Daily Archives: October 13, 2017

Posted on by

Metro Canada Holdings Inc. to sell majority of its holding in Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Montreal, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Metro Inc. (Metro) (TSX : MRU) announces today ( October 11, 2017 ) that it and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Metro Canada Holdings Inc. (Metro Holdings), have entered into three separate agreements to realize the value of the majority of its holding in Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (Couche-Tard) (TSX: ATD:A; TSX: ATD:B).

Metro Holdings has agreed to sell to dealers led by National Bank Financial Inc. and BMO Capital Markets, as bookrunners, by way of a bloc trade bought deal, a total of 11,369,599 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares of Couche-Tard at a price per share of $57.17, for proceeds of approximately $650 million. These shares represent approximately 2.7% of the outstanding Class B Subordinate Voting Shares of Couche-Tard and approximately 2.0% when combined with the Class A Multiple Voting Shares of Couche-Tard. This sale will be preceded by the conversion of 11,369,599 Class A Multiple Voting Shares of Couche-Tard currently held by Metro Holdings into Class B Subordinate Voting Shares, in accordance with Couche-Tard’s articles.

Metro Holdings has also agreed to sell to CDP Investissements Inc. et CDPQ Marchés Boursiers Inc., two wholly-owned subsidiaries of Caisse de dépôt et placements du Québec, by way of a private agreement, a total of 11,369,599 Class A Multiple Voting Shares of Couche-Tard at a price per share of $57.17, for proceeds of approximately $650 million. These shares represent approximately 7.7% of the outstanding Class A Multiple Voting Shares of Couche-Tard and approximately 2.0% when combined with the Class B Subordinate Voting Shares of Couche-Tard.

The completion of the sales with the dealers and Caisse de dépôt et placements du Québec’s subsidiaries will occur within the next 2 business days. As a result of such sales, Metro and Metro Holdings will no longer be parties to the shareholders’ agreement relating to Couche-Tard.

Metro Holdings has also entered into a private agreement with Couche-Tard for the repurchase for cancellation of 4,372,923 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares of Couche-Tard, at a price per share of $57.17, for proceeds of approximately $250 million. These shares represent approximately 1.0% of the outstanding Class B Subordinate Voting Shares of Couche-Tard and approximately 0.8% when combined with the Class A Multiple Voting Shares of Couche-Tard. The completion of this sale will occur on or before November 7, 2017 and is conditional upon Couche-Tard obtaining from the Autorité des marchés financiers of Quebec, on or prior to such date, an order exempting Metro Holdings from the requirements of Part 2 of Regulation 62-104 respecting Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids. This sale will be preceded by the conversion of 4,372,923 Class A Multiple Voting Shares of Couche-Tard currently held by Metro Holdings into Class B Subordinate Voting Shares, in accordance with Couche-Tard’s articles.

Following the sales with the dealers and Caisse de dépôt et placements du Québec’s subsidiaries and the repurchase by Couche-Tard, Metro Holdings will remain the beneficial owner of 5,114,923 Class A Multiple Voting Shares in the capital of Couche-Tard, representing approximately 3.9% of all issued and outstanding Class A Multiple Voting Shares in the capital of Couche-Tard and approximately 0.9% when combined with the issued and outstanding Class B Subordinate Voting Shares of Couche-Tard.

The after tax net proceeds will be used to finance the previously announced business combination with Le Groupe Jean Coutu (PJC) Inc. (Jean Coutu) and to reduce Metro’s committed bank facilities.

Metro Inc.

With annual sales of over $12 billion, METRO INC. (TSX: MRU), founded in 1947, is the only major Canadian food distribution company to have its head office in Quebec. Along with its affiliates and franchisees, METRO INC. employs in Quebec and Ontario over 65,000 people, whose mission is to exceed their customers’ expectations every day to earn their-long term loyalty. METRO INC. operates a network of almost 600 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as over 250 drugstores under the Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

We have used, throughout this press release, different statements that could, under regulations issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators, be construed as being forward-looking information. In general, any statement contained herein, which does not constitute a historical fact, may be deemed a forward-looking statement. Expressions such as “conditional”, “will” and other similar expressions are generally indicative of forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements do not provide any guarantees as to the future performance of the Corporation and are subject to potential risks, known and unknown, as well as uncertainties that could cause the outcome to differ significantly. An economic slowdown or recession, or the arrival of a new competitor, are examples described under the “Risk Management” section of the 2016 Annual Report which could have an impact on these statements. We believe these statements to be reasonable and pertinent as at the date of publication of this press release and represent our expectations. The Corporation does not intend to update any forward-looking statement contained herein, except as required by applicable law.

For further information:

François Thibault
Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
fthibault@metro.ca
514 643-1003

Source: METRO INC.

Posted on by

METRO announces $400-million investment to continue its growth and expansion in the Ontario market

Montreal, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — METRO Inc. (TSX: MRU) announced today (October 11, 2017) a projected $400-million investment over 6 years in its Ontario distribution network. The company will modernize its operations in Toronto between 2018 and 2023 by building a new fresh distribution facility and a new frozen distribution facility—both of which will leverage technological improvements like automation.

“This investment will enable METRO to continue its growth and expansion in the Ontario market,” says Eric R. La Flèche, President and Chief Executive Officer, METRO Inc. “With a new and modernized supply chain infrastructure, we will be even more responsive to the needs of our customers.”

METRO’s existing distribution network in Toronto was built for the most part more than 50 years ago and no longer meets the evolving needs of the business.

“The new distribution centres will provide improved product assortment and selection accuracy as well as more flexibility which will allow us to improve service to our store network and customers,” states Carmen Fortino, Executive Vice President and Metro Ontario Division Head. “In addition, they will feature state-of-the-art technology to enhance efficiency.”

METRO currently operates six distribution centres in Ontario. Four centres are located in Toronto and two in Ottawa. Together, they provide employment to over 1,500 employees. METRO’s decision to modernize and automate a part of its distribution network will result in an anticipated loss of approximately 180 full-time and 100 part-time positions starting in 2021.

METRO acknowledges the impact its decision will have on these employees and their families.

“Working with our employees and our union, we will provide those who will be impacted by this decision with a range of transition measures to support them throughout the process,” says Fortino. “Fortunately, we have some time to plan the transition.”

METRO Inc.

