The NAMM Show
NAMM Retail Awards
Celebrate the creativity, resilience and passion of the global music retail community!
Now in its 16th year, the NAMM Retail Awards (formerly known as the Top 100 Dealer Awards). recognizes NAMM member music retail businesses around the world that demonstrate extraordinary innovation and customer engagement. Each year, retailers earn the spotlight for executing successful strategies for growth, deploying effective education programs, increasing sales, and other accomplishments.
An independent panel of judges selects the Top 100 Retailer finalists from member companies that enter. From this elite group, nine receive a “Best of” category award — and one will take home the ultimate honor: Retailer of the Year.
This year, we’re excited to announce a new development: We’re launching the Skip Maggiora Innovation Award. This honor recognizes a NAMM member who demonstrates excellence and innovation in music retailing with a focus on market creation and music education, and the winner receives a $25,000 grant to support an existing or future initiative. Skip Maggiora, founder of Skip’s Music in Sacramento, was a passionate entrepreneur, musician and lifelong advocate for growing community through opportunities in music. This award is a powerful opportunity to secure meaningful funding for a game-changing project.
Join us at the NAMM Retail Awards held at The NAMM Show this January to celebrate the creativity, resilience and passion of the global music retail community.
Eligibility
You must be a NAMM retail member company to be considered. To ensure your eligibility to participate, be sure your NAMM membership is current. Retail stores with recently expired memberships can renew now. Submissions are open from June 24 through August 17.
Watch the 2026 NAMM Retail Awards
Congratulations to Spicer's Music, the 2026 NAMM Retailer of the Year
“We pour a lot into our community and into our customers, and it’s such an honor to get to do that. Having this affirmation really goes a long way.”
— Spicer's Music
NAMM Retail Awards “Best of” Categories and Winners
Best Community Retail Store
Strong community engagement, support for local artists, knowledgeable and passionate employees, and impact beyond store sales are among the ways retail stores become a pillar in their communities. This category celebrates a single-location store that has made a lasting mark on the local community.
2026 Winner – Turramurra Music
Best Customer Service
When it comes to gaining a competitive edge, excellent customer service is key. This category recognizes retailers working hard to attract and retain customers through engagement and experiences.
2026 Winner – Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center
NEW Skip Maggiora lnnovation Award
The new Skip Maggiora Innovation Award honors a retailer who exemplifies excellence and innovation in music retail — particularly in expanding the market and advancing music education. This award also provides a powerful opportunity to secure meaningful funding for a new or existing program with a $25,000 grant.
2026 Innovation Award Winner – Zeswitz Music
Best Marketing and Sales Promotion
To establish a brand people remember, a retail store needs to be creative — and consistent. This category celebrates the outstanding marketing and sales efforts that retailers have used to build their brands and grow their customer bases.
2026 Winner – Zuhal Music
Best Music Lesson Program
Music education is the backbone of our industry, and a successful lesson operation can grow our market of music makers and differentiate a business. This category honors innovative, effective lesson programs that attract and keep students for the long run.
2026 Winner – Shiloh Music Center
Music Makes a Difference
Every day, NAMM member retailers have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. This award celebrates their efforts and enables retailers to share some of their most inspiring customer stories.
2026 Winner – Spicer's Music
Best Omnichannel Operation
Successful retailers meet customers where they’re at. This award honors retail businesses that demonstrate a personalized, consistent and seamless shopping experience across all channels — in-store, online and beyond.
2026 Winner – Five Star Guitars
Best Online Engagement
It’s never been more critical for retailers to establish an effective online presence that encourages customer engagement. After all, having a well-developed website, online marketing strategy and presence on social media is vital to building a successful following.
2026 Winner – ProAudioStar
Best Store Design
Thoughtful layout and flow; creative use of lighting, color, texture and product display; or other creative features are elements that contribute to a retail store's visual identity. This category honors a retail store that employs intentional design to enhance the customer experience, increase dwell time and create opportunities for repeat visits and sales.
2026 Winner – Swee Lee
Retailer of the Year
The NAMM Retailer of the Year is a title awarded to the store that delivers standout performance across categories, embodying the best in music retail. From community impact to brand reputation to leadership, culture and customer experience, the honoree is celebrated for outstanding effort in strengthening its business and presence in the community and beyond. Judges select the Dealer of the Year from top finalists in each of the nine categories.
2026 Winner – Spicer's Music
2026 NAMM Retail Top 100 Finalist Assets
Being a Retail Top 100 Finalist is quite an accomplishment — you should let the world know! Download these assets and proudly share your honors across web, social and email.
5 Reasons to Enter Your Business for the NAMM Retail Awards
Not sure if you want to submit your company for consideration? Here are five reasons why we encourage you to enter the NAMM Retail Awards:
Questions?
We’re happy to help. Please reach out to us at info@namm.org