Nordstrom unveils its latest retail concept and neighborhood hub — Nordstrom Local

Entenmann’s® Bakery to debut new float in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

J Sainsbury plc welcomes Jo Harlow to its Board as a Non-Executive Director

Parfums Christian Dior unveils film for its new fragrance, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum with actress Natalie Portman

Lowe’s supports Hurricane Irma disaster relief and recovery efforts with $1 million donation

H&M Foundation and HKRITA find groundbreaking solutions to recycle blend textiles into new fabrics and yarns

H&M Foundation supports humanitarian relief works in South Asia with special focus on children’s education

British Land announces 98% occupancy of Broadgate’s 2FA with new lettings to Starling Bank and Innovate Finance

Asda launches ‘Crash Cake’ — a cake inspired by much-loved 70s board game

Auntie Anne’s brings back Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Nuggets for a limited time

Kimco Realty Corp. to participate at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Real Estate Conference, New York City, September 13, 2017

Whole Foods Market to open its first Middlesex County location on Wednesday, October 11

Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports youth literacy programs with $4 million donation to schools, organizations and nonprofits

Meijer customers can now earn mPerks Rewards for store-to-door orders

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

Nordstrom Local @ 8401 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, California 90069 (PRNewsfoto/Nordstrom, Inc.)

A neighborhood hub for free personal styling, onsite alterations and a suite of Nordstrom servicesSEATTLE, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Leading fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom, Inc. is pleased to announce Nordstrom Local – the company’s latest retail concept and neighborhood hub where customers can shop and access Nordstrom services in a convenient, central location. This brand new Nordstrom experience will launch in West Hollywood on October 3, on the same day as the company’s Westside Pavilion store relocation to Century City.

Nordstrom Local will have a 3,000 sq. ft. footprint; much smaller than an average 140,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom store. This service-focused concept store has no dedicated inventory – rather, customers who want to shop will have access to Personal Stylists, who can transfer merchandise in for customers, as well as a suite of convenient services like Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store (available same-day), Alterations & Tailoring, Trunk Club services, manicure appointments and more (please see full list below). Customers will also be able to make returns at Nordstrom Local from Nordstrom stores, Nordstrom.com and Trunk Club.

“As the retail landscape continues to transform at an unprecedented pace, the one thing we know that remains constant is that customers continue to value great service, speed and convenience,” said Shea Jensen, Nordstrom senior vice president of customer experience who led the Nordstrom Local initiative. “We know there are more and more demands on a customer’s time and we wanted to offer our best services in a convenient location to meet their shopping needs. Finding new ways to engage with customers on their terms is more important to us now than ever.”

Nordstrom Local will have one styling suite and eight dressing rooms surrounding a central meeting space where customers can sit comfortably, enjoy a glass of wine or beer, and chat with their Personal Stylists. Customers will also find Alterations & Tailoring and Order Pickup at the entrance, and items can be hand-delivered to a customer’s car via Curbside Pickup.

The full list of services available at Nordstrom Local includes:

Personal Stylists – Fast, fun, free – and zero pressure. A Nordstrom Personal Stylist can help customers with everything from a little fashion advice to a whole new wardrobe to finding the perfect gift at any budget. Customers can make an appointment with a stylist online, over the phone or in-person.
Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store – Customers can shop Nordstrom.com and pick up their purchases at Nordstrom Local on the same day, if ordered before 2pm.
Onsite Alterations & Tailoring – Customers can get professional alterations and tailoring at Nordstrom Local. On-site tailors will assure that any garment fits perfectly, from a simple jeans hem to a meticulously tailored suit.
Same-Day Delivery – Available for completed alterations or purchases, and delivered directly to a customer’s home on the same day, if ordered by 2pm.
Curbside Pickup – Alterations and Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store orders can be hand-delivered to a customer’s car via Nordstrom Local’s Curbside Pickup.
Trunk Club & Trunk Club Custom – Another convenient location for customers to meet a Trunk Club Stylist or pick up or return a trunk. The Nordstrom team of expert tailors will help customers select the right fabrics or create a Trunk Club Custom garment that suits them perfectly from workweek to weekend.
Nordstrom Gift Card – Nordstrom donates 1% of all Gift Card sales to nonprofits in local communities.
Style Boards – Nordstrom Style Boards is a new salesperson tool that allows salespeople and Personal Stylists to create digital boards filled with personalized fashion recommendations, like a summer vacation or wedding, which customers can view on their phone and purchase directly through Nordstrom.com. In addition to fashion recommendations, customers can get the expert advice of a salesperson or Personal Stylist by having a conversation with them through the app.
Nail Services – Nordstrom Local offers eight different manicure services to help customers complete the perfect look.
Easy Returns – Customers can make returns at Nordstrom Local from Nordstrom stores, Nordstrom.com, and Trunk Club.
On-Site Refreshments – Nordstrom Local will serve a full beverage menu including California-sourced beer and wine, cold-pressed juices from Pressed Juicery, and handcrafted espresso drinks from our Nordstrom Ebar.