With annual sales of $12.8 billion and over 65,000 employees, METRO INC. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical distribution in Québec and Ontario, where it operates a network of more than 600 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as over 250 drugstores under the Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.
Forward-looking information

We have used, throughout this press release, different statements that could, under the regulations issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators, be construed as being forward-looking information. In general, any statement contained herein, which does not constitute a historical fact, may be deemed a forward-looking statement. The use of future and conditional tenses are generally indicative of forward-looking statements. Expressions such as “projected”, “will”, “continue” and other similar expressions are generally indicative of forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements do not provide any guarantees as to the future performance of the Corporation, the projected investment or the outcome of such projected investment and are subject to potential risks, known and unknown, as well as uncertainties that could cause the outcome to differ significantly. An economic slowdown or recession, or the arrival of a new competitor, are examples of risks described under the “Risk Management” section of the 2016 Annual Report which could have an impact on these statements. We believe these statements to be reasonable and pertinent as at the date of publication of this press release and represent our expectations. The Corporation does not intend to update any forward-looking statement contained herein, except as required by applicable law.

For further information:
Marie-Claude Bacon
Senior Director, Corporate Affairs Department
(514) 643-1086
mbacon@metro.ca

Source: METRO INC.

Posted on by

Al-Futtaim Motors inaugurates UAE’s first hydrogen station for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

Al-Futtaim Motors inaugurates UAE’s first hydrogen station for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

 

Dubai, UAE, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Al-Futtaim Motors, leader in sustainable mobility and exclusive distributor of Toyota in the UAE, in collaboration with Air Liquide, one of the most established suppliers of hydrogen stations in the world, have jointly inaugurated the UAE’s first hydrogen station in Dubai Festival City, to be used by Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs).

The new facility comes following the announcement made at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week earlier this year where Toyota’s Chairman, Takeshi Uchiyamada, announced the launch of a collaborative study about the feasibility of establishing a hydrogen-based society in the UAE, aiming at drastically lowering CO2 emissions, in line with the UAE Vision 2021.

The new Al Badia-based hydrogen station will enable larger-scale deployment of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles as part of a pilot program which started in May 2017, aiming at testing the zero-emission FCEV technology on UAE roads.

Using cutting-edge technologies, such as Toyota’s proven electric propulsion system also available in hybrid cars, FCEVs such as the Toyota Mirai, run on hydrogen rather than petrol, emitting only water from the tail pipe. In the onboard Fuel Cell Stack, hydrogen combines with oxygen in the air to generate electricity that powers the vehicle’s electric motor.

Bertrand Thiebaut, Senior Managing Director, Al-Futtaim Motors and Senior Vice President Al-Futtaim Automotive Group said: “The pilot which started with only three Toyota Mirai vehicles, will soon expand to involve a larger fleet that will be tested by key stakeholders in the UAE. With the inauguration of the UAE’s first hydrogen station in partnership with Air Liquide, we are one step closer to a low-carbon society, as we work towards a concrete contribution to a cleaner air, in line with the Government’s green agenda.”

Also speaking at the event, Matthieu Giard, Dubai Hub Executive Vice President for Africa, Middle East and India at Air Liquide, explained the potential of hydrogen for a cleaner transport solution: “Air Liquide is developing clean transport solutions to help reduce the environmental footprint. Hydrogen is a key enabler for an effective transition to a low-carbon economy aiming at improving air quality in our cities. This first hydrogen station installed in partnership with Al-Futtaim Motors in the UAE is a first step for a large-scale deployment of hydrogen energy in this region. We are proud to bring our expertise and technology to create a more sustainable society, allowing all parties to contribute to meeting energy and environmental targets.”

Unlike battery-powered electric vehicles, the Toyota Mirai delivers a performance that competes with traditional petrol engine cars, does not require external electric charging, can be refilled with hydrogen in less than 5 minutes and is able to travel up to 500km+ on a full tank. Once deployed on a larger scale, the Fuel Cell Electric technology has the potential to significantly reduce the UAE’s dependence on oil and lower car-generated pollution levels.

Source: Al-Futtaim

###

Posted on by

Sprouts Farmers Market to issue Q3 2017 financial results on Thursday, November 2, 2017

PHOENIX, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq:SFM) today (Oct. 10, 2017 ) announced it will issue financial results for the 13-week third quarter ended October 1, 2017 before the market opens on Thursday, November 2, 2017. Following the release, Sprouts management will conduct a conference call at 7:00 a.m. PDT (10:00 a.m. EDT) to discuss the results for the quarter.

A webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at investors.sprouts.com. Participants should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

The conference call will be available via the following dial-in numbers:

  • U.S. Participants: 877-398-9481
  • International Participants: Dial +1-408-337-0130
  • Conference ID: 97150787

The audio replay will remain available for 72 hours and can be accessed by dialing 855-859-2056 (toll-free) or 404-537-3406 (international) and entering the confirmation code:  97150787.

About Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. specializes in fresh, natural and organic products at prices that appeal to everyday grocery shoppers. Based on the belief that healthy food should be affordable, Sprouts’ welcoming environment and knowledgeable team members continue to drive its growth. Sprouts offers a complete shopping experience that includes an array of fresh produce in the heart of the store, a deli with prepared entrees and side dishes, The Butcher Shop, The Fish Market, an expansive vitamins and supplements department and more. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts employs more than 27,000 team members and operates more than 280 stores in 15 states from coast to coast. For more information, visit sprouts.com or @sproutsfm on Twitter.

Investor Contact:           
Susannah Livingston
(602) 682-1584
susannahlivingston@sprouts.com

Media Contact:
Donna Egan
(602) 682-3152
media@sprouts.com

Source: Sprouts Farmers Market/globenewswire

Posted on by

Bartell Drugs joins Aetna’s Medicare national network of preferred pharmacies

SEATTLE, Wash. and HARTFORD, Conn., 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Bartell Drugs and Aetna (NYSE: AET) today (October 11, 2017) announced that Bartell Drugs has joined Aetna’s Medicare national network of preferred pharmacies. Effective January 1, 2018, Aetna Medicare members with drug coverage can fill their prescriptions at lower, preferred copays at any Bartell Drugs in Washington State.

“Our focus on personal customer service, convenience, and well-being is at the heart of our local pharmacy experience,” said Peter Koo, senior vice president of pharmacy for Bartell Drugs. “Joining Aetna’s network of preferred pharmacies will provide Medicare members in Washington with easier access and lower out-of-pocket costs for their prescriptions.”

“Our goal is to make it easy and convenient for our members to get the medications they need to help keep them healthy,” said Gary Culp, vice president for Aetna Medicare. “We admire Bartell Drugs’ 127-year local history and share its commitment to providing exceptional service to our Medicare members in Washington State.”

About Bartell Drugs

Family-owned since 1890, Seattle-based Bartell Drugs is proud of its more than 127-year history based here in the Northwest. Four generations of the Bartell family have continuously focused on the future — and how the drugstore chain can better serve its customers. With exceptional customer service, locally made products and a focus on your overall wellbeing, Bartell Drugs is here to help. Operating 67 locations in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, it is the nation’s oldest family-owned drugstore chain. For more information on Bartell Drugs, visit www.bartelldrugs.com.

