IGA NAMES 2007 INTERNATIONAL RETAILERS OF THE YEAR

Gwen Christon of Isom IGA Receives Prestigious Global Award

CHICAGO, IL - Gwen Christon, owner of Isom IGA in Isom, Ky., was named one of eight 2007 IGA International Retailers of the Year. Christon, who was chosen from the more than 4,000 IGA Retailers worldwide, was presented with the award during the IGA International Retailers of the Year Awards Dinner Ceremony, held during the IGA Global Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Marriott’s Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami, Fla.

A committee of food industry executives chose the winners from a pool of applicants submitted by IGA’s Licensed Distribution Centers. Criteria for judging included IGA operational assessment rating, involvement in the IGA 2006 80th anniversary marketing event program, IGA Brand support, merchandising, leadership and innovation, “Hometown Proud” community involvement and employee development.

Christon began working as manager of the Isom, Ky.-based Pic Pac in 1973. She continued as manager until 1998, when she and her husband purchased the store and converted it to Isom IGA.

“Gwen Christon is a retailer who is devout in her faith and her loyalty to the IGA Family,” IGA USA President, Chairman and CEO Mark Batenic said. “Throughout her community, Gwen is known as a role model and a friend --- meaning she’s the first to use her position to help those in need. Her ‘Hometown Proud’ spirit is a blessing to everyone who comes in contact with her. We’re lucky to have her as a member of the IGA Family”

“Words cannot express how honored I am to be named one of the IGA Retailers of the Year,” Christon said. “This award represents the highlight of my many years in the grocery business. My husband, Arthur, and I work side by side each day to try to ensure the success of Isom IGA, not only for our family, but for our staff and their families, and our community as a whole.”

IGA 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 than 55 major manufacturers, vendors and suppliers encompassing everything from grocery to equipment items. IGA has operations in 44 of the United States and more than 40 countries, commonwealths and territories on all six inhabited continents.