Nordstrom Local is located at 8401 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069 (on the Corner of Melrose Placeand Melrose).

About Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is a leading fashion specialty retailer based in the U.S. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 356 stores in 40 states, including 121 full-line stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico; 224 Nordstrom Rack stores; two Jeffrey boutiques; and two clearance stores. Additionally, customers are served online through Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com and HauteLook. The company also owns Trunk Club, a personalized clothing service serving customers online at TrunkClub.com and its seven clubhouses. Nordstrom, Inc.’s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

CONTACT:	Anya Pavlovic
	Nordstrom, Inc.
	206.303.3015

SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc.

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

This November, the iconic Entenmann’s brand will debut a new float in the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Photo: Business Wire)

The renowned baked goods brand celebrates in the city it was founded and invites fans all over the country to partake in the fun through a special sweepstakes

NEW YORK & ISLANDIA, N.Y., 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — This Thanksgiving a confectionery of delights will enthrall millions of spectators when Entenmann’s^® Bakery debuts a new float in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade^®. The beloved brand will join the historic lineup of the world-famous holiday spectacle for the first time ever, bringing a taste of sweet celebration to more than 3.5 million spectators lining the route in New York City and to more than 50 million viewers nationwide.

Founded in Brooklyn in 1898, the hometown collaboration with Macy’s (NYSE:M) will see Entenmann’s signature brand of delicious treats take center stage on a float showcasing the fun and enjoyment of baking and sharing in tasty confections with family and friends. Designed to mirror a colorful bakery, the new float will evoke the fun spirit of the brand, complete with bursting confetti, rotating donuts, and displays of mouthwatering desserts.

“The entire Macy’s Parade team is thrilled to welcome Entenmann’s to the float line-up this year with a fantastically colorful treat for millions of spectators this Thanksgiving,” said Jordan Dabby, vice president Partnership Marketing for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “There are few opportunities where the Parade can partner with an organization that has existed longer than our own 90-year storied history. We are so pleased to combine our homegrown brands and build upon our shared traditions of creating warm family moments that have been enjoyed by countless generations.”

“As a brand that has grown to be a household favorite for almost 120 years, we are proud to celebrate in the city where it all began at an event that shares our commitment to tradition and family fun – the Macy’s Thanksgiving DayParade,” said Lorraine Hale, Senior Director of Marketing for Entenmann’s Bakery, part of Bimbo Bakeries USA. “To celebrate our debut in the Parade, we have launched a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Sweepstakes so that our fans all over the nation can enter for a chance to win a trip to New York City for next year’s spectacle.”

Open for entries now, consumers can enter into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Sweepstakes via Entenmann’s Facebook page. On November 25, two lucky winners will be selected to win a trip to New York City for the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Each grand prize winner will enjoy three days and four nights in the city, a set of four Grandstand Tickets to the Parade, and a year’s supply of Entenmann’s^® Donuts and Little Bites^®Muffins. More information about the sweepstakes is available at www.EntenmannsMacysThanksgivingDayParadeSweeps.com.

The 91^st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on NBC-TV, on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 from 9 a.m. – Noon; in all time zones.

About Entenmann’s^® Bakery
Entenmann’s history dates back over 119 years to 1898 when William Entenmann opened his first bakery in Brooklyn, New York. By the 1960s the company was selling delicious donuts throughout the New York metropolitan area; by the 1970s it began selling nationwide. Today, Entenmann’s markets over 100 different baked goods in the U.S., producing 780 million donuts a year – one of which is the #1-best-selling classic Entenmann’s Rich Frosted Donut introduced in 1973.

About Bimbo® Bakeries USA
Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 22,000 U.S. associates operates more than 60 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold^®, Bimbo^®, Boboli^®, Brownberry^®, Entenmann’s^®, Freihofer’s^®, Heiner’s™, Marinela^®, Mrs Baird’s^®, Nature’s Harvest^®, Oroweat^®, Sara Lee^®, Stroehmann^®, Thomas’^®, and Tia Rosa^®. BBU is owned by Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V., the world’s largest baking company with operations in 22 countries.

About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For 91 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a more than 2-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. The Parade also features America’s best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons. For more information on the Macy’s Parade, please visit www.macys.com/parade or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.

Source: Macy’s

Macy’s Media Relations
Orlando Veras, 646-429-7450
orlando.veras@macys.com
or
Entenmann’s
Kim Riccardi, 973-588-2257
kriccardi@coynepr.com

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

J Sainsbury plc welcomes Jo Harlow to its Board as a Non-Executive Director

LONDON, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — J Sainsbury plc today announces that Jo Harlow will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect. Jo will be a member of the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee.

