The Alabama Retail Association recognized nine outstanding retailers from across the state Monday with the fourth annual &uot;Retailer of the Year&uot; awards.

Among the winners was John M. Wilson, of Big Bear of Luverne, d/b/a Super Foods Supermarkets of Luverne and Greenville.

The presentation was made during the University of Alabama's Annual Retailing Day. The University was a co-sponsor of the awards.

Wilson won the gold in the &uot;Annual Sales Over $10 Million&uot; category. Although Super Foods Supermarkets are challenged because of their limited size, they are creative in their promotions aimed toward enhancing the total sales per square foot. They recently changed wholesalers in an effort to expand the variety within their departments, both grocery and perishable.

Super Foods Supermarkets and Wilson work with those graduating from high school in a training program to promote from within the company. They have also implemented a program that allows them to hire those with special needs.

Sherri L. Richburg of the Luverne Chamber of Commerce nominated Mr. Wilson.

&uot;John and his employees work hard all year to bring diversity of products and economic value to their customers,&uot; said Richburg. &uot;He was well-deserving of the nomination, and we at the Chamber are

so proud that he has won n it is a huge accomplishment to make it through all the competition entered from across the state.&uot;

&uot;John Wilson is a Retailer of the Year every year to his employees and community,&uot; said Charles McDonald, President of the Alabama Retail Association. &uot;It is leadership such as his that makes a business flourish.&uot;

In the category &uot;Annual Sales $2 Million and Under&uot; the Gold award went to Terry Damsky of United Trophy Company in Birmingham, Ala. Edward Fields, manager, Business Service with the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce nominated Mr. Damsky.

The Silver award was presented to Wanda McCartney of Wisteria Cottage, Inc. in Fort Deposit. Ren Heartsill of Trans Load Limited nominated Ms. McCartney.

Denise Knox of Private Gallery, Inc. in Fairhope, Ala. and Daphne, Ala. received the Bronze award.

Darrelyn Bender of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce nominated Ms. Knox.

In the category &uot;Annual Sales $2-10 Million&uot; the Gold award went to Bryan Thomas of Thomas and Son Furniture Co. in Rainsville, Ala. Tim Eberhart, Executive Director of the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce, nominated Mr. Thomas.

The Silver award was presented to Dottie and Terry Smith of Edgar's Bakery in Birmingham, Ala.

Randy Adamy of O’Henry’s Coffees nominated the Smith’s.

Jim Whaley of Jim Whaley's Tires in Dothan, Ala. received the Bronze award.

Marian Loftin, executive director of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, nominated Mr. Whaley.

In the category &uot;Annual Sales Over $10 Million&uot; the Silver award was presented to Tracy S. Jones of Century Automotive Group in Huntsville, Ala.

Brian Hilson, President and CEO of the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce nominated Ms. Jones.

John Timothy Gilland of Gilland Mitsubishi n Dothan and Enterprise, received the Bronze Award. Janie Hinson, General Sales Manager at WDHN, nominated Mr. Gilland.

&uot;This was an exciting day for us,&uot; said Mr. McDonald. &uot;We have been working on this for some time and it is an honor to be able to recognize such an outstanding group of retailers. They are a credit to this profession and an asset to their communities.&uot;