NEW YORK—retailmediaIQ, publisher of Mass Market Retailers (MMR) and Chain Drug Review (CDR), celebrated the achievements of leading retail executives at its annual Retailer of the Year awards ceremony, held at The Harmonie Club in New York City. The event recognized outstanding contributions in the food, drug, and mass retail sectors.
For over 40 years, retailmediaIQ has been honored to host this prestigious annual ceremony, which brings together industry leaders to recognize and honor top-performing Retailer and Supplier Executives across the food, drug, and mass merchandise channels who exemplify exceptional leadership, innovation, success, and significant contributions to the dynamic retail landscape.
At the “Retailer of the Year” awards ceremony, President of Wakefern, Mike Stigers, accepted the Grocery Retailer of the Year award. Emily Taylor, Dollar General's EVP / Chief Merchandising Officer, was chosen Merchant of the Year. The Lifetime Achievement award went to Martin Otto of H-E-B. Chad Parson of Walmart accepted the MMR “Retailer of the Year” award on behalf of “The Walmart Associate.”
The event also honored the executives recognized by MMR’s sister publication, Chain Drug Review. Good Neighbor Pharmacy was chosen Retailer of the Year, with Jennifer Zilka, Senior Vice President, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Field Programs and Services, accepting the award. Thrifty White was selected as Regional Chain of the Year, with Justin Heiser and Jeremy Faulks of Thrifty White accepting the award. Amazon Pharmacy was honored as E-Commerce Healthcare Provider of the Year, and Tanvi Patel, VP & GM of Amazon Pharmacy, accepted. Merchant of the Year was awarded to Walmart's Ralph Clare, Senior Vice President, Merchandising, Consumables, Health & Wellness.
MMR Honorees
Retailer of the Year: The Walmart Associates
Grocery Retailer of the Year: Mike Stigers, president of Wakefern.
Merchant of the Year: Emily Taylor, Dollar General's EVP / Chief Merchandising Officer.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Martin Otto of H-E-B.
Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors
Mass Market Retailers thanks the sponsors who made the 2025 Retailer of the Year event possible. We are honored to have you as partners in recognizing innovation, leadership, and excellence.
Thank you to:
- The Emerson Group
- Nature’s Way
- CeraVe
- L’Oréal
- Scentworx Slatkin + Co.
- T-Mobile
- blueoco | geckobrands
- GoodRx
- First Quality
- Force Factor
- Dropps
- Cleanlogic
- Aonic
- MPG (Market Performance Group)
- Instawork