A US national, Jo has a strong background in consumer-facing businesses having spent eight years at P&G and 11 years at Reebok in senior sales and marketing positions in both Europe and the US. In addition, she has spent 12 years in the telecoms and technology industry in a variety of senior management roles with Nokia and Microsoft. Jo currently serves as Non-Executive Director of InterContinental Hotels plc, Ceconomy AG, the German consumer electronics company, and technology company, Halma plc.

Commenting on the appointment David Tyler, Chairman of Sainsbury’s, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Jo Harlow as a Non-Executive Director. She brings to the Board a wealth of experience in consumer-facing businesses and in the telecoms and technology industry, both in the UK and internationally. We are confident that she will make a valuable contribution to Sainsbury’s.”

J Sainsbury plc also announces today that Matt Brittin, Non-Executive Director, is becoming a member of the Remuneration Committee and standing down from the Audit Committee with immediate effect. At the same time, Jean Tomlin, Non-Executive Director, is joining the Audit Committee and standing down from the Remuneration Committee.

No further information is required to be disclosed under 9.6.13R of the UK Listing Rules.

SOURCE: J Sainsbury plc

For corporate press enquiries please contact press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 0207 695 7295.

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

PARIS, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Parfums Christian Dior has released a captivating film for its new fragrance, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum. Embodied by actress Natalie Portman, the fragrance is a hymn to love.

In a galvanizing film about the feeling of true love featuring Natalie Portman, the actress provocatively asks viewers: “And you, what would you do for love?” The muse of Maison Parfums Christian Dior since 2010, Natalie Portman embodies this newest facet of the iconic range, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum.

In the film – shot in Paris and Los Angeles – she reveals a full gamut of feelings. With fiery ardor, passion and even flashes of anger, the new Miss Dior explores extremes. Sensual, amorous and provocative, she would do anything – and more – for love, going so far as to plunge unhesitatingly into the sea. A declaration of absolute love, the new film recounts how love is about proving and challenging.

Created for a decisive, passionate and free woman, Miss Dior expresses the multiple facets of love, captured in a film directed by Emmanuel Cossu – also known for his music videos for Gesaffelstein and Sebastien Tellier – in his first collaboration with Maison Parfums Christian Dior.

SOURCE: LVMH

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

Mooresville, NC, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s announced a commitment of at least $1 million to support disaster relief and recovery efforts through cash and product donations as Hurricane Irma struck communities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The latest donation brings Lowe’s total contribution to disaster relief this year to more than $2 million following the major flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. Lowe’s is working with nonprofit partners and government agencies to determine immediate and long-term support needed by local communities.

Lowe’s has also expanded its American Red Cross customer donation program from stores in Texas to all stores nationwide to provide a convenient place for customers to support those affected by the storms. Customers can also contribute to the American Red Cross online through a link on Lowes.com.

“Lowe’s makes it a priority to be there for families in our communities before, during and after natural disasters strike,” said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “I’m thankful to our employees for their tireless efforts to help neighborhoods prepare for storms like Harvey and Irma and proud of their passion and commitment to helping communities rebuild after these historic storms.”

Lowe’s Emergency Command Center continues to expedite thousands of truckloads of needed clean-up and recovery supplies to Lowe’s stores impacted by the storms, including bottled water, gas cans, chainsaws, water removal equipment, insect repellent, shovels, rakes and other tools.

Lowe’s employs more than 23,000 people in Texas and more than 19,000 in Florida. Additional specially trained Lowe’s employees will travel to the hardest-hit locations to provide relief to impacted employees while ensuring stores are ready to serve customers. Lowe’s is also supporting affected employees through its Employee Relief Fund which provides financial assistance in times of crisis. Lowe’s has doubled its match of employee contributions to the fund following Hurricane Harvey. Since it was established in 1999, the fund has helped approximately 26,000 employees by providing more than $29 million in financial aid.

Thus far, Lowe’s has donated 25,000 buckets of clean up supplies to be distributed in Houston, and Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have helped with hands-on relief efforts in Texas communities affected by the hurricane. Volunteers will provide similar support to recovery efforts for communities impacted by Hurricane Irma in the coming weeks as the needs are identified.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE^® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.

SOURCE: Lowe’s

Media Inquiries
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

H&M Foundation and HKRITA find groundbreaking solutions to recycle blend textiles into new fabrics and yarns

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — The four-year innovative partnership between the non-profit H&M Foundation and The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) finds groundbreaking solutions to recycle blend textiles into new fabrics and yarns – without any quality loss – through a hydrothermal (chemical) process. The technology will be scaled up and made available to the global fashion industry. The finding is a major breakthrough in the journey towards a closed loop for textiles.

