Daily Archives: October 26, 2017

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John Lewis Partnership announces the departure of Group Development Director Tom Athron

London, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — John Lewis Partnership Chairman, Sir Charlie Mayfield, has announced that Group Development Director, Tom Athron, will leave the business in spring 2018.

Sir Charlie said: ‘Tom has enjoyed a successful 12 years in the Partnership and has decided that he now wishes to explore new opportunities outside the Partnership. We wish him every success in the future.’

Notes to editors

The John Lewis Partnership – operates 48 John Lewis shops across the UK, johnlewis.com, 352 Waitrose shops, waitrose.com and business to business contracts in the UK and abroad. The business has annual gross sales of over £11bn. It is the UK’s largest example of an employee-owned business where all 84,000 staff are Partners in the business.

Enquiries:
For more information please contact:

Sarah Henderson
Group Senior Communications Manager
Telephone: 07764 676 036
Email: sarah.henderson@johnlewis.co.uk

Source: John Lewis Partnership

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The Michaels Companies now Offers High Quality Framing Services with the Click of a Button

The Michaels Companies now Offers High Quality Framing Services with the Click of a Button

 

IRVING, Texas, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Michaels Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIK), North America’s largest specialty arts and crafts provider, announces the launch of Framerspointe.com, a quick and easy way to digitally design and purchase custom framing. The new online destination for framing needs will marry trend-right designs and superior craftsmanship at competitive prices with an easy to navigate shopping experience.

“Framerspointe.com will offer customers a terrific assortment of high quality, trend-right custom framing options online,” said Steve Carlotti, Executive Vice President – Marketing. “The Michaels Companies has been a leader in the custom framing business since 1976, and has been trusted with framing more than 20 million customer memories. Bringing our industry leading framing to ecommerce is a natural step, and will allow us to provide more consumers with an affordable, interactive, easy shopping experience.”

Launched earlier this month, www.framerspointe.com, has more than 40 mouldings, various décor surfaces like chalkboard and cork, and a library of more than 7,000 popular art images. Customers can also easily upload, edit, and print photos from their computer or social websites like Facebook or Instagram. They can then select the desired size, surface, frame, and mat and have it delivered all starting at just $39.

All custom frames sold on Framerspointe.com will be made in the USA by Artistree, a manufacturer of high quality custom and specialty framing merchandise wholly owned by The Michaels Companies, Inc.

About The Michaels Companies, Inc.:

A Fortune 500® Company, The Michaels Companies, Inc. is North America’s largest specialty provider of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself home decorator.

As of July 29, 2017, the Company owned and operated 1,366 stores in 49 states and Canada under the brands Michaels, Aaron Brothers, and Pat Catan’s. The Michaels Companies, Inc., also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of high quality custom and specialty framing merchandise, and Darice, a premier wholesale distributor in the craft, gift and decor industry. The Michaels Companies, Inc. produces a number of private brands including Recollections®, Studio Decor®, Bead Landing®, Creatology®, Ashland®, Celebrate It®, ArtMinds®, Artist’s Loft®, Craft Smart®, Loops & Threads®, Make Market®, Foamies®, LockerLookz®, Imagin8®, and Sticky Sticks®. Learn more about Michaels at www.michaels.com.

Financial Media:
ICR, Inc.
Julia Young/John Kell
203-682-8200
Michaels@icrinc.com

Source: The Michaels Companies, Inc.

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CVS Health and Northside Center to expand mental health clinics in public and charter schools across New York City

CVS Health and Northside Center to expand mental health clinics in public and charter schools across New York City

 

NEW YORK, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, New York City Councilperson Corey Johnson and Northside Center for Child Development, today (Oct. 25, 2017) announced a new partnership with CVS Health to expand mental health clinics in public and charter schools across New York City. With a $200,000 corporate grant from CVS Health, the new partnership announced at P.S. 161 in Harlem one of several schools where the Northside Center operates satellite mental health clinics licensed by the Office of Mental Health will infuse $50,000 annually to expand the mental health clinics’ footprint and serve more children in New York Cityover the next four years.

Since 2010, Northside Center has operated mental health clinics in Harlem and the Bronx, currently serving over 300 students in 11 schools. By bringing these clinics directly into school environments, it allows Northside to meet students where they are, and more effectively serve children with a variety of emotional and mental health issues.

“We are incredibly grateful to partner with, and have the support of, an organization like CVS Health, who has made it their mission to provide individuals with the resources, access to treatment, and medicine they need,” said Dr. Thelma Dye, Hilde L. Mosse Executive Director and CEO of Northside Center. “This partnership and funding allows us to continue to sustain and expand our mental health satellite clinics in New York City schools, giving us the opportunity to provide counseling and therapy for children from underserved communities, who may otherwise not get the treatment they need.”

The partnership will help build upon Northside Center’s demonstrated record of success in improving mental health and academic outcomes for children living in the city’s most underserved communities. To date, the program has successfully reduced “no-show” rates to therapy sessions from 30 percent to less than 10 percent.

“Northside Center’s historic commitment to New York City’s children is unparalleled, and we are proud to support their life changing work,” said David M. Denton, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, for CVS Health. “These clinics serve students who need the most help, but often have the least access to critical mental health services. We look forward to continuing to work with Northside Center and city officials to expand quality and affordable health care so more children living in poverty can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.”

Northside currently operates 11 mental health clinics in public and charter schools in Harlem and the Bronx.

Northside Center and CVS Health most recently partnered in May 2016 to host a health fair in East Harlem, which featured information from community health providers, free health screenings and services, along with gift giveaways.

About the Northside Center

Northside Center for Child Development is a non-profit organization that provides early childhood education, behavioral health, and enrichment services to low-income children and families across the New York City for over 70 years. Northside was founded by pioneering psychologists Drs. Kenneth B. and Mamie Clark. The Clarks’ groundbreaking research, including the black-white doll studies, were critical to the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which legally ended the segregation of public schools. Today, Northside Center provides children and families the support they need to overcome adversity and thrive. Their high-quality outcome-driven behavioral, mental health and education services propel struggling children away from the ill-effects of poverty and racism; toward a future limited only by the scope of their dreams.

About CVS Health

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its nearly 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

Contacts:
Jeff Holmes
860-575-6870
jholmes@skdknick.com

Joe Goode
401-770-9820
joseph.goode@cvshealth.com

SOURCE: CVS Health

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CVS Health expands its safe medication disposal program to include locations inside CVS Pharmacy stores

WOONSOCKET, R.I., 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (October 25, 2017), CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) officially introduced the expansion of the company’s safe medication disposal program to include locations inside CVS Pharmacy stores, marking the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28. The new safe medication disposal kiosks inside 750 CVS Pharmacy locations will add to the more than 800 units CVS Health has donated to law enforcement officials across the country, which have collected more than 100 metric tons of unwanted medication. Properly disposing of unused medications can reduce the risk of misuse, abuse or diversion.

“Solving the opioid crisis will not be easy and it will take the concerted effort of patients, providers, payors, pharmacies, advocacy organizations, elected officials and community leaders,” said Thomas M. Moriarty, Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer, and General Counsel, CVS Health. “Our safe medication disposal program is just one of the many initiatives we have undertaken to help prevent opioid abuse and drug addiction in our communities.”

