Retail Council of Canada announces 2013 Retail as a Career Scholarship Recipients

$5,000 Top Prize to be awarded at STORE 2013 - Canada's Retail Conference

TORONTO, May 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Twenty-four post-secondary students from across the country will each receive $1,000 as part of Retail Council of Canada's Retail as a Career Scholarship program.  The scholarships are awarded to students working in retail who are entering or currently enrolled in a retail-related program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.  The top applicant will also receive a $5,000 award from Interac Association.

"It is heartwarming to see so many students pursuing careers in retail and it speaks to the vibrancy of the retail sector and its important role in job creation in Canada," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada.  "The submissions we received from students this year demonstrate their passion for the industry and the value of a career in retail. The future of our industry is indeed in capable hands."

The Retail as a Career Scholarship program is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and to date has awarded more than $585,000 in scholarships and award benefits to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to the future of retail. "The scholarship program continues to grow year after year," added Brisebois. "In 2013 we received a record number of entries and we also saw increased participation and funding from our retail members. It's clear both students and retailers understand the value of the program to our industry."

Applicants are judged by retail industry experts in three categories: academic performance, reference letters and a personal essay highlighting their experiences and educational pursuits in the retail industry.

In addition to the scholarships, recipients will receive an all-access pass, including travel and accommodation, to attend STORE 2013 where they will have the opportunity to meet with some of Canada's most prominent retail industry professionals.   Recipients will receive their awards at the prestigious Excellence in Retailing Awards Dinner, an event honouring the most respected leaders and innovative companies in retail. For more information on STORE 2013 visit: www.storeconference.ca.

The 2013 Retail as a Career Scholarship winners are:

Sponsor	Name	Employer	School	Program
Canadian Retail Hall of Fame	Jean-François Verreault	Walmart Canada Corp.	Université Laval	Sciences de la consommation
Canadian Retail Hall of Fame	Jenna Spatafora	Best Buy Canada Ltd.	Northern Alberta Institute of Technology	Bachelor of Business Administration
Canadian Retail Hall of Fame	Jerica LeBlanc	Groupe Dynamite Inc.	Mount Allison University	Bachelor of Commerce
Best Buy Canada Ltd.	Hannah Marvin	Lululemon Athletica Inc.	University of Alberta	Bachelor of Commerce
Crate and Barrel	Amanda Dossett	Out On A Limb Hosiery Boutique Ltd	Ryerson University	Bachelor of Commerce - Retail Management
Comark Inc.	Ruyi Li	Staples Canada, Inc.	University of British Columbia	Bachelor of Commerce
Costco Wholesale Canada Limited	Kayla Patzer	Culture Craze	Athabasca University	Bachelor of Management
Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd	Amanda Moss	Ricki's	Humber College	Advertising Copywriting
Future Shop	Riley Campbell	Cineplex Entertainment	Wilfrid Laurier University	Honours Bachelor of Business Administration
Golf Town	Morteza Mokhtari	Staples Canada, Inc.	Ryerson University	Bachelor of Commerce - Retail Management
GS1 Canada	Kyla Schnellert	Call it Spring Shoes	University of Victoria	Bachelor of  Commerce
Home Hardware Stores Ltd.	Cristian Palameta	Zehrs Great Foods	University of Windsor	Honours Business Administration
IKEA Canada	Jessica Tufnell	Loblaw Companies Limited	Wilfrid Laurier University	Honours Bachelor of Business Administration
JRoss Retail Recruiters	Aprille Balsom	Brandy Melville	George Brown College	Fashion Management
Lowe's Canada	Davis Campbell	Cineplex Entertainment	Wilfrid Laurier University	Honours Bachelor of Business Administration
PetSmart Canada, Inc.	Rachel Pang	Stitches	Simon Fraser University	Bachelor of Business Administration
Pier 1 Imports, Inc.	Jacob Pullia	Staples Canada, Inc.	Western University	Honours in Business Administration
Sears Canada Inc.	Daria Trybus	Lolita	Fanshawe College	Business Purchasing
Staples Canada, Inc.	Kim Allin	Payless ShoeSource Canada Inc.	Humber College	Bachelor of Commerce (Fashion Management)
The Bargain! Shop Holdings Inc.	Kirsten Osmond	Best Buy Canada Ltd.	Saint Mary's University	Bachelor of Commerce
The Home Depot Canada	Johvanna Trench	Foot Locker Canada and Urban Planet	George Brown College	Fashion Management
Toys 'R' Us (Canada) Ltd.	Lauren Jaques	Pinecone of Westport	Ryerson University	Bachelor of Commerce - Retail Management
Walmart Canada Corp.	Graham Filek	Summerland Sweets	University of Victoria	Bachelor of Commerce
TJX Canada	Stefan Gyocsi	Pro Hockey Life Sporting Good Inc	McMaster University	Bachelor of Business Administration

About Retail Council of Canada
Retail Council of Canada is the Voice of Retail in Canada. Founded in 1963, RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 45,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent stores, and online merchants. We speak for an industry that touches the daily lives of Canadians in every corner of the country — by providing jobs, career opportunities, and by investing in communities.

Media are invited to attend STORE 2013.

SOURCE: Retail Council of Canada

Devon Pool
Retail Council of Canada
416 922-6678 ext. 241