Associations

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation on Wednesday presented Congress with what it termed “practical, commonsense and achievable solutions” to better protect consumers and help businesses prevent cyberattacks and data breaches, including passage of a uniform nationwide breach notification law applying to all entities that handle sensitive customer information.

The National Retail Federation testified before Congress Wednesday on the need to pass a federal data breach notification law that applies to all entities that handle sensitive customer data.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) has formally asked the House to approve legislation that would overturn a National Labor Relations Board(NLRB) regulation allowing what it terms “ambush” union organizing elections, saying the rule infringes on employee and employer rights and is an attempt to favor union organizing. The Senate approved the legislation earlier this month by a vote of 53-46, and the House is expected to take it up later this week.

Washington, D.C. – The long winter chill put a damper on consumer spending and retail sales in February. According to data from the National Retail Federation (NRF), excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, retail sales declined 0.2% seasonally-adjusted month-to-month, yet were up 3% on an unadjusted year-over-year basis.

Additional findings from NRF’s monthly retail sales analysis found that:

Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers:
• -2.3% month-to-month

Shoppers interested in purchasing products from women-owned companies will find it easier to do so at Walmart with the introduction of a new logo and related promotional effort.

Alexandria, Va. -- The ranks of the nation’s convenience stores continue to grow, increasing to 152,794 stores at year end, up nearly 1% from the year prior, according to the 2015 NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count. And 2015 is expected to be another busy year: Pennsylvania-based Sheetz plans to open 30 locations in 2015. The chain, which recently opened its 500th location, has said it now sees the potential to double in size.

Alexandria, Va. - Rising gas prices are taking a toll on consumer optimism about the economy. According to survey results released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), consumer optimism fell from 54% to 44%, the largest decrease in optimism since August 2014,

Washington, D.C -- The International Council of Shopping Centers applauded the introduction by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) of the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 in the 114th Congress. This legislation is aimed at ending the special treatment afforded online-only sellers at the expense of brick-and-mortar retailers, according to ICSC. It tracks closely with legislation that the Senate passed by an overwhelming, bipartisan majority in 2013.