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Articles in Category: MnRA News

Store Best Practices For Social Distancing: In-Store & Appointment

Store Best Practices For Social Distancing: In-Store & Appointment

Note: Click here for important re-open guidelines, samples, and templates!

Retailers across Minnesota are implementing impressive measures to make shopping as safe as possible for customers & employees.

Click here to access the State COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (safety plan) template.
Click here for Q&A and updates to the State COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (safety plan).

To assist retailers, here is a collection of social distancing best practices:

  • Use signage at the door, throughout the store, & over your public address system to remind customers of 6 foot social distancing.
  • Evaluate your space and adjust customer flow accordingly.
  • Encourage use of curbside pickup & delivery.
  • At checkout (including self-checkout) & in areas of congestion mark out social distance spacing.
  • At checkout extend space between the cashier & customer with markings or a physical barrier.
  • If practical ask a customer's permission to touch their products or allow a customer to position products during check out.
  • Have employees make a special effort to engage customers to help them find products efficiently & remind them to practice social distancing.
  • Clean & disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly and make hand sanitizer & related products available to customers and employees.
  • Communicate your temporary policy on reusable bags to customers before they arrive at the store or at the door.
  • Thank customers and workers for their focus on safety.


Just added!

SAFE Retail

Target is sharing it's lessons learned and best practices to assist other retailers as they open up. Click here to view Target's S.A.F.E. Retail framework, including examples, templates and checklists.


Click here to download a PDF of this flyer.

StoreBestPacticesCOVID 19

Share your best practices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and visit mnretail.org/covid-19 for more information.

Eight Retail Leaders To Be Recognized As Minnesota’s Retail Champions

Minnesota's Retail Champions 2019

Today’s Minnesota consumer is well-researched, cost-conscious and appreciative of shopping experiences and options. Join the Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) as we recognizeeight leading retailers and industry partners at the announcement of the 2019 Minnesota’s Retail Champions.                                                                                                   

“We are proud to recognize eight 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,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “The retail industry has a deep impact on Minnesota communities, and these award recipients are truly representative of what’s 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 2019 Minnesota’s Retail Champion Award recipients:

Best Place to Work
Red Wing Shoe Company, Red Wing, MN and locations worldwide
Read more about this award!

Customer Experience
Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN
Read more about this award!

Outstanding Achievement
Glenn McKee, Games by James, locations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin
Read more about this award!

Retailer of the Year
Hubert White, Minneapolis, MN
Read more about this award!

Retail Employee of the Year                                                                                                                                               
Kee Kong, Joe’s Sporting Goods, Little Canada, MN
Read more about this award!

Retail Innovation
Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Brainerd, MN
Read more about this award!

Social Responsibility
Mall of America, Bloomington, MN
Read more about this award!

Vendor Partner of the Year
Branch, Minneapolis, MN
Read more about this award!

MnRA started the award process by putting out a statewide call for nominations early in the year.  A panel of peer judges reviewed nearly eight dozen nominations and selected the top nominee in each category. Tickets to the event are $25 online at www.retailrally.com.

Red Wing Shoe Company Recognized As Best Place To Work

Minnesota's Retail Champions 2019

Red Wing Shoe Company Recognized As Best Place To Work

After reviewing dozens of applications from across the state, the Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Red Wing Shoe Company with its Best Place To Work award in the 2019 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“In an industry where there can be high employee turnover Red Wing Shoe Co. stands out as an organization that invests in their employees and understands how to keep and grow employees based on their passions and aspirations,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “It’s clear Red Wing works hard to be a family-centered manufacturer and retailer that treats their employees with the utmost respect, including offering opportunities to grow within the company and the communities where they do business. That doesn’t just happen, it’s intentional and engrained in the business culture. There are so many positive employee stories where family members have worked at Red Wing Shoe Co. for decades. We are so pleased to recognize Red Wing Shoe Co. as a Best Place To Work.”

“We are honored to be selected as a 2019 Minnesota’s Retail Champion awards winner in the category of Best Place to Work,” says Marisa Kinney, Senior Director in Global Retail for Red Wing Shoe Co. “This award is a reflection of our belief that every employee at Red Wing Shoe Co. makes a direct impact on our customer’s lives around the world. Our goal is that all of our teams come to work every day   and feel proud. The success of our company comes directly from their contributions. I could not be more proud to work in a culture of care and respect, and am equally as proud and thankful for the employees that make Red Wing Shoes their home.”

A representative of Red Wing Shoe Company will accept the award in person during the Retail Rally event on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at Brookview in Golden Valley beginning at 2:00 p.m. The event features seven 20-minute practical, game-changing, cutting edge retail innovations strategies and ideas. Speakers include local favorite and award-winning news anchor-reporter Robyne Robinson with fiveXfive Public Art.

Red Wing Shoe Company is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Best Place To Work award. Seven other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Retail Employee of the Year, Social Responsibility, Retail Innovation, Vendor Partner of the Year, Customer Experience, Outstanding Achievement, and Retailer of the Year.

Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

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