Associations

Woonsocket, R.I. — CVS Health is reportedly withdrawing its membership from the United States Chamber of Commerce over the chamber’s stance on smoking, according to The New York Times.

Washington, D.C. – Kids may be unhappy about back-to-school season, but importers are surely thrilled.

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 7.3% in July 2015 month from the same time last year as retailers stock up for the busy back-to-school season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.

Houston -- Charming Charlie has appointed Melissa Boughton as senior VP of real estate & construction, where she is spearheading the retailer’s real estate, store planning, construction, facilities and lease administration functions.

Indianapolis - Lids Sports Group will continue living out the childhood dreams of countless consumers by “playing ball” with Major League Baseball players. Lids has reached a licensing agreement extension with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) granting the sportswear retailer licensing rights to embroider the names, numbers and autographs of MLBPA players on New Era MLB-licensed caps.

Rite Aid has named a 30-year company veteran to the newly created post of group VP of risk and controls.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation upped its criticism of President Obama’s proposal to extend overtime pay, saying it would turn “professionals into clock-watchers.”

Forget organic and gluten free, these are the top five trends experts at the Fancy Food Show predict will shape what’s next on store shelves.

The Specialty Food Association held its annual trade show recently in New York where roughly 22,000 attendees sampled wares from the 2,600 food companies who exhibited at the Javits Center.

Washington, D.C. -- Retailers and restaurant owners can expect their labor costs to rise under a new proposal from the Obama administration.

On Tuesday, the Department of Labor unveiled a proposal whereby salaried workers who earn up to $50,440 a year would be eligible for time-and-a-half overtime wages when they work more than 40 hours per week. That is more than double the current threshold of $23,660, or $455 per week, established in 2004.

Fireworks sales are expected to reach a record level this year and while reported injuries have declined seeking medical treatment is still a Fourth of July tradition for many.

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) forecasts that consumer fireworks sales will reach a record level this year. Backyard fireworks have never been more popular or in more demand, according to APA, and despite the sluggish economy sales grew from $600 million in 2006 to $662 million in 2013.

Washington, D.C. – Americans are feeling patriotic as July 4 approaches and putting their wallets where their feelings are. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2015 Independence Day Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, more than 156 million consumers, or 64% of those celebrating, are planning to take part in the July 4 holiday by attending a cookout, picnic or barbecue, spending an average of $71.23 per household, up 4% from $68.16 in 2014.