“For too long the fashion industry has not been able to properly recycle its products, since there’s no commercially viable separation, sorting, and recycling technology available for the most popular materials such as cotton and polyester blends. This very encouraging finding has the potential to change that. We are very excited to develop this technology and scale it beyond the laboratory, which will benefit the global environment, people and communities,” says Erik Bang, Innovation Lead at H&M Foundation.

The aim of the Closed-Loop Apparel Recycling Eco-System Program is to find at least one ready technology to recycle clothes made from blend textiles, within the four-year project period. One year into the partnership, HKRITA has together with Ehime University and Shinshu University in Japan, successfully developed a hydrothermal (chemical) process to fully separate and recycle cotton and polyester blends. The recovered polyester material can be reused directly, without any quality loss. The hydrothermal process uses only heat, water and less than 5% biodegradable green chemical, to self-separate cotton and polyester blends. This fibre-to-fibre recycling method is cost effective, and there’s no secondary pollution to the environment, ensuring the life of the recycled material is prolonged in a sustainable way. The technology will be licensed widely to ensure broad market access and maximum impact.

“By being able to upcycle used textiles into new high value textiles, we no longer need to solely rely on virgin materials to dress a growing world population. This is a major breakthrough in the pursuit of a fashion industry operating within the planetary boundaries.”

Edwin Keh, Chief Executive Officer of HKRITA.

The H&M Foundation initiated the partnership with HKRITA in September 2016. It is backed by an estimated 5.8 million euros of funding, with HKRITA conducting the research and work to commercialise the outcomes. The Innovation and Technology Fund of the Hong Kong SAR Government also provides additional substantial funding and support. The total project investment is estimated to around 30 million euros during the four-year collaboration (2016-2020), which makes it one of the biggest and most comprehensive efforts ever for textile recycling.

It is H&M’s customers’ engagement that have enabled this important research, as the exact financial contribution is determined by the annual surplus from H&M’s global in-store garment collecting program, which is donated to H&M Foundation. To date the H&M Foundation has donated 2.4 million euros to HKRITA.

The collaboration is part of H&M Foundation´s commitment within its focus area Planet, which initiatives all have the aim to safeguard not only the planet but also the living conditions for people and communities around the world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Yan Chan, Director, Business Development, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA)
+852 2627 8171
yanchan@hkrita.com
hkrita.com

Malin Björne, PR & Communications Manager, H&M Foundation
+46 70 796 39 75
malin.bjorne@hmfoundation.com
hmfoundation.com

Cher Chui, PR Manager (Hong Kong and Macau), H&M
+852 3973 7125
Cher.Chui@hm.com
hm.com

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel was established in 2006 and is a publicly funded applied research center. It is one of five applied research centers sponsored by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. HKRITA engages in applied mid- and down-stream research to support the textile and apparel industries, to drive sustainable improvements, and to drive improvements for society.

The Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission, aims to increase the added value, productivity and competitiveness of our economic activities. The Government hopes that, through the ITF, Hong Kong companies could be encouraged and assisted to upgrade their technological level and introduce innovative ideas to their businesses.

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

H&M Foundation supports humanitarian relief works in South Asia with special focus on children’s education

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — In addition to the human tragedy that follows in the wake of South Asia’s worst flooding in years, Save the Children warns that children´s education and long-term well-being is also put at risk. H&M foundation donates important support to Save the Children´s work in India and Bangladesh where 1.3 million children are currently out of school.

Due to the severe situation, the H&M Foundation has decided to donate $200,000 to Save the Children’s humanitarian relief work. Aside from helping provide basic necessities like food, clean drinking water and shelter, the donation will have a special focus on education. Hundreds of thousands of children could fall permanently out of the school system if education isn’t prioritized in the relief efforts,” says Diana Amini, Global Manager H&M Foundation.

The floods have had a huge impact on education institutions right across the region with more than 12,000 schools damaged or destroyed in India and 4,000 in Bangladesh. In some areas schools have been suspended for several weeks. However, there are teaching staff available, learning materials and attendance is low because students are trying to survive the floods with their families.

“Education is a critical factor in this kind of emergency response. Lost education jeopardizes the safety of children and can increase the risk of child labor and trafficking.”

Elisabeth Dahlin, CEO Save the Children Sweden

Save the Children is helping support education in India and Bangladesh. The aid agency has set up temporary learning spaces so classes can resume immediately, distributed back to school kits with basic learning materials and is providing psychosocial support to students affected by the floods.

