Daily Archives: October 24, 2017

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First Data’s Clover Go devices will be available on Apple.com and in Apple retail stores

  • First Data’s Clover® Go devices will be sold in U.S. Apple retail stores
  • First Data to support loyalty and gift card solutions for Apple Pay through the Clover Platform
  • Apple Pay now supported for more than one million First Data merchants

NEW YORK, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (23 Oct 2017) First Data (NYSE: FDC), a global leader in commerce-enabling technology, announced new initiatives with Apple designed to broaden the distribution of First Data’s Clover® devices and accelerate the expansion and digital transformation of Apple Pay. First Data’s Clover Go device, an EMV and Apple Pay-enabled mobile card reader that gives business owners the flexibility to accept secure payments anywhere, will be available in the coming weeks on Apple.com and in Apple retail stores across the United States.

Apple Pay is transforming mobile and digital payments with easy, secure payments that are fast and convenient. First Data is supporting the further expansion of Apple Pay by enabling merchants to offer loyalty, gift, and stored value card solutions through integration with Gift Solutions and the Clover platform. This collaboration further enhances the Apple Pay user experience while boosting loyalty for the merchant.

First Data was one of the first payment technology companies to support the launch of Apple Pay. Today, more than one million of First Data’s business clients now accept Apple Pay.

“Enabling Apple Pay for our merchant clients allows us to offer our clients more forms of payment acceptance. This ensures that they can meet the evolving preferences of their customers through the secure, user-friendly experience Apple Pay delivers,” said Dan Charron, Executive Vice President, Global Business Solutions, First Data. “Apple is also giving us a great opportunity to create brand awareness for Clover Go devices, which we expect will benefit all of our sales channels.”

First Data’s Clover Go Available Soon on Apple.com and in Apple Stores

Clover Go devices, equipped with Apple Pay acceptance, will be available in the coming weeks at Apple Stores across the United States. Clover Go is a fully-integrated card reader that accepts NFC, EMV, and magnetic stripe transactions all in one sleek device. Clover Go can be used with iPhone and iPad, and it is one of the fastest devices on the market with the ability to accept EMV transactions in less than 3.5 seconds.

Backed by the power of the Clover platform, Clover Go is well suited for businesses looking for a mobile payment device that will grow alongside them. Not only can a business owner start accepting payments quickly and easily with Clover Go, but they also have access to hundreds of apps in the Clover App Market, which are all designed to help businesses run more efficiently. The Clover Go app seamlessly integrates with the full range of First Data’s Clover devices, enabling a business owner to add point-of-sale solutions as their businesses grow and their needs evolve.

Apple Pay Support for Loyalty and Gift Cards Solutions

In order to further enhance the customer experience with Apple Pay, First Data will enable Apple Pay support for loyalty and gift cards through integration with First Data’s Clover platform. As a result of the integration, more businesses offering Apple Pay can now benefit from First Data’s robust suite of gift and loyalty solutions. Developers and third party loyalty providers can also leverage the Clover platform to facilitate Apple Pay-enabled experiences for Clover merchants.

First Data’s gift and loyalty solutions are designed to establish a stronger relationship between a merchant and its customers, while incentivizing consumers to become repeat customers.

Apple Pay Now Enabled in One Million First Data U.S. Merchant Locations

First Data is also announcing today that it now supports Apple Pay transactions at more than one million merchant locations in the United States. In addition to brick-and-mortar merchants, clients accepting payments via app and on the web can now offer Apple Pay to their customers.

Online shopping in apps and on websites accepting Apple Pay is as simple as the touch of a finger with Touch ID, eliminating the need to manually fill out lengthy account forms or shipping and billing information. When paying for goods and services on-the-go in apps or Safari, Apple Pay works with iPhone 6 and later, iPhone SE, iPad Pro, iPad (5th Generation), iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 3 and later. Consumers can also use Apple Pay in Safari on any Mac introduced in or after 2012 running macOS Sierra and confirm the payment with iPhone 6 or later or Apple Watch, or with Touch ID on the new MacBook Pro.

For more information on Apple Pay, visit: http://www.apple.com/apple-pay/.

