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Category Archives: Management
Posted on February 15, 2018 by EPR Retail News Editors
Lowe's to fill more than 53,000 jobs on its first National Hiring Day, Feb. 21
Anyone interested in a full-time, part-time or seasonal role can visit any of Lowe's 1,700-plus U.S. stores on Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to participate in open interviews during the company's first National Hiring Day. (PRNewsfoto/Lowe's Companies, Inc.)
MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2018-Feb-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe's is looking for people with customer service experience who have a passion for helping people love where they live. With a goal of filling more than 53,000 jobs, Lowe's stores nationwide will open their doors to candidates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 during the company's first National Hiring Day.
Candidates interested in a full-time, part-time or seasonal role can visit any of Lowe's 1,700-plus U.S. stores to participate in open interviews and learn more about working at Lowe's. The event is an opportunity to meet hiring managers, speak with associates and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours in an open house atmosphere.
"Our employees are the heart of our business and make a difference for the customers and communities we serve every day," said Jennifer Weber, Lowe's chief human resources officer. "Lowe's is a great place to build a career, and we're excited to host our largest-ever job fair to introduce people to our culture. We're looking to hire customer-centric and service-minded people who are passionate about being a part of something bigger."
Those who can't make it to the open house can tune in to a Facebook Live event on the Lowe's Careers channel at 2:15 p.m. EST on Feb. 21 to hear more from Weber about building a career at Lowe's.
Recently named one of the top 10 most customer-engaged companies by Forbes, Lowe's is hiring employees to serve customers and communities during the busy spring and summer seasons. Seasonal employees typically support stores between March and September. Available roles include cashiers, lawn and garden associates, loaders, stockers and assemblers of outdoor products. Lowe's seasonal employees benefit from competitive pay, a 10 percent employee discount and flexible hours, including the opportunity to see their schedule 17 days in advance and swap shifts with others as needed.
Lowe's employs nearly 250,000 people across its U.S. stores and provides career advancement opportunities at all levels. Last year, nearly 40 percent of Lowe's seasonal employees transitioned into permanent part-time and full-time positions. Nearly 200 current store managers started as seasonal employees.
Jordan McGee was 19 when she took a seasonal job as a cashier in Gastonia, N.C. Just four years later, she was promoted to assistant store manager of sales in Clover, S.C.
"Lowe's has supported me through my career journey by helping me develop into a stronger leader. When I started, I was only 19, with no management experience, so I've always had a mentor or someone helping me, just giving me that encouragement in my ear," McGee said. "If there's one word that describes Lowe's, I would say 'career,' just because you can come in and be whoever you want to be. You have the potential to move all the way up through the ranks, and they'll support you through that."
Lowe's also will hold open interviews and make conditional job offers on the spot for part-time and full-time positions, including service and support managers, cashiers, stockers and sales specialists. Eligible part-time and full-time employees can take advantage of Lowe's health and wellness benefits, incentive programs, 401(k), a discounted stock purchase plan, tuition reimbursement and flexible work schedules.
Earlier this month, Lowe's announced plans to enhance its benefits, including expanded maternity and parental leave as well as adoption assistance. Eligible full-time hourly and salaried U.S. employees will qualify to receive:
Ten weeks of paid maternity leave and two weeks of paid parental leave.
An adoption assistance benefit to cover up to $5,000 of expenses related to agency, legal and other fees.
Eligibility to enroll in health benefits sooner, as early as the first of the month following 30 days of service.
To learn more about available jobs in your area, Lowe's benefits or to apply online, visit Lowes.com/SpringHire. Applying takes just 20 minutes on average. To learn more about career opportunities, and to hear directly from employees who transitioned from seasonal roles into store management positions, visit Lowe's newsroom.
About Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe's and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.
SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.
PublicRelations@Lowes.com
Posted in Home & Garden, Home Decor, Human Resources, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Jennifer Weber, Jordan McGee, Lowe's, National Hiring Day |
Dollar General announces the appointment of Tim McGuire and Ralph Santana to its board of directors
Company Increases Board Size to 10
Goodlettsville, Tenn., 2018-Feb-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (February 13, 2018), Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) announced the appointment of Tim McGuire and Ralph Santana to its board of directors effective February 12, 2018.
"Dollar General is excited to welcome Tim and Ralph to its board of directors," said Michael Calbert, Dollar General's chairman of the board. "Each brings extensive knowledge of the retail and consumer industries, and we are confident that they will add great value to our board of directors and to Dollar General as it continues its strategic growth."
The election of McGuire and Santana to Dollar General's board of directors will bring the total number of directors to 10.
McGuire will serve on the compensation committee and Santana will serve on the nominating and governance committee.
McGuire has served as Chairman of the Board of Mobile Service Center Canada, Ltd. (d/b/a Mobile Klinik), a chain of professional smartphone repair stores specializing in professional "while you wait" repair and care of smartphones and tablets, since June 2017. He retired from McKinsey & Company, a worldwide management consulting firm, after serving as a leader of its global retail and consumer practice for almost 28 years. In that role, he led the company's Americas retail practice for five years, as well as consulting efforts with major retail, telecommunications, consumer service and marketing organizations in Canada, the United States, Latin America, Europe and Australia. He also co-founded McKinsey Analytics, a global group of consultants that brings advanced analytics capabilities to clients to help make better business decisions. McGuire began his career with Procter & Gamble in 1983 where he served in various positions, leaving in October 1989 as its Marketing Director for the Canadian Food & Beverage division.
Since April 2013, Santana has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Harman International Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. with responsibility for all aspects of Harman's worldwide marketing strategy. Prior to joining Harman, Santana served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, North America for Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. from June 2010 to September 2012, responsible for launching Samsung's U.S. e-commerce business and building out branding strategies to drive visibility. He also previously served 16 years at PepsiCo with roles of increasing responsibility including Vice President of Marketing, North American Beverages, Pepsi-Cola where he spearheaded a creative overhaul and re-launch of Pepsi-Cola, as well as its Frito-Lay's international and North America operations. Santana began his career as a senior marketing associate at Beverage Marketing Corporation.
For additional information, photographs or items to supplement a story, please contact the Media Relations Department at 1-877-944-DGPR (3477) or via email at dgpr@dollargeneral.com.
Donny Lau: (615) 855-5536
Kevin Walker: (615) 855-4954
Crystal Ghassemi: (615) 855-5210; 877-944-DGPR (3477); dgpr@dollargeneral.com
About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for over 75 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 14,321 stores in 44 states as of November 3, 2017. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg's, General Mills, and PepsiCo. For more information on Dollar General, please visit www.dollargeneral.com.
SOURCE: Dollar General Corporation
Posted in Business, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Dollar General, Michael Calbert, Ralph Santana, Tim McGuire |
Morrisons announces long-term franchise and wholesale supply agreement with SandpiperCI
Bradford, UK, 2018-Feb-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Morrisons is today announcing a new, long-term franchise and wholesale supply agreement with SandpiperCI, an operator of 43 mini supermarkets and convenience stores in the Channel Islands.
Most sites will convert into Morrisons Daily stores and be supplied with both Morrisons own brand as well as branded products. In addition, Morrisons will supply Safeway and branded products to the remaining Sandpiper stores. All stores will convert to selling Morrisons-supplied products over the next year.
James Badger, Morrisons Wholesale Director, said: "We are pleased to be announcing a partnership with a strong franchise partner in Sandpiper and the opportunity to bring Morrisons quality and value to customers in the Channel Islands. As Morrisons becomes broader and stronger, our brand is becoming more accessible to more customers."
For Morrisons: Morrisons Press Office 0845 611 5111
For Sandpiper: Glen Rankine 07797 713 579
SOURCE: Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc.
Posted in Business, Grocery, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged franchise, James Badger, Morrisons, SandpiperCI, wholesale supply |
CBRE recognized as a 2018 World's Most Ethical Company® by the Ethisphere Institute
LOS ANGELES, CA, 2018-Feb-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG) has been recognized as a 2018 World's Most Ethical Company® by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. This is the fifth year in a row CBRE has achieved this recognition.
"Our clients trust CBRE to not only deliver exceptional client outcomes but to act with integrity in all areas of our business, which our people do day-in and day-out," said Bob Sulentic, president and chief executive officer of CBRE.
Ethisphere honors companies that influence and drive positive change, consider the impact of their actions on their employees, investors, customers and other key stakeholders and use their values and culture to underpin the decisions they make every day. Companies are evaluated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program, corporate citizenship and responsibility, culture of ethics, governance, and leadership, innovation and reputation.
"While the discourse around the world changed profoundly in 2017, a stronger voice emerged. Global corporations operating with a common rule of law are now society's strongest force to improve the human condition. This year we saw companies increasingly finding their voice. The World's Most Ethical Companies, in particular continued to show exemplary leadership," explained Ethisphere's CEO, Timothy Erblich. "I congratulate everyone at CBRE for being recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies."
Earlier this year CBRE was included on the 2018 America's Best Employers For Diversity list by Forbes, the only commercial real estate company to receive this honor. In December 2017, FORTUNE magazine also named CBRE one of the best U.S. workplaces for diversity.
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2017 revenue). The company has more than 80,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate investors and occupiers through approximately 450 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers a broad range of integrated services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.
SOURCE: CBRE
CBRE Logo
Robert McGrath
Corporate Communications, Global
Posted in Business, Malls, Management, Retail | Tagged 2018 World's Most Ethical Company®, CBRE, the Ethisphere Institute, Timothy Erblich |
Co-op to give a £1M makeover to its food store in Olney, Buckinghamshire
MANCHESTER, UK, 2018-Feb-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op is set to serve-up a new-look food store in Olney, Buckinghamshire, with a £1M investment The 7,000 sq. ft. food store, located in Stanley Court, Olney, has embarked on a major makeover and will bring a funding boost locally through its Membership scheme – Members receive a 5% reward on the purchase of own-brand products and services, with the Co-op donating a further 1% to local good causes.
The community retailer – which has returned to its clover-leaf design logo first used in the 1960's – is supporting the Olney Infant Academy; Olney Pre-School and, Friends of Olney Middle School through its Membership scheme.
During the programme of works, the Co-op has introduced free transport to its nearby store in Newport Pagnell to support members of the community without access to a vehicle – the service runs daily from the store at 11am, returning at 1pm.
The Co-op will then operate a temporary 2,500 sq. ft. convenience store from the Stanley Court site during the works. Around one third of the size of the usual store, it will open between 6am-11pm from Monday – Saturday and 8am-6pm on Sunday until 12 March and offer a full range of products in order to continue to serve the community while the improvements are carried out.
