7‑Eleven® commits to $150,000 donation and 4,800 cases of water for Hurricane Irma disaster relief efforts

Retailer’s customers may also make in-store donations to American Red Cross

IRVING, Texas, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — As Hurricane Irma approaches the southeastern U.S., 7‑Eleven® is pledging a $150,000 donation to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Irma disaster relief efforts.

With over 800 stores in Florida, 7‑Eleven is also giving back to the community it serves by donating 4,800 cases of 7-Select® purified water for free distribution at three Florida locations tomorrow, September 9, at 8 a.m. ET. The locations are Orlando at 8320 Narcoosee Road, Port Orange at 1632 Taylor Road and Oldsmar at 3855 Tampa Road.

In addition, 7‑Eleven is encouraging customers to support the American Red Cross Hurricane Irma relief efforts. Customers can add $1.00 to their in-store purchase at participating 7‑Eleven® stores nationwide or donate online at https://www.7‑Eleven.com/hurricane-relief.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been or who may soon be affected by Hurricane Irma, including our 7‑Eleven employees and customers,” said Chris Tanco, Chief Operating Officer.  “We encourage all who can to support them by donating money or volunteering time to relief efforts.”

“Financial support from 7‑Eleven helps us deliver disaster relief services and provide food, shelter, emotional support and other essential assistance,” said Don Herring, American Red Cross chief development officer. “These funds are essential to our ability to assist disaster survivors and support the first responders and volunteers who work tirelessly at the scene of a disaster.”

7‑Eleven provided similar support in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, which devastated parts of Texas and Louisiana last week, donating $150,000 to the American Red Cross, water, food and supplies to shelters and over 1200 care packages to employees impacted by the storm. People interested in supporting those affected by these storms may visit https://www.7‑Eleven.com/hurricane-relief  to donate to the American Red Cross or learn more about 7‑Eleven’s relief efforts.

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 and/or licenses more than 63,000 stores in 18 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 bill payments, 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.

Contact:

7‑Eleven, Inc.
Corporate Communications
media@7-11.com

SOURCE: 7‑Eleven Inc.

Turn This Diwali into an Extraordinary Celebration with Online Diwali Gifts

New Delhi, India, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Turn this Diwali into an extraordinary festival, the celebration of euphoria by sending Diwali gifts to loved ones. Look no left nor right, rather simply click on the desired Diwali gifts just with the few clicks of buttons. With adequate online Diwali gifts for employees and other Diwali related arrangements from accessible from online shopping choices from GiftsbyMeeta, a number of online gifting articles have broadened the skyline by listing up an assortment of occasion specific gifting choices and these will undoubtedly be proven very useful.

Diwali Celebration with your Family Members: At the point when the arrangements are on for the Diwali, a festival of lights, the time has come to enlighten the faces of your family members and companions with the brightest grins by accessing online Diwali gifts from GiftsbyMeeta for them this Diwali. Why wandering here and there and visiting the physical stores for gifts and arrangements when you can buy Diwali gifts online from GiftsbyMeeta, all by sitting and shopping in your home or workplace. You have the online universe of endowments thumping at your entryway and you simply need to open yourself to this astonishing gifting world i.e. from GiftsbyMeeta. Charm the world with tasteful choices that will amuse everybody in your family.

Diwali: The Incredible Time of Getting Together with Our Loved Ones: Diwali, the India’s best festive day is the ideal time to wish and greet your love with the Diwali gifts. Diwali is a standout amongst the most adored events of India! Let this Diwali be set apart with a delicious Diwali sweets, snacks and dry fruit hampers, eye alluring home décor products and a number of auspicious Diwali idols; Diwali is an event that commands the triumph of well-finished fiendishness and along these lines, buy online Diwali idols, Pooja arrangements and so forth. The event is an incredible time to get together with your precious ones, and appreciate some lovely minutes of the togetherness!

The Effortless Arrangements of Your Diwali Gifts: One of the normal practices on this day is giving gifts to your family members, relatives, friends, clients, employers, and others. GiftsbyMeeta, a renowned Diwali gifts store in India is on a steady post for idealizing the online Diwali gifts for your Family and companions. With the web based shopping fever achieving more up to date status this bubbly season, shopping entryways are a standout amongst other spots to discover Diwali presents and GiftsbyMeeta along these lines is the best place. With bother free and pocket-accommodating costs, getting the complete Diwali arrangements online is an effortless action.

