CHFA names Sears Canada Retailer of the Year

Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, October 29, 2012

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - Sears Canada, which has consistently been one of Canada's top five furniture, mattress and appliance retailers for at least three decades, has been named the 2013 Retailer of the Year by the Canadian Home Furnishings Alliance.
     Given annually since 2001, the honor recognizes exemplary models of excellence and community service by Canadian furniture retailers, the association said in a statement.
     "The story of Sears Canada is the story of the growth and success of a great enterprise and a retail icon that Canadian consumers have come to trust for great value," the CHFA said.
     Sears Canada was launched in 1953 under the Simpsons-Sears banner, operating two stores in Kitchener, Ontario, and Kamloops, British Columbia, and issuing the first edition of its now-famous catalog, which was sent to 300,000 homes across the country.
     Today, Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes 197 corporate stores, 276 hometown dealer stores and 20 home services showrooms, as well as over 1,500 merchandise pickup locations. It continues to publish Canada's most broadly circulated general merchandise catalog and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.
     The Sears Canada Charitable Foundation distributes donations to charitable organizations that align with its mission to support the healthy development of children and youth in Canada. Sears is working with children's oncology centers and organizations to raise funds and awareness for research and treatment initiatives to improve the lives of children living with cancer.
     In 2010, the Sears Canada Charitable Foundation made a multi-year, C$5 million commitment to fight childhood cancer. The company also supports other youth development initiatives, and each Sears Canada store partners with local charity groups for in store fundraising events.
     The 2012 Retailer of the Year was the Winnipeg based Dufresne Retail Solutions Group. Prior honorees include leasing merchant Easyhome Ltd., Sleep Country Canada, Mega Group, Stoney Creek Furniture, The Brick, Tepperman's Furniture of Windsor, Ontario, and Leon's.
     The association will host a gala dinner to honor Sears Canada - as well as the 2013 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Angelo Marzilli, founder of Decor-Rest Furniture - on Friday, Jan. 11, in the Orion Ballroom of the International Centre here.
     For tickets to the event or for more information, contact CHFA President Murray Vaughan at (905) 655-6561 or email murray@chfaweb.ca.