Daily Archives: November 15, 2017

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BRC: The impact of Brexit and emerging trends in retail in this autumn edition of ‘The Retailer’

BRC: The impact of Brexit and emerging trends in retail in this autumn edition of ‘The Retailer’

 

London, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Don’t miss the autumn 2017 edition of ‘The Retailer’, our online-only magazine, which is out now.

The impact of Brexit and emerging trends in retail take centre stage. “For retailers, speed and efficiency in supply chains are paramount. With the possibility of a ‘hard’ or ‘no deal’ Brexit, retailers must adapt to a new operating environment” writes Malcolm Dowden, Legal Director at law firm Bond Dickinson.

Packed full of thinking, views and advice from across the industry, this edition also includes:

  • Mark Thornton, Chief Operating Officer of Maginus who argues that Brexit could be the “Grinch that stole Christmas”
  • Chris Taylor, Retail Practice Director at Questback who writes that effectively engaging with colleagues is central to driving business success
  • Declan Goodwin, Associate at Capital Law who looks at the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation and what retailers needs to know
  • Neil Burton, CAO and Head of Change Management at Verifone Europe who says that a once-in-a-generation change is opening up a new era of payments

Source: BRC

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BRC on HMRC’s state of readiness: no Brexit deal would mean fivefold increase in the number of customs declarations

London, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Responding to a Public Accounts Committee report out today (November 14, 2017) on the readiness of HMRC for a new customs IT system in 2019, William Bain, Policy Advisor – Europe and International at the BRC said:

“This report makes for stark reading for businesses and consumers who are dependent on moving goods quickly between the UK and the rest of Europe. It confirms data that a no deal Brexit would mean a fivefold increase in the number of customs declarations, with 132,000 companies facing the red tape of declarations for the first time. The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee appears yet to be convinced about HMRC’s state of readiness for the introduction of the new Customs Declarations System (CDS) in early 2019, and has recommended additional investment in the current customs IT system (CHIEF) to provide the UK with a viable back-up option should there be problems with CDS just as we are about to leave the EU.

“Only four per cent of UK firms making customs declarations are “trusted traders”, with less red tape on the movement of goods, far below the numbers in Germany. This supports the BRC’s recommendation to broaden and deepen the scheme for UK businesses as well as securing mutual recognition with that in the EU on Brexit.”

The BRC has set out set out the practical challenges and considerations the UK Government faces in delivering as frictionless trade as possible for business and consumers and the essential steps that must be taken to achieve this:Read the BRC’s Customs Roadmap

Source: BRC

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BRC on consumer price inflation figures in UK: It may be an expensive Christmas dinner this year

London, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Commenting on the latest consumer price inflation figures releases by the ONS today (November 14, 2017), Rachel Lund, Head of Retail Insight & Analytics at the BRC said:

“It may be an expensive Christmas dinner this year as a combination of more costly imports and higher world food prices, particularly for dairy products, pushed food price inflation over four per cent year on year in October.

“With more of consumers’ incomes being absorbed in spending on food, retailers of non-food products are having to compete harder for business. In a dismal month for non-food sales, shoppers were offered significant discounts, leading to a drop in the inflation rate of goods such as furniture and clothing. Discounts are being offered at a time when many retailers are coming to the end of the protection from higher import costs provided by hedging facilities. That is putting an enormous squeeze on retailers’ margins as they head into what may well be a nerve wracking festive period.

“All eyes are now on the Chancellor to tackle the underlying weakness in consumer spending: we urge him to deliver a shoppers’ budget to the UK in time for Christmas.”

Source: BRC

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NACS Consumer Fuels Survey: record number of Americans say they will be driving the same or more this month

​ALEXANDRIA, Va., 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, a record 93% of Americans say they will be driving the same or more this month, and they anticipate spending more over the same time period, according to the latest NACS Consumer Fuels Survey.

Thanksgiving traffic could be heavy, as a record 93% of American drivers say they will be driving the same or more over the next 30 days. And they also will be shopping this month. Nearly three in four consumers (72%) say they will spend the same or more this upcoming month in stores, led by 79% of Americans age 50+ as well as 77% of those in the Midwest.

NACS, which represents the convenience store industry that sells an estimated 80% of the fuel sold in the United States, has conducted monthly surveys related to economic issues since January 2013.

Consumer confidence regarding the economy is also very high; a record 61% of consumers say they are optimistic about the economy, the same percentage as the month prior and up 11 percentage points compared to November 2015. Consumer optimism is highest in the Northeast (65%) and South (62%), though a solid majority of consumers in the Midwest (59%) and West (57%) report feeling optimistic.

Prices at the pump continue to drive consumer optimism, with three in four (75%) saying that gas prices affect their views of the economy.

“Steady gas prices and high levels of economic optimism are great signs for convenience stores heading into the holidays. Convenience stores expect strong sales for fuel, food and drinks from now through the end of the year,” said Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives.

The survey was conducted online by PSB (Penn Schoen Berland); 1,100 U.S. adults who purchase fuel for a vehicle such as a car, truck or van at least once per month were surveyed November 8-10, 2017. Summary results are available at convenience.org/fuelssurvey.

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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Sukhi’s Gourmet Indian Foods recalls chicken tikka masala products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes

WASHINGTON, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sukhi’s Gourmet Indian Foods, a Hayward, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 264 pounds of chicken tikka masala products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today (Nov. 14, 2017).

The cooked ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken tikka masala items were produced on Nov. 7, 2017. The following products are subject to recall: 

  • 11-oz. frozen microwaveable sealed containers of “Sukhi’s CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA with NAAN BREAD & BASMATI RICE” with a “USE BY” date of 11/07/2018 and lot number 83790.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-44187” on the side of the individual product cartons. These items were shipped to a distributor in California.

The problem was discovered on Nov. 13, 2017 when the Alameda district office received notification that the firm shipped adulterated product into commerce. Specifically, a sample of the product was collected by FSIS personnel on Nov. 7, 2017 and was confirmed to be positive with Listeria monocytogenes on Nov. 13, 2017. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Media with questions regarding the recall can contact Storrie Johnson, Chief Supply Chain Officer, at (510) 316-9409. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Donna Soares, Director of Customer Service, at (510) 336-8372.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.

USDA Recall Classifications
Class I This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
Class II This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.
Class III This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.

Contact:
Congressional and Public Affairs
Brett Filloon
(202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

Source: USDA

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SPAR Slovenia a proud sponsor of the EuroBasket Champions

Slovenia, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — SPAR Slovenia has been the sponsor of the national basketball team for 17 years and this year’s sponsorship was extra special with the team being crowned European Champions at the EuroBasket finals in Istanbul.

There were more than 7,000 Slovenians in the stands to support their team and watch them beat rivals, Serbia, 93:85. This was the biggest win in the history of Slovenian sport and it triggered a wave of euphoria amongst Slovenian sports fans.

Along with it being an historical sporting win for the small country of Slovenia, the event itself was also historical in terms of television viewership as the final was the most-watched sports programme in the history of Slovenian television. In addition to this, the medal ceremony was the most-watched of all TV broadcasts in Slovenia since the introduction of ratings. With the SPAR Brand visible on all player shirts, the awareness that this kind of viewership generated is immense.

Following the win in Turkey, 20,000 Slovenians flocked to the Congress square in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, to welcome home their champions, crying out the popular chant: “He who isn’t jumping, isn’t Slovenian!”

SPAR Slovenia was extremely proud to have sponsored the team and be a part of this historic win after 17 years of partnership.

Watch the Best of Slovenia here from the EuroBasket Championships 2017.

SPAR Slovenia – Basketball idols from SPAR International on Vimeo.

For more sports sponsorship related news, follow this link.

About SPAR Slovenia:

SPAR Slovenia, operated by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG), was founded in 1992. SPAR Slovenia has become a key employer in the country, with a Distribution Centre, bakery and corporate owned stores providing employment opportunities.

Two store formats dominate in Slovenia: INTERSPAR Hypermarkets and SPAR Supermarkets. SPAR is one of the most trusted companies in the country with Nielson research placing SPAR first in terms of freshness, quality and range.

Contact:

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

Source: Spar International

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SPAR Austria opens newly expanded and modernised academy following €10 million investment

Vienna, Austria, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The SPAR Academy in Vienna is one of Europe’s most innovative development centres, offering training to 300 apprentices. Showing its commitment to employee development, SPAR Austria recently invested around €10 million in the expansion and modernisation of the academy.

