IGA NAMES 2005 INTERNATIONAL SUPERMARKET MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Tom Stake of Gribble’s IGA Accepts Prestigious Award

CHICAGO, IL - IGA today announced Tom Stake, manager of Gribble’s IGA in Loudonville, Ohio, was named IGA 2005 International Supermarket Manager of the Year. Stake was honored at IGA's 2005 Global Summit on Tuesday, March 1, at Marriott’s Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, Calif.

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.

Stake began his career working for IGA Retailer Bob Gribble in 1972 at the age of 15. Over the years he worked his way up in all departments of the store and was promoted to oversee the entire operation and all its departments by the time he was 25 years old.

“Stake’s commitment to Gribble’s IGA and the community of Loudonville, Ohio, is legendary,” said Dr. Thomas Haggai, chairman and CEO of IGA. “His involvement in community organizations and activities proves daily that he knows the true meaning of being IGA Hometown Proud.”

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.

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 37 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.