CVS Health is unveiling its first disposal units inside CVS Pharmacy locations in Wilmington, North Carolina and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this week.

“The opioid crisis is tearing apart families all over North Carolina and this nation,” said Attorney General Josh Stein of North Carolina. “Safely disposing of unneeded medications is an important and simple step we can all take to keep these drugs out of the wrong hands. I applaud and thank CVS for making it easier for us to get rid of these dangerous and highly addictive drugs.”

“Eighty percent of heroin users start with a legal prescription drug,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania said. “We appreciate this effort to end diversion of these highly addictive drugs.”

Together with law enforcement, CVS Health also continues to underscore the importance of proper medication disposal this week at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office in Savannah, Georgia, which has received two medication disposal units from CVS Health.

“The opioid epidemic is one of the greatest public health threats facing our country, one that took the lives of 982 Georgians just last year,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “It affects every state and has a devastating impact on our communities tearing apart families and stretching the budgets of local law enforcement and first responders as they do the difficult work on the front lines. CVS Health is continuing to find innovative ways to help in this fight, and we are very grateful to have them as a partner in our Drug Take Back efforts in Georgia.”

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Nearly 100 CVS Pharmacy locations will be among the many sites across the country where law enforcement will hold a one-day event to collect unwanted prescription medication. Patients can find a participating medication return location using this location finder tool.

CVS Health is also working to address and prevent prescription drug abuse by increasing access to the opioid-overdose reversal medication naloxone in 43 states. Additionally, through the company’s Pharmacists Teach program, CVS pharmacists have volunteered to educate more than 300,000 students about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

In September, CVS Health announced an expansion of its enterprise initiatives to fight the opioid abuse epidemic by limiting to seven days the supply of opioids dispensed for certain acute prescriptions for patients who are new to therapy; limiting the daily dosage of opioids dispensed based on the strength of the opioid; and requiring use of immediate-release formulations of opioids before extended release opioids are dispensed.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contacts:

Erin Shields Britt
(401) 770-9237
Erin.Britt@CVSHealth.com

Amy Lanctot
401-770-2931
Amy.Lanctot@CVSHealth.com

SOURCE: CVS Health

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CVS Health announces new performance-based pharmacy network for CVS Caremark pharmacy benefit management clients and their members

WOONSOCKET, R.I., 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today (October 24, 2017) announced a new 30,000-store performance-based pharmacy network anchored by CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, along with up to 10,000 community-based independently owned pharmacies across the United States. The network is designed not only to deliver unit cost savings, but also to improve clinical outcomes that will lead to lower overall health care costs for CVS Caremark pharmacy benefit management (PBM) clients and their members.

“Steadily increasing drug costs, and the current transition in health care from volume to value, require us to continually develop and implement innovative solutions to help our clients manage pharmacy costs while improving health outcomes,” said Jon Roberts, Chief Operating Officer of CVS Health. “This partnership with Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy and independent pharmacies enables us to offer a new kind of pharmacy network that provides our clients with opportunities to improve health outcomes and lower overall health care costs, along with comprehensive, nationwide access to medications for their patients.”

Performance measures for participating pharmacies will include demonstrated medication adherence for chronic conditions that are impactful to client costs (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, respiratory conditions and behavioral health). Participating pharmacies are encouraged to implement their own proprietary programs and workflow processes to enable them to deliver results related to the measures being tracked.

“Walgreens is pleased to advance our commitment to improving patient care and health outcomes through improved medication adherence by participating in this new performance pharmacy network,” said Alex Gourlay, Co-Chief Operating Officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance and President of Walgreens. “This network recognizes that pharmacists do more than dispense medications they are key members of the patient care teams and add value by helping and encouraging patients to take their medications as instructed, improving overall health and wellness while lowering costs for patients and payers. Tracking performance provides additional accountability and incentive to achieve measurable outcomes.”

“At CVS Pharmacy we know pharmacists play an important role in providing our patients with timely and relevant information about their prescription medications,” said Helena Foulkes, President, CVS Pharmacy. “Given that our pharmacists are on the frontlines of health care in their role as a trusted health care provider, their interventions can help patients take their medications as directed by their physicians, ultimately improving outcomes and managing overall health care costs.”

CVS Caremark will make this network available to eligible PBM clients for implementation beginning March 2018.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

Investor Contact:
Mike McGuire
(401) 770-4050
Michael.McGuire@CVSHealth.com

Media Contacts:
Christine Cramer
(401) 770-3317
Christine.Cramer@CVSHealth.com

SOURCE: CVS Health

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NRF Foundation announces 25 student semi-finalists for its Next Generation Scholarship program

WASHINGTON, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — The NRF Foundation today (October 25, 2017) announced 25 students as semi-finalists for its Next Generation Scholarship program, which provides financial support to college students pursuing careers or majors relevant to retail. In a new phase of the competition this year, semi-finalists will be required to complete a written project and interview with an assigned retailer.

“True to its name, this scholarship identifies and rewards the retail industry’s brightest rising stars,” NRF Foundation Executive Director Ellen Davis said. “We adjusted the application process this year to attract a wider pool of qualified students, and ended up with a truly talented group from schools across the country. All of our semi-finalists exhibit remarkable leadership skills and will no doubt make their mark on the retail industry.”

In the first phase of the competition, 99 applicants from 42 schools submitted an essay, a personal brand video, two letters of recommendation, a resume and school transcripts. A panel of retail executives judged those materials to select the semi-finalists, and a second panel of retail experts will use the new written projects and interviews to select five finalists. Of the finalists, four will each receive a $10,000 scholarship and one will receive a $25,000 scholarship.

The semi-finalists are:

  • Natalie Alonzo, Pennsylvania State University
  • Shane Baglione, University of Florida
  • Marlowe Camblin, Santa Clara University
  • Jessa Chargois, Cornell University
  • Lea Chen, University of Pennsylvania
  • Rachelle Duperoux, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
  • Tyshaia Earnest, Kent State University
  • Madeline Harpham, University of Georgia
  • Isabel Jimenez, Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Paige Lindsey, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
  • Amaya Linsey, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Brian Lucksinger, University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Katarina Mejean, University of Delaware
  • Courtney Nash, University of Arizona
  • Ariel Norris, Butler University
  • Carlo Pardo, Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Sadie Lee Pierce, Mississippi State University
  • Brittany Rhoa, Kent State University
  • Kelly Skoglund, University of Georgia
  • Emylee Smith, Ohio University
  • Mollina So, Kent State University
  • Kathryn Steib, University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Nick Trifelos, Butler University
  • Reanne Wang, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
  • Hannah Witteried, Butler University

The top recipient will be announced on stage in front of hundreds of retail CEOs and insiders at the NRF Foundation Gala, January 14, during NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show. In addition to providing scholarships to the top five students, the Foundation pays travel expenses for all semi-finalists to attend the Foundation’s January 12-14 Student Program, held during NRF 2018.

