CHICAGO -- Seven retailers -- five in the U.S. and two international -- will receive IGA's 2003 International Retailer of the Year awards during the organization's IGA Global Summit in Palm Springs, Calif., March 9 to 12.
Betsy Tooker, Top's IGA Supermarket, Plantsville, Conn. International winners are Bruce Barnes, Friendly IGA Worcester, South Africa, and Fred Harrison, Ritchies IGA Supermarket Dromana, Victoria, Australia. Dr. Thomas Haggai, chairman and chief executive officer of IGA here, calls these five-star retailers who best exemplify IGA Hometown Proud spirit by providing leadership in their communities and within the IGA system through excellence achieved in their own operations.
SN profiles the five U.S. Retailers of the Year. What they all have in common is a love for food retailing and the mind-set that they can compete against anyone out there.
Retailer: Trevor Borowiak, Borowiak's IGA
Age: 35
Years in Business: 12
No. of Years as IGA Retailer: 11
No. of Stores: 9
Square Footage: 18,000 to 35,000
Local Competition: Schnucks, Kroger, Wal-Mart Supercenters
Distinguishing Elements: Service meat departments.
Retailer: Charles Hardegree, Brodhead IGA
Age: 49
Years in Business: 3
No. of Years as an IGA Retailer: 2
No. of Stores: 2
Square Footage: 10,000 and 17,000
Local Competition: Wal-Mart Supercenter, Save-A-Lot
What he likes most about food retailing: "The thing I like most about it is working with customers. I like interacting with the customers in the stores."
Retailer: Dennis Darling, Susanville IGA
Age: 47
Years in Business: 19
No. of Years as IGA Retailer: 6
No. of Stores: Foods Etc. and Susanville Supermarket
Square Footage: 27,000 and 34,000
Local Competition: Safeway and conventional Wal-Mart Stores
Distinguishing Elements: "Our focus and success is based upon our perishables."
What he likes most about food retailing: "The people -- both the customers and our excellent associates. It's wonderful to operate in a small town and to know everybody in that town. I love that lifestyle."