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 44.7 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers’ compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com and learn about how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. @AetnaNews

Aetna Medicare is a PDP, HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Other pharmacies are available in our network. Members who get “Extra Help” are not required to fill prescriptions at preferred network pharmacies in order to get Low Income Subsidy (LIS) copays.  The formulary and/or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.  Aetna Medicare’s pharmacy network offers limited access to pharmacies with preferred cost sharing in: Suburban PA and Rural ME and Urban IL. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including pharmacies with preferred cost sharing, members please call the number on your ID card, non-members please call 1-855-338-7027 (TTY: 711) or consult the online pharmacy directory at http://www.aetnamedicare.com/pharmacyhelp. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

Contact:

Ric Brewer
Bartell Drugs
206.933.9416
Ric.brewer@bartelldrugs.com

Source: Bartell Drugs

Posted on by

Bartell Drugs to perform real-time comprehensive prescription compliance checks with LexisNexis VerifyRx™

Comprehensive prescription compliance verification solution integrates easily  into existing pharmacy workflows

ATLANTA, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Announced today (Oct. 10, 2017) , Bartell Drugs, a family-owned pharmacy chain of 67 stores in the greater Puget Sound area, will use LexisNexis VerifyRx™ to perform real-time comprehensive prescription compliance checks within their existing workflows.

The solution uses the existing, real-time pharmacy connectivity of eRx Network and the provider validation service from LexisNexis – on more than 8.5 million providers. It requires little to no IT integration effort or maintenance by a pharmacy chain and enables industry-leading prescriber validation across the pharmacy industry.

“We were ready to take the next step in prescriber compliance and needed a turnkey solution that would not take resources away from our focus on patients,” said Peter Koo, senior vice president of Pharmacy, Bartell Drugs. “The VerifyRx solution enables Bartell to take advantage of timely, accurate and comprehensive prescriber data via the LexisNexis Provider Data MasterFile™, using eRx Network’s connectivity to implement a solution directly within our pharmacy workflow.”

Using VerifyRx helps to mitigate the risk of payment recovery and regulatory fines that commonly result from the prescriptive authority, federal licensing, state credentials and controlled substance regulations.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Bartell to deliver the vast capabilities of VerifyRx and the value provided by the seamless integration with the eRx Network,” said Craig Ford, vice president of sales, Pharmacy, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. “Verifying prescriber data in the workflow process is critical to pharmacies. Our strategic alliance has enabled us to respond to the needs of Bartell and other chains to deliver a leading, compliance-driven solution while using their existing connectivity.”

In addition to conducting comprehensive compliance checks with VerifyRx, pharmacies can take advantage of its time-saving, risk mitigation features, such as a custom user interface and reporting tools.

“The combination of eRx Network’s reliable network and the comprehensive prescriber compliance solution of LexisNexis Health Care will help make it easier and more efficient for Bartell to meet compliance requirements through its entire chain of stores,” said Richard Brook, senior vice president, eRx Network. “We are confident that the implementation of our combined solutions will add value to Bartell’s processes without causing any disruption to their workflows or increases to their operational costs or development efforts.”

About Bartell Drugs
Family-owned since 1890, Seattle-based Bartell Drugs is proud of its more than 127-year history based  in the Northwest. Four generations of the Bartell family have continuously focused on the future — and how the drugstore chain can better serve its customers. With exceptional customer service, locally made products and a focus on your overall wellbeing, Bartell Drugs is here to help. Operating 67 locations in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, it is the nation’s oldest family-owned drugstore chain. For more information on Bartell Drugs, visit www.bartelldrugs.com.

About eRx Network, LLC

eRx Network, LLC, formerly a Change Healthcare company, provides pharmacy claims switching and secure electronic prescription routing solutions that are designed to help retail pharmacies improve operational efficiency, optimize reimbursement and improve pharmacy profitability and customer loyalty. Learn more at www.erxnetwork.com.

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions

At LexisNexis Risk Solutions, we believe in the power of data and advanced analytics for better risk management. Our healthcare solutions combine proprietary analytics, science and technology with the industry’s leading sources of provider, member, claims and public records information to improve cost savings, health outcomes, data quality, compliance and exposure to fraud, waste and abuse. For more information, please visit www.lexisnexis.com/risk.

Media Contacts:

Ed Domansky
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
843.290.9408
ed.domansky@lexisnexisrisk.com

Colin Ford
eRx Network
615.932.3185
colin.ford@erxnetwork.com

Ric Brewer
Bartell Drugs
206.933.9416
Ric.brewer@bartelldrugs.com

Source: Bartell Drugs

Posted on by

Visa study: relying more on electronic payments could yield net benefit of U.S. $470 billion per year across major cities around the world

SAN FRANCISCO, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Visa (NYSE: V) announced today (Oct. 11, 2017) the results of an independent study conducted by Roubini ThoughtLab and commissioned by Visa examining the economic impact of increasing the use of digital payments in major cities around the world. The study estimates that relying more on electronic payments, such as cards and mobile payments, could yield a net benefit of up to U.S. $470 billion per year across the 100 cities studied – roughly the equivalent to 3% of the average GDP for these cities.

“Cashless Cities: Realizing the Benefits of Digital Payments”, is a unique study that quantifies the potential net benefits experienced by cities which move to an “achievable level of cashlessness”—defined as the entire population of a city moving to digital payment usage equal to the top 10% of users in that city today. The study does not look at eliminating cash. Rather, it seeks to quantify the potential benefits and costs of significantly increasing the use of digital payments.

By reducing reliance on cash, the study estimates the immediate and long-term benefits for three main groups—consumers, businesses and governments. According to the study, these benefits could add up to combined direct net benefits of approximately U.S. $470 billion across the 100 cities that were analyzed:

  • Consumers across the 100 cities could achieve nearly $28 billion per year in estimated direct net benefits. This impact would be derived from factors including up to 3.2 billion hours in time savings conducting banking, retail and transit transactions, in addition to a reduction in cash-related crime.
  • Businesses across the 100 cities could achieve more than $312 billion per year in estimated direct benefits. This impact would derived from factors including up to 3.1 billion hours in time savings processing incoming and outgoing payments and increased sales revenues stemming from extended online and in-store customer bases. The study also found that accepting cash and checks costs businesses 7.1 cents of every dollar received compared to 5 cents of every dollar collected from digital sources.
  • Governments across the 100 cities could achieve nearly $130 billion per year in estimated direct benefits. This impact would be derived from factors including increased tax revenues, increased economic growth, cost savings from administrative efficiencies and lower criminal justice costs due to reduced cash-related crime.

