TORONTO, April 25, 2024 /CNW/ - Retail Council of
Canada (RCC) proudly announces
Dr. George Soleas as the recipient of the Distinguished
Canadian Retailer of the Year Award, part of its
prestigious Awards of Distinction within the Excellence in
Retailing Awards program. This esteemed accolade
recognizes Dr. Soleas's exceptional leadership as President &
CEO of the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario), one of the world's largest retailers
and wholesalers of beverage alcohol.
With more than a decade of experience in the Canadian wine
industry, Dr. Soleas began his journey at LCBO in 1997 as the
Director of Quality Assurance, gradually assuming more senior
leadership positions until his appointment as President & CEO
in 2016.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Soleas has been the driving force
behind remarkable business achievements, fostering innovation, and
championing community support. Under his guidance, the LCBO has
undergone a profound transformation, modernizing its operations and
pivoting towards customer-centric practices in an increasingly
competitive market. Initiatives such as the expansion of its online
presence and delivery options, the ability to set and respond to
trends and customer preferences, a focus on loyalty and a
personalized experience, and the kick-off of a multi-year program
to catalyze change through industry-leading processes and
technologies, have positioned the LCBO as a beacon of innovation,
committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences. In 2018,
Dr. Soleas created LCBO's first comprehensive social impact
platform, Spirit of Sustainability, which articulates the company's
goals to support the well-being of its communities, minimize its
environmental impacts, and lead positive change in the beverage
alcohol industry. Together with its generous customers, LCBO
provided more than $14 million last
year for its charity partners whose programs and initiatives
support the health and well-being of diverse communities across
Ontario.
"George Soleas embodies the qualities of a visionary retail
leader," remarked Diane J.
Brisebois, President & CEO of Retail Council of
Canada. "And while the LCBO
operates exclusively in the province of Ontario, its dedication to excellence,
innovation, and community engagement, spearheaded by George, has
been recognized throughout the retail industry in Canada. We are thrilled to recognize his
achievements with this prestigious award."
"I am deeply honoured to receive the Distinguished Canadian
Retailer of the Year Award. This recognition is a testament to the
dedication of our entire team, including the thousands of employees
across Ontario who deliver
exceptional experiences to customers and help to give back to the
communities in which we live and work," said George Soleas,
President & CEO, LCBO. "We remain committed to working
alongside our industry partners to build on our rich history and
drive innovation in the retail industry."
The Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year award will be
presented to Dr. Soleas at Retail Council of Canada's Excellence in Retailing Awards
Gala on May 28, 2024, at the
Toronto Congress Centre from 4:30 p.m. to
8:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets to the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala can be
purchase at: https://retailawards.ca/buy-tickets/
The Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala will close the first day
of RCC STORE 24, Canada's biggest
retail conference, from May 28 –
May 30, 2024. RCC STORE 24 will
feature 75+ speakers and is attracting more than 2,000 retail
leaders from across North America
and around the globe.
Media are welcome to attend this prestigious event celebrating
Dr. Soleas and other esteemed award recipients.
About Retail Council of Canada
Retail is Canada's largest private-sector employer with
over 2.3 million Canadians working in our industry. This sector is
a major economic contributor, generating more than $93 billion annually in wages and employee
benefits. In 2023, core retail sales (excluding vehicles and
gasoline) exceeded $502 billion.
Retail Council of Canada (RCC)
members account for more than two-thirds of these core retail sales
and 95 per cent of the grocery market. Our membership extends
across the country, embracing over 54,000 storefronts in diverse
formats such as department, grocery, specialty, discount,
independent retailers, online merchants, and quick service
restaurants. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, RCC, a not-for-profit, industry-funded
association, proudly represents retail businesses of all sizes,
from small independents to large national chains, in communities
nationwide.
SOURCE Retail Council of Canada