Jim Sinegal receives NRF's 2014 Gold Medal Award

NEW YORK — The semi-retired CEO of Costco Wholesale has been named as the recipient of the top award from the National Retail Federation at the trade group's upcoming trade show this month, the NRF said Wednesday.

Jim Sinegal, who stepped down as president CEO of the Issaquah, Wash.-based club retailer in 2012, after 29 years, but still plays an active role in the company and is a member of its board of directors, is scheduled to accept the NRF's Gold Medal Award for 2014 at Retail's BIG Show, which takes place from Jan. 12-15 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York.

"Jim was an obvious choice for NRF's Gold Ward, given his commitment to the industry and Costco, and dedication to creating such a well-respected culture throughout the organization he helped build," NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said. "All of the award winners have successfully been able to cut through the clutter and make an outstanding name for themselves by continuing to innovate and effectively serve their customers in an ever-changing world."