Contact Information:
Gifts By Meeta
10MG Road, 1st floor, New Delhi
Opp. Metro Pillar No. 47,
Near to Sultanpur Metro Station, New Delhi
India Phone: +91-9555695556
Pin Code: 110030
Website: https://www.giftsbymeeta.com/diwali

Classic Gaming Lives Again with Release of New Atari 2600/Sega Genesis Handhelds and Value Systems from AtGames

HD Consoles with Wireless Controllers Coming in October

Los Angeles, CA, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — The classic videogames of the 70s, 80s, and 90s are coming home and going on the road as AtGames today announced the launch of the Atari Flashback Portable Game Player, the Sega Ultimate Portable Game Player, the Atari Flashback 8 Classic Game Console and the Sega Classic Game Console.  All four systems, loaded with classic games, are available starting today at Family Dollar and Toys “R” Us.  Additional retailers will have the systems available in the coming weeks.

AtGames also today announced that the new premium HD versions of their classic gaming consoles: the Atari Flashback 8 Gold and the Sega Genesis Flashback will be available at major retailers starting on October 24. The Atari Flashback 8 Gold Activision Edition will be available at select retailers in November.

To support the launch of the new systems, AtGames is engaging in a massive non-gaming retail blitz that will bring the classic gaming hardware to retailers including Family Dollar, Dollar General, Kroger, Walgreens, Office Depot, Staples, Kohls, Urban Outfitter, Rite Aid, BJs, JC Penney, QVC, HEB and Bed, Bath & Beyond.  Game retailers offering the products include Walmart, Target, Gamestop, Best Buy and Toys “R” Us.

“AtGames has always focused on family friendly fun, value and accessibility,” said Ping-Kang Hsiung, CEO of AtGames. “Making it easy for families to enjoy video games together continues to be AtGames’ mission.“

Full details, product press releases, complete game lists and images are available at: dropbox.com/sh/s8w3ato3d2um6eu/AADk86DLVe_0r17wuUpt5CT0a?dl=0

Details on all seven new systems are below:

  1. The all-new Atari Flashback® 8 Gold features 120 built-in all-time favorites. Games include legends like Activision’s Pitfall! and Taito’s Space Invaders, as well as many other all-time Atari 2600 classics like Kaboom!, River Raid, Centipede, and Millipede. Two all new, high performance 2.4ghz wireless controllers, styled after the Atari 2600 originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports for optional wired joysticks or paddles. Other all new features for the Atari Flashback® 8 Gold include 720p HDMI output, scan line filtering, and save/pause/rewind feature functionality.
  2. The all-new Atari Flashback® 8 Gold Activision Edition features 130 built-in games, including 39 Activision classics. These games include legends like Activision’s Pitfall!, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, as well as many other all-time Atari 2600 classics like Freeway™, and River Raid™. Two high performance 2.4ghz wireless controllers, styled after the Atari 2600 originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports for optional wired joysticks. Other features for the Activision Edition include 720p HDMI output, scan line filtering, and save/pause/rewind feature functionality.
  3. The Atari Flashback® 8 Classic Game Console returns in a new value-priced edition, complete with 105 all-time favorites. Amazing new additions to the game line-up include Activision legends like Pitfall!, Kaboom!, and River Raid. Two wired controllers, styled after the Atari 2600 originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports to add your own optional wired joysticks or paddles.
  4. The Atari Flashback® Portable Game Player features an amazing selection of 70 built-in games, including the legendary BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment arcade hit, PAC-MAN. Other blockbuster games include Dig Dug, Pitfall!, and Frogger, and you can even add your own games with an optional SD card. A built-in, rechargeable battery, means the on-the-go fun never has to end. Games can be played on the portable’s high resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable.
  5. The all-new Sega Genesis Flashback has a stunning new design, reminiscent of the original console, and features 85 built-in games as well as an integrated cartridge port that plays almost all of your favorite Sega Genesis and Mega Drive original cartridges. Built-in all-time favorites include the Sonic series, Mortal Kombat™ series, Phantasy Star series, and Shining Force series. Two new high performance 2.4ghz wireless controllers, styled after the Sega Genesis six button originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports for optional wired gamepads. Other new features for the Sega Genesis Flashback include 720p HDMI output, scan line filtering, and save/pause/rewind feature functionality.
  6. The Classic Game Console returns in a new value-priced edition, complete with 81 all-time favorites. Amazing new additions to the game line-up include role-playing and strategy legends, Shining Force, and Shining Force II. Two wired controllers, styled after the Sega Genesis originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports to add your own optional wired controllers.
  7. The Ultimate Portable Game Player returns with an enhanced selection of 85 built-in 16-bit Sega Genesis and Mega Drive classic games. The selection of blockbuster games include new additions PAC-PANIC and Splatterhouse 2, as well as many more surprises. You can even add your own games with an optional SD card! Returning for 2017 is save game support for the included Phantasy Star series role-playing games. A built-in, rechargeable battery, means the on-the-go fun never has to end. Games can be played on the portable’s high resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable.

