Content about Matthew Shay

June 7, 2013

NRF survey says Dad’s in for a good Father’s Day

Americans are going to stretch their budgets and spend a little more on dad this year, according to NRF’s 2013 Father’s Day spending survey conducted by BIGinsight. The average person is expected to shell out $119.84 on gifts this year, an increase of 2% from $117.14 last year.

WASHINGTON — Americans are going to stretch their budgets and spend a little more on dad this year, according to NRF’s 2013 Father’s Day spending survey conducted by BIGinsight. The average person is expected to shell out $119.84 on gifts this year, an increase of 2% from $117.14 last year.

Total spending by people 18 and older in the United States for Father’s Day is expected to reach $13.3 billion.

April 23, 2013

NRF weighs in on Senate vote on Marketplace Fairness Act

The National Retail Federation applauded a Senate vote to proceed with debate on S.743, an act to level the sales tax field for online and brick-and-mortar stores.

NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay issued the following statement: “NRF applauds today’s Senate vote on the Marketplace Fairness Act and we commend Senators Enzi, Durbin, Alexander and Heitkamp for their skilled leadership in moving this legislation ahead.” 

March 21, 2013

NRF supports bill to encourage foreign travel

The National Retail Federation has released the following statement from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in support of the Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act:

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has released the following statement from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in support of the Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act:

“With the average international tourist spending well over $4,000 shopping in our stores, staying at our hotels, and eating at our restaurants, efforts aimed at encouraging more foreign travel is a simple way to spur economic growth and job creation. This is especially true in the retail industry.

January 29, 2013

NRF chief applauds Congress on immigration efforts

National Retail Federation president and CEO Matthew Shay has issued the following statement in support of immigration reform

WASHINGTON — National Retail Federation president and CEO Matthew Shay has issued the following statement in support of immigration reform:

“Our current immigration system is broken and unworkable, and it is in desperate need of reform. We applaud the President’s commitment and Congress’ resolve to address immigration reform this year.

“NRF has been and continues to be a strong advocate for bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform.

January 28, 2013

NRF forecasts tepid sales on slow economic growth

Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 3.4%, down slightly from 4.2% in 2012 and 5.8% in 2011, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2013 economic forecast.

WASHINGTON — Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 3.4%, down slightly from 4.2% in 2012 and 5.8% in 2011, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2013 economic forecast.

The lukewarm forecast, released Monday, comes on the heels of a holiday season that went head-to-head with Washington’s political wrangling over fiscal concerns, shifting consumers’ spending plans downward. In the end, holiday sales in 2012 grew 3.0%.

January 14, 2013

Saks CEO new chair of NRF board

The National Retail Federation has elected Saks chairman and CEO Stephen I. Sadove to chairman of the NRF board of directors and chairman of its executive committee.

NEW YORK — The National Retail Federation has elected Saks chairman and CEO Stephen I. Sadove to chairman of the NRF board of directors and chairman of its executive committee. Sadove succeeds NRF’s chairman, Terry J. Lundgren, who is chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s.

November 26, 2012

NRF responds to White House report on consumers & retail

The National Retail Federation has issued a statement from president and CEO Matthew Shay on the new White House report, “The Middle-Class Tax Cut’s Impact on Consumer Spending & Retailers.”

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has issued a statement from president and CEO Matthew Shay on the new White House report, “The Middle-Class Tax Cut’s Impact on Consumer Spending & Retailers.”

November 7, 2012

NRF ready to work with Obama

President Obama is back for another term, and whether or not the National Retail Federation supported his re-election, the group said it is ready to work with him on key issues facing the retail industry.

WASHINGTON — President Obama is back for another term, and whether or not the National Retail Federation supported his re-election, the group said it is ready to work with him on key issues facing the retail industry.

The National Retail Federation Wednesday released the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the re-election of President Obama:

June 13, 2012

Retail sales slow in May, but industry not worried

After a surprisingly strong first quarter, consumers have slowed their spending in May, according to the latest report from the National Retail Federation.

WASHINGTON — After a surprisingly strong first quarter, consumers have slowed their spending in May, according to the latest report from the National Retail Federation. The NRF reported that May retail sales (excluding automobile, gas stations and restaurants) decreased 0.3%seasonally adjusted from April but increased 4.8% unadjusted year-over-year, marking 23 consecutive months of retail sales growth.

May 16, 2012

Hawaiin boutique owner wins top prize in NRF's 'This is Retail' contest

Tanna Dang, co-owner of the Eden in Love boutique in Honolulu, Hawaii was awarded the top $25,000 prize in the National Retail Federation’s inaugural “This is Retail” video contest.

WASHINGTON — Tanna Dang, a boutique owner in Honolulu, Hawaii was awarded the top $25,000 prize in the National Retail Federation’s inaugural “This is Retail” video contest. Florida’s Kim Williams of The Polka Dot press came in second place and will take home $15,000 and Illinois’ Susan Kaufman will take home $10,000 for third place. Nearly 1 million votes were cast by the public through NRF’s Retail Means Jobs website to choose the contest winners.

March 20, 2012

NRF expects sales to hop up this Easter

While intentions aren't always equal to results, if NRF's predictions are correct, consumers will be shelling out quite a bit of cash this Easter.

WASHINGTON — While intentions aren't always equal to results, if NRF's predictions are correct, consumers will be shelling out quite a bit of cash this Easter. According to NRF’s Easter spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, Americans will spend an average of $145.28 on everything from apparel and candy to food and decorations this year, up 11% from $131.04 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $16.8 billion.