Along with the scholarship semi-finalists and finalists, more than 700 students are expected to attend the Student Program, where they have the chance to meet executives from some of the industry’s most popular brands such as Disney, The Home Depot, Macy’s, West Elm and Nike. Students will hear from retail recruiters offering opportunities for internships, training programs and entry-level career positions, and will learn to leverage their networks to advance their careers through an executive mentoring session.

To learn more about the scholarship, visit NRF.com/NextGeneration

About the NRF Foundation
The NRF Foundation shapes retail’s future by building awareness of the industry through statistics and stories; developing talent through education, experiences and scholarships; and fostering career growth among people who work in retail. The NRF Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Retail Federation and is funded in part by generous donations from retail industry supporters. NRF.com/Foundation.

Contact:
Ana Serafin Smith
(202) 626-8189
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

Source: NRF

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William Shatner joins NACS in a special episode of Convenience Matters podcast

ALEXANDRIA, Va., 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — The attributes that define William Shatner’s career also describe the convenience store industry: intellectual curiosity, innovation and a strong work ethic.

So in a special episode of Convenience Matters podcast, “William Shatner’s Take on Convenience Stores,” NACS brought them both together. Shatner and NACS President and CEO Henry Armour joined host Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president strategic industry initiatives, to talk about topics related to convenience retailing.

“Star Trek has an overarching guiding principle known as the ‘prime directive.’ Simply put, you can’t interfere with the internal development of alien civilizations. It was terrific to hear an icon like William Shatner violate that principle in offering both solicited—and unsolicited—advice about our industry,” said Armour.

Shatner also addressed some convenience related questions, such as what a convenience store would look like on the Enterprise and whether cup holders would have been helpful. (Sneak peek: the answer is no, but listen to find out why not!)

Also, Convenience Matters now has a new, user-friendly website, conveniencematters.com. The site features information about the podcasts and the program hosts as well as recent podcast episodes with industry leaders, partner organizations, celebrities, industry experts and convenience store fanatics, plus.

In addition to weekly programs, Convenience Matters also features special episodes on timely topics, such as those focused on the fueling issues related to hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which were shared with reporters across the country.

“We are delighted with the success of the Convenience Matters podcasts and how our members download episodes to hear unique approaches to current challenges facing the industry and inspiring personal stories, as well as best practices, tips and trends,” said NACS Convenience Matters co-host Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives. “The average podcast listener in America consumes five different podcasts a week, and we are honored to be on so many members’ playlists—as well as playlists from listeners in 80-plus other countries.”

The NACS Convenience Matters podcast debuted in 2016 to appeal anyone working in retail, supply products or services, fascinated by the auto industry and the future of fueling and mobility or who simply love convenience.

A new Convenience Matters podcast is released every week focusing on topics related to convenience stores. Episodes of Convenience Matters can be downloaded on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and at conveniencematters.com. Since its launch in February 2016, it has been downloaded in more than 80 countries and listenership has more than doubled over the past 10 months.

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

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Gap announces the holiday ‘Meet Me in the Gap’ campaign with Janelle Monáe

MONÁE JOINS A CAST OF GAP’S MUSICAL FAMILIES TO HIGHLIGHT ALL OF THE LITTLE THINGS THAT UNITE US

NEW YORK, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — Gap, the iconic American clothing brand, today (October 24, 2017) announces the holiday ‘Meet Me in the Gap’ campaign starring actress and Grammy nominated recording artist Janelle Monáe alongside a cast of individuals from different places, backgrounds and genres to collaborate and celebrate the festive season.

The hero campaign video captures Monáe harmonizing with six talented choirs as they “meet in the gap,” performing an optimistic and cheerful song to invite all families to get together, spend real time with one another and find the little things that unite us. Directed by legendary Director Paul Hunter, the video, set in a blank space, embraces the magic of the holidays with the entire cast outfitted in classic Gap crazy stripes styled with cozy seasonal essentials. Through an acapella rendition of Freddie Scott’s original version of “(You) Got What I Need,” Janelle and the accompanying choirs embody the melody and its message of togetherness.

“The Gap has been a part of my life since I was a little girl so it was very exciting to be involved in this campaign,” said Monáe. “I love the unity of the ‘Meet Me in the Gap’ concept. It really reflects the idea that although we may be from different parts of the world, when we come together, we can create something magical.”

In addition to the hero video, there are a series of short videos and a print campaign that feature a mix of families, models and influencers who come together and inspire by creating optimistic energy that ties back to the theme of togetherness and appreciating the different families we develop over time and celebrate with during the holidays.

“As a brand, holiday has always been a memorable and emotional moment for Gap, marked by crazy stripes and togetherness,” said Gap chief marketing officer Craig Brommers. “This holiday season, we offer an invitation to families from all over the world to get together, spend real time with one another, and ultimately, meet in the Gap.”

Launching on November 6, the campaign spans television, mobile, social, in store and digital. The television spots will air on major networks and be incorporated into high impact moments including digital takeovers on ABC, YouTube, Vevo, Hulu and Spotify and live commercial integration with “Late Late show with James Corden” during the week of Thanksgiving. Lastly, we are continuing our partnership with Spotify to sponsor one of Spotify’s most popular holiday playlists, ‘Pop Christmas.’

For more information on ‘Meet Me in the Gap,’ visit gap.com.

About Gap

Gap is one of the world’s most iconic apparel and accessories brands and the authority on American casual style.  Founded in San Francisco in 1969, Gap’s collections are designed to build the foundation of modern wardrobes – all things denim, classic white shirts, khakis and must-have trends.  Beginning with the first international store in London in 1987, Gap continues to connect with customers online and across the brand’s about 1,600 company-operated and franchise retail locations around the world. Gap includes Women’s and Men’s apparel and accessories, GapKids, babyGap, GapMaternity, GapBody and GapFit collections.  The brand also serves value-conscious customers with exclusively-designed collections for Gap Outlet and Gap Factory Stores.  Gap is the namesake brand for leading global specialty retailer, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) which includes Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, Intermix and Weddington Way. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
press@gap.com

SOURCE: Gap Inc.

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Whole Foods Market and Vedge restaurant launch partnership to celebrate World Vegan Day

Whole Foods Market and Vedge restaurant launch partnership to celebrate World Vegan Day

 

Retailer to feature Vedge’s new recipes in stores on World Vegan Day, Nov. 1; offer $5 off all online orders

AUSTIN, Texas, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — World Vegan Day is on Nov. 1, so Whole Foods Market and Vedge restaurant are launching a partnership to celebrate. The cult-favorite vegan chefs from Philadelphia created all-new recipes for the holidays that will be available to order online at Whole Foods Market. The dishes will also be served on Whole Foods Market hot bars across the nation on Nov. 1, and online orders placed Nov. 1-6 with the promo code VEGAN will be $5 off.

The meal includes mustard-glazed cauliflower, lentil-mushroom stuffing, “cheesy” rutabaga and potato mash, sauerkraut-roasted rainbow carrots and chocolate toffee mini cake. Customers can visit shop.wfm.com to place orders for the holidays.

Vedge is a Philadelphia-based “vegetable restaurant” created by husband and wife chef duo Richard Landau and Kate Jacoby. The menus at Vedge feature locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and absolutely no animal products are used in the Vedge kitchen.

