Awards

Oak Brook, Ill. -- The J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Store Satisfaction Study again ranked Ace Hardware “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retail Stores.” Ace has held this position since the organization began researching the home improvement category five years ago.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings has announced the winner of its "Tu Empresa, Tu Futuro/Your Company, Your Future Business" grant competition, which provides grants to Hispanic small business owners.

The four $5,000 grants were awarded to:

• Tayde Aburto, The Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce

• Jennifer Burrell, The Frock Shop

• Elizabeth Tarpley, Targeted Tech Solutions

• Kristen Harris, Party Palette

New York City -- The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) has announced the Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers of 2011. The winners are: Central Market, Austin, Texas; Fromagination, Madison, Wisc.; Olives Gourmet Grocer, Long Beach, Calif.; The Cheese Iron, Portland, Maine; The Fresh Market, Greensboro, N.C.; and ZZest Market & Café, Rochester, Minn.

New York City -- From a local cheese shop founded by a career changer, to a specialty supermarket that has expanded to more than 100 locations without sacrificing its commitment to quality and customer service,  the winners of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s (NASFT) Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers of 2011 awards are a diverse group.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it is partnering with soprano singer, Jackie Evancho, for the exclusive, deluxe edition of her first full-length studio album, “Dream With Me.” The deluxe edition, which includes four additional new songs, is currently available for pre-order at Target.com, and will be at Target stores nationwide beginning June 14.

Las Vegas — The International Council of Shopping Centers has named Athleta, Smashburger, Aldi and Fossil as the 2011 Hot Retailer Award winners.

The annual awards, based on a survey of ICSC’s worldwide members, were presented Tuesday at the association’s global retail real estate convention, REConn.

Target has awarded its 2010 Partner Award of Excellence to Munchkin, a designer and manufacturer of clever infant and toddler products. Target presents the award to select companies across various companies. Munchkin took home the top honor in the newborn/infant/toddler category.

New York City -- Smith’s Food & Drug Stores, a division of Kroger Co., has been recognized by the Utah Association of Energy Users as a leader in conservation and energy-use efficiency, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The chain, which received the “Outstanding Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Conservation” award on Wednesday at the 26th Annual Western States Energy Conference in Salt Lake City, was recognized for retrofitting its 132 stores in seven states with more efficient energy systems.