United Cycle, a family-owned and operated business serving Albertans for over 90 years, will be honoured with the Retail Council of Canada's Visa Ambassador Award at the upcoming STORE Conference in Toronto June 2-3.


United Cycle is being recognized for its contributions to its community and to the retail industry in Alberta.

 

“The Brooks family embodies the true meaning of what the Ambassador Award represents,” says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. “Through their support of schools outfitting local teams and by promoting sports and recreation, United Cycle is an integral part of the community. We are thrilled to present this award to United Cycle in recognition of its important role as an ambassador in the community.”


“Inspired by the entrepreneurship and community service demonstrated by Canadian retailers, Visa is delighted to celebrate the achievements of United Cycle, this year's recipient of the Visa Ambassador Award,” said Brenda Woods, Head of Marketing for Visa Canada. “Through its community involvement, charitable support and customer loyalty initiatives, United Cycle has proven itself as an outstanding contributor to the Edmonton community.”


The Visa Ambassador Award will be presented to Jason Bots on behalf of the retail industry at the annual Excellence in Retailing Awards Dinner held on Monday, June 2, 2008 at STORE 2008 – Canada's Retail Conference.


“This tremendous honour is a tribute to the entire Brooks family and our
United Cycle team,” says Jason Bots. “As a sporting goods retailer in a
competitive and evolving market, we are proud to continue to meet our
customers' needs and to be a part of Canada's dynamic retail industry. I would like to thank Retail Council of Canada and Visa Canada for recognizing United Cycle for our commitment to serve our community.”

Since 1928, United Cycle has been Edmonton's longest-serving bicycle and sporting goods store. Founded by Raleigh Brooks and his family, United Cycle has evolved from a time when goods and services were provided mostly by mail order and department stores to a new era in retail. Today, the United Cycle team includes several members of
the Brooks extended family and the families of many long-serving staff members and customers.


United Cycle is an active supporter of a wide variety of organizations
and causes in the community of Old Strathcona and surrounding areas. In the 1950s, United Cycle began a relationship with Little League Baseball and in the 1960s the company's team and club business rose significantly. The retailer started supplying key athletic clubs, community leagues and college and university teams with their uniforms and equipment. United Cycle is committed to providing support to community organizations through its United Collectible program, which provides collectibles and memorabilia that are designed to meet organizations' fundraising needs to help maximize opportunities for their event. Proceeds from the sale of these items are used in support of community initiatives that focus their activities on sport and
recreation as well as health and wellness. In 2007, United Cycle supported over 423 organizations through the United Collectible program.