RONA Recognized Among Canada's Most Socially Responsible Companies

BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - June 22, 2012) - RONA inc. (TSX:RON)(TSX:RON.PR.A), the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, is proud to appear on the Maclean's/Sustainalytics 2012 list of the 50 most socially responsible companies in Canada.

Since 2007, Sustainalytics, an independent global leader in sustainability research, has ranked companies based on their performance using a wide range of indicators, such as environmental initiatives, impact on local communities, treatment of employees and supply chain management. The companies are then grouped according to their industry sector and assigned a ranking.

In its 2012 report, Sustainalytics recognizes RONA on two levels. First, the report mentions RONA's partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation, which aims to reforest urban parks nationwide, including Rouge Park outside Toronto. Next, the report underscores last fall's launch of two new policies: the Paper Products Use and Procurement Policy and the Sustainable Packaging Policy. In May of this year, RONA also extended its paint recovery program to stores in Manitoba and the Atlantic Provinces, thereby offering the program to customers across Canada.

RONA has introduced a variety of other environmental initiatives, including programs to improve waste management, eco-responsible construction of new RONA buildings based on LEED requirements, as well as the EcoLeaders program, which aims to reduce waste in the company's corporate stores.

For its part, Corporate Knights, which recently published its 11th annual ranking of the best corporate citizens in Canada, mentions RONA on its prestigious list of Canada's 50 best corporate citizens. According to the magazine, good corporate citizens fulfill their part of the social contract by offering innovative solutions to the social and environmental challenges currently facing our society. In its report, Corporate Knights highlights RONA's commitment to sustainability.

In this age where sustainability is an inevitable daily concern, RONA, as the Canadian leader in its field, is committed to making a meaningful difference in society. "We wish to become the reference in Canada in terms of eco-friendly renovation and construction in our industry," said Normand Dumont, RONA's Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Vice President, Sustainability. "Sustainability definitely guides our choices and governs our range of business activities in terms of purchasing products, training store employees and dealing with our suppliers," he added. For further information on RONA's environmental policies, please visit www.rona.ca/corporate/environmental-policies-and-programs.

About RONA

RONA is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products. The Corporation operates a network of more than 800 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores of various sizes and formats under several banners, and a network of 14 hardware and construction-materials distribution centres which are flexible and perfectly adapted to the diverse needs of its clientele. RONA is also a leader in the specialized plumbing and HVAC market, primarily serving commercial and professional customers with a network of close to 60 sales outlets across the country.

In total, RONA supplies nearly 1,500 sales outlets, of which more than 830 are under one of its banners, as well as close to 600 clients, independent dealers, in its distribution network. With more than 30,000 employees working under its family of banners in every region of Canada, the RONA store network generates consolidated sales of $4.8 billion and over $6 billion taking into account the total impact of the retail sales of franchise dealers, affiliates and other independent dealers who buy their supplies at RONA. For more information, visit www.rona.ca.