About AtGames

AtGames Digital Media Inc. (http://www.atgames.net) is a leader in innovative consumer-oriented interactive entertainment products. The company leverages the latest technology to develop and publish its best-selling classic video game products for worldwide distribution. AtGames is based in Los Angeles, with international offices in Taipei and Shenzhen.

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Lagardère Travel Retail renews its 5 store concession for RELAY concept in Auckland Airport

Auckland, New Zealand, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lagardère Travel Retail has successfully renewed its 5 store concession for the world market leading RELAY concept in Auckland Airport, in what was a very competitive tender process.

Having operated in Auckland Airport since 2011, Lagardère Travel Retail will introduce the latest global evolution of the RELAY brand to New Zealand.

“This win signals a strong and successful partnership with Auckland Airport,” says Lagardère Travel Retail CEO of Pacific, Matthieu Mercier. “We are more than ready to introduce to the Pacific region the latest evolution and innovative RELAY, and look forward to these new developments complementing the existing 16 stores we currently operate within Auckland Airport.”

The 5 RELAY concessions will cover approx. 900m2 retail space across both the International and Domestic Terminal; four sites within the International Terminal and one within the Domestic Terminal, complementing the existing HUB convenience offer currently operated by Lagardère Travel Retail.

Auckland Airport’s General Manager Retail and Commercial, Richard Barker commented: “We are pleased to announce that after a very competitive tender, Lagardère Travel Retail has successfully retained the travel essentials business at Auckland Airport. With a proven track record operating the RELAY brand and with innovative plans for the future we are thrilled to have Lagardère Travel Retail as our business partner.”

With a freshly updated brand logo and attractive store features, RELAY will bring to Auckland Airport a localised sense of place, while continuing to offer passengers everything they need for their journey in one store through a wider range of offers, simple store navigation, bolstered by optimised and exclusive products and promotions.

The new concession will commence in April 2018 for a 6 year period.

This win follows on from recent New Zealand renewals at both Christchurch Airport and Wellington Airport for 6 RELAY stores earlier in the year.

ABOUT LAGARDERE TRAVEL RETAIL:
With 4 billion euros 100% managed sales in 2015 and a presence in 32 countries, 230 airports and 700 train stations in EMEA, North America and ASPAC, Lagardère Travel Retail is a pioneering and leading travel retail player with global reach. Operating stores in travel essentials, duty free and luxury and foodservice, Lagardère Travel Retail offers a complete range of products and services to satisfy each and every traveller all along his journey. As a multi- specialist retailer, beyond the expertise within its 3 business lines, Lagardère Travel Retail creates value-added opportunities in each location.

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

PRESS CONTACT
Janette Doolan, Communications Manager
j.doolan@lagardere-traspac.com
www.lagardere-traspac.com

SOURCE: Lagardère Travel Retail

Location3 Launches LOCALACT Platform, Enhanced with Facebook, Google and Bing Integration and Tools to Convert Digital Traffic to Increased Profit

Denver, CO., 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Location3, the digital marketing agency that delivers enterprise-level strategy with local market activation, today announced the launch of LOCALACT, the premier platform built to power and scale local digital marketing for franchise systems and multi-location businesses.  LOCALACT unifies localized digital advertising with organic listing and search management to provide a complete digital marketing solution that drives measurable results for brands with a large brick-and-mortar footprint. Features include local business listing management with rigorous data validation, advanced location and consumer insights, consumer review monitoring, paid search management, Facebook advertising, and more.

“We built LOCALACT to help businesses power and scale local digital marketing tactics. Since rolling out the platform beta in April 2016, we’ve received helpful feedback from clients on what features and applications they would like to see integrated. The full scale version offers a unique Software-with-a-Service model that combines in-house digital marketing experts with proprietary software that efficiently integrates client data into a single, centralized platform,” said Alex Porter, CEO of Location3. “We are a strategic partner and an extension of our clients’ marketing teams, not a vendor, and launching LOCALACT is another big step toward strengthening our great client relationships even more.”

