Business Briefs

• Cub store wins creative awards

The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) recently announced the “Best of Show” winners for the 2008 Creative Contest held July 27 – 29 at the MGA Annual Convention in Brainerd.

The contest recognizes the best in cake decorating, deli tray display, floral arrangement and gift basket design. All entries demonstrated use of the event’s theme, “The Big Luau.”

The “Deli Tray Design” Best of Show winner was from Cub Foods, Woodbury. The Woodbury Cub Foods entry also took the “Peoples’ Choice” award. Winners of the Best of Show awards each received a grand prize of $200 from MGA.

Entries were submitted by grocers from across the state in each category. All entries were judged by a panel of industry experts and winners were selected based on creativity, theme, difficulty and budget. The Peoples’ Choice was awarded by industry peers in attendance.

The Minnesota Grocers Association is a state trade association representing the food retail industry since 1897. MGA has more than 200 retail members operating nearly 1,200 stores statewide, as well as 120 manufacturers and distributors, Member companies employ more than 85,000 union and non-union Minnesotans.

• Weichert Capital Properties rated a top brand

For the second year in a row, Weichert Capital Properties and Estates, the luxury home division of Weichert, Realtors, was named as one of the “most prestigious real estate companies” according to the 2008 “Luxury Brand Status Index” survey.

Weichart, Realtors has a Woodbury office at 1687 Woodlane Drive, Suite 208.

The survey polled more than 1,600 “high net-worth” American consumers and was conducted by the New York-based Luxury Institute.

For more information, visit www.weichertcapital.com.

• Peterson attends conference, show

Greg Peterson, store manager of the Woodbury Play It Again Sports store, recently attended the national Play It Again Sports Summer Conference and Trade Show.

This year’s event, held July 23-26 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, was both an opportunity for franchisee training and a celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary.

“The conference was packed with informative workshops, roundtable discussions and events,” said Peterson. “I learned about the latest business and customer relation strategies, sporting goods industry trends and product information that will support my ongoing efforts to improve my business and service.

Play It Again Sports buys and sells used sports and fitness equipment. Visit www.playitagainsports.com for more details.

Woodbury’s Play It Again Sports store is located at 1705 Weir Drive. For more information, call (651) 730-9093.

• Cranford called top sales advisor

lia sophia recently announced top honors for its “Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers” for sales accomplishments and professionalism.

Among those recognized was Kristen Cranford of Woodbury.

Having just joined the fashion jewelry business, Cranford earned this accomplishment in her first 15 weeks by attaining certain sales levels and by sharing lia sophia with other new advisors.

“This immediate success is a result of hard work and dedication,” said Bonni Davis, vice president of lia sophia. “lia sophia is fortunate to have her as part of our team and we look forward to celebrating her future successes.”

lia sophia is a direct-selling opportunity offering fashion jewelry through personalized in-home demonstrations.

For more information, visit www.liasophia.com or call 1-(800) 487-3323.

Tags: business, woodbury, cub, cranford, weichert, peterson