Aside from education, Save the Children is also distributing tarpaulins for temporary shelter, running special playgroups for children to help them recover and distributing relief items including hygiene kits, food packages, clean drinking water, kitchen kits and cash for basic necessities.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Diana Amini, Global Manager, H&M Foundation
diana.amini@hmfoundation.com
+46 (0)729 804 802
hmfoundation.com

Anders Maxson, Media Manager, Save the Children Sweden
anders.maxson@rb.se
+46 (0)8 698 67 55
savethechildren.net

ABOUT H&M FOUNDATION
The H&M Foundation is a non-profit global foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Persson family, founders and main owners of H&M. Its mission is to drive long lasting positive change and improve living conditions by investing in people, communities and innovative ideas. Through partnerships with organizations around the globe, the H&M Foundation drives change within four focus areas; Education, Water, Equality and Planet. In addition to this, the Foundation can also provide emergency relief. Since 2013, the Stefan Persson family has donated 1.1 billion Swedish kronor (USD 154 million/EUR 123 million) to the Foundation. For more information, visit hmfoundation.com.

ABOUT SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Learn more by visiting: savethechildren.net

SOURCE: H&M

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

British Land announces 98% occupancy of Broadgate’s 2FA with new lettings to Starling Bank and Innovate Finance

LONDON, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — British Land and GIC announce that Starling Bank, the first mobile-only challenger bank to launch a current account, and Innovate Finance, the UK membership association for the global FinTech community, have agreed to take space at Broadgate’s 2FA (2 Finsbury Avenue).

Starling Bank will take 14,500 sq ft on the third floor of the building and Innovate Finance will take 1,600 sq ft on the seventh floor, bringing the building to 98% occupancy.

These new occupiers represent another milestone for 2FA, which is transforming into a hub for technology and creative companies. Other recent lettings at 2FA include Kingfisher, whose digital team has taken space with British Land’s flexible workspace brand, Storey. Theatre Delicatessen, a charitable organisation which focuses on supporting emerging theatre makers, opened at 2FA in July and delivers a new cultural angle to Broadgate.

These lettings demonstrate that Broadgate is successfully appealing to growth sectors, particularly FinTech, for which London is a well-established hub of talent, energy and ideas. Broadgate’s dynamic campus offering, with an evolving mix of retail and leisure, and an extensive programme of events and experiences is attracting a broader mix of occupier, and its appeal will be further enhanced by the arrival of the Elizabeth Line at Liverpool Street Station in 2018.

British Land and GIC’s vision for Broadgate includes a substantial redevelopment of 2 & 3 FA, which received planning consent last year. The lettings announced today preserve optionality on this building, enabling the progression of plans when the time is right.

David Lockyer, Head of Broadgate, British Land, said: “Starling Bank has blazed a trail as one of the UK’s most dynamic challenger banks whilst Innovate Finance has championed the UK FinTech community globally, helping to cement London’s place as the world’s FinTech capital. Their decision to take space at Broadgate illustrates just how successfully the campus is establishing a reputation as a centre of FinTech excellence, and is a great example of the how the campus is appealing to growth sectors. Our long term plans will see Broadgate evolve into a vibrant and mixed-use neighbourhood for London; expanding the occupier mix is an important step in that journey.”

Anne Boden, CEO & Founder of Starling Bank, added: “Broadgate is a special place for me – I remember first working here in the 80s and 90s. Sitting on the cusp of the City and Shoreditch, it has always been vibrant and a real attraction for talent. Now, initiatives like British Land’s 2FA are luring smart, innovative companies together and developing a fantastic community. They are building on that history, on the crossover between finance, technology, and creative sectors with exciting results. London is, and can remain the fintech capital of the world, but to do so it needs more spaces like this where diverse ideas and talent feel welcome and can flourish.”

Charlotte Cresswell, CEO, Innovate Finance, commented: “Broadgate’s location, on the doorsteps of both Shoreditch and the City, will enable Innovate Finance to support its growing membership base in the area, which includes many startups, technology companies and major banks. It will also bring us closer to our community partners and benefactors, particularly the City of London, who are keen to work together to help build expand London’s dynamic FinTech cluster. We are looking forward to making the most of our space and creating a network in the area. This includes strengthening the links and interface between the neighbouring tech and creative communities that are playing vital roles in shaping the success of UK’s FinTech sector- from the team at Google in King’s Cross to the app developers and coders in Shoreditch and Silicon Roundabout.”

For further details on the projects and events at Broadgate, visit www.broadgate.co.uk.

Enquiries:
Investor Relations
Cressida Curtis, British Land	020 7467 2938

Media
Claire Turvey, Emily Murphy, FTI Consulting	020 3727 1000

About Broadgate
Broadgate is a 32-acre central London neighbourhood adjacent to the transport hub of Liverpool Street station. It is located alongside the creative communities of Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Old Street, and borders the City to the south.

