Associations

WASHINGTON -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be up 9% in April over the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Washington, D.C. -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be up 9% in April over the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Monday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the National Retail Federation and conducted by BIGresearch found that spending on food, gifts and apparel is expected to increase this Easter.

According to NRF’s 2011 Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, the average consumer is expected to spend $131.04 on everything from candy to clothes -- up from last year’s $118.60, but still not quite meeting pre-recession spending levels.

Total spending on Easter-related merchandise is expected to reach $14.6 billion.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Winn-Dixie Foundation announced that it has donated nearly $1.3 million to 81 charities throughout its operating areas in the Southeast. 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Tuesday voted to repeal a law that posed a burdensome tax reporting requirement for businesses.

In an 87-12 decision, the legislative body passed H.R. 4, the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act, sponsored by Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif. The bill repeals a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 that required businesses to file a Form 1099 with the Internal Revenue Service whenever they made noncredit-card payments totaling $600 or more to a vendor during a single year.

HOUSTON -- Cardtronics, the world's largest retail ATM owner, announced that Lucia Romanello Crater has joined Cardtronics as the company's new VP U.S. merchant sales. 

Salem, Ore. -- Anthropologie and the Cork Forest Conservation Alliance (CFCA) announced a joint initiative in all 153 Anthropologie stores in the United States and United Kingdom to increase awareness and promote the preservation of Mediterranean cork forests, one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and CargoNet jointly announced that they have strategically aligned to combat cargo theft across the retail industry.

According to the 2010 United States Cargo Theft Report issued by CargoNet, reported incidences of cargo theft increased by 50% compared with 2009. According to the FBI, cargo theft is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States.

Mahwah, N.J. -- TD Retail Card Services announced that it has been selected as a preferred provider of private label credit services for members of Furniture First, a home furnishings and mattress purchasing cooperative with more than 175 retail furniture dealers operating over 360 locations nationwide.

Under the agreement, the Mahwah, N.J-based business unit of TD Bank, N.A., will offer a full range of private label credit products and services, custom financing options and special benefits to participating members of the co-op.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has hired Julie Philp as director of federal affairs to bring additional pharmacy and legislative expertise to the government affairs team. She joins NACDS on April 11.

"Julie is a seasoned advocate with experience in pharmacy and on Capitol Hill, and she will bring a wealth of expertise to NACDS," stated NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. "NACDS members will enjoy working with Julie, and we are pleased to welcome her to NACDS' highly effective team."