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 Contact

Liidia Liuksila
212-515-0174
Liidia.Liuksila@firstdata.com

SOURCE: First Data Corporation

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EuroShop 2017: 2,368 exhibitors and 113,000 visitors from all over the world

Lines are now open for exhibitors to apply online

DUSSELDORF, Germany, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — This year’s EuroShop – the World’s No. 1 Retail Trade Fair – presented itself for the first time with a new concept: 7 dimensions of experience. This forward-looking change was honoured by exhibitors and visitors alike. With 2,368 exhibitors on 127,000 sqm of net space and over 113,000 visitors from all over the world, EuroShop achieved the best result in its 50-year history.

For the trade fair organisers in Düsseldorf it goes without saying that they mustn’t rest on their laurels, that they need to keep in touch with the latest trends and that it’s important to identify market developments in good time. This is why arrangements are already being made for the next EuroShop. In 2020 the seven existing dimensions (Shop Fitting & Store Design, Visual Merchandising, Lighting, Retail Marketing, Retail Technology, Refrigeration & Energy Management and Expo & Event Marketing) will have another one added to them. This 8th dimension at EuroShop will be called Food Service Equipment.

After all, it is becoming obvious at the moment that food service facilities in and around retail stores are gathering momentum. Much planning and many refurbishment projects at food retail stores are currently moving towards adding in-store facilities of this kind. The share of cafés and restaurants in shopping centres is rising, filling stations are offering food for immediate consumption, department stores are setting up themed restaurants that merge into a given environment, and we are seeing an increase in food and beverage services that play a major role in making customers feel happy and welcome.

The EHI Retail Institute, a promotional supporter of EuroShop, has just created the In-store Food Service Initiative with the intention of providing retailers in German-speaking countries with comprehensive information and networking platforms on the subject on a neutral basis. Challenges, trends and best practice examples will be published in the EHI retail magazine stores & shops. An initial study of the size and dynamics of the market, including a retailers’ survey, will be presented in March 2018, and the first convention on in-store food service facilities will take place on June, 26 and 27 next year in Düsseldorf.

It is therefore clearly a booming, up-and-coming market that has its own very special requirements in terms of equipment and design. And so it seems obvious that EuroShop, which covers all the capital goods requirements of the retail trade, should now also have a specially dedicated dimension with the focus on food service equipment. Although FoodTech was already included within the Energy Management dimension at EuroShop, it is reasonable to follow the rise in demand and to set up a separate dimension, Food Service Equipment, which will expand the current range considerably.

Exhibitors are now welcome to apply for this dimension, and indeed for all other dimensions at EuroShop 2020. Application forms for the next EuroShop in Düsseldorf (16 to 20 February 2020) can be downloaded from the EuroShop website:

www.euroshop.de/application


Press contacts:
Dr. Cornelia Jokisch, Tanja Karl (Assistant)
Phone: +49 (0) 211 4560-998/-999
Fax: +49 (0) 211 4560 8548
Email:JokischC@messe-duesseldorf.de
KarlT@messe-duesseldorf.de

SOURCE: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

 

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Sainsbury’s launches Tu Formal its first-ever full range of men’s formalwear and Tu Premium for men

Sainsbury’s launches Tu Formal its first-ever full range of men’s formalwear and Tu Premium for men

Sainsbury’s smartens up menswear by launching Tu Formal & Tu Premium for men

LONDON, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sainsbury’s is poised to take on Ted Baker and Reiss with the launch of Tu Formal, its first-ever full range of men’s formalwear and Tu Premium for men. From 17th October, both ranges will be available online and in up to 250 Sainsbury’s stores nationwide.

The Tu Formal collection focuses on fabrics sourced from the UK and includes two British wool three-piece suits (£160). The 100% wool tweed fabric is produced by a family-owned mill in the Yorkshire Dales which has been producing wool fabric for the past 150 years. This is the first time a UK supermarket has stocked men’s suits made with fabrics produced in Britain. They will be on offer alongside a wider range of jackets made with the iconic Scottish fabric, Harris Tweed (£130).

Sainsbury’s 20-piece Tu Premium menswear collection – the first premium supermarket clothing range for men – encapsulates key trends for the season, with sharp tailoring and high-quality fabrics, such as jeans in four-way stretch denim and wool blend coats and knitwear. Statement pieces include a camel Crombie coat (£60) and wool borg collar jacket (£55), while accessories include wool beanie hats (£8).

