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Canadian Retail Industry Honours Grassroots Environmental Products and Robert Simmonds Inc. with Ambassador Awards

Toronto, May 22 – Today, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced Grassroots Environmental Products and Robert Simmonds Inc. as the recipients of the 2009 Ambassador Awards, sponsored by Chase Paymentech Solutions. The awards will be presented to at RCC's Gala dinner on June 1, as part of their national STORE conference in Toronto. The organizations were nominated and selected for the award by a distinguished panel of retail executives, as well as representatives from the financial, academic and consulting communities.

"Robert Simmonds and Grassroots are organizations that truly practice what they preach," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "Both strive to enrich the local, national and global community, and have put their ideas into action. These innovative independent retailers show us that giving back can make a big difference."

Grassroots Environmental Products was established in 1994, when environmental advocate and owner Rob Grand recognized a lack of earth-friendly products in the marketplace. Since that time, Grassroots has become one of Canada's largest sources of environmentally friendly products and services, with two locations in Toronto.

Robert Simmonds Inc., a high-end clothing and footwear store in Fredericton, N.B., has long been known in its community for the efforts of owner Paul Simmonds. A veteran in the retail industry, Simmonds makes it his priority to support local events and charities, donating a portion of annual sales to the various community charities including Fredericton Community Foundation.

"These Independent retailers show us that success can be measured by more than just dollars and cents," adds Brisebois. "Supporting the community that supports your business is a great way to thank your customers. Both Paul and Rob are an inspiration to the industry and this award is a fantastic way to honour that."

The Ambassador Award recognizes businesses that make outstanding contributions to the community. The recipients are seen as visionaries, innovators and integral parts of the communities they serve. Robert Simmonds Inc. and Grassroots Environmental Products join a notable list of past winners, including Dayle's Department Store and United Cycle (2008), Bidgood's Supermarket (2007), Dansk Gifts (2006), and the Plumbing Barn (2005).

> 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.

For further information: Media are invited to attend STORE 2009. For more information or to RSVP, please contact us.