Location3’s extensive experience in optimizing more than 100,000 local business listings and thousands of local digital advertising campaigns for brands like HoneyBaked Ham, AT&T and FASTSIGNS has served as the genesis for the creation and development of LOCALACT. The platform is now available to all Location3 clients. Full release features available include:

  • Local Business Listing Management
    • Extensive data validation, direct listing publication, and ongoing management ensure locations are visible on the most important search engines, mapping platforms, and directories.
    • Reporting and analytics monitor the address accuracy of the published listings, and tracks how often consumers are viewing and engaging with the locations.
  • Localized Paid Search Advertising
    • Launch powerfully targeted, localized paid search advertising supported by enterprise-level campaign strategy
    • Reporting measures customized conversion goals, to ensure the most meaningful customer actions are tracked and optimized towards.
  • Facebook Paid Advertising
    • Launch, manage, and report on localized Facebook advertising campaigns, with access, reporting, support and billing available at both the corporate and local/franchise level
  • Local-Level Reporting on Google Analytics, Google Search Console & Search Insights
    • Allows access to all key reporting metrics listed previously for individual locations, including Google My Business Insights, Facebook Insights, Customer Reviews, Paid Media Advertising and Local SEO
    • Provides a clear picture of the company’s local digital footprint and corresponding performance across channels that impact customers
  • Customer Reviews and Review Responding
    • Allows each individual franchise or business location to engage and communicate directly with customers who post reviews on either Google or Facebook channels
    • Ability to navigate to specific user reviews in order to provide feedback, and respond to customer inquiries directly from the platform

“We’re incredibly excited to see our partners at Location3 launch LOCALACT.  We believe that the ability to manage all of our critical local data in the new platform, while also being able to further expand our franchise campaigns in new digital channels, will give Anytime Fitness a significant competitive advantage as we look to reach new potential club members and visitors,” said Kristen Pechacek, Senior Manager, Digital Marketing at Anytime Fitness.

To learn more about LOCALACT, please visit www.localact.com.

About Location3

Location3 is the digital marketing agency that delivers enterprise-level strategy with local market activation. Location3 works hand-in-hand with corporate/brand marketing teams at franchise systems and multi-location brands to execute integrated digital programs that increase customer acquisition and brand awareness. We are a strategic partner and an extension of our clients’ marketing teams.

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Foodstuffs North Island becomes Eat My Lunch strategic investor

Auckland, New Zealand, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Eat My Lunch today announced a new partnership with Foodstuffs North Island Limited. The collaboration aims to enable Eat My Lunch to feed more Kiwi kids with support from the 100% New Zealand owned supermarket chain community reach and distribution channels.

Foodstuffs North Island joins Eat My Lunch as a strategic investor to assist them with growing scale and to maximise the proven social benefits the programme provides to children in need.

Eat My Lunch, is on a mission to ensure no Kiwi kid goes to school hungry. Currently, founder Lisa King and the team deliver around 1,700 GIVE* lunches a day to 48 schools across Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton.

“But this is only scratching the surface of the need. Our intel suggests there are at least 25,000 children in New Zealand going to school every day without lunch,” says King.

“Securing a partner like Foodstuffs is really exciting for us. Their ability to contribute both financially and in real terms by giving us access to their supply chain and wider community through their network of stores is invaluable and they will give us the freedom to grow.

“This collaboration will help us take a giant step towards achieving our mission goal of 25,000 free GIVE lunches a day for Kiwi kids in need. As a business we really needed a strategic partner like Foodstuffs to invest in us and help us realise our goals

Chris Quin, CEO for Foodstuffs North Island says the supermarket group was drawn to Eat My Lunch due to its innovative business model and the ability to make a scalable and significant impact on a growing social problem.

“As a 100% New Zealand owned company which is inherently based on individual owners’ entrepreneurship, being able to invest in a business like Eat My Lunch feels right,” says Quin. “Lisa and the team are not only entrepreneurial but they are filling an important social need. Contributing to their success is an awesome opportunity and an absolute privilege. We just want to stand behind them and empower the team.

“The initiative goes right to the heart of what matters to us – it’s about giving New Zealand kids the chance to realise their potential and get more out of life.  This awesome programme is practical and effective – we all know that full tummies give children more energy to learn and grow.”

The investment will be used to scale up the number of GIVE lunches, and extend the service throughout the country. Eat My Lunch retains a controlling interesting in the business.

