Associations

The National Retail Federation called on Congress to reject a customs reauthorization bill set for a vote this week unless it includes a provision allowing states to require online merchants to collect sales tax the same as local stores.

Consumer packaged goods companies eager to keep pace with shoppers’ desire for product ingredient transparency have embraced a major initiative branded as SmartLabel.

SmartLabel is the name given to an initiative spearheaded by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) that is designed to give consumers easy access to detailed information on ingredients and hundreds of other product attributes, such as whether food items contain ingredients from genetically modified sources.

ICSC’s 2015 New York National Conference & Deal Making show is on track to set an attendance record, with approximately 10,000 dealmakers estimated at the event, outstripping the previous peak of 9,600 attendees set in 2014 and spurring the event’s planners to explore options for adding space in future years.

Design firms and in-house retail design teams from around the globe are invited to submit projects for the Retail Design Institute’s 45th annual international store design competition.

The competition celebrates exceptional retail experiences across more than 20 categories from full-line department stores and specialty shops to restaurants and pop-ups. In addition, a single "Store of the Year" will be chosen from among the winning entries.

As the holidays approach, retailers face issues like longer wait times to process EMV-compliant cards, the threat of the newly identified ModPOS malware, and the need to go beyon

RANDOM NOTES: Microsoft made its Manhattan debut with a 22,369-sq.-ft. flagship on Fifth Avenue — its largest location yet. Designed in collaboration with Gensler, the store has a striking, all-glass facade that provides a full view of the contemporary, multi-level interior. High-definition video walls and digital signage are featured throughout the space, streaming video, images and information. A two-story video wall is located behind an “answer desk,” where shoppers can receive assistance and training. ...

Walmart on Friday named George Riedl as senior VP, president Walmart health and wellness, reporting to Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart executive VP consumables and health and wellness.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association on Thursday welcomed a <a href="http://email.prnewswire.com/wf/click?upn=uefwbvtS7tB-2BrQMPmejiN4fTeYquc3oBa2KlQm0WlEyxQZnrWbSSmbDeaQc3u1U-2BV326b96v8efIzWwvTp88Px8z9SYhH0tfZoMcXNV4A6c-3D_4IBsk1o2j7dj6HmhC-2FQ7Vkc6PF15rC46rSHZ95WWe0BYx0l3bKauNZIqcTP8E6CfMkBbWsId11awP5VfunZkXaoKziYNajexreYN2PVnS2-2F3K0J9UttAaj-2BVkf6HqqxzLJP6nBDUCKhyXtEvKzBRNdQYDe69VHFGzBXxzYf7Y5D6Axcllx2-2BZ5H16Urhk1r1NUgovJOBSXfTM-2B2DBdmPfSZDfgWBANhS5CqPKfUwnHt855CITvWIkWaOqCIRoKi1sI-2BOrVTiJM9UUjbhTEU8tI70NIY8C5D8q9iXO3Jwgr-2BUixP5mBtqgZQpz0XiIrxoPNfhBTtXAi659Mbw-2FBSoxQ-3D-3D" tar