JIM HICKMAN NAMED IGA 2002 INTERNATIONAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR

CHICAGO, IL – Jim Hickman, owner of HickmanÕs IGA in Bowling Green, Mo., has been named one of seven IGA 2002 International Retailers of the Year.

Hickman was chosen for the annual award from the more than 4,400 IGA Retailers worldwide. A committee of Food Industry experts selected Hickman based on his exceptional performance in areas ranging from leadership and innovation to hometown involvement and employee development. He will honored at IGA's 2002 International Retailers of the Year Awards Dinner Ceremony, to be held on Saturday, May 4, during the Food Marketing Institute's Supermarket Industry Exposition in Chicago.

"I'm very humbled to be named IGA Retailer of the Year," Hickman said. "Without the help and support of a dedicated staff of people, this would not have been possible. Our people personify the meaning of Hometown Proud – their loyalty and community spirit are second to none. IGA has been a respected name for decades in the communities we serve, and we are very proud to be a part of the IGA Family."

"Jim is an exemplary leader with a strong entrepreneurial spirit," said Dr. Thomas Haggai, chairman and CEO of IGA. "He and his family have been an invaluable part of IGA for many years, and I'm proud to call him an IGA International Retailer of the Year. Hickman IGA Supermarkets are not just food stores, but true community centers."

A member of IGA since 1994, Hickman currently owns six IGA Supermarkets, all of which have seen steady sales increases under his leadership. Hickman also participates in a number of charitable organizations, including the Missouri Grocers Education Foundation scholarship program. He has established two $500 scholarships for the program in the name of original Hickman's IGA founders Robert and Jewell Hickman.

IGA, the only global supermarketer based in the United States, is the world's largest voluntary supermarket network with aggregate worldwide retail sales of more than $21 billion per year. The Alliance includes more than 4,400 Hometown Proud Supermarkets worldwide, supported by 37 distribution companies and more than 55 major manufacturers, vendors and suppliers encompassing everything from grocery to equipment items. IGA ranks in the top 10 in world food supermarketing. IGA has operations in 48 states and 41 countries, commonwealths and territories on all six inhabited continents.