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DSN Retailing Today Recognizes Outstanding Suppliers and Retailers, Including Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart for Excellence in Retailing at Its 28th Annual SPARC Awards in Chicago

DSN Retailing Today, the nation's leading retail publication, presented its annual SPARC Awards to today's leading retailers and manufacturers on October 11 in Chicago, IL. SPARC, Supplier Performance Awards by Retail Category, is the only industry-wide vendor awards program honoring merchandising excellence.

DSN Retailing Today polls buyers and merchandisers from the top 150 retail chains to solicit votes for the outstanding performers in 57 individual categories. The criterion, established by merchandising executives, includes self-sell packaging, new product innovation, on-time delivery, advertising support, and quality control.

The 2005 SPARC Awards were presented at a special ceremony honoring 106 outstanding suppliers and eight retailers. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Retail Industry Leaders Association ALEx conference. The evening featured appearances by top executives from: Retailer of the Year, Costco Wholesale Corporation; Specialty Retailer of the Year, Best Buy; Food Retailer of the Year, Publix Super Markets; DSN Retailing Today Hall of Fame Honoree, Tom Stemberg, Co-Founder, Staples. DSNRT also recognized three retailers as outstanding corporate citizens; Sears for the "American Dream Campaign," Target for "Ready. Sit. Read.," and Wal-Mart for "Acres for America." Top supplier awards were presented to Sara Lee, the Softlines Vendor of the Year, and Procter & Gamble was awarded Hardlines Vendor of the Year.

The 2005 SPARC Committee was in attendance to present the recipients their awards. The members include: Chairman, Gordon Erickson, Sr. Vice President, GMM, Wal-Mart; Rob Gruen, Group Vice President, Softlines and Home, Meijer; Scott Nygaard, Director of Merchandising Operations, Target; Kevin Easton, Vice President, Softlines and Home, Dollar General Corporation; John Scanlon, Sr. Vice President, Merchandising & Advertising, Family Dollar.

3M, O'Sullivan Industries, Inc., Lollytogs, and Shell Corporation sponsored the 2005 SPARC Awards ceremony.

DSN Retailing Today, The Connection to America's Leading Retailers, is a publication of Lebhar-Friedman, Inc. America's leading retail publishing company for over 75 years, serves over a million business managers and professionals across the globe. Publishers of periodicals, directories, and newsletters, Lebhar-Friedman, Inc. is the leader in providing insightful and up-to-date news and analysis on the retail industry.

For more information regarding DSN Retailing Today's SPARC awards or a copy of the winners list, contact Nikki Pirrello at 212-756-5251, or npirrell@lf.com, or visit our web site at www.dsnretailingtoday.com.

Distributed by Market Wire