IGA NAMES INTERNATIONAL SUPERMARKET MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Charles Kensler of Copiague IGA Accepts Prestigious Award

CHICAGO, IL - IGA today announced Charles Kensler, manager of Copiague IGA in Copiague, N.Y., was named IGA 2004 International Supermarket Manager of the Year. Kensler was presented with the award during IGA’s 2004 Global Summit, held March 14-17 at the Marriott’s Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

The award is given annually to the IGA Supermarket Manager(s) who best exemplifies the spirit of IGA by providing leadership and inspiration while contributing to the IGA system throughout the year. Judging criteria includes every aspect of the manager’s involvement, including supermarket sales, participation in IGA marketing events, IGA Brand support, merchandising, leadership and innovation, “Hometown Proud” involvement, employee development and teaming with IGA’s licensed distribution centers.

“Copiague IGA is located in an extremely competitive environment, and yet, under Manager Charles Kensler’s direction, the supermarket continues to thrive,” said Bill Benzing, IGA executive vice president and chief growth officer. “Charles has taken control of marketing events, product selection and employee management from day one, and as a result, has seen six straight years of sales increases, five star assessment ratings and increased profits,” Benzing said. “Charles Kensler proves daily that he knows the true meaning of being IGA Hometown Proud.”

“I am honored to have been selected as IGA International Supermarket Manager of the Year,” Kensler said. “It would not have been possible to be selected without the support of my employees, Bozzuto’s Jim Levey, and most of all, my superior, Richard Lukeman.”

IGA, the only global supermarketer based in the United States, is the world’s largest voluntary supermarket network with aggregate worldwide retail sales of more than $21 billion per year. The Alliance includes more than 4,000 Hometown Proud Supermarkets worldwide, supported by 36 distribution companies and more the 55 major manufacturers, vendors and suppliers encompassing everything from grocery to equipment items. IGA ranks in the top 10 in world food supermarketing. IGA has operations in 48 of the United States and more than 40 countries, commonwealths and territories on all six inhabited continents.