Canada's Top Future Retail Leaders Named: Retail Council of Canada Awards $24,000 to Retail as a Career Scholarship Finalists

TORONTO, May 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Seventeen post-secondary students will receive $1,000 each as part of Retail Council of Canada's Retail as a Career Scholarship program.

In addition to the $1,000 award, the top finalist will also receive the $5000 Interac Association sponsored scholarship and the runner-up will also receive the $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Retail Council of Canada. The winners of these two awards will be announced at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala, on May 30, 2017 at the Toronto Congress Centre from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm ET.   

"This year's finalists were exceptionally impressive. They excelled in their academic performance, professional references and personal essays where they were asked to write their perspective about a retailer they felt was especially innovative and inspiring. Our industry is in good hands if we can nurture these finalists' passion and desire to make a positive impact," said Diane J. Brisebois, Retail Council of Canada's President and CEO. Added Ms. Brisebois, "And, as the largest private sector employer supporting the Canadian economy, a career in retail is an amazing opportunity for the best and brightest to lead and grow".

In addition to the monetary prizes, this year's finalists will receive an all-access pass, travel and accommodation to RCC STORE 2017 Conference, Canada's biggest retail conference.  

The 2017 corporate sponsors to the Retail as a Career Scholarship fund are:

• Best Buy Canada Ltd.,
• Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd.,
• Costco Wholesale Canada Limited,
• Golf Town,
• Home Hardware Stores Ltd.,
• IKEA Canada Limited Partnership,
• J Ross Retail Recruiters,
• Lowe's Canada,
• MySTORE,
• PetSmart Canada, Inc.,
• Pier 1 Imports Inc.,
• Sears Canada Inc.,
• Staples Canada Inc.,
• The Home Depot Canada,
• TJX Canada,
• Toys 'R' Us (Canada) Ltd.,
• Walmart Canada

The 2017 Retail as a Career Scholarship finalists are:

All finalists of the Retail as a Career Scholarship program will receive their prizes at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala which will complete the end of the first day of STORE 2017. STORE 2017 is Canada's biggest and most important retail conference this year 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 Retail as a Career Scholarship Program

Retail as a Career Scholarship Program is now in its 14^th year and has provided almost $800,000 in scholarships and award benefits to students who are entering or enrolled in a retail-related program at a Canadian post-secondary institution. Intended to help the most talented pursue a career in retail, this annual program, funded by the generous support from retailers in Canada, provides finalists with both scholarships and an opportunity to meet established retailer professionals who can help mentor the students' success. 

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

SOURCE Retail Council of Canada

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