IGA ANNOUNCES SUCCESSION PLAN

CHICAGO, IL - The Board of IGA, INC. at its meeting on September 1, announced a succession plan for its top management. Board member Ron Marshall will lead the search for a President and CEO using the firm of Eastman and Beaudine. When the new CEO is in place, Dr. Thomas S. Haggai will become Non-Executive Chairman, a position he assumed in 1977 prior to becoming CEO in 1986.

Dr. Haggai commends the Board for taking these appropriate steps. “It will allow me a freer schedule for what I enjoy most and that is interfacing with our retailers. From the moment I was asked to join the Board in 1972, my basis of interest has not changed: The IGA family business must win at retail. Then and only then does the system work.”

Chairman Haggai further added: “China has thrown open its door of welcome; Brazil will double its store count in November; new strategies are being designed for the countries of Southern Africa. In fact, all of our countries are growing. Building on relationships I’ve developed for three decades, I will dedicate much of my time to the world where, at this moment, we have 66 percent of our stores. How grateful I am for parents who raised me in ‘an international house’ so when Japan and Australia simultaneously came seeking IGA over two decades ago, our Board reacted positively, although we had no idea nor intent that it would lead to positioning on all inhabited continents.”

“While we keep expanding and see hopeful signs here in the U.S.,” Haggai concluded, “My fellow board members and I agree we need a CEO with fresh thinking as we enter our 80th Anniversary.”

“For almost 30 years, Tom has successfully developed the role of the independent retailer—both in the United States and abroad— by using his bold ideas and leadership while also developing the mission of IGA. In addition, he has become one of the most highly respected individuals in the industry throughout the world,” said board member Drayton McLane, Jr. “We are greatly appreciative of Tom’s accomplishments and are looking forward to his continued contributions during this transitional period.”

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.