The retailer – which won the title of Convenience Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards – will have a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas, award winning wines and, essentials. All of its own brand fresh meat – including bacon and lamb – is British, and it only uses British meat in all of its own-label chilled ready meals, pies and sandwiches.
Last month, the community retailer unveiled a £50M price investment programme to cut the cost of everyday essentials including fruit, vegetables, bread, fresh meat and ready meals, as well as household brand names.
There are to be offers and promotions in and around the store to mark its re-launch on Friday, 23 March.
And, students in Olney holding a NUS extra card also receive a 10% discount off their groceries at the Co-op to support them during their studies.
Paul Bradford, Co-op Store Manager, said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to carry out such a significant investment in Olney – we are really looking forward to welcoming members and customers back into their new-look Co-op. We are proud to be part of the community, and our ambition is to ensure the store is a local hub, a real asset for the community."
Brian Pooley, Area Manager for the Co-op, said: "The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum. We are investing in our people, stores, products and prices and have the ambition for our stores to be at the heart of local life, bringing communities together and offering our great quality products when and where shoppers need them. We also want customers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op. And, that we are also giving back to the community. Our members make a difference locally, simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us they are raising much needed funding for organisations in the area who contribute to improving local life."
Further information about the benefits of Co-op membership and, its local Community Fund, is available by visiting: http://www.coop.co.uk/membership/
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
E: Andrew.torr@coop.co.uk
Posted in Grocery, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Brian Pooley, Co-op, Paul Bradford |
The Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2018 now open for applications
Trade apprentices expected to earn an extra £2,000 per year above the national
average by 2022
Plumbers and electricians set to be highest trade earners, with a forecasted wage of over £31,000 per annum
Research launched as Screwfix searches for the 2018 top Trade Apprentice, an initiative which aims to identify the rising stars of the trade
Westminster, United Kingdom, 2018-Feb-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Screwfix is calling for the next generation to consider a career in the trade as new research shows a job in building and construction trades could lead to higher wages than other career choices.
Future plumbers, plasterers, roofers, carpenters, electricians and bricklayers are set to earn at least £2,500 a year more than the national average by 2022, bringing their average salary to over £27,500. In addition, apprentices can enter their chosen career free from the debt of university fees, which now average £50,000*. This comes from new research commissioned by Screwfix which examined ONS salary data from 2010-17 to forecast future earnings of apprentices entering a profession.
Along with the benefits associated with a long-term career in the trade, including flexible working hours, becoming a skilled expert, being your own boss and working with a wide range of people, research has found that pay really cements why a career in the trade is the right choice.
The research predicts the highest earners will be plumbers and electricians with a forecasted wage of over £31,000 per annum. However, carpenters and plasterers are forecast to see the biggest increases between 2018 and 2022.Carpenters are expected to see a rise of eight per cent (over £2,000), while plasterers should see an increase of nine per cent (over £2,100).
The research was commissioned by leading trade retailer Screwfix as part of its Trade Apprentice initiative, which aims to celebrate and champion the best trade apprentices and future stars of construction.
Graham Bell, Screwfix CEO, said: "The research supports our belief at Screwfix that a trade apprenticeship is a strong career choice for young people in this country. Apprenticeships lead to careers in highly skilled jobs, which are in high demand and therefore attract a healthy, competitive salary. For young people starting out they offer a great career choice without the burden of large debts from university fees."
Meanwhile, in a separate piece of research conducted with tradespeople it was revealed that more than half (57 per cent) struggle to find skilled labour. For those who struggle to recruit skilled employees, more than one third (37 per cent) believe it is because apprenticeships are not given the same level of respect as a university education, while 31 per cent say poor public perception of a career in the trade means school leavers are not interested in pursuing a future in construction.
"We believe the whole industry should play a part in encouraging and inspiring more people to undertake an apprenticeship. There is an ongoing focus on the importance of trade apprenticeships for the UK economy and for construction in particular, which is facing a significant skills gap. That's why we are continuing to support the industry with The Screwfix Trade Apprentice initiative, which not only supports young people to kick-start their career but also inspires a strong future for the UK's construction industry," added Graham Bell.
One winner will walk away with the title of The Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2018, receiving a business and trade bundle worth £10,000, including a laptop with accessories, £5,000 worth of Screwfix products and funds for future training courses to help kick start their career.
Gross Annual Pay (median) £ 2018 2022
Electricians and electrical fitters 30,478 31,248
Bricklayers and masons 24,108 24,840
Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers 29,493 31,048
Carpenters and joiners 26,001 28,017
Plasterers 24,757 26,949
ALL UK employees 23,474 25,009
For more information visit https://www.screwfix.com/landingpage/tradeapprentice/
* ONS' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The forecasts were produced by calculating the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for each job code for the period 2010-2017 and applying this to the next 5 years.
For more information about Screwfix please visit our media centre: www.screwfixmedia.co.uk
PRESS information:
Matthew Allen, McCann Public Relations, Tel: 0121 713 3579 / Matthew.thomas-allen@Mccann.com
Posted in Business, Human Resources, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Graham Bell, Screwfix, The Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2018, Trade apprentices |
Posted on February 13, 2018 by Retail News Editor
Carrefour Italia earns Top Employer certification for 2018
Boulogne-Billancourt, France, 2018-Feb-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — On 1 February 2017, the Top Employers Institute announced the results of its annual investigations into a wide selection of Italian employers and the conditions that they provide for their employees. We are delighted to inform you that our company is one of the successful organisations to be awarded the exclusive Top Employers Italia certification for 2018.
The Top Employers Institute is an independent organisation which looks into the conditions provided for employees by major employers around the world and measures them against an international standard. As such, only the world's leading employers become certified as Top Employers.
Crucial to the Top Employers procedure is that participating companies must undergo stringent analysis – the Top Employers Institute's international HR Best Practices Survey – and meet the required high standard in order to be awarded the certification. To further reinforce the validity of the process, all answers were independently audited, confirming that this investigation has verified our outstanding employee conditions and earned us a coveted spot among a select group of certified Top Employers.
The Top Employers Institute assessed our practices in accordance with the following criteria:
• Talent Strategy
• Workforce Planning
• On-boarding
• Learning & Development
• Performance Management
• Leadership Development
• Career & Succession Management
• Compensation & Benefits
Carrefour Italia earned Top Employer certification because our employee offerings across all measured criteria surpassed the required thresholds for certification.
For all request about the Carrefour Group (sales, financial results, governance, international,…), please contact the Carrefour Group media relations office:
. By phone:
Switchboard: +33 (0)1 41 04 26 00
For journalists: +33 (0)1 41 04 26 17
. By e-mail: presse_groupe@carrefour.com
Source: Carrefour Group
Posted in Awards, Business, Grocery, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Carrefour, Italia, Top Employer certification |
Woolwich Estate in south east London joins the portfolio of British Land's Local retail centres
LONDON, 2018-Feb-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — British Land is pleased to announce that it has acquired the Woolwich Estate, covering 4.9 acres in south east London for a headline price £103 million representing a net initial yield of 4.1%.
This acquisition is in line with our strategy of focusing on well-connected, mixed use assets which meet the evolving needs of our occupiers and their customers. It builds on our portfolio of places benefitting from the Elizabeth Line, including Broadgate, Paddington Central and Ealing Broadway, and provides significant potential to drive growth and returns through our placemaking, asset management and development expertise. It makes an exciting addition to our existing portfolio of Local retail centres, which provide convenience-led shopping for local communities.
The Woolwich estate covers 360,000 sq ft of space in central Woolwich. Predominantly retail, it includes over 50,000 sq ft of residential and 3,000 sq ft of office space. The area is already benefitting from significant regeneration, led by the Elizabeth Line which launches from Woolwich in December 2018 reducing journey times to Canary Wharf and Bond Street to 8 and 22 minutes respectively. To coincide with this, 6,000 new homes have been built or are in the pipeline. The estate is currently 95% occupied, with an average lease length of under four years, and average rent of £17 psf, providing British Land with an attractive opportunity to strengthen the offer and mix in line with the improving catchment.
Charles Maudsley, Head of Retail, Leisure & Residential at British Land, said: "This acquisition provides a unique opportunity to create a thriving retail-anchored centre, benefitting from a mix of uses in an exciting, increasingly well connected and rapidly regenerating part of London. We have a long term vision for the estate which will deliver space that works for retailers and their customers; which generates clear benefits for local communities and drives value for British Land.
Across our London campuses and our multi-let retail properties, we have developed a clear and distinct advantage in managing mixed use environments with development potential, and in enhancing and enlivening our space through placemaking. This acquisition plays very well to those skills."
The Woolwich Estate comprises 56 retail units and has footfall of 6 million. It benefits from an improving local demographic with over 40% of residents falling within the top three most affluent groups, per CACI consumer classification. Coinciding with the arrival of the Elizabeth Line, Greenwich Council are investing £31 million to deliver a new "Creative District" which will transform five historic buildings into theatre and concert space, with offices and restaurants.
About British Land
Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on Retail around the UK and London Offices. We own or manage a portfolio valued at £18.1 billion (British Land share: £13.5 billion) as at 30 September 2017 making us one of Europe's largest listed real estate investment companies.
Our strategy is to provide places which meet the needs of our customers and respond to changing lifestyles – Places People Prefer. We do this by creating great environments both inside and outside our buildings and use our scale and placemaking skills to enhance and enliven them. This expands their appeal to a broader range of occupiers, creating enduring demand and driving sustainable, long term performance.
Our Retail portfolio is focused on Regional and Local multi-let centres, and accounts for 49% of our portfolio. Our Offices portfolio comprises three office-led campuses in central London as well as high quality standalone buildings and accounts for 49% of our portfolio. Increasingly our focus is on providing a mix of uses and this is most evident at Canada Water, our 46 acre redevelopment opportunity where we have plans to create a new neighbourhood for London.
Sustainability is embedded throughout our business. Our places, which are designed to meet high sustainability standards, become part of local communities, provide opportunities for skills development and employment and promote wellbeing. Our industry-leading sustainability performance led to British Land being awarded a five star rating in the 2017 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark for the second year running.
In April 2016 British Land received the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development, the UK's highest accolade for business success for economic, social and environmental achievements over a period of five years.
Further details can be found on the British Land website at www.britishland.com
British Land
Pip Wood
Cressida Curtis
Source: British Land
Posted in Business, Management, Real Estate, Retail, Retailer | Tagged British Land's, Charles Maudsley, Local retail centres, south east London, Woolwich Estate |
National Retail Federation announces the appointment of Christian Beckner to head its cybersecurity program
WASHINGTON, 2018-Feb-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — The National Retail Federation today (February 9, 2018) announced that it has hired Christian Beckner, a top Washington cybersecurity think tank expert and former U.S. Senate homeland security advisor, to head its cybersecurity program that helps retailers protect sensitive consumer data nationwide.
