St. Paul (October 4, 2022) – The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Hans Ahlstrom with M&M’S Mall of America® as Retail Manager of the Year as part of the 2022-2023 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Hans is a tremendous leader and puts people at the heart of all of his decisions,” said Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “Not only does Hans create a strong sense of belonging among his team and employees, but he also drives engagement and shows full commitment to the development of his peers. You will never see Hans without a smile and his personality is so infectious that those around him can’t help but smile as well. We congratulate Hans on being named Retail Manager of the Year and thank him for the example he sets for others.”

 “I’m extremely grateful to be named Retail Manager of the Year by the Minnesota Retailers Association,” said Hans Ahlstrom, Store Director – M&M’S Mall of America. “M&M’S believes in championing the power of fun to create a world where everyone feels they belong and M&M’S fans and store guests alike can feel this sense of belonging in the immersive experiences only the M&M’S Mall of America store offers. This achievement is reflective of my passion for retail and I truly love what I do including, investing in our Associates and bringing smiles to our store guests every day.”

Hans is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Retail Manager of the Year award. Ten other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Social Responsibility, Best Place To Work, Advocate of the Year, Building Community Through Retail, Partner of the Year, Customer Experience, Special Achievement and Retailer of the Year.

Hans will accept the award during the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 6, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley. The event features practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovation strategies and ideas. Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

Click here to see all the 2022-2023 Minnesota's Retail Champions award winners.

About M&M’S Mall of America: Opening on May 1, 2021, M&M’S Mall of America is located on Level 1, East near the Rotunda of Mall of America, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America. The 24,000 square foot store is an immersive M&M’S experience paying homage to the Minnesota culture through the store design, experiences and merchandise, allowing guests to leave with memories and digital downloads to share with friends and family. Guests have countless ways to express themselves, from customizing their own M&M’S with our one-of-a-kind personalized printer, to showcasing their personality through sounds and movement at M&M’S Sweet Moves, where fans can express their personality through color, sound and movement. Store goers can also visit “Peanut Peak,” a rooftop celebration of the local landscape inspired by the gorgeous Minnesota views. Learn more at mms.com.

About the Minnesota Retailers Association: The Minnesota Retailers Association promotes, preserves and enhances the retail industry in Minnesota by taking a leadership position in development of public policy and regulatory measures that impact members. MnRA also works to enhance the public image of the retail industry by providing information, services and support that adds value to its members. www.mnretail.org.

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

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St. Paul (October 4, 2022) – The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Waste Wise, a program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, with our Social Responsibility award as part of the 2022-2023 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Waste Wise is a unique Minnesota Chamber of Commerce program providing immense value to retailers and other organizations across Minnesota,” said Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “Through one-on-one, no-cost consulting, Waste Wise helps retailers save money through waste reduction and provides connections to grant funding and other valuable sustainability programs.  Businesses in Minnesota have saved millions of dollars working with Waste Wise all while taking steps to protect the environment for today and future generations.  We are honored to recognize Waste Wise and the team at the Minnesota Chamber with our Social Responsibility award.”

"We are incredibly proud of the valuable work our Waste Wise team has done to earn this honor," said Vicki Stute, the Vice President of Programs and Business Services for the Minnesota Chamber. "The Minnesota Chamber leads businesses to be more competitive in all aspects, and Waste Wise is a significant part of that work."

“The team at Waste Wise is incredibly passionate about our work with retailers and other organizations across the state,” said Rob Friend. “We have seen firsthand how our one-on-one consulting makes a difference not only in the area of sustainability and the environment, but also to the bottom line. We appreciate being recognized for the work we love to do, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our funders.”

Waste Wise is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Social Responsibility award. Ten other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Retailer of the Year, Retail Manager of the Year, Best Place To Work, Advocate of the Year, Building Community Through Retail, Partner of the Year, Customer Experience, and Special Achievement.

Vicki Stute and Rob Friend will accept the award during the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 6, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley. The event features practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovation strategies and ideas. Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

Click here to see all the 2022-2023 Minnesota's Retail Champions award winners.

About the Minnesota Retailers Association: The Minnesota Retailers Association promotes, preserves and enhances the retail industry in Minnesota by taking a leadership position in development of public policy and regulatory measures that impact members. MnRA also works to enhance the public image of the retail industry by providing information, services and support that adds value to its members. www.mnretail.org.

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

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St. Paul (October 4, 2022) – The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to award Urban Growler Brewing Co. with the Building Community Through Retail award as part of the 2022-2023 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Urban Growler Brewing Co. is the very first women-owned microbrewery in Minnesota, and while that is an accomplishment worth celebrating, what is truly incredible about Urban Growler is how they build community,” said Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “Urban Growler and owners Jill and Deb don’t just sell great beer, they have created an inclusive retail environment where your background, your outlook and even your politics are welcome. This is the first time we have recognized an organization for Building Community Through Retail and there is no better recipient. Urban Growler is the community.”

"When you value the input of a broad cross-section of the community that values inclusivity, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish," said Jill Pavlak. “"We are incredibly honored to receive this award. We built the brewery to bring people together. It is truly at the core of all we do. Our team, our guests, regulars and newcomers, make the place. We have always wanted to make those that believed in our mission since day one, proud. We want to be an Urban oasis for all. "If there’s one reason we would be recognized (and we’re humbly grateful BTW) for this specific award, it is that building community is at the heart of who Urban Growler has always been."

Urban Growler is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Building Community Through Retail award. Ten other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Retailer of the Year, Retail Manager of the Year, Best Place To Work, Advocate of the Year, Social Responsibility, Partner of the Year, Customer Experience, and Special Achievement.

Jill Pavlak and Deb Loch will accept the award during the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 6, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley. The event features practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovation strategies and ideas. Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

Click here to see all the 2022-2023 Minnesota's Retail Champions award winners.

About the Minnesota Retailers Association: The Minnesota Retailers Association promotes, preserves and enhances the retail industry in Minnesota by taking a leadership position in development of public policy and regulatory measures that impact members. MnRA also works to enhance the public image of the retail industry by providing information, services and support that adds value to its members. www.mnretail.org.

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

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