SACRAMENTO – Located in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, D & G Group Company sells more than $62,000 in California Lottery products per week and today the San Francisco business was recognized as the California Lottery’s 2009 “Retailer of the Year.”
Since Jim and Lydia Zhao bought D & G and began selling Lottery products in 2007, they have sold more than $7.8 million in Lottery tickets. That equates to a contribution of more than $2.6 million to California schools.
“Jim and Lydia have shown that even in tough economic times, a business can still be successful,” said California Lottery Director Joan Borucki. “If you have loyal customers and you treat those customers well, they will continue to support your business.”
Lydia Zhao explained the secret of their success: “I’m friendly with all my customers and treat them with respect. I always make them feel welcome in my store because the customer always comes first.” The Zhaos actively participate in the community by donating to local community events in addition to the Chinatown Child Development Center and programs that benefit self-help for the elderly.
The California Lottery “Retailer of the Year” award is bestowed annually to any one of the more than 21,000 retailers in the Lottery’s network. Retailers are evaluated, not only on sales levels, but on customer service, community involvement and enthusiasm when marketing Lottery products. A “Retailer of the Year” receives $5,000 and a specialized gold leaf California Lottery "Retailer of the Year" terminal for future sales.
More than 95 cents of every Lottery dollar is returned to the community in the form of contributions to education, prizes and retail commissions. The California Lottery contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, Lottery players have contributed more than $21 billion to California schools out of total sales of nearly $56 billion. Retailers benefit too, earning $3.6 billion in compensation since 1985.
