Retail Council of Canada Names Staples Canada Inc. President Steven Matyas
2010 Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year

TORONTO, May 5 /CNW/ - Today, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is proud to announce Steven Matyas, President of Staples Canada Inc., as the 2010 Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year. The award will be presented to Mr. Matyas at RCC's gala dinner on May 31 as part of the association's national STORE conference in Toronto.

The award recognizes the role of Mr. Matyas as a leader in the retail industry, with nominations received from across Canada and the final selection determined by a distinguished panel of current and former retail executives.

"Mr. Matyas is an incredible individual who continues to promote and support retail in Canada," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "Staples Canada Inc. is one of the country's most respected retailers and his contribution to the company's growth and continued success is undeniable."

Mr. Matyas is a founding senior officer of the Business Depot Ltd., which trades as Staples Canada Inc. and Bureau en Gros. Since its inception in 1991, the organization has grown to more than 300 stores with annual sales well over $2 billion from its 7,000 brand-name office products.

The Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year award recognizes a retail leader who has led his/her company to outstanding business success and innovation, in addition to consistently demonstrating community commitment and support. Mr. Matyas joins a notable list of past recipients, including Louise Wendling, Costco Wholesale Canada (2009), Laurence Lewin, La Senza (2008) Mario Pilozzi, Wal-Mart Canada (2007); Edward Kennedy, The North West Company (2006); Annette Verschuren, The Home Depot (2005); Wayne Sales, Canadian Tire (2004), and Wynne Powell, London Drugs (2003).

For more information about STORE 2010 - Canada's Retail Conference, visit: www.storeconference.ca.

About Retail Council of Canada

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has been the Voice of Retail in Canada since 1963. We speak for an industry that touches the daily lives of Canadians in every corner of the country - by providing jobs, career opportunities, and by investing in the communities we serve.

RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 40,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, and independent stores, and online merchants.

RCC is a strong advocate for retailing in Canada and works with all levels of government and other stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, to promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast-to-coast, and to enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness. RCC also provides its members with a full range of services and programs including education and training, benchmarking and best practices, networking, advocacy, and industry information.

Media are invited to attend STORE 2010.

For further information: or to RSVP, contact Mark Beazley, Director, Communications, at [email protected]