps the hospital’s kids understand medical treatment and procedures.

In addition, between April 23 and April 29, Toys“R”Us will donate $1 to St. Jude (up to $25,000) for every retweet of a special #GivingIsAwesome moment @Toysrus retweet. Follow @ToysRUs on Twitter to help make a difference in the lives of St. Jude patients and families.

Click to Tweet: Did you hear? We’re teaming up with @StJude! Stop by @ToysRUs, @BabiesRUs or donate online. #GivingIsAwesome www.toysrus.com/givingisawesome

To find your local Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us store, visit Toysrus.com or Babiesrus.com. To learn more about the partnership or to donate to St. Jude through June 12, visit Toysrus.com/GivingIsAwesome.

About Toys”R”Us, Inc.

Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 883 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in 795 international stores and 254 licensed stores in 37 countries and jurisdictions. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com, the company provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Toys“R”Us, Inc. is headquartered in Wayne, NJ, and has an annual workforce of approximately 60,000 employees worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Since 1992, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., has donated more than $125 million in grants to children’s charities. For more information, visit Toysrusinc.com or follow @ToysRUsNews on Twitter. Follow Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus and Facebook.com/Babiesrus and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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

Media Relations:

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

Source: Toys“R”Us, Inc.

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Rite Aid shelves stocked with Easter and spring essentials

Camp Hill, Pa., 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — With 4,600 stores chainwide, Rite Aid is ready to help Easter Bunnies deliver an eggstra-special holiday this season. From Easter baskets, to candy, plush and floral décor, shelves are stocked with Easter and spring essentials customers are looking for to spring forward.

Rite Aid offers a wide variety of items customers are looking for to assemble the perfect Easter basket this year including:
• Basket: From woven to plush bunnies, chicks and butterflies, bright and pastel colored baskets are available in a variety of shapes and s. Rite Aid also offers licensed plastic buckets with favorites such as Star Wars, Despicable Me and Paw Patrol. New this year, an expanded selection of filler grass offered in eight bright colors, in addition to the classic tinsel and paper pastels.
• Candy: Shelves are stocked with a wide selection of decadent chocolate bunnies from Russell Stover, Dove, Whitman and even the Lindt gold bunny. Customers will also find an assortment of classic Easter candy including pastel robin eggs, Cadbury Eggs and rainbow jelly beans from brands such as Jelly Belly, Jolly Rancher, Starburst and back by popular demand, Brach’s Classic Jelly Beans.
• Plush and Toys: A basket is not complete without a cuddly plush for your special “somebunny.” Rite Aid carries a variety of festive bunnies, chicks, ducks, TY Beanie Boos and Webkinz. Basket stuffers such as bubbles and windup toys are also available to top off the basket.
• Additional Easter Essentials: Fillable eggs for the Easter egg hunt in a variety of s and colors such as golden and multi-color. Create egg-citing marble, metallic or glitter eggs with dye kits from PAAS and Dudley. Also available, no spill egg dying cups.

Spring Has Sprung
Rite Aid shelves are blooming with spring-inspired merchandise perfect for those preparing for warm, sunny days. Choose from a selection of floral wreathes, artificial flower arrangements and household décor. For the outdoors, customers will find hand painted planters from small, medium to large, and wind chimes featuring traditional and whimsical designs. To tend to the garden, Rite Aid carries an assortment of hoses, nozzles, rakes, shovels and gloves. And for the garden’s finishing touches, stepping-stones and magical figures such as gnomes and fairies are also available.

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.

Media Contact:

Kristin Kellum
717-975-571

Source: Rite Aid Corporation

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Ahold Delhaize received a design award at the eighth annual Transform Awards Europe

Ahold Delhaize received a design award at the eighth annual Transform Awards Europe

 

Zaandam, the Netherlands, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Ahold Delhaize has received a design award for visual identity, including our logo, colors, typeface and tone of voice. Along with FutureBrand, we finished second in the “best corporate rebrand following a merger or an acquisition” category at the eighth annual Transform Awards Europe on March 29 in London.

Honoring excellence in branding from agencies and businesses across Europe, the awards were chosen by a panel of judges based on flair, creativity and concise branding strategies. “Each brand … has demonstrated outstanding creative ability and strategic thought while working closely and collaborating with their agencies,” said Andrew Thomas, publishing editor of Transform magazine, the event sponsor.