"Protecting consumer data is one of retailers' top priorities, and Christian is a proven cybersecurity veteran with the expertise and experience to help us combat this never-ending battle," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "His diverse background and in-depth knowledge of technology and security is an unparalleled resource for the retail industry and the consumers they serve."
As senior director of retail technology, Beckner will lead NRF's CIO Council, IT Security Council and cybersecurity program, and will be responsible for developing strategies, programs and activities to maintain NRF as the technology leader and convener in the retail sector. Included in the cybersecurity program is the NRF Retail Information Sharing and Analysis Organization and Threat Alert System, which gathers intelligence on cybersecurity threats targeting retailers and alerts companies to help them keep data secure.
"I am looking forward to taking the next step in my career working on behalf of an industry with such a unique set of technology and security challenges," Beckner said. "Retailers work round-the-clock every day against cyber threats, and I want to use what I've learned over the last two decades to help them address these critical issues head on."
Beckner spent the past five years as deputy director of George Washington University's Center for Cyber and Homeland Security, a think tank where he focused on cybersecurity, counterterrorism and homeland security. He was previously an associate staff director at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where he was responsible for coordination of oversight and legislation on a broad range of homeland security and intelligence issues. Among other assignments, he contributed to the committee's investigation of the 2009 Fort Hood terrorist attack. He has worked on cybersecurity and homeland security issues for close to 20 years, including positions at IBM, the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the O'Gara Company.
Beckner holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Stanford University and a master's degree in foreign service and an MBA, both from Georgetown University.
About NRF
NRF is the world's largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation's economy.
Ana Serafin Smith
press@nrf.com
(855) NRF-Press
Source: NRF
Posted in Business, Loss Prevention, Management, Retail, Retail Trade Consulting, Retailer | Tagged appointment, Christian Beckner, cybersecurity program, Matthew Shay, National Retail Federation |
UNIQLO to open its first Maryland location at Pike & Rose in Montgomery County
Pike & Rose Continues to Build Momentum as International Apparel Merchant Joins Growing List of Retail, Restaurant, Residential, Hotel and Office Tenants
ROCKVILLE, Md., 2018-Feb-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) announced today (Feb. 7, 2018) that global retailer UNIQLO will open its first Maryland location and third in the Washington D.C. metro area at Pike & Rose, a 24-acre mixed-use development in Montgomery County. Expected to open in the fall of 2018, the new 11,000-square-foot store will offer LifeWear for men, women and kids.
"The latest store announcements and openings at Pike & Rose represent a continued positive trend for Federal Realty. Whether searching for the best location to be first to market, as it was for Chicago-based Stella Barra Pizzeria, or to expand their footprint in the D.C. metro region, as Scout & Molly's Boutique did this week, they are choosing Pike & Rose," said Chris Weilminster, President of Mixed Use at Federal Realty. "As Pike & Rose continues to reshape North Bethesda with a focus on the future, it has established a track record of attracting best-in-class domestic and international interest by offering options not found in other areas of the Greater Washington region."
Other notable highlights from the neighborhood include:
Canopy by Hilton to open 3rd location in the world in late February 2018
930 Rose Condominiums located above Canopy with hotel amenity offerings, 50% under contract
State-of-the-art Porsche Dealership
Conversion of 17,000-square-foot rooftop into The Farm at Pike & Rose
"With the addition of UNIQLO, over 60% of the project's retail GLA now comes from iconic domestic and international brand category leaders, cementing Pike & Rose as a beacon for retailers both internationally known and locally loved," said Stuart Biel, Federal Realty's Vice President, Leasing. "The complement of an unparalleled mix of amenities within an authentic neighborhood environment means retailers and restaurateurs searching for their next location are finding it at Pike & Rose."
In 2018 Pike & Rose will welcome:
930 Rose – Condominiums
Baked Bear – Ice Cream Sandwich Shop
BlueMercury – Retailer
Canopy by Hilton — Hotel
Jinya Ramen Bar – Restaurant
Julii – Restaurant
Nada – Restaurant
Nando's Peri Peri – Restaurant
The Red Door Salon & Spa by Elizabeth Arden – Spa
Scout & Molly's Boutique – Retailer
Taylor Gourmet – Restaurant
Uniqlo — Retailer
Up Top Acres/The Farm at Pike & Rose – Rooftop Farm
About Pike & Rose, a Federal Realty neighborhood
Since its opening in 2014, the transit-oriented development has grown to 391,000 square feet, including over 40 tenants of thoughtfully merchandized retail space. The selection of restaurants (including Summer House Santa Monica, Del Frisco's Grille, &pizza and Taylor Gourmet), retailers (including REI, Sephora, H&M, L.L.Bean and Sur La Table), a state-of-the-art Porsche dealership, and unique entertainment offerings (iPic Theaters, Pinstripes and AMP by Strathmore) have created a one-of-a-kind retail environment. The neighborhood is fully enhanced by the offerings of 99 luxury condominiums and penthouses uniquely positioned above Canopy by Hilton, a 177-key boutique hotel; 80,000 square feet of fully leased best-in-class office space; 765 luxury apartments; and a 17,000-square-foot rooftop farm. The project represents a total investment of approximately $500 million with additional potential for development, and is part of the Federal Realty Row properties, which include Santana Row, located in San Jose, California, and Assembly Row, located in Somerville, Massachusetts. For additional information about Pike & Rose, visit www.pikeandrose.com.
About Federal Realty
Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail-based properties located primarily in major coastal markets. Founded in 1962, our mission is to deliver long-term, sustainable growth through investing in densely populated, affluent communities where retail demand exceeds supply. Federal Realty's 104 properties include over 2,900 tenants, in approximately 24 million square feet, and over 2,000 residential units. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 50 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit www.FederalRealty.com.
Investor Inquires:
Leah Andress
Investor Relations Associate
landress@federalrealty.com
asimpson@federalrealty.com
SOURCE: Federal Realty Investment Trust
Posted in Apparel, Business, Management, Outlet, Real Estate, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Chris Weilminster, Federal Realty Investment Trust, Maryland location, Montgomery County, Pike & Rose, Stuart Biel, UNIQLO |
Great Place to Work and FORTUNE recognize Old Navy as one of the 2018 Best Workplaces for Giving Back
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 2018-Feb-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Great Place to Work and FORTUNE have honored Old Navy as one of the 2018 Best Workplaces for Giving Back. The ranking considered more than 385,000 employee surveys from companies across the U.S. Great Place to Work, a research and consulting firm, evaluated more than 50 elements of team members' experience on the job. These included employee pride in the organization's community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and feeling their work has special meaning. The ranking also accounted for how women, people of color, Baby Boomers and LGBT individuals experience giving back in the workplace.
"We're thrilled to be recognized for our efforts around giving back to the community, as it's embedded in the DNA of our brand," said Jamie Gersch, Old Navy Chief Marketing Offer. "Through our cause marketing platform, ONward!, we partner with nonprofits to empower the next generation with real-world skills, training, and job opportunities to make a difference in our communities. We're passionate about taking the next generation to the next level and helping youth blaze a path towards a brighter future. "
For over a decade, Old Navy has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs to help turn learners into leaders, donating $2 million in 2017 alone to support the organization. In 2016, Gap Inc. committed to hiring five percent of all entry-level store employees from graduates of the company's This Way Ahead paid store internship program by 2025, and Old Navy announced plans last year to expand the employment program to Boys & Girls Club youth. Learn more at OldNavy.com/ONward.
"Giving back to the communities where we live and work has always been a fundamental part of who we are as a company. In fact, we hear time and time again that volunteering is one of the reasons so many people come to Gap Inc. and why they stay. We're proud of our employees, who so generously lend their time, creativity, and talents to our communities," said David Hayer, president of Gap Foundation and SVP of Global Sustainability at Gap Inc.
The Best Workplaces for Giving Back stand out for their consistent leadership and generosity in giving at the individual and organization level.
The Best Workplaces for Giving Back is one of a series of rankings by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE based on employee feedback from Great Place to Work-Certified™ organizations. Old Navy was also ranked as a Best Workplace for Retail and Diversity by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE.
Want to know what it's like to work for Old Navy? Learn more about careers at Old Navy on LinkedIn and the Old Navy Careers Blog, and visit the Old Navy YouTube channel.
About Old Navy
Old Navy is a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand celebrates the democracy of style through on-trend, playfully optimistic, affordable and high quality product. A division of San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Old Navy brings a fun, energizing shopping environment to its customers in more than 1,000 stores around the world. For more information, please visit www.oldnavy.com.
About the Best Workplaces for Giving Back
Great Place to Work based its ranking on a data-driven methodology applied to anonymous Trust Index™ survey responses from more than 385,000 employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. To learn more about Great Place to Work Certification and recognition on Best Workplaces lists published with FORTUNE, visit Greatplacetowork.com.
Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes outstanding workplace cultures and produces the annual Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work For®" and Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small & Medium Companies, industries and, internationally, countries and regions. Through its culture consulting services, Great Place to Work helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, retention and stock performance.
Learn more at Greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
press@gap.com
SOURCE: Gap Inc.
Posted in Apparel, Awards, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged 2018 Best Workplaces Giving Back, David Hayer, Fortune, Great Place to Work®, Jamie Gersch, Old Navy |
Rite Aid updates on the progress of its plans to sell stores to Walgreens Boots Alliance
CAMP HILL, Pa., 2018-Feb-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) today (Feb. 8, 2018) provided an update on the progress of its plans to sell stores to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) pursuant to the previously disclosed Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 18, 2017 (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"). As of February 8, 2018, Rite Aid has transferred 1,114 stores and related assets to WBA, and has received cash proceeds of $2,424 million, which the Company continues to use to reduce debt. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, WBA will purchase a total of 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for an all-cash purchase price of $4,375 million on a cash-free, debt-free basis.
"We have now completed more than half of the planned store transfers and remain on track to finish the process in the spring of this year," said Rite Aid Chairman and CEO John Standley. "As we work to complete this process, we remain focused on opportunities to build our business while delivering a great experience to our customers and patients and driving value for our shareholders."
The majority of the closing conditions have been satisfied, and the subsequent transfers of Rite Aid stores and related assets remain subject to minimal customary closing conditions applicable only to the stores being transferred at such subsequent closing, as specified in the Asset Purchase Agreement. Additional details regarding today's announcement have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K.