Contact:
SOmedia@wholefoods.com

Source: Whole Foods Market

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Cerrado Manifesto: Ahold Delhaize to work together with leading companies to stop forest loss in Brazil

Zaandam, the Netherlands, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — Ahold Delhaize has joined 22 other leading retailers and food companies to endorse a letter of support for the Cerrado Manifesto, a global pledge to work toward halting forest loss associated with soybean production and cattle expansion in the Cerrado, a vast tropical savanna in Brazil.

The announcement was made on October 25 during a high-level summit in London that focused on creating deforestation-free commodity and supply chains by 2020. In addition to Ahold Delhaize, companies signing the statement included among others Carrefour, Colgate Palmolive, Kellogg, McDonald’s, Nestle, Tesco, Unilever and Walmart.

“We are making a commitment to help protect the Cerrado, which is Brazil’s second largest biome after the Amazon,” said Jan Ernst de Groot, Ahold Delhaize Chief Legal Officer and responsible for Product Integrity. “This is a key step toward developing sustainable sourcing strategies in partnership with local and international stakeholders.”

The businesses “recognize the critical importance of the Cerrado for its role in climate change mitigation, as a repository for biodiversity, as the source of many of Brazil’s fresh water systems, and additionally as a production region for the agricultural commodities used in our products,” the two-page letter of support says. “However, we also recognize the extent and pace of native vegetation loss resulting from cattle and soy expansion in the Cerrado poses a significant threat to these social, environmental and economic values.”

Recent research indicates the availability of substantial areas of already cleared land. “It is increasingly clear that development need not be incompatible with the protection of globally important landscapes,” the letter continues.

It concludes that the 23 companies collectively “seek to collaborate to develop the policies needed to steer all actors towards a more sustainable land use pathway, and the monitoring and verification systems to give us confidence that our actions are having the desired outcome of protecting the unique landscape of the Cerrado.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

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

SOURCE: Ahold Delhaize

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iPhone X will be available to customers for pre-order on Friday, October 27

Cupertino, California, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — iPhone X, the future of the smartphone, featuring a revolutionary new design with a stunning all-screen display, wireless charging and an incredible rear camera with dual optical image stabilization, will be available to customers for pre-order on Friday, October 27 at 12:01 a.m. PDT on apple.com and the Apple Store app.

iPhone X will be available in more than 55 countries and territories, and in Apple Stores beginning Friday, November 3 at 8:00 a.m. local time. Stores will have iPhone X available for walk-in customers, who are encouraged to arrive early.

iPhone X features a gorgeous all-glass and stainless steel design with a beautiful 5.8-inch Super Retina display, A11 Bionic chip with neural engine for powerful machine learning, augmented reality and immersive 3D gaming experiences, wireless charging and Face ID, delivering an innovative and secure new way to unlock, authenticate and pay. The TrueDepth camera that enables Face ID brings Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting to the front camera for beautiful selfies with a depth-of-field effect and enables Animoji, which captures and analyzes over 50 different facial muscle movements to bring emoji to life in a fun new way. A redesigned rear camera with dual optical image stabilization includes a new color filter, deeper pixels, an improved Apple-designed image signal processor and features Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting allowing customers to capture stunning photos and videos. The all-glass front and back on iPhone X feature the most durable glass ever in a smartphone in two beautiful finishes, silver and space gray.

Pricing and Availability

  • iPhone X will be available in silver and space gray in 64GB and 256GB models starting at $999 (US) from apple.com and Apple Stores and is also available through Apple Authorized Resellers and carriers (prices may vary).
  • Through Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, customers in the US can get iPhone X, with the protection of AppleCare+, choose their carrier (no multiyear service contract required) and have the opportunity to upgrade to a new iPhone every year. The iPhone Upgrade Program is available for iPhone X at apple.com and Apple Stores in the US with monthly payments starting at $49.91 (US).
  • Members of the iPhone Upgrade Program can check if they’re eligible to upgrade and get a head start on their upgrade to iPhone X now, until 4 p.m. PDT on Thursday, October 26.
  • Through Apple’s iPhone Trade-up program, customers can trade in their eligible smartphone for up to $375 (US) in credit to help lower the full cost of a new iPhone or to reduce the monthly payments with their carrier.
  • The Apple Store app is the fastest, easiest way to pre-order iPhone X. Apple Store app users can favorite the products they love, get recommendations for accessories based on the Apple products they already own, and check out in an instant with Apple Pay.
  • Customers will be able to pre-order iPhone X beginning Friday, October 27, with availability beginning Friday, November 3, in Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, theUS and US Virgin Islands.
  • Apple-designed accessories including leather and silicone cases in a range of colors will be available starting at $39 (US), while a new iPhone X Leather Folio will be available for $99 (US). Lightning Docks in color-matching metallic finishes will also be available for $49 (US), prices may vary.
  • Every customer who buys iPhone X from Apple will be offered free Personal Setup in-store or online to help them customize their iPhone by setting up email, showing them new apps from the App Store and more.
  • Anyone who wants to start with the basics or go further with iPhone X or iOS 11 can sign up for free Today at Apple sessions at apple.com/today.

Press Contacts:
Michele Wyman
Apple
michele_wyman@apple.com
(669) 276-1208

Nick Leahy
Apple
nleahy@apple.com
(408) 862-5012

Apple Media Helpline:
media.help@apple.com
(408) 974-2042

Source: Apple Inc.

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Meijer surpassed 500,000 deliveries from its store-to-door service and is on-pace to see more than a million by year-end

Meijer surpassed 500,000 deliveries from its store-to-door service and is on-pace to see more than a million by year-end

 

Retailer’s store-to-door success includes 1 million eggs, 1.5 million pounds of bananas, and availability to more than 10 million households across the Midwest

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — Meijer is proving just how popular store-to-door convenience for grocery delivery has become in the Midwest. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer recently surpassed 500,000 deliveries, and is on-pace to see more than a million deliveries made from its stores by year-end.

Since launching in Detroit last September, Meijer has expanded the personalized service to more than 200 stores in just 148 days. The store-to-door service is now available to more than 10 million households in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky where Shipt shoppers hand-pick items from local Meijer stores offering home delivery. So far, more than 85,000 cases of water, 1 million eggs and 1.5 million pounds of bananas have been brought right to your door.

“As e-commerce continues to change the way people shop, we are proud to bring home delivery to the Midwest and innovate the way people shop our stores,” Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes said. “Our goal was to quickly bring a high level of convenience to as many customers as possible, so surpassing a half million deliveries is a great start as we continue enhancing this personalized customer-first experience.”

Keyes said that one reason why the service has been so popular is the retailer’s ability to combine a seamless digital shopping solution with the best of what its brick and mortar retail model stores offer. Meijer supercenters across six states average more than 192,000 square-feet, featuring everything from fresh produce and grocery to general merchandise that includes daily essential items like light bulbs, diapers, school supplies, as well as bulk items, like bags of rock salt and pet foods, normally found at specialty stores.

Because most Meijer stores are open 24-hours-a-day, customers can choose delivery times most convenient for them, which allows those with third shift jobs or challenging lifestyles the flexibility to shop and receive orders very early in the morning or late at night.

