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Amazon marks its biggest holiday season with customers shopping at record levels worldwide

  • Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote were the #1 and #2 top-selling products across all categories on Amazon
  • Items shipped with FREE One-Day Shipping or FREE Same-Day Delivery or Ultra-Fast Delivery with Prime Now more than doubled this holiday season
  • Small businesses and entrepreneurs had a record-breaking season with more than one billion items ordered worldwide

SEATTLE, 2017-Dec-28 — /EPR Retail News/ — Amazon celebrated its biggest holiday season with customers all around the world shopping at record levels. Prime membership continued to grow this holiday – in fact, in one week alone, more than four million people started Prime free trials or began paid memberships, to benefit from free two-day, one-day or same-day shipping, in addition to ultra-fast one and two hour delivery with Prime Now.

Customers shopped from hundreds of millions of products, including a vast selection from small businesses and entrepreneurs. More than one billion items were ordered from small businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide this season – and over just five days, from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, nearly 140 million items were ordered from small businesses and entrepreneurs. Amazon Devices also had its best holiday yet, with tens of millions of Alexa-enabled devices sold worldwide. Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote were not only the top-selling Amazon devices this holiday season, but they were also the best-selling products from any manufacturer in any category across all of Amazon.

“Since Day One we have obsessed over what we believe our customers care about – incredible deals and low prices, fast and free shipping, and a wide selection of top products – and we continue to provide all three, all the time. We’re excited that people continued to join Prime this holiday, to take advantage of more fast and free shipping options plus new convenient delivery like Amazon Key, as well as early access to Lightning Deals and unlimited streaming of TV shows and movies, including Prime Originals and more,” stated Jeff Wilke, CEO Worldwide Consumer. “Thank you to the millions of customers and hundreds of thousands of Amazon employees all around the world who made this holiday better than ever before. We look forward to another great year ahead.”

Amazon Devices and Alexa

  • It was a record holiday shopping season for Amazon Devices, with millions more devices purchased worldwide this year than last year’s holiday season.
  • This holiday season was better than ever for the family of Echo products. The Echo Dot was the #1 selling Amazon Device this holiday season, and the best-selling product from any manufacturer in any category across all of Amazon, with millions sold.
  • Customers purchased more than twice as many Amazon Fire TV Sticks compared to last year’s holiday season. Fire TV continues to be the #1 streaming media player family in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Japan, across all retailers.
  • It was the best holiday season ever for Fire Kids Edition Tablets with 2.4x as many devices purchased from Amazon.com compared to the same time period last year.
  • Echo devices have been an extremely popular gift this year, with Echo Spot, Echo Dot and Echo Buttons selling out this holiday season; customers can still pre-order to reserve their place in line and orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
  • This year, Kindle celebrated its 10th holiday season.
  • This holiday, millions of Prime members voice shopped with Alexa for gifts, Amazon devices and everyday household essentials. The most popular items purchased by voice were the Echo Dot, Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote and TP-Link Smart Plug Mini.
  • Alexa helped mix tens of thousands of cocktails this holiday season with Martini and Manhattan being the most requested drinks.
  • The recipe for chocolate chip cookies was the most requested recipe this holiday season.
  • The most requested song from Alexa customers this holiday season was “Jingle Bells.”
  • The East Coast was more in the holiday spirit this season, asking Alexa to play holiday music 2.5x as many times as the West Coast.
  • Alexa customers turned on their holiday lights more than a million times via Alexa this holiday season.
  • Alexa customers asked for tens of millions of jokes this holiday season.
  • The most common person people called this holiday season was ‘Mom’ in the U.S. and Germany, and ‘Dad’ in the U.K.
  • Music listening time on Alexa was 3x as much this holiday season compared to last holiday season.
  • Customers wished Alexa a Merry Christmas, Happy holidays and Happy Hanukkah 3.5x more this year when compared to last year’s holiday season.
  • People asked about Santa 4x as much this holiday season compared to last holiday season.
  • Customers asked Alexa for cooking related advice more than 9x as much this year compared to last holiday season.
  • The most requested movies this holiday season via Alexa were Trolls and Elf.
  • Alexa on Fire TV is more popular than ever before, with usage in the United States up 889% over the same time period last year.
  • Alexa customers set 3x as many timers this year compared to last holiday season.

Amazon Delivered this Holiday

  • Across North America and the Europe, associates at 10 fulfillment centers picked, packed, and shipped more than one million customer packages in a single day.
  • Amazon’s peak day of customer fulfillment in 2017 was December 19, 2017.
  • In 2017, we increased the size of our fulfillment and shipping network by more than 30% in square footage worldwide.
  • In the U.S., more than 6,000 trailers and 32 Amazon Air planes helped get holiday orders to customers this season.
  • Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Amazon Air carried enough packages to equal over a billion Echo Dots.
  • An Amazon Air cargo plane can hold more than 10,000 Instant Pots.
  • The last Prime Now order in time for Christmas was delivered in 58 minutes at 11:58 p.m. on Christmas Eve in Baltimore, MD. The order included the Kid Galaxy Amphibious RC Car Morphibians Shark Remote Control Toy, the Crayola Oil Pastels Art Tools, 28 ct., and the VTechClick and Count Remote.

Mobile Shopping

  • The top five items ordered on a mobile device were the Echo Dot, Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote and the TP-Link Smart Plug.
  • Customers worldwide shopping on the Amazon App increased nearly 70% this holiday season.
  • More than 1,400 electronics products were ordered per second on a mobile device this holiday season.
  • AR view saw the most usage on Cyber Monday. The most popular item viewed with AR view throughout this holiday season was a black chair with ottoman. Top categories viewed with AR view are furniture, toys, Amazon devices, kitchen items and consumer electronics.

Community Giving

  • Amazon’s Treasure Truck fleet and festively wrapped Amazon semi-trucks made special deliveries as part of Amazon’s “Delivering Smiles” holiday tour. Together, the trucks stopped in over 30 communities where Amazon employees live and work, donating thousands of items including STEM toys, books, devices, and household essentials to women, children, and families in immediate need. At the end of the tour, Amazon donated $1 for every mile the trucks traveled to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
  • The “Delivering Smiles” holiday tour expanded Amazon’s growing support of children and families in immediate need. To learn more about each nonprofit Amazon visited throughout their “Delivering Smiles” tour in the US and Canada, visit https://blog.aboutamazon.com/delivering-smiles.

Digital Entertainment

  • This year, 4x more music from Amazon Music was streamed over Alexa compared to last holiday season.
  • Amazon Music listeners loved using the lyrics feature to ask for songs on Alexa over the holidays, requesting “Jingle Bells” more than any other festive track just by saying a few words from the song.
  • Listeners wanted to slow down and unwind this season, asking Alexa to play “relaxing” music more than any other mood through Amazon Music.
  • Listeners in New York, Seattle, Chicago, Houston and San Diego streamed more holiday songs on Amazon Music via Alexa, than any other cities in the U.S.
  • Christmas by Michael Bublé was once again the most played album on Amazon Music during the holiday season.
  • “All I want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey held the top spot for the most streamed holiday song on Amazon Music for the second year in a row.
  • The most watched season over the holidays was the Golden Globe-nominated Prime Original The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
  • The most watched series this holiday was The Grand Tour.
  • The most watched Amazon Original movie this holiday season was The Big Sick.
  • The most watched Kids Prime Original over the holidays was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
  • The most purchased movie over the holidays was Elf.
  • The most purchased series over the holidays was The Walking Dead.
  • The most watched Amazon Channel subscriptions this holiday season were HBO, Showtime and STARZ, and the current seasons of Game of Thrones, Shameless and Power were the top watched shows on each channel, respectively.
  • The top match-up of Prime Video’s 10-game Thursday Night Football schedule this season was on Dec. 7, when two million worldwide viewers watched the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 20-17
  • The most-read Kindle book in Amazon First Reads in 2017 was, Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan.
  • The best-selling and most-listened-to audiobook of 2017 was The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson, narrated by Roger Wayne.
  • The most-listened-to fiction audiobook of 2017 was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, narrated by Jim Dale.
  • The most-commented-on audiobook of 2017 was Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, narrated by the author.
  • According to Amazon Charts, the most read and most gifted Kindle book in the U.S. this holiday season was Origin: A Novel by Dan Brown.
  • According to Amazon Charts, the top book Kindle readers in the U.S. found ‘Unputdownable’ this holiday season was Year One: Chronicles of the One, Book 1 by Nora Roberts, reading it cover-to-cover faster than other books.
  • According to Amazon Charts, the Most Wished For books of 2017 in the U.S. were: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil Degrasse Tyson, and Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.
  • Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was the most borrowed book from Prime Reading, worldwide, in 2017.
  • Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Laurel Randolph, independently published through Kindle Direct Publishing, has been topping Amazon Charts throughout the holiday season – reaching #1 on the most sold non-fiction list the week of Cyber Monday.

Holiday Bestsellers

  • Prime members shopped more than 100,000 Lightning Deals on Amazon.com with Prime Early Access.
  • Customers shopped hundreds of Deals of the Day on Amazon.com throughout the holiday season.
  • Millions of customers in the U.S. watched deals with Watch a Deal.
  • This holiday season, Whole Foods Market sold over 500,000 pounds of sweet treats at the cookie bars featured in stores across the U.S. – that’s enough to feed Santa more than 6 million cookies throughout his trip around the world on Christmas Eve.
  • Across Amazon Books’ 13 bookstores, the top selling nonfiction book was Obama: An Intimate Portrait by Pete Souza; the top selling fiction book was Origin by Dan Brown; the top selling kids book was Diary of a Wimpy Kid #12, The Getaway by Jeff Kinney; and, the top selling poetry book was the sun and her flowers by Rumi Kaur.
  • Across Amazon Books’ 13 bookstores, one out of seven customers who purchased a book also donated a children’s book to local charities supporting children in need. The top selling book given to local charities was the classic, Are You My Mother by P.D. Eastman; it was also the top selling book across all 13 stores.
  • The Echo Dot was the top-selling device across Amazon Books’ 13 stores; the Kindle Paperwhite was the best-selling Kindle; the TP-Link Smart Plug was the best-selling accessory; and WowWee Fingerlings were the top selling toy.
  • The best-selling kitchen item in the U.S. and worldwide was the Instant Pot DUO80.
  • The best-selling toy and game item in the U.S. was the Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster, while the best-selling toy and game item worldwide was What Do You Meme? Adult Party Game.
  • The best-selling smart home product in the U.S. and worldwide was the TP-Link Smart Plug.
  • The best-selling beauty and grooming items in the U.S. included the Finishing Touch Flawless Women’s Painless Hair Remover, the Philips Norelco Multigroom All-In-One Series 3000 and the Oral-B Black Pro 1000 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, while the best-selling item worldwide was the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Rechargeable Toothbrush.
  • The best-selling home, health and personal care products in the U.S. this holiday season include Fitbit Charge 2, the 23andMe DNA Test, the AncestryDNA: Genetic Testing – DNA Ancestry Test Kit and Radha Beauty Aromatherapy Top 8 Essential Oils.
  • Robot vacuums were among the best-selling home items on Amazon.com over the holiday season.
  • The best-selling products from Amazon Launchpad businesses included WowWee Fingerlings Interactive Baby Monkey, Exploding Kittens Card Game, and Watch Ya Mouth Throwdown Edition Card Game.
  • The best-selling sports items in the U.S. this season included Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls, Wilson NFL MVP Junior Football and Spalding NBA Street Basketball.
  • The best-selling fashion items in the U.S. this holiday season include ASICS Men’s GEL Venture 5 Running Shoe, Alex and Ani Initial Expandable Wire Bangle Bracelet, 2.5″, Levi’s Men’s 505 Regular Fit Jean, UGG Women’s Classic Short II Boot.
  • The best-selling products from AmazonFresh in the U.S. this holiday season, were organic bananas, limes, cucumbers, navel oranges, yellow onions.
  • The best-selling furniture products in the U.S. included the Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress, the LinenSpa 8″ Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress and the LINENSPA 6 Inch Innerspring Mattress.
  • The best-selling automotive products in the U.S. included the Dark Seasonal Snow & Ice Car Scraper, the NOCO Genius Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12V UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter and the STANLEY J5C09 Jump Starter.
  • The best-selling pet products in the U.S. included the PEDIGREE DENTASTIX Holiday Treats for Dogs, the KONG Wild Knots Bears Durable Dog Toys and the Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula.
  • The best-selling baby products in the U.S. include the Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys, Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy and the Nuby Bundle of 3 Toys, which was also the best-selling baby product worldwide.
  • The best-selling luxury beauty item in the U.S. was the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater, stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner and Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, Cleansing and Make-Up Removing Solution.
  • The best-selling grocery item in the U.S. was Green Mountain Coffee Keurig Coffee Lover’s Variety Pack Single-Serve K-Cup Sampler, 40 Count, the Glaceau Smartwater Vapor Distilled Water, and Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
  • The best-selling tools include the Black + Decker LDX 120C 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver and the MagnoGrip 311-090 Magnetic Wristband.
  • The best-selling wireless products in the U.S. include Tile Mate – Key Finder. Phone Finder, PopSockets: Expanding Stand and Grip for Smartphones and Tablets and Wemo Mini Smart Plug.
  • The best-selling major appliances in the U.S. include Samsung MS11K3000AS 1.1 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave Oven, the Danby 120 Can Beverage Center and the NewAir AB-1200 126-Can Beverage Cooler.
  • The best-selling musical instruments on Amazon.com were the Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner for Guitar, Singing Machine SML385BTW Top Loading CDG Karaoke System with Bluetooth, Sound and Disco Light Show, and the Singing Machine SMM-205 Unidirectional Dynamic Microphone.
  • The best-selling outdoor items in the U.S. were Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Airbed with Built-in Electric Pump, the Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle and the BV Bicycle Light Set Super Bright 5 LED Headlight.
  • The best-selling home improvement products on Amazon.com were the Philips Hue White A19 Single LED Bulb (Works with Amazon Alexa), Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance 3rd Generation A19 10W Equivalent Dimmable LED Smart Bulb (Works with Amazon Alexa) and Himalayan Glow Pink Salt Lamp.
  • The best-selling lawn and garden products in the U.S. this holiday season included the Weber 6492 Original Instant-Read Thermometer, Snow Joe SJBLZD Telescoping Snow Broom with Ice Scraper and Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV Metal Detector.
  • The best-selling office products in the U.S. were Elmer’s Liquid School Glue (1 Gallon) – Great For Making Slime, Georgia-Pacific Spectrum Standard 92 Multipurpose Paper (8.5 x 11 Inches) and Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens (Assorted Colors, 12-Count).
  • The best-selling business, industrial and scientific supplies in the U.S. included the First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Essentials Kit, Rubbermaid Commercial Stainless Steel Oven Monitoring Thermometer and TOPGREENER TU2154A High Speed USB Charger Outlet.
  • The best-selling TVs in the U.S. this holiday season were the TCL 32-Inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV (2017 Model), Samsung Electronics 40-Inch 1080p Smart LED TV (2017 Model), TCL 49-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2017 Model) and Samsung Electronics 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2017 Model).