Joint owners British Land and GIC are investing in Broadgate’s evolution into a world class, mixed use destination, bringing people together to work, shop, drink and dine, reflecting people’s changing lifestyle ambitions and attitudes.

Broadgate is the largest pedestrianised urban neighbourhood in central London. Its appeal as an established location for financial and business service companies endures, however it is seeing increasing demand from tech, media and other growth sectors, all looking for a well-located and vibrant place to both work and enjoy spending time.

Broadgate’s shopping, leisure and restaurant offer will increase dramatically over the next few years with the arrival of new and exciting brands throughout the campus. Broadgate’s public realm is enhanced by forward-thinking artwork and design and its open spaces play host to a popular year-round events programme.

An estimated 65 million people visit Broadgate every year; this is expected to increase with the opening of the Elizabeth Line at Liverpool Street in 2018.

To find out more, visit www.broadgate.co.uk.

About British Land
Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on Retail around the UK and London Offices. We own or manage a portfolio valued at £19.1 billion (British Land share: £13.9 billion) as at 31 March 2017 making us one of Europe’s largest listed real estate investment companies.

Our strategy is to provide places which meet the needs of our customers and respond to changing lifestyles – Places People Prefer. We do this by creating great environments both inside and outside our buildings and use our scale and placemaking skills to enhance and enliven them. This expands their appeal to a broader range of occupiers, creating enduring demand and driving sustainable, long term performance.

Our Offices portfolio comprises three office-led campuses in central London as well as high quality standalone buildings and accounts for 49% of our portfolio. Increasingly our focus is on providing a mix of uses and this is most evident at Canada Water, our 46 acre redevelopment opportunity where we have plans to create a new neighbourhood for London. Our Retail portfolio is focused on Regional and Local multi-let centres, and accounts for 48% of our portfolio.

Sustainability is embedded throughout our business. Our places, which are designed to meet high sustainability standards, become part of local communities, provide opportunities for skills development and employment and promote wellbeing. Our industry-leading sustainability performance led to British Land being named a European Sector Leader in the 2016 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark for the third year running.

In April 2016 British Land received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development, the UK’s highest accolade for business success for economic, social and environmental benefits achievements over a period of five years.

Further details can be found on the British Land website at www.britishland.com.

About Starling Bank
We’re a fintech business with a banking licence, fully regulated by the FCA and PRA. We were granted a banking licence in July 2016. Starling Bank is a member of Faster Payments and an issuer of MasterCard.

We’re not copying the traditional banking model – we’ve learned from it, taking the not-so-good bits and turning them into our best bits. We believe giving our customers access to a mobile market of products and services that best fit their financial needs, helps them on their way to a happier, healthier financial life.

For more information, please visit www.starlingbank.com or contact Harriet Allner, Head of Communications, at media@starlingbank.com.

About Innovate Finance
Innovate Finance is an independent membership association that represents the UK’s global FinTech community. Founded in 2014 with the support of the City of London and Canary Wharf Group, Innovate Finance is a not-for-profit with over 250+ members that aims to accelerate the country’s leading position in the global financial services sector by directly supporting the next era of technology-led financial services innovators, whether they be a young startup or an established industry player.

The goal is to create a single point of access across the sectors to help foster enabling policies, regulation, talent development, business growth opportunities and investment in the UK — and, most importantly, to create a global finance sector that offers services that are more sustainable, more inclusive and better for everyone.

SOURCE: British Land

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

Asda launches ‘Crash Cake’ — a cake inspired by much-loved 70s board game

LEEDS, UK, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Leading retailer launches a cake inspired by much-loved 70s board game – The cake hits Asda stores in the same week that board game biscuits appeared on the Great British Bake Off – Asda ‘Crash Cakes’ available in stores nationwide now

A retro board game inspired cake has launched at Asda in the week the nation saw bakers create board game biscuits on Great British Bake Off.

The ‘Crash Cake’ is the brainchild of Asda bakers, and comes with ribbons for friends and family to pull. One of the ribbons will cause a spectacle of sweets to come crashing down from the top of the cake and into the base – in the style of a nostalgic 70s board game.

The launch comes in the week that Great British Bake Off fans saw 11 bakers on the show master board game biscuits as their ‘showstopper’. Bakers on last night’s show created inventive biscuits in the shape of chess pieces, snakes and ladders and the board game Operation, injecting a playful element into their baking challenge. Asda see their new cakes as the ultimate ‘party crashers’.

Hannah Gelderd, an Asda spokesperson for celebration cakes, said “Kids today want to interact with everything and, following the popularity of Asda piñata cakes, we wanted to make our cakes even more exciting and interactive. We loved seeing the board game biscuit creations on Bake Off and hope it inspires Brits to try out The Crash Cake as the perfect party centrepiece.”

