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Latuff Brothers Auto Body Recognized with Customer Experience Award

2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champion Awards

Cry Baby Craigs Vendor Partner of the Year 2024 2025

St. Paul (October 3, 2024) – The Minnesota Retailers Association is thrilled to recognize Latuff Brothers Auto Body with the Customer Experience award as part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

"Latuff Brothers Auto Body embodies what it means to prioritize the customer," said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. "Their dedication to clear communication, top-quality workmanship, and outstanding customer satisfaction sets a high bar in their industry. Customers expect expertise alongside convenience and transparency, and Latuff Brothers consistently delivers on both, making them a true leader in customer experience across Minnesota."

Robert Latuff, one of the proud owners of Latuff Brothers Auto Body, explained their customer-centric approach: "The reason customers love coming to us is because they trust us. They know that when they bring their vehicle in, we have the expertise and a long history of delivering excellent service, which gives them peace of mind."

“An auto body shop works with people who are under the stress of a damaged vehicle, and sometimes personal injury too,” said Chad Kulas, Executive Director of the Midway Chamber of Commerce. “Having a company like Latuff Brothers who takes care of the customer and makes them feel special is so important and can make a big difference to someone.”

With over 90 years of serving the Twin Cities community, Latuff Brothers Auto Body has earned a reputation for not just fixing vehicles but restoring customers' confidence. Their focus on clear communication, regular updates, and ensuring that every customer feels heard and valued throughout the repair process has set them apart. From the initial estimate to the completed repair, Latuff Brothers ensures the entire experience is seamless and stress-free.

Latuff Brothers Auto Body was nominated by the Midway Chamber of Commerce and is the sole recipient of the Customer Experience award in the Minnesota Retail Champions program. Nine other organizations and individuals will also be honored in categories such as Retailer of the Year, Retail Mentor of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year, Retail Innovation, Social Responsibility, Retail Community of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Best Place to Work.

Award LatuffBrothersThe Latuff’s will receive the award at the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. The event will include an engaging panel discussion titled “Game Changers: Transforming the Retail Landscape in Minnesota,” featuring speakers like Minny & Paul founder Laura Roos, Nosh Posh founder Tatiana Freeman, and Victual owner and president Paul Kirkman, and Ali Kaplan with Twin Cities Business. For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to watch a video featuing this award winner!

Click here to see all the 2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champions.

Click here to see all the photos from Retail Rally.

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

Cry Baby Craig’s Recognized as Vendor Partner of the Year

2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champion Awards

Cry Baby Craigs Vendor Partner of the Year 2024 2025St. Paul (October 3, 2024) – Minnesota Retailers is excited to announce Cry Baby Craig’s, as the recipient of its Vendor Partner of the Year award, part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

“Cry Baby Craig’s truly embodies what it means to be an outstanding vendor and retail partner,” said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. “Their commitment to delivering a top-tier product, combined with their proactive approach to working closely with retailers, has not only fueled their own growth but also elevated the businesses they collaborate with. They set the gold standard for what we seek in a vendor partner.”

Craig Kaiser, Founder and co-owner of Cry Baby Craig’s, expressed his gratitude: "Receiving this award is such an incredible honor. We feel fortunate to do what we love, and one of the best parts of it is building relationships with retailers. Creating a bond not only with them but also with their customers, who then become our customers, is really something special.”

Cry Baby Craig’s, renowned for its innovative and locally crafted hot sauces, has garnered a loyal following among both retailers and consumers. Their dedication to quality, creativity, and community has solidified their position as a standout in Minnesota’s dynamic food scene.

Cry Baby Craig’s is the sole recipient of the Vendor Partner of the Year award within the Minnesota Retail Champions program. Nine other organizations and individuals will also be honored in categories such as Retailer of the Year, Retail Mentor of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Retail Innovation, Customer Experience, Social Responsibility, Retail Community of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Best Place to Work.

Kaiser and his co-owner Sam Bonin will receive the award at the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. The event will include an engaging panel discussion titled “Game Changers: Transforming the Retail Landscape in Minnesota,” featuring speakers like Minny & Paul founder Laura Roos, Nosh Posh founder Tatiana Freeman, and Victual owner and president Paul Award CryBabyCraigsKirkman, and Ali Kaplan with Twin Cities Business. For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to watch a video featuing this award winner!

Click here to see award winner photos.

Click here to see all the 2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champions.

Click here to see all the photos from Retail Rally.

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

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

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