St. Paul (October 1, 2026) -- Join Minnesota Retailers as we recognize ten leading retailers and industry partners with the announcement of the 2026-2027 Minnesota’s Retail Champions awards. Winners will accept their awards during Retail Rally on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley.

“We are proud to recognize ten innovative retailers, communities and partners that are leading the way in connecting with consumers and today’s trends following a vigorous process to identify Minnesota’s Retail Champions,” said Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers president. “The retail industry has a deep impact on Minnesota communities, and these award recipients are truly representative of what is great about retail across the state, how the industry is changing, and what it takes to attract customers today.”

The following is a complete list of the 2026-2027 Minnesota’s Retail Champion award recipients:

Lifetime Achievement
Jill Renslow, Mall of America, Bloomington
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Retail Community of the Year
New Ulm
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Emerging Retailer of the Year
Niche Books, Lakeville
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Retail Team of the Year
Smith + Trade Mercantile, Stillwater, Crosby, Red Wing
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Advocate of the Year
Detective Josh Pirkola, Coon Rapids Police Department, Coon Rapids
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Entrepreneur of the Year
Erick DeLeon, Of the Lion, Minneapolis
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Social Responsibility
Green Valley Greenhouse, Ramsey
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Retail Innovation
Razava Bread Co., St. Paul
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Workplace Culture
Twin City Heating Air & Electric, Blaine
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Customer Experience
Lakes Makerie, Minneapolis
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Minnesota Retailers started the awards process by putting out a statewide call for nominations early in the year. A panel of peer judges reviewed nearly ten dozen nominations and selected the top nominee in each category. 

Retail Rally is changing the way retailers and their key business partners engage with today’s consumer. This year's event features an insightful keynote presentation from Univ. of St. Thomas Associate Professor of Marketing Seth Ketron, Pd.D., titled “AI in the Customer Journey: Real Insights for Retail Leaders.” Tickets to Retail Rally are available at www.retailrally.com. Media is welcome.

About Minnesota Retailers: Minnesota Retailers is a non-profit association formed to improve communities through a holistic investment in retail, representing small, regional, and national retailers. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for businesses, employees, consumers, and policymakers. Our vision is to be the driving force in the evolution of the state's retail landscape through advocacy, valuable insights, and championing innovation. More at www.mnretail.org.

St. Paul, MN (October 1, 2026) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to recognize Jill Renslow at Mall of America with the Lifetime Achievement award as part of the 2026-2027 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

During more than 25 years at Mall of America, Renslow has helped guide the evolution of one of the world’s most recognized retail and entertainment destinations. As chief business development and marketing officer, she oversees a broad portfolio that includes branding, public relations, digital strategy, guest engagement, events, partnerships and emerging business opportunities. Her leadership has contributed to major initiatives ranging from the $25 million transformation of Nickelodeon Universe to Mall of America’s long-term expansion and development plans. Renslow has also championed community engagement and sustainability, including Community Commons, which provided rent-free space for local businesses displaced during the civil unrest of 2020.

“Jill Renslow’s leadership has helped Mall of America continually reinvent what a retail destination can be,” said Bruce Nustad, president of Minnesota Retailers. “Her vision, creativity and commitment to community have strengthened one of Minnesota’s most recognizable institutions while influencing the broader retail and entertainment industries. We are proud to recognize Jill’s extraordinary career and lasting impact with our Lifetime Achievement Award.”

“I am incredibly honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mall of America has given me the opportunity to work alongside an amazing team and so many talented partners who share a passion for creating memorable experiences and continually imagining what retail can become,” said Renslow. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful to be part of Minnesota’s innovative and vibrant retail community.”

Renslow will accept the award at Retail Rally on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, starting at 2:00 p.m. The event—held at Brookview in Golden Valley—will feature an insightful keynote presentation from University of St. Thomas Associate Professor Seth Ketron, Ph.D., titled “AI in the Customer Journey: Real Insights for Retail Leaders.” For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to see all the 2026-2027 Minnesota's Retail Champions!

About Minnesota Retailers: Minnesota Retailers is a non-profit association formed to improve communities through a holistic investment in retail, representing small, regional, and national retailers. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for businesses, employees, consumers, and policymakers. Our vision is to be the driving force in the evolution of the state's retail landscape through advocacy, valuable insights, and championing innovation. More at www.mnretail.org.

Contact: Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (651) 227-6631

St. Paul, MN (October 1, 2026) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to announce the community of New Ulm as the recipient of the Retail Community of the Year award, part of the 2026-2027 Minnesota's Retail Champions program.

New Ulm has built a strong retail environment through collaboration among local businesses, the New Ulm Business & Retail Association, New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Action Team, City of New Ulm, Economic Development Authority, Convention & Visitors Bureau, community volunteers and others. Together, these partners support year-round retail promotions, community events, placemaking efforts and business-development programs that attract customers and encourage local investment. That commitment is producing measurable results: the New Ulm Chamber Dollar program has generated more than $2.2 million in local spending, while the Loyal to Local Holiday Passport program documented more than $425,700 in spending over three years. From Crazy Days and Small Business Saturday to Oktoberfest, Polka Palooza and the downtown Car and Bike Roll-Ins, New Ulm consistently brings businesses and the community together to create a vibrant local economy.

“New Ulm understands that a thriving retail community is built through teamwork. Local retailers, business organizations, city leaders and community volunteers work together year-round to promote local shopping, create memorable events and help businesses grow,” said Bruce Nustad, president of Minnesota Retailers. “The results are impressive, but the true strength of New Ulm is its shared commitment to making the community an exceptional place to shop, visit and do business. We are proud to recognize New Ulm as  Retail Community of the Year.”

“We are incredibly honored that New Ulm has been named Retail Community of the Year,” said Sarah Warmka, president and CEO of the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce. “This recognition belongs to our local retailers, volunteers and community partners who continually work together to create a welcoming and vibrant place to shop, dine, visit and do business. New Ulm’s success has always been rooted in collaboration, local pride and a shared commitment to supporting the businesses that make our community special.”

Warmka and the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce, along with community members, will accept the award at Retail Rally on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, starting at 2:00 p.m. The event—held at Brookview in Golden Valley—will feature an insightful keynote presentation from University of St. Thomas Associate Professor Seth Ketron, Ph.D., titled “AI in the Customer Journey: Real Insights for Retail Leaders.” For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to see all the 2026-2027 Minnesota's Retail Champions!

About Minnesota Retailers: Minnesota Retailers is a non-profit association formed to improve communities through a holistic investment in retail, representing small, regional, and national retailers. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for businesses, employees, consumers, and policymakers. Our vision is to be the driving force in the evolution of the state's retail landscape through advocacy, valuable insights, and championing innovation. More at www.mnretail.org.

Contact: Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (651) 227-6631