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 award 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 were open from June 24 through August 17, 2026.

Watch the 2026 NAMM Retail Awards

Congratulations to Spicer's Music, the 2026 NAMM Retailer of the Year

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 Innovation 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 award.

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.