Sainsbury’s clothing business grew by over four per cent in the last financial year and menswear is the fastest growing clothing category.  Sales of menswear increased almost 13 per cent in the year to September 2016. Wool-rich suits and blazers were standout performers – Sainsbury’s sold over 1,200 Harris Tweed jackets last Autumn/Winter season, with the range performing particularly well online. These results gave the retailer the confidence to invest in a much broader, on trend collection for this season.

Last year the UK menswear market was estimated to have grown 2.8 per cent, more than twice that of the women’s clothing market and is forecast to grow by 12.3 per cent over the next four years to reach £16.3 billion by 2021.

The launch of the two new menswear collections follows the success of Tu Premium for women, which launched in September 2016 in response to growing customer demand for the Tu brand to be bolder and more confident with its fashion. The collection enjoyed strong sales from the outset, with a black leather biker jacket (£95) selling out online in just seven days.

Sainsbury’s Commercial Director, James Brown, said: “Menswear is the fastest growing area of Tu clothing and, having had a fantastic response to our premium womenswear launch, we wanted men to have a similar choice of high quality, on trend styles at fantastic value. The new Tu Formal and Tu Premium menswear collections, designed to be a cut above typical menswear supermarket clothing ranges, allow us to go head-to-head with high street brands.”

Sainsbury’s is the UK’s sixth biggest clothing retailer by volume and tenth by value. Over the past three years, Tu clothing sales have grown by more than 20 per cent.

SOURCE: Sainsbury’s

PRESS CONTACT
press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 0207 695 7295.

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Habitat to open four new Mini Habitat stores within Sainsbury’s supermarkets by mid-November 2017

Habitat to open four new Mini Habitat stores within Sainsbury’s supermarkets by mid-November 2017

Interiors brand to open four further Mini Habitat concession stores in Sainsbury’s by mid-November

LONDON, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Habitat is to launch four further new Mini Habitat stores by mid-November 2017. New Mini Habitat stores within Sainsbury’s supermarkets will open in York (Monk’s Cross), Manchester (Cheadle), Newcastle (Heaton) and London (Wandsworth), taking the total to ten.

The 2,000sqft stores will follow the same footprint as the brand’s six current Mini store-in-store formats as Habitat looks to create a network of regional touchpoint stores to help support its multi-channel growth strategy. With over 60% of sales now being made online through the www.habitat.co.uk website, further investment in smaller footprint concession formats is aimed at expanding Habitat’s brand awareness with Sainsbury’s customers as well as helping to increase online shopper confidence by allowing customers to ‘touch and feel’ the quality of the products in convenient store locations.

Each Mini Habitat store will showcase an edited range of over 600 products, all designed by the Habitat design team in London, with a range of price points across furniture, upholstery, lighting, homewares and textiles. Customers will be encouraged to touch and feel products on display as well as browse the habitat.co.uk website on integrated in-store digital screens and iPads that allow them to access the full product portfolio of over 4,500 products. Dedicated Habitat staff will also be in-store to explain product features and highlight additional product options online that can be ordered for home delivery or Click & Collect from over 2000 locations in the UK.

Clare Askem, Managing Director of Habitat, said: “We’ve learnt lots of lessons from our six trial Mini stores in Sainsbury’s this year and these have been addressed in our upcoming store openings. We’ve refined our product range based on customer feedback, while our in-store visual merchandising and service proposition has been adapted to what customers want on a ‘weekly shop’ basis.”

“Our customers increasingly want choice, flexibility and speed and we are evolving the brand into a truly multi-channel business that allows customers to shop how and when they want – be that online, in-store or a combination of the two.”

Habitat’s digital sales are showing strong growth – over 60% of sales now come from habitat.co.uk and it is increasing its digital services, having recently launched Click & Collect, where customers can pick up over 3,000 small homeware products from over 2,000 Sainsbury’s locations at a time that suits them.

Askem continued: “We believe physical stores will remain important to Habitat which is why we are evolving our store offer and rolling it out to four further shops.“

Mini Habitat in Sainsbury’s Monks Cross, York launches 25 October 2017

Mini Habitat in Sainsbury’s Cheadle, Manchester launches 1 November 2017

Mini Habitat in Sainsbury’s Newcastle Heaton, Newcastle launches 8 November 2017

Mini Habitat in Sainsbury’s Wandsworth, London launches 15 November 2017

SOURCE: Sainsbury’s

PRESS CONTACT
press_office@sainsburys.co.uk or call 0207 695 7295.

