Abt Named IRMA 2004 Retailer Of The Year Award

GLENVIEW, IL, SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 - Abt Electronics & Appliances Inc., a leading independent consumer electronics and appliance retailer announced today that Robert Abt has been named, "2004 Retailer of the Year" by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA), and was honored at IRMA's 48th Annual Meeting on September 22nd.

Regarded as the country's largest single-store retailer within the U.S. by TWICE Magazine, Abt was named "Retailer of the Year" by IRMA for its success in business and Abt's commitment to community and civic affairs and peer respect within the industry.

"Abt Electronics & Appliances is an innovative retailer that isn't afraid to challenge the traditional ideas of retailing in order to succeed," said IRMA President & CEO David Vite.

Abt Electronics & Appliances has earned a reputation as one of the industry's most successful family-owned and managed stores in the country. Michael Abt serves as president of the independent retailer and the management team includes vicepresidents Jon, Bill, Rick Abt, as well as general manger Phil Hannon. The Abt brothers are third generation owners and operators of the business. Robert Abt, Chairman of the Board of Abt Electronics succeeded the company's founders Jewel and David Abt who established the business in 1936.

The Abt retail showroom located in Glenview, IL is on the same street (Milwaukee Avenue) that housed its original Chicago location and today boasts an impressive 365,000 feet of retail and warehouse space, and employs over 1,000 employees.

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