*For every lunch purchased, Eat My Lunch GIVE a free lunch to a Kiwi kid in need.

Foodstuffs Communications Team Phone: 0800 376 3342

SOURCE: Foodstuffs North Island

VAHAN JEWELER UNVEILS NEW DESIGN WITH FRESH SLEEK LOOK

VAHAN DESIGNER KEEPS FINDING NEW WAYS TO KEEP COLLECTIONFRESH, POLISHED & SLEEK

Vahan’s Greg Der Calousdian is A Master of Design and His Newest Design “Nuvo” is No Exception 

NEW YORK, USA, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ —  Greg Der Calousdian, VP of Design, has created a new look to join the company’s signature 14k gold floral beaded petal design.  The Nuvo look has clean and minimalistic lines that that will appeal to a more contemporary woman.   According to Greg, Nuvo is:

For the woman who is looking for something polished, smooth, and understated

The new design element is on rings, bracelets and earrings and can be seen in the Buckle, Le Cercle, Cross, Diamond Line, Halo, and Pavé Bangle Collections, with more collections soon to be added.

Despite this new design being a departure from the classic Vahan look, it still makes use of the signature two-tone gold and silver metals.  Nuvo also stays true to its classic look with the use of semi-precious and precious stones including Diamonds, Blue Topaz, London Blue Topaz, Rhodolite, Garnet, Black Onyx, Peridot, Chrome Diopside, and Citrine.

When asked what the reasoning was for the creation of Nuvo, Greg stated “Vahan has had tremendous success with our ornate petal design.  With Nuvo, I felt that it was time to appeal to a wider clientele. Nuvo features a sleeker alternative which is more tailored and contemporary.   It offers a forward-looking style that I think women will love.”

The Nuvo look is available August 2017 and starts at $1,000.  The line is available at various retailers throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.  A list of retailers can be found on the Vahan website at www.vahanjewelry.com.

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Media Contact:

Bianca Bahary

Director of Public Relations

M. Patricof Creative Group

212 645-7798 Tel

202 207-5931 Cell

bianca@mpatricof.com

VAHAN JEWELRY LAUNCHES “HOMME” ITS VERY FIRST MEN’S COLLECTION

NEW YORK, USA, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Historically, Vahan Jewelry only designed pieces that were specifically for women. However, the company has now expanded to include “Homme”, it’s very first men’s collection.

When asked why now? Why expand to men’s jewelry? Greg Der Calousdian, VP of Design responded by saying “Many men feel the need to differentiate themselves from the masses, and choose to do that through self-expression. Those of us who are more fashion conscious will often do it with accessories. That’s why I felt it was time to really bring Vahan into the world of Men’s jewelry.”

Vahan Homme is versatile, contemporary, and delivers fashion savoir faire to the male masses. The collection includes rings, pendants, and a unique line of reversible bracelets. These diverse pieces highlight the brands ability to create aesthetically appealing designs.

“Our Homme collection is geared to add a little pop to a man’s style. A small token of panache to pair with a lonely wrist watch or wedding ring. I’ve created brand new designs for men such as the Pyramid collection, as well as put a more masculine twist on existing Vahan styles like the Buckle bracelet and Tiger cuff. Homme is an exciting new line that will attract men who want to make a statement,” explained Calousdian.

The Homme Collection starts at $625 and is available at various retailers throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.  A list of retailers can be found on Vahan’s website at www.vahanjewelry.com.

 

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Media Contact    

Bianca Bahary

M. Patricof Creative Group

212 645-7798 Tel

202 207-5931Cell

bianca@mpatricof.com

Foodstuffs and Eat My Lunch partner to ensure no Kiwi kid goes to school hungry

Auckland, New Zealand, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Chris Quin, CEO of Foodstuffs North Island, shares his perspective on a new strategic partnership with Eat My Lunch.

In New Zealand today, like many 1st world countries we still have a problem, not every child goes to school with a healthy lunch to power their day and their learning. There are many causes of this, economic, some family and sometimes just education on how to look after healthy children. The reasons don’t matter as much as just taking the opportunity to do something about it.

Hunger gets in the way of children’s development, learning and growth. They can’t concentrate, they can’t be fully engaged; they are left on the side lines, they fade into the background, they become a statistic. There are around 25,000 kids a day in New Zealand who go to school without a decent lunch, and, we just talk some more – or do we?

It’s such a big opportunity that a New Zealand entrepreneur has developed a simple solution to address the problem.

