CSN Stores' Co-Founder and CEO Niraj Shah Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award Winner in New England

BOSTON, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- CSN Stores, the third-largest online retailer of home goods in the U.S., today announced that Co-Founder and CEO Niraj Shah received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award in the consumer retail category in New England.  According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Shah was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Boston Renaissance Waterfront Hotel on June 24th.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100630/NE29465 )

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100630/NE29465 )

"Receiving this very prestigious award was a true honor and one that I share with my business partner, CSN Chairman and Co-Founder Steve Conine, who joined forces with me almost eight years ago to form the first CSN Store," said Shah. "We now have more than 200 online stores globally and have jumped from two to more than 600 employees, who also deserve a great deal of credit for helping us achieve this impressive distinction from Ernst & Young."

CSN Stores (www.CSNStores.com), a $300 million+, privately owned company, is one of the fastest-growing Internet retailers both in New England and nationwide.  Sales for Q1 and Q2, 2010 have increased by more than 60 percent over the same period in 2009.  The company also has hired more than 200 employees over the past year.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrate their 24th anniversary this year.  The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.  

As a New England award winner, Shah is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010 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.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors. In New England, sponsors include Boston Magazine, J. Robert Scott, Marsh, Nixon Peabody LLP, Accounting Management Solutions, Bowne and Regan Communications Group.

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 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