Rite Aid is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with fiscal 2017 annual revenues of $32.8 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not historical, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected timing of subsequent closings of the sale of Rite Aid stores and assets to WBA; the ability of the parties to complete each of the subsequent closings for sale and related subsequent transactions considering the various closing conditions applicable to the stores, related assets and/or distribution centers being transferred at such subsequent closing; the outcome of legal and regulatory matters in connection with the sale of stores and assets of Rite Aid to WBA; the expected benefits of the transactions such as improved operations, growth potential, market profile and financial strength; the competitive ability and position of Rite Aid following completion of the proposed transactions; the ability of Rite Aid to implement new business strategies following the completion of the proposed transactions; the ability of Rite Aid to repay its debt using the proceeds from the proposed transactions and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," and "will" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our high level of indebtedness and our ability to make interest and principal payments on our debt and satisfy the other covenants contained in our debt agreements; general economic, industry, market, competitive, regulatory and political conditions; our ability to improve the operating performance of our stores in accordance with our long term strategy; the impact of private and public third-party payers continued reduction in prescription drug reimbursements and efforts to encourage mail order; our ability to manage expenses and our investments in working capital; outcomes of legal and regulatory matters; changes in legislation or regulations, including healthcare reform; our ability to achieve the benefits of our efforts to reduce the costs of our generic and other drugs; risks related to the proposed transactions, including the possibility that the subsequent transactions may not close, including because a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transactions, or may require conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals, the risk that there may be a material adverse change of Rite Aid, or the business of Rite Aid may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed transactions; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transactions; risks associated with the financing of the proposed transaction; disruption from the proposed transaction making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the effect of the pending sale on Rite Aid's business relationships (including, without limitation, customers and suppliers), operating results and business generally; risks related to diverting management's or employees' attention from ongoing business operations; the risk that Rite Aid's stock price may decline significantly if the proposed transaction is not completed; significant transaction costs; unknown liabilities; the risk of litigation and/or regulatory actions related to the proposed transactions; potential changes to our strategy in the event the remaining proposed transactions do not close, which may include delaying or reducing capital or other expenditures, selling assets or other operations, attempting to restructure or refinance our debt, or seeking additional capital, and other business effects. These and other risks, assumptions and uncertainties are more fully described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in other documents that we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Rite Aid expressly disclaims any current intention to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the distribution of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
Byron Purcell
investor@riteaid.com
Susan Henderson
Source: Rite Aid Corporation
Posted in Business, Healthcare, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged John Standley, plans, Rite Aid, sell stores, Walgreens Boots Alliance |
DICK'S Sporting Goods to bring 210 jobs with the opening of four new stores in February
The retailer will celebrate with four grand opening celebrations
PITTSBURGH, 2018-Feb-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — DICK'S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), the largest U.S.-based, full-line omni-channel sporting goods retailer, will be opening four new DICK'S Sporting Goods stores in February.
DICK'S will now have 721 DICK'S Sporting Goods stores nationwide in 47 states. The new DICK'S locations will bring approximately 210 collective jobs to four communities through the hiring of full-time, part-time and temporary associates for these stores.
"Great sports and outdoor traditions are at the heart of what we do, and we look forward to sharing them with these communities," said Scott Hudler, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, DICK'S Sporting Goods. "Where these sports and outdoor traditions run strong, our stores serve as the heartbeats of the community, bringing people together in a meaningful way that no other retailer can replicate."
Communities where these new stores are opening can expect to find top-of-the line in-store services and exclusive offerings in apparel, footwear and equipment from the Company's own private brands, such as CALIA by Carrie Underwood, Field & Stream and Ethos, as well as key, national vendors like Nike, Under Armour and adidas.
Grand Opening events for these newest locations will be held in the following cities:
City/State Store Location Grand Opening Celebration Dates
Evansville, IN East Lloyd Commons
6200 East Lloyd Expressway
Evansville, IN 47715 February 10 and 11
Baxter, MN Central Lake Crossing
13499 Elmwood Drive
Baxter, MN 56425 February 23 through 25
Santa Maria, CA Enos Ranch
775 E. Betteravia Road
Santa Maria, CA 93454 February 23 through 25
Warwick, RI Rhode Island Mall
650 Bald Hill Road
Warwick, RI 02886 February 24 and 25
For each grand opening weekend, customers will receive the chance to win great prizes and meet several special guests, such as Kyle Rudolph** in Baxter, Minn. and Don Sutton** in Santa Maria, Calif.
Visit dicks.com/Evansville, dicks.com/Baxter, dicks.com/SantaMaria and dicks.com/Warwick for full details on the Grand Opening celebrations, including giveaways, promotions, special guests and brand activations.
**WRISTBAND REQUIRED! Wristbands are distributed on a first-come, first served basis beginning at store open on the day of event only. Limited Quantity. Limit one wristband per person. Must be present to receive wristband. Must have a wristband and must be in the Special Appearance line prior to the start of the appearance to receive an autograph. Times and appearances are subject to change without notice. See store for details.
About DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Founded in 1948, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of February 3, 2018, the Company operated more than 715 DICK'S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated associates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops dedicated to Team Sports, Athletic Apparel, Golf, Lodge/Outdoor, Fitness and Footwear. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK'S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream specialty stores, as well as DICK'S Team Sports HQ, an all-in-one youth sports digital platform offering free league management services, mobile apps for scheduling, communications and live scorekeeping, custom uniforms and fan wear and access to donations and sponsorships. DICK'S offers its products through a content-rich eCommerce platform that is integrated with its store network and provides customers with the convenience and expertise of a 24-hour storefront. For more information, visit the Press Room or Investor Relations pages at dicks.com.
press@dcsg.com
Source: DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Posted in Apparel, Business, Management, Outlet, Retail, Retailer, Sports | Tagged DICK'S Sporting Goods, jobs, new stores, Scott Hudler |
UK: Asda, FareShare and The Trussell Trust team up to help one million people out of food poverty
Leeds, UK, 2018-Feb-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — Asda and food redistribution charities FareShare and The Trussell Trust have today announced that they will be working together on a new partnership designed to help one million people out of food poverty over the next three years.
The programme will be funded by Asda, and see the supermarket invest at least £20 million in developing the infrastructure of FareShare, which operate a distribution network for food donations and The Trussell Trust, who are the UK's biggest operator of foodbanks.
Asda's investment will allow the two charities to develop their infrastructure and offer better services to those in need. Currently, both charities struggle to transport and store fresh food, which needs to be chilled, and means those using food banks are reliant on mainly tinned and packet foods. The investment will also fund support services in food banks, such as debt counselling and job advice, allowing people to begin to get themselves out of food poverty.
Asda has also committed to making sure all of its shops are able to donate surplus food to food banks by 2020.
The partnership will enable FareShare and The Trussell Trust to provide an additional 24 million meals every year, give 500,000 more people access to fresh food in the UK and help one million people get themselves out of food poverty over the next three years.
In a blog post published this morning, Andy Murray, Asda's Chief Customer Officer, said: "Right now, in the UK 8.4 million people are struggling to afford to eat. One in 10 people in the UK are missing meals to pay their bills – and one in four of those are children. And yet, four million tonnes of perfectly decent food is wasted each year in the UK. We simply cannot – and will not – accept food being wasted whilst people in our communities go hungry. We've listened to our customers and want to take on their challenge to fight hunger and create change."
Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive of FareShare UK, said: "Based on my 25 years of senior experience in the Voluntary Sector, I believe that Asda's investment in tackling hunger and food waste in support of front line charities has the potential to create such a multiplier effect that it could well be the largest single act of support since the creation of the National Lottery or the introduction of Gift Aid."
Sam Stapley, Head of Operations for The Trussell Trust England, said: "The scale and nature of this funding is unprecedented. Asda's investment means they can expand their reach and develop new projects bringing very real, tangible benefits to local communities and to anyone struggling with food insecurity in a way that simply has not been possible before."
To read the full blog post from Andy Murray and find out more about the Asda Fight Hunger Create Change programme click here.
SOURCE: ASDA
Media contact: 0113 826 2829
Posted in Food & Beverage, Grocery, Management, Philanthropy, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Andy Murray, Asda, FareShare, food poverty, Lindsay Boswell, Sam Stapley, The Trussell Trust |
Chipotle announces enhancements to its employee benefits
More than 71,000 hourly and salaried employees will receive a new suite of benefits as a result of changes in U.S. tax lawDENVER, 2018-Feb-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — In celebration of its dedicated employees, Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced enhancements to benefits that will reach all of its 71,000 employees. These enhancements, which include special cash and stock bonuses and enhanced paid parental leave, are part of the company's ongoing commitment to advancing both the professional and personal lives of its employees. Resulting from savings due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the new benefits have already begun rolling out to Chipotle employees.
"We have always been proud of our ability to attract and retain top talent who share our passion for cooking delicious food by hand and creating an extraordinary guest experience," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and CEO at Chipotle. "We're giving back to these committed, motivated, and hardworking team members who have made Chipotle what it is today."
Chipotle will reinvest more than one-third of its anticipated savings from tax law changes into its employees. The remainder of the reinvestment will be dedicated to improvement of restaurant facilities and operations. New employee benefits include:
Accelerated Training Programs. More training programs for employees, including a formalized classroom program with a dedicated faculty that will focus on a range of topics related to operational excellence and leadership.
Cash & Stock Bonuses. Qualified hourly and salaried restaurant employees will receive a special one-time cash bonus of up to $1,000. Qualified staff employees will receive a one-time stock grant.
Maternity/Paternity Coverage. Additional paid parental leave coverage for everyone from hourly managers to salaried employees.
Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability. The company has added life insurance and short-term disability insurance coverage for hourly restaurant managers.
These new offerings are in addition to a unique set of benefits the company already offers to employees, including both hourly and salaried workers. Chipotle currently provides twice annual merit increases for hourly employees, paid vacation and sick time, and stock awards to the restaurant manager level. Additionally, the company has made a significant investment in educational benefits for employees. Chipotle offers up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement, and through a partnership with Guild Education, the company offers reduced-cost courses and degree programs at a number of colleges and universities. The educational program includes more than 10,000 class and program options and since the inception of the program, nearly 6,000 Chipotle employees have taken advantage of the program.
"We have always been committed to making Chipotle a great place to work with excellent compensation and benefits," said Ells. "With these expanded offerings, we're thanking our employees for their hard work and dedication to our company."
ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Steve Ells, our founder, chairman and CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads made from fresh, high-quality ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in an interactive style allowing people to get exactly what they want. Chipotle seeks out extraordinary ingredients that are not only fresh, but that are raised responsibly, with respect for the animals, the land, and the people who produce them. Chipotle prepares its food using real, wholesome ingredients and without the use of added colors, flavors or other additives typically found in fast food. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in Denver in 1993 and operates more than 2,400 restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.
SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chris Arnold, carnold@chipotle.com
Posted in Business, Food & Beverage, Human Resources, Management, Restaurants, Retail | Tagged Chipotle, employee benefits, Steve Ells |
Tractor Supply Company declares quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share of its common stock
BRENTWOOD, Tenn., 2018-Feb-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States, today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share of the Company's common stock.
The dividend will be paid on March 13, 2018, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 26, 2018.
About Tractor Supply Company
Founded in 1938, Tractor Supply Company is the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States. Tractor Supply stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and others who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Stores are located primarily in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The Company offers the following comprehensive selection of merchandise: (1) equine, livestock, pet and small animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment; (2) hardware, truck, towing and tool products; (3) seasonal products, including heating, lawn and garden items, power equipment, gifts and toys; (4) work/recreational clothing and footwear; and (5) maintenance products for agricultural and rural use. At December 30, 2017, the Company operated 1,685 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.tractorsupply.com.
Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At December 30, 2017, the Company operated 168 Petsense stores in 26 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.petsense.com.
Mary Winn Pilkington (615) 440-4212
Beth Thompson (615) 440-4102
Alecia Pulman/Brittany Rae Fraser, ICR (203) 682-8200
Source: Tractor Supply Company/ GLOBE NEWSWIRE
Posted in Business, Financial, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged quarterly cash dividend, Tractor Supply Company |
Carrefour Group completes the acquisition of a c17% strategic stake in Showroomprivé
Boulogne-Billancourt, France, 2018-Feb-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — Showroomprivé, Europe's second-largest online private sales player, announced that Carrefour Group had finalized the acquisition of a c17% strategic stake in the capital of Showroomprivé from Conforama, as announced on January 11 20181 .
Following the completion of this operation, Carrefour Group replaces Conforama in the existing shareholders' agreement between the founders of Showroomprivé and Conforama. The founders retain a stake representing 27.17% of the capital and 40.42% of the voting rights of Showroomprivé and Carrefour Group acquires a 16.86% stake in the capital and 13.67% of the voting rights.
This operation was granted an exemption from the obligation to file a takeover bid by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers2 .
Carrefour Group will be represented on the Board of Directors of SRP Groupe, Showroomprivé's head company, by Marie Cheval, Executive Director Customers, Services and Digital Transformation of Carrefour Group and Carrefour France, who will be a member of the Board3 and Frédéric Haffner, Executive Director Strategy and M&A of Carrefour Group, who will be censor of the Board of Directors4 .
1 See press release of 11 January 2018.
2 See decision AMF 218C0201 of 23 January 2018.
3 Replacing Alexandre Nodale.
4 Replacing Andrew Bond.
By e-mail: presse_groupe@carrefour.com
Posted in Business, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Carrefour Group, Showroomprivé |
X5 and Rus Food Foundation to food drive events in Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan and Novosibirsk
MOSCOW, Russia, 2018-Feb-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — X5 Retail Group N.V. ("X5" or the "Company"), a leading Russian food retailer (LSE and MOEX ticker: "FIVE"), and Rus Food Foundation, the first Russian food bank, announce their transition to a new format for collecting food aid. In 2018, the partners plan to organise city-wide food marathons in Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan and Novosibirsk. The first marathon will take place in Kazan on 3 March 2018, with the Foundation's volunteers collecting food aid for socially vulnerable senior citizens of the Republic of Tatarstan at all of Kazan's Pyaterochka, Perekrestok and Karusel stores.
This approach is a scaled-up version of the food drive technique employed in the Basket of Kindness campaign. It will help to increase audience engagement and enable the organisers to gather more food. In 2017, X5 Retail Group and Rus Food Foundation staged Basket of Kindness events at 803 Pyaterochka, Perekrestok and Karusel stores, with customers buying and donating some 80 tons of non-perishable foods. The aid was provided to 6,000 low-income families and senior citizens from various Russian regions.
Food for the Villages, the first city-wide food marathon, took place on 2 December 2017 at 200 of Moscow's Perekrestok supermarkets, as well as at some Dixy and Billa stores. Customers donated over 30 tons of food, which translated into gift sets for approximately 15,000 senior citizens in nine regions. The Moscow food marathon showed the effectiveness of city-wide actions, and this was chosen as the key format for the Basket of Kindness project.
In order to maximise engagement in the food aid drive, in 2018, X5 and Rus Food Foundation will continue promoting their online charity food store at корзинадоброты.рф. This website was launched in late November 2017, and in the first two months it had over 30,000 unique visitors from all over Russia. In addition to providing information about the project's history and status, the website offers multiple ways to participate in the initiative, starting from submitting a volunteer application to donating food. It also enables visitors to buy a food set online and to donate goods ranging in price from RUB 150 to RUB 2,000. The sets include essentials for a family diet, including cereals, pasta, sunflower oil, canned goods, tea and sweets. In the first two months, the Basket of Kindness online charity store sold over RUB 300,000 worth of food sets. The aid recipients include elderly people living alone, single mothers, large families with extremely low income and orphans.
SOURCE: X5 Retail Group N.V.
For further details please contact:
Maxim Novikov
Head of Investor Relations
e-mail: Maxim.Novikov@x5.ru
Andrey Vasin
Investor Relations Officer
Tel.:+7 (495) 662-88-88 ext.
Posted in Food & Beverage, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged food drive, Rus Food Foundation, X5 |
Meijer Simply Give program generated nearly $8.5 million in 2017 for Midwest food pantries
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2018-Feb-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Meijer Simply Give program set a record in 2017 with nearly $8.5 million – the equivalent of at least 84.8 million meals – for food pantries through the Midwest, bringing the program's overall donation to more than $37 million since its inception in 2008.
The retailer's most recent campaign – held during the holiday season – resulted in more than $3.1 million, or at least 31 million meals, alone for hungry families. It was the program's best campaign ever.
"It's inspiring to see friends and neighbors come together to take care of hungry families throughout the communities we serve," Executive Chairman Hank Meijer said. "We cannot thank our customers, team members and food pantry partners enough for continuing to support this important program."
The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer began its Simply Give program in 2008 as a way to help local food pantries throughout the Midwest achieve their mission of feeding hungry families. It runs three times a year when food pantries need it the most: spring, fall and holiday.
During each Simply Give campaign, customers are encouraged to purchase a $10 Simply Give donation card upon checkout. Once purchased, the donation is converted into a Meijer Food-Only Gift Card and donated directly to the local food pantry selected by the store for that campaign.
"Hunger is a local problem, which is why the funds given to Simply Give stay local," said Cathy Cooper, Senior Director of Community Partnerships and Giving. "The Simply Give program gives everyone a chance to work together to ensure no one has to go without food."
About Meijer:
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 235 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the "one-stop shopping" concept and has evolved through the years to included expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.
SOURCE: Meijer
Contact: Christina Fecher, 616-735-7968, christina.fecher@meijer.com
Posted in Food & Beverage, Grocery, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Cathy Cooper, food drive, Hank Meijer, Meijer Simply Give program, Midwest food pantries |
Posted on February 8, 2018 by Retail News Editor
Foodstuffs North Island to develop one of New Zealand's largest office and distribution centres at The Landing Business Park, Auckland Airport
Designed for our future and to deliver great value for customers at PAK'nSAVE, New World, Four Square, Gilmours, Liquorland and Fresh Collective
Construction starts in 2018 with completion scheduled for late 2020, as next stage of Foodstuffs' nearly 100-year commitment to New Zealand
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — Foodstuffs North Island has announced that it is moving its primary Distribution Centre (DC) and Support Office from its long term home in Roma Road in Mount Roskill and building an exciting and innovative complex at The Landing, Auckland Airport.
Chief Executive Chris Quin, says Foodstuffs North Island has been at its current site for 53 years and is rapidly outgrowing that space.
"We've been an important part of New Zealanders' lives and communities for nearly 100 years and we plan on being around for many years to come. To do this we need better facilities to deliver what our customers at PAK'nSAVE, New World, Four Square, Gilmours and Liquorland and Fresh Collective need from us for the future. We're planning significant future growth across the business and our success depends on being nimble, efficient and continuing to attract the best talent, who work in an agile and collaborative way."
Foodstuffs has made some big changes over the past few years, guided by its purpose of making sure New Zealanders get more out of life. Foodstuffs' supermarket customers, along with Gilmours and Liquorland, have seen major changes including the introduction of New World Clubcard, online shopping, support for Kiwi children in partnership with Eat My Lunch and new and improved Pams and Value products. The team has also been working on major sustainability programmes designed to drive waste out of the business and look after New Zealand's environment.
Behind the scenes Foodstuffs has been working hard to improve efficiency and allow the business to keep prices low and quality and service high.
"Key to our success is developing a world-class supply chain to ensure we have a great offer for our customers in store and online every day. This new 65,000m2 distribution centre and 5 Greenstar rated office complex will be at the heart and will enable our Co-op to work more collaboratively and effectively."
It's also proposed to consolidate three Foodstuffs facilities in Auckland into one best-in-class complex. The Co-op will continue to operate two DCs and a Support Centre in Palmerston North and a Support Centre in Wellington.
As part of these changes Foodstuffs North Island is proposing to close the Rotorua DC at the end of 2020 and move those operations to the new DC. Quin says, "In making the decision to build the new DC, we have been looking at all the options possible to make the Upper North Island operations as efficient as possible and fit for purpose over the next 30 years. Long term, we believe that the best option is to support our Upper North Island stores with one purpose-built Ambient DC.
"We wanted to share our proposal to close the Rotorua DC with our teams early in the project. If the proposal does go ahead, we feel it would be the right thing to do to give the team lots of notice and time to plan for the change."
Foodstuffs North Island has yet to decide the future of its Roma Road site and will be working closely with a number of stakeholders, including local government, to determine the best use of the land in the interests of Auckland. "The Mt Roskill site is now considered almost inner-city – and we're excited about unlocking this space."
Quin says, "Right now, it's about continuing to deliver for customers every day. We'll remain at our legendary home in Mt Roskill until the new site is ready in 2020 and then we'll be packing up and moving out to a bright, new, expansive future at The Landing.
"Our customers' needs are changing fast and we believe all New Zealanders deserve more of what matters to them. For some this is more inspiration, more choice, more convenience, more value and more help making healthier food choices. For others, it's all these things and more. We need to make sure we're ready to face these changes head on.
"Based at the gateway to Aotearoa, our 100% New Zealand owned company will have a fantastic new centre with service at its heart. We're totally committed to playing a key role in New Zealand's future and helping meet the needs and aspirations of our team and customers."