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John Lewis to trial new ‘concierge style’ shopping experience at its new service-led shop in Oxford

LONDON, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (20 October 2017), John Lewis has revealed details of a new ‘concierge style’ shopping experience which the retailer will trial at its new service-led shop in Oxford which opens its doors next Tuesday. The initiative forms part of John Lewis’s plans to reinvent the department store.

The new Oxford shop has one fifth of its floorspace dedicated to services and experiences and will offer 21 different services from travel advice to eye tests and children’s car seat fitting advice. Brand new services will include a free personal styling service for men, free technology training workshops to help customers get the most out of their purchases and learn about the very latest technology, and John Lewis’s first express Nail and Brow bar.

At the heart of the three-floor, 120,000 sq ft shop will be an Experience Desk managed by John Lewis’s first ever Brand Experience Manager where customers will be offered a ‘concierge style’ service to help them plan their day. Service Partners at the Desk will be able to tell them everything the store offers, book them into one of the exclusive events happening that day such as a pop-up barbers shop, or a make-up masterclass, help them choose the best Partner for their styling or home design appointment, or book them a table at the Scandinavian rooftop restaurant KuPP. Customers will also be able to buy one of five newly created Gift Experience packages including a Beauty Experience or the creation of a bespoke one with assistance from a Partner.

For the first time John Lewis will also be trialling new ‘hotel style’ tours to show customers around the new shop.

The 322 Partners recruited to work at the new shop have been given bespoke ‘theatre training’ by The Oxford Playhouse to teach them the art of outstanding service. They have been taught voice and body language skills used by actors to help them confidently deliver great customer service in their own authentic way.

The Partners will also be trialling a new uniform, created by its in-house fashion team, who have selected key items from John Lewis’s own brand range Kin. The uniform which will be updated each season has been chosen to make Partners stand out and showcase the retailer’s successful own-brand fashion.

Paula Nickolds, Managing Director at John Lewis said: ‘As part of our plans to differentiate the John Lewis brand and to reinvent the department store for the 21st century, our shops continue to be a place where customers come and experience our brand – the physical manifestation of what we stand for.

‘More than a route to selling things, our Oxford shop is a place that aims to inspire and delight our customers and is entirely focused on customer experience with Partners and finishing details at the heart of that.’

Julie Blake, Head of Branch John Lewis Oxford, who has been a Partner for 33 years said; ‘I was thrilled to be asked to run John Lewis’s 49th shop and help shape the future of this and other shops.

‘My team and I cannot wait to welcome customers into the shop and tell them about all it has to offer; from pampering to fashion advice, dinner at our fantastic new rooftop Scandinavian restaurant, and workshops on and demonstrations on the very latest tech products.’

Full list of services which will be offered at John Lewis Oxford:

  • Bra fitting service
  • Bureau de Change
  • Carpet and flooring estimates and fitting
  • Children’s car seat fitting
  • Children’s shoe fitting service
  • Christmas sacks and bauble personalisation
  • Computer support and set up
  • Eyebrow and nail treatments
  • Eye tests and glasses made on site
  • Gift List
  • Home design service
  • Home appliance installation and disposal
  • Kuoni Travel service
  • Light installation
  • Made to measure curtains and blinds including fitting
  • Nursery advice service
  • Personalised stationery
  • Personal styling for women
  • Personal styling for men
  • Smarthome product advice
  • Tech training sessions on the latest tech products
  • Three different places eat and drink.

John Lewis has invested approximately £18 million in building the 120,000 sq ft shop which is the anchor tenant at the new Westgate development which also opens on Tuesday 24 October.

The shop will stock over 55,000 products and more than one thousand different brands.

