Daily Archives: November 17, 2017

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FMI: New study reveals that 28% of American jobs are connected the food and agriculture sectors

More than one-fourth of American employment tied to the combined industries

WASHINGTON, 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — A nationwide economic impact study released today (Nov 16, 2017) found that more than one-fifth (or 20.4%) of the nation’s economy is linked, either directly or indirectly, to the food and agriculture sectors and that more than one-fourth of all American jobs (28%) are similarly connected. Twenty-two food and agriculture organizations commissioned this research, available at www.FeedingTheEconomy.com.

Among the most important findings:

Total Jobs: 43,311,057

Total Wages: $1.9 trillion

Total Taxes: $894.13 billion

Exports: $146.32 billion

Total Food and Industry Economic Impact:  $6.7 trillion

“We have long understood that the food and agriculture industries play an absolutely vital role not only in feeding Americans, but also in feeding and growing the nation’s economy. This historic farm-to-fork economic analysis quantifies the impact of the jobs, wages, taxes and exports the industry makes possible,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).  “As policymakers consider tax reform and other means to expand economic activity, I hope they will have a better understanding of how the food and agriculture sector not only feeds Americans, but also feeds the U.S. economy.”

To measure the total economic impact of the sectors, the analysis also includes the indirect and induced economic activity surrounding these industries, which captures upstream and downstream activity. For example, when a farm equipment retailer hires new employees because farmers are buying more tractors, experts consider the new salaries an indirect impact. Similarly, when a retail associate spends her paycheck, an induced economic impact occurs. Together, these have a multiplier effect on the already formidable direct impact of food and agriculture.

“These numbers tell an essential story, reminding us that food and agriculture remain absolutely central to our nation’s well-being. We not only produce three square meals a day for most Americans, that same work supports one in four American jobs — 28% of all U.S. employment can be tied to our industries,” said John Bode, president and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. “Policymakers should keep this data in mind as they consider changes to tax and trade issues that might affect the food and agriculture sectors.”

“The release of today’s study further illustrates the powerful economic impact of the food and agriculture sector to the nation’s economy that is felt in every part of the country,” said American Bakers Association President and CEO Robb MacKie. “This study reinforces the previous Council for Economic Development study that listed the food and beverage industry as the largest manufacturing sector of our economy and has a significant positive trade balance impact. We hope policy makers will take this powerful economic impact into consideration as they make key decisions.”

The economic data was compiled by John Dunham & Associates and is available at www.FeedingTheEconomy.com. The analysis illustrates the direct impact of food and agriculture on jobs, wages, economic output, exports, and state and local business taxes. The interactive website also breaks out the data at the national, state and congressional district levels.

To learn more about the coalition behind this study visit http://feedingtheeconomy.com/aboutus.

The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.

ABA is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry.  Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities.  ABA advocates on behalf of more than 1000 baking facilities and baking company suppliers.  ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families.  The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in direct annual economic activity and employs over 706,000 highly-skilled people.

Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry, which employs nearly 5 million workers and represents a combined annual sales volume of almost $800 billion. FMI member companies operate nearly 33,000 retail food stores and 12,000 pharmacies. FMI membership includes the entire spectrum of food retail venues; single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains, pharmacies, online and mixed retail stores. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education, health and wellness and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to almost 1,000 ­­­food retail and wholesale member companies and serves 85 international retail member companies. In addition, FMI has almost 500 associate member companies that provide products and services to the food retail industry.  For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI Foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org.

Contact:
phone: 202-452-8444
fax: 202-429-4519

Source: Food Marketing Institute

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NCR unveils expansion to its channel program

NCR opens growth opportunities for new and existing channel partners to build a more profitable business

Duluth, Ga., 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), a global leader in omni-channel solutions, unveiled an expansion to its channel program. The program allows channel partners to sell additional products – including Enterprise Software, Professional Services, Maintenance and Managed Services – to complement NCR core products. This enables channel partners to address a larger customer base across the Banking, Retail and Hospitality industries in existing as well as new geographies to deepen market penetration. Furthermore, NCR aims to attract new types of channel partners such as systems integrators, telecommunication companies or software partners, as well as channel partners that currently sell competitive or adjacent products.