Holiday Fun Facts

  • This season, Amazon customers purchased enough WowWee Fingerlings Interactive Baby Monkey toys on Amazon.com to hang end-to-end down the Empire State Building more than 100 times.
  • Amazon.com customers purchased enough TVs to create nearly 2,500 towers the size of the Space Needle.
  • Amazon customers purchased enough littlebits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kits on Amazon.com to man an Imperial-II class Star Destroyer.
  • Amazon customers purchased enough Calvin Klein products on Amazon.com during the holiday to give five items to every attendee at Coachella 2017.
  • Amazon customers purchased enough shoes on Amazon.com during the holiday season were lined up end-to-end, they would stretch fromAlaska to Miami.
  • This holiday season, Amazon.com customers purchased enough Wickedly Prime Truffle Spreads to make over half a million dipped strawberries.
  • Treasure Truck customers purchased enough holiday wreaths that when stacked, one on top of the other, would reach the top of the Empire State Building nearly five and a half times.
  • Amazon.com customers purchased enough Instant Pot pressure cookers this holiday to make more than nine million bowls of chili at once.
  • Amazon.com customers purchased enough AmazonBasics hangers to hold an outfit for each person in the city of Houston, TX – the fourth most populated city in the U.S.
  • If you lined up all the copies of Jeff Kinney’s, The Getaway that Amazon sold during the holiday season, you would reach the height of 444 Saturn V rockets.
  • If you collected all of the copies of Walter Isaacson’s, Leonardo Da Vinci that Amazon sold over the holidays, they would weigh the equivalent of 25,417 gallons of paint – enough paint to cover over Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling 1,592 and a half times.

About Amazon

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

Media Hotline:
Amazon-pr@amazon.com
www.amazon.com/pr

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

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Bon-Ton Family of Department Stores hand out free gift cards this holiday season

Bon-Ton Family of Department Stores hand out free gift cards this holiday season

 

The first 400 people in every store receive a free gift card valued between $5 and $500

MILWAUKEE, 2017-Dec-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (OTCQX:BONT) is spreading joy this holiday season by handing out free gift cards at all Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Bergner’s, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers stores.  Starting tomorrow, Wednesday, December 20 at 7 a.m. the first 400 customers at the door will receive a gift card valued between $5 and $500 and one person at every store location will receive a $500 gift card.  The retailer will give away a total of $1 million in gift cards. An entrance at each store will be designated with signs for the free giveaway.

“Providing a special gift for our customers adds excitement to their shopping experience,” says Steve Byers, Executive Vice President of Stores for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. “It’s the season of giving and we know shoppers will appreciate receiving a free gift card from their hometown store this holiday season.”

The gift cards have no exclusions or expiration and can be given as a gift or used as tender and combined with coupons to shop immediately in any Bon-Ton family of department stores. With just five shopping days remaining, customers can also take advantage of special door busters, deals and a $50 off $100 coupon (some exclusions apply), available on the company’s mobile app, to use for last minute holiday gifts.

There is a limit of one gift card per customer, and customers must be 18 or older to receive a gift card. In addition, clearance centers, furniture galleries and Carson’s Riverside Plazastore are excluded from this promotion.

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 260 stores, which includes 9 furniture galleries and four clearance centers, in 24 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates. The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. is an active and positive participant in the communities it serves. ?For further information, please visit thebontonstoresinc.com or the company’s web site at bonton.com. Join the conversation and be inspired by following Bon-Ton on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Christine Hojnacki
414.347.5329
Christine.Hojnacki@bonton.com

Source: The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc./globenewswire

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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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Products from Amazon Handmade Artisans now available through Prime Now this holiday season

  • From handmade holiday gifts to party supplies, a specially-curated list of products from Amazon Handmade Artisans are available through Prime Now this holiday season
  • Amazon expands on its commitment to small businesses by offering its fastest delivery method yet to dozens of local Artisans to extend their holiday selling season
  • Last minute shoppers can order unique, handcrafted gifts from Amazon Handmade Artisans for delivery until 11:59 p.m. on Christmas Evethrough Prime Now

SEATTLE, 2017-Dec-07 — /EPR Retail News/ — Prime Now, Amazon’s one and two-hour delivery service, and Amazon Handmade, the premier destination for genuinely handcrafted items, today  (Dec. 5, 2017) announced that unique, handcrafted products from local Artisans are now available on Prime Now, just in time for the holidays. This marks the first time Amazon Handmade Artisans are leveraging the company’s fastest delivery method yet to extend their selling season through Christmas Eve on Prime Now. Amazon Handmade products are available via Prime Now starting today for Prime members to shop in Austin, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle through the holiday season.

“Amazon is thrilled to continue expanding on our commitment to small businesses and artisans who can leverage Amazon’s last-mile delivery technology to get their handcrafted items to Prime members in an hour or less,” said Stephenie Landry, vice president of Prime Now. “This holiday season, customers can shop an even greater selection of handcrafted, giftable items and have the products delivered through Christmas Eve – the ultimate solution for those procrastinators who still want to get a unique, quality gift for their loved ones.”

The new holiday selection includes handmade products such as handcrafted pottery, necklaces, skincare, tote bags and candles from local artisans. All products available from Amazon Handmade Artisans on Prime Now are genuinely handcrafted. Prime Now features a variety of product categories from Amazon Handmade including Jewelry, Home Décor, Artwork and Party Supplies and Kitchen and Dining.

“I never imagined that one day customers across the U.S. would be able to receive my handmade pottery in an hour or less,” said Sarah Bak of Sarah Bak Pottery, an Amazon Handmade Artisan. “Being part of Amazon Handmade has truly given me the ability to grow my business while I pursue my passion as an artist. As part of the Prime Now pilot program, I’m excited to know my holiday selling season is extended through Christmas Eve and last-minute shoppers can now order thoughtful, last-minute gifts for everyone on their list.”

Since launching in Manhattan in 2014, Prime Now has expanded to more than 30 cities across the U.S. The addition of products made by Amazon Handmade Artisans reflects Amazon’s continued commitment to small businesses while also creating even more convenience for customers looking for unique, handcrafted last-minute gifts and products this holiday season. In select cities, the service offers ultra-fast delivery from local stores, popular restaurants as well as delivery of beer, wine and spirits.

With Prime Now, Prime members can receive Amazon Handmade products with one-hour delivery for a fee and two-hour delivery for free. Prime members can download the Prime Now app, available on iOS and Android devices, and check eligibility of delivery in their ZIP code.

Since launching in 2015, Amazon Handmade has grown to encompass 10 categories (e.g. Jewelry, Home & Kitchen, Stationery and Party Supplies) offering customers hundreds of thousands of handcrafted items from thousands of Artisans across more than 30 countries. Shopping Amazon Handmade, customers support local Artisans and purchase the handcrafted products they want with the convenience of all things Amazon.

To explore products available from local artisans on Prime Now or to learn more about the service visit www.primenow.com or www.amazon.com/handmade.

Every Day Made Better with Prime

Prime was designed to make your life better every single day. Tens of millions of members around the world enjoy the many benefits of Prime. In the U.S. that includes unlimited access to award-winning movies and TV episodes with Prime Video; unlimited access to Prime Music, Audible Channels for Prime, Prime Reading, Prime Photos, Twitch Prime; early access to select Lightning Deals, one free pre-released book a month with Kindle First, and more. Prime was built on the foundation of unlimited fast, free shipping and members receive unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 50 million items, Prime FREE One-Day Shipping and Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery in more than 5,000 cities and towns, and two-hour delivery with Prime Now in more than 30 major cities. Start a free trial of Amazon Prime at amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon

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

Media Hotline:
Amazon-pr@amazon.com
www.amazon.com/pr

Source: Amazon

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Baskin-Robbins adds new Winter Wonderland Cake and December Flavor of the Month, YORK® Peppermint Pattie to its lineup of treats this holiday season

Baskin-Robbins adds new Winter Wonderland Cake and December Flavor of the Month, YORK® Peppermint Pattie to its lineup of treats this holiday season

 

Invites guests to enjoy December lineup of treats that celebrate the classic flavors of the holiday season

CANTON, Mass., 2017-Dec-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, today (December 4, 2017) announced a festive lineup of treats to help guests celebrate the holiday season. Baskin-Robbins is kicking off its holiday lineup with the debut of its new Winter Wonderland Cake, which is an ice cream cake decorated with elegant blue icing, a white dipping chocolate drizzled edge and is topped with sparkling glitter.

Additionally, the December Flavor of the Month, YORK® Peppermint Pattie, is a returning favorite which features mini YORK® peppermint patties and a rich dark chocolate mint-flavored ribbon swirled in mint-flavored ice cream. Guests can enjoy YORK® Peppermint Pattie as a Warm Brownie Sundae during a cold winter night or sip it in a Milkshake or Cappuccino Blast® to keep the season bright.

“We’re excited to celebrate this special time of year both with new product innovations and returning favorites,” said Katy Latimer, Vice President of Culinary Innovation, Dunkin’ Brands. “Our elegant new Winter Wonderland Cake is sure to be an eye-catching and delicious addition to any holiday party dessert table. We’re also looking forward to sharing a wide variety of seasonal ice cream flavors with our guests, including our YORK® Peppermint Pattie Flavor of the Month, and seasonal favorites like Egg Nog and Winter White Chocolate®.”

To help spread even more holiday cheer, Baskin-Robbins will also offer guests its Fudge Yule Log Cake, which features Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream and chocolate cake rolled together with white icing, then topped with a holly leaf decoration and three red candles. The Fudge Yule Log Cake and the Winter Wonderland Cake are available for pre-order both in-store or online at www.baskinrobbins.com/onlineordering.

Baskin-Robbins is also inviting guests to celebrate the end of the year in the sweetest way with its “Celebrate 31” promotion on Sunday, December 31. On this day, all regular and kid-sized scoops will be $1.50*. Finally, for guests looking to give the gift of ice cream this holiday season, Baskin-Robbins gift cards can be purchased in-store or through the Baskin-Robbins mobile app.

For more information about Baskin-Robbins’ wide variety of premium ice cream flavors and frozen desserts, visit www.BaskinRobbins.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BaskinRobbins), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BaskinRobbins) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/BaskinRobbins).

The YORK® trademark and trade dress are used under license.

* Offer valid on October 31st. Participation may vary. Scoop offer good on every size scoop. All listed flavors are optional amongst Baskin-Robbins’ stores. Waffle cones and toppings are extra. Cannot be combined with other offers. Plus applicable tax.

About Baskin-Robbins

Named a top ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine’s 38th annual Franchise 500® ranking in 2017, Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbins creates and markets innovative, premium hard scoop ice cream, a full range of beverages, and a delicious lineup of desserts including custom ice cream cakes, the Polar Pizza® Ice Cream Treat and take-home ice cream quarts and pints, providing quality and value to consumers at more than 7,900 retail shops in 52 countries worldwide. Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 by two ice cream enthusiasts whose passion led to the creation of more than 1,300 ice cream flavors and a wide variety of delicious treats. Headquartered in Canton, Mass., Baskin-Robbins is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit https://www.baskinrobbins.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Justin Drake
Phone: 781-737-5200
Email: press@dunkinbrands.com

Source: Baskin-Robbins

###

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Cold Stone Creamery spreads the joy this holiday season with new seasonal flavors and cakes that are perfect for entertaining

Seasonal Flavors, Featured in Two Signature Creations™ and Cakes, Available for a Limited Time

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., 2017-Dec-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Cold Stone Creamery® (www.ColdStoneCreamery.com) offers good tidings and cheer this holiday season with its new Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream as well as the return of Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream, both featured in festive combinations; plus two holiday cakes that are perfect for entertaining, all available for a limited time only, beginning November 24.

Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream is an indulgent new flavor that goes great with Fudge, Whipped Topping, Graham Cracker Pie Crust and OREO® Cookies to create the Gooey Chocolate Cheesecake™ Creation™. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream makes its comeback in the Chocolate Peppermint Perfection™ Creation, which features OREO® Cookies, Whipped Topping and Fudge for a magical holiday treat.

“This season, it’s all about spreading joy with our comforting holiday flavors, Creations and cakes,” said Kate Unger, senior vice president of marketing at Cold Stone Creamery. “We all know holiday celebrations aren’t complete without the perfect dessert and we’ve got two delicious options to help achieve a flawless holiday gathering with family and friends. Our Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Wonderland™ cake and Chocolate Covered Peppermint™ cake will delight your guests and add some flare to your table.”

Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream and Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream, as well as the other promotional holiday items, will be available at Cold Stone Creamery November 24, 2017 through January 9, 2018.

Promotional Creations™:
 Gooey Chocolate Cheesecake™ – Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream, Fudge, Whipped Topping, Graham Cracker Pie Crust and OREO® Cookies
 Chocolate Peppermint Perfection™ Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream with OREO® Cookies, Whipped Topping and Fudge

Promotional Holiday Cakes:
 Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Wonderland™ – Layers of moist Devil’s Food Cake and Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream with Graham Cracker Pie
Crust wrapped in fluffy White Frosting
 Chocolate Covered Peppermint™ – Layers of moist Red Velvet Cake and Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream with OREO® Cookies wrapped in rich Fudge
Ganache

Customers can also order cakes online at www.ColdStoneCakes.com.

To share the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience® this holiday season, gift cards are available for purchase in stores and online. Holiday-themed gift cards are available online and in stores through the holiday season. Please visit www.ColdStoneCreamery.com/giftcardsretail.

About Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery® delivers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience® through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. The secret recipe for smooth and creamy ice cream is handcrafted fresh daily in each store, and then customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Cold Stone Creamery is owned by parent company Kahala Brands™, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world, with a portfolio of 22 quick-service restaurant concepts. The Cold Stone Creamery brand operates approximately 1,500 locations in over 28 countries.

For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit www.ColdStoneCreamery.com.
For more information about Kahala Brands, visit www.KahalaBrands.com.

CONTACT:
Jessica Benedick
Cold Stone Creamery
480.362.4837
jbenedick@kahalamgmt.com

Source: Cold Stone Creamery

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Macy’s to hire an additional 7,000 seasonal associates for 2017 Christmas and holiday season

CINCINNATI, 2017-Dec-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) today (Dec. 1, 2017) announced plans to hire an additional 7,000 seasonal associates for positions at its Macy’s stores nationwide for the 2017 Christmas and holiday season.

To discover open positions and opportunities for on-site interviews, candidates should apply in advance at macysJOBS.com. Positions in all stores nationwide are searchable on the easy-to-navigate hiring sites. Candidates who submit applications online will receive a response via email.

“Macy’s has had a great start to this holiday season with high customer volume across our business. Due to the strong traffic in our stores, we are adding associates in our stores across the country to ensure that customers continue to receive the high level of service they have come to expect from us,” said John Harper, Macy’s chief stores officer. “We are excited to be further expanding our seasonal workforce. Seasonal workers play an important role in the Macy’s holiday shopping experience and, in addition to a competitive hourly income, they will experience a flexible working environment and benefit from a merchandise discount.”

Seasonal store associates at Macy’s serve customers on the selling floor and work in store operations positions, including fulfilling buy online, pick-up-in-store orders. Most seasonal positions are part-time, often with flexibility to fit the availability of the individuals hired.

About Macy’s, Inc.

Macy’s, Inc. is one of the nation’s premier retailers. With fiscal 2016 sales of $25.778 billion and approximately 140,000 employees, the company operates more than 700 department stores under the nameplates Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, and approximately 160 specialty stores that include Bloomingdale’s The Outlet, Bluemercury and Macy’s Backstage. Macy’s, Inc. operates stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com. Bloomingdale’s stores in Dubai and Kuwait are operated by Al Tayer Group LLC under license agreements. Macy’s, Inc. has corporate offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, and New York, New York.

Media:
Blair Fasbender Rosenberg
646-429-6032
media@macys.com

Investors:
Monica Koehler
513-579-7780
investors@macys.com

Source: Macy’s, Inc.

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PetSmart offers pet parents four easy and impactful ways to help pets in need this holiday season

From Gifts that Give Back to Feeding Pets in Need, PetSmart and its Shoppers Will be Helping Pets in Need all Season Long

PHOENIX, 2017-Dec-01 — /EPR Retail News/ — With less than one month of shopping left before the holidays, millions of shoppers are on the hunt for the perfect gifts. With the season also reminding shoppers to consider giving back to the causes they are passionate about, PetSmart is sharing “Four Ways to Help” pets in need this holiday season, including gifts that are perfect for both people and pets.

“At PetSmart, we love pets and believe they make us better people. That’s why PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare across North America, is our cause of choice this holiday season and all year-round,” said Michelle Friedman, vice president of corporate communications, PetSmart. “We know our shoppers love pets just as much as we do, so this holiday season we’re offering pet parents four easy and impactful ways to help pets in need just by stopping by at one of PetSmart’s nearly 1,600 stores and PetSmart.com.”

1. Buy Gifts that Give Back

When you purchase any item from PetSmart’s exclusive Holiday Philanthropic Collection, 10 percent of sales will be donated to PetSmart Charities. The line features seven commemorative Chance, Lucky & Friends plush toys perfect for kids and pets alike (they have squeakers!), as well as 12 pet-themed blankets with sayings like “I Wine, She Whines” and “Drinking Buddies,” great for cuddling up with pets during chilly winter nights. On Giving Tuesday, November 28, 100 percent of the sales from the entire plush toy line will be donated to PetSmart Charities. Gift cards are also popular holiday gifts, and PetSmart’s Chance and Lucky branded gift cards also give back 10 percent of the amount placed on them to PetSmart Charities. Last year’s Holiday Philanthropic Collection generated $585,000 for PetSmart Charities to help pets in need. Don’t need another plush toy at home? Consider purchasing and donating one instead. Every PetSmart store partners with a local charity in their community, and invites shoppers to purchase and donate a plush toy to their toy drive. Last year, more than one million plush toys were collected and delivered to pets and children in need in the local communities across North America.

2. Donate and Help PetSmart Charities Do Good

When PetSmart shoppers donate to help pets in need using the pin pads located at the registers in every store, 100 percent of the donations are given directly to PetSmart Charities. In turn, the leading funder of animal welfare effectively uses 90 cents of every dollar raised to fund its mission: to find lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. From funding adoption events at PetSmart stores to help keep pets and people together during challenging life circumstances, and making pet therapy programs possible at children’s hospitals and other facilities, donations to PetSmart Charities makes a difference in the lives of both pets and people. To receive a tax receipt for a donation, you can also choose to give online at www.petsmartcharities.org.

3. Buy a Bag, PetSmart Gives a Meal to a Pet in Need

Together, PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart shoppers are making sure no pet goes hungry this holiday season. Every time pet parents buy a bag of dog or cat food at PetSmart (through Dec. 31, 2017), the retailer donates a meal to a pet in need. This historic Buy a Bag, Give a Meal™ program was launched March 1 in celebration of PetSmart’s 30th anniversary this year. To date, this philanthropic program has generated 55 million meals. PetSmart Charities is the program’s pet food distribution partner and has so far delivered 250-plus semi-truckloads of more than 35 million meals – 3,683 tons of pet food – to animal welfare agencies and food banks across 35 states in the U.S. and five provinces in Canada. Additional truckload deliveries will take place in 2018.

4. Adopt a Pet, Give Them a Forever Home

Thinking about adding a four-legged member to the family? Many do at the holiday season and it’s a very special gift for the entire family. Adorable, adoptable pets can be found at the PetSmart Charities Adoption Center in nearly every PetSmart store. Experts from PetSmart Charities say adopting a four-legged friend before the holidays could help ensure a more successful new pet transition and enrich holiday celebrations with the new family member. Plus, when you adopt a pet, not only will you be saving them from their stay in a shelter, you’ll be giving them the forever family they deserve. Two out of every 10 pets adopted in North America are facilitated at a PetSmart store. In fact, since beginning the in-store adoption program in 1994, PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and its 3,500 adoption partners have found forever homes for more than 7.6 million pets. From finding the perfect pet for your household, to providing expert advice and savings through PetSmart’s free Adoption Kit, PetSmart is here to help every step of the way when a family decides to bring a new pet home for the holidays.

“We’re immensely thankful to our corporate partner, PetSmart, and its generous shoppers for their unwavering support of PetSmart Charities,” said David Haworth, DVM, Ph.D. and president of PetSmart Charities. “Together, this holiday season we’ll be enhancing the lives of shelter pets and the people who love and care for them through grants, pet food donations and helping pets to find the forever homes they so richly deserve.”

Since 1994, PetSmart Charities has granted more than $332 million to support animal welfare agencies and registered nonprofits who share their mission to find lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs that bring people and pets together.

For more information about PetSmart Charities, please visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

For more information about PetSmart, the Buy a Bag, Give a Meal program and the holiday philanthropic collection of products, please click here. To learn more about the Four Ways to Help and the Holiday Philanthropic Collection, please visit PetSmart.com.

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

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

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

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

About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization with a mission to find lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. In addition to finding homes for almost 500,000 shelter pets each year through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities provides funding to non-profits aligned with its mission through four key areas of grant support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets; and Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the pin pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores.  In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses 90 cents of every dollar donated and has become the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, donating more than $300 million to date. PetSmart Charities, a 501(c)(3) organization, has received the Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator, an independent organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 14 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs
Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc

About PetSmart Charities® of Canada
PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered Canadian charity with a mission to find lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together.  In addition to finding homes for more than 25,000 shelter pets each year through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart stores, PetSmart Charities of Canada provides funding to registered charities aligned with its mission through four key areas of grant support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets; and Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada using the pin pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores.  In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses 89 cents of every dollar donated and has become a leading funder of animal welfare in Canada, donating nearly $12 million to date.  PetSmart Charities of Canada is a member of Imagine Canada and is independent from PetSmart, Inc. To learn more, visit www.petsmartcharities.ca

Contacts:
Virginia Hock
Golin for PetSmart
469-680-2611
vhock@golin.com

PetSmart Media Line:
623-587-2177

Source: PetSmart Inc.

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“12 Days of Inspiration”: Barnes & Noble announces its inaugural sales event showcasing exclusive offers this holiday season

Unwrapping Exclusive Daily Deals Both In-Store and Online at a Special Price Available for That Day Only

New York, NY, 2017-Nov-30 — /EPR Retail News/ — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, today announced its first-ever “12 Days of Inspiration,” an inaugural sales event showcasing a variety of exclusive offers for shoppers this holiday season.

“At Barnes & Noble, we’re always thinking about how we can make shopping a seamless experience for our customers, whether they are buying from us in-store or online,” said Demos Parneros, Chief Executive Officer, Barnes & Noble, Inc. “We think they are going to be surprised and delighted by our ‘12 Days of Inspiration’ promotion, which features the most exclusive deals on books and other products to be found this holiday season, as curated by our expert booksellers.”

From December 1 through December 12, shoppers can visit a Barnes & Noble store or go online at BN.com/12Days each day for a new, exclusive item available at an incredible deal for 24 hours. The holiday sales event is the most exciting collection of gifts and products ever assembled by Barnes & Noble, and each day, a new item will be revealed at a special price, available on that day only. The offers will be available on the most exclusive, hottest holiday gift items of the season, easing the woes of holiday shopping.

With 52 percent of consumers taking advantage of promotional days1, Barnes & Noble is excited to continue celebrating the season with consecutive offers that are fit for the whole family.  Additionally, with 58 percent of consumers spending more during the holiday than planned1, these discounts help capture the perfect gift at an affordable price. Throughout the course of the 12 days, shoppers are encouraged to visit in-store and online daily to check out these special deals and promotions.

In celebration of the sales event, Barnes & Noble has partnered with Evette Rios, lifestyle expert and host of The Way Home on Lifetime and A&E, and Recipe Rehab airing on CBS, Z Living and Hulu, to help guide shoppers in the right direction this holiday season. “Holiday shopping can take its toll as you dash from store to store to cross gifts off your ever-growing list. It leaves many people wishing for the gift of more time and less stress,” said Rios. “This year, I’m proud to be partnering with Barnes & Noble, because its mission aligns with my values of sharing knowledge and a love of reading. Plus, Barnes & Noble stores are one-stop-shops, where consumers can get their holiday gift shopping done, and even wrapped, all in one place, for every person on their gift list, allowing them to balance the stress and excitement that the holiday season brings.”

Customers are invited to Barnes & Noble’s 632 stores nationwide and browse the “12 Days of Inspiration” at BN.com/12Days 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 Membership 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 should speak with one of the knowledgeable booksellers at their local Barnes & Noble store to learn more about the Membership program and to get details on how they can join.

Customers are encouraged to join in the conversation on their social media channels by using the hashtag, #12Days.

1T. Rowe Price’s 2017 Parents, Kids & Money Survey

SOURCE: Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Mary Ellen Keating

Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3323
 mkeating@bn.com

Mei Sanchez
Manager, Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3579
 msanchez@bn.com

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Barnes & Noble unveils its lineup of free Storytime events for children and families for the holiday season

A Special Storytime Pajama Party Featuring Customer-Favorite The Polar Express

Free Children’s Storytimes Celebrate the Joy of Reading and a Family Holiday Tradition Throughout the Month of December

New York, NY, 2017-Nov-30 — /EPR Retail News/ — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, today announced its lineup of free Storytime events for children and families, a holiday tradition designed to celebrate the joy of reading and the magic of the holiday season. This year’s lineup includes beloved holiday classics and introduces customers to new holiday stories that are sure to spread joy and wonder.