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:

Mandy Pursey
Communications Manager, Corporate
Email: mandy.pursey@johnlewis.co.uk
Telephone: 07813 696637

SOURCE: John Lewis Partnership

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AHOLD DELHAIZE SHARE BUYBACK UPDATE: 84,050 COMMON SHARES REPURCHASED IN THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 16, 2017 UP TO AND INCLUDING OCTOBER 20, 2017

Zaandam, the Netherlands, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Ahold Delhaize has repurchased 84,050 of Ahold Delhaize common shares in the period from October 16, 2017 up to and including October 20, 2017. The shares were repurchased at an average price of €15.90 per share for a total consideration of €1.3 million. These repurchases were made as part of the €1 billion share buyback program announced on December 7, 2016.

The total number of shares repurchased under this program to date is 47,016,867 common shares for a total consideration of €859 million.

Download the share buyback transactions excel sheet for detailed individual transaction information under “Files to download” (on the right).

Visit www.aholddelhaize.com/en/investors/share-information/share-buy-back-programs for a complete overview of all Ahold Delhaize share buyback programs

SOURCE: Ahold Delhaize

MEDIA CONTACT

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

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PHA AND NACS launch Healthier Product Calculator to help convenience retailers make healthier food choices more accessible to customers

CHICAGO, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which works with the private sector and PHA Honorary Chair Former First Lady Michelle Obama to make healthier choices easier, and NACS, the association representing the nation’s 154,000-plus convenience stores, today announced two new cobranded programs to help NACS members provide more visibility to healthier choices inside their stores.

In addition, the groups announced that two new convenience distributors have signed commitments with PHA: Harold Levinson Associates and S. Abraham & Sons.

The announcements were made at the NACS Show, which is expected to draw more than 22,000 attendees from the convenience store industry. In May, NACS became the first retail trade association to join Partnership for a Healthier America.

The groups announced the launch of a Healthier Product Calculator, an online resource that allows convenience retailers to easily identify items that meet the PHA Healthier Food & Beverage Product Criteria. The online tool will help retailers more confidently develop better-for-you store sets and make healthier food choices more accessible to the 160 million customers who shop at convenience stores every day.

The online calculator is based on the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, an evidenced-based set of guidelines crafted by a group of nationally recognized nutrition and medical experts, and released every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. The Healthier Product Calculator is available to all NACS retail, supplier and distributor members at convenience.org/calculator.

“With more than 23.5 million people living where healthy and affordable foods are limited or unavailable, we have a significant opportunity to address one of our nation’s biggest challenges,” said PHA President & CEO Nancy E. Roman. “As PHA continues to work with NACS and the convenience store industry, we’re discovering more opportunities to meaningfully address food access, while supporting each aspect of the supply chain.”

In addition to the online calculator, the organizations announced that NACS is now an official partner of PHA’s Drink Up campaign, which encourages Americans to drink more water, more often. With convenience stores selling approximately 50 percent of the country’s single-serve bottled water, the three-year partnership will give NACS members the opportunity to access Drink Up marketing collateral and point of sale materials through a digital hub to help drive sales of bottled water in stores.

A 2016 study by Nielsen Catalina Solutions (NCS) found that the Drink Up campaign fueled a 5 percent lift in incremental sales of bottled water among those exposed to the online campaign.

Also at the NACS Show, PHA announced that distributors Harold Levinson Associates (HLA) and S. Abraham & Sons (SAS) have each made a three-year commitment to deliver more nutritious options to its convenience retail partners.

Harold Levinson Associates is the fifth largest wholesaler to the convenience store industry serving more than 7,000 convenience store locations. HLA has committed to increasing the availability of affordable, nutritious options to its convenience store partners. It will also implement a healthier food catering guide for corporate meetings and events.

S. Abraham & Sons is one of the nation’s leading wholesale distributors specializing in the food industry that services nearly 4,000 retail stores throughout the Midwest. In addition to increasing the availability of affordable, nutritious options, SAS has committed to modifying its line of sandwiches and salads to meet PHA’s Healthier Food and Beverage Criteria and will introduce SAS-sponsored employee wellness programs.

Core-Mark and McLane, two of the largest convenience store distributors, as well as ESSTAR, a natural food sales, marketing and brokerage company, have also made PHA commitments to ensure that convenience stores across the nation can stock healthier options. Through these collective commitments, more than 75,000 convenience stores across the country can now offer expanded healthier choices and fresh fruit and vegetables to its customers. In addition, eight NACS retailer members, representing more than 2,000 locations in 25 states, also have signed commitments with PHA. Currently, 73 percent of PHA’s convenience store partner locations are in food deserts.