“This study demonstrates the substantial upside for consumers, businesses and governments as cities move toward greater adoption of digital payments,” said Ellen Richey, Visa’s vice chairman and chief risk officer. “Societies that substitute digital payments for cash see benefits from greater economic growth, less crime, more jobs, higher wages, and increased worker productivity.”

As cities increase use of digital payments, the positive impacts can extend beyond financial benefits to consumers, businesses, and government. The shift to digital payments also may have a catalytic effect on the city’s overall economic performance, including GDP, employment, wage, and productivity growth.

“The use of digital technologies—from smart phones and wearables to artificial intelligence and driverless cars—is rapidly transforming how city dwellers shop, travel, and live,” said Lou Celi, Head of Roubini ThoughtLab. “Without a firm foundation in electronic payments, cities will not be able to fully capture their digital future, according to our analysis.”

“Cashless Cities: Realizing the Benefits of Digital Payments” offers 61 recommendations for policymakers to help their cities become more efficient through greater adoption of digital payments. Recommendations include undertaking financial literacy programs to help move the unbanked into the banking system, implementing incentives to stimulate innovation focused on scaling new payment technologies, implementing secure open-loop payment systems across all transportation networks and more.

Visa and Roubini Thoughtlab created an online data visualization tool as a companion to “Cashless Cities: Realizing the Benefits of Digital Payments.”Using the data visualization tool, individuals can increase or decrease the level of digital usage in each of the 100 cities included in the study to better explore the benefits of a world, less dependent on cash. Visit the online data visualization tool and download the report at: www.visa.com/cashlesscities.

METHODOLOGY

Roubini Thoughtlab, a leading economics and evidence-based research firm, surveyed 3,000 consumers and 900 businesses in 2016 across six cities (Tokyo, Chicago, Stockholm, Sao Paolo, Bangkok and Lagos) that represent different levels of digital payments maturity. These surveys examined the use, acceptance, and cost-benefit impact of physical and digital money. Researchers then extrapolated these survey results based on specific demographic and economic data to another 94 cities around the world to determine the net impact of moving toward a cashless economy on consumers and businesses in each location. Through other sources, the research was also able to identify expected impacts on government. Researchers used World Bank, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and other well-respected secondary data sources to augment the survey results and build the overall findings. An econometric model used by various central banks and other institutions – the National Institute Global Econometric Model (NiGEM) – was used to estimate the “catalytic” impacts (economic growth, productivity, employment and wages) that a move toward digital payments would have on each of the 100 cities analyzed. Visa commissioned the study. Roubini Thoughtlab independently conducted the surveys, managed the research and developed the analysis.

About Visa

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network – enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and a driving force behind the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit usa.visa.com/aboutvisa, visacorporate.tumblr.com and @VisaNews.

Contact:
Hugh Norton
globalmedia@visa.com

Source: Visa Inc.

Posted on by

Citycon to release its 3Q 2017 results on Thursday, 19 October

Helsinki, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Citycon will publish its Interim Report for 1 January – 30 September 2017 on Thursday, 19 October approximately at 9 am Helsinki time (Helsinki time is EET, which is CET +1). The report will be available on Citycon’s website immediately after publication.

Citycon’s investor, analyst and press conference call and live audiocasting will begin one hour later at 10 am Helsinki time. The audiocast can be participated by calling in and followed live on the following website: https://citycon.videosync.fi/q3_2017

Conference call numbers are:
Participants from Europe +44 203 194 0552
Participants from the US +1 855 716 1597

The audiocast will be recorded and it will be available afterwards on Citycon’s website.

Citycon Oyj (Nasdaq Helsinki: CTY1S) is a leading owner, developer and manager of urban grocery-anchored shopping centres in the Nordic and Baltic regions, managing assets that total EUR 5 billion and with market capitalisation of EUR 2 billion. For more information about Citycon, please visit www.citycon.com

For further information, please contact:
Eero Sihvonen
Executive Vice President and CFO
Tel. +358 50 557 9137
eero.sihvonen@citycon.com

Source: Citycon Oyj

Posted on by

Raley’s dispatched two refrigerated trucks with supplies to Sonoma and Napa Counties

TRAGEDY HITS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Fair Oaks, CA, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — As 17 separate fires burn across eight counties, encompassing a 115,000 acre area of Northern California, more than 20,000 people have been evacuated, and countless people have lost their homes, their businesses, their schools, and are displaced from their community.

The scale of this tragedy is unimaginable, and as a Northern CA business, Raley’s understands this devastation and is here to help our communities.

OUR PRESENCE

October 10: Raley’s has dispatched two refrigerated trucks carrying supplies to meet the most immediate needs of victims as outlined by the Office of Emergency Services and the Red Cross— apples, bananas, baby diapers, baby formula, water and adult diapers. Our trucks will stay in Sonoma and Napa Counties to provide the Office of Emergency Services support as they distribute needed items to various evacuation centers across the area.

Our nearby stores REMAIN OPEN and ready to serve: Raley’s in Santa Rosa, Raley’s in Napa, and Nob Hill in Napa.

  • Raley’s Napa: 217 Soscol Ave, Napa, CA 94559
  • Nob Hill Napa:611 Trancas St, Napa, CA 94558
  • Raley’s Santa Rosa: 1407 Fulton Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
  • Raley’s Rohnert Park: 100 Raleys Towne Center, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Our local team members are working around the clock to help our neighbors in need.

In addition, Raley’s Food For Families partners in the area are serving the victims:  the Salvation Army of Santa Rosa or the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Raley’s is accepting donations at our nearby locations at each cash register!

Sign up to volunteer with the Red Cross.

Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund is collecting cash donations.

Donate to local animal shelters: Humane Society of Sonoma County: sonomahumane.org, Humane Society of Napa County: napahumane.org,and Yuba-Sutter SPCA: yubasutterspca.org.

Text your zip code to 888777 to sign up for Nixle, a service that provides immediate alerts from local public safety and government agencies.

Please note that emergency services around the Bay Area are overwhelmed right now, and do not need more calls unless you have an immediate emergency.

Stay off the roads, if possible, as you are hindering emergency vehicles and urgent evacuees from getting through.

For information about our stores, please contact Chelsea Minor, Director of PR and Public Affairs at CMinor1@raleys.com.

Source: Raleys

Posted on by

Taco Bell’s first-ever fashion collection collaboration hits Forever 21 stores

Fans took centerstage at last night’s celebration of the limited-edition collection launch event in Los Angeles

Irvine, Calif., 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (October 11, 2017), Taco Bell’s first-ever fashion collection collaboration hits Forever 21 stores nationwide. To celebrate the launch of the collaboration, Taco Bell and Forever 21 brought the new Forever 21 x Taco Bell collection to life in a way only the two brands could.

