Connecticut Retail Merchants Association Names Bob's Stores Retailer of the Year

HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Connecticut Retail Merchants Association (CRMA) announced today that Bob's Stores has been named the 2011 Retailer of the Year.  

The Retailer of the Year award is given annually by the CRMA to a retailer that demonstrates the highest level of integrity and success in marketing, customer service, employee relations and community service. The winner is determined by a peer nomination and review process. Members of the CRMA board review the nominations and conduct onsite interviews with the nominees, and then vote to determine the winner.

"We are extremely excited and proud to announce that Bob's Stores is our 2011 Retailer of the Year," said CRMA President Tim Phelan. "They are a great Connecticut retailer, and have achieved tremendous success by consistently working at giving their customers the best shopping experience along with outstanding value and first rate customer service. In addition, their contributions to the community are marked by the countless causes they support and the high visibility in the markets they are in."

"We are honored to be named the CRMA's 2011 Retailer of the Year," said Bob's Stores CEO Mark Walsh.  "Bob's Stores is proud to have played an active role in the vibrant economy of this state and its various communities for over 57 years.  We consider our customers and 1,000 Connecticut associates part of one big family and will never tire of delivering on our promise of a rewarding experience for both."  

CRMA will present the award to Bob's at its annual awards luncheon being held on November 16, 2011 at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Connecticut. In addition to the awards luncheon, CRMA will host a legislative panel discussion prior to the luncheon with four top legislative leaders. That discussion will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will also be held at the Bushnell in Hartford.

For more information about the luncheon, please call CRMA's office at 860.527.1044.

The Connecticut Retailer of the Year award was started in 1996.  Previous winners include:

• CT Lighting Center, Hartford, (2010)
• Subway Restaurant Group (2009)
• Stew Leonard's, Norwalk  (2008)
• Michaels Jewelers, Waterbury (2007)
• Zane's World Famous Cycles, Branford (2006)
• North Cove Outfitters, Old Saybrook (2005)
• Stackpole Moore Tyron, Hartford (2004)
• Bob's Discount Furniture, Manchester (2003)
• Bernie's, Enfield (2002)
• Ethan Allen Corp, Danbury (2001)
• Mitchells, Westport (2000)

CRMA is a statewide trade association that represents the retailers at state capitol in the marketplace. The association currently has over 500 members representing more than 2,000 stores throughout the state, including some of the world's largest retailers as well as the state's main street merchants. To learn more about CRMA, visit www.crmaonline.com.

About Bob's Stores

Bob's Stores is privately held by Versa Capital Management, Inc.  Based in Meriden, Ct., Bob's Stores is a value-oriented retailer of name-branded casual clothing and footwear for the entire family with 35 store locations in the Northeastern U.S.

About Versa Capital Management

Versa Capital Management, Inc. is a private equity investment firm with $950 million of committed capital focused on control investments in special situations involving middle market companies in a wide variety of industries throughout the United States. More information can be found at www.versa.com.

SOURCE Connecticut Retail Merchants Association