Charles Davis, SVP of Global Communications for Ahold Delhaize, notes that development of a strong visual identity was vital to set us apart in a crowded industry marketplace.

“Our brand identity is how we bring Ahold Delhaize consistently and uniquely to life for all our internal and external stakeholders,” Charlie said. “This award acknowledges the terrific work by the Brand team and FutureBrand, which were under tremendous pressure to create a compelling design as Ahold and Delhaize Group came together to form a great new company. We congratulate everyone who was involved.”

Contact:

Ellen van Ginkel
Director External Communications
media.relations@aholddelhaize.com
+31 88 6595134

Source: Ahold Delhaize

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7‑Eleven Texas stores to purchase 100 percent Texas wind energy from TXU Energy

7‑Eleven Texas stores to purchase 100 percent Texas wind energy from TXU Energy

 

IRVING, TEXAS, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — 7‑Eleven, Inc. has signed an agreement with TXU Energy to purchase 100 percent Texas wind energy for all its Texas stores located in competitive energy markets. The 96-month wind energy agreement, which impacts 425 stores, starts June 1, 2018, and is expected to reduce 7‑Eleven’s carbon footprint by 6.7 percent while providing significant operating expense savings.

The energy to power competitive market 7‑Eleven® stores will be provided by Texas wind farms. With more than 10,000 wind turbines in the state, Texas ranks first in the United States for both installed and under-construction wind capacity, and is home to four of the top 10 largest wind farms in the nation.

“This agreement is beneficial for 7‑Eleven on several fronts,” said Ben Tison, 7‑Eleven senior vice president of Development. “Wind energy is a renewable, more cost-effective resource that will lower the carbon footprint of these stores as well as operating costs. Our customers, particularly Millennials and the younger Generation Z, care about sustainability and reducing environmental impacts, and they’re paying attention to what companies are doing.”

Last year, 7‑Eleven outlined steps to reach measurable corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals to reduce its environmental footprint. The retailer’s CSR mission has three focus areas – people, planet and products. Using 2015 as a baseline, 7‑Eleven set goals to reduce its carbon footprint and increase community engagement in the U.S. and Canada by concentrating on energy, packaging and philanthropy.

The “planet pillar” included reducing its energy footprint in stores and at its store support center in Irving, Texas, by 20 percent by 2025. 7‑Eleven has already decreased electricity use in store operations by an estimated 21 percent over the past seven years through projects including installation of LED lighting, energy management systems and high-efficiency HVAC units.

TXU Energy will help 7‑Eleven save even more by providing energy efficiency rebate incentives through its TXU GreenBackSM program. These incentives will allow 7‑Eleven to fund and pilot new energy efficient technologies that can be used throughout its portfolio of facilities.

“Our goal was to make sure that we were helping 7‑Eleven reach its sustainability goals,” said Gabe Castro, vice president of business for TXU Energy. “We were able to do that by helping them through the process to evaluate all of the options available, and then customizing a complete solution to help them reach those goals. We are proud to collaborate with 7‑Eleven.”

About 7‑Eleven, Inc.
7‑Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7‑Eleven® operates, franchises or licenses more than 62,000 stores in 17 countries, including 10,900 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee®, Big Bite® and Big Gulp®, 7‑Eleven has expanded into high-quality salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings, cheeseburgers and hot chicken sandwiches. 7‑Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select® brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites, at an outstanding value. Customers also count on 7‑Eleven for payment services, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7‑Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards® customer loyalty platform on the 7‑Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About TXU Energy
More Texans trust TXU Energy to power their homes and businesses than any other electricity provider. We’re passionate about creating experiences and solutions tailored to fit the needs of our customers, including electricity plans, online tools to help save, renewable energy options and more. Ranked as the #9 Top Place to Work by The Dallas Morning News, TXU Energy is also committed to creating a dynamic and fun workplace where all our people can succeed. Visit txu.com for more.

Contact:

Call 1-800-255-0711

Source: 7‑Eleven, Inc.

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NEW ZEALAND: Four Square opens at The Lakes, Tauranga’s newest residential development

Auckland, New Zealand, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tauranga’s newest residential development, The Lakes, is billed as “the best address in town”, and soon it will have one of the best convenience stores too, when Four Square The Lakes opens there in mid-April.

Located about 10 kilometres southwest of Tauranga’s CBD, The Lakes will eventually be home to over 7000 people living in almost 2100 homes spread across 254 hectares.