Fans of both brands were front and center at the launch celebration, which featured a runway show modeled by Taco Bell super fans and influencers, live performances from Taco Bell Feed the Beat® artist Cheat Codes, a pop-up Forever 21 boutique for attendees to purchase pieces from the collection and a live mural created by artist Lefty Out There.

It wouldn’t be a Taco Bell event without craveable food creations, which is why the Taco Bell taco truck was onsite to dish out signature menu items to pair with Twisted Freezes served at the event.

Event attendees had the first peek of the new Forever 21 x Taco Bell collection, and beginning today, fans globally can shop the collection on Forever21.com and in select Forever 21 stores domestically.

Inspired by iconic graphics that each brand is known for and set against a mix of playfully vibrant prints, the collection features tops, bodysuits and cropped hoodies for women. For men, a sweatshirt, hoodie and anorak jacket are updated with pops of color and distinctive illustrations that effortlessly bring the heat. The exclusive collection also features select graphic tees, a pullover and hoodie for girls.

ABOUT TACO BELL® CORPORATION

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), is the nation’s leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant (QSR) brand. From breakfast to late night, Taco Bell serves made-to-order and customizable tacos and burritos, among other craveable choices, and is the first QSR restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified menu items. Taco Bell and its more than 350 franchise organizations proudly serve over 42 million customers each week through 7,000 restaurants across the nation, as well as through its mobile, desktop and delivery ordering services. Overseas, Taco Bell has over 250 restaurants, with plans to add 2,000 more restaurants internationally within the next decade. The brand encourages its fans to “Live Mas” and connects with them through sports, gaming and new music via its Feed The Beat® music program. Taco Bell also provides education opportunities and serves the community through its nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell® Foundation™, and connects fans with their passions through programs such as the Live Mas Scholarshipprogram. In 2016, Taco Bell was named as one of Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the World.

Like: Facebook.com/tacobell
Follow: @TacoBell (Twitter) and tacobell (Instagram)
Subscribe: YouTube.com/tacobell

MEDIA RELATIONS:

Public relations inquiries please call 949-863-3915
e-mail at media@tacobell.com

Source:  Taco Bell

Posted on by

Old pound coins will still be accepted at Tesco for one more week

Tesco helps customers who still have old pound coins after Sunday’s deadline.

Welwyn Garden City, UK, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — In recent months, businesses across the UK have been preparing for the introduction of the new twelve sided £1 coin.

From Monday 16 October, as the old ‘round’ pound coin ceases to be legal tender, retailers will no longer be required to accept them and aren’t able to give them out as change.

Our tills and self-service machines are already accepting the new £1 coin, and are on hand to help with any questions our customers might have while they’re shopping. We’ve also been updating all 400,000 of our trolleys to take both the old and new £1, to make sure there’s no disruption for our customers.

However, with the Royal Mint estimating that there are still £500 million worth of old pound coins in circulation, many shoppers will be busy digging out old pound coins from bags, coats and the back of the sofa before the deadline.

That’s why, to help customers who still have old coins after Sunday, we’ll continue to accept round pounds at our tills and self-service machines for an additional week. While we won’t be giving out the round pounds in change, accepting the coins at our checkouts will give people just a little extra help – and make shopping a little bit simpler for lots of our customers.

Source: Tesco

Posted on by

First Data 2017 Consumer Cybersecurity Study: baby boomers have better cybersecurity habits

  • Study examines consumer habits across generations
  • Data shows that baby boomers demonstrate more concern and diligence for cybersecurity than millennials
  • Millennials are more trusting of social media and less trusting of online banking than older generations

NEW YORK, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — As people around the world grapple with the latest news about data breaches and cyber threats, First Data (NYSE: FDC), a global leader in commerce-enabling technology, today announced the results of its 2017 Consumer Cybersecurity Study. The study examined how different generations view cybersecurity threats, and found that baby boomers generally have better cybersecurity habits and are more concerned about protecting their personal information than younger generations. The study is based on survey data from approximately 800 U.S. consumers.

“The results of the survey underline why businesses need to deploy state-of-the-art solutions to address the risk of cyber threats,” said EJ Jackson, Senior Vice President, Head of Security and Fraud Solutions at First Data. “Fraudsters are using increasingly complex schemes and not all consumers are employing best practices, but there is technology that can help businesses and financial institutions mitigate the risk.”

Baby Boomers are Better with Password Protection

The study showed that most Americans are still not overly concerned with password protection, although baby boomers are more diligent than millennials. Younger generations may be considered more tech-savvy than their parents’ generation, but according to the First Data study, a staggering 82% of millennials reuse passwords on websites and apps, and 42% will only change their passwords when forced.

On the other hand, a slightly smaller majority (70%) of baby boomers reuses passwords on websites and apps, and 32% change their password only when prompted.

Millennials Trust Social Media more than Online Banking

The study also looked at how generations think about online banking. Baby boomers have more trust in financial institutions than younger generations but less trust in social media sites. Baby boomers are also less likely to think that their method of online banking could be breached. One in five (19%) baby boomers thought it was unlikely there would be an online banking cyberattack compared to just 14% of millennials. When it comes to social media security, however, 63% of baby boomers thought social media was vulnerable to cyberattacks, while only 45% of millennials agreed with that statement.

In general, baby boomers showed more concern around current events as well. Only half (49%) of millennials have a heightened concern about their online security following recent cyberattacks, in comparison to 65% of baby boomers.

Baby Boomers Leading the Pack for Workplace Cybersecurity Practices Too

When it comes to the workplace, baby boomers generally exhibited better habits and understanding about cybersecurity than younger generations. The study found baby boomers are more likely to not only have a workplace security policy but also to actually review and execute on it as well.

Additional highlights around the workplace included:

  • 72% of baby boomers hardly ever store work-related data or files on their personal devices, compared to 69% of millennials.
  • 86% of baby boomers hardly ever download free applications or software to their work devices without consulting IT, compared to just 75% of millennials.
  • 34% of baby boomers always consider whether their online actions pose a cybersecurity risk for their workplace, compared to only 21% of millennials.
  • 82% of baby boomers think their employer has provided them with adequate training and resources to avoid cybersecurity risks at work, compared to 77% of millennials.

For more information, please visit the Security and Fraud Solutions section of First Data’s website.

About First Data

First Data (NYSE: FDC) is a global leader in commerce-enabling technology, serving approximately six million business locations and 4,000 financial institutions in more than 100 countries around the world. The company’s 24,000 owner-associates are dedicated to helping companies, from start-ups to the world’s largest corporations, conduct commerce every day by securing and processing more than 2,800 transactions per second and $2.2 trillion per year.