November 17, 2011

NRF predicts bigger shopper turnout for Black Friday weekend

Up to 152 million people plan to shop Black Friday Weekend, compared with the 138 million who planned to do so last year, according to a preliminary Black Friday shopping survey, conducted for the National Retail Federation by BIGresearch.

WASHINGTON — Up to 152 million people plan to shop Black Friday Weekend, compared with the 138 million who planned to do so last year, according to a preliminary Black Friday shopping survey, conducted for the National Retail Federation by BIGresearch. According to the survey, 74 million people say they will definitely hit the stores and another 77 million are waiting to see if the bargains are worth the hassle of Black Friday.

September 29, 2011

Halloween forecast is frighteningly good

So much for the weak economy. A record number of people, 161 million to be precise, are expected to celebrate Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federations annual survey.

NRF has been conducting the consumer intentions and actions survey for 10 years and the outlook for this year is the brightest ever with average spending per person expected to increase to $72.31 from $66.28 last year.

July 29, 2011

NRF urges Congress to raise debt ceiling

The National Retail Federation announced that it is urging Congress to reach an agreement and rais the debt ceiling in order to avoid default.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it is urging Congress to reach an agreement and raise the debt ceiling in order to avoid default.

NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay issued the following statement:

July 21, 2011

NRF: BTS shoppers focused on value, most shopping later

NRF reported that total back-to-school spending on grades K to 12 is expected to reach $22.8 billion.

WASHINGTON — NRF reported that total back-to-school spending on grades K to 12 is expected to reach $22.8 billion. According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School survey conducted by BIGresearch, families with children in grades K to 12 will spend an average of $603.63 on apparel, school supplies and electronics, within a few dollars of last year’s $606.40 average.

February 15, 2011

Retail sales increase for seventh straight month

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday reported that retail sales continue on a positive trend, edging up 0.3% for the month of January.

The increase to $381.6 billion marked the seventh consecutive month of gains for retail sales. Total sales for the month were above the year-ago period by 7.8%.

February 3, 2011

NRF makes management changes to focus on strategic plan

The National Retail Federation announced that it has promoted Carleen Kohut, who has served as NRF SVP and CFO for the past ten years, to COO, as part of board-approved restructuring plan.

WASHINGTON -- The National Retail Federation announced that it has promoted Carleen Kohut, who has served as NRF SVP and CFO for the past ten years, to COO, as part of board-approved restructuring plan. Additionally, Susan Newman, VP conferences, has been promoted to SVP conferences and Mike Gatti, formerly SVP communications, has been named SVP member relations.

January 25, 2011

NRF welcomes focus on jobs in state of the union address

The National Retail Federation announced that it welcomed the focus on job creation and the economy expected in President Obama’s State of the Union Address.

WASHINGTON --The National Retail Federation announced that it welcomed the focus on job creation and the economy expected in President Obama’s State of the Union Address.

December 17, 2010

Industry groups applaud tax cut package

The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association both issued statements supporting the final passage of a bipartisan agreement for extending critical individual and business taxes.

ARLINGTON, Va. and WASHINGTON - The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association both issued statements supporting the final passage of a bipartisan agreement for extending critical individual and business taxes.

December 14, 2010

NRF raises holiday forecast

After a solid start to the holiday season, the National Retail Federation announced that it is revising its holiday forecast to 3.3%, up from 2.3%. The upward revision is due to improvement in a variety of economic indicators including stock market gains, recent income growth, savings built up during the recession - all giving consumers the capacity to spend.

Washington – After a solid start to the holiday season, the National Retail Federation announced that it is revising its holiday forecast to 3.3%, up from 2.3%. The upward revision is due to improvement in a variety of economic indicators including stock market gains, recent income growth, savings built up during the recession - all giving consumers the capacity to spend.

December 13, 2010

NRF urges Senate to support extension of Bush cuts

The National Retail Federation announced that it has urged the Senate to support legislation extending Bush era tax cuts that is scheduled for a procedural vote today, saying the measure would help preserve and create jobs.

WASHINGTON - The National Retail Federation announced that it has urged the Senate to support legislation extending Bush era tax cuts that is scheduled for a procedural vote today, saying the measure would help preserve and create jobs.

December 6, 2010

NRF supports extension of Bush era tax cuts

The National Retail Federation has announced its support of a tentative bipartisan agreement that would...

WASHINGTON The National Retail Federation has announced its support of a tentative bipartisan agreement that would temporarily extend Bush era tax cuts for all taxpayers regardless of income in return for extending unemployment benefits.

November 28, 2010

Black Friday lived up to the hype

Retailers had a lot to be thankful for this past weekend, as shoppers turned...

October 18, 2010

A glimmer of holiday hope from NRF

Consumers are a little less concerned about the economy and will be spending a little...

October 6, 2010

NRF anticipates moderate growth for holiday sales

WASHINGTON - One of the world's largest retail trade associations is projecting that holiday sales will increase by a moderate 2.3% to $447.1 billion.

NRF anticipates moderate growth for holiday sales

WASHINGTON - One of the world's largest retail trade associations is projecting that holiday sales will increase by a moderate 2.3% to $447.1 billion.

The National Retail Federation said that while growth remains slightly lower than the 10-year average holiday sales increase of 2.5%, it would be a marked improvement from both last year’s 0.4% uptick and the dismal 3.9% holiday sales decline retailers experienced in 2008.