Content about National Retail Federation

May 1, 2013

Evolving expectations keep retailers innovating

In the 18 months since I joined the National Retail Federation, I’ve been struck repeatedly by how rapidly our industry continues to evolve. As we all know, retail has always changed and adapted — and in just the past 20 years we’ve advanced from then-radical game changer Amazon.com to more recent models like Hointer, which boasts what amounts to online shopping in a store.

May 1, 2013

NRF Foundation launches industry research site

The NRF Foundation, the careers and education division of the National Retail Federation, has launched a Retail Insight Center, a website designed to serve as a resource for researching industry, government, economic and consumer trends within the retail industry.

WASHINGTON — The NRF Foundation, the careers and education division of the National Retail Federation, has launched the Retail Insight Center — a website designed to serve as a resource for researching industry, government, economic and consumer trends within the retail industry.

The Retail Insight Center is made possible by a contribution from KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm.

April 30, 2013

NRF says mom’s in for a treat, while IBISWorld says not so much

Moms are in for a special treat this Mother’s Day, May 12, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, but another survey conducted by IBISWorld has found that Mother’s Day spending growth will be flat this year compared to last year.

NRF’s Mother’s Day spending survey conducted by BIGinsight has found consumers will spend an average of $169 on mom, up 11% from last year’s $153. Total spending is expected to reach $21 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.” 

April 10, 2013

NRF supports long-term ports contracts

The National Retail Federation issued a statement on Tuesday in support of the International Longshoreman’s Association’s approval of a new long-term master labor contract covering port terminal operations along the East and Gulf Coast ports.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation issued a statement on Tuesday in support of the International Longshoreman’s Association’s approval of a new long-term master labor contract covering port terminal operations along the East and Gulf Coast ports.

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.

March 18, 2013

Easter spending to be flat

The National Retail Federation reported that the average person celebrating Easter this year will spend about $145.13 on candy, décor, apparel and food – which is flat with last year’s $145.28.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation reported that the average person celebrating Easter this year will spend about $145.13 on candy, décor, apparel and food – which is flat with last year’s $145.28.

NRF, through its Easter Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, estimated that total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion this year.

February 26, 2013

RILA exec takes top job at lodging group

Katherine Lugar will join the American Hotel & Lodging Association as president and CEO.

Lugar spent the past six years as EVP of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) where president Sandy Kennedy credited Lugar as a driving force behind the trade group’s growth and key legislative victories on behalf of the industry.

February 14, 2013

Fairness Act deals tax blow to online retailers

The apparent advantage online retailers have over their brick-and-mortar counterparts may soon be gone now that new legislation seeking to enforce the collection of sales tax for all retailers has been introduced.

February 14, 2013

NRF: Retail sales up slightly in January

Retail sales ticked up in January as consumers adjusted their spending in response to the increase in payroll taxes and rise in gasoline and energy prices.

WASHINGTON -- Retail sales ticked up in January as consumers adjusted their spending in response to the increase in payroll taxes and rise in gasoline and energy prices. According to the National Retail Federation, January retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.3% seasonally adjusted from December and increased 5.4% unadjusted year-over-year.

February 8, 2013

NRF calls for ports to remain open despite contract rejection

The National Retail Federation expressed disappointment over the failure of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union's Local 63 Office Clerical Unit and the Harbor Employers Association to reach a contract agreement.

WASHINGTON -- The National Retail Federation expressed disappointment over the failure of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union's Local 63 Office Clerical Unit and the Harbor Employers Association to reach a contract agreement.

February 1, 2013

NRF calls on Obama to take action on jobs

The National Retail Federation took aim at President Obama and Congress for not doing enough to improve the jobs situation and boost the economy.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation took aim at President Obama and Congress for not doing enough to improve the jobs situation and boost the economy.

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 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:

“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 18, 2013

What I learned at NRF

Mobile, social, solution, cloud, big data, SaaS, optimize and engage. It was impossible to have a conversation at the National Retail Federation convention in New York without hearing these words a lot.

By Mike Troy

January 15, 2013

NRF warns retailers of possible trouble ahead

Despite caution among consumers, retailers wrapped up 2012 with a healthy holiday shopping season, according to a new report by a retailing trade group.

NEW YORK — Despite caution among consumers, retailers wrapped up 2012 with a healthy holiday shopping season, according to a new report by a retailing trade group.

The National Retail Federation said that holiday retail sales increased 3% over the year before, to $579.8 billion. December retail sales increased 0.8% seasonally adjusted from November and 2.1% unadjusted year over year. Nevertheless, the 3% increase was still below the NRF's projected 4.1% growth. Meanwhile, nonstore holiday sales grew 11.1%.

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.

January 8, 2013

NRF to recognize ‘the Chief’ at special luncheon

The National Retail Federation will present Ohio Council of Retail Merchants president and CEO John C. Mahaney Jr., known as “the Chief,” with the J. Thomas Weyant Lifetime Achievement Award at NRF’s Annual Convention and EXPO next week in New York.

NEW YORK — The National Retail Federation will present Ohio Council of Retail Merchants president and CEO John C. Mahaney Jr., known as “the Chief,” with the J. Thomas Weyant Lifetime Achievement Award at NRF’s Annual Convention and EXPO next week in New York.

January 8, 2013

NRF, Phoenix U want retail employees to Dream BIG

National Retail Federation and the University of Phoenix will award ten current retail employees in the U.S. a Dream BIG scholarship.

WASHINGTON — National Retail Federation and the University of Phoenix will award ten current retail employees in the U.S. a Dream BIG scholarship.

Each of the ten recipients will receive full tuition at any University of Phoenix campus or online program, to encourage them to pursue career opportunities within the retail industry.

January 2, 2013

2013: Retail & CPG Industry Calendar of Events

Have an event relevant to the retail and CPG industry you would like to add? Send an email to Mtroy@LF.com.

JANUARY

January 8-11: Consumer Electronics Association International CES show in Las Vegas. Visit www.cesweb.org.

January 13-16. The National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention & Expo in New York. Visit www.nrf.com/annual13

December 20, 2012

Amazon and Kohl’s execs among those honored by NRF

Executives at Amazon, Kohl’s, Crocs and lululemon have been named recipients of the National Retail Federation’s annual awards.

WASHINGTON — Executives at Amazon, Kohl’s, Crocs and lululemon have been named recipients of the National Retail Federation’s annual awards.

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos received the Gold Medal Award, for serving the industry with distinction and achieving a national reputation for excellence. Recipients of this award have displayed creative genius and inspirational leadership and won the respect of fellow merchants for their devotion to the retail craft, according to NRF.

December 20, 2012

NRF weighs in on fiscal cliff

The National Retail Federation welcomed the House vote on legislation intended to avoid middle-class tax increases in the fiscal cliff, saying progress on the issue is critically important.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation welcomed the House vote on legislation intended to avoid middle-class tax increases in the fiscal cliff, saying progress on the issue is critically important.

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 9, 2012

NRF asks judge to reject proposed swipe fee settlement

Lawyers representing the National Retail Federation and many of the nation’s most prominent retail companies are set to appear in court today to ask a federal judge to reject a proposed class-action settlement of an antitrust lawsuit over the $30 billion a year in credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard.  

Washington -- Lawyers representing the National Retail Federation and many of the nation’s most prominent retail companies are set to appear in court today to ask a federal judge to reject a proposed class-action settlement of an antitrust lawsuit over the $30 billion a year in credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard.  