Media Contacts:

Hally Sheldon
Hally.Sheldon@FirstData.com
212-515-0177

Source:  FIRST DATA

Posted on by

Amazon introduces new monthly payment option for Prime Student

Students can now enjoy Prime for just $5.49 a month without an annual commitment

SEATTLE, Wash., 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — As classes are in full swing, Amazon is introducing a new monthly payment option for Prime Student. Available to all college students enrolled in four or two year colleges in the U.S., Prime Student is just $5.49 a month, which is 50% off Prime, after a six month trial. This flexible payment option offers all the benefits of Prime to students without an annual commitment. To sign up, students can visit www.amazon.com/joinstudent.

“Our new monthly payment option lets students enjoy the best of Amazon in a more flexible and simple way,” said Ellen Kinney, Director of Prime Student, Amazon. “Whether it’s getting their favorite products with free shipping or streaming thousands of popular movies and shows, Prime student members can experience all the benefits of Prime.”

Prime is designed to make your life better every single day. Nowhere else can customers go to get thousands of movies and TV series to instantly watch, stream music, receive discounts on a vast selection of products, and get fast, free shipping all in one place, and now students can enjoy Prime for only $5.49 a month. The benefits of Prime include:

  • Fast, Free Shipping: Unlimited Free Two-Day shipping on over 50 million items ranging from college essentials such as textbooks and electronics to face paint for the big game and even your favorite Halloween costumes
  • Even Faster, Free Shipping: Prime Free One-Day Shipping and Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery in more than 5,000 cities, Free Same-Day and Free One-Day pickup on millions of items at campus locations, as well as Prime Now in over 30 major cities
  • Prime Video: Unlimited streaming on thousands of movies and TV shows including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Grand Tour and Manchester By the Sea with Prime Video
  • Twitch Prime: Discounts on most pre-release boxed games, free in-game loot, like exclusive characters, boosts, skins, and more, plus full games from indie developers. Members also receive a Twitch channel subscription every 30 days, as well as ad-free viewing, an expanded set of chat emotes and colors, and an exclusive chat badge
  • Prime Music: Prime members receive ad-free access to more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations at no additional cost to their membership
  • Prime Photos: Free unlimited photo storage within the Prime Photos App. Prime Student members can securely store their existing photo collections, automatically upload new photos taken and access them anytime, anywhere, at no cost.
  • Prime Reading:  Unlimited access to a rotating selection of more than a thousand books, Audible narrations, magazines, comics, Kindle Singles, and more. With fiction, non-fiction, short works, and magazines right off of the newsstand, you’ll always find something interesting to read
  • Deals and Exclusives: Early access to select Lightning Deals and other exclusive deals and offers available only to Prime Student members

To join, college students from four and two year colleges simply need to provide a valid .edu email address. Following a six-month trial, Prime Student is 50% off Prime – which is just $5.49 a month with no annual commitment. If college students want to save even more, they can choose to pay $49 a year for an annual Prime Student membership.

About Amazon Prime Student
Millions of members around the world enjoy the many benefits of Prime Student. Amazon Prime Student gives college students unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 50 million items. Students can sign up for a six-month trial of Amazon Prime Student to access these benefits, plus unlimited streaming of tens of thousands of movies and TV shows with Prime Video and free unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos. After that it’s just $49 a year or $5.49 a month — half the price of a regular Amazon Prime membership — and includes over a million songs with Prime Music and one free pre-released book a month with Kindle First.  To learn more, visit amazon.com/joinstudent.

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

Media Contact:
Amazon-pr@amazon.com
www.amazon.com/pr

Source: Amazon

Posted on by

Amazon: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will premiere on November 29 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video

Executive produced by Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the series stars Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Shalhoub, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen and Marin Hinkle

SEATTLE, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Amazon announces The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, from renowned show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls) and Executive Producer Daniel Palladino (Family Guy), will premiere on Wednesday, November 29, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

The series, written and directed by Sherman-Palladino, stars Rachel Brosnahan (House of Cards) as Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a 1958 New York City woman who has everything she’s ever wanted—the perfect husband, two kids, and an elegant Upper West Side apartment perfect for hosting Yom Kippur dinner. But her perfect life suddenly takes an unexpected turn and Midge discovers a previously unknown talent—one that changes her life forever. She charts a course that takes her from her comfortable life on Riverside Drive, through the basket houses and nightclubs of Greenwich Village as she storms the world of stand-up comedy…a course that will ultimately lead her to a spot on Johnny Carson’s couch.

“Amy and Dan have made the rare, special series that’s as funny as it is beautiful. From the direction to the writing to Rachel’s incredible performance, every element is beyond what anyone could hope for,” said Joe Lewis, Head of Comedy, Drama & VR, Amazon Studios. “We can’t wait for customers to see it soon.”

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel also stars Golden Globe winner and three-time Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub (Monk) as Midge’s father Abe Weissman, Alex Borstein (Family Guy) as Susie Myerson, Michael Zegen (Boardwalk Empire) as Midge’s husband Joel Maisel and Marin Hinkle(Two and a Half Men) as Midge’s mother Rose Weissman.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel pilot, currently available for all Amazon customers at amazon.com/maisel, has garnered an average customer rating of 4.9, with 93% 5-star reviews.

Below are customer quotes for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel:

  • “…fast-paced, with characters that are so well fleshed-out, funny, and ironic. I am looking forward to seeing so much more of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel!”
  • “This wasn’t just funny. It was smart, sweet, and real. The jokes came from the loving and sincere well of everyday life.”
  • “Great! Funny, fast, witty, ironic.”

Prime members will be able to stream The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel via the Amazon Prime Video app for TVs, connected devices including Fire TV, mobile devices and online at amazon.com/maisel. Members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing at no additional cost to their membership. The series will be a global release and available on Amazon Prime Video for members to watch via the Prime Video app or online at PrimeVideo.com in more than 200 countries and territories.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is executive produced by Palladino and Sherman-Palladino, and produced by Dhana Gilbert.

Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.

About Amazon Video

Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

  • Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed and self-published content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Tick, Manchester by the Sea and kids series, Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
  • Live Sports: Sporting events, including NFL Thursday Night Football and ATP Next Gen ATP Finals, are available to watch live on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe.
  • Amazon Channels: Over 100 channel subscriptions that Prime members can add to their membership, including HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV and more, plus Anime Strike – the first curated on-demand subscription by Amazon Channels. To view the full list of channels available, visit www.amazon.com/channels
  • Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers
  • Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices visit www.amazon.com/howtostream
  • Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR), X-Ray and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalogue with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon

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

Media Hotline:

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

Source: Amazon

Posted on by

Green Giant® makes his New York City debut in the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

Green Giant® makes his New York City debut in the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

 

The iconic vegetable brand joins the float line-up of the beloved holiday spectacle with a wonder-filled landscape showcasing the bounty of the fall harvest

NEW YORK, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Nature’s bountiful harvest sprouts anew in jolly good form this Thanksgiving as the iconic Green Giant® makes his New York City debut in the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving DayParade®. The spokes giant of the beloved vegetable brand will be showcased for the first time aboard a new float featuring a remarkable landscape of nature’s finest vegetables. Just in time for the Thanksgiving meal, the Green Giant float will make its way through Manhattan delighting more than 3.5 million spectators lining the route and more than 50 million viewers nationwide.

