LOS ANGELES — Superior Grocers, a chain of 36 supermarkets in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, was selected the recipient of the 2011 "Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award" by Unified Grocers on June 7, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Long Beach, Calif.
The "Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award," named after a former chairman of the Board at Unified Grocers, is an honor given annually to an independent retail grocer or grocery company that is a leader and innovator in the retail grocery industry. The award recognizes retailers who, through their practice and example, have consistently demonstrated initiative, creativity and leadership within their businesses and, in the process, have inspired others to think and act creatively and with passion in the grocery field. To be eligible, retailers must be — or must have been — a member of Unified Grocers or one of its predecessor companies.
In presenting the award, Al Plamann, chief executive officer, Unified Grocers, pointed out that Superior is a little different than the previous six Ben Schwartz award recipients. "Superior does not trace its roots back to the 1930s, the '50s or even the '70s. Superior opened its first store in Los Angeles in 1981 and has been growing steadily ever since," Plamann said. "Such tremendous growth in a relatively short period of time is a remarkable achievement — and it is one of the reasons why they are the recipient of this year's Ben Schwartz Award."
Another reason why Superior was presented with the Award, Plamann said, is because of their dedication and commitment to providing their customers with one of the best value propositions in the industry – and holding true to it for more than 30 years. "When you walk into a Superior store today, you find the exact same focus on quality, value and service that customers found when they entered the store three decades ago. It's this type of commitment that creates great retail organizations." Plamann also lauded Superior for their extensive contributions and other efforts to "give back" to the communities in which Superior operates stores.
In accepting the 2011 Ben Schwartz Award, Mimi Song, president and chief executive officer, Superior Grocers credited her management team and all of the company's employees for making Superior a truly great company. "I never give them enough credit, however, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for their dedication and support,"
said Song.
In addition to the award that was presented to Superior Grocers, a duplicate of the "Ben Schwartz Retail Grocer Visionary Award" is on permanent display in the lobby of Unified's headquarters building in Commerce, Calif. A plaque recognizing Superior Grocers as the 2011 winner has been added to the permanent award.
About Unified Grocers, Inc.
Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $4 billion in sales during fiscal 2010, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.
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Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements about the future performance of Unified Grocers based on Management's assumptions and beliefs in light of information currently available to it. There are a variety of factors that could cause actual and future results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made above. These factors are outlined in the Company's Form 10-K and other interim reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, Unified undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Source: Unified Grocers, Inc.
