Associations

New York -- The National Retail Federation's 102nd Annual Convention & Expo, also referred to as Retail's BIG Show, opened on Sunday, with more than 27,000 attendees from more than 70 countries around the globe. The event, taking place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, runs through Jan. 15.

RACINE, Wis. — SC Johnson, a leader in sustainability, has received the Renewable Energy Customer-Generator of the Year award from Renew Wisconsin.

Renew Wisconsin is an independent nonprofit organization that leads and represents businesses, organizations and individuals who want cleaner, renewable energy in the state. It recognized SC Johnon for its achievements in using renewable energy in its global manufacturing operations.

Washington -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 2.3% in January over the same month last year as retailers continue to urge labor and management to avoid a strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast docks, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. A strike would close 14 ports from Maine to Texas where nearly 15,000 dockworkers handle 40% of the nation’s ocean cargo.


If it weren’t for all the noise coming out of Washington, D.C. for the past month about the fiscal cliff and now the debt ceiling, an important development regarding the life and death issue of food safety might have received more attention.

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.

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) is now accepting nominations for the industry’s most prestigious award.

The CSCMP has issued an open call for nominations for its 2013 Distinguished Service Award to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to the supply chain and logistics management profession. Last year’s recipient of the honor was Ann M. Drake, chairman and CEO of DSC Logistics.

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.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association has made changes to its top staff. Former Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us executive Garth Gasse has joined the association as director of retail operations, asset protection. Lisa LaBruno has been promoted to SVP for retail operations.