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Retail Beat
updates for retailers + key business partners
October 26, 2026
| | Celebrating the best in Minnesota retail! These awards took center stage at Retail Rally as Minnesota Retailers marked 10 years of recognizing the people, businesses and communities moving our industry forward. Click here to see photos from the event. | | | ICYMI: Minnesota Retailers Celebrates 10 Years of Retail Rally and Honors 2026–2027 Retail Champions | |
Ten outstanding retailers, communities and industry partners were celebrated last Wednesday as Minnesota Retailers marked a decade of recognizing the very best of retail!
It was a special afternoon at Brookview in Golden Valley on October 14 as Minnesota Retailers celebrated the 10th anniversary of Retail Rally and recognized the 2026–2027 Minnesota's Retail Champions. The event brought together retailers, business partners and community leaders to celebrate the people, businesses and ideas making Minnesota's retail industry stronger.
Over the past decade, Minnesota Retailers has recognized 102 Retail Champions, shining a spotlight on innovation, entrepreneurship, community investment, outstanding customer experiences and leadership. This year's ten honorees continued that tradition, demonstrating the incredible diversity and impact of retail across Minnesota.
Congratulations to our 2026–2027 Minnesota's Retail Champions! Click on each recipient's name to learn more about their award and accomplishments.
The afternoon also featured an engaging keynote presentation from Seth Ketron, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of St. Thomas, titled AI in the Customer Journey: Real Insights for Retail Leaders (pictured below). Dr. Ketron shared insights into how artificial intelligence is changing consumer behavior and creating new opportunities for retailers to connect with customers.
A special thank-you goes to our Retail Rally Committee for helping make this milestone celebration possible: Chair Hillary Feder of Hillary's; Dan Wolter of Hy-Vee; Lonnie McQuirter of 36 Lyn Refuel Station; and Juli Lassow of JHL Solutions. Their leadership, creativity and commitment to celebrating retail have helped make Retail Rally a signature industry event. Also thank you to Dan Wolter and Marisa Wilson of Red Wing Shoes for presenting the awards.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to our Retail Rally sponsors, whose generous support makes it possible to recognize outstanding retailers and bring the industry together. Thank you for investing in Minnesota's retail community and helping us tell its many success stories.
At Minnesota Retailers, we couldn't be prouder to lift up and highlight this incredible industry. Retail is about much more than transactions. It's about people, opportunities, innovation and the businesses that make our communities vibrant. For ten years, Retail Rally has given us the opportunity to tell those stories, recognize extraordinary accomplishments and remind Minnesotans just how much retail contributes to our state.
Congratulations again to all our retail champions, past and present, and thank you to everyone who joined us for this special 10-year celebration. Here's to the next decade of celebrating Minnesota retail!
Meet all the 2026–2027 Minnesota's Retail Champions.
| Flowers, Chocolate and a Reminder of Retail’s Human Connection | | |
Sometimes the most meaningful part of a shopping trip happens at the checkout.
MPR News recently highlighted a Bloomington Trader Joe’s employee named Tim whose thoughtful response turned an ordinary transaction into a memorable moment. Customer Roze Mulen shared that she was feeling nervous about returning to her nursing job after time away. After listening, Tim stepped away and returned with flowers and chocolates.
The unexpected kindness moved Mulen to share her experience on TikTok, where her video received more than 50,000 views. She later told her story through MPR’s “Thank You, Stranger” series.
It’s a reminder of the connections retail employees create every day. A conversation, a listening ear or a thoughtful gesture can make a lasting difference, and show how much the people behind the counter contribute to our communities.
Read or listen to the MPR News story.
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Ecomm Forum is back. Join Irish Titan on October 29th at Glass House in Minneapolis for a high-content, high-energy exploration of what’s happening now and what’s next in ecommerce.
Ecomm Forum celebrates ecommerce achievements and inspires those to come. We’ll dive into ecommerce best practices, emerging technology, automation, industry trends, and practical ideas you can put to work. From small businesses to global brands, today’s commerce landscape is pushing companies to innovate faster, adapt smarter, and continue raising the bar for customer expectations.
Hosted by Irish Titan, Ecomm Forum brings together a lineup of speakers, panelists, sponsors, and ecommerce leaders to explore the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of commerce.
Learn more.
| | Join Minnesota Retailers for The Bravery Effect: A Business Leaders Breakfast Forum | |
Minnesota Retailers is pleased to partner with the Business Leaders Breakfast Forum for an upcoming leadership program, The Bravery Effect: How Brave Leaders Create Energy, Focus, and Action Through Constant Change, on Thursday, October 29, from 8:30–11:30 a.m. at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. As a program partner, we're inviting our members and friends to join us at a special discounted rate of just $30 per person.
Today's business leaders face no shortage of challenges, from economic pressures and workforce demands to AI disruption and constant change. How can leaders keep their teams energized, focused and moving forward without burning out?
