DSN Retailing Today Recognizes Outstanding Suppliers and Retailers, Including Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart for Excellence in Retailing at Its 28th Annual SPARC Awards in Chicago

Market Wire, September, 2005

DSN Retailing Today, the nation's leading retail publication, will present its annual SPARC Awards to today's leading retailers and manufacturers on October 11 in Chicago, IL. SPARC, Supplier Performance Awards by Retail Category, is the only industry-wide vendor awards program honoring merchandising excellence.

DSN Retailing Today polls buyers and merchandisers from the top 150 retail chains to solicit votes for the outstanding performers in 57 individual categories. The criterion, established by merchandising executives, includes self-sell packaging, new product innovation, on-time delivery, advertising support, and quality control.

The 2005 SPARC awards will be bestowed at a special ceremony honoring 114 outstanding suppliers and 8 retailers. The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Retail Industry Leaders Association ALEx conference. The evening will feature confirmed appearances by top executives from: Retailer of the Year, Costco Wholesale Corporation; Specialty Retailer of the Year, Best Buy; Food Retailer of the Year, Publix Super Markets; DSN Retailing Today Hall of Fame Honoree, Tom Stemburg, Co-Founder, Staples. DSNRT will also recognize 3 retailers as outstanding corporate citizens: Sears for the American Dream Campaign, Target for Ready. Sit. Read., and Wal-Mart for Acres for America.

The 2005 SPARC Committee will be in attendance to present the recipients their awards. The members include: Chairman, Gordon Erickson, Sr. Vice President, GMM, Wal-Mart; Rob Gruen, Group Vice President, Softlines and Home, Meijer; Scott Nygaard, Director of Merchandising Operations, Target; Kevin Easton, Vice President, Softlines and Home, Dollar General Corporation; John Scanlon, Sr. Vice President, Merchandising & Advertising, Family Dollar.

3M, O'Sullivan Industries, Inc., and Lollytogs sponsor the 2005 SPARC Awards ceremony.

DSN Retailing Today, The Connection to America's Leading Retailers, is a publication of Lebhar-Friedman, Inc. America's leading retail publishing company for over 75 years serves over a million business managers and professionals across the globe. Publishers of periodicals, directories, and newsletters, Lebhar-Friedman, Inc. is the leader in providing insightful and up-to-date news and analysis on the retail industry.

For more information regarding DSN Retailing Today's SPARC awards or a copy of the winners list Contact: Nikki Pirrello 212-756-5251 Email Contact or visit our web site at www.dsnretailingtoday.com