“We are proud to stand with our retailer and distributor members, as well as many of the supplier members, in joining PHA and supporting its programs to make the healthy choice the convenient choice,” said NACS President and CEO Henry O. Armour.

To learn more about the Healthier Product Calculator, Drink Up and distributor commitments visit www.ahealthieramerica.org.

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NACS advances the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contributors to the communities they serve. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 154,000 stores nationwide selling fuel, food and merchandise, serves 160 million customers daily—half of the U.S. population—and has sales that are 10.8% of total U.S. retail and foodservice sales. NACS has 2,100 retailer and 1,750 supplier members from more than 50 countries.

SOURCE: NACS

MEDIA CONTACT
Jeff Lenard

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NACS Releases 2017 Ideas 2 Go program

CHICAGO, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — The fast-paced Ideas 2 Go program showcases emerging concepts that redefine convenience—as well as quick takeaways that retailers could easily implement at their own stores. Since 1994, Ideas 2 Go has provided a fast-paced video tour of some of the most interesting, creative and potentially profitable ideas in the convenience and fuel retailing industry.

The 50-minute Ideas 2 Go video presentation was shown in today’s NACS Show general session. NACS member companies can order and download the 2017 program (SKU 30088024) for $30 ($60 regular price). Orders can be placed at convenience.org/ideas2go2017.

The eight featured segments are:

Farmer’s Grandson/Lone Oak LLC (Eagan, MN)
Owner Tony Donatell has taken a traditional Shell/Oasis Market and transformed it into a unique food and beverage operation with three concepts around food—sharing the same kitchen in the convenience store with other high-end dining and drinking experiences.

Rutter’s (Annville, PA)
Rutter’s is the oldest vertically integrated food company in the United States, yet embraces modern concepts to deliver high-end foodservice solutions and cutting-edge convenience.

Green Zebra Grocery (Portland, OR)
Green Zebra Grocery is reinventing the convenience store by combining healthy and convenience, and placing a big focus on people.

Migrolino (Zurich, Switzerland)
With small convenience markets with shops at train stations, petrol stations and other well-frequented locations, Migrolino makes every square foot count—especially with innovative daypart marketing in its latest Takeaway c-store concept.

Minit Mart/The Convenience Group LLC (La Center, WA)
The Convenience Group does the opposite of traditional branding, giving every store a unique look and offer. The idea is to customize stores to the specific neighborhood and consumer base while retaining the unique design characteristics of older buildings.

Street Corner/McColla Enterprises (Cincinnati, OH)
Convenience stores are increasingly locating in downtown settings where they can tap into built-in populations. The retailer’s new a “fresh market” is part of an urban mix of include a mix of apartment homes and retailers.

GetGo Café + Market (Verona, PA)
Two big buzzwords in the convenience industry are café and market, and they also are apparent in GetGo’s name and its offer. The company is placing a huge emphasis on food and an even bigger one on convenience.

Aw Shucks Country Store (Glen Allen, VA)
The local community is its number-one priority and Aw Shucks Country Store is the neighborhood gathering place, whether folks are meeting up for a meal, music or community events like yard sales and vintage car shows.

In addition to the eight Ideas 2 Go segments, short Ideas 2 Grow segments examine unique innovations in retail, including Eatsa (Washington, D.C.), and Mini Mini and Food Fight! (Portland, OR).

More than 150 Ideas 2 Go video segments from previous years (2002 to 2016) can be viewed at convenience.org/ideas2go.

The NACS Show is the premier event of the year for the convenience and fuel retailing industry. More than 22,000 attendees from 50-plus countries are at the 2017 NACS Show in Chicago, which features four days of general sessions, more than 50 education sessions and more than 1,200 exhibiting companies in a 420,000 net-square-foot expo. For the most up-to-date news and information on the event, go to nacsshow.com.

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NACS advances the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contributors to the communities they serve. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 154,000 stores nationwide selling fuel, food and merchandise, serves 160 million customers daily—half of the U.S. population—and has sales that are 10.8% of total U.S. retail and foodservice sales. NACS has 2,100 retailer and 1,750 supplier members from more than 50 countries.