At the heart of it will be The Lakes Neighbourhood Shopping Village, on Caslani Lane, and at the heart of that will be the local Four Square – the trusted Kiwi grocer that provides service that’s second to none.

Ant Pederson, Owner-Operator, Four Square The Lakes says it’s exciting to watch the new store take shape, and also humbling to be a founding member of one of the country’s newest suburbs.

“Four Square has a rich history of serving communities throughout New Zealand and has often been there as new suburbs take shape and communities grow around them,” says Pederson.

“That’s exactly what’ll happen here at The Lakes – more and more people are moving here as homes are completed, and plans for a new local school have just been announced too – and as the suburb rises around us, and the local kids grow up too, we’ll be here to serve their everyday grocery needs.”

“My current focus though is on getting the store ready for opening, and also recruiting my team, which is arguably the most important task because while shiny new premises will always attract customers through the doors to start with, it’s friendly, helpful staff who’ll keep them coming back.”

Lindsay Rowles, General Manager Property Development, Foodstuffs North Island, says with Tauranga now known as one of the country’s most desirable cities, he and his team are constantly looking at how to feed its growing population.

“Tauranga has just overtaken Dunedin as the country’s fifth biggest city,” says Rowles. “Last year it’s population reached 128,000 people – a staggering 60 percent growth rate in just two decades. As that population continues to grow it’s almost certain that our operations will expand there too.”

“In the Tauranga City area we already have three New Worlds, three PAK’nSAVEs including the one at Tauriko that only opened last year, while Four Square The Lakes will be the city’s sixth Four Square.”

“It’s not just about quantity either, but the quality of the shopping experience too. Modern consumers have high expectations, and the design and range of all our new stores, such as Four Square The Lakes, certainly deliver that.”

Contact:

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

Source: Foodstuff NZ

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Co-op stores in Wales support Follow Your Dreams’ appeal to collect eggs for children with learning disabilities

Wales, UK, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Co-op food stores in Wales have teamed-up with Follow Your Dreams to put a big smile on more than a thousand young faces this Easter.

More than one hundred Co-op food stores are supporting the Church Village-based charity in its annual appeal to collect more than a thousand eggs for children and young people across Wales who have learning disabilities.

The donations will support Easter activities across Wales, including an Easter egg hunt using Makaton sign language in Porth; Down To Me Easter party for families of children and young people with down syndrome in Bridgend; SNAC (Special Needs Activity Club) in Port Talbot; South and West Wales down syndrome group Easter egg hunt in Carmarthen; Special Riding Group Easter activities in Machynlleth and, Creat-a-smile Easter family sessions for children and young people who have Autism and other needs in Llangollen, Llanrwst, Anglesey, Llandudno, and Towyn.

Liz Whitaker of Follow Your Dreams, who is involved in this year’s Easter project with the Co-op, said:
“Creative and interactive events are a great way to inspire children and young people with learning disabilities and, as a charity we rely on the generosity of organisations and the community for much of our funding. This is a huge boost, we are delighted to have the support of the Co-op and, together we really can make a big difference and put an ‘egg-stremely’ big smile on thousands of young faces this Easter.”

Hywel Stevens, a store manager for the Co-op in Hirwaun who helped to set up the appeal, said:
“It is heart-warming that so many people take the time to think of others, and a small donation really will add to up to a huge difference in our local communities this Easter for hundreds of children in Wales with learning disabilities.”

Members of the public wishing to support the appeal can pop into their local participating Co-op food store to make a donation before Friday, 14 April.

For further information about the work of Follow Your Dreams and its Easter egg appeal with the Co-op visit http://www.followyourdreams.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/followyourdreamscharity

Media Contact:

Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
Mobile: 07702 505 551
Email: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk

Source: Coop

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The Co-op to open its first Welsh store this year

MANCHESTER, England, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op is set to open its first new store Welsh store this year in Rossett following a £530,000 investment creating 15 new jobs.

Children from St. Peter’s primary school will be among the guests of honour, helping to cut the ribbon and open the new store for the community on Thursday, 20 April.

The community retailer is inviting residents to find out more about the Co-op at Pulford Village Hall, between 5pm – 8pm on Thursday, 6 April.

Located on Chester Road, Rossett, the Co-op – which was awarded Convenience Retailer of the Year in the latest Retail Industry Awards – will include an in-store bakery and a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas, award winning wines, meat and dairy produce.

