The National Retail Federation, the worlds largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution, named John L. (Johnny) Morris the Retail Innovator of the Year.
Johnny Morris created Bass Pro Shops simply because of his love of bass fishing and the outdoors. After using his own bait and stocking it in his fathers liquor stores, John quickly began to recognize sports fishermens need for specialized equipment and grew the idea into what has become a major tourist destination in virtually every store location. Three decades later, Bass Pro Shops continues to invoke the fantasy of every outdoor sportsman.
Other recipients were Terry Lundgren, Chairman and CEO of Macys, Inc with the Gold Medal Award and Lane Crawford, an Asian retailer, with the International Retailer of the Year Award.
