Daily Archives: December 12, 2017

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LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd. to host 3Q 2017 financial results conference call on Wednesday, December 13, 2017

BEIJING, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LITB) (“LightInTheBox” or the “Company”), a global online retail company that delivers products directly to consumers around the world, today (Dec. 11, 2017 ) announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 before the open of U.S. markets on Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

LightInTheBox’s management will hold a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 13, 2017 (9:00 p.m. Beijing Time on the same day).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

US Toll Free: 1-866-519-4004
Hong Kong Toll Free: 800-906-601
Mainland China: 400-620-8038
International: +65-6713 5090
Passcode: 6772059

A telephone replay will be available two hours after the conclusion of the conference call through December 20, 2017. The dial-in details are:

US: +1-646-254-3697
Hong Kong: +852-3051-2780
International: +61-2-8199-0299
Passcode: 6772059

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at http://ir.lightinthebox.com.

About LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd.

LightInTheBox is a global online retail company that delivers products directly to consumers around the world. The Company offers customers a convenient way to shop for a wide selection of products at attractive prices through its www.lightinthebox.com, www.miniinthebox.com and other websites and mobile applications, which are available in 23 major languages and cover more than 80% of global Internet users.

For more information, please visit www.lightinthebox.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Christensen
Ms. Xiaoyan Su
Phone: +86-10-5900 3429
Email: ir@lightinthebox.com

Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@ChristensenIR.com

SOURCE: LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd.

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BlueStar certified to provide point-to-point encryption (P2PE) key injections

Hebron, KY., 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — BlueStar, a leading global distributor of Digital Identification, Mobility, Point-of-Sale, RFID, Digital Signage, and Security technology solutions, is excited to announce this attestation of validation from the PCI Council, certifying BlueStar to provide point-to-point encryption (P2PE) key injections.

This P2PE attestation of validation adds BlueStar to one of only eighteen key injection facilities across the globe who can provide this service. This will allow BlueStar to establish relationships with payment processors and gateways of P2PE validated solutions, expanding the capabilities of BlueStar’s key injection facility.

“We are very excited about being able to supply key injection services at the highest level of security,” says Jason R. Firment, Director of Electronic Transactions Business at BlueStar. “Security is top of mind for all our partners and is crucial in delivering POS solutions today. Our partnerships in the payments space continue to grow every day and we see the importance of providing this type of service to all our payment transactions partners. You will also begin to see this added to our POS Solutions as part of our trademarked In-a-Box Series.”

With the addition of P2PE key injection services, BlueStar will continue to work exclusively with value-added resellers, and offer a one-stop-shop for the Channel’s most comprehensive mPOS and traditional POS In-a-Box solutions.

BlueStar, listed as United Radio, Inc., is now on the PCI Council’s website under key injection facilities.

Contact:

800 354 9776
E-mail: sales@bluestarinc.com

Source: BlueStar

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Wendy’s High School Heisman® Scholarship recipients announced

Wendy’s High School Heisman® Scholarship recipients announced

 

NEW YORK, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — The most prestigious award in high school athletics has named Soleil Gaylord, a Mountain Runner from Colorado, and Jackson Destine, a Wrestler from Florida, as National Winners of Wendy’s® High School Heisman® Scholarship. Chosen from high school seniors at more than 30,000 schools around the country, Soleil and Jackson will take home a $10,000 college scholarship.

“The outstanding commitment, perseverance and compassion Soleil and Jackson possess is remarkable,” said Todd Penegor, President and CEO of The Wendy’s Company. “We’re honored to welcome these two students into the Wendy’s family and are so proud of all their achievements.”

Female Winner
Soleil Gaylord, Telluride High School
Telluride, CO

Surmounting any obstacle, she faces is a way of life for Soleil Gaylord. At 6’1″, her height presents challenges when it comes to running, but she has made “Tall Is Strong” her mantra. Soleil has won five state track and field titles, two state cross country titles, competed in the World Mountain Running Championships three times, became a World Champion snowshoe runner, and was named a Colorado Sportswoman of the year. She has also overcome selective mutism, and today she speaks out loud and clear in many capacities. Soleil is Student Body President, an Ambassador for American Trail Running, hosts her own radio show and regularly presents to her town government about a native species garden that she designed and maintains for the community.

Male Winner
Jackson Destine, Atlantic High School
Delray Beach, FL

Jackson Destine is proof that life’s circumstances do not define a person; grit and determination do. Despite a challenging upbringing, Jackson finds ways to pursue a bright future. When a lack of discretionary income threatened his ability to keep playing sports, Jackson started his own candy business to raise money for the athletic fees. He has set fifteen school records in three sports while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and working twenty hours a week to help his grandmother with bills. Jackson also composes original raps with a powerful message: All teens have choices, even if they are growing up in tough environments. He wrote his school’s official song and a song for Florida Governor Rick Scott’s Math Nation program, and he has performed both in front of the school board and local media.

Wendy’s and the Heisman Trophy Trust have honored more than 650,000 of the nation’s most esteemed student-athletes since the two partnered in 1994. Year after year, they celebrate those students who exemplify the common set of values they share, wherein going above and beyond is the norm. Wendy’s Heisman aims to profile the stories of these outstanding students as a way to inspire the tomorrow’s senior class. Overall, one hundred students will receive a total of $150,000 in scholarships, with National Finalist each receiving $5,000 and the National Winners receiving $10,000.

The other eight Wendy’s High School Heisman National Finalists are:

Name Gender High School City State
Audrey Ernst Female St. Charles North High School St. Charles Illinois
Karsten Householder Male Chaparral High School Scottsdale Arizona
Wells Johnstone Female Madison Academic Magnet High School Jackson Tennessee
Ian McGrory Male Queen Anne’s County High School Centreville Maryland
Natalie MacEwan Female El Camino Real Charter High School Woodland Hills California
Brendan Siefker Male Ottoville High School Ottoville Ohio
Laura Murphy Female East Greenwich High School East Greenwich Rhode Island
Brandon Staple Male Longmont High School Longmont Colorado

For more information about the 2017 Wendy’s High School Heisman and the National Winners and National Finalist, as well as to view photos, please visit www.WendysHeisman.com.

About Wendy’s High School Heisman

Wendy’s High School Heisman was created by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas in 1994.  Dave Thomas dropped out of high school when he was 15 years old in order to work full-time and went on to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history.  While this nontraditional path led to his prosperity, it always worried Dave that others would follow in his footsteps and expect to achieve similar fame and wealth by not finishing high school or attending college.

Faced with this dilemma, at 61 years old, Dave enrolled at Coconut Creek High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and received his General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Inspired by this moment and with a desire to celebrate the outstanding achievements of youth in America, he launched the Wendy’s High School Heisman program.

Twenty-three years later, Wendy’s High School Heisman has honored more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors who share Wendy’s values of giving back to their communities, treating people with respect, continuing education and excelling on the athletic field.

Wendy’s High School Heisman is a joint program between Wendy’s and the Heisman Trophy Trust, host and custodians of the Heisman Memorial Trophy®.

About Wendy’s

The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ: WEN) is the world’s third largest quick-service hamburger restaurant chain. The Wendy’s system includes more than 6,500 restaurants in 30 countries and U.S. territories. For more information, visit www.aboutwendys.com.

The Wendy’s name and design and the Wendy’s High School Heisman and design are trademarks of Quality Is Our Recipe, LLC.  The Heisman Memorial Trophy, Heisman name and Heisman Trophy figure are registered trademarks of the Heisman Trophy Trust, used with permission.