“The Macy’s Parade has always reflected characters and brands that have significant and sustained pop culture relevance and the Green Giant is one of those figures of universal appeal,” said Jordan Dabby, vice president Partnership Marketing for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “The magicians of Macy’s Parade Studio have truly outdone themselves, bringing the majesty of the plentiful landscape to life in this visually stunning new float with the larger-than-life Green Giant himself, joining the harvest festivities,”

“Green Giant is thrilled to join the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade line-up, helping us to reintroduce our jolly brand ambassador to a new generation of fans,” said Jordan Greenberg, vice-president & general manager, Green Giant. “With its incredible reach that captures the imagination of millions, our Macy’s Parade float is just the latest way in which Green Giant is cementing our place at the festive holiday table for generations of Americans.”

From the very first Thanksgiving celebration, vegetables have been synonymous with the holiday table and Green Giant vegetables have been a staple of this meal for more than 100 years. The new float depicts the harvest of fall delights including green beans, corn, and other vegetable crops in a stunning, rolling landscape where the Green Giant keeps watch. Featuring a replica of the Green Giant that’s more than two-stories tall as he kneels to inspect the perfect ear of corn, the majesty of the fall harvest season is depicted in a glorious and delicious spectacle.

The Green Giant has been a classic character in American pop culture since his introduction by the brand in 1928. In 2016, as the brand celebrated the launch of a new line of Green Giant Veggie Swap-InsTM products that allow consumers to add more vegetables to their diet by providing great alternatives to white carbs, the beloved Green Giant character returned to nationwide prominence inspiring a new generation of families to eat Green Giant vegetables and start a more healthy lifestyle.

The 91st 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 Green Giant

Few brands enjoy a heritage as rich as that of Green Giant®. For over 100 years, Green Giant has been devoted to growing the best quality and most unforgettably delicious vegetables for you and your family. For more information and some simple and tasty recipes, please visit www.greengiant.com.

About B&G Foods, Inc.

Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS) and our subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute high-quality, branded shelf-stable and frozen foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. With our diverse portfolio of more than 50 brands you know and love, including B&G, B&M, Cream of Wheat, Green Giant, Las Palmas, Le Sueur, Mama Mary’s, Maple Grove Farms, Mrs. Dash, New York Style, Ortega, Pirate’s Booty, Polaner, Spice Islands and Victoria, there’s a little something for everyone. For more information about B&G Foodsand our brands, please visit www.bgfoods.com.

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 (NYSE:M) 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.

Macy’s Media Relations:
Orlando Veras
646-429-7450
orlando.veras@macys.com

Green Giant
Kristin Bradley
973-630-6445
kristin.bradley@bgfoods.com

Source: Macy’s

###

Posted on by

LVMH: DARE – Disrupt, Act, Risk to be an Entrepreneur program is back

LVMH: DARE – Disrupt, Act, Risk to be an Entrepreneur program is back

 

Paris, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — 60 participants, 11 teams, 3 projects selected … DARE – Disrupt, Act, Risk to be an Entrepreneur – the open innovation and professional development program for LVMH staff, is back! The second edition, dubbed “DARE Green”, is dedicated to solving environmental challenges, inviting participants to transform their ideas into full-fledged business plans. Follow highlights during three days of intensive creativity and innovation.

Centered on the theme of the environment, DARE Green echoes the  celebration of the 25th anniversary of the LVMH Environment Department on September 20th.

This new edition of the DARE program, welcomed 60 international participants from some 15 LVMH Maisons, along with 15 students from our Partner schools and Ecole 42. This initiative challenges LVMH talents to try new ways of collaboration inspired by a startup spirit in order to co-create innovative projects that support sustainable luxury.

DAY 1
The first day kicked off with pitch sessions. Twelve of the 35 projects submitted were selected by the participants and 11 teams were formed, each including one or two students.

DAY 2
During Day 2 the 11 teams moved forward with their projects with support from mentors, including CEOs from LVMH Maisons and external experts on sustainability.

DAY 3
The agenda for the last day of DARE Green saw participants put the finishing touches on their projects and deliver their final pitches to a jury of LVMH executives, including Chantal Gaemperle, Group EVP Human Resources & Synergies, and Antoine Arnault, member of LVMH Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer of Berluti and Chairman of Loro Piana.  Best of luck to everyone!

Contact:

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

Source: LVMH

###

Posted on by

RIMOWA launches campaign to mark the 80th anniversary of its design

RIMOWA launches campaign to mark the 80th anniversary of its design

 

Paris, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — In 1937 RIMOWA revolutionized the world of travel by using aluminum for the first time to craft lightweight luggage made of aluminum. Inspired by the early days of aviation, the emblematic RIMOWA aluminum luggage has become a true travel icon. To mark the 80th anniversary of its design, RIMOWA has released a campaign retracing the history of the case and the stories of well-known owners who never leave without it…

Chance and circumstance combined to give birth to the RIMOWA aluminum suitcase in the 1930s. After a fire at the RIMOWA factory, the only surviving material was a piece of metal, sparking the idea of designing a piece of luggage made of lightweight, robust aluminum. Since then, the brand has ceaslessly innovated to optimize a now iconic range that fetes its 80th anniversary in 2017.

Setting out to produce exceptionally durable luggage able to stand the test of time, RIMOWA revolutionized travel culture. The instantly-recognizable design was subsequently produced in a smaller model, becoming a must for travelers the world over. In 1976, waterproof cases were developed, protecting delicate equipment from water, humidity, heat and cold, making RIMOWA a favorite among filmmakers, photographers and all manner of adventurers.

With the unmistakable RIMOWA signature grooved design, this travel companion is synonymous with a never-ending quest for excellence, melding craftsmanship, high-tech, impeccable quality and timeless elegance. It takes some 205 components and over 90 work processes to make each case at the Cologne factory.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of its aluminum suitcase RIMOWA has invited friends of the Maison to present their own personal aluminum luggage and share stories of their travels. Among them are designer Karl Lagerfeld, director David Fincher, journalist Carine Roitfeld, three-star chef Massimo Bottura and Virgil Abloh, creator of the Off-White brand.

The campaign also includes a film shot by Dan Tobin Smith that follows the production of a suitcase in the workshop at the company’s headquarters in Cologne, Germany.