This month-long series of events kicks off with a special Storytime Pajama Party celebrating the beloved holiday classic, The Polar Express, on Friday, December 1, at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble stores nationwide. All aboard the Polar Express where children will receive complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, a Christmas ornament, and other fun giveaways to get them excited for the holiday season. Join us at this pajama party Storytime filled with lots of activities and tons of fun! Customers are encouraged to take pictures of themselves and loved ones and post to their personal social media sites using the hashtag #BNStorytime.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Storytime – On Saturday, December 2, at 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble stores nationwide will host a special Storytime celebrating all things Grinch. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, this Dr. Seuss classic is a mainstay of the holidays, and the positive message is wonderful for children of all ages. Coloring and activities to follow.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure Big Golden Book Storytime – On Saturday, December 9, at 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble stores nationwide will celebrate Olaf’s Frozen Adventure Big Golden Book, based on Disney’s recently released Frozen holiday featurette. In this hilarious and charming story, loveable snowman Olaf and his pals Elsa and Anna are getting ready to celebrate the holidays, but not before Olaf sets out to find the best family tradition the sisters have ever seen! Coloring and activities round out the fun. Customers can enjoy free Godiva chocolates, which will be passed out at the Storytime, while supplies last.

River Rose and the Magical Christmas Storytime – On Saturday, December 16, at 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble stores celebrate a new story from the original Idol, Grammy® Award–winning singing sensation Kelly Clarkson, River Rose and the Magical Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve, and River Rose wants to stay up all night to hand-deliver a letter to Santa. She can’t wait to finally meet the man in red until… Oh no! River Rose and her dog, Joplin, have fallen asleep and been swept off on another magical adventure. This time, they’re off to the North Pole to let Santa know what River Rose really wants for Christmas. This joyous new holiday story perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday season. Coloring and activities to follow.

Santa’s Magic Key Storytime – On Saturday, December 23, at 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble stores nationwide invite children to unlock the magic with Santa’s Magic Key. Start a new family tradition with this unforgettable holiday story that celebrates the magic of the holidays and reveals how Santa can always spread gifts and joy on Christmas Eve by using his magical key. Coloring and activities to follow.

The Story of Ferdinand Storytime – On Saturday, December 30, at 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble stores nationwide introduce children to Ferdinand, the world’s most peaceful and beloved little bull, in The Story of Ferdinand, a true classic with a timeless message. Coloring and activities to follow.

Special Offers: Customers can purchase A Loud Winter’s Nap at the special price of only $7.99 (regularly priced $15.95) with the purchase of any Kids’ book. This offer end on December 25, while supplies last.

Additionally, through December 25, customers can buy two Dr. Seuss books and get the third free. This offer applies to titles on the in-store Dr. Seuss fixture only. The free book will be the least expensive book in the transaction.

During all Barnes & Noble Storytime readings and activities, parents and guardians are encouraged to take pictures and post to their personal social media sites using the hashtag #BNStorytime.

Barnes & Noble Storytimes are free and open to the public. All events are subject to change. Customers should visit www.bn.com/storelocator for more information about events at their local store.

SOURCE: Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Mary Ellen Keating

Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3323
 mkeating@bn.com

Mei Sanchez
Manager, Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3579
 msanchez@bn.com

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Bon-Ton Stores president and CEO Bill Tracy: We are very pleased with our November sales results and our strong start to the holiday season

MILWAUKEE, 2017-Nov-30 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (OTCQX:BONT), today announced that comparable store sales for the four weeks ended November 25, 2017 increased 3.1%. Total sales increased 1.9% to $280.6 million in the current year compared with $275.3 million in the prior year period.

“We are very pleased with our November sales results and our strong start to the holiday season,” said Bill Tracy, president and chief executive officer for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. “We were well positioned heading into Black Friday weekend, and our new merchandising and marketing initiatives continue to generate positive initial results.  We experienced in-store traffic that was better than industry regional trends, particularly on Black Friday, and our investments in our online and mobile shopping experience are resonating with customers. We continue to execute with a sense of urgency and remain focused on a successful holiday season.”

The Company will provide additional details when it reports its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2017 periods ending February 3, 2018.

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 260 stores, which includes nine furniture galleries and four clearance centers, in 24 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates.  The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings.  The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. is an active and positive participant in the communities it serves.  For further information, please visit http://investors.bonton.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information included in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” or other similar expressions and include the Company’s fiscal 2017 guidance, involve important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: risks related to retail businesses generally; a significant and prolonged deterioration of general economic conditions which could negatively impact the Company in a number of ways, including the potential write-down of the current valuation of intangible assets and deferred taxes; risks related to the Company’s proprietary credit card program; potential increases in pension obligations; consumer spending patterns, debt levels, and the availability and cost of consumer credit; additional competition from existing and new competitors or changes in the competitive environment; inflation; deflation; changes in the costs of fuel and other energy and transportation costs; weather conditions that could negatively impact sales; uncertainties associated with expanding or remodeling existing stores; the ability to attract and retain qualified management; the dependence upon relationships with vendors and their factors; a data security breach or system failure; the ability to reduce or control SG&A expenses, including initiatives to reduce expenses and improve profits; operational disruptions; unsuccessful marketing initiatives; the ability to expand our capacity and improve efficiency through our new eCommerce fulfillment center; changes in, or the failure to successfully implement, our key strategies, including the store rationalization program and initiatives to improve our merchandising, marketing and operations; adverse outcomes in litigation; the incurrence of unplanned capital expenditures; the ability to obtain financing for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes; the impact of regulatory requirements including the Health Care Reform Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; the inability or limitations on the Company’s ability to favorably adjust the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; the ability of the Company to change its capital structure; and the financial condition of mall operators. Any sales results reported herein do not necessarily predict the company’s performance for the full 2017 holiday season or for the fiscal fourth quarter as a whole. Additional factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those contained in these forward-looking statements are discussed in greater detail under Item 1A of the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Christine Hojnacki, 414-347-5329
christine.hojnacki@bonton.com

Source: The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc./ GLOBE NEWSWIRE

 

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NBC and Macy’s kick off the holiday season with a star-studded line-up of performers at The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

NBC and Macy’s kick off the holiday season with a star-studded line-up of performers at The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

 

  • The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on NBC Adds a Special Performance by International Superstar Gwen Stefani, a Dazzling Opening Number and Even More Star Power Along the Parade Route as the Annual Spectacle Kicks Off the Holiday Season
  • Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs on Thursday, Nov. 23 at 9 a.m., in all time zones; Encore presentation airs 2 – 5 p.m.

NEW YORK, 2017-Nov-20 — /EPR Retail News/ — The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® adds additional star power as NBC and Macy’s (NYSE:M) join to kick off the holiday season with a star-studded line-up of performers in the nation’s favorite spectacle. On Thursday, Nov. 23, with more than 3.5 million spectators lining the route and more than 50 million viewers tuned in nationwide, the streets of Manhattan will come alive with a host of special performances from stars of music, film, TV and the stage.

Joining the lineup will be international superstar Gwen Stefani. A three-time Grammy® Award-winner, Stefani has achieved worldwide success as a performer, songwriter, and recording artist who has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide with No Doubt and as a multi-platinum solo artist. Stefani recently released her first holiday album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas which features six original and six classic holiday tunes. Set to perform “White Christmas,” Gwen will warm the hearts of audiences nationwide with her rendition of the classic tune as part of the national broadcast of the Parade on NBC. After kicking off the holidays on Thanksgiving, Stefani will return to NBC for “Gwen Stefani’s You Make It Feel Like Christmas,” a modern take on traditional Christmas specials featuring musical performances and fun, holiday sketches. This one-hour primetime special set to air Dec. 12 (9-10 p.m. ET/PT) will capture Stefani’s infectious spirit and iconic style.

On Thanksgiving, to open the 91st edition of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a host of stars will be showcased “Dancing in the Streets” at various locations across the country in anticipation of the big Parade and annual kickoff to the holiday season. Featured stars include Harry Connick Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Harvey, Jane Krakowski, Gaten Matarazzo, Chrissy Metz, John O’Hurley, Martha Stewart and Thalia, who will dance and sing in the out-of-this-world kickoff to the pomp and pageantry.

As the restyled song unfolds, the show arrives at Herald Square, opening atop Macy’s famed red star mark on 34th Street, where a host of groups will join the impromptu party including the Radio City Rockettes®, as well as dancers for The Teen Company and Malloy/CAP21, among other Parade participants.

Rounding out the lineup will be the incomparable Patti LaBelle, who will take to the streets on The Cranberry Cooperative by Ocean Spray® float, joining previously announced stars 98 Degrees, Lauren Alaina, Cam, Sabrina Carpenter, Andra Day & Common, Sara Evans, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Flo Rida, Goo Goo Dolls, Kat Graham, Andy Grammer, Angelica Hale, Olivia Holt, Nicky Jam, Wyclef Jean, Bravo’s Top Chef stars Padma Lakshmi & Tom Colicchio, Dustin Lynch, Miss America 2018 Cara Mund, Leslie Odom Jr. and the cast & Muppets of Sesame Street,Bebe Rexha, Smokey Robinson, Jojo Siwa and the one-and-only Santa Claus; completing the starry lineup of the march of wonder.

The 91st march of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will also feature 17 giant character balloons; 28 legacy balloons, balloonicles, balloonheads and trycaloons; 26 floats; 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers; more than 1,000 clowns; 12 marching bands and six performance groups.

One of the nation’s biggest and most anticipated holiday celebrations, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is broadcast nationally on NBC, Thursday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. – noon (in all time zones) and hosted by the TODAY Show’s Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker. Telemundo will simulcast the Parade in Spanish with the event hosted by stars Carlos Ponce, Jessica Carrillo and Karim Mendiburu.

For more information on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, please visit http://www.macys.com/parade or call the Parade hotline at 212-494-4495. Follow @macys on various social networks and join the conversation using #MacysParade.

For more information on the broadcast, visit http://www.nbc.com/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade and www.nbcumv.com. Please follow @NBC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Macy’s Media Relations:
Orlando Veras
646-429-7450
Orlando.Veras@macys.com

NBC Entertainment Publicity
Sharon Pannozzo
212-664-5152
Sharon.Pannozzo@nbcuni.com

NBC Entertainment Publicity
Erika Lewis
212-664-5478
Erika.Lewis@nbcuni.com

Source: Macy’s

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Whole Foods Market announces its annual Sommelier Best in Class Holiday Wines for the holiday season

Whole Foods Market announces its annual Sommelier Best in Class Holiday Wines for the holiday season

Holiday wine list curated by in-house Master Sommelier

AUSTIN, Texas, 2017-Nov-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Whole Foods Market today announced its annual Sommelier Best in Class Holiday Wines for the holiday season. Devon Broglie, Master Sommelier, selected 10 wines to pair exceptionally well with the flavors and celebrations of the season. These carefully chosen bottles offer delicious, foolproof choices for shoppers at less than $20 a bottle.

Among this year’s most interesting bottles is a dry Riesling from Empire Estate in upstate New York for $19.99, marking the first time a wine from the Finger Lakes region has been available nationwide. Another notable wine comes from the Vajra family of Barolo, who crafted Monterustico Bianco to highlight the regional style in a contemporary manner and at a fantastic price, $14.99.

“We’re excited to introduce this latest selection of holiday wines from prestigious producers from around the world,” said Broglie. “Our team put in the hard work so customers can avoid stress, spend more time enjoying friends and family, and toast to the holidays. These winter picks pair beautifully with Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas prime rib, and even with brunch in pajamas and college bowl games.”

Whole Foods Market is the only national grocery retailer with a Master Sommelier, and Broglie is one of only 236 people in the world to hold the title. The Sommelier Best in Class Holiday Wines include:

  • El Terrano Tempranillo (Toledo, Spain)
  • Holy Snail Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (Loire Valley, France)
  • Monterustico Langhe Bianco (Piedmonte, Italy)
  • DeMorgenzon DMZ Chardonnay (Western Cape, South Africa)
  • Empire Estate Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (New York)
  • Banshee Sonoma Pinot Noir (Sonoma County, California)
  • Domaine de Petroni Corse Red (Corsica, France)
  • The Federalist Bourbon Barrel-Aged Zinfandel (Mendocino County, California)
  • Undaunted Columbia Valley Malbec (Columbia, Washington)
  • Criterion Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra, Australia)

Whole Foods Market’s expert wine buyers have also found sparklers for every occasion and budget, including grower Champagne and domestic sparkling wines fit for any celebration:

  • Jacques Bardelot Champagne Brut – a Champagne perfect for Veuve Clicquot fans
  • Mionetto Presto Prosecco – Sparkling Italian grapes at their finest in the festive 1.5L magnum size
  • Madame Liberte Brut Sparkling – great American sparkling wine for the price
  • J. Lassalle Champagne Brut Premier Cru – this grower champagne is a step above mass-market Champagnes
  • Camino Calixo Cava – everything a Spanish cava can be and it also makes a great mimosa

These fine wines will be featured at all Whole Foods Market stores throughout the winter holidays.