Meijer has also provided home delivery service members the ability to earn mPerks Rewards that can be redeemed in store, as well as offering sales on hundreds of items each week found through the Shipt app.

“Having the unrivaled selection of fresh produce, grocery and general merchandise available under one roof, not to mention the ability to earn rewards for your orders, has proven to be a differentiator for Meijer customers,” said Bill Smith, Founder and CEO for Shipt, which fulfills the deliveries for Meijer customers.

Meijer customers can sign up for the service for $99 per year. Unlimited deliveries are free for orders over $35; a flat $7 delivery fee is added to any orders under $35.

A half million deliveries and 1.5 million pounds of bananas later, Meijer’s combination of the traditional brick-and-mortar accessibility with a personalized digital shopping solution continues to attract everyone, including millennials, parents and those who may have difficulty shopping.

“Thirty minutes in a grocery store for me is like running a marathon for three or four hours,” said Idelma Urolia, who suffered a stroke in 2014 and signed up for Meijer home delivery as soon as it was offered in Detroit. “To have a service that is going to do all the manual labor of driving to Meijer, pick up my groceries, deliver right to my door, and even help put them away is more than life-changing, it’s a life-saver.”

About Meijer:

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

About Shipt:

Shipt, the nation’s fastest growing online grocery marketplace, works with leading retailers and local stores to deliver groceries via a community of shoppers and a convenient app. Since its founding in 2014, Shipt has been rapidly expanding and now offers quality, personalized grocery delivery to over 30 million households in 71 markets across the country. Shipt offers unlimited grocery deliveries to members for $99 per year. The company currently has corporate offices in Birmingham, AL, and San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit Shipt.com.

Contact:

Joe Hirschmugl
616-791-3943
Joseph.Hirschmugl@meijer.com

Source: Meijer

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Co-op prepares to open five brand new stores across Scotland with £3.4 million investment

MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op is ramping up its investment in Scotland during October and November, as it prepares to open five brand new stores across the country.

The £3.4 million investment forms part of the retailer’s £11 million 2017 store expansion plan and is set to create 75 jobs for local people.

The new stores, which will all have a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials are: Renfrew, Paisley Road and Cardross, Main Road, both launching on 26 October, Doune’s Castlehill Court and Colpy Road – Oldmeldrum opening their doors on 23 November and Stirling’s The Brae – Cambusbarron which will launch on 30 November.

Local community groups are also set to get a funding boost through the Co-op’s new Membership scheme. Members receive a 5% reward on purchases of own-branded products and services, with a further 1% going directly to local causes to make a difference in the community. Charities and groups set to benefit from the launch of the new stores include: I Am Me Scotland (Paisley), Lisa’s Gift (Glasgow) and Barrhead’s Men’s Shed.

John McNeill, Co-op’s divisional managing director, said: “It’s a very exciting time for the Co-op in Scotland as we gear up to open not one, but five, brand new Co-ops over the next five weeks. As well as being hubs for the local community, our stores are committed to providing a consistently brilliant in-store experience, allowing customers to get what they want, when they want it.

“We’re very proud of how much we’ve achieved so far in 2017 and our membership message really seems to be striking a chord with shoppers. We now have over half a million members who together have helped us to raise £1.2 million for almost 600 Scottish good causes. Just by swiping a membership card, people can make a real difference to local life and become a co-owner of their local Co-op.

“Our new store launches, together with our ever growing range of locally-sourced Scottish produce and increasing member numbers, put us in a strong position as we look towards further expansion in 2018.”

The openings follow last month’s announcement that the retailer – which was recently crowned Convenience Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards – will be launching a new 12,000 sq ft distribution centre at Inverness Airport Business Park in 2018.

There are offers and promotions in and around the new stores to mark their launch. And, students holding a Young Scot card will also receive a 10% discount off their groceries.

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

Investment per store:
· 26.10.17 Renfrew, Paisley Road – £464,000
· 26.10.17 Cardross, Main Road – £1.1m
· 23.11.17 Doune: Castlehill Court – £553,000
· 23.11.17 Colpy Road – Oldmeldrum – £785,000
· 30.11.17 The Brae: Cambusbarron – £503,000

Source: Coop

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PetSmart opens the first The Groomery by PetSmart™ locations in New York City and Chicago

First Two Stand-Alone Salons in New York and Chicago Open This Week with Scottsdale, Ariz., and Two To-Be-Announced Locations to Open in the Coming Months

PHOENIX, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — PetSmart announced today (Oct. 25, 2017 ) the opening of The Groomery by PetSmart™ (The Groomery), an innovative store concept focused exclusively on pet grooming services, with an expected five locations opening in the coming months. This week, the first of The Groomery stores are opening in New York City’s Upper West Side and Oak Park, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. Additional locations will open in Scottsdale, Ariz., with two more locations expected to be announced soon.

PetSmart is introducing The Groomery as pet care spending continues to increase. According to the American Pet Products Association, in 2016 Americans spent nearly $5.8 billion on pet services, a segment growing faster than any other in the pet category.

Each location features a salon-style modern design in a boutique-sized space of about 1,800 to 2,500 square feet of space, much smaller than a traditional PetSmart store.

“When taking your pet to be groomed, proximity to the home is a key factor for convenience and to help reduce a pet’s anxiety,” said Joanna Zucker, vice president of services, PetSmart. “We know that a significant portion of our grooming business comes from people living within close proximity to a PetSmart store. So, we created The Groomery store design to help us get closer to where pet parents and their pets are living, especially in urban markets. The Groomery offers a great solution when our traditional PetSmart store isn’t located nearby.”

The Groomery features classic pet grooming services, such as baths, brushes, haircuts, blow-outs, nail trims and grinds, teeth brushings, paw maintenance, flea & tick treatments and the de-shedding Furminator service. The Groomery also offers pampering “Spaw” treatments featuring coconut and other scents, pet-specific deep moisture shampoos and conditioners from popular human brand’s such as CHI, as well as a self-service dog wash so pet parents can bond and bathe their own pups.

“We know our pet parents love their pets and want to give them the best of everything, and The Groomery fits nicely into that pet lifestyle,” said Zucker. “Pet grooming can enhance a pet’s overall health, and special service like a scented bath and blow-outs can further enrich our connection with our pets. Let’s face it, a great smelling dog with a soft coat can be an even bigger magnet for hugs, nuzzles and ear scratches from every member of the family.”

Store details include:

  • Grooming Salon – The Groomery salons feature at least 10 wide, easy-to-maneuver tabletop spaces for the PetSmart grooming staff, all of whom are academy-trained, and undergo 800 hours of certification training and a six-month apprenticeship. A bathing area with stainless steel tubs allows for washing the pups, while no-heat dryers safely dry them after a comforting hand-towel drying.
  • Self-Service Dog Wash – The Groomery locations offer two or more self-service dog wash stations, a popular option within the grooming segment that gives pet parents an easy solution to bathe and bond with their pet, especially after a day at the park. The washing stations feature wall-mounted washing and drying equipment, and an array of complimentary shampoos and conditioners that address a range of needs from de-shedding to skin sensitivities.
  • Merchandise – The lobby area of The Groomery stores are stocked with high-end health and beauty pet essentials such as shampoos, brushes, collars, leashes and treats, including an expanded collection of at-home pet grooming supplies from popular human brands like CHI® and Burt’s Bees®, as well as pet brand Furminator®.