“The channel is a potential future growth engine for NCR to penetrate the market,” explained Ken Richard, Vice President and General Manager of the NCR Global Channel business. “NCR offers are resonating in the market, and making them available to the channel could provide significant growth opportunities. This is something we want to unleash with our new program.”

NCR’s enhanced channel program has three tiered levels – Advanced, Premier and Elite – and it rewards channel partners not only based on volume of sales, but other key criteria such as customer satisfaction, net new customers or product innovation.

The new program follows a series of technology innovations that included advancements in omni-channel customer experience, store transformation and actionable insights. NCR is the market leader in self-checkout and has introduced a new, convertible self-checkout solution that can be used as an assisted POS system in peak times. In combination with mobile self-scanning solutions from NCR, retailers can give their customers more choice. For the financial services industry, NCR released a new family of ATMs, the SelfServ 80 Series, that will help banks change the way consumers interact with the ATM forever. By opening these and other software solutions such as Authentic for channel partner distribution, NCR enables both new and existing channel partners to grow by expanding or complementing their solution portfolios and coverage.

About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a leader in omni-channel solutions, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables nearly 700 million transactions daily across financial, retail, hospitality, travel, telecom and technology industries. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier. NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Ga., with about 30,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. NCR encourages investors to visit its website which is updated regularly with financial and other important information about NCR.

Web site: www.ncr.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

News Media Contacts:
Ortrud Wenzel
NCR Public Relations
+49 821 405 8191
ortrud.wenzel@ncr.com

Source: NCR Corporation

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Al Meera officially opened the doors of its new shopping center in Umm Garn, Qatar

Al Meera officially opened the doors of its new shopping center in Umm Garn, Qatar

 

DOHA, Qatar, 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — In the framework of its ongoing efforts to bring its trademark shopping experience to the residents of all areas across the country, Al Meera Consumer Goods Company QSC (Al Meera) officially opened the doors of its new shopping center in Umm Garn to consumers on the 14th of November. The opening took place in presence of Mr. Cobus Lombard, Al Meera Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Salah Al Hammadi Al Meera Deputy CEO, as well as Mr. Mubarak Al-Kuwari, Director of Al-Da’ayeen Municipality, and Mr. Mishal Al-Nuaimi, Member of the Municipal Council of the Eighteenth Circuit besides other Directors from the Company’s departments.

The 2453 m2 shopping center is designed with the needs of the local customer in mind, allowing space for a dedicated Al Meera Supermarket, seven other retailers of need, and a food court that entices the most hungry of visitors – all of this provides the area’s residents with all their shopping needs under one roof, in line with the Company’s motto of being the consumers’ ‘Favourite Neighbourhood Retailer’.

Al-Meera Supermarket is equipped with modern interior designs and shelving installations, state-of-the-art technologies and facilities, along with providing the most popular fresh counters; Umm Garn residents will benefit from a dedicated Butchery, Fishery, Bakery and a Delicatessen.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Salah Al-Hammadi, Al Meera’s Deputy CEO, said:

“As with every new branch that Al Meera opens, the Umm Garn store is designed to exceed consumers’ expectations with a distinctive, integrated shopping experience that sets the benchmark for retail chains across the country. This demonstrates our tangible contribution to the real estate development of every neighbourhood in the country. The new shopping center will provide consumers with a wide range of products, while following the highest international standards for quality assurance in processes, procedures and services, synonymous with its motto of being everyone’s ‘Favourite Neighbourhood Retailer’”.