Contact:
Bry Roth
bry.roth@wendys.com

SOURCE: The Wendy’s Company

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ascena retail group earns top score of 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2018 Corporate Equality Index

Company has long history of support for the LGBTQ community — having hosted special shopping events for the transgender community as early as 1965

MAHWAH, N.J., 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — ascena retail group, inc. announced that it received the top score of 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2018 Corporate Equality Index. The CEI is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality.

The leading women’s specialty retailer, participating for the first time, is among a record-breaking 609 employers that achieved the top score this year, along with the distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality.”

The CEI rating criteria includes non-discrimination policies, equitable benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families, internal education and accountability metrics to promote LGBTQ inclusion competency, and public commitment to LGBTQ equality.

ascena’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion is felt at all levels of the organization. David Jaffe, Chairman and CEO of ascena, reflects on the early inclusion that his mother, Roslyn Jaffe, founder of dressbarn, exhibited when she hosted after-hours shopping events for the transgender community.

“My mother, or ‘Mrs. J’ as our associates affectionately refer to her, was a pioneer on many levels. She knew back in the 1960s that diversity and inclusion were good for business,” said Jaffe. “I’m proud that ascena is being recognized by HRC for a culture that was established decades ago and is nurtured today. The rich diversity of our 64,000 associates makes us stronger together as we deliver best-in-class fashion and experience to all women and girls.”

Jaffe acknowledged, “As yesterday marked the anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it makes this recognition that much more significant.”

Jaffe’s leadership team owns the culture and ascena’s results in the marketplace and workplace. “Earning the HRC distinction of being a ‘Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality’ reflects the commitment we’ve made as a company and to diversity and inclusion as a whole,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer John Pershing, who also serves as executive sponsor of ascenaPRIDE, the Company’s associate resource group for LGBTQ associates and their allies.

The focus of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) aligns with ascena’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and diversity and inclusion. Earlier this year, ascena was among 104 top businesses that sponsored the HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act, landmark federal legislation that affirms the same non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ people as other protected groups under federal law.

For more information about the 2018 Corporate Equality Index, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About ascena retail group, inc. ascena retail group, inc. (NASDAQ: ASNA) is a leading national specialty retailer offering apparel, shoes, and accessories for women under the Premium Fashion segment (Ann Taylor, LOFT, and Lou & Grey), Value Fashion segment (maurices and dressbarn), Plus Fashion segment (Lane Bryant and Catherines), and for tween girls under the Kids Fashion segment (Justice). ascena retail group, inc. operates ecommerce websites and approximately 4,800 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information about ascena retail group, inc. visit:  ascenaretail.com, AnnTaylor.com, LOFT.com, louandgrey.com, maurices.com, dressbarn.com, lanebryant.com, Catherines.com, and shopjustice.com.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Media Contact:
Sue Ross
ascena Corporate Affairs
218-491-2110
sue.ross@ascenaretail.com

SOURCE: ascena retail group, inc.

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Barnes & Noble announces three free holiday shipping offers to help shoppers this holiday season

Free Shipping and Cut-Off Dates to Ensure Holiday Gifts Are Delivered in Time for That Special Holiday Moment

New York, NY, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, today (December 11, 2017) announced three free holiday shipping offers to help shoppers get the most out of this holiday season. The free shipping offers include Barnes & Noble’s Holiday Gift Guide, where customers can get the best last-minute gift ideas anywhere.

“We understand the holiday shopping season is a stressful time for all, and we want to make it as easy as possible for our customers,” said Fred Argir, Chief Digital Officer.  “With our specially curated Holiday Gift Guide, which includes an exclusive assortment of books, toys, games and more, coupled with our free shipping, every shopper can find what they’re looking for at Barnes & Noble.”

Barnes & Noble’s free shipping will be available on all items purchased online.*

Free Shipping Offers:

  • Free Shipping Day (no code required): Begins on December 15, 2017, and ends December 16, 2017 at 2:59 am EST
  • Free Shipping Day (code required): Begins December 16, 2017, and ends December 18, 2017 at 2:59a m EST
  • Free Expedited Shipping on Orders $75.00+: Begins December 20, 2017, and ends December 21, 2017 at 11:59 am EST

Shipping Cut-Offs:

  • Standard: December 18, 2017 at 11:59 am EST
  • Express: December 19, 2017 at 11:59 am EST
  • Expedited: December 21, 2017 at 11:59 am EST

From the season’s biggest books to the top toys and dedicated trend shops for major properties such as Harry Potter, Star Wars and FAO Schwartz, shoppers will find what they’re looking for at Barnes & Noble this holiday season in stores and online, while supplies last.

Customers are invited to Barnes & Noble’s 632 stores nationwide and browse the online Holiday Gift Guide at BN.com to discover the hottest books and other great gift items available this holiday season. And for even greater value, customers are invited to join the Barnes & Noble Member program. Designed for Barnes & Noble’s most loyal customers, the Barnes & Noble Membership program gives Members 40 percent off all hardcover bestsellers and 10 percent off virtually everything else in Barnes & Noble stores throughout the year.

Customers are encouraged to join the conversation about all the great gifts available at Barnes & Noble this holiday season on their social channels by using the hashtag, #ALLIWANT.

*Some exclusions apply.

About Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is the world’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products.  The Company operates 632 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com).  The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store features more than 4.5 million digital books in the US (www.nook.com), plus periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.

General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained by visiting the Company’s corporate website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Barnes & Noble®, Barnes & Noble Booksellers® and Barnes & Noble.com® are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. or its affiliates. NOOK® and the NOOK logos are trademarks of Nook Digital, LLC or its affiliates.

For more information on Barnes & Noble, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat (bnsnaps), and like us on Facebook. For more information on NOOK, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

All Contacts:
Mary Ellen Keating
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3323
mkeating@bn.com

Alex Ortolani
Director, Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3379
aortolani@bn.com

Source: Barnes & Noble, Inc.

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Subway® consolidates its U.S. and Canadian media and creative business, with Dentsu Aegis Network

Milford, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Subway® restaurants announced today (Dec. 11, 2017) – a major shift in its marketing strategy. For the first time in more than 25 years, the sandwich chain is consolidating its U.S. and Canadian media and creative business, with Dentsu Aegis Network. Beginning in early 2018, The Franchise @ Dentsu Aegis Network North America, a customized team powered by talent across the Dentsu Aegis Network, including Carat NY and mcgarrybowen NY, as well as Carat Canada and DentsuBos, will lead the company’s strategy to drive efficiency and effectiveness across all channels.

An integrated Dentsu Aegis team of QSR experts will lead a customer centric, people based marketing approach to help Subway drive its business transformation across the region. The team will grow Subway’s brand vitality with consumers, with talent based in New York, Toronto, and Montreal.

“This is a pivotal time for Subway as we are accelerating our transition to becoming a modern marketing organization,” said Karlin Linhardt, Senior Vice President of Marketing for North America at Subway. “We selected Dentsu Aegis because it is a data-driven organization with the resources, strategic vision and creativity needed to drive consistent value for our customers and our franchisees across all channels.”

“Subway is an iconic brand, and we are proud that they have chosen Dentsu Aegis Network as their integrated marketing partner to help drive their growth across North America. We look forward to innovating the way Subway engages with consumers with expertise across data, creative, and media,” said Nick Brien, CEO, Americas, Dentsu Aegis Network.