The new facilities offer high-tech materials and new methods of training in a large area of 1,800m². Professional teachers and training experts have been employed to impart knowledge on the trainees, laying the foundation for future careers within SPAR. “Through the modernisation of the building, the SPAR Academy in Vienna has become a learning and competence centre for the training of the next SPAR generation. This is another important milestone for us at SPAR,” said SPAR Austria CEO, Fritz Poppmeier, at the re-opening of the academy.

The large auditorium is the centre piece of the new academy. It will be used as a popular meeting place and a communication and break room during school hours, but will also serve as a venue for SPAR meetings in the future. The conference rooms, with media technology and video conferencing systems, will serve not only the school’s training purposes but will also be used by employees of SPAR Austria. Another highlight of the school is the space allocated for practical work – rooms where students can complete video training and have the opportunity to taste and prepare food. “With smart boards in all six educational rooms, a digital education concept and e-mail accounts for all trainees to give them access to all learning platforms at any time, the SPAR Academy is the vocational school of the future,” concludes Robert Renz, Director of the academy.

In addition to the Viennese state curriculum, the SPAR Academy in Vienna offers numerous extra trainings such as music workshops with members of the Philharmonic Orchestra, styling workshops and training on meat and cheese products, to mention just a few. Another unique feature is the subject of cultural integration, with a strong focus placed on cross-cultural education. The goal is to provide students with a well-rounded, in-depth knowledge of the food trade through these additional training courses.

Sustainability is a top priority at the SPAR Academy in Vienna. With the training of Fairtrade ambassadors and ‘Green Champions’, apprentices are provided with everything they need to know about environmental-friendly and sustainable retailing practices. “In cooperation with WWF and the Ministry of Environment, we offer additional training in the third year, during which our apprentices are trained to become Green Champions,” explained Robert Renz. “Sustainability is not just anchored in the syllabus, it is also physically seen in our operations, for example on the roof of the school, where solar panels have been installed.”

With 2,700 trainees for 20 professions, SPAR is the largest private training organisation in Austria. The SPAR Academy in Vienna is a recognised training institution with a formal curriculum. Currently, about 300 trainees from 34 nations and ethnic groups, speaking 29 different languages and belonging to 13 religious communities, are following training at the SPAR Academy Vienna.

To read more SPAR Austria news, follow this link.

About SPAR Austria

The origins of SPAR in Austria date back to 1954 when the first SPAR organisation was established, after being granted the licence to operate the SPAR Brand by SPAR International. The current SPAR AG was created in 1970 when the original founding families joined with other regional wholesalers to form SPAR Austria AG – a 100% privately owned Austrian company.

Contact:

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

Source: Spar International

 

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Metro’s rolls out online grocery shopping in the Outaouais region

Montréal, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Metro’s online grocery shopping is now being offered to all customers in the Outaouais region, from Aylmer to L’Ange-Gardien, and from Cantley to Gatineau. Serving close to 124,000 homes spread over 5 municipalities, it will allow nearly 289,000 consumers to benefit from this service with the guaranteed freshness promise.

“We are pleased to now offer online grocery shopping to the people of Outaouais so that they too can make no compromise with respect to the freshness of the food that they order and find everything they want online as they would in-store. The last months have allowed us to confirm the quality of our service, since 98% of existing users are satisfied with the freshness of the food delivered’’ said Marc Giroux, Senior Vice President, Metro.

To guarantee freshness, employees dedicated to online grocery shopping were trained to select the freshest in-store products, like customers would choose themselves. The products selected are then kept in-store in a dedicated Tri-ZonesTM area: temperate, refrigerated and frozen zones. The freshness of the products is thus preserved and guaranteed, from shelf until they are collected at the store or delivered to home, delivery trucks being equipped with the same process.

“Metro has developed a simple and personalized digital platform. In addition, the members of metro&moi loyalty program save even more time because they can add the products that they buy frequently to their cart. They can also use their personalized coupons as well as their rewards”, pointed out Gino Plevano, Vice President, Digital Strategy and Online Shopping, Metro.

Consumers who do their grocery shopping online can pick up their purchases at the Metro Plus Montée Paiement or have it delivered within the radius being served.

First launched in Montreal in October of 2016, and recently made available in the Quebec City region, Greater Montreal and now in Outaouais, the service now serves 60% of Quebec’s population. Online grocery shopping, like the partnership with MissFresh, is part of the company’s overall digital strategy which is designed to position Metro as the retailer offering the food experience best suited to consumers’ needs and behaviours. The metro&moi loyalty program and all of its features are built into the online offerings. For more information, visit metro.ca.

ABOUT METRO INC.
With annual sales of over $12 billion and over 65,000 employees, METRO INC. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical distribution in Québec and Ontario, where it operates a network of more than 600 food stores under several banners including Metro, Food Basics, Metro Plus and Super C, as well as over 250 drugstores under the Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.

Contact Information:

Isabelle Salesse
514-643-1000. 2172
isabelle.salesse@metro.ca

Source: METRO INC.

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Giant Tiger continues its successful “Inner Voice” themed advertising campaigns

Real Holiday Moments Representing Real Canadian Families

OTTAWA, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Giant Tiger Stores Limited is excited to debut their second year of holiday commercials celebrating what truly matters; life’s precious family moments. These commercials are a continuation of the successful “Inner Voice” themed advertising campaigns.

“Each of our 2017 holiday commercials features a different mom in a heartfelt and relatable scenario,” explains Karen Sterling, Vice President of Marketing, Giant Tiger Stores Limited. “Whether mom is worrying about a child away at college, or getting ready to tell her partner they are expecting, or relieved to see her partner home safely, these scenarios speak directly to mom and her core values. Regardless of where you live, or your circumstances these moments resonate. They are a reminder that while thoughtful gift-giving is most certainly a part of the holiday season, the truly important and memorable moments have family at the centre.”

The first two commercials end with a gift-giving carousel that will change weekly. Throughout the season, they reflect an up-to-date assortment of this season’s go-to gifts available in Giant Tiger stores.  “Giant Tiger is known to be a destination for on-trend and on-budget gifts for everyone on your list and the gift-giving carousel is a way for us to highlight some of the thousands of low price gifting solutions found in store and online,” adds Sterling.

The third commercial speaks to Giant Tiger’s deep connection to the 240-plus communities it calls home by paying tribute to community volunteers. The commercial was developed in consultation with the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association and pays tribute to all Canadians who volunteer to make our communities safer and stronger. To complement the commercials, a social media campaign will be launched to thank community volunteers and help celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that is the fabric of Canadian communities.  Giant Tiger’s proudly Canadian stores support over 1,200 charities and association across Canada.

The commercials, developed in partnership with Yield Branding, will air on national specialty TV stations as well as Tim’s TV and will have geo-targeted placement on the Weather Network.

About Giant Tiger
Giant Tiger is the leading Canadian owned family discount store, committed to providing on trend family fashions, groceries and everyday household needs. Known as Canada’s best kept secret, the privately held company has over 240 locations across Canada and employs over 8,000 team members. You can also shop online at gianttiger.com.  All Giant Tiger locations are locally owned or operated by a team member who knows the community. The friendly stores with the iconic yellow logo are not only where Canadians shop more and spend less, but also are proud to be known as retailer of choice. #foryouforless #GTcommunityproud #GTCanadaproud

Join the conversation and keep up to date on all Giant Tiger news:
Like us on Facebook: Giant Tiger
Follow us on Instagram: @Gianttigerstore
Follow us on Twitter: @GTBoutique
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Giant Tiger Store

About Yield: Yield is a strategic + creative boutique, delivering richer brand experiences using human behaviour as the catalyst to drive higher performance.

For further information: For media inquiries contact:
Alison Scarlett
Manager
Brand Communications
ascarlett@gianttiger.com

SOURCE: Giant Tiger Stores Limited

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Stater Bros. celebrates the opening of it’s newest supermarket in Norco, CA

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Stater Bros. is pleased to announce the grand opening of the Company’s newest supermarket in Norco showcasing Stater Bros.’ updated format and additional features to enhance the shopping experience of the Company’s longtime and valued Norco customers.

The new supermarket is located at 2430 River Road in the Norco Village Shopping Center, developed by Lewis Retail Centers. To celebrate the grand opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 8:00 a.m., and the store will officially open for business immediately following the festivities. After Wednesday, the store will be open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and will be led by Store Manager Aaron Ryan, who has 24 years of service with the Company.