The opening of the Umm Garn branch, follows the launch of Al Meera’s latest state-of-the-art stores in different areas as part of its plan to introduce a number of new shopping centers in succession to consumers across various underserved regions and others witnessing a population boom.

Al Meera is currently working on the setup of more stores in locations that have been carefully chosen in close coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) to further contribute to the development and urbanization of more districts and territories.

The ambitious expansion plan has been set in motion as an answer to Al Meera’s strategic research and its mission to continue serving the diverse communities in Qatar wherever they are, while effectively contributing to the urban development of the country.

Source: Al Meera

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Mohammed Alshaya recognised for his role in developing modern retail culture in the Middle East

Mohammed Alshaya recognised for his role in developing modern retail culture in the Middle East

 

Kuwait, 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Mohammed Alshaya, executive chairman of M.H. Alshaya Co., has been recognised as the individual who has made the biggest contribution to the retail industry in the Middle East over the past 30 years by the prestigious Arabian Business Magazine. Mr Alshaya received the award from Ali Akawi, CEO of ITP Media Group, at a gala event in Dubai to celebrate the magazine’s 30th anniversary.

The award recognises Mr Alshaya’s role in developing a modern retail culture in the Middle East. His vision has seen Alshaya grow from one retail franchise store in 1983 to becoming one of the world’s leading retail franchise businesses, with 80 brands and more than 3,500 stores across the Middle East and North Africa, Russia, Turkey and Europe.

The event honoured some of the Middle East’s most high-profile business people for their contributions to a range of industries. Other award recipients included Colm McLoughlin, chief executive officer of Dubai Duty Free; Mohamed Alabbar, founder and chairman of Emaar; Yusuf Ali, chairman of Lulu Group; Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of State for Tolerance; Sunny Varkey, founder of GEMS Education; and Munib Masri, chairman of Edgo and PADICO.

“Mohammed Alshaya is a true game changer. Not only has he created a vast retail empire, but his impact on society has been phenomenal. His ability to spot the right trends in the right markets, at the right time – and execute his vision – is second to none,” said Mr Akawi.

Receiving the award, Mr Alshaya said: “This award is a great honour for me, for our family business and for the 50,000 people who work at Alshaya. I have always said that retail is the most exciting industry in the world, and I have been privileged to work with some of the world’s greatest retail brands to help develop a modern retailing culture in the Middle East. This has delivered exciting new choices to local customers and created many thousands of job opportunities.”

Since opening its first Mothercare store in Kuwait in 1983, Alshaya has been a pioneer in the retail industry – driving innovation, shaping standards in customer care, and introducing over 80 of the world’s best known and best loved brands to customers in the region. The company today operates brands that include Starbucks, H&M, Debenhams, American Eagle Outfitters, P.F. Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Victoria’s Secret, Boots, Pottery Barn and KidZania, and employs more than 50,000 people from over 120 nationalities across a range of sectors covering Fashion & Footwear, Health & Beauty, Food, Optics, Pharmacy, Home Furnishings and Leisure & Entertainment.

Stay up to date

With more than 80 brands across the Middle East and North Africa, Russia, Turkey and Europe, there’s always something interesting happening at Alshaya.

Media

If you are a journalist and want some information about Alshaya or one of our brands, please contact our Corporate Communications team:

+965 2224 2475
+965 2224 3626
communications@alshaya.com

Advertising

If you want more information about advertising, please contact our Corporate Marketing team:

+965 2258 1203
marketing@alshaya.com

Source: Alshaya

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SPAR South Africa holds KwaZulu Natal Junior Chef competition

South Africa, 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Six young aspirant chefs took to their cooking stations recently in this year’s finals of the SPAR South Africa KwaZulu Natal Junior Chef competition.

The young primary school finalists battled it out for the first-place spot with twelve year old, Ryleigh Rutherford, taking home the honours with a delectable and flawless cheese cake. Twelve year old, Tiana Gangaram, was runner up with a superb tuna tart, which completely converted one non-fish eating judge.