SOURCE: Whole Foods Market

MEDIA CONTACT
SOmedia@wholefoods.com 

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Kroger to hire 14,000 part-time and seasonal roles this holiday season

CINCINNATI, 2017-Nov-10 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that it is hiring for an estimated 14,000 part-time and seasonal roles across its family of companies this holiday season. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply at jobs.kroger.com.

“We are delighted to welcome new associates to our team this holiday season,” said Lanell Ohlinger, vice president of talent development. “At Kroger, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of more than nine million customers who shop with us every day. If you love people and you love food, our stores are a wonderful place to help make customers’ lives and celebrations easier and a little bit brighter.”

Talent Development is a core driver of the company’s recently-announced Restock Kroger Plan. As part of Restock Kroger, the company plans to invest an incremental $500 million in human capital over the next three years. This will be in addition to Kroger’s continued efforts to rebalance pay and benefits while also focusing on certifications and performance incentives, career opportunities, and training.

“Now more than ever, Kroger is a great place to come for a job and stay for a great career,” Ms. Ohlinger added.

Kroger also remains committed to hiring veterans, military service members and their families. Kroger has hired more than 43,000 veterans since 2009 and more than 9,600 veterans in 2017.

At The Kroger Co., we are dedicated to our purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are 450,000 associates who serve nearly nine million customers daily in 2,793 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Our Family of Companies operates an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized order online service – in addition to 2,258 pharmacies, 783 convenience stores, 307 fine jewelry stores, 222 retail health clinics, 1,472 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Our Company has been recognized as one of America’s most generous companies for our support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. As a leader in supplier diversity, we are a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

Contact:

(Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; northern Kentucky, southeastern Indiana)
Patty Leesemann
513-782-8745
patty.leesemann@kroger.com

SOURCE: The Kroger Co.

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Tesco unveils its 2017 Christmas campaign; will donate £1 for every fresh turkey sold to help people in need this holiday season

Tesco kicks off “Everyone’s Welcome” Christmas campaign and pledges to donate £1 for every fresh turkey sold to help people in need.

Welwyn Garden City, UK, 2017-Nov-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tesco has launched its 2017 Christmas campaign with the first of five television adverts airing on ITV last night. This year, the retailer will be celebrating the different ways millions of UK shoppers enjoy Christmas, and how great food sits at the heart of it all. It will also provide lots of little helps for customers during the fun and frantic festive period.

The campaign, which kicked off last night, features Tesco’s fantastic range of turkey. Tesco are also proud to be offering their finest* Narragansett turkey which won the award for top Christmas turkey in the recent BBC Good Food awards.

Tesco will donate £1 for every fresh turkey bought instore or online, shared between its food charity partners FareShare and The Trussell Trust to help people in need over the festive period.

The initiative builds on the continued support offered by the retailer to local communities through its annual Food Collection, and its food surplus redistribution scheme, Community Food Connection. Last year, Tesco became the first retailer to pledge that no food that is safe for human consumption will go to waste from its UK operations, and since 2012, Tesco customers and colleagues have donated the equivalent of over 60 million meals to people in need.

Alessandra Bellini, Tesco Chief Customer Officer said:

“This year, our campaign will celebrate the many ways we come together at Christmas, and how food sits at the heart of it all. We want our customers to know that however they choose to do Christmas, and no matter what they need, we can help – Everyone’s Welcome at Tesco.

“As part of our campaign this year, we’re delighted to work with our long-term charity partners FareShare and The Trussell Trust to donate £1 for every fresh turkey purchased to help feed people in need this Christmas – it’s another little help for our local communities at an important time of year.”

FareShare Chief Executive Lindsay Boswell said:

“Christmas is the one time of year that brings everyone together however, FareShare is seeing an increased demand to support charities who help people experiencing food poverty or who are alone at this time of year. This generous initiative from Tesco is perfect timing – it means we can help 6,700 charities across the country to continue providing food and life-changing services to those in need this Christmas.”

Samantha Stapley, Operations Manager at The Trussell Trust said:

“We’re seeing soaring demand at foodbanks across the UK and right now thousands of people will be worrying about whether they can afford any food for the family this Christmas. This generous donation from Tesco will help us to support our foodbank network and tackle hunger in communities across the country, so we can hope in the future to see fewer people needing foodbanks – not only at Christmas, but all year round.”

Notes to editors:

  • £1 from the sale of every fresh turkey in Tesco between 6 November 2017 and 25 December 2017 will be donated to FareShare and the Trussell Trust in equal proportions to help people in need this Christmas.
  • FareShare is a unique charity fighting hunger and its underlying causes by providing food to more than 1,923 local charities and community organisations across the UK. Click here for more info fareshare.org.uk
  • The Trussell Trust run a network of over 420 foodbanks across the UK that three days’ emergency food and support to people in crisis across. Click here for more info trusselltrust.org
  • Tesco runs an annual Food Collection in partnership with FareShare and The Trussell Trust, so that customers can donate long-life food to help people in need at Christmas time: tesco.com/foodcollection
  • Community Food Connection is the retailer’s surplus food redistribution scheme in partnership with FareShare, which connects stores with local charities to donate unsold food for free: tesco.com/community-food-connection

We are a team of 480,000 in 11 markets dedicated to serving shoppers a little better every day.

For more information please contact the Tesco Press Office on 01707 918 701  

Source: Tesco

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Whole Foods Market offers new selection from Four & Twenty Blackbirds pie shop this holiday season

Whole Foods Market offers new selection from Four & Twenty Blackbirds pie shop this holiday season

AUSTIN, Texas, 2017-Nov-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — This holiday season, Whole Foods Market is offering a sweet new selection from cult-favorite Brooklyn-based pie shop, Four & Twenty Blackbirds.

The nine-inch Bittersweet Chocolate Pecan Pie is available nationwide and made from a special recipe combining pecans and 72 percent bittersweet chocolate in a rich custard.

Four & Twenty Blackbirds pie bakery was founded in 2009 by sisters and pie makers Melissa and Emily Elsen. The sisters started baking custom pies in their Brooklyn apartment before opening their flagship pie and coffee shop in 2010, which has now expanded to four New York locations.

From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, the pie can be found in the bakery department at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide for $14.99.

SOURCE: Whole Foods Market

MEDIA CONTACT
SOmedia@wholefoods.com 

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Stater Bros. launches campaign to support food banks and non-profit agencies in serving families in need this holiday season

Stater Bros. launches campaign to support food banks and non-profit agencies in serving families in need this holiday season

 

San Bernardino, California, 2017-Nov-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Throughout the months of November and December, Stater Bros. in conjunction with its charitable arm Stater Bros. Charities will be “Harvesting Hope“  in the valued communities Stater Bros. serves. All 171 Stater Bros. supermarket locations will provide four convenient ways for customers and employees to help their friends and neighbors in need this holiday season.

  • “Bag of Hope” Donation Cards – “Bag of Hope” donation cards are available for purchase at each check stand.  Funds collected through the “Bag of Hope” donation cards will provide fresh and healthy food and funding to our food bank partners and holiday campaign beneficiaries.
  • Nonperishable Food Donations – Food donation barrels are also available at all store locations for those customers who’d like to donate nonperishable food items.  Most needed items include canned tuna, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruit (in water or light syrup), and whole grain cereal.
  • Coin Canisters – Monies collected through the coin canisters at each check stand during November and December, will support low income seniors, veterans, families and children in need. Stater Bros. Charities will present these funds to qualified food banks and feeding programs in the seven Southern California counties served by Stater Bros. Supermarkets.
  • Salvation Army Red Kettles – The traditional Salvation Army Red Kettles will be in front of all Stater Bros. supermarkets from November 13th through December 24th collecting nickels, dimes and quarters to help those who are most vulnerable in the community where the donations are made.

“Stater Bros. has always believed in not just doing business in the community but being part of the community and we are proud to partner with area food banks and local non-profit agencies to serve the needs of our local communities,” said Pete Van Helden, President and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets.

Annual food drive partners and holiday campaign beneficiaries include Community Action Partnership – Kern County, Desert Manna, Feeding America Serving Riverside l San Bernardino Counties, FIND Food Bank, Inland Empire Desert Communities United Way, Inland Harvest Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and The Salvation Army.

About Stater Bros. Charities: 

Stater Bros. Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports critical needs in the communities where Stater Bros. employees live and work.  Since 2008, Stater Bros. Charities has provided funding to countless local organizations and causes that benefit hunger relief, children’s well-being, education, health, help for our nation’s veterans and active service members.  Funds are raised throughout the year from generous customers, supplier friends, and caring members of the Stater Bros. Supermarket Family.

About Stater Bros. Markets:

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

Source:  Stater Bros. Markets

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Barnes & Noble unveils its exclusive assortment of books, toys & games, gifts for the holiday season

  • Barnes & Noble Stores Nationwide Gearing up for the Holiday Season with Exclusive Assortment of Books, Toys & Games, Gifts and More
  • The Company Makes Gifting Effortless with Its Holiday Gift Guide and Unique Online Tools Including SmartGift and Book Graph™
  • Barnes & Noble Once Again Encourages Customers to Join in the Holiday Book Drive to Help Kids in Need This Holiday Season

New York, NY, 2017-Nov-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest bookseller and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today (November 1, 2017) unveiled its exclusive assortment of books, toys & games, gifts and other merchandise for the holiday season. The Company also announced that it is making the shopping experience easier this year for customers, whether they are shopping in store or online at BN.com, with its Holiday Gift Guide and a suite of smart tools including SmartGift and Book Graph From the season’s biggest books to the top toys to dedicated trend shops for major properties such as Harry Potter, Star Wars and FAO Schwarz, shoppers will find what they’re looking for at Barnes & Noble this holiday season.

“We know the holiday season is a busy and challenging time for shoppers trying to find perfect gifts to inspire their loved ones,” said Demos Parneros, CEO at Barnes & Noble. “Our goal this year was to curate an assortment of exclusive books and other products to make shopping easier and gifting more meaningful.”

Mr. Parneros added, “The Company will engage customers in a social media campaign throughout the holiday season around the theme #ALLIWANT, as part of an effort to highlight the great assortment of gifts that can be found at Barnes & Noble.

Holiday Exclusives

Barnes & Noble has exclusive editions of some of the most anticipated and biggest books of the season that can’t be found anywhere else. For the Star Wars super fan who wants to make the enjoyment of The Force a family tradition, there’s the Star Wars Beginning Reader Collectible Box Sets, exclusive to Barnes & Noble. For the aspiring chef, Barnes & Noble offers exclusive cookbooks, such as The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It!,  by Food Network star Ree Drummond including an additional 16 pages of recipes, photos and more. For the friend who loves thrillers, customers can gift the exclusive hardcover edition of Michael Connelly’s new title Two Kinds of Truth, featuring an exclusive personal essay from the author on the real-life crime that led him to become a writer of crime fiction. Other big exclusives available this holiday season include:

Books

  • Art of Harry Potter, book exclusive featuring rare and unpublished works of art, available November 21
  • Atlas Obscura with a stunning pull-out travel poster
  • Shea Serrano’s Basketball (and Other Things), with exclusive basketball cards featuring the greatest fictional characters to ever play
  • David Baldacci’s End Game, with an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview, available November 14
  • Guinness World Records 2018, with an exclusive poster of the record-breaking, gadget-filled Batman suit
  • James Patterson’s People vs. Alex Cross, including the bonus Alex Cross Novella Cross Kill, available November 20
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter’s Hamilton: The Revolution, exclusive deluxe edition including a bonus CD featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, artifact reproductions, portraits and more, available November 14
  • Walking Dead: Here’s Negan, with an exclusive variant cover and Walking Dead issue #100 with variant cover
  • Lemony Snicket’s The Bad Beginning: Book the First, exclusive and beautifully designed edition featuring author notes

Toys & Games

  • Barnsie® & Noble® – Our customer-favorite bear and puppy are only $9.95 each, with the purchase of any item.

Specialty and Gift

  • Earth Luxe Purifying Ultrasonic Diffuser – Crafted to purify the air by attracting known allergens while offering an addition to your home’s décor.
  • Peace Collection – Featuring a cotton knit throw, a selection of festive reading socks and a felt tote, all designed to highlight messages of mindfulness.

Entertainment

  • Exclusive Turntable and Bluetooth speaker bundle from Crosley
  • Exclusive vinyl editions including:
    • Picture disc of the perennial holiday favorite A Charlie Brown Christmas
    • Cover and colored white vinyl edition of Colors from Beck
    • Color edition of Charlotte’s Web pink pig vinyl with black webbing orange
  • Barnes & Noble is the exclusive retailer for the vinyl soundtracks of The Sound Of Musicand Into The Woods
  • An exclusive 3-disc collection of the Pentatonix holiday CDs

Holiday Gift Guide

This year, Barnes & Noble has enhanced its online Holiday Gift Guide by segmenting it into smartly, curated lists that reflect the common questions customers ask booksellers in-store, making gift-giving a more seamless experience. Gift Guide users can browse topics like “Enchanting Gifts for Harry Potter Fans,” “Gift Ideas for Collectors,” and “Captivating Books for the History Buff” to tailor gifts to the hobbies and interests of any and every gift recipient. Customers shopping for little ones can browse lists like “Best Gifts for Pre-Schoolers,” which includes classic books such as Women Who Changed the World: 50 Amazing Americans – or quirky renditions of the classic tale, like Goodnight Football. Barnes & Noble Gift Guide users can also find this season’s hottest toys and games, like the Town Santa’s Winter Holiday LEGO® set, and much more.