Subway initiated its comprehensive U.S. and Canada national agency review in July 2017. The review did not impact the company’s specialty and local agencies, or agencies outside the United States and Canada.

Subway retained the services of MediaLink to assist in the agency review process.

About Subway® Restaurants
Subway® offers a fresh alternative to traditional fast food, serving 7 million made-toorder sandwiches a day. Guests choose from 37 million combinations of quality proteins, fresh vegetables, and bread baked daily. The world’s largest restaurant chain serves nutritious and delicious subs, soups, and salads at more than 44,000 restaurants in 113 countries. The Subway® experience is also delivered online at www.Subway.com and through the Subway® App, available in select markets at the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Founded by then 17-year-old Fred DeLuca and family friend Dr. Peter Buck more than 52 years ago, Subway® is still a family-owned business today working with more than 21,000 dedicated franchisees in communities around the world.

Source: Subway

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LCP promotes Amy James to legal director

LCP promotes Amy James to legal director

 

London, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Amy James, LCP’s head of legal, has been appointed a new director.

Amy joined the company’s London office in 2007 as a solicitor, after training, qualifying and practising at Clifford Chance LLP. She was appointed head of legal (uk) four years ago and has now been promoted to legal director.

Amy said: “LCP is an ambitious company in a thriving and dynamic sector, having undertaken strong and confident growth since I joined the business. I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to continue leading the legal team in my new role as Legal Director.”

She will continue to manage the legal teams operating from offices in London, the West Midlands, where LCP is headquartered, and Glasgow.

Nick Burgess, managing director of LCP, said: “Amy is an impressive and talented solicitor who has played a key role as we grow the business and we are keen to harness her expertise, skills and ideas in a director role. We are looking forward to working with her in this new capacity, helping us to drive the company forward.”

Media Enquiries:

If you have any media enquiries please email propertyenquiry@lcpproperties.co.uk

Source: LCP

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eBay Collective doubles its number of dealers and inventory

eBay Collective doubles its number of dealers and inventory

 

Since launching in 2016, eBay Collective has doubled its number of dealers and inventory, providing shoppers with a one-of-a-kind selection of furniture, art, antiques and design.

San Jose, CA, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Last Tuesday, an eclectic group of artists, designers, architects, collectors and art-world influencers kicked off the opening of Design Miami/ at a pig roast, cohosted by eBay Collective, R & Company and Cultured magazine in Miami Beach. eBay Collective’s Sam Bright, R & Company’s Zesty Meyers, and Cultured’s Sarah Harrelson toasted the occasion, which celebrated the opening of the international design show. Art world notables such as Simon Haas of the Haas Brothers, Art Basel magazine Editor in Chief Sue Hostetler, Design Miami CEO Jen Roberts, NY Times Art Editor Ted Loos and Elle Décor Editor in Chief Whitney Robinson were among the 250 guests in attendance.

eBay Collective launched in late 2016 and has continued to gain momentum, doubling the number of dealers and inventory, partnering with designers and generating a shoppable blog of related content. The platform provides a one-of-a-kind selection of furniture, art, antiques and design for eBay’s 171 million active buyers.

In the past few months, the platform welcomed such estimable dealers as R & Company, Michael Del Piero, French Art Deco Furniture, Inc. and Fred Silberman. All the dealers are showcased in the Dealer Directory, allowing users to Shop by Dealer.

In early October, eBay Collective teamed up with interior designer Brad Ford to present the opening night dinner of his Field + Supply fair in New York’s Hudson Valley. Brad Ford has also furnished the largest residential living room in New York, the One Hundred Barclay Penthouse, with furniture and décor from eBay Collective. Specifically, the design features inventory from such sought-after brands as Doris Leslie Blau, Bernd Goeckler, Maison Gerard, Todd Merrill, Newel, and R & Company.

For content, eBay Collective launched The Conversation Piece Design Journal, a blog populated with articles and video features by Architectural Digest, providing a shoppable guide with designer profiles, trend stories and featured properties.

About the new dealers:

R & Company represents a distinguished group of historical and contemporary designers whose work is among the most innovative and finely crafted of their time. It was founded by Zesty Meyers and Evan Snyderman in 1997 to realize their combined goal of promoting a closer study, appreciation and preservation of 20th and 21st century design.

Michael Del Piero founded Michael Del Piero Good Design in 2007 based on three simple principals: Strive for balance. Create interiors as current as they are enduring, as sophisticated as they are approachable, and as unusual as they are beautiful. And take care of clients as if they are royalty, serving their needs and lifestyles above all else.

David Hugon is the owner and founder of French Art Deco Furniture Inc. David started in the Art Deco business over 25 years ago. David is the premier Direct Importer of all types of French Art Deco furnishings into the USA. Davids extensive reach directly to the best French sources allows him to offer the highest quality items sourced from Hotels, Chateaus, Private Estates. He often travels directly to France to personally acquire his treasures and offer them at a sharply reduced wholesale price.

Fred Silberman Antiques began collecting and dealing 20th century Italian furniture and decorative arts nearly 50 years ago. Purely out of his interest in the history and craftsmanship, Fred Silberman’s business reflects an understanding and deep appreciation for the art form and as he says, “nobody else was doing it.” The result is a uniquely curated inventory of Italian furniture and decorative arts. Naturally, none of the pieces were mass-produced, they are bought from previous owners, or acquired over the years from fellow collectors.

About eBay Collective:

eBay Collective takes the hassle out of searching by bringing together a single, curated experience of unique, high-quality items. eBay has always been known for uniqueness and selection. eBay Collective provides a premium experience bringing together antiques and collectables. The site offers a cutting edge interface, using eBay’s Corrigon acquisition for its “Shop the Look” technology which allows shoppers to match inventory with other featured items.  eBay Collective also leverages eBay’s core commerce platform for check-out, providing a familiar and trusted process for buyers worldwide.

Highlights of five unique items currently available on eBay Collective:

Set of 16 American 1940s (F. Lloyd Wright Design) Geometric Form Dining Chairs

Achille Salvagni, Tango Console, 2014

Babacar Niang, Senegal, 2014 Sculptural “Etawen” carved African hardwood shelf

Jules Leleu, Meuble Feu d’Artifices, c. 1946

Bubble Chandelier by Simone Crestani (b. 1984) Italy, 2012

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

Source: eBay

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ICA stores sales increased by 3.5% in November 2017

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sales in ICA stores increased by 3.5% in November 2017 compared with the corresponding month last year. Sales in like-for-like stores increased by 2.8%.

At 30 November 2017, the number of ICA stores was 1,286. Store sales for December will be published on 10 January 2018 at 08.45 CET.
ICA Gruppen estimates the calendar effect for November to be +0.5%

To see all publication dates in 2018, please visit ICA Gruppen’s website http://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors/calendar.

For more information:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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Tommy Hilfiger and Barbie® launch a special edition TommyXGigi Barbie

Tommy Hilfiger and Barbie® launch a special edition TommyXGigi Barbie

 

Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tommy Hilfiger, which is owned by PVH Corp. [NYSE: PVH], and Barbie® announce the launch of a special edition TommyXGigi Barbie created in the likeness of Gigi Hadid, international supermodel and global brand ambassador for TOMMY HILFIGER womenswear. The doll will be available on tommy.com and Barbie.com, at select TOMMY HILFIGER flagship stores in London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Amsterdam, and New York City, and with select retailers globally starting at 6:00 a.m. EST on December 5, 2017.