The annual cook-off held in KwaZulu Natal saw the youngsters preparing a recipe that they had submitted as their competition entry, as well as a mystery dish – gingerbread men.

One of the judges, SPAR KwaZulu Natal Advertising and Promotions Manager, Nelene Rampersad who was instrumental in conceptualising the competition for SPAR in an effort to encourage young chefs, said: “I love that this year we had such a range of dishes from the finalists. This made judging difficult, and our taste-buds were put to the test, but after much deliberation, Ryleigh’s Cheese Cake came out tops. It was faultless – a great presentation, and top-class texture and flavour. Her gingerbread men were done to perfection with a crisp texture, with some fun iced decorations. Well done to all for the good food, great spirit and enthusiasm.”

Ryleigh won a R5,000 shopping voucher for her first-place position with runner up, Tiana receiving a R2,000 shopping voucher and all four remaining finalists each received a R500 SPAR shopping voucher. All finalists received a SPAR sweet hamper and a hamper packed with baking utensils to further their culinary aspirations.

“It was really fun,” said Ryleigh, who has always helped her mom in the kitchen ever since she can remember. “I enjoyed making my cheese cake here today. It was so exciting to work in a professional kitchen.”

To read more news from SPAR South Africa, follow this link.

About SPAR South Africa: 

SPAR South Africa was established in 1963 and operates four retail formats: SPAR, SUPERSPAR, KWIKSPAR and SPAR Express. South Africa was the first country outside of Europe to join the SPAR organisation.

The SPAR Partner grants licences to independent retailers to operate stores under one of the four formats, with almost all of the current store portfolio being independently owned. In 2016, sales per m2 increased by 6% in Euro terms, and sales for the year from SPAR South Africa’s 821 stores were €4.47 billion.

Contact:

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

Source: Spar International

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Lowe’s Canada stores wins three awards at the Hardlines Outstanding Retailer Awards

  • Best Large Surface Retailer – Lowe’s Barrie (ON)
  • Best Building Supply/Home Centre (< 15,000 s.f.) – Ace Matériaux Armand Dumaresq (QC)
  • Contractor Specialist – RONA Penticton (BC)

Boucherville, Québec, 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Canada is proud to celebrate the achievement of three of its stores at the Hardlines Outstanding Retailer Awards which took place on Tuesday, November 14 in Niagara Falls. Three of Lowe’s Canada’s banners, namely Lowe’s, Ace and RONA, have taken home awards in the following categories: Best Large Surface Retailer – Lowe’s Barrie (ON); Best Building Supply/Home Centre (< 15,000 s.f.) – Ace Matériaux Armand Dumaresq (QC) and Contractor Specialist – RONA Penticton (BC).

“Thanks to its multi-banner, multi-format network of stores, Lowe’s Canada is ideally positioned to meet the needs of today’s various consumers segments, from DIYers to pros and contractors, no matter their type of home improvement project, and no matter where they live,” mentioned Sylvain Prud’homme, President and CEO of Lowe’s Canada. “These awards attest once again of the diversity of our vast network and of the strength of our business model. I wish to extend our most sincere congratulations to the awardees and their entire teams who work hard, day after day, to offer the best shopping experience to our customers.”

Best Large Surface Retailer – Lowe’s Barrie (ON)
The Lowe’s in Barrie opened its doors nine years ago with the purpose that sets the Lowe’s banner apart: “To help people love where they live.” With a team of 155 employees, customer focus has translated into an increase in customer count exceeding 8% in 2017 (year to date), and sales growth trending consistently above 10% for the last four years. The team’s engagement in showing the value it offers, from merchandise presentation standards to process and procedure, is key in explaining this success. If marketing brings customers in, the in-store experience (service, in stock, cleanliness, knowledge, etc.) turns them into loyal customers. The Lowe’s Barrie store is also very active in the community. Recent initiatives include collaborations with the Women’s Shelter in Barrie and Habitat for Humanity in Huronia, food drives for the Barrie Food Bank, and various toy drives.