Cake lovers can take their pick from two flavours, including a delicious chocolate sponge covered in chocolate buttercream frosting and a lighter madeira sponge decorated with striped rainbow frosting – both worthy of impressing the self-proclaimed ‘Powerful Piper’ aka judge Noel Fielding. RRP: £15 each

Products available in selected Asda stores and from Asda.co.uk

SOURCE: ASDA

Natalie Chandler
Press Officer
0113 826 2829

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

For a limited time, the seasonal fan favorite is back

LANCASTER, Pa., 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Back by popular demand, Auntie Anne’s^®, the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise, is rolling out the dough for Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Nuggets. Available for a limited time starting September 11, the nuggets are freshly baked and topped with a special blend of seasonal spices, evoking the sweet smell of fall. The Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Nuggets pair perfectly with Auntie Anne’s Light Cream Cheese or Sweet Glaze dips.

“Fall means football, foliage, and, of course, Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Nuggets,” said Carol Pasquariello, vice president of marketing for Auntie Anne’s. “We’re excited to celebrate the season by bringing back this iconic product. Like the fall, these nuggets will be gone before you know it, so be sure to grab some while you can.”

As always, the purchase of Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Nuggets will allow guests to earn points towards the redemption of free pretzels and signature Auntie Anne’s items through the My Pretzel Perks app, available for free download in Apple’s App Store^® and Android’s Google Play^® Store. Members also receive free pretzels on their birthday, exclusive offers, and information about fresh, new products.

Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Nuggets will be available at Auntie Anne’s locations nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.89, while supplies last.

About Auntie Anne’s^®:
With more than 1,700 locations in 48 states and more than 25 countries, Auntie Anne’s mixes, twists and bakes pretzels to golden brown perfection all day long in full view of guests. Auntie Anne’s can be found in malls and outlet centers, as well as in non-traditional spaces including universities, airports, Walmarts, travel plazas, military bases, and food trucks. For more information, visit AuntieAnnes.com, or follow on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram. To receive the latest offers – including a free pretzel for your birthday – download the My Pretzel Perks app.

SOURCE: Auntie Anne’s LLC.

PRESS CONTACTS

Chas Kurtz
Public Relations Manager
717-435-1561
ckurtz@auntieannes.com

Kaitlin Scicchitano
Social Media Manager
717-435-1616
kscicchitano@auntieannes.com

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y., 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE: KIM) announced today that its management will participate in the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Real Estate Conference on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in New York City. Kimco management will provide a general overview of the company followed by a question and answer session. The webcast information is as follows:

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, audio from the conference will be available until December 11, 2017 at the link above.

Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE: KIM) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in New Hyde Park, N.Y., that is one of North America’s largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers. As of June 30, 2017, the company owned interests in 510 U.S. shopping centers comprising 84 million square feet of leasable space primarily concentrated in the top major metropolitan markets. Publicly traded on the NYSE since 1991, and included in the S&P 500 Index, the company has specialized in shopping center acquisitions, development and management for more than 50 years. For further information, please visit www.kimcorealty.com, the company’s blog at blog.kimcorealty.com , or follow Kimco on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kimcorealty.

Kimco Realty Corp.
David F. Bujnicki, 1-866-831-4297
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategy
dbujnicki@kimcorealty.com

Source: Kimco Realty Corporation

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

METUCHEN, N.J., 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Whole Foods Market Metuchen, the first Middlesex County location for the country’s leading natural and organic supermarket, will open on Wednesday, October 11. The 45,000 square foot Metuchen store, located at 645 Middlesex Avenue, is the 18^th location for Whole Foods Market in New Jersey. Doors will open to customers at 8 a.m., and shoppers can look forward to prize giveaways, special sales and delicious product demonstrations and samples.

“We can’t wait to serve Middlesex County in the ‘Brainy Borough’ of Metuchen,” said Whole Foods Market Metuchen Store Team Leader Felicia Williams. “We look forward to providing great deals, industry-leading quality standards for natural and organic foods and exciting new innovations like our ‘Comida Fresca’ Tex-Mex restaurant and bar.”

Every item sold in the store meets Whole Foods Market’s rigorous quality standards, which means high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and sweeteners are not allowed. Whole Foods Market maintains a list of over 400 unacceptable ingredients which are banned from food products sold.

Whole Foods Market Metuchen will feature a number of convenient and delicious culinary offerings for dine-in and take-out, such as the new “Comida Fresca” restaurant. This Tex-Mex cantina will feature a full bar, outdoor seating, and serve a full menu of creative drinks, appetizers and entrees.

The Metuchen store will also bring Whole Foods Market’s signature customer service excellence to Middlesex County, ranging from full-service butchers and fishmongers who can help custom-cut or prep your ingredients, to knowledgeable cheese experts. In fact, Whole Foods Market Metuchen will create approximately 160 new local jobs.

