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Canadian Retail Industry Honours Aldo Groupe's Réjean Dionne with Lifetime Achievement Award

Toronto, May 21 – Today, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced Réjean Dionne, President of ALDO Groupe, as the recipient of the 2009 Retail Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented to Mr. Dionne at RCC's Gala dinner on June 1, as part of their national STORE conference in Toronto.

Mr. Dionne was nominated and selected for the award by a distinguished panel of retail executives, as well as representatives from the financial, academic and consulting communities.

"Mr. Dionne leads his people by example, with passion, commitment and hard work," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Dionne has stayed true to his ideals and his leadership inspires all who come in contact with him. He is a remarkable Canadian success."

Mr. Dionne began his retail career straight out of high school, working for several big-name Canadian retailers. He brought his outstanding retail experience to ALDO Groupe in 1987, where he was named Vice President of Sales and Operations. He was promoted to President in 1999 and continues in that role today. His hard work and industry know-how has made it possible for 1350 stores around the world to run seamlessly.

"It is often said that Mr. Dionne is a born retailer," adds Brisebois. "Almost every Saturday for the last 20 years, he visits ALDO stores to speak with and motivate his employees. This is a clear illustration of his belief in the philosophy that every single employee has a significant role to play in the company's success."

The Retail Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes retailers who dedicate their lives to the betterment of retail in Canada. Nominees have no less than 25 years of consecutive service at an executive position in the retail sector.

Mr. Dionne joins a notable list of past winners, including Walter Hachborn, Home Hardware Stores Ltd. (2007); Herschel Segal, Le Chateau Inc. (2006); Richard J. Currie, Loblaw Companies. Ltd. (2005); Thomas J. Bata and Sonja I. Bata of Bata Shoe Organization (2003); and Harry Rosen of Harry Rosen Inc. (2001).

For more information about STORE 2009 — Canada's Retail Conference, visit: www.storeconference.ca.

About Retail Council of Canada
Retail Council of Canada (www.retailcouncil.org) is the Voice of Retail. It is a not-for-profit association representing more than 40,000 stores of all retail formats, including independent merchants, regional and national mass and specialty chains, and online merchants.

Media are invited to attend STORE 2009.

For further information: or to RSVP, please contact us.