Best Building Supply/Home Centre (< 15,000 s.f.) – Ace Matériaux Armand Dumaresq (QC)
Guy Samson purchased Ace Matériaux Armand Dumaresq in Rivière-au-Renard in July 2014. Previously family-owned, the business started up as a saw mill and eventually included a hardware store that was founded about 25 years ago. When he bought the company in 2014, Mr. Samson was facing several challenges: saturated market shares, a competitive environment that included three other hardware stores in his territory, decreasing demographic rate and high unemployment rate. To gain market shares, he chose to rely on a very strong customer service approach. Many SKUs were added to the inventory, the warehouse was expanded by 4,500 sq. ft. and the store by 1,200 sq. ft. This new approach was a huge success: the store increased it sales by more than 400% in just 27 months of operation.

Contractor Specialist – RONA Penticton (BC)
In 2005, the Mielke family created a joint venture with RONA to open RONA Penticton in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. The store customer base is a 50-50 retail-contractor split. In 2016, the store expanded its EWP yard and garden centre, moved the door and countertop shop into a new facility, expanded the Penticton Contractor Desk and opened a new satellite Contractor First location in Osoyoos. This 2,000 sq. ft satellite store with two acres and a staff of 11 allowed RONA Penticton to expand in the South Okanagan and have the Penticton store focus on sales closer to home. As a result, both locations are thriving and in ratio to the size of its operation, Osoyoos is one of the highest performer nationwide within RONA.

About the Outstanding Retailer Awards
Launched in 1992, the Outstanding Retailer Awards are the industry’s only national awards program dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware and building supply dealers in Canada. In its 25-year history, the program has honoured more than 150 retailers. The 2017 awards were presented at a special ORA Gala Dinner organized as part of the Hardlines Annual Conference, held November 14, at the Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls.

About Lowe’s Canada
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA inc., operates or services more than 600 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 25,000 employees, in addition to nearly 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
Lowe’s Canada – RONA
Tel 514.626.6976
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Sears starts Black Friday deals online

Sears, Kmart also lower free shipping minimum for online orders to $25

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — To help shoppers get a jump on holiday shopping, Sears announced it is now offering Black Friday pricing online at Sears.com. Sears and Kmart also lowered the minimum purchase threshold for free shipping on qualifying online orders to $25 (was $49), and launched a new CASHBACK in points offer for Shop Your Way members.

The Sears and Kmart CASHBACK in points online offer includes:

  • Spend $50, get free shipping + $10 CASHBACK in points
  • Spend $100, get free shipping + $20 CASHBACK in points
  • Spend $150, get free shipping + $30 CASHBACK in points
  • Spend $200, get free shipping + $40 CASHBACK in points
    Use code: CASH*

“The Black Friday game is changing as shoppers want access to the best deals earlier, and we’re using the power and flexibility of our digital channels and integrated retail services to do exactly that,” said Leena Munjal, senior vice president, customer experience and integrated retail at Sears Holdings. “In addition, the CASHBACK in points offer is like getting free money to spend toward additional holiday gifts – when everyone could use a little more in their wallet.”

The holidays are also a time when Sears and Kmart see a spike in members taking advantage of their integrated retail services to make holiday shopping less chaotic and more convenient. Services such as:

  • Free Buy Online, Pickup In-Store, In-Vehicle Pickup: Members can purchase all products available on Sears.com or Kmart.com, ship to the store for free, then pick up their items at the store when they arrive, where they will be ready in five minutes, guaranteed.** Members can even choose to have their item delivered right to their car by using Sears’ innovative In-Vehicle Pickup service.**
  • Sears & Kmart Mobile Apps: The apps let members quickly find the right products and compare features, prices and user reviews; find deals, get digital coupons, and make the most of Shop Your Way FREECASH in points; make purchases, track orders, manage layaway, and access free shopping conveniences like Buy Online, Pickup In-Store, In-Vehicle Pickup, and free in-store shipping.
  • Free Shipping: Sears and Kmart offer free shipping on any order $25 or more, and Shop Your Way Max members get two-day free shipping on qualifying online orders.
  • Anyone, Anywhere Pickup: Members can order any item on Sears.com or Kmart.com and send a friend or family member to pick up the purchase.