Location details:

The Groomery – Oak Park
Address: 106 N. Maple Ave., Oak Park, Ill.
Opening: Oct. 23

The Groomery – Manhattan
Address: 670 Columbus Ave. (between 92nd and 93rdStreets), New York City
Opening: Oct. 25

The Groomery – DC Ranch Community/Scottsdale

Address: 20945 N. Pima Road, Suite B-107, Scottsdale, Ariz
Opening: Dec.

Pet parents can easily book their pet’s appointment at The Groomery salons by visiting petsmart.com/thegroomery to locate their local Groomery. From there, they can book online, call the store directly or download the PetSmart mobile app to schedule an appointment.

About PetSmart®

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ approximately 55,000 associates, operate more than 1,500 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as pet-focused services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart® Doggie Day Camp® and pet adoption. PetSmart, together with non-profits PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, invite more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 7.6 million adoptions – more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. The company’s portfolio of digital resources for pet parents includes PetSmart.com, OnlyNaturalPet.com, petMD.com, Pawculture.com, AllPaws, an online pet adoption platform that helps potential pet parents find the perfect pet to adopt based on their home, family and lifestyle, as well as BlogPaws, the world’s first pet blogger and influencer network. Through these digital platforms, PetSmart offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in the U.S. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, PetSmart launched its Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ program in March 2017. For every bag of cat or dog food purchased March 1 – Dec. 31, 2017, PetSmart will donate a meal to pets in need and expects to donate more than 60 million meals in 2017*. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S., which operates as an independent subsidiary.

Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmart
See PetSmart on Instagram: @PetSmart
Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart
See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart

Turn your passion for pets into a career you’ll love! Visit careers.petsmart.com to learn more about corporate, retail store and Distribution Center opportunities.

*Ends 12/31/17.  5 oz. dog food, 1.5 oz. cat food donated to PetSmart Charities to feed dogs and cats in need.  See details at petsmart.com/giveameal. The actual number of meals donated is based on dog and cat food bags sold.  The meal donation estimate is based on historic sales for similar time periods. No guaranteed amount. Rescue Bank and Feeding America will help distribute a large portion of the pet food donation in the U.S., while four large animal welfare agencies will distribute it in Canada.

Contacts:
Danielle Bickelmann
Golin for PetSmart
469-680-2503
dbickelmann@golin.com

PetSmart Media Line

Source: PetSmart, Inc.

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Esprit publishes its third sustainability report

Ratingen, Germany, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — On October 13, 2017, Esprit published its third sustainability report. In the successfully completed FY16/17, Esprit continued to extend its sustainability activities and developed concrete guidelines along which it will orientate its actions and measures. Substantial headway has been made over the past two years in particular in the areas of sustainable products and materials, transparency, and the improvement of wastewater.

• UPDATED HOLISTIC STRATEGY WITH A FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS
• ESPRIT COMMITS TO CONCRETE IMPERATIVES
• SUBSTANTIAL HEADWAY IN SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES

Since the foundation of Esprit in 1968, doing business responsibly has been a key component of the brand. In the spirit of this founding philosophy, Esprit continued to extend its sustainability activities in the past FY16/17 and developed a holistic strategy that incorporates the human-centered side (PEOPLE) of sustainability along with the environmental side (PLANET). With the updated strategy, the company has committed itself to four major imperatives:

In all four areas of action, Esprit has been able to achieve decisive progress over the past two years, inter alia through valuable strategic cooperation with partners such as Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT), CanopyStyle, and the Better Cotton Initiative. In the area of products and materials, Esprit gradually increased the share of organic cotton and recycled materials in its products and was certified with the Organic Content Standard, Recycled Claim Standard and the Responsible Wool Standard. In order to create additional transparency, Esprit published a list with all its direct suppliers and subcontractors in accordance with the Human Rights Watch Transparency Pledge. A newly developed training and auditing program for wet processing facilities, where printing, dyeing and finishing takes place, contributes to a clean supply chain. With the membership at ACT, a multi-stakeholder platform that aims to enable industry-wide collective bargaining in major production countries, Esprit intends to lay the foundation for achieving living wages.

Jose Manuel Martínez Gutiérrez, Executive Director and Group CEO of Esprit, comments: “Last year we were able to achieve significant progress in our efforts toward an even stronger anchoring of the sustainability principle in our company. In this way, we get closer to our long-term goal of integrating sustainability into all business processes. On the basis of the updated sustainability strategy and our concrete commitments, we are confident that we will have an even bigger impact”.

In order to ensure that everyone within Esprit is working collaboratively towards our sustainability goals and to seek opportunities for improvement, a cross-departmental steering committee was launched in spring of 2017 to take charge of the commitments. Members include top management from operations, logistics, supply chain and marketing.

The global sustainability report was prepared in agreement with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 ‘Core’ level and is being published in English and German on Esprit’s website. For further information on Esprit’s global sustainability report, go to Esprit Sustainability.

Source: Esprit

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Diebold Nixdorf announces the promotion of Patricia A. Lang to vice president, chief people officer

Diebold Nixdorf announces the promotion of Patricia A. Lang to vice president, chief people officer

 

NORTH CANTON, Ohio, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE: DBD) today (23 October 2017) announced that Patricia A. Lang has been promoted to vice president, chief people officer. She will be responsible for leading all employee-focused initiatives and human resource operations affecting Diebold Nixdorf’s 24,000 people globally. She will report to Andy W. Mattes, Diebold Nixdorf president and chief executive officer, and is based at the company’s headquarters in North Canton.

“Patty’s experience and in-depth knowledge in all facets of human resource functions, including the integration of complex, multicultural companies, makes her a perfect fit to lead our employee-focused efforts,” said Mattes. “Culture and talent are key pillars in our DN2020 multi-year transformation program, and Patty will help strengthen our commitment to create and sustain a collaborative environment in which our employees can thrive.”

Lang joined Diebold, Incorporated in 2012 to lead the company’s global rewards, human resources information systems (HRIS) and people analytics organizations. Prior to joining Diebold, Lang worked at Mylan N.V., where she held various roles including the HR lead on M&A activities, with responsibility for all HR-related activity including counsel to the company’s CEO and president. She has more than 25 years of experience in human resources and related fields, successfully holding various leadership positions in human resources operations and consulting at companies such as Alcoa, Mercer, Conduent and Cigna.

Lang is a native of Washington, Pa., and has residences in the Pittsburgh and North Canton areas. She received a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University in business administration with a concentration in Information Technology & Management. She also holds various certifications in human capital management, mergers and acquisitions, global employee benefits, manufacturing business systems and the Toyota Production System.

About Diebold Nixdorf
Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated is a world leader in enabling connected commerce for millions of consumers each day across the financial and retail industries. Its software-defined solutions bridge the physical and digital worlds of cash and consumer transactions conveniently, securely and efficiently. As an innovation partner for nearly all of the world’s top 100 financial institutions and a majority of the top 25 global retailers, Diebold Nixdorf delivers unparalleled services and technology that are essential to evolve in an ‘always on’ and changing consumer landscape.

