Retail has a great story to tell in Minnesota!

Articles in Category: Retail Operations

2025 Proposed Priorities

Thank you for your commitment to the retail industry and to the future of Minnesota. Together, we can achieve great things.

ProposedPriorities2At Minnesota Retailers, our mission is to ensure collective success across the state by continually advancing retail—encompassing retailers, partners, employees, consumers, and policymakers.

Retail businesses are the backbone of our communities. They drive economic activity, create jobs, contribute to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods, and serve as vital links in the supply chain that connects Minnesota to the world. Your presence here today underscores the crucial role you play in shaping the policies that impact this dynamic industry.

We invite you to review our six proposed policy priorities, which are key to ensuring that communities in Minnesota thrive. Your feedback is invaluable to us as we strive to craft policies that support workforce development, encourage innovation, and remove barriers to growth. By working together, we can sustain and enhance the economic vitality of the state.

Proposed Priorities
  • Cultivate a Competitive Retail Landscape for Minnesotans

    Minnesota retailers operate in an increasingly hyper-competitive environment, where success hinges on the state's ability to balance critical factors such as taxes, regulations, environmental stewardship, and overall competitiveness. By balancing these prioritizes, the state can better support consumers, workers, and the retail economy, which plays a vital role in contributing to Minnesota's prosperity.

  • Support Retailers & Communities with a Vendor Collection Allowance

    Retailers bear the full cost of collecting and remitting sales taxes to the state. A state task force on local sales taxes recommends investing in our retail partners by offering an allowance to offset these collection costs.

  • Modernize Alcohol Regulations to Reflect Consumer Preferences

    Minnesota is unique in its restriction of beer and wine sales primarily to liquor stores and we are the last state to license 3.2 beer. Minnesotans should have the option, clarity, and convenience of buying full-strength beer, including local brews, in grocery and convenience stores.

  • Combat Organized Retail Crime with Dedicated Resources & Coordination

    Following the passage of a bill defining organized retail crime (ORC) in 2023, our next step is to establish and fund a state ORC workgroup. This group, modeled after successful collaborations in other states, would use a coordinated, cross-agency approach to quickly identify and shut down organized crime rings.

  • Enhance Healthcare Accessibility at Retail Pharmacies

    Community pharmacies play a vital role in providing healthcare services to Minnesotans. Updating laws and regulations is essential to ensure these services continue to be accessible across the state.

  • Promote Workforce Participation & Development with Affordable Childcare

    A strong and resilient workforce is essential for Minnesota's economy. The Department of Employment and Economic Development projects that there will be 125,000 retail sales and supervisor openings over the next decade. Addressing the childcare shortage will help more Minnesotans enter and stay in the workforce.

>> Click here to weigh-in on these priorities and tell us about yours!

 

Twelve Retail Leaders Recognized As Minnesota’s Retail Champions

2023-2024 Minnesota's Retail Champion Awards

Retail Champions 2023 2024St. Paul (October 2, 2023) -- Join the Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) as we recognize twelve leading retailers and industry partners with the announcement of the 2023-2024 Minnesota’s Retail Champions.

Winners will accept their awards during Retail Rally (www.retailrally.com) on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Bloomington. Retail Rally is changing the way retailers and their key business partners engage with today’s consumer. The event features practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovation strategies and ideas, and the insights of Weber Shandwick, and their presentation “Predicting the Future: A Look Ahead at Top Cultural Trends Fueling Shoppers' Behavior in 2024.” There the team from Wisdom Gaming Studios will also be presenting on the intricacies of the metaverse and demonstrate how retailers can effectively reach and engage customers in this innovative space.

“We are proud to recognize twelve 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 Association 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 2023-2024 Minnesota’s Retail Champion award recipients:

Vendor Partner of the Year
ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, Cottage Grove, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Customer Experience
Von Hanson’s Meats, Monticello, MN
*nominated by the Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Retail Collaboration
Amazing Grace Boutique, by Mae, Olita Gifts and Goods, Hutchinson, MN
*nominated by the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Social Responsibility
CAP Carpet & Flooring, New Brighton, MN
*nominated by the Waste Wise, program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Family Business of the Year
Bridal Aisle Boutique, Osseo, MN
*nominated by the Metro North Chamber of Commerce
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Community Partner of the Year
Walt’s, Willmar, MN
*nominated by the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Advocacy Leadership
Charles Anderson, Marine on St. Croix, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Advocate Partner of the Year
Minnesota Organized Retail Crime Association, St. Paul, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Advocate of the Year
Walter Dillon, Minneapolis, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Retail Mentor of the Year
Patricia Chinander, Love From USA Group, Shoreview, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Retail Community of the Year
Owatonna, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Retail Entrepreneur of the Year
Adam Johnson, Pioneer Midwest, Osseo, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

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

Adam Johnson, Co-Owner of Pioneer Midwest Recognized with Retail Entrepreneur of the Year Award

2023-2024 Minnesota's Retail Champion Awards

Adam Johnson 2023 20242

 

St. Paul (October 2, 2023) – The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Adam Johnson, co-owner of Pioneer Midwest, with its Retail Entrepreneur of the Year award as part of the 2023-2024 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

Bruce Nustad, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association, praised Adam Johnson's unwavering commitment to his customers and the industry, stating, "Adam embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation and excellence within Minnesota’s retail sector. He has created an environment where customers can access great products and expert guidance, making Pioneer Midwest a true retail gem."

"I love that I get to take a passion of mine and provide a retail experience for customers that fits the model of what I think it should be having been that customer," shared Adam Johnson, reflecting on his journey as an entrepreneur.

Adam Johnson has transformed Pioneer Midwest into a destination for cross-country skiing enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. His commitment to delivering a personalized and exceptional retail experience is evident in every aspect of his business, from product selection and expert advice to customer care.

Adam Johnson is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Retail Entrepreneur of the Year award. Eleven other organizations and individuals will be recognized in other categories such as Retail Mentor of the Year, Family Business of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Advocate Partner of the Year, Advocacy Leadership, Community Partner of the Year, Retail Collaboration, Customer Experience, Vendor Partner of the Year, Social Responsibility, and Retail Community of the Year.

Johnson will accept the award during the Retail Rally event on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Bloomington. The event features practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovations, strategies, and ideas. Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

Watch Adam's video segment here: :

.

Click here to see all the 2023-2024 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

Get our Monday retail industry newsletter.

Subscribe to Minnesota Retailers e-mail list by providing your e-mail address below. You will receive our "Retail Beat" newsletter every Monday, providing perspective on the latest news impacting retailer and key business partners!

E-mail address:



Live Chat