“The collaboration with Gigi and Barbie was an exciting new twist on our brand’s history of partnering with pop culture icons and our ongoing ambassadorship with Gigi,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “The final look of the TommyXGigi Barbie doll is a celebration of a defining moment in the history of TOMMY HILFIGER womenswear.”

Designed in collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger, the TommyXGigi Barbie celebrates the unforgettable runway event where Gigi Hadid was introduced as global brand ambassador for TOMMY HILFIGER womenswear. The doll is styled in a classic navy TOMMY HILFIGER flag hoodie, white shorts with red trim and brand logo, and white slip-on sneakers, matching Gigi Hadid’s closing look for the Fall 2016 TOMMYNOW experiential runway event at which the first TommyXGigi capsule collection was introduced. The doll has a suggested retail price of $50/€89,90 and comes with a doll stand and certificate of authenticity.

“I’m so honored to have my own Barbie, which celebrates my partnership with TOMMYHILFIGER,” said Gigi Hadid. “Seeing the doll for the first time was surreal, and I’m so happy that we now get to share her with TommyXGigi and Barbie fans around the world!”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Tommy Hilfiger and Gigi Hadid on this TommyxGigi doll and delight our fans just in time for the holiday season,,” said Sejal Shah Miller, Vice President of Global Marketing for Barbie.

Both Tommy Hilfiger and Mattel have a long history of working with inspiring pop culture icons. Tommy Hilfiger has previously collaborated with David Bowie, Iman, Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lenny Kravitz and The Rolling Stones. Recent TOMMY HILFIGER brand ambassadors include Rafael Nadal, Gigi Hadid and The Chainsmokers. This Barbie® doll joins the ranks of more than 80+ designers and top fashion influencers who have been honored by the brand.

Friends and followers of the brand are invited to join the conversation on social media using #TommyXGigi, #TommyHilfiger, @TommyHilfiger, #Barbie, #barbiestyle and @barbiestyle.

Contact:

Jeroen Vermeer
Senior Global Communications Manager
T +31 88 588 9236
jeroen.vermeer@tommy.com

Roos Smits-Blits
Global Communications Manager

Source: TOMMY HILFIGER

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SPAR Albania celebrates its first anniversary

Albania, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — In celebration of its first anniversary and to the delight of shoppers, SPAR Albania has run several successful customer promotions, building on their successes since the launch of the brand in October 2016. The promotional campaigns have included the first-ever lottery which resulted in 72 lucky winners with one overjoyed customer winning a brand-new Skoda Fabia.

During the first twelve months of trading, SPAR Albania organised a total of six different lottery games with many shoppers winning spectacular prizes ranging from luxurious summer holidays in Turkey for two families, to shopping vouchers, electronic appliances and cars (six in total were given away).

The fun hasn’t stopped there thanks to SPAR Albania’s successful loyalty card programme, which allows customers to earn points and benefits when they become members. There are already 100,000 customers who have joined the programme, which is based on the loyalty card programmes of existing SPAR countries – another great example of our partners working ‘Better together’.

To read more about SPAR Albania, follow this link.

About SPAR Albania

The licence for SPAR in Albania was granted in mid-2016 to Almark, a private company owned by the Balfin Group, one of the largest private investment groups in the country. After launching in October 2016, conversions have continued of company-owned stores whilst also sub-licensing independent retailers, expanding the brand’s reach. SPAR Albania operate two formats: INTERSPAR Hypermarkets and SPAR Supermarkets.

Contact:

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

Source: Spar International

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Overstock.com takes ParityPledge to improve opportunity for advancement of women into leadership positions

The ParityPledge aims to bring gender equality to the highest levels of business

SALT LAKE CITY, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK) and its blockchain subsidiary, Medici Ventures, announce they have taken the ParityPledge to increase their commitment to improving the opportunity for advancement of women into leadership positions. By taking the ParityPledge, Overstock and Medici Ventures have committed to interview at least one qualified female candidate for every open executive position, vice president and above, including the C-suite and board of directors.

The ParityPledge is an initiative of Parity.org, a non-profit organization focused on decreasing the amount of gender inequality within businesses. It was founded to correct the blunt reality of gender disparity at the top of companies today, with women representing only 20 percent of S&P 500 corporate executive teams and boards.

“We’re proud to take the ParityPledge to help further our commitment to equal representation of women at the leadership level,” said Meghan Tuohig, Overstock’s vice president of people care. “ParityPledge is a great external compliment to the internal work we have started with the Overstock Women’s Network, which is aimed at providing opportunities for career growth and advancement for our female associates.”

The Overstock Women’s Network was founded by Tuohig in 2017, and uses programming and education for all associates, regardless of gender, to inspire, support, and celebrate females in Overstock’s professional community.

“The most effective teams tend to have diversity amongst their members, bringing different viewpoints and experiences to the table when finding solutions for difficult problems,” said Overstock.com President Saum Noursalehi. “Taking the ParityPledge reaffirms Overstock’s commitment to diversity, and to finding and promoting the best possible talent.”

“We are thankful for organizations like Overstock.com and Medici Ventures that are willing to become role models for change,” said Cathrin Stickney, Parity.org founder and CEO. “We believe their public commitment and example will help us realize exponential progress toward reaching parity at the top.”

“As the technological community in Utah continues to grow, groups like Parity.org and the ParityPledge will help ensure our community grows in a way that is welcoming and empowering for women,” said Jonathan Johnson, Medici Ventures president and Silicon Slopes board member. “Medici Ventures supports this effort that will have a positive impact on so many talented members of the Utahbusiness community.”

Parity.org is scheduled to announce the full list of founding companies, sponsors, and partners during the Silicon Slopes conference in January 2018.

About Overstock.com

Overstock.com, Inc. Common Shares (NASDAQ:OSTK) / Series A Preferred (Medici Ventures’ tZERO platform: OSTKP) / Series B Preferred (OTCQX:OSTBP) is an online retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah that sells a broad range of products at low prices, including furniture, décor, rugs, bedding, and home improvement. In addition to home goods, Overstock.com offers a variety of products including jewelry, electronics, apparel, and more, as well as a marketplace providing customers access to hundreds of thousands of products from third-party sellers. Additional stores include Pet Adoptions and Worldstock.com dedicated to selling artisan-crafted products from around the world. Forbes ranked Overstock in its list of the Top 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in 2014. Overstock regularly posts information about the company and other related matters under Investor Relations on its website, http://www.overstock.com.

About Medici Ventures:

Launched in 2014, Medici Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Overstock.com, Inc., created to leverage blockchain technology to solve real-world problems with transparent, efficient and secure solutions. Medici Ventures has a growing portfolio of groundbreaking blockchain-focused investments, including tZERO.com, Peernova, Bitt, SettleMint, Factom, and IdentityMind, Spera and Symbiont. The company’s majority-owned financial technology company, tZERO.com, executed the world’s first blockchain-based stock offering in December 2016.

About Parity.org

Parity.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to gender equality at the highest ranks of business leadership. Parity.org is assembling a founding advisory board of some of the most recognized men and women leaders in business. The Parity.org URL was generously donated by The Kennedy Forum. You can follow Parity.org on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

O, Overstock.com, O.com, Club O, Main Street Revolution, and Worldstock are registered trademarks of Overstock.com, Inc. O.biz and Space Shift are also trademarks of Overstock.com, Inc. Other service marks, trademarks and trade names which may be referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact. Additional information regarding factors that could materially affect results and the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained herein may be found in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on November 8, 2017, and any subsequent filings with the SEC.

