IGA Names Kurt Rodhe One of Its Retailers of the Year

IGA named its four 2017 IGA International Retailer of the Year award recipients during its IGA Awards of Excellence on Feb. 12 in Las Vegas. Retailer of the Year awards are given to IGA retailers based on IGA’s globally applied standards, have achieved exemplary excellence in retailing and advancement of the IGA brand.

“The commitment these IGA International Retailers of the Year have made to their customers, their community, their associates and the IGA Alliance is an inspiration to us all,” IGA CEO Mark Batenic said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better group of retailers to lead the way in the coming year as IGA works to advance both our shopper experience and our brand as a whole.

Kurt Rodhe of Rodhe’s IGA Marketplace in Millersburg, Ohio, was named 2017 IGA USA International Retailer of the Year. He is a third generation IGA retailer, and for the past 83 years, the Rodhe family has been redefining the grocery experience; it is one of the longest standing IGA stores in the world. Rodhe recently hired a full-time, certified natural health profession to place a focus on health and expand the store’s wellness product offerings, which has boosted sales throughout the store.

Other International Retailers of the Year include:

2017 IGA Australia International Retailers of the Year: Nick Chapley of Frewville Foodland IGA in Frewville, Australia, and James Kelly of Taylor Rd IGA in Nedlands, Australia.

2017 IGA China International Retailer of the Year: Weilong LI of Xinglong Happy Family Business Group Co. Ltd., in Shen Yang, China.