Foodstuffs Communications Team Phone: 0800 376 3342
Source: Foodstuffs
Posted in Business, Grocery, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Auckland Airport, Chris Quin, distribution centres, Foodstuffs North Island, Landing Business Park, largest office, New Zealand |
GameStop welcomes new Chief Executive Officer Michael K. Mauler
GRAPEVINE, Texas, 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — Dan DeMatteo, Executive Chairman of GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME), on behalf of the Board of Directors, announced today (Feb. 06, 2018) that Michael K. Mauler has been appointed as the Company's new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Mauler will also join GameStop's Board of Directors.
GameStop's Board of Directors announced today that Michael K. Mauler has been appointed as the Company's new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Mauler will also join GameStop's Board of Directors.
Mr. Mauler, 56, has been with the Company for more than 16 years. He previously served as Executive Vice President and President of International, which consists of nearly 2,000 retail stores operating under the GameStop, EB Games, Micromania and Zing Pop Culture brands. Mr. Mauler has led the International division's business and diversification initiatives since being appointed to the role in January of 2010, including launching the Company's global Collectibles business in 2014.
Prior to heading the International business, Mr. Mauler served as the Company's Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and International Support, and before the merger between GameStop and EB Games, served as Vice President of Logistics for Electronics Boutique.
"On behalf of GameStop's Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce Mike Mauler as our new CEO," said Mr. DeMatteo. "Mike has been part of the GameStop senior leadership team for many years, where he has played an integral role in creating and driving the blueprint of our diversification strategy, successfully managing our international operations, and growing our core business segments. We are fortunate to have such an accomplished leader, who has a thorough understanding of our operations, business strategy and our stakeholders, and is committed to strengthening our results and driving our Company forward."
Mr. Mauler said, "I am honored by the support and confidence that Dan and the Board of Directors have placed in me. Starting with its founders more than 30 years ago, GameStop has a tremendous legacy of continually transforming its business to meet the needs of its global customer base. I look forward to building upon that legacy and working closely with our senior leadership team and our more than 40,000 associates around the world, to drive sustainable profitability and shareholder returns across our businesses."
Prior to joining GameStop, Mr. Mauler held various senior management positions for Baxter Healthcare, Dade Behring and Fisher Scientific, where he led operations for 22 countries.
About GameStop Corp.
GameStop Corp., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 7,400 stores across 14 countries. The Company's consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; 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. Our Technology Brands segment includes 1,500 Spring Mobile AT&T and Simply Mac stores. Spring Mobile, www.springmobile.com, sells all of AT&T's products and services, including DIRECTV, devices and related accessories in select markets in the U.S. Simply Mac, www.simplymac.com, sells the full line of Apple products, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones and offers Apple certified warranty and repair services.
Vice President, Global Controller and Investor Relations
investorrelations@gamestop.com
Joey Mooring
Joeymooring@gamestop.com
Source: Gamestop Corporation/globenewswire
Posted in Business, Games, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged chief executive officer, Dan DeMatteo, GameStop, Michael K. Mauler |
Dunkin' Donuts to eliminate all polystyrene foam cups in its global supply chain beginning in spring 2018
New double-walled paper cups to phase into U.S. restaurants beginning spring 2018
CANTON, MA, 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — As part of its commitment to serve both people and the planet responsibly, Dunkin' Donuts, a leading retailer of hot, brewed coffee, today (February 7, 2018) announced plans to eliminate all polystyrene foam cups in its global supply chain beginning in spring 2018, with a targeted completion date of 2020. In U.S. restaurants, Dunkin' Donuts will replace the foam cup with a new, double-walled paper cup. The majority of Dunkin' Donuts' international markets are currently using paper cups, and the brand will work with its franchisees to eliminate foam cups from the remaining international markets by the 2020 goal.
The move complements Dunkin' Donuts' earlier commitments in the U.S. to have 80% of fiber-based consumer-facing packaging certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard by the end of this year; eliminate artificial dyes from its menu; build new, more energy-efficient restaurants; and partner with the Rainforest Alliance to source certified coffee.
The new, double-walled paper cup is already in use at Dunkin' Donuts' next generation concept store, which opened in mid-January in the company's birthplace of Quincy, Mass. It will be introduced at all Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in New York City and California in spring 2018, and will be phased in across the U.S. as supplier manufacturing capabilities ramp up.
The double-walled paper cup is made with paperboard certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard and will feature the current re-closable lid that Dunkin' customers know and love. Like Dunkin' Donuts' current hot beverage offerings, the new double-walled paper cup will come in four sizes — small, medium, large and extra-large — and will be used for all of the brand's hot beverages, including coffee, lattes, macchiatos, tea and hot chocolate. With heat retention properties equal to the company's foam cup, the new double-walled paper cup will keep beverages hot while keeping hands cool, without the need for a sleeve.
According to Karen Raskopf, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Dunkin' Brands, "With more than 9,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the U.S. alone, our decision to eliminate foam cups is significant for both our brand and our industry. We have a responsibility to improve our packaging, making it better for the planet while still meeting the needs of our guests. Transitioning away from foam has been a critical goal for Dunkin' Donuts U.S., and with the double-walled cup, we will be able to offer a replacement that meets the needs and expectations of both our customers and the communities we serve."
In 2011, Dunkin' Donuts announced that its number one sustainability goal was to find an environmentally friendlier coffee cup. Over the past several years, the brand has worked extensively to find a suitable replacement for the foam cup that met criteria for performance, environmental impact and cost. Dunkin' Donuts' transition to paper cups will remove nearly 1 billion foam cups from the waste stream annually.
Dunkin' Donuts remains committed to sustainable packaging and will continue to explore additional opportunities to increase recycled or certified content for other consumer-facing packaging. Since 2005, the brand has made a number of important packaging improvements in the U.S., including:
2005: Began sourcing a four-cup carrier made of recycled newsprint.
2009: Transitioned to napkins made with 100% recycled paper and added recycled content to espresso sleeves, cup carriers and Box O' Joe®.
2014: Transitioned to bagel bags made with 100% recycled paper, saving an estimated 20 million pounds of virgin paper per year.
2015: Began transition of the lids for cold beverage cups from PET to recyclable #5 polypropylene, a change that will take 500,000 pounds of material out of the waste stream per year once completed in summer 2018.
2016: Issued a new Sustainable Pulp and Paper Sourcing policy with a goal to source paperboard certified to the SFI Standard for 80% of its consumer-facing fiber-based packaging by the end of 2018.
Dunkin' Brands, the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, continues to make important progress towards its corporate social responsibility goals, including:
· Sustainable Building: In 2014, Dunkin' Donuts launched DD Green™ Achievement, a program designed to help franchisees build sustainable, energy-efficient restaurants in the U.S. There are now approximately 186 DD Green Achievement restaurants around the country. Dunkin' Brands has set a target to open 500 DD Green Achievement restaurants in the U.S. by the end of 2020. Additionally, the new next generation concept store now being introduced into the system is approximately 25% more energy-efficient than the previous restaurant model.
· Sustainable Coffee: In 2017, Dunkin' Donuts expanded its current work with the Rainforest Alliance to have all espresso beverages served at Dunkin' Donuts U.S. restaurants and in approximately 16 international markets made with 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ beans. By the end of 2018, Dunkin' Donuts Dark Roast Coffee will also be made with 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ beans. In European markets, Dunkin' Donuts restaurants also serve Fair Trade certified espresso.
· Sustainable Sourcing: As a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Dunkin' Brands continues to participate in multi-stakeholder efforts to advance sustainable palm oil sourcing and reissued its global Sustainable Palm Oil Guidelines in December 2017. In the U.S., Dunkin' Brands has also committed to sourcing 100% of the eggs for its menu from cage-free sources by 2025 and 100% gestation crate-free pork by 2022. By the end of 2018, any chicken menu offerings in U.S. Dunkin' Donuts restaurants will have been raised antibiotic-free.
· Cleaner Labels: As part of the brand's ongoing efforts to offer cleaner menu labels, Dunkin' Donuts U.S. introduced donuts without artificial dyes in January. The brand is committed to eliminating artificial dyes from its national food and beverage menu in the U.S. by the end of 2018.
· Menu Labeling: Dunkin' Brands partnered with industry peers and consumer advocates in supporting a menu labeling mandate in the U.S. that provides guests with clear and consistent nutritional information when ordering.
About Dunkin' Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin' Donuts has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 12 years running. The company has more than 12,500 restaurants in 46 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin' Donuts is part of the Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.
Michelle King
Email: press@dunkinbrands.com
Source: Dunkin' Donuts
Posted in Business, Environment, Food & Beverage, Management, Restaurants, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Dunkin' Donuts, eliminate, Karen Raskopf, polystyrene foam cups |
The Taste of Buffalo presented by TOPS now accepting submissions
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Taste of Buffalo presented by TOPS, taking place July 7-8, 2018, will once again fill the streets of downtown Buffalo with delicious morsels from over 55 restaurants and food trucks, and six wineries, and wants you to capture its essence in art. As Buffalo gets ready for one of its favorite summer festivals, it welcomes a new twist to the annual TOPS Poster Art contest. For more than ten years, the art contest invited high schools students to enter, but this year the contest is open to the public.Beginning Monday, February 5, 2018 persons 13 years of age and older are encouraged to submit their designs. Original works of art that best convey the feel and flavor of this summertime food festival and the 35th year birthday theme will be accepted until Friday, March 16. Two cash prizes of $500 each will be awarded (one in each of two age categories – 13-18 years of age and 19+ years of age). One grand prize winner will then be selected from the two finalists. The grand prize winner will receive an additional $500 and their artwork will become the official 2018 Taste of Buffalo poster and will be used in some of the Taste's other marketing materials. The entries will be judged and the winners will be announced on or about Monday, April 9, 2018. A complete list of rules and design guidelines can be found on the TOPS website at www.topsmarkets.com and on www.tasteofbuffalo.com
"We're excited to be able to open up the contest to the community this year" said Richard McDermott, 2018 Taste Chair. "In years past we've had very talented young artists submit their artwork from area high schools, but this year we've decided to expand the contest to the public to embrace the talents that we know exist in our community."
About Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Markets, LLC, is headquartered in Williamsville, NY and operates 169 full-service supermarkets with five additional by franchisees under the Tops banner. Tops employs more than 15,000 associates and is a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and western Vermont. For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.
About Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops
The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is the nation's largest two-day food festival, attracting more than 450,000 visitors each year. The 35th annual Taste will take place on July 7 and 8, 2018 along Delaware Avenue and Niagara Square in downtown Buffalo. The Taste is a not-for-profit organization with more than 1,000 volunteers helping to put on the annual event. More than $360,000 has been raised at the festival for local charities in addition to five $1,000 scholarships awarded annually to local high school seniors pursuing a culinary or hospitality-related degree. For more information, visit tasteofbuffalo.com and find @tasteofbuffalo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kathy Romanowski
Source: Tops Friendly Markets
Posted in Business, Grocery, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Richard McDermott, The Taste of Buffalo, tops |
Stater Bros. participates in the AHA/ASA's "Life is Why We Give" campaign to raise funds in the fight against heart disease and stroke
Stater Bros. has raised over $5.4 MILLION in the fight against heart disease and stroke
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA, 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — Stater Bros. is proud to continue its longstanding tradition of giving back to the communities it serves by supporting the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) in furthering its mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
For the 17th consecutive year, all 171 Stater Bros. supermarkets will participate in the AHA/ASA's "Life is Why We Give" campaign to raise funds in the fight against heart disease and stroke. The campaign begins on February 7th and concludes on February 18th.
Stater Bros.' customers can participate by purchasing $1 and $5 paper hearts at the cash registers. Customers are encouraged to write their name or the name of a loved one on the hearts, which will be displayed inside the store.
Funds raised through the "Life is Why We Give" campaign will go back into our local communities to teach Hands-Only CPR to residents, involve students in fitness programs and implement educational programs in multicultural communities.
Last year, Stater Bros. customers and employees raised $316,000 for the American Heart Association. Through the Company's longstanding and unwavering commitment, over $5.4 million has been raised to support heart disease and stroke prevention programs in the communities served by Stater Bros.
"Stater Bros. is rooted in the tradition of giving back to communities where we operate and we are honored to once again join the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association in the fight against heart disease and stroke," stated Nancy Negrette, Chairman and President for Stater Bros. Charities. "Many of our 'valued' customers and loyal 'Family' members have been affected by heart disease and stroke and we are pleased that the funds from this campaign benefit the local areas where we operate," Negrette concluded.
"The American Heart Association is committed to fighting heart disease and stroke and improving the quality of life for all Americans," said Matt Webb, Chairman of the American Heart Association Inland Empire Board of Directors. "Our work would not be possible without the generous support of committed companies like Stater Bros Charities who provide donation opportunities to their customers. These corporate citizens provide a force multiplying impact to our work and help us get ever closer to a world without needless suffering or death."
"We value our ongoing relationship with Stater Bros Charities and appreciate the opportunity given to their customers to support the American Heart Association via the Life Is Why We Give™ fundraising campaign," said Brandy Wiegand, Executive Director of the American Heart Association Inland Empire Division.
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. For more information visit staterbros.com.
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.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization fighting heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in communities across America. These diseases devastate millions of Americans of all ages and cause nearly 950,000 deaths each year. The Association funded $14.6 million in research in California, Nevada and Utah, as well as public and professional education and community service programs.
Stater Bros. Charities ~ Caring For The Communities We Serve!
Source: Stater Bros. Markets
Posted in Business, Financial, Grocery, Healthcare, Management, Philanthropy, Retail, Retailer | Tagged AHA/ASA's "Life is Why We Give" campaign, Brandy Wiegand, fight, funds, heart disease, Matt Webb, Nancy Negrette, Stater Bros., stroke |
Kohl's extends its partnership with Penfield Children's Center in Milwaukee
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — More than 140,000 Kohl's associates are committed to service—whether it's in one of more than 1,100 stores nationwide, at corporate headquarters or in the community—our team is committed to making a difference.
Through our Kohl's Volunteer Program, Kohl's associates donate their personal time to make a difference in their local communities by volunteering with eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. In support of our associates' volunteerism, the eligible organization will receive a $500 volunteer reward for every five associates that volunteer for each event. Since the program's inception in 2001, Kohl's, through the volunteer program, has donated more than $137 million in corporate grants to eligible nonprofit organizations across the country.
In 2016 alone,
Nearly 30,000 community events organized nationwide
100 percent of our locations participated in the Kohl's Volunteer Program
Our associates contributed nearly 500,000 volunteer hours
Approximately $24 million in corporate grants were disbursed to more than 9,000 nonprofit organizations throughout the country
Need Volunteers? Review the criteria below and visit the Benevity Causes Portal to register your organization. See below for step by step instructions on how to register.
What Are The Qualifications To Receive A Kohl's Volunteer Program Dollar Reward?
New Criteria as of Feb 1, 2018
A minimum of five Kohl's associates from any Kohl's location must volunteer, for a minimum of three consecutive hours with an eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
In support of our associates' volunteerism, the eligible organization will receive a $500 volunteer reward (previously, known as a grant) for every five associates that volunteer for each event.
Funds must be used to directly support the organization's charitable purpose and the community at large.
Kohl's cannot guarantee availability of Kohl's volunteers for your event(s). Only organizations and events meeting specified criteria will be eligible to participate in the program and/or receive a volunteer dollar reward.
Click here for complete volunteer guidelines
Nonprofit public charity that has a current tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Organizations that engage in political activities.
Organizations that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age or have exclusionary practices.
Organizations for which its tax-exempt status has been revoked by the Internal Revenue Service.
Organizations that intend to use Kohl's donation for a purpose other than its charitable purpose.
Request Volunteers
To request volunteers and manage details of your event, eligible organizations should register through the Benevity Causes Portal.
Click here to Register & Activate your Benevity Causes Portal account
Please note, if your organization itself is not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it may have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm. For example, most schools do not have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; but they can still be searched on the Causes Portal using their NCES number or name. Also, some schools are listed as Projects on their District profile to streamline donations. You may want check if there is a Parent Teacher Organizations and Booster Club, as many are 501(c)(3) nonprofits. If a PTO or Booster club accepts donations on behalf of the school, you can locate their profiles using the EIN.
Once these steps are complete, Benevity will confirm your organization's eligibility to participate in the Kohl's Volunteer Program as well as other Benevity client programs.
Who is Benevity?
Benevity is a software provider that powers workplace giving and other social good programs for some of the world's greatest companies. Registering your charity at the Causes Portal makes you eligible to participate in the Kohl's Volunteer Program and other Benevity client programs.
Benevity leads the industry in disbursing funds electronically while helping organizations receive funds reliably. Benevity Causes Portal manages all processing of donations, fund disbursement, and tax receipting and tracking.
All Benevity Causes Portal questions should go directly to Benevity by clicking Charity Support Request within the portal or by calling 1-855-237-7875, Option 1.
For questions regarding an upcoming local volunteer event, continue to partner with your local Kohl's event captain(s).
Click here for more information on how to register your charity
Do You Have A Question About The Kohl's Volunteer Program?
Reference our frequently asked questions to find an answer.
All Benevity Causes Portal questions should go directly to Benevity by clicking Charity Support Request.
Or by calling 1-855-237-7875, Option 1
For questions regarding an upcoming local volunteer event, continue to partner with a local Kohl's associate.
Source: Kohl's
Posted in Business, Children, Management, Philanthropy, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Kohl's, Milwaukee, partnership, Penfield Children's Center |
Raley's Food For Families holiday bag drive raised 3,759,535 meals, a 29% increase over last year
This year's donation marks a 29 percent increase over last year, and totals nearly $4 million worth of donated food.
Fair Oaks, CA, 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — For more than 140,000 families in communities surrounding Raley's stores, this holiday season was a more fulfilling one. This year's annual Raley's Food For Families holiday bag drive, which provides wholesome food for northern California and Nevada families, culminated in a donation of 3,759,535 meals, representing a 29% increase over last year.
The Raley's Food For Families holiday bag drive, in its 31st year, is an initiative that takes place across Raley's family of stores to help nourish its community. From November 1 through December 31, Raley's customers were encouraged to donate $10 for a bag of groceries worth almost $30 retail. The result: a historic drive, resulting in 144,597 total bags donated. Altogether, Raley's customers donated $1,445,970, and Raley's contributed more than $2.5 million- totaling more than $4 million in food donated!
Each holiday bag was comprised of more than 23 pounds of nourishing and good-for-you foods; enough to feed a family of four 26 meals. Raley's team members specifically selected nutritious items for the bag that met one or more of the company's Shelf Guide labels. In fact, 80 percent of the items met Raley's nutrient-dense and minimally processed attributes. Items in the bag ranged from a gallon of milk and fresh bananas and potatoes to whole grain penne pasta and Raley's Purely Made organic pasta sauce.
"Year after year, Raley's goes above and beyond in supporting our families with quality food they can feel good about eating. This season's donations are no different. And while we're grateful for help over the holidays, hunger is a problem year-round," says Dave Martinez, Executive Director of Placer Food Bank. "We thank Raley's and its customers for being committed to helping our members' health throughout the entire year."
All of Raley's 122 stores that were open at the time of the holiday bag program participated. They each worked with local food bank partners to distribute the bags to those in need in the community. Raley's Food For Families accepts donations all year to cater to the needs of their nearby food banks.
"I cannot say enough how proud I am of Raley's customers and team members for providing such tremendous support to the annual bag drive. The results demonstrate the power of teamwork and banding together to donate nourishing and much-needed food to bring health and happiness to our community," said Becca Whitman, Community Relations Manager for Raley's & Executive Director for Raley's Food for Families.
The customers are the real heroes that Raley's commends for stepping up to help their fellow community members. Raley's could not have put food on as many tables or fed as many mouths without the support of the community. Over the past few weeks, a few customers have shared their inspiring stories:
Pauline Litchfield from Yuba City, CA, gathered her entire months' worth of tips from her job to donate 7 bags to the drive.
Nob Hill Checker David Watkins donated more than 100 plush teddy bears (purchased by his customers) to children at local organizations like Santa Clara Medical, Kaiser Permanente and Argonaut Elementary School. Raley's sells the teddy bears for $10 to fundraise for the Food For Families program.
TaxAudit, a partner of Raley's Food For Families, had 76 team members participate in a Turkey Trot scavenger hunt to gather and pack 100 bags of food. Through their efforts, they felt they could make an impact in their local community during the holiday season.
Raley's combined top ten checkers in this drive raised 321,776 meals for their communities, representing almost 10% of the total meals raised.
Raley's Food For Families program runs 365 days of the year to cater to those in need. For more information and to learn how to donate, visit www.foodforfamilies.org.
For information about our stores, please contact Chelsea Minor, Director of PR and Public Affairs at CMinor1@raleys.com.