Diebold Nixdorf has a presence in more than 130 countries with approximately 24,000 employees worldwide. The organization maintains corporate offices in North Canton, Ohio, USA and Paderborn, Germany. Shares are traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol ‘DBD’. Visit www.DieboldNixdorf.com for more information.

Media Relations:

Mike Jacobsen
APR
+1-330-490-3796
michael.jacobsen@dieboldnixdorf.com

Investor Relations:

Steve Virostek
+1-330-490-6319
steve.virostek@dieboldnixdorf.com

SOURCE: Diebold Nixdorf

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Diebold Nixdorf introduces Vynamic™ the first software suite built to power connected commerce

NORTH CANTON, Ohio, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE: DBD), a leader in driving connected commerce, is introducing Vynamic™, the first software suite built to power the ongoing transformation in the financial services and retail industries. Unlike traditional software suites available today (23 October 2017), Vynamic breaks down channel silos to enable next generation business agility and seamless consumer experiences by integrating solutions spanning mobile devices, branches, automated teller machines, kiosks, point-of-sale terminals and stores. With a shared analytic and transaction engine, the Vynamic platform can generate new insights to enhance operations across any channel – putting consumer preferences, not the technology, at the heart of the experience.

Today, businesses are facing market pressures such as open banking, shifting regulation and payments innovation. The Vynamic suite’s open API architecture is built to eliminate the traditional focus on internal silos and enable tomorrow’s interconnected partnerships between financial institutions, retailers and payments providers. As these industries move toward a collaborative business model, Vynamic software will drive secure, seamless and personalized consumer journeys – across channels and across industries — through these new, uncharted ecosystems.

“The industries we serve are moving beyond simple interactions. Diebold Nixdorf’s Vynamic software suite uses insight and personalization to turn transactions into meaningful connections,” says Alan Kerr, Diebold Nixdorf senior vice president, software. “The Vynamic software suite breaks down traditional channel silos and enables a new era of seamless experience and business agility. Vynamic has the ability to fundamentally accelerate digital transformation and redefine consumer centricity.”

The company will showcase its latest software-driven technologies in booth #1343 at Money20/20 on Oct. 22-25 in Las Vegas.

  • Mobile Apps for the Real World: Being agile in digital innovation is a critical competitive differentiator for financial and retail players. Diebold Nixdorf will showcase its latest mobile solutions, Vynamic Mobile Banking and Vynamic Mobile Retail, which enable businesses to better engage with consumers and adapt to new industry trends. As the first to deliver built-in channel integration capabilities, Vynamic Mobile Banking enables all connection points to be smarter – changing consumer interactions by delivering real-time personalization and engagement.
  • Advanced Data Analytics: Diebold Nixdorf’s latest data analytics platform, Vynamic Insights, enables businesses to make intuitive, predictive and adaptive data-driven decisions. Vynamic Insights also delivers a holistic view of the consumer journey across multiple touchpoints to enable personalized experiences by understanding behaviors such as consumer adoption of new technologies and usage patterns.
  • Software-Driven Conceptual Technologies: Demonstrating market-leading capabilities at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds, visitors to Diebold Nixdorf’s booth will see Vynamic brought to life through the company’s latest conceptual platform, Fusion. The concept seamlessly creates tailored consumer experiences across retail and banking including: cryptocurrency exchange, ecommerce locker, secure storage, kiosk, self-checkout terminal and automated teller machine.

About Diebold Nixdorf
Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated (NYSE: DBD) is a world leader in enabling connected commerce for millions of consumers each day across the financial and retail industries. Its software-defined solutions bridge the physical and digital worlds of cash and consumer transactions conveniently, securely and efficiently. As an innovation partner for nearly all of the world’s top 100 financial institutions and a majority of the top 25 global retailers, Diebold Nixdorf delivers unparalleled services and technology that are essential to evolve in an ‘always on’ and changing consumer landscape.

Diebold Nixdorf has a presence in more than 130 countries with approximately 24,000 employees worldwide. The organization is headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, USA and Paderborn, Germany. Shares are traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol ‘DBD’. Visit www.DieboldNixdorf.com for more information.

Media Relations:

Renee Murphy
+1-330-490-4964
renee.murphy@dieboldnixdorf.com,

Investor Relations:

Steve Viroste
+1-330-490-6319
steve.virost

SOURCE: Diebold Nixdorf

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StubHub becomes the “NFL Authorized Ticket Resale Marketplace” beginning 2018-2019 season

StubHub becomes the “NFL Authorized Ticket Resale Marketplace” beginning 2018-2019 season

With this industry-leading change, StubHub will make it even easier for NFL fans to buy and sell tickets through a host of innovative technologies.

San Jose, CA, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (Oct 23, 2017), StubHub announced a multi-year agreement with the National Football League designating StubHub as the “NFL Authorized Ticket Resale Marketplace” beginning with the 2018-2019 season. With the NFL’s recently announced open ticket marketplace, StubHub will be directly integrated with the primary ticketing systems of the League and its clubs, providing an official, safe and seamless way for fans to buy and sell NFL tickets on any digital device.

“We are thrilled that the NFL has chosen StubHub’s massive, industry-leading marketplace to give its fans a seamless and reliable ticketing experience,” said Perkins Miller, GM North America of StubHub.  “We applaud the NFL for being among the first professional sports leagues to provide its fans more choices than ever when it comes to buying and selling tickets.”

“Our goal is to give our fans as many safe, secure options as possible to buy official NFL tickets and to simplify the purchasing process,” said Brian Lafemina, the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Club Business Development. “Partnering with StubHub, a site where many NFL fans buy and sell NFL tickets was a logical step for us and we look forward to working with them to continue to make the NFL ticketing process as seamless as possible.”

Today’s announcement represents the first time that the NFL has permitted an independent marketplace to integrate directly into the primary ticketing systems of its 32 clubs. StubHub, the world’s largest ticketing marketplace, has the most ticketing integrations across the sports industry with exclusive partnerships with more than 90 teams across Major League Baseball, the NBA, NHL, MLS and dozens of leading NCAA school teams.

While the NFL is allowing other ticketing marketplaces to integrate into their primary platform, StubHub will be granted certain exclusive marketing rights and benefits. StubHub will also partner with the NFL to provide insights on customer data as well as jointly work on research to enhance the event-going experience.

With this industry-leading change, StubHub will make it even easier for NFL fans to buy and sell tickets through a host of innovative technologies, including pricing guidance, best value recommendation and panoramic 360-degree virtual view-from-seats.

NFL tickets sold on Stub Hub will now be officially validated by the primary issuer, giving fans an even more seamless and safe ticket-buying experience.