Back in 2015, Lisa King, with the help of award-winning chef Michael Meredith, decided that inaction wasn’t good enough.  So, Eat My Lunch was born; a business on a mission to ensure no Kiwi kid goes to school hungry. It’s a fascinating model, a social enterprise that makes money from selling organisations a “BUY” Eat My Lunch, and soon an Eat My dinner product, and uses the income to generate a GIVE lunch for these kids who need it most.

Fast forward two years and the team now delivers around 1,700 GIVE lunches a day to 48 schools across Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton. For every BUY lunch purchased, Eat My Lunch gives a free lunch to a Kiwi kid who needs it.  While this is a great start, research shows that there are many more children in New Zealand who are going to school each day without lunch.

Eat My Lunch needed a partner to feed many more thousands of children. They need one with significant resources, systems and reach, and the right cultural fit.  That’s where the Foodstuffs team comes in.

We are partnering with Eat My Lunch to help them feed even more Kiwi kids. Our strategic investment to become a part owner of Eat My Lunch will be used to scale up the number of GIVE lunches, and extend the service throughout the country. While Eat My Lunch retains the controlling interesting in the business, Foodies will be supporting Eat My Lunch financially and in real terms by giving them access to our supply chain and a wider community, through our network of stores.

Eat My Lunch is a perfect fit with a 100% New Zealand-owned company with a footprint in every city, town and village in New Zealand. The social enterprise model also resonates strongly with a company like ours which is inherently based on individual owners’ entrepreneurship.  Being able to invest in a business like Eat My Lunch feels bloody right. Lisa and the team are not only entrepreneurial but they are filling an important social need. Foodies operators are also entrepreneurs, employers, mentors and sponsors in their communities.  Contributing to Eat My Lunch’s success is an awesome opportunity and an absolute privilege. We just want to stand behind them and empower their purpose.

Now that we have the partnership we are excited about what we can do from here. Eat My Lunch will continue to run their business as they do today. We will be contributing financially to help them grow their business and in real terms by giving them access to our Supply Chain and wider community through our extensive network of stores.

Next week the Foodies North Island Leadership Team will have a strategy day with the Eat My Lunch team to explore the possibilities of stocking their BUY product in our stores, partnering on meal kits and their new Eat My Dinner product, and any other way that we can help grow the success of the social good that Eat My Lunch are doing to address the 25,000 kids in New Zealand who don’t regularly get lunch. This is a fantastic fit with making sure New Zealanders get more out life and an exciting opportunity to take another step in meal solutions for our customers. I know our FSNI and store teams are all keen to pitch in and help make this happen.

The initiative goes right to the heart of what matters to us – it’s about giving New Zealand kids the chance to realise their potential and get more out of life. This awesome programme is practical and effective – we all know that full tummies give children more energy to learn and grow.

Lisa King says it best: “This collaboration with Foodstuffs will help us take a giant step towards achieving our mission goal of 25,000 free GIVE lunches a day for Kiwi kids in need. It’s heart-breaking walking into schools with something as simple as a few nutritious sandwiches and fruit knowing that this might be the best they get that day. But, it’s heart-lifting to know that with a partner like Foodstuffs investing in what we are doing, we will be able to realise our goals.”

Our Business absolutely has a responsibility to act in the best interests of its community – after all we rely on the community to keep us in business, so let’s invest in our people, our whanau, our neighbours and above all our children.

Foodstuffs Communications Team Phone: 0800 376 3342

SOURCE: Foodstuffs North Island

Millennium India All Set to Regale FoodPro 2017 with Innovative POS Technology

CHENNAI, India, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ —   Millennium India, the pioneer in Point of Sale (POS) technology in India, will be part of over 300 strong contingent of business verticals who will be showcasing their products, services and technology associated with food and beverage industry at the three-day Foodpro 2017 exhibition which will be held from September 7 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai.

Millennium has been partnered with Allmark Solutions, a leading weighing scale and other store infrastructure products supplier, along with well-known POS brands POSIFLEX, HONEYWELL and GoDEX to showcase their technology prowess on Point of Sale and other supportive products to business visitors, vendors and prospective entrepreneurs at the event.

The 12th edition of Foodpro 2017 is India’s biennial event on Food Processing, Packaging & Food Technology, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

The food expo will witness exhibitors dealing with food processing technology and machinery, refrigeration and cold chain system, process and packaged food, bakery equipment, kitchen equipment, hospitality products, barcoding and Point of sale technology will look forward for new business opportunities, collaborations, networking and brand promotion and will get updates on innovations and technology.