Media Contact:
pr@overstock.com

Investor Contact:
ir@overstock.com

Source: Overstock.com, Inc./globenewswire

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NewYork-Presbyterian’s telemedicine services now available through Walgreens digital properties and at self-service kiosks at Duane Reade drugstores

NEW YORK, N.Y. & DEERFIELD, Ill., 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — NewYork-Presbyterian and Walgreens are collaborating to bring convenient access to NewYork-Presbyterian’s world-class care through new telemedicine services, now available through Walgreens digital properties and at self-service kiosks at select Duane Reade drugstores in New York.  NewYork-Presbyterian, New York’s No. 1 hospital, is offering the telemedicine services as part of its NYP OnDemand suite of digital health services.

“We are delighted to work with Walgreens to bring NewYork-Presbyterian’s world-class care right to your neighborhood drugstore with this exciting new platform,” said Dr. Steven J. Corwin, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian. “Patients can expect to receive focused, one-on-one care from leading physicians, where and when they need it. We believe telemedicine has a critical role to play in expanding access to high-quality care, and we are proud to be at the forefront of digital healthcare delivery.”

The first NewYork-Presbyterian NYP OnDemand kiosk is currently available at the Duane Reade location at 40 Wall Street in Manhattan, with additional locations expected to open in 2018. These kiosks, located in private, secure rooms inside the stores, offer instant examination, diagnosis and treatment of non-life threatening illnesses and injuries through NYP OnDemand Urgent Care. With the touch of a button, patients can reach board-certified Weill Cornell Medicine emergency medicine physicians, who provide exams through a high-definition video-conference connection. At the end of the examination, if the physician writes a prescription, it can be instantly sent to the patient’s preferred pharmacy. Pediatric emergency medicine physicians will also be available to provide care during more limited hours. Physicians from ColumbiaDoctors are expected to participate in early 2018.

“These kiosks provide real-time care for our patients, enabling them to consult Weill Cornell Medicine physicians privately through the convenience of their local drugstores,” said Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine. “We are proud to work with NewYork-Presbyterian and Walgreens to extend the reach of our doctors beyond their offices, making healthcare accessible to patients across the city.”

“This technology gives us another way to bring Columbia physicians to the neighborhoods where our patients live and work,” said Dr. Lee Goldman, dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine and chief executive of Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “Improving access to doctors is a fundamental way to improve our patients’ health and well-being.”

In addition to the in-store kiosks, Walgreens customers in the New York area using the Walgreens website can access NYP OnDemand Urgent Care to video chat with board-certified emergency medicine doctors.

“We believe that telemedicine can play a critical role in connecting patients with providers,” said Greg Orr, divisional vice president of digital health for Walgreens. “We can now help to bring awareness of services that are offered locally by trusted providers such as NewYork-Presbyterian. We are pleased that NewYork-Presbyterian will be the first local healthcare provider to collaborate with us on our evolving telehealth and digital strategy.”

The kiosk experience is further enhanced with medical devices to provide key information to the physician during the virtual visit. These include a forehead thermometer that measures temperature with a gentle swipe of the forehead, a blood pressure cuff to measure blood pressure and a pulse oximeter that measures the amount of oxygen in the body. A dermascope, which allows the provider to see a high-resolution view of skin conditions, is also available.

“We’ve had much success over the years working with NewYork-Presbyterian at our on-site Walgreens pharmacy,” said Dr. Pat Carroll, chief medical officer for Walgreens Healthcare Clinics. “We value this innovative collaboration and look forward to finding new and different ways to work together to enhance patient care.”

Visit times are expected to take about 10 to 20 minutes but will vary depending on the patient’s individual needs. The urgent care service is designed to care for non-life threatening conditions, illnesses and injuries such as: sore throat, allergies, rash, pink eye, abdominal pain, asthma, cold or the flu, dizziness, fever, and sprains. For a full list of conditions, please refer to: www.nyp.org/ondemand/urgent-care.

The kiosk hours at 40 Wall Street are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Pediatric emergency medicine physicians can be reached from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays.

The video visits are part of NewYork-Presbyterian’s award-winning digital health suite of services, NYP OnDemand. Launched in 2016, NYP OnDemand, in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine and ColumbiaDoctors, is designed to improve access to NewYork-Presbyterian’s world-class care, allowing patients to easily communicate with physicians from a mobile phone, tablet or computer – and now through these kiosks at select Duane Reade locations. To learn more, visit: http://www.nyp.org/ondemand/urgent-care-kiosk

NewYork-Presbyterian

NewYork-Presbyterian is one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare delivery systems, whose organizations are dedicated to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care and service to patients in the New York metropolitan area, nationally, and throughout the globe. In collaboration with two renowned medical schools, Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian is consistently recognized as a leader in medical education, groundbreaking research and innovative, patient-centered clinical care.

NewYork-Presbyterian has four major divisions:

  • NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is ranked #1 in the New York metropolitan area by U.S. News and World Report and repeatedly named to the Honor Roll of “America’s Best Hospitals.”
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Regional Hospital Network comprises hospitals and other facilities in the New York metropolitan region.
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Physician Services, which connects medical experts with patients in their communities.
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Community and Population Health, encompassing ambulatory care network sites and community healthcare initiatives, including NewYork Quality Care, the Accountable Care Organization jointly established by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia.

For more information, visit www.nyp.org and find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com), a provider of trusted care in communities since 1901, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,100 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.

Weill Cornell Medicine

Weill Cornell Medicine is committed to excellence in patient care, scientific discovery and the education of future physicians in New York City and around the world. The doctors and scientists of Weill Cornell Medicine — faculty from Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and Weill Cornell Physician Organization—are engaged in world-class clinical care and cutting-edge research that connect patients to the latest treatment innovations and prevention strategies. Located in the heart of the Upper East Side’s scientific corridor, Weill Cornell Medicine’s powerful network of collaborators extends to its parent university Cornell University; to Qatar, where an international campus offers a U.S. medical degree; and to programs in Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria and Turkey. Weill Cornell Medicine faculty provide comprehensive patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. Weill Cornell Medicine is also affiliated with Houston Methodist. For more information, visit weill.cornell.edu.

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Columbia University Irving Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. For more information, visit cumc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org.

Media Contacts:

Scott Goldberg, Walgreens
847-315-7649
scott.goldberg@walgreens.com

Jessica Mikulski, NewYork-Presbyterian
212-543-8754
jem9259@nyp.org

Source: Walgreens

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Les Journées Particulières LVMH returns in 2018

Paris, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Following the resounding success of the previous three editions, Les Journées Particulières LVMH will be back in 2018! Save the dates October 12, 13 and 14, 2018 for an unforgettable visit behind the scenes at LVMH Group Maisons.

Les Journées Particulières reflect the commitment to excellence of the LVMH Group and its Maisons. These open days were created in 2011, guided by Antoine Arnault, Chief Executive Officer of Berluti and a member of the LVMH Board of Directors, to showcase the remarkable diversity of métiers and savoir-faire that LVMH Maisons preserve in their activities. Les Journées Particulières have met with an enthusiastic response from the public, welcoming some 145,000 visitors in 2016.

“Les Journées Particulières is a special opportunity for the LVMH Group to share the passion that inspires all our employees. In 2018 the event will more than ever underline our commitment to artisanal excellence, along with our strong contemporary engagement,” says Antoine Arnault.

