PRESENTATION OF SN'S RETAIL EXCELLENCE AWARD 2004

SN will present its Retail Excellence Award to Kroger on Tuesday, Oct. 26, as part of the Food Industry Leadership Center Executive Forum, held Oct. 26 and 27 in Portland, Ore. The FILC is part of the School of Business Administration at Portland State University.

Last year's winner was H.E. Butt Grocery, Austin, Texas.

The winner was chosen by SN's editors in conjunction with a range of industry executives and based in part on nominations received on SN's Web site.

The Retail Excellence Award recognizes a retailer who demonstrates "innovative strategies that set it apart from the competition, a deep understanding of its customer base, and has had a positive impact on the food industry in developing new solutions to grow its business."

AWARDS FORUM: SN will also honor its Community Service Award winner, Giant Eagle, at the Portland forum, which will feature panel discussions and speakers on a range of supermarket industry issues. Bob Miller, chairman of Rite Aid, Camp Hill, Pa., and former supermarket industry executive with Fred Meyer, will be the keynote speaker.

OTHER SPEAKERS: Scheduled speakers include Doug McMillon, executive vice president, Sam's Club, Bentonville, Ark.; John McKay Sr., vice president, Costco, Issaquah, Wash.; Tom Rubel, president and chief executive officer, Retail Forward, Columbus, Ohio; Scott Klein, president and CEO of Information Resources Inc., Chicago; and Phil Bonanno, vice president, Management Ventures, Cambridge, Mass.

SN will also sponsor and moderate a panel at the event called "Retail Technology in the Age of Global Standards."