Winnipeg’s Diamond Gallery Named 2017 Independent Retailer of the Year by Retail Council of Canada
Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced today that Diamond Gallery is the winner of the Excellence in Retail Awards (ERA) 2017 Independent Retailer of the Year Award.
RCC’s Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of a local independent retailer to his or her community. The recipient is recognized as a visionary, an innovator, and as an integral part of the community that his or her business serves.
“Diamond Gallery is an exceptional retailer who is as well known for its remarkable craftsmanship of custom heirloom jewellery as it is for its outstanding commitment to its customers and community” said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. “We are so proud to honour Diamond Gallery with this award as they embody the true spirit of entrepreneurship and community service and are a genuine ambassador of the retail industry.”
Diamond Gallery joins a long line of passionate merchants from across Canada who have received the ERA Independent Retailer of the Year Award, including Rocky Mountain Soap Company, Reckless Bike Stores, Amos Pewter, That Pro Look, Cuckoo’s Nest, and Korry’s Clothiers for Gentlemen.
The Independent Retailer of the Year Award will be presented to Diamond Gallery at Retail Council of Canada’s Excellence in Retailing in Retailing Awards Gala on May 30, 2017 at the Toronto Congress Centre from 5:30pm to 8:30pm ET.
The Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala will complete the end of the first day of STORE 2017, Canada’s biggest and most important retail conference that will feature over 80 speakers and attract over 2000 retail leaders from across North America. Media are also invited to attend STORE 2017, May 30-May31, 2017. For more information and to purchase tickets: https://www.storeconference.ca/tickets
About Diamond Gallery
Established in 1992 by Allan and Anita Malbranck, Winnipeg’s Diamond Gallery is dedicated to a world-class customer experience in crafting heirloom jewellery. They concentrate on hand crafting Canadian custom designs in 95% recycled gold and platinum fused with ethically sourced gemstones. In 2009 they erected what is believed to be North America’s first sustainable geo-thermal professional building to house a jewellery store. The innovative architectural space is well balanced by the family owned down to earth approach and old-fashion customer service. Proud to know most clients on a first name basis, the Malbrancks are humbled by their many client referrals and glowing reviews. The Diamond Gallery was the first Canadian jewellery store featured as one of America’s Coolest jewellery stores in 2010, and was the inaugural recipient of the Canadian Independent Jeweller of the Year Award in 2013, in addition to other regional awards. www.diamond-gallery.com.
About the Malbranck Family
Co-owners Allan, Anita and Lisa Malbranck enthusiastically support their community by working with local charities and non-for-profit organizations. They support Winnipeg’s strong cultural and arts scene, have sat on local board of directors, and host in-store events such as an annual Mother’s Day infant formula drive. Daughter Lisa, third generation jeweller, is an advocate for supporting local storefronts – “Local shops and boutiques help contribute to the charm of what makes the many Winnipeg neighbourhoods unique” says Lisa Malbranck, who was listed as Manitoba’s 100 most fascinating people in 2015 and named in CBC Manitoba’s 40 under 40 in 2016.
About Retail Council of Canada:
Retail is Canada’s largest employer with 2.2 million Canadians working in our industry. The sector annually generates payroll of $60 billion and approximately $350 billion in sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline). As of 2016, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members represent more than two thirds of retail sales in the country. RCC is a not-for-profit industry-funded association and represents small, medium and large retail business in every community across the country. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, we proudly represent more than 45,000 storefronts in all retail formats, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers and online merchants. www.RetailCouncil.org