Featured speaker Jill Schulman, bestselling author of The Bravery Effect and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will share the science of bravery and practical strategies for leading through uncertainty. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience and research in positive psychology, Schulman will explore how leaders can build clarity, confidence, connection and courage in themselves and their teams.
Attendees will leave with practical tools for navigating difficult decisions, strengthening team performance and taking action even when the path forward isn't clear. Participants will also receive access to exclusive resources, including a digital copy of The Bravery Effect and a discussion guide.
Event Details
Thursday, October 29, 2026
8:30–11:30 a.m.
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN
Special Minnesota Retailers Registration Offer
Through our partnership with the Business Leaders Breakfast Forum, Minnesota Retailers members and guests can attend for just $30 per ticket.Visit www.breakfastleaders.com to register and enter VIP Code 1029MNRA to receive the discounted rate.
We hope you'll join us for a morning of fresh perspectives, practical leadership insights and connections with fellow business leaders!
| | Upcoming Webinar: What Retailers Need to Know About Minnesota's Packaging EPR Program | |
Minnesota's new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging program is moving forward, and retailers have important responsibilities to understand as implementation continues.
Join Minnesota Retailers and Circular Action Alliance (CAA) on Friday, November 6, at 11:00 a.m. for a free webinar focused on what the law means for retail businesses, key implementation dates, and steps retailers should be taking to prepare.
Kris Coperine, Minnesota program manager for Circular Action Alliance, will provide a timely program update and practical guidance for retailers. CAA serves as Minnesota's producer responsibility organization and is helping implement the state's new packaging requirements.
The webinar will also include time for questions and answers, giving participants an opportunity to better understand how the program applies to their businesses.
Webinar Details
- Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
- Time: 11:00 a.m. Central
- Location: Zoom
- Cost: Free; members and non-members welcome
Register online at www.mnretail.org/packaging to reserve your spot.
| | Halloween Brings a $230 Million Treat | |
Minnesota’s Halloween shopping season is getting attention, with KRWC Radio highlighting Minnesota Retailers’ estimate that consumers will spend approximately $230 million statewide on this year’s celebration.
In the October 21 coverage, Minnesota Retailers President Bruce Nustad discussed the purchases driving seasonal spending. Candy leads the list, followed by decorations and costumes, with costumes and accessories for pets also drawing shoppers’ interest.
The story also highlighted estimated national Halloween spending of $13.5 billion and the opportunity the holiday creates for retailers to connect with customers during the fall season.
From neighborhood candy stops to costume shopping and decorating traditions, Halloween offers another reason to celebrate the role retailers play in bringing seasonal fun to Minnesota communities.
Read the KRWC story.
| Governor Candidates Say No New Taxes During Debate and Express Interest In Reviewing Paid Leave | |
Minnesota’s leading candidates for governor emphasized taxes, permitting and government accountability during an October 19 forum hosted by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in Brainerd.
According to MPR News, Republican Lisa Demuth and DFLer Amy Klobuchar both said they would avoid new taxes, address fraud and streamline permitting. While the candidates differed on their records and approaches, the discussion highlighted several issues affecting businesses’ ability to operate and invest in Minnesota.
Both also expressed interest in reviewing Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave program. Demuth said she would consider reducing eligible leave weeks and narrowing which relatives qualify under caregiving provisions. Klobuchar said she would welcome business feedback on improvements while maintaining protections for families.
For retailers, the forum offered a preview of discussions likely to shape the next legislative session, including business costs, workforce policies and the state’s economic competitiveness.
Read the full MPR News story.
| Grand Rapids’ 0.5% Local Sales Tax Ends December 31 | |
The Minnesota Department of Revenue has announced that Grand Rapids’ 0.5% local sales and use tax will end December 31, 2026.
Retailers collecting this tax should plan ahead to update their point-of-sale systems and online checkout settings for the change beginning January 1, 2027.
Review the Department of Revenue’s Grand Rapids tax notice for details. Information on other local tax changes is available on the department’s Local Sales Tax Information page.
| Holiday Shoppers Put Savings at the Top of Their Lists | |
Holiday traditions remain a priority for consumers, but affordability is shaping how—and when—they shop, according to a new National Retail Federation survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
More than half of holiday shoppers, 56%, say economic conditions will influence their spending plans. Among that group, 43% expect to seek sales more frequently, 31% plan to increase online price comparisons and 29% anticipate using coupons more often.
The search for value is also influencing timing. Forty-three percent of shoppers plan to start before November, with half of those early shoppers looking to spread out their budgets. Meanwhile, 64% of consumers say they are likely to wait until Thanksgiving weekend to complete most of their shopping.
Gift cards lead holiday wish lists at 47%, followed by clothing at 44%. The survey gathered responses from 8,094 adults October 1–7.
For Minnesota retailers, the findings suggest opportunities to connect with shoppers through clear promotions, convenient gift options and helpful service throughout the season.
Communicating value early—and maintaining that focus through the final shopping days—can help customers celebrate within their budgets.
Read the full NRF release.
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