Source: Raley's Food
Posted in Business, Financial, Food & Beverage, Grocery, Management, Philanthropy, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Dave Martinez, Families holiday bag drive, Raley's Food |
Kroger to sell 762 convenience store business to EG Group for $2.15 billion
CINCINNATI and BLACKBURN, United Kingdom, 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) and EG Group, a privately-held petrol forecourt convenience store retailer based in Blackburn, Lancashire, United Kingdom, today (Feb. 5, 2018) announced a definitive agreement for the sale of Kroger's convenience store business unit to EG Group for $2.15 billion. The companies expect to close the transaction during the first quarter of Kroger's fiscal year.
As part of the agreement, EG Group will establish their North American headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio and continue to operate stores under their established banner names.
Kroger announced in October 2017 its intention to explore strategic alternatives for its convenience store business, including a potential sale, in conjunction with Restock Kroger.
"Our convenience store business has been a part of our company for many years. We want to thank our management team and associates for their enduring commitment to our customers, and for the contributions they have made to build our supermarket fuel business," said Mike Schlotman, Kroger's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "As part of our regular review of assets, it has become clear that our strong convenience store business unit will better meet its full potential outside of our business."
"One of the most important considerations in our decision-making process was continued operations to ensure minimal disruption to our associates. We are very pleased the EG Group plans to establish their North American headquarters in Cincinnati. EG Group is also a recognized international petrol forecourt convenience operator and they have a commercial model which clearly looks to enhance the consumer offer by working with leading retail brands customers know and trust," said Mr. Schlotman. "This is good for our associates across the country and for our headquarter city of Cincinnati. Throughout the process we were impressed with the EG Group's professionalism, investment commitment and more importantly their understanding of the US convenience retail market. We now look forward to working with them closely to ensure a smooth transition for associates."
Mohsin Issa, EG Group Founder and co-CEO expressed "This is an exciting time for EG Group, the entry into the US market presents a fantastic opportunity to deliver a successful retail offer to consumers across the various states. We have had much success across Europe and we firmly believe the Kroger assets present a fantastic foundation to overlay our retail experience and know-how in the US. We are committed to investing in the Kroger network, partnering with leading retail brands and working with the exceptional management team and associates transferring across to deliver a comprehensive retail offer."
"Our business model is simple but effective – EG Group is creating a stronger relationship between consumers and leading retail brands they want to access. In the US we aim to create a retail environment which delivers convenience, provides value and serves as a retail destination offering excellent welfare to motorists who live and work near our petrol forecourt convenience retail stores," added Zuber Issa, EG Group Founder and co-CEO.
Kroger plans to use net proceeds from the sale to repurchase shares and to lower its net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio.
Kroger's convenience store business operates in 18 states. It includes 66 franchise operations. The stores employ 11,000 associates and operate under the following banner names: Turkey Hill, Loaf 'N Jug, Kwik Shop, Tom Thumb and Quik Stop. Kroger's convenience store business generated revenue of $4 billion, including selling 1.2 billion gallons of fuel, in 2016.
Kroger's supermarket fuel centers and its Turkey Hill Dairy are not included in the sale.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The company expects the transaction to close quickly as EG Group has no U.S. presence today.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Kroger and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is acting as legal advisor to Kroger.
Morgan Stanley, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Barclays are acting as financial advisors to EG Group. Allen & Overy is acting as legal advisor to EG Group.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co., we are dedicated to our purpose: to Feed the Human SpiritTM. We are 453,000 associates who serve nearly nine million customers every day 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, 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.
About EG Group
Founded in 2001 by brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa, United Kingdom based EG Group is a leading petrol forecourt retail convenience operator who has established partnerships with global brands such as ESSO, BP, Shell, Carrefour, Louis Delhaize, SPAR, Starbucks, Burger King, KFC, Greggs and Subway. The business has an established pedigree of delivering a world class fuel, convenience and food-to-go offer.
The EG Group currently employs over 12,500 staff working in over 2,600 sites across various European markets including the United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy. In 2017, the business secured approximately 1,000 petrol forecourt assets from Esso in Germany which will be transferred and integrated into the existing network in Q4, 2018. With the inclusion of the Kroger assets, EG Group will own and operate circa 4,400 sites across Europe and the US.
EG Group has made a significant commitment to delivering a modern consumer retail offer which exceeds expectations and creates a true 'one-stop' retail destination to satisfy multiple consumer missions. The business is regularly recognized for innovation and investment in convenience retail assets, the employees and the systems. Zuber Issa and Mohsin Issa, Founders and co-CEOs of Euro Garages, were jointly named the 2016 NACS Insight European Convenience Industry Leader of the Year.
Prior to including revenue from the convenience stores being acquired from Kroger, EG Group's European business pro forma revenue (including Italy and Germany) is $14.5bn. Including the revenue from Kroger's C-store business gives total EG Group pro forma revenues of $18.5bn.
Further information at www.eurogarages.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about the future performance of Kroger. These statements are based on management's assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. These statements are indicated by words such as "plans" and similar words. The closing of the transaction will be dependent upon approval receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing. Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include the specific risk factors identified in "Risk Factors" and "Outlook" in Kroger's annual report on Form 10-K for our last fiscal year and any subsequent filings, as well as the following:
Our ability to use free cash flow to continue to maintain our investment grade debt rating and repurchase shares, pay dividends, and fund capital investments, could be affected by unanticipated increases in net total debt, our inability to generate free cash flow at the levels anticipated, and our failure to generate expected earnings.
SOURCE: The Kroger Co.
Posted in Business, Convenience Stores, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged 762 convenience store business, EG Group, Kroger, Mike Schlotman, Mohsin Issa, sell, Zuber Issa |
SSP UK names its new Charity of the Year Macmillan Cancer Support
LONDON, 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — SSP UK, a leading provider of food and drink concessions in travel locations, has named Macmillan Cancer Support as its new Charity of the Year. Macmillan provides emotional, practical, financial and medical support to people and their friends and families living with cancer. During 2018, SSP colleagues across the company's c.700 UK outlets will be raising much needed funds for the charity.
Colleague fundraising will take place across hundreds of SSP sites up and down the country, as well as its Birmingham and London offices. SSP colleagues will join together to raise funds for the charity as part of four dedicated fundraising events throughout the year, including Macmillan's well-known annual Coffee Morning. Macmillan will also receive a third of the donations received into the SSP Foundation's till-point collection tins, and a £100,000 grant from the SSP Foundation will give a further boost to the fundraising.
Gini Smith, Macmillan Cancer Support Corporate Partnership Manager, said, "We're delighted to welcome SSP UK on board as a new corporate partner. Almost one in two of us will receive a cancer diagnosis by 2020, and Macmillan's aim is to be there for everyone living with cancer when they need it most. We rely on much-needed donations from companies such as SSP to be able to provide support during treatment or help with work and money worries."
Simon Smith, CEO of SSP UK & Ireland, added, "We're pleased to be working together with Macmillan to fund expert cancer support. We have around 10,000 colleagues across the country, which means that unfortunately, cancer will have affected many of us. But Macmillan is there to help people live life, and by fundraising for this important charity, our colleagues will help people get the support they need to face cancer. We are looking forward to a year of fun charitable events and hope to raise thousands for Macmillan in the process."
Templemere Public Relations
press.office@ssp-intl.com
Source: SSP
Posted in Awards, Business, Financial, Food & Beverage, Management, Philanthropy, Retail, Retailer, Travel | Tagged Charity of the Year Macmillan Cancer Support, Gini Smith, Simon Smith, SSP UK |
Carrefour to suspend wild bass sales during its breeding period
Boulogne-Billancourt, France, 2018-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — Carrefour's aim is to become the leader of the food transition. Increasing our selection of sustainable fishing products is in line with this aim. Carrefour has set itself the target of selling the widest range of responsibly-caught fish on the market. And it would like half of all fish purchased at Carrefour to be responsibly sourced by 2020.
We have been warned about the risks that the wild bass is currently facing. In February and March, it is the breeding period for the wild bass. Catching it during this period disrupts its natural cycle and prevents stocks from being replenished.
To ensure that we are able to sell this product to our customers in the long term, we will suspend wild bass sales in February and March.
During these months, customers will be able to purchase farm-reared bass, including one organic variety.
This initiative is fully in line with Carrefour's commitment to preserving the planet's biodiversity and its marine resources, alongside withdrawing certain species under threat from sale, creating a range of certified fish and fish that have been responsibly reared, supporting local sustainable fishing and tackling illegal fishing.
Posted in Business, Food & Beverage, Grocery, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged breeding period, Carrefour, suspend, wild bass sales |
Marks & Spencer announces partnership with data science company, Starcount
LONDON, 2018-Feb-07 — /EPR Retail News/ — Marks & Spencer today (06 February 2018) announces the appointment of data science company, Starcount, as part of its ongoing programme of change under its five-year transformation plans. The partnership will help enhance customer understanding and insight through personalisation of M&S' loyalty and CRM programmes including M&S's Sparks Card.
Sparks, which currently has over 6 million members, is a key tool for customer insight and engagement and central to helping M&S become a digital-first retailer. Starcount, led by Edwina Dunn and Clive Humby, will utilise its pioneering and innovative approach and technology to map out customer passions in order to predict future buying behaviour.
Starcount's appointment follows a Marketing Team restructure last month to ensure that the team is more closely aligned to the strategic priorities of the business. Marketing and customer engagement play a significant part in M&S' transformation ensuring it is faster, more commercial and acutely focused on our customers.
Rob Weston who was appointed Marketing Director, Brand & Customer as part of the restructure, said: "I am really looking forward to working with Starcount in my new role. Sparks plays a huge part in helping with our transformation and having the best partners will enable us to focus on achieving a seamless experience for our customers."
Edwina Dunn, CEO, Starcount, said: "We are delighted to be working with M&S and partnering with them on predicting their customers' wants and needs. Starcount's expertise is the science of purchase and intent, understanding the 'why' behind M&S customer purchases to help deliver growth, profitability as well as a seamless customer experience."
Making M&S Special
In November 2017 Marks & Spencer set out a transformation programme for the business concentrating on Restoring the Basics, Shaping the Future and Making M&S Special.
Under this transformation programme, Making M&S Special, M&S has to date announced:
A slowdown in the Simply Food store opening programme
An acceleration of the UK store estate programme
The sale and franchise of its retail business in Hong Kong and Macau
A new Technology Transformation Programme
Improvements to its Clothing & Home Logistics Network
The restructure of the Customer, Marketing & Digital Team
Corporate Press Office:
Source: Marks & Spencer
Posted in Apparel, Business, Fashion, Management, Retail, Retailer | Tagged Clive Humby, data science company, Edwina Dunn, Marks & Spencer, partnership, Rob Weston, Starcount |
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