SOURCE: NACS

MEDIA CONTACT
Jeff Lenard

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CarMax to hire more than 2,000 positions companywide by the end of the year

CarMax to hire more than 2,000 positions companywide by the end of the year

 

One of FORTUNE Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® is Hiring for Long-Term Careers

RICHMOND, Va., 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, announces plans to hire for more than 2,000 positions companywide by the end of the year. At a time when many retailers are hiring for seasonal positions, CarMax is hiring for long-term careers. For 13 years in a row, CarMax has been recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For®.

CarMax currently employs more than 24,000 people nationwide and provides opportunities for associates to grow within the company by offering ongoing training and development opportunities that support personal and career goals.

“First and foremost, CarMax seeks to hire people with integrity who are passionate about customer service. Experience in the auto industry is not necessary to work at CarMax,” said Diane Cafritz, chief human resource officer and senior vice president at CarMax. “The company values personal growth and education which is why CarMaxprovides ongoing support and development opportunities for our associates.”

The majority of new and open positions are for sales consultants, technicians, detailers and inventory associates. CarMax stores are also hiring for positions within its business offices nationwide. Additionally, the company is hiring for several customer service positions at CarMax Auto Finance in Atlanta, Georgia and for digital and technology positions at the headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.

Why Work at CarMax?

  • CarMax is committed to hiring people with strong values of integrity, transparency and respect. We live these values every day and they drive how we treat our associates and our customers.
  • Associates are given opportunities to volunteer and give back to local communities through The CarMax Foundation’s Volunteerism and Matching Gifts programs.
  • CarMax offers unmatched training and support for associate career growth, as well as tuition reimbursement.
  • CarMax offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including discounts on car purchases and other services.
  • Stores are equipped with climate controlled, state-of-the-art service bays with quality equipment.
  • CarMax is recognized as one of FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For®, 15 Best Workplaces in Retail and 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials, as well as one of TRAINING Magazine’s “Training Top 125” companies in America.

How Can Job Seekers Apply?

  • Applications are accepted online. Job seekers should apply at jobs.carmax.com.

About CarMax

CarMax is the nation’s largest retailer of used cars and operates more than 180 stores in 39 states nationwide. CarMax revolutionized the auto industry by delivering the honest, transparent and high-integrity car buying experience customers want and deserve. For more than 20 years, CarMax has made car buying more ethical, fair and stress-free by offering a no-haggle, no-hassle experience and an incredible selection of vehicles. CarMax makes selling your car easy too, by offering no-obligation appraisals good for seven days. At CarMax, we’ll buy your car even if you don’t buy ours®. CarMax has more than 24,000 associates nationwide. During the 12 months ending February 28, 2017, the company retailed 671,294 used cars and sold 391,686 wholesale vehicles at its in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMaxwebsite at www.carmax.com.

Contact:

Lindsey Duke,
CarMax Public Relations
855-887-2915
pr@carmax.com
@CarMax
facebook.com/CarMax

Source: CarMax, Inc.

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Old Navy launches team USA accessories collection for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in South Korea

BRAND LAUNCHES TEAM USA ACCESSORIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

SAN FRANCISCO, 2017-Oct-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Old Navy announces its new cold-weather accessories collection designed in partnership with the United States Olympic Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The spirited collection consists of Team USA knit mittens, winter hats and knit scarves in red, white and blue all-American style. Old Navy’s Team USA collection will be available exclusively at Old Navy (Times Square store and online) and on TeamUSAShop.com beginning on November 1st and rolling out to all Old Navy stores on November 20th with prices ranging from $15- $25.

The launch of the collection will kick-off Old Navy’s 100 Days to PyeongChang at the new Old Navy location in Times Square. Figure skater, Sasha Cohen, 2006 Olympic silver medalist, will host the event and meet and greet fans while shoppers have the first chance to purchase the limited-edition product.

To further celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Old Navy is giving its fans and followers an inside look at the Games with the ice dancing duo, Evan Bates and Madison Chock. The two-time world championship medalists will be taking over @OldNavy social channels and modelling the Team USA collection.

About Old Navy

Old Navy is a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand celebrates the democracy of style through on-trend, playfully optimistic, affordable and high-quality product. A division of San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Old Navy brings a fun, energizing shopping environment to its customers in more than 1,000 stores around the world. For more information, please visit www.oldnavy.com.

Source: Gap Inc.