This new site will replace a smaller Stater Bros. supermarket located at 1999 River Road, which will close at 9:00 p.m. on November 14, 2017. At 45,712 sq. ft., the new store will be approximately 45% larger than the existing River Road location and bring an additional 100 union jobs to the area. Once open, Stater Bros. “Family” members employed at the current River Road location will transition to the new site.

“This new supermarket demonstrates Stater Bros. ongoing commitment to the Norco community we’ve served since 1971,” stated Pete Van Helden, President and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets.

“Throughout the years, our Norco customers have been amongst our most loyal and we are thrilled with the wide variety of services and new product offerings that we’re bringing to their community,” Van Helden further added.

The supermarket will feature:
A Full Service Fresh Meat Department with Stater Bros. famous certified Meat Cutters ready to serve you
A Full Service Fresh Seafood Department with friendly seafood experts to assist with selection
FujiSan Handcrafted Sushi made in-house daily
A Full Service Deli including Cleo & Leo exclusive recipe and always fresh hand-breaded fried chicken, specialty sandwiches and wraps in addition to a full line of prepared party trays
Full Service Hot Bakery with a full selection of Artisan breads and rolls, specialty single serve desserts, Cleo and Leo line of classic cakes and in-house cake decorators to assist with all special occasion needs
A Relaxing Seating Area with USB charging outlets and access to free Wi-Fi
Floral Department for that special gift of fresh flowers, plants or floral arrangements
Garden Fresh Produce Department featuring more than 1,000 items with expanded organic selections and fruit cut fresh daily Energy-efficient LED lighting in addition to glass doors on refrigerated cases to reduce energy consumption The parking lot will host a horse corral to accommodate Norco’s equestrian community

To further celebrate the grand opening and to honor Stater Bros. long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities it serves, Stater Bros. Charities will present $30,000 in donations to local organizations that support hunger relief, children’s well-being, education, health, law enforcement, help for our Nation’s Veterans and active service members.

Stater Bros. was founded in 1936 in Yucaipa, California, and has grown steadily through the years to become the largest privately owned Supermarket Chain in Southern California and the largest private employer in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County. The Company currently operates 171 Supermarkets, and there are approximately 18,000 members of the Stater Bros. Supermarket Family.

For more information, visit staterbros.com.

Source: STATER BROS

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Taco Bell International president Melissa Lora to retire in the summer of 2018

Liz Williams will take over as President, Taco Bell International and Rahul Shinde will join as Division Chief Financial Officer

Irvine, Calif., 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Taco Bell announced today (November 13, 2017) that Melissa Lora, President, Taco Bell International, will be retiring in the summer of 2018 after 31 years with the company.

“Everyone at Taco Bell has been positively impacted by the contributions of Melissa Lora over the last 30 years. I have had the privilege of working with many talented people, and Melissa is one of the brightest and most thoughtful leaders in the business,” said Brian Niccol, CEO, Taco Bell Corp. “Her accomplishments have made an enduring impact on our people, culture, and business, and have paved the path for us to continue opening new restaurants around the world, pursuing our path to more than 9,000 restaurants by 2022.”

After receiving her MBA from USC, Lora joined Taco Bell as an analyst in Development in 1987 and worked her way up within the Finance and Development departments. In 1998, Lora moved to the east coast and became Vice President General Manager Northeast, in charge of growing the brand in the region. After successfully growing Taco Bell, in 2001, she moved back to California. As Chief Financial and Development Officer for 12 years, Lora set the stage for Taco Bell’s record restaurant development and championed its industry-leading economic model.

In 2013, Lora was named President of International, a role that was created after Taco Bell took over international expansion from Yum! Brands. Her combined experience in general management, finance, development, and franchise management created a brand-building-focused strategy for global expansion. This year, Taco Bell International achieved record new restaurant openings, entering five new countries with growth-minded franchise partners.

Lora dedicated a lot of her time to growing others, helping countless mentees across the brand build their leadership capability, resulting in her industry-wide recognition as an influential female leader.

Following Lora’s retirement, Liz Williams will step into the role of President, Taco Bell International. Williams is currently Chief Financial Officer, and under her leadership, the company has been delivering strong returns, best-in-class margins and financial performance that has taken Taco Bell’s restaurant growth to a 20-year high.

Rahul Shinde has been named Division Chief Financial Officer, joining Taco Bell Corp. from KFC India. As General Manager, Shinde led the incredible transformation and turnaround of the KFC India Business. He defined a simple yet powerful business strategy, then built up a high-performing team focused on one-system culture. Under his leadership, the brand became distinctive, relevant, and profitable for the first time since its inception.

ABOUT TACO BELL® CORPORATION

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

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

MEDIA RELATIONS:
949-863-3915
e-mail at media@tacobell.com

Source: Taco Bell Corp.

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Carrefour stops selling of Carrefour-brand eggs produced by caged hens in Europe

Carrefour stops selling of Carrefour-brand eggs produced by caged hens in Europe

 

Carrefour stops selling Carrefour-brand eggs produced by caged hens in all of its stores in Europe

Boulogne-Billancourt, France, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Carrefour has just reached a new milestone in animal well-being in becoming the first retailer to commit to ensuring that all Carrefour-brand eggs in Europe will be produced using cage-free systems by 2025. Carrefour will collaborate with farmers and suppliers to reach this target

Encouraging a more global market shift
To amplify this market transformation, Carrefour calls national brand suppliers to join this commitment in Europe. Carrefour will work with its suppliers and customers in order to extend this approach to all eggs and achieve a 100% cage-free assortment by 2025.

This new commitment is now including Spain and Romania and completing the targets already defined in France, Italy, Poland and Belgium.

Key figures:
.    1 billion Carrefour brand eggs sold every year in Europe
.   9500 Carrefour stores in Europe

For all request about the Carrefour Group (sales, financial results, governance, international,…), please contact the Carrefour Group media relations office:

By phone:

Switchboard: +33 (0)1 41 04 26 00

For journalists: +33 (0)1 41 04 26 17

. By e-mail: presse_groupe@carrefour.com

Source: Carrefour Group

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Macy’s offers preview of more than 100 Black Friday specials beginning on Thursday, Nov. 16

Macy’s offers preview of more than 100 Black Friday specials beginning on Thursday, Nov. 16

 

  • Macy’s kicks off Black Friday savings with a preview of more than 100 deals starting Thursday, November 16
  • Take advantage of more than 500 Black Friday specials beginning at 5 p.m. in most stores and all day at macys.com on Thanksgiving, November 23
  • Macy’s offers customers more time to shop with Cyber Week savings in-store and online from Sunday, November 26through Wednesday, November 29

NEW YORK, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The holidays are a time when Macy’s truly shines. As the season gets underway, Macy’s is excited to bring customers the special experiences they look forward to all year – holiday traditions at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, Black Friday and Cyber Week shopping, Christmas tree lightings across the country, and the beloved Believe campaign where millions of children send their letters to Santa.

So whether it’s stocking up on gifts for family and loved ones for the holidays or finding something special for yourself, Macy’s is the place to shop Black Friday and Cyber Week with phenomenal deals on the best items and brands in home, fashion, beauty and tech. Shoppers can find the perfect gift and stay on budget with a wide assortment of specials, and also take home a selection of free gifts in-store after mail-in rebates. Beginning on Thursday, Nov. 16, Macy’s will preview more than 100 Black Friday specials online and also give customers even more time to shop during Cyber Week with week-long deals in-store and online.

“Our customers enjoy coming to Macy’s to find the perfect gift for loved ones and themselves, and as the leader in all things holiday, we are making shopping even easier and more affordable this year,” said John Harper, Macy’s chief stores officer. “We’re prepped and ready to ensure the Black Friday holiday tradition will be extra special this year with tremendous deals in-store and online on Black Friday, as well as during Cyber Week.”

