2027 Store Leader Spotlight
Store Light Spotlight nominees are leaders who drive team growth and development, lead high-performing stores, and demonstrate excellence through both business results and people-first leadership.
To nominate your store leader for our 2027 NRF Foundation Store Leader Spotlight, you’ll share their leadership journey, scope of responsibility, and the tangible impact they’ve made within your organization.
Here's a link to our nomination form and more details on the process and qualifications to nominate your store leader for the NRF Foundation Store Leader Spotlight.
To be considered, the nominee must be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and all employees of a physical retail store. They are the highest-ranking individual manager with ownership of decision making and overall business strategy for their location, and prior experience and background in the retail industry.
Nominated store leaders should:
Exemplify brand values
Develop teams
Invest in their community
Lead by example
Deliver business results
)
The nominee must be able to attend the 2027 NRF Foundation Honors on Sunday, January 10 in New York City, NY.
There is no cost associated with the NRF Foundation Store Leader Spotlight, but brands are encouraged to support their store leader by purchasing tickets or tables for the NRF Foundation Honors, where the store leaders will be recognized and celebrated for their contributions to the retail industry.
July 31, 2026 – Deadline to submit nominations
August 2026 – Nominees selected and notified by the NRF Foundation
September 2026 - January 2027 – Nominees participate in store photoshoots, announcements and additional engagement opportunities listed below
January 10, 2027 – Nominees attend the NRF Foundation Honors in New York City
Store Leaders selected by the NRF Foundation will be:
Recognized and celebrated in front of 700+ retail industry leaders at the 2027 NRF Foundation Honors in New York City
Featured on the NRF Foundation blog, social media channels, podcast, email announcements, webinars, and podcasts
Included in the NRF Foundation Honors post-event press release, highlighting achievements to industry press and peers
Captured in high-quality images celebrating their leadership of your store that can be shared across multiple channels
Participates in the NRF Foundation Student Program’s Executive Mentor Experience, presented by American Express on Saturday January 9, 2027 in New York City
Influencing the next generation of retail talent by providing input for skills-based classroom resources that help develop NRF Foundation Retail Training curriculum
Invitation to attend the NRF Foundation Chairman’s Reception on Saturday January 9, 2027 in New York City
)
From the most coveted award in retail, The Visionary, to our annual List of People Shaping Retail's Future to our scholarship recipients, our Training Partner of the Year, and our Store Leader Spotlight, the NRF Foundation Honors celebrates the retail professionals who are sparking innovation and inspiring incredible change. In 2026, more than 700 guests — including 38 CEOs and more than 220 C-Suite members — joined us.