Join Sears and Kmart on social media to hear more about the latest news – “Like” Sears on Facebook, and “follow” Sears on Twitter and Instagram. “Like” Kmart on Facebook, and “follow” Kmart on Twitter and Instagram.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading integrated retailer providing merchandise and related services and is part of Shop Your Way, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through shopyourway.com. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through Sears-branded and affiliated full-line and specialty retail stores. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard — among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 6,000 expert technicians who make nearly 11 million service calls annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company and part of Shop Your Way, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through shopyourway.com. Kmart offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company’s website at www.kmart.com.

*Points credit to member account on Dec. 1 and are valid between Dec. 1-15. Max. $40 in points per order. Excludes delivery items including home appliances. Additional exclusions apply, see sears.com or kmart.com for details. By accepting Shop Your Way® member benefits and offers, you agree to the Shop Your Way terms and conditions, available at www.shopyourway.com/terms.

**Sears only

MEDIA CONTACT:
Brian Hanover
Sears PR
847-286-6080
Brian.Hanover@searshc.com

SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.

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Kmart creates the “Ridiculous Cash Bash” game show that rewards contestants for their awesome talents

14 Contestants Will Win a Trip to Hollywood to Compete for Thousands in Prizes and FREECASH in Points on Program Hosted by Cooper Manning

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — As another out-of-the-box way to engage with members this holiday, Kmart has created the “Ridiculous Cash Bash,” a game show that rewards contestants for their ability to live life to its fullest and who aren’t afraid to show it. “Ridiculous Cash Bash” will feature celebrity host Cooper Manning of Fox Sports’ “The Manning Hour” and air on Wednesday, December 20, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on Game Show Network (GSN).

Now through Sunday, November 26 on www.RidiculousCashBash.com, anyone 18 or over can submit a video demonstrating their ridiculously awesome talent. Based on creativity, originality and entertainment value of the submitted videos, 14 people will win a trip to Hollywood to compete on Kmart’s “Ridiculous Cash Bash” game show for a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes and FREECASH in Shop Your Way points.

“Life is about to become even more ridiculously awesome for 14 lucky people chosen to battle it out on the ‘Ridiculous Cash Bash,’ one of the wildest game shows you’ve ever seen!” said Kelly Cook, Chief Marketing Officer for Kmart and Sears. “Kmart is all about living your best life, and ‘Ridiculous Cash Bash’ brings that philosophy to a new level by celebrating and rewarding Americans’ most incredible talents.”

The 14 game show contestants will be teamed up to work together in epic challenges to win prizes and FREECASH in Shop Your Way points. In the end, they’ll face off in an outrageous final challenge where they’ll race to the summit of Bluelight Mountain to win big! In addition to FREECASH in points, ridiculously awesome prizes include everything from home appliances and entertainment to tools, sporting goods and backyard essentials.

“I love the bedlam,” said Manning. “It’s not every day people have the chance to frolic with live piglets, wrestle a giant hot wing and get dunked in suds—all while winning amazing prizes.”

The “Ridiculous Cash Bash” is executive produced by Chuck Dalaklis (“Dude, What Would Happen”), David Hurwitz (“Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris”) and Jordan Yospe.

For more information, terms and conditions on the “Ridiculous Cash Bash” and to submit a video, visit www.RidiculousCashBash.com.

