Greetings, !
TORONTO, May 9, 2025 Retail Council of Canada (RCC) proudly celebrates the fourteen post-secondary students who will receive $3,000 each as part of the Retail Education Scholarship Program. With over $1 million awarded to date, RCC’s Retail Education Scholarship Program goes beyond financial aid – it connects students with exclusive mentorship and networking opportunities led by Canada’s top retail professionals to prepare students to thrive and shape the future of the industry.
In addition to the $3,000 award, four scholarship recipients will each receive a $5,000 specialty award, generously sponsored by Browns Shoes, Costco Wholesale Canada, JRoss Retail Recruiters, and Retail Council of Canada. The winners of these awards will be announced at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala, on June 3, 2025, at the Toronto Congress Centre.
“This year’s scholarship recipients have demonstrated a profound knowledge and appreciation for the vital role retailers play as the heartbeat of our communities,” said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada. “As retail evolves at an unprecedented pace, these students are embracing its complexity with courage and creativity. RCC, and our industry partners, are proud to support the growth and development of these passionate new leaders.”
In addition to the monetary prizes, this year’s finalists will receive a full-access pass, travel and accommodation to RCCSTORE25 – Canada’s Retail Conference.
The 2025 Retail Education Scholarship recipients are:
Adyline Hammond
Alana Tollenaar
Alyssa Marie Velarde
Arpitam Kaur (Amaira Bons)
Briana Bouffard
David Medcalfe
Emilio Velazquez
Eric Zhang
Hannah Hodak
Joy Lin
Juliette Sayoc De Jesus
Maharshi Patel
Praveen Kumar
Yonadab Sameer
RCC’s Retail Education Scholarship program is proudly supported by the following industry leaders: Ardene Holdings Inc., Bell Canada, Best Buy Canada Ltd., Browns Shoes, Canadian Tire Corporation Limited, Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd, Home Hardware Stores Limited, IKEA, JRoss Retail Recruiters, Staples Canada, The Home Depot Canada, TJX Canada, and Walmart Canada Corp.
The 2025 Retail Education Scholarships will be presented at Retail Council of Canada’s Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala on June 3, 2025, at the Toronto Congress Centre.
Capping off the first day of RCCSTORE25, Canada’s premier retail conference, the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala will celebrate the industry’s top performers. Taking place June 3–4, 2025, RCCSTORE25 will feature 75+ expert speakers and draw retail leaders from across North America and beyond.
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About Retail Education Scholarship Program
The Retail Education Scholarship Program has provided over one million dollars in scholarships fund and benefits to students who are entering or enrolled in a retail-related program at a Canadian post-secondary institution. Intended to help the most talented pursue a career in retail, this annual program, funded by the generous support from retailers in Canada, provides finalists with both scholarships and an opportunity to meet established retailer professionals who can help mentor the students’ success.
About Retail Council of Canada
Retail is Canada’s largest private-sector employer with over 2.3 million Canadians working in our industry. This sector is a major economic contributor, generating more than $93 billion annually in wages and employee benefits. In 2024, core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) exceeded $507 billion. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members account for more than two-thirds of these core retail sales and 95 per cent of the grocery market. Our membership extends across the country, embracing over 54,000 storefronts in diverse formats such as department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers, online merchants, and quick service restaurants. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, RCC, a not-for-profit, industry-funded association, proudly represents retail businesses of all sizes, from small independents to large national chains, in communities nationwide. retailcouncil.org.
Contact
Santo Ligotti, VP Marketing & Membership
(416) 274-2956
sligotti@retailcouncil.org
