Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 30

2015 ERA AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

AWA R D S P O N SO R

A LIFETIME OF INNOVATION
AND SUCCESS
Honouring the family who built a Canadian retail icon
BY DAVID MCPHERSON
"THE Tire," as Martha Billes calls it, is the country's most shopped retailer; it's also a Canadian
icon. Ninety per cent of Canadians live within a
15-minute drive of a Canadian Tire store. Each
month, 60 per cent of all adults buy at least one of
the 100,000 items on its shelves, and its circular
was delivered to 10 million households last year.
No wonder Retail Council of Canada (RCC) recently bestowed the Billes family with a Lifetime
Achievement Award.
"RCC is honoured to award the Billes Family with
a Lifetime Achievement Award," says President
and CEO Diane J. Brisebois. "The Billes Family
has shaped, developed and grown one of Canada's leading retail organizations, Canadian Tire
Corporation. Their vision has not only led to the
development of a Canadian retail icon, but it has
contributed to our country's culture and identity."
Anna Martini, CEO, Groupe Dynamite and Martha Billes.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a
family or an individual who has demonstrated out- "The Billes Family has shaped, developed and grown
standing business success and community service one of Canada's leading retail organizations, Canadian
throughout his/her career. Winners are visionar- Tire Corporation. Their vision has not only led to the
ies who have left an indelible mark on the industry development of a Canadian retail icon, but it has
through their innovations and commitment to cuscontributed to our country's culture and identity."
tomers and employees. The Billes Family and Canadian Tire join a long line of passionate merchants
- DIANE J. BRISEBOIS, Retail Council of Canada
across Canada that have received the award.
RCC recognizes the tremendous contributions of founders holder of the company, she has a legacy of a
A.J. and J.W. Billes, as well as the current contributions of A.J. disciplined and demanding approach to the
Billes' daughter, Martha and her son, Owen Billes to the com- best in corporate governance. Martha is also
pany's exceptional history of growth and innovation.
the founder and Chairman of Canadian Tire's
Since its founding more than 90 years ago, Canadian Tire has successful charity Jumpstart that distributes
been an innovator; RCC recognizes the Billes family's influence $21 million a year to financially disadvantaged
and its ability to continually adapt to the changing retail land- families to engage their kids in sports and orscape-from the mom and pop shops of the 1920s, to the big box ganized recreation.
retailers of the 1980s, and now the major digital transformation
Today, she, along with her son Owen, conof the company to stay relevant to its customers.
tinues to lead this venerable retailer into the 21st
The retailer is also admired for being one of the first to century. And as they continue to apply the same
introduce a profit-sharing plan, which still exists, where all focus and dedication to the Canadian consumer,
employees of Canadian Tire share in the company's profits, helping to inspire the communities in which the
regardless of position or title.
company operates, the Canadian icon is sure to
Martha Billes was born into Canadian Tire-her father and remain a part of the country's retail landscape
uncle started the business in 1922. As the controlling share- for another 90 years to come.

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CANADIAN RETAILER | STORE 2015

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