About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company and part of Shop Your Way, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through shopyourway.com. Kmart offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information, visit the company’s website at kmart.com | Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com | Facebook: facebook.com/kmart | Twitter: twitter.com/kmart | Instagram: Instagram.com/kmart

Media Contact:
Larry Costello
Kmart PR
(847) 286-9036
Larry.Costello@searshc.com

SOURCE: Kmart

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Visa adds Nigerian Women’s Bobsled Team to Team Visa

Visa adds Nigerian Women’s Bobsled Team to Team Visa

 

Inspired by their determination, Visa helps pave the way to PyeongChang for this group of Olympic hopefuls

SAN FRANCISCO, 2017-Nov-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — Visa (NYSE:V) today (Nov. 15, 2017) announced the addition of three athletes who make up the Nigerian Women’s Bobsled Team to Team Visa, currently training to become the first ever African representatives, men or women, to qualify for the Olympic Winter Games in the sport of Bobsled. Together, Bobsled pilot Seun Adigun, and brakemen Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga, combine their elite track backgrounds to chase their bobsled dreams.

Without access to proper training equipment or valuable ice time to perfect their skills, the members of the Nigerian Women’s Bobsled Team started their journey on the snow-less grounds of Houston, Texas, in a wooden sled they nicknamed ‘The Maeflower.’ Once the team set their sights on the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, they established a crowdfunding website hoping to raise the much-needed funds to get to PyeongChang. Upon discovering the page, Visa was inspired by their story and determination to carve out a place in history and pledged to help solidify the team’s trip to the Olympic Winter Games.

“When we first heard their story we recognized the collective spirit of these athletes as a perfect fit for Team Visa,” said Chris Curtin, chief brand and innovation marketing officer at Visa. “By joining Team Visa, we hope to provide this group of determined athletes with a global stage to tell their story and inspire athletes all over the world to follow their dreams and never give up.”

The athleticism and determination of each member of the Nigerian Women’s Bobsled Team is palpable, as they push to rewrite history in their sport:

  • Seun Adigun (Nigeria, Bobsled Driver): Adigun represented Nigeria in the 100m hurdles at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Wanting to get back on the Olympic stage, she began training for bobsled in 2014.
  • Ngozi Onwumere (Nigeria, Bobsled Breakmen): Onwumere, a former competitive sprinter, clinched a Silver and Gold medal at the 2015 African Games in Republic of the Congo in the 200m and 4x100m relay, respectively. Onwumere started training after being recruited by Adigun in 2016.
  • Akuoma Omeoga (Nigeria, Bobsled Breakmen): Omeoga is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where she was a sprinter for the university’s track and field team, competing in the 100m and 200m races. The Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 will be the first time she is representing Nigeria.

“Already the support and encouragement we have felt as part of Team Visa has been a dream come true,” said Seun Adigun, driver of the Nigerian Women’s Bobsled Team. “We are proud to be part of a team that shares our mission and has connected us with the resources we needed to reach our goal, and hopefully empower others to do the same.”

Since the program began in 2000, Team Visa has supported over 400 Olympic and Paralympic Athletes and hopefuls by providing them with the tools, resources and support they need to reach their highest potential, regardless of origin or background. Team Visa features a diverse group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes who embody our core values – acceptance, partnership and innovation – and was cultivated with the global reach of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in mind.

The women of the Nigerian Women’s Bobsled Team joins Team Visa’s diverse roster of athletes, which includes: Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), Chloe Kim(USA), Gus Kenworthy (USA), Hilary Knight (USA), Oksana Masters (USA), Mark McMorris (Canada), Lee Sang-Hwa (South Korea), Kamil Stoch(Poland) and others.

For additional information on Team Visa, follow along at @VisaNews on Twitter and visit www.visa.com.

About Visa Inc.

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

Contact:
Bitsy Rich
415-813-7252
erich@visa.com

Sarah Hamblen
415-728-7268
shamblen@visa.com

Source: Visa Inc.

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