After reviewing dozens of applications from across the state, the Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to award Mall of America the Social Responsibility award in the 2019 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Minnesota businesses are at the forefront of social responsibility and sustainability, and Mall of America is a distinct leader when it comes to innovative programs and modeling what it means to do the right thing,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “At Mall of America, sustainability is a way of doing business, and it’s not only important to them, but important to their tenants and guests. Just walking around the Mall, you can see so many ways it works to encourage recycling and reuse while reducing waste. And for every sustainability program you can see, there is another behind the scenes that you can’t, but they are equally important. We congratulate Mall of America on receiving our Social Responsibility award.”

“Mall of America was built with sustainability always at the forefront,” said Jill Renslow, SVP of Business Development & Marketing at Mall of America. “We strive to include a sustainability perspective in all that we do. For example, we have worked hard to design a system that makes recycling easy for our tenants and guests. Few people know we are also home to 30,000 live trees and plants, all while maintaining a pesticide-free environment. Mall of America aims to continue leading efforts in being a good steward of the environment and is honored to accept the 2019 Minnesota Retailers Association Social Responsibility Award.”

Jill Renslow and other Mall of America representatives 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.

Mall of America is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Social Responsibility award. Seven other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Retail Community of the Year, Retail Employee of the Year, Social Responsibility, Retail Innovation, Outstanding Achievement, Best Place To Work, and Retailer of the Year.

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 Branch with its Vendor Partner of the Year award in the 2019 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Branch has embraced Minnesota since its move in 2016 and has made a name for itself in a big way,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “As a partner to retailers, Branch is helping the industry and its employees adapt to the ever-changing way we work and serve communities. Through its innovative mobile platform, Branch is dedicated to the financial wellness of hourly employees as well as helping retailers  retain their workforce .  We congratulate Branch as the Vendor Partner of the Year.”

“At Branch, we partner with retail employers and their employees to help overcome obstacles hourly workers face,” says Atif Siddiqi, CEO and founder of Branch. “We are constantly analyzing trends and talking to retail employees about what they need and want so we can work collaboratively with our retail partners to open up opportunities in the  employee-employer relationship.”

Atif Siddiqi will accept the award in person and discuss what retail employees want today during the Retail Rally event on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at the 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, including local favorite and award-winning news anchor-reporter Robyne Robinson with fiveXfive Public Art.

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

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

Emily McGann has been elected chair of the Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA). In late January the Board of Directors met and selected McGann to lead the organization representing 1,200 retail stores. The volunteer leadership role is for one year and encompasses leading a group of 25 Board members from all around Minnesota and a staff focused on growing Minnesota’s retail economy and jobs.

McGann is a regional director of state government affairs for CVS Health, where she works with elected officials in Minnesota, as well as Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. CVS Health is a health innovation company working to help people on their path to better health. Its CVS Pharmacy retail division has more than 9,800 locations, including more than 130 retail pharmacies in Minnesota.

McGann is excited about her leadership role, saying “Minnesota has such a vibrant, diverse retail community. I look forward to this opportunity and am ready to ensure that the retail voice will be well represented and heard across the state as we discuss issues important to employees and the retail business model."

McGann succeeds small business owner Lonnie McQuirter. “We are excited for Emily’s leadership as retailers in Minnesota continue to innovate and, in some cases, reinvent themselves. Emily’s knowledge and passion for both retail and government relations will allow her to contribute greatly in her role as chair as we continue to tell the important story of retail,” said MnRA staff president Bruce Nustad. “And we thank Lonnie for his dedication and commitment of time and energy to the industry this past year.”