La Senza's Laurence Lewin Named 2008 Distinguished Retailer of the Year by Retail Council of Canada
Toronto, May 15, 2008 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is pleased to present Laurence Lewin, President and Chief Operating Officer of La Senza, with the coveted 2008 Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year award to recognize his role as a leader in the retail industry. Nominations were received from across Canada and the final selection was determined by a distinguished panel of current and former retail executives.
"Laurence Lewin is an outstanding individual who continues to promote and support retail in Canada," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "La Senza is a true made-in-Canada success story, and its continued growth, both at home and abroad, is a testament to Laurence's commitment to retailing excellence."
Born and educated in the United Kingdom, Mr. Lewin began his career in the computer industry when he arrived in Montreal in the early 1970s and transitioned into fashion retail. In 1987, he joined Suzy Shier as Executive Vice-President. Within three years, his innovative spirit led him in 1990 to co-found La Senza, a then-revolutionary retail concept. By offering customers affordable and fashionable women's lingerie within an iconic brand experience, Mr. Lewin spearheaded a new era in Canadian retail lingerie.
Today, La Senza is Canada's leading specialty lingerie retailer, with more than 360 locations across the country and 475 locations in 42 countries.
Mr. Lewin's business acumen and passion, coupled with his outstanding leadership, remains the cornerstone of his contribution to the success of the organization.
This award will be presented to Mr. Lewin on behalf of the retail industry at a gala awards presentation on Monday, June 2, 2008. The presentation, part of STORE 2008 - Canada's Retail Conference, will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
The Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year award recognizes a retail leader who has led his/her company to outstanding business success and innovation, in addition to consistently demonstrating community commitment and support. Mr. Lewin joins a notable list of past recipients including Mario Pilozzi, Wal-Mart Canada (2007); Edward Kennedy, The North West Company (2006); Annette Verschuren, The Home Depot (2005); Wayne Sales, Canadian Tire (2004); and Wynne Powell, London Drugs (2003).
For more information about STORE 2008 - Canada's Retail Conference, log on to 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 2008.
For further information: and to RSVP, contact: Meredith Roberts, Account Manager, Pipeline Communications, (416) 694-2777, ext. 223, e-mail: meredith@pipelinecommunications.ca.