[ST. JOHN'S, NL] – A St. John's businesswoman has been inducted in the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame.
Sandra Avery, owner of A Special Touch in the Avalon Mall, was one of eight independent retailers from across Canada named to the hall earlier this month, a recognition usually presented to a single business executive who has demonstrated leadership in advancing Canada's retail industry. This year, though, the council recognized the eight businesspeople that serve on its independent retailer advisory committee.
Avery told the Telegram Thursday she didn't know she was receiving the award, handed out at the council's annual conference in Toronto in early June.
"We went to the conference as we normally do, and we had no idea. This came as a complete surprise," she says. "Next thing we knew... we were up on the stage and they gave us the award, I guess because of the work that we've done in our group towards getting independent retailers involved."
A Special Touch has been selling specialty gifts for 25 years. In 2010, Avery received the Canadian Retailer of the Year award.
Avery says it was honour to be selected by the council for the committee in the first place, let alone to be recognized for the work she does for it.
"I guess they just wanted to select, well, obviously the best, most successful retailers in Canada," she says. "They go by your growth and your success."
