Independent Grocers Honored at Canadian Trade Show

TORONTO -- The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) presented the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards, the CFIG Master Merchandising Awards, and the Arnold Rands Heritage Awards at the eighth annual Grocery Innovations Canada show here last week.

Each year independent grocery stores from across Canada vie for the title in the specialty, large, medium, and small surface categories. Entries are rated on their customer service, staff and department management, store layout, merchandising, creativity, cleanliness, and community involvement.

"In the competitive grocery retail climate, CFIG continues to recognize those whose leadership, innovation, and commitment have placed them among Canada's most successful independents," said CFIG president John F.T. Scott in a press release.

The awards recipients for Independent Grocer of the Year were as follows:
-- Best Large Surface Grocer: Supermarche J.P.V. Plouffe Inc.; Magog, Que.
-- Best Medium Surface Grocer: Quality Foods; Campbell River, B.C.
-- Best Small Surface Grocer: Colemans Food Centre; Mount Pearl, Nfld.
-- Best Specialty Store Grocer: The Market by Longo's, Toronto

The Large Category-Platinum/Gold Overall Award Winner of the 2007 Canadian Master Merchandiser Awards, which are presented for creativity, effective use of product, and innovative concepts, was Sobeys St. Vital in Winnipeg, Man.

The Arnold Rands Heritage Award Winner, which is given annually to the year's best privately owned multigenerational grocery store, went to the Pugliese Family of Michael-Angelo's Market Place, Inc. in Markham, Ont.

CFIG's mission is to further the unique interests of Canada's independent and franchised grocers across Canada through progressive partnerships with retailers, suppliers, and the consumer. The association has a national membership of 3,800.

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