Bhaskar Venkatraman

On being part of the mega food expo, Bhaskar Venkatraman, CEO and Director of Millennium India said: Foodpro gives an opportunity to showcase our entire range of products to retail businesses which include, manufacturers, re-sellers, hospitality owners, packaging, food processing, cold storage and other logistics service providers. We have world-class technology products of Point of Sale and other store supportive products, and we are here to enhance the awareness of retail business owners on the advantages of using top-notch POS products for their business growth.”

Commenting on the importance of conducting such an event, a CII official said: “India continued to be one of the top producers in number of food grains, fruits, dairy products and poultry & meat products. At the same time, we lag behind most of the developed countries and also some of the developing Southeast Asian countries in terms of processing and value addition. This is resulting in lower returns on investments, very high wastage (up to 28% in some cases) and lower shelf life. Hence it is essential to increase the awareness on the importance of food processing and packaging. FOODPRO exhibition will help businesses to work towards adding value to processed foods and increase shelf life.”

To add value to the show and focus of the growing food sector, CII has added two more verticals – ColdStoRe and T-Food – as concurrent shows to Foodpro2017.

ColdStoRe will focus on the complete cold chain right from primary cold storage facility for food grains and fruits at Farm Level to high end cold storage for meat and food products including the important sector of Cold / Refrigerated Transportation.

Exhibitors profile will include companies that provide equipment, tools, and technologies that support the infrastructure and operations of the cold chain from design to build & operate. The focus will also be on third-party cold storage and refrigeration logistics and all forms of refrigerated transportation, Import/export facilities and services.

T-Food, a traditional food festival will try to bring the awareness about the traditional and local foods. This show will showcase the processed traditional food in healthy way, newer recipes of cooking traditional foods and will provide an opportunity to entrepreneurs to show case the developments in processing of traditional food.

CII will be organizing conferences on food processing technology, cold chain technology and workshop on traditional food with demonstration which will be addressed and conducted by experts in respective fields.

The event will be an ideal platform for the above profile companies to further strengthen their business and brand awareness and also to showcase their latest solutions to the user industry across sector.

About Millennium India

Established in 2002, Millennium Soft-Tech (India) Pvt Ltd has been in the forefront of providing Point of Sale (POS) technology products and solutions to Indian businesses through astute marketing strategy supported by huge partners’ network across India.

Having associated with world’s leading POS brands, Millennium understands the growing demands of retailers better than anyone else irrespective of their size, stature and nature of business, and offers comprehensive, advanced and sustainable solutions to enhance their business.

Headquartered in Chennai and having branches all major cities in India, Millennium has a clear vision of empowering millions of unorganized small and medium enterprises spread across the country by automating their transaction activities and make them competitive with established market peers.

As the national distributor of leading multinational POS brands including Epson, Posiflex, Casio, Toshiba, Honeywell, Godex, and Opticon, Millennium offers POS solutions to corporate brands, retail giants and SMEs across India.

For Media Contact:

K Ramanathan

Content Head and Media Coordinator,

Millennium India, India.

hand phone: +91 9384612789

email: ram (at) justransact (dot) com

Co-op opens its newest Welsh food store in Cwmbach

MANCHESTER UK, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op has served-up its newest Welsh food store in Cwmbach following an investment of more than £500,000 creating up to 20 new jobs – the new store marks a return to the community for the Co-op which can trace its history in Cwmbach back to the 1850’s.

Located at the former car dealership site in Canal Road, Cwmbach, the new store will bring a funding boost to local community groups through its Membership scheme – Members receive a 5% reward on the purchase of own-branded products and services, with a further 1% benefitting local good causes.

Good causes initially benefitting include: Hirwaun OAP – which is raising funds for coach trips and days out for its members and, Women’s Aid – RCT (Wave) to run self-help groups to promote confidence and self-belief in local communities.

While local youth side at AFC Llywdcoed netted a new kit from the Co-opto kick-off its new season in style as part of the launch day activity.

Guests of honour at the opening of the store included Vicki Howells, Assembly Member for Cynon Valley, and Gerraint Hill, the former owner of the former car showroom which was located on the site.

The new Co-op will offer an in-store bakery, Costa coffee dispenser and customer car parking alongside its focus on fresh, healthy food, meal ideas and award winning wines.

