CSN Stores' CEO Niraj Shah Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award Finalist in New England

BOSTON, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- CSN Stores, the No. 3 online retailer of home goods in the U.S., today announced that CEO and Co-Founder Niraj Shah has been selected as a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010 Award in the New England region.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100528/NE12761 )

According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.  Shah was selected as a finalist from nearly 80 nominations by a panel of independent judges.  Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 24 at the Boston Renaissance Waterfront Hotel.  

"I am delighted to be honored by Ernst & Young and to be named among such a distinguished group of business leaders," said Shah.  "It's gratifying that our growth has helped our local economy, resulting in many new job opportunities for New Englanders, especially during the nation's slow recovery."

CSN has experienced a major surge in both sales and employment in the past year.  Sales for Q1, 2010 were up 64% over last year's numbers. The overall CSN employee base has increased by more than 50% over the past year, as well, with 150 new CSNers joining the company so far in 2010.

Founded in 2002, CSN Stores is a $300 million+ company with 80,000 square feet of office space in Boston at The Prudential Center and 177 Huntington Avenue.  CSN also has offices in Galway, Ireland; London, England; and Munich, Germany.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 24th anniversary this year.  The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.  

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 13, 2010.  The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

About CSN Stores

Founded in 2002, CSN Stores (www.csnstores.com) is a $300 million+, privately owned company, comprised of 200+ online stores in North America, the U.K., and Germany providing unparalleled selection, great customer service and significant savings. CSN's sites include: Cookware.com, BedroomFurniture.com, Luggage.com, AllModern.com, and many more. Based in Boston, Mass., CSN offers 1.5 million+ products from more than 4,000 brands. CSN is the No. 3 online retailer of housewares and home furnishings in the U.S., according to Internet Retailer.

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited located in the U.S.

SOURCE CSN Stores