Retail Council of Canada Honours Excellence at National Conference

TORONTO, June 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Retail Council of Canada presented 13 prestigious industry awards at last evening's Excellence in Retail Awards Dinner including three Awards of Distinction and 10 Excellence in Retail Awards. The awards recognize the Canadian retail industry's top achievers in a variety of categories and were presented as part of STORE 2012 — Canada's Retail Conference. This year's submissions came from a diverse range of small, mid-size and large retailers in almost every retail category and highlighted new and creative innovations in areas ranging from corporate social responsibility to store design.

The 2012 Awards of Distinction and Excellence in Retail Award winners are: 

2012 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bill McEwan, President & CEO, Sobeys Inc. in recognition of a lifetime dedication to the betterment of retail in Canada and around the world.

2012 Distinguished Retailer of the Year was presented to Brian Hill, Founder & CEO, Aritzia. in recognition of his outstanding achievement and leadership in retail.

2012 Ambassador Award was presented to Valerie Ventola, Owner, The Cuckoo's Nest Inc. in recognition of her remarkable contribution to the community and the Canadian retail industry.

Corporate & Social Responsibility
Mid Size Retailer - West 49 Inc. - West 49 LRN2SK8 presented by DisneyXD
Large Size Retailer - London Drugs - 'Bring Back the Pack' Packaging Recycling Program

e-Commerce
Costco Wholesale - Costco.ca Email Address Collection Campaign "For Thousands of Items You Won't Find at Your Local Costco, Shop Costco.ca!"

Health & Safety
Sears Canada - The Sears Canada Safety Culture Shift

In-Store Merchandising
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited - Automotive Renewal Concept

Loss Prevention
Mark's - Mark's: Awareness That Works

Marketing Communications (tie)
Holt Renfrew - Wild at Heart: Holt Renfrew and MICHAEL Michael Kors Partner in Support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF)
Indigo Books & Music Inc. - Enrich Your Life Fall Collections

Store Design
Mid Size Retailer - Sony Store - Sony Store Model for Global Retail
Large Size Retailer - Mark's - Mark's Langley: Keeping Canada Dry

Energy & Environmental Sustainability
Sobeys Inc. - Customer Traceable Wild Canadian Sustainable

Talent Development
Shopper's Drug Mart - Shoppers Drug Mart University - Your One Stop Shop for All Your Learning & Development Needs

Technology
LCBO - LCBO Launches Purchase Order and Warehouse Appointment

About Retail Council of Canada

Retail Council of Canada (www.retailcouncil.org) has been the Voice of Retail in Canada since 1963.  RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 43,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, and independent stores, and online merchants.

Corina Profiti, [phone], ext. 223, e-mail: [email protected]