Rendezvous on October 12-14, 2018 for a new edition of an event unique in the world!

Contact:

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

Source: LVMH

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ALDI receives the 2016 – 2017 “Best of the Best” award from the Environmental Protection Agency

“Best of the Best” Recognition from EPA’s GreenChill Partnership Honors Commitment to Sustainable Refrigeration in 34 Stores

Batavia, Ill, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — ALDI has received the 2016 – 2017 “Best of the Best” award from the Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership for its use of cutting-edge, environmentally sustainable refrigeration systems in 34 of its stores.

As part of its capital investment of $5 billion in new and remodeled stores over the next five years, ALDI is increasing its environmentally-friendly features in stores. New and remodeled stores feature environmentally-friendly building materials and energy-saving LED lighting. ALDI is committed to
continuing to reduce its refrigerant emissions and received its first GreenChill certification in 2015.

“ALDI is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact not only because our customers expect it, but because it is the right thing to do as a business. Partnerships like the one we share with GreenChill are critically important, as they enable us to work toward our goal of sustainable business operations,” said Aaron Sumida, Vice President, ALDI. “In switching to more environmentally friendly coolants, we strive to minimize the environmental impact of our refrigeration systems. This recognition from the GreenChill Partnership is a testament to our commitment.”

While the recognition typically goes to just one store, this year’s award from GreenChill acknowledges a record 34 platinum-certified ALDI stores. Platinum certification is the highest level awarded by GreenChill, and it requires each store to meet very stringent criteria.

“ALDI deserves recognition for embracing GreenChill’s environmental protection goals through its platinum-level certification of so many stores,” said Tom Land, manager of EPA’s GreenChill program. “ALDI is showing industry leadership through active participation in the GreenChill partnership and
through certification of innovative refrigeration systems.”

ALDI cares about its customers, employees, communities and its role as a business, working every day to help create a better world. In fact, the partnership with GreenChill is just one way that ALDI is working to reduce its impact on the environment. Last year, ALDI increased the number of stores with rooftop solar panels by more than 45 percent and will continue to grow its solar portfolio and use of green electricity. Additionally, ALDI has recycled nearly 100 percent of the cardboard, paper, plastic film and foil that it uses in its warehouses since 2012. Moreover, its new warehouses are constructed with sun shades and special glass to insulate and reduce heat from the sun.

GreenChill works with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change. The “Best of the Best” achievement recognizes GreenChill-certified stores demonstrating innovation in advanced refrigeration technology.

For more on Corporate Responsibility efforts at ALDI, visit http://bit.ly/1R4rsqu. To learn more about the GreenChill Partnership, visit http://www2.epa.gov/greenchill/.

About ALDI Inc.
A leader in the grocery retailing industry since 1976, ALDI operates nearly 1,700 U.S. stores in 35 states. More than 40 million customers each month benefit from the ALDI simple and streamlined approach to retailing. ALDI sells the most frequently purchased grocery and household items, primarily under its exclusive brands, which are designed to meet or exceed the national name brands on taste and quality. ALDI is so confident in the quality of its products, the company offers a Double Guarantee: If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with any ALDI food product, ALDI will gladly replace the product and refund the purchase price. For the seventh year in a row, ALDI was recognized as a value leader among U.S. grocery stores by a Market Force Information® survey of U.S. consumers. For more information about ALDI, visit aldi.us.

About EPA’s GreenChill Partnership
EPA’s GreenChill Partnership works with supermarkets to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change. The Partnership provides information and assistance t help supermarkets transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants; reduce harmful refrigerant emissions; and adopt green refrigeration technologies, strategies, and practices. For more information on EPA’s GreenChill Partnership, including its store certification program, please visit www2.epa.gov/greenchill.

ALDI Contact:

Kelsey Williamson
GreenChill
(312) 988-2087
kwilliamson@webershandwick.com

GreenChill Contact:
Tom Land
(202) 343-9185
Land.Tom@epa.gov

Source: ALDI Inc.

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Whole Foods Market offers a variety of last minute gifting options for the holidays

Whole Foods Market offers a variety of last minute gifting options for the holidays

 

Seasonal offerings range from tech toys to gifts that give back to Whole Foods Market’s exclusive recycled Paper Source gift wrap line

AUSTIN, Texas and SEATTLE, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Just in time for the giving season, Whole Foods Market is offering customers a variety of last minute gifting options for family and friends. Ranging from Amazon devices, to beauty and body care sets that benefit charitable foundations, to an exclusive collection of sustainable holiday gift wrap from Paper Source, all can be picked up during your weekly grocery shopping trip. As an added convenience, shoppers can also pick up and return eligible Amazon purchases and holiday gifts from Amazon Lockers, now available at nearly 400 Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.

Shop for tech tools and devices while grabbing groceries

Since early November, customers can now shop for Amazon devices such as the all-new Amazon Echo, Fire TV, Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, the Echo Dot – the best-selling item on Cyber Monday– and more at over 100 Whole Foods Market stores.

Stylish and sustainable gift wrap

Paper Source, a paper goods retailer offering artisanal paper from around the world, designed a distinctive holiday gift wrap collection for Whole Foods Market, including 13 wrapping paper designs, four gift tags, six gift card holders, 12 gift bags in three sizes, along with several beautiful ribbons, bows, twine and washi tape to give packages a finishing touch. All the printed gift wrap is made from 100 percent recycled materials with 30 percent post-consumer waste, produced with renewable energy sources and delivered under responsible mill practices.

Responsibly sourced kids’ toys

In partnership with PBS Kids, all net proceeds from purchases of sustainable wooden PlanToys ($5.99 – $29.99) and Aurora Plush Animals (starting at $9.99), made from 100% non-toxic materials, will support PBS KIDS’ mission to empower children to succeed in school and in life. Whole Foods Market will donate one percent of total sales to Whole Kids Foundation®, an organization dedicated to improving children’s wellness and nutrition.

Beauty must haves for the holidays

It’s part of Whole Foods Market’s core values to support local and global communities. Every holiday season, America’s Healthiest Grocery Store™ seeks out gifts and products that do just that, such as:

  • Alaffia Good Soap Coconut Trio ($6). Luxurious and affordable, one percent of total annual sales are donated to the Whole Planet Foundation, which works to alleviate poverty through microcredit in communities around the world.
  • Weleda Mighty Essentials bags ($5) are a $25 value worth of Weleda’s cult favorites in handy travel sizes perfect for holiday visits, with all proceeds going toward the Whole Kids & Whole Planet Foundations.
  • Made with Organic Fair Trade cane sugar, purchases of Pacha shower froth bombs ($1.29 per oz.) and shower whip ($14.99) help fuel livelihoods worldwide through clean water initiatives and sustainable soap shops.

Leverage Lockers for Amazon.com pick-ups and returns

Amazon Lockers are a secure and convenient way for customers to receive their Amazon packages. With the holiday season rapidly approaching, Amazon Lockers can save customers an additional stop while running errands and ensuring efficient shopping during the busiest time of year.

Whole Foods Market has a variety of gift giving options, conveniently located in stores across the U.S. Whether it’s for the kids, a friend or a little something for yourself, Whole Foods Market is your one stop shop for gifting this holiday season.