Macy’s offers customers the convenience they need to shop the way they live, in stores, through the app and on macys.com. Most store hours for Black Friday are: Thanksgiving Day, 5 p.m. through 2 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24; Friday, Nov. 24 from 6 a.m. through 1 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m., and online all day at macys.com Thursday through Saturday. The following are a sampling of the amazing doorbusters available on Black Friday, while supplies last:

For Him, Her and Home

  • $29.99 diamond earrings with any purchase of $50 or more
  • 75 percent off select sport coats and overcoats
  • 50 percent off select holiday tops and sweaters
  • $19.99 jeans
  • 60 percent off select infants’ and kids’ styles
  • 40 percent off select boots and shoes
  • $10 beauty products from brands like Urban Decay, Origins, Clinique, and more
  • 50 percent off Crux kitchen electrics
  • 65 percent off select holiday ornaments and dinnerware
  • $29.99 sheet sets
  • 60 percent to 75 percent off Samsonite

Tech and Toys

  • $70 off Apple Watch Series 1
  • $69.99 Brookstone Cat Headphones
  • $29.99 Amazon Echo Dot
  • $17.99 Dream Vision Virtual Reality
  • $99.99 Fitbit Charge 2
  • $89.99 JBL 3 Charge Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker
  • 60 percent Off Protocol Drones
  • 60 percent off Polaroid Bluetooth Headphones
  • 50 percent off FAO Schwarz
  • $15.99 Karaoke Microphone
  • 50 percent off remote control cars
  • $4.99 gifts for kids and babies from brands like Melissa & Doug, Mattel, and more

FREE (after Mail-in Rebate*)

  • Select tote bags FREE after mail-in rebate
  • Gold toe slippers for men FREE after mail-in rebate
  • Select men’s thermal tops FREE after mail-in rebate
  • Select glassware sets FREE after mail-in rebate
  • Select men’s joggers FREE after mail-in rebate
  • Disney Olaf plush FREE after mail-in rebate
  • Select graphic sweatshirts FREE after mail-in rebate
  • Select kitchen electrics FREE after mail-in rebate
  • BCBG MaxAzria Eau de Parfum Spray FREE after mail-in rebate
  • Designer pillow FREE after mail-in rebate

Cyber Week kicks off Sunday, Nov. 26 with great savings through Wednesday, Nov. 29. Plus, with free shipping online with a $25 purchase on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, shoppers will be excited to take advantage of the awesome savings. Some highlights include:

  • 65 percent off select family pajamas
  • 60 percent off select wool-blend coats
  • 40 percent to 60 percent off select cold-weather accessories
  • Buy 1, Get 1 Free select shoes and boots
  • FREE 4-piece Prada Candy gift set with any large spray purchase from the Prada Candy fragrance collection
  • FREE 3-piece Marc Jacobs Daisy gift set with any large spray purchase from the Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrance collection
  • $25 Michael Kors For Men Eau de Toilette Spray
  • 65 percent off select kids’ sleepwear
  • 70 percent off select designer suits and suit separate sets
  • 50 percent to 70 percent off select men’s footwear
  • 60 percent to 70 percent off all select mattress pads, feather beds, and fiber beds
  • Buy 1, Get 1 Free Fiesta dinnerware

Additional Ways to Save Time and Money

On top of these extraordinary specials, customers can save even more with the new Macy’s Star Rewards program. Gold and Platinum Macy’s cardholders get free shipping and all Star Rewards members save 25 percent on select merchandise with star passes any day they choose.

Customers can view a full list of specials online at macys.com/blackfriday and add favorites to their list, which is available via desktop, mobile device and tablet. They can also create custom tags to organize recipients, sign up for reminders and shop straight from their list all Thanksgiving Day on macys.com.

Macy’s best-in-class mobile app is the perfect shopping sidekick for Black Friday. Download before the big day to check store directories and hours, scan bar codes in store and access instant price check, availability or even order the item on the spot and have it shipped home. Plus, take a photo through the app of a style you’re looking for, and find it or something similar in a flash!

Visit macys.com/stores for local information, as Black Friday hours may vary by store. Most Macy’s stores will open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening.

*In store only, one per customer. Allow 6-8 weeks for rebate delivery. In Connecticut, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, and in Dade and Broward Counties, FL, rebate is given at register. Regular sales tax will apply. Limited quantities.

About Macy’s

Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 670 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy’s offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy’s is known for such epic events as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy’s flagship stores – including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, and Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California – are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy’s helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $54 million each year, plus 180,000 hours of volunteer service, to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.

For Macy’s media materials, including images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at macys.com/pressroom.

Contact:
Julie Strider
646-429-5213
julie.striderfukami@macys.com

Macy’s
Billy Dumé
646-429-7449
billy.dume@macys.com

Source: Macy’s, Inc.

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Amazon offers a sneak peek of its plans for Black Friday deals

  • Black Friday will feature more than 30 Deals of the Day and thousands of Lightning Deals across 30 categories
  • Save up to 35% on Melissa & Doug toys and furniture; Premium brand 40-inch smart TV only $279.99; Echo Dot only $29.99 – the lowest price ever!
  • Shop deals from small businesses and entrepreneurs, including startups in the Amazon Launchpad and Amazon Exclusives programs, on everything from toys and electronics to sporting equipment and clothes

SEATTLE, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Amazon is offering a sneak peek of its plans for Black Friday and, with deals across 30 categories, there is something for everyone this holiday. Now through Black Friday, customers will find deals on items including toys, electronics, fashion, beauty, kitchen, sporting goods, and more, in addition to Amazon Devices and products from small businesses and entrepreneurs, at amazon.com/blackfriday. Customers can expect to find incredible deals across a wide selection of top holiday products throughout the duration of the “Turkey 5” – those five popular shopping days starting at midnight PT on Thanksgiving and continuing through Cyber Monday. Black Friday will feature more than 30 Deals of the Day and thousands of Lightning Deals. Customers will find new deals every day, all season long.

Discover all of the great Amazon Black Friday deals at amazon.com/blackfriday or shop anytime, anywhere with the Amazon App (to download, visit amazon.com/mobileapps from your mobile browser). Customers shopping with the Amazon App can also set Watch a Deal alerts to ensure they never miss out on a hot holiday product, and even use AR view, a new augmented reality feature, to view thousands of items in their space before they buy. Voice Shoppers can shop select Black Friday deals, starting as early as 5pm PT, Wednesday, Nov. 22 – just ask Alexa.

All Amazon customers can choose from more than one hundred million items that are eligible for free shipping this holiday and all year long. This includes eligible orders of $25 or more shipped by Amazon, as well as free shipping offers from small business and entrepreneurs selling on Amazon.

The deals included below will be available on various dates and times between Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 (Black Friday), while supplies last, at amazon.com/blackfriday or on the Amazon App.

Amazon Devices

  • Save $20 on Echo Dot, only $29.99 – the lowest price ever for Echo Dot
  • Save $20 on All-New Echo, only $79.99
  • Save $30 on Echo Plus, only $119.99
  • Save $50 on Amazon Tap, only $79.99
  • Add a smart plug to any Echo purchase for only $5 ($20 off)
  • Save $20 on Amazon Cloud Cam, only $99.99
  • Save $30 on Fire 7 Kids Edition, only $69.99 – and save an additional $10 when you buy two Fire 7 Kids Edition tablets, only $129.98
  • Save $40 on Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, only $89.99 – and save an additional $10 when you buy two Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, only $169.98
  • Save $50 on Fire HD 10, only $99.99 – the lowest price ever for the Fire HD 10
  • Save $30 on Fire HD 8, only $49.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle Paperwhite, only $89.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle, only $49.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle for Kids Bundle, only $69.99
  • Save $15 on Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, only $24.99

Electronics

  • Premium brand 40-inch smart TV, only $279.99
  • Sony 75-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV (2017 Model), only $1,999.99
  • Sony 70-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV (2017 Model), only $1,199.99
  • Samsung UN65MU8000 65-inch 4K Ultra HD smart TV (2017 Model), only $1,297.99
  • Sony 65-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV (2017 Model), only $1,499.99
  • Samsung UN55MU8000 55-inch 4K Ultra HD smart TV (2017 Model), only $897.99
  • Sony 55-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV (2017 Model), only $999.99
  • 32-inch 720p TV, only $69.99
  • 49-inch 4k TV, only $159.99
  • Save up to 30% on select TP-Link smart home and networking products
  • Save up to 25% on select Seagate hard drives
  • Save up to $150 on Acer Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
  • Save up to $120 on Cyberpowerpc Gaming Desktop
  • Save 30% on Corsair K70 Gaming Keyboard
  • Save up to 35% on select SanDisk memory products
  • Save up to 40% on PC gaming laptops, desktops, components and more
  • Save up to 25% on select 3D printers

Toys

  • Save up to 35% on Melissa & Doug toys and furniture
  • Save up to 40% on K’NEX Thrill Rides-Kraken’s Revenge Roller Coaster
  • Save up to 30% on select Crayola arts and crafts
  • Save up to 30% on select Paw Patrol toys
  • Save up to 50% on select Zoomer toys