Customers can follow @wholefoodsmetuchen on Instagram for news about Whole Foods Market Metuchen and opening day festivities.

SOURCE: Whole Foods Market

Press Contacts
NEmedia@wholefoods.com

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn., 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — This morning (September 07, 2017), the Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded more than $4 million in grants to more than 960 schools, organizations and nonprofits to support youth literacy programs. Awarded annually at the academic school year’s inception, these grants help support teachers, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the 44 states that Dollar General serves.

“Through our mission of Serving Others, we are excited to support literacy and education across the communities we call home,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer. “We hope the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s youth literacy grants help strengthen literacy programs, expand library collections, inspire a love of reading in students and make a distinct impact to enhance the lives of children.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $140 million in grants to nonprofit organizations as part of its commitment to helping increase the literacy skills for individuals of all ages. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has helped more than nine million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation also supports individuals in the communities that Dollar General stores serve who may be interested in learning how to read, speak English or prepare for the high school equivalency test. Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online here or a postage-paid reply card that can be mailed in for information is available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.

A complete list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org. Grant applications for the 2018 grant cycle to benefit adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs will be available on January 2, 2018. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards funds each year to nonprofit organizations, schools and libraries within a 20-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs.

For additional information, photographs or items to supplement a story, please visit the DG Newsroom, contact the Media Relations Department at 1-877-944-DGPR (3477) or via email at dgpr@dg.com.

About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for over 75 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, clothing for the family, housewares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 14,000 stores in 44 states as of August 19, 2017. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted brands such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg’s, General Mills, Nabisco, Hanes, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.

Contact(s):

Dollar General Corporation
Crystal Ghassemi, 615-855-5210
crystal.ghassemi@dg.com
or
DG Media Relations
1-877-944-DGPR (3477)
dgpr@dollargeneral.com

Posted on September 12, 2017 by EPR Retail News Editors

Kimco Realty Corp. Management Presentation at Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Real Estate Conference

Wednesday, September 13, 2017 from 2:10 P.M. – 2:45 P.M. EDT

Live webcast can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

Kimco Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Real Estate Conference or by entering http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/baml/realestate2017/id15207367821.cfm in your browser.

Meijer customers can now earn mPerks Rewards for store-to-door orders

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Meijer and official home delivery partner Shipt are bringing customers more value when ordering groceries through their popular store-to-door service. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer is now offering home delivery members who sign up for mPerks the ability to earn rewards for their orders.

Beginning today, Meijer customers who have an mPerks account can link to their Shipt home delivery account and begin earning toward rewards on qualifying purchases. The rewards can be earned and used on items across the entire store. Once earned, customers can redeem during in-store visits at any Meijer location in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.

“As popular as our home delivery service is, we know that customers still visit the store and are always looking for new opportunities to save,” said Art Sebastian, Vice President of Digital Shopping for Meijer. “By adding the ability to earn Rewards through home delivery purchases, now customers can earn rewards for all their family’s shopping trips to Meijer—whether they make those shopping trips themselves or make them using Shipt. We look forward to finding new ways to enhance convenience for our home delivery customers.”

The offer to earn rewards as part of their online shopping orders is additional to sales on hundreds of items found through the Shipt app to home delivery customers. When Shipt customers link their mPerks accounts and shop with Shipt, they can visit mPerks.com or the Meijer app to see how the rewards add up toward earning more rewards at Meijer.

Since launching in Detroit last year, Meijer has quickly expanded the personalized service throughout six states where Shipt shoppers hand-pick items from local Meijer stores offering home delivery. The Shipt shoppers then deliver orders within a preferred one-hour time window. Customers sign up for the service and shop online for 55,000 groceries and everyday essentials and perishables. The wide selection of items includes fresh produce, grocery, refrigerated and frozen items as well as pet food, back to school items, and health and beauty care products.

Meijer customers can sign up for Shipt memberships for $99 per year for unlimited deliveries on orders over $35. Delivery is free for orders over $35; a flat $7 delivery fee is added to any orders under $35.

About Meijer:
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 235 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the “one-stop shopping” concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

About Shipt:
Shipt, the nation’s fastest growing online grocery marketplace, works with leading retailers and local stores to deliver groceries via a community of shoppers and a convenient app. Since its founding in 2014, Shipt has been rapidly expanding and now offers quality, personalized grocery delivery to over 25 million households in 69 markets across the country. Shipt offers unlimited grocery deliveries to members for $99 per year. The company currently has corporate offices in Birmingham, AL, and San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit Shipt.com.

Contact: Joe Hirschmugl, 616-791-3943, Joseph.Hirschmugl@meijer.com

SOURCE: Meijer