Contact:

SOmedia@wholefoods.com

Source: Whole Foods Market

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SUPERVALU completes the acquisition of Associated Grocers of Florida for $193 million

MINNEAPOLIS, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — SUPERVALU INC. (NYSE: SVU) today (Dec. 8, 2017) announced it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Associated Grocers of Florida, Inc. in a transaction valued at approximately $193 million. Associated Grocers of Florida adds a dynamic grocery wholesaler to SUPERVALU’s growing national distribution network with annual sales of approximately $650 million in its last fiscal year as estimated under SUPERVALU’s accounting policies. This acquisition marks the second completed acquisition of 2017 for SUPERVALU as the Company continues to strategically invest in growing its wholesale business.

“The addition of Associated Grocers of Florida is another important step on our journey to becoming the wholesaler of choice for grocery retailers,” said Mark Gross, SUPERVALU’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “AG of Florida has a tremendous retailer base across central and south Florida and we’ll immediately gain a vibrant group of customers as well as an ability to expand internationally with AG’s customers in territories that include the Caribbean, and Central and South America.”

Gross continued, “I’m also thrilled that Christopher Miller, AG’s former president, will continue with us in a similar role as president of SUPERVALU Florida going forward. Chris has built a great team and we’re very excited that they’re now a part of our SUPERVALU family. Between the Unified Grocers and AG of Florida acquisitions, we’ve added substantial talent that will help us meet the rapidly changing needs of the markets we serve, including the growing specialty, organic, Latino and Hispanic markets.”

About SUPERVALU INC.
(The following information on sales, store counts and employees is as of SUPERVALU’s last fiscal quarter end and does not include AG of Florida)

SUPERVALU INC. is one of the largest grocery wholesalers and retailers in the U.S. with annual sales of approximately $16 billion. SUPERVALU serves customers across the United States through a network of 3,337 stores composed of 3,120 stores operated by wholesale customers serviced primarily by SUPERVALU’s food distribution business and 217 traditional retail grocery stores operated under five retail banners in six geographic regions (store counts as of September 9, 2017). Headquartered in Minnesota, SUPERVALU has approximately 31,000 employees.

Founded in 1945, Associated Grocers of Florida, Inc. is a wholesale grocery distributor that supplies full lines of groceries and general merchandise to independent retailers and regional chains throughout Florida, Central America, South America and Caribbean countries.

For more information about SUPERVALU visit www.supervalu.com.

Investor Contact:
Steve Bloomquist
952-828-4144
steve.j.bloomquist@supervalu.com

Media Contact:
Jeff Swanson
952-903-1645
jeffrey.s.swanson@supervalu.com

Source: SUPERVALU INC.

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ShopRite Supermarkets celebrates the grand opening of its first store in Rensselaer County

Florida, NY, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wakefern Food Corp., the largest supermarket cooperative in the United States, announced the grand opening of its new 55,000-square foot ShopRite of North Greenbush. The doors opened yesterday after an early morning ribbon cutting at the store located at US 4 and NY RT. 43 North in the Van Rensselaer Square shopping center.

The ShopRite of North Greenbush – the first store in Rensselaer County for the supermarket chain – features a large selection of fresh produce, natural and organic products and ShopRite’s low, everyday prices. The store also adds over 175 jobs to the local economy.

To further celebrate the grand opening and its commitment to the local community, ShopRite of North Greenbush made special donations to the Tri-County Council of Vietnam Era Veterans, a nonprofit organization that aids and assists veterans and their families in the Capital Region, along with a local food pantry.

“We are pleased to announce our expansion in the Capital Region with the opening of our North Greenbush store,” said Brett Wing, president and chief operating officer, ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. “This store, its product offerings and services will allow us to better serve the needs of local shoppers and enhance their overall shopping experience. We look forward to providing the outstanding customer service, variety, value, low prices and convenient amenities that ShopRite is known for.”

ShopRite of North Greenbush will provide customers with a full-service supermarket featuring a broad array of groceries containing both private label items and national brands, daily deliveries of fresh produce – with a large variety of conventional and organic produce from both around the corner and the world – and a range of locally sourced products.

Store amenities include:

  • Bakery Department

The from-scratch fresh bake shop features store made special occasion cakes, fresh store made doughnuts and artisan bread void of artificial flavor, colors and preservatives, in addition to gourmet cakes, fresh pastries and other sweet treats.

  • Produce Department Including Locally Grown Products

The Produce Department offers the largest variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in the marketplace, delivered seven days per week, including a large selection of organically grown produce from around the corner and around the world, along with locally grown items delivered fresh from nearby farms. A broad array of hand cut fruits and vegetables is also available, ready to eat at an affordable price point to cut on recipe prep time or provide convenient grab-and-go snacks for the road.

  • Meat Department Equipped with Local Beef Program

ShopRite’s all-new Meat Department features fresh meat cut to order and a variety of organic and natural selections, grass fed offerings, ready to cook signature items and simply sourced products including a new Local Beef Program. The “Butcher’s Best” case features store-cut, value-added and specialty items, all hand-cut in-store by ShopRite’s professional Butchers, who are on duty daily to custom cut any request and answer any questions.

  • Fresh Seafood Department

The full-service department features fresh seafood delivered daily, seven days per week, with safety and freshness standards that are second to none. The store carries 45 varieties of fresh fish, and has seafood specialists available to help with selection and recipe ideas.

  • Prepared Foods and Deli Department

Customers can enjoy an assortment of prepared foods and grab-and-go items, including fresh-made sushi, fresh-prepared Pan-Asian dishes, Boars Head Brand® and Black Bear deli products, sandwiches made to order and over 300 varieties of domestic and international cheeses.

  • A Fresh Floral Selection for Every Season

ShopRite of North Greenbush will feature a floral department with experts available to help design and create the perfect arrangement to brighten any occasion.

The ShopRite of North Greenbush also offers a variety of services to help customers save on time, including Mobile Scan, a free service that takes shoppers beyond the traditional self-checkout lane to self-checkout as you go, allowing customers to use the camera on their personal mobile device (iOS or Android) to scan barcodes of items as they shop; self-checkout lanes; and the ShopRite Deli & More app (available for iOS or Android), which allows customers to place their deli order ahead of time for in-store pickup. The online ShopRite from Home® service will also be available to customers. ShopRite associates personally shop those online grocery orders and customers can pick up their groceries at the store.

With emphasis on reducing its eco-footprint, the new store incorporates energy efficient refrigeration and lighting throughout, including glass doors on all dairy and freezer cases and LED lighting throughout the store and its parking lot. ShopRite of North Greenbush has invested in a Second Nature refrigeration technology system, which uses carbon dioxide, an all-natural refrigerant that is harmless to the environment, as a coolant. Second Nature technology provides a sustainable reduction of 700 pounds of environmentally-unfriendly refrigerant from the store. Over 10 years, this results in a total carbon footprint reduction of over 1.5 million pounds – the equivalent of removing 20 cars from the road for 10 years.

The new ShopRite of North Greenbush will be open Monday through Saturday from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM and Sunday from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. operates 34 stores in New York and New Jersey.

About ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc.
ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc. owns and operates 34 ShopRite stores in New York and New Jersey. ShopRite Supermarkets is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wakefern Food Corp., the largest supermarket cooperative in the United States with more than 270 ShopRite supermarkets located throughout six states. ShopRite Supermarkets builds and maintains shopper loyalty by connecting with customers through outstanding customer service, supporting the core needs within the communities we serve and by executing merchandising and operational standards. ShopRite Supermarkets partners with local communities to support many organizations, including veteran, children and faith-based groups.

