Calgary Co-op Appoints Interim Chief Executive Officer

March 3, 2004, Calgary, Alberta - Barry Ashton, board chair for the Calgary Co-operative Association Limited, today announced the appointment of Darwin Flathers, vice president of capital investment and development, as interim chief executive officer for Calgary Co-op. Mr. Flathers will assume the interim CEO position on March 6, when the current CEO Milford Sorensen leaves Calgary Co-op to assume his new role as president and chief executive officer of Thrifty Foods in Victoria, B.C.

"In selecting Mr. Flathers as interim CEO, the board of directors expressed their unanimous support and confidence in Mr. Flathers and his ability to manage the business," says Ashton. The board is currently reviewing applications for the CEO position. Until a permanent CEO has been selected and assumes the CEO position, Mr. Flathers will serve in this capacity.

Mr. Flathers has been with Calgary Co-op for 35 years, starting at the Brentwood Centre and progressing through his career to more senior positions. He served as centre manager for a number of Calgary Co-op centres, before moving to the head office as vice president of operations and, for the past eight years, vice president of capital investment and development.

Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America with assets of $272 million, sales of $750 million, 390,000 members and 3,600 employees. In addition to its head office in Calgary, Alberta, Calgary Co-op operates 18 retail shopping centres, 22 gas bars, 11 liquor stores and 11 travel agencies in Calgary, Airdrie and Strathmore, Alberta. Two new centres - the Midtown Market and Rocky Ridge Centre - will open in Calgary in fall 2004.

For more information, please contact:

Barry Ashton, Board Chair
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
2735 - 39 Ave. NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 7C7
Telephone: 403-219-6025

Darwin Flathers, Interim CEO
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
Telephone: 403-219-6025

Donna Burn, Director, Member and Public Relations
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
Telephone: 403-219-6025, ext. 6258; cell 816-7419