The store will also provide a funding boost for community groups through the Co-op’s new Membership scheme. Members receive a 5% reward on purchases of own-branded products and services, with a further 1% going directly to local causes to make a difference in the community.

Les Thomas, Store Manager for the new Co-op in Rossett, said:
“We are looking forward to welcoming the community into their new store, we are thrilled to have made such a significant investment in Rossett. The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum and our ambition is to establish the store as a local hub, a real asset for the community. It really is exciting to be involved in the launch of the Co-op’s newest food store. We look forward to meeting the community on 6 April at Pulford Village Hall where they can find out more about what is in store, the benefits of Co-op membership and, sample some delicious tasters.”

Michael Gallacher, Area Manager for the Co-op in North Wales, said:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the Rossett community, and we want shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op. We are also giving back to the community. Our members can make a difference locally simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us, raising much needed funding for organisations in the area who contribute to improving local life.”

There will be offers and promotions in and around the new store to mark its launch.

And, students in Rossett and the surrounding area who holding the NUS extra card will receive a 10% discount off their groceries.

Further information about the benefits of Co-op membership and, its Local Community Fund, is available by visiting: http://www.coop.co.uk/membership/

Media Contact:

Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
Mobile: 07702 505 551
Email: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk

Source: Coop

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Majid Al Futtaim Fashion to debut American homeware and furniture brand Crate and Barrel in Doha Festival City

Majid Al Futtaim Fashion to debut American homeware and furniture brand Crate and Barrel in Doha Festival City

 

Dubai, UAE, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, today announced the signing of an agreement with Crate and Barrel to operate their stores and showrooms in Qatar from the beginning of April 2017. The agreement covers a five-year term with an exclusive license for stores in Qatar and plans to expand into other areas of the GCC.

This marks Majid Al Futtaim Fashion’s first entry into the home fashion and furniture market, and the announcement comes as the leadership of both businesses convene at the World Retail Congress taking place between 4th-6th April in Dubai.

Founded in Chicago in 1962, Crate and Barrel is a leading American homeware and furniture brand with more than 50 years of celebrated history in the market. Spanning over 100 stores globally, the Crate and Barrel brand creates store experiences intended to inspire customers who seek well-designed, high-quality home furnishings that bring creativity and beauty into their homes.

Majid Al Futtaim Fashion is pleased to announce that it will debut the brand with a 1,500 sqm Qatar store located in Doha Festival City. The location will showcase Crate and Barrel’s signature collection of housewares, seasonal accessories and complete line of indoor and outdoor furniture, as well as the unparalleled Crate and Barrel gift registry experience. In its product portfolio, Crate and Barrel includes housewares for the kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms as well as for entertainment, decoration, lighting, organization and exterior furniture. The much anticipated first store is set to open in Q4 2017.

Rajiv Suri, Chief Executive Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Fashion commented: “This is an important step for Majid Al Futtaim Fashion as we expand into a new line, home fashion and furnishings. Crate and Barrel is an incredible brand with a strong presence in the UAE, so we are excited to continue to extend the company’s presence further across the GCC.”

Real estate development is thriving as the demand for residential property continues to grow in the Middle East.  In particular, the GCC real estate market has emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors across the globe, with Doha (Qatar) among the cities topping the regional list. Qatar has witnessed rapid economic development and has seen a rise in per capita income, fuelling the demand for residential units in the country. The growing property market is complemented by an increasingly sophisticated and international customer-base, looking for on-trend and high-quality home furnishings with impeccable craftsmanship and value. Building on its success in the UAE, Crate and Barrel has a strong appeal to visiting GCC-shoppers. Therefore, the brand has now partnered with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion to introduce it to other GCC markets.

“We are excited about this new relationship and what it means for the Crate and Barrel brand,” said Neela Montgomery, Executive Chair, Crate & Barrel. “The aggressive growth orientation of Majid Al Futtaim aligns squarely with our business strategy in the region.”

Today, Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany, the second largest online retailer worldwide.

Source: Majid Al Futtaim

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JAPAN: Rakuten Umaimono Park opens store at Kobo Park Miyagi

Selling nine gourmet items that are popular orders on Rakuten Ichiba, including confectionary exclusive to the stadium

Tokyoy, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Rakuten, Inc. and Rakuten Baseball, Inc. today (April 3, 2017) announced that the “Rakuten Umaimono Park,” a store selling popular gourmet items from Rakuten Ichiba, will be opened at Kobo Park Miyagi on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. This will mark the first time for Rakuten to establish a permanent store at Kobo Park Miyagi.