About ShopRite 
ShopRite is the registered trademark of Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative based in Keasbey, NJ, and the largest supermarket cooperative in the United States. With more than 270 ShopRite supermarkets located throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland, ShopRite serves more than six million customers each week. A long-time supporter of key community efforts, ShopRite is dedicated to fighting hunger in the communities it serves. Through its ShopRite Partners In Caring program, ShopRite has donated more than $43 million to 1,700 worthy charities and food banks since the program began in 1999. For more information, please visit www.ShopRite.com.

Source: ShopRite

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Meijer unveils newly-remodeled Rockford Supercenter; the 22nd Midwest location to be remodeled this year

Meijer unveils newly-remodeled Rockford Supercenter; the 22nd Midwest location to be remodeled this year

 

Rebuilt Michigan store is 22nd Midwest location to be remodeled this year

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Meijer celebrated the completion of this year’s 22nd newly-remodeled supercenter today (December 8, 2017) in Rockford, Mich., President and CEO Rick Keyes announced. The updated store has been designed to adapt to the needs of today’s customers, with an enhanced prepared foods area for grab-and-go convenience that offers Pan Asian cuisine, a pizzeria, fresh sushi and a sandwich shop.

In 2017, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer aggressively remodeled stores in key Midwestern markets, such as Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, and suburban Chicago. Six Meijer supercenters in Michigan alone were updated, including Mt. Pleasant, Grand Rapids and in the Detroit area. This year’s remodel investment means that Meijer has now remodeled more than one quarter of its 235 stores in the last two years.

“We continue to focus on updating our stores to bring the best retail experience to our customers,” said Keyes. “This was a major remodel, and we are very pleased to make this investment and renew our commitment to Rockford and the Algoma Township community.”

Updates to the Rockford supercenter began in June and were completed in six months, following Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Improvements include an enhanced store layout with an updated pharmacy area, expanded grocery and health and beauty sections, updated apparel department and an all new pet department providing a specialty pet store feel.

Key updates also include lighting, heating, refrigeration and parking lot improvements. The remodeled 192,000-square-foot Rockford store also provides the Midwestern retailer another flagship location, where the company can test new innovations and programs for consideration at other stores.

The company celebrated the new store’s completion with a ribbon-cutting event, followed by remarks from Meijer officials and State Sen. Peter MacGregor, and featured performances from the Rockford High School Pep Band.

As part of the celebration, Meijer will host a Family-Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Rockford store. Customers can also enter to win a $500 shopping spree Dec. 8 and 9.

“Our customers in the Rockford community have been very patient during the last six months, so we’re very pleased that they can finally enjoy the benefits of this great new store,” Keyes said.

About Meijer:

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

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

Source: Meijer

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Co-op extends its local sourcing programme across its stores in Derbyshire with four breweries

Co-op extends its local sourcing programme across its stores in Derbyshire with four breweries

 

MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Four breweries in Derbyshire are raising a glass to new contract wins with the Co-op as the community retailer extends its local sourcing programme across its stores in Derbyshire.

The Co-op – which last year returned to its iconic “clover leaf” designed logo – is to stock the new range in 30 of its food stores across the region.

Brewers involved in the programme include the Dancing Duck Brewery. Based in Payne Street, Derby, the deal marks Dancing Duck’s largest order to date as it celebrates its seventh anniversary of brewing this month. The award winning Dancing Duck Brewery now employs eight people, and will supply the Co-op with three of its ales; Ay Up, 22 and, Dark Drake – a beer that has previously won the accolade of Champion Stout of Britain.

Rachel Matthews, founder of Dancing Duck Brewery, said:__ “This is an exciting development for Dancing Duck, a move which supports our business development and brand awareness. Our philosophy is one of using the finest ingredients – a passion for quality which we know is shared by the Co-op – and it is this passion which goes into every pint.”

Derventio Brewery – based in Darley Abbey and named after the Roman fort and settlement at Little Chester – estimates that the deal could be worth up to 20,000 pints to them over a 12 month period. The brewery will supply its: Cleopatra; Gold and Barbarian – a stout with flavours of chocolate, Liquorice and coffee.

Pete Nash of Derventio Brewery, said: “This comes as great news. Working with the Co-op provides further potential to extend our reach and brand awareness, it is an exciting development and further supports our business development as the home market for ale continues to grow.”

Simon Dryell, Head of Local Sourcing at the Co-op, explained:“Locally produced ale is an exciting category, we see significant potential for sustainable growth, and we are delighted to champion these beers which are brewed with pride and passion to deliver consistently great quality and taste.”

The Derby Brewing Co will also supply six of its award winning ales to the Co-op. The award-winning family-run microbrewery based in Nottingham Road will supply ales including: Business As Usual; Wild Bear and, Quintessential – a crisp golden ale.

And, Bakewell-based brewery, Thornbridge, will supply three of its ales: White Swan – a white gold pale ale; Lukas Helles Lager – a traditional Bavarian style beer and, its Jaipur India Pale Ale.

Simon Dryell, continued: “The innovation, passion, quality and drive that goes into these products is what makes them special. They are prized and loved brands locally. Our customers tell us that food provenance really matters to them, with quality, trust, convenience and value key for consumers. Backing local produce – which is made with local ingredients where possible – is about much more than just ‘hanging out the bunting’. As a community retailer, the Co-op is committed to investing in its local communities, supporting local economies and providing opportunities to showcase, support and celebrate great local produce.”

Further information:
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702 505 551
E: Andrew.torr@coop.co.uk

Source: Co-op

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Co-op partners with FareShare to provide 100,000 meals to vulnerable people this Christmas

MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Dec-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op has pledged to provide 100,000 meals to vulnerable people in the run-up to Christmas through its partnership with food redistribution charity FareShare.

The move follows news that since 2013, the community retailer has supplied almost 1,300 tonnes – enough to provide over 3,085,000 meals to those in need – by redistributing surplus food through its UK-wide network of nine depots.

Meat, fruit, vegetables, ready meals and chilled items are all passed to FareShare who then allocate it to local charities and community groups so they can provide balanced and nutritious meals.

The volume of Co-op surplus food redistributed from January to November is 435 tonnes, which equates to approximately 1,000,000 meals. With just two weeks to go until the end of the year, the Co-op will redistribute an additional 40 tonnes, which is equivalent to another 100,000 meals – taking the total to 1.1 million.

Over 1,135 charities and community groups have received Co-op food through FareShare this year. They include includes children’s breakfast and after school clubs, youth centres, hostels and supported housing for people suffering from homelessness, community cafes, older people’s services to tackle social isolation, food banks, and family and children’s centres.

Cathryn Higgs, head of food policy at the Co-op, said: “We’re very proud of our partnership with FareShare which has enabled us to provide over three million meals to vulnerable people in just four years. Our long-term ambition is that no food fit for consumption should go to waste and that’s why we are why we are working hard to provide an extra 100,000 meals in the run up to Christmas – a time of year that is so strongly associated with the enjoyment of food. Whilst so many people in the UK still aren’t able to get access to a nutritious cooked-meal we must do whatever is necessary to support the work of FareShare and put an end to unnecessary food waste.”

Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive of FareShare, said: “FareShare is undergoing a period of rapid growth at present, coupled with unprecedented demand for food from the voluntary sector. The food we receive from the Co-op has been critical to our ability to supply thousands more charities on the front line helping those in need. We congratulate the Co-op for providing over three million meals so far and give thanks to all those involved in ensuring this valuable food continues to reach us week in week out.”

In April, the Co-op launched a 60-store trial to redistribute food from its food stores.

Source: Co-op