Few things in the world have changed across one lifetime more than the state of retail. From strip malls to e-commerce, following retail trends and keeping a franchise not only in business, but in growth, is something worthy of recognition.
It is for that reason and many more that the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Board of Trade will honour Gordon Reid, chairman and CEO of Giant Tiger Stores Limited, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Best Ottawa Business Awards.
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Reid opened the first discount retail Giant Tiger store more than 50 years ago in the ByWard Market. Since then, the Canadian brand has grown to 245 locations and 8,500 employees across the country.
In a time of retail upheaval and brick-and-mortar constraint, Giant Tiger is still growing. The company recently opened a 600,000-square-foot distribution centre in nearby Johnstown – outfitted with the latest shipping and warehousing technology – and plans to open an additional 12-15 stores across Canada annually.
“We are delighted to honour an iconic entrepreneur and visionary in the calibre of Mr. Reid,” said Ian Faris, president and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, in a statement. “His business acumen and remarkable leadership qualities are an inspiration to all. He truly exemplifies an impressive Ottawa and Canadian success.”
The publisher of OBJ, Michael Curran, concurred.
“Ottawa is full of incredible business success stories. Giant Tiger is further evidence of that. The narrative around Gordon Reid setting up his first discount retail store on the ByWard Market and this small undertaking growing into a truly great retail powerhouse is remarkable to say the least. OBJ takes great pride in bringing attention to Mr. Reid’s achievements,” he said in a statement.
Reid joins a notable list of past Lifetime Achievement Award winners including John Ruddy, Michael Potter, Shirley Westeinde, Jim Durrell and John Kelly.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Reid at the Best Ottawa Business Awards (The BOBs) gala on Nov. 16, 2018 at the Westin Ottawa. The BOBs will also celebrate the city’s top business performers in more than a half-dozen categories and will also recognize Bruce Linton, Founder, Chairman and Co-CEO of Canopy Growth Corporation, the 2018 CEO of the Year.
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