Home Furnishings

  • Save up to 35% on select Thanksgiving and holiday décor
  • Save up to 40% on select mattresses, furniture and area rugs
  • Save up to 35% on select Rubbermaid products
  • Save up to 40% on select Thermos products

Smart Home

  • Save up to $40 on Schlage Smart Lock – Works with Amazon Alexa
  • Save $50 on Bluetooth-enabled Opal Nugget Ice Maker
  • Save $100 on SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit

Video Games

  • Save up to $100 on select Playstation virtual reality bundles
  • Save up to 50% on Just Dance 2018 Gold Box

Music, TV, Movies & Books

  • For the first time ever, non-Prime members as well as Prime members who haven’t yet tried Amazon Music Unlimited can get three months of the full catalog on-demand service with access to tens of millions of songs, for just $0.99 starting today
  • Save 40% on new release movies and TV seasons, as well as catalog best sellers available to rent or purchase and instantly stream on Amazon Video
  • Save up to 80% on select Kindle best-selling books

Pets

  • Save 35% on Soft WellBites Dog Treats
  • Save 15% on Fluval 2.6-Gallon Aquarium Kit

Sports & Outdoors

  • Save up to 60% on New Balance shoes and apparel
  • Save up to 30% on Under Armour TB12 Recovery Sleepwear
  • Save 20% on select Tumbl Trak products
  • Save on Bushnell Binoculars and Camelbak Hydration
  • Save up to 35% on select camo apparel
  • Save 20% on select Barska products
  • Save up to 25% on Nikon Coolshot 80 Rangefinder
  • Save 20% on Atomic Foosball Table
  • Save 25% on select X-Rocker Gaming Chairs
  • Save up to 35% on select Killerspin Table Tennis Rackets
  • Save 20% on select Paragon popcorn machines

Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs: Small businesses and entrepreneurs selling on Amazon come from every state in the U.S., and more than 130 countries around the world. Customers can shop deals from small businesses and entrepreneurs, including startups in the Amazon Launch pad and Amazon Exclusives programs, on everything from toys and electronics to sporting equipment and clothing:

  • Save 30% on Segway Minipro 2018 Edition
  • Save 20% on Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
  • Save $30 on Anki Cozmo
  • Save 80% on Queen Rose Full Pregnancy Body Pillow
  • Save 20% on CoffeeGator Pour Over Coffee Maker
  • Save 60% on Silpada ‘Santa Fe’ Sterling Silver, Brass and Turquoise Bracelet

Voice Shop to Get Early Access to Deals: Customers who voice shop with Alexa will get an exclusive shopping window several hours earlier than the general public with access to some of the best deals starting at 5pm PT, Wednesday, Nov. 22. Available on the Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Dot and Amazon Tap, as well as screened devices such as the all-new Amazon Fire TV, all-new Fire HD 10 Tablet, Echo Show and soon to be released Echo Spot, it’s as simple as asking Alexa. Customers can voice shop with Alexa for tens of millions of Prime-eligible items every day of the year. Changed your mind? No problem, any physical product purchased with your voice is eligible for free returns. Customers must be Prime members with default payment and shipping information. To learn more, visit amazon.com/voiceshopping.

Amazon Prints: Beginning Nov. 19 for a limited time, holiday cards are 50% off. Create high-quality, custom cards and share holiday messages with friends and loved ones. Cards are printed on ultra-thick, matte cardstock and include envelopes with free return address printing plus free delivery with Prime. Go to amazon.com/prints to learn more.

Amazon Restaurants: Prime members making their first Amazon Restaurants order will get $10 off their order plus FREE delivery when they make a qualified purchase on Amazon.com or Prime Now between Nov. 24 and Nov. 27. Go to amazon.com/restaurants to learn more.

Amazon Books: Customers can also discover great deals on books, devices, toys and games in store at Amazon Books in Seattle, New York City (on 34th St and at Columbus Circle), Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston (Dedham and Lynnfield), San Diego, San Jose, Portland, Bellevue(Wash.) and Paramus (N.J.). Whether customers want to discover a new book for the holidays, test-drive a device, or purchase Amazon Gift Cards, Amazon Books offers gifts for everyone.

Amazon.com in Spanish: Customers can shop, browse and search for deals across 30 categories in Spanish. Customers can update their language settings in their Amazon App, as well as visit Amazon.com and click the ‘globe’ button – located in the navigation bar at the top of their Amazon home screen – to set and begin shopping in their preferred language. Preferred language settings will be saved for future site visits under ‘Your account’ settings.

Fast Shipping, Deals and More with Prime: Prime is designed to make your life better every day including the convenience of fast, free shipping and great entertainment. Prime members can shop thousands of Lightning Deals with 30-minute early access and, with the Amazon Prime credit card, members will earn even bigger rewards this holiday season. Members can also enjoy Free Two-Day Shipping with AmazonPrime, as well as Prime FREE One-Day Shipping and Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery on more than one million items in orders of $35 or more available to members in over 5,000 cities and towns. And, with Prime Now, Prime Members in more than 30 U.S. cities can benefit from one-and-two hour delivery. In addition, Prime members in 37 cities and surrounding areas across the U.S. now have access to Amazon Key, the new service that radically improves the convenience of receiving deliveries. Amazon Key allows Prime members to have eligible packages securely delivered inside their homes without having to be there.

About Amazon

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

Media Hotline:

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

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

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Amazon acquires global television rights to The Lord of the Rings, based on novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, with a multi-season commitment

Television adaptation, exploring new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, slated to debut exclusively on Prime Video

SEATTLE, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Amazon today (Nov. 13, 2017) announced it has acquired the global television rights to The Lord of the Rings, based on the celebrated fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, with a multi-season commitment. The upcoming Amazon Prime Original will be produced by Amazon Studios in cooperation with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment.

“The Lord of the Rings is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Scripted Series, Amazon Studios. “We are honored to be working with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line on this exciting collaboration for television and are thrilled to be taking The Lord of the Rings fans on a new epic journey in Middle Earth.”

“We are delighted that Amazon, with its longstanding commitment to literature, is the home of the first-ever multi-season television series for The Lord of the Rings,” said Matt Galsor, a representative for the Tolkien Estate and Trustand HarperCollins. “Sharon and the team at Amazon Studios have exceptional ideas to bring to the screen previously unexplored stories based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s original writings.”

Set in Middle Earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. The deal includes a potential additional spin-off series.

A world-renowned literary work, and winner of the International Fantasy Award and Prometheus Hall of Fame Award, The Lord of the Rings novels was named Amazon customers’ favorite book of the millennium in 1999 and Britain’s best-loved novel of all time in BBC’s The Big Read in 2003. Its theatrical adaptations, from New Line Cinema and Director Peter Jackson, earned a combined gross of nearly $6 billion worldwide. With an all-star cast that included Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin and Orlando Bloom, The Lord of the Rings trilogy garnered a combined 17 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The upcoming Amazon Prime Original will be available for Prime members to stream and enjoy using the Amazon Prime Video app for TVs, connected devices including Amazon Fire TV, and mobile devices, or online with other Amazon Prime Originals online at Amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Eligible customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Prime Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream. The series will be a global release for members to watch via the Prime Video app or online at PrimeVideo.com in more than 200 countries and territories.

About Amazon Video

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

  • Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Love & Friendship, and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
  • Amazon Channels: Over 100 video subscriptions to networks like HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV, and more, available to Amazon Prime members in the US as add-ons to their membership. To view the full list of available channels, visit www.amazon.com/channels.
  • Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers.
  • Instant Access: Customers can instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on compatible TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.
  • Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content.

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

About Amazon

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

About New Line Cinema

Building on five decades of innovation and creativity, New Line Cinema continues its long and successful history of producing critically acclaimed hit films that resonate with both mainstream and niche audiences around the world. New Line became a unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment in March 2008. The company maintains separate development, production, and business affairs operations, but coordinates those functions with Warner Bros. to maximize film performance and operating efficiencies.

Media Hotline:

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

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

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Sainsbury’s research reveals what makes a modern British Christmas

Sainsbury’s research reveals what makes a modern British Christmas

 

New research from Sainsbury’s into Brits’ festive habits reveals what makes a modern British Christmas 

London, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — New research from Sainsbury’s has pin-pointed the fifty things that truly make a great British Christmas, from celebratory bubbles in the morning to a snooze on the sofa.

Over 2,000 people were asked by the retailer to name the things that make the perfect Christmas in their households and the list was wonderfully diverse.

Telling terrible cracker jokes proved to be a sure-fire festive hit with Brits – as awful gags around the Christmas lunch table secured the top spot of Christmas traditions in homes up and down the UK.

