Hy-Vee Inc. was presented with a 2008 Hispanic Retail Excellence Award for its leadership in targeting the growing Latino population during the Hispanic Retail 360 summit held recently in Miami, Progressive Grocer reports.

Awards were determined by a survey of more than 1,000 Hispanic-focused retailer and supplier executives, who were asked to name the retailer that did the most in the past year to win the hearts, minds and spending dollars of Hispanic consumers.

"Our stores are truly attentive to each and every customer's needs," said Hy-Vee's diversity manager Jose Amaya. "As the Latino population expands, store directors are determined to order new products and organize diverse activities to better serve their communities. Our company has taken a sincere interest in supporting these customers and I'm proud the company has been recognized for those efforts."

The employee-owned Hy-Vee's 224 stores located in seven Midwestern states offer specialty produce and other products unique to the Latino population. The W. Des Moines, Iowa-based chain's stores have also made significant financial and in-kind donations to support various organizations, festivals and activities, said Amaya.

The abundance of Latino food items in the last two decades has resulted in the category becoming more mainstream among all consumers. "Hy-Vee has taken the concept one step further by adding new products and authentic ingredients that broaden the scope of that category," added Pat Hensley, retail operations AVP.

Other 2008 Hispanic 360 category winners included Target Stores (mass retail), 7-Eleven (convenience stores), Longs Drugs (drug stores), Jewel/Osco (tied in the grocery category) and Best Buy (specialty retail).

Hispanic Retail 360 is produced by Progressive Grocer and Convenience Store News, two leading media brands owned by Nielsen Business Media.