Uniek, Inc. named top supplier by leading retailers

Waunakee, WI — Senior executives from the nation’s largest retailers, including Target, Supervalu, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and others, have recognized Uniek, Inc. as the leading supplier in the area of Home Décor/Decorative Accessories and have honored the company with a coveted SPARC award. The recognition is part of the retail industry’s national awards program, otherwise known as the Supplier Performance Awards by Retail Category, in which retailers elect top suppliers based on such traits as new product innovation, service programs, delivery commitments, replenishment, advertising support and overall account management.

"There is no higher accolade than being recognized by one’s retailer partners," said Retailing Today Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher Tim Craig. "Being a SPARC winner quite simply means that a supplier has risen to best-in-class status."

The SPARC program, which has been administered by the publishers of Retailing Today for the past three decades, assembles buyers, merchandise managers and chief merchandising officers to vote for their choice of top supplier based on a set of criteria deemed vital to the merchandising ranks. This year, 60 separate merchandise categories were considered for a SPARC award.

"The SPARC award is something everyone at Uniek can truly be proud of. It's the only industry award voted on by all channels of retailers and recognizes Uniek to be the #1 vender in the Home Decor category," stated John Kuypers, Uniek’s Senior Vice President of Sales. "This event truly endorses Uniek’s mission of exceeding customer expectations by delivering well designed products at a value to the market."

Uniek was presented the award at this year’s annual SPARC gala in Chicago on September 25 at the Harold Washington Library. This is the second SPARC Uniek has been awarded, having won a Silver SPARC in 2004.

For more information about SPARC, including names of participating retailer companies as well as a full list of judging criteria, visit www.sparcawards.com.