ABOUT STUBHUB

At StubHub, our mission is simple: help fans find fun. We connect fans with their favorite teams, shows and artists and introduce them to the ones they’ll love next. As the largest ticket marketplace in the world, we enable fans to buy and sell tickets to tens of thousands of events, whenever they want, through our desktop and mobile experiences, including our StubHub app for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Android. Offering a superior fan experience at its core, StubHub reinvented the ticket resale market in 2000 and continues to lead it through innovation. Our industry firsts include the introduction of the first ticketing application, the first interactive seat mapping tool and the first live entertainment rewards program, Fan Rewards™. Our business partners include more than 130 properties in MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and NCAA, plus AEG, AXS and Spectra Ticketing & Fan Engagement. With the acquisition of Ticketbis in August 2016, throughout the world, StubHub provides the total end-to-end event going experience. StubHub is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). For more information on StubHub, visit StubHub.com or follow @StubHub on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or YouTube.com/StubHub.

Contact:
(408) 376-7400
press@ ebay.com

Source: eBay

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SPAR further expands in Georgia with its 36th store and still to open 10 more by year-end

Georgia, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — SPAR Georgia are delighted with their progress having opened eight new stores in a few months, bringing the total number of SPAR stores in the country to 36, five of which are operated by SPAR Georgia’s sub-license partners. SPAR Georgia has now penetrated three new local markets and is planning to open up to 10 additional stores by year-end.

All new stores are between 110 and 135m2 in size.  SPAR Georgia focuses on offering a broad selection of fresh produce and traditional Georgian baked goods, complemented by a local Food-to-Go offering. The destination departments in the new stores also include SPAR Georgia’s new Own Brand Daily Choice range, launched this past summer. Daily Choice is a range of ready-made meals for busy people who are in a hurry and in need of some nourishing food. Only introduced a month ago, the range already includes cakes, salads, Georgian baked products, as well as pizza, french crepes, and of course warm, seasonal meals.

During the development of the new stores,  experiences from previously opened supermarkets was taken into consideration and adapted to suit each location, especially with regards to the store layout, department designs, instore communications and the assortment offer.

The store openings were announced on social media, drawing good crowds who were delighted with the variety of products on offer, especially the fresh assortment and SPAR Own Brand ranges.

Contact:

SPAR International
Email: info@spar-international.com
Tel: +3120 626 6749

Source: Spar International

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Costa Foundation marks its 10th year anniversary with update on the development of a new school project in Zambia

LONDON, 2017-Oct-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Costa Foundation has announced the development of a new school project in Zambia. The country will be the 10th to benefit from investment, as the Costa Foundation enters its 10th year since its launch in 2007.

The news comes as part of an ambitious expansion programme set out by the Costa Foundation. The charity will aim to raise £20m and complete their 100th school by 2021, building on the nearly 30,000 school places which have been created by the Costa Foundation to date.

The first phase of the Kasama school in Zambia will open early next year accepting 200 children. Collaborating with a group of donors, the school will boast classrooms, science and IT labs, a kitchen and boarding facilities, and run off renewable energy. It will grow year on year and aim to accommodate up to 1000 pupils.

Kasama in the Northern Province was chosen by the Costa Foundation’s implementing partner PEAS, Promoting Equality in African Schools. Secondary school enrollment is low in the province, the area is under resourced and the quality of education is poor. There are only 10 secondary schools for 15,000 secondary school pupils in Kasama, leading to a sharp drop in enrollment between the end of primary and entry to secondary school. The school will support children in the surrounding area to access secondary school, and is also supporting the local community by providing job opportunities during construction and once the school is open.

The Costa Foundation’s mission is to improve the life chances of boys and girls in coffee growing communities by providing them with access to a safe, quality education. Since its launch in 2007 it has supported 75 school projects across nine countries – building or extending school buildings and providing essential facilities and equipment, including connecting water supplies, and supplying computers.

In Ethiopia, where the Foundation has built 17 schools and invested in several other school projects, the Foundation’s work is having a clear impact. 300 students from Costa Foundation schools have moved onto higher education, and extra curricular clubs and health education has helped kickstart a substantial drop in the HIV rate in some communities.

Ayana Ware studied at one of the very first Costa Foundation schools in rural Ehtiopia. After going on to complete a degree in civic education, he has returned to teach in his home town and said:

“If Dimtu high school [local Costa Foundation school] hadn’t been built, my chance would have been blocked and I would remain home as a traditional farmer. It served as a bridge to achieve my ambition. In 2016 I’ve graduated with a degree, and returning to my high school as a teacher makes me feel great and special.

The more you help to educate people the less poor they will be. Thank you very much.”

Sandy Gourlay, Charity & Community Manager, Costa Coffee, said:

“The Costa Foundation set out to help those people in the wider coffee community who do not have access to a decent education. In just 10 years it has achieved remarkable successes, directly impacting thousands of lives for the better.

Costa aim to make a meaningful contribution to the communities we serve and we are committed to supporting the Costa Foundation deliver on its mission to improve the life chances of boys and girls in coffee farming communities by providing the opportunity for a safe, quality education. The entire Costa team are incredibly excited to support the Costa Foundation in Zambia, and with the ambition to bring this model of school investment to as many people as possible.”

Notes to Editors

  • 1.The Costa Foundation currently funds school projects in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Nicaragua, Vietnam and Uganda. For further information about the Costa Foundation or to read more case studies, please visit www.costafoundation.com.
  • 2.Costa raises funds through a range of channels including merchandise and confectionary sales, and a variety of in store team member fundraising initiatives. Last year, employees in the UK alone raised £453,000 to support the Foundation’s work.

Founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, our quality coffee was the premium choice for boutique hotels and restaurants across the city. Today we continue to roast the original Mocha Italia recipe with our 100% Rainforest Alliance certified coffee remaining at the core of our quality coffee credentials.

With over 2,000 coffee shops in the UK and more than 1,240 in 30 overseas markets, we are the fastest growing coffee shop business in the UK. We’re proud to be the UK’s favourite coffee shop, having been awarded “Best Branded Coffee Shop Chain in the UK and Ireland” by Allegra Strategies for seven years running (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016).

Our people are the heart of our business and we employ over 30,000 people worldwide, with a target of 5,000 new jobs in the UK by 2020. Last year, we increased Barista pay by c.10%. Our Pay for progression model was introduced in October 2015, and our training rate of £7.20 was launched well ahead of National Living Wage.

As a popular, mainstream food and beverage brand, we can make a positive contribution towards customer health and wellbeing by investing in safe sourcing, new product development and consumer education. Health and wellbeing remains a strategic business focus area and we will continue to evolve our product offer over the coming years. We are working to reduce added sugar in our drinks by 25% by 2020 and will reduce salt in our sandwich range by a further 5% by 2017.

We care about the communities we operate in with our store teams volunteering over 10,000 hours of their time to lend support to over 900 local community projects.

Looking after coffee growers is extremely important to us, which is why we established The Costa Foundation, a registered charity with the aim to relieve poverty, advance education and the health and environment of coffee-growing communities around the world. So far, The Costa Foundation has funded the building of 75 schools and school projects and improved the social and economic welfare of coffee-growing communities.

Costa is also committed to tackling the UK’s literacy challenge and is proud to have signed the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2016. In continuation of this commitment, and inspired by the Costa Book Awards and the ongoing work of the Costa Foundation, Costa launched its inaugural Reading Week in September 2016 in conjunction with over 500 schools across the UK.

www.costa.co.uk

Source: Costa  Coffee