LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gelson's Markets, a chain of eighteen upscale supermarkets located in Southern California, was named the recipient of the 2009 "Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award" by Unified Grocers on June 2, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Long Beach, Calif.
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The "Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award," named after a long-time director and former chairman of the Board at Unified Grocers, is an honor given annually to an independent retail grocer who 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 retail grocery field. To be eligible, retailers must be -- or must have been -- a member of Unified Grocers or one of its predecessor companies.
Founded in 1951 by brothers Bernard and Eugene Gelson, Gelson's Markets have long been recognized as one of the premier supermarket chains in the United States. The company's past and current leadership have built their organization with a passion for creating a total shopping experience unequaled in the supermarket industry. The entire Gelson's team is known for spoiling their customers with quality products, superior store presentation and personal service.
"In awarding this year's 'Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award' we felt that Gelson's embodies everything that the Ben Schwartz Award stands for," said Al Plamann, president and chief executive officer, Unified Grocers. "We believe Gelson's management, through its vision and business acumen, has proven time and again to be one of the very best run retail grocery companies in the grocery industry."
Plamann said, "Bernie Briskin, chairman of the Board and chief executive officer and president of Arden Group, the parent company of Gelson's, has been and continues to be a powerful force in driving growth in Gelson's - he carefully selects store locations so that the offerings meet consumer's needs. I believe the Gelson brothers would be very proud to see the progress Gelson's Markets have made. The entire Gelson's team remains committed to quality and service. It is exciting to shop at Gelson's Markets."
Accepting the 2009 Ben Schwartz Award were Robert Stiles, president, Gelson's Markets and Donna Tyndall, senior vice president, operations, Gelson's Markets. "On behalf of the entire Gelson's organization, let me say that we are deeply honored to be presented with this prestigious award," said Stiles. "Ben Schwartz is literally an icon in our industry and Unified is a longtime industry partner. To receive an award of this stature from people that we truly respect and admire is tremendously meaningful to all of us at Gelson's."
In addition to the award that was presented to Gelson's, a duplicate of the "Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award" is on permanent display in the lobby of Unified's headquarters building in Commerce, Calif. A plaque recognizing Gelson's Markets as the 2009 winner has been added to the permanent award.
About Unified Grocers, Inc.
Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers, Inc. is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $4.1 billion in sales during fiscal 2008, 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.
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