Macy’s, Inc. and Surf, Wind and Fire Named NCRMA 2026 Retailers of the Year

RALEIGH, NC (November 5, 2026) –The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association named Macy’s, Inc. and Surf, Wind and Fire its 2026 Retailers of the Year at the association’s annual meeting last week. The honor recognizes two very different retailers that share a commitment to the communities they serve.

Surf, Wind and Fire
Danny Batten opened Surf, Wind and Fire, an outdoor gear store, in 2007 in downtown New Bern. A second storefront followed in Edenton. Batten says the store brings “a sense of community, and a third place” to downtown.

“Danny Batten has built Surf, Wind and Fire into the kind of place every downtown wants, where customers feel like guests and come back often,” said NCRMA President Andy Ellen.

Batten serves on the boards of his local chamber of commerce, economic development council, and community theater. He also supports his entire home state through his store’s “NC Strong” t-shirt sales, donating 100% of profits from those sales to Hurricane Helene recovery. Through his One World Company, he has expanded into wholesale and manufacturing, including a maker’s space, a custom screen printing and embroidery shop and a hospitality venture.

Macy’s, Inc.
A member of NCRMA for more than 30 years, Macy’s operates stores in Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro and Raleigh. Macy’s, Inc. has also made a significant investment in the state through its approximately 2.5 million-square-foot fulfillment and distribution center in China Grove, its largest and most technologically advanced facility.

“Macy’s has proven itself to be a good neighbor by serving customers and investing in the communities where its store personnel live and work,” said NCRMA President Andy Ellen.

Since opening its China Grove facility, Macy’s, Inc. has committed $250,000 to local programs throughout Rowan County, including the development of an automation training lab at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The company has also worked with local organizations focused on expanding food access, strengthening families and creating opportunities across the community.

Photos are available at the following link: ​https://ncrma-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/benc_ncrma_org/IgAXqwUA_ssmRL2vZQOsZ3xtAekJ6Q2iDourWDrR2R2jvfg?e=cHYZI7​​ (Credit: NC Retail Merchants Association)

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About the organization: The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association is a well-respected, highly effective, non-profit association representing retail business interests in North Carolina for 125 years. NCRMA serves both small, independent retailers and large, chain retailers to ensure North Carolina is one of the best places to do business.