New Ulm Recognized with Retail Community of the Year Award
2026-2027 Minnesota's Retail Champion Awards
St. Paul, MN (October 1, 2026) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to announce the community of New Ulm as the recipient of the Retail Community of the Year award, part of the 2026-2027 Minnesota's Retail Champions program.
New Ulm has built a strong retail environment through collaboration among local businesses, the New Ulm Business & Retail Association, New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Action Team, City of New Ulm, Economic Development Authority, Convention & Visitors Bureau, community volunteers and others. Together, these partners support year-round retail promotions, community events, placemaking efforts and business-development programs that attract customers and encourage local investment. That commitment is producing measurable results: the New Ulm Chamber Dollar program has generated more than $2.2 million in local spending, while the Loyal to Local Holiday Passport program documented more than $425,700 in spending over three years. From Crazy Days and Small Business Saturday to Oktoberfest, Polka Palooza and the downtown Car and Bike Roll-Ins, New Ulm consistently brings businesses and the community together to create a vibrant local economy.
“New Ulm understands that a thriving retail community is built through teamwork. Local retailers, business organizations, city leaders and community volunteers work together year-round to promote local shopping, create memorable events and help businesses grow,” said Bruce Nustad, president of Minnesota Retailers. “The results are impressive, but the true strength of New Ulm is its shared commitment to making the community an exceptional place to shop, visit and do business. We are proud to recognize New Ulm as Retail Community of the Year.”
“We are incredibly honored that New Ulm has been named Retail Community of the Year,” said Sarah Warmka, president and CEO of the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce. “This recognition belongs to our local retailers, volunteers and community partners who continually work together to create a welcoming and vibrant place to shop, dine, visit and do business. New Ulm’s success has always been rooted in collaboration, local pride and a shared commitment to supporting the businesses that make our community special.”
Warmka and the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce, along with community members, will accept the award at Retail Rally on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, starting at 2:00 p.m. The event—held at Brookview in Golden Valley—will feature an insightful keynote presentation from University of St. Thomas Associate Professor Seth Ketron, Ph.D., titled “AI in the Customer Journey: Real Insights for Retail Leaders.” For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.
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About Minnesota Retailers: Minnesota Retailers is a non-profit association formed to improve communities through a holistic investment in retail, representing small, regional, and national retailers. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for businesses, employees, consumers, and policymakers. Our vision is to be the driving force in the evolution of the state's retail landscape through advocacy, valuable insights, and championing innovation. More at www.mnretail.org.
Contact: Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (651) 227-6631
