Industry News

CSNNews DALLAS — Nobody wants to receive a ticket from a police officer. However, 7-Eleven Inc. is making sure there is one exception to that rule. For the 18th time, the convenience store chain will launch its Operation Chill community relations program this summer. As part of Operation Chill, 7-Eleven will hand out approximately 1 million coupons to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The coupons entitle the bearer to receive a free Slurpee. Hence, more than 600 law enforcement agencies will “ticket” youngsters who are caught in random acts of kindness, good deeds or positive community activities with the free Slurpee coupons redeemable at participating 7-Eleven stores. “Uniformed police officers can be intimidating to many kids,” Mark Stinde, 7-Eleven’s vice president of asset protection, said in a company news release. “Recognizing good behavior helps build positive relationships between local law enforcement agencies and young people and encourages good behavior with a…

Eli Greenblat June 29, 2012 The Age Struggling upmarket department store David Jones has received an unsolicited takeover approach from a British company, which could potentially value the retailer at more than $1.4 billion and spark a consolidation of the underperforming Australian retail sector. David Jones told the Australian Securities Exchange this morning it had received an unsolicited letter from a non-incorporated UK entity indicating its interest in making an offer for the retailer. It is believed that David Jones chief executive Paul Zahra is currently overseas in Europe on business. In a brief statement to the market, David Jones said the approach was made by a non-incorporated UK entity about which ”no usual public information is available’’. “The directors do not believe they currently have relevant information to enable them to qualify or value the approach but should this change will advise the market accordingly,’’ David Jones said in…

July 2, 2012 The Age Four in 10 businesses in key sectors have warned of immediate price hikes under the carbon tax. FOUR in 10 Australian businesses in the key sectors of manufacturing, services and construction plan to hike their prices immediately in response to the carbon tax, a survey has found. As the Gillard government began the tough job of selling its carbon tax, a survey by the Australian Industry Group concluded that price rises would be widespread, although ”considerable confusion” remained about the scheme. The survey of Ai Group members found that 40 per cent of manufacturing businesses, 40 per cent of services businesses and 44 per cent of construction businesses planned to increase at least some of their prices from yesterday. Also from yesterday, nearly 300 big carbon emitters – mostly power generators and mining companies but also many local councils – began paying the $23-a-tonne carbon…

Rachel Wells, Elizabeth Knight July 2, 2012 The Age THE man behind the mysterious $1.65 billion takeover offer for Australia’s oldest department store, David Jones, has revealed himself as John Edgar – a Scot linked to a matrix of dubious one-pound companies, including a beverage company that claims to sell jewel-encrusted bottles of halal vodka for $5.3 million a piece. Mr Edgar contacted the media yesterday, brandishing two letters he had sent to the David Jones chairman, Bob Savage – one on May 22 and another on June 27 increasing the offer price. The letters describe his company EB Private Equity as a British- and Luxembourg-based investment fund. It says it has lined up partners that will provide capital and lenders to provide debt finance. ”We are in discussions with various partners and hope to have a conference call with the David Jones chairman next week.” Mr Edgar said he…

New York Times MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM July 1, 2012 Lobbyists from Coca-Cola and other big soda companies have met with mayoral candidates and City Council members. Canvassers hired by the beverage industry are stopping New Yorkers on the street and urging them to sign petitions. Facebook and Twitter pages tell readers to “say no to a #sodaban.” The soft-drink industry is beginning an aggressive campaign to fight proposed restrictions on the sale of large, sugary drinks in New York. Confronting a high-profile attack on its fizzy products, the American soft-drink industry is beginning an aggressive campaign to fight New York City’s proposed restrictions on large sugary drinks. Hoping for a debate about freedom, not fatness, the industry has created a grassroots-style coalition called New Yorkers for Beverage Choices to coordinate its public relations efforts in the city. On Thursday, the group introduced its first radio spot, a one-minute advertisement featuring…

CSD Staff Jul 02, 2012 7-Eleven hands out free Slurpee drinks for its 85th birthday, along with a big summer sweepstakes of offers for customers. 7-Eleven prepares for its birthday on July 11, where participating stores in the U.S. and Canada will give away free 7.11-ounce Slurpee drinks between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Slurpee drinks are a summer tradition for Americans along with amusement parks, big box-office movies and cookouts. The free Slurpee promotion will move Americans to their local 7-Eleven next Wednesday. “7-Eleven Day, or free Slurpee Day, gets bigger and more popular every year,” said Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven president and CEO. “This year, we expect to give away 7 million Slurpee drinks, more than ever before, beating last year’s offer by 2 million.” DePinto said this year also marks the 45th birthday for the iconic Slurpee drink. He said the day is also used to support and…