Food and drink remains at the heart of the British Christmas experience: a fifth of Brits will have chocolate for breakfast on December 25th, while a quarter will enjoy brunch as well as lunch, a third will sip some fizz before lunchtime, and a quarter of us will complain that we’ve eaten too much before finding space for a little bit more.

Festive frustrations – losing the end of the sticky tape, receiving Christmas cards from people who dropped off the list, getting socks under the tree again and having to develop “gift face” for unwelcome presents – all made the list of the most common Christmas occurrences across the nation.

Sainsbury’s research into what makes “Every bit of Christmas” also identified the activities that take place across the nation on Christmas day. Perhaps predictable was the presence of telly-watching, especially whilst dozing on the sofa, as well as watching big screen classics like A Muppets Christmas Carol.

A fifth of Brits will watch the Queen’s Speech whilst a further fifth will try and walk off a few extra goose fat roasties on the post-lunch walk. Other favourite festive activities included playing secret Santa with work colleagues, watching Christmas lights being switched on and leaving treats out for Santa and Rudolph on Christmas Eve.

Sainsbury’s has celebrated these traditions in musical form in its Christmas advertising campaign this year to show how it’s the little things that come together to create the perfect festive season and mean that households are ‘living well’ at Christmas. In a song written by rapper and comedian Ben Bailey Smith – also known as Doc Brown, members of the public celebrate their love of the top traditions that the research uncovered.

Laura Boothby, Head of Broadcast Communications at Sainsbury’s said: “Christmas means something unique to every household and we all have our favourite moments and traditions that help us live well during the festive season. To understand what makes up a truly British Christmas, we asked the nation about the moments big and small that make up Christmas and we have celebrated them in this year’s Christmas campaign.

From chocolate and crackers to sprouts and sticky tape, Sainsbury’s can help you with everything you need to have a Christmas filled with all of your favourite traditions. And many of our stores are open until late on Christmas Eve for those whose Christmas would be nothing without an emergency last-minute food shop!”

The Sainsbury’s Christmas campaign – which features many of the top traditions – will air throughout the season of good will (and bad jokes). It will also have some cameo appearances from some of the personalities who best capture the nation’s Christmas moments.

  1. Telling terrible cracker jokes
  2. Losing the end of the Sellotape
  3. Falling asleep in front of the television during Christmas Day afternoon
  4. Wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve
  5. Drinking fizz before lunch
  6. Watching film classics, like the Muppets Christmas Carol
  7. Getting a Christmas card from someone you’ve not sent one to
  8. Receiving a pair of socks, again
  9. Complaining you’ve eaten too much, then going in for more
  10. Circling TV programmes in the Christmas television guide
  11. Having Christmas brunch and lunch
  12. Last minute emergency food shopping
  13. Watching the Queen’s speech
  14. Going for a post-lunch walk
  15. Saying “I still have the receipt if you don’t like it” at least once
  16. Big heads tearing through paper hats
  17. Having chocolate for breakfast
  18. Pretending to like Christmas presents and having to use your best “gift face”
  19. Drinking mulled wine
  20. Leaving a mince pie, carrot and drink out for Santa
  21. Getting creative with the leftovers
  22. Wearing your new Christmas clothing all day
  23. Writing Christmas cards just in time for the last post
  24. Driving around to see the houses that have gone big on outdoor decorations
  25. Wearing a novelty Christmas jumper on the day itself
  26. Forgetting to label gifts and having no idea who they’re for
  27. Finding creative hiding places for presents
  28. Having to do a top-up Christmas shop, because you can’t resist eating and drinking some of the delicious treats before the day itself
  29. Eating at least two Turkey dinners before Christmas day itself
  30. Playing secret Santa with work colleagues
  31. Writing thank you letters
  32. Seeing the lights switched on in the town centre
  33. Being woken by the kids at 5.00 am
  34. Using an actual nut cracker
  35. Trying to find a present for Dad, always the trickiest person to buy for
  36. Sending Christmas gift list letters to Santa
  37. Getting out the emergency chairs for the big family meal
  38. Enjoying the Salvation Army band in the centre of town
  39. Forgetting where the Christmas decorations were put away the previous year
  40. Battling over the favourite chocolates in the selection box
  41. Eating Brussels sprouts for the first and only time this year
  42. Re-gifting a present in an emergency
  43. Dancing at the work Christmas party
  44. Playing charades as a family
  45. Kissing someone under the mistletoe
  46. Eating roast chestnuts
  47. Finding a satsuma at the end of the stocking
  48. Flicking through catalogues and circling the items you want
  49. Going to a Santa’s Grotto with the kids
  50. Trying to get children to go to sleep on Christmas Eve

Media contact:
press_office@sainsburys.co.uk
0207 695 7295

Source: Sainsbury’s

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New survey reveal an estimated 164 million people plan to shop during Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday

WASHINGTON, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The biggest shopping weekend of the year is right around the corner and 69 percent of Americans — an estimated 164 million people — are planning to shop or considering shopping during Thanksgiving weekend, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. For the first time in survey history, the numbers include Cyber Monday in addition to Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Sunday.

“This year, we updated our survey to more accurately capture consumer behavior throughout the entire shopping weekend — Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Consumers will benefit from competitive promotions both in stores and online lasting the course of the weekend, allowing them to find the best gifts at the lowest prices.”

Of those considering shopping the long holiday weekend, the survey found that 20 percent plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day (32 million) but Black Friday will remain the busiest day with 70 percent planning to shop then (115 million). A substantial 43 percent are expected to shop on Saturday (71 million), with 76 percent saying they will do so specifically to support Small Business Saturday. On Sunday, 21 percent expect to shop (35 million) and 48 percent are expected to shop on Cyber Monday (78 million).

Of those shopping, 66 percent said they’re doing so to take advantage of deals and promotions retailers will offer, while 26 percent cited the tradition of shopping over Thanksgiving weekend and 23 percent said it’s something to do over the holiday weekend. Another 23 percent said it is when they start their holiday shopping.

According to the survey, 56 percent of Americans have already started their holiday shopping, but most still have a long way to go. Only 12 percent of consumers have completed at least half of their shopping, while only 2 percent have finished all of their holiday shopping.

When asked what they enjoy the most about shopping during the holidays, 35 percent said it is a family tradition while 23 percent said they most enjoy holiday decorations and displays; 18 percent cited finding the perfect gift for someone.

“While the utility of the weekend will continue to draw shoppers into stores and online to efficiently and inexpensively check off their lists, we’re also seeing consumers report tradition and the opportunity to partake in holiday cheer as reasons for shopping, too,” Prosper Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow said. “By now, people know what sort of deals they can expect to see during the weekend and are budgeting for them accordingly, and in many cases expertly.”

“For Gen Z, the holiday shopping weekend is a can’t-miss opportunity,” Goodfellow said. “This group overwhelmingly sees in-store shopping as a valuable way to connect with others, be it friends, family or store associates at their favorite retailers.”

While many consumers will take advantage of deals over Thanksgiving weekend, 31 percent will refrain from shopping that weekend. Of those not planning to participate, 52 percent won’t shop because they do not enjoy the experience and 51 percent say they never shop during Thanksgiving weekend. Of those not shopping, 46 percent said nothing would change their mind but 27 percent said a good sale or discount on an item they want could get them to shop.

The survey, which asked 7,439 consumers about their shopping plans, was conducted October 31-November 7 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.2 percentage points.

Full data results surrounding the survey will not be published on NRF.com. News media and analysts who require additional information can contact press@nrf.com. Due to the changes in the survey, no historical data will be provided.

NRF Thanksgiving Weekend and Cyber Monday Results and Weekend Contact Information

To more accurately capture the entirety of spending on Thanksgiving weekend, NRF this year will release spending data on November 28, the day after Cyber Monday. Doing so will allow NRF to provide a more accurate picture of consumer activity over the entire weekend and incorporate Cyber Monday data into the results. As consumer behavior evolves, NRF will continue to focus its efforts on providing the most relevant, accurate and insightful analysis of its impact on the retail industry.

Additionally, NRF will host a media call with Shay at 1 p.m. November 28. An advisory will be sent to retail, trade and business media in the coming days. The call will discuss what time people started shopping on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday, how many people shopped for Small Business Saturday, the percentage of those shopping online over the weekend and final results for Cyber Monday.