Ben Williams, Store Manager, said:

“We are delighted to have made such a significant investment in Cwmbach and we have received a fantastic response from the community – it is an exciting time for the whole team to be involved in the opening of Co-op’s newest Welsh food store. Our ambition is to establish the store as a local hub, a real asset for the community. We also want shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op, and that 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 they can raise much needed funding for organisations in the area who contribute to improving local life.”

John Hillman, Acquisition Manager for the Co-op in Wales, added:

“The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum, and we continue to look for new sites where we can serve local communities and be at the heart of local life.”

The Co-op opened more than 100 new stores UK-wide last year, and has ambitions to open a similar amount this year and in subsequent years. Co-op members can receive £500 in Co-op vouchers if they successfully suggest a site for a new store. For more information visit https://www.coop.co.uk/forms/suggest-a-site

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
M: 07702 505 551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk

Co-op’s fundraising walk raised more than £1,100 for children’s hospice Francis House, in Didsbury

MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Colleagues at the Co-op put their best foot forward for charity with a fundraising walk to raise money for a children’s hospice.

A donation of more than £1,100 was raised for Francis House, in Didsbury, after colleagues walked eleven miles to fundraise at stores across the area – the money will be used to help Francis House provide care and support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Kate Puc, fundraising officer at Francis House, said:

“We are overwhelmed with the fantastic support and enthusiasm of our fundraisers and volunteers – the money raised by the Co-opand its members and customers will make a difference locally. Francis House is free of charge to all who stay, providing care for children and young adults with life threatening conditions, along with support and friendship for the whole family. It is almost entirely reliant upon voluntary funding and so £1,100 really does provide a boost to our funding needs – we would like to say a huge thank you to the Co-op from all at Francis House.”

David Kay, Manager of the Co-op’s Burton Road, West Didsbury, store, said:

“As a community-based retailer it is important to us that we not only provide the community with their everyday essentials, but we contribute to improving local life too. Colleagues, members and customers were keen to take part when they heard about the fundraising for Francis House and the support it provide to families in the region – I would like to thank everyone for their support, the response has been incredible.”

Media Contact

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

SOURCE: Co-operative Group Limited

 

Co-op becomes a major Iris Prize partner for its six-day celebration of LGBT film

MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Sep-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Iris Prize has announced Co-op as a major new partner for its six-day celebration of LGBT film taking place in Cardiff next month (10 – 15 October).

Now in its 11th year, the Iris Prize – which has been identified as one of the top 50 film festivals in the world by Movie Maker Magazine for three years in a row – has unveiled a comprehensive programme including screenings of 35 international short films competing for the Iris Prize, the 15 Best British Short nominees, plus premiere screenings of 10 feature films.

The Co-op has arranged for singer Heather Small to perform a selection of songs including “Proud” at the festival in her capacity as a Co-op Respect Network partner.

The community retailer is also hosting a Food Village which showcases the diversity of Wales’ home grown produce.

Neil Moffatt, of the Co-op’s Respect Network steering group, and a member of the Iris Prize Best British jury, explained:

“With a programme which includes screenings of 35 international short films competing for the Iris Prize and the 15 Best British Short nominees, as well as premiere screenings of 10 feature films, networking opportunities and an Education Day for schools there will be much to celebrate.

“At the Co-op we promote a culture of respect, raising awareness to ensure that inclusion is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to support events such as Iris which brings issues of discrimination into focus.”

Andrew Pierce, Iris Prize Chair, commented:

“What will you see in Cardiff? This is our new strapline which we have adopted for Iris in this our 11th year, our second decade and we are determined to be fresh and relevant – therefore this year you will notice some changes to the festival programme.”

“To bring the festival to a close we are organising our biggest party every – that’s the promise as we present the inaugural Iris Carnival an all-day extravaganza combining, music, food and film. We are taking over the Depot on Dumballs Road and the delightful Heather Small will be headlining our sound stage and Matt Lissack, from Capital FM is back by popular demand to present the Iris Awards Show.

“The carnival will also include the Co-op Food Village which involves a number of the retailer’s local Welsh suppliers including: Boss Brewing Company; Village Dairy; Frank’s Ice Cream; Radnor Hills Mineral Water Co; Village Bakery; Edwards of Conwy and the Authentic Curry Company. The food village is an excellent way to demonstrating a flavour of the diversity of great Welsh food and drink available in its stores across the UK.”

What will you see in Cardiff? – visit http://www.irisprize.org/the-prize-2017/

Media Contact

Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702 505 551
E: andrew.torr@co-operative.coop