The Rakuten Umaimono Park will offer a total of nine popular Rakuten Ichiba gourmet items carefully selected from around Japan. The menu includes the “Black Wagyu 100% Demi-cheese Hamburg Don,” which was developed specifically for the Rakuten Umaimono Park by Saison Boucher, a store specializing in top quality wagyu beef, the irresistible “Yamitsuki Juicy Fried Chicken” supplied by Suigo no Toriyasan, which uses poultry that has won the Rakuten Ichiba’s Gourmet Grand Prize in the meat section for two years running, and “Shopping Panda Cookies,” which will be sold exclusively at the Rakuten Umaimono Park and arose out of collaboration between popular confectionary store Aijyo-Sengen and “Shopping Panda,” Rakuten’s popular character.

Additionally, discount coupons that can be used on Rakuten Ichiba will be handed out to customers who buy goods at the Rakuten Umaimono Park.

Under its “ballpark concept,” Rakuten Baseball is aiming to create a highly entertaining stadium where families can enjoy themselves not only at baseball games but on days when there are no games being played as well. In 2016 it opened various facilities such as a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round and a dome-shaped events facility known as “Eagles Dome.” Establishing the Rakuten Umaimono Park is another part of this project.

Through this project, Rakuten and Rakuten Baseball aim to make Kobo Park Miyagi more enjoyable for local residents, and further vitalize and develop the region.

Overview of the Rakuten Umaimono Park
URL: https://r10.to/umaimonopark
Location: Kobo Park Miyagi (https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/en/stadium/access/)
Next to the Eagles Dome on the third base side of Kobo Park Miyagi, 2-11-6 Miyagino, Miyagino-ku, Sendai, Miyagi

Days of operation: Days when the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles are playing home games
For details see: https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/game/calendar

Gourmet items available:
– Black Wagyu 100% Demi-cheese Hamburg Don (merchant: top quality wagyu beef specialty store Saison Boucher)
– Mega-mori Niku no Sankan-ou (merchant: top quality wagyu beef specialty store Saison Boucher)
– Pururun Offal Salt Yakisoba (merchant: Shokufukutei)
– Yamitsuki Juicy Fried Chicken (merchant: Suigo no Toriyasan)
– Devil Chicken Curry (merchant: LaLa Curry)
– Family Popcorn (merchant: Fudge Concierge)
– Seasonal Gelato (merchant: Dolce Gelato Honten)
– Tenshi no Cookie Bar Cheese & Rich Chocolate Brownie (merchant: Tenshi no Okurimono Patisserie)
– Kobo Park Exclusive Shopping Panda Cookies (merchant: Aijyo-Sengen)

Source: Rakuten, Inc.

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LCP supports Dudley Kingswinford Running Club’s 10k road race

London, 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Leading commercial property firm LCP has signed up to be main sponsor of the Dudley Kingswinford Running Club’s 10k road race for the third consecutive year.

The Gold Standard annual race, which takes place on the evening of Wednesday, May 3, has a capacity of 1,100 runners and is now one of the biggest midweek road races in the Midlands

The race, which was launched in 1986 by Dick Blackburn, former chairman and founder of the running club, will also promote much-needed fundraising for Action Heart, a local charity that provides rehabilitation for heart surgery patients and individuals who have suffered a heart attack.

Andrew Preston, industrial portfolio manager at LCP, who has organised a team of 12 runners from the company, said it was keen to support the event again this year.

“The DK 10k is a really well-supported road race that we are only too pleased to sponsor again,” he said. “We have a running club at LCP, so are looking forward to entering a team of runners.”

Thanking LCP for its support, race organiser Gary Bonner said: “We’re very grateful for LCP’s support yet again. Corporate sponsorship is crucial for us because it ensures we have the resources in place to organise the race.

“Anyone wishing to take part should sign up for the event now. It is always a great race and we are looking forward to staging it again this year.”

To enter the LCP DK 10K, visit http://www.dkrunningclub.co.uk/. For any race enquiries and questions, email: DK10K@outlook.com

Contact:

Tel: 01384 400123
Fax: 01384 400862

Source: LCP