NRF offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday, but members of the media relations team will be available from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Black Friday. To request a print or broadcast interview, contact Ana Serafin Smith at press@nrf.com or 855-NRF-PRESS.

About Prosper Insights & Analytics
Prosper Insights & Analytics is a global leader in consumer intent data serving the financial services, marketing technology, and retail industries. We provide global authoritative market information on US and China consumers via curated insights and analytics. By integrating a variety of data including economic, behavioral and attitudinal data, Prosper helps companies accurately predict consumers’ future behavior to help identify market behaviors, optimize marketing efforts, and improve the effectiveness of demand generation campaigns. www.ProsperInsights.com

About NRF
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.

Contact:

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

Source: NRF

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GGP Inc. receives unsolicited proposal from Brookfield Property Partners L.P.

GGP Inc. receives unsolicited proposal from Brookfield Property Partners L.P.

 

  • Board Establishes Special Committee to Evaluate Proposal
  • Stockholders Advised to Take No Action at This Time

CHICAGO, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — GGP Inc. (NYSE: GGP) (“GGP” or “the Company”) today (November 13, 2017) confirmed that on Saturday, November 11, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) received an unsolicited proposal (the “Proposal”) from Brookfield Property Partners L.P. (“BPY”) (NYSE: BPY; TSX: BPY.UN) for BPY to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of GGP other than those shares currently held by BPY and its affiliates (which represent approximately 34% of the outstanding shares of GGP’s common stock). According to the Proposal, each GGP stockholder would be entitled to elect to receive consideration per GGP common share of either $23.00 in cash or 0.9656 of a limited partnership unit of BPY, subject in each case to pro-ration based on a maximum cash component of 50% of the aggregate offer and a maximum stock component of 50% of the aggregate offer.

The Board has formed a special committee (the “Special Committee”) of its non-executive, independent directors which, in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, will carefully review and consider the Proposal and pursue the course of action that it believes is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Company’s stockholders do not need to take any action at this time.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. is serving as financial advisor and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal counsel to the Special Committee. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is serving as financial advisor and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is serving as legal counsel to GGP.

There can be no assurance that a definitive offer relating to the Proposal will be made, that a definitive agreement relating to the Proposal or any other transaction will be entered into by the Company, or that any transaction will be consummated.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statement are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained, and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to refinance, extend, restructure or repay near and intermediate term debt, its indebtedness, its ability to raise capital through equity issuances, asset sales or the incurrence of new debt, retail and credit market conditions, impairments, its liquidity demands, and economic conditions. The Company discusses these and other risks and uncertainties in its annual and quarterly periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company may update that discussion in its periodic reports, but otherwise takes no duty or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Investors and others should note that we post our current Investor Presentation on the Investors page of our website at www.ggp.com. From time to time, we update that Investor Presentation and when we do, it will be posted on the Investors page of our website at www.ggp.com. It is possible that the updates could include information deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the Investors page of our website at www.investor.ggp.com from time to time.

GGP Inc.

GGP Inc. is an S&P 500 company focused exclusively on owning, managing, leasing and redeveloping high-quality retail properties throughout the United States. GGP is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol GGP.

Contact:
SVP Investor and Public Relations
Kevin Berry
312-960-5529
kevin.berry@ggp.com

Source: GGP Inc.

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KappAhl estimates lower operating profit for the first quarter 2017/2018

KappAhl estimates lower operating profit for the first quarter 2017/2018

 

KappAhl AB (publ.) estimates that their operating profit for the first quarter 2017/2018 will be lower than the first quarter 2016/2017.

Mölndal, Sweden, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sales during the quarter has not lived up to our expectations so far. This is mainly depending on our price- and campaign strategy that has not given the effect we wished for in the tough market climate during the fall, says KappAhl’s President and CEO Danny Feltmann.

KappAhl estimates that the operating profit for the first quarter 2017/2018 will be approximately 100 MSEK, compared to 145 MSEK for the first quarter 2016/2017.

Sales during the quarter has not lived up to the company’s expectations so far. A lower consumption in general during the warm fall has resulted in reduced traffic.

– With these insights we see that we did not adapt our price- and campaign strategy, aiming to increase full price sales, quickly enough. Going forward we will adjust our price- and campaign strategy at a pace more adapted to the market as well as keeping a continued good cost control, says Danny Feltmann.

KappAhl’s financial report for the first quarter, September-November 2017, will be published as planned on 20 December at 07.30, followed by a telephone conference at 09.00 o’clock the same day.

This information is information that KappAhl AB is obliged to disclose pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was released for public disclosure through the agency of President and CEO Danny Feltmann on 13 November 2017 at 07.30 CET.

KappAhl was founded in Gothenburg in 1953 and is a leading fashion chain in the Nordic region with 370 KappAhl and Newbie stores, including Shop Online, in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland and Great Britain. Our business idea is to offer value-for-money fashion of our own design to the many people. Sustainability-labeled fashion accounts for 53 per cent of the range. Sales for 2016/2017 totaled SEK 4.9 billion and the company has approx. 4,000 employees in nine countries. KappAhl is quoted on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at www.kappahl.com

Download file: 17113 KappAhl estimates lower sales during the first quarter

For further information:
Danny Feltmann
President and CEO.
Tel. +46 317 715 661

Anders Bülow
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Tel +46 706 610 988.

For company information and photos:
Charlotte Högberg
Head Corporate Communications
Tel. +46 704 715 631
charlotte.hogberg@kappahl.com

Source: KappAhl

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Morrisons launches “voice skill” using Amazon’s Alexa

Bradford, UK, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Customers can now order from Morrisons.com without lifting a finger using Amazon’s Alexa.

Morrisons online shoppers will now be order their weekly shop from Morrisons.com using only their voice.

Customers will be able to ask Alexa to add milk, bread or any other item to their Morrisons.com shopping list.

They will also be able to ask Alexa to edit their order; ask if their delivery is on time; or check their basket to see if an item has been requested.

The service will be particularly helpful when customers find out that they’ve run out of an item in the fridge or store cupboard – they can just ask Alexa.

It will also be helpful for people who are disabled or even on the move – BMW recently announced that Alexa would be in its new cars from next year.

To access this service, customers will need to activate the Morrisons ‘skill’ or app, which is available on devices with Amazon Alexa such as the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot or Amazon Tap.

Matt Kelleher, Morrisons Online Director, said: “Customers are increasingly using voice commands in their everyday lives to check the weather, play music, or find out the latest news. It is important we follow this emerging trend and make Morrisons an easier and more accessible place to shop for groceries online. It’s exciting that our customers can now shop without even needing to login to a computer or mobile phone.”

The Morrisons.com skill on Alexa will be able to:

  • Add items to your basket
  • Remove items from your basket
  • Check the total of your order
  • Check if you have an item in your order
  • Check if Morrisons sells a product
  • Check if you can still edit your order
  • Check if your delivery is on time

The new app will suggest the right item based on previous shops, helping customers to add to their basket.

For further information please contact the Morrisons press office on 0845 611 5111

Source: Morrisons

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7‑Eleven introduces OREO Mint hot chocolate

7‑Eleven introduces OREO Mint hot chocolate

 

IRVING, TEXAS, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — 7‑Eleven, Inc. is teaming up with America’s favorite cookie brand to launch a minty fresh product lineup, anchored by OREO Mint hot chocolate. The exclusive flavor has never been available before as a hot chocolate and 7‑Eleven® stores will be the only ones – anywhere – to carry the limited edition.

Customers hot chocolate drinking is about to head to the next level with this festive, 7‑Eleven exclusive, treat. OREO Mint is the most popular “flavored” cookie in the Nabisco sandwich cookie product line and only Original OREO sells more. OREO cookies are America’s favorite, and 7‑Eleven stores are one of the country’s favorite places to purchase hot chocolate. Senior Category Manager Shawn Barnes thinks the retailer’s exclusive on-trend flavors are one of the reasons why.

“Our customer research indicated that mint chocolate was a wanted winter flavor,” he said, “so we worked with our supplier to make sure we were the only ones to have one of the most-recognized brands in our mint hot chocolate.”

The hot beverage bar isn’t the only place OREO Mint will be showing up in stores. OREO Mint Creme cookies are available at participating stores in an exclusive single-serve size that won’t be available elsewhere until 2018, as well as the Milka OREO Mint chocolate candy bar.

For a fresh-baked OREO treat, 7‑Eleven has created a Chocolate cake donut made with OREO cookie pieces topped with vanilla crème icing similar to Oreo cookies’ filling and sprinkled Oreo cookie crumbles.