Smart Tools

Barnes & Noble has unveiled a brand-new suite of Smart Tools to help customers find meaningful gifts online at BN.com through fun interactions rooted in the bookstore experience of browsing, discovery and bookseller knowledge. The tools available this holiday season are:

  • Book Graph – Those unsure of what to give loved ones this season can turn to Barnes & Noble’s new interactive discovery tool, Book Graph. It’s simple: from any desktop computer, shoppers click on a title and Book Graph displays a matrix of titles, allowing them to discover unexpected connections between one book and the next. That’s the magic of Book Graph at work – the discoverability of new book titles allows customers to browse an array of perfect gift options for everyone on their list.
  • SmartGift – Available on desktop and mobile, SmartGift allows a customer to send a meaningful gift without worrying if it’s exactly right, because the recipient has the freedom to exchange for a similarly priced item to make it their perfect gift.

“We are excited about the unveiling of our new suite of Smart Tools that emulate the bookstore experience of browsing, discovery and bookseller knowledge, and will help online shoppers find meaningful, smartly curated gifts to give this holiday season,” said Fred Argir, Chief Digital Officer at Barnes & Noble. “From gifts by age or profession to interests running the gamut from anime, food, fantasy, puzzles, pets and more, our specially curated Holiday Gift Guide will offer inspiration and ideas for every customer’s shopping list.”

Holiday Book Drive Program

Barnes & Noble is bringing back their annual Holiday Book Drive program at stores nationwide, a favorite with both customers and booksellers. From now until January 1, 2018,  customers can come into their local Barnes & Noble and purchase books for donation, benefitting organizations that support children in need. This year, Instagram sensation Hot Dudes Reading has partnered with the Company on behalf of their holiday campaign, stating “Barnes & Noble is a brand that has always been influential and close to our hearts. This year, we’re proud to be partnering with Barnes & Noble in the hope of encouraging our followers to not only shop at B&N, but to gift a book to the Holiday Book Drive that supports local charities across the country that provide services to disadvantaged children.”

Local recipients from the Holiday Book Drive include: Toys for Tots; Children’s Aid Society; Big Brothers Big Sisters; the YMCA; Salvation Army; First Book; children’s hospitals from around the country; Reach Out & Read; Ronald McDonald House; Head Start; United Way; various school districts, schools and public libraries; and hundreds of other deserving organizations.

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 off all hardcover bestsellers and 10 off virtually everything else in Barnes & Noble stores throughout the year. Join the conversation on your favorite social channel by using #ALLIWANT.

About Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is the world’s largest 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

Alan McNamara
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3379
amcnamara@bn.com

Source: Barnes & Noble, Inc.

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Baskin-Robbins brings back its popular Ice Cream Turkey Cake to kick off the holiday season

Baskin-Robbins brings back its popular Ice Cream Turkey Cake to kick off the holiday season

 

Baskin-Robbins celebrates the spirit of the holiday season with festive lineup of ice cream treats

CANTON, Mass., 2017-Nov-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of specialty ice cream shops, is excited to kick off the holiday season with a product lineup stuffed with all the trimmings needed for the perfect holiday treats, including the return of its popular Ice Cream Turkey Cake. No matter how you carve it, this unique all-ice cream cake made with sugar cone “legs” is sure to be quickly gobbled up. It can be customized with any Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavor, including seasonal favorites like Egg Nog or Peppermint, and is available for pre-order both in-store or online at www.baskinrobbins.com/onlineordering.

In addition, Tiramisu returns as Baskin-Robbins’ November Flavor of the Month. The flavor is made with Tiramisu-flavored ice cream swirled with cake pieces, chocolate flakes and a decadent chocolate coffee ribbon. Inspired by the classic Italian dessert, this flavor is packed with delicious, high-quality ingredients, including chocolate flakes from a fifth-generation family-owned business, coffee brewed from Colombian beans and pieces of real pound cake. By transporting guests straight to Italy with every bite, Tiramisu is the perfect flavor to make every day feel like a holiday.

“The holiday season is a very special time of the year for our guests, and we’re excited to offer them a lineup of ice cream treats that they can enjoy when getting together with family and friends,” said Carol Austin, Vice President of Marketing for Baskin-Robbins. “We are thrilled to bring our classic Turkey Cake back just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, as well as one of our most beloved flavors, Tiramisu, as our Flavor of the Month.”

Additionally, continuing this month, guests can enjoy ice cream cakes starting at $12.99. Ice cream cake varieties starting at $12.99 include the ½ roll Celebration Party Cake, which is a festive cake featuring colorful streamers, and the ½ roll Rosette Cake, which is an elegant cake enrobed with either pink or blue rosettes. These two cakes serve 2-4 people and are perfect for everyday occasions.

For more information about Baskin-Robbins’ wide variety of premium ice cream flavors and frozen desserts, visit www.BaskinRobbins.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BaskinRobbins), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BaskinRobbins) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/BaskinRobbins).

About Baskin-Robbins

Named a top ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine’s 38th annual Franchise 500® ranking in 2017, Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbins creates and markets innovative, premium hard scoop ice cream, a full range of beverages, and a delicious lineup of desserts including custom ice cream cakes, the Polar Pizza® Ice Cream Treat and take-home ice cream quarts and pints, providing quality and value to consumers at more than 7,900 retail shops in 52 countries worldwide. Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 by two ice cream enthusiasts whose passion led to the creation of more than 1,300 ice cream flavors and a wide variety of delicious treats. Headquartered in Canton, Mass., Baskin-Robbins is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.BaskinRobbins.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Justin Drake
Phone: 781-737-5200
Email: press@dunkinbrands.com

Source: Baskin-Robbins

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JCPenney launches innovative selection of smartwatches just in time for the holiday season

JCPenney launches innovative selection of smartwatches just in time for the holiday season

Retailer unveils new Modern Bride® experience within rebranded fine jewelry department

PLANO, Texas, 2017-Oct-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The fine jewelry department at JCPenney [NYSE: JCP] just got a little brighter. Beginning Oct. 30, the Company is launching an innovative selection of smartwatches in 245 stores and JCPenney.com from top brands, including Samsung, LG and Garmin®, just in time for the holiday season. The Company has also rebranded its fine jewelry department to reflect its classic heritage and established history with a new trademark, JCPenney Co. Fine Jewelry, Est. 1902. Within the fine jewelry assortment, JCPenney has unveiled a reinvigorated Modern Bride concept that offers today’s bridal customers designer styles at a value. By highlighting the glittering selection and innovation found in its selection of fine jewelry and premium watches, the Company is underscoring the importance of its brick-and-mortar locations when attracting customers to stores for a unique, personalized experience.

“Fine jewelry is an extremely personal purchase, boasting some of the most loyal customers in our store. By bringing the latest trends in smartwatch technology into our assortment, we have the chance to attract new customers and introduce them to other areas inside JCPenney,” said Pam Mortensen, senior vice president of fine and fashion jewelry and watches at JCPenney. “Our research tells us that fine jewelry is one of the best opportunities for cross-shopping at JCPenney as shoppers may initially come in for a smartwatch, and then discover a captivating mix of fashion, beauty, salon, shoes and accessories. As JCPenney focuses on driving sales and increasing revenue per customer, fine jewelry is a shining opportunity amid an ever-changing retail environment.”

Tapping into Smartwatch Technology
Shoppers seek a blend of function and style when choosing a smartwatch, and the new assortment of wearables at JCPenney offers both at an incredible value. In select stores, smartwatches from Samsung, LG, Garmin, MisFit and Relic® will be presented as an interactive customer experience where shoppers are encouraged to touch, play and discover the features and benefits of each watch. To deliver the best service possible, JCPenney is developing an all-new Watch Professional program that will train fine jewelry associates on the technical aspects and characteristics of each brand, including the new smartwatch assortment. Prices for the innovative collection of wearables range from $155 to $349.99, with an expanded assortment available at JCPenney.com.

A Brilliant New Modern Bride Experience
The Modern Bride concept is a unique collaboration that started with Condé Nast in 2011, and is designed to offer an elevated shopping experience inside JCPenney that caters to today’s bridal customer. To match the sparkling diamonds found in this collection of engagement and wedding rings, the Modern Bride presentation has been refreshed in all JCPenney locations. Brides and grooms will find inspiring graphics, updated fixtures and glittering in-case presentations in a modern, fresh environment. Through Modern Bride, JCPenney can offer shoppers dazzling diamonds available in popular ring styles and settings. An all-new engagement guide highlights the expansive assortment of wedding jewelry found at JCPenney, including five collections within the Modern Bride concept.

New to Modern Bride this spring, the Company unveiled Hallmark Bridal featuring affordable, luxurious bridal jewelry for millennial couples with styles that can only be found at JCPenney. For the ultimate fairy tale, Enchanted Disney Fine Jewelry is a magical addition to Modern Bride and incorporates the essence of some of Disney’s most beloved masterpieces into elegant pieces for her wedding day and beyond.

Clear-Cut Training
JCPenney associates play an extremely important role in helping a customer choose the perfect ring, which is why the Company has revamped its comprehensive training program for fine jewelry professionals. Associates are specially trained and educated on the quality and characteristics of the diamonds, gemstones and precious metals found in collections throughout the department, and the updated training tools provide the product knowledge needed to strengthen and refine the associate’s ability to provide the best customer service possible.

“The wedding ring purchase is a gateway to the rest of the store and Modern Bride represents a significant opportunity to develop a life-long customer relationship as she gets married, buys a house and starts a family. She is a budget-conscious customer and comes to JCPenney for the value that we offer – without sacrificing design or quality. We already know that Modern Bride customers shop twice as often and spend significantly more than the average JCPenney shopper, and this beautiful new fine jewelry experience will introduce more brides and grooms to JCPenney,” added Mortensen.

For images, please visit www.jcpnewsroom.com.

###

JCPenney Media Relations:
(972) 431-3400 or jcpnews@jcp.com
@jcpnews

About JCPenney:
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP), one of the nation’s largest apparel and home furnishings retailers, combines an expansive footprint of approximately 875 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico with a powerful e-commerce site, jcp.com, to connect with shoppers how, when and where they prefer to shop. At every customer touchpoint, she will get her Penney’s worth of a broad assortment of products from an extensive portfolio of private, exclusive and national brands. Powering this shopping experience is the customer service and warrior spirit of over 100,000 associates across the globe, all driving toward the Company’s three strategic priorities of strengthening private brands, becoming a world-class omnichannel retailer and increasing revenue per customer. For additional information, please visit jcp.com.

SOURCE:  J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc.

 

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NRF/Hackett Associates report: Imports break records two months in a row as retailers brought in merchandise for the holiday season

WASHINGTON, 2017-Oct-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Imports set a second all-time monthly record high this summer as retailers brought in merchandise for the busy holiday season, and are continuing at unusually high levels this month, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“When imports break records two months in a row, it’s hard to see that as anything other than a good sign about what retailers expect in consumer demand,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Consumers are buying more, and everybody from dockworkers to truck drivers is trying to keep up. We hope this is a sign of a strong holiday season for retailers, shoppers and our nation’s economy.”

Ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.8 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in August, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. The volume was the highest recorded since NRF began tracking imports in 2000, topping the previous record of 1.78 million TEU set just one month earlier in July. The record before that had been 1.73 million TEU in March 2015. August was up 1.4 percent over July and 5.6 percent over August 2016. A TEU is one 20-foot-long cargo container or its equivalent.

September was estimated at 1.65 million TEU, up 3.7 percent from last year, and October is forecast at 1.72 million TEU, up 2.8 percent. While not a record, the October number would be one of only six times in the report’s history that any month has hit 1.7 million TEU or higher. November is forecast at 1.62 million TEU, down 1.7 percent from last year, and December is forecast at 1.59 million TEU, up 1.3 percent.

Growth has slowed from the first half of the year but 2017 is expected to total 19.8 million TEU, topping last year’s previous record of 18.8 million TEU by 5.4 percent. That compares with 2016’s 3.1 percent increase over 2015. The first half of 2017 totaled 9.7 million TEU, up 7.5 percent from the same period in 2016.

January 2018 is forecast at 1.64 million TEU, down 2 percent from January 2017, and February is forecast at 1.58 million TEU, up 10 percent from the same month in 2017.

The import numbers come as NRF is forecasting that 2017 retail sales  will grow between 3.2 and 3.8 percent over 2016 and that this year’s holiday sales will grow between 3.6 and 4 percent. Cargo volume does not correlate directly with sales because only the number of containers is counted, not the value of the cargo inside, but nonetheless provides a barometer of retailers’ expectations.

“The volume of containers imported through August continues to grow and we expect this to continue through October before a slack period arrives as the holiday season inventory buildup comes to an end,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “We do expect growth in imports to slacken off in the coming year, but it will still remain positive.”

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades and Miami on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at www.nrf.com/PortTracker or by calling (202) 783-7971. Subscription information for non-members can be found at www.globalporttracker.com.

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

Hackett Associates provides expert consulting, research and advisory services to the international maritime industry, government agencies and international institutions. www.hackettassociates.com

SOURCE: NRF

MEDIA CONTACT

J. Craig Shearman
(202) 626-8134
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

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Michaels to hire more than 15,000 seasonal positions for the holiday season

IRVING, Texas, 2017-Aug-30 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Michaels Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIK) today (2017-08-29) announced it will hire more than 15,000 seasonal positions across its U.S. and Canadian stores and distribution centers this holiday season. Last year, more than 50% of seasonal positions transitioned to regular roles after the holidays.