Contact:

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

Source: LVMH

###

Posted on by

John Lewis Retail Report looks back over the extensive changes in the UK and in retail since 2013

London, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — In the fifth anniversary edition of the John Lewis Retail Report*, we take a look back at the year breakfast was reinvented, Millennial Pink found its way into wardrobes and homes, voice activation went mainstream and superfoods moved from our plates into our beauty products.

As well as reviewing the last twelve months, this year’s special five-year edition looks back over the extensive changes in the UK and in retail since 2013. For instance:

  • Black Friday has replaced Cyber Sunday as the biggest spending day of the year
  • There are now almost 50 times more smart home products stocked at John Lewis, compared to 2013
  • The proportion of visits from mobiles and tablets to johnlewis.com has increased from 42% to 64% in the last five years.

As with previous years, we have analysed extensive internal data to provide an insight into the products which fell out of favour, the trends that soared and the themes which dominated the year.

What we left behind:

  • Spiralizers: Online searches dropped by 53% compared to last year
  • Office suits for women: This traditional look is becoming a thing of the past with matching suit jackets and skirts seeing a 10% decline
  • Push-up bras: Customers favour non-padded options today, with sales up 20%
  • Sat Navs: With smartphones taking the driving seat, we plan to remove these from our stocklist.

2017 was the year of the unicorn and Millennial Pink

Faced with economic uncertainty and an eventful year in politics, customers sought out products to help them escape from reality:

  • Online searches for pool inflatables increased 99% compared to last year
  • Unicorns were emblazoned on everything, from wallets to water bottles (searches increased 70%)
  • Searches for mermaid-themed products increased 22% on last year.

Meanwhile, the iconic blush shade ‘Millennial Pink’ dominated colour palettes in homes and wardrobes as a result of its phenomenal popularity on the social media feeds of famous influencers including Rihanna and Beyoncé.

  • 63,000 searches for ‘pink’ on johnlewis.com since January 2017
  • Bedroom accessories in this shade saw a 28% increase in sales
  • Men’s pink t-shirts saw a 74% sales increase and pink shirts were up 39% on last year
  • Sales of women’s pink jackets increased by 55% compared to last year

Breakfast was reinvented

This is also the year that the UK lost its appetite for a traditional greasy fry-up, replacing it with a more wholesome alternative. Fat-free Eaziglide frying pans were best sellers, egg gadgets and avocado tools saw sales rises of 25% and 40%. Breakfast classics such as teapots, butter dishes, egg cups and coffee machines all experienced sales increases.

We redefined how customers interact with shops

Nowadays, experience is as important as the product. John Lewis offered more try-before-you-buy, exclusive experiences in the last twelve months than ever before, including sleepovers in shops, live cooking demonstrations with Jamie Oliver, high tea in a Wedgewood pop-up tearoom and yoga and boxing workouts on the rooftop of John Lewis Oxford Street. Millennials are driving this appetite for unique shopping experiences, with younger John Lewis customers twice as likely to do a leisure activity or have a beauty treatment while out shopping than more mature customers.

Mobile shopping is now second nature

Today, almost everyone uses a phone to browse and buy: over a third of online traffic to JohnLewis.com comes from mobiles. In 2017 there was a tipping point in behaviour, as purchases on smartphones increased a staggering 69%, compared to last year. One reason for the growing dominance of mobile shopping is that it allows for a bite-size shopping experience, with customers filling time by browsing for inspiration or buying an urgent item within a matter of minutes.

Peter Cross, Director of Customer Experience at John Lewis, said: ‘How we shop continues to change at pace. Shops now need to combine the very best products with the latest, most immersive experiences. For many customers, their phones are the ‘remote control’ for their lives with their shopping, banking, social networks and to-do list in one place.

‘Five years on, this report is as intriguing as ever – as much for highlighting what we bought as highlighting what we haven’t. It’s our job to make sure that customers in 2020 will be as engaged and excited by the products and experiences we offer as they are today. In the face of all this change we will make sure that John Lewis remains trusted by millions of customers across the country for expert advice and guaranteed quality, which is never knowingly undersold.’

*The John Lewis Retail Report is created every year and is based on its shopping data from August 2016 to September 2017.

Download a copy of the John Lewis Retail report 2017 (PDF 3.1MB)

Notes to editors

John Lewis – John Lewis operates 48 John Lewis shops across the UK (34 department stores, 12 John Lewis at home and shops at St Pancras International and Heathrow Terminal 2) as well as johnlewis.com. John Lewis,  ‘Best In-Store Experience 2017’, ‘Best Furniture Retailer 2017,’ ‘Best Homewares Retailer 2017’1, stocks around 350,000 separate lines in its department stores and johnlewis.com across fashion, home and technology. Johnlewis.com is consistently ranked one of the top online shopping destinations in the UK.  John Lewis Insurance offers a range of comprehensive insurance products – home, car, wedding and event, travel and pet insurance and life cover – delivering the values of expertise, trust and customer service expected from the John Lewis brand.

1Verdict Consumer Satisfaction Awards 2017

You can follow John Lewis on the following social media channels:
www.johnlewis.com/twitter 
www.johnlewis.com/facebook 
www.johnlewis.com/youtube.

Enquiries
For further information please contact:

John Lewis
Lexi Finnigan
Corporate Communications Manager
Telephone: 0207 592 6994
Email: pressoffice@johnlewis.co.uk

Source: John Lewis

Posted on by

H&M group partners with re:newcell to achieve its goal in becoming 100% circular

H&M group partners with re:newcell to achieve its goal in becoming 100% circular

 

H&M group have partnered with Swedish company re:newcell, whose unique technology recycles used cotton, viscose and other cellulosic fibers into a new, more sustainable dissolving pulp. The pulp can be turned into new textile fibers and be fed into the textile production cycle. The partnership is another step towards H&Ms goal to use 100% recycled or other sustainably sourced material by 2030

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 2017-Oct-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — To achieve the H&M group’s goal on circularity, it’s crucial to find solutions for substituting many currently used fibers with either recycled or other sustainably sourced alternatives. Therefore, H&M group works actively with several initiatives to support and encourage innovation technology in how to close the loop in fashion and becoming 100% circular. One of the initiatives is to invest in entrepreneurs via H&M CO:LAB.

“Re:newcell´s technology has the potential to become a commercial and scalable solution for the industry and accelerate the journey from a linear fashion industry towards a circular one”, says Cecilia Brännsten, Acting Environmental Sustainability Manager and circular economy lead, at H&M group.

The news of the H&M and Re:newcell partnership was communicated today, at the 2017 Textile Exchange Sustainability Conference in Washington. D.C.

Contact:

Head of Media Relations
Katarina Kempe
+46 8 5780 85 54

Source: H&M

###