OREO may be a century-old brand (founded 15 years before 7‑Eleven), but it is hot with the latest generations, particularly on social media. With 43 million “likes,” OREO is one of the largest brands on Facebook. The delicious, timeless cookie also has 2.3 million followers on Instagram, and more than 850,000 on Twitter.

This is the second time 7‑Eleven has carried an exclusive OREO-flavored hot chocolate. In 2015, 7‑Eleven stores introduced the first-ever Original OREO hot chocolate and had an exclusive on the product for six months. It was the best-ordered limited-time offer of the year.

“OREO and mint is a favorite combination for many of our fans, so we are very excited to bring this OREO Mint Hot Chocolate to life with 7‑Eleven,” said Maddie Vincent, Brand Manager on OREO Cookies.

Hot chocolate and cappuccino drinks are popular with 7‑Eleven customers, making up about a third of hot beverage sales.

About 7‑Eleven, Inc.
7‑Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7‑Eleven® operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 63,000 stores in 18 countries, including 10,900 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee®, Big Bite® and Big Gulp®, 7‑Eleven has expanded into high-quality salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings, cheeseburgers and hot chicken sandwiches. 7‑Eleven offers customers industry-leading private-brand products under the 7-Select® brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites, at an outstanding value. Customers also count on 7‑Eleven for bill payments, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7‑Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards® customer-loyalty platform on the 7‑Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Contact:

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

Source: 7‑Eleven, Inc.

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Co-op set to open seven new stores in London this November

MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op is ramping up its investment in London this November, as it prepares to open a total of seven new stores in just two weeks.

The £4.8 million investment forms part of the retailer’s 2017 store expansion plan and is set to create around 100 jobs in the Greater London area.

The new stores, which will all have a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials are: Pollard’s Hill, Mitcham which will launch on 16 November, Haydons Road, Wimbledon, New Kings Road, Fulham and Upminster Road in Upminster on 23 November and South Lambeth Road, Latimer Road Station and Alderbrook Road, Wandsworth, all opening their doors on 30 November.

A variety of 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 Mitcham’s Action on Elder Abuse, Friends of West Wimbledon Primary School, Wimbledon Pregnancy Resource Centre, iDebate, a Fulham-based enterprise which aims to educate young people in the art of debating and the St. Cuthbert’s Centre in Earls Court.

Peter Batt, Co-op’s divisional managing director, said:

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Co-op in London as we gear up to launch seven brand new stores in just two weeks. As well as being hubs for the local community, our stores are committed to providing a consistently brilliant in-store experience, allowing customers living in busy urban areas to get what they want, when they want.

“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 330,000 members in the capital who together have helped us to raise almost £3m for 1,000 good causes since we launched our new membership scheme last September. 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 produce and increasing member numbers put us in a strong position as we look towards further expansion in 2018.”

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

Last month, the Co-op was crowned Convenience Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards

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:
• 16 November – Pollard’s Hill, Mitcham: £1.1m
• 23 November – Haydons Road, Wimbledon: £646,000
• 23 November – New Kings Road, Fulham: £611,000
• 23 November – Upminster Road, Upminster: £624,000
• 30 November – South Lambeth Road, £618,000
• 30 November – Latimer Road Station: £663,000
• 30 November – Alderbrook Road, Wandsworth: £622,000

Contact:

Call us on 0800 023 4708

Email us at membershipcontactus@coop.co.uk

Source: Coop

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Nisa Retail members vote in favour of the Co-op Group’s offer to buy 100% of the business

MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Nisa Retail, the delivered wholesaler and convenience retail specialist, is pleased to announce that its members have voted significantly in favour of the Co-op Group’s offer to buy 100 pct of the business for up to £137.5m.

At the Court Meeting of the members held at Elland Road, Leeds, earlier today members voted 75.79% in favour and 24.21% against the Co-op’s offer. The offer requires clearance from the Competition and Markets Authority, which is expected around the end of March next year.

Nisa Chairman Peter Hartley said:

“We are delighted that our members have chosen in such significant numbers to vote in favour of Co-op’s offer. We as a Board are firm in our belief that a combination with the Co-op is in the best interests of Nisa’s members. The convenience store environment is changing rapidly, and is unrecognizable from that which existed when Nisa was founded more than 40 years ago. Co-op will add buying power and product range to our offering, while respecting our culture of independence.”

Jo Whitfield, CEO Co-op Food said:

“We are delighted that Nisa members have supported our offer and our ambition to create a stronger member-led presence within the UK convenience sector. Together Co-op and Nisa can go from strength to strength, serving customers up and down the country and creating real value for them in their communities. Our offer remains conditional on CMA approval and we remain in discussions with them.”

Nisa shareholders will receive an equal initial payment, a deferred share payment payable over 3 years, as well as additional rebates payable over 4 years.

Along with taking on the existing Nisa debt of £105m, the combination is expected to bring significant immediate and long-term benefits for Nisa members including access to greater scale, the Co-op’s award-winning range and own label proposition. Members will still enjoy the independence to operate their stores as they wish, and will be able to remain part of a member-owned organisation within the growing UK convenience retail sector. In October 2017, Nisa reported a positive H1 trading for the 26 weeks to 1 October 2017, with total sales up 12.4% to £728m on the comparable period.

In June, the business also announced that it had completed the £120m refinancing of its debt facilities, providing longer term, cheaper, and more flexible capital for Nisa to further invest in growth over the next three to five years.

Notes to the editor:

About Nisa Retail Limited

Nisa is a unique member owned organisation, helping independent retailers remain competitive in the food and drink markets. With the retail sector being largely dominated by the multiples, Nisa’s objective is to create benefit, including negotiating the best deals on products, to allow its members to compete effectively. Nisa supports nearly 1,200 local retailers and more than 3,200 stores across the UK. Some operate under the Nisa brand and others under their own names. Nisa supplies the stock they need and the retail support that helps them to grow their business. In the year ending 2 April 2017, Nisa’s revenue was £1.252bn. EBITDA was £8.6m and profit before tax was £2.8m.

About the Co-op Group

The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with interests spanning food, funerals, insurance, electrical and legal services. It has a clear purpose of championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities. Owned by over 4.5 million members, the Co-ophas 3,800 outlets in communities across the UK. It employs around 69,000 people and has an annual turnover of over £9.5 billion.

Enquiries:
Temple Bar Advisory (PR adviser to Nisa)
nisa@templebaradvisory.com
0207 002 1486

Tom Allison
07789 998 020

Ed Orlebar
07738 724 630

The Co-op Group:
Jon Church
07545 210 812

Russ Brady
07880 784 442

Source: Co-op Group

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Raley’s launches same-day delivery service in Sacramento

Raley’s extends eCart personalized shopping service to include delivery in Northern California

Fair Oaks, CA, 2017-Nov-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — In an effort to serve the needs of it’s communities, Raley’s is launching the second phase of delivery service through its (eCart) e-commerce platform. The delivery service, which originally launched in August 2017, in Alameda, CA, will allow healthy, fresh and high-quality offerings at affordable prices to be delivered to select zip codes in the Sacramento region.

This larger service area is part of Raley’s commitment tomaking customers’ lives easier by delivering a personalized, time-saving digital shopping experience.  This is the next step in the company’s investment in eCommerce, developed with the purpose of making grocery shopping more convenient for its customers.

“We continue to invest in eCommerce and are excited to launch delivery in Sacramento just in time for the holiday season,” said Deirdre Zimmermann, Head of E-Commerce and Marketing. “We have been aggressive in the development of eCart; analyzing shopping data and customer needs assessments to build our platform to maintain especially high standards for this personalized shopping service.”

All products within eCart fall under the guidelines set by Raley’s recently-launched Shelf Guide program. The one-of-a-kind shelf tag initiative helps customers combat label confusion obstacles. For the Raley’s eCart specifically, Shelf Guide offers a customized, interactive experience, where customers can filter by category and attribute to find the products that meet their personal dietary needs.

Raley’s eCart is unique in that it provides the customized service of a Raley’s personal shopper, who hand picks grocery items in the order. Raley’s currently has 95 Raley’s, Bel Air Market and Nob Hill Foods stores that offer curbside pickup. Now same-day delivery is also offered for an expanding list of zip codes. All customers will receive FREE delivery on their first order.

To learn more about delivery and the zip codes where the service is available, please visit raleys.com/go/delivery. To shop on Raley’s eCart, simply go to www.shop.raleys.com.

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

Source: Raley’s