“At Michaels, we believe anyone can make something great, including decisions around where they choose to work. As Michaels Team Members, we work hard and have fun as we help customers turn their inspiration and creativity into reality,” said Bryan Venberg, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Stores. “During the busy holiday season this is even more important, and we’re excited to hire more than 15,000 seasonal Team Members this year to support our customers as they make their holiday projects come to life.”

Seasonal Michaels Team Members receive competitive wages, flexible schedules and a 30% discount in a creative atmosphere that makes working fun. Being on Michaels store team is an experience filled with hard work, creativity and teamwork. Each Team Member helps customers create something amazing – no small task. Seasonal positions are being offered in the 1,366 stores across 49 states in the U.S. and Canada.

Candidates interested in seasonal positions can learn more and apply online at Michaels.com/storejobs.

About The Michaels Companies, Inc.:

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

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

Contact:
ICR, Inc.
Jessica Liddell
203-682-8200

Julia Young
203-682-8208
Michaels@icrinc.com

Source: The Michaels Companies, Inc.

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Toys“R”Us® to open a temporary store in Knickerbocker Building, Broadway for the holiday season

Company Announces Return to Times Square with Temporary Holiday Shop

Wayne, NJ, 2017-Aug-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — After a nearly two-year absence, Toys“R”Us® today (August 10, 2017) announced that it is returning to Times Square in response to customer demand. The company will open a temporary 35,000 square-foot store located at 1466 Broadway (at the corner of 42nd Street and Broadway) in the historic Knickerbocker Building. Scheduled to open in August, the store will provide kids and families a one-stop toy shopping experience – complete with a dedicated play area – just in time for the holiday season.

“The Times Square holiday shop reunites our brand with an iconic New York destination which we are thrilled about,” said Dave Brandon, Chairman & CEO of Toys“R”Us, Inc. “More importantly, the store offers customers a host of products tailored to the needs of city dwellers and visitors – all in interest of bringing play to kids and families around the world!”

The three-level store in Times Square will have one main entrance on Broadway and include:

Level One: Upon entering the store, customers will be greeted with kid-favorite shop-in-shops that they have come to expect from Toys“R”Us, including Movie HQ (products from this fall’s biggest blockbusters), Hot and New (the hottest holiday toys), Star Wars™, and Marvel, along with must-have New York City memorabilia. Additionally, Level One will host a select assortment of electronic and entertainment items such as FUJIFILM INSTAX® cameras, Nintendo Switch™, and top software launches.

Lower Level: Here shoppers will find a wide variety of R/C, Hot Wheels®, and action figures, as well as city-friendly modes of transportation such as bikes and scooters.

Level Two: In addition to the feature shops on Level One, here customers will find dedicated LEGO® and NERF® shops, and a full assortment of traditional toys across a range of categories, including preschool, games, dolls, learning, collectibles, and arts and crafts.

Play Space: Also on Level Two, kids will have the opportunity to do what they love most – play. This dedicated space will allow kids to play with products out-of-the-box and experience toy demos, truly bringing the toy box to life.

Interactive Elements: In a nod to the company’s former Times Square location, a scaled-down animatronic dinosaur will also live on the second level. Customers will come to find other interactive and life-size toy displays across the three-level space throughout the holiday season.

The company’s Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store service will be available at this location, providing Manhattan’s Toys“R”Us customers with an easy way to pick up thousands of items in under an hour. Its Layaway service will also be offered, giving city shoppers the opportunity to stretch their budgets, secure must-have toys early or keep big gift purchases hidden.*

Landlord representation was provided by Brittany H. Bragg of Crown Retail Services, and Peter Ripka of Ripco Real Estate was the broker representation for Crown Retail Services.

To download the store’s “Opening Soon!” teaser graphic, please click here.

*In-store purchases only. Certain restrictions and exclusions apply. See store for more details.

About Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 879 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in 815 international stores and over 255 licensed stores in 37 countries and jurisdictions. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com, the company provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Toys“R”Us, Inc. is headquartered in Wayne, NJ, and has nearly 65,000 employees worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Over the past three decades, the Company has given more than $100 million in product donations to children’s charities. Since 1992, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., has also donated more than $130 million in grants. For more information, visit Toysrusinc.com or follow @ToysRUsNews on Twitter.

Media Relations:

1 (973) 617-5900
Press@toysrus.com

Source: Toys“R”Us, Inc.

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NRF: imports could set new record as merchants enter back-to-school season and begin to stock up for the holiday season

WASHINGTON, 2017-Jul-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — July and August should be two of the busiest months ever seen for imports at the nation’s major retail container ports, possibly setting a new record as merchants enter the back-to-school season and begin to stock up for the holiday season that will follow, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today (July 10, 2017) by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“We’re expecting retailers to import some of the largest volumes of merchandise ever,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “That’s a good indicator of what could be ahead for consumer demand and retail sales, and it’s a sign that retail is going strong despite what you might read in the headlines.”

Ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.72 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in May, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was up 7.3 percent from April and up 6.2 percent from May 2016. One TEU is one 20-foot-long cargo container or its equivalent.

June was estimated at 1.66 million TEU, up 5.3 percent from the same time last year. July is forecast at 1.71 million TEU, up 5.1 percent from last year; August at 1.75 million TEU, up 2.2 percent; September at 1.66 million TEU, up 4.3 percent; October at 1.71 million TEU, up 2.2 percent, and November at 1.6 million TEU, down 2.7 percent from last year.

The August figure would be the highest monthly volume recorded since NRF began tracking imports in 2000, topping the 1.73 million TEU seen in March 2015. The 1.7 million-plus numbers seen in May, July, August and October represent four of the six busiest months in the report’s history.

The first half of 2017 is expected to total 9.63 million TEU, up 7.1 percent from the first half of 2016. Cargo volume for 2016 totaled 18.8 million TEU, up 3.1 percent from 2015, which had grown 5.4 percent from 2014.

NRF has forecast that 2017 retail sales – excluding automobiles, gasoline and restaurants – will increase between 3.7 and 4.2 percent over 2016, driven by job and income growth coupled with low debt. Cargo volume does not correlate directly with sales because only the number of containers is counted, not the value of the cargo inside, but nonetheless provides a barometer of retailers’ expectations.

Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett, an internationally known economist who prepares Global Port Tracker for NRF, said the increases in imports have come despite threats by the Trump administration to impose new limits on international trade.

“Some actions to date appear to have alienated traditional allies and are causing them to work more closely together, leaving the United States on the sidelines,” Hackett wrote in his monthly editorial comment in the report. “ ‘America First’ may well result in protectionist actions that will cut the United States off from the benefits of the global value chain and economic growth for U.S. importers and exporters.”

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades and Miami on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at www.nrf.com/PortTracker or by calling (202) 783-7971. Subscription information for non-members can be found at www.globalporttracker.com.

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

Hackett Associates provides expert consulting, research and advisory services to the international maritime industry, government agencies and international institutions. www.hackettassociates.com

Contact:

J. Craig Shearman
(202) 626-8134
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

Source: NRF

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NRF and Hackett Associates report: Imports at major retail container ports saw an unexpected increase during the holiday season

WASHINGTON, 2017-Jan-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports saw an unexpected increase during the industry’s busy holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today (January 9, 2017) by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“We won’t see final sales numbers for a few more days, but import volume suggests that retailers had a strong holiday season,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Retailers don’t import merchandise unless they think they can sell it.”

Ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.64 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in November, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 1.6 percent from October since most imported holiday merchandise had already arrived but up 11.2 percent from November 2015. Global Port Tracker had previously predicted a year-over-year increase of 3.6 percent. One TEU is one 20-foot-long cargo container or its equivalent.

December was estimated at 1.54 million TEU, up 7 percent year-over-year rather than the 3.2 percent that had been expected.

Cargo volume does not correlate directly to sales because only the number of containers is counted, not the value of the cargo inside, but nonetheless provides a barometer of retailers’ expectations. NRF’s annual forecast called for $655.8 billion in 2016 holiday sales during November and December, a 3.6 percent increase over 2015. November sales were up 5 percent year-over-year, and the Commerce Department is scheduled to release December numbers on Friday.

Cargo volume for 2016 is now estimated at 18.8 million TEU, up 2.9 percent from 2015 rather than the 2 percent previously expected. Total volume for 2015 was 18.2 million TEU, up 5.4 percent from 2014.

January is forecast at 1.57 million TEU, up 5.7 percent from January 2016; February at 1.52 million TEU, down 1.5 percent from last year; March at 1.41 million TEU, up 6.5 percent from last year; April at 1.55 million TEU, up 7.3 percent, and May at 1.61 million TEU, down 0.5 percent.

“Economic data is fickle by nature – it surges and falls and often surprises us,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said, referring to sometimes-contradictory economic numbers seen over the past year. “There is both optimism and pessimism and pointers showing growth as well as decline.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades and Miami on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at www.nrf.com/PortTracker or by calling (202) 783-7971. Subscription information for non-members can be found at www.globalporttracker.com.

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

Hackett Associates provides expert consulting, research and advisory services to the international maritime industry, government agencies and international institutions. www.hackettassociates.com

Contact:
J. Craig Shearman
(202) 626-8134
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press

Source: NRF

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PetSmart shares advice for keeping pets safe, healthy and happy this holiday season

PHOENIX, 2016-Dec-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The holiday season is synonymous with family gatherings, dinner parties, gift openings and plenty of festive food, which can pose some challenges for pets.

Lisa Darling, DVM, PetSmart’s resident veterinarian and pet care expert, shares advice for keeping pets safe, healthy and happy this holiday season and throughout the cold winter months.

Create a Safe Home for Pets

This time of year, home holiday décor can include seasonal plants, ornaments and candles, which means plenty of intriguing and dangerous new sights and smells for pets. For example, extra electrical cords can be tempting new “chew toys” for pets. Darling recommends pet parents take special care to ensure extra electrical cords for festive indoor lighting are not accessible to pets by taping them down or covering them to help prevent injuries.

Christmas trees can also pique the interest of curious cats and playful pups. Darling urges pet parents to firmly anchor trees so they can take any potential playful swatting and to keep breakable glass ornaments higher up on the tree, out of pets’ reach, along with temptations like tinsel and ribbons.

Candles can also be problematic, so it’s best to avoid burning them or put them far out of pets’ reach. Seasonal plants like holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs and cats, so if you plan to decorate your home with them place them in an area your pet cannot reach.

Savor the Season – Safely

The holidays are filled with festive food, treats and candy, and although it can be tempting to share human foods with our beloved pets, resist the urge.

“Table scraps such as turkey, gravy and stuffing may look harmless, but even small amounts can lead to serious health issues,” said Darling.

Instead, include pets in your festive feasting by offering them pet-friendly treats that look and taste like the real thing. Simply Nourish® Merry Meals™, in flavors like Turkey, Sweet Potato and Cranberry, are healthy alternatives to the human food on our holiday table. PetSmart’s meat and cheese tray, pie slice and turkey leg made of rawhide are fun takes on holiday feasting, but are specifically formulated for pets.

Keep Them Calm

The holidays can be a hectic time for people and pets. Extra visitors to the house, travel and commotion can leave pets feeling anxious.

“Before company arrives, try putting your dog or cat in a Thundershirt®, which is designed to provide a calming effect when they experience fear or discomfort,” Darling said. “Many pet parents also find that supplements like LICKS® Zen Calming Remedy also work by promoting calmness and behavior which may help stabilize pets’ moods.”

Keep Them Feeling Cozy and Warm

During especially cold winter days and nights, look to your pet to gauge comfort levels and plan time to dress them accordingly. Generally, if your pet is small and short-haired, it’s likely he or she is sensitive to the cold. The same goes for older pets and those that may be frail or ill.

Darling says that sweaters, coats and booties to protect their paws are all smart (and comfortable) solutions. Booties are particularly important for icy areas that may be salted and can help guard pup’s paws from the harmful solution.

A safe home is a happy and festive home this holiday season. Keeping these tips in mind can help avoid emergency trips to the vet, which means the whole family can enjoy a joyful holiday season. Find more pet-friendly tips for the holidays at Petsmart.com/learning-center.

About PetSmart®

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart’s passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. We employ approximately 55,000 associates, operate approximately 1,500 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and 204 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities.

PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp day care services and pet adoption services in-store. Our portfolio of digital resources for pet parents – including PetSmart.com, PetFoodDirect.com, Pet360.com and petMD.com – offers the most comprehensive online pet supplies and pet care information in the U.S. Through our in-store pet adoption partnership with independent nonprofit organizations, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities™ of Canada, PetSmart helps to save the lives of more than 500,000 homeless pets each year.

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

Contacts: 
Golin for PetSmart Inc.
Danielle Bickelmann
dbickelmann@golin.com
469.680.2503

PetSmart Media Line:
623-587-2177

Source: PetSmart Inc.

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GameStop survey reveals gamers’ top “I’ve gotta have it” video games for this holiday season

GameStop has games for everyone and for all budgets

GRAPEVINE, TX, 2016-Dec-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Still wondering what to get the gamer on your gift list this year? GameStop, a global family of specialty retail brands that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple, can help take the guesswork out of gift giving. The top gaming retailer recently polled its PowerUp Rewards™ members to discover their must-have game gifts this holiday season. The gamers have spoken, and the top five “I’ve gotta have it” video games are:

5. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

4. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

3. Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon

2. Battlefield 1

and the No. 1 most wanted game this holiday: Final Fantasy XV

Other titles on gamers’ wish list, include Madden NFL 17, Gears of War 4, Titanfall 2, and Watch Dogs 2.

