After reviewing dozens of applications from across the state, the Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to award Boulay the Business Resource of the Year award in the 2020 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Boulay has been a true leader in helping its clients and many other Minnesota businesses during the COVID pandemic,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “When many are putting their heads down to ride out this difficult time, Boulay has doubled down on providing advice and resources to retailers and businesses looking to navigate the pandemic. We are deeply appreciative for the countless sleepless nights the team at Boulay has put in as they help organizations make decisions on the Paycheck Protection Program and other key programs, and we congratulate the firm on being named the retail industry Resource of the Year.”

“Throughout the pandemic, Boulay has stepped up and offered information to help people navigate the new normal,” said Dan Markowitz, partner at Boulay. “In addition to working tirelessly with clients, we have helped associations like the Minnesota Retailers Association and its members understand pandemic relief efforts like the Paycheck Protection Program. While it’s hard to see the impacts of the pandemic on retailers and our other clients, we are proud to be a resource.”

Markowitz will accept the award virtually during the Retail Rally event on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The event features seven 20-minute practical, game-changing, cutting edge retail innovations strategies and ideas.

Boulay is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Business Resource of the Year award. Nine other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Retailer of the Year, Retail Manager of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year, Customer Experience, Best Place to Work, Retail Community of the Year, Advocate of the Year, and Retail Innovation.

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

After reviewing dozens of applications from across the state, the Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Minneapolis Mart with its Vendor Partner of the Year award in the 2020 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Retailers need every advantage they can get today, and one of those important, strategic advantages is the Minneapolis Mart,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “As a partner to retailers, Minneapolis Mart gives retailers an opportunity to see and touch products from multiple vendors through locally-owned curated experiences. And the ability to see products, ask questions and place orders through Minneapolis Mart’s exhibitors is unmatched not only in Minnesota, but throughout the Midwest. We congratulate Minneapolis Mart as our well-deserved Vendor Partner of the Year.”

“At Minneapolis Mart, we strive to make our retailers and buyers feel welcome and at ease,” says Kate Jenson, board member at Minneapolis Mart. “We are very approachable, easy to navigate, and friendly as we bring unique products to retailers across the Midwest. We are proud that Minneapolis Mart is doing its part in fueling the economy and providing connections between suppliers, representatives and retailers at a time when that is needed more than ever.”

Kate Jenson will accept the award virtually during the Retail Rally event on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. The event features seven 20-minute practical, game-changing, cutting edge retail innovations strategies and ideas.

Minneapolis Mart is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Vendor Partner of the Year award. Nine other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Retailer of the Year, Retail Manager of the Year, Business Resource of the Year, Customer Experience, Best Place to Work, Retail Community of the Year, Advocate of the Year, and Retail Innovation.

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

May 30:

After another night of deep unrest and significant destruction of property in Minneapolis and to some degree in other parts of the metro, we want to provide you a few updates.

• CURFEWS: The vast majority of local governments in the metro have instituted curfews that continue tonight from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with a few variations on the times.  Please check with your local government for times and updates on how curfews impact employees traveling to and from work. Curfews are likely to and should be enforced to a much greater degree than last night as a tool to maintain order and prevent looting and arson.
  
  
• LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE: According to the plans discussed this morning by the Governor and key law enforcement leaders, this evening Minneapolis and St. Paul are positioned to enforce curfews as a means to identify and deal with vandals, looters and those setting fires.  Please take a moment to remind your employees of the importance of obeying the curfews as a tool to separate those peacefully protesting and living their lives  from those committing unlawful acts.  Minneapolis, St. Paul and the State plan a large law enforcement presence this evening and have created the expectation they will be addressing those out past curfew as a tool for curbing unlawful activities.
  
  
• POP UP LOOTING: Pop up looting and property destruction continues to occur around the metro, not just in Minneapolis and St. Paul.  Targeted business tend to be liquor, high-end clothing, tobacco, phones, electronics, pharmacy and convenience stores, but frankly no retailer is immune to this activity.  We recommend all metro stores consider appropriate actions to safeguard your customers, employees and inventory.  We have seen a number of store closures, boarding up of windows and communication with local law enforcement to help assess the situation.
  
  
• SHORT-TERM: We hope for a better night tonight but unfortunately recommend retailers plan as if unrest continues.

Some MnRA members have experienced complete or partial store losses. In addition, all retailers including our small businesses and new American-owned businesses are experiencing customer impacts only exacerbating the current COVID-19 environment.

MnRA is in communication with elected officials and law enforcement, and any retailer is welcome to contact us at any time for assistance.

We continue to pray for peace and justice, with the family of George Floyd, our communities, and a restoration of peace at the center of those prayers.

 

May 29:

Good afternoon MnRA members.  Just an FYI that a curfew will be instituted by the Governor for Minneapolis and St. Paul beginning this evening from 8:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.  The curfew will be evaluated on a day by day basis.

 

May 28:

Just a quick note as I am sure those of you with stores in the metro area are monitoring the unrest closely. 

We have noted some instances where local police departments are recommending to businesses that they consider closing due to mobile groups that are looting stores or the potential for looting is high. In anticipation of demonstrations, Metro Transit has shut down light rail service and bus service will stop as of 4:00 p.m.

We recommend:

1. Monitor your local police department’s social media feed or make a call to seek the advice of law enforcement.
   
   
2. Error on the side of the safety of your employees and customers as you make decisions over the next couple of days, being mindful of how quickly situations can change.
   
   
3. Be prepared to secure and close your store.
   
   
4. Create a quick inventory of products on hand in the event you would need to file an insurance claim, including pictures and a date stamp.

Our hearts ache in this situation. We pray for justice and peace, and that stores are kept in a position where they are ready to the serve community needs in a safe, peaceful environment.

Please let us know if you need anything.