Now in its 15th year, the NAMM Retail Awards (formerly the Top 100 Dealer Awards) spotlights the industry’s very best music product retailers and their strategies for success. An independent panel of judges chooses the Top 100 Retailer finalist list from companies that submit their businesses for consideration. Additionally, judges select winners in the nine “Best of” categories, from which the prestigious "Retailer of the Year" is chosen. We’ve also added two new categories this year: Best Omnichannel Operation and Best Music Lesson Program. The NAMM Retail Awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 21st at The 2026 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
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. All other retail stores can complete the NAMM Membership Application to become a member.
NAMM Retail Awards “Best of” Categories and Winners
Innovation Award
We’re living in a time of rapid change and disruption. The Innovation Award highlights a retail member’s commitment to reimagine the retail experience and focus on the consumer. Retail stores are looking beyond price and service to create an immersive shopping experience, in-person and online. They are often filling a void in the community and becoming a marketplace by bringing the consumer and music together.
2025 Winner – Chuck Levins Washington 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.
2025 Winner – Zeswitz Music
Best Marketing Sales Promotion
To establish a brand people remember, you need to be creative — and consistent. This category celebrates the outstanding marketing and sales efforts that NAMM retailers have used to build their brands and grow their customer bases.
2025 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.
2025 Winner – Instrumental Music Center
NEW 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.
Best Store Design
Effective merchandising can be the defining difference in purchase decisions. Not only does store design enhance your brand, but it also sets the stage for a positive customer experience, creating opportunities for repeat customers and referrals.
2025 Winner – Music Bliss
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.
2025 Winner – Brighton Music Center
Best Community Retail Store
Independent retailers need to become part of the community they serve. This community effort can be a big driver for sales. Consumers want to support the business that gives back and supports their community. This category celebrates our industry’s independent stores — single-location stores that have made their mark on their local community. How do you make your store and employees part of the “family” of your town?
2025 Winner – Elefante Music
NEW 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.
Retailer of the Year
The NAMM Retailer of the Year Award is given to the store that embodies the best in music retail strategies, marketing and presentation. Judges will select the 2025 Dealer of the Year from top finalists in each of the nine categories.
2025 Winner – Brighton Music Center
Brighton Music Center Is 2025 NAMM Retailer of the Year
Winning the title of 2025 NAMM Dealer of the Year is an honor that Brighton Music Center's owners and employees cherish and take pride in.
“To be recognized with juggernauts of the industry that I look up to, and to be considered the best of the best, was something that I just won’t ever forget,” said co-owner Richard Schiemer.
Watch the 2025 NAMM Dealer Awards
Questions?
We’re happy to help. Please reach out to us at info@namm.org