Whether buying for a family member, a friend or yourself, GameStop has these games and more and deals that you’re looking for. Starting December 4 and running through the rest of the year, buy Grand Theft Auto V and get a FREE Whale Shark Card, a $50 value, worth $3.5 Million in Grand Theft Auto Online game currency. Also, on December 10, and only at GameStop, PowerUp Rewards Pro members can buy two get one free on all pre-owned products.

GameStop has more than 2,500 pre-owned games priced at under $20 and PowerUp Rewards Pro members save an additional 10 percent on all pre-owned games and accessories. Customers can ask a store associate for details on how to become a Pro member to take advantage of these offers.

Customers can also give more for less this holiday season and trade in their pre-owned video games, consoles and accessories to receive credit that can be applied when purchasing holiday gifts at GameStop.

Finally, GameStop is making it easier for customers to purchase gifts through its holiday layaway program. Now through December 16, customers have the option to reserve and pay for over time their holiday gifts. A $25 minimum deposit is all that is needed to start a layaway today. All layaways must be paid off and picked up at the store location where the original deposit was made by the end of operating hours on December 21.

For more gift ideas for the holidays and information on products deals, please visit a GameStop store location, or GameStop’s online Holiday Hub.

About GameStop

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 7,500 stores across 14 countries. The company’s consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the world’s leading print and digital video game publication; and ThinkGeek, www.thinkgeek.com, the premier retailer for the global geek community featuring exclusive and unique video game and pop culture products. In addition, our Technology Brands segment includes Simply Mac and Spring Mobile stores. Simply Mac, www.simplymac.com, operates 70 stores, selling the full line of Apple products, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones and offering Apple certified warranty and repair services. Spring Mobile, www.springmobile.com, sells all of AT&T’s products and services, including DIRECTV through its 1,429 AT&T branded stores and offers pre-paid wireless services, devices and related accessories through its 70 Cricket branded stores in select markets in the U.S.

General information about GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company’s corporate website. Follow @GameStop on Twitter and find GameStop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GameStop.

Visuals

  • B-roll available upon request
  • Product shots available upon request

Contact:
Kyle Stephenson
GameStop – Public Relations
kylestephenson@gamestop.com

Source: GameStop Corporation

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Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen kicks off the holiday season with Cajun Style Turkeys

ATLANTA, 2016-Nov-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen kicks off the holiday season with one of its longest running and most flavorful traditions, Cajun Style Turkeys. Infused with a special blend of Louisiana spices and seasonings, Popeyes Cajun Style Turkeys are flash fried to seal in the unique flavor creating a delicious coating.

“Everyone enjoys celebrating the holidays with family gatherings and Popeyes Cajun Style Turkeys have become an institution for families around the country during the holiday season,” said Hector A. Muñoz, Chief Marketing Officer – US, Popeyes. “We’re once again bringing our signature Louisiana flavor to holiday meals and this year more Popeyes restaurants than ever are offering Cajun Style Turkeys. So come down and get yours before they’re gone!”

Along with Popeyes Cajun Style Turkeys, guests can also bring home a variety of Signature Sides from Popeyes to complete their perfect holiday get together, including Mashed Potatoes with Cajun Gravy, Red Beans and Rice and mouthwatering Buttermilk Biscuits.

Cajun Style Turkeys also make great gifts for friends, family members or employees. This once-a-year limited time offer is available at participating restaurants through December, or until supplies last. For more information or to find participating restaurants, please visit us at www.popeyes.com.

About Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes is a leader in the New Orleans segment of the foodservice industry and is the world’s second largest quick-service chicken concept based on the number of units. For more information, visit the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Web site at www.popeyes.com.

Media Contact:
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.
Renee Kopkowski
404-459-4630
Vice President, Brand Communications
renee.kopkowski@popeyes.com

Coltrin & Associates (on behalf of Popeyes)
Jennifer Webb
212-221-1616
Jennifer_webb@coltrin.com

Source: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

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Starbucks kicks off the holiday season with its 2016 Red Holiday Cups

starbucks-kicks-off-the-holiday-season-with-its-2016-red-holiday-cups
Starbucks kicks off the holiday season with its 2016 Red Holiday Cups

 

Seattle, 2016-Nov-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — For many, when Starbucks red cups return, it’s a signal that the holiday season is drawing near.

Since 1997, Starbucks has welcomed the holidays with a special red cup that celebrates the spirit of the season. Over the years, designs have ranged from the modern, using whimsical brushstrokes in bold colors, to the nostalgic, featuring mistletoe and ornaments. This year, for the first time, Starbucks red cups will feature designs created by customers with 13 distinct cups in stores starting tomorrow (November 10).

“We hope that this year’s red holiday cup designs express the shared spirit of the holidays as told by our customers,” said Sharon Rothstein, Starbucks global chief marketing officer.

For years Starbucks customers have been decorating their white cups (Starbucks even held a contest to support this creativity). Taking a cue from customers who had been using their red holiday cups as a canvas, last December Starbucks invited customers to share their designs on Instagram.

From Illinois to Indonesia, Pennsylvania to Korea, Dubai to Ontario, in just eight days, Starbucks received more than 1,200 individual submissions from 13 countries. Many of the images were featured in an online cup collection.

“We were surprised and inspired by the amount of incredible art submitted by our customers. The designs were beautiful, expressive and engaging,” said Dena Blevins, creative director, Starbucks Global Creative Studio. “We quickly realized there was potential to use the customer-created art for our holiday cups.”

Related: Meet the Customers Who Designed Starbucks 2016 Red Cups

The Starbucks Creative team printed each design posted to social channels and noticed the themes that began to emerge – graphic, inspirational, intricate, seasonal, typographic. No customer names were included, just a photo of the cup that was submitted.

“We loved how the red cups with white designs naturally created a collection,” Blevins said. “They hang together as one idea, but each expression is unique.”

Next, the Starbucks team asked a small group of customers to mail in their cup so that it could be evaluated for potential production. The team worked to honor the artists and the integrity of their artwork, making as few changes as possible to the original.

In the end, 13 customer designs were selected from six countries to represent the collective spirit of the holidays around the world. Their designs will be showcased on the holiday cups served in the more than 25,000 Starbucks stores in 75 countries.

“People will be walking around the street in Shanghai, New York and London carrying these cups,” Blevins said. “We love that this year our customers’ artistry can play a part in brightening someone’s day.”

Media contact:

Global
Phone: 206 318 7100
Email: press@starbucks.com

Source: Starbucks

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JCPenney offers unique, surprising gifts at an amazing value this holiday season

JCPenney offers unique, surprising gifts at an amazing value this holiday season
JCPenney offers unique, surprising gifts at an amazing value this holiday season

 

  • Company Offers Incredible Value with Enticing Gifts, Money-Saving
    Promotions and Launch of Lowest Price Guarantee
  • Stores Welcome Black Friday Shoppers at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day
  • Black Friday Sale Prices Start One Day Earlier at JCPenney.com on Nov. 23

PLANO, Texas, 2016-Nov-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — JCPenney is helping shoppers experience “Joy Worth Giving” this holiday season by ensuring it saves customers’ time, money and effort when it comes to finding the perfect gift for everyone on their list. With a breadth of curated products, must-have brands and an array of compelling promotions throughout the season, JCPenney will prove that it has the unique, surprising gifts that customers want at an amazing value.

“The essence of Christmas is rooted in the joy of giving. We know our customer puts a lot of thought and love into the gifts they give,” said Mary Beth West, chief customer and marketing officer for JCPenney. “Our value offering this year has never been stronger. When combined with our outstanding gift assortment, we’re confident holiday shoppers will make JCPenney the destination worth shopping this season.”

Deals Worth Seizing
JCPenney will kick off its annual Black Friday sale in stores on Thanksgiving Day when doors open at 3 p.m. For customers who wish to get a head start on their holiday shopping, Black Friday sale prices will be available on JCPenney.com one day earlier beginning at midnight on Nov. 23.

When stores open on Thanksgiving Day, early shoppers will be greeted with an envelope containing a coupon worth $10 off $10, $100 off $100 or a $500 off $500 or more purchase, while supplies last. Coupons are valid for use in store only starting on Thanksgiving Day. Shoppers in stores at 6 a.m. on Black Friday will receive another chance to receive an instant-savings coupon worth up to $100 off $100 or more purchase. Stores will remain open for the Company’s Black Friday sale until Friday, Nov. 25 at 10 p.m.

To simplify the shopping experience and better serve customers during the busy holiday season, associates will be wearing festive red shirts, making it easier to spot them throughout the store, and new red shopping carts will be rolling out to 450 stores nationwide.

This year’s Black Friday deals, which were exclusively previewed to JCPenney mobile app users on Nov. 4, include exciting offers such as:

  • $1.99 Mixit™ touch tech gloves
  • $2.99 Home Expressions™ 100 percent cotton towel or JCPenney Home™ classic standard/queen pillow
  • $4.99 Disney® Collection mini plush or select Paw Patrol toys
  • $5.99 select Shopkins™ or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys
  • $7.99 cooks™ kitchen electrics (after $12 mail in rebate)
  • $9.99 Tzumi™ dream vision virtual reality headset
  • $14.99 Women’s pajama sets
  • $19.99 select Women’s boots
  • $20 1/10 CT. T.W. diamond studs in sterling silver or Liz Claiborne® charging pouch
  • $29 Women’s (with faux fur trim) or Men’s St. John’s Bay™ puffer coat
  • $29.99 Sky Rider drone with camera or Razor kick scooter
  • $36.99 Men’s Levi’s® 501® original core jeans
  • $39.99 5-pc Protocol® Hamilton luggage set
  • $59.99 CHI® flat iron
  • $59.99 Nutribullet® blender
  • $79 Sharper Image® 5.1 channel bluetooth home theater system
  • $88 men’s or women’s Citizen®, Casio®, Seiko® or Invicta® watches
  • $89.99 Keurig® K55 brewer
  • $279.99 KitchenAid® artisian 5-qt. stand mixer (after $50 mail in rebate)
  • $293 each Hotpoint® 3.8 cubic feet stainless steel basket washer or 6.2 cubic feet electric dryer
  • $994 Samsung 26 cubic feet 3-door French door refrigerator

JCPenney will also be stepping up its promotions throughout the entire month of November with exciting one-day only “Pre Black Friday” deals available in-store and JCPenney.com beginning today through Nov. 19. From Nov. 20-22, JCPenney will feature 24 online daily deals leading up to its Black Friday sale. The retailer has also begun its Black Friday sale deals on major appliances, a new merchandise category for the Company this holiday season, offering customers up to 40 percent off select models.

The savings continue with the JCPenney Cyber Monday sale on Nov. 27-28, with over 50,000 deals available in stores and online at JCPenney.com and free shipping on orders of $49 or more. The sale will be followed with further promotions online and in-store throughout the entire week.

Prices Worth Beating
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, JCPenney has introduced its lowest price guarantee. Effective Nov. 13, if a customer finds a lower current advertised price on an identical item within 14 days after purchase at a competitor, they can bring that ad to a JCPenney store, or call customer care at 1-800-322-1189 for online purchases, and JCPenney will beat that price by 5 percent. With the Company’s new lowest price guarantee, customers can be assured that they always “get their Penney’s worth” when shopping the retailer’s assortment of top national brands, such as Nike®, Levi’s®, Kitchenaid®, Keurig®, NutriBullet®, Converse®, adidas® and more. The Company’s lowest price guarantee is available every day, including Black Friday. Customers can visit jcp.com/lowest-price for more details.

Furthermore, to assist customers in finding the perfect present on a budget, JCPenney will showcase helpful Gifts Under $5, $10, $15, $20 and $25 ideas through national broadcast spots, an online gift hub found at jcp.com/gifts or on the JCPenney mobile app, and with an array of “Gifts Under” statements throughout the store.

Joy Worth Giving
JCPenney will highlight its gift assortment and value offering through its “Joy Worth Giving” marketing campaign, which includes branded and promotional broadcast spots, national print ads in top fashion and home magazines, along with digital, mobile, direct mail and email components. Additionally, a social campaign will feature videos highlighting surprising acts of generosity to deserving individuals and be supported by #JoyWorthGiving.

In celebration of #GivingTuesday on Nov. 29, JCPenney will be making a $100,000 donation to the YMCA and will host private shopping events throughout the month of December benefitting the Y. In select cities, JCPenney will invite kids from local Ys to visit a JCPenney store to shop for gifts for their families, while being treated to a special visit with a hometown celebrity.

From Dec. 15-17, JCPenney will cater to last-minute shoppers with a festive Christmas display located in high traffic areas within 40 malls across the country. The retailer will surprise and delight customers by inviting them to choose a stocking from a mock fireplace mantel to redeem at the JCPenney store for a coupon, gift card or surprise item.

For video, b-roll and images, please visit http://www.jcpnewsroom.com/news-releases/2016/1107_spreads_joy_worth_giving.html

About JCPenney:
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP), one of the nation’s largest apparel and home furnishings retailers, is on a mission to ensure every customer’s shopping experience is worth her time, money and effort. Whether shopping jcp.com or visiting one of over 1,000 store locations across the United States and Puerto Rico, she will discover a broad assortment of products from a leading portfolio of private, exclusive and national brands. Supporting this value proposition is the warrior spirit of over 100,000 JCPenney associates worldwide, who are focused on the Company’s three strategic priorities of strengthening private brands, becoming a world‐class omnichannel retailer and increasing revenue per customer. For additional information, please visit jcp.com.

JCPenney Media Relations:
(972) 431-3400
jcpnews@jcp.com

Source: J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

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